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Learning from ‘The Great and The Good’ FPL managers ahead of Gameweek 35

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’m blue

Da ba dee da ba di”

In a season where there have so many pivotal 50/50 calls, this time it was your choice of Reece James (£6.4m) versus Marcus Alonso (£5.6m) which determined whether you were left feeling blue.

Prior to the Gameweek, everyone was actually piling in on the blues. Chelsea and Manchester City’s favourable fixtures caused some to Free Hit, while there was a cacophony of Wildcards as the late rank charges began.

Yet pretty much everyone forgot about Gabriel Jesus (£8.5m), who provided divine returns for those who did in fact take a leap of faith on the City striker.

OVERALL PERFORMANCE

Neale Rigg was talk of the toon with an impressive 83 fuelled by a Wildcard which contained Alonso and Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m) and, crucially, it also saw him keep faith in Bukayo Saka (£6.8m).

FPL Matthew was not too far behind with his overhaul giving him 81 points, even though he captained Reece James. Both managers had gone with a five-man defence and the final few weeks may yet prove the saying that the best form of attack is defence.

The Free Hitting double act of Az and Mark had less success. Mr Sutherns must have walked under ladder and kicked a few black cats as his bad luck continued with his decision to move out Saka, Nick Pope (£5.4m) and Andrew Robertson (£7.3m) proving costly, although his chip play did at least gain him a green arrow.

Az was the least fortunate and his red arrow gives an opening to Fabio Borges, who is now nine points behind. It could yet come down to the battle of the Bench Boost as both have this one chip remaining. Could Hee-Chan Hwang (£5.4m) be an unlikely hero for Az? Probably not.

As for the captains this week, it was an open field with a wide variety of picks. We even saw a lesser spotted Timo Werner (£8.7m) armband from Joe but the best of the bunch was Geoff Dance, who saw something twinkle in the eye of Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.2m).

WILDCARDS

The late Wildcard wagons pulled into FPL town with five of them making their move:

Magnus Carlsen

The Grandmaster caused a stir with his decision to say no to Mo and keep faith with Bruno Fernandes. He also waved goodbye to his Spurs and, to add to the controversy, went without any City players.

  • IN – Schmeichel, Mykolenko, Cash, Alonso, Fernandes, Jota, Coutinho, Havertz, Mount, Pukki, Iheanacho, Nketiah
  • OUT – Ramsdale, Coady, Doherty, Livramento, Saka, Martinelli, Cornet, Barnes, Son, Kane, Antonio, Calvert-Lewin
FPL Matthew

Hold the line! Matthew has gone big, big and bigger at the back with five premium defenders. It’s cheap and cheerful up front and good to see he has joined the Teemu Pukki (£6.0m) party. The lack of much Aston Villa, Everton and Leicester coverage suggests he is planning his Free Hit for Gameweek 37.

  • IN – Schmeichel, Robertson, Alexander-Arnold, Alonso, James, Mount, Kulusevski, Foden, Pukki, Nketiah, Dennis
  • OUT – De Gea, Saiss, Tarkowski, Livramento, White, Gilmour, Raphinha, Fernandes, Kane, Antonio, Weghorst
Neale Rigg

A cracking start for the Scout chief with his Wildcard. Surprisingly, he is the only one to go with Kevin De Bruyne (KDB), and he clearly likes his players with three-letter acronyms as he also brought in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (£4.4m, KDH).

Joel Matip (£5.1m) is a canny pick who won’t get the headlines but has amassed a very impressive 41 points over the last six weeks.

  • IN – Schmeichel, Foster, Laporte, Matip, Cancelo, Alonso, De Bruyne, Salah, Mount, Dewsbury-Hall, Pukki, Mateta, Nketiah
  • OUT – Sanchez, Ramsdale, Doherty, Digne, White, Schar, MacAllister, Son, Maddison, Dewsbury-Hall, Ronaldo, Kane, Weghorst
Tom Freeman

Maybe variance is a thing, as Tom suffered more bad luck: his Raheem Sterling (£10.5m) pick looked good on paper but bad on the pitch and it was made worse by his decision to kick out James Ward-Prowse (£6.4m) as part of the reshuffle.

I still fancy a late surge from the king of the differentials as a midfield of Mason Mount (£7.7m), Mohamed Salah (£13.3m) and Kai Havertz (£7.9m) will have better days.

  • IN – Schmeichel, Foster, Emerson Royal, Laporte, Cancelo, James, Havertz, Mount, Sterling, Dewsbury-Hall, Salah, Nketiah, Pukki, Rodriguez
  • OUT – Sanchez, Ramsdale, Doherty, Kilman, Rudiger, Regulion, Sancho, Fernandes, Ward-Prowse, Martinelli, Luiz, Kane, Weghorst, Broja
Zophar

Zophar decided to avoid some of the potential Pep roulette by going with Ederson (£6.1m), as the most secure of the City defensive starters.

His decision to bring in Son Heung-min (£11.0m) while others decided to sell catches the attention, and his call to Bench Boost last week means he could spend little on the benchwarmers of Martin Kelly (£3.8m) and Sam Greenwood (£4.6m) and focus his investment on the first XI.

  • IN – Ederson, Steele, Robertson, Kelly, Son, Mount, Havertz, Pukki, Greenwood, Nketiah
  • OUT – De Gea, Ramsdale, Burn, Schar, Kulusevski, Martinelli, Sancho, Kane, Broja, Weghorst

TRANSFERS

This is a summary of the transfers for this week:

  • Az – Free Hit
  • LTFPL Andy – Havertz, Alonso (Fernandes, Tierney)
  • Fabio Borges – Alonso, Pukki (Coady, Lacazette)
  • Joe Lepper – Werner (Adams)
  • Geoff Dance – Pukki (Broja)
  • FPL General – Mount (Coutinho)
  • Les Caldwell – James, Salah (Schar, Fernandes)
  • Magnus Carlsen – Wildcard
  • Mark Sutherns – Free Hit
  • FPL Matthew – Wildcard
  • Neale Rigg – Wildcard
  • Tom Freeman – Wildcard
  • Tom Stephenson – Dobbin, Mount, Robertson (Wood, Raphinha, Rudiger)
  • Yavuz Kabuk – Alonso, Pukki, Havertz, Cancelo (Doherty, Lacazette, Raphinha, Rudiger)
  • Zophar – Wildcard

While the chips were flying, the remaining members of The Great and The Good had to be aggressive to keep up, leading to hits aplenty – which sounds like a really bad Bond villain.

Yavuz went on the attack with a minus twelve and at least Alonso and Havertz gave him immediate returns as he pushes for the boom or bust of a 10,000 finish; a rumour passed me that he would quit if he doesn’t achieve this goal.

Tom Stephenson was uncharacteristically offensive but again his minus eight was rewarded by Andy Robertson’s double-digit returns – great Scot!

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:

  • Foster (7), Schmeichel (6)
  • Alexander-Arnold (14), Cancelo (12), James (9), Alonso (7), Robertson (7)
  • Salah (13), Saka (10), Mount (9), Havertz (7), Kulusevski (7)
  • Pukki (8), Nketiah (7), Kane (4)

As you expect, with the quintet of Wildcards the template is shaken to its core with changes across all positions as Kasper Schmeichel, Alonso, Mason Mount, Havertz, Pukki and Edward Nketiah (£5.5m) all come into the squad.

Harry Kane’s (£12.5m) appeal appears to be on the wane across this group of managers and this may yet have an impact on the final standings, as he could yet spark against a European fatigued Leicester for those willing to captain.

SEASON STATS

It’s worth having a quick glance at the season stats, with Yavuz leading the way in hits, Zophar still cash-rich and the captaincy calls proving decisive as Az and Fabio battle it out at the top on 676 points.

CONCLUSION

As mentioned right at the start, the swings caused by some crucial 50/50 calls have been crucial this season: we’ve had Havertz vs Salah, Antonio vs Bowen and even Bruno vs Ronaldo.

This weekend gives us another opportunity to spin the wheel with the captaincy call wide open, so while many have already started to count their predicted points for Gameweek 36, I would suggest spending a little more time on the armband choice for this weekend to make sure you are swinging whilst you’re winning.

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

337 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Mr. Mystic
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Start Mateta or Pukki?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Pukki

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

    Roll transfer? Any changes you would do?

    Schmeichel foster
    Taa cancelo matip laporte james
    Kdb saka salah havertz kdh
    Pukki werner mateta

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

      Roll, unless like me you're getting worried about certain players being benched

    2. Aeu96197
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      I’d roll. Benching concerns are there for so many at the moment.

      You could go Havertz to Coutinho maybe, but depends on at chip plans

  3. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Play Martinelli or Raphinha this week?

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

      I'd go Martinelli just because I'd expect higher ceiling if he starts. Obviously risk of a 1 pointer from bench though

    2. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Martinelli. Don't think Leeds score.

  4. Biggsy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Schmeichel
    Cancelo, Laporte, Trent, James, White
    Salah, Saka, Martinelli, Havertz
    Kane (c)

    Foster, Barnes, Broja, Gelhardt

    A. Barnes to Coutinho (bench White)
    B. Havertz to Coutinho
    C. Roll FT

    B likely to mean one less hit in 36

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

      B

    2. Aeu96197
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      B

  5. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Considering James + Kulu --> Sessegnon + Foden (-4) to fund Sterling to KDB next week

    Is this crazy?

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

      Probably. James probably plays and a Foden benching has you ruined.

      1. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Or James benched and Foden starts?

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

          Equally possible and then you're laughing

          1. Scholes Out For Summer
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            1 year, 11 months ago

            just not sure if James starts and not keen on holding RWB kulu when I could get Foden or Coutinho

    2. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Not sure I would do that.

    3. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      not feeling it

  6. BeWater
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Would you do anything differently on WC:

    Schmeichel Foster
    TAA Robbo Cancelo James Alonso
    Saka Mount Foden Coutinho Jota
    Kane Nketiah 4.5

    No BB and FH37.

    1. Louis99
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Nice, if you're not BBing then maybe you could make the bench weaker and upgrade elsewhere? Although, I suppose end-of-season rotation is protected against.

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

      For a start I would have at least one more fodder defender or midfielder. Giving yourself a real headache in 36 and extra funds could mean adding a Son, Salah or KDB

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

        Good points. Cheers.

    3. Firmino
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Diaz probably better option than Jota

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

        Diaz was in an earlier draft. His per 90 stats are better than Jota.

    4. Aeu96197
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      I’d go Jota to Gordon/KDH/Ramsey.

      I like the defence with FH37.

      Don’t think that’s enough for KDB. But if you could do that and then go Foden to KDB then I’d do it.

      You could upgrade Nketiah with the Jota money, but it’s arguable whether Watkins or a Leicester forward is an upgrade.

  7. Louis99
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Anyone thinking of actually getting Weghorst in? Only seen people looking to get rid, but good fixtures for an in-form team still fighting are promising.

    His form is a worry, but he seems to me like the kind of player that can always pop up with a goal.

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

      I probably wouldn't get him in. I'm getting rid on WC.

    2. NorCal Villan
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Yet he doesn't always pop up with a goal

  8. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    0.8m ITB - 1FT - BB36

    Ramsdale
    TAA Robbo Cancelo Laporte
    Salah Saka* Kulu Ramsey
    Kane (C) Pukki

    Foster - Raph Doherty* Cucho*

    Roll FT, Doherty + Cucho > Konsa? (max 4.9) + Nketiah next week for the BB36?

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

      Sounds good.

  9. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Thoughts on this lot?

    Pope
    Trent • Robertson • Cancelo • White
    Salah • Son • Havertz • Saka
    Pukki • Toney
    (Foster / Martinelli / Kilman / 4.5)

    Will FH37. Plan is Havertz -> Foden and Martinelli -> Odegaard. Which move do I make this week. Basically which combo for this week?

    A) White + Foden
    B) Odegaard + Havertz

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

      A

  10. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    @HAZZ, do you think Havertz is potentially benched mate? Considering moving to Saka. Thanks 🙂

  11. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Hi everyone. Which is best here in your opinion.

    A) Reguillon to Cash
    B) Reguillon and Wood to Dias and Dennis -4

    Sa
    Robertson, Cancelo, Matip
    Salah, Son, Mount, Maddison, Kulusevski
    Rodrigo, Mateta

    Sanchez, Jonny, Wood, Rodrigo 1ft .1 itb

    1. aleksios
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      A.

    2. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      A

    3. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      A

    4. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Thanks all

  12. aleksios
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Captain Kane or Salah?

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

      That’s the question

    2. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Kane.

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      I told myself if it’s ever a close decision (like this) and involves Salah I’d always go him. Might not always work like

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

    Any obvious moves here or just roll the transfer? Not entirely happy with so much uncertainty around some players but keen to save the FT to have 2 for DGW36.

    Pope
    Cancelo | Rudiger | Robertson (rest incoming?)
    Salah | Son (c) | Kulusevski | Saka | Mount (bench looming?)
    Werner (bench looming?) | Mateta (bench looming?)

    > Foster | Broja | Schar | White (0.6 itb)

    Thoughts?

  14. FredUpAlready
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Thoughts on this?

    Schmeichel Foster
    TAA Cancelo Laporte Alonso Emerson
    Salah Mount Havertz Saka Sterling
    Nketiah Pukki Dennis

    BB in 36 and FH in 37.
    A) Havertz > Coutinho this week and Sterling > KDB in GW 36, or
    B) Havertz and Sterling > Foden and Son for a -4 this week.

  15. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    What to do with Maddison?

    2 DGW after likely rest this weekend so seems silly to get rid but on WC so seems a waste to hold him too

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

      Keep and bench

  16. Sterling Malory
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Not sure what to do here, looking at Broja --> [4.5m] to upgrade one of the following

    A) Kulu -> Coutinho [play Mateta]
    B) Schar -> Cash [Play Kulu]

    Also considering Kane (+1 more) out for KDB?

    Pope
    TAA Robbo Cancelo James ****
    Salah Saka Mount ****
    Kane ****
    Foster Gordon 4.5m

  17. Union_Jacks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Really need Schmeichel to not rise and Sa and Broja to not fall to be able to do my moves next week… 😮

  18. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Planning to BB in 36 and FH in 37. 1 FT with 2.0m ITB.

    A - Cucho > Dennis
    B - Cucho & Werner > Dennis & Jesus for -4 hit
    C - Other suggestion?

    Foster
    Cancelo - James - TAA
    KDB - Son - Maddison - Mount - Ramsey
    Werner - Mateta

    Schmeichl - Mitchell - Schar - Cucho

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      Roll, or do Werner to Jesus only this week, but it's probably chasing points

      1. Jet5605
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 11 months ago

        Thanks.
        I'm gonna have to bin Cucho at some point if I want to maximise BB and so is it not worth it this week as Watford have decent fixture?

        1. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          1 year, 11 months ago

          Is Mitchell playing? Bench is okay i guess

          1. Jet5605
            • 9 Years
            1 year, 11 months ago

            Dunno about Mitchell

  19. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Thoughts here? 1ft 2.2itb

    Pickford
    Cancelo TAA James Bednarek
    Bruno Jota Kulu Saka
    Kane Hwang

    Schmeichel White Gordon Gelhardt

    A) Bruno to KdB (Gelhardt to Nketiah for dgw BB)
    B) Bruno to Salah (Bednarek to Konsa for dgw BB)

  20. NATSTER
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Would you do A or B for this team?

    Ramsdale
    TAA - Robbo - Cancelo - Laporte
    Salah - Son - Saka - Odegaard - Gordon
    Kane
    Sub : Amartey, Gelhardt, Greenwood

    A : Amartey + Odegaard > Alonso + Ramsey
    B : Sanchez + Odegaard >. 3.9 GK + Coutinho

    A will add another player who is likely starter. B will have Coutinho for NOR + DGWs.

    1. Aeu96197
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 11 months ago

      A if playing safe.

      B if gambling

  21. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Does this look ok?

    Foster
    TAA Cancelo Laporte Keane
    Salah Mane KDB Son Gordon
    Nketiah

    Lewis Gelhardt Amartey Scarlett

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

      I'm tempted to copy on a wc

  22. RADOAFC
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    Ramsdale
    White Cancelo Alonso TAA
    Mount Saka Salah Ramsey
    Weghorst Kane (c)

    Dubravka Livramento Barnes Broja

    Just the 1 FT. Best transfer in for Livra? Davies or Cash?? Plan is BB36 and FH 37. Would go Cash but thinking of the ££

  23. FPL Emu
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    What's the name of that site where you can see your team in upcoming gameweeks?

  24. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    What to do here? 2 FT 0 itb

    Schmeichel
    TAA Robertson Cancelo James
    Salah Havertz Maddison Saka
    Ronaldo Weghorst

    Fodder Gordon Fodder Fodder

    A) Ronaldo + Gordon to KDB + 4,5ish mid
    B) Weghorst -> ?
    C) Maddison to Coutinho

  25. gomez123
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    RR or CC
    Roberston & Ramsey or Coutinho & Cash

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

      RR

  26. DAKINER
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    This week's transfer(s)? 1FT, 0.7ITB
    Ramsdale (Foster)
    TAA Cancelo Alonso (White Kelly)
    Salah Havertz Maddison Kulu (KDH)
    Kane Werner Pukki

    Have been wanting KDB for a few weeks now. Not currently feeling it for Havertz, Maddison, Kulu, Werner.
    Thinking of taking a -4 for some combo of:
    Havertz > prem MF (KDB/Mane/Son)+ Werner > cheap FW (Vydra/Mateta/Broja)
    Or should I consider something else because I should be holding Chelsea for DGW36?

    After leading ML for much of the season, I'm now -45 so feel like I need to take some big swings (hits, differentials) in the last 4 GWs. Still have TC (planning DGW36) and FH. ML leader also has FH, he has gone big at back with 2 nonplaying forwards. Thanks

  27. Sc007
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 11 months ago

    This wc look ok?
    Bb next week

    Schmiechel. Bachmann
    Alonso Trent cancelo Davies cash
    Mount kdb salah coutinho saka
    Dennis pukki nketiah.