Interview

Tips and strategy from one of 2021’s best Fantasy managers

We meet a Fantasy Premier League (FPL) manager who has had a very successful 2021 and hear about the strategy behind their success.

Fantasy Football Scout user Obay Eid, aka FPL Milanista, is currently ranked 90th in the world in FPL, having finished 473rd in 2020/21.

He also posted finishes of 141st in last season’s UCL Fantasy and 668th in Euro 2020 Fantasy, having finished 2nd in the world in the 2016 edition of that tournament.

Our thanks go to Obay for taking the time to answer our questions.

You’ve had three other top 10k finishes and three further top 20k ranks in the past but you’ve soared to new heights recently with a finish of 473rd in 2020/21 and a current rank of 90th. Have you adopted a new approach or made tweaks to your game over the last 12 months or so?

There are a couple of factors that helped me break into the top 500 last season and into the top 100 this time, most importantly being the scenario creation approach that I’ve started to implement as soon as the pandemic hit the world. To briefly explain this approach, I created a spreadsheet that has a variety of affordable sequential moves planned (scenarios) that I continuously evaluate and amend based on team/player form, injuries, price changes, etc.

My point here is that I’ve always planned ahead, but I took this step to a new level given all the uncertainties we had with Covid-related postponements and sudden isolation rules. This step was very useful in avoiding unnecessary hits that managers were taking to solve their team issues.

One other key aspect that I changed in my game is captaincy punts, where I started to control my emotions of getting over-excited on weird captaincy choices and limit that to just getting that player into my team. From experience, I’ve learned that such a punt will fail most of the time and is so demoralizing especially if the bigger hitters go berserk in that round.

Given that you finished in the top 500 last season, is it a case of first or bust (and risk losing your current lofty rank) or would you settle for finishing exactly where you are now at the end of 2021/22?

That’s a good question and in fact, I got asked a similar one before the season kicked off as to whether I’ll accept another top 1k finish or not. It’s now a better rank you are offering me, but my answer wouldn’t change as I still believe that if you are doing something and spending good time on it then you certainly must aim for the best result possible and that is finishing first. I’ve managed to finish second and fourth in other highly competitive fantasy platforms from years gone by, so I hope it’s time to go one better on FPL this time.

How do you approach things from here? Do you continue to ‘play your own game’, become more aggressive with moves or do you look to just consolidate that good start initially?

I’ve always played my own game and I’ll continue with that. However, Fantasy Football, like any other strategy game, has a lot of mental interferences and by having such a good rank at this stage, I’d say the mind will automatically adjust and start prioritizing steps that aren’t too risky. Nevertheless, I’ll be looking ahead at some opportunities that might go unnoticed but will reap huge rewards if they work out.

You played your Wildcard in Gameweek 5 and you have risen from 7,000th to 90th as a result. Do you generally play the chip that early and what was the reason for doing so this season?

Yes, I always tend to play my first wildcard early, and this season was no different. My initial plan was to play it in Gameweek 8 when the fixtures of the big clubs have that noticeable swing, however, I did an exercise of comparing my potential Gameweek 8 wildcard team with what I’d go for in Gameweek 5 and noticed a very similar team structure with only Romelu Lukaku (£11.7m) and another Chelsea or Manchester City asset making the difference.

The upside of targeting the likes of Wolves and Leeds players too, as Ismaila Sarr (£6.3m) was too good to ignore with those fixtures plus the fact that I had two of my forwards out – Michail Antonio (£8.0m) suspended and Callum Wilson (£7.3m) injured – which further encouraged me towards pushing the wildcard button.

What is your general approach to chips: have you ever played, or would you ever consider playing, a Bench Boost or Triple Captain in the first half of the season, for example?

Alright, so for bench boost and triple captain particularly, I always prefer to use them in Double Gameweeks as many others do and that is simply because logically you will get the better chance of a big haul over two games. Double Gameweeks usually occur in the second half of the season, but if for any reason one is scheduled earlier this time, I wouldn’t mind using a chip there. As for the free hit chip, I do believe that it is ideally used in the big Blank Gameweek, but it will also depend on the team structure once those doubles and blanks are announced.

How much attention do you give to team value, especially in a season when there are multiple heavy hitters vying for our attention?

Not too much. Although I truly understand that team value is important but for me, it is not as essential as some people make it sound. There will be some struggle if you were on a very low team value especially in the second half of the season when that second wildcard is being played, but if you are playing the game right you shouldn’t be faced with such a problem. I don’t think the difference between a £107 million and a £106 million team for example is too apparent, especially if the former suffered a lot of unnecessary point hits in the process of reaching there.

You have a fairly cheap defence, with two budget assets and another (Nelson Semedo) under £5.0m. Are you looking towards bolstering that backline with a City defender or another Chelsea asset?

Well, I’m fairly satisfied with my current defence and, although I’d like a Manchester City defender for their good run, I’m not rushing into getting one especially when there is no easy route for me. Meanwhile, I’m still undecided on my Gameweek 8 transfer, needing to know more about the injury status of both Antonio Rudiger (£5.8m) and Diogo Jota (£7.6m). As for the budget assets you mentioned, I’m happy I went with Tino Livramento (£4.4m) and Shane Duffy (£4.2m) and I think I’d still pick them both if I was wildcarding now.

How much time do you devote to captaincy decisions?

I have already mentioned that one of the things that I’ve changed in my playing style over the last two seasons is taking no punts on captaincy, so I can say that this part of the game no longer consumes much time from me. I’m always a fan of fixtures over form when talking about captaincy, and by following such a strategy I tend to select my captain for the next four to five rounds in my scenarios spreadsheet and barely pull away from that. However, it is worth mentioning that I’ve been struggling with captain points so far and have had four blanks in the first seven weeks!

Having eschewed the ‘threemium’ approach so far, do you have any short-term plans to juggle three heavy hitters or do you feel that imbalances the squad?

That’s true, I still prefer the balance of teams that have only two premiums plus Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) and, in my opinion, this approach offers a lot more transfer flexibility going forward. For my team, I have no plans to switch to the ‘threemium’ in the short term. Cristiano Ronaldo’s (£12.6m) fixtures are far from ideal so a switch to Lukaku is on its way soon while Trent is undroppable and offers the best value across all lines in my opinion. I do like Heung-Min-Son (£10.1m) as a third expensive asset in a team though and I must admit that I did try to accommodate the South Korean into my side.

Who is on your short-term watchlist over the next six Gameweeks or so?

All my scenarios are now focused on Lukaku who must find a way to my team before that Norwich game in Gameweek 9, whereas adding a second Chelsea defender or a Manchester City one, particularly Joao Cancelo (£6.2m), is also on my mind. I really liked what I saw from Brentford over the first 7 weeks so both Bryan Mbeumo (£5.5m) and Ivan Toney (£6.4m) are high on my watchlist for when their fixtures get easier beyond Gameweek 8.

Jota’s injury update will be vital for me as I’m assessing a replacement that could be either of the Manchester City midfielders or Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka (£6.3m). Of course, I’d like to upgrade to Son who I just talked about a while ago but that will need a lot of sacrifices in the team. Lastly, it’s Southampton that are sitting on top of the fixtures ticker so Adam Armstrong (£6.0m) is one I’ll monitor closely and could be an option that I revert to if funds were needed elsewhere.

You’ve said previously that you watch a lot of Premier League games before looking at stats. For anyone that perhaps can’t watch as many matches as they’d like, which stats would you prioritise in order to get the best ‘feel’ of a player’s performance or FPL potential?

I do perhaps watch a lot of football and that is basically because I’m passionate about the sport itself. Playing FPL or any other fantasy game has added that new aspect of a person looking at every small detail in a football game while his/her mind subconsciously assesses future moves. Stats are always supportive and, in a way, illustrate all the actions that happened during 90 minutes in numbers, and for someone like me who is very involved with numbers in his professional life, the development of such stats is remarkable and truly helpful.

Now to answer your question, the stats I tend to focus on more than others are expected data (xG, xA, xGI) as well as supportive key attacking metrics like goal attempts (total and inside the box), shots on target, penalty area touches, big chances, chances created, and big chances created. My view on defensive decisions is that the fixtures are what matters most. For example, I don’t get influenced by a defender whose team is putting impressive defensive stats (xGC, shots conceded, big chances allowed etc) if they are going to face Man City, Liverpool, and Chelsea in the next run of games.

How much attention to you pay to the Twitter bubble, Scout comments and general FPL community group-think before making your transfers/strategy decisions?

It truly is amazing to see how the FPL community has grown over the past few years and that in return has resulted in fierce competition as access to data and stats is now too easy. I do spend good time on Twitter and the Scout site, but I don’t get too distracted with ideas that I’m not too comfortable with. Again, planning ahead is too important if you want to succeed in FPL and so priorities will differ from one team to another. Believe me, the last thing you’d want is to ignore your plan (or gut) and follow the bubble, just for it to fail afterwards. This is exactly the incident that would most likely get into your mind, where you will then overreact and make rush decisions that you regret soon after.

You’ve had a hat-trick of top 1k finishes (FPL, UCL Fantasy, Euro 2020) in 2021 plus two top-five finishes in UCL/Euro 2016. What main bits of advice could you give to those managers playing shorter-form Fantasy games?

Shorter-form Fantasy games have a completely different set-up and so have different strategies and styles of play. My main piece of advice would be to always capitalise on the group stages phase as that’s where most of the fantasy points are, so play your chips, be aggressive, and target those juicy fixtures early on. In those games, we benefit from manual substitutions and captain changes so you need to initially sort out the best combination of 15 players that you can get while including the ‘best’ captaincy option for each day.

Moving on to the knockout phases, you will need to make your educated guess as to who qualifies and primarily focus on players from those teams as you don’t want to end up with a lot of eliminated players and fail to field a team, as hits should be avoided in such games. Lastly, in the final stages of the competition, games start to be played over just one or two days so that lessens the appeal of having a squad of 15 active players.

The Scout Squad’s best FPL players for Gameweek 8

FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

433 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Miro
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    So will it be Jota or Firmino starting up top against Watford ?

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Both probably start tbh

      1. Miro
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        No Mane then ?

        1. internal error
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Our midfield is bare bones atm. Could see all 4 start

          1. FPL_Crisis
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Do you think Keita starts?
            Expecting Milner Hendo Jones

    2. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Coin toss mate. If I had to guess - Jota.

    3. Maddamotha
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Since Firmino been in Liverpool training, I'd guess him.

    4. Miro
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      cheers guys

    5. Tarby
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Firmino will start as he's been back and training.

      He'll rest one of the other 3 as only 2 days rest until playing Athletico on Tuesday night.
      Mo played Monday whereas Mane was Tuesday so that might impact the decision! I'd go with Mane to be rested tomorrow

      Milner will likely start I think as isn't involved in internationals

      Could see van Dijk rested as he was the only CB involved in internationals, but with Alisson and Fabinho out it probably means he won't be I reckon.

  2. No Totti No Party
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Hi guys
    Kovacic or Allan for fifth ?

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Think D Luiz from Villa is the best 5th mid. Or just go brownhill and save a bit of cash.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Allan

    3. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Neither if you ask me, but if I had to chose between them 2 - I would go for Allan. Simply because you may want a solid triple Chelsea at some point and Kovacic prevents you from that. How often would your 5th mid play?

      1. No Totti No Party
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        well Raphinha, armstrong are the other 2 cheap, so i guess not so often

    4. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      No point having a chelsea mid who only plays occasionally on your bench. Allan is my mid sub - better chance of 3pt-ers than Brownhill, Gilmour etc & has a couple assists already

  3. Stormbringer22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Let's hear it lads - tear it to bits. The WC draft I am 90% settled on.

    Ramsdale
    TAA • Cancelo • Dias • James/Chilwell
    Salah • Foden • Raphina
    Lukaku • Antonio • Toney

    [Foster • Mbeumo • Livramento • Brownhill]
    £0.4itb

    Have a strong 1st sub to cover Foden's benchings.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Like it a lot - flawless

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks Miguel! How is yours looking (if you are indeed on a WC)?

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          WC spent long time ago

          1. Stormbringer22
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Are you happy with it?

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      As far as 4 atb strategies go... pretty much perfect.

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers Camzy! the 4 at the back gives a bit less flexibility, which as far as I can see, is the only downside. Flirted with a 3-4-3 instead and having Son in, but I am just not convinced 100% on getting him in just yet. Will likely look into bringing him in in 12.

        How do you feel about 4 at the back?

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

      I like these things • • •
      But maybe I don't match the criteria for responding. Let's see what the lads have to say...

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        All replies are welcome Deulofail! 🙂 How is your team looking?

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

          I like my team a lot, but usually I'm the only one

          Foster
          TAA Cancelo Tierney
          Grealish Foden ESR Odegaard
          Lukaku Vardy Jimenez

          Bachmann | Livramento, Shaw, Raphinha

          Still got the WC.

          Your team looks very nice. I've never been a fan of picking boring Dias, though. You could downgrade him to a better player and upgrade Toney (or keep the cash)

          1. Stormbringer22
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Looks good mate. The only one that raises my eyebrows is Odegaard. Like the fact that you also have triple City. Vardy pick is inspired!

          2. Tarby
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Arsenal fan Deulofail???
            2 Arsenal midfielders seems crazy to me. I don't like attacking double-ups at the best of times, limits your top score really. Double defence however...

    4. Jinswick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Solid. The only other player I’d want in there is Son, but that means downgrading elsewhere

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I hear you. Considered Son and had many drafts with him in, but keep coming back to this one...

    5. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Think I'd be tempted to down grade a city Def so you can play mbueno

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        That is my only concern - can see benching some Mbeumo double-digits at some point. With James & Foden in the team though, that 1st sub may come in a lot more often than I anticipate

        1. Pegboy
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Agree. With James and Foden, you need a strong option 1 sub

    6. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Pretty much exactly what I'd go for on WC.

      But if you want criticism:

      Ramsdale could lose his place
      Cancelo rested for easy games
      James big rotation risk, not fit and often cameos
      Foden not nailed
      Chelsea don't seem to know how to use Lukaku properly
      Double attack from newly promoted team
      Antonio poor fixtures and will plummet in price when he blanks a couple of times

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        *disclaimer*
        I probably only truly agree with 1.5 of those points

      2. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Lol

      3. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Appreciate the input, and criticism is always welcomed 🙂 There is a risk associated with almost any pick, it all comes down to how happy you feel taking it I suppose. I will still have FTs to adjust accordingly if any of the points you have raised proved to bee too big of an issue for me to be comfortable with

    7. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Dream wildcard team! Really really nice.

    8. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Looks great.
      I'm looking at something similar but considering Son, Duffy, Hwang instead of James, Foden, Toney.

      1. Pegboy
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        That's what I went for. Much easier to move money around by downgrading Son if necessary. Only problem is how to get in Toney if Hwang disappoints.

    9. Jinswick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Nice team value also - I’m over 1m short of this 🙁

    10. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      The question for me since you have good bench.. Is it worth to go chilwell/James double up over dias?

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        That sounds tempting... Those 2 have higher ceiling for sure. City's defence is the better one statistically speaking though... Hmmm, you have made me think now! Appreciate it!

    11. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Appreciate all the replies guys, I really didn't think that this draft will be received as well as it has been! Was really on the fence about going 4 at the back, but the positive comments on here have eased my mind a bit. Cheers all! 🙂

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I got good feedback on my WC and have had 4 red arrows since btw

        1. Stormbringer22
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          😀

    12. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Strong

    13. Murder on Zidane's Flo…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Very similar to my wildcard 12/15).

      I have Son ESR and Duffy versus TAA Raph and Mbuemo (could argue either imo)

    14. Pegboy
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I'm on similar. For me it came down to:

      Dias + Foden + Toney
      White + Son + Hwang

      I've gone latter as I prefer the balance of the money across the team, but I need a plan to upgrade Hwang to Toney.

    15. Indio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Like it a lot, that's a really nice team. Feels very solid too. One thought though - I know most folks are worried about potential Mbeumo bench points, but have you considered Townsend until the BRE fixtures turn (then Townsend > Mbeumo), especially as you have Toney?

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Good point!

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

      My only issue is that I don't see who you'll ever drop for Mbeumo

      I'll put it this way: Mbeumo has hit the goal frame 4 times, with everybody else hitting it only once. That's some hefty variance based on luck, that says his points aren't reflecting his performances atm. So, when using such data to predict...

      Would Mbeumo have been starting for you, if 3 of those went in and added 15-20 points to what he has now?

      1. Pegboy
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I think between Cancelo, James, Foden, TAA's groin and Antonio's hamstrings, he'll have that decision taken out his hands most weeks.

        1. Stormbringer22
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Exactly this ^ 😀

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

          Yeah. It just gets very frustrating very quickly when one of the most explosive players in the league is my first sub, and I know I'd have started him if he was more expensive... But his price doesn't influence his points, and hindsight always reminds me of this fact. Benching the cheapest guy doesn't mean benching the lowest points: short, mid or long term

          Bamford last season. Tsimikas this season. Jimenez, AWB and Lund, a while back

    17. Mr Bird
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      This is what I keep coming back to. The only downside is that it probably won’t hit the ground running with Mbuemo probably taking Raphinha’s spot. Livra would come in for Foden in that case but it leaves just Brownhill for James/Chilwell cover.

      Maybe I’m just thinking the worst. You’d be very unlucky to have 3 players stay put on the bench.

      1. Stormbringer22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        That would be some bad luck indeed if all 3 missed out the same week, but it is a possibility. Could go for a different £5.5 for this week and then get Mbeumo back in for the easier run of fixtures, but it feels like an FT wasted to shuffle around a 1st sub spot. Will think about it some more though

        1. Mr Bird
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Yeah I’m just projecting my worries here I think. After Mbuemo and Toney get Chelsea out of the way it will swing the other way and we’ll be worrying who to bench.

    18. Tarby
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Virtually the same team I'm currently on!
      What I'm avoiding is Brentford double though for sure though.

      I'll either have Mbeumo and Armstrong as Southampton fixtures so good, or ESM/ Gallagher/ Townsend and Toney I think. Benefit of either is it creates opportunity to rotate based on fixtures.

      I'm on Azpuliceuta instead of James/ Chilwell as well. James seems to miss a lot of games, and Chilwell may well be 2nd choice. I might go Rudiger but will wait on status update. Or even Christensen as will have a good sub for when he doesn't play.

      1. Tarby
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        And I'm still tempted by 5 at the back and maybe even a premium keeper! I could see Chelsea, City and Liverpool getting a lot of cleanies over the coming weeks!

        Dias might get more cleanies than Lukaku scores goals!

        If I go 5 at the back it might be this:

        Mendy
        Azpilicueta TAA Dias Matip Cancelo
        Mo Son Raphina
        Antonio Inheanacho

        Foster Toney Normann Brownhill

        Having 9 of my team from Liverpool, City and Chelsea feels powerful!

    19. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Like it a lot! I'm similar, but I've gone Son, Hwang

      I'm also debating the last spot of James/Chilwell. I'm leaning James at the moment. You?

  4. Pegboy
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Playing 2 out of Duffy, Livra and White every week sure is tempting. If Duffy was nailed, I'd definitely do it. Gives you the following fixtures:

    8 CRY nor/LEE
    9 AVL BUR
    10 lei wat
    11 WAT NEW/AVL
    12 nor avl
    13 NEW LEE
    14 whu LEI
    15 sou BRI

    Only downside is having to choose between a City and Chelsea defender, but it allows me to squeeze in Son and still have three good strikers.

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Keep in mind that Lamptey and Webster are supposedly fit and training. Not sure yet what that means for Duffy.

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Maybe Webster/Veltman instead or is nobody nailed at 4.4 for Brighton, only Cucurella and Dunk are nailed

      2. Pegboy
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        The temptation is then to do a sideways move Duffy>Webster when necessary. But I agree, that's the main thing putting me off it at the moment.

  5. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Best option on a WC?

    Ramsdale Foster
    TAA Cancelo _____ Duffy Livramento
    Salah Son _____ Mbeumo Brownhill
    Lukaku Antonio Hwang

    A. Laporte + Raphina
    B. Dias + Saka

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      James/Laporte and Raphinha

    2. winchester
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      exactly same as mine. currently on rudi+raphinha. Considering instead james+jansson, as duffy might lose his spot on the pitch..

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

    Seen quite a few comments about Duffy not being nailed - who’s threatening his place in the team now that White has gone?

    1. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Webster

    2. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Burn webster veltman dunk duffy... 3 of them can play.

      1. Jinswick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Gotcha, thanks. Reckon it’s worth going with White instead here? Have 4.7m to spend. Have a few rotation risks and need to play 4-4-2…

        Ramsdale, Foster
        Trent, Cancelo, Chilwell, xxx, Livra
        Salah, Son, Raphina, Mbuembo, Brownhill
        Lukaku, Antonio, Davis

        1. Pegboy
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          I'd go White. He rotates well with Livra too

        2. Hy liverpool
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          White for me.
          Also consider Son and white to Foden and Dias/James and have fun.

      2. ratski
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Duffy is a no brainer in addition to his goal threat . Worst case Webster comes in within a few GW so it's an easy switch over

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Lamptey returning would push Veltman back into central def. Similarly, with Cucurella (?) around, Dan Burn now primarily a centre-half.

    4. Pegboy
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Webster and Lamptey (with Veltman moving to RCB).

      Essentially got Webster, Dunk, Burn, Duffy, Veltman competing for 3 spots.

  7. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Sort them in your order of preference for this GW plz

    A) Rafinha
    B) Duffy
    C) Livra

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      BCA

  8. Maddamotha
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Raphinha playing 71 minutes, scoring 2 goals last night.
    Does he start for Leeds? Was hoping he'd get less than 71 minutes tbh.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Pretty small chance I'd guess

    2. Pegboy
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Highly doubtful he starts.

    3. Maddamotha
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Would you then bench him, or start Livramento?

      1. Pegboy
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I'm starting Livra over him.

        1. Maddamotha
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Interesting. Thanks.

  9. Joker91
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Appreciate your thoughts on this wildcard. Unfortunately I had to give up Cancelo for Laporte (which I don't like) but couldn't think of a better way to shave off the 0.6m I needed to.

    Ramsdale | Foster
    TAA | Chilwell | Laporte | Livramento | Duffy
    Salah | Son | Raphinha | Mbeumo | Brownhill
    Antonio | Lukaku | Armstrong

    Did toy with Duffy to 4.0 and Armstrong to Hwang instead, but I'm not convinced on Hwang yet, and not sure Manquillo will remain an option (though perhaps I don't need a playing 3rd option...)

    Any other ideas from the community please?

    1. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Duffy to white for a nailed on backup as both Chilwell and Laporte are rotation risks.

      1. Joker91
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Don't have the 0.1 for that...

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

    Even as a Chelsea fan I don't know the answer myself, but genuinely surprised people have already written off Alonso for this week (and ongoing).

    Well there's that as one point, but another is the push for Chilwell.

    Sure Alonso had a couple of tricky games but they were against Man City & Juventus, where the rest of the team was pants too for the most part.

    Chilwell has played Aston Villa (EFL - was average, missed a pen in the shootout) & Southampton (scored, but also gave away a stupid penalty).

    Then we compare the International Breaks. Alonso has played Italy (won) & France (lost... marginally) in the Nations League Final. He was by all accounts pretty good in those games.

    Chilwell has played Andorra. Scored? Yes, but not much you can read into that one. Chilwell will also have arrived back with the Chelsea squad later than Alonso.

    Our next fixture is against Brentford. Brentford have some decent set piece play & fairly physical. This is something Alonso has specifically been picked based on before, because he is a tall physical presence himself. Not only that but based on how Brentford have played so far, you'd expect Chelsea to have some space which is another thing Chelsea can use Alonso to help expose.

    Chilwell could absolutely start this weekend but consider everything else...

    1. si
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Feels very 50-50 that one. One will play tomorrow, the other in midweek. My gut says Alonso starts tomorrow.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      As said on a previous page i think one of them could be about to go huge the next 4 games cause the way the fixtures fall there could well be a league LWB and a cup LWB.

      Weekend league games (bre, NOR, new, BUR)

      MIdweek cup games (Malmo home, Southampton home, Malmo away)

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

        Yep I looked at that a few weeks back.

        Anything could happen, but think about who has played more cup & PL minutes compared to the other.

        Chilly also helped us win the UCL, so UCL nights he can be trusted with.

        I don't know and it won't be simple, but I'm laughing at anything who thinks they know what's about to happen.

    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      No opinion one way or the other. I don’t think it’s worth the time.

      1. Pegboy
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Agree. Plenty of other options to not have to bother.

    4. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      My money on chilwell but i think brendford are going to score if rudiger misses

    5. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks for the write-up & analysis. Very timely! Che def is a bit of a selection minefield. I'm debating James/Chilwell for my last wc spot. Is James a safer pick in your opinion?

  11. Harvey_27
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Howdy. Any amazing thoughts on what to do here please:

    Sanchez
    Azpi, Cancelo, Rudi*, White
    Salah, Greenwood, Raphinha*
    Lukaku*, Antonio, Toney

    steele, torres*, tsimikas, brownhill,

    A) do nothing
    B) -4 Torres to Mbuemo and switch in for Raphinha
    C) -4 Torres to Foden and switch in for Raphinha

    Already used my FT to bring Cancelo in for Shaw. £1.2m ITB. Planning to WC in GW 12 or 14/15.

    Your combined intelligences are muchly appreciated, thank you

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

      C looks good

  12. CheesyZoot
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    One week punt on B. Silva?

    Tempted to have him vs. Burnley then swap to Raph next week...

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

      Could pay off. I'd say go for it

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

      It's not the kind of thing I would normalyy do, but if you're gonna do it, maybe Trossard (nor), Moura (new) or Saka (CPL)? Bernado wouldn't be my first choice, I don't think.

  13. si
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I am starting to come round to the idea of a 1 week punt on Raheem. Ultimately, you fancy City to score most goals. And I want a City player. Surely he is weirdly the safest punt when you consider their next fixtures?

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

      Risky going for a player who has just come out to the press and said he is open to moving abroad.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I would prefer Mahrez given his recent history vs Burnley and other options in his position being unavailable

    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      The safest one to go for is KdB.

  14. zon
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Seen a lot more of Ramsdale + Duffy combo than Sanchez + White on here. Isn't latter better due to security of starts?

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

      It is but the former has the greater points potential.

      Ramsdale does decently for bonus & saves, albeit Brighton has the better defense.

      Duffy is a genuine threat at set pieces, whereas White is not (although White is chipping into bonus points too).

      1. zon
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah, I get the lure is in the higher potential. I just can see the scenario where gunners start shipping goals and Duffy loses his place, in that case we'd definitely want Sanchez + White (benchable).

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

          Yep. Understand. Essentially why I went with the latter, less risk. White has already bailed me out three times, so it's not like he's a bad option either!

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Price rises means I got the former combo for 0.2m less.

  15. Junks
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Would you WC this lot...

    1FT 2.4ITB
    Sanchez Steele
    Alonso White Semedo Pereira TSI
    Saka Raph Salah Greenwood Gilmour
    Toney Ant Ronaldo

    I’m thinking it’s time to WC but would love to get some thoughts? Ta very much.

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

      I'd probably WC that

      1. Junks
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks

    2. Pegboy
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I would

    3. Harvey_27
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I see the temptation but your middies and attack look good so it's only the defense you'd want to sort out. Can you do that with a FT and maybe a hit?

  16. Ëð
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Is Shaw to TAA/Cancelo the move to make this week? If so which one?

    Sanchez, Foster
    Rudiger, Shaw, White, Livramento, Amartey
    Salah, Jota, Raphinha, Benrahma, Bissouma
    Ronaldo, Antonio, ASM

    1FT, £4.0m ITB

    1. ABoyNamedLew
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yes and Trent, ceiling is huge this week and people have jumped off him recently.

    2. Junks
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yes I’d do that. GTG otherwise

    3. Harvey_27
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Well they say target your weak spot (not that I'm one to talk), which is surely Amartey or Bissouma, esp when you've got £4m ITB (unless you're saving it for something?)

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

        Not saving it particularly. But don't want the benching headaches. Would rather improve my starting XI at the moment

        1. Harvey_27
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Fair enough. Can see that £4m coming in handy if Spurs up their game ahead of GW12 and you want to bring in Son. And assuming you move CR7 to Lukaku next week, that'll give you even more!

  17. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I have Rudiger, Lukaku and Raph.

    A) Jota to Foden -4
    B) Sarr to Foden -4
    C) Do nothing

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

      C depending on the rest of your team

  18. ABoyNamedLew
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    On WC:

    A) Foden + Hwang
    B) 7.4 (and who?) + Toney

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

      A

    2. AlternativeB
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Have A now

  19. AlternativeB
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Is TAA a must on WC?

    1. ABoyNamedLew
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

    3. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

    4. Harvey_27
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      No, as long as you have a route to get him later, i.e. probably £1-1.5m ITB

  20. drughi
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Got the feeling I'm in deep s''t with this team. What moves would you do to clear it up, maybe a hit is warranted. 1 FT and 1.1 itb.

    Sanchez
    TAA Alonso* Rudiger* Shaw
    Salah(C) Benrahma Townsend
    Jimenez* Lukaku Antonio

    foster sarr livramento gilmour

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Looks fine, shaw to cancelo and move on

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        cheers that was the original plan and benrahma>raphinha next week

    2. Harvey_27
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah I think you're fine. If neither Alonso or Rudi play, you've got Liv coming in and then Sarr is also handy on the bench so I don't see a hit needed here at all (and am jealous as a result)

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        ok cheers thanks for the input

  21. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I appreciated this article quite a lot. This guy has a really good approach to the game imo and I like that he plays to win. There are things to learn here.

  22. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Is Pepe or saka starting for arsenal

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

      Saka very very likely. Pepe could start as well if they go for an attacking 4-3-3

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Saka

  23. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Son and hwang
    Or
    Foden and Jimenez

    Last decision to make on my wildcard

    1. Abaddon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I think I am going SH if that helps

  24. Thewoodyhorse
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Doucoure, Gray or Townsend?

    1. Abaddon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Many saying T will eventually lose his place with DCL and Ricky back. Go Doucoure

  25. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Son + Raphinha > Mahrez + Foden

    I'm losing it aren't I.... I really want some City attack for this match. I'm desperate. I can't find any other ways to get them.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Best to just set up what you have and log out until after deadline tomorrow.

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Don't lose son imo. You can't have them all !!

    3. Harvey_27
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      For a hit, no, despite the temptation and the increased chances for Mahrez and Foden now Torres is out and Jesus jetlagged. But how annoyed will you be if Son vs Newcastle hits the ground running and Raphinha gets 20-30 minutes too?

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I'm on WC so wouldn't cost me anything except opportunity!

        1. Harvey_27
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Ah sorry, then totally understand the temptation. I guess depends on rest of squad but yes, on WC, probably would do the ManC crew

  26. golfboy
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Jeez, planned on saving WC but so many flags (already taken -4)

    Sanchez
    Rudiger* TAA* Cancelo
    Torres* Raphina* Salah Greenwood
    Toney Antonio Lukaku*

    Bench is White Livramento Gilmour

    Enough cover?

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Still no need to WC, white and livra to cover your*ss.. Why the heck would you take a hit early in IB.

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

        Yep. Itchy fingers. Error! Thanks mate

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Plenty of false flags. You are okay, White and Livra both have reasonable fixtures. One more hit at worst. Wouldn't WC.

  27. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Best WC fillers here?

    A) Dias, Foden & Saka
    B) White, Son & Mbeumbo

    Ramsdale
    Trent, Cancelo, Chilwell, xxx
    Salah, xxx, Raphina, xxx
    Lukaku, Antonio

    Foster, Livra, Brownhill, Davis

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Prefer B

    2. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Gotcha 😉

      1. Jinswick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Haha, got me thinking!

    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A. Your bench is too weak with B and you're forced to start White/Livra every week.

      1. Jinswick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I know what you mean, but White/Livra do have good fixtures and rotate well at least so not the worst thing imo

  28. Miro
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    How bout this for a WC team ?

    Ramsdale / Foster

    TAA / Cancelo / Azpi / Tomiyasu / Liveramento

    Salah / KDB / Foden / Raphinha / Saka

    Toney / Armstrong / Hwang

    0.3 itb

    Strong 8th fwd/mid in case of rotations (foden).

    Thoughts?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      More than decent if anaemic forward line fires

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      In still unsure on kdb over say Son at the minute.

    3. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      shame you can't fit Son in with that frontline (which is brilliant btw)

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        although KDB going mental this week isn't exactly unlikely

  29. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    What's the better move:
    A - coufal -> dias/laporte
    B - tsimikas -> livramento

    Have TAA, rudiger, lukaku, raphinha so if Coufal is fit I'm wondering whether it's a good time to finally do B and get a playing sub.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      B. Livra is a gift.

  30. Casual Player
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Liked this article, lots in there.