Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 2
Bloke from Swindon celebrates freak Pereyra captaincy with friends. (Not pictured: Mulled wine)
Here we are, already diving into Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 2. Gameweek 1’s high flyers comprised the usual medley of routine regulars and ragtag randoms we’ve come to expect from the dawning weekend of an FPL season. Thousands took to the streets for Mo Salah’s 8 points; hundreds danced in the aisles to the tune of Jamie Vardy’s late Old Trafford cameo; while one hungover bloke from Swindon raised a refilled glass of mulled wine to his previous night’s drunken captain punt on Watford’s Roberto Pereyra.
Disappointments for many included Harry Kane’s continued August allergy and Sergio Aguero’s unwillingness to find an unmarked Kevin De Bruyne with a square pass. In summary, GW1 belonged to the underdog, but GW2’s fixtures do little to discourage us from making the same mistakes again.
As last week’s excellent FF247 Captain Picks writer Rosco alluded to, there’s no getting away from the fact that this season’s armband choices will be dominated by familiar faces. So I decided to dig deeper and read up on the men behind the legends.
MO SALAH – “THE STORY OF A HERO” by Emad Anwar (Cairo: Arabi Publishing House), 2018.
The book charts Mohamed Salah’s life from childhood, and his upbringing in a humble Egyptian village, before moving onto his journey from the Arab Contractors team to the top of the Premier League pyramid.
Author Emad Anwar (who, as most of you are probably aware, is a journalist at Al-Ahram Institution’s Al-Arabi Magazine) asks,
Why does football love the poor, and why do they represent the majority of its stars?
Well, I had a quick peek into the car park at Liverpool FC’s Melwood training ground and can confirm none of their stars are poor. Less controversially though, he also posits that Salah is an “extraordinary player” who has earned his place among the football elite and can compete with the likes of Ronaldo and Messi. Incisive.
PROs: Inspirational tale about overcoming the odds.
CONs: Version I had was in Arabic.
OVERALL: ★★★★★ A weekly bestseller.
SERGIO KUN AGUERO – “BORN TO RISE: MY STORY” by Sergio Aguero (Trinity Mirror Sport Media), 2015.
Describing how Aguero became one of this era’s top strikers this autobiography paints a background of hardship. His parents had to rely on the kindness of others to help him get through school, but from getting his first football as a father’s gift at the age of 5, he never looked back.
Actually, that’s untrue. He looked back at Carlos Tevez who was prostrate on the floor during that title-winning victory at QPR,
When (Tevez) started to get up he was insulting Joey Barton in Spanish…
This book is an admirable and in-depth behind the curtain view of Kun’s incredible adventure which saw him rise though the ranks at Independiente of Avellaneda, Atletico Madrid and achieve legendary status at Manchester City. Whether he was “Born to Rise” is up for debate, but he does have a child with Maradona’s daughter.
PROs: Inspirational tale about… overcoming the odds.
CONs: I couldn’t get the cellophane off. Got Kevin de Bruyne to assist.
OVERALL: ★★★★☆ If in stock, a must-have. Availability an issue though.
HARRY KANE – “THE BIOGRAPHY” by Frank Worrall (John Blake Publishing), 2017.
“Apocalypse Now“. “The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite“. Some titles just crash through the window, set off a firework in your living room and demand your attention. Then there’s this, which paws lightly on the front door with limp wrists before meekly prising open the letterbox and, with all the assertion of a postman hiding from a vicious rottweiler, whispers, “The Biography” in a half-arsed breathless murmur. A functional-at-best title it may be, but the author makes this hyperbolic claim,
…the golden boy from North-East London who has the world, literally, at his feet.
If ever the word ‘literally’ was misused (It is, literally every day) it’s here. The ball may be literally at his feet occasionally. The world may be metaphorically at his feet, sure, no problem. The logistical problems with the world literally being at his feet are innumerous. Anyway, it’s a book about a player rejected by Arsenal. He went down the leagues to prove himself. Now he’s a superstar. Next.
PROs: Inspirational tale about… *sigh*… overcoming the odds.
CONs: Out of print during August.
OVERALL: ★★★☆☆ Evergreen blockbuster, yet summer jinx a slight concern.
JAMIE VARDY – “FROM NOWHERE: MY STORY” by Jamie Vardy (Ebury Press), 2016
“From Nowhere: My Story”. Now that’s a title. Unfortunately it raises a few philosophical concerns such as “Where is nowhere?”, “How can you come from a place that doesn’t exist?”, “It’s an autobiography, of course it’s your story.”
It’s a well spun trope now that Vardy went from playing pub football with Stocksbridge Park Steels, while still working in a factory, to a star role in Leicester’s 2016 title win. He declares in his book,
It’s the stuff of dreams
Maybe it’s just me, but I have recurring dreams about being hunted down by colossus, murderous robots in the street I grew up in. It’s not something I particularly wish to be realised. Ok, Jamie? Good.
Look at that cover, though. Those Sheffield steel blue eyes. How could I ever stay angry with him.
PROs: Inspirational tale about… blah, blah, blah.
CONs: Not suitable for parties.
OVERALL: ★★☆☆☆ A fox who could scatter the wolves pack asunder.
Thanks for reading Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 2. This article was written by Bry.
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I’ve been on Agüero all week although do have doubts with Peps rotations! Last season was 1-2 at Huddersfield with Kun scoring a penalty and then 0-0 at City with Kun not appearing ….not the stats I was hoping to see!
I don’t think he will rotate much this early in the season with just the premier league going on.
When the champions league starts, I will happily join you in your worries.
Hopefully you are right …as long as Pep doesn’t punish him for not passing to KDB who had an open goal against Arsenal! First instincts are usually the best way to go though so will be leaving the armband on Kun for the time being
Went with Firmino in GW 1 to be different from the ones who picked Salah. Didnt work.
Have to feed my ego. Will go with Aguero in GW 2.
Also. Any update on Richarlison?
Hey B, apparently Richarlison was checked yesterday and it was just cramp so he should be ok for the weekend.
Cookie. Found this and its looking good. Would be a shame if Richarlison misses games, next 4 GWs are crucial and must wins.
there you go
To be fair you only lost out by 3 points so it didn’t really hurt you too much! Kun for me this GW too, was always the plan when I put him in my GW1 squad, so will stick to my guns!
From your linked team, seems you captained Salah.
That’s not B, his link is last season’s still. His imposter has better ranks though so I’d be tempted to try and style it out and keep that guys
Have gotta compliment you on that name …that sir …is awesome!!!
Anyone debating an early wildcard?? When else is a good time to use it before the end of the season
No Jake!! Stand down!!!!
The popular ‘times’ are GW4 and GW8, during an international break, but for me it will be when it feels right…which it def doesn’t t after just one game-week!
Share your team and we’ll see if we can help so you don’t resort to hitting that button!
This! The right time is when it is the right time.
Depends on your team, if it’s in good shape with good players in it, no need to use the WC. If you feel your team is crap then go for it by all means… I think, your team allowing, best time to use the first WC is slightly before Christmas to prepare for the hectic Christmas schedule (although if these Wan Bissakas and other 4.0m defs remain nailed then there’s not really need for that either)…
Talking of 4.0m defenders…Cardiff fans seem to think that Peltier could be dropped this weekend.
Could be Wan-B is the only one, and he ain’t 4.0m anymore
Kop,
Any reasoning? Wasn’t really expecting much from him but 1 week in the first XI seems harsh.
Bean,
Nothing in particular. It would appear there was very little between himself and Jazz Richards as to who would start. I haven’t seen any of the game but a lot of the fans are of the opinion that Peltier was poor.
Yeah I’ve heard some Jazz Richards chat as well. We’ll see…
@Jake, whenever you truly need it, use it, the first one that is. The second one save it to set up your team for the DGWs.
Yup exactly this, last season i got it into my head I was using it in GW4, I did so without thinking and regretted almost instantly as there was no real need!
Ahah I’ll take it as a no then my team did pretty good was just unsure as when people tend to use the wildcard, cheers for the feedback loving this site
That is definitely a team that does not need a wildcard
Sit on your hands and use 2FTs next week. You can’t extrapolate from one game week. You need at least two points on the graph!
Ps. You’re team is absolutely fine for GW2.
Looking to captain Augero this week should I go for him or let Salah be?
I think most will go with Aguero.
I em worried about squad rotation for Aguero and Jesus
You’ve spent 11m on him for a reason
That is a fair point Gear
By that logic you captain Salah every GW just because he is the most expensive.
You could though, however that’s not the logic I was applying. The logic is, you spend 11m, it’s on a player worth the armband.
I jst try him to give mi points. I need for the game week
i’m giving the armband to kun this week but then i do like a sunday captain 😉
I like a scoring captain.
Salah for me, obviously. I thought we learned something from last season.
great stuff Bry!
Lets talk Mahrez, will he start again or sit out for KDB/ Sane/ Silva
Photek, I’ve got him and am bracing myself for him to be benched. But (and this goes for almost any attacking Man City player this season) as long as he gets at least 30 minutes when he doesn’t start, he can still cause enough damage to be worth owning. Could be part of a late flurry against a tiring Terriers. Who knows.
No way I am paying 9M for a player who is promised to get only 30 minutes each GW.
I didn’t say that though did I? :p
Me saying “at least 30 minutes WHEN he doesn’t start” is markedly different to your interpretation of “promised to get only 30 minutes each GW”.
If he gets benched every so often, which he will because it’s Pep and Man City, it doesn’t mean he can’t provide returns on those occasions. I mean, this is City we’re talking about.
Yeah true Bry, even if he doesn’t start he can still hurt teams.
Tbh i think its going to be difficult to pick a nailed on attacking city mid with sterling, kdb, sane, mahrez and the 2 silva’s. Even harder if Pep plays kun and jesus up top
I think he repeats the XI with KDB instead of Gundogan.
I have returned after a long break. This place has changed.
People are asking about playing WC already when they have a good team. They were not so insecure back then.
Some recommending having faith in players because of their price tags. People are intelligent back then.
And some ready to splash cash for players just because they are barely given minutes and allowed to run on grass. You were sensible back then.
People are not talking to themselves anymore. We had a Raz back then.
Things will have to be made right.
Welcome back.
welcome back B.
I’ve only just come back myself after some time away but i didn’t feel the need to write a big ol post about it
Feel free Photek! Sometimes it’s good to get things off your chest, bet you B is feeling a million bucks right now 😉
You bet I am Rosco!
That’s a whole lot of sweeping statements B!! Don’t worry there are plenty of rational people around here… I’ll let you know when I find them 😉
Oh and welcome back!
Welcome back The B, im still here not sure if that helps :p
Wafflez can you back to your old grav? I liked it better, it was more ‘cuddly’ 😉
ofc i can Rosco
Haha beautiful!! I don’t even think I’ve seen that one but I like it!! I’ll have to add it to my Grav file for ‘Harry and Lloyd’s’!!
Btw was it the minion grav you were thinking of Rosco?
Always glad to see old faces.
We do still have Raz though. He’s hiding somewhere between Zed’s cellar, Zorros’ poetry and Kralin’s theories. With Ivan.
I can’t help to think that you and him are the same person though. Him being ‘A’ of course.
Ivan’s currently in therapy; he’ll be released Sunday, back Monday.