Pro Pundits
9 August 2021 697 comments
Lateriser 12 Lateriser 12
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There is one thing this game can never take from us and that is the hope that comes with Gameweek 1. The new season is upon us and with very little time to go, I thought it would be a good time to share my current draft. I do want to mention that it is very much a work in progress and I don’t know where I will land when the deadline on Friday finally arrives.  

Before we move into my draft, I did a fair bit of contemplation over the summer after my disaster of a season last year where I finished at 678,991 in the world.

Those of you that have read my previous articles know that I do like to take a few punts with my captaincies in an attempt to make huge gains in rank. What I did during the break was look back at my previous campaigns and one thing that stood out to me was that most of my captaincy calls where I went against the crowd came through mainly after Gameweek 10 and primarily in the second half of the season.

(Click above to expand)

I had a very poor start last year and never really recovered from it. This is playing at the back of my mind and while I build my Gameweek 1 team, I want to make sure I’m not taking a lot of risks early season (especially with captaincy) and will do so once I have seen enough games and processed enough data. That is when the subconscious really starts acting and I want to continue playing the game I like to play. That is, at least, the thinking at the moment.

Right then, let us get into the team.

TEAM REVEAL

If you are free at any point, I highly recommend watching/ listening to our first FPL Wire Roundtable where I (along with Zophar) had the pleasure of hosting Tom Freeman, Mark Sutherns, FPL General and Adam Hopcroft for a laid-back chat where we discussed macro FPL. You can watch that below or find it on your favorite podcast platforms.


697 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Catastrophe
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Help appreciated chaps, any major issues?

    Sanchez
    TAA, Shaw, Coufal, Tsimikas
    Salah, Fernandes, Son, Greenwood
    Antonio, Toney

    (Foster, White, Bissouma, Davis)

    Likely go for Gundogan GW2 and see how Villa and Chelsea shape up.

    Cheers

    1. thewakka
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Odds of Tsimikas being the replacement?

      1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        High

      2. Catastrophe
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Can't say I'm 100% sure but believe he is the only other LB.

    2. Thomas Magnum
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Looks good to me, no glaring issues Coufal but I'm sure he works out his issues with WHM before kick off, other than and like your wait and see plan for Chelsea & Villa players. Greenwood to Gundo sounds like a plan as well

      1. Catastrophe
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers, yeah hopefully all OK. Otherwise will probably go for Targett or Keane.

  2. Thomas Magnum
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Is it madness to start with Benrahma & Rodrigo over the more nailed Toney & Harrison?

    1. marcos11
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I would go Toney over Rodrigo but Benrahma could be a good option

  3. Bavarian
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A-Digne-Barnes
    B-Coufal-Jota

    1. FPL Joker
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I’m unsure of Digne cos Everton look very rubbish.

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Not sure I'd pay too much attention to pre season form.

        1. Pukki Pies
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I've seen this said quite a lot, but seeing as there's not a huge amount else to go off, surely pre-season form has some merit? Granted managers will be trying out different options etc, but if a team looks really rusty in pre-season why wouldn't you pay that attention? Also Everton are without their main goal outlet, which is another reason Digne might have looked bad. All in all I think they're an avoid personally until proven otherwise.

  4. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    too risky?

    Sanchez Foster
    TAA Shaw Amartey Livramento Hoever
    Salah Bruno Jota Greenwood Barnes
    Ings Antonio Obafemi

    1. thewakka
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah, your defence is not 100% to be at least 3 nailed.
      Barnes/Jota/Greenwood may not even play if you are unlucky.

      1. DannyDrinkVodka
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I suppose I’ll have to drop Jota for Raphinha and get some 4.5s and the Tsimikas

      2. GREEN IS GOOD
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Why won't Barnes play?

  5. Stokelona
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Bachman
    TAA Tsimkikas. Shaw
    Salah (c) Bruno Son Barnes Benrahma
    Toney. Antonio

    Foster White. amartey Obafemi

    Good to go?

  6. unido
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts please guys

    Schemeichel
    Shaw Dias Cresswell
    Salah Bruno Grealish Greenwood Dallas
    Ings Antonio

    Foster White Amartey Obafemi

  7. FPL Joker
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Who’s better to start with, Arsenal or Everton?

    1. ☈☾
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Lol neither

      1. FPL Joker
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Ha ha.

        Ok, So bar Liverpool, United & Villa who are the best teams to start with? Everton and Arsenal fixtures looked solid.

        1. ☈☾
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Leeds City Chelsea West Ham

          1. FPL Joker
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Cheers

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Depends what you mean by start? 1 gw? 2? 3? Up to 6?

        Fancy arsenal to have a good immediate start, then get spanked by mci, could hold Chelsea to a draw and then two more easy fixtures

    3. SKENG
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I think I'm set on this if I stick to the plan and don't panic to get Bruno... thoughts?

      Bachmann Foster
      TAA Shaw Coufal White 4.0
      Salah Son Mahrez Jota Benrahma
      Ings Antonio 4.5

      1. LangerznMash
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        This is very very similar to Lateriser's team.

    4. King Kohli
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Who scores more in the first 3 gws?
      Need to start 2 each week.

      A. TAA + ESR + 4.5 def (3-5-2)
      B. Shaw + Greenwood + 4.5 def (3-5-2)
      C. TAA + Shaw + 4.5 mid (4-4-2)

      1. jb1985
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        C

    5. Sanchit
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Definitely want to get 3 Liverpool.
      Was almost set on TAA Robbo and Salah.
      Robbo's injury now means , I have the following options.

      A) Get Tsimikas for Robbo , and use the 3 million to upgrade a 6.5 mid

      B) get Jota ( essentially the same cost as would be doing Robbo+4.5mid to Jota + 4m def)

      C) change complete structure ( or let go of Bruno) to accommodate Mane as my third Liverpool player.

      1. SKENG
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I was in the same position. Went for Jota as I was almost 50/50 between him and Jota anyway.

        1. Sanchit
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          The only doubt I have is about his playtime. Even when he starts, he's not sure to get 90 mins

      2. FPL Joker
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I have a similar dilemma. The issue is Robbo could only miss one GW. If so, maybe just leave him in and rely on the bench.

        1. Sanchit
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Lots of talk on twitter that he'll be out for atleast 4-6 weeks.

          1. FPL Joker
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Twitter is full of twits

      3. LangerznMash
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Tsimikas, TAA + Jota for me... 3 Liverpool starters for only £19.0m! Use the savings to get other premiums.

        1. Sanchit
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Those are 3 Liverpool starters for GW1 yes. But you never know, 2 of them are not regulars and they could suddenly get benched

    6. waltzingmatildas
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Surprisingly similar to @lateriser.
      I'm going gundo instead of mahrez and have coufal.

      Who do you prefer for that 5th mid punt?
      A) barnes
      B) benrahma
      C) raphinha
      D) torres
      E) willock
      F) sarr
      G) mbuemo

      1. LangerznMash
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        C

        1. waltzingmatildas
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Probably the safest, and was my first choice when I started doing drafts. Thanks

      2. Hansel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        A

        1. waltzingmatildas
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Does barnes seem nailed? He's my preferred option but not sure how the Leicester team will line up

          1. Andy_Social
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            I'm happy with b and c
            btw, word is Willock signs for toon today. 22M, permanent.

            1. waltzingmatildas
              • 15 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Yeah I heard about the willock move, he looked so good end of last season!
              I've got jota and gundo so after a couple of gws may downgrade to raphinha.
              Cheers

      3. Gabbiadini
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        c

      4. Drexl Spivey
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I'm on Willock and Wilson, currently. Toon loyalty.

    7. damiang2233
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Who's first choice striker for Villa now? Watkins or Ings?

      1. Hansel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Probably Ings with Watkins on the left?

      2. @persecuted_by_mods
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Both I think, Watkins is fitter so will get more minutes though

          1. damiang2233
            • 16 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Okay so who would you have in your team?

        • Sanchit
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Both will definitely play in the starting 11 when fit.
          It remains to be seen if they would have 2 up top, or shift Watkins to left( he'll still mostly come in to support the striker)

      3. Hansel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        A) Tsimikas, Raphinha, Havertz
        B) Tsimikas, Greenwood, Gundo
        C) Tsimikas, Benrahma, Mahrez
        D) Amartey, Jota, Greenwood
        E) Amartey, Jota, Gundo

        Sanchez Foster
        TAA, Shaw, Coufal, Veltman XX
        Salah, Bruno, Barnes, XX, XX
        Antonio, Toney, X

        1. Hansel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Last striker is Obafemi

        2. Sanchit
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Too confusing this way, I think you can first make a decison on which Liverpool player you want. Once you're done selecting one of Jota or Tsimikas, then you can select the others based on that.

          I personally like A

          1. Hansel
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Thanks for input! Cannot look at the Liverpool player in isolation though, all comes down to alternative options. No doubt Jota is a better pick than Tsimikas, but also takes up a midfield spot. Mainly between A and C for me, cheers

      4. 1895Reds
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        No price for Woodman yet?

        1. Andy_Social
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Tardy in extremis.
          Gotta be 4.0

          1. Andy_Social
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            I need him forGW1 actually, as I'd rather not play Meslier.

          2. Ze_Austin
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Now that Bruce says he's likely to start GW1, it's a bit too late for his price to be 4.0

            Most likely 4.5, sadly

      5. Arvin-ation
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        How's it looking?

        Sanchez (Foster)
        TAA Shaw Cancelo (White, Amartey/Tsimikas)
        Barnes Salah Havertz Son Greenwood
        Antonio Toney (Obafemi)

        Cheers

        1. Bartowski
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Havertz had a good output at the end of last season cos he was playing up top so that's going to be nullified by Kaku coming in, You miles as well get the brighton reserve in Steele and use the extra cash.

          1. FPL Joker
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            He’s not the Brighton reserve anymore though.

            1. Bartowski
              • 15 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Who is? I thought the other chap was injured.

              1. FPL Joker
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Yeah, but when he’s back - which won’t belong - it’s a transfer for a sub keeper. Meh.

          2. Arvin-ation
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Havertz just for GW1 plan to move to Grealish GW2

      6. damiang2233
        • 16 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Is Iheanacho guaranteed a starting place at Leicester this season?

        1. FPL Joker
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          No. Daka could take his place. Could play with two up top. Some will say Nacho is nailed but that’s because they want him to be and our trying to convince themselves.

        2. Sanchit
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Nacho is nowhere near nailed.
          - Leicester played a 4-2-3-1 in all preseason games ( I know it shouldn't really matter as it's pre season, but that's mostly because of Barnes coming back). Vardy is obviously the first choice striker.

          - BRodgers has mentioned previously that Nacho only plays well when paired with another striker

          - Even if they play 2 up top, they have 3 top strikers for those 2 spots.

      7. Bartowski
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        The 4.0 defender team gamble?

        Sanchez / Steele

        Coufal / Tsimkas / TAA (Amatey, Livramento)

        Fernandes / Salah / Son / Zaha / Raphina

        Toney / Ings (Obafemi)

      8. 3 A
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        https://twitter.com/scaaryhours/status/1424418349069606918?s=19

        This is 11.0 million player?

        1. Bartowski
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Yes. That is a 2 minute video of someone miscontrolling a ball in 519 senior appearances.

          1. Emiliano Sala
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            No it’s just inter milan games

        2. Sanchit
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Could make a video like that of anyone.
          Even the GOAT
          https://youtu.be/5wG_Nwu-PpU

          1. Ginkapo FPL
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            No way you can make a video for Bendtner

        3. Emiliano Sala
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Haha great post

        4. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          OMG, HT this for anyone considering LOLkaku

      9. dshv
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Jota or grennwood (long term more nailed and yes why)

        1. FPL Joker
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Jota as I’d think he has more chance of regular minutes as Firmino could very well be dropped form him. But I may be missing something with Greenwood, see below…

      10. FPL Joker
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Why are people getting Greenwood?

        1. Fatboy_Slim
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          For short term (2 gameweeks) greenwood is definitely playing and looking sharp... possibly will play forward, so his point haul in these 2 weeks could be massive

          1. dshv
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Okay and after this two weeks what we will do with greenwood ?

            1. Fatboy_Slim
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Well the same could be said of jota when firminho returns...so as with most people at least me personally would aim at the wildcard once the transfer window closes and the first teams have settled

        2. Gabbiadini
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          because he is a likely starter.

        3. Bartowski
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Its a good question. He looked good at the end of the season before last and not so much last year.

          1. damiang2233
            • 16 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Who will take greenwood's place after the first few weeks?

      11. Chandler Bing
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Why has Ogbonna not featured for West Ham? Is he injured? Diop looks a decent shout at 4.5.

        1. shakeyjake
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Slight knock 10 days back is all I can find, hasn't started since but I'd still say Diop is a risk. Haven't they also been linked with Zouma?

      12. Ask Yourself
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thoughts on this potential sexy Salah Bruno Son attempt?

        Sanchez // Steele
        TAA Shaw Tsimikas // Amartey Omo
        Salah Bruno Son Benrahma Sarr/Willock/El Ghazi
        Ings Antonio // Obafemi

        1. Flaming Flamingo
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Defense not so sexy! But that's the risk you take I suppose and as long as TAA/Shaw/Tsimikas are starting you're good

          1. Ask Yourself
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            They are and Amartey is too up until Evans returns in GW4 when I’m WCing anyway

            1. Flaming Flamingo
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Apparently Leicester are looking to sign a new CB or two, so wouldn't bank on Amartey beyond GW1

              1. Ask Yourself
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Oh damn you right

                1. Flaming Flamingo
                  • 9 Years
                  4 years, 8 months ago

                  Well, I was due 😀

        2. Bartowski
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I think I prefer my attempt at the same above. You're gambling on the rest of your mids somewhat.

          1. Ask Yourself
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            I just don’t like the 6.5m mid price point. I like the zaha pick though on yours I think you should choose benrahma and shaw over Raphinha and Coufal personally x

            1. Bartowski
              • 15 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Yeah those are the sticking points. I did have Bamford, Willock and Shaw originally. Not really sure what all the Benrahma love is about on here though?

              1. Ask Yourself
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Lingard gone and he’s taken over the talisman role

                1. Silecro
                  • 8 Years
                  4 years, 8 months ago

                  in what world is the word talisman being connected to the player who isnt even nailed to start, let alone prolific?

                2. Bartowski
                  • 15 Years
                  4 years, 8 months ago

                  This strikes me as the early FFS group think that made us all get Werner at the start of last season.

        3. Dr. Rog
          • 16 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          i like going balls out. drop TAA, get Barnes & Greenwood. Go.

      13. Nolberto Solano
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Which option?

        A) Digne, Benrahma, Brownhill & Ings
        B) Coufal, Greenwood, Barnes & Obafemi

      14. FCSB
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Best option:

        Sanchez Foster
        TAA Shaw Coufal Targett Amartey
        Salah Fernandes Raphinha X X
        Antonio Toney X

        1. Barnes Bissouma Ings
        2. Greenwood Jota Obafemi

        Thanks

        Thanks

        1. Grimo2
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I would be going with No.2 there, think Greenwood us a good differential.

        2. Nolberto Solano
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Both very good options. Security of start/minutes go with A. For more explosiveness go for B

      15. KirkhamWesham
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        How's my team looking?

        Sanchez
        TAA Veltman Cresswell
        Raphinha Salah Bruno ESR Barnes
        Antonio Toney

        Steele Shaw Digne Obafemi

        1. Grimo2
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Expensive bench for GW1, why would you not start Shaw?

        2. Ask Yourself
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          If you’re not starting Digne at home to Southampton you don’t need to spend 5.5m on him. Start shaw

          1. Ask Yourself
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Downgrade Digne upgrade ESR I think

      16. Tinmen
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Who’s the better pick guys?

        Willock
        Cresswell

        1. Gabbiadini
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          b

      17. FCSB
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Quick poll:

        1. Dias Tsmakis Barnes
        2. Targett Ayling Jota

        Cheers

        1. Gabbiadini
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          a

        2. Sanchit
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I'll take Tsamkis

      18. mataave
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        A) Bamford & Maddison
        B) Toney & Mahrez

        ???

        1. Gabbiadini
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          b

        2. Grimo2
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          B - for Mahrez, opportunity to be a big point scorer in 1st GW.

      19. Holteenderinthesky
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        How are we looking, I've left the team for sometime but now it's tinkering time.

        Bachmann
        TAA, Shaw, Coufal, Tsimikas
        Salah(C), Fernandes, Barnes, ESR,
        Ings, Antonio
        Foster, Grealish, White, Obafemi.

        Fairly sure Grealish will be on the bench, and ready to go for the Norwich game so no need for a transfer. I currently think it's Worth Gambling on Tsimikas starting vs Norwich.

        1. The Knights Template
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Good luck. I play a different game where 'fairly sure' doesn't cut the mustard.

      20. Gabbiadini
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        FYI Obafemi owners,
        Southampton has had a bid accepted for Blackburn striker Adam Armstrong and have also tabled an offer for Chelsea's Armando Broja.

        1. Zimo
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          It's not like anyone was gonna play him 😆

          1. Gabbiadini
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            No, but there have been questions on here hopeful and asking what his minutes may look like.