FPL Friday Open Thread
Talking the biggest and best early-season surprises
We’re nearly through October and the EPL season is rounding into form. Speaking of form - there are a number of players who’ve already set themselves apart on the back of sparkling play and staggering stats. No one epitomizes early-season success more than Spurs duo of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.
While this attacking tandem are making managers happy with their goals, there are a number of less harold’d players who are getting it done across the pitch. Perhaps no one has made greater strides than Tariq Lamptey who has established himself as invaluable for Brighton and Brady managers alike.
Who are your other early-season standouts? Which are you trusting and who is just a small-sample size waiting for correction? The game week kicks off in just a few short hours but we’ll leave the Thread open all weekend:
Q: Hey jw. I have plenty of big hitter forwards and mids but having trouble with my other forwards. How would you rank McBurnie, Greenwood and Lookman? I can fit one unless I drop a mid like Trossard/Bowen/Under.
A: Well I just wrote about Lookman yesterday - so if you're a subscriber you can access that! - and I'd rate him first of that group for regular minutes and points. It's still Greenwood for streaming PPM value. I love Oli but...man I hate Sheffield's attack (until Lys Mousset heals and delivers unto us a 1/2 season to rival the basterd offspring of Michu and Mahrez.
Q: In the OFPL: Drop Mitro for Karlan Grant? Looks like Diangana & Periera are creating much more for him. Fulham attack is shit. Just not sure because Mitrovic is on PK’s. Any thoughts?
A: I would rather have Mitro but I understand the frustration and Grant might get more from open play. We have a larger EPL sample from the Fulham forward and his 2020-21 numbers look ok. In 2018-19 he played 3,280 and posted 0.45 npxG+xA/90 and scored 11 goals (just one penalty). This year he's played 478' and posted 0.51 npxG+xA/90, he has two goals including one penalty, but his numbers are in line. This is exactly what we thought we were getting and a guy who'll play 3,000+ minutes and create an expected goal or assist every other match is a valuable asset. Fulham ARE shit though, so it's going to be rough. In Togga scoring you can absorb that a lot more easily, in OFPL you're waiting for the 12-15 matches when Mitrovic gets an attacking return.