Pro Pundits - Az

Is it time to take captaincy punts as FPL premium assets continue to blank?

I’m writing this article in quite a good mood.

Despite having Tomas Soucek (£5.3m) on my bench and not taking a hit for the mighty Ilkay Gündogan (£5.7m) as I planned, the second half of the season has started pretty well for me.

João Cancelo (£5.9m) has finally delivered on all of his promise and Raphinha (£5.4m), who I’ve had for what seems a decade, got me a nice double-digit return.

I’m really hoping a decent Gameweek 20 can be the catalyst in my average season and I can start getting some decisions right. The last few seasons have seen me struggle until around this point and then I’ve managed to turn it around – so here’s hoping I can pull that off again this year.

I’ve got a plan going forward, so here it is:

Operation Target Everton and Manchester City players

Sky Fantasy Football: Sticks and Stones? Who to bring in before the Overhaul? 2

You don’t need to be an “expert” (and I’m certainly not) to know that a) Man City are pretty good and b) we should probably get in some of into our teams.

The question is, who do we go for?

Going with two defenders from the same team normally fills me with fear, but I don’t have any concerns when it comes to City. Going three at the back is also an option, where rotation looks less likely with the likes of John Stones (£5.1m), Ruben Dias (£5.9m) and of course Cancelo all looking strong.

Ederson (£6.0m) is the most nailed on player in the whole team – but getting in an expensive goalkeeper and missing out on defenders with an attacking threat, or limiting yourself to not being able to move for a midfielder, does not seem sensible to me.

For me though, I think it’s now time invest in a Man City midfielder and, Kevin De Bruyne’s (£11.9) has paved the way for quite a few options to come into the reckoning.

Mark and I talked extensively about Gündogan on FPL BlackBox and it was nice to see those who took a punt on him rewarded straight away.

Cancelo finally delivers big haul as Gündogan shines in KDB's absence 18

His stats are brilliant this season and any fears of him playing too “deep” were allayed with a fantastic performance against West Brom. He’s my pick of the lot. As my fellow Top Gun Luke said to me, if Gündogan was valued at £11m, people wouldn’t have hesitated to get him in and would probably have captained him against West Brom. I think he’s right, the German being such a cheap price, leaving people with lots of money in the bank and no idea what to do with it, probably puts people off.

Gündogan’s form doesn’t mean that players such as Raheem Sterling (£11.5m), Bernardo Silva (£7.4m) and Phil Foden (£6.3m) should be completely off people’s radar though. In fact, this might be the time to grab two midfielders, rather than two defenders. This would make the most of what promises to be a rather incredible run of games for City, likely involving lots of Double Gameweeks – and the likes of Sheffield United (home) and Burnley (away) who you would expect them to steamroll.

Everton

Returning Digne can help Everton's attacking assets return to form in Gameweek 20

So, along with my three City players (most probably Stones, Cancelo and Gündogan), I’m also looking at Everton who have literally just scored a goal against Leicester as I write this (it must be a sign).

They currently have two games in hand, have a couple of good fixtures to come against Newcastle (home) and Leeds (away) and crucially, they’ve got their players back. Losing the likes of James Rodriguez (£7.7m) and Lucas Digne (£6.0) is enough to unsettle any side – but these two are back and looking class when I see them play.

I’m hoping that this means extra service for Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.7m) and he can get back to his early-season form. Digne is playing on the left of midfield tonight. I’m going to find it very hard to resist him, knowing his quality and with the upcoming fixtures and this new potential out-of-position classification.

I think I’ll be getting both Digne and Calvert-Lewin in my team this week.

Time to take some captain punts

Calvert-Lewin offsets longest goalless streak with another Fantasy assist

It was a really interesting chat with Mark on BlackBox about how myself and most people I know are much more likely to take a punt on transferring in a player rather than rolling the dice with a captain option.

There’s an element of fear when it comes to captaincy, but this season should be teaching us to perhaps think outside of our normal realm. The likes of Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) and even the ever-reliable Bruno Fernandes (£11.4m) have all let us down on occasion and with the likes of West Ham, Leicester, Everton and Aston Villa surpassing our expectations, I believe it is time for us to start widening the net.

The likes of Cancelo and Gündogan were overlooked this week as people (myself included) flocked to Bruno Fernandes, who became the most captained player ever in a Gameweek (and the full-time whistle has just gone, he’s blanked at home to Sheffield United!!!). The logic of Fernandes was completely sound of course, but there is huge potential to get ahead if you can get the captaincy call right.

The captaincy allows us to roll the dice for one week and if we want to elevate our seasons to the next level, getting on the right end of some of these calls could be a great way to rise up the ranks.

It’ll be a fortnight until my next article, so I’m planning on mixing things up a bit and captaining my City and Everton players, who at this point, are likely to be flying a bit under the radar when it comes to captaincy and will hopefully mean I can maximise their potential in the games ahead. One of Gündogan or Calvert-Lewin (or maybe even Digne if I’m feeling particularly brave) is likely to be my captain in three of the next four Gameweeks.

I’d feel really good about captaining a Leicester player this week against Leeds too. Either Harvey Barnes (£6.8m) or my favourite player, James Maddison (£7.2m). I think I’d swing for Barnes in this one though as I expect Phillips to do a good job on Madders, with Barnes causing havoc down the wings. I think I need to prioritise getting Gündogan in this week, but if I had a transfer spare, it would likely be captain Barnes for me.

The biggest test for my new brave outlook on captains will be the Spurs vs West Brom game in Gameweek 23. With the Baggies conceding goals for fun it will be hard to back against Son Heung-min (£9.7m) or Harry Kane (£11.3m).

Can Chelsea can get their act together so we can consider one of their players versus Sheffield United? Or maybe Bamford can find his shooting boots again before they entertain a pretty woeful Crystal Palace side. Man City also play at Anfield in what could be a title-deciding match – we’ve seen goals in this fixture before, so depending on the Liverpool’s centre back status, the likes of Gündogan may still be a shrewd move.

Az <p>One half of the FPL BlackBox YouTube series with Mark Sutherns.</p><p>Former Membership Strategy Manager for FFS&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

2,504 Comments Post a Comment
  1. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    My transfers over the past few ganeweeks

    Kane son to vardy kdb both injured and this week vardy to Kane 🙂

    1. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tell me who are you getting in thise GW. I'll remove him from my shortlist! 😛

      On a serious note, that's hard luck. Hopefully, fortunes will change for you this GW.

    2. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Rookie error, getting a player in before he has played.

  2. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best 6m or less defender for the next 4-5 GWs? Have Cancelo and Dias.

    A. Digne
    B. Targett
    C. Mitchell
    D. Justin
    E. Anyone else?

    Mitchell would be 5th defender. Rest would be 4th.

    1. Jamb0
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Felt like he was the obvious move but Everton just don't keep enough CSs. Do you think he's worth 6m?

        1. Jamb0
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          He is a great differential, on set pieces and played in midfield last match too... fixtures are there for the taking

    2. Bielsa Murderball
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Worth 6m?

        1. Bielsa Murderball
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Played as LW last match 😉

    3. Pops15
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It has to be Digne. Always has the attacking potential and if they are ever going to keep some clean sheets the next 3 out of 4 fixtures are when its going to happen

  3. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Salah probably the one player who I can bring in after six straight blanks and feel perfectly happy about it. Though I was also perfectly happy going without him until Kane got injured, so I'm not sure what the moral of the story is here

    1. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Same with me. But mane or salah ?!
      Probably salah..

      1. Free Hat
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I have Salah since gw1.

        But I really dont like his positioning last few gws. Stuck on the line and drops in very deep at times.

        Mane looks more goalbound every time I watch them both.

        1. Jebiga
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Yes but he almost scored 2 goals last night.
          I'm thinking to bring in salah or sterling

          1. Free Hat
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            True. But on the other hand you cou ld say Mane could have scored 4.

      2. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        May go Mane for the extra funds but both are fantastic

  4. Sid07
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you ditch any of below for gundo
    1) soucek
    2) son
    3) grealish

    1. Bielsa Murderball
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      1

    2. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      1

    3. I Must Break You
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

  5. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Apologies for repost, bottomed.

    Martinez
    Dias - Robbo - Stones
    Soucek - Son - Gundo - Salah - Bruno
    Bamford - Kane
    ________________________________
    Forster: Dallas: Holding: Brewster

    Was just messing around and figured I could do the following for exact budget:

    Kane + Soucek + Robertson >> DCL + Mane + Digne

    Thoughts on this? (Albeit at a cost of -8, eek)
    Cheers.

    1. Bielsa Murderball
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      yep, would probably do

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

        Cheers, alternatively could just do the Kane to DCL move this GW and work in the others for a hit next GW. Tis very tempting though

    2. kobewan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      8 pts. too much

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

        Yeah true

  6. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Team for this gw after doing kane > dcl. Makes sense to do zouma > digne for a hit? 3m itb.

    martinez
    robbo stones zouma
    salah sterling(c) bruno gundo saka
    dcl bamford

    forster dallas coufal brewster

    1. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Maybe coufal instead of zouma ? Or you think houma lost his place in team ?

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not sure mate.....might be best to stay away from che players till Tuchel decides on his starting 11

  7. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Really want Cancelo, but Robbo out for a hit before WHU feels wrong? Shouod just do it right? Might even captain Cancelo to justify

    1. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      But why ?
      Antonio can score easily, he almost scored 4 goals this gw

    2. Pops15
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would definitely do it. I wouldnt be surprised to see West Ham get a goal in that game. They look good right now and Liverpool still having to play a make shift defence.

  8. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is salah still on penalties ?

    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

      1. Jebiga
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        So probably he's better pick than mane

        1. I Must Break You
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Yes

  9. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Morning

    Which 2 players would you sell out of

    Vardy
    Salah
    James

    Any ideas would be welcomed

    1. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm bringing in salah this gw mate 🙂

      Maybe james because of rotation

    2. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Vardy, and then up to you. Depends what plan you have with the Salah money...

  10. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How long do we expect Kane to be out for?

    1. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Brobably 2-3 gws

  11. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What would you do here?

    Areola
    Cancelo Cresswell AWB
    Sterling (C) Bruno Son Grealish
    Wilson Bamford Antonio

    Dallas Stephens.

    Pick one
    A Stephens> Foden/Gundo/Barnes
    (Bench Bamford/Wilson)
    B Dallas> Chilwell/Rudiger (Bench AWB(ars))

    1. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A gundo

      1. Weeb Kakashi
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        But then who'd you bench out of Wilson Bamford and Antonio.

        I personally like to avoid Benching headaches. Even next week it'd be a benching dilemma.

        1. SpaceCadet
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Wilson. Think its good to have a strong bench with uncertainty on players/ games......

          1. Weeb Kakashi
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Agreed.

  12. lilmessipran
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Do we know how long is Kane ruled out for?

    1. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think 3gws

  13. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which two to play ?

    1. Antonio
    2. Grealish
    3. Maguire
    4. Targett

    ?

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

      1&2 imo

      1. Jebiga
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yep I'm doing that just asking 🙂

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

          Yep all cool

    2. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      1,2

  14. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who's better pick sterling or salah next 4-5 gws ?

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I have Sterling atm. Sterling this week. Salah then onwards.

  15. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which option is better for long term as 7th attacker?

    1. Keep Soucek
    2. Sell Soucek for Zaha

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

      1, Zaha a known troll.

    2. Pops15
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think Soucek has proven his worth this season

  16. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Kane + Bamford > DCL + Antonio worth a -4?

    1. Steiger
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Just Kane to DCL

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

        Cheers bud! Looking likely I’ll do this 😉

    2. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      don’t you want Digne ? 😉

      I think I will do Kane to DCL & Reguilon to Digne ... get an early seat in the wagon 🙂

  17. aleksios
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Kane+KWP to Watkins+TAA for a hit?

    Thanks.

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Citeh def better value

  18. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play with this team or take a hit to improve?

    Martinez
    Stones James Mitchell
    Salah Son Bruno Gundo Soucek
    DCL Bamford

    Steere Holding Coufal Davis

    Thanks!

    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Just play. I'm playing Soucek too.

  19. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    OR1 has a 57 point lead...

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

      Ooo that’ll easily be caught up with close players around him i reckon

  20. Going Home
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best replacements for Vardy and Kane for a -8? Already shifted ESR to Gundogan after his knock midweek

    Thinking DCL and Ings. Not really sure what all end up doing with the extra £5m without premium options firing though

  21. LakhaneeFC
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Need help tweaking this team! Have enough funds to practically change anything. Any advice would be very helpful!

    Martinez
    Konsa Cresswell Stones Dallas Robertson
    Bruno, Gundo, Soucek, Salah (Alzate)
    Bamford Kane (Davies)

    5.7 ITB

    Key players I think I need:
    - Cancelo: Minutes are a concern?
    - Maddison/Barnes: Form atm
    - Antonio (Liv though): Maybe a week later?
    - DCL(??): Worth a punt?
    - Grealish or Watkins: Better with Barkley in the team?

    Not to mention, I would love to know how everyone is setting up for the multiple DGWs coming up.

  22. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bamford to DCL worth a hit?
    Should pay off in the next 2 weeks...

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Considering the same move.

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

      Take the hit, Vibudh.

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

        😛
        Last week I didn't for Kane thankfully , this time I will mostly

  23. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Digne seems a good option. But isnt Chilwell a bit better considering fixtures in the next 4?

    1. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Maybe Ridiger ?

      1. Weeb Kakashi
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Probably. But he is a donkey. Not good enough to play for us.
        He'l be found out soon.

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

      Shhhh

  24. Miniboss
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Morning gents!
    Balbuena -> Cancelo seems to be the best transfer atm, Would you suggest something else?

    1ft, 4.0itb

    McCarthy Button
    Robbo Justin Targett Dallas Balbuena
    Salah Sterling Gundogan Bruno Soucek
    Bamford Antonio Davis

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

      No i wouldnt

      1. Miniboss
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        thank you sir

  25. Hazardous1983
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start soucek or antonio

    Start dallas.mitchel or.coufal

  26. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    With Kane KDB and Vardy out. The only heavy hitters worth considering are Salah Bruno and probably Son(if considered as a big hitter) . That leaves a lot of funds in the banks. Is it time to invest big in the defence again? Digne Chilwell TAA have a nice fixture turn ... And as it people already have one or 2 City defenders.

    Thoughts??

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      CSs are drying up during the fixture congestion, sticking with 3 at the back as long as the mids and forwards keep firing

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Why have Mo over Mane as viable premium?

  27. Party time
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I broke Kane.

      The last time I had him was against Palace 3 years ago or so when he got injured too.

      Sorry Lads

      1. Weeb Kakashi
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Hey Lookman did outscore Martinez afterall. Hope you ended on the right side.

        1. Party time
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Yes buddy.

            32-30. ( terrible gw score)
            He was ranked around 36k & I really thought I will get knocked out. Sean Dyche to the rescue 🙂

            Thanks buddy 🙂

      2. afsr
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Martinez,
        Maguire, Stones, Creswell
        Bruno, Gundo, Salah, Son, Soucek
        Bamford, Watkins

        Forster, Antonio, Dallas, Mitchell,
        1FT, 7.4 ITB

        A - Bamford, Dallas -> DCL, Cancelo (-4)
        B - Bamford, Son -> DCL, Barnes (-4)
        C - Bamford, Dallas, Son -> DCL, Barnes, Cancelo (-8)

      3. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        More than 5 million FPL managers got 4 or less points from their captain this week.

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

          Safety in numbers

        2. Weeb Kakashi
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Finished the week on 69 with Bruno(C). The effect of a captain haul is huge but sometimes it's overrated.

          1. Flair
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Not really, that was just the case this week because just about everyone's captain blanked.

          2. Karan14
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Disagree mate. If you had Gundo or Cancelo captain you'd be flying this week.

            It didn't matter this week because all of the top 5 captains blanked.

          3. Pukki Blinders
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            A captain haul is never overrated. Choose the wrong captain most weeks and you’ll see a red arrow regardless

      4. LewanGOALski
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        A) Raphinha ➡ Gundo
        B) Kane ➡ DCL
        C) both for -4
        ..?

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Both

        2. R.C
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Just A. Wait for news on B

          1. Party time
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Kane is injured. 3 - 4 gws