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Learning from ‘The Great and The Good’ FPL managers – Gameweek 6

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.


“Cause the players gonna play, play, play, and the haters gonna hate, hate, hate.

Baby, I’m just gonna shake, shake, shake.

I shake it off, I shake it off”

Another week, another series of injury woes to deal with, as Patrick Bamford (£7.9m) fell victim to the mid-priced striker curse but at least Raphinha (£6.5m) managed to take Taylor Swift’s advice and shake it off.

This was also the week many lost patience in the £7-8m price bracket with several of us selling Ferran Torres (£7.0m) and Jack Grealish (£8.0m), as we saw the emergence of cheaper midfield options like Ismaila Sarr (£6.3m), Conor Gallagher (£5.7m) and Bukayo Saka (£6.2m).

Then there was the captaincy call, surely that was an easy one with Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.7m) ready to go, but Dean Smith’s men played the villains at Old Trafford to deliver red arrows for many an FPL manager.

OVERALL PERFORMANCE

Tom Freeman and Les Caldwell were the chart toppers with 60 points this week, although Tom left it late with Joel Veltman’s (£4.4m) 95th minute assist taking him to the heights of the hit parade.

Les’ strong showing was based on a Wolves double-up and his Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) captaincy; he was in good company as Mark and Magnus were the others to walk like an Egyptian.

Az was a very brave boy putting the armband on Michail Antonio (£7.9m) and it paid off; he is now only two points behind his Blackbox buddy. Could he finally overtake him?

Geoff Dance deserves a mention as he has yet to have a red arrow, although the size of the climbs are getting smaller with a sub 4,000 place jump this time round.

Wildcards are still burning a hole in the majority of The Great and The Good’s pockets, there seems to have been no discernible advantage to those who played early and it’s worth noting that none of the top three of Tom Stephenson, Andy and FPL Matthew have overhauled their squads.

TRANSFERS

Sarr underlines differential potential as Chelsea earn another clean sheet 10

This is a summary of the transfers for this week:

Az – Sarr (Grealish)

LTFPL Andy – Jimenez (Bamford)

Fabio Borges – None

Joe Lepper – Sarr, Armstrong (Bamford, Traore)

Geoff Dance – Gallagher (Torres)

FPL General – Saint-Maximin, Sarr (Bamford, Raphinha)

Les Caldwell – Gallagher (Torres)

Magnus Carlsen – Foster (Gunn)

Mark Sutherns – Alonso (Ayling)

FPL Matthew – Sarr (Greenwood)

Neale Rigg – None

Tom Freeman – Sarr (Gundogan)

Tom Stephenson – Sarr (Torres)

Yavuz Kabuk – Lukaku, Gray (Calvert-Lewin, Grealish)

Zophar – Sarr (Torres)

A blur of activity with Sarr a popular and wise choice if his goal against Newcastle was a sign of returns to come.

Joe and FPL General took hits to bring in the Watford wonder as they also had the Bamford blip to deal with, both made eyebrow raising moves with Allan Saint-Maximin (£6.8m) and Adam Armstrong (£6.0m) trotting onto their respective fantasy fields.

Yavuz’s dealings also caught the eye as he is the first to hit the high rollers with the “threemium” of Romelu Lukaku (£11.7m), Ronaldo and Salah.

I suspect Magnus will be soon going that way with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£9.9m) a placeholder, but I’ve tried and failed before to predict the Grandmaster’s groves.

TEMPLATE

Salah on target as Liverpool assets prosper at Leeds 1

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 (7), Livramento (7), Veltman (5)

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

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

You sense bigger change is coming to the template, but for now Sarr and Lukaku were the new entrants replacing Bamford due to injury and Mason Greenwood (£7.7m), who proved expendable despite hitting an impressive eight shots against Villa.

CAPTAIN CALLS

At this early stage, captaincy decisions are proving crucial in the respectability of your rank and Mark Sutherns leads the way with 126 points, which equates to an impressive 21-point average.

Fabio is having an uncharacteristically mediocre start to the armband action sitting on 88 points, his decision to move off his favourite Salah this week proved costly.

The chart below shows that Salah continues to be the popular pick over the season at 54% pick rate, Ronaldo is chipping away at that lead on 22% and I would suspect Lukaku will start to worry the leaders as his dream run of fixtures begins this weekend.

No doubt the heavy hitters have rewarded those who have stuck with the tried and tested in the opening weeks, but Az’s foray into differential choice Antonio shows there is ground to be made up if you look beyond the “threemium”.

CONCLUSION

Jimenez ends goal drought as Arsenal claim convincing north London derby win

An interesting week ahead with fixture swings on the horizon, with Chelsea’s mouth-watering matchups meaning heavy investment in the Tuchel Tombola.

The collapse of the mid-priced market and the rise of the cheaper options of Emile Smith-Rowe (£5.3m), Demarai Gray (£5.8m) and Sarr also means that more might be tempted with the three heavy hitter option as this becomes more manageable as we look to balance the books and unbalance our squad structure.

Plenty of options ahead, plenty of ways to play the game and catch those greens but remember if you do have a bad week then just shake it off as a good one can be just be around the corner.

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

1,672 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    How essential is Lukaku this week? Always concerns me when I don’t have the best captain option and likely high ownership.Any of these options worth considering?

    A. Bamford + Jota > Lukaku + Luiz -4
    B. Bamford + TAA + Jota > Lukaku + Cancelo + Gallagher -8
    C. Ronaldo + Brownhill > Lukaku + Gallagher -4
    D. Ronaldo + Gray > Lukaku + Raph -4
    E. No

    Current line up as follows and quite keen to hold on to wildcard if possible.
    Sanchez 4.5
    TAA Alonso Coufal Marcal Liv
    Salah Benrahma Jota Gray 4.5
    Ronaldo Antonio Bamford

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

      Ronaldo out for a hit? He has Everton…

      1. Gandalf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        If keeping wildcard there’d be a hit somewhere along the way in any case to get Lukaku in at some point so not a move in isolation. Ultimately comes down to whether to go without Lukaku or not

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 6 months ago

        100% essential

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Robbo much better tonight...

    4. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I should have actually said, which of the options would you pick for next GW?

      - Foster + Gray
      - Foster + ESR
      - Ramsdale + Gray

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

      With Trent injured I'm relying on a one legged Ayling or Livramento away at Chelsea.

      1. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Hope Arnold and ayling will be fit

        1. Big_Andy_GAWA
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Not looking good for Trent, TBH... 🙁

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

            Yeah I think he's done until after the IB. Just hoping Ayling plays or Livramento pulls off another miracle.

      2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        I am hoping Gilmour plays this week. I have Livra hiding behind him.

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

          Thanks Hazz 🙂 A bit of good news!

    6. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Grealish's tantrums and dives not working in CL.

      1. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah it's good to see. Refs in England give him the free before he's even fouled.

        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Absolutely!

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

        You'd think after falling on his backside for the 10th time and unsuccessfully appealing for a free kick he'd give up.

        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Old habits die hard!

    7. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I could have sworn Livranento was on loan from Chelsea to Southampton and therefore wasnt eligible to play against his parent club this weekend... =o/

      1. gart888
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Think they bought him.

    8. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Spurs moving to wingbacks a possibility? I just can't accept that Son isn't an option at 10.0 and something must change... (although he has still scored 3 in 5)

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

        I honestly think that's the best option with the players we have. Reguilon is really not good at defending but think he works in a 343. It also means we can drop Alli and play Skipp and Hojbjerg in the middle. As long as Alli is in our starting line up we will do nothing.

        1. how now brown cow
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          I don't get how we've gone from 4 quality attacking full backs to the state we are in now in the space of a few seasons.

          We seem to have nothing going forward and yet still unable to defend.

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

            Dembele was such an important part of that Spurs team. We were never the same after he went. Couldn't ever control games in the same way.

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

      Salah G
      Jones A

      Brilliant Jones!

    10. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      5.2 or under defender for this gameweek with a 10+ potential? Coufal? anyone else?

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Semedo?

      2. tbos83
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Christensen

      3. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        I like Tierney too

      4. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Mee

    11. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Liverpool has scored 3 goals in every away game this season so far

    12. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Momo on fireeeeeee..
      That raya chance is annoying thou.

    13. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      It's really unlikely that tsimikas somehow plays at the weekend, right?

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

        Yep.

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

      Sheriff are half an hour away from the biggest Champions League upset in history. Come on!

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

        Yee-haw!

      2. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Nice jinx 😆

      3. FPL Brains
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Jinxed it

      4. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Also you jinxed it. 1-1

    15. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Salah is just phenomenal.

    16. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Jones has been immense.

    17. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Wtf is this jota

    18. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Jota 😆

    19. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Jota & missing good chances...

      Name a better duo...

      1. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Managed to avoid him in FPL but have got him UCL Fantasy. Can't escape it!

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

        Shaw and clean sheets.

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

        Bert and Ernie.

        Peanut butter and jelly.

        Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole 😀

    20. Gunneryank
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I know it's all shite, but Neymar's playacting gets on my nerves in a particularly annoying fashion.

    21. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Pick one:

      A. Rudiger
      B. Cancelo
      C. Dias
      D. James

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        A

      2. No Kane No Gain
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        D injured for at least this game. So not D.

        B has greatest ceiling but D and A more guaranteed for starts.

        Overall....B!

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

      The good news is that after the IB

      The likes of Trent, Bambi, Raphina and DCL should all be fit. I am looking forward to getting DCL in.

      But then we will probably be facing the next lot which get injured...

      1. gart888
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        That's the game, isn't it?

    23. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Bad sign for Trent...

      Milner off and protected.

      Salah & Mane rests too.

      1. tbos83
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Doesn't sound good. But he's not a good pick this week anyway.

      2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah I’m on WC and not really sure what to do. Might switch him to Marcal and put the cash ITB for now.

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

          Not Trent for sure if hitting it this week.

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

      I am capping Salah GW7. Done and dusted.

    25. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      ON: Milner / Mané / Salah
      OFF: Gomez / Firmino / Minamino

      Uh-oh fellow Jota owners

    26. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Repost. I should have actually said, which of the options would you pick for next GW?

      - Foster + Gray
      - Foster + ESR
      - Ramsdale + Gray

    27. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Good defending by Walker there but Neymar should've got his shot off earlier.

    28. KirkhamWesham
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Anything, here, worth a hit?
      I'm tempted to bring in Lukaku and shipping Ronaldo.
      I'm wildcarding after this gw.

      Sanchez
      Rudiger Veltman Manquillo
      Sarr Jota Salah Benrahma Raphinha
      Antonio Ronaldo(c)

      Steele Dennis Ayling TAA

      1.3m itb

    29. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Foden in the mood!

    30. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Trent and Jota out ffs

      1. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Jota gone off injured?

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            2 years, 6 months ago

            Playing the 90

            1. gart888
              • 9 Years
              2 years, 6 months ago

              It's only Tuesday. Still very possible to play this weekend.

      2. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Guys if TAA out does that mean Tsimi will play ?

        1. how now brown cow
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Unlikely. He's left sided.

          1. Stranger Mings
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            Thanks just realised Milner Will take his spot won’t he

        2. ClassiX
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          No.