Scoreboard

Ronaldo’s injury and how Villa’s debutants fared: FPL Gameweek 22 recap

Our Scoreboard series rounds up the key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) talking points from Saturday’s Double Gameweek 22 fixtures.

The graphics below are taken from LiveFPL, Ragabolly’s excellent and ever-expanding website, and our own Premium Members Area.

GOALS, ASSISTS, BONUS

INJURIES AND BANS

Who are the best FPL captain options for Gameweek 16?

Cristiano Ronaldo missed out on Manchester United’s draw with Aston Villa on Saturday evening with the same hip issue that kept him out of Monday’s FA Cup tie.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Marcus Rashford were also unavailable because of illness and a dead leg respectively, while Harry MaguirePhil Jones and Jadon Sancho were only among the substitutes after their own recoveries from injury.

“With Cristiano, it’s unfortunately still the same problem with his hip flexor. He couldn’t train yesterday, and I had a conversation with him. After training, we decided that it doesn’t make sense if he’s not feeling fully fit to take the trip here. It makes sense to have treatment at home and then hopefully be available again for the game on Wednesday at Brentford.

“Aaron (Wan-Bissaka) unfortunately is ill, that’s the reason why he couldn’t travel with us.

“Harry (Maguire) was out for two weeksI’m happy to have him back in the squad again but I decided to stay with the two central defenders that played on Monday. With all the games coming up in the next couple of days, it’s most likely that he will play again then.

“Marcus (Rashford) conceded a dead leg two days ago in training. At first, it didn’t seem to be that bad, but overnight it got worse and he couldn’t train yesterday.” – Ralf Rangnick

Ezri Konsa was substituted at half-time of the evening kick-off, meanwhile.

Pep Guardiola delivered the ominous news that Manchester City had some fresh cases of coronavirus in his pre-match press conference but the damage appeared minimal when looking at today’s teamsheet.

Nathan Ake and Cole Palmer were the two players to miss out (the City website repeating the line that they were “short of full fitness”), while Oleksandr Zinchenko picked up an injury and was also unavailable.

Ederson, John Stones, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Raheem Sterling were all back after their own purported spells in isolation.

Ruben Neves, Allan and Kenny McLean also missed out because of “illness” at their respective clubs on Saturday.

Marcal‘s absence from Wolves’ win over Southampton was injury-related (no other details have been forthcoming), meanwhile.

Dean Smith confirmed that Brandon Williams was merely suffering from cramp when being substituted in Norwich’s win over Everton, while he also downplayed the severity of Max Aarons‘ knock – but did say that Tim Krul‘s shoulder injury was a worry.

GAMEWEEK 22 TAKEAWAYS


TITLE RACE OVER?

Manchester City’s win over Chelsea took them 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League. Liverpool can narrow that gap to eight points by winning both of their games in hand but it’s perhaps worth half a thought about what impact a premature end of the title race could have on FPL in the longer term.

Gameweek 36 has been widely touted as being a big ‘double’ in FPL but how much will be left to play for by that point is another question. City, for instance, could very easily have the title sewn up by then, as happened last season when Pep Guardiola ran wild with the changes with the Premier League crown in the bag and cups to play for elsewhere.

Planning that far ahead in this helter-skelter season requires Nostradamus-like powers, of course, so the message is perhaps more: “Enjoy City assets while you can”.

They’ve got some tantalising fixtures coming up in the next five Gameweeks especially, with Kevin De Bruyne back on the radar after his fifth attacking return in six appearances.

He’s started every single game in that time, with Ilkay Gundogan typically the fall guy to accommodate him, and he’s looking back to his best after an early-season dip in levels: from Gameweeks 17-22, he’s clocked up eight more shots and eight more chances created than any of his teammates.

“He’s missed a little bit of confidence this season, he was struggling a little bit, but he knows what he can do. He’s incredibly loved by all of us for that fact.” – Pep Guardiola on Kevin De Bruyne

DIGNE AND COUTINHO DEBUTS

Philippe Coutinho stole the headlines with a goalscoring appearance off the bench but Lucas Digne also caught the eye on his Villa bow.

Immediately installed at left-back, Digne served up a, well, Digne-esque zero-pointer, thanks to his concession of two goals and a yellow card.

But he was very advanced up the Villa left flank, registering 25 final-third touches (the second-most of Villa players), two shots in the box and two chances created, and was also involved at set-piece situations.

There were promising performances all over the park from Steven Gerrard’s side, with Emiliano Buendia impressive and excellent budget midfielder Jacob Ramsey picking up his second and third attacking returns in four appearances.

Should Villa’s mooted Double Gameweek 23 materialise (that’s still pure speculation at this stage), they’ll have plenty of takers based on some promising displays under Gerrard in some tricky-looking fixtures.

It’s difficult to gauge Coutinho’s levels after a mere 22-minute cameo (remember Leon Bailey?) but Gerrard’s system involves two number 10 roles, rather than out and out wingers, and seems a good fit for the on-loan Brazilian.

It was noticeable just how central he was after his introduction against United, popping up in the six-yard box for a dramatic equaliser and generally being prominent in and around the Red Devils’ area.

Scout Notes 25

BRUNO BACK?

Owners and captainers of Bruno Fernandes had a dream evening, with the Portugal international scoring twice – both goals owing much to individual Villa errors.

There’s still a long way to go before we welcome him back into the premium FPL asset conversation in earnest.

Stationed in a centre-left midfield role in a 4-3-3/4-1-4-1 hybrid set-up, his two goals came from his only efforts of the match, with his second strike his only real meaningful touch in the Villa area.

Managers who already own Fernandes will care not a jot and be laughing all the way up the overall ranks; for the rest of us, the last couple of games in cup and league have been better from the one-time ‘essential’ FPL midfielder but he has plenty of work to do to recapture those 2020/21 levels – particularly with the loss of the monopoly on penalty-taking duties.

THE BEST OF THE REST

While much of the Fantasy focus was on Watford’s blanking strikers and Magpies debutant Chris Wood at St James’ Park, Allan Saint-Maximin moved third in the FPL forwards’ points list with a second successive nine-point return. The fact that he’s in a podium place is more an indictment of the underwhelming competition this season: he had blanked in 11 of his previous 12 appearances before scoring against Manchester United in Gameweek 19.

But nine attacking returns at the halfway(ish) stage of 2021/22 is decent, while he is doing his best to banish an injury-prone reputation as he has yet to miss a single one of Newcastle’s league matches this season.

Emmanuel Dennis, meanwhile, didn’t have too many sights of goal but ought to have had an assist to his name when Moussa Sissoko wasted a sitter he set up. It was goalscorer Joao Pedro, and not Dennis or Joshua King, who ended up playing through the middle on Tyneside in the second half, and it was he who bagged the equaliser, building on some impressive displays in recent weeks.

It took a peach of a James Ward-Prowse free-kick to breach Wolves’ mean defence but there was still joy to be had for Jose Sa, Conor Coady and Rayan Ait-Nouri, who produced returns thanks to their work either between the posts or at the other end of the pitch. Sa is now FPL’s leading goalkeeper for points, while Coady is joint-seventh among defenders. The promising budget asset Ait-Nouri, meanwhile, is now averaging 5.2 points per match this season, which is better than what the likes of Andrew Robertson, Ruben Dias and Antonio Rudiger are managing.

Ward-Prowse, meanwhile, is on a hot streak, with four goals and two assists in five starts. He’s massively overachieving (his expected goal involvement is 1.79 in that period, almost half of which comes from a penalty) but with a dead eye like his from set-piece situations, perhaps Opta need to come up with a metric just for him.

Rafael Benitez is reportedly on the brink of the sack after Everton’s dismal 2-1 defeat at Norwich. Owners of the Toffees’ players in FPL will be clinging on to the vague hope that whoever replaces the former Liverpool boss can enjoy some sort of new manager bounce as the fixtures are still very decent for Demarai Gray and co over the next four Gameweeks, even if the form is wanting.

Everton’s plight is made all the worse when we consider that Norwich had lost their last six matches by a combined 16-0 scoreline. Few FPL bosses will be interested in the Canaries despite Saturday’s success but Adam Idah is a name to monitor for budget bench fodder duties, building on a promising display against West Ham last week with a goalscoring performance against Everton, with Dean Smith’s recent switch to a 4-4-2 increasing his first-team chances.

1,008 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ragabolly
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Risers: De Bruyne (12.1) Jota (8.4)

    Fallers: Lingard (6.7) Broja (5.2) Stones (5.2) Saïss (5.0) Steer (3.9)

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

      no Bruno rise is a surprise, oh well, cheers

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      0-0 Yet, I am still happy that Son didn't drop yet. May sell him for Coutinho soon. KdB is place holder for many who want Salah back when he returns. Is he really going to be good option over Foden? That price difference is significant.

    3. NorCal Villan
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      2-0

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

      Steer wow. Glad I’m not worried about team value

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

    was going through some of the top teams and was pretty surprised at how many brought in bruno, especially considering his price and the fact he hasnt really been a gauarenteed starter lately.

    congrats to those who capped him.

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

      well there was rumours of a Ronaldo injury, so maybe some people thought he was the safer play, i brought him in as he's an easy route back to Salah, capped him because my original captain Maddison's dgw turned into a sgw and Bruno was the next best choice

    2. Cali
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      He was a good punt for this week. Worst case he’s a good placeholder for KDB/Salah.

      I ended up putting the armband on Ronaldo and Bruno VC. Maybe I’ll get lucky and Ronaldo won’t play the next one?

    3. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      It was a good transfer and pretty obvious that good players did notice it. I am embarrassed for not getting him to give armband. But I was busy for 2-3 days before deadline, and there was possibility for Ronaldo to start, so these things happen. Around top 70k these are not si important, around top 100 I would probably paid m more attention.

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        He's been poor by his great standards most of the season. But even at that he kept sticking at it when some teammates dropped their heads. The free kick was a lovely move. An in FPL form Bruno is a good move.

    4. VicGunner
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Scores of 2,1,9,3,3,1,0,1 in his last 8 games... I guess he was due Lol

  3. El Presidente
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Man United didn't win the match vs AVL.

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

      Details, details!

    2. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Manchester is red

  4. Junglist95
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Great start to the DGW!

    DDG Cancelo Bruno(c)

    Up to 17k!

    Only blight is Gallagher first on bench.

    Hoping for an Antonio no show!

    Could put me top 10k with those 9 pts

    1. Junglist95
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Just outside 10k

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Congrats! How many points to catch the current leader? What is your plan?

      1. Junglist95
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Jeez I think almost 150.

        I've used BB too. Week 1.

        At this point it is literally week by week planning mate!

    3. Flair
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Excellent stuff

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

    Fernandes brace as captain and I'm up to 1.9k! Happy with it, hoping I can end on a triple digit rank, the higher up the better

    1. Junglist95
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Magic!

    2. tokara
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Congrats

    3. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Well done

    4. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Next post by Flair: "OMG I just got hacked".

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Changed my pw multiple times by now!

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

    Shame about the 3pm stream but she's quite cute.

  7. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Cancelo benched points mocking my Keane -2 points in my starting lineup

    1. NorCal Villan
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      You gotta admit, that is mock-worthy 😎

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Any chance that he'll get subbed in for you?

    3. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Jota, TAA, Kane, Antonio, Bowen to go so not much of a chance at the moment and he is second on the bench … why do i do this to my self 🙂

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

    Congrats to Bruno owners man. This was a tough week and you guys nailed it. Enjoy the returns

  9. Philosopher's Stones
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Bilva -> Coutinho very much on the radar

    1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

  10. enrico.palazzo
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    I have to ask, how come we have not heard any FFS Communication about the compromised FPL accounts? From what I have read, there is a reasonable possibility that there has been some sort of Data Leak or hacking of FFS.

    I have since changed my passwords for both here and PL to be safe, but am quite alarmed...

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

      i saw a few people here saying their accounts got hacked and noticed their fpl team was linked in their bio. I wonder if that makes you more prone to hack

      1. enrico.palazzo
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        From what some people said, It was for a portion of top 10k ranked players who's password was the same for FFS and FPL... seems to indicate that it's more than just a coincident?

        I hate to jump to any conclusions, but it would seem that something has happened and would expect some sort of communication

    2. lugs
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      wasn't Gravatar hacked not long ago ?, the connection is probably Gravatar--> FFS linked accounts ---> FPL

      1. The Train Driver
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Don't get why they still use Gravatar, such a primitive service. They keep advertising pyramid schemes and raising the membership fee while the site is devolving.

    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I changed passwords months ago after other FF sites were hacked. Hard to know if FFS were hacked or not. Hackers, when they're determined enough, will get you whether you change passwords or not. Just don't make your financial info too accessible for them. It's hard for me to understand what they gain by making multiple transfers to your team.

  11. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Really hoping for a Ron-Ron no-show at Brentford. Ramsey first on bench.

    1. tokara
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      He will come on, 5mins

  12. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    47 pts so far. Bruno (c) success 😛

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Fair play. Getting Maddison and captaining him looks less smart by the day!

    2. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      61 (-8) with 8 to go inc Bruno C, delighted....

  13. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Last Man Standing Update

    Current safety score = 12
    Top score = 58

    https://www.livefpl.net/LMS

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Entry closes 4pm tomorrow for the season.

    2. BIGREDDOG
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      How does it work TM?

  14. Baberto
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Sorry for the late rant.

    Gone for alonso over Cancelo, mount not starting, Spurs game being cancelled and Coady 3rd on my bench. My FH is now officially wasted.

    Thank you for the sympathies.

    1. VicGunner
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I'm in the same boat mate, wasted my FH with 3 Spurs players plus I have Ron & Mount. Then there are those who not only picked up Bruno but capped him too... this game sucks balls Lol

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      it was always a tough call whether to FH or not, single game players had some great fixtures, there was a lot of noise about fixtures potentially be postponed and the likes of Ronaldo was an obvious risk.

      As Covid settles down a bit and players come back from AfCon the chance of postponements will reduce, there will be more stability and less risk with playing chips.

      Those with all their chips in hand should have a good jump in rank as we get to the serious part of the season.

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah. Need more certainty of fixtures and a good idea of starting 11s to get best benefit for free hit. Debatable though if we will get that at all this season and with AFCON and Chelsea and Arsenal blanks before European games start back it's still tricky to get a good Freehit 11.

  15. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    let’s hope and pray for another Bruno brace in the second game of the doubles 🙂

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

      Let’s hope for Ronaldo to be back and break United and Bruno again with A blank

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        would love a 10 minute one point cameo off the bench for Ronaldo as a tired Bruno strolls off the pitch with another brace to his name.

    2. Mozumbus
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Contemplated Son>Bruno, but didn't find enough courage. Community also advised against Bruno. Still happy that I didn't take to get Ronaldo in!

  16. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone else not able to update Squad from last GW on FFFix?

  17. Max City
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Cristiano Ronaldo missed out on Manchester United’s win over Aston Villa on Saturday evening with the same hip issue that kept him out of Monday’s FA Cup tie.

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Hip flexor injury. Rangnick seems hopeful he'll be good for Brentford game.

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        I reckon he’ll be on bench at most, can’t see him starting

    2. ilikewud
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      They didn’t win tho

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Indeed

  18. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Don’t usually buy new PL players, but tempted with Coutinho. He sure looked hungry and AVL have good match ups. Anyone else interested?

    1. Mozumbus
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      This bandwagon is ready

    2. BIGREDDOG
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I’m quite ready if he nails a spot down. But for who is the question. Alonso to Digne I think ill be doing also. I fancy Villa.

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

        They are gutsy.

    3. Postman Ty
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      In what way is he a new PL player?

    4. Wayne Enterprises
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I got him in for this week happy with the purchase already lovely 6 pointer

  19. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Borussia Dortmund spent 85m buying Mkhi, Auba, Pulisic, Sancho and Dembele.

    They sold them 395m in total.

    1. Postman Ty
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Seems to be easy to make players look good in the Bundesliga and sell they way overpriced lol. They've got a very good system going in all honesty though.

      1. The Train Driver
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        It's more a combination of bad scouting by the big teams, buying players that don't fit their system, experienced players getting satisfied with the huge salary raise or young players not coping under the pressure...

        1. Postman Ty
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          System is a huge one.

      2. bench boost for every gamew…
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Well if you have watched Bundesliga last 2-3 years the defence, and by that i mean both structurally and individually defense in all teams are not good at all, so have to out numbers and stats with a pinch of salt when assesing attacking players. Yes you can point to things like New system and toung player pressure but not when its a recurring trend.

  20. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    "Cristiano Ronaldo missed out on Manchester United’s win over Aston Villa on Saturday evening with the same hip issue that kept him out of Monday’s FA Cup tie."

    I must have missed the winning goal 2, thought it was a draw.

    1. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      After review, Bruno got the pen this morning...

      1. Walter White (WW)
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        🙂

        Noice!

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Extra late article, should be fixed in a few hours.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        No probs.

        It may have been written before the equaliser.

    3. TKC07
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      FFS mods assume 1 point gain is a win situation for Man Utd..?

  21. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Went with kdb over bruno as son replacement, still ok with it as there's a couple of points between them & if Ronaldo is back for Brentford, bruno should blank & surely kdb outscores bruno over the next few games?

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

      Yeah not the end of the world. Good pick.

  22. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Arsenal have 67 registered players not including the under 18s.

    https://twitter.com/StanCollymore/status/1482362324325445635?t=mAtt8EF3IJ-ukzHos2ZpMA&s=19

    1. Hiiler
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      And you need 11 players+ few subs to play a game. So would you like to watch a game where Arsenal might have to play with not their first or second or third team , but 6th team against spurs who has a lot of first team players?

      I at least wouldn't want to see that game as then you might as well just write a loss for Arsenal without playing at all. The chances of getting something else from that kinda game are slim to none. And it wouldn't be a good game to watch either.

    2. Walter White (WW)
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yes so what?!

      There is the hone grown rule for these players under the age of 21 & above…

      Why are people targeting Arsenal as if they are the only club that applied for postponement.

      Nonsense! All these people accusing Arsenal are bellends

      1. Walter White (WW)
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        home*

        That reporter must have captained Kane/Moura & now whining like a little bish

      2. Hiiler
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Didn't mention it in my previous post, but i agree with you 100% no reason to bring out Arsenal more, since others have done the same thing before.

        What's even worse is that Spurs was the first team to postpone a game this season that was not weather related, if I'm not mistaken.But in any case spurs themselves have postponed games this season as well.

        1. Walter White (WW)
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Exactly!

          This reporter went as far as stating the number of players available at the club down to the youth team. He didn’t do that for other clubs too.

          1. Hiiler
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah, but that's how it usually goes with those opinions . People usually see things the way they want to see and that what is good for them , they don't see the whole picture or don't talk about the whole picture on purpose, if it doesn't help their case.

            To some degree it's understandable, you can't be expected to know everything, but it's bad if you do it on purpose.

            We have a saying in our country that goes something like this that a person sees a log in his/her eye , but not the forest.

        2. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Omg you two are the Bellends.

          The issue is not asking for postponement. The issue is one, I repeat one, covid related player out when asking for said proposal. Nobody else has done this so far. Every other postponement has had multiple covid cases when asking for postponement. Liverpool played with a conference 19 year old cb last season, all effing season long due to players being unavailable and it was not fun to watch. They lost 10 straight games and were relegation form this time last year. You get on with it. Bell ends. Please

          1. Walter White (WW)
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Nonsense!

            You are a moron. Do you even know Arsenal had another covid case yesterday prior to the postponement?

            Well, you do not & now you jump into conclusions like a toad.

            Also, do you even know that Everton - Leicester got postponed because of lack of unavailable players out due to several reasons.

            Do you even know anything. Get lost!

            1. Walter White (WW)
              • 2 Years
              2 years, 2 months ago

              Edit: after the postponement so either wats they would have applied again if it was rejected

              1. Walter White (WW)
                • 2 Years
                2 years, 2 months ago

                Ways! Ffs

          2. Hiiler
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah, but that's exactly what I talked about in my first reply to this post. That it would not be good to watch and a loss would be almost 100% certain. And that in that case it would be in some ways better to just write a loss into the table for that team and not play at all.

            Covid is not the only thing that stops using players injuries and other thing do that as well.

            Well if they fabricated those players themselves who couldn't play then that would be not cool. But for that you need evidence and who's to say that other teams then have not fabricated them as well to postpome games.

          3. Walter White (WW)
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Also did the rule state thar a club must have multiple covid cases. They rightly applied for postponement. Can you prove that other clubs don’t fake test results?

            As far as I know, Liverpool had only 1 covid case while the rest were fake & they got their game vs Leeds called off

            1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
              • 6 Years
              2 years, 2 months ago

              If you get a positive u have to isolate, those are the rules. False positives came back after the game had been played. Are you suggesting that Liverpool should have played those players on the assumption the tests were false? Surely not. So they applied because they had many positive cases when they applied. Arsenal applied when they had one case, if they got another the day the decision was made that makes it twice as easy to swallow but how could I know that as I have been punting this point since early yesterday.

              1. Hiiler
                • 2 Years
                2 years, 2 months ago

                I'm assuming here, that Partytime actually meant fake . As yes Fake and False positive are a completly different thing. While yeah you can say that False positive is fake at the end, then noone knows it's fake at the time of the testing and so on. So for the purposes of postponement you still can't use those false positive players until you know it is a false positive.

                1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
                  • 6 Years
                  2 years, 2 months ago

                  Right so absent from baseless accusations and conspiracy theories, it would be strange to compare liverpools postponement to arsenals and say they both had one positive test right?

                  1. Ginkapo FPL
                    • 12 Years
                    2 years, 2 months ago

                    Indeed, because Arsenal have 2 positives to Liverpools 1

                    1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
                      • 6 Years
                      2 years, 2 months ago

                      Um neither of those are true gink.

                      Arsenal 1 at time of application

                      Liverpool numerous at time of application.

                      Go drink some orange juice bub

                  2. Hiiler
                    • 2 Years
                    2 years, 2 months ago

                    As I have heard yeah Arsenal had 1 when they applied later got 1 more before the game had to be played.

                    And Liverpool had more then 2 I guess. So yeah you can't say both had 1 as liverpool had more.

                    But in terms of postponement actuially the number of covid positives is not the only thing that applies. Injured players also apply here. All the players who can't play for any given reason that is acceptable according to rules apply here.

                    1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
                      • 6 Years
                      2 years, 2 months ago

                      Would the spirit of the rule be about one covid player?

                      Following the letter it's fine bur we are talking about incompetent morons who wrote that and arsenal exposing them by applying when having 1 covid player

                      1. Hiiler
                        • 2 Years
                        2 years, 2 months ago

                        Okey now looked at it a little more. Arsenal has 9 players out at least(from 1st team i assume) and that does not include those with covid i think. 4 are out with injuries 4 are on AFCON, 1 is ill.

                        So why do you think that they got the postponement only because of 1 covid case, there are more issues there.

                      2. Hiiler
                        • 2 Years
                        2 years, 2 months ago

                        There are many factors that PL takes into account when deciding about postponements. Apparently not only the teams ability to put together a team , but there are also other factors as I read from some article. That they take into account when deciding if postponement should be given on the basis of covid cases,

                      3. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
                        • 6 Years
                        2 years, 2 months ago

                        Because any other season it doesn't matter how many players are out. The only reason postponement is possible is because there is a special clause this season made because teams might struggle to field players largely due to covid.

                        I give you licerpool last season again.

                        Out for injury:
                        Vvd
                        Matip
                        Gomez
                        Henderson
                        Fabinho
                        Ben Davies
                        Thiago alcantra

                        Out for covid:
                        Trent

                        No games postponed and nor should they have been.

                        The reason why it's different now is we have an aggressive variant leading to more cases. Hence the new clause.

                        Arsenal 2022 is very comparable to liverpool 2021. The clause should not be abused for 1 case no matter how many players are out. In liverpools worst games last season we were forced to play players like rhys Williams, nat Phillips, neco Williams, Yasser larouci, Tyler Morton. It's called a crisis. Get on with it

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

          Spurs had their training ground closed for first team and their under 23s due to Covid. So blaming Spurs for being the first when the circumstances were entirely different is ridiculous.

          1. Hiiler
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah, covid circumstances were different, but in terms of postponement covid is not the only one that matters here.

            I admit I don't know how many players arsenal had and who were out and why exactly.
            But there are other players who can't play injured players ill(not only covid) players and so on.

            There were some post about arsenal loaning out some players as well. In that case yes you can sign a contract quickly but usually it takes time, so most likely they had to loan those players out due to contracts. Saying that they loaned them out in order to get the postponement might be true but it's more likely that getting contracts and loan deals take time.

            My info comes from this sites posts and comments BTW!!! Haven't checked any other places for sources.

            1. AC/DC AFC
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              2 years, 2 months ago

              All Stan Collymore is really saying is that a club should get the game on when it has loads of younger players to call upon.

              It's less about an individual club, but that the rules can be gamed at all.

              It should be like the Cup competitions where all of the professional players are eligible. They need to make progress in the league too.

              I can't see how the broadcasters will be impressed, losing their Sunday evening slot. Presumably they have to contractual repay advertising spend?

              We've paid for the product through TV subscriptions or season tickets etc and this devalues it.

              The Premier League has got this wrong.

              1. Hiiler
                • 2 Years
                2 years, 2 months ago

                Doesn't the value of a game go down in a big way also when the game is played against way weaker opponent.

                As I said in my first reply to the original post I wouldn't want to watch a game where someone can use their first team and the opponent has to use 3''rd or even 6th team.

                1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
                  • 6 Years
                  2 years, 2 months ago

                  Rhys Williams played 6th tier football before playing over twenty games for liverpool last season due to injuries. Covid was around then too by the way. Trent was out among others. You have been watching $hit players for years is my point

                  1. Hiiler
                    • 2 Years
                    2 years, 2 months ago

                    And as you said above they lost a lot of those games and it was not fun to watch.

                    1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
                      • 6 Years
                      2 years, 2 months ago

                      Completely agree and as I said above no postponement. It happens. It's happenned before to other teams. It will happen again in the future. Just play.

                      1. Hiiler
                        • 2 Years
                        2 years, 2 months ago

                        Well then I guess this is our diffrence apparently. If given the choice between 2 options postponement or not fun and quite certain beatdown game. I would choose postponement you would choose an almost certain beatdown with not so fun game.

                      2. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
                        • 6 Years
                        2 years, 2 months ago

                        Your way we would have teams sending players out on loan every year while carrying key injuries so they can postpone and play when better suits them.

                        Good heavens. Imagine you were in charge. It would be even worse than it is now

                      3. Hiiler
                        • 2 Years
                        2 years, 2 months ago

                        While I prefer postponements then I never said that I would accept fabricated reasons for postponements.

                      4. Hiiler
                        • 2 Years
                        2 years, 2 months ago

                        And playing second team would be okay.That sould still be some fun and less likely for a beat down. 3rd and more is already not so fun and so on.

                      5. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
                        • 6 Years
                        2 years, 2 months ago

                        Arsenal loaned out two players just before asking for postponement. That is twice as many as had covid. How is that not fabricating circumstances to expose faulty clauses?

                      6. Hiiler
                        • 2 Years
                        2 years, 2 months ago

                        As I said in here earlier if those contracts loaning out players are proven to have done on purpose to get game postponed then it's fabrication.

                        But since usually those contract things take time then it might have been something that was agreed on before they knew they might have trouble getting a team together for a game. In that case it's not fabricated.

                        Don't know if there is but there should be a rule that you can't loan out players if you have trouble getting a team together without them I guess.

                      7. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
                        • 6 Years
                        2 years, 2 months ago

                        It takes time to work out contracts but the final decision is quick and it is the start of the window. You are under no pressure to release them. You can wait a week. It is your player. They chose to release them and they knew the injuries and afcon and still said yes. Then asked for postponement because they can't get 13 out according to the letter if the law

                      8. Hiiler
                        • 2 Years
                        2 years, 2 months ago

                        If your post about those contract rules is correct then yes in that case for me it seems like intentional, since then they had a legal way do hold on to their players for one week.

              2. Hiiler
                • 2 Years
                2 years, 2 months ago

                I'm not from Uk. But as I know UK has 6 leagues all together. Premier, 1rst, 2nd and so on. Are all those league players professional players And if not where is the line?

                And at what level of skill those premier league younger players would be in terms of those leagues?

                Would be good to know, in order to see how much weaker premier league team who has to play their 6 th team can be conpared to first team. I would assume though that the skill will drop big time.

                1. Ginkapo FPL
                  • 12 Years
                  2 years, 2 months ago

                  The english football pyramid has far more levels than six. Its all professional till around level 5. The top four leagues earn a share of tv money

                  1. Hiiler
                    • 2 Years
                    2 years, 2 months ago

                    Good to know What about the level of skill in terms of Premier league younger players compared to those 4 leagues? I know it's impossible to give exact skill level but what's the general thinking about that.

                    1. AC/DC AFC
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 8 Years
                      2 years, 2 months ago

                      The Championship is strong.
                      League 1 okay.
                      Even League 2 can get crowds of 15,000.

                      The lions share of TV money is in the top 2 leagues.
                      But this point is that club squads have sufficient depth to play these games competetively.

                      1. Hiiler
                        • 2 Years
                        2 years, 2 months ago

                        My point is that games have to be also fun to watch and competitive in a sense that they are not complete beat downs every time like 5+:0. Or in terms of ball possesion one team having 90+ % possesion would be no fun also.

                        I know at times it happens in PL rightnow also, but if the skill difference is big, then it would happen more.

  23. Hiiler
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    When are the hits calculated into the overall score?

    I have 28 points so far with a hit. Which is not good score but somehow still have risen in overall rank and I'm in the 200k.

    Guess Ramsey helped me a lot. Still have 8 players who should have matches.

    1. vova
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      yeah they are I think

    2. Flair
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      They already have been.

      Almost nobody bar Bruno and City defense has returned so it doesn't take much for a green currently, especially at 200k.

      1. Hiiler
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks good to know about hit calculation.

        Yeah I myself talked about this yesterday when talking about Ronaldo missing out, that even if he misses out DGW then he might still be good captain, since at that time noone hadn't had more then one goal in previous games. Later yeah Bruno got 2 and Ramsey got 1 goal and 1 assist.

  24. vova
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone think United drawing yesterday increases the chances of Ronaldo playing vs Brentford?

    1. Hiiler
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      If he is fit he will play regardless of the result of the last game if he is not almost fully fit though then I wouldn't play him , since that increases the risk of further injury or bigger injury. I have him Captained though, but have Jota VC so I'm actually not so worried if he doesn't play at all. A lot of FPL managers have Ronaldo and Captained him, so him not playing at all should not have so much effect in overall rankings

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

        Not playing will be a gain for many. See below.

    2. jackruet
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      He will play and he blank

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

      I watched my points disappear when Villa's 1st goal went in and more after the second. BUT was it that bad considering I vice captained Bruno? Not really. All down to Ron missing the next game. How radicicolous I want a no show. Takes the fun from the game.

    4. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Have to ask his hippo friend first, atm it is difficult to predict how his hip will recover in 3 days, i guess they train monday or tuesday that might tell us more. My speculated guess is that if you are not fit enough to play and not even bench sarurday evening then it is little time between, but hip problems are common for men over 34, thats when the hip goes through a change which makes it less moveable, and thus more risk of getting injured (also makes you slower and more "robotic") or just Maguiresk..

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

        I am no expert but it is funny how anyone can see people with a hip problem; their stance, movement etc.

        1. bench boost for every gamew…
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          As you get older and for men it is from around 33-34 your hip gets more stiff and makes you slower and not as quick when you makes turns and other movenents involving the hip (which is very important for almost any movement you can do as a human). Wether you can spot that with your eye is down to how trained your eye is for detecting i guess..

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

            Yeah. What I notice is the person's gait. People tend to be more bent forward and their bums being more backward. Many times, admittedly in older people, I see this situation.

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

              As Shakira once said - 'hips don't lie'

  25. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    When will we find out about GW23 being a double?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Before the deadline.

    2. Flair
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      When the PL releases the schedule.

    3. Walter White (WW)
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Monday

      Source: Tea Lady

  26. jackruet
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Mr Bruno Fernandez just finished my FPL season

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      No he didn't.

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

        It is weird the noise and transfer swings Bruno created when Maddison missed a DGW. I did the Bruno move but for a different reason. I saw a possible positional change for Bruno a took a plunge. Great hindsight planning don't you think. (smile)

      2. jackruet
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Yes he did, the point gap between my ML rival has increased from 6 to 55

        1. Casual Player
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Lol can easily get back 55pts over 16GWs

  27. @FuzzyWarbles
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Hey gang. Since this has turned into such a mess of a season planning-wise and, as Ben Crellin pointed out, half the rounds remaining will likely feature a DGW or two or three...seems a bit absurd to expect to perfectly play all my chips. Instead, I'm picking this inflection point to restructure my squad and play my WC.

    Once I saw my GW23 squad, coming off a FH GW22, I felt I had some justification.

    Lloris; TAA, Cancelo, Reguilon; Gallagher, Jota, Mount, Son; Antonio, Dennis, Ronaldo (Ramsey, Livramento, Johnson)

    I wondered if I could build a squad I would be happy with that included KDB, Salah and Bruno as I am DONE putting big money into forwards, but I knew I needed to make a move fast based on market trends. So here's what I am on now...

    De Gea, Gunn
    TAA, Cancelo, Digne, Ait Nouri, B Williams
    Salah*, KDB, Fernandes, Jota, Gallagher
    Saint-Maximin, Dennis, Richardson (4.4m FWD)

    *Salah would come in GW24 with cash ready ITB, this spot can be a potential DGWer like Raphinha GW23. If Salah can drop in price one more time, I can put the much more useful Foster in for Gunn.

    Still got a FH when the toughest blank or most lucrative DGW comes around
    Still got a TC for that eventual Salah double
    Still have the BB and time to plan for it. Two planned FTs should give me a strong bench
    Many of the players coming in have a couple of extra games to make up
    Who else is going to have Salah, KDB AND Fernandes by GW24? That 3-man combo alone I think can make this WC a prosperous one.

    Blessings? Criticisms? (I prefer the former)

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Good luck in BGWs 27 and 30

      1. @FuzzyWarbles
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        27 is the FH target week. By 30, so much will have changed. Most of the great fixture runs for the likes of say, Bruno, will be over by then and I can splash his cash around to navigate through that week.

        I get the feeling the "good luck" is somewhat sarcastic... 🙂

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

      Blessings mate. Just consider GW27 when Pool Arsenal could miss out. For many that could be 5 players you might want to Keep

      1. @FuzzyWarbles
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah Ive made a point to avoid Arsenal and as mentioned above, if I cant feel good about benching 3 LIV players, that will likely be a FH week.

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

          The issue for me is the combined Pool/Arsenal fixture too this point are so good, we will want to keep. A Brighton/Arsenal rotation could help.

          1. @FuzzyWarbles
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            There are some ARS mids I certainly like, but not enough to bet against a midfield of Salah, KDB, Bruno, Jota, Gallagher.

            Just a look at that next 6 ticker and I am not feeling any remorse for going sans ARS. They will be a heavy target once those blanks are out of the way though.

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

              Yeah I agree. I wanted to go for Ramsey also for a while now but value in top mids has stopped me. ARS are price driven in the same way for me.

          2. @FuzzyWarbles
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            ...and Wolves away should definitely not be seen as a good (blue) fixture. 🙂 Damn those BUR/BRE home games though. There's sure to be points there...

  28. Mozumbus
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Silva > Coutinho now using FT to cash on price change.
    Yes or No?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      What price change?

      1. Mozumbus
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Coutinho to rise sharply in the coming days. No?

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          What % is he on now?

          1. Mozumbus
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            2.6%

              1. Mozumbus
                • 2 Years
                2 years, 2 months ago

                Thanks

        2. Mozumbus
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          2.6

          1. Hiiler
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            His price won't change for a while it is locked, it unlocks at 20 jan, then maybe it starts to change. If a lot of people bring him in before that time, then you won't get so much prise change So yeah look at that % again closer to 20 jan .

            1. Mozumbus
              • 2 Years
              2 years, 2 months ago

              Thanks a bunch bro

        3. @FuzzyWarbles
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          What TM is so kindly attempting to point out is that because he is a new addition to the PL, Coutinho's price is frozen. You can certainly wait until deadline day to bring him in without worry of a price rise.

          See TM, was just being helpful all that much more difficult? You seem to be even more crotchety now than I remember. Hope all is well...

          1. Mozumbus
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Thank you, and thanks TM

  29. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Bruno Cappers LOVE to see it oh yes we do!

    Another brace coming midweek

  30. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Sold Foden a few weeks back

    Is he a must to get back in? Bruno out my only option

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

      Or I could do Rudiger Gray to Digne Foden -4