12 Points on the Bench Boost

Lucky. That's the word that springs to mind. I'm very grateful to get twelve points. In hindsight it was a silly week to use the bench boost, and I could've ended up a lot worse off.

Both Porro and Agbadou didn't start their games. When they both came off the bench it really saved my blushes. Especially Porro, as if he'd have completely missed I'd have gained the Senesi points anyway.

68 points (avg. 46)

So, in a week where many triple-captained Haaland, I still got a nice green arrow. Up to 107k in rank now.

Going Forward

With all my chips out of the way I can concentrate fully on my team. I have a little plan/watchlist, though I'll probably just roll my transfer this week.

The players I'd like to bring in are Gabriel, Gravenberch and Declan Rice. I still feel that Rice offers a lot of value and I partially rue not keeping him on the wildcard. Gravenberch also looks like great value. I just wonder what happens with these players once Champions League truly gets underway. Reijnders is another in that similar midfield bracket.

4-5-1

I think one up top is probably my preferred plan for this season too. With strikers the roots to points are so limited. So even though Evanilson is a decent pick, it always feels like it's more hope than certainty. I expect two points. However, with midfielders and defenders there are now little bonuses that soften the blanks. A clean sheet bonus or some defcon points knocking a two-pointer up to a three or four-pointer makes all the difference.

To reach this destination I'll probably downgrade Evanilson to a cheap bench striker. Perhaps the Bournemouth bench striker Kroupi.Jr (that full stop in the name is hard to get used to). Then Dewsbury-Hall can become Rice. Anderson can switch to Gravenberch/Reijnders maybe, and Porro can become Gabriel.

There's no rush though, and with both Salah and Haaland I don't feel like I'm missing anyone unmissable. Though had Fernandes scored that penalty I'd no doubt be wondering how to fit him in. He remains a great option. (That United defense is truly awful though. The players aren't good enough, and they have no pace. The worst possible combination.) Cunha still looked decent too I thought when he actually got the ball. Mbeumo had an off game, but overall he's looked good. So Manchester United as an attacking option is a puzzling one. After the last game it's easy to say "avoid," but I'm not so sure.

Let's see how GW7 goes.