Rate My Team

Rate My Team surgery with five-time top 1k finisher Tom Freeman

With Blank Gameweek 26 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) on the way, five-time top 1k finisher Tom Freeman is here to help with your pre-deadline dilemmas for the next hour.

Whether it’s questions on transfers, team selection, chip strategy or anything in between, Scout’s Deputy Editor will tackle whatever’s thrown at him.

He’ll be on hand to first reply to requests from Premium Members in the Hot Topic below the line of this piece and will get through as many as he can until the next article goes up. If there’s time, Tom will also turn his attention to other requests in the comments section.

If you’d like to receive an email notification letting you know when future RMT Surgery’s are live, you can now do so. When editing your profile, under ‘Alerts & Notifications‘, you’ll find a section on ‘Email Notifications‘. In there is an option for ‘Rate My Team Surgery‘, check that box and you will receive an email letting you know when the surgery is about to go live.

You can, as ever, chip in with your own opinions on the RMT requests filtering through – and naturally, you’re free to ignore the article subject matter and talk about any other wider FPL topics that you’d normally be musing on.

Don’t forget that, if it’s an algorithmic answer you’re after rather than an opinion-based one, we also have a ‘Rate My Team’ tool available in the Premium Members Area.

Haaland Foden


158 Comments Post a Comment
  1. RMT SURGERY WITH TOM
  2. I Member
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    Bowen or Bailey this week? Will probably get the other in 29 and I can bench them in 27 and 28 if necessary.

    1. dekikide
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      waited to long to get rid of Bowen.. Very happy I did not have him for the last 4 or 5 gameweeks. I would not be getting him back.

      1. I Member
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Paqueta makes a huge difference to West Ham.

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      Bowen hattrick confirmed after I sold him for Jota

    3. F4L
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      bowen

    4. The Yam Bandit
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      2 months, 8 days ago

      With Antonio and Pacqueta back, Bowen is going to be back to his old ways.

  3. dekikide
    • 8 Years
    2 months, 8 days ago

    Is Groß considered a good pick for the next 3 weeks?

    Most people are getting Wolves mids?

    1. NATSTER
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      I think he still good for the next 3 weeks.

      European cup is back and Brighton will have to play mid-week. They might turn bad again or having rotation. But it might not happen with Gross.

      SHU (H) looks best for this week for Wolves.

  4. Manic M
      2 months, 8 days ago

      What would you do with KdB Tom?

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Surely it's a pretty clear don't buy, don't sell, don't captain

        1. No Kane No Gain
          • 5 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          Don’t bench?!

      2. Sprinterdude
        • 3 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Time to get rid imo

    • MDunning
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      Should I bring in Odegaard or Hwang?

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Hwang

      2. F4L
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        hwang

    • RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      1FTs, 3m ITB. Best move?


      A. Livra/Taylor >> Pau
      B. Livra/Taylor >> Ait-Nouri
      C. Livra/Taylor >> Saliba
      D. Roll FT (Chance of 1 defender!)

      Areola
      
Gabriel Taylor
      
Foden Saka KDB Hwang
      
Watkins Haaland(C) Solanke

      (Dubravka, Livramento, Palmer*, Doughty*)

      1. Legohair
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        A

      2. NATSTER
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        I'd keep Taylor for possible start on GW29.

        Not keen on Pau as his ceiling is low. Still considering Ait-Nouri.

      3. F4L
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        C. if you think livra takes over from burn sell taylor

      4. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Very unclear then. An A, B and C

    • Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      Baby calm down, calm down, the fever is over and so is the lockdown, lockdown....

    • Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      What's your weapon on choice this beautiful Friday, Jafooli?

    • F4L
      • 9 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      A - Odegaard + Udogie + Estu ➡ Hwang + Gabriel + Saliba for -8
      or
      B - Udogie + Estu ➡ Gabriel + Ait-Nouri for -4?

      A gives me Salah money for kdb gw27 or when i want

      1. jonnybhoy
        • 11 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Do A without the 2nd ars transfer

      2. Knackinho
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        B

      3. F4L
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        thanks guys

    • Legohair
      • 7 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      Areola
      Trippier-Gabriel-Reguilon-Walker
      Saka-Foden-Bailey
      Watkins-Haaland-Broja

      Kelleher,Palmer,Udogie,Richarlison

      Good to go or should i take -4 to sell maybe Palmer to Bowen?

      1. NATSTER
        • 13 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Saving -4 is like you already have CS point from your def.

      2. The Yam Bandit
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Don't take a -4 this week if you don't have to. Everyone is taking hits so it will set you ahead.
        I had to take a -8...

    • NATSTER
      • 13 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      0 FT and 10 to play in BGW26

      Areola
      Gabriel - Saliba - Lascelles
      KDB - Foden - Saka - Gordon
      Haaland - Watkins - Solanke
      Bench : Palmer, Udogie, Doughty | Dubravka

      Any move worth -4 hits ?
      M : Moreno
      C : Cash
      R : Reguilon
      A : Ait-Nouri
      D : Dawson

      Villa have a confirmed game on GW29. The fixtures are not looking good for CS and rotation could happen with the European commitment.

      Reguilon also has game on GW29. Only hope for attacking points too. His position and some set-piece duty should help.

      Wolves have best fixtures on GW26 and good on GW28. Not helping GW29 though.

    • Besaid_Auroch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 months, 8 days ago

      Bench one:

      KDB
      Saka
      Foden
      Watkins
      Toney
      Neto
      Garnacho

      I must be going crazy because I'm seriously considering benching KDB, expecting limited minutes.

      1. F4L
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        kdb or garnacho, dont think united will operate as well without shaw and hojlund.

        if you think kdb benched then definitely kdb

      2. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Yup. Limited minutes for KDB can mean serious points however. United without a striker . . . good or bad for Garn?

      3. The Yam Bandit
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Definitely KDB. He is not likely to play this week.

      4. theplayer
        • 10 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        An easy KDB benching for me. Surely he's not starting

      5. Mother Farke
          2 months, 8 days ago

          Ya, has to be KDB with the looming threat of limited minutes. You will be hiding behind the sofa IF he starts, though lol

        • BadaBing
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          Wish I had the luxury of a benching headache this week!

      6. Josh_J
        • 2 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Want to bring in an AV defender, do we think Cash or Moreno are more assured of constant starts.
        Nervous about Digne waiting in the wings + rotation with European games

        1. NATSTER
          • 13 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          That really put me off them. CS look unlikely too.

        2. F4L
          • 9 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          digne has been better than moreno this season, impossible to predict who gets the starts tbh now digne back

          cash is fine until konsa is fit

          would just avoid

        3. The Yam Bandit
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          2 months, 8 days ago

          Cash, but he is locked in at CB now and doesn't advance forward as often. Moreno and Digne are likely going to be fighting for minutes starting the next couple weeks.

        4. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          I was keen but the points you've made are the reasons I'm avoiding.

        5. No Kane No Gain
          • 5 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          Bring in Pau

          1. Josh_J
            • 2 Years
            2 months, 8 days ago

            What about when Konsa comes back?

            1. No Kane No Gain
              • 5 Years
              2 months, 8 days ago

              Pau is nailed cb. Konsa floats between rb and cb. Pau nailed till at least when mings is back which is a long way away

      7. LT74
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Hi Tom, hope you doing well.

        Here's my team with 2FTs and 0.7ITB:
        Areola (Neto)
        Gabriel, Estupinan (TAA, Gusto, Doughty)
        Saka, Foden (Jota, Palmer, Richarlison)
        Haaland, Watkins, Solanke

        Is it worth a hit to field 11 players?
        TAA and Jota must be OUT. Who would you replace them with?
        Would you get rid of Palmer rather than Gusto given there are many good MIDs?

        1. FFS ManU
          • 1 Year
          2 months, 8 days ago

          Tom's RMT surgery is for premium members only. You won't get an answer from him here.

      8. Fred the Red
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Current team (have 11 starting players)

        Areola
        Tripper Estupinan Gabriel
        KDB Saka Foden Garnacho
        Haaland Watkins Solanke

        Subs: Turner Palmer Porro Taylor

        I have 1.0 ITB and 1 FT left (used the other one for Darwin -> Solanke)

        Make sense to use the FT (maybe get Palmer out, and if so for who?) or roll?

        1. GoonerSteve
          • 14 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          Why would you sell Palmer?

          1. Fred the Red
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            2 months, 8 days ago

            GW 26 blank and not the best fixtures ahead

      9. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Anyone who gets solanke in this week wears socks in bed

        1. JBG
          • 5 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          Why would you wear socks in bed?

        2. No Kane No Gain
          • 5 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          What about the ones who got Senesi in this week

        3. ViperStripes
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          Depends where you wear it!

      10. Saka Rice
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Surely KDB>Wolves asset is not worth it for a hit especially when I'm not planning on FH29 right?

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          Kdb can smash double digit score in minutes, we have seen it previously, why bench such a player?

      11. SEXY SON
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Bowendowski time

      12. GoonerSteve
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Has there been another update on KDB? Pep seemed to suggest he was fine but everyibe seems to be commenting as if he isn't? Did I miss something?

      13. fish66
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        (a) Richarlison -> Hwang
        (b) VVD -> Saliba
        (c) both for a -4 to field 11

      14. SEXY SON
        • 7 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Give me some sexy differentials to punt on

        1. Jebiga
          • 12 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          Flekken

          1. SEXY SON
            • 7 Years
            2 months, 8 days ago

            Got him already

        2. No Kane No Gain
          • 5 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          Sarabia Kudus Douglas Luiz Doku Rashford Adingra

          1. SEXY SON
            • 7 Years
            2 months, 8 days ago

            Thanks, good list

        3. The Yam Bandit
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          2 months, 8 days ago

          Elanga, Adingra, Trossard, Doucore, Hudson- Odoi
          Maybe Amari Foreson who may start for United with Hojlund out.

          I was debating all of these young fellas this week and went with Elanga...

          1. SEXY SON
            • 7 Years
            2 months, 8 days ago

            Nice one, Trossard and Rashford interest me

            1. The Yam Bandit
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              2 months, 8 days ago

              Both good shouts Uncle Toney.
              These punts have been keeping me ontop of my draft league 80% of the season, so I am all for it.

        4. The Mentaculus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 2 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          How about yourself, Uncle? I'm captaining you

          1. SEXY SON
            • 7 Years
            2 months, 8 days ago

            Got myself already

        5. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          Hudson

      15. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Do I stick with this or use my transfer? Feel free to reply without reading all my long-winded thought processes 🙂

        Areola
        Trippier Gabriel Cash Baldock*
        KDB Rodri Odegaard Gordon
        Haaland(c) Toney(v)

        Dubravka | Darwin**, Richarlison**, Doughty**

        1FT. 0.3 ITB

        I don't have a chip plan yet, but I think selling Doughty is a no-go due to his double in GW28 and likely fixture in BGW29, and selling Richarlison is a no-go due to his assured fixture in BGW29.

        [Option 1] I could sell Darwin for Alvarez (6.7), Mateta (4.9), Awoniyi (6.3) or Muniz (4.4), but none of them are exhilarating and they have their own issues. The best option is probably to go early on Solanke (6.9) for his DGW28 and just play him for the 2 points at the Etihad this week.

        [Option 2] I could sell Baldock, who is back from injury it seems, but probably won't start, for a 4.1m defender: Van Hecke or Lamptey (EVE), or Taylor (cpl). I wonder if this is even worth a FT, which I would value at 4 points around BGWs and DGWs. However, Taylor has appeal with a guaranteed BGW29 fixture (BRE), which is unlikely for Baldock and the Brighton defenders.

        [Option 3] Take a hit, downgrading Darwin to upgrade Baldock. E.g. to Solanke + a 4.7 defender with fixture in BGW28 (Pau (4.6) seems like the only option; maybe Reguillon (4.4), though he has Arsenal in BGW28). Or to Solanke + a 4.7 def without a guaranteed BGW28 fixture (CPL potential wingbacks; Wolves defenders; Maguire). Downgrading to Awoniyi gives me access to Dunk and Dalot (both with possible blanks). Downgrading further to Mateta or Muniz gives me anyone else, e.g. Saliba or White (possible blanks).

        [Option 4] Save the FT and hope for a Baldock appearance and no other no-shows. Darwin has a good fixture (nfo) next week, though he'll likely for Solanke that week (bur) or the following DGW anyway.

        [Option 5] is to downgrade Darwin and upgrade midfield, but I'm not really considering this.

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          Damn, I didn't even consider that KDB might not start/feature

        2. Annie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          when are you getting Solanke?

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            2 months, 8 days ago

            Thinking either this week for Darwin, or in the next 2 GWs, probably also for Darwin. But it looks likely to be this week.

            1. Annie
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              2 months, 8 days ago

              Wouldn’t do a forward transfer that wasn’t Darwin to him.

              1. Deulofail
                • 8 Years
                2 months, 8 days ago

                Yep, I've come round to the same thinking now that I've written it down. Cheers!

        3. ViperStripes
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          Darwin > Solanke looks good

        4. Tigers Time
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          I think I'm right in saying at the moment you only have 4 players for GW29.
          You say you don't have a chip strategy but that's where I think you need to decide on that as it has a big impact on your transfers.
          Personally I'm FH in GW29 so I can ignore that GW and concentrate on the ones around it.
          I think GW34 can be navigated without FH - we'll know more next week, good luck.

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            2 months, 8 days ago

            Thanks. Looks like I'm planning to navigate GW28 & 29 with transfers for now, and see if that changes later. With 4 players + 1 or two more this week, and 1 or 2 more in the next two weeks, that's 6-8 for GW29, plus any others that end up with a fixture. Luton seems the most likely, so that would add Doughty and 1 or 2 Luton players I bring in for their DGW to my BGW players. I'm not convinced the FH will be that powerful that week, an extra 0-5 players, but probably closer to 0 than 5 with minimal sacrifice to longer-term planning.

            With that in mind, I think getting Solanke this week is the way. Then either a hit to sell Baldock for Pau or to sell KDB. I probably need to do it to get 11 out anyway, so might as well use it to plan for the blank.

      16. Solly The Seagull
        • 6 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Best villa def to own next 5 gameweeks?

        A) Pau
        B) Cash
        C) Moreno

        1. putana
          • 5 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          pau

        2. No Kane No Gain
          • 5 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          A for security of starts but C has the higher upside

        3. FF Dirtbag
          • 12 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          Pau for stability

      17. putana
        • 5 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        McAtee of Odegaard (-4)

      18. FootballRookie
        • 1 Year
        2 months, 8 days ago

        What to do here...

        Play... (Team as is)
        A) Foden, Saka, KDB, Garnacho
        Solanke, Haaland, Watkins

        Or Play... (KDB to Hwang)

        B) Foden, Saka, Hwang, Garnacho
        Solanke, Haaland, Watkins

        Or Play (Richarlison on my bench to Hwang)
        C) Same as option B but means I have KDB still and need to bench someone to play Hwang too

      19. ViperStripes
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Are there really any chances at all of a leak of KDB news with deadline 1.30pm and match at 5.30pm.

      20. YoungPretender
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Only have 10 players and already taken a -4… I planned on doing Darwin to Solanke next week for free… but surely just worth taking the additional hit for an extra player this week given it’s a transfer I plan on making anyway? Essentially a -2?

        1. FF Dirtbag
          • 12 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          Yep do it now.

        2. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          Yes frees up next week's FT as well.

        3. Oscar Slater
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          Since the first game of the season against Burnley, Manchester City have kept just one clean sheet in the fifteen Premier League and Champions League games they've played away from home. Solanke is pretty much guaranteed an attacking return then so I wouldn't hesitate in taking that hit.

      21. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        I know below has few dodgy players, but do you think i can get away without taking a hit?

        Areola

        Gabriel/Saliba/Estupinan/Branthwaite/Taylor

        KdB/Foden/Saka

        Watkins/Haaland

        Dubravka/Archer/Richarlison/Jota

        0 FT. 1.7 ITB

        1. FF Dirtbag
          • 12 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          KDB worries me. Estu worries me. But KDB can come on and score some points. So don't think anything is worth a hit.

          1. The Red Devil
            • 9 Years
            2 months, 8 days ago

            exactly, i'm thinking, i'll wait for leaks, maybe do Jota to Hwang for a hit if Estu is benched?

      22. FF Dirtbag
        • 12 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Set for the week?
        Or should I do a hit TAA - > Gabriel?

        Dubravka
        Trippier Ake Estupinan Taylor
        Saka Foden Odegaard Gordon
        Haaland Watkins

        Turner; Palmer, TAA, Adebayo

      23. The Pep Revolution
        • 12 Years
        2 months, 8 days ago

        Current team is:
        Areola
        Gabriel Alex Moreno Reguilon
        Saka KDB Foden
        Watkins Haaland

        Do you think Palmer and Adebayo to Toney and Garnacho is worth an 8 point hit?

        1. FF Dirtbag
          • 12 Years
          2 months, 8 days ago

          No. I wouldn't get rid of Palmer.