CJ: Fantasy Friday with Ben and me CJ. Butler has cried off tonight. I'm not sure why. but very short notice, wasn't it? Ben: Very, very short notice, I will say that. Yeah, sus, bit sus. He's got a better offer somewhere, I think. CJ: It'll have to yeah, yeah, I'm not sure. I'm not sure what he's got going on, but it was a very I'm not here tonight, boys. No reason, nothing. So Ben: Yeah. CJ: we'll have to do a bit of research into that one, Benny, I think. Ben: Ha ha ha. CJ: But this this week's fantasy episode is gonna be centred around defenders to start with, and then we are gonna pick or have a look at a few differential transfers for game week ten. We're gonna announce the October Man of the Munch. I know we talked about it on Tuesday's yet, but we're going to announce the official standings, then finish with our key battles for game week ten, the last game week before the second international break, I think. Is that right, Benny? Ben: bloody hope so. Bloody hope you're right. I could do with another break. Mainly because Newcastle CJ: It is Ben: are in such poor form and I'm on the back of three straight losses. I've got Finn this weekend, so hopefully can turn my form around. We'll see. We'll see. But CJ: Ooh. We'll have a look we might have a quick look at that later, actually, Yuvafin. That's the battle of the the boys in America, isn't it? Ben: It is, yeah, the American Derby. I CJ: Okay. Ben: yeah, I'm in poor form at the moment. So I'm interested to hear this this f fantasy episode and what we're gonna be talking about. So yeah, get stuck in me. I wanna hear. CJ: Yeah, so it's this is like I said, talk about defenders first. So it's Ben: Mm. CJ: really interesting. I've been looking into some of the stats and points and stuff over the first nine game weeks as we're a quarter of the way through the season already. But I've just put here is the FPL metric changing and are defenders becoming more valuable than midfielders and forwards in FPL? So to back up my claims here. Five out of the top ten point scorers after nine game weeks are defenders, as well as a sixth being David Raya, who is the only goalkeeper. So the data suggests that potentially going with five at the back could be a genuine option now in FPL. So maybe potentially taking money out of your midfield and forwards and putting it into your defense. So despite their current dominance in the fantasy standings, it suggests that defenders are still being largely overlooked by managers. So Apart from DeKoiper, who's forty-five percent owned, the rest of the defenders are the lowest owned in the top ten. So I'll just go through the the five who are in the top ten. So De Koyper Ben: Mm. CJ: is the highest point scorer this season. He took took his tally above Haaland at the week and he's on sixty-nine. Then we have Gabriel in fourth Ben: Yes. CJ: on fifty-eight. He's gone very under the radar, I think, Gabriel. Vuskovich from Brighton also on fifty-eight. Then Raya with fifty-four, joint with Tarkovsky on fifty-four, and then Van Hecker then just sneaking into the top ten after his fifteen point haul at the weekend on fifty-three. Before we get into a little bit more data and stats, what are your initial thoughts on on what I've just said, mate, regarding defenders in fantasy at the moment? Ben: I'm surprised. I'm really surprised. CJ: Mm. Ben: I didn't realise that was the case. And also I'm questioning why that is the case, because it's not like there's more clean sheets this season or anything, is there? Or is there? Is it like a lower scoring season compared to average? Or is it just literally like defenders are chipping in with the goals? And then I'm sure that data is skewed by De Koypa playing in left wing, but like CJ: Mm. Ben: I'm quite surprised by that. The the the Viscovich one is an interesting one to me because I don't have the Bruggan, but I am considering doubling up in Brighton defence purely because I know Viscovich is having a really good season and you CJ: Yeah. Ben: can see there from the the amount of points only is that seven four point four percent owned as well. So yeah, CJ: Yeah. Ben: you wouldn't have really thought about doubling up on Brighton defence at the beginning of the season, but after nine games you've got a very solid case for it. Yeah, is this because of DEF CON or there's just less goals being scored or why is why are there? CJ: Yeah, it's it is interesting 'cause I've just gonna add a few more defenders who are Ben: Yeah. CJ: very, very close to that top five. So just behind Van Heka's Calaf Calafiore, sorry, on fifty-one, joint with Bogle from Leeds on fifty one, Contsa's on forty nine, Moharimovic is forty six, and then Guardio on forty four. But what's really interesting, the the top three are Ben: Yeah. CJ: Bakoypa Gabriel Vuskovic, they have kept All of them. Brighton and Arsenal have kept six clean sheets out of nine games this season, which is an unbelievable Ben: Right. Yeah. CJ: stat. And like you said, DeKoipa has got six goal and assists this year, so he's got six goal involvements. He hasn't got any DEF CON, obviously because he's playing left wing. But Gabriel and Vuskovich Ben: Mm. CJ: have got eight DEF CON points each. And Vuskovich has got two goals and assists. Gabriel has got one. So as well as the DEF CON, Gabriel and Vuskovic are also. a threat going forward. I think Vuskovich when he came into the league, he was touted as this centre half who does pose quite a big goal threat. We obviously know Gabriel. Like he's sort of Ben: Likes a go, yeah. CJ: he's coming into his own now at the well after sort of a quarter of the games. But I couldn't believe the amount the clean sheets they'd like Brighton and they've had Brighton have had some Brighton have had Arsenal and City and both kept Kleenos against both of them. So Ben: Mm, mm. CJ: it's really interesting. Like I I I know Weird, 'cause I I'm doubled up on Arsenal and doubled up on Brighton. I like like you said, Ben: Yeah. CJ: I think if you haven't got Verbruggen, if you went for Verbruggen from the start of the season, I think you really have been rewarded for a four point five keeper as well. but just Ben: Yeah. CJ: going down that list, it's really interesting. I think every single defender has had a goal involvement in that ten I've just named there. So Tarkovsky's had two, Van Hekka two, Calafiore three. Bogle and Consa one each, Moharovich two, and Guardiol's had five goal involvements. I think five assists. I don't know if he scored yet. so it's it's really, really interesting that the amount of value you get from these defenders, because realistically, the only one who's priced above six mil is Gabriel, who's eight. So they are all very affordable. So what what what would you honestly Ben: Mm, mm. CJ: think? I know I said about that at the start, like. Would you be keen to take some money out of your midfield and put it into your defense or your forwards? What do you think? Ben: Yes. Yes. So wait, I've got I've got three things to say to you. one is after this podcast, I'm gonna scroll back to our commissioner chat our WhatsApp because I believe I said in August or September that I was seriously confi considering Vuskovich. and that point is kind of shit because I actually didn't put him in, but I knew that he was going to be a good signing for Brighton. I didn't realise he'd be this good. And then the second thing I want to say is I cannot believe Tarkovsky and Van Hecker, especially Van Hecker considering Spurs' poor start to the season. Have scored more than Calafiore, who said who's kept what? CJ: No. Ben: Six out of nine clean sheets, he said? How the fuck CJ: Yeah. Yeah. Ben: has Van Hecker overtaken Calafiore? D I can't believe that. CJ: Interesting, isn't it? So Van Van Heeker obviously obviously got his fifteen points, but he's actually been very solid Ben: Yeah. CJ: this year. So Van Hecker's only blanked in two, three games, sorry, four games this year. So he's only blanked Ben: Mm, mm. CJ: in four games. Spurs have actually kept one, two, yeah, they've kept four Kleenos this year. already. No Ben: That's not bad, is it? After w after we were making fun of Spurs' start, they're actually slowly steadying the ship and turning it around, aren't they? That's really interesting. Van Heck, I did not realise that. CJ: They are steady in the ship. I think he he's great value. I think him and him and Van de Ven. I definitely go Van Hecker over Van De Ven. He seems to have a bit more goal threat, but Ben: Yeah. Yeah. CJ: even now, like Porrow coming back, I don't mind putting Porrow in. I wouldn't go left side. I saw Farney actually had Robertson with his free hit this week, which was a good shout. But I do think the Spurs defence are definitely ones to watch. Like who have they got at the weekend? They've got a favorable game, I think, at the weekend. They've got lead leads away. So that'll be a tough one. That'll really, I think we'll see after Ben: yeah. CJ: that who how good they Ben: Yeah. CJ: are, how good this recent form is because Leeds are very, very good at home. But it's interesting because I think I think Mohamrovic is he's the one who stands out with a DEF CON. He's got 12 DEF CON points this year, so he's reached DEF CON in six out of the nine games. Leeds have only kept Ben: Well. CJ: three Kleenos though. So I know loads of like the experts say love that Mahermovich, but again, you look at the Ben: Yeah. CJ: game you look at the game on Saturday against Bournemouth, Trafford mistake, bang, one goal, Bournemouth get a late one. He doesn't get I don't know if he got DEF CON, he gets minus one for the two, so it is a gamble. but I would I would I'd Ben: Yeah. It it's funny to see two leads defenders in that top ten list with Bogle CJ: Yes. Ben: and Murahemovich as well. That's crazy. But yeah, to just to to to touch on that final point. Yeah, I think it's absolutely worth moving money from your midfield into your defence, given the fact that Bruno Fernandez underperforming, Saka's injured, Semenyo's injured. Definitely. I do remember last year when we did the awards and Greg on his app had that amazing thing where it's like who got the most out of their defence and who got the most out of their attack. CJ: Yes. Ben: And I was really good at picking my attackers. I knew what you know, like I got a big, big point haul from from my attacking players, and then I was quite low down on the list for defence, and I think it was Connor or someone who came top of the defense the the defensive assets last year. So actually this might explain My relative struggles this year that if defenders are scoring the most and I'm only good at picking attackers, this is why I'm struggling. So yeah, maybe a a tactical changes on the cards because CJ: I shit. Ben: some of these names are very, very tempting. Gabrielle is another one. Gabriel's another one, isn't he? I know he's so CJ: They are tempting. I know. Can't believe Gabrielle. Ben: expensive, but he's the second highest scoring defender. Hmm. CJ: I think as well, I think obviously there's been noise about Concer, is is the Consa bubble burst. I know I think Arteta bought him off last night with a suspected niggle Ben: Yeah. Yesterday, yeah. CJ: in his knee. So it's one of those like with Consa, he's been unbelievable since he's come in. And I think a lot of people think Ben: Yeah. You just four point four whatever he was when he first g moved to Arsenal, four point CJ: Exactly. Ben: four million for that for forty nine points is just insane. CJ: It's crazy. I think a lot of people think as well. I think a lot of people think Saliba's gonna come straight back in. And if I was Arteta, obviously Ben: Hmm. He's fit now, isn't he? CJ: Sali Saliba is he was in the squad last night, but I wouldn't be taking Consa out unless he really is injured because like Concer has been absolutely exceptional. So I do think Consa is a hold for now, wait and see. But he's really one to watch. Like at his price, you can't really get rid because like you said loads of people got him in at even four point four mil, so which was which was crazy really. But but no I I'm actually jealous of people. Ben: Mm. Mm. Even if if it even if he even if he drops out the team, I think Conza, even if he loses his place to Saliba, I think I'm still gonna keep Conza for the foreseeable. But just purely because of rotation, purely value for money, like 4.5 mil defender on your bench. CJ: Yeah, Ben: is not bad. It's not the CJ: agreed. Agreed. Ben: worst position to be in. So I'm in no r I'm in no rush to get Conza out because I don't think Arteta will be in any rush to drop him. He's been a he's been so good for us all since he signed for them. So I will be watching CJ: Yes. Ben: Saliba and I probably won't be going anywhere near Gabriel just because of the price. Although the fact that he's only eleven points behind De Kuiper having five less goal contributions, that's mad. CJ: Yeah, it's it not done. And he ha yeah, exactly. And he hasn't he hasn't looked he hasn't really done like Consa Calafiore have been outscoring him a lot, but then it just shows that Ben: Yeah. CJ: actually they haven't. Do you know what I mean? And I know Consa's play Ben: Yeah, yeah, yeah. CJ: Consa's played a few less games, but I've just I'm actually quite jealous of people who've still got their wild card because r I I honestly would be putting five of these five of these in Ben: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. CJ: and I would be We've got a couple of differential midfielders later to be putting in your teams to then because again, like you said, these these mass once I've taken took Fernandez out of my team, I've still got so many funds to use. And I'm Ben: Mm, mm. CJ: not necessarily looking at putting it in midfield, I'm actually looking at putting it in defence now, which is which is madness. But who are your top three out of those? Who are your top three? Just quickly before we move on. Ben: De Koipa is the only sort of like bright spot of my season so far. And he's the top scorer, so he's saved me CJ: Yeah. Ben: a couple times already this season. I'm he's he's a keep for me. We've we keep hearing these rumours about him being, you know, replaced or, brought out of the team once Mitoma and Minta come back, but I honestly don't think CJ: No chance. Ben: he Either Brighton CJ: Yeah. Ben: or fantasy managers can drop him at the moment if you have him. And if you don't have him at this point, you're just being petty because you think you've missed the boat. So De Koypa's CJ: Yeah. Ben: the number one for me. Viskovich, I talked about, you know, he was in a lot of my templates, but not the ul the the ultimate one. So if I double up on Brighton defense, because I'm probably not going to, you know, talking about Tottenham's improvement. I've got Kinsky, so that would be a sideways move to go from Kinsky to Verbruggan, same sort of price and similar CJ: Mm, yeah. Ben: return. So it's a waste of a transfer. So if I am going to double up on Brighton, Viskowitz is well up there. 7.4% owned as well. That's such a good differential. CJ: Mm. Ben: Tarkovsky, I will never, ever, ever have him in my fantasy. I CJ: Yeah. Ben: don't know why. he's obviously an excellent defender. He's an excellent FBL asset. I just I constantly underrate Everton, I think. I think they're a bog standard team, but CJ: Yeah, so do I. So do I. Ben: they're actually they're actually a very well drilled unit. So I don't know what my agenda is against Karkovski. He's just such a clogger, isn't he, Tarkovsky? He just fucking whacks it every time he gets. He's not like a ball-plane defender. But I mean, like that th that DC, those DEF CON points speak for themselves. CJ: DEF CON numbers are good, aren't they? Yeah, yeah. They are good. Ben: And then Calafiore is just my Mr. Reliable mate. He's just CJ: Yeah. Ben: I've just had him in since the start. Doubling up on Constant Calafiore for Arsenal defence has been probably my one and only good decision this season. Mirohemovich, CJ: Yeah. Ben: yeah, tempted. Gvardial, I've got in now. Look, he's got five goal contributions. I think one, I think all but one of those is a an assist. I CJ: Yeah. Ben: he's gone off the boil a little bit recently, ever since I CJ: He has, yeah. Ben: put him in my team. CJ: Yeah. Ben: coincidentally, Kvardiol and Cherky both started getting benched as soon as I put them in. So yeah, of that list, De Koyper, Vuskovic, and then the two Arsenal defenders. So yeah, just what about you? Are you y have you got Tarkovsky? CJ: Yeah, I agree. Yeah, no, I agree. Very similar. I Yeah, Tar Tarkovsky's one of those. I put him in last year and he absolutely flopped for me. But he's one of I think he's one of Ben: Hm. Yeah. CJ: those in if he he's quite expensive, Tarkovsky. That's the only thing. I think Tarkovsky is. Yeah, he's six point two. So he he he is expensive. I think for me it's Ben: And he's only got what th three more points than Calafury and Calafury CJ: Yeah. Ben: is what five point five. So it's just not yeah, I just I'd never go near Tarkovsky. I don't know why, it's CJ: No. Ben: just the price probably. CJ: But I think one to watch is definitely Van Heck. But I put him in with my free hit. Obviously Ben: Yeah. CJ: got lucky, got lucky with the goal, but I do think he he's a really, really solid pick. And at five mil, it's an absolute no brainer, I think, if you're looking at if you're looking at wildcarding or get even even getting him in, just transferring him him in. I think he's eleven point eight percent owned. I think he's a great a great asset moving forward. But Right, let's leave defenders behind. Let's look at game Ben: Mm. CJ: week ten. Differentials. So I wanted Ben: Mm-hmm. CJ: to look at transfers, but particularly differentials going into game week ten, because it is becoming people's teams are becoming quite similar as they do tend to at this stage of the season. I think with Spurs Ben: Mm. CJ: coming through a little bit, Bournemouth and things, Villa, like teams are starting to change a little bit, but there are some templates out there. So I picked three for you just to discuss three midfielders actually, talking about actually taking money out of the midfield and putting it in the defense. So these are three very cheap midfield, well, not very cheap, two very cheap, three cheapish third one, sorry, is cheapish, Ben: Mm-hmm. CJ: but the first one is another Brighton player. So Yassin Ayari. So he's 5.4 mil, Ben: Mm. CJ: 1.6% owned. So He's 43 overall points this season in FPL with three goals and an assist. So he's one of the informed midfielders in the Prem at the moment, with two goals and an assist in his last three, accumulating 25 points. He's playing in the 10 for Brighton behind Costulas with De Coypa and Gomez either side. That seems to who he likes that front for. Then this was really interesting. I thought he was a bit of a On and off in terms of minutes, but he started every game since game week three and he's played 90 and four and pretty much ninety. I think he got he played 17-1. Very, very underlooked. I really like him. For this fixture again at the weekend, or even if you're wildcarding, I'd probably be going for someone like him over Jack Radoni for Coventry. But what do you think about Ayari? I've been impressed Ben: Mm. CJ: with the eye test. I think he looks good. Ben: I he was he the one who actually scored the goal against City at the weekend. CJ: Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Ben: Yeah. I personally I w I I wasn't that interested in him. When I saw when you started talking about him and I saw the name, I was like, nah. Because I've already got a cheap Brighton midfielder, that Yalkori guy, Malik Yalkui, CJ: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Ben: whatever you or however you say. So I mean, I've already had De Kuiper, I've got that. Yalkori guy is like a bench filler, so I probably wouldn't triple up on Brighton. However, the fact that you're saying he's started every game week since game week three and he's CJ: Yeah. Ben: playing in the ten position, so you know, more likely for like goal contributions, does give me pause. The only thing is like five point four million. So if I'm gonna get him, I'd have to get rid of Yalkori, I think, and that's like almost a one mil jump. CJ: Yeah. Ben: So I don't know, give me other options then I'll come back to you on Ayari. But that's interesting. CJ: And then second we have it is an interesting one 'cause I I think he gets overlooked 'cause like Yao Kui started in the ten, didn't he? And then Ayari took his place, Ben: Mm. CJ: hasn't hasn't come out of the team since, and Yalkui's just playing sort of in Europe. But second one Ben: Mm. CJ: is Julio and Ciso. So he's five point five mil. Again, one percent owned, two goals his last two games with eighteen points. So he's literally Ipswich's main man, danger threat. Everything that Ipswich do is going through him. They've only lost Ben: Mm. CJ: once at home this season, and they look to now be finding their feet a bit. And I think and CISO's been a big part of that. He scored a fantastic goal against Hull at the weekend. I think Ipswich are looking a lot better, particularly at home. They have Bournemouth at home at the weekend. Obviously, Bournemouth are flying, haven't conceded a goal in six Ben: Mm. CJ: games. But I do think Ipswich potentially may cause an upset there. And I think if anyone's going to do Ben: Ooh. CJ: it, it's probably going to be in CISO. But I think I think as as Dilly got him, I think Dilly's got him in his team, isn't he? He nearly he nearly beat Ben: Mm. CJ: Butler with him. But what do you think about In CISO? I know it's very left field. He's not really talked about Ipswich players, but he would be the one I look at. Ben: That is. Yeah, Ipswich plays have just not been anywhere near my radar. But the fact that they've only lost at home once a season. 5.5 Mal for in CCO. Mmm. Interesting. Interesting. You're really you're really messing with my head here. Cause I've got I've got to start thinking about differentials going forward if I want to climb up the rankings again, because I'm dropping like a stone at the moment. CJ: Yeah, that's it. Ben: so these are posing some real headaches for me. But I don't know. How much is as a as a as a comparison, Tavanier plays like CJ: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Ben: a similar role for Bournemouth versus in CISO for CJ: Yeah, yeah. Ben: Ipswich. How much more expensive is Tav? He's what, six point three or something like that? CJ: So Tav six Tav six point six, a one point one mil, but he's now thirty percent he's thirty percent owned. So I I do Ben: Yeah, yeah. CJ: think people it's like the conversation between Tavanier and Rayhan. If you're looking for a differential, you go Rayan, but obviously Tavanir Ben: Mm. CJ: has the consistency, maybe has the penalties, but it's Ben: Hmm. He's on pens, isn't he? Whereas in Cisco probably isn't. Who would be on who who's on Ipswich Pens, or wouldn't he? CJ: I'm not sure. I was trying to look that up. I don't know who's on pen. I don't know if even Ipswich have had a pen this year, but it'll be interesting to see who takes Ben: Yeah. Nah. CJ: it because realistically he would be the main candidate for taking a pen, but I don't actually know if he's he's on pens at all this year. But I think they will. I think they will. I actually listened Ben: Do you reckon they'll stay up, Ipswitch? Do you reckon they'll survive eradication? Yeah. CJ: to the Ben Foster podcast the other day, and and the one of the guys who was on it said he watched them train because they got a brand new training facility there, like really state of the art. And he said they w they looked unbelievable in training, as in at it, the the amount of running they're doing, off the ball in terms of tactics and they said the intensity. They said they actually looked like a Prem team. I think players are gonna want to go to them now because they have this new facility. it's it's unbelievable facility they've got. So I think they will personally. I Gary O'Neill knows what he's doing tactically. I think he was unlucky to sort of lose Ben: Yeah. CJ: that job at Bournemouth when he did. so I do think they will, and it will be probably be their home form. That's why I was targeting this fixture. I know it's against Bournemouth, Ben: Yeah. CJ: but I do think at home they're definitely a force. And against Hull as well, they came back into it twice. So they're on a little bit of a wave. A l they've turned a little bit of a Ben: Mm. CJ: corner in terms of form, but again, it is a it is a big punt. But if you're looking for differentials because to ch to chase your rank, it's it's a great option. Ben: Yeah. Yeah. I suppose between NCSO and Ayare, very similar price points, there's point CJ: Yes. Ben: one in it. I would go Ayare, I think, purely because CJ: Probably this week, yeah. Ben: Yeah, yeah, I think so. Yeah. Who's who's your third? CJ: Right, last one. Last one, very familiar name, but not been talked about too Ben: Yeah. CJ: much this season is Keanan Jewsbury Hall. So he's the same price as Tavernier at six point six. He's six point three percent owned, has forty-one points this year with two two goals and an assist. He's been quiet over the last few games, however, after a thirteen point haul against Harlem game week six, but he's got an excellent fixture in game week ten. They're home to Coventry. And Everton are looking like they're Ben: Mm. CJ: building a little bit of momentum after dispatching Newcastle twice last week. But the thing Ben: Twice. CJ: with this is it's a Friday night fixture, so it really could be worth the punt to get ahead of the curve Ben: Mm. CJ: before the weekend fixtures. I know I did it last week or the week before with Gibbs White, it didn't work. But if you go like I've got Barry, if I've got Barry Ben: Yeah, I did as well. CJ: this week, I'm gonna keep Barry because like Barry could go nuts against Coventry if he actually finds. Ben: Yeah. CJ: find his feet. But Chewsbury Hall could do exactly the same. But what what do you think about Ben: Yeah. CJ: Chewsbury Hall? Ben: It's another one, it's just because he's an Everton player and I constantly like CJ: Yeah. Ben: dismiss Everton in my head, even though they're a really, really solid team. I just haven't used him. He's such a lovely player. Like just in terms of like CJ: Excellent footballer. Ben: eye test, yeah, he's really like nice to watch. And I know it didn't work out for him at Chelsea, but he's absolutely thriving in that system at Everton. Again, it's just one that like I've I'd I rarely go for Everton assets. I do have Barry. I'm keeping Barry like you aga home against Coventry. I'm very tempted to do Barry to to Jackson at some point, but Everton's fixtures and form are really good at the moment. So CJ: Yeah, agreed. Ben: yeah, Jewsby Hall. Yeah. 6.6 mil. Again, like along that sort of like Taverne-esque price of, you know, 6.5 plus. So it's always like a bit of a like, mmm, which one am I gonna go with? CJ: Hmm. Yeah. Ben: probably would go for Tavernaer over Jewsbury Hall, but f in terms of that ownership, Jewsbury Hall's got like the biggest potential to to climb ranks. six percent owned. Yeah, I just I think Jewsbury Hall is more of a more of like a technical passer than a goal threat. so you know he really like builds up CJ: Yeah, yeah. Ben: in midfield but like not he's not like a box to box crasher is he or like a big s goal scorer or a sister. CJ: No, he he pops up he pops up with the odd goal. I think he's definitely a bit more he plays a bit further forward for Everton, 'cause they've got they'll have they have two sitters normally, don't they? So he plays Ben: Mm. CJ: in that sort of ten. But I just think he could pop off like if if Everton Ben: Mm. CJ: win against Coventry, if they they potentially could win, Ben: Yeah. CJ: say 3 nil, 2 nil, 3 nil. if they're winning 3 0, I I'd say Jewsbury Hall is going to be involved in at least one of those goals along with Barry. So if you wanted to double Ben: Hmm. Hmm. At the center of it. Yeah. CJ: up Jewsbury Hall and Barry with Tarkovsky, that three this weekend looks looks very, very good, to be fair. Ben: Yeah. Tasty. Yeah. CJ: but yeah, mate, right. Differentials. Do you want to do October Mom official results? Do you want to announce them? Go Ben: Yes. CJ: on. Ben: Yeah, we covered this we covered this briefly on our last episode, but the results are in the count has been finalized, and there's a very, very clear winner for both divisions. So for division one, we have Steven Winch, Winchester United, twelve points across the month, two hundred and ninety FPL points. I've noticed with Winch as well, I don't know if you've noticed this too, Siege, but he's piping up a lot more in the WhatsApp group now that he's fly. CJ: Mm. Ben: Now that he's doing really well, he's starting to demand the next episode of the pod and asking when it's coming out and everything like that, which is pretty it's great to see. But yeah, well done, Winch. Here's your honourable mention and part of the podcast dedicated to you. You have won Octona October man of the match for Division One. So send us your bank deets and we'll give you the 15 quid. And then maybe you can pipe down a little bit. No, I'm just joking. CJ: Ha ha. Ben: the more the more chat in the WhatsApp the better. But yeah, well done. Matt was a relatively close second there. Botman forever. 273 points. so about what? Like 17, 18 points behind Winch there. Quite unlucky as Matt's like risen to the top of the table, but Winch's form is is is really really good at the moment. And then it's a kind of similar story with Division II in that the winner of the manager of the month is by far and away. The comfortable winner, we've got Thomas Lahardy, two hundred and twenty sorry, two hundred and sixty-two FPL points across the month, twelve points all of his all of you know, winning all his fixtures. And then his second place there, this warms my heart. Alex Butler missed out two hundred and thirty FPL points on on twelve points across the month as well. So well done, Tom, the documentary. So yeah, please get in touch with your Bank details and we'll send you your monthly winnings. Congrats. Hopefully I did that section justice there after Alex usually does it. But there you go. CJ: Well done gents. Right, to finish, we will just finish with quickly with the key battles for game week 10. So I'll just share my screen here and we'll do this as quick as we can. Ben: So we've gone for a bit of a theme this week, and the theme is the strugglers and the stragglers. Especially when it comes to Div One. CJ: Yeah, div one, so I'll get up here. So that's Mike Mike against Trav. Ben: Just wait for you to pull it up. But there you go. Actually, yeah. CJ: Go on, mate, you do take us away with this. Can you see that? Or do you want me to see can you see my screen there? Ben: So Trav is in a world I I can see it, yeah, yeah. Well actually I can't read it, so you you read it out. But I'm just gonna say Mike versus Trav. Trav is in a world of bother and we haven't really mentioned Mike too much since he appeared on the pod earlier in the season. So yeah, take us through some of their stats, mate. I can't quite see that. but yeah, it's it's definitely, CJ: So Ben: you know A powerhouse, a fantasy powerhouse of Mike versus Struggler Trav. That's how I'd sum that up. CJ: That's it. Exactly right, exactly right. So they've got 10 differentials, which is massive, actually. His defences are completely different, really. It looks like the midfield, it's going to be Manzambi, Gross, and King from Mike against Gakpo, Odegaard, and Kudus. I do like Trav's pick of Kudus. I think he could be one to watch as well. Forwards are very different. Trav needs Ben: Hm. CJ: to get rid of Giao Pedro. It'd be interesting to see who he changes him for. Hopefully he will. Mike's got Isaac, Nicholas Jackson, and Haaland, which is a very formidable front three. They share five players. It Ben: Yeah. That's the template, isn't it? Yeah. CJ: is Guardiol, Rogers, Haaland, Calafury, Tavernier. captaining Haaland, but game week ranks are very different. Not game week rank, overall ranks. So Mike is ranked 88K Ben: Mm. CJ: in the world. Trav is ranked 3.9 million in the world. So very different fortunes this year, but can Trav cause an upset we will see. Ben: That would be a massive upset. I can't see anyone but Mike prevailing there. That's What's what's their average? Sorry. Yeah. CJ: And then we have we have what's their average? So Mike's averaging 60, Travis averaging 49.6. So massive difference in the average over nine games. Ben: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yep. Yeah. CJ: and then game the second one in div one is Jordan against Balf. so Jordan's 11th, Balf is 16th, really struggling. Bowf's average Ben: Mm. CJ: points just over fifty, fifty point four. Jordan sits with Mike about sixty points in the last five. Ben: Mm-hmm. I believe I believe Balf got some stick earlier in the week as well on the WhatsApp chat about being one of the lowest scorers in FPL so far this season. So he needs to needs to pull his finger out as soon as possible. CJ: He does. Only seven differential players in this, which is interesting. Ben: Mm. CJ: Eight eight shared players. So they both share the Bruggen De Koypa, Rogers, Jackson, Haaland Tavenir, Calafiore, Consa. So we're looking at only three more to make that eleven, which will be really interesting to see what happens. So yeah, Jordan has Palmer, Ben: It's gonna be a close match. CJ: Balf has Embuemo, Odegaard. I think probably Jordan will play Palmer and Gross and Isak to make that eleven, which will be pretty tasty. So I think it's not looking great for Balf, I must say, already. Ben: Balf Balf's Balf's doubled up on Lee's defence. So he's got Trafford in goal, I think. And Justin in defence. CJ: Yeah. Justin. Mm. Ben: I dunno. I just don't know. You said they're at Bournemouth this weekend, didn't you? They're at home to Bournemouth. Spurs at home. Hmm. CJ: No, they got Spurs at home, Leeds have Spurs at home. Mm. Ben: Interesting. Yeah, that s may it might might hinge on that Spurs result, 'cause Spurs are on the up and if they can score against Leeds then he's already on his on the back foot, isn't he? CJ: That's it. Right, into div two. Who have we got in div two, mate? The first fixture. Fo's the first key battle. Ben: Mm-hmm. The first fixture. and this is in honor of Tom Jennings scoring the CJ: Mm-hmm. Ben: or being the loser of the week for two weeks straight in terms of scores. So it's Tom versus Trotty. Jennings versus Trotty. Both are in in a bit of poor form, aren't they? I don't I d I yeah, I don't know how else to CJ: Yeah. Ben: describe that, but I think I think Jennings has scored something like sixty-nine points over the last two game weeks. So it's what like th just shy of thirty-five points average over the last two game weeks. I don't know what his season average is, maybe you can grab that up, but he's CJ: Yeah. Ben: he's struggling. So that's why we picked Jennings versus Trotty, and Trotty's not exactly saying the legal eye either. CJ: No, I think well Trotty's overall rank is six point four mil and Jennings is four point one mil, which is which is very out ve very outliers in this league this year, considering the high level of of players. But but and Ben: Yeah. Yeah. I was gonna say that must bring the div2 average down by a lot, because CJ: It does. I think their their average in the last three or four games is forty three points each. So it's pretty it's if you look at the averages in the rest of Div two, it's it's really, really cut adrift from the rest. But it's funny, it's so funny. Ben: Yeah. Yeah. CJ: There they've got eleven different differentials each. They only share Ben: Ha ha CJ: they share four players, which is Zalakis, the second choice goalie for both of them, probably. Then Gross, Rogers and Harlem. Ben: Which n neither of them are gonna play. Yeah. CJ: No, so their teams are completely different. I'm looking at Trotty's team, it's actually not bad, but for some reason he's still got fucking Saka in there. I don't know don't know what he's at with that. But it's his team doesn't look too bad. see what he does transfer wise. Jennings is a bit more obscure. good point. Ben: How many's he got? I'm imagining Jennings has zero transfers and Trotty has a couple in the bank. no, look, they both got one each. Hmm. Interesting. CJ: They both have one each. Both got one each. Trotty's got a little bit of money in the bank. Jennings says absolutely fuck all money in the bank. So that'll be a really interesting one because that is really a dog fight. Seventeenth against eighteenth. Ben: That's gonna be quite a wide score, probably quite a big point gap because they've got such different teams. Just depends on the differentials. CJ: It is. Right. What's the final one? Ben: It is Ryan versus Greg. Now we picked Greg because Greg's been very under the weather for the last week. So this is to cheer him up and put him in the spotlight. He's had a flu, can't get out of bed. So that's why he's been quiet. So we're gonna talk about him on the Hod. I don't actually know too much about Greg's form. how are we looking? And he's got some money in the bank as well, has he not? CJ: So yeah, Greg's Greg's it's mad. Greg's got two point six in the bank. Ryan's got nine Ben: Mm. CJ: point seven million in the bank currently. which is which is madness Ben: Wow Wow. CJ: to be fair. Fair play to him. He's used all his chips. Greg has got his free hit and triple captain, which will be interesting to see when he uses those. They have ten differentials each, only sharing Calafuri, Tavernair, Jackson, Haaland, and Rogers. Greg has Isaac. Ben: Mm. CJ: Egg's got Calvert Lewin. I did hear some noise about Calvert Lewin potentially being injured this week. I'm not sure if that's true or not, but Greg's persisting with Balumi is his little differential from Hull. but yeah, Greg again has Raya at home to Hull. Yeah, he has got Haaland in now. Ben: Mm-hmm. Has he got Haaland in? Yeah, he's got Haaland in now. I know he started the season without him. CJ: He does. Greg's rank is 1.9, egg is 1.8. So very, very close. Although Egg is second in the table and Greg is seventh. They're very, very closely ranked. Ben: Yeah. CJ: Greg has kept 97 points on the bench and Egg's only kept 46. So it'd be interesting to see who Greg actually picks in his team. but it is a big game. Egg's been doing really well actually this season. He's been a bit lucky along the way, as he probably won't mind me saying that. But interesting, interesting. Let me come back to you then, mate. Ben: Gonna call that one the battle of the Gonna call that one the battle of the bank balances there. I can't believe Ryan's got nine mil in the bank. I'm expecting CJ: Yeah. I see it. Ben: to see some big changes then actually. Spend that money, mate. And Greg's got some as well. CJ: Yeah, same, same. How many transfers they got each? Let me just check. They got they've only got one transfer each, so be interesting to see if they roll it or keep it, but but that is your key battles going into game week ten. Right, mate. Thoroughly enjoyed that as usual. Hopefully that gave you Go on, mate. How many transfers of Ben: How many free transfers have yeah. I was just gonna say, how many f have you got? I've got two, which feels like a lot. CJ: How many have I got? I have got, I've only got one. as I where am I? Yeah, I've got one, 2.6 in the bank. so I can pretty much go to anyone, and you have got two with 1.4 Ben: Hmm. I've got CJ: in the bank. So you've got a little bit of wiggle room there, but Finn has got three against you. so interesting Ben: I do. Hm. Okay. CJ: to see what. happens with that one. You do need a wind pal, don't ya? Ben: I do need a rin a win to stop the rot, to arrest this slide down the table. I think I'm sick now, CJ: Ha ha. Ben: so in danger of dropping out the playoff places. So yeah, I need I need something to turn my season around. So you've given me lots of food for for I just I just I just dunno about I don't know why I avoid the like a sort of taverner. Like, it just feels expensive to me for what you get CJ: It's the it's one of the yeah. Ben: back, but CJ: It's one of those. Do you gamble with the differential and just and thing is with the head to head, with the if the differential comes in, you've pretty much won your head to head, I would say. Ben: Mm-hmm. Yeah. CJ: but but again, it's a big gamble. Like I said, the Friday night gamble with Dewsbury Hall could pay off, but it could be going into a weekend, losing a differential against Finn, so. Ben: Yeah. Yeah, that's the one. That's the one. Right, mate. I'm gonna say it again 'cause I still need it, but may the fantasy CJ: Yeah, go on. Ben: gods be with me this weekend, because I need to beat Finn and win my first game in four. Who've you've got Nixie, have you? CJ: Yeah, I've got Nixie, so we'll be I'm sure we'll be chirping to each other tomorrow at some point. Ben: All right, mate, good luck. CJ: Good luck. Good luck guys. Ben: Bye bye.