Gameweek 8 Review
Gameweek points: 39
Gameweek average: 36
Overall points: 501
Overall rank: 464,737
Gameweek rank: 4,021,892
Free transfers: 2
Transfers made: 0
Gameweek 8 was a low scoring affair for most Fantasy Premier League managers with the highest scorer this week only at 98 points and the Gameweek average at 36. There were a couple of reasons for this such as top teams with assets many of us own such as Arsenal players losing. Bukayo Saka did not play as he was injured, Haaland blanked again and Manchester City just beat Wolves with Liverpool and Chelsa playing each other.
While for my team this week, I did beat the average by three points (I know groundbreaking), I still saw my team drop in the overall rankings slightly down to 464,737- a 31,754 ranking drop from Gameweek 7. This week could have been better for me as Crystal Palace were on track for a clean sheet against Nottingham Forest for a while and five out of seven of my attackers blanked. However, with an overall low scoring week things could have been a lot worse. I also have two free transfers to use this week to hopefully improve my team.
In goal, as I mentioned, Crystal Palace ended up conceding to Nottingham Forest in a 1-0 defeat thanks to another Chris Wood goal so Dean Henderson only managed three points in the end thanks to a save point and the two points for minutes played. Similarly, both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Pedro Porro also only notched me their points for playing with two apiece. Lucas Digne was the one shining light at the back with his assist against Fulham but a yellow card meant he scored four points instead of five but he was still better than the rest. While I would like more points from my defense, clean sheets are currently hard to come by and some tough fixtures played into things this week. However, I picked my defenders more for attacking threat so I would like to see more from them.
In midfield, my five-man was once again a mixed bag. Mohamed Salah saved my Gameweek somewhat with his 12 point haul against Chelsea thanks to him scoring a penalty, an assist and two bonus points- he would have been the best captain option for me this week. Morgan Rogers once again continued to purr too as he scored again to notch six points which would have been seven but he too received a yellow card. Elsewhere in midfield things were a bit disappointing with Bryan Mbeumo only getting the two appearance points but he has been fantastic and has some good fixtures so I am not too worried. However, Emile Smith Rowe and Harvey Barnes both only got one point this week due to Barnes’ lack of minutes and a yellow card for Smith Rowe- I may move both on soon.
Finally up front, both Kai Havertz and Erling Haaland blanked this week and as Haaland was my captain so he got four points. I am not too worried about Havertz as Arsenal had a poor performance but did have William Saliba sent off so it was always going to be a difficult day for them. Meanwhile, Haaland blanks for the third week in a row after this supreme early form. Manchester City play Southampton at home in Gameweek 9 though so he is certainly worth holding onto.
In terms of my transfer plans, I have two free this week and could use both. I am cutting my losses and finally dealing with Joao Pedro this week but will most likely need funds from elsewhere. Therefore, this may also be the week that I sell Mohamed Salah. As much as he is a fantastic option, the money can be reinvested into the rest of my team and bringing in someone like Son, Palmer or Saka, I believe will cover his points mostly. For Joao Pedro’s replacement I have toyed with Solanke but feel he is a little expensive and double Tottenham attack is risky. I will most likely go with Chris Wood but he could also be Danny Welbeck, Wissa, Nicholas Jackson or Strand Larsen.