Pro Pundits - Sam

Using the Wildcard to manage Liverpool’s Blank Gameweek 18

Normally the first Wildcard burns a hole in my pocket and by Gameweek 3 or 4 it’s been played but this season has been different.

I built my team for Gameweek 2 onwards knowing that that might have cost me in Gameweek 1 (it definitely did!) but that it might allow me to have a better start to the season and hold the Wildcard a little longer – second international break rather than the first.

I started the season without Raheem Sterling (£11.8m), preferring to have Kevin de Bruyne (£10.3m) instead.

At the time I remember thinking the Wildcard would be my route to bringing Sterling in when he surely punishes me for not having him.

However, his season is yet to truly fly in my opinion and I haven’t felt the need to own him – yet.

This means that my Wildcard is still in my back pocket ready to deal with the Liverpool blank, the busy Christmas period and the fixture-swing clubs.

Whilst I am sitting just five points outside the top 10k right now I am not alone in still having the original Wildcard left to play with a fifth of the managers in the top 10k still holding theirs.

This adds an interesting dimension to the game and is unchartered territory for me. As the 2019/20 has gone on I have looked in to the statistics behind the best use of the Wildcard last season and found that the managers who played the second one in early January tended to fair better than those, like myself, who held it for the Blank and Double Gameweeks later in the campaign.

As a result of this when I didn’t play my Wildcard at the first or second international breaks I decided, barring catastrophe, to hold the original one as late as possible so as hopefully to gain the advantage of an effective early January wildcard (albeit in late December) as well as holding the second Wildcard to navigate the Blanks and Doubles – I’m hoping this gives me the best of both worlds, although we’ll have to see how it plays out.

As a result, I now have two free transfers going into Gameweek 18 with which I can take a punt on if I want.

I have decided to take Sadio Mané (£12.2m) out this week as I don’t want to bench all that level of my budget.

Given that I did the Mohamed Salah (£12.2m) to Mané move late I don’t have much value in him he shouldn’t cost too much for me to get him back if I need to.

I am, however, planning to have Salah in my Wildcard so I won’t need to worry about value. This week, therefore, I have the pick of the midfielders and there are a wealth of options.

The options for Mané replacements came down to these…

Anthony Martial

Anthony Martial (£7.7m) plays Watford this week who, while showing some degree of the so-called ‘new-manager-bounce’ against Liverpool, have conceded nine goals in the last five Gameweeks.

Lucas Moura

Lucas Moura (£7.0m) is the less popular option from the Spurs midfield but, like many of his colleagues, he has had a whole new lease of life under Jose Mourinho.

The Brazilian has three goals in his last four and, as a result of his price, the player most easy to hold and after Gameweek 18 as part of my Wildcard. He is that much cheaper than the other options when it comes to working Salah back in.

Spurs’ shots on target ratio of 47.5% since Gameweek 13 is the highest in the league, thus making Son and the next option really good candidates…

Son Heung-min

Son Heung-min (£10.1m) has three double-digit returns in his last five matches, coinciding with Mourinho’s arrival at Spurs.

Using the Members Area to run a comparison of Moura and Son over the last six and then four Gameweeks shows Son winning the statistics both time, although this was by a smaller margin over the last four matches. As such of the two spurs candidates if I pick one of them I’ll likely go with Son.

Raheem Sterling

Given that the original plan for my first Wildcard was to use it to bring in Sterling, I should probably consider him this week.

His form this season has been inconsistent at best. However, whilst he wasn’t up to the player of old we did see glimmers of his former self in Gameweek 17 and he did get attacking returns.

For me this game against Leicester is critical for Manchester City if they want to maintain their title challenge and thus Sterling surely needs to play a big role in this game.

My major concern is with his statistics in home matches this season. Of Sterling’s 10 goals in 2019/20, eight have come away from home and 14 of his 17 big chances have occurred on the road.

Conclusion

When I rolled my transfer from Gameweek 17 to give me two free ones for Gameweek 18 I was really excited for punts on a couple of players who could easily be changed on a Wildcard.

However, now while I am pondering who should come in I am finding the prospect difficult, with five points to make up on the top 10k and a cup match again Frank Olufsen to try and win I’m feeling more pressure!

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

547 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    A) Trent + Maddison/Martial
    B) Dunk + Son
    C) Aurier + Martial

    Have Kane and Alli.

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A with Maddy. Or B

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A with Maddy

  2. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who’s your top 3 points scorers this week?

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

      Kdb, Rashford and Alli.

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Son Vardy Jimenez

      Who’s yours?

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Son, Jiménez and Grealish perhaps

    3. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      The three you're most worried about 😉

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I own 2 of the 3 I’ve suggested above. Worries would be Rashford (although I think they might struggle), Alli (but I may buy yet and Sterling (but I may also buy).

    4. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Son Jimenez Baldock

    5. lugs
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      3 differentials 😆

      Wesley
      Pepe
      Mahrez

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        *vomits* 😆

  3. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Where to spend the 3.3m burning a hole in my pocket?

    Pope
    Aurier Kelly Lundstram
    Son(c) Martial Zaha Cantwell
    Vardy Rashford Jimenez

    Button Soyuncu Mane Mings

    1ft

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

      Upgrade Martial, Zaha or Cantwell.

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Can do Martial to KDB or Zaha to Alli

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Do you not want Alli? What’s your thoughts on him? I’m tempted by Maddy >> Alli.

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Very tempted by Alli mate, but I don’t have KDB and he’s so highly owned if he hauls again it will hurt.

        Alli has a good record v Chelsea and with a full weeks rest I expect goals

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I could also do the move with Mané and play Maddy instead of Greenwood/Soy. Tricky decisions

    3. Don Van Vliet
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Cantwell to Grealish

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

      Upgrade Cantwell FFS!

  4. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Suggestions here would be greatly appreciated!

    Henderson
    Lundstram, Aurier, Rico, Soyuncu
    Maddison, Grealish, Cantwell
    Vardy, Jesus, Rashford

    Button, Cahill*, Salah, Manè 1ft .3itb

    Cahill to anyone up to 4.8 is what I’m thinking. Dunk or Targett maybe?

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Cahill to Kelly and bench Soyuncu?

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        How long will Kelly be nailed for ?

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

      Play that 11. 2 FT be better to roll through Christmas in case of rotation.

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Cahill supposedly had an operation I’ve just found out. Probably the best option though. Who are you giving the armband to?

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

          Vardy.

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

      I'd sell Salah for Sterling or KDB. I know you'll want him back but you won't lose any money on the deal (as you would if you sold Mane) and that's a lot of money on your bench.

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I don’t think it’s worth it because I’ll struggle to get him back

  5. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which transfer?
    A) Salah to KDB
    Or
    B) Diop to Kelly

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Post the full team

  6. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anything worth a hit here??

    Henderson
    Rico Lundstram Chilwell
    Son Alli KDB Mount
    Jimenez Vardy Abraham

    Button Dendoncker Soyuncu TAA

    0FT, 2.4itb

    1. Regin
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Y do people want others to think for them? Be specific instead of asking such general questions.

      1. FCSB
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Wow, where’s the xmas spirit... Grinch!!

        We are a community here on FFS and everyone tries to help one another whether it be answering a generic or specific question...

        That’s ok though, you’re obviously an unhappy person on a negative frequency...

        Be happy bro

  7. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    FYI Baldock has had attacking returns in each of his last 3 away games wolves spurs Norwich

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

      Surely ending now then

  8. The SK
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on Otamendi?

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Getting him after wollves away

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

      Nick is from Argentina and defensively suspect. I love Argentina.

    3. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Wouldn’t be surprised if an early cb transfer deal comes through.

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

        Probably another ball playing centre back though. They need a few Carvahlo-style hatchet men.

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

    Madds, Mane => Grealish, Kdb (-4)?

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Tough

  10. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Please guys need advice. Really want to bring in Grealish as have a good feeling about a haul this week but how do I fit him?

    Henderson
    Soyuncu Lundstram Rico
    KDB Alli Maddison Cantwell
    Vardy Abraham Rashford

    Subs: Stekelenberg BWilliams Mane TAA

    £0.3ITB 1FT

    Thanks in advance!

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Sell mane if not much value tied up

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

      For Madisson.

    3. PompeyUpNorth!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Don't forget Grealish is on 4 yellows, but if you really want him it is either Maddy to Grealish or TAA to Aurier and Cantwell to Grealish for a hit.. Team looks good ..I'd leave it and bank the transfer tbh. although I do fancy getting him in as well for Pulisic

      1. Danstoke82
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I’ll lose 0.2 on Maddison if I drop him for Grealish. Leicester’s next two look tough so I may just do that swap and keep Vardy as my sole Leicester attacker and then maybe reassess bringing Maddison back. Grealish’s next two look good but there is that YC risk

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

          But look as Maddison's fixtures after the next 2. Id sell Mane for Son.

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

        I think im the only one, who fancies Pulisic to do something this weekend. I think with Aurier bombing forward he'll have space.

  11. dbeck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Mane and Connolly to Jota and Son?

    Plan is to bring in salah next week by downgrading Kane

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

      If you have Kane already, I'd be tempted to keep for that fixture run.

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

        I’ll have Kane, son and dele which is overkill. Kane can go I feel

  12. One Wheels Enough
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    For the mid term:

    A) TAA to Aurier

    or

    B) Mane to Alli?

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

      Depends what the plan is with the money saved

      1. One Wheels Enough
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Don't really have a plan with 'ITB' I think with so much valie around at the mo it's OK to have a big piggy bank.

        I just fancied not having to start Cantwell this week and wondered what Spurs asset would be better?

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

          I’d just play cant tbh as you’ll want TAA and Mane back soon. I assume you have Son

          1. One Wheels Enough
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Yep

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

    The argument for not selling a player you have value tied up in is silly. Only if you plan to get them back in, in the short-term, should you not bother selling.

    If you sell whilst you have value tied up, you bank that value (before they drop and you perhaps lose it).

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yep. So Mane or Maddy >> Alli? 🙂

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

        I feel at that particular price-point it's a bit of a jump downwards to Alli, so Maddison > Alli. Fine to do the other if you have a plan for a big hitter back in.

        I did do Mané > Son this GW though.

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

      Sell a player because you think his replacement will get more points than he's likely too. The value is in points scored, not the price.

  14. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Henderson (Button)
    Soyuncu, Lundstram, Guilbert (Robbo, Diop)
    Son, Maddison, McGinn, Shelvey (Salah)
    Vardy, Rashford, Tammy
    1 ft - what do to?
    Was looking at Diop to Kelly

  15. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is Hanley going to play? Have Soyuncu and Tomori on bench.

  16. 1zverGGadeM
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bench one:
    A) Mount
    B) Moutinho

    1. Jullepuu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

  17. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Would you play Soy or Greenwood?

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

      Probably Greenwood. More likely MCI score 2 than Leicester keep a CS

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

    Struggling to see why people are selling Maddison?

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

      It's not hard to see why it's happening. Red fixtures.

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

        Maybe, MCI 6 CS and LIV 4. Not exactly bullet proof. The fixtures after those are great: whu, new,SOU, bur, WHU.

        1. Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          This - peeps must have FT to burn

        2. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I'm not saying he can't score point in them at all. He's being sold because the fixtures are red and that's what a lot of people base their transfer on.

    2. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      They see Man City and Liverpool and assume he's going to blank.

  19. El Lobito 10
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Lesson from Learning from the "great and the good", what with most on mediocre at best rankings? Do the opposite 😀

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

      Don't need a great rank to give advice.

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

        To the average player no, I guess you don't to give out the more obvious advice. For the top level players, you do, unless it is an exception to the rule of ranking consistently well. Everyone has bad beats.

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

        Ps. It was a tongue in cheek comment

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

          I know rightly Lobito. The articles are awful, their clickbait headlines even worse. The best advice here is from posters but one of the best bits of advice is ignore everyone, especially templates, make your own mistakes but learn from them.

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

            Not sure to ignore advice now or make my own mistakes and learn from them 😀

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

        Phew! Was worried I had to stop posting advice on here.

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

          🙂

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

          😀

  20. HTL
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Good article. I also rolled two FT into GW18 but I'm benching Mane.

    Will be wildcarding in GW20

  21. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Henderson (Button)
    Soyuncu, Lundstram, Guilbert (Robbo, Diop)
    Son, Maddison, McGinn, Shelvey (Salah)
    Vardy, Rashford, Tammy

    What to do with this squad? Have 1 ft, 0.6 in the bank
    A) Diop to Kelly
    B) Salah to KDB
    C) Other

  22. estheblessed
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I have 1FT and £0.2m. Should I save?

    Pope
    Kelly, Chilwell, Lundstram
    Grealish, Ali, Zaha, KDB(c)
    Vardy, Ings, Jimenez

    VVD, Mane, Pieters

  23. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bottomed.

    Anything worth a hit here??

    Henderson
    Rico Lundstram Chilwell
    Son Alli KDB Mount
    Jimenez Vardy Abraham

    Button Dendoncker Soyuncu TAA

    0FT, 2.4itb

  24. Rash
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Most likely team to get a clean sheet this game week?

    1. Regin
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Newcastle

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

      Newcastle

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

      Newcastle probably

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

      Janmaat to williems then?

    5. El Lobito 10
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Man Utd

  25. Regin
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anybody else took a punt on richarlison? Like the arsenal at home game.

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

      Great shout bit 4 yellows keeping me away

  26. tim
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Mane to Son
    Tammy to Rash

    leaves 2.2ITB

    ???

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

      Son

  27. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Looks like im giving Pulisic another chance yikes 😀

    Don´t feel like taking a hit

    1. manu4life99
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I sold for a hit for Alli (partly regret it)

      1. Woy_is_back
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        That would be my move if I made it

  28. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Best option with 1FT and 2.3m itb. Plan to WC in gw20.

    Pope -- Heaton
    Rico Kelly Lundy -- Taa Lascelles
    Kdb Son Alli Pulisic -- Cantwell
    Vardy Rashford Ings

    A: Pulisic >> Martial with a view to do Ings > Tammy in gw19
    B: TAA >> Maguire with a view to do Ings >> Tammy in gw19
    C: TAA >> 4.7m def with a view to do Ings >> Kane in gw19
    D: Save FT and take two punts in gw19 before i WC

    1. Abraham & Cheese
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B.

  29. Regin
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Don't like when people ask such questions. U have to decide urself. Otherwise be specific

  30. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Best capt?

    Son
    Alli
    Grealish
    KDB
    Jimi
    Vardy