FPL 21:22 | GW 1 – 3: Paid price for not learning from my mistakes, analysing options for GW 4
We are just three game weeks into this FPL season and I am starting to feel like I am chasing in the game already. As I look back at the first three GWs, it was possibly just the 3rd GW that was horrible, the rest 2 were okay to be honest.
I was ranked ~1M after GW1 after having managed a decent points tally of 91 in the first GW, thanks to the heroics of Salah, Bruno and Antonio. I held the same rank by the end of second week thanks to 21 points scored in the final game of the GW by Coufal and Antonio.
To be just outside 1M by the end of GW2 seemed like a decent position to be in, but at this point I went against my planned approach and thought of going big on differentials to try and get an upswing on points and make a push for top 100k. In hindsight it was probably too much of a gamble too early into the season. I made the following triple change:
The likes of Kane, Torres and Maddison were big differentials and I went for a differential captain in Kane as well. I was without the likes of Vardy, Son, Salah – All of who scored decent points in GW3. Although Torres hauled and was the saving grace, being without majority of the other big hitters had a big impact, leading to just 51 (-4) points for the GW and slipping to 1.6M overall.
Hindsight can be cruel:
Keeping the bitter GW3 fresh in my mind I prepare for GW4 and here is a look at my options and thoughts for this GW:
Hot Picks for GW4
Spurs defence : Nuno seems to have drilled defensive stability into the Spurs team and they could be a decent bet to keep CS in 4 of the next 5 games. Dier (4.6M) and Tangagnga (4.6M) seem to be great options and a low price. Reguilon(5.2M) could be worth a shot with possibility of attacking returns.
Manchester United attacker(s) : Manchester United are back at Old Trafford for GW4 against Newcastle side that has conceded 8 goals in first 3 games. With Ronaldo(12.5M) coming back, Old Trafford is expected to be buzzing and United attackers will fancy their chances. I believe Greenwood (7.7M), Bruno (12.0M) and Ronaldo are great options. I was convinced on getting Ronaldo in straight away for this game, but Ole’s press conference makes me slightly unsure, with the possibility of him starting from bench.
Spurs attackers: Although Spurs have managed three 1-0 wins so far, they have displayed limited attacking potential. But the game against Crystal Palace could offer enough to keep hold of the Spurs attacking assets. I was contemplating getting Son(10.1M) for Bruno if I get Ronaldo as a forward, but with Son most likely out of GW4, I am tempted to tease fate and continue with Kane(12.3M) for this week and probably captain him too.
Everton attackers: Everton have a good run of fixtures over next few GWs and team seems to gelling well going forward, which makes Gray(5.6M), Richarlison(7.5M) and DCL (8.2M) great options for next few GWs. GW4 against Burnley could offer decent captaincy potential to Everton attackers as well.
Other Options for GW4
Lukaku(11.5M) against Martinez less Villa could be a great captain choice, I don’t think I have so many transfers in me to make the change this week, but if I were on a wildcard, I would definitely get him in.
Similarly there seems to be short term value in getting Sarr(6M) and Wolves attackers (personally I am considering Trincao(5.9M) and Jiminez (7.4M) ) with the kind run of fixtures up next.
Differential Punts for GW4
Arsenal vs Norwich could be fun, with them currently placed at 20th and 19th in the table. Teemu Pukki (5.9M) playing against Arsenal team that is languishing at the bottom of the table devoid of confidence could be a perfect set up for the Norwich front man to grab a goal or two. Similarly Arsenal attackers could finally find the net of goal against Norwich and Pepe(7.2M) might be worth a punt with ESR possibly ruled out due to illness.
Mbuemo(5.5M) has been playing OOP as a striker for Brentford and Brighton in current form might offer him a chance to grab his first goal.
Headaches for my GW4 team
I got Maddison in GW4 as a cover for Vardy, that failed and with Leicester up against champions City, I am considering to a mid around 6M mark, which will allow me to upgrade Bruno and Kane to Salah and Ronaldo maybe by next week.
To Ronaldo or not to Ronaldo – Well CR7 will definitely be a part of my squad soon, but should it be this GW or not is what I am contemplating. I feel Bruno might be able to cover for Ronaldo this GW, specially with chances that CR7 might start off the bench. This might allow me to either continue with Kane against Crystal Palace or get in Lukaku.
Smith Rowe has been in my team since GW1 and to be honest he has looked like the only Arsenal player putting in a serious shift, Over the International break, I have been sure of keeping him for the game against Norwich, but with chances of him missing out due to illness, I probably might take him out.
All things considered, I am contemplating following moves:
Option 1: Maddison –> Demarai Gray / Sarr / Trincao
Option 2 (-4): Option 1 + Kane –> Ronaldo
Option 3 (-8): Option 2 + Bruno –> Salah
Given how I have burnt my fingers last GW, I probably will stick to using 1 FT. Let’s see how this pans out!
Good luck and green arrows to you!