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. Amans94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Stones or Dias to Cancelo? (or don't make the move at all?)

    1. Esalman
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It's a very sideways move and Cancelo is not going to score 17 points every week.

      1. Oi! Shadders!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        LIES!

        1. Esalman
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I hope so lol proud Cancelo owner myself.

      2. Saïss Doesn't Mat…
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        this. plus you had both rake in 44 last gw. calm down you can't have them all

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Stones if money is not an issue.

    3. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Stones

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

    Who will score more this week?
    A. Bamford + 4 pts
    B. Salah

    Cheers

    1. Esalman
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I want to say Salah but he probably won't.

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    3. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

  3. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    If you had stupidly hit your wildcard button in anger after a few drinks, who would be your must haves? Asking for a friend...

    1. Vlekz
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Any chips left?

        1. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Still have Free Hit and TC

          1. Vlekz
              3 years, 1 month ago

              No BB makes it easier. 3 city (any combination), bruno ,DCL, digne lei mid,antonio

              1. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Thanks

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

          Cancelo for sure

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

          Well clearly don’t have Salah if you want to make friends

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

          Cancelo, Salah, Bruno, Gündogan, Antonio, DCL

          1. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Thanks - had most of them. I had Sterling, Soucek, Watkins that could switch to Gundo, Salah, Brewster

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

          something like this:

          Martinez, Areola
          Digne, Cancelo, Dias, Rudiger, Mitchell
          Salah, Bruno, Son, Grealish, Gundogan
          DCL, Antonio, Watkins

          1. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Thanks - I had 11 of those already. Will make a couple more changes

        6. 3 A
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Cancelo
          Cresswell
          Gundo,
          Saka,
          Antonio

        7. Sheffield Wednesday
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Nobody secretly likes Lacazette?

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

            I alteady have Saka. 1 is enough

            1. Sheffield Wednesday
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              I see, similar form, better value. If Saka was your 5th mid would you bench a forward to accommodate him?

      • Vlekz
          3 years, 1 month ago

          RP(made it shorter), TIA
          Will WC in gw 25

          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)

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

            A.. I'm doing Lewis to Digne, and thinking of Bamford to DCL for -4 myself.

          2. Boly Would
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            I'm also probably getting DCL and Digne in for a -4.
            Not sure about B though.

          3. Vlekz
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Thank you phlajo and boly.

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

            How did Salah look against Spurs?

            1. Esalman
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Frustrated.

            2. zon
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Lively, scored a goal deemed offside in the build up by VAR

            3. Warby84
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              I think he’s a C candidate this week, thought he looked sharp, taking on defenders a bit more.. Finish for disallowed goal was impressive

              1. Boly Would
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Did he look a better option in general than Mane?

                1. Warby84
                  • 8 Years
                  3 years, 1 month ago

                  All front 3 looked on it, firmino back to his usual class.. That’s up to you whether you take a punt, Mane was exceptional as well

            4. EmreCan Hustle
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Like he's due.

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

              Cheers all

            6. 3 A
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Just one or two shot.

              Mane in other hand have 7. All on target. Hehe

          5. as33
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Best replacement for Kane?

            1. Esalman
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Watkins or Antonio

            2. Bavarian
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              DCL

            3. EmreCan Hustle
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Antonio

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

              DCL

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

              Antonio if he can be more clinical finisher

          6. EmreCan Hustle
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Kane+ESR+AWB >>> DCL+Grealish+Digne(-8)?

            Thanks.

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

              Looks good imo

          7. Saïss Doesn't Mat…
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            was planning on getting Kane for brewster this gw but thanks to his injury i'm stuck with 8m itb. what to do?

            a) brewster to dcl
            b) save
            c) one of forster to areola or bernado to mitchel for bench depth

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

              Same with me. But i dont have any FT left. Happily buy DCL if i have FT

          8. EWH2020
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Foden to Gundo -4?

            I have no other viable captain choice

            1. EmreCan Hustle
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              If you captain Gundogan then yes.

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

              No

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

            Why DCL, other than the fact that he has good fixtures. Antonio, Watkins, Laca in much better form!

            1. EmreCan Hustle
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Newcastle and DGWs

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

                Who else maybe have DGW?

                1. EmreCan Hustle
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 1 month ago

                  Maybe Saints and City in GW 24. There will be a big DGW in 26

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

                    Tq

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

              fixtures, all crucial players back, great stats, and possible DGW24

              Antonio and Watkins are great too though. Would be my preferred front three now

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

                Fair points. Who else is expected to have DGW24?

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

                  MCI and one out of EVE/SOU

          10. Warby84
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Martinez
            Trent Robertson Dias Cancelo
            Fernandes Salah Gundogan(c)
            Richarlison Antonio DCL

            De Gea Soucek Coufal Smith-Rowe

            Gtg??

            Taken a couple of hits to get this..

          11. marcos11
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Whos the best (fit) striker in the game now? Have Kane and Bamford but planning Antonio already

            1. AC/DC AFC
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              No idea.

              I need to swith up my defence but need to sort Kane and Bamford out first.

              Guess we're looking at Everton, Arsenal or Southampton but not many options upfront.

          12. stu92
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Vardy & Alioski > Adams & Cancelo (-4)???

            Martinez (Johnstone)
            Robbo Stones Alioski/Cancelo (Targett Coufal)
            Salah Son Bruno Raphinha (Soucek)
            Antonio Bamford Vardy/Adams

            1. RAFA THE GAFFA
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Not Adams for me.

            2. EmreCan Hustle
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Can you afford Watkins?

          13. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Morning all. Best move here? Thanks 🙂

            A. Lowton >> Cancelo
            B. Raphina >> Son
            C. Raphina >> Sterling (possible Captain)
            D. A+B for -4

            McCarthy
            Robbo, Dias, Coufal
            Salah, Bruno, Gündo, Raphina
            DCL, Bamford, Antonio
            (Johnstone, Soucek, Dallas, Lowton)

            1. EmreCan Hustle
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              A

            2. Saïss Doesn't Mat…
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              A

            3. Make United Great Again
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              A

          14. Sterling Archer
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            gw score of 68 - pretty much any transfer ideas i had revolved around TAA out, ive kept the faith and he has finally got a decent score.

            Still may switch him to Cancelo as i would like some funds to upgrade bamford and adams!

            Will likely bank my transfer and re-asses with 2 FT's!

            1. Warby84
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              I’ve just doubled up on Trent/Robertson think the tide will turn now... Confidence back with Trent after a scintillating performance

              1. g40steve
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Too early I had Robbo from the beginning, too many easy games lost or given away through errors, they cannot defend!

          15. FPL Bond @ Twitter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Who all have DGW 24??

            1. EmreCan Hustle
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Unclear. Possibly Saints, City and Everton

          16. Eat my goal!
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Who is the best 3 strikers now - running out of options!

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

              DCL, Antonio, Watkins - quite easy imo

              1. Warby84
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                I’ve doubled up Richarlison/C-Lewin/Antonio think I will move Richarlison on to Watkins in 3 GW time

              2. Eat my goal!
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Laca?

              3. AC/DC AFC
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Still not convinced on Watkins...

                Will look again.

            2. 3 A
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Messi, Lewangoalski, Gundogan OOP

            3. THFC4LIFE
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Antonio plus 2 I suppose, limited options with Kane and Vardy out

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

              352 formation

              1. Make United Great Again
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                This.

            5. Shark Team
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              1. Antonio
              2. DCL
              For the upcoming fixtures.
              Then Watkins along with Bamford but really 5 mids could work better

          17. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Also which to play here?

            A. Soucek
            B. Raphina

            1. McCarthy
            2. Johnstone

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

              B2 for me

            2. marcos11
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              B2

          18. HollywoodXI
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Which combo?

            A) Salah and Watkins
            B) Mane and DCL

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

              Long term A) if your chasing and fancy a punt B)

          19. cm790
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Martial or Bamford to DCL?

            1. Warby84
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Martial from those 2

              1. cm790
                • 3 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                TY both

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

              Martial

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

              Martial

          20. CapK
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            A) Vardy > DCL (Newcastle H) -4
            B) Play one of Justin (Lee H) / Coufal (Liv H) / Bamford / Raphina (Lei A) and get DCL next week

            Thanks

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

              I think I'd just play Bamford. Or A if you're feeling punty

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

            Best move this gw

            A. Tierney to Digne
            B. Bamford to Watkins
            C. Soucek or Saka to Grealish

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

              Out of those, A

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

            Is the YC rule reset for Grealish?

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

              One more game to get through

            2. Warby84
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              1 more game only played 18

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

              If he gets a card in the next one, he's suspended for 1 then?

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

                Correct

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

            Mane is a real streaky player, looking at his performance vs Spurs this could be the perfect time to jump on

            1. Warby84
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Was impressive

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

              Fancy him for a hit over Rashford this GW?

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

                Could pay off but not for me mate

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

              He looks good if only Trent get some form too. His 2nd goal assisted by Trent.

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

              For me he's bad value wise if you have Salah. 11.8 is way too much for someone you won't ever captain

            5. Athletico Underachieving
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Had him all last season when he was 10-ish but feels overpriced this year

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

              Very tempted

          24. Warby84
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Would you play De Gea away to Arsenal ( I remember he once got a 14 pointer) or Martinez away to Southampton?

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

              I think Martinez, tough call though

              1. Warby84
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Aubameyang back? Not that it makes a difference haha

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

                  No idea, might not know until after deadline either.

            2. 3 A
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Martinez. Arsenal in a ted hot form. De Gea concede two against Sheffield hohoho

              1. Warby84
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                I’m on him atm

          25. Ëð
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Anything worth a hit here? £3.4m ITB

            McCarthy
            Robertson, Stones, Justin
            Salah, Son, Bruno, Gundo
            DCL, Bamford, Adams

            Johnstone, Dallas, Soucek, Coufal

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

              Dallas > cancello or 3rd city & bench Adams / bamford - Not sure if worth a hit though!

          26. cm790
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Do we expect 90 mins from Shaw this week?

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

              Yes

            2. Warby84
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              I think 99.9%

          27. DannyDrinkVodka
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Considering Soucek>Sterling.....because I have the £ and the City slot....

            Worth captaining Sterling over Gundogan?

            1. Vlekz
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Definitely

            2. De Gea is GOAT
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Chilwell to Digne for free or hold? Thanks guys

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

              Martinez
              Dias Stones Maguire Cresswell Robertson
              Son Salah Bruno Foden Raphinha
              Watkins Antonio Bamford

              1FT 1.6m ITB
              A Bamford to DCL
              B Maguire to Digne
              C Bamford & Robertson to DCL & Digne (-4)