Finally a bigger scoring week but the Son, Saka debacle injury continues.
Gameweek 9 review
78 points (against an average of 54) was at last a week where I outscored the average significantly. I’m also feeling better about how my team is shaping up for the weeks to come.
Henderson with the most unlikely of clean sheets got me some welcome GK points. These have been few and far between.
Double City defence paid off this week. It’s always a risk because 1 goal can lose so many points in an instant. I don’t usually recommend a defensive double up for that reason but it’s come about because Lewis is such bargain and Gvardiol was a pick from the start of the season.
On Gvardiol, he’s really come good the last few weeks. Considering I came so close to selling him for Gabriel in game week 6 I’m so glad I didn’t. In that time Gabriel has scored 5 points to Gvardiol’s 20!
Mbeumo didn’t pay back my transfer in of him last week but absolutely has now. He’s a must for all players in my opinion and it’s not too late. His points per price ratio makes him essential, combined with ongoing good fixtures.
Returns elsewhere in my team were good too but my transfer in of Son for Saka backfired. Saka made a shock return from injury, scoring against Liverpool while Son was a no show for Crystal Palace. Son was a short term premium option for me but the injury is a concern, I plan to remove him in a couple of weeks anyway so it’s whether I do that straightaway. It doesn’t feel good to reverse a transfer straight away but at the same time it’s no good holding a player who isn’t going to get you the points.
Haaland was a no brainer captain at home to Southampton and he scored so I’m not too disappointed. However, with an early goal it’s a shame he didn’t go on to haul. It’s good he’s back on the score sheet but the return on that £15m+ just hasn’t been enough in the last few weeks. He’s not one to bet against but I’m considering a pivot to Mo Salah in the coming weeks.
Solanke continues to disappoint and is another attacker who is not justifying his price tag. It seems to be the year of bargain strikers…Cunha is the most likely candidate to find his way into my line-up.
Gameweek 10 team and transfers
Last week I moved early, something I generally avoid. For the record, I’ve done it twice this year and neither times has it worked out. Just saying.
This week, I’m probably not moving at all, let alone early. However, I have my eye on Wolves players. I want both Cunha and Aït-Nouri. With 1 free transfer this week, any change will delay my designs to get Salah in. Wildcard in game week 12 could be the solution.
Image source: fpl.team
Son and Gvardiol are flagged so a bit of a concern. On Gvardiol, City are currently suffering an injury crisis with Pep saying they only have 13 players. Whether you agree, this does mean if he’s deemed fit enough, he’ll play. No guarantees though.
As for Son, well I’m fairly sure I’m going to hold him. I brought him in for the fixtures game weeks 9 – 11. If he features in 10 in some way and hopefully starts 11 then I still think it’s worth it…it’s Ipswich at home in 11 hence why I targeted that fixture. Ange has also said that he didn’t feature in midweek in Europe because he wasn’t ready but they are expecting him back for the weekend…based on that I would expect him to play even if he doesn’t see out the 90.
Haaland still gets my captaincy but mostly because no 1 clearly better alternative is available to me. With Palmer away to Man United who may have a “new manager bounce” or whatever you want to call it…perhaps a release from the previous manager bounce?? Less catchy though.
A proposed transfer is either Solanke or Vardy to Cunha. I want Cunha for the upcoming fixtures, it’s a good time to jump on him. Selling Solanke would release funds to support a move to Salah in the coming weeks but in truth it’s really hard to get there without a lot of transfers or selling Haaland in which case I don’t need those Solanke funds. Vardy is away to Ipswich this week and it feels counter-intuitive to sell him this week given the fixture.
Vardy’s XG is lower than Solanke but has outscored him in FPL points and goals. There’s 2 ways to look at that, either Solanke has under-performed so keeping Vardy makes more sense or more goals will come for Solanke given his underlying numbers. This is going to be a deadline decision but right now I’m leaning towards Solanke out.
Conclusion
A good week gave me back to back green arrows with most of my players returning. Son provides a headache with his injury concern but I still plan to keep him for 2 more fixtures (unless he gets ruled out completely) then move him on as originally planned.
My most likely move is to bring Cunha of Wolves in for Solanke but Vardy also could make way. I equally could roll the transfer and have more flexibility next week…but where’s the fun in that?!
Get your thoughts over to us, tell us what you plan to do and any questions you want answering to @FPLwithStu on X.
