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Apart from Costa, who is the best replacement for Aguero?
Bony? Rooney?
Another City forward
tempted Benteke, after this GW has Sunderland and Palace at home could be some nice points
Sakho and reinvest elsewhere
Since Aguero is yellow flagged is his price protected for a while? or will it drop tonight?
4 players flagged 2 of which are my keepers
Is it worth taking a hit to gain a maximum of 2 points?
If you can do just one then do that!
I feel that I need to get rid of Aguero as that is where the most point potential will be
bony dzeko/benteke austin front 3 (removing costa and doubling in chelsea def)
what do we think?Chelsea defence isn't the most water tight
- Aguero replacements
The Aguero Replacement Sweepstakes!
This seems to be the question on everyone's lips tonight, so I thought I'd take a more objective look at the top 5 replacements for Aguero, with particular focus on their respective fixtures.
Disclaimer: I have ignored Kane and Austin as I personally already own them, and also ignored Sakho as I think he's too much of a rotation risk even without fixtures due to Carroll and Valencia seemingly sharing time with him now. I am not considering any City strikers as I feel that Dzeko/Jovetic/Pozo will all be rotated so its hard to tell who will play and when.
COSTA:
13 Dec 15:00 Gameweek 16 Hull (H)
16 Dec 19:45 League Cup QF Derby v Chelsea
22 Dec 20:00 Gameweek 17 Stoke (A)
26 Dec 12:45 Gameweek 18 West Ham (H)
28 Dec 14:05 Gameweek 19 Southampton (A)
01 Jan 17:30 Gameweek 20 Spurs (A)
- Costa should certainly play against Hull after resting in the midweek CL game (since Chelsea have already won their group). Drogba and Remy scored against Spurs so either could start vs Derby, with Costa returning vs Stoke. However, Costa is unlikely to play in more than 2/3 of the Christmas fixtures. Logically it would be the one in the middle at Saints he is benched for, but that is also the toughest one so its very hard to tell. A look at his recent points don't live up to the "essential" tag he has apparently been given (i.e. 2-7-6-1-1), though admittedly his underlying stats remain very solid.
LUKAKU:
15 Dec 20:00 Gameweek 16 QPR (H)
20 Dec 15:00 Gameweek 17 Southampton (A)
26 Dec 15:00 Gameweek 18 Stoke (H)
28 Dec 16:15 Gameweek 19 Newcastle (A)
01 Jan 15:00 Gameweek 20 Hull (A)
- Lukaku has started every game this season apart from one (SWA). Reasonably tough fixtures suggest he will play a big part in all these fixtures, though he could get subbed early in games Everton are winning (as was the case in the 3-1 win at Burnley, when Lukaku was subbed after 64 mins). If he were to be benched in a game though it would likely be against Stoke one would imagine. QPR(H) is also especially enticing right off the bat.
BONY:
14 Dec 16:00 Gameweek 16 Spurs (H)
20 Dec 15:00 Gameweek 17 Hull (A)
26 Dec 15:00 Gameweek 18 Aston Villa (H)
29 Dec 20:00 Gameweek 19 Liverpool (A)
01 Jan 15:00 Gameweek 20 QPR (A)
- Bony has started every game since GW7, scoring 7g + 1a in that span to cement himself back ahead of Gomis who was briefly their main man. Fixtures suggest that he is very likely to play a big role throughout: He has always performed well against Liverpool (scoring twice at Anfield last season for example), and should continue to play every game one would imagine, though of course perhaps getting subbed early.
ROONEY
14 Dec 13:30 Gameweek 16 Liverpool (H)
20 Dec 15:00 Gameweek 17 Aston Villa (A)
26 Dec 15:00 Gameweek 18 Newcastle (H)
28 Dec 12:00 Gameweek 19 Spurs (A)
01 Jan 12:45 Gameweek 20 Stoke (A)
- Where on the pitch Rooney plays is the bigger question really, rather than how much, as Rooney will probably play 90 minutes in every single game. Falcao might have a sniff at some minutes during this spell of games if he's fit again though, but that would probably be at Van Persie's expense one would think.
BENTEKE:
13 Dec 15:00 Gameweek 16 West Brom (A)
20 Dec 15:00 Gameweek 17 Man Utd (H)
26 Dec 15:00 Gameweek 18 Swansea (A)
28 Dec 15:00 Gameweek 19 Sunderland (H)
01 Jan 15:00 Gameweek 20 Crystal Palace (H)
- Benteke is Villa's best player, so if he's fit, he plays. There is a risk that he could be benched in one of SUN or CPL though, but Villa don't really have any great alternatives so that would be down to his fitness mainly.
In summary, I would think Rooney is the one who'll play most, followed by Lukaku/Benteke/Bony who should all play about the same and only get rested if their respective teams can afford it, and then Costa in last place who will definitely face some rotation.
One idea I'm toying with is to go with Costa from the outset for Hull(H) and Stoke(A), but then downgrading to one of the others just before the Dec.26th round of fixtures, which would make Benteke particularly attractive then, with ´swa SUN CPL lei´ Villa's 4 fixtures from Dec 26th onwards.
All of these present good solutions so its a very tough choice, but it shows that Costa certainly isn't the "no-brainer" some suggest. Tough decision ahead this week!
(reposted as bottomed on previous page!)
Repost: Costa will not be benched.
Cheers for the effort though 🙂
As I said on previous page, Costa doesn't play more than once per week, or twice at a big stretch. There's no way he's going to start all 3 of those christmas fixtures, and with the Saints and Spurs games behind the hardest two it would be logical for him to play those, though it would be equally logical to play West Ham and Spurs, and bench him in the one in the middle. ... All of which makes it tough to predict
Bar another injury scare, I think the international break gave him enough time to heal. Don't think there's any reason to worry about rotation with him for a while
I think it's along the lines of the Aguero hammy arguments that fly around.
He's all yours then 😉
Like I said, I'm putting particular emphasis on nailed-on players during the next month, and my opinion is that Costa won't start all those 3. Everyone is entitled to their opinion though 🙂
Mourinho does not change a team lot. Six chelsea player started all of their league matches and you can make that seven as Matic missed one match due to suspension. Bar anymore injury or lack of form costa will start every game. May be he will be managed but he will start 🙂
Yeah, I think restricted minutes will be more likely.
Going Rooney for sure. Thanks for this
The fixtures ain't very inspiring plus Falcao coming back may mean he plays deeper.
Yeah this is my take on it as well. Plus his underlying stats aren't amazing either (though tbf neither were Bony's before the last two GW's, but Rooney's fixtures aren't as good as his were)
I just don't fancy any City forwards and I'd rather have him over Benteke. Already got Bony.
And Costa
Ah, but that makes your situation different, since you've already got two of these lads. In your case I would stick with Costa and Bony (and I'm assuming Austin)
i.e. I would get Austin instead of Rooney even if it means waiting a week
Austin over Rooney. Well the points don't lie, but my United bias is swaying me towards wazza
Fair enough then. Rooney is a solid pick you can't really go wrong, but I'm not sure he's the one for me.
I might even play musical chairs with FT's and rotate forward every couple of weeks, so i get Costa then Benteke, or Lukaku-Benteke, or Bony-Lukaku... we shall see. I love the thought of having Lukaku line up against QPR at home 😀
Bony intially, then move onto Benteke as AfCON comes up. You should also mention that since Bony would be the only one of this lot going to CON, he will be played in all games by Monk to make use of him while he's available
AfCon is only in GW21 though, which is the Jan.10th fixtures onwards, so didn't play a part in my analysis of the Christmas fixtures. Good point though in any case!
no Giroud ?
Lukaku or Benteke for me
As you know, I'm in a similar situation and I've gone with Costa. I agree with Tim regarding the rotation. He has had sufficient time to fully recover from any injuries
Bring back the orange pig! 😀
Costa's rotation won't be immediate, but from GW18-20 I would imagine...It's gone...for good now! 😉
Looks unlikely mate. Just to recall, this is what Mourinho said after Spain decided not to select him for the internationals
'I think Spain made a fantastic decision not just for us but for them. He has 15 days to get to the top of his game and when they need him they will get a good Diego not a bad one. Maybe the injury was good because it stopped him. When he became injured he had time to recover, step-by-step, and at this moment he is in a good condition.'Haha ok, it means that it'll be harder to identify your posts though 🙁
Do you really think that Mourinho is going to play Costa 3 times in less than 6 days when he has Remy and Drogba in good form too? I doubt itThe fact that the fixtures are no gimmes does help, strangely 😀
Mourinho started Drogba at United (where drogba scored), and both Drogba AND Remy scored against Spurs last week.... As such I would be shocked if Costa isn't rested for one of those games.
Btw, I'm not saying he's a bad choice, and I'll probably buy him, but i'll probably do Costa>Benteke or Bony in GW18 if I did get Costa first, as I want someone 100% nailed for the xmas triple-header! 🙂I know Drogba and Remy haven't let him down but Costa is still his go to man.
Not a bad strategy to be honest. I prefer Benteke to Bony. I'm torn between Costa and Benteke myself 😡Yeah, im torn between 5 guys: Costa-Lukaku-Rooney-Bony-Benteke... all have good sides. My issue with most of those is that I'd have a massive cash surplus if I didn't choose Costa... for example, what would you do with 4.2itb here?
Hart (Elliot)
Baines Terry Caulker Wisdom Hutton
Sanchez Yaya Hazard Siggy Downing
Benteke Austin KaneI don't think you should look at it from a monetary point of view. Just go by the boring old saying - Get whoever you think will score most points. I am leaning towards Costa, at the minute regardless. 😉
No doubt. If only one of these (or Ings for example) had two very good fixtures in a row coming up now I could punt on them. Costa is such an unexciting pick but it'll probably end up being him. I should probably watch MOTD as it might give me a clue! (missed todays games!)
I just downloaded it, about to watch it myself. Great minds think alike! 😉
Total left field punt: RVP. Will be watching his form tonight closely.
i agree with this one, if he finds confidence we could be talking a great punt when everyone has gone rooney.
I think not having Costa was a great differential for me this week
This^^ same for me. Have rooney instead of Costa.
Does anyone know why Craig Dawson didn't play?
Nope and i wish I did, fellow owner here
The fact McAuley played and they got a CS doesn't bode well though
So, who WON'T be taking a hit or wildcarding this GW?
Possibly me. 2FTs and play an extra defender.
Should I WC with the following banned/injured
Fabinski
Fabegras
Chambers
Aguero
Austin
Have a non playing keeper
Just take a hit.
Bench AustinThis one^^
Evening lads
Is fab > haz worth a hit?
Or just bench him for a week
My subs are wisdom. Yun. Marney
If you have made a good profit and have enough players, I think I would avoid
Got fab at 9.0
the question you have to ask yourself is - do you want fabs long term? Hazard is definitely more explosive, I had fabs haz and costa , i switched out fabs to yaya this week, will get him back in jan when yaya goes to ACON. Reckon fabs will drop at least .2 this week
It's not a profit unless he sells him...I would think your logic would lead to the opposite conclusion.
Sell him
I'd just play Wisdom.
Play wisdom
Once more unto the breach...
Aguero, Oscar and Fabianski -----> Costa, Yaya and Green
-4
Yay or Nay?Looks nice
Green the best 4.5 keeper option? Pantilimon has been suggested.
In doing similar but might go Rooney and keep Oscar, at least this week. Then no -4 is required
Who is your other keeper?
Fabianski only misses one week, is it really worth a 4 point hit just to have a goalie? I've got Fabianski and Krul but won't be taking a hit to get a replacement goalie in, would only do that if I needed extra cash to fund another transfer.
Who to replace with Yaya: Boyd, Siggy or Downing? Other mids are Haz and Sanchez.
Thinking Siggy....
id keep siggy and do boyd
Have exactly the same decision to make. Its between boyd and siggy. Im reluctant to lose siggy cos he has burnt me already.
I did Costa>Kane and Boyd>Yaya (-4) last GW, very pleased with that so far. That Boyd>Yaya move looks good for you too
Heaton Mccarthy
Baines Chambers Yun Hutton Moore
Siggy Sanchez Hazard Yaya Boyd
Austin Kane Aguero
1ft 5.1 itb
Aguero to Costa ? Boring and means playing Boyd for 1 week but needs to be done ?Evening lads
Would you WC with this team or just do a couple of hits? Doubts to start/out marked with *:
Fabianski*, Jakupovic*
Bertrand, Yun, Baines, Moore*, C.Davies*
Fabregas*, Siggy, Sanchez, Downing, Boyd
Austin*, Bony, Aguero*
3m in bank.Hits
It's undoubtedly a shame the way it's happened, but I think we've been handed an opportunity to shake our teams up a bit here. 3-4-3 isn't the only formation, and arguably we don't even need any premium priced strikers at all right now.
Aguero's 'essential' status was just about universally acknowledged but the question of whether Costa deserves to be in that bracket is a divisive one. Rooney is always dangerous but perhaps playing slightly further back his threat is diminished...when fit, Di Maria does look the better option.
Yaya is the natural successor to Aguero with pens and presumably a more advanced role now, and Hazard seems to offer a viable alternative to Costa.
With Sanchez already installed in our midfields, and the need to accommodate as many of these midfield stars as we can (when is Walcott due back? Is Ramsey hitting form again? I haven't even mentioned Fabregas...), is a move to 3-5-2 the obvious solution?
Back to power 5?
In a nutshell 🙂
🙂
Yaya / sanchez / hazard / ADM / SiggyNice!!
And Swansea and QPR rotate home and away. Siggy scores at home. Austin blanks away. Just saying 😉
Good point!
Walcott will need to be eased in AGAIN, so wouldn't worry about that for a while. I think Aguero out makes it easier to have 8 upfront and rotate between the 2 formations, don't see the need to commit anymore.
That's an interesting angle in itself. I wouldn't mind seeing a few more managers taking that approach too.
That being said, I'd rather not have to rotate my attackers - so hard to get it right
There are some really affordable options so it's workable. Very hard to know the best strategy...I find it hard to resist a big mids set-up though, so I'll probably go down that route.
Been on it for 2 weeks now 😎
Kudos Pepin 🙂
It's certainly made the game a lot more interesting!
Absolutely! Just realised I didn't mention RvP or Falcao but they have been quite forgettable...
I would say that a move to 8 forwards is more obvious than any particular formation.
Here's my front 8:
Yaya Haz Sanchez Siggy Downing
Aguero Kane Austin
The cheapness of 4 of those makes it possible, and they also rotate perfectly.GW 16 : 4-5-1 for me
Chelsea really missed Matic
Desperately.
WC attempt 2: what do you think?
Guzan Given
Azpil Clyne debuchy//Clichy? Naylor Yun
Hazard Yaya Sanchez Downing Boyd
Costa Rooney SakhoVery nice. Clichy over debuchy
I think I'll be taking a -4 to do Chadli and Aguero to Yaya and Benteke/Sakho
On a scale of Dullard to Doosra how daft would another -4 to do Dawson to O'Shea be?Doosra if you have other playing defenders
Cameron, Baines, Naylor and Hutton my other defenders
Sakho is where it is at I think
I'm worried about his game time
Carroll and Valencia also in the pictureThink it's fine can't see him not playing tbh.
You know the rule!
Plus he might play, and it's a decent fixture.Forca. Sunderland will concede.
I miss Forca
Jenko's hamstring gone so O'Brien is now an option right? 4.2 😯
Demel still injured?
Don't think so but Joey came on
was Guy on the bench though?
Not sure need to have a look
Potentially
Wait and see prognosis
Demel tho?
Isn't Yaya a bit expensive for his rate of output this season?
He's getting back to form and with Kun gone he's now on pens, could be about to get the Yaya of last season back
I take the point on pens, but surely losing Aguero weakens not strengthens his potential?
didn't last season
Not if everything goes through him.
So... Who is YOUR Aguero replacement?
Marney
This.
Hulk me
Costa.
I'm a dullard, but those fixtures ...
Thinking Lukaku, God help me.
Costa.
I have Costa and Austin already. Thinking Lukaku (most likely) or Dzeko/Jovetic.
RVP
rooney
Giroud
Non playing GK this weekend and then as I'm not taking a -4 for a gk who ends on 2.
Jankupovic
Cresswell, Baines, Wisdom, Hutton
Hazard[C], Sanchez, Siggy
Aguero, Costa, Sakho
Subs : - Boyd, Yun, Elliot, Fabregas.
G2G?ehh, Aguero?
Krul + Aguero > Hart + Dzeko -4 ?
Leave me with:
Hart (Elliot)
Baines Ivan Wisdom (Chambers, Duff)
Sanchez Sterling Siggy Downing Ameobi
Costa Dzeko (Austin)
Not great but probably the best I can with no WC and only taking one hit...
What do we think?
Is cresswell worth his pricetag, or are there better alternatives for 5.5?
Jenkinson at 5.0 is a solid choice but possibly injured now....
7 (A),7 (H),5 (H) and 7 (A).
Say what you want about Swansea's away form but Bony is chucking out the points regardless.Dude's the real deal
Absolutely, he did this last season as well. Starts slow and then smashes it.
I like him, but I think I'm just short of getting him
Green the best 4.5 or under keeper option? Pantilimon has been suggested.
Will Fab drop tonight? Cant see him on FPL statistics?
no
He won't drop tonight and when he is, he's dropping 0.1m max, since it takes a lot more for a player on red to drop.
Went from 20k to 16k with 36pts. I knew it was a bad GW for all, but still didn't expect that.
a) Play no keeper
b) Krul > Panti (-4)
Is this a good move. 2ft
Aguero and de Maria >> to Sanchez and dzeko?
