Hey Gaffer - I’m always looking to shop Son, but he keeps delivering. Official draft and I’m in talks to sell Son, Dallas, Wood or Jesus for Bamford, Neto and Cancelo. Thoughts?
That’s a nice haul for Son but I think you’re maybe selling Dallas short. Assume the deal is Son + Dallas + Wood you’re getting two obvious upgrades in Bamford and Cancelo but I’m not sold that the Cancelo upgrade is worth the drop to Neto.
That said, if all three of those guys become starters for your squad that’s a nice way to maximize squad value in your starting XI by trading from your bench.
I’m probably not taking that deal but I’m really unhappy while I’m doing it. There is a key indicator missing from ADAMAs game right now in his dribbles/crosses. Per 90’ I love him still and Benrahma might be back on the bench next match.
Nope! Zouma is still in tier 2 but Reguilon has dropped a bit as has Semedo! It turns out changing my approach to defenders and expanding that top tier wasn’t really justified. That 2nd tier should be larger by a few names. I still like Reguilon as a regular starter when he’s in Spurs XI but the possibility of rotation and/or need to own his handcuff has to drop him value to your team a bit.
Pogba > Kai if they’re both starting. Timo > ADAMA if they’re both starting. I assume you don’t have two other FWDs who are both better than Timo and ADAMA or you’d be the league leader so it’s also ADAMA > both MID choices
Maguire is safer; Mee has been relying on attacking returns which is not historically where his bread is buttered. I’d start both of them over PVA though.
CHO is No. 1 if he’s in the XI vs Villa though. If you don’t mind waiting on Martinelli I’d be happy to sit both Foxes and roll the dice on CHO starting w/ Martinelli as my backup.
Yeah it’s been reported on football London and other places that CHO is starting but James was supposed to miss out, then be back fast; Ricardo was fully fit; etc. no idea w/ these managers. I’ve watched some of the Lampard presser and didn’t see him specifically call out CHO but it could easily have been an answer to a question i didn’t see.
In my OFPL 10-man league both Aurier and Doherty have been dropped and are available on Free Agency. I’m reluctant to pick-up one based on rotation risk, but could handcuff and grab both. Currently my defence is Chilwell, Castagne, Cash, Tarkowski, Mee. If I was going to go for it I’d probably drop Cash and Mee.
Maybe could do one for Cash now and then the second for Mee in GW18 when Burnley blank.
I don’t actually hate this in OFPL. Burnley has not been great and they’re not going to get you the defensive returns you need to offset Mee’s lack of attacking returns. As long as Mourinho doesn’t start doing something crazy like splitting them in the same match this is a good (albeit a bit strange to say but “safe”) play for that spot on a team that will be earning consistent DEF returns.
Q: Benrahma and Ünder. Their playing time has to go up after January no? They aren’t touching the field
A: I would hope so and both are holds/buy and hold for me right now but I’ve lost a couple matches because of that stubbornness. I doubt we’re seeing a Barnes - Vardy - Under or a Benrahma - Haller - Antonio front three anytime soon which is where I’d want them, ideally.
He looked fine but I doubt there’s a rush on adding him. A small FAAB bid is always fine and there is 0 reason to hold Ryan Fraser (and hasn’t been for a month or more).
Happy boxing day gaffer! Is it time to drop bale? He doesnt play and now injured for a prolonged period. I dont think ive played 11 since week 2. Bale, Under, Jota, doherty, ziyech all killing me.
First, happy holidays and thanks for the open thread!
Second, I've got two fantrax/togga teams and two sets of problems. The problems revolve around the early kick offs. I don't expect to be up for either (unless my child wills it) but I have important players in both.
One team has Albrighton. Do I start him or hope one of Trossard or Brownhill gets the nod? I'm also dealing with the headache of having both Traore and Mitrovic as forwards. All things equal, I'd go with Traore, but there is a distinct possibility he will come off the bench. Do I run with Mitrovic if he gets the start against SOU?
My other team has Barnes, Under and McNeil in the midfield. Do I put those guys in and hope they start? I have the other three midfield slots taken care of, but those three are my only healthyish options for the final place.
I would not start Albrighton. Either Trossard or Brownhill would be worth starting Marc, with a "c", Albrighton over that chance. The Traore thing is difficult but the Mitrovic thing is easy to solve - drop him and find something better. If Mitro is starting, yes he should be in your XI but I'm thoroughly not expecting Scott Parker to do anything resembling pre-season predictable. And that's fine - he's managing a tough situation.
Um, this team has the best midfield that no one wants to start and provided that they're all starting at the time I would rank them Under then Barnes. They're the opening match so if you're not going to be awake its Barnes, then McNeil, then Under because um...Rodgers is a terrible manager. Unless you're part of Arsenal's front office? In which case, Rodgers is the best manager in Liverpool history and selling Raheem Sterling was a masterstroke that directly led to both a Champions League and Premier League title. You should totally hire him.
Spot on with the advice of starting Barnes and leaving Albrighton (he'll always be Mark with a "k" to me) on the bench! I'm not really sure why Rogers reactive possession based style is so well thought of...
If there were a better forward (or player) than Mitro on my wire, I'd grab them. I've come to terms that drafting him was a mistake.
I want Azpilicueta ROS but I can see why Emerson is appealing. That was a nice outing against West Ham but Dave did the same thing, has more versatile positioning and is generally being used by Frank more frequently.
Yeah it doesn’t matter to me. I’m trying to own Johnstone anywhere I can but I don’t chase the cleansheets. I want the guys who are getting the most save chances and WBA have allowed the most Shots on Target and nearly 2x what Villa have.
Hey Gaffer, I have Chilwell, Rodrigues, Antonio, Jesus, Walker and Digne in my Official FPL 8 team draft league. I’m first by 2 games, but looks like I’ll be playing short over the next 3 fixtures at least. I’ve held on to Digne this long.. but is it worth cutting bait now and getting a warm body over the busy period? I’m sure somebody would snag him on waivers to stash him.
JFC that’s a brutal roster. I would rather cut Walker and stream that spot then give up Digne in that 8-team league. I really hate cutting elite level players in leagues that size and the waiver wire has so much talent it’s easier to stream a mid-level player into the spot for Walker.
I’d try really hard to trade Jesus right now; he’s just got the COVID diagnosis so he’s out for the next three matches because of the calendar (is my guess) and if it hits him badly he may miss a month or more. And if / when he comes back there’s no guarantee he’ll be the same for a bit. Get some value from Aguero’s owner in a trade and count your blessings.
Thanks for the reply. I don’t think I’m going to get any bites on Jesus in my league, half the dudes don’t trade which is a whole other story... the best fwds to get on waivers right now are Rodrigo, Decordova-Reid and Mitro. Rodrigo could be interesting, but dropping Jesus for him seems like a tough call.
If you can carry Jesus and not be missing a starter he’s deffo got more upside on a per start basis; I wouldn’t mind adding Rodrigo from that group. You might be dropping him right quick if Leeds strengthen in the Jan window but between now and then it’s Burnley and West Brom sooooo that’s a call on your depth and formation.
As an owner of ASM and Havertz (not to mention Trezguet to really weaken the midfield), is it time to sell low on the first two? What’s an acceptable deal if was looking for defenders or midfielders? McNeil for Havertz?
I'm buying Havertz and ASM at a discount (heavy discount) so this is a good question both ways. If you're tired of waiting on either/both of them to come back there is plenty of value to be had and I agree that McNeil range is about correct. I wrote last week (earlier this week?) in another thread that I want to get back a regular starter if I'm trading either of these guys.
If you could get Stuart Armstrong I think that's a nice target. Probably can't get Walcott but him too. I promise, I'll name non-Saints in just a second. I would want someone better than this but Josh Brownhall with a goal or two looks a lot better (7.21 PPM w 0g 0a this season). Looking up at FWD, I'd want no one worse than Tony Martial so it might be hard to make that work but a challenge trade taking back PEA? Maybe landing Danny Welbeck...
Fr defenders gotta be Thiago Silva / Nelson Semedo or better.
Also - with Kalvin Phillips off set pieces, is he droppable in 10 team (or lower) leagues? Considering swapping him for a Schlupp, Giroud, or other weekly streamer.
2, 5, 2.5 are his last three outings, though that 2.5 did come in only 45' it's not like he was on a blistering pace. I don't Schlupp is a great streaming option but sure in a 10-team league you absolutely do not need to hold Phillips (or Schlupp, or Giroud). That can easily be a streaming spot.
Hey Gaffer - I’m always looking to shop Son, but he keeps delivering. Official draft and I’m in talks to sell Son, Dallas, Wood or Jesus for Bamford, Neto and Cancelo. Thoughts?
That’s a nice haul for Son but I think you’re maybe selling Dallas short. Assume the deal is Son + Dallas + Wood you’re getting two obvious upgrades in Bamford and Cancelo but I’m not sold that the Cancelo upgrade is worth the drop to Neto.
That said, if all three of those guys become starters for your squad that’s a nice way to maximize squad value in your starting XI by trading from your bench.
Hello John,
Great post as always. Quick lineup question, which two should I start this GW out of M Pereira(vs Arsenal), Lacazette(vs WBA), Townsend(vs SHU)?
Pereira for sure - every week starter.
It’s whichever of the other two actually start which this week I think means Dros.
Hey John, been offered Benrahma and Reguillon for my Adama. Are you taking this?
I’m probably not taking that deal but I’m really unhappy while I’m doing it. There is a key indicator missing from ADAMAs game right now in his dribbles/crosses. Per 90’ I love him still and Benrahma might be back on the bench next match.
do you still rate zouma as a tier 2 defender and regu as tier1?
Nope! Zouma is still in tier 2 but Reguilon has dropped a bit as has Semedo! It turns out changing my approach to defenders and expanding that top tier wasn’t really justified. That 2nd tier should be larger by a few names. I still like Reguilon as a regular starter when he’s in Spurs XI but the possibility of rotation and/or need to own his handcuff has to drop him value to your team a bit.
Interesting, I was thinking of getting in one of Zouma or Tarkowski
HNY
In a tough spot this week, facing off the league leader
Who goes in?
Pogba or Kai?
Timo or Adama?
Goooooood morning and Happy New Year!
Pogba > Kai if they’re both starting. Timo > ADAMA if they’re both starting. I assume you don’t have two other FWDs who are both better than Timo and ADAMA or you’d be the league leader so it’s also ADAMA > both MID choices
Haha I have firmino and benteke, 8 man league.
Going all in on CPAL assets
Another question: Mee or Maguire?
Other defenders are PVA and Doherty :/
Maguire is safer; Mee has been relying on attacking returns which is not historically where his bread is buttered. I’d start both of them over PVA though.
thanks man!
with covid and all, it is going to be some tough GWs
have a great day!
Need some streaming help. How would you rank them this game week?
- Perez
- CHO
- Martinelli
- Evans
- Iheanacho
Evans is last.
Iheanacho > Perez
Martinelli > CHO b/c of starting
CHO is No. 1 if he’s in the XI vs Villa though. If you don’t mind waiting on Martinelli I’d be happy to sit both Foxes and roll the dice on CHO starting w/ Martinelli as my backup.
Read somewhere Lampard confirmed CHO was starting. I'll start him and snag Mart as b/u - thanks!
Yeah it’s been reported on football London and other places that CHO is starting but James was supposed to miss out, then be back fast; Ricardo was fully fit; etc. no idea w/ these managers. I’ve watched some of the Lampard presser and didn’t see him specifically call out CHO but it could easily have been an answer to a question i didn’t see.
Hi John.
In my OFPL 10-man league both Aurier and Doherty have been dropped and are available on Free Agency. I’m reluctant to pick-up one based on rotation risk, but could handcuff and grab both. Currently my defence is Chilwell, Castagne, Cash, Tarkowski, Mee. If I was going to go for it I’d probably drop Cash and Mee.
Maybe could do one for Cash now and then the second for Mee in GW18 when Burnley blank.
Thoughts?
I don’t actually hate this in OFPL. Burnley has not been great and they’re not going to get you the defensive returns you need to offset Mee’s lack of attacking returns. As long as Mourinho doesn’t start doing something crazy like splitting them in the same match this is a good (albeit a bit strange to say but “safe”) play for that spot on a team that will be earning consistent DEF returns.
Q: Benrahma and Ünder. Their playing time has to go up after January no? They aren’t touching the field
A: I would hope so and both are holds/buy and hold for me right now but I’ve lost a couple matches because of that stubbornness. I doubt we’re seeing a Barnes - Vardy - Under or a Benrahma - Haller - Antonio front three anytime soon which is where I’d want them, ideally.
CHO looked great as a substitute yesterday. Worth dropping some FAAB and Fraser or Mitro for?
He looked fine but I doubt there’s a rush on adding him. A small FAAB bid is always fine and there is 0 reason to hold Ryan Fraser (and hasn’t been for a month or more).
100% other players in my league will be after him... Chelsea fans.
Happy boxing day gaffer! Is it time to drop bale? He doesnt play and now injured for a prolonged period. I dont think ive played 11 since week 2. Bale, Under, Jota, doherty, ziyech all killing me.
‘Appt Boxing Day Everyone!
Yeah if that’s the list I’ve got on my bench Bale is getting dropped first and now.
First, happy holidays and thanks for the open thread!
Second, I've got two fantrax/togga teams and two sets of problems. The problems revolve around the early kick offs. I don't expect to be up for either (unless my child wills it) but I have important players in both.
One team has Albrighton. Do I start him or hope one of Trossard or Brownhill gets the nod? I'm also dealing with the headache of having both Traore and Mitrovic as forwards. All things equal, I'd go with Traore, but there is a distinct possibility he will come off the bench. Do I run with Mitrovic if he gets the start against SOU?
My other team has Barnes, Under and McNeil in the midfield. Do I put those guys in and hope they start? I have the other three midfield slots taken care of, but those three are my only healthyish options for the final place.
Thanks for the help!
I would not start Albrighton. Either Trossard or Brownhill would be worth starting Marc, with a "c", Albrighton over that chance. The Traore thing is difficult but the Mitrovic thing is easy to solve - drop him and find something better. If Mitro is starting, yes he should be in your XI but I'm thoroughly not expecting Scott Parker to do anything resembling pre-season predictable. And that's fine - he's managing a tough situation.
Um, this team has the best midfield that no one wants to start and provided that they're all starting at the time I would rank them Under then Barnes. They're the opening match so if you're not going to be awake its Barnes, then McNeil, then Under because um...Rodgers is a terrible manager. Unless you're part of Arsenal's front office? In which case, Rodgers is the best manager in Liverpool history and selling Raheem Sterling was a masterstroke that directly led to both a Champions League and Premier League title. You should totally hire him.
Spot on with the advice of starting Barnes and leaving Albrighton (he'll always be Mark with a "k" to me) on the bench! I'm not really sure why Rogers reactive possession based style is so well thought of...
If there were a better forward (or player) than Mitro on my wire, I'd grab them. I've come to terms that drafting him was a mistake.
Emerson vs Azpi, this weeknend and ROS, whatcha thinking?
I want Azpilicueta ROS but I can see why Emerson is appealing. That was a nice outing against West Ham but Dave did the same thing, has more versatile positioning and is generally being used by Frank more frequently.
While almost not worth the brain space, would you keep Martinez (given I have Cash) for the 2x clean sheet potential or grab Sam Johnston?
Yeah it doesn’t matter to me. I’m trying to own Johnstone anywhere I can but I don’t chase the cleansheets. I want the guys who are getting the most save chances and WBA have allowed the most Shots on Target and nearly 2x what Villa have.
Hey Gaffer, I have Chilwell, Rodrigues, Antonio, Jesus, Walker and Digne in my Official FPL 8 team draft league. I’m first by 2 games, but looks like I’ll be playing short over the next 3 fixtures at least. I’ve held on to Digne this long.. but is it worth cutting bait now and getting a warm body over the busy period? I’m sure somebody would snag him on waivers to stash him.
Thanks,
Dave
JFC that’s a brutal roster. I would rather cut Walker and stream that spot then give up Digne in that 8-team league. I really hate cutting elite level players in leagues that size and the waiver wire has so much talent it’s easier to stream a mid-level player into the spot for Walker.
I’d try really hard to trade Jesus right now; he’s just got the COVID diagnosis so he’s out for the next three matches because of the calendar (is my guess) and if it hits him badly he may miss a month or more. And if / when he comes back there’s no guarantee he’ll be the same for a bit. Get some value from Aguero’s owner in a trade and count your blessings.
Thanks for the reply. I don’t think I’m going to get any bites on Jesus in my league, half the dudes don’t trade which is a whole other story... the best fwds to get on waivers right now are Rodrigo, Decordova-Reid and Mitro. Rodrigo could be interesting, but dropping Jesus for him seems like a tough call.
If you can carry Jesus and not be missing a starter he’s deffo got more upside on a per start basis; I wouldn’t mind adding Rodrigo from that group. You might be dropping him right quick if Leeds strengthen in the Jan window but between now and then it’s Burnley and West Brom sooooo that’s a call on your depth and formation.
As an owner of ASM and Havertz (not to mention Trezguet to really weaken the midfield), is it time to sell low on the first two? What’s an acceptable deal if was looking for defenders or midfielders? McNeil for Havertz?
I'm buying Havertz and ASM at a discount (heavy discount) so this is a good question both ways. If you're tired of waiting on either/both of them to come back there is plenty of value to be had and I agree that McNeil range is about correct. I wrote last week (earlier this week?) in another thread that I want to get back a regular starter if I'm trading either of these guys.
If you could get Stuart Armstrong I think that's a nice target. Probably can't get Walcott but him too. I promise, I'll name non-Saints in just a second. I would want someone better than this but Josh Brownhall with a goal or two looks a lot better (7.21 PPM w 0g 0a this season). Looking up at FWD, I'd want no one worse than Tony Martial so it might be hard to make that work but a challenge trade taking back PEA? Maybe landing Danny Welbeck...
Fr defenders gotta be Thiago Silva / Nelson Semedo or better.
Also - with Kalvin Phillips off set pieces, is he droppable in 10 team (or lower) leagues? Considering swapping him for a Schlupp, Giroud, or other weekly streamer.
2, 5, 2.5 are his last three outings, though that 2.5 did come in only 45' it's not like he was on a blistering pace. I don't Schlupp is a great streaming option but sure in a 10-team league you absolutely do not need to hold Phillips (or Schlupp, or Giroud). That can easily be a streaming spot.