Gameweek 4 Review
My FPL Gameweek 4 Points
My Gameweek 4 at a glance-
Gameweek points: 50
Gameweek average: 51
Overall Points: 300
Overall rank: 208,994
Gameweek rank: 5,678,638
Free transfers: 1
Transfers made: 2
It was inevitable, this week in FPL marked the first time this season that I got a red arrow as I had a tough gameweek, similar to a lot of other FPL managers. I went down from 98,670 overall to 208,994 overall with my score of 50 points, with the average this week being 51 points, so although it was a red arrow it could have been much worse and one point below the average for this week was not a disaster given the issues my team ended up having. Still, I came out with a very poor gameweek rank of 5,678,638, with my overall points currently standing at 300 exactly.
The main issue this week was that only three out of 11 of my players returned and several injuries after the international break haunted me. At the back, Dean Henderson in goal (1 point), Trent Alexander-Arnold (1 point), Pedro Porro (2 points) and Antonee Robinson (2 points), who ended up coming off my bench but we will get to that in a minute, only scored me a combined six points. While Lucas Digne with an assist notched me four points it could have been better as his yellow card gave him a minus one so would have given me an extra point, however, as he was one of the transfers I made this week I am glad he did return and is a useful transfer so far.
From last week, Pedro Porro was my other transfer as I got rid of Gvardiol and although Porro only got appearance points against Arsenal, this ended up being the correct call as Gvardiol was dropped from the starting 11 and Manchester City also conceded. Gvardiol did end up coming off the bench for 45 minutes but this decision felt justified and I also did not expect Tottenham to keep a clean sheet against Arsenal. Porro was always my plan but I was tempted to punt on Rico Lewis instead of Lucas Digne but he only ended up playing the first half and I also did not want to price myself out of my next two transfers which I will get on to in the next blog. Overall though the defence was not good this week, however, I am optimistic next week will be better.
In the midfield, it was again disappointing just like the overall gameweek for me. Emilie Smith-Rowe, was the only returner with seven points from 72 minutes, with two points coming from his minutes, an assist, a clean sheet and one bonus point. The other three midfielders this week were very disappointing. Morgan Rogers agonisingly blanked with two points only from appearance and while it is encouraging that he continues to play, his lack of attacking returns is a cause for concern especially when he should have had an assist this week. Eberechi Eze also blanked with two points, he has also been frustrating as this week he did not take the equalising penalty, instead giving the ball to Mateta. Finally, the normally reliant Mohamed Salah finally blanked, however, Liverpool always seem to be slow and lethargic after the international break as they lost 1-0 at home to Nottingham Forest ending the terrific start for Arne Slot. While I am not 100% on this midfield right now I will most likely stick with it for another week at least.
Up front, my three forwards were all in my starting 11, however, Joao Pedro came back with a knock from international duty so he was not even named on the bench. Going forward, I may rethink starting him after international breaks if he is called up due to the injury risk and the travel time he has with Brazil. Because of him, Robinson came off my bench. Alexander Isak was also a frustration this week as he only scored one point, going off injured at halftime only getting me a point. Finally, the one major positive of my gameweek like it was for many other managers was my captain this week, Erling Haaland, who scored both goals for Manchester City against Brentford in the 2-1 win. Haaland now has nine goals in four Premier league games, so you are a very brave player to not have him in your team even for his price but he continues to be Mr reliable and is going nowhere from my team.
Looking ahead I am tempted to roll my transfer this week but with the issues I have and the form of some players such as Isak, Eze and Morgan Rogers, I will most likely end up making one transfer at least but will try and avoid a hit if possible. Currently I am looking to move Isak on for Kai Havertz even though Arsenal play Manchester City next as I want to make this move anyway. This is also in preparation to get Bryan Mbueumo after Brentford’s next fixture against Tottenham as I need the extra money from Isak to fund this. Morgan Gibbs-White will most likely be the player to make way as I am not convinced by him, but it could end up being Eze too. However, the transfer I use this week if I do indeed use one I am yet to decide on, but I may well end up going early as Isak has already gone down to 8.4 million and I do not want him to drop again as it will price my out of Gibs-White to Mbeumo next week.