FPL Ramblings
It has been a while since I wrote one of these and I didn’t have any plans to do so this season, but I was sitting around with nothing to do in the afternoon and thought why not write about some random fpl thoughts. Years ago I read an article in fantasy NFL that I really liked called Love/Hate. I liked it so much that in the past I have included a mini love/hate section myself although that has been a while. I use to do it to talk about transfers. I would see who managers were buying and selling and state whether I loved or hated the transfer, when I was on the fence I just say I was lukewarm. It is in article that I have thought about doing this season occasionally. That is sort of what this is in many ways as I am going to be loving and hating on the ownership of players for the most part. I might include some other topic, I get distracted easily.
Anyway, let us get to loving or hating stuff.
Love – Double ups on Liverpool/United defenders.
I know you might be able to sort of begrudgingly agree with me that double LFC at the back is not the worst idea you have ever heard. Although, if you started with it last season it wasn’t long before you probably got fed up with it and are probably thinking right now…
Don’t go running for the hills just yet, listen, their big Dutch rock is back and I think the clean sheets will come back also, considering their attacking prowess and set piece taking, I think Robbo and TAA is back on. I know I just asked you to invest for the two most expensive defenders in the game so I should probably expand a little and I did in the comments section a few days ago. No need to restate some of that, so here is the link> Double up comment. Ok, ok, ok, maybe you let me slide on the LFC one, but surely I am crazy to mention United in there. Maybe. I did say I loved it, not that you should. I see the combo of Shaw and AWB as a poor man’s Robbo and TAA. Sure, they don’t have the upside, but they cost 3.5 million less combined than the LFC duo. Hear me out. Varane was bought to help that defence. Sancho will help create space for AWB on the attacking end and Shaw according to anyone that talks about him is ready to have a big season. At 5.5 for each United defender, I think that is a really good value. Good luck easily finding a mid at that price that will come near in points to the United defenders. Last season they kept five clean sheets in six games against the other members of the top 4, they proven they can defend and I think they will do it better this season against the minnows of the league, plus add the likely improvement from both on the attacking end and there is a chance that the United combo is the actual double up at the back that we will be talking about in a couple of weeks.
Love – Pep making FPL interesting.
If it wasn’t for Pep constantly rotating and making it difficult on us, we would all have a similar team with the same 3 City players, Salah, LFC defender, some cheap keeper and some United players. Imagine having the best attack year after year and the best or second best defence year after year and still not seeing many City players in fpl drafts. Actually, you don’t have to imagine it, you can see drafts every day with barely a City sighting. The best team in the league and they are being ignored because that bald bastard f*cks us every freaking time we think we know what he is going to do. There is no team sheet that makes more fpl managers nervous than the City one week after week. Just when you think you know, Pep says…
I have even seen a twitter account (https://twitter.com/FPLmeta ) that tracks City minutes trying to help predict the starting XI. Good luck to the fella, he is doing an almost impossible task. I used to cover the City pressers in the past and predict their XI for this site and let me tell you something, when the team sheet came out I always felt he was personally messing with me.
Love – Kai Havertz.
I won’t waste your time with all the stats on how he finished last season. Won’t hit you with all the Tuchel stuff on how he improved Chelsea when he got there. The reason I won’t is because I have to write about Kai next week in some of the other articles, so I will save it for then. But if you must know just ask Smash, he probably has that all memorized by now as he is a Chelsea fan. Some of the reasons I like him are not even good ones if we are strictly speaking fpl. One reason is he helped stop Pep from winning a Champions League. I am a Real Madrid fan and frankly I really dislike Pep, so Kai really did me a favour there. The other reason, I owned him in fantasy Bundesliga and he was very good for my scores. It could have been that I just happen to own him at the right times, whatever it was, all I know is that he delivered for me. I remember him fondly as a fantasy asset and out of respect, I will probably own him GW1.
Hate – Martinez ownership.
Look I get it, he is a very good keeper. I love watching him succeed at club level just so Arsenal fans are left to wonder what could have been. I get that he makes a lot of saves. He might be the highest scoring keeper again, that is certainly possible. I think it is unlikely, but it is possible. Villa kept one clean sheet in their last 12 fixtures last season, that doesn’t sound great to me. I think it is quite possible that his points are 25-30 lower this season and that would still be a decent season in fpl, but at that stage I don’t think he be worth the extra cash that it costs to have him. Also, if he doesn’t start well, he will be sold by many as the extra million spent on a keeper will be seen as a luxury that maybe they should not have afforded themselves, plus in GW4 his fixtures turn difficult. By the way I sent this to Martinez to read and he sent this back…
Hate – Kane and Grealish ownership.
Seriously, until the dust settles why do we even own them. Kane is not even training as he looks for a move and Jack just got back to training but those are murky waters also. Grealish will need a new deal or to be sold before I even consider him. Well, if sold to City then we may never own him again in fpl without feeling worried about rotation. Just stay away from these two for now. However, if you want to be stubborn about it that will be just one less person I have to worry about beating me in fpl. 
Hate, sort of, actually probably lukewarm – Leeds United.
I don’t actually hate Leeds, I quite like them and I absolutely love Bielsa. Wanted him as our national team coach (Colombia) for years and have always loved how his sides play. I just don’t think that Leeds players will perform the same. Bamford is now at a price where he is no longer cheap, and I think it will be hard for him to match last season. Plus, I think Rodrigo might get in the way of Bamford and possibly others in terms of minutes. Dallas is no longer classified as a defender so that’s a lot of clean sheet points that will be lost, Harrison and Raphinha are more expensive than last season. Although, I will admit that those two I am bit iffy on, they still might represent good value and that is why I am lukewarm about them. Anyway, back to hating, I don’t expect them to finish as high this season, simply because I don’t think they will feast on the lower side of the table as much as they did last season. Teams struck me as a bit naïve last season in part because Championship sides don’t usually take the game to you the way Leeds does. My guess is a lot of teams will have better game plans to combat Leeds this season and some of their fpl players might struggle to match their outputs from last season.
Thanks for reading FPL Ramblings. This article was written by Mito21
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With Robertson likely out maybe it’s time for a bargain Phillips instead of TAA and splash the dosh elsewhere
https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/440249-andy-robertson-injury-update?utm_source=premier-league-website&utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=link
Phillips to match Trent yeah?
GP, let’s hope we don’t have a repeat of last season when TAA did f all for ages and everyone was wandering why an expensive waste of space is still in the team
He should be fully fit this time. I imagine he and Liverpool will be far better this season.
The Robertson injury has cast a shadow of doubt for me. I was convinced that defence would be on it again this season, but missing either full back or Virgil has a massive impact.
Banjo, spot on
I am already looking at cheaper alternatives. Just doesn’t make sense spending 7.5 on TAA and waiting for the odd assist, if any, instead investing the cash to a better midfielder.
I undestand banjo but let’s not panic. Klopp said after the game that the pain has already gone and he’ll be sent for a scan tomorrow.
I think Liverpool can cope a bit better losing Robbo than Trent though but agree on your point.
It’s making my slightly more comfortable about not having TAA at the moment. But only slightly.
One thing is guaranteed. It ain’t gonna be easy at Carrow Road on Saturday for pool
0-5
Maybe 1-5 now
Ivan,
I will get returns from Mo, Jota & TAA Saturday night.
A surprising 2-1 to shock the bandwagon
I watched the game today and the defence was a bit all over the place. The fixtures are good enough for me. Robbo being out prob helps TAA as he will be on all corners. If the LB is 4 million I’d want to double up. Robbo being out is very different to all their CBs being missing though
They also play again tomorrow so will be intereteing to see if that looks like their starting eleven for Norwich.
Team tomorrow sounds like the Brazilians with the reserves. However the 4 million left back will be playing
I think you may be right.
Re Liverpool versus Norwich, aren’t the whispers around Norwich simply being under-prepared as they’ve had a poor pre-season with Covid etc severely hitting them? Their fitness levels may simply not be enough yet.
Because of this I could see a school of thought emerging this week to start with Salah and Mane, with the latter placeholding a sub 10 midfielder to then enable Lukaku, or Kane. But of course that means no Bruno etc. But it has its appeals, as well of course its risks.
I suppose if Norwich look really poor then Mane could be moved on for Mahrez or whichever City mid you feel lucky with, to help continue the possible rout.
Is that what you’re planning to do Ivan – play Phillips ahead of TAA? Is it what you’d advise other managers to do?
Kralin, I am not advising anyone. Just expressing my opinion that he could be an option. Of course, that depends on how serious is Robertson’s injury and how long he might be absent. The pool defence will be weakened and for the sake of the odd assist from TAA, now and again, I would rather save cash and spend it wisely elsewhere.
I do wonder sometimes what you’re trying to achieve Ivan. Is it offering advice? Clearly not. The very long-standing pattern of your comments points to something else, namely taking pleasure from displaying irrational bias with the clear intent of baiting the fans of teams other than the one you support.
Maybe it’s time to turn the record over, start something new. The Secret Zorro days are long gone and the joke is worn out – it’s been told too many times. For example you would say exactly what you’ve been saying about Salah (which is exactly what you said in the past about Aguero) about Bruno, if the latter played for Liverpool.
It would be great to see you try to offer more rational, less biased advice.
Expressing an own opinion and different ideas is part of the fun in any forum. Imagine how dull would be if we all agreed on one tunnel vision draft. As for the bias you mentioned, won’t comment, as there have never been any at any point, must be in your imagination.
Hahahahahahaha I’ve missed this place!
i think taa could get more than odd assist. with vvd back cleans sheets are more likely. he could get not just get assists but score now and then. and if he gets a cs decent chance of bps too
He was the top player for bonus points for Liverpool last season. And that was despite well, you know…
After comments I received my 2nd draft is complete. I think I prefer this one
Sanchez/Steel
Maguire/Shaw/Coufal/White/Amartya
Salah/Fernandes/Raphina/Havertz/Benjamin
Tonney/Vardy/Perica
I like it except Vardy. Might just be me but I don’t think he’s worth anywhere near 10.5
Tbh he is currently warming up Lukakus place.
I was going to say that
If that striker place is only doing that you might as well go for who you think will get the most points in GW1 in that position.
I know we don’t know that but you could make a case for Ings or Calvert-Lewin ahead of Vardy, given the fixtures. But Vardy seems all right in a placeholdery way.
i have kept vardy too. but as a placeholder for lukaku
Here’s a question for people like me who tonight are drowning their sorrows over Robbo – what are you planning to do?
My thoughts are just stick with the premium defender idea, switching to Chilwell or make a slightly riskier pick with Cancelo. I generally start big with defence then rearrange the furniture a bit before GW3. On the other hand, at the moment I have TAA, Shaw and Digne as well, so maybe that’s enough and save the balance for Lukaku or Kane as / when things resolve themselves there.
Would be interested to know what other people are pondering. It could certainly and easily open the door to Lukaku.
The answer often lies in the question itself, spare funds goes to big man luke!
Another strange thought came to me that VVD could step in and provide his worth in headers rather than CS’, ah well… Probably best to just take a sensible premium defender (Chilwell, Digne, Shaw, Stones, Dias or even Pereira?) and upgrade the offense
Yes – all those options give a bit of change. VVD I feel slightly nervous about but I think he played a fair amount today and hopefully is all right.
Dunno really. I like the idea of three Liverpool players because the fixtures are so tasty. But the pool (sic) of three players is quite small – TAA. Salah, Robbo, Mane, VVD maybe. Logically the next off the rank is Mane, if looking at it that way.
Personally think Jota could be a decent call, at least the two first games.
Salah and TAA are two I don’t dare starting without
True, I forgot him or rather have disregarded for now due to the rotation risk. I appreciate he could come on versus an exhusted Norwich and easily get a goal or two.
If I was certain he was starting he’d be in my team.
Well Bobby won’t be around for Norwich? So he could start as a striker vs them
I love Bobby like a brother but he’s seldom in the mix for my fantasy side. He can score well though in little batches so yes, could (and possibly should) be considered. And arguably – very arguably – placeholds Lukaku / Kane.
Bobby is fantastic!
Just not as much in FPL, I just meant that his absence benefits Jota’s odds of playing in an advance position and to play from start
I rather dozily didn’t realise he (Bobby) was missing.
Oh well, will be paying attention to the press conferences later this well.
Bobby might actually be in the team tomorrow vs Osasuna, so I may have been to quick on the buttons there…
I know the case for Lukaku is strong but Chelsea’s first batch of fixtures don’t improve with time. Whilst I can, of course, see his appeal I can also not see it.
I’m only worried about the city game, they can (and should) score in the other fixtures- I have not hopes for LFC to hold them at bay thh
Sure but I can’t imagine them being free-scoring games either. But yes, they’re not what I’d define as a bad side and possibly are fixture-proof.
i am keeping taa. we dont know if robbo injury is serious. and vvd more essential to cs than robbo
Oddly enough TAA may benefit in the form of more corners and increased dependence on his creativity, but I think CS potential is reduced from losing Robertson.
Party at Rosco’s, call his employer – he’ll be in late tomorrow
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58141002
no goals for Salah in pre season.
Mane- 3 goals
Jota-2 goals’
Hmm..interesting
I will refrain saying anything, in case Kralin brings up the bias argument aging.
Anyhow, I will. Mane has always been my number one pool player, Jota is fast climbing in my chart as well.
interesting to see how may penalties will be given this season with no more ‘soft’ penalties supposed to be given. if penalties reduce indeed, then bruno and salah not ‘essential’. 50 % of bruno goals are from penalties. for salah, it was 6 of 22 were penalties.
Mane seemed to have an off season last year.. perhaps he will back to be his best this year
others penalty stats
kane only 4 of 23 goals were penalties
vardy 8 of 15 goals were penalties
all 7 goals by jorginho were penalties
callum wilson 4 of 12 goals were penalties
Reg, I did say this to someone else yesterday.
Nobody knows how the new rules will impact the players in any of the teams yet. It’s wait and see. Once again, in my opinion, this will not last beyond this season. Everyone will be taking an advantage and will become a nightmare for all refs.
Hi Ivan,
If u have any private league in Bundesliga, please add me.
I play Bundesliga Fantasy too but dont know anyone else who plays.
Hi Reg, See the bundesliga link in the hot topics below
Yes Reg, as Otieno said.
We have a FF/247 FBL mini league.
https://fantasyfootball247.co.uk/bundesliga-fantasy-football-2021-22/
Cool. Thanks. Joined now.
Tuanzebe on loan to Villa. I he slots it, he will be a good chap entry to their defense.