Pro Pundits
9 August 2021 697 comments
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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. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    Willock wagon

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      😛

    2. MEGPAL
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      So tempting.

    3. Gross Blank Point
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      Did great for me end of last season, points coming in every week. Would have preferred him to be .5 cheaper but he'll be in my team again

  2. Catastrophe
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    A) TAA (Bissouma)
    B) Jota (Veltman)

    Assuming A? Already have Salah and Tsimikas.

    Cheers

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      I've heard Tsimikas won't be fit either...

      I'm not gonna go for him. He blocks a Liverpool slot and I don't need the money that badly.

      1. Catastrophe
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 8 days ago

        Urgh!! Back to the drawing board then

      2. bloodmoney
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 8 days ago

        Where did you hear that? He is fit too play as i know.

        1. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          5 years, 8 days ago

          I saw a quote yest and he wasn't even on the bench for the game vs Atletic. The fact he's playing the 2nd friendly ain't great either.

          In any case, I'm gonna avoid. I think the upside with TAA, Salah and Jota is better.

          1. Hazz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 8 days ago

            If you can find the quote please link it.

            Only commenting just not to spread fake news because he's been really good in pre-season & high chances he starts vs. Norwich.

            1. Camzy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              5 years, 8 days ago

              Seems I was mistaken. Went digging and just a few rumor mongers last week on here. Looks like he'll probably start if he gets through the game today.

          2. Puyol Pants Up
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 8 days ago

            He's playing the 2nd friendly because... you know... he isn't a first choice player. Lmao.

            Robertson is injured, so now he will likely start.

          3. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 8 days ago

            Camzy this is poor from you.

            He plays today because he is fit and was second choice until Robbos injury yesterday. He also is playing well which unfit people usually struggle to do.

            You dont have to go for him of course. Please feel free to go without but spreading rumours to put others off is poor

            1. Camzy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              5 years, 8 days ago

              I thought I read he wasn't fit. But I was wrong. Corrected. My mistake.

              1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 8 days ago

                Fair enough. Good on you lad

              2. The Suspended One
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                5 years, 8 days ago

                How dare you speak out against the Greek god of mercyside!

          4. bloodmoney
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 8 days ago

            Yeah okay. I think he will play. Has played a lot this pre-season and with Robbo out he will have that slot until he is back.

      3. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 days ago

        Where have you heard that? He's been one of the stand-out performers in their pre-season from what I've read.

      4. Drexl Spivey
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 days ago

        Won't be fit? He plays Osasuna today.

        1. Stokelona
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 8 days ago

          Surely if he plays today that’s because it was klopps plan to give both he and Robbo more game time rather than sharing. Doesn’t mean he’s injured

          1. Drexl Spivey
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 8 days ago

            Can't answer for Klopp. But Robbo is definitely injured, Tsimikas plays today, has had a decent pre-season and will most likely start against Norwich.

  3. mataave
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    Any reasoning for Foster in goal? I have him in my time but thinking of taking him out due to rotation. Under the impression that it's Bachmann spot to lose?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      Most likely 4.0 gk to come in at some point

      1. liiusions
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 days ago

        Most likely 4.0 to drop in price.

        Will only play if Bachman gets sold - I’m avoiding.

    2. Rassi
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      Having Bachmann in your team is a good reason to own Foster too.

    3. Andy_Social
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      The worst choice for backup keeper, in my book. His ownership makes him the most likely to fall in price, particularly if 3 million wildcards crash in the week before you play yours.

  4. MEGPAL
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    3 striker formation players, who is your combo?

    I'm on Ings Antonio Wilson though can see the Toney appeal at that price.

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      Ings | Antonio | Toney

      1. LC1
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 days ago

        Mine it this too

      2. Rassi
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 days ago

        This is the template trio.

    2. A19
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      ^ this

    3. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      Ings Bamford Lukaku

  5. Totalfootball
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    Pickford or Schmeichel.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      Prefer Meslier or Henderson eventually if going for 5.0 GK

    2. 3 A
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      I choose Meslier

      1. Totalfootball
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 days ago

        Don't like him.

        1. 3 A
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 8 days ago

          Best gk 2nd half last season. His numbers even better than Jiminez.

          If Leed defenders cant be sorted because of injury, this type of gk still good because get a lot of shots and saves.

          Up to u. :p

          1. 3 A
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 8 days ago

            Sorry, Martinez haha

  6. jon.terry.tfh
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    Signing of ings and the injury of buendia really make the selection at Aston villa very difficult. Currently settling with this. Thoughts?

    Sanchez
    TAA Digne Shaw
    Sarr Benrahma Bruno Salah(c) Mahrez
    Wilson Antonio

    Ideally would like some aston villa attackers but im really not sure who to go for. Ings is expensive and god knows if he will start ahead of Watkins, and Buendia is injured. Don't want to pick wrong one out of the bunch. Thoughts?

    1. Stokelona
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      Team looks really good even if I’m not a fan of Lucas digne

    2. A19
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      Really good. Would maybe do Digne to a 5.0 (Dunk or Coufal) and upgrade Sarr to Raph

    3. factorxtaz
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      Ings and Watkins both started in villas friendly. Ings looked a lot better judging by the highlights.

  7. hnmfm
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    Backline of

    a. TAA Shaw Digne 4.0 4.0

    or

    b. TAA Shaw and a rotating 4.5 trio

    Also meaning all my bench players will be playing. My bench will be Two 4.5 defenders + brownhill/gilmoir

    1. A19
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      B (you could also do B with Coufal one 4.5 and one 4.0)

  8. One for All
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    Sanchez
    Taa, Tsimikas, Shaw
    Raphinha, Son, Barnes, Salah
    Ings, Dcl, Watkins

    Foster, Dias, Bissouma, Ayling

    Any changes guys?

  9. boroie
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    Choose two…

    A - Watkins
    B - Ings
    C - Ihenacho
    D - Antonio
    E - Callum Wilson
    F - Jimenez
    G - DCL
    H - Bamford

    1. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      B, D followed by H

    2. One for All
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      B and D based on fixtures

    3. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      BD

    4. Shearer & Sutton
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      BD

  10. fuzzymike
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    With Willock back at Newcastle, will this reduce Fraser pitch time??

    1. TheTinman
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      Fraser pitch time is questionable anyway. He needs to work his way into the team with good performances. So far he hasn't done it.

  11. fuzzymike
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    Best West Ham midfielder?? Bowen, Benrahma or Soucek?? All look good.

    1. LiamK17
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      Benhrama in for a very good season and even got people like Antonio praising him in post match interviews - I think he’s going to be gold dust at 6m

      1. fuzzymike
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 days ago

        cheers. good enough for Antonio, good enough for me.

  12. boroie
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    Advice needed…

    Sanchez
    TAA Shaw Digne
    Salah Bruno Raphinha Buendia
    Antonio Wilson Toney

    Bachmann; Tsimikas White Bissouma

    1. Stokelona
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      Looks really good. I don’t like rotating goalkeepers so would save half a mil there

    2. LC1
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      Very similar to mine, but I'm tempted to rid of Buendia for Banrahma perhaps (Buendia injured).

  13. The Mighty Whites
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    Thoughts?

    Sanchez, Foster

    TAA, Shaw, Ayling, White, Tsimiskas

    Salah, Bruno, Mahrez, Barnes, Raphinha

    Antonio, Toney, Obafemi

  14. Botman and Robben
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    Wilson got me off to a 8,2,8,16 start last season before dumping. Could he be gold again?

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
      5 years, 8 days ago

      He's in my team, was amazing for Newcastle when he played last season. They've got a unique tactic of being such a useless team that it makes every other team in the league attack them, which always leads to Wilson countering and getting chances

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 days ago

        Yes, this.

    2. TheTinman
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      Yes. I will have him if DCL isn't fit.

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      Well he loves a goal against the Hammers so can see GW1 starting well again for him

    4. Chris_H
      • 17 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      A fit Wilson is gold imo - been in my squad since day 1

      1. Chris_H
        • 17 Years
        5 years, 8 days ago

        (also a BPS magnet like Ings so pretty much guaranteed that 6pts is actually 9pts)

    5. Drexl Spivey
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      He's in for me. Easiest move in the world if it all goes pear-shaped.

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 days ago

        Easy move to Toney or other 7.5

    6. Christina.
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      prefer Willock now.

  15. Chris_H
    • 17 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    Is this absolutely mad?

    Bachmann
    Maguire Digne Veltmann
    Salah Mane Bruno Buendia (if fit) Soucek
    Wilson Toney

    Foster Coady Amartey Obafemi

  16. boroie
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    A lot of love for Ings… do we expect him to be thrown in to the starting 11 right from the off?

    1. hnmfm
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      Yes

    2. LiamK17
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      Started and scored yesterday so don’t see why not imo

    3. 3 A
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      Shold start gw1 imo

  17. Slitherene
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    Can this work out?

    Sanchez | Fodder
    Digne Shaw Cresswell Tsimikas
    Salah Bruno Son Jota
    Ings Toney
    ¦ Fraser White Obafemi

    0 ITB

  18. circusmonkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    Auction league question, not FPL: Will Shelvey play this season?
    I've always liked his passing and he's a DM in my auction game which means clean sheet points (yes I know they won't get many).

  19. LiamK17
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    I want Benhrama as I think he’s going to be incredible but I think a double up with Antonio is too much (when I could get Buendia / Watkins / Ings) so I have one from villa and one from West Ham - had Antonio from my first draft so don’t really want to shift him

  20. Totalfootball
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    Is Benrahma a viable option?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      Yes

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      absolutely - more appealling now that Buendia is flagged

  21. A19
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    A) Coufal Jota Ings 343
    B) White Bemrahma Son 352

    1. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      A

  22. 3 A
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    Guys,

    Thought about no Bruno and going for Vardy (placeholder for Kane)?

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      Cold be gold presuming Kane moves soon but you'd be nervous every Utd game unless you have some coverage

      1. 3 A
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 days ago

        Have 7.5 for Jota / Greenwood. I still want Kane even if he stay at Spurs tough

  23. thepancakeman123
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    Thoughts on this? Perhaps risky with 3 4.0m defenders but I like it.

    Sanchez
    Trent, Shaw, Tsimikas
    Salah, Fernandes, Son, Barnes, Buendia
    Iheanacho, Toney

    Foster, Amartey, Livramento, Obafemi

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      Barnes and Iheanacho is a disaster. They're competing for the same position.

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      Nacho isn't nailed as late last season now.

      Barnes usually comes off around 60-65 mins

  24. Thomas Magnum
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    No love for Raya here as a 4.5 keeper? Are Sanchez & Bachmann that much better or is there not much in it

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      Watford were a lot better defensively than Bretford last season.

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 days ago

        Quite, although how often does the best defensive team in the championship translate to being strong defensively as well in the PL? (Might be often I'm not sure)

        1. Gabbiadini
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 8 days ago

          Brentford won't be defensively solid.
          I would also monitor their signings. They definitely need a few more in the door.

        2. Miguel Sanchez
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 8 days ago

          I think I read there is a fairly standard drop of about 30% in clean sheets from Championship to Premier League regardless of how strong you were the previous season.

          Brentford kept 17/45 - 38%
          Bachmann/Foster kept 23/46 - 50%

          Extrapolating to 38 games this would see 38 x 0.38 = 14.44 and 38 x 0.5 = 19

          Applying the 30% drop this should see Brentford get around 10 clean sheets and Watford around 13.

          1. Cojones of Destiny
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 8 days ago

            good job MS, degree in math?)

          2. Hattrick Harry
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 8 days ago

            Pool got 12 clean sheet last season - I'd be all over Watford if I believe you. But no I don't believe those numbers at all 🙂

  25. DavvaMC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    Who would you prefer to start with?

    A. Cresswell
    B. Coufal

    Thanks

    1. A19
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      B

    2. TKC07
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      B

    3. Thomas Magnum
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      A if money no issue but the .5 with Coufal can go far this time of year I'm sure

    4. 3 A
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      B

    5. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      Coufal. The scout report from last friendly said he was playing basically as a RW.

      1. DavvaMC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 8 days ago

        Ooooh that sounds good as RM!

      2. Gomolon
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 days ago

        Can you paste the quote from that report? Just read it and all it says is that Coufal returned to training after the Euros

  26. TKC07
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    RMT. itb 2.5

    Sanchez | [4.0]
    White | Shaw | Ayling | Tsimikas | Amartey
    Salah (C) | Bruno | Jota | Raph | Sarr
    Ings | Antonio | Toney

    2.5 itb for getting one City asset next GW.

  27. 1569Tippins
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    When will the Captain Poll be released?

  28. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    Best combo of two 4.5 defenders to rotate first few weeks? White, Veltman, others?

  29. One for All
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    Sanchez
    Taa, Tsimikas, Shaw
    Raphinha, Son, Barnes, Salah
    Ings, Dcl, Watkins

    Foster, Dias, Bissouma, Ayling

    Should I make these changes:

    A) Dias>White/Barnes>Grealish
    B) Dias> Digne/ DCL> Cavani

    1. One for All
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      Watkins is Antonio.

  30. Knepz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 days ago

    Can't see any good reason to start both Ben White and Ivan Toney in GW1, as they most likely will nullify each other. Other than that, great team! (Angus Gunn goes into my team as I think he might challenge Krul for his spot)

    1. Gabbiadini
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 days ago

      Krul has been exceptional for Norwich.
      He will play every game. People underrate his last few seasons purely due to his age, save % numbers are very good.