Rate My Wildcard Team Surgery

Welcome to the latest in a series of regular Rate My Wildcard Team articles that will be published at key points during the season when Fantasy Premier League managers are most likely to consider using this chip.

This article showcases the thoughts of two of the Fantasy Football Scout moderators and contributors team, Andy and Greenwindmill, who are wildcarding. Hopefully some of the key issues facing them will mirror your own.

Feel free to use this article thread to put forward your wildcard teams and to help others with their wildcard related issues.

Andy’s Wildcard Team

Key issues

• With Manchester United’s Phil Jones (5.5) being his most expensive defender, Andy wonders whether he needs to spend more in defence to give him the flexibility to transfer in emerging, pricier options such as Chelsea’s Cesar Azpiliceuta, who has strong form and fixtures.
• Will an improved fixture list signal an upturn in form for Andy’s pick of Romelu Lukaku, who historically thrives against minnows? Or will the Red Devils striker continue to deliver only average returns for his hefty price tag?
• With Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata, Spurs Harry Kane and Lukaku in his frontline is he spending too much in attack?
• Should Andy consider transferring in more Manchester City attackers? Currently he only has Raheem Sterling, who is not even guaranteed to start. Huge returns from the likes of Sergio Agueo, Leroy Sane or David Silva could see his rank nosedive. If Andy opts for one Sky Blue, would Sane be better?
• Andy has waved goodbye to Christian Eriksen, ahead of a nice run of fixtures for Tottenham. Will he regret this decision?
• Stoke’s Eric Choupo-Moting and Watford winger Richarlison are Andy’s preferred third and fourth midfielders, but should he be considering Wilfried Zaha instead of one of this duo?
• Is a Burnley defensive double up of Nick Pope and Ben Mee wise, considering there is continued speculation linking Clarets boss Sean Dyche with the vacant Everton manager post? Furthermore once usual number one Tom Heaton returns from injury, most likely in January, will that leave Andy having to make an avoidable goalkeeper transfer?
• Is Scott Dann a ‘magic bean’ too far? Crystal Palace have failed to earn a single clean sheet although the centre back’s fairytale attacking statistics do provide good reading.

Greenwindmill’s Wildcard Team

Key issues

• Greenwindmill is keen to spread his budget well across all outfield positions to give him a strong 15 to cope with the busy winter fixture list. This involves two heavy hitters in midfield, two in attack and at the back representatives from three of the top four sides. Is he right to do this or should he look to focus more cash in one area, such as midfield?
• Value for money has driven his selection. He believes that all 15 will justify their price tags. Are there any other well priced gems he should be considering?
• Crystal Palace’s Julian Speroni has emerged as a strong budget stopper to be fielded alongside Newcastle’s Rob Elliot. Is the Eagles keeper really nailed on, or will Newcastle fan Greenwindmill be forced to field Elliot every week?
• Like Andy, Greenwindmill has been entranced by Dann’s strong fixtures and attacking statistics. But with just 12 points so far will this magic bean ever become a double digit scoring beanstalk?
• At home Liverpool’s defence is a work of art on fine canvass but away a mere scrappy sketch on the back of a napkin. Should Greenwindmill be putting faith in a Reds defender who cannot safely be fielded on the road?
• Greenwindmill has shunned the Burnley defence. Is this a disastrous move, considering their clean sheet potential at home and strong bonus potential?
• With Reuben Loftus-Cheek involved Greenwindmill has tripled up on Crystal Palace players? Is this too much coverage for a side that is already battling relegation? And what if Wilfried Zaha becomes a must-have asset?
• Swansea’s Tammy Abraham is his favoured third striker, but should Greenwindmill be considering even cheaper options such as Everton’s Oumar Niasse or Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson or Josh King? Or should Greenwindmill instead opt for a strong premium priced frontline as Andy has?
• Lukaku is in place as a potential short term move, to be replaced by Morata in Gamweek 14, when Chelsea’s fixtures improve. Is this a sound strategy? Will he regret not swooping for the Spanish striker earlier?