Pro Pundits - Zophar

Whether player form is ‘in the mind’ and how can FPL managers harness it

We often hear the term ‘form’ get thrown around in football. A player who has in the past been a good or average player suddenly becomes a spectacular one with no real explanation for his improvement besides the fact that he is ‘in form’.

With players like Jesse Lingard (£6.5m), Kelechi Iheanacho (£5.9m) and Matej Vydra (£4.8m) finding the back of the net this week I thought it would be a good idea to talk about form for this week’s article.

I have always been a firm believer that good fixtures can often create a good spell of form. However, there are also instances where form has prevailed over fixtures. I searched around for a definition of ‘form’, and this is the one I really liked:

“Form typically refers to a player’s level of performance relative to their potential level of performance.”

Source – https://pca-nwa.com/what-it-means-to-be-in-form/

I think it’s fair to say that a player is in good form when he is performing better than expected, but is it that simple? Who sets these expectations and how? 

I believe that, as the above linked article suggests, form is in the mind. It is a change in mentality. Confidence plays a huge role in sport and a positive mental state can often contribute to what we call good ‘form’. Having played Fantasy Premier League (FPL) for over 11 years now I have seen countless examples of it.

Papiss Cissé is a player I can never forget and he remains for me the greatest illustration of form. The Senegalese striker scored 13 goals for Newcastle United in the second half of the 2011/12 season in just 14 appearances. In the subsequent full season, he managed just eight goals in 36 matches. He proceeded to score two, eleven and three goals in the next three seasons. 

His numbers in 2011/12 were not spectacular, but I remember watching the player and there was something about him, an air of confidence, bordering on arrogance. It was like he knew every time he was going to shoot that he was going to score.

I was at Stamford Bridge when he scored two of the best goals I have ever seen, with the second almost defying the laws of physics. When it went in, it seemed he almost couldn’t believe himself what had just happened. 

Then there was Yaya Touré who, having tallied just six goals and six assists in 2012/13, notched a whopping 20 goals along with nine assists in 2013/14. Certainly, some of this could be put down to a change in tactics or role, but I remember looking at him and thinking, “This guy has a swagger about him this season”.

 I could also talk about Aaron Ramsey in the same campaign. Again, his underlying numbers were nothing special and we didn’t have xG back then, but I am sure he would have defied almost every model there is.

As Fantasy Premier League (FPL) players we only see what is happening on the pitch. We have no idea about the other factors that affect a player’s mental health – family, personal life, bond with teammates, change in habits and so on. The PCA article states:

…optimum performance includes mental as well as physical performance

There are also various studies that dispute the phenomenon of form. Some of this work is cited in the book “Myths and Facts about Football” edited by Patric Andersson, Peter Ayton and Carsten Schmidt, which is discussed in an article on the sportingintelligence.com website:

For example, Alan Shearer scored in 79 per cent of home games (34/43). But when he had failed to score in his previous home game his rate was 85 per cent (17/20). In other words, his form was “hotter” when he had not scored, although not significantly hotter, statistically. The same pattern was observed for Shearer away from home, and overall. The same analysis was done on 11 other players – Beardsley, Cantona, Fowler, Le Tissier and Sheringham among them – and “none of the associations for any player, home or away, show a pattern of scoring such that players are more likely to score if they scored in their previous game.”

The implication here was that Shearer was more likely to score in the next game if he hadn’t in the previous one, suggesting he was an individual who would motivate himself more if he had failed previously. Now, this may apply to the top, top players who were already performing at a high level, but what about players who may have been considered as comparative ‘also-rans’ in the past, like Lingard, Nacho and to an extent, Vydra? Maybe our expectations about their ‘normal’ level of performance were wrong?

Let’s start with Lingard…

Over the last six matches, Lingard has scored six goals from an xG of 3.04. His delta of 2.96 is by some distance the highest in the league with Bale 1.04 behind. 

What can explain this ‘overperformance’? Two possibilities are:

  1. The xG model is itself fundamentally flawed as it assumes players are of equal skill and ability at various points in their life cycle. A player might hit a shot differently if he has scored four goals in the previous four matches than if he has missed sitters. As a Chelsea fan, I saw no better example of this than Fernando Torres. 
  2. The mental aspect – confidence – which is impossible to quantify. West Ham and Lingard right now could be in an optimal mental state and that is helping them to achieve results which may be considered beyond their ability. This can be due to various factors on and off the pitch.

Very often good form can appear to be a ‘bandwagon’. We believe that this period of overperformance is unsustainable and just a ‘flash in the pan’. So how do we as FPL managers look to spot form? I think it is a mix of both the eye-test and statistics, with a greater reliance on the former.

A player’s body language, which I know is difficult to explain or quantify, is often the biggest tell for me. The likes of Iheanacho and Lingard have an air about them which reflects their optimal mental state. They’ve had it for weeks now. 

Foolishly, despite banging on about Lingard over this time, I chose to ignore him this week, wanting to observe what effect the loss of Declan Rice (£4.7m), and in particular Michail Antonio (£6.6m), might have on Lingard’s output. It’s not like Lingard is posting poor numbers. No midfielder has registered more shots on target over the last six matches:

Now let’s look at Iheanacho…

Over the last six matches, the Nigerian forward has a goal conversion rate of 33.3%, basically scoring from every third shot he takes. Robert Lewandowski, one of the world’s best finishers has managed a conversion rate of 30.7% this season.

Is this unsustainable for Iheanacho in the long run? Probably. But how long do we really need to look for? We are, as FPL managers, only concerned with the remainder of the season, maybe even less if we are looking to get rid of a player before the final few fixtures. We need to acknowledge the purple patch and look to capitalise on it right away.

Both Iheanacho and Lingard will be making their way into my squad this week. If you don’t own one, or both , I strongly suggest you make plans to do so. Thanks for reading. 

237 Comments Post a Comment
  1. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I've got an FT I need to use or lose before GW33 FH.

    Martinez
    Shaw, Rudgier, Dias
    Bruno, Son, Salah, Lingard, Gundo
    Kane, Iheanacho

    McCarthy, Bamford, Veltman, Struijk

    0.2m ITB, 1 FT

    A) Gundo to Neto
    B) McCarthy to Forster (with GW35 or 36 BB in mind)
    C) Martinez and McCarthy to Lloris and Forster for a hit,
    D) Other what ?

    1. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Save. Bench Gundo. Play Bamford.

      1. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Can't save will lose FT when I FH.

        1. BERGKOP
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I don't like any of your options.

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 11 months ago

        A) Isn't neto injured?

        B) forster about to get dropped for Mccarthy

        C) why swap two keepers??

        Sorry but all of these moves seem illogical

        Think up a D

        Maybe Martinez straight to loris for the double

        1. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Point one short of Martinez to Lloris. Didn't realise Neto is injured.

          1. FPL Theorist
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Maybe get Patricio or Leno?

      • Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I have no idea why A is a option.

        B.

        1. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Didn't realise Neto is injured.

      • pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        B maybe but another GK swap might yet happen given how harsh that defence is generally.

        Mccarthy to your pick of

        Areola
        Johnstone
        Sanchez

        I'd go Sanchez. Not sure you'll be any worse off despite the DGW. Sanchez is playable over Martinez in 33 and 35 anyway.

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          *trash

      • Wrench
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Gundo to Pereira (WBA)

      • FourLokoLeipzig
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Struijk to Phillips

        1. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          That's is another option I've been considering. Like the Forster move it doesn't improve my team this GW but looks like a good move long term.

    3. Daghe Munegu
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Play 2:

      A. Rudiger
      B. Fofana
      C. Holding ( have Leno)
      D. Vydra

      1. aleksios
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        AB.

      2. tommo-uk-
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I have ABC and I’m tempted to go without Fofana as WBA have hit form and see them scoring.

    4. SCOUT PICKS CHAMPION LOTTERY - GAMEWEEK 32
      andy85wsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      We're looking for a new Community Champion for Gameweek 32.

      Think you have the eye to pick the differentials and form a winning team vs the Scout Picks? We need a Community Champion to represent us vs the Scout Picks for Gameweek 32.

      The Community Champion picks a team including a captain to go up against the Scout Picks, within a budget of 83m and in a playable FPL formation. Whichever Gameweek champion beats the Scout’s team by the largest margin will win a £100 Amazon Voucher!

      If you're interested in applying, email us at support@fantasyfootballscout.co.uk with your FFS username and FPL Team ID.

      The Champion will be picked by Thursday evening, so make sure to enter by then! The Champion then has until 12pm Thursday to send in their team.

      Good luck

    5. aleksios
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Would you BB this team?

      --Leno
      --TAA--Azpi--Coady
      --Salah--Jota--Son--Lingard
      --Kane--Laca--Nacho

      ---Forster--Fofana--Alonso--Gundo.

      Thanks.

      1. ilikewud
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Probably not, you can't be sure if Alonso, Gundo play. I would probably just save for the bigger double - more chance of DGW on your bench.

    6. Cheeto__Bandito
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Is Reguilon an obvious trap with the Spurs situation? Only alternative I see is Coady but it cant get more boring than that for a pick

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        If you are looking for excitement, Pereira is worth a shot

      2. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yes, Spurs' defence is now one of the 5 worst in the league over the period they showed in the captain video. Although Everton are pretty toothless if DCL remains out.

      3. Tango74
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I’ve gone off spurs def and may get coady , I see spurs conceding and when u get spurs u expect one clean sheet or it cheese u off.

        As it’s near the end of the game , my Tactics (if I have any) have changed , I’m going for nailed players than highly ceilings

      4. Gross Blank Point
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        My last 6 games from him have been 1-1-1-0-2-0, I can't wait to get rid of him after the double.
        He's turned into one of these players in your team you hate but haven't got rid of because of other fires.

    7. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Best move here?

      A. Raphina + Antonio > Son + Vydra/Brewster(-4)
      B. Bruno + Antonio > Son + Iheanacho(-4)
      C. Antonio > Iheanacho
      D. Raph + Antonio + Dias > Son + Iheanacho + 5.4 def(-8)

      Martinez
      Dias Azpi Rudiger
      Salah Bruno Jota Lingard Raphinha
      Kane Watkins
      3.9 Antonio White Struijk

      1 FT 2.6 ITB. FH left.
      Is there a case for saving FH beyond gw33 incase of any dgws?

      1. No Kane No Gain
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        E) Antonio to nacho and Raph to Lucas?!

      2. Max City
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I like D because I plan to ship off Man City completely from my squad

    8. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Start one

      A. R Pereira (WBA)
      B. Digne (TOT)
      C. Raphinha (LIV)

      Currently on A but not too sure as Leicester don't do cleansheets

      1. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Close between A and C, I'd probably go C

      2. BERGKOP
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        C

        Pool are shambolic at the back.

      3. Max City
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Probably A

      4. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        A

    9. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Was there any news on DCL?! Actually keeping him might turn To a differential. I don’t see a viable -4 to remove if he’s back in 1 or 2 weeks. Don’t have nacho but I think West Brom at home might be difficult for them...

      Laca worth a -4?!

      1. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Haven't heard anything, but will probably get Nacho for a -4 if he's out.

    10. neonmoth
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Wildcarded last week for a decent show. I have TC to play, I'm thinking Kane is best bet as any for this DGW?

      Also, thoughts on defence this week;

      Mendy

      Rudiger (BHA) / Shaw (BUR) / Dias (AVL)

      I have Coady (SHU) and Phillips (LEE) on my bench. Do I leave it or play Coady? If so who to bench?

      Cheers guys, all best of luck this week.

      1. BERGKOP
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        TC this week for sure

        Leave defence

      2. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I might play him over Dias. It seems like the Dias/Stones pairing is being saved for other competitions, and when Dias plays with another CB, they tend to concede.

        1. FPL Theorist
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Sorry, missed the first question. Yes TC Kane.

    11. vova
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Play 1

      A) DCL
      B) Watkins
      C) Raphinha

      Thanks!

      1. BERGKOP
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        C

      2. No Kane No Gain
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        You might be forced into B anyway if both injured

    12. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Start 1

      A Rüdiger (BHA)
      B Holding (FUL)
      C Fofana (WBA)

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          2 years, 11 months ago

          In the order you've got them I think, though ideally you'd want to play all of them

          1. dunas_dog
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Thanks- playing Alonso so one of others probably comes in and also starting TAA

            1. kysersosa
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Holding.

              See if Alonso starts this evening.

      2. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Can anyone please recommend a lightweight mobile phone? Current one is around 133 grams, something like that would be nice.

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          iPhone SE (2020) and iPhone 12 mini both sit at around 140g but I suspect you would have said if you wanted an Apple phone.

          1. Miguel Sanchez
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Google Pixel 4a might be your best Android alternative

          2. Holmes
            • 10 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Cheers, will check

            Whichever phone I have checked recently, all around 200 gms 😀

      3. kysersosa
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        G2G?

        Martinez,
        TAA, Holding, Reguilon, Coady
        Salah, Moura, Bruno, Jota
        Nacho, Kane - TC

        1FT (looking to hold)
        0.4 ITB

        1. No Kane No Gain
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Couldn’t even think of a realistic curveball if I was trying to be funny lol.

          GTG.

          1. No Kane No Gain
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Gundo to play villa?!

            Surely its nearby being a punishment to be benched for 4 league games in a row lol

            1. No Kane No Gain
              • 5 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Sorry was meant to be a post not a reply lol

            2. kysersosa
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              I think he'll play 90 tomorrow night

            3. @persecuted_by_mods
                2 years, 11 months ago

                If he plays all the big cup games then the league is where the rest comes

          2. neonmoth
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Looks mint, no problem there at all. G2G.

            1. kysersosa
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Thanks

              1. neonmoth
                • 6 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                Out of interest, what will you do with your Spurs after this GW? Just use your two FTs and transfer Moura and Reguilon?

                1. kysersosa
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 9 Years
                  2 years, 11 months ago

                  Exactly that. Maddison was my primary target, but we'll see how his covid breach effects his minutes. May have some news about DGW by then so JWP could be an option.

        2. Better luck next year
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Will there be another big DGW and when?

          1. No Kane No Gain
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Definitely at least 1 more double involving villa Everton and Southampton palace, probably more. 35 looks likely, everything else is speculation at this moment.

          2. @persecuted_by_mods
              2 years, 11 months ago

              As benteke has said below, there are games that we know need to fit in somewhere, and then the clashes for fa Cup etc

          3. stu92
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            A) Mendy & Holding
            B) Leno & Rudiger

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                2 years, 11 months ago

                B, more saves for Leno and rudiger does have goal threat even if it hasn't worked so far

                1. Hangman Page
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 5 Years
                  2 years, 11 months ago

                  I agree.

              • Weeb Kakashi
                • 8 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                B.

            2. FantasyHero
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              My team is a mess and have no WC:
              Which would you pick:
              1. Cresswell, ward-prowse, rich -> holding, son, ihenacho -8 (play Martinez in goal)
              2. Martinez, cresswell, rich -> Leno, regullion, ihenacho -8 (play ward-prowse)

              1. FantasyHero
                • 7 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                Team:
                Martinez (Forster)
                Azpi cresswell stones (andersen konsa)
                Bruno gundo salah lingard ward-prowse
                Rich kane (Antonio)

              2. Hangman Page
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                At first I thought option 2 included playing Ward-Prowse in goal.

              3. CONNERS
                • 5 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                1

                No sense in losing Martinez for a hit, especially with a DGW coming up.

                1. FantasyHero
                  • 7 Years
                  2 years, 11 months ago

                  Makes sense cheers

            3. TorresMagic™
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Last Man Standing GW31 (185 teams)

              Safety score = 55
              Top score = 89
              LMS average = 61.04 (-0.99) = 60.05

              62 teams to be removed, 123 teams through to GW32
              Up to 36% or minimum 45 teams out next GW.
              Congrats to the final 123 survivors 🙂

              https://www.livefpl.net/LMS

            4. Weeb Kakashi
              • 8 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              So Lingard and Nacho both no-brainers if on WC?

              My ML leader is 30 points above me(He has both) and that is the reason i was trying to differentiate. But Doesn't make sense right with both of them in such good form.

              1. CONNERS
                • 5 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                30 points is nothing. I'd get both Lingard and Nacho and find a couple of differentials elsewhere.

                Perhaps Pereira in defence and someone like Laca up front?

            5. Slitherene
              • 6 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              If I want to BB with this team next GW.
              What transfers would you suggest?

              Areola ¦ Sanchez
              Dias Shaw Coady
              Bruno Pepe Lingard Salah
              Kane Iheanacho Richarlison
              | Saka Alonso Phillips

              0.1 ITB, 1 FT

              1. TorresMagic™
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 14 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                Depends on midweek lineups. You'll be doing well to get all 15 playing.

            6. TorresMagic™
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Guessing most of the WC31ers will try to save a transfer if they didn't take a punt on a mid like Sterling or Auba instead of just getting Son?

              1. HashAttack
                • 7 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                Yes - no transfers needs and have been trying to work out where I burn a transfer in gw33

            7. Reedy
              • 13 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Re: the Scout Picks Challenge game - how come there's no weekly round-up? I think there would be more interest in it if you actually reported how each community champion did v the scouts.

              1. The Ejiptian King
                • 5 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                How did you do?

                1. Reedy
                  • 13 Years
                  2 years, 11 months ago

                  I'm glad you asked me that. As it happens I beat them, quite easily in fact, but there is no record of my victory anywhere as far as I can tell. 🙂

              2. TorresMagic™
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 14 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                Passed it on. I think the early 53 made it nearly impossible for anyone else.

                1. Reedy
                  • 13 Years
                  2 years, 11 months ago

                  Cheers ha. Yes you might as well send AA33 the prize now...but it'd be interesting to see just how often the Champ beats the Scouts over the course of the season.

                  1. TorresMagic™
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • Has Moderation Rights
                    • 14 Years
                    2 years, 11 months ago

                    Think it was pretty close, I thought there was a running H2H score. Hopefully all the info is back this GW.

            8. Big Ronnie
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Which 3 to start? Currently on A, B and C.

              A) TAA (lee)
              B) Shaw (BUR)
              C) Rudiger (BHA, got Mendy)
              D) Holding (FUL)
              E) Fofana (WBA)

              1. CONNERS
                • 5 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                Yes, those 3.

                1. Big Ronnie
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 10 Years
                  2 years, 11 months ago

                  Cheers

              2. DangerFC
                • 5 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                Sounds right

            9. Gudjohnsen
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Thoughts on Stones to Regulion for -4?

              1. HellasLEAF
                • 14 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                This week I like it, but prefer Stones overall. He is a goal threat even with the odd benching.

              2. CONNERS
                • 5 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                I'd do it for free perhaps but not for a hit. Spurs won't get a CS in either game imo.

            10. HellasLEAF
              • 14 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Who is more injured/in more need of swapping out:

              Raphinha
              Pope
              Cresswell

              1. TorresMagic™
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 14 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                Depends on the replacement.
                Gutsy TC last GW.

                1. HellasLEAF
                  • 14 Years
                  2 years, 11 months ago

                  I did it to know mini league opponent out. It was 1 vs 2. Didn't love either KDB or Kane on TC but it was enough to secure victory so in the end worth it. Won by 2 points.

                  1. HellasLEAF
                    • 14 Years
                    2 years, 11 months ago

                    *Knock out

            11. willos_wanderers
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              I am currently neck and neck in my money ML.

              We are very similar in team, with the following differences:

              Me:

              Mendy, Forster
              Amartey (TAA, Rudi, Shaw, Dias)
              Jota, Neto (Salah, Bruno, Son)
              Vydra (Kane, Iheanacho)

              Him:

              Sanchez, Martinez
              Struijk
              Jones, Lingard
              Bamford

              Neto's injury this week has thrown a spanner in the works, and I am concerned that if Lingard continues on his streak, it's all over. So, do I:

              A: Neto -> Bowen
              B: Jota -> Lingard (and deal with Neto next week)
              C: Neto, Dias -> Lingard and Dunk (-4)

              1. DangerFC
                • 5 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                I think either b or hold tight. I like the look of your team this week.

              2. pingissimus
                • 5 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                🙂

                Not sure I've seen Jones in a team yet. Presumably that'll be a swap to Jota which will leave it as a shootout between Martinez and Mendy pretty much if you bench Dunk this time.

                I'd do C probs - not a good time to lose Jota and next week you might want to swap back given fixtures. Bowen isn't a horrid call but Lingard is streets ahead of him.

              3. HellasLEAF
                • 14 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                Get Lingard in any means necessary

            12. Lignja
              • 6 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              A. Dcl to Bamford and bb
              B. Dcl, Gundogan to Lingard, Bamford -4 and bb

              Mendy, Froster
              Shaw, Rudiger, Coady, Holding, Philips
              Salah, Son, Gundogan, Jota, Bruno
              Kane, Ihenacho

            13. DangerFC
              • 5 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Any advice on this sterling and dcl for salah and nacho -8 but planning on using TC with kane/son?

              Or do you think one of the above is a better option

              1. HellasLEAF
                • 14 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                -4 with TC yes for sure. -8 is tough call. 50/50 but I might still do it.

            14. HellasLEAF
              • 14 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Watkins or Bamford to Nacho:

              Rest of season..

              1. pingissimus
                • 5 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                Watkins if you really mean rest of season probs.

                There's a very handy fixture turn between Bamford and Nacho in 36. Watkins is better in 33 and has the DGW to come but Nacho might yet also have a DGW that week.

            15. wowo
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 3 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              Hi, Chaps, Correct bench order?
              Ft saved for next week.
              Mendy, Froster
              Shaw, Reguilon, TAA
              Salah, Son, Jota, Lingard
              Kane, Ihenacho, Vardy

              Bench: Froster, Ralphina, Rudiger, Holding

            16. fusen
              • 12 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              I like this article as it backs up all my own thoughts on 'form', which everyone knows are the best kind of articles 😀

              Jumping on players doing well seems like the scenario in which you're also going to do well, compared to ignoring someone who is scoring points week after week.

              You have no idea how long it'll last, so you either jump on and get points until you and everyone else no longer gets points or don't jump on and most likely miss out for multiple weeks until at some random point in the future the points stop for everyone who has been benefiting from them.

              For a game where the point is to get the most points, not getting in a player who is scoring lots of points because they *might* stop scoring them soon seems an odd way to play.

              1. HashAttack
                • 7 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                I'm beginning to think FPL noise is the best indicator for short term punts - Lowton (gw24), Veltman (gw29), Antonio (gw19)