Welcome to the GW22 REVIEW – UNDER PRESSURE
It has been a big week in FPL. And many of us are feeling the pressure. 78% owned Kane (2) is now out for several weeks, whilst 42% owned TAA (6) is also out for a month or so. This is going to hit many of us hard. How we react will be pivotal to our success or failure for the rest of the season. How will we fare UNDER PRESSURE?
So its this absolute classic from Queen and David Bowie for the tune of the week from way back in 1981. Still sounds as good today as it did the day it was written.
The star of this week’s Dream Team above and therefore the player of the week was Declan Rice (15) courtesy of his first ever goal, a clean sheet and max bonus. Rice has been a fixture in the hammers side OOP since GW5 and has played every minute since. At just 4.4 with decent fixtures to come he could be a real enabler, and if he continues to get involved in attacking points we wont be able to ignore his advances.
Alongside him the Everton pair of Zouma (13) and Digne (12) combined for the early goal and hoovered up the bonus in their 2-0 win over Bournemouth. The left back in particular has proved very popular recently and rewarded his owners once again with a double digit score, that is 3 in his last 7 games.
In nets it could only be the one man wall that is David De Gea (12) after he saved 11 shots that were straight at him by the misfiring Spurs attackers.
In midfield other than the usual suspect Salah (11) there were 4 less familiar names. Schurrle (9) scored his first goal since GW13. Burnley’s Hendrick (11) got his first assists of the season whilst JWP (9) scored his first goal of the season. Pedro (9) completes the midfield after his first goal since GW17.
Up front it was also an unusual duo. Not sure many would have picked Jesus (13) or Shane Long (12) for their front lines. Does Jesus now affect the gametime of Aguero (1) going forward? Is Shane Long a changed man who can now score goals and assists?
Our man at the top shows no sign of weakness. Lawrence Sprigings (1st) now has an ominous 43 point lead from 2017 champ Nick Johns (2nd).
In fact on closer inspection there are 3 former FFUK league champions in the top 10. Joining Nick is back to back winner in 2014 and 2015, Neil Stewart (4th) and 2013 champ Allan Tomkins (7th) is also right up there. Formidable opposition to get past but they are only human and can be beaten.
For anyone interested the FFUK league has been in existence since 2006, this is now the 13th season which is a remarkable feat and thanks to Ian Galloway who ran it so successfully between 2010 and 2014. Take a look at the HOFF page to see the list of league winners. The Stewart family in particular has a phenomenal record and between them have 4 league titles. Incredible consistency from Neil who is well placed this time again and last year’s champ Jamie Stewart (33rd) who may have under performed so far this season but don’t bet against him rising up and taking his place in the upper echelons once again.
Back to the GW in hand. Top score for this week was shared. Another former champ Paul Baker (50th) and Marcus Blowers (60th) both scored a rather impressive 78 points but they achieved this in different ways.
Paul went 442 and was one of 75 FFUKers to captain Salah (11 x 2) but he also scored well with Rash (7), Pogba (5), Sterling (6), Robbo (9), Digne (12), Holebas (7) and The Special Wan AWB (4) all combining to get him to the top for this week. Bravo Bakes!
Marcus went 541 and was one of just two FFUKers who captained Sane (8 x 2) but he was also able to rely on Salah (11), Pog, Digne (12), Luiz (8), VVD (7), AWB (4) and Fabianski (9). It was all about the defence for Klopp’s No Brainers as they accounted for 41 of his score. Nicely done.
Next best was Richard Harrison (135th) with 77 scored and once again did it differently. Rich was one of 55 who captained Hazard (5 x 2) which wasnt perfect but the rest of his side did the business with Etheridge (10), Digne (12), Laporte (6), TAA (6), Salah (11), Schurrle (9) and Rash (7) all scoring valuable points.
3 FFUKers tied for next best scores this week with 75 points on the board. Dan McBrearty (8th), Daron Russell (26th) and Kevin Trotter (123rd) all will be feeling rather good about their performance. Well played chaps!
At the other end of the scale spare a thought for Harley Sullivan (226th) who mustered just 24 points. Next worst was Joe Hammond (172nd) with 27 scored. Sam Parker (49th) was the lowest scoring manager on page 1 with 46 scored.
Speaking of low scores it is now time for an eviction in the CONTS mini league.
There were a couple of youngsters who came close to being evicted this week but Tom Page-Chatton and Theo Allen both survived scoring 51 and 48 respectively. That left another Tom (Stacey) with 47 scored. His captain pick Sterling and Ederson almost saved him but he had to wait for Monday Night Football and in the end it wasn’t quite enough. Fine margins. Unlucky Tom Stacey you have now been evicted from the CONTS mini league.
That leaves 19 in this league and its another double eviction in GW23! More pressure!
Into injury time and there are a couple of cracking cup articles for you to feast one.
Have you read Paul Baker’s latest FPL CUPDATE – there are just 8 FFUKers remaining, check to see how they are getting on!
Also our Peter Cronin (47th) has written a FFUK CUPDATE recently, check that out to see the latest in the FFUK Cup ties and the those fixtures in the MILK PLATE
That is it for another GW, next week I will leave you in the more than capable hands of Stu Allen (34th) for a review.
Until then look after yourself and each FFUKer.
Cheers
Chris
FFUK 