Pro Pundits - Lateriser

‘Enjoy the ride, adapt and stop planning’ – FPL’s reigning India winner says to focus on the short-term

The Double Gameweeks are here.

But it hasn’t been a smooth ride. Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have had so many unexpected detours (a lot of off-roading) on the way, but battered, bruised and with a lot of dents, we’re finally here.

Just know that you are not the only ones facing these twists and turns. It won’t be the last time unexpected rescheduling happens either.

FPL managers all over the globe have been meandering their way through these unexpected times and you’ve just got to enjoy the ride and adapt. It’s the only option you have really.

So what do I intend to do differently? First off, stop planning. Be more short-sighted. Normally, when making moves, I look at the next five to six Gameweeks.

Instead, I am going to play for the points available and have a more short-term approach when planning my moves.

This means I’ll likely look at the next three Gameweeks when making my moves and no more than that.

Why? We could literally have unexpected cancellations and changes (Double Gameweeks) at any time. So planning mid-term doesn’t have much value in my opinion.

Secondly, and I have said this multiple times this season, I’m all for wanting to chase price rises, but honestly, I can’t say it enough, this is the season to delay your transfers as far as possible.

The fantasy landscape is changing daily and new bits of information are appearing on a daily basis, which might drastically affect your transfer strategy.

You might think that your transfers might not be affordable the next day, but when you look closer, there is always another way.

Has the recent Double Gameweek news for Aston Villa and Newcastle and the lack of a double for Leeds United and Southampton changed my plans?

FPL Transfer Traps Gameweek 6 1

I currently own only Patrick Bamford (£6.6m) from the two teams and before Blank Gameweek 18, I sold Jack Grealish (£7.7m) and Che Adams (£6.0m).

I had heard murmurs of the Leeds vs Southampton game being called off and I just don’t trust the fitness of Villa’s players and the lure of two premium Manchester big hitters was too much for me.

It was a gamble and it won’t be the last time I’ll need to roll the dice this season.

It just seems like a season of difficult decisions given the sheer number of consistent big hitters but it is what it is.

Just a small note on Aston Villa, the nature of the COVID-19 outbreak is unknown at the time of writing and we don’t necessarily know how the squad has been affected.

It is a very thin squad that is very reliant on 10 to 14 players and if the majority of the first team squad is affected, I don’t know how much I’d trust them.

Keeping this in mind, their players come into the don’t buy/ don’t sell category for me until we know more about them.

Auto Draft 1

Speaking of difficult decisions, one big decision that FPL managers will likely be making this season is whether to sell Son Heung-min (£9.8m) or Harry Kane (£11.1m) for a premium Double Gameweek asset in Gameweek 19.

The one thing I’ll say is if you’re doing it to get in a premium big hitter like Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) or Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) who are genuine captaincy options, then it makes sense to me.

If not, it becomes a very difficult decision (one that might not necessarily be the right one) given their fixture in Gameweek 19.

Then it comes down to gut and the kind of FPL manager you are.

If I was to hold one of Son or Kane, at the moment I’d lean towards holding Son primarily because of the price difference.

I see a lot of people selling their Arsenal and Leeds United assets for Double Gameweek players.

It is important to not have the blinkers on for the doubles because both of these teams in addition to Spurs have very good games in Gameweek 19 and it might not be the smartest thing to sell them just to buy additional minutes in the Double Gameweek.

You need to look at the next couple of Gameweeks while making these decisions and then make the call.

A few things I have noticed in the last few weeks is that players like Son, Bruno Fernandes (£11.3m) and KDB have looked very tired in the last 30 minutes of games and I feel like in comparison, Liverpool and Chelsea both having some time off will play into their hands.

I’m personally expecting an upturn in performances for both of these teams in the coming weeks.

Having some time on the training ground with the full team without playing games can be underestimated and I think that will show.

It is worth noting Chelsea have all their players fit now including their full-backs and it’s easy to forget that when they, along with Hakim Ziyech (£8.1m) were fit, Chelsea were creating chances for fun.

They have a decent looking Double Gameweek (both Leicester and Fulham are in the worst five teams for big chances conceded at home this season) and I quite like their fixtures in the mid-term as well.

There are some good picks in that team both in attack and in defence should you fancy it.

Some of you are wondering about whether you should Bench Boost or not.

In my opinion if you have players from the likes of Leeds who have a good Gameweek 19 fixture, I’d still use the chip and play the Bench Boost.

The case for you to Bench Boost is even stronger, especially if you have used your Free Hit chip in Gameweek 18.

I say that is the case because if you wildcard in Gameweek 25 for the Double Gameweek in 26, your bench spots will need to be likely focused on Blank Gameweek 29 and that is something to consider while you’re making your decision.

Otherwise, one of the prime advantages of having used the Bench Boost chip is so that it’s out of the way and you can focus funds on your starting 11 (plus two bench spots) rather than spreading them over 15 players.

It is very difficult to give an answer with regards to this conundrum because it is very team dependant but generally when it comes to using your chips, there will be many more mini Double Gameweeks in play the way the season is going, so there are going to be more opportunities than you think for chip deployment.

I intentionally decide to just talk a little bit of macro-philosophy with this article ahead of the Double Gameweek but all of you are aware of the numbers and the good picks so I thought it might be worthwhile to outline a few things that might not have caught your attention.

I’ve been making steady progress with my season after a terrible start.

Despite having games called off for my Manchester City and Spurs assets and despite not deploying my Free Hit chip in Gameweek 18, I’ve climbed from a 3.1 million Overall Rank (OR) in Gameweek 12 to a 1.54 million OR at present.

I was very happy to get a 300,000 sized green arrow in Gameweek 18 despite taking a hit, owning nine players and not deploying the Free Hit chip which tells you that quality matters over quantity.

If the odds are stacked against you in a particular Gameweek in terms of numbers of players, it still isn’t the end of the world because if you have the right players, you could still climb up the table.

Also, it is worth mentioning that Zophar & I had the pleasure of interviewing the creator of LiveFPL.net recently and it was a pleasure getting to chat with Ragabolly.

He’s a PHD in quantum physics and still claims to not be a genius.

He’s a very humble guy and it’s an interview worth watching if you haven’t already. You can see it here.

We also did our standard podcast of The FPL Wire where we talk about Double Gameweek 19 in depth which you will find below. Thanks for reading and good luck this Gameweek!

5,989 Comments Post a Comment
  1. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I just don’t think I can go through with TC this week. The stage was all set for KDB, but this ‘too tired to take a penalty’ is putting me off.

    Anyone going for it with KDB (or even Salah)?

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

      Was all over Salah TC before pool's dip in form don't think I'm even captaining this week

    2. MarcusAurelius
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      My thoughts exactly. City still have two games to be rescheduled so I think another opportunity will arise later in the season

    3. just a man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same. Planned on KDB TC, now saving chip.

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

      Same. Neither is filling me with confidence. Expect there’ll be other chances

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

      I think he’ll find the energy to take the next one. Yeah, I’m going TC

    6. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kane for a dgw is my plan

    7. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm with you. I'll hold for a better opportunity.

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

      Thanks guys.

      Out of interest, still captaining KDB though?

      1. MarcusAurelius
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Well based on the comments above about people worried about KDB minutes and tiredness. Maybe Salah is the better option? Fresh and on pens

      2. just a man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yep

    9. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If in doubt then save it. Should be loads of doubles this season. I’m still (c) kdb but not TC

  2. MattysFantasyFooty
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which one to do?

    A. McCarthy, Son, Wood to Martinez, KDB, Brewster
    B. Son, Wood, to KDB, Brewster

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

      A is -8pt hit, B 4pt hit

    2. Ajaxeeding
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

  3. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which one to sell for Kdb? Thinking long term too

    A) Son (will lose 0.4 value)
    Or
    B) Rashford (will lose 0.1 value))

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

      Son

    2. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I prefer Son long term, don't think value is relevant

    3. MarcusAurelius
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sell Rash

  4. 2EyedTurk
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mendy x
    Dias Chilwell Alioski Coufal x
    Salah Bruno Son Soucek Lookman
    Bamford Vardy x

    Any punts for these 3? Budget of 17.0

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

      Going for BB

    2. T88MYE
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      DDG, Cresswell, Antonio

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

        Gives me 4 WHM

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

      I'm looking at the same 3 slots with a budget of 16.7m

      I be going for one of these ... I want a Chelsea defenders
      Johnstone, Chilwell, Watkins
      Johnstone, Zouma, Antonio
      Schmeichel, James, Watkins

      Maybe DDG, Justin, Antonio for your team

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

        Gine for Antonio. Now thinking Johnstone,Cancelo for the other two

        I'd go #2 for yours

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

          Just not too sure about Antonio - possibly prefer double WHU defence
          CS odds for Newcastle (v AVL) is 11.9% - so there's hope for Watkins

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

            Gone for it
            Antonio, schmeicel, Stones

  5. Coaly
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    a) Pulisic to Maddison/Grealish
    b) McCarthy to Martinez + a) -4
    c) Save

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

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

    C.Taylor
    Any chance he returns and plays vs West Ham?

    1. TFP
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      a small chance. much likelier vs Liverpool

    2. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I wouldn't bet on it

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

      Ben Crellin said he’s been training all last week and should be back

  7. Kay317
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any Leeds fans know if Alioski will keep his place this week?

    1. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The fans don't pick the team

      1. Kay317
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks. I was unaware.

  8. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Been watching Mandalorian, so...

    Is this the way? -- McCarthy, Targett, DCL > Martinez, Stones, Antonio (-8)

    Team becomes:
    Martinez, Forster
    Stones, Chilwell, Coufal, KWP, Kilman
    Salah, KDB, Bruno, Grealish, Soucek
    Antonio, Wilson, Bamford

    1. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      This is the way

      1. T88MYE
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Why drop Targett?

  9. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is this team good to go?

    Johnstone (Mc. Carthy)
    Dias, Stones, Robertson, Coufal (Lowton)
    Salah, Fernandes, Soucek, Foden (Raphinha)
    Kane, Bamford (Adams)

    Thanks!

    1. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looks like it

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

      BB? Looks a great team well done

      1. Corona is not good 4 U
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thank you! But no, no bench boost.

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

    Meslier
    Robertson Dias Stones Zouma
    Salah(C) Mane Bruno (V) Grealish Soucek Antonio
    Steer Coufal Bamford Brewster
    1.2 itb
    A) Steer to Mendy -4 and BB
    B) No hit and TC Salah
    C) Other idea

  11. Jimbo-Jones
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    BB?

    McCarthy (lei)
    Dallas (BHA)
    D-Reid (CHE, MUN)
    Pieters (whu, liv)

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

      I would.

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

      Yes

  12. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench one of the following:

    a) Antonio (BUR, WBA)
    b) Chilwell (ful, lei)
    c) Bamford (BHA)

    1. BENOIT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Lol BB

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

        This, or regret if already used

        1. Tmel
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          My other BB players would be Areola, Mitchell & Adams though (and would cost - 8=

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

            Ok, not worth it then Bamford on bench

  13. BENOIT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Never taken a -12... but this feels worth it? Yes or No?

    Balbuena, Grealish, Adams, Kane ---> Coufal, KDB, Watkins, Antonio

    1. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It’s high risk, particularly if Villa fitness issues and Antonio fragile, but could work

  14. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you do Dier>Stones (-4)? No city defense in my team.

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

      Yes

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yip

    3. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

    4. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

    5. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      y

  15. Saka Rice
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you BB if you had Rodrigo, Dallas and Dier on the bench?

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

  16. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My team pre transfers is below- which I could play with 8 double week players and carry but tempted to get BB out the way - would you

    A Play and carry transfer
    B Raphinha to Soucek and Dallas to Cancelo - 4 and play with 10 doublers
    C Son to Soucek Mitchell to Cancelo and Brewster to Antonio - 8 and BB with 11 doublers and bench of McCarthy Dallas Raphinha Bamford

    Martinez
    Coufal Dias Robertson
    Salah Mané Bruno Son Raphinha
    Bamford Watkins

    McCarthy Dallas Mitchell Brewster

  17. HonestBlatter
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Are these worth of -8p hit?

    Kane-->Antonio
    Saka-->Salah
    Bellerin--> X (Def 4.4M or under or Strujk 3.9 with single game)

  18. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    KDB worth losing Robertson and Son?

    1FT 0.3m ITB

    Johnstone
    Robertson Justin Lowton Coufal
    Soucek Bruno Salah Son*
    Vardy Bamford*

    McCarthy* - Raphinha* Dallas* Adams*
    * SGW

    A) Dallas > Stones
    B) Robbo + Son > Stones + KDB (-4)
    C) Robbo + Lowton/Dallas > Double City def (-4)

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

      B. I did those exact same moves

      1. Il Capitano
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Maybe the right move, just being stubborn on keeping Robbo for the DGW

  19. HashAttack
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) RJames & Schmeichel or B) Chilwell & Johnstone

  20. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kane/Son/Brewster to Salah/Watkins/Wilson worth -8?

  21. FPL Bond @ Twitter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Taylor and Adams out for Stones and Antonio for -4?
    Plan is to BB. Bench is Grealish, Bellerin, Bamford

    1. French Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Do the move but don’t bench boost in my opinion

    2. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Would say yes

  22. French Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Triple captain
    A) KDB
    B) Salah
    C ) Dont triple captain

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C, but if you’re gonna end up doing it, then A

      1. French Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I think we have to hold the TC - was set on Salah originally

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

      I got the same problem

    3. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    4. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kdb hasn’t looked very prolific this season and therefor doesn’t have a high ceiling to justify the TC, Salah isn’t really in the best of forms and up against title contenders Utd which will probably be a cagey game and Burnley who have a solid defence. Not the best time to use FH IMO

    5. Kellz86
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Save TC for later in the season

  23. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you captain Werner if you are 1.6m+ in ranking? Or would you go template and captain KDB or Salah?

    1. French Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Template

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Template

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Join the knights, squire!

  24. George James
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How she looking?

    Martinez
    Coufal • Cancelo • Stones • Robbo
    Salah (TC) • Bruno • KDB • Saka
    Kane • Wilson

    Steer / Bissouma / Mitchel / Brewster

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

    Antonio or Watkins on Wildcard?

    1. French Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Antonio

  26. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Grealish sure to start against City or should I move to Soucek and do Son to KDB?

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

      Why do you think Grealish won't start? From his Instagram post I don't think he's got Covid.

  27. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What would your bench be for this team? Decided not to BB or TC as I’m not 100% sure on either

    Johnstone - McCarthy
    O’Shea - Coufal - Justin - Alioski - Balbuena
    Salah - Kdb - Rashford - Bruno - Raphina
    Bamford - Watkins - Adams

    1. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      McCarthy, Alioski, O'shea, adams

  28. Neves say Neves
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Zouma or Chilwell?

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

      Chilwell.

  29. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    help please!

    Pope Johnstone
    Cancelo Justin Coufal Alioski* Dier*
    Bruno Salah Mane Soucek Raphinha*
    Martial? Wood Bamford*
    1ft., 0.2m itb.

    a) Dier + Wood >>> Stones + Antonio
    b) Mane >>> KDB
    c) Martial >>> Antonio
    d) Raphinha + Martial >>> Ziyech + Antonio (-4)
    e) Martial + Mane >>> Vardy + Rashford (-4)

  30. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hmm Athletic saying Tierney might be ok

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

      He should never be reffing the Pool and Utd game. Extremely biased ref