I genuinely do not care for Friday Football but here we are. Talking Chelsea's injuries and streaming options, the AFCON potential call-ups and picking my OFPL captian!
RE: Kovacic. Wrote about this last week and no he cannot. Basically any OFPL defender outside the top 20 *can* be dropped and Tierney is clearly in that group. For OFPL i still use xA a lot to help make DEF decisions (not just player data but xGA and home/road splits) to see if i can find good two-way value in my defenders based on matchup.
I hate, hate hate hate, to write this but with that team you need to drop Sterling and add Buendia. There simply isn’t enough value in Raz right now. Will you regret it later? Probably but managing your squad to wins means making tough choices to ensure a starting XI. CHO and Mahrez are rotation risks and Bailey hasn’t been able to stay healthy so you need someone to pair with Raph to get you 75+ min every single week. If you want stability ESR > Mahrez, too, but I wouldn’t make that move myself.
1st of a few questions for you this evening. OFPL draft. Current midfield:
Havertz, Jota, Raphinha, Buendia, Bailey.
Available mids:
Maddison, Sancho, Trossard, Olise.
Would you change any? Havertz burnt me badly this weekend but he’s worth holding (for now). I’m personally not happy having BOTH Buendia and Bailey so was thinking of bringing in Maddison for Emi (but I know how you feel about him). Thoughts?
I would personally drop Havertz for Leandro Trossard so damn fast, next week. This week I want Kai (vs newcastle) and the get LT (also cs newcastle!) and be happy. I can’t bring in Maddison until he does something, like anything at all. Emi is never more than one pass away from opening a match; thats where Jimmy used to be too but the current season is a disaster...
The second you hear OGS is gone you add Sancho. If you have a time machine and can only do one thing and you missed in adding Sancho after OGS is sacked you use it to go back in time and add Sancho.
OFPL 8 team league. After a fast start I’ve been hit with injuries DCL, Bamford, Raph in and out, and my latest pick up Mbeumo now has a knock. On top of that Sarr and Benrahama have come down to earth. I should note that the true studs on my team are TAA, Mane and Alisson. Watkins is my other fwd, who I’m mostly happy with.
Everybody is all onboard the Mbeumo train so I was pumped to get him, but if I can’t field 11 this week should I drop him, or is he worth keeping? ESR is available but I’m 2nd place so I likely can’t pick up, besides I’m not that hot on him.
I would just ride out the storm here; if you can make a positive move for the week by shipping Mbeumo to another manager or dropping him for a GW10 starter that makes sense but i wouldn’t contemplate moving any of those other names for a 1-week add on ESR. I would take a careful look at what Leeds assets are available because that NOR matchup is great.
Gaffer...what are your thoughts on trading out Mahrez for Bamford?? Currently have a frontline of Mane Pepe jota Trincao... rotation nightmare as well as AFCON terror... tried going for Watkins and jiminez but the owner didn't budge...also can you recommend any other strikers to target if Bamford isn't good enough?
2. Is trincao droppable now? For someone like broja?
3. Thoughts on Barnes?? Is he worth dropping at this stage or do we still hold.
Trincao is a streaming only option if he starts so certainly can be dropped. I would be happy to move Mahrez for a FWD but think you can do better than Bamford. Ings maybe? Benteke (if you believe he lines up next to Edouard).
Barnes has been a major disappointment- all of Leicester has - and I understand wanting to move on. If you’re dropping him you better be making good use of that slot so not adding a 6th forward or 5th defender or the like. You need to identify a low-ceiling, regular midfielder that you believe in: Keita would have been great, Westwood, Redmond, MacArthur etc.
Fantrax draft...deal the great Saint Allan for Buendia? Is this nuts? Villa has been poor, and I do not have confidence Dean Smith will accommodate a system change to get Buendia in the team regularly / in his best position. Also, there are so many spots to compete for at Villa (Leon, Watkins in a wide spot?, god save me...Ramsey) where ASM is in the team sheet every week.
That’s a tough one and I don’t think i can advocate trading ASM but if I was offered that choice I would pick Emi still. That’s really choosing which kid I love more man, damn.
I guess the dream around ASM is that the club spend ALL THE MONIES in January and he becomes the next lynchpin dynamo for an all-action attacking side. The reality is that Villa need to get their shit together because Emi, Ollie and Leon all need to be posting BIG scores
Thanks, John. I am having a difficult time justifying why I would make this trade, more so because of the harsh reality that is Villa and not Emi (I value him dearly).
Hello John, considering picking up Jensen but will have to drop one of the following Redmond, Normann or Lookman. Should I leave Jensen or drop one of these?
Q: Hey gaffer... would you consider trading out Lookman for stu Armstrong??
A: I would. Lookman is fine and I am happy to own and start him when he’s in that XI, but there is something to be said for having the reliable playing time of Armstrong in your squad. I sure would like him to have more than 1.7 xG at this point in the season and he’s capable of posting a 3pt outing despite 80+ minutes but three above average outings against four scores that hurt but don’t kill you? That’s worth a roster spot in 12-team leagues.
Q: John and in FPL prefer 1) Bruno Fernandez and S Dallas OR 2) HM Son and Raphinha?
A: The second pair and it’s really not that close for me. If you want to own Bruno and hand him the armband every week that is a perfectly fine strategy and I can’t fault you for it. But those are two guys are two of my favorite players to watch anywhere, any time and they will post plenty of big scores as the season unfolds.
Hey gaffer.. in a 12 team fantrax league
The team is currently
Cooper salisu tarkowski
Ritchie, ASM, Maddison, buendia, barnes, March, Armstrong
Mane, Pepe, jota ,laca, Mahrez
Janelt, nuno Tavares, stones, Mitchell are available on waivers
Would you drop anyone in my team to bring in these guys??
nope I like your teal a lot and you have enough depth and upside mixed in there.
What are your thoughts on Kovacic in OFPL draft? Can he maintain this production?
Also OFPL defenders: Can Tierney be dropped? Is it worth trying to pick up Man United defenders people have dropped; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Maguire?
Thank you
RE: Kovacic. Wrote about this last week and no he cannot. Basically any OFPL defender outside the top 20 *can* be dropped and Tierney is clearly in that group. For OFPL i still use xA a lot to help make DEF decisions (not just player data but xGA and home/road splits) to see if i can find good two-way value in my defenders based on matchup.
Another one for you Gaffer. Again, OFPL Draft. In this team my midfield is:
Mahrez, Sterling, Bailey, Raphinha, Hudson-Odoi
Available in this league (and I have first pick):
Buendia & Emile Smith-Rowe
Long term I’m thinking Hudson-Odoi is a rotation risk so thinking here of picking up ESR?
I hate, hate hate hate, to write this but with that team you need to drop Sterling and add Buendia. There simply isn’t enough value in Raz right now. Will you regret it later? Probably but managing your squad to wins means making tough choices to ensure a starting XI. CHO and Mahrez are rotation risks and Bailey hasn’t been able to stay healthy so you need someone to pair with Raph to get you 75+ min every single week. If you want stability ESR > Mahrez, too, but I wouldn’t make that move myself.
Hello Gaffer
1st of a few questions for you this evening. OFPL draft. Current midfield:
Havertz, Jota, Raphinha, Buendia, Bailey.
Available mids:
Maddison, Sancho, Trossard, Olise.
Would you change any? Havertz burnt me badly this weekend but he’s worth holding (for now). I’m personally not happy having BOTH Buendia and Bailey so was thinking of bringing in Maddison for Emi (but I know how you feel about him). Thoughts?
I would personally drop Havertz for Leandro Trossard so damn fast, next week. This week I want Kai (vs newcastle) and the get LT (also cs newcastle!) and be happy. I can’t bring in Maddison until he does something, like anything at all. Emi is never more than one pass away from opening a match; thats where Jimmy used to be too but the current season is a disaster...
The second you hear OGS is gone you add Sancho. If you have a time machine and can only do one thing and you missed in adding Sancho after OGS is sacked you use it to go back in time and add Sancho.
Love this. Thanks
Hey Gaffer,
OFPL 8 team league. After a fast start I’ve been hit with injuries DCL, Bamford, Raph in and out, and my latest pick up Mbeumo now has a knock. On top of that Sarr and Benrahama have come down to earth. I should note that the true studs on my team are TAA, Mane and Alisson. Watkins is my other fwd, who I’m mostly happy with.
Everybody is all onboard the Mbeumo train so I was pumped to get him, but if I can’t field 11 this week should I drop him, or is he worth keeping? ESR is available but I’m 2nd place so I likely can’t pick up, besides I’m not that hot on him.
Appreciate the help
Dave
I would just ride out the storm here; if you can make a positive move for the week by shipping Mbeumo to another manager or dropping him for a GW10 starter that makes sense but i wouldn’t contemplate moving any of those other names for a 1-week add on ESR. I would take a careful look at what Leeds assets are available because that NOR matchup is great.
Gaffer...what are your thoughts on trading out Mahrez for Bamford?? Currently have a frontline of Mane Pepe jota Trincao... rotation nightmare as well as AFCON terror... tried going for Watkins and jiminez but the owner didn't budge...also can you recommend any other strikers to target if Bamford isn't good enough?
2. Is trincao droppable now? For someone like broja?
3. Thoughts on Barnes?? Is he worth dropping at this stage or do we still hold.
Trincao is a streaming only option if he starts so certainly can be dropped. I would be happy to move Mahrez for a FWD but think you can do better than Bamford. Ings maybe? Benteke (if you believe he lines up next to Edouard).
Barnes has been a major disappointment- all of Leicester has - and I understand wanting to move on. If you’re dropping him you better be making good use of that slot so not adding a 6th forward or 5th defender or the like. You need to identify a low-ceiling, regular midfielder that you believe in: Keita would have been great, Westwood, Redmond, MacArthur etc.
Would Barnes for Kai be a decent deal???
Sure go get Kai, at least he’s getting minutes while
everyone is injured
Fantrax draft...deal the great Saint Allan for Buendia? Is this nuts? Villa has been poor, and I do not have confidence Dean Smith will accommodate a system change to get Buendia in the team regularly / in his best position. Also, there are so many spots to compete for at Villa (Leon, Watkins in a wide spot?, god save me...Ramsey) where ASM is in the team sheet every week.
That’s a tough one and I don’t think i can advocate trading ASM but if I was offered that choice I would pick Emi still. That’s really choosing which kid I love more man, damn.
I guess the dream around ASM is that the club spend ALL THE MONIES in January and he becomes the next lynchpin dynamo for an all-action attacking side. The reality is that Villa need to get their shit together because Emi, Ollie and Leon all need to be posting BIG scores
Thanks, John. I am having a difficult time justifying why I would make this trade, more so because of the harsh reality that is Villa and not Emi (I value him dearly).
Hello John, considering picking up Jensen but will have to drop one of the following Redmond, Normann or Lookman. Should I leave Jensen or drop one of these?
I would drop Redmond for him, much as I love St. Nate. The other two Indo feel have more continuing upside than the both of Jensen and Redmond.
Q: Hey gaffer... would you consider trading out Lookman for stu Armstrong??
A: I would. Lookman is fine and I am happy to own and start him when he’s in that XI, but there is something to be said for having the reliable playing time of Armstrong in your squad. I sure would like him to have more than 1.7 xG at this point in the season and he’s capable of posting a 3pt outing despite 80+ minutes but three above average outings against four scores that hurt but don’t kill you? That’s worth a roster spot in 12-team leagues.
Q: John and in FPL prefer 1) Bruno Fernandez and S Dallas OR 2) HM Son and Raphinha?
A: The second pair and it’s really not that close for me. If you want to own Bruno and hand him the armband every week that is a perfectly fine strategy and I can’t fault you for it. But those are two guys are two of my favorite players to watch anywhere, any time and they will post plenty of big scores as the season unfolds.