Saints vs. Villans in a battle for your mortal soul. Streaming options, home/road splits and waiting (and wishing) on the Buendia - Watkins - Bailey triumvirate to lead Villa's attack to the FPL promised land.
Hey gaffer...what are your thoughts on dropping Ritchie for Jensen? I'm not sure because Ritchie might have a good season now that howe is in charge...but Jensen was a beast against Norwich. What are your thoughts? Mids are currently Ritchie buendia ASM Barnes Maddison and Armstrong
Sterling has become available in my 8 man Fantrax and even though there’s not much chance he’ll see much of the pitch in the coming weeks, I’m tempted for the ROS potential.
Current FWD’s are Jota, Bailey, Werner, Jesus and Mahrez.
Debating a swap for either Werner or Mahrez. I’m slightly warmer on Timo now he looks to be Rom’s sidekick but he’s very G/A dependant. On the flip side, I’m not sure I want the City FWD chain gang.
Pick any two of the City trio and stick with it. Just remember hers there because Raz is still capable of being the highest scoring player in any given game week. I understand not wanting to drop Jesus, Werner likely will be more limited for the 3-5 games Pulisic is healthy but clearly has been better this year. You’d be really unlucky to own all five and not end up with two starters every week.
If they are both starting it’s Loftus-Cheek for the week, but you could argue it’s worth adding March since he has a solid match up and better chance at solidifying a long run back in the first team. I love Lookman’s potential but i do not trust that side at all right now and I’m not leaving myself short with only WHU v LIV left to play because neither side has any attractive streaming options that are low owned.
Hello John, another week another lineup question. Which one would you bench this week out of Townsend, Zaha, Redmond, Jimenez and Hudson-Odoi for this week’s fixtures?
Redmond if they all start, but I’m not sitting any of them if they’re in the starting Xi so that question will answer itself by the time the final matches kick off.
Townsend and it’s not remotely close right now. Ricardo (if he plays) has been neutered in this system and might come off after 20’ if he feels a twinge (and rightly so). Too many DEF out there to start him right now.
With Varane hurt, Alonso out of the starting lineup, and Zouma not doing much points wise, I'm in desperate need of some defenders to stream for the next few weeks. Salisu is available so I plan on picking him up, any other low rostered % defenders catching your eye currently?
Not really, no. I think that Saints DEF at home is a good bet; waiting to see what players actually make it into the XIs this weekend with the top sides all coming off midweek Euro action and likely couching against the approaching international break. Quickest finger on the WW kind of weekend for streaming DEF i think.
Hey Gaffer, I'm in a bit of a crisis in my Toggatrax league defense wise. Traded for Alonso right before Chilwell started his run and didn't manage to get Chilwell off his owner before he started for the handcuff, and my other defender, Matip, now looks to not be guaranteed. I have Johnson and Coufal and Lowton otherwise, but wondering what value I should look for in shipping off Alonso and/or Matip or if there's some low key defenders available I could snatch up: most of Wolves defense is available on waivers, as are a few more Burnley players, Cooper from Leeds, some Palace defenders, and Castagne & Soyuncu as well. Is there a trade I should aim for somewhere or should I try to make room for someone?
Matip is streamable and i wouldn’t drop him unless you need another starter but you just listed five DEF. Three of them should be playing each week regardless of the rotation etc.
Q: Hey Gaffer, hope your GW was well...I need some advice about waivers...I picked up laca and cucho during the GW and now I'm wondering if I should hold onto them...I can drop cucho but should I drop laca?? Keeping in mind the game against Watford...and if I were to drop cucho or laca who would you pick up? March, Janelt, nuno Tavares or do I stash Eze?
A: I probably wouldn't drop either of those guys unless they're not the starting XI and then I'd still try to hold Cucu over Laca. The Arsenal man can be dropped for Eze stash (unless you absolutely need a starter; then I'd pick up March first, Janelt next, for the one-week stream).
Q: Give : Watkins Get: JWP | PS: I have 6 forwards. Should I do it?
A: Sure, that's solid value and when you have that many forwards you're in a position to give up some value to get a very good player back. Despite all of Saints attacking woes this term, JWP remains a Very Good fpl asset. His 68pts and 8.5 PPM make him a Top 20 midfielder this season despite the fact he's got just two goals and NO assists. He finished last year with eight goals and seven (real) assists; this team might be appreciably worse in attack but his skillset remains unchanged and I fully expect him to deliver MID2 value every week - given his total lack of rotation that makes him a boarderline MID1 ROS.
A: Benteke, that team is stacked around him - Adams really doesn't do enough in most matches to have an impact but this weekend the matchup is just too good. As noted in this article, Southampton have been poor in attack both at home and on the road, but on the road their forwards are truly unusable in FPL draft in all but the absolute deepest (16-team+) leagues.
Q: Who do you like ROY, Kane or Mane? (Fantrax + extra stats) I have Jota and Mane. Mane seems slightly off to me (still producing) but his successful dribbles are way down and Spurs will be better by January. LIV just produce but I'm intrigued by Kane's ceiling.
A: It’s Mané b/c of his ability to pick up stats across the pitch + LFC attack. Kane’s been awful this year, clearly didn’t want to stay and Nuno was a bad fit. Nuno gone only eliminates one of those concerns. Kane firmly back in the Top 20 conversation but still the second best Spurs player (SON) for the rest of the season.
I am not too worried about the AFCoN time but obviously you do have to consider what your Mane cover looks like when he's away and monitor that tournament for his usage, progression and returning travel restrictions.
Hey gaffer...what are your thoughts on dropping Ritchie for Jensen? I'm not sure because Ritchie might have a good season now that howe is in charge...but Jensen was a beast against Norwich. What are your thoughts? Mids are currently Ritchie buendia ASM Barnes Maddison and Armstrong
And is it worth dropping cooper for Mitchel?? As Cooper has a tough run of fixtures
Hi John,
Sterling has become available in my 8 man Fantrax and even though there’s not much chance he’ll see much of the pitch in the coming weeks, I’m tempted for the ROS potential.
Current FWD’s are Jota, Bailey, Werner, Jesus and Mahrez.
Debating a swap for either Werner or Mahrez. I’m slightly warmer on Timo now he looks to be Rom’s sidekick but he’s very G/A dependant. On the flip side, I’m not sure I want the City FWD chain gang.
Any guidance here?
Pick any two of the City trio and stick with it. Just remember hers there because Raz is still capable of being the highest scoring player in any given game week. I understand not wanting to drop Jesus, Werner likely will be more limited for the 3-5 games Pulisic is healthy but clearly has been better this year. You’d be really unlucky to own all five and not end up with two starters every week.
Gaffer, I'm considering picking up a streaming mid, March and Loftus-Cheek are free in my league, who would you go for?
Lookman also available, there is chatter about him getting a start in a 4-2-3-1
If they are both starting it’s Loftus-Cheek for the week, but you could argue it’s worth adding March since he has a solid match up and better chance at solidifying a long run back in the first team. I love Lookman’s potential but i do not trust that side at all right now and I’m not leaving myself short with only WHU v LIV left to play because neither side has any attractive streaming options that are low owned.
Hello John, another week another lineup question. Which one would you bench this week out of Townsend, Zaha, Redmond, Jimenez and Hudson-Odoi for this week’s fixtures?
Redmond if they all start, but I’m not sitting any of them if they’re in the starting Xi so that question will answer itself by the time the final matches kick off.
Another quick question John, would you play Townsend or Ricardo Pereira?
Townsend and it’s not remotely close right now. Ricardo (if he plays) has been neutered in this system and might come off after 20’ if he feels a twinge (and rightly so). Too many DEF out there to start him right now.
OH, I forgot to say I can also play Ricardo as a mid in our league but your initial point is still fair, will go with Townsend.
With Varane hurt, Alonso out of the starting lineup, and Zouma not doing much points wise, I'm in desperate need of some defenders to stream for the next few weeks. Salisu is available so I plan on picking him up, any other low rostered % defenders catching your eye currently?
Not really, no. I think that Saints DEF at home is a good bet; waiting to see what players actually make it into the XIs this weekend with the top sides all coming off midweek Euro action and likely couching against the approaching international break. Quickest finger on the WW kind of weekend for streaming DEF i think.
Hey Gaffer, I'm in a bit of a crisis in my Toggatrax league defense wise. Traded for Alonso right before Chilwell started his run and didn't manage to get Chilwell off his owner before he started for the handcuff, and my other defender, Matip, now looks to not be guaranteed. I have Johnson and Coufal and Lowton otherwise, but wondering what value I should look for in shipping off Alonso and/or Matip or if there's some low key defenders available I could snatch up: most of Wolves defense is available on waivers, as are a few more Burnley players, Cooper from Leeds, some Palace defenders, and Castagne & Soyuncu as well. Is there a trade I should aim for somewhere or should I try to make room for someone?
Matip is streamable and i wouldn’t drop him unless you need another starter but you just listed five DEF. Three of them should be playing each week regardless of the rotation etc.
Q: Hey Gaffer, hope your GW was well...I need some advice about waivers...I picked up laca and cucho during the GW and now I'm wondering if I should hold onto them...I can drop cucho but should I drop laca?? Keeping in mind the game against Watford...and if I were to drop cucho or laca who would you pick up? March, Janelt, nuno Tavares or do I stash Eze?
A: I probably wouldn't drop either of those guys unless they're not the starting XI and then I'd still try to hold Cucu over Laca. The Arsenal man can be dropped for Eze stash (unless you absolutely need a starter; then I'd pick up March first, Janelt next, for the one-week stream).
Q: Give : Watkins Get: JWP | PS: I have 6 forwards. Should I do it?
A: Sure, that's solid value and when you have that many forwards you're in a position to give up some value to get a very good player back. Despite all of Saints attacking woes this term, JWP remains a Very Good fpl asset. His 68pts and 8.5 PPM make him a Top 20 midfielder this season despite the fact he's got just two goals and NO assists. He finished last year with eight goals and seven (real) assists; this team might be appreciably worse in attack but his skillset remains unchanged and I fully expect him to deliver MID2 value every week - given his total lack of rotation that makes him a boarderline MID1 ROS.
Q: Which would you prefer Benteke or Adams?
A: Benteke, that team is stacked around him - Adams really doesn't do enough in most matches to have an impact but this weekend the matchup is just too good. As noted in this article, Southampton have been poor in attack both at home and on the road, but on the road their forwards are truly unusable in FPL draft in all but the absolute deepest (16-team+) leagues.
Q: Who do you like ROY, Kane or Mane? (Fantrax + extra stats) I have Jota and Mane. Mane seems slightly off to me (still producing) but his successful dribbles are way down and Spurs will be better by January. LIV just produce but I'm intrigued by Kane's ceiling.
A: It’s Mané b/c of his ability to pick up stats across the pitch + LFC attack. Kane’s been awful this year, clearly didn’t want to stay and Nuno was a bad fit. Nuno gone only eliminates one of those concerns. Kane firmly back in the Top 20 conversation but still the second best Spurs player (SON) for the rest of the season.
I am not too worried about the AFCoN time but obviously you do have to consider what your Mane cover looks like when he's away and monitor that tournament for his usage, progression and returning travel restrictions.