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How the top 10k FPL managers set their teams up for Gameweek 8

Tottenham Hotspur’s trip to West Bromwich Albion on Sunday afternoon will play a massive role in how Gameweek 8 plays out among the highest-ranking Fantasy Premier League managers.

Harry Kane (£11.0m) and Son Heung-min (£9.6m) come into the latest round of action heavily backed by the top 10,000, especially for the captain’s armband.

As you can see from the pie chart below, Spurs’ talismanic striker, who scored his 200th club goal in 300 appearances on Thursday, is the skipper for 66% of managers at this level.

That means for the third week in a row, the top 10k have handed Kane considerably more support when compared with Fantasy Football Scout readers, in terms of proportion.

In our latest captain poll (don’t worry, we have counted all the votes now), just 39% said they would be backing Kane with the armband, representing a lead of 18.2 percentage points over Son.

That lead widened to 46.4 percentage points when we considered only managers in the top 10k, who have only handed 19.6% captaincy backing to the South Korean.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah (£12.4m), Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) and Timo Werner (£9.4m) complete the top five skippers at this level for Gameweek 8 but each one of them is very much a differential in comparison to Spurs’ dynamic duo.

As ever the top 10k more emphatic in their backing for Kane than compared to the rest of the world.

The Spurs striker is, indeed, the most fashionable skipper, despite still being on lower overall ownership (45.2%) than Son (60.3%), chosen as captain by 2,060,781.

However, that still only represents 31% of worldwide managers, only 7.7 percentage points ahead of Son, who 1,503,449 managers chose as skipper in Gameweek 8.

With so many armbands handed to Spurs players, their effective ownership in the top 10k is particularly ominous this weekend.

Kane stands at 154.7% while Son is also over 100% with an effective ownership figure of 106.9%.

In total, 74.9% of the top 10k own both of these players for Gameweek 8, a somewhat worrying statistic for the 25.1% who don’t.

That said, considering these two titans of the top 10k both face Manchester City in Gameweek 9, it will be interesting to see how these managers respond to the shift in fixtures.

It is in defence where we see the biggest shifts in the top 10k ownership template.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.4m) has been slipping down the pecking order for some time at this level and Gameweek 8 proved to be when he finally dropped out of the top five defenders.

The Liverpool man was in 24.9% of top 10k teams for Gameweek 7, that figure decreasing to 17.1%.

We see a similar story with Romain Saïss (£5.2m), who managed to become the most popular defender at this level last time out, only to be replaced at left-back by Rayan Aït-Nouri (£5.0m).

The top 10k have responded accordingly, shrinking his ownership among them from 35.9% to 26.4%.

Ben Chilwell (£5.9m) has clearly been a chief beneficiary of those who did not vote Romain, quickly rising to become the most fashionable defender in the top 10k, up 8.3 percentage points on his Gameweek 7 backing.

A 14-point haul against Burnley has helped Kurt Zouma (£5.3m) creep into the top five, the top-scoring FPL defender now owned by 23.1% of the top 10k.

With so many transfer focussed on putting out fires in defence, the midfield and forward positions have remained largely stable, with the same eight attackers featuring in this template in Gameweek 8 as we saw in Gameweek 7.

The exception to that was a massive shift towards owning Jack Grealish (£7.4m). He was in the top-five midfielders last time out, but only just, with 35.7% ownership in the top 10k. His 15-point haul against Southampton was enough to increase that by 22.2 percentage points.

The Wildcard remains the most heavily-used chip among top 10k managers this season, the number of deployers now up to 42.7%.

However, for the first time in 2020/21, the Triple Captain was the most popular of the Gameweek, 2.5% of the top 10k pulling the trigger.

Almost all of these managers trusted Kane with the enhanced armband with 0.3% of the top 10k using it Son, 0.07% on Werner and 0.03% on Salah.

As we hit the half-way stage of the first Wildcard period, the next one available from Gameweek 17 onwards, 39.2% of the top 10k are still yet to use a single chip.

Lessons Learned from FPL Gameweek 8

578 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Will Kane
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hi

    1. Corona is not good 4 U
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Hi back. Have a nice weekend and many points with your team.

  2. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Guys kwp all 3 bps?

    1. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Hopefully

    2. Big_Bear
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      2 or 3

  3. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Reminder top 10k are casuals and spurs fans

    1. Mighty Banana
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Would you like some fries with that salt?

      1. Wrong Captain Again
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        haha!

      2. Ibralicious
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        ^

      3. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Lol

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Isnt your season over? why are you still here?

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Still obsessed I see

  4. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Newcastle United are so sh*t!! Let’s all target them surely????

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      WBA, Fulham, Sheffield Utd, Burnley, and Brighton are worse IMO

  5. Firmino
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Adams 3 baps?

    1. Big_Bear
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Close 2 or 3

    2. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Adams on 1

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        3 baps to be added for winning goal

        1. Nice to Finally Michu
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Thought those were already added - that would be amazing if not!

    3. fedolefan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Think after deductions and winning goal bonus:
      KWP 3,
      Armstrong, Adams 2.

      Very close though.

  6. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    KWP with the 9 pointer to make up for Maupay!

    1. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nice, I have him coming on for Trossard!

  7. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Final BAPS for Southampton game?

    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not final but as of now its
      KWP 3
      Armstrong 2
      Stephens, Adams 1

  8. Big_Bear
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    All my bench played 17/18 points (Mccarthy, KWP, Bissuma, Lascelles) and 3 points on pitch (JWP) I could have picked my team better. Maybe a random covid omission from one of my nailed XI....

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      If that is your bench...

    2. Mr. Chimes
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Gutted with KWP on bench as well... pray for 90 minutes from the rest or at least no cameo appearances

  9. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    McCarthy winning goal bps?

    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Adams for scoring the Winning Goal 🙂

  10. BrockLanders
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Was gutted after benching Taylor & Ryan but McCarthy & KWP have made it all worthwhile 🙂

    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Well done!

  11. JJO
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    10 years playing
    Never getting those CSs in games like this,never
    When i have defender/gk in matches like this its always 1-1 after 15minutes
    Unbelievable

  12. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    So since I switched from McCarthy to Martinez... You do the math... I hope after break Martinez gonna deliver

    1. Ibralicious
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Definitely the right pick based on upcoming fixtures, Saints will struggle for CS's

    2. Gerd Mueller’s thighs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Right

  13. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    McCarthy Taylor Adams good start to the GW 🙂

    1. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nice

  14. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    All aboard the Che Adams train!

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nah

    2. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      One shot that the keeper should have saved

  15. FPLtfs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Good start with Taylor and McCarthy, but kicking myself for doing Ings -> Wilson. How did he look?

    1. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I did the same move, Newcastle in general looked toothless but tbf they have most of the season and Wilson has still managed to rack up decent points.

  16. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Awful luck or awful at this game
    Grealish when Barkley hauls Barkley when Grealish hauls

    Wildcard out Mccarthy KWP and Taylor for Martinez Konsa and Kilman

    And now tonight Jiminez and Barkley to Wilson and Ziyech

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      We were impatient with saints you could say, I did the same thing

  17. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Didn’t watch the game, was that SOU amazing or NEW pants?

    1. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      SOU were good, learnt from last week to hold the ball more for possession when ahead

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thx

  18. Twisted Melon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Wilson to Vardy?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Jesus

      1. Twisted Melon
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Or Aguero ?

  19. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    KWP 9 pointer!

    1. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Due to a reckless last minute transfer, its 9 bench points. Praying for a Mahrez no show.

  20. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Maupay ➡️ DCL?

    He’s rising now

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Adams 😆

    2. Corona is not good 4 U
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      FantasyFootballFix says that Maupay will get 16.6 points in the next five gameweeks and Calvert-Lewin 23.8 (and Wilson 24.5).

      1. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        my nan says Pulisic will rise from the grave and score 6 goals this week

        1. Corona is not good 4 U
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Good luck with that.

    3. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Sound move.. Go for it!

  21. Royal5
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Missed the 2.half. KWP on for 3 baps. What a nice surprise.

  22. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    23 points from 3.

    Good start to a gw after ages. 😀

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Very good.

  23. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Maupay to Adams done.

  24. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Tip: tomorrow you can scoop up Bednarek at 4.4m

  25. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Wilson and Son to Vardy/Jesus + Soucek

  26. Saint Tim
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Well would you believe it - too of the league! Come On You Reds!

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      STOP THE COUNT!

    2. Corona is not good 4 U
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I am for ending the season now (as Donald Trump is for ending the vote count).

  27. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Had been debating whether to go for Adams or WIlson. Wilson's numbers this season so far have been a little deceptive for how poor Newcastle look. Southampton look like a good attacking side.

  28. PascalCygan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Not sure if there’s a team that depresses me more this season than Southampton. Had McCarthy and Adams for their two defeats, did an uncharacteristically early wildcard for GW3, sold them both and now as they soar to the top of the table I’m 2.5m overall. Stupid me.

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Was just thinking the very same! Going McCarthy to Pickford was possibly my worst ever transfer. Not just because of the face value of it, but also because it prevented me using my transfer on emerging options such as Everton attackers, Grealish, etc. Have been chasing my tail since GW2 because of it.

  29. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    McCarthy you legend!Huge clean sheet.

  30. Collie01
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    At the start of the season, I was intent on backing double Southampton defence for their first 8 fixtures. But I got spooked by the Spurs defeat in GW2 and ending up knee-jerking out both McCarthy and KWP. I think it's one of the most annoying parts of the game when you lack the patience to stick with your original instinct/plan. Think it's certainly something to learn from going forward.

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Honestly if I didnt have Wild Card I would have a lot more points. Removed a lot of good initial picks that would have been in my team still if I didnt have WC. McCarty, Wilson, Adams...