Community Submissions

The FPL Winter Wildcard Discussion – Part 3

With January Wildcards now active we wanted to offer the community a regular article to look at the key strategies, players and teams we should be considering. This piece will focus on the thoughts of one of the Fantasy Football Scout team on their winter Wildcard progress. Feel free to help them with any deliberations they have and use this article to post your Wildcard thoughts or Rate My Wildcard Teams (RMWT). Our first article featured Jonty’s deliberations over a mid price striker, which was followed by Spencer’s thoughts on doubling up in defence. Next up I look at how Newcastle’s cheap assets can help me to build a dream midfield. 

My RMWT

Pantilimon – Krul
Terry – Bertrand – Van Aanholt – Hutton – Wisdom
Silva – Sanchez – Hazard – Fabregas – Sigurdsson
Aguero – Kane – Perez

Goalkeepers

After initially opting for Sunderland’s number one and back-up keeper, Costel Pantilimon and Vito Mannone, I’ve decided to stick with the north east but switch to a rotation strategy, with Newcastle stopper Tim Krul still reasonably priced.

Defenders

The strategy I’ve opted for is a common one for Wildcarders, selecting two reliable high point scorers, with three budget defenders to rotate around them. Chelsea’s John Terry looks the best premium option right now and he is joined by Southampton’s Ryan Betrand, who has been in my side all season and served me well. For my three rotating defenders, Sunderland’s Patrick van Aanholt, Aston Villa’s Alan Hutton and West Brom’s Andre Wisdom all offer security of starts, a budget price tag and bonus potential.

Midfielders

The focus of my Wildcard is on a strong midfield anchored by Chelsea’s two relentless point scorers, Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas. David Silva’s recent form keeps him in my thoughts and Alexis Sanchez demands a place with his consistency and strong goalscoring potential. The final midfield slot goes to Gylfi Sigurdsson, who still offers good value, especially for Swansea’s home games.

Forwards

The most eye-catching member of my attacking trio is Newcastle’s Ayoze Perez. Priced at just 4.6, he is the reason I’ve been able to afford such a strong midfield as well as have reliable options across all positions. But with five goals already he is no mere enabler. When Newcastle have strong fixtures there is a solid argument for playing him over Sigurdsson, especially if the Swansea man has an away game. It is worth noting that I plan to Wildcard as late as possible, which also coincides with an upturn in Newcastle’s fixtures. Elsewhere Harry Kane’s phenomenal value cannot be ignored and joining him is Sergio Aguero, who has 14 goals in just 13 starts, one of which included a sixth-minute substitution due to injury. The Manchester City man offers a viable captaincy option in almost any given Gameweek.

Posted by

59 Comments Post a Comment
  1. J0E
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Going for Perez is a risky tactic. His price is prone to price drops, plus there's nowhere to go if he gets injured or suspended due to his rock bottom price - but it does enable that midfield, which is quite frankly sensational. Looking at those mids I think this is worth the risk. Your get out if it goes wrong is to downgrade Sigurdsson to Puncheon/Moses/another 5.5m ish midfielder which frees up money to upgrade Perez to Berahino/Sakho.

    1. d1sable
      • Has Moderation Rights
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah that was my thinking. The other option being if Silva gets injured (we know he will) or his form dips ill downgrade to a mid price mid with good fixtures as hopefully a differential then upgrade Perez to Berahino/whoever

      1. Ruth_NZ
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Just a small caution. "Sunderland’s Patrick van Aanholt... offers security of starts". That's the conventional wisdom on here but are you sure?

        PvA is a defensive liability. He lost his place at Vitesse midway through last season because of it. Chelsea sold him because of it. Sunderland's improved defensive resilience came after he became injured and was replaced by new signing Reveillere. On his PL return he was at fault for the Liverpool goal by which they lost.

        I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Reveillere replace PvA at left back once Reveillere is fit again (soon). Meaning PvA would play left midfield or more likely spend a lot of time on the bench. Poyet is more likely to prioritise defensive soundness at left back over the attacking flair which is PvA's strength.

        Those taking late wildcards will have more information to go on probably. But I'd go for O'Shea if you want a secure Sunderland defender.

        1. J0E
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Just to add to that as a Brighton fan that Poyet has a long track record of leaving players out if they are not performing. Sounds simple - but many managers keep established names in sides no matter how they perform - Poyet doesn't. As Mannone found out no one is guaranteed a start under Poyet. I think Ruth NZ has good point here.

          1. d1sable
            • Has Moderation Rights
            9 years, 2 months ago

            Isn't riviere a right back?

            1. Camp No No
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 2 months ago

              It's Réveillère and (although maybe primarily a right back) he plays either flank.

              Unless you mean the Newcastle player who is a striker.

              1. Ruth_NZ
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 2 months ago

                Yep, plays either side.

                Reveillere is 33 from memory and has played for good clubs through his career (Lyon, Valencia, Napoli). He's a French international fullback. He won't be on low wages and it's doubtful he was brought in to sit on the bench. If he plays he replaces Vergini or PvA. My money's on the latter.

              2. d1sable
                • Has Moderation Rights
                9 years, 2 months ago

                Yeah i meant Reveillere, used to buy him on FM occasionally

        2. Camp No No
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          I wouldn't be so sure of Wisdom's security of starts either.

    2. N_Fatattack 42
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Perez is fine - but I'm worried about Siggy and this news that he's not playing at 100%, not to mention he doesn't have Bony to aim at any more...

  2. LOCO ABREU
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    very nice work

  3. John t penguin
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    This was my early plan for week 23 WC
    Ayoze giving me strong five man mid.
    Though go that week I was going to leave out fab and have ADM or mata for their better fixture and work fabs in following week
    Though with this I also had option for third decent defender such as Gibbs/ debuchy ( 🙁 ) or second spton

    1. d1sable
      • Has Moderation Rights
      9 years, 2 months ago

      This of for GW24 onwards. I dont think United fixtures are much better than Cities or Chelseas plus those two side are fighting for the title and have form. United.... well god knows

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        How does Ayoze rotate with Siggy?

        1. d1sable
          • Has Moderation Rights
          9 years, 2 months ago

          He doesn't rotate. I just meant i may start him instead of Siggy if hes in form and Newcastle have the better fixture

          1. Eze Really?
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            Ok. 66 pts home vs 36 away for Siggy.
            I could afford a bit more than Ayoze. GW 24 is the change point so for me there has to be an alternative for siggy away games.

            1. d1sable
              • Has Moderation Rights
              9 years, 2 months ago

              Bojan does i believe

  4. Amateur Pundit Zan
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Swap siggy and perez for boyd and austin and you have my latest draft.i like mine a little bit more 🙂

    1. d1sable
      • Has Moderation Rights
      9 years, 2 months ago

      an option yes but Swans and Newcastles fixtures look very tasty. Austin's not so much

      1. FAITHNOMORENO
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        I like the idea that austin is the man qpr desperately rely on if they want to stay in pl.
        No matter fixtures,he's the one whose performances will keep them up (maybe).

  5. GoonerByron
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Very similar to mine.. Only differences in mine are Clyne, Di Maria, Boyd, Austin over Bertrand, Fab, Siggy and Perez.

  6. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Excellent article - thanks, mate.

    Newcastle's fixtures, however - tsk. 😉 Having said that, I will probably retain Dummett myself.

    1. d1sable
      • Has Moderation Rights
      9 years, 2 months ago

      No probs, Jonty did the hard work.

      I like Newcastles fixtures GW24 till end of season they have the third best according to the ticker

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        The ticker is bunk, then!

        NEW: SOT -91 hul 49 STO 59 cpl 52 mci -486 AVL 127 MUN -149 eve -159 ARS -117 sun 47 liv -319 TOT -82 SWA 50 lei 60 WBA 186 qpr 26 WHM 18

        1. GoonerByron
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Might be a silly question but what decides these numbers? 🙂

          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            No, it's not at all.

            I have developed a ratings generator, which takes into account, both for this year and last year, on a gradually declining scale: League position, wins, draws, goals for and goals against.

            🙂

            1. GoonerByron
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 2 months ago

              Brilliant, cheers!

        2. J0E
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Bit unfair to call it bunk, especially when our ticker is updated regularly.

          A lot of games where goals are likely there for Newcastle. The managerless issue is an issue, but on paper lots of potential there. Remember ManU and Arsenal are not the defensive forces they once were.

          I've been following our ticker closely for my transfer plans and I'd say its a key factor why I've retained my top 3K rank for the last nine gameweeks - by shifting players according to their blue and redness.

          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 2 months ago

            Well, I am sorry, Jonty - but your impressive rank has far more to do with your own well-known nous - and nothing whatsoever to do with the site's dodgy ticker. Imo, of course.

            Seriously, I have found it really off-putting - and I am not the only one.

            By the way, selecting a striker has little to do with fixtures - I am with you there.

            1. J0E
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              9 years, 2 months ago

              Let us know any glaring discrepencies based on changing form and we can alter. There's a break coming up and that is a good time for us to look it at. Our last update we dipped SOU down a bit due to their tough opposition, but they were holding their own against big sides so perhaps a case for upping them a bit more in terms of defence. That's just one of the issues we consider when doing these updates.

              1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                9 years, 2 months ago

                I know that there is plenty of work done, Jonty - but in my view, it's basic premise is flawed. There is insufficient weight given to league position, goals and wins, in my view.

                1. J0E
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 14 Years
                  9 years, 2 months ago

                  There's lots of weight given to goals and wins - they are key to each refresh. While all critcism is welcome it would be great if you could be more specific - for example Burnley v Palace should be down as an easier/less easier home win...that kind of thing.

                  Not sure what you mean by league position as surely lots of goals and wins means they are high up and lots of losses and goals conceded means they are low down. That's implicit surely.

                  1. Ginkapo FPL
                    • 12 Years
                    9 years, 2 months ago

                    Specifically historical league position. Its acts as a kinda guide about the long term form of the team. Whilst its all well and good saying that Southampton are a top three side, history would suggest they will regress to a lower position. And the opposite is true of united.

                    I personally havent studied this enough to give my own opinion, but the above is Doos' logic.

            2. GoonerByron
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 2 months ago

              Out of interest, do you have your ticker online at all to use Doos or is it a personal thing? Would be interested to compare..

              1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                9 years, 2 months ago

                I wish I could - but the blasted Data police would be out to get me!

                Are you a Mac or Windows user? If you leave me an email, I will send you a copy.

                1. GoonerByron
                  • 12 Years
                  9 years, 2 months ago

                  Brilliant I use both Mac and Windows so either is fine.. leebyron(at)gmail.com, cheers! 🙂

                  1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 14 Years
                    9 years, 2 months ago

                    Sent. Let me know if any problems.

                    1. Bedknobs and Boomsticks
                      • 14 Years
                      9 years, 2 months ago

                      Could I get a copy please Doos. Have you still got my email?

                      1. Ginkapo FPL
                        • 12 Years
                        9 years, 2 months ago

                        He does indeed, and failing that I can just send it to your work email. The new one obviously...

    2. N_Fatattack 42
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I don't know why I still have Dummett.... 2, 2, 2, 0, 1, 1, 0, -1, 0 - not to mention his price has fallen to 4.3 now...

  7. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    What is Siggy points total for home vs away?

    1. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Have a look on his profile on the FPL page....Apart from two weeks he has blanked most away games. He's a very good example of a player that travels poorly.

  8. RubeRx
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Berahino/Bojan/Ings/Sanogo even Sakho when he comes back are all options for that cheap 2nd striker spot if you opt to go that route.

  9. d1sable
    • Has Moderation Rights
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Could also do Silva -> Walcott
    Perez -> Bojan

    Depending on Wallys fitness.

    1. John t penguin
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      This is good option
      Bojan was my other option, Stoke home games do seem to fit in well with my squad

  10. danishdynamite
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Having gone for a similar midfield (silva > DI Maria) I can only doff my cap

    I'd be a wee hit worried about Ayoze though. I'd expect Newc to sign a striker before the window is closed, esp if the Cisse > Swansea rumors are true.

    I've gone for Kun, Kane & Berahinho but if Bera's out of reach then try squeeze Sanogo in

    1. TFP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      His fixtures [especially home, which is where his points have mostly come of course] are poor, but when the top scoring striker in the game [Austin], who's a penalty taker, is priced at 6.4, with many people getting him for less than 6, you need a very very strong argument IMO to justify preferring Perez over him. I think I'd rather have Austin over Perez but, from the OP's team, downgrading 1-2 of say Terry [e.g. to Clyne], Cesc [e.g. to Sterling], & Siggy [e.g. to Boyd].

      My current draft is

      Pants-Krul
      Ivanovic-Bertrand-Dummet-Wisdom-Hutton
      Sanchez-Hazard-Sterling-Silva-Downing*
      Kane-Austin-Aguero
      Bank 0.1*

      * - admittedly a concern

      1. danishdynamite
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Ivanovic > JT = money for Sterling > Cesc or ADM

  11. Spencer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    I like it Luke. One thing that worries me though is Sigurdsson. Whether he'll be as effective with Bony gone, I don't know.

    I'm thinking of shipping for Puncheon, but that just gives more money to spend elsewhere anyway!

    1. danishdynamite
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Fixtures from 24 are juicy as hell though

  12. asif316uk
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Silva and chadli
    Or
    Sterling and Mirallas

    1. danishdynamite
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      A - form

  13. N_Fatattack 42
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Rate my WCT?

    Panti - Mannone

    Baird - Wasilewski - Bruce - Duff - Clyne

    Hazard - Sanchez - Chadli - Downing - Johnson

    Aguero - Costa - Rooney.

    Am I mad to go with this and avoid Terry or Ivan?

    1. Mr Byrnes
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Baird, Bruce and Duff and not guaranteed starters, you could potentially end up with only 2 playing defenders at one point which would be a bigger worry than no owning Ivan or Terry.

      1. N_Fatattack 42
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks for that! I was under the impression Duff would be first choice again upon return from injury, Baird would somehow have become Pulis' no. 1 choice and Bruce is for some reason in favour again. Is there a reason Bruce is getting a run of games atm?

  14. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    LOL @ Perez owners

    But in all seriousness, yes its a risk. But given the rest of your team its not ridiculous, the opportunity is there for you.

  15. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Willy

  16. Leeroy357
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Any thoughts on this potential wildcard team?

    Foster - Pantilimon
    Clyne - N.Taylor - Gardos - Van Aanholt - Wisdom
    Hazard - Sanchez - Sterling - Henderson - Boyd
    Aguero - Costa - Kane

    Gardos --> Alderweireld (when fit)

  17. adeelali
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    I am on a WC Guys. Please tell me if any improvements can be made. Ta.
    De Gea (Myhill)
    Janmaat/Terry/Bertrand (Hutton/Bruce)
    Hazard/Chadli/Sanchez/Tadic/Erikson
    Aguero/Bojan(Kane)

    I'm thinking maybe Ings/Berahino/Austin or am I right to stick with Harry Kane?