All (Palace) eyes turn back to Selhurst this evening as Brentford visit. As with last year, the two clubs are pretty well matched in terms of early season form with each ‘boxing clever’ against illustrious opponents.
For this opposition preview I sat down with Tom from the FPL Dummies podcast to talk about Brentford, the game on Tuesday night and FPL.
Q – Hi Tom, how are you feeling about the season so far? A win, 2 draws and a loss? About par?
Tom – So far so good really, the game against Manchester United was one of the best I’ve ever attended as a Brentford fan. We’ve shown great spirit in coming from behind against Leicester, Fulham and Everton. It was a bit disappointing to lose to Fulham but all in all a positive start.
Q – What’s your ambition for the season? Is it all about survival? Or more than that?
Tom – I feel optimistic that we can have a similar season. Of course, it was disappointing to not keep Eriksen, but the other signings we have made have been excellent and our squad is deeper and stronger. For example, Ben Mee has been a perfect addition and brings quality and premier league know how to the team. I’m hopeful of ending up as good or better as last year really.
Q – So what’s your perspective on Palace
Palace have looked very good! You were brilliant against City for large parts of that game and were unlucky with the final score. Vieira is clearly doing an excellent job and it’s exciting to watch a team do so well without spending billions to compete. (Much like Brentford).
Q – To the match, where do you think it will be won or lost?
The home advantage might just sway it for the Eagles. Both teams have been scoring and conceding a few, so I expect goals but we’re missing a number of players injured and we are a lot stronger at home than on the road. So that probably swings it your way, especially if Zaha is fit.
Q – And in terms of fantasy, you’re smashing it (Tom is already in the top 20k of over 9 million players!). What’s the secret of your success so far?
Honestly, I’ve been lucky, I haven’t had to use many transfers and my players have done well.
TEB – It certainly sounds simple when you put it like that…
Q – And for the fantasy players, which 3 Brentford players would you be recommending, a lot of people are looking at Toney and Raya?
Tom – They’re good picks but Mbeumo is one I’ve had from the start, mainly due to price. He is a top player – last year he got unfairly labelled as the woodwork king but he has been excellent and will only get better.
Toney has been on fire and must have an outside chance of getting on the plane to Qatar, depending on injuries. It’s probably a toss up between him, Tammy Abraham and Callum Wilson to go.
Q – And from Palace, especially when the fixtures get a bit easier?!
Tom – Eze is pure class, even when he was in the Championship you could see he was a player. I also really like Anderson (don’t we all!) but probably less good fantasy wise, any of Eze or Zaha, or if he starts getting game time – Olise.
Q – And finally, if you had a magic wand who would you be signing for the Bees before the window shuts?
Overall, we’ve had a great window, so I’d be tempted to say no one, right now we could probably use a fit centre back but then we’d be a bit unbalanced when everyone was back.
(After reminding it was a genuinely magic wand) Okay then, Mbappe… Mainly as a back up to Toney though!
