Dilemmas of the Week - GW31

Fixture congestion is taking its toll on player fitness now: we've had a fair old splurge of new player injuries ths past week (including the two most popular defenders!). And the 'business end' of the European competitions getting under way next midweek no doubt means that we're going to see a lot of 'rest rotation' - especially for key players, or anyone who's suffering some sort of fitness issue. I feel sorry for anyone who's recently used their Wildcard.... and now finds themself with 4, 5, 6 injuries occurring all at once. Life's a bitch.

I'm trying to streamline these weekly round-ups, as they had been getting dangerously over-long. I'm aiming to confine myself to just the injuries to players that are likely to have a major significance in FPL. [I currently find the 'Injuries & Bans' summary on Fantasy Football Scout the most reliable resource for this kind of information - go check that out for more comprehensive coverage.]

So, what are the conundrums we face ahead of Gameweek 31?

Does anybody need to be moved out because of injury?

The BIG NEWS of the week is that Gabriel - the highest-owned defender in the game - has suffered a serious hamstring injury and is likely to miss the rest of the season. Arsenal could be getting stretched a bit thin in defence as Ben White missed the midweek game with another problem in his troublesome knee, and Jurrien Timber had to come off in that game after suffering a knock to his knee. Arteta is hopeful they have 'a chance' of being available this weekend, but they're certainly doubts.

Leon Bailey missed the midweek game for Villa with a training knock, and remains doubtful. And Ollie Watkins has apparently been struggling with a knee problem - so seems likely to get short minutes ahead of the Champions League quarter-final next week.

Giorginho Rutter was absent in midweek as a result of an ankle problem picked up in the weekend's Cup game against Forest; and Hurzeler now thinks it could keep him out for the rest of the season.

Justin Kluivert was a last-minute withdrawal in midweek with a muscle problem, and remains doubtful for the weekend.

Chelsea's Romeo Lavia, who was finally set for a comeback after a long injury absence, succumbed to another muscle injury ahead of the midweek game and looks set to be out for a while again. (Indirectly relevant to FPL, I feel; while probably no-one would pick Lavia himself,.... Chelsea do play much better with him in the side, and that would improve the points prospects for Palmer, Jackson, Fenandez, etc.)  On a more positive note, Nicolas Jackson was immediately in excellent form on his return against Spurs on Thursday; and Noni Madueke is poised to come back as well, possibly this weekend.

Everton's Jesper Lindstrom has a groin injury, which sounds potentially quite serious. Again, that's one that could have knock-on effects: few people would own Lindstrom himself, but he has been a major element in Everton's recent success.

Attacking left-back Leif Davis, possibly the only Ipswich player anyone would still consider owning, was absent in midweek because of a leg injury suffered in training.

Alisson was yet another late withdrawal in midweek. Liverpool had originally been optimistic about him being able to play, but apparently he 'failed' a last-minute check under 'concussion protocols' (after taking a bang on the head playing for Brazil 10 days ago) - so is probably touch-and-go for this weekend too.

Matthijs De Ligt is doubtful, suffering a knock. But Mason Mount looked sharp on his return for United against Forest.

Many woes for Newcastle: Alexander Isak had to come off after just over an hour against Brentford, feeling discomfort in his groin; Anthony Gordon, three-match suspension now over, hasn't been in training because of a thigh muscle problem hi picked up playing for England a couple of weeks ago; and Joelinton is also suffering with a hip problem. Particularly worrisome news for anyone who was banking on some of these guys, or any Newcastle players, for their Double Gameweek next week.

Forest's Ola Aina (the second most-owned defender in FPL!) had to come off quite early against United, after straining a calf-muscle - likely to be out for a few weeks. (Harry Toffolo expected to come in at left-back, Nico Williams switching to the right to cover for Aina.)

Paul Onuachu, Southampton's goal hero against Palace, picked up an ankle injury in that game.

Mohammad Kudus missed the midweek game for West Ham with a hip problem, but Graham Potter is hopeful he might be recovered.

Do we have any players who are dropped, or not looking likely to get the starts we hoped for?

Well, Southampton's Flynn Downes has picked up a two-game ban for reaching 10 yellow cards for the season - but that can have no FPL relevance for anyone. 

Matheus Cunha is completing his four-match ban this weekend.

Did anyone give other cause to consider dropping them?

With Spurs's continuing abysmal form and a make-or-break European tie against Frankfurt coming up, I wouldn't trust any of their players... even to get minutes; Ange is almost sure to rotate a lot in the Southampton game. (Pity - because you generally fancy anyone against Southampton!)

I'd be wary of West Ham too. They've looked pretty terrible of late, and are also likely to suffer a lot of rotations because..... constant tinkering is Potter's style.

Did anyone play so well, you have to consider bringing them in immediately?

Well, Chelsea look rejuvenated by the reappearance of Nicolas Jackson to lead the line. I'm not sure that he'd immediately be a promising forward pick (although Chelsea do have quite a nice fixture-run this month), but Cole Palmer - and perhaps even Enzo Fernandez - starts to look an appealing prospect again as a result of having a dangerous target man to look for. Palmer might get a further lift from the imminent return of Noni Madueke too.

Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford are continuing to look very lively and dangerous for Villa too - although I'm not excited by their overall team form, or their upcoming fixtures (apart from Southampton next week; although they tend to be dreadful straight after a European game, so even that one might not be the gimme it should be for them).

Frustratingly, Brighton's surprise home defeat by Villa in midweek means that their lead over Palace has shrunk to four places - denying 'Assistant Manager' players their most promising pick for a table-bonus win this week. Leicester against Newcastle, Southampton against Spurs, or West Ham against Bournemouth look very unpromising for a table-bonus return. Fulham have a good record so far for picking up these coveted table-bonus points; but I don't think anybody would give them much of a hope against Liverpool. Many people fancy Villa's chances against Forest (it's a Midlands derby, I suppose; they can sometimes throw up more unexpected results...), but I'd prefer Everton's chances of at least getting a draw from Arsenal; and Thomas Frank's Brentford are well capable of nicking a win from Chelsea (although there are signs that Chelsea are finally getting their act together again...) - so, they'd probably be my AssMan pick for the week. Or perhaps United can pull off a surprise in the Manchester derby (there's never been a better time!)?? I think you have to chase these table-bonus prospects, because even a draw can be so valuable; and none of the better teams playing a lower-ranked club this week look as if they can be relied on for a comfortable win.

BEST OF LUCK, EVERYONE!

DON'T FORGET The Boycott; the dratted new 'Assistant Manager' chip is in play now - and I am urging everyone to please consider quitting the game, or at least refusing to use this silly chip. 

And if you can't bring yourself to do either of those things, please do criticise the Assistant Manager chip as vigorously as possible on any relevant social media channels you use, raise objections to it with any football or media figures you know how to contact, and - if possible - try to find a way to protest about it directly to the FPL hierarchy (and let me know how, if you manage that!).

#QuitFPLinGW23         #DownWithTheNewChip