Pro Pundits

Why the stats are becoming hard to ignore in the Pulisic v Mount debate

Let’s Talk FPL’s Andy looks ahead to Gameweek 15 in his latest Pro Pundits piece


I don’t like making late changes to my team – at that point, it all feels a bit rushed. Despite this I still found myself on Saturday morning chopping and changing between Jamie Vardy (£9.9m) and Sadio Mané (£12.2m) for captaincy, only to pick the wrong one.

It turned out to be a fairly average week, scoring 51 and seeing a 4,321 red arrow, down to 510,594.

Looking ahead to Gameweek 15 and I’m in that weird situation where I could transfer out one of three players or just make no transfer at all.

Nick Pope (£4.7m) has a bit of a fixture swing from this Gameweek, and not in a good way. Looking at the Season Ticker in the Members Area right up until Gameweek 30 (which is when I’ll start looking at using the second Wildcard), Burnley are second bottom in terms of fixture difficulty for defence.

I’m still reluctant to use a transfer on a goalkeeper however. The ceiling for points is fairly low and at just £4.7m he’s scored 55 points total, only five points behind current leaders Mathew Ryan (£4.8m) and Kasper Schmeichel (£5.3m). With the fixtures getting more difficult I would hope for an increase in save points to combat the likelihood of less clean sheets as well.

Mason Mount (£6.6m) is another player I’m looking at giving the boot to. He has just one assist to his name in the last six Gameweeks. There is a part of me that wants to give him the Aston Villa game, but that would definitely be the last-chance saloon.

If you compare Mount to Christian Pulisic (£7.5m) over the last six Gameweeks, there really is no competition: Pulisic has created more chances, registered more big chances and recorded more shots inside the box over the same period.

Despite all of this, it’s John Lundstram (£5.0m) that I’m looking to bring in (yes that’s correct, I still don’t own him).

It will be Harry Maguire (£5.3m) leaving my team to accommodate Lundstram. I have thought about keeping him, given that he’s nailed and has good goal threat, and instead transfer out Issa Diop (£4.5m), but that leaves a lot of money spread out over my defence, and would mean I don’t have enough flexibility for future transfers.

It’s been difficult to ignore Lundstram, and that is made even worse by their upcoming fixture run that includes Newcastle United, Norwich, Aston Villa, Brighton and Watford. Couple that with his 45.5% ownership and it’s hard to go any longer without him given the potential for clean sheets and attacking returns: he’s 12th for expected goals (xG) from open play in the last six Gameweeks for example.

As much as the fixtures look good for my team this week, I want to be more aggressive with my transfers in an attempt to get ahead of the curve. Lundstram doesn’t do that but he does provide a comfort blanket. That being said, after writing this article and looking at the stats for Pulisic, it’s difficult to ignore him with Villa up next. Maybe I’ll take my fourth hit in as many Gameweeks and just get it over with…

As for captaincy, that’s easy. I can’t look past Vardy at the moment and even though I bought Mané in under the guise of handing him the armband between Gameweeks 14-17, I think it’ll be the Englishman who becomes permanent captain now, at least for the next three weeks.


Andy is the face of Let’s Talk FPL, one of the leading Fantasy YouTube channels and has been a big part of the Scoutcast over a number of years. He has two top 10k finishes and an additional three inside the top 20k over nine years.

1,294 Comments Post a Comment
  1. All about the galacticos
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Tadic vs Sunderland, Aguero vs Spurs, Sanchez vs Wham, ...
    Anyone getting a feeling there's going to be a freak 20+ score this week?
    I'm going with pulisic vs villa

    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Gotta be Zaha vs Bournemouth

      1. lindeg
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Nah palace are low scoring

    2. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Its usually some random player. I'd say Ndidi with 20 pointter

      1. Give Me the Mane
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Agreed

      2. All about the galacticos
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        True, there was winajldum vs newcastle that time out of nowhere. I remember Bolasie also had a freak score once.
        Someone who shoots a lot but for one week is 100%. Maybe Deulefeo

      3. Johnnex023
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        None of Tadic, Aguero or Sanchez were random

        1. All about the galacticos
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Tadic was in good form at time, much like maddison is currently, but 28 points was definitely out of nowhere.

    3. El Matador
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Pulisic

    4. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      The lord Lundstram

    5. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Jota vs WH

    6. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I genuinely feel Pulisic will be benched vs Villa

  2. andres
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    bottomed..

    0.2 short to upgrade Tielemans to Pulisic, how would you get him?
    downgrade pieters?

    Pope
    TAA Soy Lund
    Mane KDB Son Tielemans
    Rash Vardy Jimenez

    Kelly, cantwell, Pieters 0.7 ITB 1FT.

    1. Nailed Jesus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I would do Son > Alli if that leaves enough money to turn Jimmy into Tammy when needed

      1. andres
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        yeap it would, with some margin.

        also could do pope to guaita

  3. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Good to go lads?

    Henderson
    TAA Soy Lundstram
    Salah Son Tielemans KDB
    Vardy(C) Jimenez Abraham

    4m - Cantwell Aurier Rico

    Cheers

    1. luk46
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      g2g, hope Tammy starts

  4. tisza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone doing well without a Liverpool mid?
    Watford aside I'm struggling to see games until end of Jan when I see a Liverpool captain as essential. Always had a rule that 10m plus player should be a frequent captaincy option.

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Got rid 6 gameweeks ago on WC and been above average every week since although I did plan to switch Sterling to Mane by now but other stuff has come up, Liv games are scary with only TAA, hoping the Merseyside Derby is tight like recent years.

  5. Scratch
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    3 of the 4 shortest odds on PP for the next Everton manager are:
    Moyes, Phil Neville and Mark Hughes.

    If I was an Everton fan i'd be terrified

    1. tokara
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Shitty options

  6. tokara
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is anyone else find Mount photo disturbing? He seems to have a huge tongue.

    1. El Matador
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      You like?

    2. Give Me the Mane
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      He might be able to distract a few opponents with that

  7. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope
    TAA Soyuncu Lundstram Robbo
    Kdb Mane Martial Pulisic
    Jimenez Vardy
    Button Rico Dendo Abraham* 1m 1ft
    Best approach?
    A. Pope to Henderson
    B. Martial to Alli
    C. Both for hit.
    D. Sell Abraham. Tammy/Martial to Ings or Mousset/Son (-4).
    E. Sell Abraham. Tammy/Dendo to Alli and Greenwood (-4).
    F. Save ft.

    I suppose its on Frank's presser.

    1. hugothedog
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

  8. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Tough one. Which pair do you prefer ?

    A) Rashford Alli (Maverick)

    B) Jimenez Son (Template)

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. Give Me the Mane
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Template

    3. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Is Jimenez and Alli an option?

      1. HurriKane
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yh. That could work as well. But i think its too big of a risk not to own one of Sterling Salah or Son. (Currently own Mane KDB)

    4. Sotamendi84
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      b

    5. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I had the same option last week and went Son + Pulisic.

      If I had gone Rashford + Alli I'd have been 8 points better off.

  9. MidTableFantasy
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is Moura worth hanging onto? I got him as a punt thinking Mourinho would start him...

    1. Sotamendi84
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      no

    2. Me Spurs
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Def keep for this gw grabbed a couple at old Trafford last season

  10. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Does any of these pro pundits have even half decent rank?

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      What is a half decent rank atm?

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Inside top100k

        1. Henryyy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Tom 42k atm

          https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/11211/event/14

          A lot could change until GW38

    2. El Matador
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Lol

    3. theodosios
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Beside MOTW, MOTM and FPL Cup winner, only first 3 get prizes so there is no decent or half decent rank.

    4. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      that doesnt bother me so much as the lack of genuine insight

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I don't even read these articles no more.

  11. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    captain mane or vardy?

    1. Sotamendi84
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      vardy for sure

    2. El Matador
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Vardy

    3. Give Me the Mane
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Vardy

    4. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Vardy

    5. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      yup seems vardy is the consensus

      1. Henryyy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Its a no brainer and you know it 😛

    6. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Vardy

    7. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Ser Jamie

    8. Bronski
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Seems like Klopps team tactic this season is to expend only minimum effort to get 3 points, so not a priority to score lots of goals. Therefore Pool assets not as vital.

  12. Sotamendi84
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    i have harvey barnes and mount.

    shall i sell one for pulisic or zaha and if yes who?
    A) mount to pulisic
    B) mount to zaha
    C) barnes to zaha?

    1. andres
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      a

    2. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I am keeping Barnes for the next 3

    3. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Keep both & save

    4. Me Spurs
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      The one without zaha

  13. luk46
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Do you think Salah > Mane with 1 ft is worth it? Mane looks sharp, but always feel like it could fire back...
    Should rather do Ryan > Henderson or Mount > Zaha, correct?

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I have both but would be a bit nervous to switch from one to the other.

    2. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Only time I ever came close to selling Salah was the deadline before Bournemouth away last season. Rest was history.

  14. Stockport Hatter
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on this:-

    Pope
    TAA Lundstram Soyuncu
    Mane Salah Pulisic Son
    Jimenez Vardy Ings

    McGovern Dendoncker Montoya Engels

    Hold for this week and then 2FT are Montoya and Salah to Alli and PVA.

    Good moves?

  15. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who should I get in place of Martial? Have 7.7 to spend.

    1) Zaha
    2) Maddison
    3) Pulisic

    Attack is:

    Mane KDB Martial Hayden Dendoncker
    Auba Vardy Tammy

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      3

    2. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      yep i am going 3

    3. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I've done 1, but the comments today points to 3.

      1. Stockport Hatter
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yes but it doesn't mean it's right because we all think it. Your move could trump the main opinion. GL.

  16. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I have Son shall I jump on Alli early?

    2FT
    Front 8
    Martial, KDB, Mane, Son, Dend
    Tammy, Jimi, Vardy

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I would for Martial.

      1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        sorry can't have both due to money.
        Alli or Son
        Martial will be going to Pulisic

        1. Stockport Hatter
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Ah ok. I'd probably stick with Son.

    2. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      looks very sideways

      1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Agreed but saves a huge amount and also have a 'spare' FT

    3. Give Me the Mane
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Correct me if I'm wrong, but Son looked more dangerous than Alli last game

      1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I think Son is more explosive but Alli will be more consistent. A saving over 1 million is swaying this decision.

    4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Alli's pedigree from 16/17 is clear for all to see

      In the right role, he is nothing short of lethal

      1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        i'm with you

  17. Johnnex023
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Looking to sell Martial for Pulisic.

    Good trade this week??

    And also is Guaita for pope (-4) worth it?

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      id do the keeper one for free and leave tony

    2. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Wouldn't switch a GK for a hit. The other is good.

  18. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Mount to Alli for free?

    (Have Son)

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I would

    2. Le Bluff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Not this week.

    3. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Cheers guys

  19. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    GTG?

    Schmeichel
    TAA Robbo Lundy
    Mane Son Zaha Barnes
    Vardy(C) Jesus Jiminez

    Button Rico Dendo Reid

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yep

    2. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Awesome team

  20. Benjixclusyv
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Gazza, McGovern
    Tomori, VVD, Soyu, Kelly, Rico
    Mane, KDB, Madders, Martial, Cantwell
    Vardy, Rashford, Abraham

    2 FT. 0.2 itb.

    Not sure what to do. Any suggestion welcome

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Martial out, you probably dont need to double up on Utd attack

      Madders out to fund one of your mid to Alli or Son.

      1. Benjixclusyv
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers, I will try to find a way to get exposure to spurs attack

  21. Fit_to_drop
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Ive taken good advise to hold onto my WC this week

    So I need to sell Pope and can go Hendo, Schmeichel or Guaita. Ryan is my #2.

    The only mitigating factors being I have Lundstram and Kelly (and will be using them both at stages) so whilst fixtures for all three are good, I don't want to be overexposed...

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Personally I'd downgrade to Martin, Ryan is great.

    2. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      here’s more good advice, you only need 1 keeper

  22. Jimbo-Jones
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on this move (free)?

    Mount & Tielemans -> Pulisic & Grealish

    May possibly bench Grealish for Tomori / Soyuncu this week, but good form and plum fixtures when Chelsea and Leicester fixtures start to turn.

    Pope
    VVD TAA Lundstram
    Sterling KDB Mount Tielemans
    Vardy Abraham Jimenez

    Tomori Soyuncu Dendoncker

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I like those moves

    2. Jimbo-Jones
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Or second option :
      Alli & 5.2 (fleck, Cantwell)

    3. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Would you really want to bench Grealish with the form he's showing? I'd start him before Tomori if I'm honest

  23. Hiphopopotamus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Afternoon lads. I have nothing better to do with my transfer than save it or upgrade my 5th middy, Dendonker. I have 5.2 to spend and am looking at Cantwell or Traore. Which would you choose and why? They will possibly be bench fodder, mainly coming in because of Christmas rotation, if needed. I have no other Norwich and I have Jiminez from Wolves.

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Cantwell and use the money elsewhere, eg. keepers.

      1. Hiphopopotamus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I've got the 2 Brighton lads, Ryan and Button - good / safe enough you think?

    2. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Traore to spread the risk. Probably will be needed soon with Christmas rotation etc..

    3. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      save

      1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        this

    4. Hiphopopotamus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Ok, mixed opinion.. I'll probably go with the majority save and reassess after this gameweek.

      Cheers lads, appreciated.

  24. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    will Lampard have a presser tomorrow?

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      another one?

  25. LM00091
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    G2G GW15?

    (3-5-2)
    Ryan / (Button)
    TAA, Söyüncü, Lundstram (Kelly, Rico)
    Mane, Maddison, KDB, Pulisic, Son
    Vardy(c), Mousset (Abraham)

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      lovely

  26. Braddam
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope - Button
    TAA - Soy - Tomori - Lundstram- Rico
    Mane - KDB - Maddison - Martial - Mount
    Abraham - Vardy - Greenwood

    2FT - 2.1 m

    Option A-
    Mount to Alli
    Tomori to Aurier

    Option B -
    Mount to Grealish
    Maddison to Son

    Option C -
    Any other suggestions, I’m keeping Abraham and Martial
    Cheers

  27. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Ings or Mousset better option?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Ings

    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Look at the comparison tool to help you.

  28. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which one for Martial?

    1. Zaha
    2. Pulisic
    3. Alli

    1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      3 or 2
      3 if no Spurs assests

  29. doppelganger
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Henderson or Schmeichel?

  30. LSP
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Save??

    1 FT, 0.0 ITB

    Pope
    Soy - Lund - TAA
    Maddison - Son - KDB - Mane (vc)
    Jimi - Tammy - Vardy (c)

    McGovern - Cantwell - Williams - Rico