FPL Gameweek 10: What on earth to do with Fulham players?

Fulham have seen a return to form in recent weeks and are undefeated in their last three games, but, that has not really been felt on Fantasy Premier League.

Josh King and Gonzalo Garcia proved a nightmare to own, with just one assist between them in the newly-promoted sides-athon that saw them face Ipswich, Hull and Coventry back-to-back-to-back.

That saw them mass-sold ahead of the Cottagers’ clash against Aston Villa, with assets from the likes of Brighton, Bournemouth and even Villa themselves proving too enticing to keep hold of Fulham assets, even as a fan.

There are some very astute owners who own the likes of David Affengruber, who has sneakily become a top budget defender pick, not blanking in any of his six matches since breaking into the Fulham side.

Now facing a Newcastle side who are extremely inconsistent at both ends of the pitch, what does one do with Fulham players?

Well, if you do still own either King or Garcia, this genuinely could be a week to hold them.

Newcastle have been leaky at the back and have twice conceded four goals in one game in the Premier League - both of which came away from home against Leeds and Coventry.

Fulham, as we know, have been hugely underperforming their expected goals, and there is a general feeling that their lack of scoring is not sustainable and that the goals will surely start flying in very soon.

I see no reason that couldn’t happen at the weekend, against a Newcastle side who lack pace at the back and are distinctly mediocre all round in terms of defensive metrics.

I would genuinely place both King and Garcia in the don’t buy, don’t sell category this week as Newcastle at home is really not a bad fixture.

Of course, the likes of Evanilson and Nicolas Jackson (both of whom I own), are top picks and may prove too tempting if you do still have Garcia and I would not blame you if you did make the move, but I don’t think you absolutely have to if you wanted to store a transfer or two away for the international break.

What about elsewhere?

Well, the next-highest owned player is Bernd Leno and if I owned him at £4.5m ahead of Fulham’s clash with Newcastle, there is absolutely no way I would even consider making a sale.

Fulham have kept three clean sheets in their last six matches and two in their last three, with Leno registering points hauls of 9, 3, 2, 6, 8, 2 since gameweek four.

I would keep hold of him, and depending on your other goalkeeper, probably start him against Newcastle, while the same certainly applies to Affengruber, who has picked up defensive contribution points in four of his six appearances and clean sheets in three, making Fulham defensive assets strong things to own currently.