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The best FFScout Community articles ahead of Gameweek 4

Welcome to a new regular feature capturing the latest talking points in the Fantasy Football Scout Community as we turn our attention to Gameweek 4.

Here we bring to your attention some of the best articles submitted through our Community Trials initiative, which is part of our ongoing mission to support budding contributors and creators.

This piece will also cover the latest in the Community mini-leagues and competitions.

How to avoid feeling Blue

Chelsea have been the subject of much debate over the past week. In his Community article, Blues-fan James878 cautioned against owning members of Frank Lampard’s defence:

I would like clear evidence of improvement in the backline before going anywhere near those Chelsea assets.

– James878

Advice that was borne out in Gameweek 3 as Chelsea shipped three goals to newly-promoted West Brom

Meanwhile, Portsmouth Bubblejet highlighted the problems of accommodating their exciting summer-signings, Timo Werner (£9.4m) and Kai Havertz (£8.4m), in their favoured – and most effective – positions.

But Chelsea-fan AK countered that once the injured Christian Pulisic (£8.3m) and Hakim Ziyech (£7.9m) return we should see a better balance to the first XI. And he argued that Werner can operate effectively as a No 9.

Elsewhere, managers have been asking what to do with the injured Son Heung-Min (£9.0m) – although it transpired today that the South Korean has a very small chance of playing this weekend. And I shared my thoughts about the unpredictable results we’ve seen so far. 

Value and Formation

Three members of the 12-strong The Great and The Good deployed their Wildcards ahead of Gameweek 3, although disappointingly not one received an immediate green arrow. The refreshed squads of Lateriser, Ville Ronka, and Meet the Manager guest Sean Tobin were examined by Greyhead in his latest offering.

The ageing wizard speculated that a formation switch to 3-4-3 might be on the cards, given the number of goals and penalties seen so far. Messrs Calvert-Lewin, Wilson and Maupay would appear to provide more value than a mid-range fifth midfielder.

This is a view shared by Steven Reinaldo Rusli who found that the best-performing forwards are currently offering better value than the best-performing midfielders. Delving into non-penalty expected goals, he predicts this trend will continue: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.4m), Michail Antonio (£6.4m) and Richarlison (£8.0m) are all posting impressive underlying statistics compared to their midfield counterparts.

Meanwhile, value was the subject of an in-depth analysis from TorpedoToien in his Moneyball Perspective.

Casting his net as far back as 2014/15, the Community scribe made some interesting discoveries. The first is the importance of playing time:

On average going from 60 to 80 minutes played per Gameweek resulted in an increase of 20 points per season for defenders and midfielders and 30 points per season for forwards. It might not look like much, but across the 10 outfield players in your team, it will make a difference of 200 points a season.

– TorpedoToien

Over the last six seasons, the best value player in FPL based on starting price is Riyad Mahrez. Costing a mere £5.5m in Leicester’s title-winning campaign, the Algerian averaged a whopping 43.6 points per million.

However TorpedoToien notes:

Mahrez is one of just 11 midfielders or forwards among the 47 [to average 30 points per million or higher]. The remaining 36 are goalkeepers and defenders.

– TorpedoToien

Before examining goalkeepers in detail, he suggests that two benefits of favouring defenders could be:

  • Higher points per million compared to midfielders or forwards
  • Fewer attacking options to rotate, making transfer management easier

But in the comments section, Giggs Boson challenged this approach pointing out that we get 37 free transfers, two Wildcards and a Free Hit to change our teams. And, if we are willing to spend four points, we can make as many transfers as we want. 

Over a good set of fixtures, even a £12.0m player can be good value. If you dilute the money across the team, you can’t take advantage of the fixtures as well. You’re making lower impact transfers moving around £7.0m-£8.0m players than you are moving £11.5m-£12.0m players.

– Giggs Boson

Over the summer Hedge took his yearly look at player value, concluding that last season 3-4-3 and just one £10.0m+ player would have been the optimal strategy. The tricky part is obviously identifying those value-for-money players.

Like TorpedoToien, Hedge promotes a premium defender strategy but does favour a rotating £4.5m pair for one slot.

To help us identify this year’s must-own players, FPL Fetish submitted his eye-test review of Gameweek 3. Tariq Lamptey (£4.6m), Leandro Trossard (£6.0m), Solly March (£5.0m) and Neal Maupay (£6.5m) impressed for Brighton, while Tomas Soucek (£5.0m) and Michail Antonio (£6.4m) did likewise for West Ham.

Finally, Meltens previewed Gameweek 22 in Fantasy Allsvenskan and GAFFR.io looked ahead to Gameweek 3 in Fantasy Championship.

Fantasy Football Scout Mini-Leagues

League code: 5u05vz
Eligibility: Open to all

There are currently 47,734 people participating in the open-to-all Fantasy Football Scout mini-league.

Straight in at number one is Iddi Marzuk. A new entry this week, Iddi is 73rd overall after captaining Son for a 121-point haul in Gameweek 2 and then playing his Wildcard for 57 points in Gameweek 3.

Iddi is one point ahead of Devika Tiwari and last week’s leader حسام احمد (Hossam Ahmed) who share second place.

Fantasy Football Scout Community Members

League code: Available on Members page
Eligibility: Open to those with a registered FFScout account – paid or free.

Hamdy Sameeh takes over at the top of the Fantasy Football Scout Community Members mini-league and bags himself the first prize of the season. Hamdy wins the Manager of the Month award for September and takes home a £50 Amazon voucher. Hamdy, please contact Geoff (geoff@fantasyfootballscout.co.uk) to claim your prize.

The mini-league leader is 145th overall. He triple captained Vardy in Gameweek 1, played his Wildcard in Gameweek 2, and Bench Boosted in Gameweek 3. This is his third season.

We’re dishing out £2,500-worth of giveaways throughout the season, however only those who have registered a Fantasy Football Scout account (paid or free) will be able to claim a prize. Also, managers must be registered one month in advance of the awarding of a specific prize to be eligible.

Head-to-Head Leagues

Five managers in League 1 have made 100%-winning starts to the new campaign. The leader on rank-difference is Tim Hill who beat defending Head-to-Head champion Craig Johnson (aka Bouncebackability) 50-36 in Gameweek 3.

Tim has been playing FPL for 14 years and has six top 10,000 finishes, putting him 90th in this site’s Career Hall of Fame.

Three managers have flown out of the blocks this season: Martin Lilov in Division 15 of League 5, Michel Sanchez in Division 89 of League 9, and Nura Lexa in Division 52 of League 7. They all rank inside the top 1,000 overall.

But despite his explosive start Michel dropped points to Janek Polska last time out. The Polish manager earned himself a draw thanks to Jamie Vardy’s heroics at the Etihad Stadium.

A fixtures table will be published in the Scout’s Guide to Gameweek 4 ahead of the deadline. However, if you can’t wait to find out who you are playing next, follow this link. Use your browser’s find in page function (Ctrl+F) to locate managers.

All this information and more is contained in the main Head-to-Head page

Last Man Standing

League code: 48n69x
Deadline: Open now until Gameweek 18*
*entrants must pass all previous safety scores to qualify

In TorresMagic’s Last Man Standing the safety score for Gameweek 3 was 29 points. This saw a total of 219 managers eliminated

The threshold for elimination remains at 5% for Gameweek 4.

3,598 managers have entered the competition so far and it is possible to join up until Gameweek 18 – although you must pass all previous safety scores to qualify.

Aside from bragging rights, the winner will receive a free Fantasy Football Scout Membership for the 2021/22 season.

You are able to keep tabs on the action throughout the season via Ragabolly’s website Live FPL.

Elite Community Mini-Leagues

Anders Sundstrom is the new leader of RedLightning’s Top 10k Any Season mini-league (league code 8kcvzq). Anders is 1,938th in the overall standings and has one top 10,000 finish in his ten years of playing FPL. He came 6,911th in 2011/12.

Surging to the summit of PDM‘s Top 1k ANY season mini-league (league code 2agvvx) is Paddy McEvoy. The Liverpool fan has one end-of-season rank inside the top 1,000 which he achieved back in 2012/13.

Paddy has started well and currently sits inside the top 10,000. He played his Wildcard in Gameweek 2 and picked up a respectable 60 points in Gameweek 3. This is his 12th season.

Despite dropping slightly to 34,358th overall, Henry Rawlins is unmoved at the top of Chaballer’s Top 1k HoF League (league code mr8dyh). Henry is 233rd in our Hall of Fame (HoF) and his impressive history includes four top 10,000 finishes, the best of which was 117th in 2014/15.

Meanwhile, elite manager Emil Gustafsson, sixth in the HoF, has established a six-point lead in RedLightning’s Multiple Top 10k Finishes mini-league (league code 8t42p6). This is Emil’s ninth season playing FPL, his impressive history includes five top 10,000 finishes and an amazing four top 2,000 finishes in the last five years.

An inspired decision to captain Mason Mount helped 2017/18 FPL winner Yusuf Sheikh increase his lead to 39 points in Simon March’s exclusive FPL Champions League. FPL titleholder Joshua Bull moves up to second following a 17-point haul from Jamie Vardy.

Pros and Cons

The Fantasy Football Scout Network mini-league is for the Scout Network and includes the Pro Pundits

In first place after Gameweek 3 is Christos Tsaras Sui (aka FPL Greece). Christos is currently 6,901st overall in what is his 13th season. He has an impressive three top 10,000 ranks, the best of which was in 2017/18 when he reached 200 in the final standings.

Former Scoutcast member and Mark’s erstwhile nemesis Lee Cowen (aka Granville) sits proudly atop the FFS Mods & Cons mini-league. Granville is 86,381st overall and has finished three times in the top 10,000 since FPL’s first recorded season back in 2006/07.

Elsewhere, Baz Zahathevan retained top spot in Skooldaze’s FPL Vets 2006 or before mini-league while Daniel Arnott is the new leader of Greyhead’s The Next Great and The Good mini-league. Daniel has opened up a ten-point gap over previous leader Rami Sameh

And in the world of Fantasy Allsvenskan, Love Hallersby is flying high – not only the no 1 in our mini-league but also the overall no 1!

It’s an incredible achievement and, with eight Gameweeks to go, we’re all rooting for him to finish the season strongly. Love hasn’t dropped out of the top ten since Gameweek 10. 

The amorously-named manager followed up a 107-point score in Double Gameweek 21 with a solid 59 in Gameweek 22, thanks to a 14-pointer from Stefano Vecchia. He has his second Wildcard and Two Captain chips intact.

Second-placed Jonathan Fletcher has an overall rank of 18 and trails Love by 48 points. He captained Jesper Karlsson in his final game for Elfsborg before moving to Az Alkmaar, but the Swedish international could only muster a disappointing six points. Like Love Hallersby, Jonathan has the second Wildcard and Two Captain chips remaining.

Get involved

To join a featured mini-league that you are eligible for, simply enter the League code in the ‘Join private league‘ section on the FPL site. Any questions relating to community competitions please email geoff@fantasyfootballscout.co.uk or comment below this article.

Thank you very much to RedLightning for his contribution to this article.


Lessons Learned from FPL Gameweek 3

TopMarx Fan of Fantasy Football and Monty Python. "Archimedes out to Socrates, Socrates back to Archimedes, Archimedes out to Heraclitus, he beats Hegel. Heraclitus a little flick, here he comes on the far post, Socrates is there, Socrates heads it in! Socrates has scored! The Greeks are going mad, the Greeks are going mad! Socrates scores, got a beautiful cross from Archimedes. The Germans are disputing it. Hegel is arguing that the reality is merely an a priori adjunct of non-naturalistic ethics, Kant via the categorical imperative is holding that ontologically it exists only in the imagination, and Marx is claiming it was offside. Follow them on Twitter

1,805 Comments Post a Comment
  1. JURGENAUT
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    From leeds, who's their best midfielder?

    A) Klich
    B) Costa
    C) Harrison

    Cheers

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      For FPL, A.

      1. JURGENAUT
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks

    3. Doctor Evil
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  2. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mahrez rotation risk ?

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Always.

    2. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Always is, but if you've got the patience then he's probably worth having.

  3. Threat Level Midnight
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bottomed last page

    Where's my boy Flair at? Best player on the pitch for City? Captain is between STerling and KDB this week

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Up ^

    2. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Sterling looks really sharp, all the chances revolve around him.

  4. Nespinha
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Oh god, another DCL goal
    One more time boys...

    A) Doherty + Mitrovic --- KWP + DCL (-4)
    B) just save

  5. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Edited:

    Son and Delap ----> DCL and Pereira/Tross/Podence

  6. El Copo
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    TAA + DCL or Robertson + Richarlison (for the penalties) on a WC?

    Think I'll probably stick with KDB despite Sterling's heroics tonight.

    1. You've got red on you.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      R&R

  7. Limbo
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Kenny Injured - Coleman will get 50 mins.

  8. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Torres has done enough to start at the weekend. Looks like one of Foden/Mahrez could miss out.

    1. baines is god
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Pep won't start him

      1. MSTRKRFTSMN
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Agreed but it’s still another potential spanner on the works along with Bilva

    2. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yup. Think I'm going to avoid Mahrez and pick Havertz.

    3. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes, this is how Pep works.

    4. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Sterling/KDB or bust.

  9. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Stuart Pierce talking to david Moyes. Covering his lips so nobody can lip read. Thing is, he g=has a mask on!

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      You went with Pierce for determination, passion and commitment. Never intelligence, bless him 😀

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Absolutely!

  10. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Son to Torres??? Hmm!

  11. SMOOTH
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    really want sterling (C) this week

    but can i really justify it on WC when sterling + walker is 16M and ings + TAA is also 16M

    1. SMOOTH
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Walker-peters

  12. ivantys
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Sterling almost hat trick

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Is that to stop the white stuff going up his nose a bit like the lampshade they put on dogs to prevent it from biting itself

    2. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He's been eating them space cookies..

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Cone of shame!

  13. Garlana
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Sterling hauling mid week after a captain fail last gw is typical

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Isn't it just . . . but it's the shite nobody cares but Pep cup so . .

  14. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Sterling should have had 5 tonight

  15. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Sterling loved these early midweek hauls last season, then we would all (C) him and blank. Hat tricks against Atalanta haunt my dreams

  16. Squires FC
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Graham potter is destined for a top club imo. Clear identity to his teams.

    1. MSTRKRFTSMN
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Interviews well too. Doing a great job.

  17. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mctominay goal, mata assist

  18. FPL_trail_runner
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Sterling with at least 5 big chances tonight

    City keep creating at this rate and he will be an excellent option over next few weeks

    However, Burnley playing a high line

    All depends if Leeds and West Ham do the same

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      West Ham won't. Leeds will.

    2. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Leeds will from what I've heard from their fans

      I have 0 idea why Dyche is using the higher line. Can't remember him doing that once before

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A high line is not a tactical option for Bielsa, it's a dogmatic principle he won't ever consider changing.

  19. Bushwhacker
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is there a luckier team than United? Bizarre.

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Penalty for insulting them

      • Syd.
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        What happened

        1. Saxe-Gotha
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Perfect delivery from Mata onto the head of McTominay from a set piece = luck, apparently.

        2. Amey
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Set piece goal.
          It's lucky somehow 😀

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Hi Guys, some quick help here if you could please?

      Martinez
      Saiss - Robertson - James
      Son* - Foden - Salah - KDB - Rodriguez
      DCL - Jiminez
      _________________________________
      Forster: Mitchell, Brewster, Dunne

      Want shot of Son, but may also have to take a hit, but have narrowed down my options to:

      A) Son > Mahrez (Risky triple up on City)
      B) Son > Barnes
      C) Son + Rodrigues > Fernandes + Trossard/Klich (i really like this one) -4
      D) Son + Brewster > Ings + 5.0 Mid, probs Soucek) -4

      Opinions most welcome here, need to try and give myself a good chance of doing the correct moves after a another torrid start.

      Cheers fellas.

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I did B

      2. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Best advice I can give anyone. Rodders will never be a fantasy asset

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Cheers FP, appreciated. Yeah i'm not feeling Rodrigues either to be honest, seems a slot wasted that i'm not too confident in.

      3. Amey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Don't like any option tbh ...
        B is one I'd do

    3. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      So three 90 minutes outings in a week for Mahrez. Doesn't bode well for this weekend does it?

    4. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Son to Havertz anyone ?

      1. MSTRKRFTSMN
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        What’s the argument for bringing in Havertz?

        1. Niho992
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I think he will do well, and Mahrez is rotation risk imo.

          Also Rodriguez is alternative, but he is playing too deep

          1. MSTRKRFTSMN
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Not a great argument for me

      2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I have Havertz and have since the start but not sure I'd necessarily go out of my way to get him in right now, especially if you have ~9m for it. He's improved with each game but Chelsea still aren't really impressing and will still take time to get when Pulisic and Ziyech are back.

    5. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Sterling booked. He's gonna troll and get sent off.

    6. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ole fielding his second string team just so he could have an excuse if he was embarrassed by Brighton again

    7. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      haha swearing at it's peak on the city game just then lol

    8. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Poetry from Sean Dyche

      Eloquent words

    9. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Greenwood not starting today increases his chances of starting Sunday?

      1. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Will be surprised if he doesn’t start at the weekend

    10. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Lowton injured, Bardsley nailed

    11. JURGENAUT
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A) Castagne + Zaha
      B) Robbo + Klich

      Which one would you go for and why? Thanks