GW Points: 153
Overall Points: 2916
Overall Rank: 429
Game week 22 largely went to plan and saw the team rise again on the overall leaderboard. Despite my transfers paying off and picking the right captain, I did only move up around 50 places which does go to show how difficult it is to make up significant ground at this time of the season when there are a lot of similar teams. I do think I’m well set up for the week ahead though so hopefully can continue to make up ground – losing Timber last week paid off as he only picked up 4 points and now doesn’t play this week. I’ll need to bring Haaland back in and make a decision on what to do with Alexander-Arnold but other than that I’m fairly happy with my team.
Here is my breakdown of each player:
Martinez – 3 points again wasn’t good but I’m not overly bothered about the goalkeeper position.
Gvardiol – not happy with 2 points from Gvardiol but at least I’ve now got him in for City’s double fixtures this week, although I doubt he plays in the FA cup.
Van Dijk – delighted with an instant 20 points from van Dijk. I’m surprised this didn’t push me higher up the leaderboard with his ownership being only 45% in the top 1,000.
Alexander-Arnold – happy with 9 points but creates a problem with him being potentially injured.
Kulusevski – 4 points is a poor return from a double game week but can’t see me moving him on just yet.
Foden – 2 points is another poor return but I’ll hold him this week due to the extra fixture.
Gordon – delighted with 14 points from Gordon, will probably have to keep him despite the single game week.
Fernandes – another player who had a poor week and another I’ll have to keep despite potentially not playing in the FA Cup.
Gakpo – very happy with instant returns from Gakpo as I was slightly in two minds about keeping Son.
Isak – decent return but I’ll probably need to bring Haaland back now.
Salah – season long pick.
Player watchlist
Haaland – will almost certainly bring him back in.
Diaz – has had a poor few weeks but tempted to bring him in for the FA Cup fixture.
Robertson – could be a temporary replacement for Alexander-Arnold
Szoboszlai – due a price rise and has a double game week.
Plan for game week 23
I’m struggling to see past bringing in Liverpool or Man City players. I’m just not convinced on any certain starters in the FA Cup across the other teams so it could be a quiet game week for most of them. I’ll definitely want Haaland back, and it makes sense for Isak to be the player to make way. This leaves me with 0.2m to make up. I could swap Gordon or Kulusevski for Diaz but Gordon should rise in value and Kulusevski might play with Spurs playing Villa. This leaves Alexander-Arnold, who could be an easy swap for Robertson. The problem is I’ll want Alexander-Arnold straight back in when he’s fit. As the deadline is 6:30pm I’ll see what comes out of the press conferences today and go from there. I’ll publish my plans later this afternoon.