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. emyoueffsee
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Currently have this team

    Martinez
    Justin KWP Chilwell
    Son Rashford Salah Bruno
    Watkins Bamford Vardy

    Forster Bissouma Kilman Taylor

    0.0m ITB.

    I'm looking to get KDB(c) in for definite but will require a -4. What's the best play bearing in mind I don't want to lose Salah or Bruno.

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

      No easy way unfortunately as im sure you don't want to lose bam?

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

        Would you do Rashford and Son to KDB and Soucek for a -4?

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      dont think you can do it mate, might have to get rid of Vardy + Rashford

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

        Was thinking Rashford and Vardy to KDB and Antonio for a -4. Problem is every time I get rid of Vardy he punishes me.

  2. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    No FTs - No BB. Captain Salah but would you do this move for a -8?
    Out: Raphinha(bench anyway) + Kane
    In: KDB + Davis(bench anyway)

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nah

  3. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Salah, Lowton to Sterling, Dias (-4) silly?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Beyond silly

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

      Don't do it

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

    Chances of Leeds conceding tomorrow? Got Meslier and Alioski and that will decide if my BB will be worth...

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

      Brighton have been getting a goal in a good few games now, I’d say they’d nab one

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

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

    For a -4

    This will get me 13 dgw players for bench boost

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

    Except Coufal/Dawson who is the best defender with dw up to 4.7?

  7. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start Bamford or Dallas?

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

      Bam

    2. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bam Bam

  8. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench boost baby

    Johnstone, Holding, Chilwell, Antonio 😎

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

      Noice

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

      Having Johnstone must hurt, doesn't it?

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        If he's good enough for the Scout Picks 😉

    3. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      How many hits did that cost you?

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I've taken a -8 but only Chilwell of these was bought in this week. Kane is the only single gw player in my 11

      2. Dino
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Granville you ledge, hope your still keeping it real? Much tougher game now than when we started out unfortunately

        1. Granville
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Tell me about it. I've done ok this season mind you.

          1. Dino
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Not me unfortunately, the old easy wins of fixture pile ups have been distilled down to fpl for dummies that much that doing a bit of planning means you struggle to tread water these days. Still enjoyable but definitely not as much a priority in life now as it was when we were younger. Good to see you still at it anyway. Best of luck for the rest of the season, hope you win the whole thing 😉

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

      Who are the ones playing?

      Bissouma, Fodder? 😉

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Well I wouldn't be BB'ing that would I?

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

    Adams --> Antonio, and play him over Allioski? Yay or nay?

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

      Yay

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

      Yay

  10. 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.
    Look ok?

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

    Martinez Lowton Raphinha* KWP*

    1ft £0.1m

    * = 1 game or out

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

    DCL, Raphinha, Adams -> Vardy, Antonio, Anguissa for -8?

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

      Not having a City player is the only thing stopping this

  12. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts appreciated.

    Burke and Kane or Son and Adams to Salah and Antonio?

    Burke is the most annoying fodder oat but Adams will be bench fodder and will cost .6 more to keep also might price me out of future moves.

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      Burke and Kane

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

      B

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        B= adams and Son yes?

  13. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    No LIV but I think I will go BB, ok enough guys? Any worthy hits?

    DDG*
    Stones* Cancelo* Coufal*
    KDB* Bruno* Rashford* Soucek* Son
    Antonio* Wood*

    Martinez* Bamford Dallas Holding

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looks great

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thx

  14. grooveymatt65
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi guys just need abit of help...

    im doing a wildcard on fanteam but when i change my players and click update team it doesnt mention about a wildcard on the screen after it just lists the transfers that are happening and theres a confirm button.

    Do i need to hit confirm first or something? i can't see a wildcard button anywhere?

    thanks

  15. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Please help me decide DCL to Watkins or Antonio
    This will be until gw25 wildcard and own Bamford Rodrigo as it is

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Antonio has got the fixtures and I’m going to be going with him but I just can’t recommended him he easily might not even start

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

        Watkins will be super frustrating to own

  16. Krafty Werks
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A - TC Salah or KDB?
    B - BB with Martinez / Bamford / Raphinha / Dallas
    C - Chillax & save chips.

    Thanks.

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

    Bench boost or not? 11 doublers. My worry is whether McCarthy plays. I know back in training but will he be given more rest time and is it worth hit to get Johnstone or Areola......

    Martinez
    Cancelo Coufal Dias Robertson
    Salah Bruno Soucek Mané (c)
    Antonio Watkins

    McCarthy Bamford Raphinha Dallas

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

      Have same bench and not BB

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

        Sorry Alioski instead of dallas

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

      I'm doing McCarthy>double game GK for BB

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

        Which goalie and would you do for additional-4 in my situation?

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

    Need to go sleep. Which of the below transfers? Have no city which worries me. 0.3m ITB.

    Johnstone
    Justin - Robbo - Coufal - Balbuena
    Salah - Son - Bruno - Soucek
    Kane - Bamford

    McCarthy - Raphinha - Adams - Alioski.

    A) Robbo + Balbuena + Raphinha > Dias + Stones + Foden -8.
    B) Robbo + Balbuena + Raphinia + Adams > Dias + Stones + Foden + Antonio -12 (Will BB).
    C) Robbo + Raphinha > Dias + Foden -4.
    D) Robbo + Balbuena > Stones + Dias -4.
    E) Robbo + Balbuena + Son > Stones + Dawson + KDB -8

  19. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What time does price changes happen these days

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      20-25 min

    2. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      1.30 I believe

    3. Ten Season Wonder
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      thanks guys

  20. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    McCarthy >

    A. Mendy -4
    B. Martinez -4
    C. Hold

    Leaning towards A with Chelsea's fixtures and no Chelsea defence

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’m Thinking A also

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

        Just looked back at Mendy's past scores and not pretty viewing. Maybe Martinez safer given his ownership

        1. Pukki Blinders
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Good point, Mendy hasn’t scored more than 7 points all season... Villa fixtures are also decent

  21. Simon69
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I know it's difficult to call with Pep rotation but what do we think on Foden starting both games in 19? Has played a crucial role in his last 3 starts

    1. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not great. Pepe doesn't like young players getting too big for their boots.

      1. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I'm trying to convince myself that he's a good DGW pick but might be less risky to go for Sterling instead. Fancy the double city attack over defence for 19.

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

      1 start and 20 or 30min run out... I think he'll still do well

      1. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers.

  22. panda07
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you BB this?

    Martinez C.Taylor, Dallas, Brewster

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

      No

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

      No because of Taylor and Brewster

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

    I feel I’m getting desperate to fit City in. Someone please tell me if this move makes any sense for -8

    Kane & Chillwell & Oriol Romeu > 4.3m striker & Stones & KDB

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

      No way just go Kane and Romeu to KDB and somebody

      Chilly is gold

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

        I can’t afford that, I need to downgrade Chilly to afford KDB

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

      Don't sell Chilwell

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

      Tough one as there's no natural city replacement for Kane and I probably keep Chillwel.

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

      Do it, you'll need Stones and KDB long term any way.

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

    Current team:
    Martinez-Forster*
    Justin-Coufal-Cancelo-Dier*-Bellerin*
    Rashford-Fernandes-KdB-Gundogan-Saka*
    Watkins-Kane*-Bamford*

    1FT 1.8M ITB - Which 8p hit would you take (no chips this GW):

    a) Rashford, Saka, Bellerin -->Salah (C), Soucek, Strujk
    b) Kane, Saka, Bellerin -->Salah (C), Antonio, Strujk or any def 4.4M or less
    c) Kane, Rashford, Bellerin -->Salah (C), Vardy, Dawson

  25. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is this team good to go? (Considering TC Salah tbh)

    Martinez
    Coufal Dias Stones Chilwell
    Salah(C) Bruno Soucek Son
    Kane Bamford

    1. Nemes1s
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looks good! Kane to Vardy might be with considering.

      1. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks a lot! No FTs and the plan is Kane to KDB with cheap downgrades but for the next gw I think cause I will need a -8 in this one. Maybe it's worth though cause in the next gw it's gonna be -4 also

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

    I’m trying to guess if my closest rival would play bench boost.

    His bench is: Holding, Dallas, Adams

    Would you play BB here? I can’t be sure. Thanks

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would depending on keeper tho

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

      He may do if he’s done Adams > Antonio and/or Dallas > Stones/Coufal

  27. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who to Captain Salah or KDB???? On your marks, get set........Go!!!!!!

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Salah

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

      Salah

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers fellas!!! Was leaning that way!!

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

          Don't listen to them, listen to me 😉

          Or better still watch this week's Black Box on Youtube.

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

      KDB

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

    Decisions, decisions.....

    A) BB - non playing GK, Bamford (BHA), Wilson (ars +avl), Bednarek (lei)

    B) BB - non playing GK, Banford (BHA), Wilson (ars +avl) , Coufal (BUR + WBA) & - 4 pts

    C) Don't BB

    Help pls !

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

    Think I’m all set now (Sterling > Salah & Dier > Stones done);

    ............Martínez
    ....Cancelo - Stones - Justin
    KDB(c)- Salah - Bruno - Grealish - Soucek
    ........Kane - Bamford
    Bench: Holding - Brewster - Mitchell
    0.5 ITB & 0FT

    G2G or a cheeky punt on Bamford > Antonio?
    Hit the TC button on KDB?

    1. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sterling to Salah is a wild move.

  30. gart888
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is going triple City defense (Cancelo, Dias, Stones) total madness, or a potentially great move? Don't have KDB because I'm an idiot.

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wouldn’t rule yourself out of a city attacker