Scout Notes

Is Callum Wilson the best FPL forward under £8.0m?

Our review of the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Gameweek 9 action continues with Crystal Palace v Newcastle United, a match in which two differential mid-price forwards found the net for the second Gameweek running.

For a briefer summary of Saturday’s Premier League action, click here, while you can read up on Arsenal v Aston Villa, Brentford v Leicester City, Leeds United v Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur via the links below.

CRYSTAL PALACE 1-1 NEWCASTLE UNITED

  • Goals: Christian Benteke (£6.3m) | Callum Wilson (£7.3m)
  • Assists: Tyrick Mitchell (£4.5m) | Emil Krafth (£4.3m)
  • Bonus: James McArthur (£4.5m) x3, Mitchell x2, Krafth x1

DIFFERENTIAL WILSON CONTINUES TO GO UNDER THE RADAR

Is Callum Wilson the best FPL forward under £8.0m? 2

From Sam Greenwood (£4.5m) to Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.6m), a grand total of 30 FPL forwards have a higher ownership figure than Callum Wilson (£7.3m).

Even after back-to-back goals, the Newcastle United striker has been bought by fewer than 20 other players in his Fantasy position in the run-up to Gameweek 10.

The Magpies’ ropey form, Wilson’s injury record and an upcoming clash with Chelsea are understandable reasons why he might be still overlooked.

But there’s a strong argument to suggest that the former Bournemouth man is, when fit, the best option among the current crop of sub-£8.0m forwards.

None of them have scored more league goals than Wilson (four) this season, for example, despite the Newcastle number nine missing four of his side’s fixtures.

As a consequence, his points-per-match average is the best among players in this price rung:

And last season, only the premium pair of Harry Kane (£12.1m) and Jamie Vardy (£10.8m) could better his rate of points among Fantasy forwards:

Having found the side netting from close range earlier in the match, Wilson’s spectacular overhead kick against Crystal Palace on Saturday rescued a point for a Newcastle side who created very little for their talisman.

Interim boss Graeme Jones paired Wilson with Allan Saint-Maximin (£6.8m) in a 3-5-2, with the Frenchman, for once, fairly unimpressive en route to a third straight blank.

I’m delighted for him: it’s his talent, that’s what he’s got. His quality, you can’t give that to people. The most impressive thing with Callum is that he usually does it on a match day. Training can be hit and miss at times, but when it matters, he’s got that mentality to come up grab the moment.” – Graeme Jones

Making the most of what few chances fell his way was what Wilson did best in his debut season in the north-east, with his goal conversion rate of 24.5% not too far away from his corresponding (and, for most strikers, unsustainable) figure of 30.8% in 2021/22.

As a general rule of thumb, anything around 20% or above is quite clinical – something Wilson has achieved in five of his last seven seasons, if we stretch to include 2016/17:

SeasonShot-to-goal conversion rate
2021/2230.8%
2020/2124.5%
2019/2014.5%
2018/1921.5%
2017/1815.1%
2016/1719.4%
2015/1629.4%

For those FPL managers who prioritise fixture difficulty, Newcastle move to third on our Season Ticker from Gameweeks 11-16, with enticing home matches against Burnley, Norwich and, to a lesser extent, an impressive Brentford side punctuated by some tougher away trips.

BENTEKE’S BIG CHANCES

Is Callum Wilson the best FPL forward under £8.0m?

The visit of a defence in the bottom two for goals conceded and clean sheets didn’t result in the longed-for points extravaganza for the likes of Conor Gallagher (£5.7m) and Odsonne Edouard (£6.5m), with the latter again stationed on the left to slightly dent his goal threat.

Gallagher’s close-range goal attempts have dried up a tad of late, while the loss of most set plays to Luka Milivojevic (£5.4m) is also a blow. As a result, his expected goal involvement (xGI) figure has tumbled from 3.22 in Gameweeks 1-4 to 0.64 from Gameweek 5 onwards:

Above: Conor Gallagher’s expected goals shotmap from Gameweeks 1-4 (left) and Gameweeks 5-9 (right)

The Chelsea loanee is, at the very least, still performing well overall and prominent in the build-up to Palace’s attacks (he is among the top 15 midfielders for final-third touches over the last five Gameweeks), with some juicy fixtures to come between now and the turn of 2022.

With Wilfried Zaha (£6.7m) not fit enough to start after illness, it was Christian Benteke (£6.3m) who was front and centre of Palace’s forward play in Gameweek 9.

The Belgian scored, had a late winner disallowed, hit the woodwork twice and missed a glaring one-on-one opportunity in an up-and-down display, with his total of seven shots in the box the best among FPL forwards at the weekend.

Patrick Vieira’s frontline looks difficult to tap into at present, with Zaha presumably to come back into the side when up to full speed, Edouard a ‘reverse out of position’ prospect and Michael Olise (£5.4m) turning in an encouraging display on the right flank on his first league start of 2021/22.

“I think [Zaha] was maybe too early to start the game. Obviously, as a team and a football club, it’s important to have Wilfried on the field, but he wasn’t ready to start the game.

“I was really pleased and really happy with the way that [Benteke] played today and the way that he played against Arsenal. He didn’t go with the international so that allowed him to stay with us and work well physically. He is in a really good period – his confidence is higher, he is working hard for the team, he is creating chances. Today he should score more than one goal.

“At times, [Olise] was isolated, when he got the ball at his feet he was against two or three players so it was difficult for him to find the space and to express his talent. But for his first start, I was really pleased with his work ethic. He delivered really good crosses for Christian and I was happy for him to start the game. He did what was expected and he showed his talent but there is still more to come from him.

“I was really pleased with Edouard on the left, he is somebody who won’t stay on the line he will come and play between the lines and play really close to Christian. Today he did it really well. Christian and he combine really well together and this is one of the options we have where those two players can play together.

“There are players who are capable of playing in the position as well but this is one of the tools that I can use. When we are facing teams that play with a really low block, having those players, especially Christian, who can play between the lines, is something good with how we want to play the game.” – Patrick Vieira on his attacking options

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Mitchell, Andersen, Guéhi, Ward, Milivojevic (Schlupp 73), McArthur, Gallagher (Mateta 86), Olise (Zaha 66), Benteke, Edouard.

Newcastle United XI: Darlow, Clark, Lascelles, Ritchie, Hayden, Krafth, Manquillo, Fraser (Almirón 66), Longstaff (Willock 66), Saint-Maximin (Joelinton 81), Wilson.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW FROM GAMEWEEK 9

Is Callum Wilson the best FPL forward under £8.0m? 10
165 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Hey gang. 1 FT and 1.8m in the bank.
    McCarthy
    TAA Azpi Cancelo Livra
    Salah Townsend Foden
    Hwang Vardy Antonio

    Steele Raph ESR White

    I’ll wait until Friday for the press conferences, but would you save transfer here or make a move?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Is McCarthy any good?

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

        No I don’t think so. Why do you ask?

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Maybe lose him if nothing else pressing.

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

            Only looking at Mendy.

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

      Would be looking at Townsend (or Raphinha if injured) to Mbeumo.

      Hard to say till we know the injury statuses.

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

      McCarthy to Mendy!

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

        Haha. This is genuinely what I’m looking at. Went with him on the wild card and kept some extra cash if it started to annoy me.

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

          Do it. He'll be top scoring goalkeeper this year

  2. Invincibles
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Best Benrahma replacement:

    A) Mbuemo
    B) ESR

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

      A

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

    Save

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

      Thanks

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Best financial advice I’ve seen on this site.

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

        And the next step. Invest.

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          In a new castle, with a bigger moat?

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

            Yes sir!

  4. The Knights Template
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I want all the good players. My players have become bad players.

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

      My advice is you should already have good players.

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        They’d better be good this week or it’s the dungeon (no trials)!

    2. Nedvěd11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Broad statement...smells like -56 every GW

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

      Spank them for being bad

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

      *injured players

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

    Sanchez, Foster
    TAA, Alonso, Cancelo, Marcal, Ayling
    Salah, Saka, Raphina, Benrahma, Brownhill
    Vardy, Toney, Antonio
    FT: 1. Bank: 2.1m
    please suggest one
    A. Benrahma -> Mount/Havertz
    B. Ayling -> Livramento
    C. Alonso -> chalobah( save for son)
    D. Antonio/Tooney -> Hwang
    E. Any combination for hit

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

      Prob A (Mount).

      Chalobah is never going to be a regular, TT just saw Norwich an opp to rest Azpi. Hwang will be another Ighalo/Zaki, one good run and then nothing imo.

      A&B are both positive moves

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

        K tha ks what about alonso, benrahma -> james, havertz(-4)

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

      A —-> mount

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

      Yeah, I like that. James will be an occasional rotation risk but chances of super high returns makes it viable

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

        Thank u. Haverts or mount?

  6. Nedvěd11
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Loggin' off till Friday..

    Raph
    Mbeumo
    Vardy
    Tierney
    Marcal

    lol...

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

      If I find u here again before Friday I'll take your left hand

  7. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Best Ronaldo replacement?

    I already have Antonio and Toney

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

      Hwang and invest into midfield

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Benteke

      • JonGTFC
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Broja if he's fit for next gw, then get KDB/Son. Particularly if you still have WC left as easy to take out again. Also cheap enough to be fine to bench when you dont fancy his fixture

      • Dammit_182
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        According to the article it’s Callum made of glass Wilson

    3. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      What time is the Leeds EPL press conference today?

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        *EFL

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

      Conte being rumored to take over for OGS.

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

        Dreams do come true

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

          As a MU fan I don't know if he is the right man for MU(more of a short term solution). But he is certainly a much better manager than OGS, so can't do worse imo.

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

            I've wanted Pochettino for years but Conte will do for now

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

        And if they don’t win with Conte, will they still blame the Glazers?

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

      What’s the biggest fire to put out here, Armstrong or Raphina?
      1FT 0.2 ITB

      Ramsdale
      TAA, Christensen, Dias, Cancelo, Liv
      Salah, Raphina, ESR, Mount, Brownhill
      Armstrong, Kane, Antonio

      I could put out a decent 11 without Armstrong and Raph. Currently leaning towards Armstrong for Hwang.

      Thoughts

      TIA

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

        Armstrong to Hwang, unless Raphinha is out for a long while.

      2. JonGTFC
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Great fixtures are coming, but biggest "fire" that i can see there? Kane.

    6. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I know Ronaldo will not disappoint me this week.

      1. Bollard
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        He's returned for me every week as i have never owned him 😉

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

        12 points he’s got for me since I wildcarded him in, in GW5... and captained him in GW6, 7 and 8.

        He owes us a brace this week. Minimum.

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

        Who?

    7. The White Pele
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Shaw, Coady, Havertz to Chilwell, TAA, Mbeumo (-8) yay or nay?

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

        I like Chillwell and TAA. But didn’t Mbeumo go off injured yesterday?

    8. Corona is not good 4 U
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      What is wrong with this team? Four red arrows in a row.

      Sanchez, Foster
      Rüdiger, Cancelo, Alexander-Arnold, Marcal, White
      Salah, Mbeumo, Raphinha, Benrahma, Gilmour
      Ronaldo, Antonio, Saint-Maximin

      Thank you!

      1. Van der Faart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Money ITB? 1 or 2 FTs for GW10?

        Upgrading ASM or Gilmour would be a priority for me but other other that, you're team isn't bad

      2. The White Pele
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Benrahma & Ronaldo out

      3. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        If all players are fit this week it’s good to go mate!! Then look to move Ronaldo and Benrahma the week after

    9. gooberman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yes Wilson would be the best striker under 8m if he could stay fit for more than 3 games. This has always been the issue with him and why I can never have him.

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

      I think we can make it a vice-captaincy debate, for now

      Son's my VC for GW10, but I'm considering Antonio. Has to be someone 100% nailed, just in case something happens to Salah or the Liverpool game gets called off for whatever reason. So it can't be TAA, City or Chelsea for me

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Antonio my vice, don’t have Son, Villa defensively have not been particularly solid so I think he gets a return there hopefully!!

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

          It's his kind of game, surely. Even Martinez hasn't been able to stop the Villa defensive rot since midway last season

          1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Yeah I agree mate!! It’s had 3-1 to West Ham written all over it!! So healthy points for Antonio!!!

    11. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Such a shame Salah goes to AFCON!!! He’s on for smashing his one FPL points record!!!!

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

        It's only 2 games

        1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Ah is that all, not as bad as I thought then!! Still that two games is and extra 20 points ish he would have racked up!!! Absolutely unbelievable that guy is!!!

        2. Bleh
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          It’ll be 4 unless Egypt make an exception.

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

            How? It starts at 9 Jan and ends at 6 Feb. Only 2 gameweeks in between

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

              Quarantine stuff?

            2. Bleh
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 5 months ago

              https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/liverpool-salah-mane-keita-afcon-b1943295.html

              4 PL games + 2 cup games missed potentially.

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

                Ooo. I don't think he'll leave before the Chelsea match though imo. No matter what Egypt say

    12. fpork
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      1) Sarr->Foden
      2) Veltman -> TAA
      3) Veltman -> Chilwell

      Also, any of these worth a -4? It would be playing them instead of Benrahma.

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        If you already have a Chelsea defender I’d get TAA and Foden in mate

        1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          I’m saying that Sarr has Southampton this week and Watford found their mojo, so maybe an idea to keep him this week, and bring in TAA and Chilwell!!!

          1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            *in saying that

          2. Konstaapeli
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Didn't Watford found their mojo after Sarr was subbed out?

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

      Just listened to a pundit/expert "Triggerlips" slating people who make early transfers saying they spoil it for the "proper players" like himself. If your funds are tight and you want to beat a price rise for a player, particularly early in the season for team value, then this is a valid strategy. He was clearly naffed off because he wants Mount who unsurprisingly after his haul has attracted a lot of early transfers in. This is hardly rocket science and whilst in terms of injuries, early transfers are risky, if you accept that risk as part of your strategy. Early price rises are part and parcel of the game, particularly with more people playing the game. Consider them a price/premium of a popular asset.

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

        I found his tweets aggravating to read so I stopped following him.

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

          Good move and will do the same !

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

        I've made early transfers almost every GW for three years in a row, across 4 fantasy games, and been burnt, say, 5 times. And I'm generally unlucky with injuries every season

        So many things have to line up against you for that one player you got early to regularly be the one who gets injured, or for it to happen often enough to lead to a net negative long-term

        I ignore the few times it happens because they're miracle/edge cases, not the norm

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Of course but have you factored in you making an early transfer and someone else in your team getting injured, loads of variables

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

              Agree 100%, but accept it. I tend to do it earlier in the season, when part of my strategy (rightly or wrongly) is only to do this when I think it is a good and well researched transfer/hope it will pay off over a few weeks and will build team value.

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

          I've made early transfers twice this season. Shaw to Rudiger and Ayling to Cancelo. When the incoming player is rising and outgoing player is dropping and you have a bench option it can be worth the gamble.

        3. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          He's a FPL dinosaur, bitter and jealous and best ignored.

      3. BLESSED ARE SETPIECE TAKERS
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Wilson too injury prone for me and unfavourable fixtures.

      4. niaz1982
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Very pleased with a return of 109, even more pleased i forgot to swap foden to havertz friday night!

        Current line up with 1FT & £2.9ITB

        Sanchez
        TAA Rudiger Cancelo Livra
        Salah Raph* Mbeumo* Foden
        Vardy* Antonio

        Subs: Foster, Hwang, Duffy, Luiz

        Prior to the pressers updating injuries, anything urgent need changing?

      5. tbos83
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Swear I say this every week but I'm giving Ronaldo one more game...

        1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Yeah I’m keeping for Spurs mate, then we reassess!!

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

            Same here. He should have scored yesterday tbh.

          2. Pompel
            • 10 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            And then after he blanks against Spurs, he's surely got a massive point to prove against City the following week 😉

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

          Keep getting an injury that forces me to keep him
          His goal arguably stood have stood yesterday tbh (though he also could have got a red card on another day!)

      6. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Good afternoon everyone!!! After this week I shall be making a GK transfer, so Bachmann to who????

        A- Sanchez
        B- Raya
        C- Somone else, if so who???

        Don’t want Ramsdale coz I have White

        Cheers all!!!

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

          B

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

          B

          1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Cheers fellas!!! I do like the look of Raya and Brentford!!!

      7. Kodap
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Anything worth a transfer here? 2m in the bank and 1FT.

        Sanchez
        Trent - Rudiger - Cancelo
        Salah - Son - Gray - ESR
        Antonio - Toney - Vardy

        Steele - Livra - Sissoko - Williams

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

          Looks good. I would hold tight, just keep an eye on any Vardy injury updates.

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

        thoughts on Reece James? is he a constant rotatation threat with azpi rested?

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

          He's just so unbelievably good I dont care about the risk. Still think Azpi's best position is RCB, though Im not entirely sure Tuchel agrees. Don't think anyone can give uoua definitive answer to this but I think he's worth the gamble

      9. gooberman
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I'm seeing a lot of bashing of people on twitter who didnt captain Salah from a lot of captain hindsight merchants.

        FPL can get very boring when everyone has and captains the same players. Sometimes there are opportunities to go against the trend with potential for huge upside whilst also actually keeping the odds in your favour.

        This week was one such week. I captained Havertz to try and exploit a potential huge opportunity and in actual fact Havertz had a higher percentage chance of returning with the bookmakers than Salah.

        Utd Liverpool games particularly at Old Trafford have always been tight. It was 4-2 last season but there were no fans which brought a different dynamic. The 2 previous league meetings for the same fixture were both 0-0.

        To be so severely punished for the decision I and others have made is cruel luck. For Havertz to blank in a 7-0 scoreline playing as the most advanced player and Salah to get 24pts is extreme variance and really not just as simple as making the wrong decision or a bad decision.

        As good as Salah has been, him getting 24pts in that fixture could not have been anticipated.

        It's these extreme scores that really kill you in FPL. I suffered the same last season on that day that Spurs beat Utd 6-1 and Villa beat Liverpool 7-2. Kane, Son, Grealish and Watkins all got extreme scores and I didnt own any of them and didnt own Salah either who braced. The excessive points scoring in those 2 games effectively ended my season in terms of me getting the rank finish I wanted.

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Agreed. Whilst I own it now it is just horrible luck

        2. Dammit_182
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          The punt on Chelsea was a good one to go with. I started this season with no Bruno, and salah and mane. I captained mane GW1 and was almost 40 points down on Bruno/Salah (c) players.

          Plenty more points up for grabs in coming weeks.

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

          Salah has been crazy good recently and United crazy bad. A lot of people were expecting United to get thrashed but yeah 24 points wasn't expected. More like 13.

          1. gooberman
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Yes. This is kind of the point Im making. I thought Salah's ceiling in that game if Liverpool played well and were able to create chances was maybe 1 goal or a goal and an assist max. The fact that he is the first player from a visiting team to score a hat-trick at Old Trafford shows what an unlikely scenario it was.

        4. Free Hat
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Agree. Hindsight is very common for a lot of people around here.
          Lot of experts talked up(or transferred in) havertz.
          He also started, striker, vs norwich and it ended up 7-0.
          So for me the right choice. The fact he didnt produce or wasnt great you couldnt predict. On another day he gets a hattrick and not mount, and everybody will say why did you pick mount instead of havertz.

          If lukaku wasnt injured, his eo would probably be higher as salah as well...

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

        Not really sure Conte is the best manager for current united team... Why not zidane?

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

          Think Zidane said not long ago, that he would never work in the PL.

        2. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Sam Allardyce should improve their defense

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

          Joachim Lowe

      11. Bavarian
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        What to do here mates?

        Guaita (Steer)
        TAA-Rudiger-Cancelo (Livramento-White)
        Salah-Havertz-Sarr-Raphinha (Allan)
        Antonio-Vardy-Jimenez

        1ft and 1.0 itb

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

        Open Controls baby!

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Its all about Permalink

        2. Konstaapeli
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Wooooo-hooooo!

      13. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Hi....who is the best cheap striker (to replace Armstrong)....

        A....toney (already got mbuemo)
        B....hwang
        C...broja

        Thanks

        1. Mambino
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          I have Hwang - benched him this GW unfortunately

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

        Toney or Wilson?