Captain Sensible
17 October 2025 496 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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After Erling Haaland (£14.5m) scored for the fifth consecutive Premier League match in a row against Brentford and bagged yet another Norway hat-trick over the international break, the Gameweek 8 captaincy decision will once again be straightforward for the majority.

But in Captain Sensible, we wouldn’t be doing our jobs if we didn’t ask if there was a case to look beyond the Norwegian this week.

First, we will assess the on-site captaincy poll. We will then analyse player and team statisticsRate My Team (RMT) and the Premier Fantasy Tools ratings ahead of Saturday’s 11am BST deadline.


Captaincy Poll

Best captain Gameweek 8

As expected, Haaland’s stunning early-season form sees him top the Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll yet again. Among site users, the Norwegian is the runaway leader in the poll, currently sitting on over 62% of the popular vote. 

For the second week running, Antoine Semenyo (£7.9m) occupies a distant second place, with a little over 7% of the vote. The Ghanaian international outscored Haaland in Gameweek 17, scoring twice and assisting against Fulham.

Chelsea duo Joao Pedro (£7.7m) and Enzo Fernandez (£6.7m) complete the top four ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Nottingham Forest at lunchtime on Saturday. Nick Woltemade (£7.2m) is the only other player to pick up more than 5% backing.


Player Stats – Last Six Gameweeks

FFScout Tom <p>Partnerships &amp; Community Manager. Previously Multimedia Manager and Deputy Social Media Manager.</p>

496 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. NZREDS
    • 12 Years
    1 month, 19 days ago

    Although I appreciate the article as always, I think captain sensible is wrapped up for some time. Who’s going captain differential and who’s your candidate?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      It’s Reece James of course!

      1. JT11fc
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        This

      2. NZREDS
        • 12 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        Fortune favours the bold!

    2. Stockport Hatter
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      Sticking with Haaland here.

    3. FantasyClub
      • 4 Years
      1 month, 18 days ago

      I don't think this is the week for a differential captain. I personally dont see a better fixture this week than City at home to EVE when also considering who you'd captain from the other decent fixtures. Haalands on fire.

  2. JT11fc
    • 7 Years
    1 month, 19 days ago

    Good evening my fellow "game based on a game" enthusiasts.
    How we looking?
    Will have done Doku to Estevao

    Raya
    Cucu Timber Senesi
    Gordon Semenyo Mbuemo Estevao Paq
    Haaland Pedro

    Dub Richy De ligt Ekdal

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      Good to go there mate.

      1. JT11fc
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        Cheers

    2. I have no Wirtz
        1 month, 18 days ago

        Estevao, inspiring pick, are you going with your gut? How are you expecting his minutes to look in the next few gameweeks?

    3. Stockport Hatter
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      Is it worth holding Salah for United? I have 1FT and 0 in the bank.

      Pope
      Diouf VdV Gabriel
      Semenyo Reijnders Salah Caicedo
      Haaland Wood JP

      Dubravka Rodon Dewsbury-Hall Andersen

      Thanks in advance

      1. JT11fc
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        May as well hold

        1. Stockport Hatter
          • 9 Years
          1 month, 19 days ago

          Yeh that’s what I was thinking. Thanks

    4. MrMartini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      Team is below , 2fts 0.0 itb
      Raya, Dubravka
      VDV Senesi, Gudmundsson, Lacroix, Ekdal
      KDH, Salah, Semenyo, Potts, Caicedo
      Pedro, Haaland, Gyokeres

      Any advice with any below options im considering (VDV will be Anderson in a week or 2 so not considering moving him yet)

      A- KDH/Ekdal - Xhaka/Mukiele for BB8
      B - KDH/Ekdal- Longstaff/Rodon for BB8
      C- do nothing, keep BB for another week
      D- something else ive not considered.

      Many thanks.

      1. JT11fc
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        D. benchboost gw9 and use 3 free's where needed for it

    5. ‘Tis the Season
      • 7 Years
      1 month, 19 days ago

      Saka - Eze
      Stack - Minteh
      VDV - Timber

      For free?

      1. ‘Tis the Season
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        Or wait a week

        1. Stockport Hatter
          • 9 Years
          1 month, 19 days ago

          I’d wait a week personally

          1. PEP G
            • 9 Years
            1 month, 19 days ago

            Why wait another week for Timber? Just curious

            1. Stockport Hatter
              • 9 Years
              1 month, 18 days ago

              I was taken in by the Saka switch

      2. Nightcrawler
        • 6 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        Why sell Saka?

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          1 month, 19 days ago

          This

        2. I have no Wirtz
            1 month, 18 days ago

            I have a feeling it’s for the funds to afford Timber and Minteh

      3. Under my Cucurella
        • 10 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        A: Save WC
        B: WC

        Current team for this gameweek if I do Bruno > Saka with my FT

        Dub
        Cucu Porro Lacroix Esteve
        Saka Semenyo Reijnders
        Haaland Gyokeres Pedro

        Sels PMSarr De Cuyper Grealish

        0FT 0.2ITB
        WC, FH, BB remaining

        Potential WC draft
        Pope Dub
        Gabriel Senesi Andersen Rodon Mukiele
        Saka Semenyo Enzo Sarr Xhaka
        Haaland Bowen Wotemade

        1FT 1.9ITB
        FH, BB remaining

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          1 month, 19 days ago

          B

          1. Under my Cucurella
            • 10 Years
            1 month, 19 days ago

            Thanks anyone you'd consider keeping in the current team who I haven't included in the WC draft?

            In my mind I'm thinking
            Bowen vs Pedro
            Enzo vs Reijnders
            Are either of Cucurella or Porro worth keeping?

            1. Count of Monte Hristo
              • 12 Years
              1 month, 19 days ago

              Reijnders fatigue is real, tired of seeing his name on here. Enzo a much better pick.

              1. PEP G
                • 9 Years
                1 month, 19 days ago

                Facts

              2. Under my Cucurella
                • 10 Years
                1 month, 19 days ago

                Thanks. I also think he's had his time. But I do see his name pop up even in WC drafts

        2. PEP G
          • 9 Years
          1 month, 19 days ago

          Save WC. Team looks good. Plus there's another International Break coming after GW11 end.

          1. Under my Cucurella
            • 10 Years
            1 month, 19 days ago

            Thanks, I am very mixed on what to do as I'm getting FOMO on a lot of the players in the WC draft but also like you say, the team isn't terrible. My main concerns this week is having no playing bench and starting two Burnley defensive players.

            A couple of questions on the save option. Would you stick with Bruno to Saka with the free transfer this week or do something else? Also, what would be your recommended strategy for the remaining chips?

            1. PEP G
              • 9 Years
              1 month, 19 days ago

              You could stick with Bruno for another week and continue to monitor Saka performance and price (currently at 9.9M). Away to Fulham is never easy but still, getting in Saka right now seems like a good deal (I am having the same dilemma too if I should remove Foden for Saka this GW). Ideally, the focus should be on getting in Saka and nothing else. Secondly would be investing in Arsenal defense but that could wait for next GW. About the remaining of your chips - no stress about it for now man. Surely you will have a better picture of those chips once you have drafted your WC team after the GW11 International Break.

              If you are going for WC this week, team looks good. But not sure on that Bowen pick tho

              1. Under my Cucurella
                • 10 Years
                1 month, 19 days ago

                Cheers Pep, appreciate hearing your thoughts! I have also seen suggestions of GW13 for the WC, any thoughts on if this is better than GW12?

                1. PEP G
                  • 9 Years
                  1 month, 18 days ago

                  If I hadn't use my WC, I would use it for GW12. If you have a decent squad for GW12, then fine. You will have about 3 FT's to build towards GW12 if you want to WC on GW13. But if you are already committed to WC on GW12, then you can just focus on GW8-GW11.

                  Just a reminder that we will be given extra FT in GW16 to help plan around this season’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Meaning, its best to use up all your FT's by GW15 so that FPL gives you a maximum of 5 FT in GW16.

                  Considering all these, feels like GW12 is still the best time to WC. I mean WC now is a good option too. But surely we will opt in for players like Palmer right when he's back next month.

                  1. Under my Cucurella
                    • 10 Years
                    1 month, 18 days ago

                    Thanks again, you've given me a lot more to consider. I might be leaning towards the following plan atm

                    This GW: Bruno > Saka
                    Next GW: Save FT
                    GW10: Use 2FT to get Arsenal defence

                    And then go from there.

                    But the WC this week option might still creep back up again before the deadline!

                    1. PEP G
                      • 9 Years
                      1 month, 18 days ago

                      Yeap, now you've got a solid plan man. Best of luck to you my man!

                      1. Under my Cucurella
                        • 10 Years
                        1 month, 18 days ago

                        Best of luck to you too!

      4. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        Who would you prefer on BB GW 9?

        A) Rejinders (AVL A)
        B) Longstaff (WHU H)

        1. Under my Cucurella
          • 10 Years
          1 month, 19 days ago

          A

        2. PEP G
          • 9 Years
          1 month, 19 days ago

          A

        3. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          1 month, 19 days ago

          Cheers! Di you think Pedro, Enzo and Chalobah on WC too much CHE?

          1. Sloopy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            1 month, 18 days ago

            No

        4. Sloopy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          1 month, 18 days ago

          B

      5. Pringle
        • 12 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        What do you think of Raya? Too expensive compared to other Arsenal picks?

        1. PEP G
          • 9 Years
          1 month, 19 days ago

          Cheaper option for an arsenal defense but lesser points surely because of limited save points

          1. RamaJama
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            1 month, 19 days ago

            This, go Pope instead

        2. Sloopy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          1 month, 18 days ago

          Prefer Pope, but Raya not bad choice!

      6. SomeoneKnows
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        G2G here with BB activated?

        Vicario
        Gabriel, Senesi, Lacroix
        Saka, Semenyo, Sarr, Reijnders
        Gyokeres, Haaland (C), J.Pedro

        (Dubravka, Anthony, Porro, Gudmundsson)

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          1 month, 19 days ago

          GTG

      7. PEP G
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        Donna
        Gabriel Richards Van de Van
        Foden Semenyo Ndiaye Caicedo
        Haaland Gyökeres J.Pedro

        Dúbravka Rodon King Hill

        2 FT
        3.9M ITB

        Should I remove Foden and go for Saka?
        or consider Timber?
        or consider Woltemade

        1. Under my Cucurella
          • 10 Years
          1 month, 18 days ago

          Foden to Saka looks good

        2. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          1 month, 18 days ago

          Why have you got a woman in goal?

      8. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 5 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        "The Ghanaian international outscored Haaland in Gameweek 17, scoring twice and assisting against Fulham."
        Typo - it was GW7

        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          1 month, 18 days ago

          Well spotted.

          1. The Knights Template
            • 12 Years
            1 month, 18 days ago

            I’m bringing him in for GW17, you rarely get these opportunities!

      9. estheblessed
        • 10 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        1FT and £0. I'm thinking Watkins to someone...

        Raya
        Gabriel, Alderete, Geuhi
        Semenyo, Gordon, I.Sarr, Saka, Minteh
        Haaland, Thiago

        Dubravka, Watkins, Senesi, Rodon

      10. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 12 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        Bench Boost my squad this week?

        Or wait until next week after I have done VDV > Senesi (h) to Forest? Dubravka @ Wolves and Gudmundsson (h) to West Ham so still bench boostable fixtures.

        Raya Dubravka

        Timber Calafiori Porro VDV Gudmundsson

        Semenyo Mbeumo Ndiaye Kudus Paqueta

        Bowen Haaland Pedro

        1. Sloopy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          1 month, 18 days ago

          GW9

      11. FC Hakkebøf
        • 8 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        A) Romero to Diouf
        B) Romero to Kilman/Mavropanos
        C) Save and do Romero to Andersen or a Chelsea defender next week

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          1 month, 19 days ago

          C

        2. Sloopy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          1 month, 18 days ago

          C

      12. MetallicaJack93
        • 2 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        How does this look and bench correct?

        Pope
        Gab Sensei Guehi Rodon
        Saka Semenyo Reijnders
        Haaland Bowen Pedro
        Dub Caicedo Tarkowski King

        1. BadaBing
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          1 month, 18 days ago

          Think I’d start Caicedo over Reindeer

      13. Jullepuu
        • 6 Years
        1 month, 19 days ago

        Which one to play? Can't see myself benching Munoz or Calafiori
        A) VDV
        B) Senesi
        C) Esteve

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          1 month, 19 days ago

          B

      14. davewg59
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        1 month, 18 days ago

        Sell Reijnders or Stach please?

        1. NZREDS
          • 12 Years
          1 month, 18 days ago

          Stach

      15. doppelganger
        • 6 Years
        1 month, 18 days ago

        Play Reijnders or Xavi?

        1. doppelganger
          • 6 Years
          1 month, 18 days ago

          Got Haaland

        2. Ball Ake
          • 1 Year
          1 month, 18 days ago

          R

      16. Powers106
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        1 month, 18 days ago

        On WC and finally can dump Sels but worried I’m doing a knee-jerk to Raya just to get a CS once in a while, but maybe it’s better with 2 ARS defenders? Which combo do you like best?

        A. Raya - Timber - Saka
        B. Raya - Gabriel - Saka
        C. Pope/Dubravka - Gabriel - Timber - Saka

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          1 month, 18 days ago

          C

        2. NZREDS
          • 12 Years
          1 month, 18 days ago

          C

        3. Under my Cucurella
          • 10 Years
          1 month, 18 days ago

          C

          1. Casual Player
            • 5 Years
            1 month, 18 days ago

            Quality user name, than you for your service

            1. Casual Player
              • 5 Years
              1 month, 18 days ago

              And sound advice too as it definitely C

        4. I have no Wirtz
            1 month, 18 days ago

            C

        5. Dutchy FPL
          • 2 Years
          1 month, 18 days ago

          So if I bring Sarr in this GW I need to use him on my BB9 away at Arsenal. Bad decision with a double Arsenal defence in my team? Alternative would be to hold on to Stach (West Ham home)

          1. Casual Player
            • 5 Years
            1 month, 18 days ago

            I feel there’s a bunch of options better than Stach similarly priced to Sarr you could get for a BB. Then switch in GW10?

        6. sayer20
          • 3 Years
          1 month, 18 days ago

          Sell B.Fernandes or Anderson for Enzo? (Other transfer is Watkins to Woltemade) thanks!

          1. RamaJama
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            1 month, 18 days ago

            Anderson

          2. FantasyClub
            • 4 Years
            1 month, 18 days ago

            Anderson

        7. Supersonic_
          • 4 Years
          1 month, 18 days ago

          Bruno and Gyko to Enzo and Isak -4

          1. FantasyClub
            • 4 Years
            1 month, 18 days ago

            Absolutely not

          2. FantasyClub
            • 4 Years
            1 month, 18 days ago

            What have you seen from Isak to warrant a transfer in, let alone a hit?

            1. Supersonic_
              • 4 Years
              1 month, 18 days ago

              Great points

              1. Sun God Nika
                • 5 Years
                1 month, 18 days ago

                wouldnt for hit tbh

                But Isak is a good punt for the incoming weeks
                ignore the hive mentality

                1. Supersonic_
                  • 4 Years
                  1 month, 18 days ago

                  Aye, surely he'll start firing soon as will Salah

                  1. Warby84
                    • 10 Years
                    1 month, 18 days ago

                    Agree, Salah my possible captain

                    1. Supersonic_
                      • 4 Years
                      1 month, 18 days ago

                      Well. This is the other thing and people will call me mad. But if i had a pool attacker I'd be tempted to go against Haaland this week in favour of someone like Salah.

        8. HD7
          • 8 Years
          1 month, 18 days ago

          Liverpool fans

          Any news about Konate, will he start?

          1. Skonto Rigga
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 8 Years
            1 month, 18 days ago

            You should find out in under 15 mins!

        9. Casual Player
          • 5 Years
          1 month, 18 days ago

          Is the Big Man a plagiarist or is this one of those Hub messages like “get the AI” but with a bog average striker instead of a bog average algorithm?

          FPL Salah 5 days ago: https://x.com/FPL_Salah/status/1977443632509768038?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

          Big Man 18hrs ago:
          https://x.com/BigManBakar/status/1978812126811558134?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

          I know he’s quite an uncreative “expert” but didn’t realise how uncreative

        10. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          1 month, 18 days ago

          This was available 25 minutes ago. Neale must still be in bed.

          0900 - Liverpool/Arne Slot
          0900 - Bournemouth/Andoni Iraola
          0900 - Brighton/Fabian Hurzeler
          0930 - Newcastle/Eddie Howe
          0930 - Chelsea/Enzo Maresca
          1000 - Arsenal/Mikel Arteta
          1000 - Everton/David Moyes
          1230 - Man City/Pep Guardiola
          1300 - Wolves/Vitor Pereira
          1330 - Man Utd/Ruben Amorim
          1330 - Brentford/Keith Andrews
          1330 - Palace/Oliver Glasner
          1330 - Fulham/Marco Silva
          1330 - Forest/Ange Postecoglou
          1330 - Spurs/Thomas Frank
          1330 - West Ham/Nuno Espirito Santo
          1400 - Aston Villa/Unai Emery

          1. Casual Player
            • 5 Years
            1 month, 18 days ago

            Hot take - it doesn’t matter.

            Like if Emery went at 11 instead of 2 one time, and you didn’t know or had to wait 25 mins to know, it would not change anything.

            Provided the notes from the pressers are available before the next price change

            1. FPL Virgin
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              1 month, 18 days ago

              People want to know when during the day they should be checking Twitter and Scout for the specific injury news they are waiting on.

          2. NoOneCares
              1 month, 18 days ago

              You are the worst poster on this site. I think most wish you just FO. How you havent been banned for your consistent pathetic trolling charade is beyond me.

              1. FPL Virgin
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                1 month, 18 days ago

                That's a bit harsh mate.

          3. Friday's Press Conference Times
            Skonto Rigga
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 8 Years
            1 month, 18 days ago

            Pressers! Via the BBC (in BST):

            9am - Hurzeler (BHA), Iraola (BOU), Slot (LIV)
            9.30am - Maresca (CHE), Howe (NEW)
            10am - Arteta (ARS), Moyes (EVE)
            12.30pm - Guardiola (MCI)
            1pm - Pereira (WOL)
            1.30pm - Andrews (BRE), Glasner (CRY), Silva (FUL), Amorim (MUN), Postecoglou (NFO), Frank (TOT), Nuno (WHU)
            2pm - Emery (AVL)

            1. FPL Virgin
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              1 month, 18 days ago

              Maresca up nice and early to tell us how swollen Enzo's knee is.

            2. Casual Player
              • 5 Years
              1 month, 18 days ago

              Thanks Neale, first with the news as per usual

              1. Skonto Rigga
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 8 Years
                1 month, 18 days ago

                My pleasure, friend!

              2. FPL Virgin
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                1 month, 18 days ago

                ** cough cough **

            3. Merlin the Wraith
              • 9 Years
              1 month, 18 days ago

              Cheers Neale! Now we just have to convince the BBC to get around to covering them properly.

          4. FantasyClub
            • 4 Years
            1 month, 18 days ago

            Give Doku one more game v EVE ?
            Brought him in for his haul v BUR and the low block defences

            1. JT11fc
              • 7 Years
              1 month, 18 days ago

              Got my 10 pointer too, gonna bin this gw, played 180mins for Belgium and Savinho fully rested

              1. FantasyClub
                • 4 Years
                1 month, 18 days ago

                I’ve also got Xavi 🙁
                Who would you get rid of first?

                1. JT11fc
                  • 7 Years
                  1 month, 18 days ago

                  Ouch thats tough, at least Xavi has the mins, but 50 50

          5. The Final Boss
            • 8 Years
            1 month, 18 days ago

            Guys, on a wildcard, poor team value also. Need some last minute suggestions. TIA

            Dub ***
            Gab Timber Andersen Rodon Senesi
            Saka Semenyo KDH Sarr ***
            Haaland Pedro ***

            A)Pope Enzo DCL
            B) Vebruggen Enzo Bowen

            1. Casual Player
              • 5 Years
              1 month, 18 days ago

              I dunno why you put Enzo in both choices , unless it’s the wrong MID in 1 of them

              Probably B IMO

              1. The Final Boss
                • 8 Years
                1 month, 18 days ago

                Forgot to put option C, Pope Minteh Bowen

                1. Casual Player
                  • 5 Years
                  1 month, 18 days ago

                  Hmm maybe C then

            2. theshazly
              • 2 Years
              1 month, 18 days ago

              Im on A

            3. Conners
              • 6 Years
              1 month, 18 days ago

              Assuming you're playing 3 ATB, have you considered going Woltemade & Alderete over Pedro & Andersen?

              That way you could afford Pope, Enzo and Bowen.

              (Otherwise B if you're set on keeping Pedro).

            4. The FPL Units
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              1 month, 18 days ago

              A

            5. The Final Boss
              • 8 Years
              1 month, 18 days ago

              Thanks all...

          6. Nespinha
            • 10 Years
            1 month, 18 days ago

            Got 2FT but considering a wildcard. Is it worth it?

            Sanchez - - Pope
            Porro, VVD, Esteve - - Gabriel, Timber, Richards
            Reijnders, KDH, Fernandes - - Minteh, Saka, Stoch
            Gyokeres - - Bowen

            1. Conners
              • 6 Years
              1 month, 18 days ago

              I'd be tempted to just use the FT's to get the 2 Arsenal defenders and leave it there.

          7. g40steve
            • 7 Years
            1 month, 18 days ago

            Morning,

            VDV & Reijnders >

            A city defender & Caicedo

            B chel defender & Caicedo

            Keep Marmad or go cheaper Dubs, have Pope?