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. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Last Man Standing GW20 (1147 teams)

    Safety score = 37
    Top score = 88
    LMS average = 54.11 (-1.68) = 52.43

    108 to be removed, 1039 through to GW21
    Up to minimum 10% for next 4 GWs so 104 minimum next GW.
    Congrats to all the survivors 🙂

    https://www.livefpl.net/LMS

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers. Made with just 44

    2. Seamy
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Survived on the number. Phew

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

    Cancelo captain anyone? Didn’t have a big enough pair to do it last week but I am doing it this week out of pure rage

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

      Think he will be rested this GW

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

        He was rested 2 out of the last 4 games, surely not again

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

          Look at the quick turnaround for the next games plus the difficult fixture schedule ahead. SHU is the game I think he will be rested.

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

    My team is falling apart, any tips of transfers appriciated!

    1 FT, 6,6 ITB
    Martinez
    Lowton - Dias - Stones - Coufal
    Salah - Fernandes - Gundogan
    Kane - Bamford - Wilson
    Bench: Ghazi - KWP - Stephens

    Thinking of doing Ghazi, Kane, Stephens to Son, DCL, Grealish (-8). Thoughts?

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

      I think you should WC

  4. 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

    Pick 1 to play:

    A. Mitchell v WOL (H)
    B. Dallas v LEI (A)
    C. Holding v MUN (H)

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

      1A

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

        Thanks. Currently on Mitchell as well but worried they will concede set piece goals to Wolves.

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

      Zaha for the next 8 GWs is a big shout

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

        Yeah they have incredible fixtures but he's a troll. Thats my only worry. I see Tom Freeman got him last GW so I might take the risk, considering I need 1 differential to climb ranks

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

      2A

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

        Cheers

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

      Hold Soucek for next two I suspect.

      Fear a couple of very stodgy matches against Wolves and Newcastle - one goal games.

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

        Thanks. Was wondering if you were around. I was thinking of getting Zaha from NEW fix onwards. Why is that fixture not good for him?

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

          Is this superstition? Palace have scored 3 goals against Newcastle in last 8 fixtures - they're a real bogey team for us. We're both normally in a state of crisis when we meet at this time of year so nothing new there.

          Read Tom Freeman's piece and it made sense. The wrinkle is that Newcastle Wolves and Palace are all struggling and just above the danger zone. Feel that points to a cagey approach

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

            I'll have a look, thanks!

  5. fpork
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Consider the following as captain:
    1) Cancelo
    2) Gundo
    3) Salah

    Seconds from Cancelo captain last GW, but went for Fernandes. Seems like SHU defense is improved, but City should get CS? And Salah has to strike back anytime soon?

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

      How did Salah look last game?

      1. fpork
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Didnt watch the game

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

    Gundogan (C) locked in, absolutely love to see it. Takes me up to 10 different captains this season, hope he's as successful as the rest

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

      Worried about him being subbed off early although he could have scored by then.

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

        My main concern too but he's a second striker playing for the best team in the country vs the worst performing team in the league, fantastic underlying stats, on pens and has 7 goals in the last 8 since the position change. If he was a sexy 11.5M midfielder there wouldn't even be a question of who to captain this week.

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

      Sterling (C) here. Can get Gundo on a free. But for that I'd have to bench one of Bamford Antonio and Wilson. Benching dilemma then for weeks to come.

      Gundo probably the pick of City mids this week.

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

      Amazing to see people captaining budget mids, what a time to be alive

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

      will probably be rested knowing Pep 😉

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

    Current front three:

    Vardy, Kane, Bamford

    A) Vardy and Kane to DCL and Ings (-8)
    B) anything else?

    Bench not looking great (Soucek, Coufal, Dallas)

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

      Play Soucek. Vardy to DCL or Ings. Wait for Kane news.

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

      Liverpool without a central defence says Soucek is decent call - defo over minus 4.

  8. Manumana
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play 1

    A. Soucek
    B. Mitchell
    C. Adam's

    Thanks a lot

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

      C

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

      In that order

  9. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    1FT, 7.5 ITB.

    A. Adams -> DCL
    B. Adams -> Watkins

    Martinez
    Dias Stones Bednarek
    Gundogan Bruno Salah Son
    Bamford Antonio Adams

    Johnstone Dallas Coufal Bissouma

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

      B. Everton is made of glass, their players will get injured again

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

    Martinez
    Robbo Cancelo Dias
    Salah Bruno Grealish Gündo Raphinha
    Antonio Bamford

    (Steer Cresswell Mitchell Brewster)
    1FT & 6.6m

    Raphinha & Bamford ➡️ Son & DCL for -4?

    Any other transfers to consider?

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

      I'd keep Raphinha for one more week. Also see how Son performs without Kane? BHA is a tough fixture imo.

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

        Thing is I'm quite tempted to captain him.

    2. 007 [RoboKlopp]
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Good transfers imo

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

      Raph to Son only.

    4. PapaWengzz
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Good moves

    5. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Good transfers

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

      Bamford to DCL only for me

    7. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm thinking about the same 2 players now and will probably get just DCL for free. Son in GW22 or 23

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

        Not tempted to captain Son this week?

        1. jomikijiq
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Think Salah / Gundo / Cancelo are all better from those that I have. DCL too If I get him.

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

      Cheers all! 😀

  11. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling captain again or should I consider Cancelo... Have Dias as well from City, so no Gundogan...

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

      I'm going Sterling again

  12. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    For the next few gameweeks...

    A. DCL + Saka
    B. Watkins/Bamford + Grealish ?

    1. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

    What to do with Rashford

    A Hold
    B Mane
    C Mo
    D Rodriguez
    E Grealish

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

      C or E for me

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

        Ty

        Does it make a difference if I tell you it's a hit?

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

          Yeah actually I wouldn't get them for a hit

    2. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B or C

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

      CE

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

    Leeds getting a DGW anytime soon? Struggling to see any reason to hold Bamford

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

      They have a game in hand vs South. No idea when it will be played.

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

      5% chance before GW26

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

    Better transfer?

    A Wilson/Bam> DCL
    B AWB > Chilwell

    Feel B has more upside.

    Thoughts??

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

      Chelsea is an unknown territory at the moment, I’d go A comfortably

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

        Fair Enough. Was just thinking that DCL could easily be matched by either of Wilson and Bamford.

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

      A imo

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

        Cheers mate.

  16. Gabbiadini
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Here's a team that actually fulfils my total budget in 2/3 game weeks time through 4 trades.

    Martinez | Forster
    Cancelo | Stones | Coufal | Dallas | Mitchell
    Salah | Fernandes | Son | Grealish | Gundo/Saka/Soucek
    Vardy | Ings | Bamford

    What are people's thoughts at targeting something like this?

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

      Ings is on my mind

      Curious at how long Salah is going to stay so template.

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

        Yes, Ings will also have a DGW (Leeds fixture).
        Salah has arguably had his "blip" and is too good to not score consistently + with KDB/Kane injured he's the price range.

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

    Bottomed

    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)

    Worried Cancelo may be rested, but also don't want to miss another haul

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

      A

  18. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Morning dzzz, the kane injury throws a spanner in the works. 1ft and 6.5m

    Martinez
    Stones Cancelo Dallas -- Coufal Taylor
    Salah Bruno Gundog Rashford -- Burke
    Bamford Antonio Wilson

    A: Rashford >> Son
    B: Rashford + Wilson >> Son + DCL/Watkins (-4)
    C: Rashford + Taylor >> Son + TAA (-4)...can then bench Dallas (lei)
    D: Burke >> Son...but then a benching headache and imbalances team

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

      C

      1. UnitednationsXI
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        the issue i am tired of starting wilson in my team and with C, i will have to start him.
        with B, i take wilson out.
        with D, i will bench him

  19. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which is better?

    A- Gundogan + DCL
    B- Steing + Bamford

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

      A

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

      A safe.
      B Higher potential and risky.

      I have B atm.

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

    Repost, think I bottomed.

    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.

    1. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Think Cancelo/DCL this week and Antonio next,

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

        Thanks! Will try and see if I want to stick with Robertson for longer, or move Konsa.

  21. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one of:

    A. Saka (MUN)
    B. Antonio (LIV)
    C. Bamford (lei)

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

      Bamford

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

      A

    3. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  22. Hig1990
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on these moves?

    Kane, Foden & Robbo > DCL, Sterling (C) & Digne -4

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

      Keep Foden

      1. Hig1990
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Had him for 3 games. Picked him over gundo for the dgw and it killed me lol struggling to resist getting rid

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

    Serge Aurier reportedly stormed out the stadium last night at half time as it kicked off in the dressing room between Mourinho & Spurs players

    Our beloved Mourinho is back!

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

      It was just a matters of time, Mou poisons the atmosphere everywhere he goes. He used to bring some success before that happened, but that is in the distant past now.

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

    Which of these for a hit?
    A) Coufal to Digne
    B) Bamford to DCL

    1. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      for a hit I wouldn't do any of them

  25. Vlekz
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Will WC in gw 25.

      Leno
      Cancelo stones DIER
      Salah bruno rashford grealish SOUCEK
      laca BAMFORD

      Forster I Cresswell Brewster Ferguson

      Doing Bamford to DCL with 1FT

      Should I also do
      A)dier to digne (-4){I probably won't ever use my FT on this move, any week, so might as well be done and hope everton get a DGW for added bonus}

      B)soucek to gundogan (-4)

      C)both A+B(-8)

      TIA

    • FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Would you do this transfer for -4?

      Bamford >> DCL
      Or
      Hold for this week, then consider next week

      1. Vlekz
          3 years, 1 month ago

          For -4 I would be on the fence, but I wouldn't be surprised if it pays off(coin flip imo)

      2. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Which scores more this GW:

        A) Holding (MAN)
        B) Mitchell (WOL)
        C) Coufal (LIV)
        D) Digne (NEW) -4

        1. Vlekz
            3 years, 1 month ago

            B maybe, could be D if he gets an attacking return

          • Pukki Party
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            B

        2. AC Yew
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          17.1 ITB and no idea what to do lol. Was planning Vardy to Kane but now looking at Antonio instead. Leaves me with 10.7 ITB though lol.. worth upgrading Raphina? Other mids are Son Gundo Bruno and Soucek

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

          TAA or Digne?

        4. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Thoughts on getting in Richarlison too along with DCL for next two (NEW,lee) fixtures?