This week proved for both my team and Tommy’s why it’s important to have a deep squad in FPL, both of us were saved from really poor scores by substitutes coming in, proving what an important aspect of the game they are. It’s now an international break but here are the headlines from our teams as we dive into our FPL Gameweek 5 analysis.
My Squad
Benching Verbruggen for Kinsky was my first mistake of the weekend as Brighton dismantled Arsenal 3-0. The Dutch keeper got eight points to Kinsky’s paltry two as Tottenham succumbed 3-2 at home to Aston Villa. It’s becoming harder and harder to justify Spurs players in the side, and I have two of them, but at least Jan Paul Van Hecke scored to make it 20 points in three games.
Arsenal’s hammering at the AmEx meant Calafiori only got one point and Manchester City conceded three against Sunderland at home meaning, even though he got an assist, Marc Guehi only picked up four. Luke Shaw rounded out the defence with a poor two pointer, and he’s down to 4.3m now. I had hoped the United left-back would be injured, he was flagged orange, so Bobby Thomas’ nine points would come into the side, but alas, it wasn’t to be.
In midfield my week was saved by Diego Gomez’s eight pointer, as he came on for the injured Joao Pedro. Rayan Cherki was the only midfielder to make any meaningful contribution, his goal helping him to eight points to add to the tally. Szoboszlai’s place in the squad is now under severe threat as he blanked again, while my transfer in didn’t amount to much with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall adding just three points. Harvey Barnes was the way to go as he picked up nine in Newcastle’s win over Hull.
It was also another blank for Bruno Fernandes and with United’s form tanking, it’s hard not to give his place in the team serious consideration as well. A cheap replacement could allow me to play three forwards, which could pay dividends. Up front Erling Haaland captained the side, scoring to provide 12 points, and extend his lead as the leading forward in the game.
There’s plenty to consider but I’ll watch the international break for any injury news before making any decisions.
For Foot Sake Squad
Not the week Tommy would have wanted but he was saved by 14 points from Maxim De Cuyper and Diego Gomez coming off the bench for Ola Aina and Joao Pedro. Arsenal assets flopped in a big way, and there wasn’t much else to write home about bar a few half decent defensive contributions from Senne Lammens, Josko Gvardiol and Andy Robertson, all four points each.
Tommy does have four transfers backed up though so has a mini-wildcard to consider when club football returns in three weeks. Gulp.
FPL Gameweek 6 Pointers
- Pascal Gros now impossible to ignore – Eight points ahead of the next best midfielder in the game, following his third double figure haul of the season, the German midfielder is a must for FPL squads.
- Alexander Isak a viable alternative to Joao Pedro – He’s more expensive, but with Joao Pedro out injured and Chelsea hitting the skids after a promising start under Xabi Alonso, it could be worth pivoting to the Swedish striker, who scored his fourth goal in as many game against Bournemouth on Sunday.
- Midfield value the key to the entire game – Pascal Gros, Kevin Schade, Marcus Tavernier – Mid-price midfielders in the top ten players in the entire game. These are the players you need to hone in on and get right to flourish in FPL 2026/27.
Head back here on in three weeks for my preview of my team for Gameweek 6.