I was currently relegation fodder in the ‘Justice League’ and believe me there needed to be change. Emmanuel (E-Man) was my opponent and he was making his season debut in the head-to-head league. His team was solid and though I should have had faith I felt beaten already so low was my confidence.
E-Man had the duo everyone seemed to have up front in Erling Haaland and Gabriel Jesus. As well as this he had Joao Cancelo a mainstay of my team last campaign at the back, and he had Gabriel Martinelli in midfield who was a real goal threat for Arsenal. I already stated last time out that I was not going to take a points-hit against him, so I only made one transfer. It was a ‘sideways’ transfer that I made, but again there was longevity behind it. Pontus Jansson was my pick from Brentford’s defence as I liked their first 15 fixtures or so but with him out injured I sold him for his teammate left back Rico Henry. When the deadline had passed I saw that E-Man had used two free transfers. He let go of Leon Bailey for Rodrigo Moreno, which I don’t know was to neutralise me or it was something he wanted to do regardless. The other transfer he made was to sell Reece James who picked up an injury and he got in Neco Williams which saved him a good amount.
The opening matches in gameweek 5 took place at 7.30pm on Tuesday. Crystal Palace and Brentford battled at Selhurst Park and I was disappointed to see the man I let go of in the last gameweek Wilfried Zaha was starting. And in true FPL fashion it was Zaha who gave the Eagles the lead in the second half with a sensational curled effort into the top corner, ‘dammit!’ . No clean sheet points for Henry on top of that. The other man I had in this game Ivan Toney miss-kicked a chance in the first half and he was booked in the second. Toney also played in Henry in the second period but his shot was straight at Vicente Guaita, it was have been the dream combination for a goal for me. It ended all square as Yoane Wissa (£5.4m) scored a late header. It was assisted by Vitaly Janelt (£5.5m) as very well priced Brentford midfielders continue to do well. I had better luck at Craven Cottage as Alexsandar Mitrovic opened the scoring for Fulham as they beat Brighton 2-1. Mitrovic was quickest to react to a ball across the box from Neeskens Kebano as the Serbian collected maximum bonus points for me. E-Man also benefitted from this game as he started an enabler in Andreas Pereira (£4.6m). Pereira’s ball into the box was deflected into his own net by Lewis Dunk for the second goal and that got him a ‘fantasy’ assist.
At St Mary’s; Southampton did me a favour as they beat Chelsea 2-1. My opponent had Marc Cucurella so even though I did not expect to win this provided a glimmer of hope. Disaster struck for us both in the last game to kick off on Tuesday as Leeds entertained Everton. Not even half an hour was on the clock and after some contact by Jordan Pickford Rodrigo looked to dislocate his shoulder, ‘ouch!’, I hope he has a speedy recovery. Sod’s law as he was in the midst of his best form for Leeds since joining them. The game was to finish 1-1, but Nathan Patterson who was on my bench almost won it for Everton. Tuesday concluded with me ahead narrowly 13-8.
Wednesday saw Bournemouth have a goalless draw with Wolves. You have to commend the Cherries for showing heart after being humiliated by Liverpool. Pedro Neto hit the woodwork and despite how much I rate the player I have to seriously consider letting him go as his stock as fallen to £5.2m from £5.5m. I needed Aston Villa to do me a favour and shutout Arsenal but they could not do that for me as they were beaten 2-1. The Gunners' goals were scored by the two men I begged would not find the net Jesus and Martinelli, the inevitable was taking place and I was en route to another beating. Manchester City smashed 6 past Nottingham Forest! At a stage it looked like City could get as many goals as Forest have new signings as that man Haaland scored a 26-minute first half hat-trick. Haaland was E-Man's captain so Forest were not the only ones who had been hit for six. Haaland now has 9 in 5 games which is bloody ridiculous! His price has shot up to £11.9m and it is literally impossible not to have him now. My hand has been forced. I was being crushed by my opponent, but if you don't laugh you'll cry, as I have stated before. As if I was not six feet under already, Cancelo scored the fourth with a powerful drive into the top corner, 'help me!'. Choosing Harry Kane over him has basically derailed my start to the season and that is crazy seen as Kane has 4 goals in 5 games himself. Talking of England's captain his ball across the box was turned into his own net by Thilo Kehrer as Spurs took the lead at West Ham. The Hammers did pull it back to 1-1 however. Kane had a good chance to score but shot straight at Lukasz Fabianski
Liverpool and Newcastle played in the late game at Anfield. Eddie Howe had the Magpies well drilled and they took the lead through new man Alexander Isak. Isak thought he had a second but it was ruled out due to a marginal offside call. Roberto Firmino continued his renaissance with his third goal this week to bring the Reds level and it was created by Mo Salah. The game looked destined for a draw when in injury time Salah got a touch on the ball from a corner and Fabio Carvalho celebrating his 20th birthday smashed in the winner. The goal came at the start of the eighth minute of injury time after a minimum of five had been indicated as Newcastle were punished for time wasting. Bar that the Magpies were impressive for large parts it has to be said. The last game only mattered for my gameweek score as I had already been pummelled. Danny Ward started in goal as expected for Leicester against Manchester United but James Maddison was also passed fit after missing the last game. United were to get the three points through a Jadon Sancho goal as Maddison almost scored through a free-kick.
Finally this torture was over for me as I suffered an embarrassing 39-point loss. The time for change is coming real soon. I came 5th in the Justice League last season losing out on 4th by a few classic points, what is happening thus far is unacceptable. I am not sure exactly what it will be just yet, but a surprise will be in store next time you hear from me let that be known.
@DubulDee
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