Spot the Differential
2 January 2026 652 comments
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Our Gameweek 20 differentials column brings a trio of low-owned Fantasy Premier League (FPL) assets for your consideration.


MARTIN ODEGAARD

  • FPL ownership: 2.1%
  • Price: £7.8m
  • GW20-24 fixtures: bou | LIV | nfo | MUN | lee

After scoring and providing an assist over the last two Gameweeks, Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard (£7.8m) looks like a great option for the Gunners’ trip to the Vitality Stadium.

The playmaker should certainly be full of confidence coming up against strugglers Bournemouth, having won possession to brilliantly set up Martin Zubimendi (£5.2m) against Aston Villa on Tuesday.

“He needed some consistency and some games. Obviously, he had two times the shoulder injury, then he had a big knee injury, and that takes a little bit of time.

“Now you can see that it’s flowing, that his energy level is back to where it is. He’s taking risks, he’s affecting the game in a great way and I think he was really, really good today again.” – Mikel Arteta on Martin Odegaard in Gameweek 19

Odegaard impressively ranks first among all players for chances created over the last six Gameweeks, with 20.

He is also joint-ninth in his position for goal attempts during the same timeframe (13).

Those underlying stats suggest Odegaard can continue his recent production against Bournemouth, as he comes up against a side that has failed to win since Gameweek 9, conceding 11 goals in their last four matches.

Andoni Iraola’s defence has admittedly performed better at home, but given Arsenal’s attacking output, Odegaard looks like an interesting differential prospect, particularly with Bournemouth conceding so many key passes from the left half-space.

Above: Bournemouth’s chances created conceded heatmap in 2025/26


FERDI KADIOGLU

  • FPL ownership: 0.3%
  • Price: £4.4m
  • GW20-24 fixtures: BUR | mci | BOU | ful | EVE

For those Fantasy managers who aren’t afraid to roll the dice, Ferdi Kadioglu (£4.4m) could be a player to back this week as Brighton and Hove Albion entertain Burnley.

The £4.4m full-back provided his first assist of the 2025/26 campaign against West Ham United on Tuesday.

Furthermore, Kadioglu ranks joint-third among all FPL defenders for chances created and joint-10th for shots over the past four Gameweeks.

Set-pieces could prove crucial on Saturday, as Burnley, who have allowed nine goals in their last five matches, have conceded 76 goal attempts from dead-ball situations this season – only Aston Villa are worse off in that respect.

So as Brighton’s main corner-taker, Kadioglu could be set to profit from that weakness.

And with Brighton’s upcoming schedule pretty decent (they sit fifth on our Season Ticker for fixture difficulty in Gameweeks 20-28), and considering Kadioglu has the potential to deliver points at both ends of the pitch, he could be a nice differential pickup with just 0.3% ownership.

Defensively, Fabian Hurzeler’s troops have kept four clean sheets in their last 10 matches, offering further optimism ahead of Gameweek 20.


MATEUS FERNANDES

  • FPL ownership: 0.2%
  • Price: £5.5m
  • GW20-24 fixtures: wol | NFO | tot | SUN | che

West Ham have endured a difficult season thus far, picking up just 14 points from 19 matches.

However, the 2-2 draw against Brighton on Tuesday may provide the perfect springboard as they prepare for a favourable upcoming schedule.

In their next six matches, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side face Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest and Burnley, all of whom are currently ranked 17th or below in the table.

“What I want is to perform, compete and make this point [against Brighton] really valuable. If we achieve a good win there [at Molineux], a good performance, this is what we’re going to prepare.” – Nuno Espirito Santo

Budget midfielder Mateus Fernandes, who costs just £5.5m, has been a key creator for West Ham this season.

He’s created 14 chances since the start of November, the most of any Hammers player.

Furthermore, Fernandes has produced defensive contribution (DefCon) points in five of his last eight starts.

West Ham visit Wolves on Saturday.

Rob Edwards’ side have failed to keep a clean sheet so far this season and have looked particularly vulnerable at Molineux, conceding nine goals across their new manager’s four home games in charge.

Fernandes could act as a decent enabler, then, given West Ham’s favourable upcoming schedule.


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  1. stevehaigh84
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 hours, 14 mins ago

    Is it time to dump Semenyo with his City transfer looming?

    1. CYN
      • 7 Years
      3 hours ago

      Yep

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 8 Years
      2 hours, 44 mins ago

      Yes

  2. Cerylin
    • 10 Years
    3 hours, 13 mins ago

    Who to transfer out for Gabriel:
    A) VVD
    B) O'Reilly

    1. CYN
      • 7 Years
      3 hours ago

      B

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 8 Years
      2 hours, 44 mins ago

      B

  3. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    3 hours, 13 mins ago

    Best Newcastle defender?

    1. CYN
      • 7 Years
      2 hours, 59 mins ago

      Thiaw

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 8 Years
        1 hour, 56 mins ago

        Won't he become a rotation risk once Burn is back?

        1. Hairy Potter
          • 10 Years
          1 hour, 55 mins ago

          He's probably been our best player this season. He's first choice RCB.

  4. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 hours, 13 mins ago

    Best budget midfielder for 5.0 or less?

    Stach, Garner, Le Fee?

    1. CYN
      • 7 Years
      2 hours, 59 mins ago

      Stach

      1. CYN
        • 7 Years
        2 hours, 59 mins ago

        KDH long term

    2. Bad Kompany
      • 8 Years
      2 hours, 58 mins ago

      Tough pickings right now. Longstaff and KDH are my favorite but both currently out

    3. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 hours, 56 mins ago

      I’m getting KDH on WC knowing he is out um

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 8 Years
        1 hour, 56 mins ago

        Why not Garner instead?

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          1 hour, 54 mins ago

          Need the fts having played WC so early. I don’t want to waste a transfer on a Garner to KDH move in a few weeks

  5. CYN
    • 7 Years
    3 hours, 12 mins ago

    What do you think of double Sunderland defence?

    Got Mukiele, Andersen -> Alderete to raise some funds for O'Reilly -> Tark?

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 8 Years
      2 hours, 59 mins ago

      How often would you be starting them?

      1. CYN
        • 7 Years
        2 hours, 55 mins ago

        Would be choosing one to start between Alderete, Mukiele and Stach most weeks. Maybe play both defenders occasionally.

        1. Bad Kompany
          • 8 Years
          1 hour, 51 mins ago

          Think it's fine then. Great for the price

    2. TBL
      • 4 Years
      2 hours, 58 mins ago

      like it

    3. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 hours, 55 mins ago

      They’re the best enablers in the game currently

  6. Bad Kompany
    • 8 Years
    3 hours, 12 mins ago

    Sell:
    A) Cunha
    B) Foden

    To get Cherki. Need money to fund Gabriel and a playing GK thanks to Sels 🙁

    Cunha has the better next 2 fixtures but the current United team is terrible and their players might not return until after. Thoughts?

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      2 hours, 58 mins ago

      A

    2. CYN
      • 7 Years
      2 hours, 58 mins ago

      Wouldn't lose either for now.

      Cunha out after next 2

      1. FC Hakkebøf
        • 8 Years
        1 hour, 43 mins ago

        This

    3. Atwood
      • 15 Years
      2 hours, 58 mins ago

      B of those two. Don't massively like either but would rather spread the players than double City mids.

  7. Atwood
    • 15 Years
    3 hours, 12 mins ago

    Rogers or Gordon?

    I like the latter, but seems to be a risk over minutes?

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 8 Years
      3 hours, 10 mins ago

      Gordon for me. He'll start and get subbed off a bit early but think he's still slightly better option

    2. jonnybhoy
      • 13 Years
      3 hours, 8 mins ago

      Rogers

    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      3 hours, 3 mins ago

      Rogers, better player in a better team, nailed

    4. FC Hakkebøf
      • 8 Years
      2 hours, 55 mins ago

      Gordon for me (but ideally both)

  8. Junks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 hours, 11 mins ago

    Kelleher
    Cash LewisPotter Gabriel
    Rogers Garner Wirtz Foden
    Woltemade Haaland Ekitike

    Dubravka / Wilson / Alderete / Keane

    Struggling to decide on who to start?

    1. Onz
      • 8 Years
      2 hours, 59 mins ago

      Keane over Garner imo. Keane will play if fit, but will not just come on for a cameo. Put Garner 1st on bench

  9. jonnybhoy
    • 13 Years
    3 hours, 10 mins ago

    What would you rather?

    A) Raya and Keane (Senesi if Keane doesnt play) +4pts
    B) Pickford and Gabriel

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 8 Years
      3 hours, 9 mins ago

      B

    2. Sailboats
      • 10 Years
      3 hours, 9 mins ago

      Tough choice. If Keane plays, then B is so bad for -4.

      1. jonnybhoy
        • 13 Years
        3 hours, 8 mins ago

        Yeah thats why I cant decide

        1. Sailboats
          • 10 Years
          3 hours, 6 mins ago

          I have Keane and Raya also. Im doing A (Gudmunsson subs in).

          1. jonnybhoy
            • 13 Years
            3 hours, 2 mins ago

            Price rises tonight are a killer too

    3. FC Hakkebøf
      • 8 Years
      2 hours, 54 mins ago

      A

  10. Moneymar
    • 3 Years
    3 hours, 10 mins ago

    Which one would you do for the next couple gw?

    A) KDH to Paqueta
    B) KDH to Garner
    C) KDH to Zubimendi

    1. ball c
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 hours, 8 mins ago

      A

    2. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 hours, 8 mins ago

      A

  11. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    3 hours, 9 mins ago

    It’s written in the stars that Rogers blanks this week

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 hours, 8 mins ago

      Stop it, he better not

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 8 Years
      2 hours, 53 mins ago

      and then people start selling him and he hauts the following.

  12. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 hours, 8 mins ago

    Start Anderson at home vs LIV or Mukiele away to TOT?

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 hours, 55 mins ago

      Mukiele

    2. CYN
      • 7 Years
      2 hours, 51 mins ago

      Mukiele

  13. Manani
    • 14 Years
    3 hours, 7 mins ago

    Y or N?

    Rice + Wilson + Thiago + Oreilly > BrunoG + Guiu + Rogers + Gabriel

    1. TochanMama
      • 13 Years
      3 hours, 4 mins ago

      N

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 8 Years
      2 hours, 52 mins ago

      N.

  14. TochanMama
    • 13 Years
    3 hours, 6 mins ago

    Sorry, bottomed.

    Who'd you get rid of for Tarkovski?

    A) Andersen
    B) Guehi

    Timber - Andersen - Guehi - Alderete - Gudmundson

    1. CYN
      • 7 Years
      2 hours, 51 mins ago

      B

  15. Clintymints
    • 16 Years
    3 hours, 6 mins ago

    Bottomed out

    Bowen > Ekitike worth a -4?

    Otherwise can possibly add him next week

    1. CYN
      • 7 Years
      2 hours, 52 mins ago

      No

    2. Sailboats
      • 10 Years
      2 hours, 52 mins ago

      no

    3. Tree House
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      2 hours, 52 mins ago

      Bowen has wolves

    4. TochanMama
      • 13 Years
      2 hours, 52 mins ago

      Bowen has good fixtures. I'd hold.

    5. Clintymints
      • 16 Years
      2 hours, 49 mins ago

      My bad, I meant the other way around

      Otherwise, agreed!

  16. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 hours, 6 mins ago

    Which move would you guys recommend:

    A) Virgil & Wirtz to Gabriel & Gordon for -4
    B) O’Reilly & Wirtz to Gabriel & Gordon for -4
    C) Virgil to Gabriel (keep Wirtz)

    1. Soyland
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 hours, 57 mins ago

      I think Wirtz is the most pressing issue. I am in the same boat, moving out wirtz, and maybe a defender to Gabriel for -4. I dont think Gabriel is essential before after Liverpool, but those price-rises stings....

  17. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 hours, 4 mins ago

    I really need Villa to set Forest on fire tomorrow in the early kick off so badly

  18. Norco
    • 11 Years
    3 hours, 4 mins ago

    RMWCT

    Verbruggen/Dubruvka
    Gab Timber Tarko Nunez (Mukiele)
    Saka Palmer Cherki Rogers (Garner)
    Haaland Bowen (Mane)

    0.2ITB

    Current 50/50

    A. Foden + DCL; or
    B. Cherki + Bowen

    1. Sailboats
      • 10 Years
      3 hours, 3 mins ago

      B

      1. Norco
        • 11 Years
        3 hours, 1 min ago

        Only worry would Semenyo affect Cherki, guess that can be dealt with later

    2. C) Cherki + DCL + upgrade Garner?

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 hours, 58 mins ago

        To who? There are no midfield players I like up to 7m

      2. Norco
        • 11 Years
        2 hours, 58 mins ago

        That gives me 7.1m to spend.

        So could go Cherki + DCL + BrunoG

        1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 9 Years
          2 hours, 57 mins ago

          Prefer that

    3. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 hours, 59 mins ago

      Cherki will be a mins risk once Semenyo joins

      Would you pair John with Verbruggen instead of Dubravka. Gw21 when Verb has City, Dubravka has Utd (probably a good fixture really) while John has whm in a 6 pointer

      1. Norco
        • 11 Years
        2 hours, 56 mins ago

        Good shout, haven't checked the rotation with GK yet as I've had Dub all season. But I like the suggestion there thanks!

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 hours, 54 mins ago

          No problem

  19. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    3 hours, 2 mins ago

    Best option here? 1ft, 1.7m itb.

    A. keane > gabriel
    B. thiago > bowen
    C. thiago > watkins
    D. konate thiago > gabriel bowen -4

    sanchez
    konate o'reily vdv
    saka cunha foden brunoG
    haaland thiago dcl

    dubravka anderson KEANE DIOUF

    1. BR510
        2 hours, 57 mins ago

        I like D

    2. Redranger
      • 11 Years
      3 hours, 2 mins ago

      Worth keeping Woltemade with their fixtures or dump for Bowen?

      1. JohnnyB10
          2 hours, 58 mins ago

          Maybe switch to Bowen with Wissa in the play now.

          1. BR510
              2 hours, 58 mins ago

              This

            • Redranger
              • 11 Years
              2 hours, 57 mins ago

              Yeah, that’s exactly what I was thinking! Cheers!

        • JohnnyB10
            3 hours, 2 mins ago

            Senesi and Reece James to Gabriel/any 3.8 defender? ( Tark/VVD/Gudmon ) Or just roll? 2ft. Any thoughts?

            1. BR510
                2 hours, 58 mins ago

                Yes

                1. JohnnyB10
                    2 hours, 53 mins ago

                    Sad to let go Reece but he will be a rotation risk for sure going forward, especially when UCL kicks in again. VVD/Tark/Gabriel, looks set for a long time.

                2. Yank Revolution
                  • 14 Years
                  2 hours, 48 mins ago

                  Do that double transfer.

                  1. JohnnyB10
                      2 hours, 38 mins ago

                      Thanks, I will! Bring Clyne with Gab and that’s it.

                3. Manani
                  • 14 Years
                  2 hours, 59 mins ago

                  Timber > Gabriel??

                  got 4 FT, a bit knee jerky (for the price)

                  1. BR510
                      2 hours, 58 mins ago

                      Yes with 4ft

                    • FPL Blow-In
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 13 Years
                      2 hours, 57 mins ago

                      This move seems common enough on here and will end in tears imo

                      Get both if possible

                      1. Manani
                        • 14 Years
                        2 hours, 56 mins ago

                        yeah, but got Rice/Saka as well

                        1. FPL Blow-In
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 13 Years
                          2 hours, 55 mins ago

                          Ahhh ok then

                    • IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                      • 9 Years
                      2 hours, 39 mins ago

                      Yes

                  2. BR510
                      2 hours, 58 mins ago

                      I need help:
                      1. Tark, Gab, Rice
                      2. Gab, Timber, Rogers

                    • OptimusBlack
                      • 12 Years
                      2 hours, 58 mins ago

                      Who to play ?
                      A- Gudmundsson MAN (H)
                      B- Alderete TOT(A)

                      1. BR510
                          2 hours, 57 mins ago

                          A

                        • JohnnyB10
                            2 hours, 52 mins ago

                            A

                          • IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                            • 9 Years
                            2 hours, 39 mins ago

                            B

                        • pundit of punts
                          • 12 Years
                          2 hours, 58 mins ago

                          WC locked! 🙂

                          Verbruggen
                          Gabriel - O’Brien - Van de Ven
                          Palmer - Saka - Foden - Rogers - Gordon
                          Haaland - Watkins

                          John - Alderete - Gudmundsson - Barnes

                          Good luck all. 🙂

                          1. BR510
                              2 hours, 44 mins ago

                              Nice!

                              1. pundit of punts
                                • 12 Years
                                1 hour, 37 mins ago

                                Ta

                            • FPL Blow-In
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 13 Years
                              2 hours, 43 mins ago

                              Yikes

                              1. FPL Blow-In
                                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                                • 13 Years
                                1 hour, 40 mins ago

                                Just kidding

                                Small note, O’Brien could be at risk soon if Everton sign a RB in this window which they’ve been rumoured to

                                1. pundit of punts
                                  • 12 Years
                                  1 hour, 38 mins ago

                                  The Keane mystery has done this to me.

                                  Would have so easy to just pick Keane.

                                  Mykolenko instead?

                            • IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                              • 9 Years
                              2 hours, 41 mins ago

                              It's a nice team! I'm onto something similar but different, haha!

                              DCL over Watkins gives money to pump into defence
                              Team looks good though mate

                              1. pundit of punts
                                • 12 Years
                                1 hour, 36 mins ago

                                I’ve got a Gordon downgrade in 24 in mind to fund defensive upgrades like Munoz, James etc

                            • JohnnyB10
                                2 hours, 38 mins ago

                                Neat 🙂

                                1. pundit of punts
                                  • 12 Years
                                  1 hour, 36 mins ago

                                  Ta

                              • Count Olaf
                                • 1 Year
                                2 hours, 34 mins ago

                                Dubravka over John for me.

                                1. pundit of punts
                                  • 12 Years
                                  2 hours, 32 mins ago

                                  Hmmm

                                  I need John for next gw

                                  Chances of him losing his spot?

                                  1. Count Olaf
                                    • 1 Year
                                    2 hours, 31 mins ago

                                    Can't tell for sure. I think it's likely, he hasn't been that good.

                            • IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                              • 9 Years
                              2 hours, 48 mins ago

                              Thoughts on this WC team?

                              Roefs
                              Gabriel Tarkowski Alderete
                              Saka Palmer Foden Rogers Trossard
                              Haaland DCL

                              Dubravka Nunes Chalobah Obi
                              0.6ITB

                              Trossard is just a placeholder for Rice.

                              1. pundit of punts
                                • 12 Years
                                2 hours, 46 mins ago

                                Nunes is just not required

                                Looks tidy otherwise

                                1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                                  • 9 Years
                                  2 hours, 44 mins ago

                                  He's on the bench this week since I have Palmer and don't like playing my defenders against my attackers.

                            • Should have stuck with Golf…
                              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                              • 15 Years
                              2 hours, 48 mins ago

                              Ok, so new plan, born of desperarion
                              Raya
                              Dorgu, O’Reilly, Guehi
                              Foden, Cunha, Wilson, Wirtz
                              Harland, Ekitike, Bowen
                              Vicario, Senesi, Rice, Mukiele

                              Plan currently is WC
                              Raya to Roefs
                              Vicario to Dubravka
                              O’ Reilly to Gabriel
                              Sensei to Timber
                              Dorgu to Keane
                              Rice to Rodgers
                              Wirtz to Bruno G
                              Wilson to M Fernandes

                              1. JT11fc
                                • 7 Years
                                2 hours, 37 mins ago

                                Not much wrong with that, most decisions are which mids to get really

                              2. Raoul Nogues
                                  2 hours, 24 mins ago

                                  Don t WC this week... Wirtz to another mid (Rogers ?) to fund a defender (oReilly ?) to Gabriel/Timber

                              3. TochanMama
                                • 13 Years
                                2 hours, 46 mins ago

                                Start one!

                                A) Raul vs LIV (H)
                                B) Anderson vs AVL (A)

                                1. JT11fc
                                  • 7 Years
                                  2 hours, 38 mins ago

                                  A

                              4. ididnt
                                • 14 Years
                                2 hours, 42 mins ago

                                Thiago & O’Reilly > DCL & Gabriel -4? 0.4 itb

                                1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                                  • 9 Years
                                  2 hours, 38 mins ago

                                  Yes

                              5. JT11fc
                                • 7 Years
                                2 hours, 38 mins ago

                                1 last decision before price changes
                                GK plus 5th defender

                                1. Mukiele Verbruggen

                                2. Alderete Sanchez/Roefs

                                1. JohnnyB10
                                    2 hours, 36 mins ago

                                    1 I guess

                                    1. JT11fc
                                      • 7 Years
                                      2 hours, 35 mins ago

                                      Thanks, prefer Mukiele? Or think Verbruggen is the one

                                  • RICICLE
                                    • 3 Years
                                    2 hours, 34 mins ago

                                    1

                                    1. JT11fc
                                      • 7 Years
                                      2 hours, 32 mins ago

                                      Thanks

                                  • IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                                    • 9 Years
                                    2 hours, 32 mins ago

                                    2 easily for me

                                    1. JT11fc
                                      • 7 Years
                                      2 hours, 31 mins ago

                                      Interesting, Roefs or Sanchez?

                                      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                                        • 9 Years
                                        2 hours, 31 mins ago

                                        Roefs

                                        1. JT11fc
                                          • 7 Years
                                          2 hours, 30 mins ago

                                          Thanks, Sunderland look so good

                                          1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                                            • 9 Years
                                            2 hours, 28 mins ago

                                            Yup.

                                            Is this defence a bit crazy?

                                            Roefs Dubravka
                                            Gabriel Nunes Cash Mukiele Alderete

                                            1. JT11fc
                                              • 7 Years
                                              2 hours, 26 mins ago

                                              Not that crazy, only 1 Arsenal may hurt but Cash is the one that could fire, I got Nunes too

                                              1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                                                • 9 Years
                                                2 hours, 23 mins ago

                                                I'm set on one Arsenal defender with Saka and Rice

                                                1. JT11fc
                                                  • 7 Years
                                                  2 hours, 21 mins ago

                                                  Oh yup makes sense then