Pro Pundits

Seven-time top 10k finisher Zøphar on Rashford, Leeds, Grealish and disappointment

The FPL manager with six top 5k overall ranks to his name, Zøphar, looks at some statistical trends from the last four Gameweeks.


Gameweek 16 is finally over and for many it didn’t even start, with the postponement of Everton v Manchester City shortly after the Fantasy Premier League deadline passed and then a similar fate befalling the Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham game. 

Rather than lament about how these absences affected our squads, I thought I would rather look forward and discuss some trends I noticed over the last few Gameweeks.

Shot-Shy Grealish 

Dealing with disappointment

Gameweek 16 was a nightmare for many managers, including myself. Many of us, especially those with a strategy not to Free Hit in Gameweek 18, suffered six-to-seven absences with the last-minute postponements, in addition to injuries and rotation. 

It can be tough for us who take pleasure in planning and obsessing over the best strategy and picks, only to have a fixture called off a few hours before the game. All of those hours spent on listening to podcasts, poring over statistics and discussing on message boards can feel like a waste but we can only make decisions based on the information available and this is no ordinary season. Things are likely to get worse before they get better and it’s important that we don’t let this get us down. It’s the FPL process and community interaction I enjoy as much as the actual matches themselves and I don’t plan to change that anytime soon. 

Adversity usually presents opportunity and these postponed games are likely to present more double and even triple Gameweeks in the future. Emotional investment in FPL needs to be low in difficult times like these. The game is meant to serve as a distraction from troubled times and if you are only letting it add to your grief, you’re doing it wrong. We must remember that the health and safety of players and staff is paramount and the Premier League would only call off fixtures if there was no other possible course of action. 

As my fellow Pro Pundit and podcast co-host Lateriser said in his last piece: “It’s just a game”. There is no point worrying about things we cannot control or cannot foresee. Let’s enjoy watching sport while we can, if these postponements etc do not fall our way, we can just shrug our shoulders and move on. 

Keep your chin up. Better times are coming. Take care of yourself and those around you, physically and mentally. 

Wishing you all a happy new year. 


The arguments for and against using a Wildcard in FPL Gameweek 3 1
1,071 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    The FPL cup is a mysterious thing

    I’ve never seen mention of or an article on a winner of the cup. Surely that would be interesting content?!

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      An article on a dead team that was made in GW10; fascinating!

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        That’s a flawed assumption - I bet you there are a number of people out there who sole focus each season is the cup

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          There are. They take loads of hits as they don’t count.

          1. Rupert The Horse
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Ha. They do count.

        2. thegaffer82
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I doubt that very much

  2. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How the hell does one decide to captain Mee and win the GW title?

    https://twitter.com/OfficialFPL/status/1344629899227783169/photo/1

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Was the obvious pick

      1. ivantys
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yup only casuals cap Salah instead of a defender.

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably one of many teams created specifically for that purpose by the same person.

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Guaranteed CS,goal threat. No brainer (c) for owners

  3. Geordie19
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bigger priority this week...

    Taylor to Lowton/Bednarek
    Or
    Kane to Vardy?

    Was set on Kane to Vardy but unsure now due to rest and Leeds next/Toon defending well?
    Thanks all

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kane to Vardy this gameweek would be ridiculous surely?!

      1. Geordie19
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Was originally for the double game week

    2. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Keep Kane. Leeds very poor defensively.

      1. Geordie19
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah thanks, that’s what I’m thinking. Could be a flurry

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

    DCL to Adams or Rodrigo? Antonio too risky? Who is your pick?

    1. Geordie19
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Rodrigo as Leeds can score 5 at anytime!!! If Antonio was fit, him. But May not be sharp for weeks

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I went with Rodrigo as I couldn't afford Adams when WC16. Adams is a good pick with Ings back

  5. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who to c?
    Kane (LEE Home)
    Salah (SOU Away)
    DCL (WHU Home)

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kane easy

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

      Kane

  6. C_G
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    so lost, have 1 FT and 0.3 ITB, please help!

    Mendy

    Mitchell Cress KWP

    Soucek KDB Salah Bruno

    DCL Kane Bamf

    Forster Taylor Lamptey Riedwald

    KDB + Lamptey ---> Son + Dallas (-4)?

  7. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi Guys, happy New Year’s Eve! Currently planning towards a GW19 bench boost. Which option do you prefer?
    A: TAA (Extra hit in GW19)
    B: Justin (No hit in GW19)
    C: Chilwell (No hit in GW19)

    1. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

  8. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What are the chances of Mitchell starting this week?

    1. Geordie19
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      MOTM last game so high chance but PVA is fit

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Where can he play though if PVA starts?

        1. CRO KLOPP
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          PVA could play further up?

        2. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I pray he starts. He was excellent and they are better defense with him. I am starting.

          I would bench Schlup if Roy insists on PVA playing and play PVA as a winner not a full back

    2. Geordie19
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think he only plays LB so it’s him or PVA but I know he played well last game..doesn’t mean he’ll start of course. Sorry

  9. sthelenslad92
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any news on Reece James' injury?

  10. Who are all Lukakus
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    KDB, Welbeck to Son, Wilson for free

    Yes or no?

    1. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No

  11. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How to spend a FT here? Before FH GW18.
    Not gonna benchboost GW19.

    Martinez McCarthy
    Zouma Cresswell Dier Justin Ayling
    Salah Mane Bruno Son Maddison
    Bamford Watkins Brewster

    1FT and 0.2ITB.

    Appreciate any suggestion. Thanks!

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Ayling ➡ Dallas

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Can't afford that one

  12. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Did Coufal lost his place or it was just a rest?

    1. Geordie19
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Rest...hopefully (owner)

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Rest

    3. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Rest plus the fact that his wife has just given birth

  13. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    33k rank, 2 FTs. Life is good.

    Think I’m going to bring Son in for KDB and captain him. Feel like Leeds are tailor made for Son.

    Other transfer Brewster to Antonio perhaps...

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If Bielsa is such an amazing manager he should easily be able to outsmart spurs repetitive tactics, I actually see Leeds winning that game and only conceding 1

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        He’ll just do what he always does. Which is perfect for Spurs, really is

      2. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        He’ll have his team play the way he always does. He says this a lot and proves it on the pitch.

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      We are in the same wavelength currently - v similar teams and ranks

      KDB -> Son captain is my plan

      If you are free hitting 18 then Brewster to Antonio is punchy but worth the risk

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah Im fhing then bench boosting 19 I think

        1. TheDragon
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Snap

    3. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Amazing gw, rank and defence this week! Excellent.
      Happy new year.
      x

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers pal, and to you!

    4. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That game week rank.

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        With a captain fail as well 😆 madness

    5. OLLY G
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      76 points. You crushed that GW. Well played!

      Are you going to FH18 and BB/TC19?

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers! Yes indeed, current plan is to fh18 bb19 but could change depending on fixture situation

  14. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Damn, just realized were almost half done. Thought I had more time to catch the casuals but now I see that the season is well and truly over...

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Time to focus on the cup then 😉

  15. Axel5000
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    FPL site currently being updated. I wonder what for...?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      FPL cup...

  16. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Matip to Dier or Holding the obvious move? I can ride the BGW without a chip I think, just need defenders.

    Martinez
    Dias Robertson James
    Son Bruno Zaha Grealish
    DCL Bamford Kane

    Mccarthy Justin Podence Matip

  17. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Pens down! Game updating.

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Free WC

    2. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      ?

  18. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Lamptey out Holding in. Is it a good transfer?

    I need cheap defender which will play next 2 has a decent chance of a CS and is nailed on.

    He will be benched on the double GW most probably since I'll play the TC then.

    Any better option? Is Holding nailed on?

    Thanks

    1. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Holding should be nailed. He's right footer. Gabriel and Mari are both left footers and Luiz is a waste of space. Also he has played well lately.

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        But Luiz is back, I am little bit worried. How confident are you?

        1. Konstaapeli
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Arteta needs to be sacked the moment he picks Luiz over Holding.

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same thing pencilled but people on the last page saying he’s got a knock?

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        What? Knock? Sauce?

    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Is he in or out?

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        In

  19. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Woah, game is being updated. I wonder what for...

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Gave me a minor panic. Missed enough deadlines already this season

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

      FPL cup opponents

  20. damiang2233
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Saiss & Barnes for Lindelof & Formals for a -4?

  21. C_G
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    KDB + Lamptey ---> Son + Dallas (-4)?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I have a feeling that Lamptey will start. Just a hunch. Waiting for more news

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

      Nope. Just Lamptey.

  22. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do you all remember the winter of 2009? Covid has nothing on that glorious Timmy (C) weekend

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I remember. Painful weekend

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      he loved head

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

      Timmy ?

  23. Traction Engine Foot
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Reckon Coufal is nailed on now for the next few weeks? Thinking of doubling up with him and Cresswell.

    1. nolard
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Seems nailed.
      Double WH defense is a bit of a gamble though.

  24. nolard
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Are people moving Grealish out?

    I am considering that as he isn't really producing now, getting a DGW player instead.

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would , can get him back on WC some time

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Only if it really helps me shift funds around for someone I desperately want. A really low priority for me to ship him. He's one of the better value players in the game imo and performs consistently, even if it's not consistently translating into points right now. Would be prepared to sell due to fixtures if it falls into a new GW18/19 strategy. Tempted by Martinelli and Smith Rowe 😀

      1. nolard
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I quite agree.
        The value question is what would normally keep me from moving him, but it plays into the 18/19 strategy I consider.

        Also tempted by Arsenal players, as there are some cheap decent options.

  25. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who to play this gw

    1. dshv
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      1. Mccarthy
      2. Johnstone

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah it's a coin flip really , have same 2 still undecided

  26. mdm
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which option seems better:

    A. Soucek (eve, BUR, WBA)
    B. Saka (wba, CRY, NEW)
    C. Podence (bha, EVE, WBA)

    Thanks.

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B by a country , if he plays all 3 assuming you're not BB gw 19 ?

  27. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    No way I'm making early transfer but I still need to think of something as I have to use my FT without fail this week

    Mendy(Forster)
    Robertson Cancelo Taylor (Coufal)(Lamptey)
    Salah Son Fernandes Grealish (Riedewald)
    DCL Bamford Rodrigo

    Plan is to FH18 but will I be able to BB in 19? or just go with TC
    0FT,2.1 itb

    A) Lamptey to Maguire/Dallas/Chilwell/Stones

    B) Grealish to Rashford

    C) Other

  28. JenkoJunko
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Afternoon all! Not got long to do something so looking for some quick advice. What would you do with the below:

    Squad: 2FT 0.9ITB
    Mcarthy
    Cresswell TAA Dallas
    KDB Salah Bruno Grealish
    Giroud Bam Adams

    Forster / Bissouma / C Taylor / Neco

    Any quick thoughts and advice would be great. GL ALL!!

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would put some time in my schedule to do a proper five week lookahead.

  29. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Where is my cup opponent bros?

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'll get knocked out in 18 when I get drawn against a FH team

  30. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Does Salah even bother when he's not coming off the bench these days?
    Klopp needs to give him the Solskjear role at Liverpool 🙂

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Klopp needs to set up another scam deal ala Solanke, Ibe etc. Salah is past it, just take the 100m+ from Madrid.

    2. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He is only a good fpl player, not a good player irl.