Pro Pundits - Zophar

An FPL Q&A with seven-time top-10k finisher Zophar

One of the world’s best Fantasy managers, Zophar, is on track for an eighth Fantasy Premier League finish inside the top 10,000. Here he tackles some of the most debated FPL issues of the week.


With just five games played so far in Gameweek 32, I figured this would be a good time to take questions from the FPL community on Twitter.

Q. Is Mason Greenwood a legitimate choice over Bruno Fernandes? (@UnderstandingF8)

Mason Greenwood (£7.1m) took his total to four goals in as many Gameweeks with his brace against Burnley. Yes, his second goal was fortuitous and a result of a massive deflection but he has been posting impressive numbers now for some time.

That’s all for now, do let me know if you enjoyed this format and if you want to see it more frequently.

Good luck with the rest of the Gameweek!

The arguments for and against using a Wildcard in FPL Gameweek 3 1
335 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What to do with Bruno?

    Any news on Lingard?

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

    Captain Salah, Bruno or Ihenacho?

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

      Salah

    2. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      nacho

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

      I'm going Salah.

  3. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    In which season was the European Cup rebranded as the Champions League?

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

      Good question. Think mid-90s.

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      '92-'93 season

    3. shirtless
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yes 92/93. Same year as Division 1 became the Premier. You still had the foreigner rule then in Europe. Only four per team. That included the home nations for us! Back in the 80's it was two foreign players per team. Napoli had Maradona and Careca, Juve had Platini and Boniek etc.

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Boniek brings back memories, great player.

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

    Good discussion on BBC radio about all of this between Rory Smith and an EU law expert ruined by Micah Richards wading in with an emotionally charged, meandering ramble that makes zero sense. I like Micah, but he rarely, if ever, makes a point worth hearing.

    1. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He is not very smart.

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

        Unfortunately he cannot construct an argument. It’s as if he’s had no training in how to put across a point, like the majority of pundits.

        I want to hear what someone articulate like Alex Scott has to say.

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Richards - Fun, enthusiastic, but dim.

      Better than Murphy though who is miserable, boring and dim.

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

        True.

        As I say I do like the guy. Nice fella, funny and passionate.

        Pundits on TV and radio are part of football’s money issue IMO. It’s an old boys club where reputation grants access and outsiders - like journos - are usually scorned. They get paid bucket loads for virtually nothing.

        1. Jet5605
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Don Goodman on Sky always speaks a lot of sense and articulates himself really well IMO. He should be in the studio more but guess he isn't at the top table in the boys club.

          1. diesel001
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Agree on Don Goodman. Also think Andy Hinchcliffe is good. But they aren't PL greats (like Neville and Carragher) and so aren't going to get the big games.

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      That’s always been my gripe with him - his analysis is 50% raucous belly laugh, 45% smile, 5% incoherent clichèd babble

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Gary Neville is playing a terrific game. Carry on like that and Salford City will need to expand their stadium!

        1. Jet5605
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I see that Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer are wading in clearly sensing there is political capital to be gained given the millions of fans who are also voters.

          1. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            I do wonder how Johnson will justify getting involved. It suits his economic philosophy of ruthless profiteering from disaster capitalism to a tee.

            1. Jet5605
              • 9 Years
              2 years, 11 months ago

              It's basically a farce. He's only getting involved so that he can claimed he tried to stop it happening and didn't just sit back. He couldn't give two hoots about it really. All for political gain.

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

              Fairly easy that one

              He's the man of the people - it's no distance at all from the the last election. The obvious gambit is to go for the 50 plus 1 model and putting fans first.

              Good soundbites there. And we live in the soundbite era. How strong is this message

              "I have given you back control of your football clubs"

              The ramifications of doing that are naturally irrelevant.

  5. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Should I make any move here ?

    Mendy
    TAA/Castagne/Shaw/Rudiger/Holding
    Salah/Bruno/Jota/Lingard
    Nacho

    Forster/Davis/Son/Kane

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Greenwood plan?

  6. Thomas Magnum
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone else having troubles with replies to comments on mobile?
    When I’m on laptop all the replies are up to date and displayed properly, whilst when I switch to mobile replies are always delayed, sometimes don’t even come through properly or even get displayed??

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Nope, all good here!

  7. reubster
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Not been impressed by the Watchlist picks this season. Currently, Bruno is 2nd rated and with an A form rating. Has blanked 7 weeks running. Lingard has blanked in ONE game, other than his being unable to play vs ManU, since joining WH. He's the top player in the game bar none.

    1. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yeah, it has been subpar.

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Sounds like nobody is looking at it.

      1. reubster
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        yeah, I guess so. I used to find it useful.

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Me too

        2. Sun Jihai
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Spot the differential articles have generally been pretty good this season - though I think it's different authors (and not sure if the watchlist is updated that often)

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

            Watchlist is usually updated once or twice a week. I think last week it wasn't updated as often as usual though, yes

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

      Pointed this out a few days back

      They simply haven't bothered to update it since GW28.

      1. Rasping Drive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        never look at it for that very reason. Similar situation with the ticker which often takes an age to update.

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

          I'm surprised you say this, usually Mark has turned this around the same day or within 24h. I'll see if we can speed it up, but I thought we were doing a job on this!

  8. The Knights Template
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who will be in charge of Fantasy ESL?

    1. gedda
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Too soon man, too soon.

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        So don't mention Fantasy ESL Scout?

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Now there's a domain name for you.

          1. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Damn, it would ruin FF as it is. If this site got involved, on top of the support of gambling, I'd be off for good.

  9. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Thinking about a crazy -8

    Out: Phillips, Dias & Son
    In: TAA, Saiss/Coady & Greenwood

    Thoughts?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'm lovin it

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I'm not so keen on Wolves defence. I feel non-owners have missed the boat there. Tougher fixtures in Burnley and WBA. Both teams more attacking than previous games. FUL and SHU attack weren't exactly potent but I think Wolves still conceded chances

  10. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Bale likely to become a regular starter now Mou has gone? Can't wait for the inevitable haul vs. Soton!

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Maybe.

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      With Kane out it must be very likely

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

    Nice short and sweet article for us.

  12. John wick
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Any update on kane?

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      @StandardSport
      Harry Kane missed first-team coach Ryan Mason’s first training session at Tottenham Hotspur and he is expected to miss the Southampton game on Wednesday. It remains unclear if he has a chance of facing Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday.

      1. John wick
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Tc fail....hpe he plays

        1. Sun Jihai
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Looks a very minimal chance especially with the cup final and limited prospects of top 4 (which doesn't matter anyway with ESL!)

  13. MMN
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    1 FT 0.1m. Only FH left. Any thoughts assuming Lingard is fit and Kane out for one game only? Stones/Gundo seem to be the weakest links ...

    Martinez
    Dunk, TAA, Shaw, Konsa
    Jota, Bruno, Lingard
    Iheanacho, Bam, Kane*

    Areola, Son*, Stones*, Gundo*

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Stones to Dallas. I would keep Gundo until they have won the league

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

      Dallas at home to United?

  14. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Looking ahead to BGW33 I don't think I can go into the GW with no subs and Alonso.

    Looking for suggestions to replace Alonso. Probably missed the boat on Wolves defs as they are still conceding chances but now have tougher fixtures.

    I'm thinking of Coufal or Shaw. Leaning towards Coufal as he has the better run of fixtures and at WB he has had 3 assists in the last 3 games.

    2FT 0ITB
    Mendy
    Rudiger TAA Dallas Holding Alonso
    Salah Bruno Jota Lingard
    Nacho
    (Forster Kane Son Davis)

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Both sound options.

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        yup that's the dilemma. Any preference out the 2

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I have Shaw. Potential dgw35?

          1. Tonyawesome69
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            That's a good point. I'm still undecided on whether to FH in DGW35 or BGW36. If I use my FTs to load up on doubles then I could FH in the blank. Probably looking like 2-3 Utd, 1-2 LEI, 2 CHE, 1 ARS for 35

  15. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    2FT, 0.4 ITB, thoughts?

    Mendy / Forster

    TAA / Castagne / Rudiger / Coady / Coufal

    Salah / Fernandes / Son / Jota / Lingard

    Kane / Iheanacho / Vydra

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Nothing sticks out. Maybe consider Bruno/ Son to Greenwood or Maddison if you don't want to burn a FT

    2. DannyDrinkVodka
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I would be concerned about not having a playing keeper

  16. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    24 hours of ESL debate and following the debate closely ,it is my conclusion that ESLwill not happen,i had no interest in the game last night and indeed didnt watch it ,in the shadows was the thought that this game is irrelevant and thus maybe pointless,what a terrible state of affairs ,many people say fans will watch ESL anyway i utterly disagree as with anything there has to be a point ,even as covid was going on the companies wanted you to pay for WBA vs FUL ,not many did so idea was binned ,im certain tv revenue will be very low for ESL ,time to relax everyone its not going to happen..

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

      You mean TV revenue will be very low for ESL or EPL?

      1. Jordan.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        ESL

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I don't like it when you're 'in the shadows' analysing things, Jordan. Makes me very nervous.

      1. Jordan.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        relax TKL ,would never take on your fearsome jousting sticks ,i hated that feeling that leeds/pool didnt matter,im certain im not alone...

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Arise, Sir Jordan!

          1. Jordan.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            HURRAH!! a seat at the banquet at last, i shall feast and cavort,bollocks to the barcelona/liverpool game...

  17. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    chances of bale playing?

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Seems very high with no Mou and Kane being out

      1. Philosopher's Stones
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Kane 100% out of the game or there's a chance he starts/benched? Any news?

        1. Podorsky
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Will there be a Tottenham presser today?

        2. Sun Jihai
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Limited firm news (and press conferences disrupted by ESL + Mou sacking), but seems very probable he is out for Soton

  18. rnrd
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    ESL deciders have something very wrong about their strategy. They believe a locked league won't bore anyone but they forget excitement is very related to great stories in the making and what is un-expected and rare makes thing enjoyable.

    When Federer and Nadal played each other in the AO final in 2017, they had not played each other in a major for three years. This led to one of the best sports moment in the history.

    Also, there's life behind sports. Before covid, big UCL games were the game where we people used to gather to eat/drink and wacth the games together.
    Clearly, I'm not going to watch 5 Barcelona - Real Madrid per year.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yep, the big games will be well and truly demeaned through irrelevent saturation. The gloss will wear off pretty quick. They may have to start selling hotdogs and peanuts at games.

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Barca Madrid will be playing each other 10 times a season

  19. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Lol, salah has blanked more games compared to Bruno but people don't have second thoughts when selling out Bruno when it comes between the two.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Lol, thanks for the analysis.

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Who scores more in remaining games is whats important

  20. Quan MisTaka
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Dias or Cresswell to TAA?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Dias

      1. Quan MisTaka
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Interesting. Obviously with Creswell injured and dias the more short term appealing fixtures I was leaning towards Cresswell. But keeping him for final 3 fixtures and banking on city rotating loads could be a shout...

  21. YoungPretender
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Most important players to own for the rest of the season? WCing this week. Cheers

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Greenwood and Bumford

    2. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      with not underestimating players......
      Martinez
      Kane
      Lingz
      TAA
      Nacho
      Dunk

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

        Nice!

        I got all those players.

    3. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      mount
      foden

      1. YoungPretender
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks everyone

    4. West End Exile
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      TAA and Nacho.

  22. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Real Madrid President Sensationally Claims European Super League Has Come “to Save Football”

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

      Have not seen this quote anywhere else.

      Seems dodgy to me.

    2. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No

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

    Wil Rudiger start tonight?

    And if so will Chelsea keep a CS?

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

      Probably as Silva and Christensen are bigger concerns.

      Suspect Chelsea will scrape a 1-1

  24. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    "Players banned from international competitions and national teams according to UEFA? Don't worry, this will not happen. They won't be banned if they join the Super League."
    "Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea, and the other clubs of the Super League, will not be banned from the Champions League or domestic leagues, 100 per cent. I'm sure. Impossible." not my words.

  25. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    The EPL is not actually going to kick out the ESL renegades? The risk is far too great......

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

      It would be like suicide imo.

      Those teams are far too important for the league.

      That's just saying it how it is.

    2. Quan MisTaka
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I think Chelsea and City potentially being kicked out of this years CL is a bigger threat tbh. Can you imagine Guardiola's reaction

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

      No they won't but there are ways they can make life difficult for them

      The more likely avenue for prevention is quite possibly government action. Populist Boris isn't constrained by European law and he's not exactly above making unilateral decisions to please the crowd.

      The mere threat of introducing a German 50 plus 1 ruling could bring Abrahamovic onside for instance.

      1. Quan MisTaka
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah i really think CIty and Abramovic could crack. They dont exactly NEED the money. They are here for the prestige and to win stuff and make themselves look good

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

          Think Abrahamovic is the one more likely to crack first - unlike all the other owners he appears to have a love for the game and simply being an owner and would be most aggrieved by being pushed out.

          Of course he's in it for money but that appears secondary as a motivation - in comparative terms. The others are simply financial people who have fallen into football as a way of making money or improving their image

    4. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      roulette would be in full effect.

  26. Simpix
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Perhaps one way of delaying or preventing the implementation of the ESL would be if the Referees Association and their European and International counterparts got together to state their unwillingness to officiate at these games.
    A Super League would require "Super" Referees so could not play matches without them.
    However, I'm pretty sure that the various Referees Associations have already been 'bought off' with the promise of untold riches for agreeing to go along with the proposals so we will have to wait and see what follows.

    1. Quan MisTaka
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Money money money for all involved

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      They are the easiest one to bribe, so I really doubt that would work. And they could have committee of VAR refs to tell the ref on the pitch what to do.

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

        Agree.

    3. Shaw must go on
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      what are about if they create a rule not allowing the dirty 12 signing players from outside their superleague??they will dry up...

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

        FPL can create a rule. ESL can also create a rule.

    4. Salan
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You can assume the ESL Refs can also get at least 3 times salary of current ones.

  27. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    going to an era where you would be having 11 players and out of them only 4 or 5 would be playing because of the roulette.

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

      You can pick players from other 14 teams, shouldnt be an issue

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Please keep posting.

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

    Creswell worth getting rid of for a 4 point hit? Have just enough players for next week (if Creswell is fit).

  29. JBG
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which one?

    A) Lucas and Areola to Greenwood and Forster -4
    B) DCL and Lucas to Nacho and Greenwood -4
    C) Lucas to Traore/Raphinha

    I have Bamford, Coady and Bruno, but no Leicester players.

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I like B but Greenwood may hit a purple patch now.

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

        Thanks.