FPL

FPL team guide 2021/22 – Newcastle United: Best players, stats and more

Our team-by-team guide to the new Fantasy Premier League (FPL) season continues with this preview of Newcastle United.

We’ll delve into the Magpies’ numbers in the article below but remember that you can conduct your own FPL research into Steve Bruce’s side with our comprehensive Opta player and team data in our Premium Members Area.

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

DEFENSIVELY SUSPECT

TotalRank v other Premier League sides
Goals conceded6216th
Clean sheets718th
Shots conceded57219th
Shots in the box conceded35017th
Shots on target conceded18817th
Big chances conceded73=12th
Expected goals conceded (xGC)58.7317th

There isn’t much to champion in the Newcastle defence based on last season’s evidence.

United were in the bottom four for everything from shots allowed to expected goals conceded (xGC), with only relegated Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion keeping fewer clean sheets.

Aside from the obvious point about the modest quality of players at Bruce’s disposal, there were a number of significant reasons for the creakiness at the rear.

One factor was player unavailability.

Newcastle were the only Premier League club who didn’t have a single player banking 30+ starts (see above), with the constant chopping and changing at the back – mostly enforced by injury and a particularly damaging coronavirus outbreak at the club – unsurprisingly affecting the collective defensive displays.

First-choice goalkeeper Martin Dubravka (£4.5m) started just over a third of the Magpies’ league matches, club captain Jamaal Lascelles (£4.5m) was missing for exactly half of the campaign and midfield shield Isaac Hayden (£4.5m) was bedridden by COVID-19 and then missed the run-in through injury.

Centre-half options Federico Fernandez, Fabian Schar, Ciaran Clark and Paul Dummett (all £4.5m) also had significant periods on the sidelines.

Another aspect is the ghost of Rafael Benitez.

Bruce has repeatedly made noises about moulding Newcastle into a more attacking unit ever since his appointment two years ago, in a desperate attempt to escape the shadow of his more-revered predecessor.

Benitez favoured a pragmatic approach with the limited squad members available, with Newcastle finishing among the top eight teams for fewest goals conceded in both 2017/18 and 2018/19.

Bruce’s fixation on putting his own stamp on the club has resulted in the Magpies shipping a combined 25 more goals in the subsequent two campaigns, with a Gameweek 30 formation switch last season his latest attempt to shake things up.

3-5-2: MORE ATTACKING, LESS SECURE

795 Comments Post a Comment
  1. jia you
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Rate (slate) my Sancho draft:

    Henderson
    Trent Stones Robbo
    Sancho Grealish Foden Torres Buendia
    Cavani Wilson
    (Sanchez Welbeck Coufal White)

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

      Good, powerful. STOP: You can't touch this!

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

        haha I do like it myself...cheers bud, I've thought long and hard on Havertz and have reluctantly dropped him

        1. 03farmboy
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          What made you drop havert?

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

            still like him but Tuchel just loves rotating players unfortunately and those two games after Palace might not be great for him anyway...can always get him in GW4

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

      Different! And I like it

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

        Cheers mate...think I'll stick with this barring any major shake ups.

  2. Champ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    I really think it's worth considering allocating as much funds as possible INITIALLY to midfield and fwds, worked out well last season for me

    The first bandwagons tend to be in those 2 lines when someone kicks off

    As a result, the fastest price rises also tend to happen there, so having the funds available makes it much easier to get on board and make the switches

    So, for example TAA + 4.5 x 3 + 4.0

    Imbalanced I know, but easily rectified with the first WC or transfers

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

      TAA 5m 4.5m x2 and 4m for me , but got all my money in midfield

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

        TAA, Shaw, 3x4.5s - much the same here

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

      I just don't like most of the 4.5 defenders and no playing 4.0 is a concern for me as I'll have a few punts in my team.

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

        Williams not looking like getting a move?

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

          throught the he was set to go on loan to Soton but apparently that's unlikely to happen now

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

            *thought that

    3. I Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Doesn't really matter to me as every player I've picked has good fixtures for the first 3-4 at least. Not looking to jump onto the popular GW1 bandwagons when the players I've selected have kind schedules and can also score well. Happy to be patient with my initial squad.

      1. I Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        I do have Mahrez though. He looks good for the first 2-3 and at his price will be easy to move on to almost any midfielder that emerges.

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

    How is this looking?

    Sanchez, 4.0
    Shaw, Fofana, Lamptey, Ayling, 4.0
    Salah, Fernandes, Raphina, Buendia
    Kane, Watkins, Toney

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

      Kane at City? That's the template.

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

        I don't see City shelling out on Grealish + Kane and Grealish is looking far likelier atm

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

          So Kane stays at Spurs?

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

            He obviously wants out but I don't know if anyone can afford him tbh

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

              There is going to have to be some swap deal in there somewhere

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

                definitely

    2. Keith Kiely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Defense is weak and the bench is going to be weak. Having Salah, Kane and Bruno takes a lot of your budget and you’re really dependent on those three to perform. I would downgrade Kane (mostly because if his move to City goes ahead ownership will go through the roof and he won’t be a difference maker if a lot of people have him you’ll be looking at the rest of the team to make the difference and you’ve no depth

    3. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      You can easily end up with Ayling as only playing defender in GW1

  4. cra1g0s
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    General advice wanted please, is it better to have a 10m midfielder like Son and a 4.5m bench warmer like Bissouma or an 8.0m and 6.5m (Foden & Raphina) when you already have 3 other very decent midfielders?

    I’m thinking it might be better to have the flexibility of having 5 midfielders that will always play so you can swap in and out vs. a ‘fire and forget’ solid 4 midfielders that could potentially get you the big points.

    Any thoughts?

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

      Depends on the whole system. I've got 5 power mids, cheapest 6.5, with 2 forwards. What I would say is you want 2 active subs, who you're happy to step up if a first choice is rested or injured.

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

        Let's see you team, sound like the same system as me

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

          Sanchez Begovic
          TAA Shaw Fofana Lamptey Ayling
          Salah KDB* Sancho Jota Buendia *Bruno if unfit
          Toney Welbeck Obafemi

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

            Don't like the Welbeck pick and Don't understand it tbh, the rest is great though

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

              The Welbeck pick is gloriously simple. I've got no money.

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

                Haha

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

                What about Harrison and Watkins?

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

                  Okay, TAA to Digne, Welbz to Watkins, stash the 0.5m
                  I'm hearing VVD and new CB won't play GW1 so Liverpool defence can come in on WC.

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

                    I'm not going without TAA , you may want to save the wc, not sure about Digne, what about Chilwell or Cancelo?

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

                      Chilwell after GW7, Cancelo rotation. Digger is secure, good fixtures and might be on all set pieces if James and Siggy are no-goes.

    2. Keith Kiely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      What Andy said. I like to have two active subs so out of the lower priced players make sure they are going to get decent game time. Especially if you go for Foden in the team where he won’t start every game and subject to alot of rotation. Overall Fodens score will justify his price to keep him but you’ll need someone to come in when he doesn’t play

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

      I think at the start it's good to have a strong midfield across the 5 imo. If a bargain appears then it's easy to downgrade and free up cash to use elsewhere. Good luck

    4. Blunder fc
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      If the 4.5 is starting then probably better to have the 8 and 6.5. With those specific players Son has the potential to be top scorer I the entire game and Foden will only play 2/3s of available minutes.

  5. Old Bull
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    By all accounts Harvey Barnes is over his injury but difficult to see how he will fit straight back into Leicester’s team. Possible nice differential though if he does

    1. Champ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah great option. Wait and see for me on what rodgers does with the setup with nacho doing so well when he came in

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Close eye on the Community Shield. Would expect Rodgers to pick something close to his best team in that.

  6. Hey_Arnold
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Sanchez
    Tierney TAA Shaw Coufal
    Sancho Salah KDB Buendia
    Ihenacho Wilson
    (Foster Amartey Brownhill Mebude)
    Rocking out the 442

  7. School of Poch
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    1st draft, would appreciate some feedback.

    Martinez
    TAA Shaw Coufal
    Salah Bruno Buendia Raphinha ESR
    Watkins Antonio

    Foster White Ayling Vydra

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

      very decent and like the Martinez shout...don't like the Antonio pick myself though

      1. School of Poch
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Why not Antonio?

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

          just personal preference really...go for it

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Very nice. No faults there.

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

      Safely template

      Shaw possibly with broken ribs and doubt for start and Digne is template replacement there though Robbo is also common of you want to load defence.

      Absence of Nacho curious to me.

      Vydra? Would much prefer cash itb.

  8. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Rate this draft team?

    Sanchez
    TAA, shaw, dais
    Salah, Bruno, Raphina, Barnes
    Watkins, iheanacho, Toney

    Foster, lamptey, manquillo, gilmour

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

      Dias to Stones would allow you to upgrade a defender for bench as you'll need one nailed defender

      1. 03farmboy
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        I have lamptey on the bench he’s nailed isn’t he? Plus do you reckon stones will get roasted with Laporte

        1. I Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Your bench is fine imo.

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

          Lamptey might not be and who knows how fit he'll be too...Stones place to lose I reckon Laporte is third choice now

          1. 03farmboy
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            Could always change Dias to stones and have two 4.5 defenders on bench incase

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

              as was my suggestion above mate 😉

              1. 03farmboy
                • 4 Years
                2 years, 8 months ago

                Sounds good mate, what’s your draft team?

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

                  at top of page and not for the faint hearted 😉

  9. One Man
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Is Sancho the most nailed United attacker alongside Bruno ? If so he’s a better choice than Cavani.

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

      That right-wing spot is his

  10. Parcel Badger
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    3-4-3… What you think. Not enough Liverpool cover?

    Martinez (Sanchez)
    Shaw – Cancelo – Robertson (Lamptey, Fofana)
    Bruno – Mahrez – Maddison - Buendia (Saka)
    Watkins – Toney – Nacho

    Could drop Mahrez to Jota for GW1 and up Robo to TAA

    1. beans and sausages
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Needs some Liverpool goals

    2. 03farmboy
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Maddison to jota could be a good move

  11. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Liverpool likely to start the season with Matip + Konate as CB pairing (The Athletic), TAA still worth 7.5m?

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

      Yes

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      worth it if you have cash

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

      TAA worth the money for sure imo

    4. I Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah Trent is in for me whether Virgil is ready or not.

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

      I've decided to wait for him. I always play my WC early - this season the transfer window closes c GW3 so that looks like time for a full re-evaluation with triple Reds.

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

      Gotta see the first two LIV games as good fixtures for FPL still, surely?

      For both TAA and Robbo. Robbo could then easily be a cash cow for Leeds, Arsenal, Wolves or bandwagons from GW3

      They're getting a lot of stick for how they started last season, but they still got attacking returns in that start 🙂

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

        Norwich without Buendia, Burnley without Wood

        Yummy stuff for defence and attack

  12. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Never have I been so satisfied with a draft before GW1, not even trying to make any changes. Just creating random drafts which I'm not even going to consider for finalisation.

    Would be nice if some big change happen soon...

    1. HollywoodXI
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Care to share?

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

        boring template but not getting an urge to change anything like in previous seasons...

        Sanchez
        Dias, Shaw, Wan Biss
        Salah, Bruno, Buendia, Raphinha
        Watkins, Iheanacho, Toney

        1. I Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Interesting to see double United defence and no Trent/Robbo.

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

          Dias looks a very curious selection there - so little upside and medium fixtures in a side that will have the most disrupted preseason of all really.

          Would prefer money itb frankly.

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

            need a leader in defense who can score 6pts every week 😉

            Can switch to Digne I guess, dont think anyone else can outscore him over first 6-7GWs. Digne-Dunk is probably better than Lamptey-Dias.

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

              How happy would you be moving off a blanking Dias onto someone who was performing?

              My difficulty with starting on long term value players such as that is that transfers out feel much harder - to me anyway. I can do commitment but prefer more upside to sweeten the pill.

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Quite settled on mine too. Unless someone gets injured or Kane moves to Man City I don't see myself making many changes between now and the start.

    3. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I am the same but it is not template. There are are 3/4 choices that I feel many are overlooking. Also Kane to city will shake things up nicely imo. Plus there is always one or two late signings that are underpriced because it was set when they were at another team.

      1. I Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Who do you think are the overlooked players?

        1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          See below

      2. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Care to share those names. Promise I wont copy 😀

        1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Yeah no problem I did a 10% team a good while back to see if I was overlooking any options.

          I changed Rashford to Sancho.
          Henderson could be pickford
          Sigurdsson could be Barnes

          Henderson

          Dunk - Tierney - Keane - VVD (Regullion)
          -
          Trossard - Sigurdsson - Sancho (Sarr)
          -
          Vardy - Wilson (Forss)

  13. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Just created a draft with my four favourite players in it - Salah, Bruno, KDB and Son. Midfield looks epic. The rest looks questionable lol

  14. beans and sausages
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Henderson 4.0
    TAA Fofana Lamptey 4.0 4.0
    Salah Bruno Mahrez Raphina 4.5
    DCL Watkins Toney

    Thoughts?

    -Henderson could become Sanchez
    -Raphina could become Buendia or go cheaper with Sarr and upgrade defence
    -If I did the two above I could have two 5.0 defenders or 1x 5.5 and 1x 4.5

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Defence is too weak imo. Need at least one 4.5 on the bench so I'd downgrade Henderson or DCL. Big fan of the Mahrez pick for a few GWs.

      1. beans and sausages
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Mahrez gw2 should be fun

        1. I Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Absolutely. May well captain him over Salah and Bruno that week. Risky but the reward could be big.

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

          My current draft has Cancelo capped in GW2 after being benched for Pépé in GW1 (never benched after)

          Wild stuff

  15. SteJ
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Lets see your best drafts where all players are under 10m. All these templates are getting dull

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

      Bachmann Foster
      TAA Robbo Shaw Coufal Ait Nouri
      Son Sancho Mahrez Haverts Raph
      Watkins Toney Davis

      1. SteJ
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Nice.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Even that would be dull since everyone will pick Son, Mahrez, Sancho, Havertz, Trent, Robertson etc 😀

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

        See above lol

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

          😆

    3. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      It can be done fairly easily go Forss instead of Toney. Throw in Greenwood, Jota and Mane. Pickford in goal etc. Keane, Regullion and VVD in defence.
      Trossard and Sarr are also great options in midfield.
      Wilson overlooked as a striker option.

      People just have little imagination! Herd mentality.

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

      none of my players are 9.0 or over bar Sancho 😉

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

        Have you got replacements for the premiums you are missing? Jota > Salah, Cavani > Bruno, Mahrez > KdB etc... ?

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

          see top of page mate

  16. Keith Kiely
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Two teams. Second being my current team and both drastically different

    Pickford [Foster]
    AAT, Shaw, Ayling [Fofona, Lamptey]
    Bruno, Salah Rice, Dallas [Bissuma]
    Kane, Pukki, Toney

    Or

    Pickford [Foster]
    Targett, Cresswell, Dunk [Fofona, Manquillio]
    Bruno, Sancho, Foden, Son [Dallas]
    Watkins, Calvert-Lewin, Toney

    I see a lot of people tending to put three premium players into their teams. I think it leaves you vulnerable in other areas plus no bench starters for rotation so im inclined to keep my original team I feel it’s more balanced- changing the defense around 2-3 games in I don’t intend keeping dunk, targett and Cresswell long term unless they are in good form

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

      Damn that first team just shows how horrible the overall team can be if going with Salah Bruno Kane

      1. Keith Kiely
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        My thinking exactly. Throw a premium defender like AAT in there and not a lot you can do. I much prefer my actual team I have now. Not ideal yet and I’ll probably wait until Wednesday or Thursday before the GW1 kickoff to make any changes. In the meantime I’ll be here soaking up ideas and see what everyone is saying

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

          yeah second is far superior for me...hands totally tied by shoehorning Trent in with those three big hitters for sure mate

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

      Second one is very decent. Maybe ESR for Dallas.

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

    Sancho was the answer!

    Bachmann
    Trent | Shaw | Lamptey | Ayling
    Salah | Son | Sancho | Sarr
    Kane | Pukki

    Foster | Bissouma | Omobamidele | Davis

    1. Keith Kiely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I like this team. Good balance and your bench players will get some game time sometimes too if you need to rotate

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

        Thanks

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

      that's some bench mate!

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

        starting team is good though and much better than the template teams IMHO although Pukki is a slight worry but I see your hands are pretty tied without losing a nice asset

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

      Is Omoba going to play?

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

        No. One active sub, but starters are all safe. But Pukki??? nooooo (one else)

      2. Keith Kiely
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Not nailed on starter by any means but I think he will get decent rotation. I definitely wouldn’t have him in my main team especially the first 5 weeks but will be useful around some games, double game weeks and the bench boost

    4. I Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      It's not bad but hardly ideal either. Wouldn't want to be playing Lamptey and Ayling every week. Only one playing sub. Sarr to ESR to get a playing defender on the bench maybe?

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

        I think Sarr could be on pens and do well

        1. I Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Fair enough. I do like Sarr.

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

        Plus have Harrison as an option at that price

    5. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Teemu Pukki baby! First guy in my team...

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

        two seasons ago I captained him when he scored a hattie v Newcastle I think it was...have a soft spot for him but will wait until those horrid early fixtures pass

      2. Keith Kiely
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Pukki with that fixture list for the first few games? Risky in my opinion

  18. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Do you think Leeds will defend this season?

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

      No , they love attacking

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      only in tough games but whether they can replicate or not remains to be seen

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

      People forget they had both their CBs injured for the beginning and a chunk of the season. With their first-choice defence all fit and well-drilled, they should be far tighter this time.

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Possibly. But I don’t believe that’s what he meant. They’ll attack hell for leather as always

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

        This^ at times Phillips or Ayling were having to cover at centreback. The stats difference between Phillips playing in centremid vs him not playing/playing centreback is quite significant. Also, the goals conceded from setpieces reduced with Llorente and Sturjik playing as a centreback pairing.
        Leeds can defend when they want to / need to but Bielsa prefers to attack 90% of the time.
        I predict around 14 clean sheets this season.

        1. Simon69
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Great name.

    4. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      No. Doesn’t matter though.

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

    Thoughts on this? Bruno and Sancho overkill?

    Sanchez
    TAA Shaw Coufal Lowton
    Bruno Sancho Salah Raph
    Watkins Antonio

    Steele Ayling Brownhill Obafemi

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      What is right for you. One of them will score points at least. Just the heavy collective cost. If Sancho fails then a mega company like ManU got it horribly wrong. (They have in the past)

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Pretty much my exact team but I've got Mahrez instead of Sancho. Plan for now is to give Jadon a couple weeks to settle in and then make that switch. Don't think Bruno + Sancho is overkill.

  20. dshv
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts?

    Sanchez
    Taa shaw digne (manquillo lamptey)
    Bruno salah buendia raph (gilmour)
    Antonio watkins iheanacho

    Thinking to fit ESR but not sure.

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

      Looks good. Doesnt need ESR

      Would watch preseason for Nacho minutes

    2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      When Kane moves to city have you a plan to make the couple of changes?
      It is the same as many no Kane drafts . ESR would make it even more similar.
      I am not saying it is a bad thing. There will be many 'in the know' managers with similar teams so you are unlikely to fall too far behind at the start of the season.

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        You’re as confident that he’ll go as I am that he’ll stay.

        1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          One of us will be right at least!
          Easy to switch back for me if Kane does not look like he is moving. Upgrade defence to Liverpool and pick a 7.5 striker

    3. I Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      GW4 looks like the perfect time to swap Buendia for ESR (or Saka).

    4. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      ESR over Raph if you want him. Can get Raph back in GW4 for Buendia.

  21. Moxon
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Sanchez
    TAA Coufal Lamptey
    Salah Son Sancho Mahrez Raphinha
    Watkins Toney

    4.0 Ayling 4.5 4.0

    Thoughts?

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

      Always love a 3-5-2 and this one looks filthy good

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

        Although I would lose 0.5 from somewhere and get Shaw for Coufal longer term

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

          Yeah looking at getting Harrison or Sarr instead of Raph

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Lovely. That midfield looks like a lot of fun to own.

      1. Moxon
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Oh wow. Great minds mate!

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

          Yeah haha, love the midfield, always like 5 in midfield

  22. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts? Zero bench but nailed starting 11 (assuming KDB is fit to start GW1):

    Sanchez
    Trent Shaw Coufal Ayling
    Salah Bruno KDB Raphina Dallas
    Watkins

    Foster Hoever Obafemi Davis

    1. Blunder fc
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Swap Dallas to Smith Rowe, he could easily drop back I to defense this season and be oop in the wrong way

  23. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone scared of Bruno output if Ole goes for 1 holding Mid? With his drop in form could it be exacerbated by someone joining him in the middle?
    With not using Bruno as a captain I think it a reasonable risk to do without him. He has a good ceiling but not as high as Salah. I think 2 9 mils is as good as a 12 and 6 mil if not better. It brings Son, Sanchez, Havertz and Mahrez into the mix as an FPL pairing.

    1. Blunder fc
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Also the United penalty numbers could very easily drop this season which impacts his value. Son (potential on pens if Kane leaves) at 10 million looks like possibly better value than bruno

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

        Drop why? Martial Rashford and Sancho dancing around the box is penalty heaven for United

        1. Blunder fc
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          I hope it won't but as a statistic it's been crazy high for the last two seasons

      2. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Very much this^
        I watched penalty extremes last year from 1 a every other game to 1 every 8 game by the season end. Bruno will suffer.

        1. Blunder fc
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Also martial wins alot of those penalties with his sexy tight space dribbles, if he's behind cavani in the starting 11 it impacts it. Like 2nd half of last season

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

      Seeing it as more of a positive now. Means United will aim to attack games more and will take defenders eyes off Bruno… will set him free

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        You could be right. It is only a boredom post from me really. However it does have its merits.

  24. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    This is the latest draft I am come up with. A couple of tweaks to what I had.

    Decided to get rid of Robertson as after the first two gameweeks liverpool lokk likely to concede. Not sure he is worth it.

    So I have decided to go:

    Bachmann - Foster
    --
    Coleman - Holding - Lamptey (Shaw Llorente)
    --
    Trossard - Sancho - Salah - Raphinha (Gilmour)
    --
    Watkins - DCL - Kane

    I am happy enough with that Coleman and Holding could become Fofana and Tierney.
    I feel many will be lumbered with too many Villa after gw3 and will need an exit strategy or wildcard.

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Although Liverpool are likely to start with Konate and Matip at CB

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

        I've dropped both TAA and Robbo - going with Salah and Jota.

        WCC - Differentials galore, hey. Holding may well lose his place to White (same price)

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          I think that’s pretty safe.

      2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Oh right sounds even more shaky. If get Liverpool full backs for fpl more likely dependent on attacking returns?

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

    I do feel lonely going Salahless...anybody out there starting without the Egyptian?

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

      Oh no no no

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

        🙂

    2. ritzyd
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A little over 750,000 players or 50.3% of all teams at present so you are in good company

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

        you'd never imagine that on this site 😉

    3. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      No I leart my lesson from two seasons ago when I went Treble Liverpool defence - Alisson - VVD - TAA. And captained TAA.
      I was chasing for the rest of the season!

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

    Brighton
    TAA Digne Fof (Lamp/Ayling)
    Salah Jota Rafa Bendy 4.5
    Kane Nacho Watkins

    Vague ideas of Bendyman --> ESR for wk4, and spending the extra to upgrade to a 5.5 defender (so many good ones this year).
    Jota secures an excellent price point.

    Undecided on whether to start with a Bruno team from the beginning but its constructed to be almost the same - either Bendyman is Toney or Jota is DCL. You always want to be able to get to Kane in 2 or its likely an early wildcard with other problems mounting up.

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

      That was my yesterday's 'with-Kane' draft. I've banked it if/when he moves, but I'm back to a 'without-Kane' one now.

  27. Joey Tribbiani
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    FPL released 1 month ago, still havent changed from original GW1BB plan. Just 3 more weeks to keep disciplined.

    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Do you have a reasoning behind this? I hate the BB chip myself but still don't see me burning it in GW1.

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

      Stay the course

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

      what is your draft?

  28. YoungPretender
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on my first draft?

    Sanchez
    TAA Robbo Fofana
    Salah Sancho Mahrez Raphinha
    Nacho Watkins Toney

    4.0 Ait Nouri Ayling Brownhill

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

      Looks fine

  29. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    What do you think?

    Bachmann
    TAA-Shaw-Coufal
    Salah-Son-Raphinha-Sancho
    Watkins-DCL-Toney

    Foster-Lamptey-Bissouma-Manquillo

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

    When are people (c) Bruno ? I found gwk4 in 1st 10 gwks , but going Son v cry that week.

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

      If you have Salah and Son, you don't need to captain Bruno at all.