My gameweek 17 opposition came in the form of Josh. We speak regularly, but there was not as much talking this week, we were enemies. He was a very organised FPL player and was clearly not the best opponent for me to have after my narrow defeat against Coach Kojo.
With Erling Haaland being a big injury doubt, I sold him and got Ollie Watkins back into my side. I had pondered a points-hit to try and shoehorn Heung-min Son into my team but decided to leave it alone in the end. Josh did take a points-hit. He sold Haaland and Anthony Gordon (who was flagged) and brought in Dominic Solanke and that man, Son. Solanke was the most transferred-in player this week and Haaland was still the most-captained despite the injury concern. This meant some were thinking he would make it after Pep's press conference and be somewhat of a differential. But also, it showed there are some players who either missed the deadline or just are not playing anymore, as many active managers sold him or benched him. Josh and I both captained Mo Salah.
The weeks action started on Friday; Son was under the spotlight as Tottenham travelled to Nottingham Forest. The Korean almost scored immediately as his low shot was saved by Matt Turner. Yes, you read that correctly, the American played his second game in a row after being on the bench for the previous five games. Ange Postecoglou's men broke the deadline as a lovely ball in by Dejan Kulusevski was headed in by Richarlison. In the second half, Son went close again, however it was Kulusevski who made it 2 with a powerful effort on his weaker right foot. I owned the Swede for so long and he only returned once when I started him. Now he has had two double figure hauls since I sold him. Josh and I both owned Pedro Porro who accumulated 8 points. Avoiding a haul from Son was gargantuan and I was pleased I had not taken that hit to get him in. I led 8-6 after Friday's game.
On Saturday, we were shown that there is more to life than football. Bournemouth were at home to Luton, and I was mulling over the fact that Josh's man, Solanke, had scored. Solanke goal came after Elijah Adebayo had given the Hatters the lead. However, tragically Luton captain Tom Lockyer collapsed, and we later found out that he suffered a cardiac arrest. Whilst he was receiving medical care the players rightfully left the pitch and only returned to applaud the fans when Lockyer had been taken to the hospital. The game was abandoned, and we were once again shown that football is not everything. We all wish Tom well, as this is the second time he has collapsed on the pitch. FPL admins announced that the gameweek will not be closed until the Premier League stated what will happen with the fixture, whether it will be replayed in full, or the game would be played from where it was stopped.
In the other 3pm matches, everything seemed to go against me. Chelsea beat Sheffield United 2-0, and Cole Palmer scored and assisted for Josh's team. Newcastle triumphed 3-0 over 10-man Fulham. The match began terribly for me as Fabian Schar was taken off with a glute injury ...best to leave that there. The Magpies' injury crisis is no joke however and they will have to spend in January. Raul Jimenez was sent off for a Karate Kid impression and from there it was straightforward for Eddie Howe's men. My opponent benefited from the Newcastle clean sheet as Martin Dubravka was his keeper. That meant the only man left to get me anything on Saturday was Julian Alvarez in Manchester City's game with Crystal Palace. The Argentine had a header saved and later on a goal disallowed, 'just my luck!'. The Eagles battled back from 2-0 down to salvage a huge point. Despite his deduction Josh now led 30-11!
Sunday, saw my team somehow survive Bukayo Saka, despite Arsenal beating Brighton 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium. Pascal Gross missed a good chance at 1-0, leaving me with my head in my hands, as I desperately needed him to contribute. Kai Havertz, put the game to bed to shoosh more of his haters. Aston Villa, came from a goal down to beat Brentford 2-1 at the Gtech Community Stadium. The winner was scored by Ollie Watkins against his old club in the 85th minute. Watkins celebrated in front of a fan who had been screaming obscenities at him for the whole game, I bet that fan feels like an idiot now. Josh had the Villa frontman too so there was no advantage. Moussa Diaby started but did not deliver and I am strongly considering letting go of him soon as Leon Bailey who assisted Villa's first goal looks to be ahead in the pecking order. I got Diaby's points off my bench as Alexander Isak was injured for Newcastle's game on Saturday. West Ham beat Wolves 3-0. A hat-trick of assists from Lucas Paqueta helped them do it. Mohammed Kudus scored twice and is looking a real bargain at £6.7m. Kudus, is only owned by 5.1% but the issue is he will be off to AFCON soon. Hee-Chan Hwang of course blanked and before the final game, sadly I knew I had been beaten. Alphonse Areola did not start, meaning I got Turner's points off my bench.
The world anticipated Liverpool smashing Manchester United, but it was not to be that way. Thoughts of another 7-0 were dashed by a disciplined United performance as it ended 0-0. Some may say United had the best chance as Alisson denied Rasmus Hojlund. Andre Onana (10 points this week), was the hero making 8 saves as Jurgen Klopp's men put efforts up like they were at the shooting ranch. They had 34 shots to be exact as United also made some timely blocks.
The decision on the Bournemouth-Luton game came on Thursday evening, which is what delayed this edition of the 'Fantasy Football Files'. It was decided by the Premier League that the game would be replayed from scratch at a later date. This meant FPL voided the fixture and no one received points from anyone they had in this game. Regardless of this even without Solanke's points Josh still won 65-48.
A bad start to my villain-arch but gameweek 18 starts within hours of this being published so no time to dwell. I am still 3rd in the Justice League, but fell to 405k in the world overall. I lead my traditional points league, 'League of Gentlemen', but all that mattered really was that Tom Lockyer was okay. He was discharged just before the time of print and is rehabilitating at home. This week football took a backseat.
@DubulDee
Comments