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. Clintymints
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What’s to be said for a KdB triple cap?

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not as good as Salah triple cap

    2. Werner Bremen
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would do it, but those postponements though...

    3. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      not for me, was all geared up for that but think TC could be better used in a minor double gameweek

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

      Hes tired

    5. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hmm Salah maybe. Good points on KdB

      Might just leave regular c

  2. Werner Bremen
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    The did is done...
    DCL, Son and Zouma to
    Antonio, KDB(c) and Stones for -8.

    Well now, fingers crossed

    1. Werner Bremen
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Deed*

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

    Dallas to Stones (-8) or N. Phillips to Coufal (-8)
    Unsure if I should BB I also have Forster 2nd GK and McCarthy could be back. Maybe best to hold

  4. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed.

    A) Kane, Taylor to Vardy, Stones -4
    B) Kane, Grealish to KDB, Antonio -4
    C) Kane, Taylor, Grealish to KDB, Stones, Antonio -8

    If I do A or C, I would bench boost with:

    Mccarthy, Bissouma, Alioski, Coufal

    If I do B, I would ignore the bench boost

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

    O’Shea/Alioski to Stones worth a -4? Or just start one of them?

    1. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd do it

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

        What if Leeds game gets put back on gw19?

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

    Thinking of KWP and DCL to Stones and Antonio for -4 and playing BB.
    What do you think?

    Johnstone
    Robertson Cancelo Furlong
    Salah Fernandes Grealish Soucek
    Kane* Bamford* DCL*

    Martinez Lowton Raphinha* KWP*

    1ft £0.1m

    * = 1 game or out

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

    KDB (-8) or Sterling (-4)?

    1. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      KDB

    2. dubtom
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sterling

    3. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Neither

  8. 1966 was a great year for E…
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you rather have:

    A) Dias & Coufal
    B) Stones & Cresswell

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

      A

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

    Dier > Chilwell worth it for a hit?

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

      Asking the same question (for free).

      For a hit, id say no(unless you want him long term)

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

    Ahh sod it, can't lose Robbo on a DGW and Son v SHU for a hit. Going to just do Dallas > Stones giving me the below team. Seem reasonable?

    Johnstone
    Robertson Justin Coufal Stones
    Bruno Salah (C) Soucek Son
    Vardy Bamford

    McCarthy - Raphinha Lowton Adams

    That bench worth a BB?

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

      Still a good team. I wouldn't BB considering there's a chance the SOU/LEE DGW pops up in the next few GWs.

      You have the players ready, and bar 1/2 players (who you can sub out in the lead up) - your current team has good fixtures for if it does end up being GW23...

      All guesswork, but up to you!

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

        Good shout, DGWs likely on the horizon for the Soton and Leeds boys only concern is if I can hold myself back from fodderising my bench to upgrade the XI before then.

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

    Should I play

    A - Maguire
    B - Bamford

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

      B

  12. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who backs up Cancelo

    1. Klopp's Kids
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bernardo Silva and Dias

      1. Klopp's Kids
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        but in all seriousness, Mendy, Walker or Zinchenko

        hard to drop him

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

      For what, captaincy?

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

        Dias or Cancelo

  13. dubtom
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A. Kane->Vardy/Antonio = -4
    B. Maupay->Antonio which also means leaving Targett or Lookman on the bench = -4
    C. Kane only ST = no hit

  14. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Have a feeling Dias will score this DGW. *Fingers Crossed*

  15. fieldmicemk13
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A.) Bednerak & Bamford -> Stones & Watkins
    OR
    B.) Bednerak & Kane -> Cancelo & Jesus

  16. dsefton
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    who scores more:
    A) Antonio + Tierney + 4
    B) Antonio + Justin

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

      Probably A

  17. tuturututu
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Meslier; Giroud, Bamford, Alioski

    Is this worth bench boosting?

    With what amount of points would you be happy when BBing?

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

      Of points on bench*

  18. FPL Doctor
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you:
    A) BB this team below for a -8? (Losing Son + Adams + Steer for Foden + Antonio + Mendy)
    B) Adams to Antonio (free)

    Martinez Mendy
    Dias Coufal Dallas Justin James
    KDB Salah Foden Soucek Bruno
    Wood Antonio Bamford

  19. Isco Disco
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hello FFS fam...Need your help now more than ever. Please provide me some valid and genuine reasons for why this isn’t a good move. Kane, Bruno -> Salah Vardy (-8) YAY or NAY?
    My gut says go with this move coz I feel Bruno will blank coz he looked tired and is against 2 decent defensive teams. Hope y’all are able to convince me not to pull the trigger.

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

      Bruno is a season long keeper. Don’t do it.

      1. Isco Disco
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I know. But just for this gameweek should I do Bruno - Salah.
        Other possibility is Son -> Salah but I just don’t really want to lose Son

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

      Bruno will of rested now and be ready to rock as always in a huge game he’ll wanna out his stamp on I’m sure. Yes to the Vardy move, and it’s so tough choosing between Salah & Bruno

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

        I wouldn't - gotta find a way to have Bruno and Salah long term

  20. Puntillimon
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench one:
    A) soucek
    B) grealish
    C) coufal

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

      c

  21. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How's this look for minus 4.
    Playing no chips.
    Martinez
    Coufal Dallas Stones
    Grealish Bruno KDB Salah
    Kane Bamford Watkins

    Taylor Stephens Kilman

    Good enough?

  22. nerd_is_the_werd
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Currently own Grealish, DCL, Zouma and Ward-Prowse and have no City players, all about to drop in price this evening.
    Currently on 1 FT.

    Would love to keep my wildcard, but should I enable it now?
    Or is it not as bad as it looks.

  23. mgilbert86
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is a -8 worth it to enable a bench boost?

    1. Klopp's Kids
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think so. Allows you to save wildcard later on instead of forcing it for a DGW.

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

      -8 in, 2 transfers out... Only if you get 13-15 good dgw players imo.

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

    Blimey, spent that long deciding which extra DGW’ers to bring in I’ve totally neglected what usually takes me days to decide on, the captain choice!

    Really it’s only between Bruno, Salah, & KDB for me.

    There’s arguments for and against any of these three but what is your gut feeling for captain here?

    Cheers

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

      Not Bruno due to the 4 ycs. KDB and Salah could both haul. KDB more likely to get a rest? tough one.

  25. AppleDunk
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez, Steer
    Taylor*, Dallas, Stones, Cancelo, Justin
    Son, Salah, KDB, Bruno, Soucek
    Bamford, Wood, DCL*

    A) DCL to Antonio (bench one of Bamford or Wood)
    B) DCL to Brewster (play both Bam and Wood)

    Already on -4, don't intend to BB or TC.
    Appreciate all comments, thanks!

  26. John78
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Johnstone (McCarthy)
    Justin Stones KWP Coufal Dallas
    Salah Fernandes Son Soucek Foden
    Bamford Adams Vardy

    Did Kane & Rapinha to Vardy + Foden (-4), going without KDB, what do you think?
    going to BB too.
    Mainly because wanted to keep Son

  27. ABCDEFC
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    These worth the hits?
    A) McCarthy to Martinez
    B) Raphinha to Foden
    C) Adams to Watkins

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

    Should I BB Dallas and Bamford in case they are awarded a double during this gw?

    Surely they cnat be at this late stage can they?

  29. Khalico
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    wood or watkins?
    already have antonio and bamford

    1. mgilbert86
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      im very tempted by watkins, i just dont know if hes had covid

  30. Fantasyamateur
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Was initially going to do Wilson to Antonio, but suddenly Wilson also got a DGW. Also own Bamford and Wood. Who do I transfer out for Antonio? Leaning towards Wood, but can't really make up my mind..

    1. Klopp's Kids
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wood out