All set for the first game week. My only regret is not playing Ødegaard his record is brilliant Vs Wolves, but after that don't think he would score much.
Overall went for flexibility: Can go 3-5-2 or 3-4-3, depending on the fixtures, idea is to not get set to rigid and be flexible enough to save some transfers - test drive the new rules, hopefully I also have five starting defenders.
Thinking is as follows:
Keepers: Actually wanted Pope but maxed out on Newcastle, may flip in the next few weeks depending how we and Newcastle get on.
Defenders: The toughest position to get points in and last season was an absolute low, see it only getting worse with the change in bonus points - so the only big investment is in Gvardiol, bit of a leap of faith as I don’t trust Pep - but that 6 mill slot is flexible and he has a high upside if it goes well and plays further forward. The rest are all 4.5 mill fullbacks or lower, AWB was 140 point full back at Palace - I’ll take a chance on that at WHU, Myko is a good steady base pick and we’re good for a clean sheet, Barco is very attacking full back who had a great preseason and with injuries should start for Brighton and may claim a long term place, Burn is there for fixtures, actually wanted Davies at Ipswich, but he’s a wait given their fixtures. See value in the 4.5 mill defenders and the money is gone up the pitch.
Midfielders - again went for value - who is going to be the Palmer or Gordon of this season - backing ESR and Mintah, both rotate really well and look absolute value to me - punts of course - but trusting the instincts - also think the 7.5 mill category is undervalued - see myself moving through Jota, Gordon, Bowen and Maddison depending on fixtures and form - see all four of them doing well and are undervalued in my opinion so I was keen to have that 7.5mill price point backboning the midfield, Jota and Gordon get in at the mo on fixtures. Palmer gets in over Saka and Foden - don’t trust Pep, Saka I just couldn’t stretch to, he will come in at some stage. Palmer in my opinion is a generational talent, so he’s my premium.
Forwards: Haaland is a boring pick, but a safety captain pick most weeks, that’s key to the game. Isak - when fit is supreme, once he is I want him. Solanke, I’ll take the punt, he fits the squad structure, presume he will get a lot of chances under Ange - prob be on penalties and has a fair chance of matching last season - Spurs score goals, if that happens 7.5 mill is value - if not he’s a cash cow and I’ll downgrade him and bring Saka in.