WELCOME TO THE
GW 5 REVIEW
“It’s a funny old game”
RIP JIMMY GREAVES
Afternoon Ffukers – With the sad news of the passing of Jimmy Greaves this weekend there was only one title and one song that came to mind – the theme tune to Saint and Greavsie!. Although being born in the late 70’s, I didnt get to see Jimmy play, my Dad and late Grandfather constantly reminded me of “The Greatest English Goalscorer” was and always will be Jimmy Greaves. I grew up watching the late Ian St John and Jimmy Greaves on ITV as a kid. Other than Match of the day this was about as good as it got for Football in the 80’s. I watched some fitting tributes on Sunday, when you look at his stats you can see why he was officially classed as a “Football Legend” – 44 Goals in 57 Games for England, 266 Domestic Goals in 379 appearances. Without doubt he would have been an FPL Essential!
With the midweek Euro fixtures it was once again headache time trying to decide on your 15 for the week. Who would be rested, who would play 2 games in 3 days…? With rumours rife (Mainly on the FFUK Whatsapp group, it seemed that a good bench this weekend could be the differential. Pep resting the highly transferred in Torres and the illness to TAA would ensure this week would be all about making the captains pick count. 68% of FFUKers (183 out of 268) put the arm band on goalscoring supremo Salah (12 points) and were not disappointed with his goal and assist, Ronaldo 6pts (13% of captains pick) also chipped in with a goal- 3 in 3 for CR7. Can you afford not to have him? With the form of Harry Kane on the decline – I’m glad I went -4 to get him in now as his price continues to rise (now £12.7M!). Just a word of caution before you all start making reactive subs, there is the return of the League cup this week which is bound to throw up some fresh injury concerns for GW6!
The first of the action came Friday night with two winless teams against each other at St James Park (Newcastle v Leeds). Final score 1-1 with both sides looking like they could concede 5 goals to a Vanarama Side. Surprise of the day was probably Brentford picking up 3 easy points away at Wolves. They just dont look the same threat this year do they. Adama & Jimi owners were frustrated but Toney £6.3M (12 points) faithful were rewarded with a goal and an assist.
Arsenal celebrated a dull victory (0-1) against Sean Dyche’s “Limb Hungry” Burnley with £5.5M Odegaard scoring his first decent points of the season (11 points). Liverpool looked nervy against a rejuvenated Crystal Palace but the class of Salah and Mane giving Liverpool a 2-0 lead before sub Naby Keita smashed home his first goal for 2 seasons. City stumbled against Southampton who would have been many peoples tip for relegation. I’m still struggling to understand how on earth Saints were awarded a penalty, it went to VAR to confirm it was a penalty (which it absolutely was) and then the Ref decided he needed to see if it was a penalty, (which it was) but decided it was a great tackle (despite Kyle Walker not touching the ball). No Pen, No Red Card…as Roy Keane would say “The Games’ gone…”.
In the battle of the newly promoted teams, Watford got the best of Norwich (1-3) routing the Canaries to the bottom of the Table – Played 5, Lost 5 – “Nil Point!” as they say in Eurovision!
Brighton got a slightly less expected 3 points with a 2-1 win over Leicester. The game surrounded with VAR debate again and Leicester will feel hard done by for sure. Brighton now up to fourth with their best top flight start ever I believe.
Game of the day Sunday had to be West Ham 1 v 2 Man Utd, the last 6 mins were just insane. You couldnt write it (but I’m gonna try!). Expected not to start Benrahma opened the scoring for West Ham in a free flowing attacking game. Ronaldo reacted quickest to tuck home his third of the season. The game was nicely poised for a late winner as “Shocker of the week” Jesse Lingard came on against the club that “re-made” him scoring a pearler of a right footed shot past the helpless FlappyHandsski. The West Ham fans looked devastated – could you believe it? Moments later CR7 tried a Tom Daley for the second time (and probably should have had a penalty) to the delight of the home crowd. Seconds after Ronaldo dragged himself off the turf questioning the Ref’s integrity only to find his team mate Luke Shaw had swung his arm out (as if trying to catch a flying Hamburger) which the Ref had no option but to award a West Ham penalty. Declan Rice, Captain and penalty taker, must have been licking his lips at the thought of snatching a late point, but wait…the subs bench decided to use Gareth Southgate’s proven method of putting a cold player on the pitch to take the pressure off the game. Up stepped the longest serving active premier league player Mark Noble, with the responsibility of slotting home from 12 yards with his first touch to snatch a point for the hammers…”Shirley he will score?”, cried the FFUK Faithfull!…He stepped up confidently (just like Jadon Sancho v Italy) …SAVED!..DDG the Hero! De Gea (£5.0M) saved his first penalty since he started Puberty – what a finish…“Its a funny old game!”
The London Derby of Spurs V Chelsea looked like it could go either way at Half Time but the Blues clicked up a gear in the second half and left Spurs with a 3-0 victory. Goals from Thiago Silva, Rudiger and Kante. The form of Harry Kane (£12.2M) was debated after the game by Micah Richards, Roy Keane and Graeme Souness. They didnt pull any punches and suggested Nuno should have “Hauled him off”. Could this spark a reaction next week when Spurs travel to fellow top 6 “wannabees” Arsenal!?
Aston Villa turned in a super performance against unbeaten Everton who had looked very assured under Reds Legend Rafa Benitez (YNWA). Villa were simply too good with a goal and an assist from Bailey £6.4M in just 20 mins of action. How many of you will now be looking at Transferring in defender Matt Cash £5M (15 points) after his first goal for the club in 33 games? “Cash is king” – of the week (along with Thiago Silva).
The Chelsea Trio of Thiago £5.5M, Rudiger £5.5M and Alonso £5.7M look good value scoring 15, 14 &10 points respectively. VVD 12 points and Cash making up a back 5 that would have netted you 66 points! Watfords 3-1 win over Norwich saw a return for Sarr £6.1M with 15 points & King £5.5M scoring 10 points.
Top FFUK scorer this week (above) was Iain Sanderson (55th) with 90 points! Toney (12 points) and Rudiger (14 points) were great pics this week. Well done Iain.
In the league Tim “I know your Name” McEwan (1st) still holds top spot once again with a steady score of 64 and breaks the 400 point mark in GW5 (403 points) . His lead is just 2 points from Joseph Colliass (2nd) with 401 points. Chris Brophy (3rd) rhymes with Trophy 😉 and is on 400 points. Unlike Tim’s beloved Everton he has managed to stay top of the league for more than 4 weeks in a row.
With a double eviction this week in the Conts we say goodbye to Flavio Chiappalone and Mohammed Nasralla. Myself and Neil Stewart sharing a dismal 45 points were very close for the chop – Must do better!
That is it for another gameweek, thanks for reading and watch out for a special cup draw later in the week!
Cheers
JPC
FFUK 