Here’s our fantasy premier league GW38 article looking at how the FFGeek team is getting on and an early look at plans for the GW38. Plus we debate the success of the bench boost chip so far.
fantasy premier league GW38 – the FFGeek team looking back and forward
Firstly, and off topic sorry, but thanks to everyone who’s responded to my feedback request for the site. I’ve had lots of useful insights on what people like and don’t, including some very nice words thanks very much. I’ve tried to get back to as many people as possible and think I have pretty much to everyone. If you want to contribute here’s the link to the feedback article to help re topic suggestions.
Looking back
So I’ve done this early as the last game of the gameweek is Thursday night UK time so a little late for a review and plans going forward. The fantasy premier league GW38 deadline btw is 14.00 Sunday UK time so there’s a bit more time than usual after that.
So here’s the FFGeek team score so far as of Tuesday morning:
DGW37 score: 80 (average 47) overall rank: 35k Total points 2,083 Green arrow: 13k so far. Team value: £103.2m
The FFGeek DGW37 team successes so far
The successes are pretty obvious. Alonso keeps doing it either defensively or offensively. Wing backs this season have been a great addition to our armoury with alot of teams at least temporarily using 3 at the back and wingbacks. Alonso is the main beneficiary but the Spurs full backs and have been as well. When he was fit Coleman have also appeared on our radar. Lately Monreal, when a wingback as opposed to part of a 3 man defence, has also been an attacking revelation.
The worry is that the formation is called 3-4-3 as opposed to 5-2-3 so could they in theory be reclassified next season as midfielders. I would say Alonso and Moses (already a mid) are probably the most in danger as they have consistently been used in that formation.
Arsenal cheapie CB Holding at least played and with it looking like Koscielny may not play tonight looks a good bet to carry over for the 2nd game.
Josh King just keeps doing it and it’s been a good decision to keep him as one of 2 single gameweekers. Kane and Jesus also contributed and Sanchez continues on his one man mission to get Arsenal into the top 4. So far the late captain change from Jesus looks like it was a good idea but it’s very reliant on Sanchez playing tonight. The pictures of him in training are helpful.
Capoue scoring against a 2nd string Chelsea defence was a pleasant surprise. As was his position of being a striker 50% of the time.
The FFGeek DGW37 team failures so far
The failures so far are definitely the Southampton contingent where 2 didn’t play and they also didn’t keep a clean sheet against the already relegated worst attack of Middlesborough. Even allowing Bamford to score for the first time in who knows how long.
Holgate was subbed early was a disappointment especially as Everton continued on to get the clean sheet. Man City not getting a clean sheet against Leicester was disappointing too although they didn’t deserve to win let alone keep a clean sheet. I never regard Alli as a disappointment as no one scores all the time and when you watch him get into such good positions he’s just a chance away from scoring.
The bench boost
Has been using the bench boost after the 2nd wildcard been a success. Or would have it been best to use it elsewhere and wildcard for DGW37.
It’s hard to measure but I looked at my DGW37 imaginary wildcard article and that team without a bench boost would be on 70 points compared to my bench boost team of 80 points. So not much difference if you assume elsewhere the bench boost would have got at least 8 points.
Obviously it can’t really be measured as DGW36 was handy for the wildcard due to the Arsenal and Southampton DGW’s but I’m not sure I would use it like that again. It wasn’t helped by the uncertainty created in Spurs and Chelsea’s teams over the state of the title race in DGW37. I think circumstances will dictate a decision next season. However I feel alot better after Capoue’s goal last night than I would have writing this yesterday morning.
Looking forward
Here’s the GW38 fixtures:
It’s another one of those weeks where you get a free punt for 1 week only which is pretty enjoyable.
Here’s how the team looks like now without any transfers.
Who to take out?
Despite the gametime uncertainty I don’t think I can take out Hazard, Alli or Kane with the fixtures. There would need to be a pretty clear indication from the managers that they weren’t going to play. Jesus and Sanchez are definitely going no where. That leaves Gabbiadini and King as the targets. You leave King out at your peril but away to Leicester isn’t the easiest of fixtures.
I have £1.1m in the bank so Gabbiadini sold gives me £7.6m and King £6.9m. I don’t want to take a hit for someone for 1 gameweek.
Attacking players
It”s a bit of a tricky one though. Chelsea have a great fixture home to Sunderland but who knows what team they will put out. Will he play Batshuyai or Costa for example? Not that I can afford either of them. Liverpool should need to win against Middlesborough to secure a top 4 spot but apart from Coutinho (who I don’t have the funds for anyway) it’s difficult to pick someone. I’m a huge Sturridge fan and would be tempted by him if I had the funds and I thought he would start.
Man City have a great fixture away to Watford and will want to win to finish 3rd even if 4th is effectively secured. However, assuming Aguero is fit, 1 of Sterling, Sane and De Bruyne could miss out if Pep plays 2 strikers. Do I want to bet on who the manager who’s made the most changes in the premier league will play? Not if I can help it. The irony is that Aguero creates the uncertainty but can you even guarantee he’ll start if you got the funds for a punt on him.
Spurs with Hull away as the last game and 2nd place secured could play any team. Arsenal at home to Everton is no walkover that’s for sure so not sure I want to go there.
Nothing really jumping out. I’ve even thought about Vardy but can’t afford him.
Captain considerations?
It could be that the captain poll could provide the answers from a point of view of minimising rank drop prospects. At the moment Coutinho seems to be the favourite but it’s pretty spread around which does minimise potential rank damage as well.
Sanchez, Kane and Jesus are in the mix too who I’ve got.
A defender?
How about a defender? Seems a bit of a waste of a free transfer. The same teams apply. Have to be someone with good attacking prospects to make it worthwhile. Clyne should play for Liverpool. Kompany for Man City. Who knows regarding Chelsea and Spurs?
Summary
So an ok gameweek so far although the no shows aren’t exactly helpful. Sanchez’s fitness tonight will be a key consideration in judging it a success or not.
The bench boost strategy is debateable for next season although it really depends on the circumstances. Capoue has certainly helped it this season for me at least.
So no answers at the moment for GW38. There’s uncertainty for teams with good fixtures and the players I want to sell at the moment aren’t generating cash for any obvious options.
However, I haven’t really studied my team enough and unless there’s some cash crisis for someone I want I’ll be leaving it to the last minute, maybe even Sunday before doing the transfer.
Good luck for the rest of the gameweek.
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