The Promoted

Assessing Ismaila Sarr and Watford’s midfielders and forwards upon FPL return

Our series on the newly promoted Premier League sides continues with a look at Watford’s midfielders and forwards.

We have already assessed the Hornets’ defence, with focus now moving to some of their key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) players who operate higher up the pitch.

We previously ran the rule over Norwich City’s backline and attack, with a profile of top-flight rookies Brentford to follow in the coming days.

FPL price reveal and launch reaction from three-time top 200 finisher Lateriser 1

WHAT IS WATFORD’S GOALSCORING POTENTIAL?

Watford’s defence assessed ahead of FPL return in 2021/22 3

Watford return to the Premier League as the Championship runners-up but could boast only the sixth-best attacking record in the second tier of English football, having scored a modest 63 goals in their 46 league fixtures.

Brentford (79), Norwich City (75), Bournemouth (73), Cardiff City (66) and Blackburn Rovers (65) all found the back of the net more often than the Hornets last season and their success was largely built on a solid defence that conceded just 30 goals, a record-equalling total in the Championship as we know it now.

Given that they were rarely free-scoring and created the ninth-fewest chances across the division, Watford’s attacking potential does seem somewhat limited.

Another consideration is that nearly one in six of their goals arrived from the penalty spot: across the campaign they converted 10 spot-kicks, more than any other side.

WATFORD’S CHAMPIONSHIP TOP GOALSCORERS 2020/21:

Sarr13
João Pedro 9
Deeney7
Gray, Sema5
Chalobah, Cleverley 4

However, despite some underwhelming attacking numbers, Watford do start with an appealing run and sit top of our Season Ticker for ease of fixture in Gameweeks 1-7:

It’s also worth bearing in mind that Xisco did up the goal output upon his appointment, with predecessor Vladimir Ivic chiefly culpable for the shortage:

GamesGoalsGoals per game
Watford under Ivic20231.15
Watford under Xisco26401.54

Had Watford scored at that rate across the whole of 2020/21, they would have hit around 71 goals – that’s still short of what Brentford and Norwich managed.

From February onwards, the new manager set the Hornets up in a balanced 4-3-3 formation, with the aim of getting their wingers on the ball as often as possible. 

As a result, the wide areas are where most of their attacking threat stems from, which is where our assessment of Watford’s midfielders and forwards begins.

MIDFIELDERS

Ismaila Sarr (£6.0m) is the most expensive Watford player listed in FPL, and for good reason.

The Hornets’ Player of the Season finished as the club’s top scorer last year with 13 goals, and also provided four assists. 

He racked up 86 goal attempts and 57 shots in the box, more than any other team-mate, and ranked second for key passes (42).

Playing on the right of Muñoz’s 4-3-3, Sarr looks like the go-to pick for FPL managers next season, should Watford prove to be more of an attacking force than they were in the Championship.

On the other flank, Swedish winger Ken Sema (£5.5m) also established himself as a regular and impressed. He combined five goals with five assists, and was the Hornets’ top creator with 51 key passes.

Outside of the wingers, there isn’t too much to get excited about from a Fantasy perspective, but Tom Cleverley (£5.0m) led by example in the engine room and will be pushing for a starting place again, while Will Hughes (£5.0m) played more of a deep-lying midfield role at the base of Watford’s midfield three:

Above: Will Hughes’ touch heatmap 2020/21, via Sofa Score

However, his future is still uncertain as negotiations have stalled over a new contract, with defensive midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah (£5.0m) in a similar position.

Other options include Philip Zinckernagel (£5.5m), who will aim to build on a good second half of the season and could offer value if he can establish himself in the starting XI. 

Domingos Quina (£4.5m) and Dan Gosling (£5.0m) will need others to leave before being handed first-team spots, and may move on loan, which also applies to youngsters Kwadwo Baah (£4.5m), Ayotomiwa Dele-Bashiru (£4.5m) and Joseph Hungbo (£4.5m)

Of the new signings, Oghenekaro Peter Etebo (£4.5m) has arrived on loan from Stoke City and will compete for a defensive midfield role, while Imrân Louza (£5.5m) is a box-to-box midfielder who scored seven goals in 35 appearances last season at Nantes. He has played six times for the France under-21 side, which suggests there is plenty of potential, but of course will need time to adjust to Premier League football.

FORWARDS

Up front, the expectation is that Joshua King (£5.5m) will compete with Troy Deeney (£5.5m) for the no. 9 role. 

The last 12 months have not gone to plan for King as he had limited opportunities to impress at Everton, but he is an experienced striker who likes to run in behind and could be a useful FPL asset if he gets enough minutes; they’re aren’t many other viable forward options in the £5.5m-and-under price rung.

Club captain Deeney has scored 19 goals across his last two Premier League campaigns, and chipped in with seven despite injuries last season. He is also on penalties, but given his advancing years, it seems unlikely that he will be a week-in, week-out starter.

João Pedro (£5.5m) produced nine goals and two assists last term and is highly thought of, and like new signing Emmanuel Dennis (£5.0m), can play both centrally or in a wide position. The latter has featured in both the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League for Club Brugge, though it’s difficult to see exactly where he fits in given how many options Watford have in the forward department.

One interesting thing to note on the spot-kick front under Xisco: in the games when Deeney wasn’t on the pitch, the two players who won penalties – Pedro being one, Sarr the other – ended up taking them.

New signing Ashley Fletcher (£5.0m) has been brought in as a back-up option, which moves Andre Gray (£5.5m), Isaac Success (£5.0m) and Stipe Perica (£4.5m) further down the pecking order, and there is a distinct possibility they will all leave the club in the coming weeks.

Cucho Hernández (£5.0m), 22, is training with the first-team, and another youngster Adedapo Awokoya-Mebude (£4.5m), who signed as a free agent after leaving new Scottish champions Rangers, is likely to go out on loan.

512 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Buendia.

    1. Skonto Rigga
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Play up Pampas (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pampas)

    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I aint bending the knee to you

    3. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      pardon?

  2. McGowan
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Tricky one..
    Who scores more points?

    A) TAA, Maddison
    B) Robertson, Mount

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A but I think there are better mids than Maddison out there

    2. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A

    3. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      TAA, Robbo, 4.5m mid

      TAA + Robbo combo just had a "bad" season and still beat every season Mount and Madders have had

  3. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    So just get Deeney for the Arsenal games then?

  4. FPL_trail_runner
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Settled for now. People on here not selecting players from the best two teams in the league are missing a trick.

    Bachman
    James Stones Shaw Taa
    Havertz Mahrez Bruno Salah
    Toney Pukki
    Foster Gilmor Omoba Perica

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      You havent got any Leeds or Leicester players either!

    2. Hooky
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      That forward line will be missing a few goals

    3. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I really like the midfield, but feel you need to look at that forward line and shift some funds around.

      Not having at least one of Bamford, DCL, Wilson, Watkins, Nacho, Antonio, etc is very risky.

      1. FPL_trail_runner
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        6.5mil and 6mil, if they fail to fire its an easy switch with little investment.

        We are all guessing at this stage. Higher prices gives a feeling of higher security but its all just air at this point. If Pukki or Toney get any attacking return in opening 2-3 games its decent for the price.

  5. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    A. Grealish, Toney 0.5itb
    B. Buendia, Dcl 0.5itb
    C. Wilson, Jota

    Sanchez, 4.0
    Taa, Shaw, Lamptey, Ayling, 4.0
    Salah, Bruno, Raphina, xxx, 4.5
    Watkins, Antonio, xxx

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      C

    2. Legohair
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      B

  6. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Really hope westham signs lingard

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Think most United fans are hoping the same

      1. im1974
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        This

    2. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Yep - also hoping Willock re-joins Newcastle.

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Didn’t he already sign a permanent deal weeks ago

      2. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        No, rumours of a new loan deal

    3. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I'm not bothered now. He doesn't seem to wanna sign play for us, so he can jog on.

    4. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Chances look slim now, sadly.

  7. Dogs Of War
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Any feedback on my current team?

    Henderson Sanchez
    TAA Shaw Digne Tierney Fofana
    Salah Bruno Buendia Raphina Biss
    DCL Toney Pukki

    Thank you

    1. Whiskerz
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I think there's too much spent on your gks and def.

      Needs the funds redistributed to the attack imo. Particularly the forwards. Lots of great mid range forwards this year.

    2. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      No need for Sanchez if you have Henderson (assuming he stays as no 1 choice).
      Pukki unlikely to get much with those starting fixtures.

      Basically, I'd swap Sanch to a 4m keeper, Tierney to a 4m fodder and upgrade Pukki to a 7.5 (Watkins, Wilson, etc)

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

        Is it a 442? I wouldn't bother with Pukki with his opening fixtures, not when Welbeck's are the opposite. My early drafts had Hendo with Sanchez as insurance in case Hendo is dropped, so I see the sense in it.

    3. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Norwich first batch of fixtures are awful, move Pukki on until he is up and running.

  8. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Is having Jota, Watkins and Buendia a recipe for disaster? That’s 3 transfers out locked in before gw3…

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      If you chose to pick Jota then you keep him until GW6 IMO, take the benchings as they come and hope for hauls with the fixtures. Benchings may be greater than the starts though so I'm avoiding him.

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah I suppose you’re right, I’m very torn as the upside is there and I don’t really like any of the other 7.0-8.0 mids… maybe one will emerge pre season

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          It’s handy to have that price covered in your team though, and having that straight swap ability.

          My mid prices:

          12.0 | 10.0 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.0

          Feels very flexible which is nice

          1. Flair
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            That's why I have Grealish, but he'll need to sign a new deal for me to be fully confident on picking him. Villa's first three fixtures are excellent and he's a fantastic player though so I like him.

            1. Big boy Bowen
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 8 months ago

              Oh yes love Grealish, can’t squeeze that 0.5 for now so going for Jota as no Salah!

          2. Pukki Blinders
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            What formation you playing? And no Salah?

            For me it’s

            12.5 12.0 7.5 6.5 4.5

            1. Big boy Bowen
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 8 months ago

              That’s quite flexible too! For me I want Son so it’s 3-5-2

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I get Jota being he’s not nailed (I have him too) but why Buendia and Watkins have to be moved on?

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Because fixtures are garbage from gw4. If I double up on Villa removing both in the same week will be a challenge though.

        1. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Villa attack with Grealish and Buendia isn't garbage, they could score 1 goal in each of those games and one of Watkins/Buendia could be involved. Don't need to get rid of both.

    3. LangerznMash
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Why is Jota a transfer out?

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Assuming he’s rotated or dropped when Firmino comes back in

        1. LangerznMash
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          I still think he will get more than enough game.

          1. Pukki Blinders
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Dangerous off the bench too against tired legs I suppose

          2. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Nobody mentions Mount, probably one of the few nailed Chelsea players.

            1. Big boy Bowen
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 8 months ago

              Not fpl prolific enough yet - but one season he could well be.

              I think his price should have been 7.0.

  9. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Quite happy with this lot, what you think?

    Sanchez
    TAA Shaw Digne Coufal
    Salah Bruno Havertz Raphinha
    Watkins Antonio

    Foster Fofana Bissouma Davis

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Looks really nice

    2. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Lovely balance.

    3. Haa-lala-land
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      No Tottenham

  10. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    I now see why Watford went wild for attackers in the transfer market: they need more goals to step up

    Sadly reminds me of Fulham though

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      They’re going straight back down, you can see it from a mile away

    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I dont really get it. Andre Gray is a decent goalscorer. They need a creater methinks

    3. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Goalkeeper and defenders look viable - stay away from anything further forward. I have had Sarr in early drafts, but not any more once I read how poor they goalscoring record is.

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Sarr could be like Wood, Zaha and Pereira, to be fair. The team doesn't have to score/win a lot for their talisman to be viable in FPL

  11. Legohair
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Any feedback???

    Sanchez
    TAA-Robbo-Tierney-Fofana
    Salah-Bruno-Buendia-ESR
    Watkins-DCL

    Foster,Raphinha,Lamptey,Perica

  12. el polako
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Lots of love for TAA on here and we all know why, however isn't it bit premature ?
    We don't know how solid LFC will be at the back, even with Van Dijk plus we last season shown that young Trent's form can be very unsettled.

    7.5m is a lot of money, going cheaper in defense opens up a lot of interesting options in midfield and forward line.

    Anyone considering going without Liverpool defenders to start with ?

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Van Dijk being back alone is enough for me to want him.
      Him or Robbo anyway

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I tried a few drafts without Liverpool defenders, but I can't stomach losing Trent. Robbo and VVD have been in and out - currently out, but TAA looks too likely to get assists, and their opening fixtures look to kind to ignore.

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Upside is too high with the fixtures to go without. His second half of last season was crazy, not owning him in that period was damaging and I’m not taking that risk again

    4. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Trent and Robbo might be the only players below 8m, who can score 200 points or get very close. They were the two highest scoring FPL defenders last season and Liverpool's defence wasn't that good.

    5. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Liverpool conceding 8 goals in the final third/13 games of the season (best defence in the league over that stretch) suggests Klopp had them tightened up on the training ground

      Throw in TAA’s attacking threat, his ownership, and his fixtures and I wouldn’t personally be entertaining going without

    6. el polako
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Pretty unanimous then, looks like going without can be a disaster and most will have TAA which makes taking the risk even more rewarding should Liverpool start slow.

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        FPL Darwinism in action 🙂

      2. im1974
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Nostradamus in action

  13. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Tossing up between

    A. Jota + Buendia
    B. Grealish + Raph

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Why not Jota and Raph?

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Oh Villa fixtures!

        1. Pukki Blinders
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Have Watkins already but keen on a double up

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            I think that’s enough, wonder if he’ll be on pens too assuming El Ghazi won’t be on the pitch as often

  14. LangerznMash
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    People planning on starting with Villa players then ditching them at GW4... any preferred transfer targets?
    Arsenal, Watford and Wolves' fixtures turn for the better here so I guess we see who their standout assets are at this point.
    I've got Grealish and Watkins so they could swap to Pepe + Jimenez + £0.5m, or Podence + Aubameyang.

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

      I'm specifically starting with Watkins and 0.5m itb to get Bamford after GW3. I've had buendia but dropped him recently - if I get him back I'd keep an open mind about retaining or selling.

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Not quite got that far yet

      Also not convinced how poor Everton United Spurs is. None of those defences was remotely bullet proof last time out. If Grealish and Watkins are flying from the off I'll be holding in all likelihood.

      The problem may be holding Shaw and Digne 🙂

      1. LangerznMash
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Hoping they do get off to a flyer, but I will certainly be cashing in and banking any profit. The fixture ticker for 5 difficult games GWs 4-9. If Jimenez is starting regularly for wolves then he is a perfect straight swap for Watkins.
        What to do with Grealish is a bit more tricky for me as it would cost -4 points to get in Bamford and I hate taking points hits.

      2. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Rafa says hi, Varane says hi. Spurs are Spurs though.

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Good to know

          Everton and United are due for a 38 cs season each then I assume.

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Watkins easy switch to Jimi

  15. The Mighty Hippo
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Who would you prefer in your fantasy team, Kane at Man City or Lewandowski at Chelsea?

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

      Defintely Kane. He knows the PL. Lewa could be another Werner.

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Pretty harsh on Lewandowski to compare him with Werner...

        I’d be tempted to say the latter since city have more attacking outlets to share the FPL points. But, it’s close.

      2. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Lewa is a centre forward and has an immense track record of knowing how to put the ball int he net- Werner is neither of those really.

        Would go Kane because of City over Chelsea myself.

      3. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Can’t compare a clinical class finisher like Lewa to Werner

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

          Yeh, I didn't mean it that way; I meant a player coming into the PL with no prior experience doesn't always settle immediately - especially if they are a striker at Chelsea. Morata before him was supposed to be special. Kane is just a safer pick given how well he knows the league.

      4. Uncle Baby Billy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        "Lewa could be another Werner"

        Mate, delete your account. Do something else with your life.

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

          1. Learn to read.
          2. Wait until you're out of babyhood before playing with the big kids.

          1. H.E. Pennypacker
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Indeed. Andy Social is right.
            Uncle Billy, we don't behave like that on this site, that's for Twitter. If u don't have anything good to say best don't say anything.

            1. Uncle Baby Billy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 3 Years
              2 years, 8 months ago

              Grand, good to know. I'll have a go now I know the rules...

              Probably just as well Messi isn't coming to the PL, everybody would have bought him and he might have been another Bebe.

              Am I doing this right, is this how 'the big kids' do it?

              1. H.E. Pennypacker
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 3 Years
                2 years, 8 months ago

                Oh dear. No rules, just no need for snarky Twitter style stuff, but you probably know best. Bye bye

              2. Andy_Social
                • 11 Years
                2 years, 8 months ago

                You sign up less than a week ago, and come on here and tell an eight-year veteran to delete his account. What a muppet. You won't last long here.

              3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
                • 14 Years
                2 years, 8 months ago

                We’ve found Irbox’s new account

                How long till this one gets banned 😆

    2. el polako
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Lewandowski - despite being older he's much fitter than Kane, doesn't get injured every couple of months and succesfully takes direct free kicks.

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

      Lewandowski

    4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I’d side with Lewa, as I could see Kane getting as many assists as goals playing deep for Pep

      Werner is used as a bundesliga flop example - but what you have to remember is Werner only had that one standout season where he scored 28 goals & 7 assists (in the 6 seasons before that he scored 16, 13, 21, 6, 3, 4)

      Whereas Lewandoski got 41G 7A last year, so was on a different planet to even Werner’s best season, and Lewa has in fact bettered Werner’s peak season (scoring 29 or more bundesliga goals) in 5 of the last 6 seasons which is just

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        *incredible - Someone on Reddit tallied up what Lewandowski would have scored in FPL with his season last year

        I think he was on close to 300 points by GW25 and would have finished on around 350 points from a 34 game season (where he missed 5 games)

      2. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Wouldn’t need to play deep with KDB creating though

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Himself & KDB would probably be doing rotational shifts in the physio room all season anyways

          1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Lol, this!

    5. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Lewa could be another Fernado Torres

    6. Babit1967
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Lewandowski easily

  16. R.C
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    How many risk punts are fine starting the season?

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      risky*

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I reckon 1 or 2.

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      1-2

    4. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah 2 max I think

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

      Depends how expensive they are and what your bench cover is like.

    6. Union_Jacks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      The ‘safe bets’ could be the risky punts. We just don’t know yet.

  17. JamesT23
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Hi all, I've been using FFS for years but finally created an account to post a team and start commenting. Please give my current draft your honest opinions 🙂

    Sanchez Foster
    Chilwell Shaw Coufal Lamptey Fofana
    Salah KDB 7.5m Buendia Bissouma
    Cavani DCL Toney

    I'm stuck on a 7.5m mid: Mount, Jota, LEI mid? or I could drop to Raphinha/Sarr and upgrade Chilwell to a LIV def

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Get Raph and TAA

      1. JamesT23
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        I'm 0.5 short, it would have to be TAA and Sarr, or Robbo and Raph

        1. The FPL Units
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          R and R

  18. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    How is the price structure balance?

    4.5 | 4.0
    7.5 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 4.0
    12.0 | 10.0 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.0
    12.5 | 6.0 | 4.5

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Depends if you are playing 2 or 3 up front. This is.mine currently.

      4.5 / 4.0
      7.0 / 4.5 / 4.5 / 4.5 / 4.5
      12.5 / 12.0 / 10.0 / 5.5 / 4.5
      7.5 / 7.5 / 6.5

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Ooh ok nice - I’d want that 5.5 spot ready for an explosive Shaw though 😉

    2. JamesT23
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Kane is very tempting to have in but I think there is so much value in the 6.5-8m forward position this year, its just deciding who will perform.
      The rest looks great, although could you get your last def to a 4.5?

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Nah I’m keeping the 4.0, there is nearly always a 4.0 def with regular gametime that emerges

      2. Dr. Rog
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Kane isnt a comparison vs 6.5-8m forwards. His comparison is to Bruno, Salah, KdB.

        There is a comparison to be made between 6.5-8m forwards and mids however, and if you think the answer is in midfield then that supports a Kane argument as well.

        Personally dont think there is any value in the 7.5-8m fwds. They are fairly priced.

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Only one mid at 10.0 - may as well write that name in 🙂

      I'd also look at taking the 6.0 mid down to 5.5 and upgrade to 6.5 up top.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Yes that is one of my last considerations with this draft, it’s basically:

        Harrison/Sarr & Pukki
        Or
        Dallas/Cantwell/ESR & Toney

        1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          ESR and Toney

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            With Jota in midfield, I feel having both him and ESR would be a bit too punty for nailed players

  19. R.C
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Who's brave enough to start with Jota

    1. JamesT23
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      He's in and out of my draft everyday, fixtures are so tempting to double up

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Maybe me - keep prevaricating between Jota, Gundogan and Mount.

    3. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I am not

    4. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Me!

    5. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah going with him , got 2 4.5m defenders on the bench for any cover needed

  20. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    What do you think Lewandowski would be priced if he would sign for Chelsea?
    My guess would be 10 or 10.5.

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      11.5

    2. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      10.5

    3. Dogs Of War
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      11.5 or 12

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

        11-11.5

  21. R.C
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Any update on Digne's injury?

  22. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    My team structure

    4.5 / 4.0
    7.5 / 5.5 / 5.0 / 4.5 / 4.5
    12.5 / 12.0 / 7.5 / 6.5 / 6.5
    7.5 / 7.5 / 4.5

    1. LangerznMash
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Can pretty much guess 90% of your team from that lol.

      1. LangerznMash
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Sanchez / Foster
        TAA / Shaw / Doherty / Ayling / Lamptey
        Salah / Bruno / Mount / Raphinha / Buendia
        Watkins / Nacho / Obafemi

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          4 wrong lol but close.

          Doherty, Ayling, Mount and Nacho> Coufal, White, Jota and Antonio

          1. LangerznMash
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            73% C+

  23. R.C
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Zaha always performs well in pre season and starts the season with a bang

    1. LangerznMash
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Palace are going down.

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Palace exactly the type of team where man-marking would be ideal. Just put a player on Zaha all match to follow him around and not give him space. With no Eze (injured) you will blunt Palace significantly, as Benteke will not score without service. It is a shame that the art of man-marking is now dead in the game.

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Reasonable but you need to put two players on him - there are very few single defenders who can shut him out. Also he loves players who get close to him sim ply because he can beat them more easily that way.

        Truthfully though Palace normally do a. better job than any opportunity defence in taking him out fo the game. RH set up his team in spite of Zaha as opposed to around it. Leave him wide and receiving the ball in his won half and then he's nothing much. Put him up top and not too wide and he's a prospect especially if there's a Bolassie Eze type to confuse defenders - Townsend wasn't quite up to scratch in that regard.

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

          They've still got half a squad to bring in. No idea how they'll do, but I would expect much early doors.

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Another 2/3 players probs - 4 at the most unless Zaha moves

            City and Southampton have fewer or as few players right now in practical terms - unless Cahill does go to Rangers.

  24. rozzo
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Keep coming back to this.

    Meisler Foster
    TAA Stones Rudiger Forfana Manquilo
    Salah Bruno Raphina Beundia Bissouma
    Bamford Watkins Toney

    Any issues?

    1. LangerznMash
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Looks alright but I think your defence and bench could use an extra million or two pumping into them.

  25. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    I read that Ziyech scored a second half hat trick in Chelsea pre season game after coming on at HT. I kind of want “cover” from Chelsea but due to their fixtures at the beginning is it safe enough to avoid?

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I'd forgotten Ziyech. Oh what could have been

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Ziyech got a hattie. Pulisic scored. Tammy scored. It means nothing. Absolutely nothing.

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Agreed that the ore season game means nothing but they still finished last season strongly and won the CL. Just not sure if avoiding them due to tough fixtures is smart.

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

          No, I mean it tells you zilch about their chances of being in the Starting XI. My hunch is in all 3 cases, they won't.

  26. R.C
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    It's so difficult to predict who will start GW1 with so many players joining pre season late. How are you dealing with it?

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

      Just faffing around in the knowledge that my current draft will bear little resemblance to the final one.

  27. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Shortlist of players look okay?

    GK(3): Sanchez, Bachmann, Meslier
    DF(14): TAA, Dias, Digne, Shaw, AWB, Cresswell, Tierney, Coufal, Dunk, Reguilon, Lamptey, Ayling, Dier, Femenia
    MF(17): Salah, KDB, Fernandes, Son, Havertz, Grealish, Mount, Jota, Barnes, Saka, Buendia, Raphinha, Sarr, ESR, Bissouma, Brownhill, Gilmour
    FW(11): Kane, Aubameyang, DCL, Bamford, Watkins, Iheanacho, Wilson, Antonio, Toney, Welbeck, Pukki

    1. LangerznMash
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Doherty for Spurs under Nino @ £5.0m
      Robertson?
      Pepe + Jota @ £7.5m certainly ones to watch.

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Castagne should be in there for sure - very few reasons to prefer Digne to him. VVD should be on every longlist surely.

      Case for Bowen too. Foden? Can't see he's any worse than Havertz for nailedness

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Looks good except Auba!

  28. Thinkering like a Boss
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    'Kane to City' draft

    Sanchez
    TAA Shaw Lamptey Coufal
    Buendia ESR Salah Fernandes
    Toney Kane

    Foster | Ayling Gillmour Perica

  29. Union_Jacks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Not much love for Greenwood, seeing as there’s no Rash for the first two months - seems fairly nailed and decently priced?

    1. LangerznMash
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Front 3 could be... Martial, Cavani, Sancho

      1. Union_Jacks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Martial back in the picture?

      2. H.E. Pennypacker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        What FF price do u reckon Sancho will be?

        1. Union_Jacks
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          10.0m

        2. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          I still think same as Rashford, 9.5
          Should get news any time now?

          1. H.E. Pennypacker
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Ooh, that's a good price!

    2. el polako
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Sancho, Pogba, Martial.
      Can they keep & use Lingard ?

    3. jia you
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I'd go Greenwood if I thought that was the case but there's strong consensus in the fan base that it will be Martial-Cavani-Sancho as the starting front 3

  30. R.C
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    is ESR nailed and first choice?

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

      1. Not definite he'll stay at Arsenal.
      2. Arsenal still hoping Odegaard will re-join on loan. Or they'll chase another prospect.

      If he's still good close to the deadline I may well get him.

      1. Rust Cohle
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        I don’t think he’s anywhere close to leaving. Far more likely that incomings will impact his minutes. In any event, there are very few nailed players for Arteta, and ESR doesn’t exactly have a clean injury history.