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Yup. When you thought it couldn't get any worse, it will. 😬#FPL pic.twitter.com/4HY2wyAnNc
— FPL Zh0u (Joe) 🇲🇾 (@ZhouFPL) August 22, 2022
Fair warning that this article has been written on a day of travel. I started at 4am in the airport and am finishing it off on a balcony in Italy. I know, you feel real sorry for me, but forgive me if it’s a bit all over the place.
I think we learnt less in this weekend than the last two. All those cheap players we were considering performed and nobody emerged. Some of the premiums had a good time, others not so much but that’s not a shock as nobody really delivers a return every week.
I say this in the context of lots of wildcard chat at the moment. I still don’t see much of a fixture swing right now, so I don’t really see an upside chasing wildcard. All you can really do is wildcard to the template so I don’t really think it’s a good idea unless you want to do that. You may find that you have Salah and Son and are light at the back so want a structural change – this is the sort of wildcard I can get behind. But, for everyone else, I’m just not convinced it’s a good idea unless you want to make five, maybe six changes. I’ve toyed with the idea but could only see 4 changes to make and that’s not enough to me. Don’t worry if your team is “template” – let others make the mistake of moving off this. It’s template for a reason. Later in the season we can look at doing things differently.
It has been a difficult week for a lot of us, I’m with you. I’m sitting on 33 points (-4 for a hit) with Trent, Mo (captain) and Luis Diaz to play. But look at your team for next week before you get too depressed. Liverpool, City, Chelsea and Arsenal have excellent fixtures next week at home and that’s probably eight or nine of your starting eleven. Also, remember when everyone was moaning that the template was too strong? Now we all got game week ranks in the late five millions. This is what you wanted!
Just a reminder at the top here. This is the first week with midweek cup games so try and hold those transfers in case of injury or suspension.
Newcastle Tripps up Man City
Trippier scored an excellent free kick to make us all regret benching/selling him. I still think it was a good decision to sell him – we didn’t know Newcastle were capable of that performance, he/they conceded three times and his xGI for the game was 0.08. But it still hurts. Elsewhere Wilson looked good again and Alain Saint-Maximin got 3 assists. Wilson is Wilson and will be good this year at times. ASM is one of those players that looks incredible in real life and does all this cool shit but in fantasy he’s often a dud. Still, he makes it on to my watchlist.
Ake breaky heart
As for City, Haaland is good. He had me worried in the first half but came alive in the second. Kev is good. No, wait, Kev is a god. Think he’s making it a fair shout to go him over Salah right now. That’s probably a luxury transfer though. Foden definitely the most nailed winger. Ruben Dias lasted 60 mins so he is probably back in. Ake probably injured and out so time to get off if you took that punt. The most important thing we learned from City this week was that Pep doesn’t plan to play Haaland in three games per week. Makes Kane more interesting when the Champion’s League kicks off.
Reid between the lines
I like the pun but I don’t like the player, avoid Decordova Reid. Fulham’s defence is just truly appalling. We should be targeting that. That’s a good way to play the draft game by the way, target shit defences and just keep getting people off waivers and free agency to help – particularly good when you have an eight or ten team league. Mitrovic could have had three and Andreas showed why he should be your 4.5 midfielder over Da Silva. He’s on direct free kicks too which I don’t think I knew. I still wouldn’t start him if I could help it though. There are better options out there.
Ivan the Great
I can’t tell whether Fulham are good in attack, Brentford are bad at defending, or both. But, whichever it is, I’m currently out on Brentford defence. Raya makes saves but they let the opposition have too many chances. Ivan Toney was unlucky not to have a double return or maybe 3 thanks to VAR. Apparently he has been involved in a goal in 13 of the last 14 (8 goals and 5 assists).
Shit on target
West Ham remain the only club in the league yet to score a goal. Even United have an own goal. And I’m not surprised. Had to wait 57 mins for them to have a shit on target. That’s a typo but I’m gonna leave it because it was shit as Fornals just hit the ball at the keeper.
Return of the Mac
At Brighton it is frustrating for Gross owners that he isn’t on pens. Macalister not really worth considering even with them. Gross’ touch for the second was outrageous. He played further forward this time which was very positive for his owners and he remains my favourite under 6.0 pick. They only had 2 shots on target (one from the penalty spot) the whole game which should tell you something. So I’d still rather avoid Gross. Welbeck is still not as good an option as Mitro or Toney. Sanchez the most obvious swap for Ward in my opinion. Defensively very solid this team and I like Dunk too.
Wanders-ing about
Again, Wolves are just very Wolves. They don’t attack very well. The one for me was when Guedes almost rounded Lloris, he had to wait about three hours for another player to come into the box and when he finally arrived there were five Spurs defenders there.
Son-ething is not right about this
I would sell Son right now. Not seeing enough in comparison to the other big hitters. And he did actually end up getting rotated with Richarlison. See Joe’s excellent article for more. Kane and Perisic seem like the only real options. Linking up well and I wonder if that is taking something away from Son. Don’t mind any of the 5.0 defenders but finding that extra for Perisic just feels way better. He basically plays as a winger in a Conte defence. Perfetto! Did I mention I’m in Italy?
Return of the Oedegaard
Like return of the old guard? It’s a good play on words. No? I know I just did return of the Mac but that’s a song! It’s different. You guys are so tough to impress… Anyway, Oedegaard scored twice. He is now one of the top four midfielders. Unfortunately, you probably either sold him or can’t him because you already have three Arsenal. Well, that’s not so bad. Zinchenko, Jesus and Martinelli still the best three for me but honourable mentions for Saliba, Gabriel and Saka. Ramsdale is okay but not sure he is the best 5.0 with Nick Pope about. Bournemouth were shit. They don’t get their own pun for being that lacklustre.
Out on Bail-ey?
I know, the puns are excellent today. It’s almost like I haven’t slept. Of course Bailey got an assist as soon as everyone moved off him! He almost scored to make things worse. They’re still crap though.
Zaha-velous
I think I said it last week but Zaha is just incredible. His finishing is so good. Eze could be interesting but not sure he does enough for FPL, he doesn’t really get in any positions to score goals and he’s often the passer to the passer of the assist. Tyrick Mitchell could be one to watch. If he keeps that spot and keeps crossing in balls.
Warding away clean sheets
There was a moment when I thought I might get a clean sheet from Ward and then they conceded almost immediately. That defence is just shit. And that hurts because I bloody love Jonny Evans. The defence wasn’t very good last year either and was probably a fools errand to back Ward even though he’s 4.0. He’s super cheap but at this moment it feels like lining up with ten players so he’s probably got to go. Maddisson continues to impress despite speculation about his future. I’d be looking at him if I was unhappy with my 8.0. When he’s in hot form he is fantastic, just be prepared for his form to dip and him to do nothing for ten games.
Hassen-hustlers
Despite that win, I don’t really like any of them. Lavia is good bench fodder at 4.5 and JWP is perfect to hold in a draft game, it’s just hard to see when he will return as he’s often very dependent on set pieces.
Lamped-hard
Everton – they’re still terrible. Gordon looks good but he doesn’t deliver. Rondon (who I also love) did nothing. Frank has to go, can’t get a tune out of this lot. Their attack is probably the worst in the league and their defence isn’t much better. As for Forest – likewise. Can’t see anyone I like there besides the obvious Neco Williams for your bench. Wouldn’t start him though. They just conceded to the worst attack in the league
Hell-sea
Seriously, why the hell would you start RLC at wing back against Leeds?! I was listening to this one on the radio. Sounded like Chelsea really missed Kante and Gallagher disappointed in that role. I’ve seen him play this non stop hustler for west Brom so I have faith. But right now, him being there makes me think we shouldn’t double up on Chelsea defence. The koulibaly red just reinforces that. I’m quite down on James right now. Can’t understand why he wasn’t playing wing back and the red makes it even more likely he stays at RCB. Wish I had gone Cucu or Perisic instead then I could rid myself of ward immediately. Hindsight eh? I’d still hold James but I wouldn’t look to buy tight now. Sterling was sterling. Made space but couldn’t finish. Unlucky to have one goal denied by VAR. I think Mount has to go if you own him. He needs to do more against shit opposition like this. Feel a bit for Mendy, that happens at least once per season if you play out from the back but just hit the ball…
USA! USA! USA!
Aaronson will struggle to replicate that goal he took off Mendy but he’s interesting. Rodrigo is probably the better shout for Marsch’s Leeds. Currently playing out of position striker, he might lose that soon with Bamford back but he surely keeps his place somewhere in the front 3. Jack Harrison also interesting, definitely for the draft game.
Remember! This is the first week with midweek cup games so try and hold those transfers in case of injury or suspension.
For myself, I’d love to rid myself of Ward but I have no money in the bank so would have to take a hit, which I refuse to do for a goalkeeper. I’ll wait until Thursday and then have a re-think, but I’m currently rolling my transfer as ten of my players at home and nine are in top four sides.