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The key underlying statistics from the last four matches ahead of FPL Gameweek 9

Following the drama of 2020/21’s first eight Gameweeks, Fantasy Premier League managers finally have some emerging trends and patterns to inform our decisions moving forward.

With fixture swings occurring soon, what does the data tell us to do with our Spurs assets for Gameweek 9? Which defences are worth investing in and which fixtures are now favourable for potential captains?

We have taken a deep dive into the numbers from Gameweeks 5 to 8 to find the answers to these questions.

As this uses extensive data from the Fantasy Football Scout Premium Members Area, only those with a valid subscription can access it in full.

Lessons Learned from FPL Gameweek 8

829 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bambam FTW

    1. 2999 - Lady of Legend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      On for POTY if he goes on like he is!

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

      Just brought him and feel better about life in general

  2. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    "Sadio Mané (£12.0m) has just one goal in this period, coming from four big chances. It is unusual for Liverpool’s winger to be so poor in his conversions and you would expect a big improvement going forward."

    Make it happen Sadio

    1. Angin out the Begović
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      The Jota effect

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Jota has nothing to do with it.

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      You understand how weird this season is when you see Sadio becoming wasteful & Salah taking them chances when fall to him.

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        https://understat.com/player/838

        Mane's an incredible xG overperformer, wow. Didn't realize he was that good at doing so.

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

          Yup
          He's a lethal player

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

      It is not unusual

      People have short memories

  3. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Apparently Joe Gomez is out for rest of the season, is this true?

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      It confirmed yet but sounds like it’s a bad one. Southgate was concerned as no one was around him when it happened.

      1. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        *not

    2. Angin out the Begović
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah hes deed mate

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      He’s gone, along with Pool’s title chances

    4. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not confirmed but rumours it’s another ACL injury like Van Dijk’s.

  4. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    GW9 is eons away :/

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      6GWs in December, that makes up for it

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      IB's are boring indeed

      1. Ron_Swanson
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        The Masters starts today!

        1. farmerfat
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Thank the lord!

  5. Hiddenpaw
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Do you think Neco Williams replaces TAA for the next few fixtures? If so could be great value.

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not 100% Milner can play there

    2. Angin out the Begović
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Id stay away from pool defense

      1. Jerry C-137
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I pity the fool who thinks Robertson ain't a good shout

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Think there may be more chance Nat Phillips plays if Gomez is out

    4. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Avoid.

    5. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I think Milner will slot in at right back and Phillips in the middle. Don’t think they’ll put the two youngsters straight into the same defence.

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

      Lol

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Southgates a muppet

  6. Babit1967
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    3.6 million, worst ever start and had no luck combined with very poor decisions

    Gw2 Son to Bruno
    Gw3 Kane out on WC to fit in KDB

    Vardy captain last gw summed up the miserable campaign with a missed penalty instead of a haul

    Anyone else find themselves in a similar position?

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Long way to go, chin up!

      1. Babit1967
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah, I’m now actually tempted to keep hold of Sterling, was planning to get rid but seeing his ownership I’m kinda hoping he could be my lucky charm

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Plenty of high profile managers out side of the higher ranks this season. Plenty of weeks to go.

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

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2020/11/09/learning-from-the-great-and-the-good-20-21-gameweek-8/

      https://twitter.com/fplreview/status/1325773846222426112

      Plenty of world class managers struggling. Don't worry about it, keep on making good decisions and you'll be fine.

    4. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Keep being pushed back to 2 million mark this season. Kind of takes the fun out of it. I’ll keep trying though. Usually try and get a boost from an early WC and haven’t finished outside top 100k yet that way. Really did waste my wildcard by using it early this season, removing Son was the biggest error but Mourinho teams these days are so up and down. Would love to use a WC this week.

      1. Babit1967
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah same, I used my wc when I didn’t need to, now looking back my team 1 team would have been outstanding to keep

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

        It happens

        I had a HORROR SHOW this season. To the point that by about GW 5 was ready to just jack it in for my own sanity

        Opening week 30 points
        WC team 50 (previous week team 100)
        FH team 35 (previous week team 65)
        A run of basically every single player I took out hauling (I am not kidding)
        Multiple hits to no avail
        Etc

        OR 3.5m

        This time 2018/19: OR: 350

        Rough with the smooth. Sometimes these awful/incredible seasons happen

        1. fish&chips
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Almost identical to me mate. We must have the same team!! Onwards and upwards

    5. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A lot in the same position; I’m currently just outside the top million with a plan of a few hits to set up my squad to climb up the rankings. FWIW I was in a similar position to you last season and finished inside the top 5k, so all is far from lost.

      1. Babit1967
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        That was a decent finish despite the bad start

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

        Yes mate. I'm similar.

        I've had 5 seasons between 1k and 80k.

        This season has been horrific - removed dcl and saiss from my initial draft 10 mins before gw1.

        Played a dreadful wildcard gw3 and been fixing it since.

        Rank was 4.5m after gw4. Felt like giving up and found it tough mentally to be floundering right at the bottom of.the mini league im usually at the top of

        Last week was my first really good week and I've moved up to 2.4m.

        Still miles behind my usual rivals in mini league . Some are up to 100 points ahead....

        But it does seem my season is recovering gradually.

        1. Rasping Drive
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Yes, it’s surprising what a good few weeks can do to your rank, especially early doors.

      3. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Wow, you were 3.6 mill and finished 5k? there is hope then!!

        1. Rasping Drive
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Yes, it’s what’s keeping me sane this season!

          1. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Yea great to hear. I have never been so low. Can you elaborate (if you remember ) on when was your jump in that season ?

    6. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Never finished worse than 165k in over a decade of playing.
      Currently struggling at 3m having blown my wc in gw 4.
      Having No Son/Kane has absolutely killed me.
      Hope to make up ground with the fixture swing.

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

        Yeah same mate, 3.8m rank, some bad decisions a long with players I don’t own having some big hauls

        1. Babit1967
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Onwards and upwards lads

  7. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    If a team loses significant number of players through injuries, can they not sign free agents?

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Clubs can always sign free agents.

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        This

      2. R.C
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        So does Pool have anyone in mind for their CB position, any idea?

        1. Gregor
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I suspect Klopp will just go with Matip/Fabinho/Williams/Phillips until January.

        2. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I can see a romantic homecoming for Conor Coady gaining momentum soon

        3. Buck The Trent
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Available free agents are past their best.. Ashley Williams, Mariappa etc

          Think Rhys, Nat, Sepp are as good as those guys

        4. Black Knights
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I heard Ezequiel Garay is a free agent and they were looking at him.

  8. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A) Robertson out (Cresswell or Coufal maybe?)
    B) Save FT

    Martinez
    Robbo Chilwell Zouma
    Salah Son Ziyech Grealish
    Kane DCL Bamford

    (Steer Ayling Bissouma Justin) 1FT 0.1M

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Save.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

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

      B

    4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks, guys!

    5. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A & invest in attack maybe ?
      Son to Bruno/Kevin sounds tasty as ....

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I'm not as tempted on either of them as most people seem to be around here. And I am quite happy with my team actually! But thanks Amey.

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

          Fair enough 🙂

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

    Leicester 3rd for xG and 13th for NPxG, that penalty reliance could harm them in the long run.

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      And that’s why Vardy is rubbish

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

        Being rubbish is fine as long as he keeps scoring them the points.

  10. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Laporte will soon be eligible to play for England lmao

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      The depth of talent France has is insane

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

        Every position they have 3 decent players !
        Especially in attack 😮

      2. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Absolutely unreal. Doubt you can find a better talent pool in history

      3. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        And yet they still play like shaite...

  11. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    just now

    Is Zaha on pens or is it PVA? Consensus seems to be PVA but what is that based on??

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Doesn't PVA have like 1 penalty scored/taken in his career

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nothing !
      PVA has excellent attacking potential without Pens though. He's definitely on some set plays

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I expect it is probably Zaha now

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

    I just realized Mane is due, surely he'll cash it in against Leicester for guaranteed points? (C) close to locked in

    1. Vlekz
        3 years, 4 months ago

        i dont want to spoil your party, but someone can underperform for insanely long periods of time(could even be the entire season)

        1. Flair
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I'm not entirely serious mate, though I would be very surprised if Mane didn't return to his usual clinical self soon. Just my luck that I get him when he goes on a dry streak!

          1. Vlekz
              3 years, 4 months ago

              i got him in gw5 too, i feel your pain

        2. Pukki Blinders
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Covid is impacting him I reckon

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

          I don't even care. I'm just captaining anyone that faces Fulham. DCL this week, Vardy next, KDB after that, then Salah

          1. Flair
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            You have my full support, he's currently my captain too. Difficult to back Liverpool to score more than 2 against this Leicester side. Case of very good side vs good side or good side vs dreadful side and the latter is winning for me.

          2. R.C
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Why Fulham?

            1. The Knights Template
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Because they are not very good

        4. farmerfat
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Nothing is guaranteed, but I wouldnt bet against him scoring this week.
          I am an owner too, but dont have the balls to captain him this week. Going with Bruno

      • Vlekz
          3 years, 4 months ago

          RMWCT please
          Leno (forster)
          chilwell cancelo dias (targett 3.9)
          salah kdb bruno grealish souchek
          DCL richalison (brewster)
          (kdb will be ziyech for gw9 & richalison will be antonio when he starts playing or when fixtures turn for everton)

          1. Flair
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Looks fine if you want to start Soucek every week. Love the double City defense, could be a lot of points potential there. Rich should be Rich for GW9, Fulham are dreadful.

            1. Vlekz
                3 years, 4 months ago

                it will be between targett and souchek every week.
                yes, not getting in antonio before i see him play 1 whole game without getting injured.

            2. Gandalf
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Downgrade Rich and upgrade Soucek

          2. R.C
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Can this be considered a reliable source?

            https://twitter.com/AnfieldWatch/status/1326652009445986310

            1. Jordan.
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              starting to sound very ominous for him...

            2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              If this turns out to be the bad news it looks like, I think I will need to unload Robbo. LFC cant rely on just Robbo and Matip for clean sheets.

          3. Werner Bremen
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Who is your captain for GW9?

            1. Iceball
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Salah atm, DCL and even Chilwell have crossed my mind.

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

              Werner atm.

            3. 2999 - Lady of Legend
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Martial punt, still time to revert to Salah yet though.

              1. Flair
                • 3 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                Doesn't he have zero shots on target this season

              2. Pukki Blinders
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                Will be dropped for Cavani after his abysmal display against Everton

            4. Karan14
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Salah or DCL

            5. EmreCan Hustle
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Have it on DCL atm...but might switch to Bruno

            6. Now I'm Panicking
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Mo Fo

            7. LAMELA_AND_CONSUELA
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              DCL Richarlison will be back so they should play better

            8. g40steve
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Grealish or DCL look very tempting?

            9. Miguel Sanchez
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Grealish

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

            I watched this masterpiece yesterday.A must see especially for British who were born before mid 70's. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097108/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

            1. Jordan.
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              and i watched LA Confidential ,another brilliant movie..

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

                Excellent

            2. Rasping Drive
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              I went to see it at the cinema when it first came out. Beautifully shot but, all told, a heap of arty-farty nonsense imho

              1. Party time
                  3 years, 4 months ago

                  & you watched the arty - farty nonsense till the end?

                  1. Rasping Drive
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 14 Years
                    3 years, 4 months ago

                    Well, I’d paid good money in London to see it, so yes.

                • wulfrunian
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 4 months ago

                  Some movies aren't for everyone.

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

              Only Son to Bruno this week or some additional move?

              2FTs 1.6ITB

              Martinez
              Robo/Kilman/Chilwell
              Salah/Son/Hamez/Grealish
              Kane/DCL/Bamford

              Martin/Reguilon/Mitchell/Stephens

            4. Rohirrims
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Lot's of problems in my team. Need help in prioritizing my transfers out:-
              TAA - Great fixtures, maybe injured for a month.
              Rodrigues - Decent fixtures in the short term but then turns red and returns have dried up
              Son - Terrible fixtures, route to Fernandes
              Podence - Last decent fixture but being subbed first every week specially in the second half when Wolves come alive hurts
              Kane - Terrible fixtures, but could he be fixture proof? Also other fires means he gets a stay of execution for now

              Thought process currently is to move Son and Rodrigues (late return from Internationals) to Fernandes and Grealish. If TAA is confirmed out move him to either one of Cancelo or Chilwell for a -8.

              In subsequent weeks can take a decision on Kane to Vardy, Werner, Antonio or Jesus. Podence could be anybody from KdB to Jota.

              1. Pukki Blinders
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                Getting rid of Hamez ahead of the next 3 fixtures is nothing short of madness

              2. Black Knights
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                Hames is not a problem for now, at all. Keep a spur, ditch the other with TAA and you can basically pick whoever you want.

            5. The Legend Squad
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              This is how I’m thinking of lining up:

              Robbo to Cancelo
              Son to Fernandes

              McCarthy
              Cancelo Chilwell Lamptey KWP
              Salah Fernandes Sterling Zaha
              Werner DCL

              Nyland Bissouma Lewis Davis

              RMT

              1. Fulchester's New Centr…
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                Good moves. Good team.

            6. Mr. Mystic
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Foden & TAA -> Bruno & Coufal for -8?

              1. The Knights Template
                • 10 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                No

              2. Pukki Blinders
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                No

              3. Mufc202020
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                No

              4. Rhodes your boat
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                No

              5. Ze_Austin
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                Yes

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

                Yes

              7. Iceball
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                Its not so easy as yes or no without seeing your team.
                Which defenders do you have, can you field 3 that should do ok?
                What do you expect from Foden? Yet another 1 pointer, or 0 (he seems to be out of favor, sitting on bench 3 games)
                Will you captain Bruno, and who is you captain otherwise?
                I think it might be worth it, not just for this week, but imagine next week you still have a dilemma, keep Foden or TAA, take -4 maybe then? Yet another week with noshow or minimal return from them?
                If you have weak defenders I would say YES, but it all depends.

                1. Mr. Mystic
                  • 13 Years
                  3 years, 4 months ago

                  Appreciate the response Iceball, here’s my team:
                  Martinez
                  Chilwell Lamptey Taylor
                  Salah Son Grealish Foden
                  Kane DCL Wilson*
                  (Mitchell*, Burke, TAA)

                  So I already risk not fielding a full 11! By doing TAA->Coufal provides cover for Wilson/Foden not playing. But then by having Bruno and potentially captaining, I think it will pay off? This will be my first hit of the season. And as you say, I will he in more dilemmas later on if I don’t address now. Thoughts?

              8. Fulchester's New Centr…
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                Trent won't be getting any points for a while and Foden hasn't been getting many looking back so yeah.

            7. Mufc202020
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              What would people do with this team?

              Martinez - Martin
              Lamptey - Kilman - Dias - Chilwell Braithwaite
              KDB - Grealish - Zaha - Bruno - Bissouma
              Brewster - Kane - Werner

              Thanks all

              1. Sheffield Wednesday
                • 3 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                play 4-4-2 and captain Bruno?
                (You don't mention if you have any FT or anything itb?)

                1. Mufc202020
                  • 4 Years
                  3 years, 4 months ago

                  1 FT and 1.4m in the bank

              2. LegendMoon
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                Like The Potato said ^^^ save the transfer

            8. Camzy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Doing some FanTeam work. Is Rodriguez > Grealish worth a -4? Already doing TAA > Chilwell this week.

              It doesn't free up much money because their prices are similar in FanTeam (7.1 > 6.9), but I just have a feeling this move will pay off. I should have done it two weeks ago, but not too stubborn to course correct.

              1. Party time
                  3 years, 4 months ago

                  Fork your fan team

                • Rasping Drive
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  3 years, 4 months ago

                  I wouldn’t do it this week, what with Everton playing Fulham and Richarlison back

              2. Piggs Boson
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                Thanks Holly, I like your stats-based approach to FPL. One criticism I would have of this article is that it doesn't use the expected stats.

                Shots, shots on target, shots in the box don't tell you about the quality of the chances or the quality of the shot. A player could be getting credit for speculative shots that hold little threat, or just get blocked by a wall of defenders. Even big chances doesn't tell you a whole lot about the chance. It can be misleading.

                Expected stats are by far superior, especially Expected Goals On Target (xGOT). xGOT not only takes into account the quality of the chance (xG), but also how well the shot was taken. That helps take into account if the shot was blocked, if the player was under pressure, or the if the shot taker is a bad finisher. xGOT is the best measure of goal threat available in the member's area imo.

                I know it's not as palatable for the casual reader or your viewers, I know a lot of people get put off by maths, but just adding an extra column for it in your tables would be welcome for the stats buffs, even if you don't mention it 🙂

                1. Party time
                    3 years, 4 months ago

                    Yeah but some players are stat busters.e.g Vardy, Martial etc while players have good stat but tripe outcome e.g Maupay.

                    Personally, I prefer eye test but combining both is the best. I use the eye test to range transfer & stats to cool my nuts

                    1. Piggs Boson
                      • 12 Years
                      3 years, 4 months ago

                      Vardy is top for xGOT, by some distance. There's no stats busting, it says he's good.

                      But this was my point. Long-term 'stats busting' mostly happens when you're using bad stats. xGOT gives you a clearer picture and is better than all the 'shots in the box' stuff a lot of people use.

                      Sure, the eye test can tell you a lot more than stats can about an isolated shot, but over ten matches? Fifty? I can't even remember all the shots in the last match I saw! We're severely limited as human beings by our memories and bias'. Correctly using stats cuts through our limitations.

                      But the eye test is still extremely useful of course, this isn't a replacement, but a supplement.

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

                        The trouble with stats if I remember rightly from school is that you can prove anything with them if you look at the right stats, eg. Maupay's stats making him look good, if a defender has had 1 shot and scores with it, he has 100% accuracy doesn't make him ripe for the golden boot just as if in the next match Kane has 5 shots and misses the target with all of them doesn't mean he's a bad pick. Go with your gut!!!

                        1. Piggs Boson
                          • 12 Years
                          3 years, 4 months ago

                          That's why I say 'correct use' of stats.

                          A lot of people don't understand what they're looking at and as a result, make stupid conclusions like the examples you gave.

                          Stats aren't for everyone. Do what you enjoy.

                      2. Party time
                          3 years, 4 months ago

                          Hmmm. Interesting. Maybe xGOT is better than shots in the box or SOT
                          as you reckon but I think SOT & xGOT kinda go hand in hand. For the first 3 or so gw’s Vardy was extremely reliant on penalty to get a SOT.

                          Like you said xGOT works for most footballers & Vardy is one of them, on the long run, however, he rarely needs a lot of shots on target to be on the score sheet & most of his goals are in the box so shots in the box counts too for a Vardy type of player when using stats.

                          Let’s not confuse ourselves

                          1. Party time
                              3 years, 4 months ago

                              Let’s not confuse ourselves

                              1. Party time
                                  3 years, 4 months ago

                                  Holy Heck!

                                  1. Party time
                                      3 years, 4 months ago

                                      Stats are important it depends on the manager. It works for some & not for others, some managers don’t even watch the games but jump on bandwagons & use stats to get a good rank while others use stats & get a shitty rank.

                                      I just believe the eye test is the truth but it is even stronger if one combines both. It all depends on the category of stat one is looking at.

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

                                        Yeah the eye test is kind of the ultimate if you analyse things well. All of the stats are just simplified and summarised descriptions of what we are taking in by watching something. Like boson says though, memory and bias limit our ability to make use of that information effectively and like you say, both is best.

                                        Stats alone is too basic, no stats leads to magical thinking

                                • Piggs Boson
                                  • 12 Years
                                  3 years, 4 months ago

                                  I like to use 'xGOT' alongside 'xGOT Non-penalty' to put penalties into perspective. Yes, a huge majority of Vardy's threat is from penalties, but you can see his non-penalty threat in isolation too.

                                  1. Party time
                                      3 years, 4 months ago

                                      Yes. You are right. Personally I use SOT & heat map but xGOT is easily more effective

                                    • Party time
                                        3 years, 4 months ago

                                        & of course eye test. I don’t fork with eye test

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

                                        stripping penalties from a specific game or few games and looking at what's left over always seems a bit crude as well. Helpful to look at what else happens alongside the penalities but foolish there isn't interplay between these variables.

                                        1. Piggs Boson
                                          • 12 Years
                                          3 years, 4 months ago

                                          I agree. To win a penalty you are often in a threatening position, and some teams are better than others at winning penalties.

                                          But I have my own model to account for that 😉

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

                                            Ha!

                                            Yeah I think it's a fair assumption that that if defenders didn't concede pens we would see a rise in all of the box stats we use and ultimately goals and assists. And goals generally, pen or otherwise, change the pattern of play and impact all those other state. Though unravelling whether that should favour other stats or not would be a real rabbit hole and probably fools errand

                            • Bielsa Murderball
                              • 3 Years
                              3 years, 4 months ago

                              newbie post here... what exactly is influence on fpl?

                              1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
                                • 7 Years
                                3 years, 4 months ago

                                Its that phone call/ whatsapp message from my wife that decides whether I can have another pint or not!

                              2. Miguel Sanchez
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • 7 Years
                                3 years, 4 months ago

                                In FPL I think it is the rank of where they sit amongst all the other players in their position.

                                Forwards Kane = 1
                                Midfielders Son = 1
                                Defender Zouma = 1

                                etc

                                1. Miguel Sanchez
                                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                  • 7 Years
                                  3 years, 4 months ago

                                  *by points accumulated in the current season

                              3. Fulchester's New Centr…
                                • 6 Years
                                3 years, 4 months ago

                                Not something worth worrying about if you have discovered this place.

                              4. Party time
                                  3 years, 4 months ago

                                  Hmmm. Interesting. Maybe xGOT is better than shots in the box or SOT
                                  as you reckon but I think SOT & xGOT kinda go hand in hand. For the first 3 or so gw’s Vardy was extremely reliant on penalty to get a SOT.

                                  Like you said xGOT works for most footballers & Vardy is one of them, on the long run, however, he rarely needs a lot of shots on target to be on the score sheet & most of his goals are in the box so shots in the box counts too for a Vardy type of player when using stats.

                                  Let’s not confuse ourselves 😆
                                  Stats are important it depends on the manager. It works for some & not for others, some managers don’t even watch the games but jump on bandwagons & use stats to get a good rank while others use stats & get a shitty rank.

                                  I just believe the eye test is the truth but it is even stronger if one combines both. It all depends on the category of stat one is looking at.

                                  1. Party time
                                      3 years, 4 months ago

                                      Reply fail for fork sake

                                • Sz21
                                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                  • 12 Years
                                  3 years, 4 months ago

                                  Anything worth a -4 here?
                                  Thinking Jimenez-> Richarlison may be an interesting punt with KDB or Sterling in for Son the week after or Jesus/ Werner in for Kane a possibility too.

                                  McCarthy.
                                  Cancelo, Chilwell, Mitchell.
                                  Son, Salah (c), Barkley, Grealish (vc).
                                  Kane, DCL, Jimenez.
                                  Button, Ayling, Justin, Bissouma.
                                  0ft, 1.8m ITB.

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

                                    Good to go.Ayling over Mitchell.

                                  2. Fulchester's New Centr…
                                    • 6 Years
                                    3 years, 4 months ago

                                    Looks ok. Nothing worth a hit. Mitchell injured isn't he?

                                • cuppatea78
                                  • 11 Years
                                  3 years, 4 months ago

                                  Looking to get rid of Saiss. Who would be a good cheap replacement? Was thinking KWP. Anyone better?

                                  Already have Justin and Lamptey.

                                  1. Fulchester's New Centr…
                                    • 6 Years
                                    3 years, 4 months ago

                                    The goal scoring centre-back at Soton only costs a little more than KWP or maybe Coufal?

                                • HNI
                                  • 10 Years
                                  3 years, 4 months ago

                                  Its so stupid that authorities dont mature with the pandemic and still rely on more expensive and time consuming Covid Test, rather than IGG+IGM antibody test which not only is cheap amd quick, it shows a 'vaccinated' assymptomatic person of last 6 months as thats minimum the antibodies stay in body. Enough research has been done that asymptomatic spreading chance is 10% the same way it would be for a vaccinated person having antibodies!

                                  1. Fulchester's New Centr…
                                    • 6 Years
                                    3 years, 4 months ago

                                    Good knowledege.
                                    I don't know anything of the science of it, but I assume that they do it because somebody influential makes more money that way.

                                  2. Jarnathan
                                    • 7 Years
                                    3 years, 4 months ago

                                    What are you on about? How is the antibody test helpful except to tell if someone recently had Covid?

                                • Pdrpro
                                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                  • 6 Years
                                  3 years, 4 months ago

                                  How's this wildcard team? Got 1.2ITB for bruno>KDB GW10 if want to

                                  Fabianski
                                  Cancelo Chilwell PVA
                                  Ziyech Salah Jota Grealish Bruno
                                  Jesus DCL

                                  4.0 Brewster Walker-Peters 3.9

                                  1. Miguel Sanchez
                                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                    • 7 Years
                                    3 years, 4 months ago

                                    Wouldn't lose Bruno before those away games. He has a significantly better average away from home than at OT.

                                • ChickenTikkaMoSalah
                                  • 8 Years
                                  3 years, 4 months ago

                                  Vida had to get subbed off at half time because his positive test came back halfway through the game last night...

                                  These international breaks are bordering on delusional

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

                                    Nonsensical

                                  2. Jarnathan
                                    • 7 Years
                                    3 years, 4 months ago

                                    Are you suggesting that the proceeded with the game despite the fact that test results had not come back?