Opinion

The Season After – An FPL Title Defence

In the late afternoon of Sunday, May 21 this year, Ben Crabtree became Fantasy royalty, seeing off the challenge of close rival Uwais Ahmed to secure the Fantasy Premier League title for 2016/17.

He was on top of the world.

Four months on and he’s closer to the Fantasy gutter, his FC Crab Dogg team currently defending the title from a lowly perch some 2,998,645 places off the top spot.

It’s fair to say that his FPL reign has not started well, but winners never quit, and the Everton fan has a plan to turn things around.

In the first of a series of articles from the champion, Ben details where it’s gone wrong and where, he hopes, it will start to go right all over again.

It’s tough at the top

After Gameweek 4 had closed last season I had an overall ranking of around 20,000 and my biggest dilemma was whether to start Etienne Capoue or keep him benched.

A year on and my OR has seven figures, I’ve played my Wildcard and my biggest dilemma is how to prioritise what my biggest dilemmas are.

What’s happened?

I think a poor pre-season has led to a poor start.

I picked a team quite early, didn’t change it much and then felt I may regret changing it so kept it. A trial and error-style comparison of different-looking teams is definitely a more thorough and rewarding method.

Lesson learned.

My patient approach that led me to keep faith in my players and only make 42 transfers last season has gone out of the window.

After two poor Gameweeks I Wildcarded out the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus, Jamaal Lascelles, Alexandre Lacazette and Matt Ritchie.

A Wildcard error? Maybe, but I was able to bring in Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen, Paul Pogba and Marcos Alonso, who all look consistent picks and should have been in from the start.

My only transfer this season has been an injured Wilfried Zaha for the then-to-be-red-carded Marko Arnautovic.

Injuries happen, and so do red cards, so I’ve got no ‘luck’ complaints. Last season I was carrying blankers like Jordi Amat, John Stones, Gerard Deulofeu and Yannick Bolasie in the early weeks, but good picks elsewhere covered for this.

I need to make some good picks again.

What’s happening?

I’m attempting to get back to basics, identify the essentials, find the value players and interlock them in my team (picture a Ricky Gervais hand movement).

This identification process is tricky. There’s seemingly so many options, it should be easy to get big scores no matter who I pick, yet I’ve only scored over 50 points once.

I’m finding the balance of where to focus the money difficult.

At the back, Alonso (potentially essential) is in, as is Phil Jones (great value), along with Cedric Soares and Ahmed Hegazi (good value).

But I’m looking at Benjamin Mendy, Sead Kolasinac, Ben Davies and even Michael Keane and wondering if I’m missing out on a lot of points, which just requires a bit more money invested into my defence.

Up front, Kane is now essential and will likely be my captain pick for most of the upcoming Gameweeks. My thinking is that this makes Romelu Lukaku an expensive non-captain, so I could release some cash transferring to Alvaro Morata, Jesus or Lacazette.

With the Pogba news, I’ll keep Lukaku for now and that could be the best thing to do anyway.

Javier Hernandez as my third forward is someone who looks like good value, but I wish he was one of the other big-hitting forwards. If his shot that hit the bar against Huddersfield had gone in I’d be a lot more content, but at least the result could be a turning point for West Ham, so I should give him a bit more time.

The midfield brings the most headaches and, due to money being tight when you have Lukaku and Kane, I’m finding it having an impact on the third forward budget and the whole defence.

Eriksen should bring points, and I’ve settled for Jese, Richarlison and Tom Carroll.

I could get money elsewhere and upgrade one of these, or choose to play 4-3-3 predominantly, free up 1-1.5 million and get one of those tempting big-hitting defenders in.

But at the same time, part of me is saying ‘be patient’ – Jese was denied by a world class David de Gea save and Watford are looking good, so points could be around the corner.

What’s going to happen?

My crystal ball from last season may be red flagged and injured, but at least I still have 34 gameweeks of decisions to make – and that’s a lot, regardless of what the Crystal Palace bigwigs think.

There will be plenty of spurts of form, cheap options and differential hauls all to come, and I need to get on some of these early.

Pogba’s injury changes the direction of my thinking and could be a good thing. Whereas Arnautovic’s sending off felt like it only affected me, nearly 40% of teams have Pogba (at the time of writing) which gives me the opportunity to react to this better than others.

People who made transfers early are already worse off and with no obvious go-to player, the replacements will be diverse.

I don’t fancy Henrikh Mkhitaryan as the best option based on how he’s played in the last couple of games, and his upcoming fixtures may not be to his preference.

Gylfi Sigurdsson is another who is a similar price but even as an optimistic Everton fan, I’m struggling to see us score lots and don’t feel left wing is the best place for returns from the Icelander.

David Silva is a little uninspiring as a Fantasy asset and Pedro is a bit risky with a fully fit Chelsea midfield.

After that it’s spend money or release money.

Hazard, De Bruyne, (whisper) Alexis Sanchez, a Spurs attacking triple-up with Dele Alli? Or downgrade in an attempt to find the gem off the long list of cheaper midfielders, hedging my bets further alongside Jese and Richarlison, with the upturn of a defence or possibly Hernandez upgrade?

I’m none the wiser at the moment, but feel Pogba’s injury could be a turning point, my best week of the season could be this weekend, I could finally receive my first green arrow.

I need to keep faith in my current team and, over the next few weeks, concentrate on transferring in players who I’m confident will return a good output over a six to eight-week period.

They say it’s tough at the top, but it’s definitely tougher at 2.9 millionth.

1,946 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Meme2011
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Tim Krul

    yes or no?

    1. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      No

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      No!!

  2. A Team Of James McCleans
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Foster Myhill
    Yoshia Stephens Löwe (Hunemeier Rosenior)
    Alli Salah Pogba Brady (Colback)
    Kane Lukaku Firmino

    1FT 0ITB

    Do i have to wc or can my ft salvage this

    1. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      No I would WC looking at that defence

      1. A Team Of James McCleans
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        It feels like a waste of a wc with so littlr to change in mids and forwards

        1. chilli con kone
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          I would only keep 6/7 out of 15 so personally I think it's worth using.

    2. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Attack is great but Defense needs improvement. Pogba and Stephens to Antonio and Davies?

      1. A Team Of James McCleans
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Do we know which one of yoshida and stephens will be dropped or both?

    3. FPLHaggis
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Don't WC - a -4 this week and next and you'll be grand.

      1. A Team Of James McCleans
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Rock and a hard place, really dont wanna use my wc but took a hit last week and trying to avoid

    4. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Pog > Antonio
      Stephens > Davies

  3. chilli con kone
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    A. Lukaku, Eriksen, Alli

    B. Kane, Eriksen, Mkhi

    1. mgilbert86
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      B

    3. GST
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Thats almost impossible to decide.

      For me I like Spurs easier fixtures, so I'm leaning B.

    4. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Scared of losing Lukaku with his ownership...

  4. Dannyb
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Is Jese a better option than Choupo or Gros? Surely he is, I need convincing lol.

    1. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Yes imo

    2. Arctic_Orangutans
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Jese and choupo both defo better options they'll score more than Brighton

    3. Numb
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I reckon so.

    4. Dannyb
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Cheers guys

    5. BananaNose Maldonado
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      It's unclear, so why spend the extra 0.5?

  5. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Best JWP replacement up to 5.9?
    A. Grob
    B. Choupo-Moting
    C. Mooy
    D. Atsu
    E. Downgrade to Chalobah and bank extra 1.5 (would rotate with Carroll)

    1. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Ritchie or E

    2. seanysheep
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      All similar, take your pick and if you get it right then its a little victory, if it doesn't work out then oh well. I've punted on B

  6. Enzo the Baker
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on this slightly risky 4-3-3 draft WC team ?

    Elliot 4.0
    Alonso Davies Jones Dawson 4.0
    Salah Mkhi Ritchie 4.5 4.5
    Kane Morata Jesus

    My "safe" WC team has Lukaku, Firmino and Eriksen ahead of Morata, Jesus and Alonso.

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Vardy for Jesus, improve the mid and that's a good team.

      1. Enzo the Baker
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers TC

  7. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    I think Bellerin actually believes that running alongside a player is the same as defending.

    1. FlockofSeagulls
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      It's hard to tell what goes through a man's mind who thinks a man bun is a good decision.

  8. TaiwanHC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Need help! Is this team gtg?

    De Gea
    Trippier - Dawson - Yoshida
    Eriksen - Salah - Silva - Atsu
    Kane - Lukaku - Rodriguez

    Elliot, Carroll, Mee, Long

    Thanks!

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah gtg

  9. GST
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    I don't think I have ever been so brain-melted when choosing a WC.

    Help me end the madness.......

    1. Mendy , Alli, Firmino
    or
    2. Maguire, Salah, Jesus

    1. Arctic_Orangutans
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      2

      1. GST
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        cheers

  10. Z
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Mane & Pogba > Eriksen & Alli

    Should I also do Lukaku > Kane for a hit as well?

    1. Dannyb
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      No way, don't want triple spurs.

  11. Puzzle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Suttner to drop tonight or not?

    1. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Most likely to drop tonight.

  12. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Where is the scoutcast?

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Youtube

    2. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      No download podcast version this week?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Next article probably.

        1. Lord Flashheart
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Thanks

  13. RubberDucky
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Thoughts please

      DDG or Elliot

      That is all

      Thanks

      1. Arctic_Orangutans
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Depends what you're doing with the spare £

        1. RubberDucky
            6 years, 6 months ago

            Oh sorry I mean who to pick to play.

            They are both in my squad.

            Doh!

            1. seanysheep
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 6 months ago

              DDG

      2. Arctic_Orangutans
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Davies or Mendy (same price on sky game)

        Davies safe pick
        Mendy is a beast

        1. JONALDINHO
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Davies

        2. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Mendy if they are the same price!

      3. SharkyJon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Silva, Davies and Ali for de bruyne, tadic and cedric? -4?

        1. Arctic_Orangutans
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Yess

        2. Lord Flashheart
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Yes!

      4. SheBangsTheDrums
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Best midfielder up to 6.0 aside from Ritchie is....?!?

        1. JONALDINHO
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Bavies

      5. Viiksisika
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        bttmd...I made a datatable using understat.com about Pogba replacements. https://tinyurl.com/y7kj7wdd here it is if anyone is interested

        1. Team Cruel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          That's cool. Could you make one for defenders too? And strikers?

          1. Viiksisika
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            There is some defenders in the second tab.

      6. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Only got 1 away player this week... Cedric probably another 1 pointer

        1. FC Hakkebøf
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Would you Play RLC or Mbemba over Cedric?

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            Mbemba won't play! Gamez was close to man of the match so will keep his place! He hasn't had many opportunities so it would be unfair to drop him after a good game

      7. FlockofSeagulls
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        After reading this article I've come to the conclusion that this Crab has fallen far from the tree.

        1. FC Hakkebøf
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          At least you got your flock of seaguls to bring it back Up their

          1. FlockofSeagulls
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            This seagull and his flock are soaring baby! Don't you worry about that!!

            If you be nice I'll help you finish 2nd this season. 😉

      8. dan_247
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Need to get Ali in my team. What do you think the best approach is here?

        Foster/Elliot
        Alonso, Davies, Cedric, Bailly, 4mill defender

        Mkh, Phillips, Willian, atsu, Phillips

        Kane, lukaku, ferminho.

        I am thinking alonso to a 5 mil, Willian to Ali or lukaku to Jesus, Willian to Ali.

        Thoughts welcome...

        Thanks

        1. On your left
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Alonso to 5mil (Maguire?) and Willian to Ali. Keep Lukaku until the fixtures change

          1. dan_247
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            Thanks, maguire is 5.1 so doesn't work. Thinking Danny Simpson at Leicester?

      9. Nanoelektronicar
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Bottomed

        I have both Choupo-Moting and Antonio, so should I play Elliot or Foster?

        1. JONALDINHO
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Elliot

        2. Stats Don\'t Lie
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Elliott for the save pts

        3. FC Hakkebøf
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Flip a coin. I know I am

      10. HD7
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Any chance we make profit of Gross, Doucore Choupo this week? (0.2 rise)

        1. Team Cruel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Zero. Deadline is tomorrow.

        2. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Only 1 price change left for the GW.

          1. HD7
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            Oh well... at least we made an overhaul wit the wc... profit would have been good though

        3. Monkey Hanger
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          None.

        4. Stats Don\'t Lie
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          No

      11. FC Hakkebøf
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        What is considered a really good overall ranking on this page? This is my first year on FPL and my current OR is 128,366

        Have played other fantasy games though, but this one is way more intriguing

        1. JONALDINHO
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          That's very nice record so far but it's early days. Rank doesn't matter to much ATM

          1. Nanoelektronicar
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            Still it's a great start with that OR at this stage.

        2. Team Cruel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          10k. Everyone else is irrelevant.

        3. Stats Don\'t Lie
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Really good is top 5k id say

        4. FC Hakkebøf
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Thanks guys, I apprecite. I have played my wc though, but all the other features remains intact. I Guess the tripple captain should be used for double gws (maybe the same goes for BB) and that Free Hit should be used for when the top teams doesnt Play in a gw.

        5. FC Hakkebøf
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Appreciate*

      12. On your left
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        First time commenting, little help please lads
        2 Transfers, 0.2 bank

        Lloris
        Cedric, Jones, Otamendi
        Erk, Jese, Mkh, Tadic
        Kane, Luk, Chich

        Bench : Elliot, Hegazi, Carroll, Britos

        Wanting pool coverage, tempted by Britos and Ota to Moreno and Maguire. Thoughts? Or something else..

        1. JONALDINHO
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Moreno will be rotated with Robertson. Otamendi to Davies and save?

          1. On your left
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            Got three Spurs already sadly

      13. t4thomas
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        I had two free transfers and decided to treat myself to a hit:

        Elliot
        Davies | Aké | Alexander-Arnold
        Eriksen | Mahrez | Ramsey | Groß
        Kane (C) | Lukaku | Firmino

        Foster | Carroll | Naughton | Hünemeier

        Thoughts?

        1. Nanoelektronicar
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Very good team.

      14. FlockofSeagulls
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Arsenal aren't even fun to watch anymore.

        I'd rather watch Burnley vs Crystal Palace again.

        1. Team Cruel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          That's harsh on Burnley and Palace, they aren't THAT bad.

          1. FlockofSeagulls
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            You obviously didn't watch that game.

            I stuck pins in my eyeballs at half time and it only improved watching the match a tiny bit.

        2. Monkey Hanger
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          The beautiful game.

      15. KLOPPTOMANIA
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Mid price mid for 7m and why? Thanks

      16. KP02
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        1) Kola
        2) Mendy

        Thanks

        1. JONALDINHO
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          1

      17. JONALDINHO
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Foster - (Elliot)
        Davies - Bertrand - Ake - (Suttner) - (Long)
        Eriksen - Mkhitaryan - Ritchie - Brady - (Carroll)
        Kane(C) - Lukaku - Firmino
        Gtg? Plan to do Ake-Kola next week

      18. Meme2011
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Please Help...

        A)
        Elliott, (Krul)
        Mendy, KOLA, Davies, (Naughton, Wimmer)
        Alli, MKHITARYAN, Ritchie, Choupo-Mouting, (Carroll)
        Kane, Jesus, Firmino

        B)
        Elliott, (Krul)
        Mendy, CEDRIC, Davies, (Naughton, Wimmer)
        Alli, SALAH, Ritchie, Choupo-Mouting, (Carroll)
        Kane, Jesus, Firmino

        1. JONALDINHO
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          A