FF247 Fantasy Football Site Team GW1
We’re back! Last season was something of a disappointment as we finished with our lowest rank since we first introduced the site team back in 2014/15. We don’t set ourselves any goals at the beginning of each season but at the very least we want to beat last season’s final rank. Hang on, is that a goal?! Just like the rest of you we’ve spent five minutes hours agonising over who to include in our GW1 squad and we’re finally there. Are we happy? Ask us that around 6pm on Sunday evening!
Below we have outlined some of our thought process when picking our squad. Hopefully it makes sense!
Goalkeepers
When we posted our very provisional squad a couple of weeks ago we had two £4.5m keepers. This then became a premium and a £4.0m option before reverting to two £4.5m keepers. Finally, we landed on Rui Patricio (£4.5m) and Ben Hamer (£4.0m). Why this option? Money. It’s as simple as that, we needed to free up cash for investments further up the pitch. Why Patricio and Hamer? Wolves were a solid outfit in the Championship last season and on the face of it, it would appear as though they’ve strengthened their squad over the summer and they should hopefully be a source of some early season clean sheets. As for Hamer…well he could be any £4.0m option.
Defenders
Initially we had Ederson as our keeper but following his display in the Charity Shield, Benjamin Mendy was drafted in for some City defensive cover. City will undoubtedly pick up their fair share of clean sheets over the opening game-weeks while Mendy should also chip in with some attacking returns.
Andrew Robertson has been in our squad from the beginning. Along with VVD he appears to be the Liverpool defender least susceptible to rotation and with a certain Spaniard as his competition he really should start every game!
Luke Shaw is something of a gamble. With Ashley Young as his competition he really should see more game time but Jose clearly isn’t a fan. We accept he’s probably a transfer waiting to happen but we’re banking on a couple of early season clean sheets before Young returns.
Our defence is completed by the Crystal Palace pair of James Tomkins and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Both Palace and Tomkins finished last season in fine form and the hope is that they carry such form into this season. We’ll probably require Tomkins sooner rather than later thanks to Jose and Shaw! Wan-Bissaka is in due to the fact that he’s £4.0m and is
set to start the season at right back.
Midfielders
Mo Salah is Mo Salah.
Christian Eriksen was a late arrival to our squad. If we’re being honest we probably wanted a City midfielder but with uncertainty around which of them will start we’ve gone with the safety of the Viking and with an opening day fixture against Newcastle he could very well be amongst the points. The eagle eyed amongst you will notice that we have £0.5m left in the bank and the likelihood is that this will be used to bring KDB in for Eriksen in the very near future.
Richarlison is in simply because of Everton’s fixtures. This is most certainly a fixtures over form punt. We’re hoping that his reunion with Marco Silva will see him rediscover the form he showed when he first linked up with Silva at the beginning of last season.
By the time we got to our last two midfield spots money was rather tight. Tom Cairney was chosen on the basis that that Fulham try to play an attacking brand of football and he is the attacking cog in their midfield. We don’t expect very much from Dale Stephens, simply that he delivers two points when called upon.
Forwards
Given City’s early season fixtures Sergio Aguero was one of the first names on our teamsheet. We’re well aware that he may be rotated with Jesus but he only needs 20 minutes to rattle in a few goals.
When Roberto Firmino scored and assisted in Liverpool’s final preseason friendly the following question was asked, “Did Firmino scare us into reshaping the team?” The answer was yes. Mo Salah might score the majority of the goals but without Firmino the Liverpool attack doesn’t function. This means that unlike many other forwards he’s a great source of assists as well as goals.
Josh King takes the 3rd forward spot in our team thanks to his preseason form and Bournemouth’s early fixtures.
Our GW1 team is…
Captain – Salah
We could say that this was a unanimous decision but that would suggest we actually took a vote! Someone suggested Salah as captain and nobody disagreed. He’s the obvious candidate.
Thanks for reading FF247 Fantasy Football Site Team GW1
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PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES
Usually we run an article and ask people to get involved and cover the friendlies with any info they can gather. And it’s usually fun but in all honesty it’s usually also a bit messy and difficult to refer back to. This season we have one link that you will need need for all such info, courtesy of Mito –
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Morning guys,
I’ve been trying to work out Utd defence, no matter Jose’s grumpiness I think they’ll be solid at the back and have good early fixtures. So rather than the Wolves keeper and a Utd def (Shaw – who will be out soon) I thought about turning it round the other way (Wolves rotate well with Palace and Cardiff – my other budget defenders). However to get De Gea it’s caused a couple of other changes.
Any chance of a RMT? cheers
B for me definitely looks healthier and has more longevity Harry.
+1
+2
Thanks guys, much appreciated. I am concerned by TAA rotation risk but thought I could always bring in Lovren once he returns IF Clyne starts taking TAA’s place.
Josh King is the key for gameweek 1
Nice team lads. Very close to mine. Good luck!!!
Morning lads..
Said a few days ago any late transfers and I would stay away but Ings to Southampton at 5.5m is a must for me!
I’m going to post my GW1 team then my planned GW2 transfers. Let me know your thoughts.. more who to play as I feel each player is in with a shout of paying. Even the order of subs if one or two of the starters don’t.
Cheers.
Sorry.. above is GW2 team.
This is GW1
Looks solid to me. I would try to fit in Mendy in there.
Ah sorry I see you are planning to get him for Gw2. Looks good otherwise.
Looks decent but Bednarek probably won’t play. Southampton have 4 CB’s ahead of him so even if they stick with the 3 at the back he likely won’t start
Reckon I should get another 4mill instead? Best bet?
I would probably go with Peltier. That seems to be the best option but I don’t know who else might play apart from WB
-4 point hit in Gw2?
Yeah I’ll take it.
You are effectively taking a hit to vring Luiz in for 1 week.
Just get Mendy from the start if you want him longer term
No point stu.
I don’t understand why you would plan to hit in advance.
Setting your team up taking in a balanced view of the first 4-6 weeks is the best strategy I think.
Cheers lads.. you’ve change my mind. Was just hoping for a Chelsea cleansheet and possible bonus.. all wishful thinking though isn’t it?
Can I get some advice on this please? Defence too cheap? (Only way I can afford Kdb/Auba or Kane later without ripping it apart completely)
I like this team Keethan. Nothing I would change
Yeah I’d be happy with that Keethan.
Cheers guys. Good luck to you both.
Morning fellas, Today is the day finally!! Can’t wait for some more footie!
I was hoping to be finished but internet was shit last night and didn’t make my last two decisions
Would you rather have:
Doubles Wolves defence (Patricio and Boly) or Double Palace defence (Tomkins and Obi Wan)
Also who is the best 4.5 mid that isn’t Stephens? I had McDonald at Fulham but with them basically signing a brand new team I doubt he’ll play anymore. Other people I’m looking at is Gunnarsson, Ward, Westwood, or maybe one of these new signings?
Schneiderlin &, Billing perhaps, but I doubt no one is nailed… Westwoods/Gunnarsson might be most nailed (and Stephens)….
Cheers Zed. I just don’t want Stephens with his high ownership as he will be most likely to lose price. I might just have to bite the bullet and stick him in there for the start.
Yeah, that’s why I’m tempted by Westwood 0.1% ownership and he started yesterday so seems like he’s nailed, or Gunnarsson 1.5% as well, looking a lot safer than Stephens 11.9%…
Yeah exactly. The other one I was looking at is Chalobah who should be fit to play GW2 but don’t know if he’ll play with the new signings Watford made
I think Chalobah sat on the bench a bit towards the end of last season so he isn’t nailed either…
Ah crap haha
Interesting point about McDonald. I’m concerned now as well.
Yeah damn Khan buying too many players!!!
Matt
Would you be using both Wolves in games?
Possibly. Patricio is my only keeper so that’s one Wolves but then I would likely be playing 4-4-2 a lot unless I can get a 4.5 mid or if my 4.5 fwd plays then I could bench a defender the odd time.
I think I’d go the Wolves route. Love Tomkins’ value but I expect Wolves to do very well this season and Boly has a decent goal threat.
Cheers mate. That’s what I was thinking as well.
hey matt. hope you are well.
I would go with double palace defence.
Other than stephens, i would go for gunarsson. hope you have made your decisions by now and can show your final 11. best of luck.