Pro Pundits
9 August 2021 697 comments
Lateriser 12 Lateriser 12
Share:

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
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Willock wagon

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      😛

    2. Dragon Arcana
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      So tempting.

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

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

    Assuming A? Already have Salah and Tsimikas.

    Cheers

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

        Urgh!! Back to the drawing board then

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

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

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

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

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

                Fair enough. Good on you lad

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

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

          4. bloodmoney
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 8 months 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
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months 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
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Won't be fit? He plays Osasuna today.

        1. Stokelona
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 8 months 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
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months 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
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months 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
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Most likely 4.0 gk to come in at some point

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

        Most likely 4.0 to drop in price.

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

    2. Rassi
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

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

    3. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months 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. Dragon Arcana
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 8 months 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
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Ings | Antonio | Toney

      1. LC1
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Mine it this too

      2. Rassi
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        This is the template trio.

    2. A19
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      ^ this

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

      Ings Bamford Lukaku

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

    Pickford or Schmeichel.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Prefer Meslier or Henderson eventually if going for 5.0 GK

    2. 3 A
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I choose Meslier

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

        Don't like him.

        1. 3 A
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 8 months 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
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Sorry, Martinez haha

  6. jon.terry.tfh
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months 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
      4 years, 8 months ago

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

    2. A19
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

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

    3. factorxtaz
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

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

  7. hnmfm
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 8 months 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
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

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

  8. One for All
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

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

    Foster, Dias, Bissouma, Ayling

    Any changes guys?

  9. boroie
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months 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
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B, D followed by H

    2. One for All
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B and D based on fixtures

    3. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      BD

    4. Shearer & Sutton
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      BD

  10. fuzzymike
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

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

    1. TheTinman
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months 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
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

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

    1. LiamK17
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months 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
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

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

  12. boroie
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Advice needed…

    Sanchez
    TAA Shaw Digne
    Salah Bruno Raphinha Buendia
    Antonio Wilson Toney

    Bachmann; Tsimikas White Bissouma

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

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

    2. LC1
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

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

  13. The Mighty Whites
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts?

    Sanchez, Foster

    TAA, Shaw, Ayling, White, Tsimiskas

    Salah, Bruno, Mahrez, Barnes, Raphinha

    Antonio, Toney, Obafemi

  14. Botman and Robben
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months 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
        4 years, 8 months 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
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Yes, this.

      • TheTinman
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

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

      • Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

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

      • Chris_H
        • 16 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

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

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

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

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

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

        1. Botman and Robben
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Easy move to Toney or other 7.5

      • Christina.
        • 16 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        prefer Willock now.

    2. Chris_H
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Is this absolutely mad?

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

      Foster Coady Amartey Obafemi

    3. boroie
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months 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
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Yes

      2. LiamK17
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

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

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

        Shold start gw1 imo

    4. Slitherene
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Can this work out?

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

      0 ITB

    5. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 8 months 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).

    6. LiamK17
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months 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

    7. Totalfootball
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Is Benrahma a viable option?

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

        Yes

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

        absolutely - more appealling now that Buendia is flagged

    8. A19
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

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

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

        A

    9. 3 A
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Guys,

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

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

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

    10. thepancakeman123
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months 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
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

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

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

        Nacho isn't nailed as late last season now.

        Barnes usually comes off around 60-65 mins

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

        Watford were a lot better defensively than Bretford last season.

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

              good job MS, degree in math?)

            2. Hattrick Harry
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 8 months 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 🙂

    12. DavvaMC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Who would you prefer to start with?

      A. Cresswell
      B. Coufal

      Thanks

      1. A19
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        B

      2. TKC07
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        B

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

        B

      5. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

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

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

          Ooooh that sounds good as RM!

        2. Gomolon
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 8 months 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

    13. TKC07
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months 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.

    14. 1569Tippins
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      When will the Captain Poll be released?

    15. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

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

    16. One for All
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months 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
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Watkins is Antonio.

    17. Knepz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months 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
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months 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.