Pro Pundits - Sam

No room for the heart when playing FPL

Some Fantasy Premier League selections are made based on form, some on fixtures, some on a gut feeling and some come from the heart. 

This season I am learning that the heart should not be trusted where FPL is concerned.

This is something that I have always known and I have tried historically to base my choices on tangible evidence but this season one man crept in.

This was, in part, due to the price reduction he had at the start of the season but also due to a need for a talisman, someone I really trusted alongside my maverick John Lundstram (£5.1m), John McGinn (£5.8m), Dean Henderson (£4.7m) and Diego Rico (£4.3m) picks.

Harry Kane (£10.9m), should have been the perfect striker – playing in a team who made it all the way to the Champions League final and at the low price point of just £11.0m at the time.

However, Spurs have been far from their best this season and Kane far from his, playing more as a defensive midfielder under Mauricio Pochetino than a striker.

Fast forward to Gameweek 14, Kane nearly left my team but the arrival of Jose Mourinho changed things. Would Spurs improve? Would Kane play as an out and out striker again?

Would the Fantasy hauls return?

Suddenly it was the wrong time to get rid, especially as he had a price rise with other managers bringing him in.

However, my gut feeling (which should always be followed) was to switch him for Dele Alli (£8.6m) who I spoke at length about on every FPL show and podcast that week.

Nonetheless, I held Kane who failed to return when Dele did. This has been repeated in both Gameweeks 14 and 15.

The stay of execution is over, this week Kane will go.

Having watched Kane against Manchester United revert back to playing deeper when Spurs fell behind, whilst Dele was in and around the box making all the right runs, it was apparent which Spurs asset is the one to own and it’s the one playing as the number 10 not the meant to be playing as the number 9.

Having two transfers going into Gameweek 16 means that I am able to make a change in my strike force and midfield without taking a points hit. McGinn is the unfortunate casualty in order for me to bring in Dele.  

Whilst the Aston Villa man was fantastic in the early Gameweeks of the season the points have dried up of late and with a Kane downgrade up-top, I have plenty of budget to afford the upgrade to Dele. This leaves me with £8.2m for a third striker alongside Vardy and Abraham.

There are a few decent options in this price bracket. 

Raúl Jimenez (£7.7m), Danny Ings (£6.2m) and Lys Mousset (£5.1m) are the three in contention for the spot.

Having used the Members Area to compare the players the results are interesting.  

Sam FPLFamily <p>Fantasy Football Scout's General Manager. Half of the FPLFamily. Pundit on the FPL Pod, Fantasy Show and Sky Sports News&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

3,982 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Best option.
    A. Keep Robbo for next two and Jimenez for next 3. Rashford can wait.
    B. Downgrade Robbo to Aurier/other to allow for Jimenez to Rashford next week.

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        4 years, 4 months ago

        A

      • Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        A

        Will be doing B soon though!

      • IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        C keep both

    2. UnitednationsXI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Who to captain
      A: Mane
      B: Vardy
      C: Alli

      1. Thunder Warrior
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Mane

      2. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Am going with C

      3. drughi
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        mane

      4. Hulk Smash
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        B

    3. raba72010
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Which is better?

      A- KDB & Jiménez ----> Alli & Abraham ( -4 )
      B- KDB ----> Alli ( FT )
      C- Son ----> Alli ( FT )
      D - Keep KDB & Son and keep the transfer.

      1. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        B

      2. ebb2sparky
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        D

      3. wijohnson85
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        D) both KDB and Son could come back to bite you this wknd

    4. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      team look ok. Worried about the bench!

      Guaita
      TAA Aurier Soy
      Son Alli Maddison Mane
      Vardy (c) Jimi Tammy
      Button Cantwell Lunds Rico

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Lund over Cantwell

    5. Nespinha
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      2FT 1.1ITB

      Pope, button
      Robertson, Chilwell, Lundstram, Kelly, Janmaat
      Salah, KDB, Maddison, Mount, Dendoncker
      Jesus, Vardy, Mousset

      Any ideas? Completely lost!

      1. JT11fc
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Hmm Button to Martin? Or upgrade Janmaat tooooo i have no idea

        1. JT11fc
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Janmaat to aurier?

      2. Boberella
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Maddison to Alli.

        1. Nespinha
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          This was my guess as I already have Leicester coverage

      3. Shah G
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Jesus/Mount > Tammy/Alli because I like to attack with form and fixtures... If not change Pope or Janmaat.. This is the type of situation people want to be to spend FT on keeper..

        1. Rojo's Modern Life
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Lol @ selling Jesus home to United

    6. wijohnson85
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      2FT

      Saiss and mount out for Aurier and Pulisic?

      1. ebb2sparky
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I would wait until next week since Pulisic might be rested

    7. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      KDB to Son (-4) worth it long-term? Really want the double up with Alli.

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

        I don't think so

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

        No - KDB does well in the bigger games which City have coming up.

      3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        KDB is one to keep

    8. Pomp and Circumstance
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      is Mount (6.6) or Zaha (6.8) better--Mount is obviously on the better team, but Crystal Palace do have very, very good fixtures for December

      1. wijohnson85
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Zaha out of those 2 for fixture punt

      2. Sarri-ball
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        zaha for me. can see mount playing alot less mins than zaha over xmas

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

        Prefer Grealish to those two

        1. ebb2sparky
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Agreed. I plan to swap Mount to Grealish for GW18

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

            Will probably move Pulisic to him Grealish in a couple of GWs.

            1. ebb2sparky
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              I have Pulisic too but plan to keep him

      4. Maarrrr17
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Probs zaha

    9. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Is this worth -4?

      Saiss Mount ➡ Kelly Alli

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

        Maybe 😀

      2. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Only if u captain Alli may be

        1. Rojo's Modern Life
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          The numerical illiteracy in this comment is astounding

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

        Yup think so. Should get back with return over 2 week period

      4. wijohnson85
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Not for me. Kelly can easily be 2pt

      5. Shah G
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        If you can bench Saiss, save this gw..

    10. Michelle Davin
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Tomori to aurier?

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

        yes for free

      2. Thunder Warrior
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Yes

      3. Ribus
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Yes

    11. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Play one

      A. Soy
      B. Tomori

      1. JT11fc
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        A

    12. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Anyone captaining Son or Alli over Vardy??

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

        O/

      2. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Me Alli

      3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Many

      4. PapaWengzz
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        check captaincy poll

    13. Maarrrr17
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Thoughts on Jiminez + Mount > Ings +Alli?? for free?

      1. Scotters333
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I have thought about this too...tempting

        1. Maarrrr17
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Tempting indeed but dont know if worth it :/

      2. Scotters333
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I think I'm gonna do it!

    14. andres
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Bench one:

      Lund
      Kelly
      Soy

      1. NotsoSpursy
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Soy

    15. Scotters333
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Have exact money to do Mount -> Pulisic. Have two free transfers and not much else to do so will lose transfer otherwise. Any ideas?

      Ryan
      TAA Chilwell Aurier
      Mount Mane KDB Madison
      Abraham Jiminez Vardy

      4.0 Rico Dendonk Kelly

      1. Shah G
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Do it but Pulisic can get benched if you can handle it..

    16. FCSB
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Bench order of the below:

      1. Rico (LIV)
      2. Dendoncker (bha)
      3. Greenwood (mci)

      Thanks

      1. Hairy Potter
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        2,1,3

    17. Maarrrr17
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Thoughts on Jiminez + Mount > Ings +Alli?? for free?

      Or just Mount > Maddison ?

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          4 years, 4 months ago

          First option

      2. Pomp and Circumstance
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        GK--Henderson (and double with Lund) or choose Gazzaniga?

        1. PapaWengzz
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          I got hendo in for last week but can't help but think that SHU defence is regressing. Should have just kept pope

          1. Pomp and Circumstance
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Pope is pretty solid, I suppose; do you think Pope or Gazzaniga would be better? thanks

            1. PapaWengzz
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              cant go wrong with either imo. Gazza is cheaper so him

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

        Curse you Erik Pieters, 1 point from 8 games, lost 0.3 in value, that was one really bad wild card pick..

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

          True that

        2. Rojo's Modern Life
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          You said it, terrible decision on your part

      4. Clinton19
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Should I captain
        A. Vardy
        B. Tammy
        C. Mane
        D. Pulisic

        1. JT11fc
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          A safest

        2. drughi
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          A or C for me, mane the most likely to haul

          1. IRBOX ⚽
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            How will he haul from the bench?

            1. drughi
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              dont think he will be benched but we will see

              1. IRBOX ⚽
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 4 months ago

                Plenty of evidence to the contrary

      5. JabbaWookiee
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Put these in order of who will get the most points this gw:

        A) Wood (tot)
        B) Soyuncu (avl)
        C) Lundstram (nor)

      6. Ribus
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Did Klopp menton anything about Mane rotation or rotation in generell?

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Predicted lineup from the express has him benched. Klopp has openly stated Mane and he is the only one of the first choice front 3 without a spell on the sideline. Makes sense. 75% benched for mine

          https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1214037/Liverpool-team-news-predicted-line-up-Bournemouth-Jurgen-Klopp-Sadio-Mane-rested/amp

          1. IRBOX ⚽
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Sorry.. stated rotation

          2. Ribus
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Thanks mate

        2. drughi
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          all guess work, should get a rest soon but dont think it will be against bournemouth

        3. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          he did mention the need to rotate over the busy period, but it seemed more in support of his team he picked for the last game than anything else

          Nothing but speculation really, but i don’t think it’s worth selling players like Mane for a single game. Most players involved with Europe will get a rest at some time, we just have to take it as normal FPL life.

          In the last 6 games Mane has had 4 goals and 4 assist to Salah’s 2 goals, so maybe Salah owners are due a bit of catch up 🙂

      7. BNMC
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I think one of my biggest mistakes at the start of this season was going after too many differentials and new signings. In the first 10 weeks I've owned Moise Kean, Pepe, Emerson, Boly, and Perez. And I've taken 5 hits this season so far.

        Now I've just stuck to proven players and I'm trying to be consistent. It's only my second season playing FPL - last season I got 470k and hoping to improve that.

        1. Eleven Hag
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Gud luck mate - but it's fun owning differentials though

          1. BNMC
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Yeah, I had Pepe in the game when Auba gave him a penalty, that was fun.

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

          You'll do fine - good luck!

      8. Oggle22
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Debating bringing in Salah but woukd give me a midfield of doubke spurs doubke Liverpool?

        Pope
        TAA Lundstarm Tomori
        Mane Son Ali Tilimens(Salah)
        Vardy Jiminez Lacazette

        Button Guendouzi Kelly Rico

        Go for it?

        1. Oggle22
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Lacazette/Guendouzi/Jimine
          To
          Greenwood/Salah/Mousset -8

        2. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          With the blank, you may as well do Mane to Salah. Not worth it otherwise

          1. PapaWengzz
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Most ridiculous move I've been reading about. Second best player on the planet currently out for Patchy form and dodgy ankle

            1. IRBOX ⚽
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              Second? There are at least 5 others far superior

              1. PapaWengzz
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 4 months ago

                No there aren't.

                1. IRBOX ⚽
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 4 months ago

                  Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappe, VVD, Neymar. No contest

                  1. Fitzy.
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 12 Years
                    4 years, 4 months ago

                    At least you're finally conceding Mane isn't behind Salah...

                    1. IRBOX ⚽
                      • 7 Years
                      4 years, 4 months ago

                      Only one place ahead in Ballon D’or last season. Salah head and shoulders above 2017-18

                  2. PapaWengzz
                    • 4 Years
                    4 years, 4 months ago

                    LOL. He was ahead of Mbappe and Neymar on the Ballor D'or list because he's been instrumental in winning liverpool the CL, and was joint golden boot winner in a 97 point season. The only people ahead of him are Ronaldo, who can't even make it past 60 mins for Juve, constantly subbed off and Dybala is the star man there. Salah, ankles ruined his form, and VVD, lack of CS's compared to last season is there to see but he is the only one close.

                    1. IRBOX ⚽
                      • 7 Years
                      4 years, 4 months ago

                      Salah was just one place behind no? Yet he is being crucified. I’m licking my lips at the differential-ness

                      1. PapaWengzz
                        • 4 Years
                        4 years, 4 months ago

                        The 5 player list you mentioned is comical except VVD.

                    2. PapaWengzz
                      • 4 Years
                      4 years, 4 months ago

                      In fact, Lewa is better than CR7, Mbappe and Neymar currently. 27 goals already this season, 10 in the CL.

                  3. Scotters333
                    • 7 Years
                    4 years, 4 months ago

                    Na mate, Mane ballon d'Or next season

                    1. PapaWengzz
                      • 4 Years
                      4 years, 4 months ago

                      If they win the league and he continues this form, this is very likely.

                      1. PapaWengzz
                        • 4 Years
                        4 years, 4 months ago

                        anyone who thinks Mbappe (still needs time to reach his full potential) and especially Neymar are better is either a hater or doesn't know football.

      9. J.Litmanen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        A) James and Kane to Alli and Abraham
        B) Mount and Kane to Alli and Abraham

        1. Hairy Potter
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          A

      10. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        How many autosubs are you expecting in you team ?

        Expecting one or two rests from mane, taa, Lund, Tammy

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

          TAA, Mané, Pulisic, Abraham could all be benched from my team

          1. Eleven Hag
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Yeah Pulisic abraham looking very likely

      11. JBG
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Son C, who's with me?

        1. bros
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Very tempted

        2. Vasily
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          1

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

          Here I am

      12. drughi
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Bit annoying with the rico and dendoncker hauls last gameweek and no rotation, you just know that this weekend it will be rotation for rico and dendoncker to come in for 1-2 pointers lol

      13. JariL
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Play one of these:

        A) Kelly (wat)
        B) Tomori (eve)
        C) Connolly (WOL)
        D) Cantwell (SHU)

        1. bros
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          A

      14. fridge
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        0.7 ITB, 1FT

        Pope
        TAA. Lundstram. Soyuncu
        Maddison. Alli. KDB. Salah
        Ings. Jiminez. Vardy
        Button. Tomori. Donker. Montoya

        Jiminez > Abraham for free?

        Still have my wildcard to use at some point