GW18 Kneejerk Check
Gameweek 18 was a story of two halves: while the "template" assets mostly delivered modest returns, two ultra-differentials produced the biggest hauls of the season. Kevin Schade (20 pts) and Patrick Dorgu (17 pts) single-handedly swung mini-leagues for the tiny minority who owned them.
TL;DR: The GW18 Takeaways
1. The Schade Masterclass: Kevin Schade's 20-point haul (0.8% ownership) is the highest score of the week and a reminder of the power of ultra-differentials.
2. Dorgu's Defensive Explosion: Patrick Dorgu (17 pts) has emerged as a season-defining asset in Amorim's new-look United.
3. The "Kneejerk" Mixed Bag: Ekitiké delivered a respectable 5 points, but Rogers frustrated nearly a million new owners with a blank.
4. City's New Star: Rayan Cherki has firmly established himself as a high-value asset with his 13-point return.
5. Predictable Blanks: Moving on from Bruno Fernandes (injury) and Bryan Mbeumo (AFCON) was standard housekeeping for over 1.5 million managers.
The Hype Train: Successes and Traps
Ekitiké (Forward, LIV)
- GW18 Performance: 5 points (85 mins)
- GW17 Net Transfers: +1,245,249 (Massive hype)
Ekitiké was the most transferred-in player of GW17, with over 1.2 million managers jumping on the bandwagon. While his 5-point return in GW18 isn't a "haul," it's a respectable return that keeps the "kneejerkers" relatively happy, though many were hoping for another double-digit return given the hype.
Rogers (Midfielder, AVL)
- GW18 Performance: 1 point (90 mins)
- GW17 Net Transfers: +905,143 (The Hype Train)
Rogers was the ultimate "kneejerk trap" of GW18. Following a 15-point haul in GW17, over 900k managers rushed to bring him in, only to be met with a 1-point blank. While he played the full 90 minutes, he failed to produce any attacking returns, leaving new owners frustrated.
The 20-Point King: Kevin Schade
Schade (Midfielder, BRE)
- GW18 Performance: 20 points (2 goals, 2 assists, 3 bonus)
- GW17 Net Transfers: -165 (Off the Radar)
- Ownership: 0.8%
Schade is the definition of a "blanket" haul. 20 points from a 5.2m midfielder is the kind of performance that breaks the game. With virtually no transfer activity in GW17 (-165 net), he was completely off the radar. This isn't just a success; it's the Shock of the Season.
The Elite Differential
Dorgu (Defender, MUN)
- GW18 Performance: 17 points (2 goals, CS, 3 bonus)
- GW17 Net Transfers: +4,109 (Low Signal)
- Ownership: 2.2%
Dorgu is the "League Winner" differential of GW18. With only 2.2% ownership, his 17-point explosion is a massive rank booster for those who took the risk. His role in the United defense (likely as an attacking wing-back under Amorim) is now the most talked-about development in the community.
City and United Assets
Cherki (Midfielder, MCI)
- GW18 Performance: 13 points (1 goal, 1 assist)
- GW17 Net Transfers: +167,332 (Rising Hype)
Cherki is quickly becoming the "must-have" City midfielder. His 13-point haul validates the 167k managers who brought him in. He's moving rapidly towards "template" status.
Bruno Fernandes (Midfielder, MUN)
- GW18 Performance: 0 points (DNP - Injury)
- GW17 Net Transfers: -1,485,840 (Necessary Housekeeping)
Moving on from Bruno was the logical move. Nearly 1.5 million managers dumped him in GW17 due to a lack of form compounded by an injury scare. His 0-point DNP in GW18 confirmed the necessity of the exit, allowing managers to redistribute those funds into active assets.
The Punishers
Watkins (Forward, AVL)
- GW18 Performance: 12 points (2 goals in 32 mins)
- GW17 Net Transfers: -52,982 (Quiet Exit)
Watkins provided a masterclass in efficiency. For the 52k managers who sold him, this is a painful "punishment." His low ownership (7.1%) makes this a significant differential haul for the "faithful."
Thiago (Forward, BRE)
- GW18 Performance: 5 points (1 goal/assist)
- GW17 Net Transfers: -864,420 (Massive Outflow)
The classic "punisher-lite." Scoring immediately after 864k managers sold him is the ultimate FPL irony. The psychological blow of "the minute I sell him, he scores" is real.