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. Eric Banternaaa
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Henderson Button
    TAA Soyuncu Lund Rico Kelly
    KDB Mane Maddison Son Elneny
    Vardy Jimi Abraham

    2FT 0.2ITB.

    Happy with team. See any improvements so don’t waste transfer?

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

      Button to martin?

    2. Dreaming of glory
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      The above or maybe move elneny to someone better for xmas cover seen as u have 1 ft to use

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

    Maybe I will gamble on Mane (c) with Dele (vc) - think Mane should be play or be totally rested like Salah?

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

      1 point cameo incoming

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Staying away from punts like this cost me 20 points last time.

    3. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      v good shout but if it was tight at 1-1 in 80th min Mane could come on for an awful 1 pointer?

      have had it on alli the whole time as well...!

  3. Jonny HOW SON?
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    So the big question for me is:

    A) De Bruyne
    or
    B) Sterling

    to

    1. Alli
    or
    2. Son

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

      A1

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

        B*

    2. All For One
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B2

      Depends on your team

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

      B1

  4. Dr.Oftaw
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Hi
    Jimmy to Tammy
    Yay or nay

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

      Yay

    2. JohnBlack
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Nay

  5. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Cpt Sonny but what do you think about the rest? Gtg?

    Pope
    TAA Lund Kelly
    Salah KdB Son(C) Pulisic
    Vardy Rash Mousse

    Button Soy Guilbert Dendo

    0.2 itb, 1ft

    1. Kaiser123
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Good team. Some heavy bitters there that could explode. I’m going Kelly over Soy, thinking palace maybe even more defensive today.

      1. Kaiser123
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Hitters even

        1. iL PiStOlErO
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Agree with you about CP, this is why Soy is in the bench. Hapoy with the team, hope everyone plays. Cheers.

  6. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Bench 1:

    A) Willems
    B) Soyuncu
    C) Lundstram

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B

  7. krumcake
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Henderson
    Soy - Arnold - Lundstram
    Maddison - Son - Mané - Martial
    Jesus - Vardy - Jimenez

    Button - Willems - Hayden - Rico

    1 FT, 0.4 ITB

    What would you do?

    1) Martial -> Pulisic
    2) Jesus -> Abraham
    3) Save
    4) Some other genious transfer that I haven't thought of

  8. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone not C Vardy?

    Any thoughts,

    Alli,
    Son.
    Tammy,
    Mane,
    KDB,

    1. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Verybm tempted by alli

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Knees wobbly

        1. Soto Ayam
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Aye...but I'm getting more tempted. Maybe I'll take some brave pills to help me decide

  9. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Struggling a bit here - any ideas?

    Salah and Sterling are skating on thin ice, but Salah was rested midweek and scored 4 against BOU last season, and Sterling has been vocal about his desire to shoot more to break his duck against United, so losing either of them feels a risk.

    If keeping both, my options are limited with no cash in the bank. Happy to hold TAA, Soy, Lundy, Aurier, Vardy & Abraham, which only leaves Mount, JWP and Pukki as potential outs, who all have a bit of form.

    Not much there to get excited about. 2FTs so ideally I should do something.... Any ideas appreciated!

    Ryan
    TAA, Aurier, Lundstram
    Salah, Sterling, Mount, JWP
    Vardy, Abraham, Pukki

    Button, Soyuncu, Dendoncker, Williams
    Bank 0.0m, 2FT, WC available

    1. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Downgrade Sterling to Son/Dele imo

    2. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I remember that away game last year:: Salah, just STOP ARRGH.

    3. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      BOU a lot better in defense this season

  10. All For One
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Lowton to drop in price tomorrow?

  11. Pieterke30
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Any reliable Chelsea ITK on Twitter who could give the lineup a few mins before deadline?

    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      CarefreeYouth perhaps

  12. david31058
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Got burned 2 weeks ago when I brought bats into my team but its fixed now and I'm feeling good about Jesus (c). Anyone to talk me out of it please!

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

      Not at all.

  13. Better Call Raul
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Expecting big game player KdB to do some damage this weekend. Would advise against selling

  14. lilmessipran
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Captain choice?

    A Party
    B Mane
    C KDB
    D Son
    E Tammy

    1. Jonny HOW SON?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      a

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      On A, but D,E & Alli drawing my eye.
      B might get cameo worry.

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

      A

    4. david31058
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      (F) Jesus

  15. Isco Disco
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Captain Kane or Mane?
    And why?
    Please help guys! Went from 70k down to 185k in 3 GWs so need a big captain haul to climb up the ranks.
    Thanks in advance!

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

      Mane on form, Kane still deep at times, saw him at West Ham.

  16. jackhammer1
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Current defence... 1ft 0.4 ITb

    TAA Soy Tomori (Rico Janmaat)

    A. Save Ft
    B. Tomori to Lundstram
    C. Janmaat to Kelly and play

    1. Ritchies Magic Hat
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B

  17. circusmonkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Did Chambers (those fixtures well) and Mount to Kelly and Zaha for free.

  18. jdwhalley
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Who to bench?

    A. Tielemans (avl)
    B. Mousset (nor)

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

      A

  19. corderz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    What to do with this team?

    1ft + 0.8m

    Gazzaniga Button
    TAA Robertson Tomori Soyuncu Lundstram
    KDB Alli Maddison Mount Dendoncker
    Vardy Aubameyang Jimenez

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

      Donkey to Cantwell.

  20. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Mousset to Tammy for -4 or keep?

    1. LE CHARO
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Keep

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

      Keep

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

      thanks

  21. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Sterling, Greenwood to Pulisic, Abraham?

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

      No, Greenwood is getting more time and at 4.3 is an enabler.

  22. Lexi2014
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Mount to Alli for free?

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

      Obviously.

    2. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      100 per cent imo

  23. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone considering selling Mane?

    He could miss 2 out of next 4 fixtures. WAT and LEI left.
    Do Pool need Mane against WAT?

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

      Was debating straight swap for Salah but my whole mini league owns Mane so to risky

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

      He will miss today's game probably but then start thr next 2 imo that is champions league and Watford.

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      He’s a fit guy plus Klopp usually gives him the striker role in the last 10 mins to give him a breather.

      That said, an argument can be made that he misses Bournemouth, plays Watford, blank then Leicester away.

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

      Madness imo all the rage to bench him, now even transfer him out utter BS.. even after his manager comes out and says he is in great shape and form

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        It’s not unusual for a manager to complement a player before he benches him 🙂

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

    30 behind in mininleague fortune favours the brave?

    Guendouzi/Lacazette/Tomori OUT
    Slaha/Greenwood/Targett IN -8

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Get Alli

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

        Got him
        Pope
        TAA Lundstarm Tomori
        Mane Son Ali Tilimens
        Vardy Jiminez Lacazette

        Button Guendouzi Kelly Rico

        Team at the min

  25. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Mané to Sterling(c). Talk me out of it 🙂

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      No way.

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

      10 years and you come up with that? You should be embarrassed

  26. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Guys Two free transfers but 0itb any ideas? I dont want to take pope out lol

    Pope
    Taa, lundstram, Pereira
    Kdb, maddison, mane, Pulisic,
    Ings, vardy, abraham

    Bench, mcgovern, O'Connell
    Cathcart, cantwell

  27. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Not sure Salah (c) is worth it.

    Hes only got 1 goal and 1 assist away from home all season.

  28. John Colby (Capt)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Son (C):
    Anyone else with me? Are you concerned he’s been playing wider in the last few games?

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Have Son but (A)lli

    2. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yes I'm on Son (c)

      o/

  29. Grounderz
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Son or Alli?

  30. james 101
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Choose one for this week only:

    A. Puli (EVE A)

    B. Madds (AVL A)

    Cheers and good luck!!

    1. Better Call Raul
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A