Pro Pundits - Darren

The Southampton players I’m considering for my ‘big-at-the-back’ FPL team

A Fantasy Premier League veteran of 11 years, Darren Wiles has an incredible track record with three top 1k finishes in the last four seasons.


Unusually for me, I was a little late to the Fantasy Football party this season. All while most managers were busy planning their drafts since the launch, I was busy packing up boxes in the process of moving house. 

I have been desperate to get started and now that mission has been completed, I have finally been able to start planning for Gameweek 1.

It’s easy to see why moving house is widely regarded as a stressful time in our lives but let me tell you…it’s a walk in the park compared to working out how we’re going to get in the Manchester United and Manchester City assets into our teams for Gameweek 2.

So, after registering my team, assessing the fixtures and diving into some data in the Premium Members Area, I now feel ready and equipped to share my current draft along with a few ideas I have.

Best players by position:

1,137 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    How to sort it?
    Would you downgrade one from Werner, Mitro, Ings and Son??

    McCarthy/4.0
    TAA/Davies/Vinagre*/4.5/4.0
    Salah/Auba/Son/4.5/4.5
    Werner/Ings/Mitro

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Definitely. Ings is a good candidate.

    2. rnrd
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Son to Alli is an option

    3. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      And have to wait for Vinagre news as well...

    4. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Ings and 0.5 itb are perfect Martial plan for GW2.
      Son to Haveretz? Davies to KWP/Lamptey?

  2. rnrd
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    That 8.5/9.5 position in our FPL teams seems absolutely key this year. It will require guts to be able to use it and be brave enough to sell and buy at the right time the likes of Son, Havertz, Ziyech, Rashford, Mahrez, etc..

    1. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Gonna be tough choice between pulisic and havertz

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Puli is hurt..

        1. ivantys
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I'll get one from GW3, hopefully both still at same price at that week. I guess they can make the decision easier for me if one rises in value.

  3. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Kane - Ings - Jimenez between GW4 and GW8 would be sexy.

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Jimenez could very well be in for less points with new boy Fabio Silva.

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

    Thoughts on this?

    McCarthy / Patricio
    TAA / Dallas / Mitchell / Vinagre / Ayling
    Auba / Son / Ziyech / Pereira / Soucek
    Werner / Jimi / Brewster

    As a Leeds fan I refuse to have fewer than 2 players in the squad going into GW1, even though I realise this is a terrible idea in FPL terms 😉

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Ayling nailed?

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Yes

    2. Silecro
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      2 leeds players too many 😀
      Ziyech probably out for GW1
      Would avoid Pereira due to awful supporting cast
      Soucek may not play GW1 due to self-isolation
      Vinagre on exit doors, move to other def since you have Patricio

    3. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Looks like a 80m team

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

      I'd rather punt on Bamford. He will most likely start the season and he has FUL in GW 2.

    5. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'd just set and forget Meslier if you're set on Leeds.

    6. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Just stick with Dallas

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

      Looks decent. Ings over Jim! Dallas or Ayling if you can only have one?

    8. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Maybe rodrigo instead of double leeds defence.

    9. leonickroberts
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Good stuff - adios Soucek, Vinagre, maybe Jimi. Hello Ings.

      The advice on Leeds/Championship is all wildly off though. Bamford will struggle to score and likely to be in direct competition for Rodrigo, who also isn't a big scorer and will have to adapt to dropping deeper and pressing. Pereira is the main threat for WBA and focal point for all their play.

  5. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    .5 left itb is very responsible and a proper strategy, but good lord it’s tough not to maximize tv..

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah well I am using my whole budget, benching Fernandes to hopefully save a transfer GW3..

  6. bombayblues
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    What is the Saliba's status? Is he a sure starter? Not sure if I have missed something as there is no talk about him.

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Far from certain to start

      1. bombayblues
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks

    2. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Very hard to predict who'll be starting for Arsenal.

      1. bombayblues
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I see. Thanks. Wait and watch

  7. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Do you have a spurs attack in your team ? Thanks

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Kane

    2. Gizzachance
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Son

    3. Silecro
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Alli

    4. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Alli

    5. Mighty Banana
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Doherty/Son

    6. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Son

    7. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Cheers all. Don't have any as it stands . Thanks again

    8. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Doherty Alli Kane here, think Spurs will make a strong start to the season

    9. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Kane and Alli

  8. Budgies
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts please:

    McCarthy
    TAA, T Silva, Aurier
    Salah, Aub, Son, Havertz, Armstrong
    DCL
    (Nyland, Mitro, Mitchell, Brewster)

    GW2/3 - Salah & Son > KDB & Bruno

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

      Also, thoughts on Torres over KDB?

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        No. Just no.

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

          How come?

          1. Flair
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Won't start or play anywhere near his price tag.

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Big questions marks at the back . Aurier on his way out

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

      Also forgot Saliba at the back

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

      Defense is inefficient but I don't mind your cheap forwards.

      Silva + Aurier > Doherty + 4.5m would do good for you.

    5. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Where’s Kane??

  9. Gizzachance
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Any thoughts?
    A asm + 4.5 str davis
    B 4.5 mid + 6.0 str c adams ?

    macarthy
    taa justin vinagre* dallas
    salah auba son greenwood
    werner mitro

    nyland mitchell with A or B
    cheers all

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'd probably go B, 4.5 mid more likely to start than 4.5 striker

      1. Gizzachance
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers, my thinking to

  10. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    What do you think about this tram? 🙂

    McCarthy
    Alexander-Arnold / Van Dijk / Walker-Peters / Justin
    Salah (vc) / Aubameyang (c) / Son / Saint-Maximin
    Ings / Calvert-Levin

    Nyland / Douglas/ Stephens / Davis

    GW2: In: Bruno Fernandes / Out: Son
    GW3: In: De Bruyne / Out: Aubameyang

    1. The Frenchie
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      *team

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Not convinced by DCL but rest looks good, not sure how many Justin will start.

  11. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    McCarthy (Nyland)
    Taa Doherty Vinagre (mitchell, taylor)
    Salah Auba Soucek Son Armstrong
    Werner Mitrovic (brewster)

    Have 1.5 itb
    Son to bruno!
    Gw3 auba to kdb

    Tell something guys..

  12. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    What day is Captain article out? Who’s everyones Captain.. Any differential punts?

    1. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Salah

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

      Considering Havertz

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

        But Auba right now

    3. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Auba or Kane, undecided

    4. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Salah

  13. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    According to Sky Sports, Fulham are in talks with Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain about bringing goalkeeper Alphonse Areola to Craven Cottage this summer on a season-long loan.

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Areola? Hope he doesn't make a tit of himself.

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Hope he doesn’t find the English weather too nippy

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Could always loan him back to France - Brest may be interested.

  14. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Am I missing anything glaringly obvious in my current team?

    McCarthy
    TAA James Davies
    Salah Auba Son Barnes Saka
    Werner Austin

    Nyland Justin Mitchell Davis

    1. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I will recosider having James Davies Barnes Saka Austin

      1. Siva Mohan
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        *reconsider

      2. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        James & Davies are rotation risks I guess?

        Barnes I am happy with. I think he is a good foot in the door of the LCFC attack.

        Austin I think has the best fixtures for any 6.5m or less forward.

      3. Zladan
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Saka a risk yes. Could easily be ASM or Armstrong or Soucek. Not 100% sure on him yet.

  15. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Thoguhts about Dele or Moura vs Son? I see that Moura started all preseason games for Spurs?

    1. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Moura is not a regular goal scorer .. Son or Dele for me

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Son, Dele or Kane only from Spurs.

    3. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I was on Dele, but Son is going into the season with serious form.

      1. Silecro
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        and without Kane to play as a striker & take penalties

      2. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        But playing in Kane's role.

  16. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Any Brighton fans around?
    How do you think Potter will line up the defence? Particularly interested if Ben White and Lamptey will start.

    Thanks!

    1. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Brighton 2 friendlies

      Ryan (sub Walton 62 (sub: Sanchez 80)), Veltman (Lamptey 46), White (Duffy 62), Webster (Burn 62), Dunk (Bernardo 62), March (Connolly 62), Bissouma (Stephens 62, (sub: Sanders 73)), Alzate (Molumby 46), Lallana (Mac Allister 46), Maupay (Gross 62), Trossard (Jahanbakhsh 62).

      Ryan; Webster, Dunk, White; Alzate (Bernardo 60), Stephens, March; Bissouma, Lallana (Gross 60); Mac Allister; Maupay. Unused subs: Steele, Sanchez, Burn, Roberts.

      Dunk & White started both and look nailed

      1. KGFC
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks, Siva.
        You are like a walking stats man! 🙂

  17. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    James Rodriguez added at 7m on Fan Team. That's a potential steal. Will wait until he starts games but there's a lot of potential there.

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

      Is that the same price as in FPL?

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        No confirmation on FPL price yet. I think it will likely be more like 8m.

    2. Up the tics
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Fraser 6.0 is very good value aswell

  18. FPL Bond @ Twitter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Is Mendy a good GK? Chelsea defense worth considering?

  19. Nigawan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    REPOST

    Is it too risky to start my team like this with shitty bench.

    Question: should i stick with my 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 (getting rid of mitro and upgrade one of my 4.5mid)

    GW1( 1mil ITB)
    McCarthy
    Vinagre- TAA- Justin- Mitchell
    Son-Auba-Salah(c)
    Ings-Werner-Mitro

    Bench: Steer- Romeu -Bissouma- Struijk

    1. Giorgi89
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Would think so,
      Vinagre / Justin (less likely) / Mitchell could very well be missing in GW1... would improve one of them to Dier or other 5.0 for safety. Do not know much on Strujik as well

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Way too thin.

  20. AJ24
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Vinagre and Justin both no go's now?

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Vinagre most likely won't be an option. Justin is still fine for a few weeks at least.

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Justin yes

      Vinagre on his way out I believe

  21. Giorgi89
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Hi guys,

    Do not want to make plan 3GW ahead, but my basic instinct is that it is not worth WCing too early considering Covid (even to catch price rises which can go the other way with only a positive test in the team).
    Team is as follows:
    Mc Carty (Nyland or Steer or Button)
    Robbo - KWP - Justin - (Vinagre - Mitchell)
    Salah - Aubam - Son - ASM - (Bissouma)
    Werner - Ings - Mitro

    Now considering the risks with Justin & Vinagre, I am hesitating between 2 strategies (keeping in mind that I will get funds GW2 with Salah > Bruno)
    A. Only ASM > Ceballos (risk in GW1 as well IMO) and upgrade Vinagre > Dier or other 5.0
    B. Downgrading Ings to Nketiah (good chance he starts) and improve defense / bench and fund Ings post GW3 with funds from Salah > Bruno. Preferred strategy at this stage as Nkethiah could be good value for FUL / WHU

    Thanks for your thoughts!
    Cheers

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

    How would you improve this team for GW2?

    Ryan
    TAA KWP Justin
    Auba (c) Salah Barnes ASM
    Werner Martial DCL
    - Vinagre Bissouma Mitchell

    - Currently on Ings for Martial in GW1
    - Barnes, ASM ➡ WardProwse, bowen/foden??

    1. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      How can we say what to improve for GW2 when we haven’t even seen a team kick a ball?

      What if Leeds get a draw v LFC? You’ll surely be looking at them.

      What if WBA keep a cs v Leicester?

      What if Chelsea blank but Southampton run riot? Werner out instead of Ings?

  23. Chelsea91
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Set for GW1

    Mc Carthy
    Taa,Robbo,Doherty
    Son,Auba(c),Jwp,Traore
    Werner,Mitro

    Nyland Mitchell Mc Carthy Martial

  24. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Instead of using your WC early, some cash ITB and 2FT's by GW3 to bring in UTD assets better option?

    I am most interested in Donny VDB. I would need 0.5 to upgrade Bowen. At this moment I am sitting with 1.5 ITB.

    Also have triple SHU defence lol, money left to bring in Chillwell or Azpi if need be. They are bound to sign a new GK 🙂

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

      VDM isnt gonna start imo

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        You mean Donny?

        I think Greenwood is in the naughty corner at the moment. How embarrising his antics along with Foden.

        Both Pep and Ole may have to keep them out of the limelight for a couple of weeks.

        I have a good feeling Dinny will start and he has said in an interview that Ole wants him to be "in and around the box" so he attacking returns 7.0 midfielder on the cards. Martial's wet dream 🙂

    2. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Yes. Don’t use your WC early.

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah, keep it for a rainy day.

  25. One Man
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    RMT.

    McCarthy/Nylan
    TAA/VVD/Dier/Kyle Walker/Dallas
    Bruno/Son/Havertz/Alli/Greenwood
    Werner/Mitro or Ayew. ???

    How does this look ?

    Will use Willian or James Rod as a place holder for Bruno in Gw 1.

    1. Stimps
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Jrod has a blank too

  26. fplconte
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    When are the double weeks for man city and man utd likely to be?

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Probably January unless they and their opponents are knocked out of the League Cup, or internationals are put on hold, or summat like that.

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

        Thanks

  27. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    ASM + Adams or Armstrong + Mitrovic?

  28. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    A) Robbo Adams
    B) 4.5 Ings

    1) Davies Mitchell
    2) 4.5 4.5

    Currently:
    McCarthy
    TAA Robbo Doherty Davies
    Salah Auba Alli ASM
    Werner Adams

    Steer Mitchell Bissouma Davis

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Alli to Son
      Doherty to Dier

      Maybe?

      1. antis0cial
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks, I quite like the idea of Alli as a punt, if he could get back to his form of old he could be fantastic

  29. welshyoo
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Johnstone

    TAA Robertson Tierney

    Auba Salah Pereira ASM Saka

    Kane Mitrovic

    Button Taylor, 4.5 4.0
    1 million in the bank

    Gives me Salah, Auba, Kane as captains for GW 1-2-3.

    Problems are -
    I don't like Liverpools opening fixtures but I like TAA Robertson vs similar priced mids.
    The midfield is a risk. I'm happy to give Pereira, ASM 3 games. If Saka doesnt play GW1 it will be a disaster however as I don't want to waste a transfer on a 5.5 mid.

    Any thoughts? I'm pretty sure if someone else posted this team I'd say its too risky so maybe I'm looking to be talked out of it 😀

    1. Men in green tights
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Almost same defence as me at the moment, got KWP over Tierney,
      I am also on going with a weak midfield having no Salah but having Kane , Inga and Werner up top so I like it .Think people worrying to much about getting two or more it'd players in I am going with Martial at the moment depending on how the games go.
      Cheets

      1. Men in green tights
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Typo should be cheers

  30. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Ramsdale
    Trent Dier Walker-P Tierney (Mitchell)
    Salah Aubameyang Bissouma St Max (Fernandes)
    Werner Adams (Davis)

    Or

    Havertz (Bissouma) 2m itb??