Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 32
Welcome to Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 32
From the new perma-Captain to the old one?
Let’s face it, Haaland has almost single-handedly done away with the need for this particular article this season. Well, the good news is that he’s not got a game this week. The bad news is that his ‘perma-Captain’ predecessor Salah has, and he’s back in form. Bang in form, in fact.
All indications are that you should probably just follow this route but we are conscious that some people simply do not own him. Others may not be willing to rip their teams up to do so. Or that others simply need a differential, for mini-league reasons, and with no Haaland to almost certainly punish the latter, then this may be a good week to break free and be creative with that armband.
With the argument for Salah we have Liverpool fan-boy GP and with a couple of differentials we have Rosco and Init…..
The Gallant Pioneer – Mohamed Salah v Nottingham Forest (H)
Mo, it’s Forest next, la …(Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
As I read the already-inserted introduction, I was beginning to believe the author had done my job for me!
“Perma-captain” Check.
“Form” Check.
“Fan-boy” … wait, whaaaaa?
So Mohamed Salah had two goals to his name in the last match with 2 bonus points to match. He also only has 3 blanks in his last ten matches. Now this is – by his own high standards – somewhat of a dip in numbers since the times he was posting 300-point seasons, but who can turn their noses up at 14 points (or 21, or 15, or 12 (twice), or 11 or 10 so far this season) from their captain?
The opposition are Nottingham Forest. They have lost four of their last five away matches and are the worst team on the road so far this season with only six points collected from 45 – and just a solitary away win (and that was Southampton!). With 36 against them, no other team have lost more goals on their travels.
If you have him, lovely job. If you are on Free Hit, lovely job. If you don’t have him, get him.
Fish. In. A. Barrel.
Inittowinit – Ollie Watkins v Brentford (A)
Watkins mocks Init… ‘so you had two choices and you went with… Ings? Fool!’ (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Ok, so I’ll start off by stating that I absolutely hate this guy right now!
But… on brief reflection that may be a tad harsh. It may be more accurate to say that I hate myself because of this guy right now!
Let me explain…
Back before DGW29 I had a choice to make over a cheaper 3rd striker. It was him or Ings, essentially. Since said GW:
Ings – 4 games, 64/27/60/0 minutes, 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 BPS, 5 points….
Watkins – 4 games, 90/90/90/90 minutes, 5 goals, 1 assist, 10 BPS, 40 points…
Yeah.
Anyway. Onwards and downwards and all that.
So with any credibility out of the window why would you trust me on this? Well, Watkins, that’s why. If Salah has picked up form then this guy has been the epitomy of it since GW21. Prior to that he had 3 goals. Since then, in 12 games he has 11 goals, 3 assists and 19 BPS. He has registered a return in 11 out the 12 games. Culminating in that season high 16 pointer against Newcastle last time out. He’s had 6 away games since GW21 and scored in every single one.
If you want consistency and almost guaranteed returns then Watkins is your man.
Not you, Ings.
Rosco – Gabriel Martinelli v Southampton (H)
I’ll play Southampton from down here lads (Photo by Dave Howarth – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Initâs Watkins tale of woe feels eerily similar to my own experience with Gabriel Martinelli. Having sold him in GW23 following six blanks, heâs since racked up 72pts compared to Saka (whom I switched him to) who has returned 46pts. A 26pt swing, coincidentally the exact number of points Iâm shy of 100k. Ouch.
Enough about me though, this week Iâm on my free hit and heâs in, and if Iâm brave enough, he may even win my captainâs armband. Much like Salah, Martinelli has both the form and fixture. Like Salah, he also sits on 180pts as the joint top-scoring midfielder. So, why Martinelli and not Salah?
Both Salah and Martinelli face opposition from the bottom three, with neither Forest or Southampton able to pick up a win in their last 5 fixtures, but Southampton are bottom for a reason. Just 4 clean sheets for the Saints all season and whilst Forest have shipped 56 goals, Southampton are not far behind with 53.
Then you have the unpredictable nature of a Liverpool side that can batter Man Utd 7-0 one week, and then lose 1-0 to Bournemouth the next. Since that 7-0 win they have drawn twice, lost twice, and of course, won comfortably against Leeds at the weekend. But is that anything to shout about? Sure, salah has 8 attacking returns (6 goals, 2 assists) in their last 6, and yes, Iâll concede he probably is looking more like the Salah of old, but which Liverpool will turn up? With Arsenal, things just feel a little more assured. As ever with these calls Iâll caveat my pick with my usual; if youâre chasing, go with the Brazilian, if youâre playing from a position of strength then stick with Mo.
The confessional…
This is where we ask our entire writing team to tell us who they think they will pick this week…. There are more caveats and get out clauses than an Antoine Griezmann contract but this is their initial gut feeling based upon who they actually own. And they promise that their picks will be allowed to play for more than 29 minutes each week…
DMC â Salah
The Gallant Pioneer â Salah
Jamesimmo â Salah
Ivan â Salah
Swirly â Salah
Matt â Salah
Loud Atlas â Salah
Smash â Salah
Kop â Salah
Rosco â Salah
Ellefcee â Salah
Floydeth â Salah
Init â Salah
Gear â Saka
Stone Frog â Salah
OddDane â Salah
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*** NEW ARTICLE – CAPTAIN PICKS GAMEWEEK 32 ***
We say thank you to Init, Rosco and me for the three picks this week.
Much too modest to pat my own back so well done and thank you to the other two
Thanks for the useful write up lads!
Is it worth swapping Jesus for Haaland 2ph (11th man) and right back in next week?
Or any other options? Already took 4ph .3 mib
FH 34
Click on image to enlarge:
I think Jesus has a great chance to pay that hit back.
FTx2
ITB: 2.5m
ok, not sure what to do this week – did at one stage, but not now. Thinking I may need to get a Pool player in, ideally Salah.
Here are my ideas:
a) MacAllister->Bowen
b) Haaland->Jesus
c) both a) and b)
d) Kane->Jesus and Maddison->Salah
a + b gives me 11 players
d only gives me 10 players
Click on image to enlarge:
What was your initial plan?
It was a), to just bring Bowen in and give me 11 players. He would be a differential to other teams I think (who be bring in Jesus on on FH or transfers etc)
But with Pool destroying Leeds on monday, and seeing so many FH teams with Pool players, and wondering whether I do need Salah now.
I have Bowen and I like him this week.
Sometimes sticking with your inital plan is best. You have a good captain choice as well so it isn’t the end of the world.
I don’t like ‘d’ anyway – using two moves to still be stuck on 10 and getting rid of Kane doesn’t seem right.
I could do Mac Allister->Bowen and Haaland->Jesus. Just means I would have to do -4 to get Haaland back.
Which could be after I FH in gw34. (or next week if a better move) and ditch Chilwell.
If you are OK not having Haaland against Liverpool then yeah you could bring him back in after 34 and go for those moves – I think they are two good ones to be honest.
City dont play Liverpool – presume you meant Arsenal.
Again no Liverpool. but as above, to do it means 10 players – so not ideal.
Hey HF – I’m goin’ to continue with my series of -4 pt hits and do a sneaky Kane + March > Salah + Solanke. Was the only way I could find to get in the Bournemouth striker, and not have too much spare cash left ITB! You know what I mean buddy! đ
Then next week, it’ll be Saka out to get back my 2nd BHU midfielder! Cheers! (BTW, like you, I’ll be FH-ing in GW34!).
Yeah, Arsenal sorry.
Hey AJW – great moves man
You are lucky to get Salah in – wish I could without depleting my team.
Seems not possible – but I have faith in Bowen
Hey mate – it’s always much more fun when you’ve got an in form player from the team you support, so….go for it! Imagine Bowen scored a brace and you weren’t on him?
I’m just cruising along, doing what I think is feasible for me to do, and for the past few GWs I’ve had some green arrows, but I’ve also made some stupid errors (especially hurts when I listen to the noise, and not going with what I was planning to do – like when I got in TAA a few weeks ago, when I felt that I should have kept Pinnock for one more week, and the difference was a huge minus 13!).
Hope you’re okay HF. Enjoy the football this weekend! đ
Doing ok thanks AJW – hope you are as well mate.
Am going to put faith on Bowen, and Jesus. Need a full 11. 2nd place in ML will have 11, and 1st place will FH – so will have the big guns. Not sure I can catch him. My final year in that ML i think, so want to finish in top 3.
I will admit I am struggling a bit otherwise – my dad passed away in January – has hit me real hard mate. Head hasnt been in the game since that night to be fair.
Hey HF sorry to hear about that. My old man passed away in 2021. It’s a piece of yourself that goes with them. Takes a bit of a while to get the energy back I must admit. A necessary process that affords no short cuts I am afraid. All my best to you mate. AJW.
Cheers AJW, really appreciate man
I know they say time is a great healer – but not sure how long i will take to heal. He has taken a large chunk of my heart with him. It will mend, in time.
Hammer fan
My condolences mate.
Hoping FPL is a nice little distraction for you.
Take care.
Cheers GP – really appreciate it mate.
Yes, fpl is a nice distraction, if a little annoying at times!!
Hey Hammerfan. Long time no speak mate. I’m not active on the forums as much any more. More of a lurker.
Just wanted to say how sorry I was to read about your Dad passing away. I hope you’re doing OK (or as well as can be expected). I know what you’re going through, as January was actually the 25th anniversary of me losing my Dad.(he died suddenly when I was 21). I can confirm that time really does heal, but sorry it does take a while. I used to dread the yearly anniversaries of him dying, but after several years, at some point, I stopped obsessing about it and suddenly it was so much easier to remember him alive instead of thinking about him being dead. My mum sadly died in 2021, and I was much closer to her than I was to my Dad, but I’ve found it much easier coming to terms with her loss, because I had all that experience of dealing with my Dad’s loss. Anyway, I’m trying to say chin up and you’ll get through this and the whole process will make you a stronger person to deal with grief in the future.
Hey Chipster – how you doing bud.
Thank you for your kind words – much appreciated.
Yes, I am dreading the birthdays etc – in fact his is coming up soon (2 days after my mums – not going to be a good time if you know what I mean). Already arranging my brothers to be nearby for a family gathering. I used to think he was a pain in the backside, but at the end of the day, was my dad – the matriarch of the family. Someone I looked up to – now gone
As you say, in years to come I wont be as obsessed as such. But for now, every song he liked, every picture he is in hurts so badly.
But with great support I/we will get there
Thank you again for everyone’s kind words – it does make me smile knowing how good this group is, ff wise and what a good family this really is.
Just wanted to add my condolences to you hammerfan
Thank you Chelseachick –
much appreciated x
I like D simply just because half your defence plays against Kane & co and if Newcastle concede you’ll be praying Kane was involved and if Newcastle keep a cleansheet you’re praying Jesus blanks aswell to justify not taking the chance. I think Jesus & Salah have more chance to bag you points than Kane & Maddi
ok, now by head is being scrambled even more…lol
Why like D if ditching Kane and Toon concede (especially if Kane – I miss out!!) Do agree, Salah and Jesus do have more chance to bag points, but I only have 10 players, as opposed to 11 players with the other options.
oh the dilemma!!!
To Salah, or not to Salah…. to keep Kane, or Not.
Jesus be thy name?
Must keep FH for gw34 that is for sure!!
Rate my free hit team please. Not entirely sure on double pool defence but want 3 from pool. Could go trippier instead of vvd. On the fence with son too as its a tricky fixture. Could go gakpo instead and loose vvd but that leaves me with like 5m itb and not sure what to do with it
Click on image to enlarge:
Robertson in for VVD and drop Son if you have to?
Yeah will probably get in Robertson. Don’t have to drop son just thinking is he the best pick on a fh
Good luck
Hey Guys,
Not seeing may people with Jesus as captain this week. Any particular reasons for this?
Was thinking 4 goals in 3 games & playing southampton he would be a popular choice. I know Salah has NFO but thats exactly the kind of game Liverpool screw up. Remember Bournemouth off the back of the 7-1 v Utd!
Still returning to fitness, perhaps getting 60-70 mins only could be the reason.
Current FH team what changes would people make here? got 5.7itb any suggestions appreciated
Click on image to enlarge:
Looks fine