EPL GW-9: How Did You Do?

Nota Bene: One should NEVER take the captain’s armband away from Mo Salah. After having faith in him pretty much every game-week, we should know that he is “match-proof”. The Egyptian international is potentially on top of the world, the best in-form player at the highest level right now, so to take the armband is a sin likely to be punished, which is why my “lamentable” decision sees weeping and gnashing of teeth.*

FPL GW-9 climaxed with Liverpool demolishing and humiliating Man United in front of Sir Alex at Old Trafford. The Reds scored five goals for fun while 2nd-half sub Paul Pogba lasted all of 15 minutes before exiting stage-sinister with a red card.

Boy, Jurgen Klopp and Co really blasted a major statement to remind the league of their credentials as favorites for the title. So much so, that hundreds of Red Devil fans lost faith and fled the scene beginning at half-time, serenaded by Liverpool fans singing ‘Ole must stay’. The face of devastation on old Sir Alex really said it all.

However, in FPL, GW-9 really proved to be productive, with loads of goals put into the net. A total of 40 were scored with only two teams failing to do so (Norwich and Spurs), so 18 teams played a role in making this a high-scoring week.

I’d’ve crossed 90 or 100+ points if only I’d kept Mo Salah as captain, but mine’s just an average score as the opportunity was spurned badly. Livramento continues to amaze, his consistency and attacking is really impressive. What makes him even more fascinating is the low price-tag put on him when he started the campaign.

Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso is probably warming the bench again since the return-from-injury of Ben Chilwell who has scored four in four games, which is crazy for a defender. Not much can be said for Digne, whom I’m dropping next week. Sanchez’s performance was understandable because of Man City, of course, but it was a shock to see Duffy benched.

West Ham’s Saïd Benrahma has slowed down, zero goal contributions in his last five games, and now Andros Townsend is in the same boat in his last two fixtures. However, Phil Foden was extremely impressive over the weekend, saving my week, and of course Mo Salah is just exceptional (wish I had doubled him!).

Michail Antonio, my captain, did score a goal, so he did not exactly disappoint, but of course the armband is going back to the Egyptian now.

I expected Cristiano Ronaldo to score at least one against an arch-rival (and but for a tight VAR off-sides call, he would have!). I believe his up-coming fixtures against Burnley, Norwich, Newcastle, and Everton or even Tottenham — till GW-16 are sorted with enough chances to make an impact.

However, plenty of changes are needed, and hopefully points will be delivered for later game-weeks.

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Kudos to all the managers (especially those with Salah as captain) topping the charts and NMA mini-league!

Which players came through for you, and which ones hurt your returns? How was your weekend in the world of fantasy? And how did all you Fantrax managers do with all your extra point categories? Please join us in the comments and let us know — how did you do?

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* Matthew 25:30, New FPL Translation: And cast ye the unprofitable fantasy asset into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.