Community

Learning from ‘The Great and The Good’ FPL managers ahead of Gameweek 32

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

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


“I see doubles coming, I see doubles coming” 

Whether you are of royal blood or not, there was no doubting the main talking point this week was the navigation of the upcoming Double Gameweeks. As a result, Gameweek 31 seemed more of a distraction than anything else, with Everton and Burnley players nothing to get excited about. There are only so many Wout Weghorst (£6.4m) puns to go round and surely no one owns Richarlison (£7.5m), apart from maybe Lateriser.

Meanwhile, there were some surprising results to put some of those planning to recruit Arsenal and Chelsea players for the Double Gameweek off the scent, with both clubs toiling after the international break.

Matt Doherty‘s (£4.9m) double-digit returns gave his owners something to brag about, we all still seem to be forgetting about Kevin De Bruyne (£11.7m) and we discovered that even Chess Grandmasters deal in mind games.

OVERALL PERFORMANCE

learning-from-the-great-and-the-good-20-21-gameweek-31 5

Magnus Carlsen caught the attention this week with another captaincy gamble, as he put the armband on Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.7m). Unsurprisingly, this is the first time this season that any of The Great and The Good have settled on the Everton striker to lead their troops.

It was noted that his mentor and Grandmaster mini-league rival, Peter Heine Nielsen, also captained the Everton striker – is this psychological warfare at play? Clearly the chess champs take FPL very seriously, with no place for rook-ies. Is this a rivalry similar to Mark and Az? Surely, talks must be underway to arrange an FPL BlackBox “ChessBox” special?

King of The Great and The Good board this week was indeed Magnus with 64. He, along with Neale, have bravely decided to go without Mohamed Salah (£13.3m) and it paid off this week as his triple Spurs helped him to a green arrow of 9,000 places.

Will others follow suit in abandoning Salah? With the City game up next, a “no Mo” strategy does allow more funds to look at the likes of Son Heung-min (£10.9m), Man United doublers and even bolster our defences, but can we really be considering cutting loose the leading points scorer in the game?

TRANSFERS

This is a summary of the transfers for this week:

  • Az – Roberts (Alt-Nouri)
  • LTFPL Andy – James, Weghorst (Saiss, Jimenez)
  • Fabio Borges – Pickford (Dubravka)
  • Joe Lepper – White (Kilman)
  • Geoff Dance – Weghorst (Jimenez)
  • FPL General – Greenwood, James, Cancelo (Jimenez, Saiss, Digne)
  • Les Caldwell – Robertson (Alexander-Arnold)
  • Magnus Carlsen – Gordon (Podence)
  • Mark Sutherns – Pope, Weghorst (Ramsdale, Jimenez)
  • FPL Matthew – Tarkowski (Alexander-Arnold)
  • Neale Rigg – Weghorst (Jimenez)
  • Tom Freeman – Sancho (Coutinho)
  • Tom Stephenson – James, Weghorst (Saiss, Jimenez)
  • Yavuz Kabuk – Gordon, James (Kilman, Coutinho)
  • Zophar – Weghorst (Jimenez)

Tom Stephenson and Mark Sutherns took a hit to bring in Weghorst this week – Wout were they thinking?

FPL General has given up on his forwards with Sam Greenwood (£4.5m) joining Joe Gelhardt (£4.6m) in his squad to free up budget for Joao Cancelo (£7.0m) and Reece James (£6.2m).

Elsewhere, there was a firesale on Wolves players with a total of 12 of them leaving the combined squads of The Great and The Good, and Tom Freeman will hope for more from his differential Jadon Sancho (£8.9m) over the coming weeks.

TEMPLATE

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

  • Ramsdale (7), Sa (3)
  • Doherty (11), Alexander-Arnold (8), Robertson (6), Rudiger (6), James (5)
  • Salah (13), Saka (13), Raphinha (13), Kulusevski (8), Son (5)
  • Kane (12), Weghorst (9), Lacazette (6)

The forward line continues to be a conundrum for The Great and The Good, with more changes up front as Weghorst and Alexandre Lacazette (£8.4m) replaced Armando Broja (£5.5m) and Raul Jimenez (£7.5m).

There was also a swing towards west London with James joining Antonio Rudiger (£6.1m) at the back. I suspect the next destination on the template map will be the East Midlands, as Leicester players become popular for those focused on fixtures. Will anyone gamble on Jamie Vardy (£10.3m) if he can get himself fit for the run-in?

TARGETING YOUR TRANSFERS

A look back this week at the transfers of The Great and The Good and where they have focussed their attention over the season:

learning-from-the-great-and-the-good-20-21-gameweek-31 4

Overall, midfield has been the trading pit for most of the managers with 40% of all transfers occurring in this position. Yavuz Kabuk leads the way here with 22 moves so far, equating to 49% of all his dealings.

Yavuz has been the most active manager overall with 45 transfers over the course of the season and this proactive approach has seen his rank rise dramatically in the second half of the season, moving up to 80,000 after being at 366,000 in Gameweek 16.

What is noticeable is the moves at the back. While Mark Sutherns has allocated 30% of his trades to his defence, Fabio Borges has only made three transfers, equalling 8%.

This stability at the rear – remember he doubled up on a Man City backline on his first Wildcard and then a twin Wolves defence in his second overhaul – has given him chance to use his moves for more explosive returns elsewhere. 

This may change as we enter the final few weeks, with the Chelsea and City defence looking worthy of investment, but this is a tactic to consider for next season.

CONCLUSION

Double Gameweeks: you either love them or hate them, but they are no doubt going to have a big part to play in our final standings with the last few weeks a heady mix of fixture congestion and chip play.

There is plenty of advice out there but as always play your own way, scrutinize your own numbers as it will only be you that knows the best route and only you that will hold your final rank at the end of the season.

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

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

476 Comments Post a Comment
  1. mikess
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Which two do I bench from Gabriel, Kulusevski, Barnes, Toney and Weghorst?

    1. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Weghorst and Gabriel

      1. mikess
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Cheers

    2. Malinwa
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Toney

      1. Malinwa
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Gabriel

      2. mikess
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Cheers need one more

    3. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      You've got to play Kulusevski

      Barnes may be benched so do you want to risk a cameo, he could score.

      So Barnes and Weghorst i guess.

      Toney home to West Ham could pay off.

      1. mikess
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Fancy an arsenal cleanie?

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 11 months ago

          Home to Brighton....

          Yeah, sure. Even if it were 8 v 11 Brighton might not score.

          Would hardly be a surprise in Premier League football Arsenal 2 nil home win.

    4. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Gab and Weg

    5. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Weghorst, Gabriel for me.

    6. mikess
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Cheers all

  2. Sho-kun
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Ramsdale
    Cancelo/Regi/TAA
    Salah/Kulu/Saka/Madd/Havertz
    Kane/Weghorst

    Foster/Marcal/Livra/Broja
    A) Regi --> Doherty
    B) Weggy --> Mateta

    1. mikess
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      B

    2. Malinwa
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      A

    3. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      A

  3. Malinwa
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Is it allowed to use for example BB gw 36 and FH gw 37? 🙂

    1. mikess
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      No problems with that

      1. Malinwa
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Thanks

    2. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      No issue - i'll be doing that for sure

      1. Malinwa
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Cheers

  4. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    I have 2FT and don't want to lose one, what would be my best move here guys? I could of course do two of these for free, or 3 for -4.
    1. Maupay > Nacho
    2. Maupay > Cucho
    3. Ait Nouri > Doherty
    4. Saka > Maddison
    5. Robbo > Doherty

    1. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      2 then reassess next gw

      1. Kodap
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Okay thank you.

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      1 or 3

      1. Kodap
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Okay, thanks mate.

  5. JT11fc
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Abit stuck so might save. Gtg?

    Foster
    Robbo Cancelo Schar Doherty
    Son Salah Barnes Saka Sancho
    Rodriguez

    Ederson Antonio Tierney Broja

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      You might want to improve bench depth with Tierney or Broja transfers.

      1. JT11fc
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Thanks

  6. Saintjack01
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Palace or Leicester defender?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Fox

    2. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Castagne for risk reward
      Mitchel for safe nailed and cheap

  7. MoSalalalalalalalalah
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Hey fellas. What do you think of these?

    A) Broja > ASM/Gelhardt
    B) Coutinho > Maddison/Havertz
    C) Roll

    1.5 ITB
    1FT

    Ramsdale
    Doherty | White | TAA | Coady
    Raphinha | Saka | Son | Salah
    Weghorst | Dennis

    GK: Sánchez | Van Dijk | Coutinho | Broja

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      That fwd line is magnificent!

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Decided not to play with a forward line then? (smile)

      1. MoSalalalalalalalalah
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        yeah hasn't sparked much joy. It looked good a month or two ago though. Should probably get ASM in

    3. Stimps
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      A) ASM

  8. The Mantis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    must haves for the run in? i'm sure there's a thread on it somewhere

    1. Stimps
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Teams with something to play for

      1. The Mantis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        good point

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Son

    3. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      City Def
      Spurs attacker

    4. The Mantis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      maddison and some arsenal?

  9. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Anybody using FPL.TEAM out there?
    firstly, do you have to use Twitter to log in? I cannot stand Twitter. Also, are people finding data corrupted, like players in the wrong positions, players missing (1 players instead of 11) or Mid and Attack sections blocked by the subs?
    Please let me know.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Not now

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Continuing with me. I entered the wrong team Id initially and I can't get rid of it now. Such a good tool but failing in the little things.

    2. ShaunGoater123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      yep use FPL.team - don't have to use twitter, just your FPL team number.

      And yes sometimes it doesn't format correctly. Normally I find if I refresh the page it sorts itself out but sometimes it takes a little longer.

  10. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Which is the best week to BB with this squad, 33 or 36?

    Pope Sanchez
    TAA Cancelo James Gabriel Doherty
    Salah Saka Raphinha Martinelli Gordon
    Kane Broja King
    1 FT 2.7 ITB. 1 FH left

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Instinctively BB36.

      But i can't visualise all the fixtures.

      Move Broja on? Switch King perhaps?

  11. kellamergh
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Ramsey to Barnes or Maddison?

    1. Saintjack01
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Barnes

  12. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Thoughts on Salah to Bruno for GWs32&33?

    Also, would you play Weghorst or VVD?

  13. Saintjack01
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Is getting maguire in an awful idea?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Usually

  14. Vjm6891
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    I have 1FH, BB and TC chips left. How should I use it on this team?

    Ramsdale* / Duba*

    Kilman / Ati Nouri / Saiss / Rudiger / Doherty

    Kulu / Saka / Raph / Salah / Barnes

    Kane / Laca / Wood

    I'm kinda thinking save Kane as TC vs Norwich last game...........but that is a risk I suppose (and not 2 games).

    4 of the players don't play GW33 so i'm guessing I need to shift these if I want to BB GW33.

    Otherwise FH33, BB36, and TC (whenever).

    have 2FT this week so if FHing, should use both for this GW and future after 33.

    1. Rohirrims
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      BB isn't an option for 33 for you. I'd lose Kilman, Raphinha, Laca this week for Chelsea or City assets and FH in 33. BB could be either 36/37 depending on your replacements

      1. Vjm6891
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Yeah I think BB GW33 is going to be too much. Thanks for your reply!

  15. Rohirrims
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Benching head ache this week before my BB in 33.

    Pick One:
    A) Doherty
    B) C Roberts

    Bench One:
    1) Weghorst
    2) Lacazette
    3) Barnes

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      A
      1 or 3

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      A and 1

    3. Vjm6891
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      I'd pick the Burnley players. Norwich aren't very good at either end of the pitch.

    4. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      A1

  16. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    am i crazy to not use my FH in 33 and roll my FT this week to use two for 33? also have BB + WC left.. 1 FT 0ITB

    Team for this GW would be:
    Pope
    Taa cancelo coady white
    salah saka kulu barnes foden
    kane

    bach cash dennis dobbin

    1. Vjm6891
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Don't use lose your free trfs if you FH?

      1. Vjm6891
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Sorry misread what you put!

        1. tibollom
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 11 months ago

          yea was just gonna say.. if I decided to use my FH33 then I need to make a FT today..

          1. Vjm6891
            • 3 Years
            1 year, 11 months ago

            I'm in the same position but I have 2 FT to use if I FH GW33

            1. tibollom
              • 7 Years
              1 year, 11 months ago

              so are you going to or hold off the FH33?

              1. Vjm6891
                • 3 Years
                1 year, 11 months ago

                I'm going to FH because I have BB for eaither 36 or 37 I still need to use!

                When are you going to use your WC then?

                1. tibollom
                  • 7 Years
                  1 year, 11 months ago

                  i also have my BB left, was thinking of WC34/35, BB 36 maybe and then have the FH for the end?

  17. Bishopool
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    a) Castagen
    b) White.
    b) Gabriel

    1. kellamergh
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      B

      1. wowo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        a, attacking returns

  18. kellamergh
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Should I start Robertson or TAA? I don't fancy doubling up against Man City.

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Trent will be against Cancelo, so Robertson for me.

      1. wowo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        why not both?

  19. Malinwa
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    FT: Coutinho > Maddison, GTG ?

    Foster
    TAA - Rudiger - White - Doherty
    Saka - Salah - Raph - Kulu
    Kane - Dennis

    Sanchez - Coady - Adams - Coutinho

  20. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    How does this look for a -4?

    Ait Nouri > Doherty
    Kulu > Odegaard
    Maupay > Nacho

    Would give me this team:

    Ramsdale
    Taa - Robbo - Cancelo - James - Doherty
    Salah - Son - Saka - Raph
    Nacho

    DDG - Weg - Odegaard - Broja

  21. Tango74
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Want to sell weghorst for

    Toney or iheanacho? As WC in34

    Is the latter a stupid idea?

  22. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    If I save my FT this week and FH GW 33, will I still have 2 FTs in GW 34?

    1. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      No, just 1

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

        So better spend my FT this week GW 32 before FH GW 33

        1. The Mentaculus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 11 months ago

          Det er det

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

            Takker!

  23. waldo666
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    1 FT and 1.4 ITB

    FH next week and really unsure as to what transfer to make this week.

    Any suggestions more than welcome.

    Ramsdale
    TAA Cancelo Rudiger
    Salah Raphinha Saka Eriksen Kulusevski
    Kane Weghorst

    (Dubravka Coady Livramento Broja*)

    1. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Weghorst ➡ Ian Nacho?

    2. wowo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      you can look at who you want at gw34

  24. ratski
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Ramsdale (Sanchez)
    Taa, cancelo, doc, James (robbo)
    Cout, son, Salah, Saka (Ramsey)
    Weg, maupay (broja)

    2ft. Think I'm playing FH 33 next week as 36 would be much better suited to BB..

    So .
    A..cout to maddison
    B. Cout and Sanchez to havertz and foster

  25. Redcat1
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    who to transfer out - Raphina or Ward-Prowse ?
    who to transfer in Maddison or Saka ?

    thanks in advance

  26. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Guys, Would you do Salah to Fernandes this GW ahead of next DGW for Fernandes ??

  27. XABI 15
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    What scores more over next two weeks?

    32. Kane (C) + Salah
    33. Saka (C) + Salah
    +8 points

    or

    32. Fernandes (C) + Kane
    33. Fernandes (C) + Saka

  28. Hopelessrunning
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    GK: Schmeichel (Foster)
    Def: Cancelo, Rudiger, White, James (Amartey)
    Midf: Havertz(VC) Martinelly, Salah, Kulusevski, Barnes
    Fwds: Kane (C) (Weghorst, Gelhardt)
    ITB: £1.8m
    1ft

    Chips: BB (GW33), TC (GW36 or 37), FH (GW36 or 38?)

    Unsure what to do but could do
    Weghorst to Mateta.

    Recommendations welcome and advice on chips

  29. Vjm6891
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Why are lots of people transferring out Weghorst?

    Burnley on a high after the last game and he is playing the worst team in the league? I get hes scored only 1 in 10 or whatever but if he's gonna score anymore, this weekend is the time to have him haha (and doubles in GW33)

  30. Vlad Tepes
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Best LEI defender?