FPL Captain Picks Gameweek 36
I offer no stats, just dreams
Bruno was of course the most captained player in DGW36, the game’s top points scorer (not sure if he was at that point actually, but he is now and we couldn’t really be arsed checking if he was then in all honesty, so just go with it…) and with a potential treble on his hands he was always going to be, even if we all knew deep down that he couldn’t possibly start in all three, as much as Ole does love to flog him! Even so he managed to start two of them and was still flung on against Leicester in an attempt to rescue a lost cause, to no avail. He still got a couple of goals though along the way, as he does.
Despite all this the job of our Captaincy writing team is to present you with some options across the spectrum; some being bleeding obvious, some a little more risky. And as ever we then take them to task on each! Here’s how they fared last week…
1. Swirly – Bruno, 38 points. Went route one and got rewarded with top spot. Quelle surprise.
2. Cookie – Salah, 26 points. Snatched 2nd with a late goal.
3. Jamesimmo – Iheanacho, 18 points. Got a goal but it was probably a disappointing show given the relative opposition on offer.
4. The Gallant Pioneer – Son, 14 points. A very gallant effort with just the one game to play with.
5. Matt X – Zaha, 8 points. We appreciate him trying but this was never more than a left-field punt.
6. Kop – Watkins, -2 points. A negative score in a DGW takes some doing. If anyone can… Negative Ken can! But as per Matt he was simply presenting alternative options so we shall give him a pass.
From the above then we can ascertain that…. the bleeding obvious won the day(s). It isn’t and won’t be like this every week, but more often than not when you take in a sample of more than just one game the cream accumulates and rises to the top. Every dog can have his day, and all that.
On which note we are back to the bread and butter of essentially a one week punt again. Every dog for himself again…
Cookie – Antonio vs Brighton (a)
(Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Having returned from injury with a brace vs Burnley, Antonio now faces Brighton at the Amex, a team who have kept three clean sheets on the bounce at home. Given Brighton’s recent home record, skippering Antonio may seem a strange choice to you. And you would be correct. However, the Seagull’s best defender, Dunk, is suspended, providing some justification to my choice. Secondly, and only those in the know will understand this, but allow me take you back to last season, the last time I sat down to watch a West Ham game undisturbed. West Ham were at Norwich, the lunchtime kick off and waking up that morning that transfer devil was jabbing away at me, “one more transfer Cookie, take the hit, have a punt”. Those that know me well, know that on such weak-willed occasions I offer little fight, I normally give in, lose the four points and usually end up ruining my game-week. That week I looked at the fixtures and the tv schedule and figured I could punt on Antonio vs a surely-to-be-relegated Norwich. So I bought him, captained him, settled down to watch and BOOM, four goals later my hit had more than paid off, my game-week was made, it was the stuff of legends.
This week my friends, I will be settling down at 8pm to watch Brighton vs West Ham. My skipper will be Antonio. I offer no stats, just dreams. And fun.
Init – DCL – vs Sheffield United (H)
(Photo by Lindsey Parnaby – Pool/Getty Images)
Everton are still fighting for something, I’m just not sure what, exactly. The CL is out of their grasp and no team really ever wants to be in the Thursday League (Europa for the traditionalists). Perhaps though this is why UEFA introduced the new sub-Europa League as there seems to be an almighty scramble to avoid that one for sure. It seems to be between them, Arsenal and Spurs and let’s be honest here; which one of us wouldn’t laugh our socks off if one of the latter, the supposed ESL elites, got ditched into that!
Perhaps it is simply home form they are fighting for though, as that seems to be the main barrier for Everton at the moment. It has been suggested that they have missed their fans more than most but there is an argument that Liverpool have suffered equally. And that Man City have prospered as they have barely noticed a discernable difference. Either way it is very real as Everton are 15th in the home table with just 5 wins out 17. Which is abysmal (they have 11 away).
On the plus side DCL himself is less bothered about his venue as he has 7 of his 16 goals and half of his 6 assists at Goodison. He has also got 69 of his 159 FPL points there, again a smidgen less than half but playing for a team with such an away bias that looks fine to me.
As for his opponents; since being relegated Sheffield United somehow managed to beat Brighton but have then conceded 6 in their last 2 vs Spurs and Palace. And to totally balance things they are of course rock bottom in the away table, with just 1 win. Only Saints have conceded more goals away (and we all know that is only because of the 14 they conceded on their trips to Manchester).
With Spurs all over the shop, West Ham going to a frugal Brighton and Salah just looking a bit out of form (Matt will tell you otherwise but he’s a biased Red) this may just be your best bet this week.
It’s a home banker, you heard it here first!
*I’ll caveat it this with the realism that he feeds off scraps. He’s capable of scoring from these, and no doubt Sheffield Utd will present more than most, but Everton seem intent on playing 5 defenders, 6 holding midfielders and pairing him with a strike partner who has seemingly never heard of him, never mind met him.
Kop – Kane vs Wolves (H)
I’m writing this oblivious to what Init has written or is going to write in the intro. In all honesty, I deserve both barrels. There have been some shocking choices in this article over the years however, I doubt Ollie Watkins performance in GW35 can be matched! -1, doubled to become -2! What a wally! In my defence, I did pick last!
Therefore, when Init asked for writers this week I was straight in there with Harry Kane. Surely he’s the best pick, I thought to myself. That was last Friday night. Kane then went and blanked against Leeds at lunchtime on Saturday. On Saturday night I saw a tweet which highlighted that Kane has only had one shot on target in the last three gameweeks. Great, here we go again I thought to myself.
I’ve failed to mention that Horse tried to usurp my Kane pick on Saturday morning but kindly stepped back when it was pointed out to him that I’d already taken Kane. Horse, you can have Kane if you want mate.
That’s enough Kane bashing, I’m supposed to be espousing why you should, not shouldn’t, give him the armband.
His best season from an FPL perspective was back in 2016/17 when he ended with 224pts. After 35 gameweeks this season, he has 222pts and is therefore well set for his best season. Switching back to reality and he will be desperate to win the golden boot, a race that would appear to be between himself & Mo Salah. He hasn’t won it since the aforementioned 2016/17 season and we all know how important goals are to him. He’d swear on his daughters’ life that he’d scored a goal if he thought it would help!
This season he’s also discovered the art of creating goals and has 13 assists to his name, only Vardy has more. Oh and he’s the king of the baps.
And what of his opponents, Wolves? Well Burnley beat them 4-0 in GW33!
Matt – Salah vs West Brom (a)
Liverpool vs a relegated team… the fixture of dreams… maybe last season! This season Liverpool have proven themselves to be hard to call as they have fallen from the heights of champions to the verge of Europa League football. And perhaps back again tonight! We all know the different reasons for this but it all boils down to not being good enough overall.
In contrast to the team’s form, the Egyptian Pharoah has been a silver lining in a dark cloud over Anfield this season. Salah has continued his fine vein of form in previous seasons with 21 goals and 5 assists. If you compare this with the next highest scorer which is 9 goals for Mane & Jota and 8 for Firmino ; it really shows that Liverpool have struggled in front of goal apart from Mo. No wonder he is in 36.7% of teams!
It is almost the perfect storm this weekend due to West Brom having nothing to play for and Liverpool needing to win all their games. This should mean an all-out assault on Sam Johnstone’s goal. The other Sam, the ‘big one’, hasn’t seemed to give much of a sh*t since he came in, and he was getting paid millions to give one then about not getting relegated, so imagine how much of one he will be giving now!
Salah is also fighting for his 3rd golden boot in 4 years which means he won’t be slowing down in these remaining games.
Horse – Son vs Wolves (H)
Jungmun beach. (Photo By DEA / M. BORCHI/De Agostini via Getty Images)
I used to live in S. Korea, so researching this article was a pleasure and a good excuse to reminisce. I am a big fan of Korean culture and have a lot of respect for Son Heung-min
At the business end of the season, I look for a captain who is nailed on, who plays for a team with something to play for, who is focused and in form.
Son does not like not playing
In his first season with Spurs when Son did not get much game time, he threatened to leave and go back to play in Germany.
Thankfully he was offered more game time and stayed at Spurs and rewarded them and FPL managers. Son is nothing if not consistent. In the previous four FPL seasons, he has scored 174, 178, 159 and 169 points.
This season he has taken it to another level. With 3 GWs to play, he has already amassed 218 points, scoring 17 goals, 10 assists and a whopping 26 bonus points.
He has returned 11 double digit hauls. Interestingly, the last 7 of these have all come at home.
Spurs
Whilst Spurs are unlikely to made the top 4, there is still a good chance they will make the Europa League places and Son would love it if his mate Kane won the golden boot.
How focused Is Son?
Whilst researching this article I found out something extraordinary about Son. He has decided to delay starting a family unless he has retired from football so he can focus 100% on the beautiful game. It’s fair to say he won’t be thinking of when he will be on Chejudo beach before the end of the season.
His form is at hot as Kimchi
In the last 5 GWs since returning to playing 90 minutes a game, he has picked up 38 points, scoring 4 and assisting another. An average of 7.6 per match.
At home his form is outrageous
In his last 6 home matches he has returned 10, 11, 5, 7, 10 and 12 scoring 4 and assisting 4.
Wolves at home looks too good to pass up.
Son ticks all the boxes for me.
This is my final captaincy article of the season. It has been a privilege. I hope people have enjoyed reading them as much as I have enjoyed writing them.
My previous 4 captains have returned 13, 10, 13 and 10. Hopefully, Son will make it a clean sweep of double-digit captains.
Good luck everyone.
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 a Lionel Messi contract but this is their initial gut feeling based upon who they actually own.
DMC — Ings
Jamesimmo — Kane
Swirly — Salah
Guy — DCL
Horse — Son
Matt — Salah
Loud Atlas — Salah
Smash — Salah
Kop — Kane
Cookie – Antonio
The Gallant Pioneer — Salah
Rosco — Kane
Ellefcee — DCL
Floydeth — Salah
Init — DCL
VOTE ON THIS WEEK’S CAPTAIN POLL GW36
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My team doesn’t look so hot for this gw.
So I’m thinking Iheanacho to Antonio and leave it .
Or should I do Bruno to Son for a hit?
Since I’m ranked at 690k hits doesn’t matter I guess
My same exact predicament. See previous page. May just do Bruno->Son.
Yea just looked at that, thanks I think I will do the Son move
I’d just do Nacho to Bamford or Antonio.
Your United players should be good for GW37 and then you can look to offload them when, I imagine, the reserves are played in GW38.
Transfers done with a hit taken
Do I take a second to swap Watkins with Bamford, or maybe someone for Saiss or leave as it is?
I wouldn’t take another hit. The main thing is that all 11 of your players should start.
I don’t think I’d hit that any further, though I might prefer starting Martinez over Guaita
Cheers Swirly and Dane
Staying put
Morning all!
Still on a high after a 152-point haul last gameweek, which launched me from 128k to 59k!
I’m a bit stuck with my team now, however. Mitchell, Forster, Jota and even Vydra are rotation concerns and so I could undo a lot of last gameweek’s score if I’m not careful! However I’m conscious that, with a two-point lead over my rival, each and every point will count! Having done Nacho to Bamford anything else I do would be a hit.
Your thoughts would be much appreciated!
Hello mr Badger with a hat and a fake mustache! What a week! You’ve overtaken me now, so might I recommend you stack up on Leicester, Sheffield and uhm Brighton defense?
Not sure about your available cash, but maybe one of
Mendy to Ederson, Pickford or Fabianski?
or
Vydra to Antonio, Adams, Wood or Benteke?
You know what, I hadn’t thought about Mendy being moved on – great thinking. I don’t currently have anything in the bank, so will have to stick with Vydra. I’ll have a ponder!
Forster has had his ‘two games’ so there might be rotation afoot and Mendy’s remaining two fixtures are not sexy – I think I’d take the chance with a new fresh keeper
Good luck!
Haha, I’m not so sure on those moves myself 😉
You chicken, you!
😉
Swirly, the team is well set, no hit needed.
Keen to get some views on my FH draft please.
Bale and Jota on my mind.
0.7m spare atm but can drop Stones to Struijk to free up cash.
Cheers.
Hey Beno, love the City punt.
I think I’d downgrade Stones on your bench (e.g. to Coufal, Ward, <4.7 range etc.) and upgrade your keeper to Ederson, Alisson or maybe Pickford (leaves you with even more funds elsewhere).
I think I’d risk the Everton double up and go Pickford. Don’t know how many minutes Jota will get, but Bale could be explosive at home.
+1
Could do this with Pickford in for Martinez?
Everton are the clean sheet specialists these days, double up on Everton defence sounds like a good idea
Hi guys
I’m about 20 pts off the top of my mini league, with 4 of us fighting for it (I’m in 4th!). My rivals all have DCL, but I am considering getting Ings in (for Iheanacho) as a strong differential. Or would Antonio be a safer differential?
Brighton have one of the best home defensive records in the league but are without Dunk and possibly Veltman so Antonio could do well. I do like Ings though. I’d probably go Ings just about.
Which of these options do you prefer?
A) fofana/greenwood/Davies – digne/raphina/Antonio
B)fofana/greenwood/nacho to digne/raphina/DCL
Was initially going to get Dallas in for fofana but realised I can afford digne. Leaning towards A as seems a bit daft to keep Davies and sell nacho. Would leave me triple West ham though.