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Learning from ‘The Great and The Good’ FPL managers – Gameweek 5

Fantasy Football Scout community writer Greyhead continues with his series of articles analysing the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) transfers and strategies of some noted Fantasy managers, from serial top 10k finishers to well-known faces.

The Great and The Good this year are the Scouts Joe LepperNeale RiggGeoff Dance and Tom Freeman, FPL Wire’s Zophar, from the Hall of Fame Fabio BorgesFPLMatthewYavuz Kabuk and Tom Stephenson, Blackbox’s Az and Mark Sutherns, FPL “celebrities” LTFPL AndyMagnus Carlsen and FPL General plus last year’s mini-league winner Les Caldwell.


“What we’ve got here is failure to communicate.”

Late team news meant that very few of us had a cool hand going into Gameweek 5 with unexpected absences meaning we had to rely on our already strained benches.

The concerns during the lead up had been the ping of Patrick Bamford’s (£8.0m) hamstring and whether to replace Michail Antonio (£7.9m) for his suspension, but then Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.6m), Edouard Mendy (£6.0m), Andrew Robertson (£7.0m) and Ferran Torres (£7.2m) were surprisingly missing in action whilst Said Benrahma (£6.4m) was surprisingly present and in action as he made the team on Sunday.

OVERALL PERFORMANCE

Neale Rigg moved back up to second amongst The Great and The Good with the top score for the Gameweek after he Wildcarded, although he left it late and it wasn’t until Antonio Rudiger’s (£5.5m) last minute goal that his table topping score was confirmed.

Fabio’s famed patience was rewarded, with a green arrow of 247,000, after he kept faith in both Ivan Toney (£6.3m) and Benrahma who delivered him double digit hauls.

Remarkably, neither FPL General or Geoff Dance have yet to experience the pain of a red arrow this season. Both were fortunate this week, or maybe well-prepared, to have a decent Trent substitute with Kostas Tsimikas (£4.0m) and Tino Livramento (£4.2m) the cut-price heroes.

The magical mini-league is still incredibly tight and reflective of the overall FPL rankings, with only 46 points between top and bottom. Magnus fell victim to this as his score of 49 saw him drop down to a mid-table position, with his triple Wolves and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£9.9m) gamble not paying dividend this week.

WILDCARD

FPL Gameweek 5 round-up: Sunday’s goals, assists, bonus and injuries 13

Neale decided that the Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.7m) factor, Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s (£8.1m) injury and the fixture swings for Wolves and Leeds were a good enough reason to Wildcard as he overhauled his squad this week.

He has made eight changes to his team with a double up on both Leeds and Wolves, although Joao Moutinho (£5.0m) is possibly a surprising budget option from the Midlands outfit.

Diogo Jota (£7.7m) and Bamford come in, but Rudiger was his star signing who coupled defensive strength with a goal scoring threat this week. Perhaps, the most unusual choice is Fabian Delph (£4.4m) as he is injured and has only managed seven minutes of action so far this season. Does he know something we don’t?

The full moves are below:

IN Marcal, White, Rudiger, Jota, Moutinho, Delph, Bamford, Ronaldo

OUT – Digne, Duffy, Ayling, Fernandes, Benrahma, Gilmour, Toney, Calvert-Lewin

TRANSFERS

This is a summary of the transfers for this week:

Az – Semedo (Tsimikas)

LTFPL Andy – Sarr (Benrahma)

Fabio Borges – Ronaldo, Jota (Fernandes, Calvert-Lewin)

Joe Lepper – Bamford (Calvert-Lewin)

Geoff Dance – None

FPL General – Bamford (Calvert-Lewin)

Les Caldwell – Raphina (Benrahma)

Magnus Carlsen – None

Mark Sutherns – James, Jota (Tsimikas, Fernandes)

FPL Matthew – None

Neale Rigg – Wildcard

Tom Freeman – Ronaldo, Gundogan (Calvert-Lewin, Fernandes)

Tom Stephenson – Semedo (Tsimikas)

Yavuz Kabuk – Ronaldo, Traore (Antonio, Fernandes)

Zophar – Semedo (Tsimikas)

There was a Portuguese flavour to the transfers this week with more of them choosing to ride the Ronaldo rocket and Nelson Semedo (£4.9m) seen as an upgrade to Tsimikas.

Semedo failed to deliver and even Az aka The Rock – watch last week’s Blackbox for that reference – who has history with the Wolves wing back couldn’t smell what he had cooking, with a one-point return.

Andy and Les would have been happy with their Benrahma replacements as both Ismaila Sarr (£6.1m) and Raphina (£6.5m), with his dodgy groin, delivered double-digits, only for the West Ham midfielder to mute those celebrations on Sunday when he recovered to deliver points for those who stayed loyal.

TEMPLATE

The template for The Great and The Good is as follows with the number in brackets showing how many teams in which they appear:

Sanchez (12), Steele (8)

Alexander-Arnold (15), Shaw (12), Ayling (8), Livramento (7), Veltman (5)

Salah (15), Raphinha (11), Jota (9), Greenwood (8), Benrahma (8)

Antonio (14), Ronaldo (12), Bamford (4)

Minor changes to the template this week with many of them needlessly abandoning Tsimikas allowing Joel Veltman (£4.4m) to move back into the squad, whilst Calvert-Lewin’s injury saw Bamford as the replacement for those not upgrading to Ronaldo.

Worth noting, that as it stands not one of The Great and The Good own Bruno Fernandes (£11.9m) who has had a remarkable fall from grace with the arrival of the Siu superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, and the United midfielder can now be considered a differential!

BENCH BOOST

This was the first week that we saw our bench strength challenged with all The Great and The Good having to call on their auto-subs, so I thought it worthwhile to check on the depth of the squads so far this season. See below the points from auto-subs and the benched points this season:

You would probably expect to see the likes of FPL Matthew and Fabio Borges top for benched points due to the cautious nature of their approach. Matthew has picked stable low impact starters such as Ben White (£4.4m), Luke Ayling (£4.5m), Livramento plus the canny acquisition of Emmanuel Dennis (£5.2m) to give him the security of starts. Similarly, Fabio has Yves Bissouma (£4.6m) and Ayling to allow him to remain fine with his pine when rotation rears its ugly head.

Tom Freeman will have slightly more sleepless nights about any late injury news as Michael Obafemi (£4.5m), Billy Gilmour (£4.5m) and Veltman in the opening weeks were hardly rock-solid coverage, which is something he might need to address in the coming weeks.

CONCLUSION

Budget FPL players Duffy and Bissouma 5

A week which highlights the need for patience with many of those cast aside producing the goods, see Toney as exhibit A.

After an opening few weeks of limited rotation, even Pep seemed to be behaving himself, this weekend brought us crashing back to reality with some unexpected benchings.

Plus, there was a dawning realisation that maybe, just maybe we can’t rely on everything that is said in the manager’s news conferences.

However, perhaps the biggest lesson to be learnt, is that Cool Hand Luke levels of tenacity are going to be needed in a season which already promises to have many ups and downs, especially when 55 point plus scores are still resulting in red arrows.

Anyway, that’s all from me for now and remember don’t have nightmares.

For those effected by any of the topics raised in the above article then you can find me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Greyhead19

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW FROM GAMEWEEK 5

458 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Littlebitwizardoföz
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    1FT, happy with my team. Do I get rid of James for Alonso/Rudi or hold?

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Hold

      1. Gabbiadini
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        no point doing that.

  2. The Knights Template
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    If I bring Pukki in does it mean I’ve given up?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      He is sheet 🙂

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Touche

    2. Harry the Hack
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Do it

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Preety much or at least very close

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

      It's non-template

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled Pukkis!

  3. Threat Level Midnight
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Bam to Antonio was already being debated internally, but this injury confirms it.

    Bam>Antonio done

    1. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Why not wait? Bamford will probably be fine for the weekend

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Are you capping him?

      1. Threat Level Midnight
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        CR7

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Was looking forward to the external debate. Hopefully next time.

      1. Threat Level Midnight
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Lol, well played

    4. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      As if he is ruled out

      1. Threat Level Midnight
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Antonio was already the better option. Simple as that

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Absolutely!

  4. smix
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Any news on the Bamford injury ? Will he miss the West Ham game ?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Update coming on Friday, patience is key

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Tis a knightly virtue, patience.

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Bottom of previous page

    3. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Probably just precautionary. No point risking him in a meaningless cup match.

      1. smix
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Ben Dinnery confirmed that he should be ok for the weekend

  5. OneArseneWenger32
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    would have been 0.1 from alonso with his price rise so sold saka for gray before he went up...hopefully with a gray haul vs norwich he will go up again and can sell him for a profit..alonso problem solved!

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      If Alonso blanks he might be sold like hot cakes. FPL is like that.

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Please please don’t rise Gray - uh oh did I just say that out loud?

    3. Harry the Hack
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Sounds like you need to on-sell Gray for Gallagher. Best before Gallagher rises

      1. OneArseneWenger32
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        gallagher is interesting but don't think i'll own a palace player this season

  6. Totalfootball
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Top 3 8mil and under midfielders ?
    Don't seem to find any..

    1. SINGH
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Gilmour, Sissoko and Docoure

  7. FPL Theorist
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    How do you stop weeks when you roll your transfer from being extremely boring?

    Anyone got any clever solutions?

    1. Harry the Hack
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Troll inane questions on this forum

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Play fantasy NFL.

  8. hustler7
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Who would you rather play this week from:

    A) Livra v WOL
    B) Duffy v CPL

    I have Gallagher in case that affects the decision making...Currently on Duffy for his goal threat.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A, he also has goal threat

    3. hustler7
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Thanks! Yet to watch the saints play a full 90.

  9. klopptimusprime
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Bottomed

    Bring in Ronaldo for a hit or Toney to Antonio for with free transfer?

    2.6m, 1FT

    Sanchez
    TAA | Shaw | White
    Salah | Bruno | Jota | Raph | Benrahma
    Bamford | Toney

    Gunn | Livra | Scarlett | Hoever

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      If you are happy capping Salah then get Antonio for free

      1. klopptimusprime
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        would love to but unsure if I have the balls

  10. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    I guess we will have further info from Bielsa tonight re injured Leeds players.

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      He's usually pretty open about injuries

  11. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Taa Raph and Bambam... Booo!

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      You will have a lot of company.

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

      snap

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

    Greenwood worth holding for a couple more? Can't help but feel he's regressing and a switch to Benrahma might pay off.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah, he’s Benjamin Buttoning it now, Benrahma in.

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

      That's what happens when you are no longer playing up front. Honestly I'd be worried about bringing Benny in with WH sigining a new CAM and the Europa league starting and last time I checked his stats don't match his output. I've owned him from the start too so I'm not saying this because I missed out 🙂

      1. Khark
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah, im ditching for Gallagher i think. Was close between him and benny though.

  13. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Have Reece James, so from GW7:

    A) Rudiger (433)
    B) Gallagher (343)

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A might join you

    3. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      a

  14. tommo1989
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    I have Richarlison and no money in the bank. There’s not really any strikers I want so do I take the inevitable 0.1 drop in value or switch to Jimenez short term for -4? Do we think there’s any chance he plays on Saturday as Benitez is always quite vague on injuries.

    1. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Can you afford Antonio?

      1. Zilla
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Sorry somehow missed the obvious no money itb

    2. One Man
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Saint Max.