From a fantasy manager’s  viewpoint, Saturday wasn’t supposed to generate many points. The top EPL teams were poised to play Sunday with Spurs hosting Palace, while Arsenal visited City and Jose returned to The Bridge to face Chelsea. However, Saturday did set the tone for the weekend and points were tough to come by. Much like GW10, I made the decision to take another -4 point hit, as I am in the process of moving to a 5-man midfield with premiums Eden Hazard, Christian Eriksen and Mohammad Salad. Risking the potential of a big return, I did not captain Harry Kane, which turned out to be a good move. I finished the game week with a green arrow on 57 points and moved up 188k to 766k in the overall rankings.

Starting the week, I mentioned that Harry Kane, “was becoming essential in the starting XI” in the article, Captain’s Armband: GW1-10. After his lackluster, 77 minute performance on Sunday against hapless, Crystal Palace his position in the starting XI isn’t essential. His home performances, outside of the 16 point return against Liverpool in GW9 has been terrible. A total of 8 points at home to: Burnley, Swansea City, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace doesn’t illicit confidence at Wembley. At £12.6 his price just doesn’t justify his returns. Sergio Aguero (67 points), at £11.8, has matched Kane’s (65 points) goal output with 8 to go along with 3 assists (2 more than Kane). Romelu Lukaku sits a point behind Kane on 7 goals and 3 assists, but has gone goalless in his last 7 games (all competitions). Recently, there is no clear cut answer as to which player has the advantage up front.

Based on Kane’s poor home showing (outside of Liverpool) I made the decision midweek not tap him with the captain’s armband, instead giving Richarlison a chance at redemption. It was a week that was clear cut for captain duties, Kane against Crystal Palace seemed tailor made for a big return. It bombed, Kane didn’t return. Mohammad Salah was another option against a struggling West Ham, he returned 2 goals, thanks in part to the return of Sadio Mane (2 assists). However, Richarlison’s away from has been star studded and I decided to give the Watford man the shot at glory. He didn’t fail, just 2 minutes out of half time and Richarlison struck to give the Hornets a 1-0. He lost out on an assist after being taken down in the penalty box, 10 minutes into extra time. Unfortunately Tom Cleverly missed. Richarlison still finished the day on 14 points and didn’t disappoint.

In the midfield it was Mohammad Salah that impressed. The return of Mane to the starting XI for the Reds means his attacking returns could be returning to prominence as Liverpool have a sea of green through the end of December minus Chelsea in GW13 and Arsenal in GW19. Salah finished the day with 2 goals, to give him 7 on the season and 3 bonus points for 15 points. He, along with Richarlison carried my squad with 29 points, as Pascal Groß and Christian Eriksen failed to return. For Eriksen, this is his third game in a row with no returns but fixtures are strong through Gameweek 24! With just Arsenal out of the international break and a visit to Man City in GW18, there should be many opportunities for big returns. Should be!

Defensively, I opted for a 3-man defense, benching Aaron Cresswell and Sead Kolasinac. The Gunner’s wingback looked dangerous in the first half, but finished on just a single point, while Cresswell failed to return. City’s defense still appears suspect, giving up a strike to Alexandre Lacazette to lose the clean sheet. Kyle Walker was in fine form with a number of good crosses, but none that resulted in an attacking return. At £6.5 he’s essential for Man City and as an anchor in my defense.

Hopefully the 1-0 Chelsea win over United was a turning point for the Blues as they have continued to struggle defensively. On the season Marcos Alonso recorded just his 4th clean sheet, two in the last two but still hasn’t put together attack points since GW2. Priced at £6.9, he’s £0.3 more than partner, Caesar Azpilicueta, who’s got a goal scored and 5 assists for 67 overall points, compared to 46 for Alonso. Even with Chelsea’s impending run of good fixtures (thru GW21), Alonso is already tagged to be moved to fund my midfield.

Burnley’s Stephen Ward was well worth the investment last week as he picked up his second CS in as many games. His 12 points sets up nicely for a potential third CS as the Clarets host Swansea City out of the international break. I do intend on retaining Ward as Arsenal visit in GW14, as Burnley has bou/lei/WAT/STO/bha through mid-December.

If there was any way to play a 4-6-0 formation, I would. Forwards have been nothing but a constant headache all season. Early on it appeared Lukaku was essential, top owned player in the FPL, returned 7 goals in the first 7 games. Since then, he’s gone goalless in the last 6 games (all competitions). Harry Kane broke duck in September, after a dismal August and the “woodoo voodoo” that saw him post great stats but not convert. Now, he’s clicking…away from Wembley, but struggling at home against weaker opponents. As for Aguero, he was my “man crush” and thought of him as a “must have” in season’s past. This year, he’s being platooned with Jesus and has finished just 4 games (injured for 2 games). At £11.8, I have a hard time with a player who won’t play 90 minutes week in, week out.

By all appearances, Gameweek 11 was the final week starting 3 forwards; Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and Tammy Abraham. None of them returned, totaling just 6 points. Thankfully, I stuck to my guns and didn’t captain Kane, which was a swing of 12 points and the difference between a green and red arrow this weekend. Vardy, like the aforementioned Alonso is on the way out to bolster my midfield. Abraham was brought in last week as a budget option, but I don’t expect him to feature in many games, but should help through the holiday period.

With the international break upon on, I go in with just a single FT and based on my planning it appears I will take another -4 point hit in order to reallocate funds, to finish building a starting 5-man midfielder by GW14. However potential injuries could derail during international duties could derail my advanced planning.

With Friday in full swing, it’s time to take a look at the starting XI for Gameweek 11 before heading into the international break. For my squad, it’s been a series of highs and lows through 10 weeks.  Currently riding a green arrow (3 out of the last 4 weeks)l, I finally crept back inside 954k. Earlier in the week I put together a plan to get me through the holiday madness. This is the second week of that plan shifting my formation to include 5 midfielders.

On the week, with just a FT, I took a -4 point hit in order to introduce Mohammad Salah. This on the heels of Gabriel Jesus (and Dale Stephens) out, in favor of Tammy Abraham. Both players will start in Gameweek 11. However injuries to Aaron Cresswell and Sead Kolasinac will see the tried and true, 5-2-3 fall by the wayside this week in favor of a more conventional, 3-4-3.

FPL TRADITIONAL STARTING XI

The squad and formation “feel right” as we look ahead to the start of GW11. The midfield is now anchored by two premium players, Christian Eriksen and Mo Salah, but you can’t discount the play of Pascal Groß or Richarlison to this point. Both “budget” midfielders have been top contributors on their teams when it comes to offensive points. All midfielders have favorable fixtures as well. Could prove to be a good attacking return in GW11.

Defensively, it’s the first time I will feature three defenders, opting for a 5-man defense through the first 10 weeks of the EPL season. With Aaron Cresswell and Sead Kolasinac questionable, along with poor fixtures away to Man City and home to Liverpool respectively. A near fit Kolasinac, coming off a 14 point performance in GW10 faces a difficult test as the Sky Blues have posted 19 goals in the last 5 but Arsenal haven’t kept a CS in the last 3 weeks.

Starting this week is Marcos Alonso, as Chelsea looked in poor form in their 3-1 loss to AS Roma this week in the capital city. With Jose parking the bus for Man United, we can only hope it goes the distance as a 0-0 draw. An out of form Lukaku with a struggling United midfield could mean Chelsea post just their second CS in the last 6 weeks. Stephen Ward gets his second call in the starting XI as Burnley face So’ton, just 5 goals in their last 5 games. It could be another close affair, but I am pushing for another lackluster offensive showing from both clubs in another 0-0 bore fest. Finally, Kyle Walker, priced at £6.5, he’s £0.6 more expensive the the popular choice, Nicolás Otamendi, walking the suspension tightrope with 4 yellow cards. He;s contributed 4 assists and 5 CS in his last 7 games. Between the pipes, it’s a toss up, as both Fabianski (home BOU) and Elliot (home BHA) have favorable fixtures.

Up front will feature another first this weekend, starting 3 forwards; Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and new boy, Tammy Abraham. Losing faith in Jesus, due to Pep’s rotation, has me reallocating funds to the midfield. I will be hoping the “Vardy Party” continues against a struggling Stoke City, off his first goal in the last 4 games. Abraham gets a spot start this week, but against Brighton, it could prove with a be a worthy challenge, although if he doesn’t return I won’t be surprised.

DRAFT FPL STARTING XI

While I am not having much fun playing the draft fantasy game, I continue to support my squad. Now up to 44 transfers in just 10 gameweeks, I continue to look for ways to improve my starting XI and strengthen my bench. I did make a few questions moves, picking up Zlatan Ibrahimovic, in order to play him later this season for United. He occupies a bench spot currently. Unfortunately, Philippe Coutinho still isn’t fit and is out for GW10. Toby Alderweireld also picked up a knock this week and the tough decision, what do I do with him?

On the brink of the international break, I felt I needed one healthy body on the bench, just in case. I moved Alderweireld in favor of Kiko Fermenia and plan on starting him this weekend in my 5-man defense.

I sent Fabianski on his way, introducing Nick Pope, who has played very well for Burnley in the absence of Tom Heaton. He’s got another favorable fixture away to So’ton this weekend.

Defensively I could be burned, as I continue to start two Chelsea defenders, Caesar Azpilicueta and David Luiz. With any luck Chelsea play United to a 0-0 draw this weekend. We know Jose will park the bus, but United is struggling offensively, even in their 1-0 victory last week over Spurs. Arsenal have won 4 out of 5 with 2 CS against Brighton and WBA as they visit John Stones and Man City. Twelve goes in their last 5 games, Arsenal bring a strong attack to the Eithad, but feel confident City will prevail, not sure we see a CS this weekend. This week I brought in Charlie Daniels, as Bournemouth have a sea of green through GW16. While the Cherries attack has been struggling, Daniels appears to be primed for big potential. With no faith in Palace this week, I enlist new boy Kiko Femenia against a downtrodden Toffees team that is rudderless in the EPL.

The injury to Coutinho means Dele Alli anchors the midfield against a struggling Palace team at Wembley. Off a brace midweek against Real Madrid, he could feature in this fixture. Richarlison, away to Everton has a great fixture, as he has been lights out away from Vicarage Road. The final piece of the 3-man midfielder is Eric Maxim Chuopo-Moting, playing in an advanced role, he faces a revitalized Leicester City.

Up front, Kun Aguero gets a new strike partner in Tammy Abraham. While I am not sold on Abraham, he appears to be he best value at that price. I had considered Glenn Murray, but the return of Tomer Hemed could cut into Murray’s time. Abraham faces Brighton at home this weekend.

It’s a good mix of players making up my starting XI. The return of Coutinho, hopefully after the break can only strengthen my squad, which is still chasing the top spot in the 8-team league.