Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 34
Welcome to Football Captain Picks Gameweek 34. I don’t know about you, but for me, FPL frequently gets in the way of life. I spend an inordinate amount of time on my own and other people’s teams, I question my own decisions and doubt my own reasoning time after time. My moods are often dictated by those decisions, good or bad, and if I’m honest it’s perhaps not the healthiest way to conduct one’s day-to-day life. It is what it is.
This weekend however the tables were turned; life got in the way of FPL. An overthought GW33 FH team that resulted in a not disastrous 93pts was marred by the draft I almost went with scoring high triple figures. Such is life. So, I was determined to keep things simple in GW34; Anderson and TAA to Mane and an as yet unidentified defender for a -4.
On Friday I was invited to a celebratory work ‘lunch’ that also entailed drinks, a lot of them, all afternoon. Such events used to be commonplace in the creative industry, these days however they are a rarity, so I embraced it with vigour.
The hours went by at breakneck pace and I suddenly realised the game-week deadline was looming and I’d yet to make my moves. In my slightly inebriated state, I was incapable of choosing a defender to facilitate my Mane move, in the end, it was all too much for my alcohol-addled mind to process. I swiftly made the decision to instead simply switch Anderson to a Leicester mid, choosing Tielemans over Maddison just to be ‘different’. It could have blown up in my face, as it was I ended up 14pts better off – Life 1 FPL 0. Maybe that should be the other way round? Who knows, but I’m sure there’s a lesson in there somewhere.
Saturday morning I woke to the realization that I was finally into the top 100k (small cheer), my joy was tinged with sadness however when I realised I’d forgotten to activate my WC and had missed a few price rises and falls, bugger. I logged into my FPL team and to my surprise, I was greeted by an ‘active’ WC. Not only that, I’d brought in all the relevant ‘risers’ and ditched all the fodder who had dropped in price. I had no recollection of doing this which made it all the more impressive.
I ended Saturday with a decent 49 points but I couldn’t help casting an envious glance at those with (C) on Vardy who was showing as (VC) in my own team, I’m never satisfied. Sunday was all above avoidance with no representation in the Everton v Arsenal fixture, on then to Monday night football and my Captain Eden Hazard.
I’ve often cited my enjoyment of FPL as means to enhance my enjoyment of football (specifically the EPL), rarely has that been the case this season. Sitting down to watch Chelsea v West Ham my hope was for something, anything from my Captain Hazard. I celebrated his magnificent first goal with an enthusiastic fist pump (let’s not get too carried away). As the match drew to a close I was happy with my lot, 22pts for my captain and whilst not on par with Vardy it would do. Then it happened, the ball was played through to Hazard, he’ll miss I thought, he did not. I’m not ashamed to say I celebrated the goal like a Chelsea fan (shudder). For the first time this season, FPL really was enhancing my enjoyment of football, and boy did it feel good. I ended the GW on 83pts, it felt like more. I almost halved my rank moving up to 58k and maybe just maybe I’ll have a decent season after all.
So here I am, on a WC and pitching myself to take over Cookie’s Diary articles next season (Ed: you’ve got the job!), waffling on in a Captain’s article I had no idea I was supposed to be writing* when I should be telling you all who to captain. So here we go.
*This is not strictly true as I was informed on Friday evening, but yeah, I don’t really remember that.
Jamie Vardy – Newcastle (H)
For those of us on a WC, the omission of Jamie Vardy could be a regrettable if not understandable decision. The man who likes to party heads into a Friday night fixture against my lot on the back of a 16 point haul away to Huddersfield that rewarded many who had handed him the armband in GW33. Vardy’s brace (he also grabbed an assist) means its 8 goals in his last 8 games; time to re-think that Wildcard? Whilst Newcastle’s defence is infinitely superior to Huddersfield’s (isn’t everyone’s) it wouldn’t be altogether surprising if it were time for another Vardy party this coming weekend.
Harry Kane (Heung-Min Son)- Huddersfield (H)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 09: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur leaves the field through injury during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final first leg match. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
With 4 home games in
Sergio Aguero / Raheem Sterling / Kevin De Bruyne – Crystal Palace (A)
It wouldn’t be a captain’s article without some Cityzen representation. With the rise of Jesus just in time for Easter (I know, I know) threatening Kun’s pitch time my focus switches to the midfield pairing of Sterling and De Bruyne. Sterling is the obvious pick, he’s had his rest so looks sure to start (famous last words) and as the player with the highest number of double-digit returns (8) he looks the safest bet. Teammate ‘KDB’ is more of an outside bet, however, if you watched his dominant display at home to Cardiff in GW32 then that bet looks all the more assured. Should you have faith that Kun gets the game time though then surely that’s the way to go? Cross your fingers and hope they play though, is my best advice on this one.
A Brighton player anyone? Bournemouth (H), Cardiff (H)
My last pick isn’t so much a player but the somewhat romantic notion that in a double game-week you have to surely captain a player with 2 games. The problem is that this week’s double features Brighton and Cardiff. Brighton have the better fixtures and arguably the better players, but are any of them really worthy of the armband? If Glenn Murray had fewer miles on the clock he’d not be a bad shout, as it is he’s 35 years old and plays like a man 10 years older than that, so the likelihood of him starting both fixtures is questionable. Maybe If Pascal Groß had followed up his debut FPL season with similar form and consistency then he’d be a solid pick, but he hasn’t. Knockaert? Ker-no-thanks. Which leaves us with Shane Duffy. Bournemouth’s recent poor form and Cardiff’s lack of goals on the road (the lowest in the league with just 9) mean that 2 clean sheets are not out of the question. He also of course occasionally pops up with a goal, he’s the top scoring defender in the league (5 goals) and he has 2 assists to boot. It would take a braver manager than me, he’s not the most conventional pick, but hey, you never know right?
That’s your lot folks, I wish you all a great ‘DGW’ blessed with green arrows, a clean bill of health and if you captain a Brighton player I doth my cap to you Sir/Madam.
Thanks for reading Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 34. This article was written by Rosco.
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This WC+BB malarkey is doing my head so I decided to put some ideas on paper and share them with you. I think we should look at these last games as a whole, that is, not just concentrate on the double gameweeks but understand what kind of team we’ll have come GW36 – there’s life after 34/35 and it’s 3 GW still after all.
I must say, though, that I’m a sucker for the XV doublers in a WC+BB combo so I’ll be hard pressed to run away from that strategy and will only consider SGW players if I’m not convinced with someone in said XV.
At that light, here are my thoughts on each one and would love to hear your thoughts:
ManCity: Tricky, but I don’t think I’ll pass on them. Sterling and Kun are in unless we hear they are out/rested for 34. Sane/KdB could be a trap. They will feature in these four games but they will also be benched. Bernardo Silva could be shrewd but he seems to be out for Palace so that doesn’t work. One from Ederson/Laporte is also in.
Spurs: With or without Kane they have a good run bar the City game. They have good CS potential as well so right now I’m inclined to go Son, Moura and Aldo/Lloris.
Watford: Good fixtures, in form and good value across the pitch. I can see Deeney and Deulofeu/Pereyra in my team and one from Kiko/Foster. Maybe two is enough.
Wolves: Doherty, Jota and Jimenez. No more, no less.
Brighton: Duffy for sure. Ryan given the DGW34 prospects. If you only go with one of those then maybe a punt in Murray/Propper given the home games in DGW34 but I frankly wouldn’t go there because you need an exit plan after DGW35 and with their price you’ll struggle to find a replacement.
Southampton: They have decent enough fixtures but it’s difficult to nail who will get points. Perhaps one of their nailed defenders but conversely that wouldn’t be because of their DGW35 (two away games) but for all the other games they have which read 3 at home in 4.
Utd: No obvious candidates for me, bad fixtures and out of form – it seems. Avoid.
Arsenal: Too many away games. Not for me.
SGW teams worth a mention given their form:
Liverpool: this has been well documented on the boards and we all know the risks of not having them, especially vs Cardiff. But, as mentioned in the beginning I’d only consider a SGW player if I have a sport that I’m not that confident with in the XV. We do need a plan to have two attackers in 36 vs Huds tough but it won’t pay off with hits involved. So, either have at least one in the WC team or make sure you can save a FT in 35 to buy those two ahead of 36. The last two games won’t be a walk in the park I don’t think. Not only Newcastle and Wolves are tough to beat but they’ll (Liverpool) also be fighting against their own nerves with the title race so tight meaning I expect them to win both but not by great margins.
Leicester: Sell. Sure, they have a good game in 34 and a decent one vs WH in 35 but after that it’s tough so they don’t have a double AND you don’t want them afterwards so no point on buying/keeping now.
So, after all that I got to this: I know still a Liverpool body in there! But that’s because I couldn’t actually find someone with a double with more potential in defence that I don’t already have. Also, I bought him at 6.0 so would struggle to buy back and he could be my differential in those last games if everyone sells Liverpool and / or goes Trent for budget reasons. Mane/Firmino will probably come in for 36. It remains to be seen who makes way but this still leaves me with 2.3 itb.
What do you all think of this?
DMC – a well-reasoned post that makes perfect sense throughout.
Looks as good as any draft I’ve made/seen.
I’d suggest Ederson + Valery over Gunn + Laporte as at least going forward Ederson can be your starting keeper after the dgw.
webstar – thx for the feedback. Yeah, that combo could also work. I don’t mind being stuck with Gunn to be fair as he has B´mouth and Huddersfield at home in 36 and 38 whereas Ederson has Burnley and Brighton away. Probably the same CS potential actually but yeah. What I do perhaps prefer is Laporte’s bps potential when compared to Valery. Well, thin margins here.
Mucho mucho mucho thankos DMC. A very great and very useful summary for those who haven’t been keeping up the last few weeks w/ all things fpl (was real busy w/ work I missed the last dgw/free hits week!!)… much appreciated.
Was just trying to put on paper what’s in my head but I’m glad it helped Sanchez. Once you start digging deep in each teams’ schedule and DGW attractiveness you conclude that there are not that many ways/teams/players – unless you want to go wild and have Utd/Arsenal players (those will be the real differentials, although I suspect they won’t produce much in terms of FPL points).
Thanks DMC. Very good reasoning
Cheers Smash
Great analysis there. I’m in the same boat as you on Liverpool as of now, so that was a big help.
One suggestion is get Foster for Gunn, Watford have a great dgw
Thx Kunal – yeah Foster has a better DGW35, but Gunn seems to have a better schedule in terms of 34-38. Given that I’m definitely NOT using Ryan after 35 I’m leaning to Gunn atm (34 game actually doesn’t matter, given that I’m surely going for Ryan in that one, so, yeah, it’s the 35-38 combo that needs a decision).
Which one you think has more points in him in that period (35-38)?
Gunn has got good games after 35 but I don’t think he keeps a CS in 36 or 37 and I don’t think Foster does either but Foster has better games in 35 and chance of a CS and I feel he’ll edge out Gunn. You could cover Southampton if you want to by getting Valery
Enjoyed reading that.
I’d be slightly worried about Moura’s minutes.
At the moment I’m on Eriksen/Son/Lloris from Spurs, with a Duffy and Dunk double just in case Brighton keep two CS. Or one.
Like you I’ve talked myself out of owning a Liverpool mid. Helps clear the mind.
Thx Kralin – I hear you on Moura, but with Alli and Kane crocked one would think he plays through this patch, no? Poch has shown he trusts him, especially beginning of the season when Son was out/eased in and he was basically playing upfront in a false 9 role or the like. He started every game from GW1 to GW12 and played the full 90” in almost all of those. He started vs Liverpool the other day and was immediately the go-to guy when Kane injured himself vs Fabian Delph’s boots last night. So, what’s your hesitation, the actual possible rotation or more that he hasn’t played many lately and may not cope with it? I’d love Erik but that’s “only” 2.5 more so it’s not even comparable. Duffy and Dunk may work a treat but if you are looking for a cleanie there you have more flexibility going forward with a double up involving their keeper. Thx for taking the time.
Hesitation for me = minutes. It’s a risk. Maybe not a huge risk, but one nonetheless (to me, anyway). I was quite keen at first then started fretting.
I’d be very interested if I was confident about his playing time. If Poch says something I’ll think again.
At the moment I’m relatively settled on my team. Just debating Vardy v Deeney (the latter will be coming in next week, I just fancy Vardy more this) and Pogba v Sterling (the former is pretty nailed, has a good fixture this week, though his form has dipped).
Hi all,
On a wildcard and looking to play my bench boost chip for the DGW. O.7ITB.
Ryan Foster
Kola TAA Bennett Bednarek Dunk
Mane Son Sterling JWP Jota
Augero Laca Jimenez
I’d prefer a Spurs defender to Kola but not sure where you eek the extra bit of cash from. I’d be tempted to lose Laca myself and use the difference on that and possibly Laporte.
Laca to Deeney? Then use the money on upgrading my defence?
That’d probably work.
You don’t see alot of arsenal players in the WC-teams. Why is that? They have pretty good fixtures and alot to fight for.
Is it beacuse of their last game was pretty horrible or am I missing something?
Allan,
The reason for lack of Arsenal is as follows:
4 out of their last 6 are away and they haven’t kept a clean sheet on the road all season so
that rules out Leno & defenders;
there are no obvious and reliable midfield candidates;
the manager is rotating Auba & Lacazette;
they are facing a 2-legged Europa semi vs Napoli.
Thanks! Now it makes alot more sense…
they could be good differentials but every point Cookie stated is valid. Wait for the Napoli game, that result and lineup could be an indicator of what’s going to happen
Will do. Still pretty tempted to go with lacazette. And if I do, then who should I fill this spot with if not Kola? Don’t really want him but there aren’t really any to choose from! Got 5,4…
Holebas or just go cheap (again) with Southampton.
Vaguely happy with this at the moment..
Great team. Mine is virtually identical.
Anything in the bank ? This is a great team though .
Hi gang. This is my latest draft. No money in the bank, however am happy with this for now. Can I have your thoughts please.
Very nice team. What is your TV?
Hi Matt,
Thanks buddy. TV is 103.2. Was higher before the wildcard at 104.5 I think.
Prick! … Haha jokes mate that’s an awesome TV. I’m jealous.
Lolll all good!! I think I’ve optimised after about 50 drafts haha. I don’t know why but I think Sane will do well in the next few games.
I had one draft of a core 7 or 8 players then about 6 different combinations to fill out my 15. Now this will all change.
I actually think that about KDB but Sane can always do a job if given the minutes. I’m just unsure if he will get many.
KDB also crossed my mind. I also had a draft where I had no Man city players but that felt wrong lol
I didn’t see / hear it but apparently KDB more or less admitted before the game last night that he can’t play 2 games in a short space of time right now so that rules him out for me.
Cheers for the heads up Init. Didn’t know that info. Blimey this wildcard is hard to set in. I’m fairly happy with what I have currently but just making sure everything is right!!
I’m just 0.9m short with just 100.9m as TV. Astonishing FPL
Afternoon everyone, so Kane has screwed us all right? What is everyone doing there? I’m guessing the obvious is Aguero but then I have a few questions.
A. Will Aguero play all games?
B. Will City rotate like they did last night and if so that is not instilling confidence in me as a FPL manager! (But loving it as a Pool fan)
C. If City do rotate should we bother going with them? They do have difficult fixtures!
Also just another question should I leave money in the bank so I can bring Salah in?
On A and B: Who the hell knows.
On C: They have been doing really well in their games against other top teams. I think Aguero could be a potential captain in 35 even if they have spurs and United that week.
I don’t think Salah is worth 3,5 more than Mané at the moment, and there are so few gameweeks left so wouldn’t save the money.
This could of course turn out to be a terrible decision 😉
Cheers Allan. I’m thinking of Aguero and that’s it. I currently have Sterling but I’m not sure about keeping him.
As for Salah I’ve got rid and kept Mane but I’m thinking you need atleast two Pool attackers for 35 and 36 against Cardiff and Hudd but Bobby might be an option with the form he’s been in lately for assists and goals.