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11 August 2021 464 comments
Simon March Simon March
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If you read my previous article, you’ll know that I didn’t have the best year in 2020/21, not by anyone’s standards really but, by my own standards, it was my worst-ever Fantasy Premier League (FPL) finish.

Of course, the first rule of this season is that we don’t talk about last season so I won’t drag it up too much other than to allow it to provide some context for my strategy going into 2021/22.

In that article, I borrowed the phrase ‘irrational exuberance’ to describe the precipitous mindset I brought to last season’s overly optimistic team selection but that wasn’t the whole story. Keen followers of this column (should they exist) might remember me discussing the ‘house money effect’; our tendency to take greater risks if we feel we are in profit.

The year before ‘the season that we don’t talk about’, I secured a 5k finish, which was more than enough to make me feel like I was ‘in profit’. Consequently, I approached last season with the mindset that I could afford to have some fun and shoot from the hip a bit with my Gameweek 1 selection. It could have paid off, but it didn’t.

That is not the theme going into this campaign. This is not a ‘fun’ selection. This is a cold, hard, gritty, no-nonsense, get-the-job-done team selection. I hope you enjoy it.

TEAM REVEAL

FPL pre-season: Trossard hits hat-trick from wing-back role 1

464 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. DAZZ
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Disregarding price (have 0.5ITB) who is a better option, Gundogan or Barnes?

    1. The Wise Owl
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Barnes.

    2. WVA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Barnes

    3. waltzingmatildas
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Same situation. I'm on barnes right now

    4. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Barnes

    5. Bobby Digital
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Gundogan

    6. DAZZ
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Woah. No debates there. Thanks all

  2. waltzingmatildas
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    A) benrahma in 352
    B) Toney in 343

    1. WVA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      B

    2. Defcons are for Kinnear
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      B

    3. vova
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      B, safer option on penalties too

    4. Cheeky Onion
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      My predicament as well. Posted my 352 below but tempted to do this switch

    5. waltzingmatildas
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Seems pretty unanimous... brings me to simon's team exactly!

    6. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      A because I need the 0.5m and I like the differential.

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

      A.
      I like Benrahmas prospects.

  3. Cheeky Onion
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    How am I loooking?

    Sanchez
    Shaw - Digne -Tsim
    Salah - Bruno - Barnes - Mahrez - Benrhama
    Ings - Antonio

    Bachmann - Targett - Veltman - Obafemi

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      cheeky

      Confident in Digne?

      1. Cheeky Onion
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Been seeing some doubt around his selection. As one of the most productive fantasy defenders for the last couple seasons, whats changed to cause the doubt?

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 17 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          I think the 4-0 loss to Man Utd in their last pre-season game.

          I always pick Digne, but when I watch Everton play, he's not actually that attacking. Rodriguez always hogs the set pieces, and it's just a very frustrating experience. The only thing drawing me to him is Everton's fixtures. I think I'm going to go with Stones though and bench GW1.

          1. The Suspended One
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            He’s a bps magnet in low scoring games, he will be a great pick if Rafa can figure out how to stop the goals.

            Wait and see for me

        2. Rasping Drive
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 17 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          He hasn’t been that productive these last 2 years, though. 120 pts a season for a (then) 6m defender. I’d want more than that tbh.

    2. Defcons are for Kinnear
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Cheeky

    3. vova
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      don't think you need Sanchez AND Bachmann, can probably downgrade one of them and use the 0.5 somewhere else.

    4. Cheeky Onion
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Thanks for the input all. Where would be the best place to use funds if I downgrade Digne?

  4. Emiliano Sala
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    How long you think greenwood is nailed? Till rashford comes back?

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      With Rashford out and Cavani on extended leave, I think he's well worth the risk.

    2. Cheeky Onion
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      With Sancho arrival, is he nailed with Martial still in the squad?

    3. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Until Sancho is fit to start. So perhaps GW3. Man Utd's front three options are:

      Rashford (injured), Sancho (will be fit to play soon), Cavani (will be fit to play soon), Martial (ready to play from GW1), Pogba (ready to play from GW1), James (ready to play from GW1), Greenwood (ready to play from GW1).

      So they have 7 options for the front three and one (Rashford) is out longer term.

    4. Dr. Rog
      • 17 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      the fact you ask 5 different people and get 5 different answers makes him a no-go for me.
      its just a transfer waiting to happen

      1. Cheeky Onion
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        I agree, could be a great option for first 2 or 3 GWs but iffy after that

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          Bigger issue is that he will probably play every game but it will be 60 or 30

  5. Champions League Varane
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Toney and Gundo/Barnes or Antonio and a 6.5 mid?

  6. Eze Really?
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Anyone who can give me an honest appraisal of the Pool team. I am getting interested in Mane at the expense of Salah. I might as well go now with 35 weeks to recover.

    1. Dr. Rog
      • 17 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      from memory its always been Salah(H) + Mane(a) if that helps.
      Mane seems to have been better in pre season.

      Effective ownership cuts both ways.

      1. Eze Really?
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Tnks bud but you are not helping my frail brain. I am hoping the Home A=away thing goes away this season.

    2. Steinburg FC
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      i guess you DID captin Salah last year then...

      1. Eze Really?
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Of course not. I am a casual. (smile)

        1. Steinburg FC
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          Stick with Salah then lol

    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Pens are always going to tip it to Salah. High risk/reward

      1. Eze Really?
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Hear you loud and clear

  7. Lallana_
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Fill in blank...Antonio, DCL or Jota?

    Martinez 4.0
    Shaw Digne Coufal White Tsimikas
    Salah Fernandes Barnes Raphinha 4.5
    Ings Wilson ____

    1. Steinburg FC
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Antonio

    2. Eze Really?
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Good side outside of Digne IMO

      1. BENOIT
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Digne isn't exactly a bad pick is he?

        1. Eze Really?
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          See my grav and go from there

    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Trent will kill you

      1. Eze Really?
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        hut yes. kill no

  8. Steinburg FC
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    ok my plan is to be flexible, 0.5itb.
    Taking Jota over Tsimkas because Nor are so depleted and GW 2 swop Jota for a City mid. Torres if he starts up front.

    Bachmanm, foster
    Trent, Shaw, Veltman, (Ayling, Amartey)
    Salah, Bruno, Barnes, Jota, Benrahma-punt
    Ings, Antonio, 4.5

    1. Eze Really?
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Jota a slight risk

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Not bad

  9. Nutmeg Ninja
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Help appreciated....Struggling with these two options:

    A)
    Sanchez
    TAA Shaw Targett
    Salah **Bruno **Gundogan Jota ESR
    Ings Antonio

    Steele; White, Amartey, **4.5 FWD

    B)
    Sanchez
    TAA Shaw Targett
    Salah **Mahrez **Greenwood Jota
    Ings Antonio **Wilson

    Steele; ESR, White, Amartey

    1. vova
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      A I guess because Mahrez, Greenwood AND Jota would become rotation risks a couple of weeks in.

  10. DAZZ
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    How depleted are Norwich? Hearing they had a covid outbreak. Are they up against it v Liverpool? So tempted by Jot

    1. DAZZ
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Jota*

    2. Steinburg FC
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      i'm going for it, Firmino only has 60mins of pre season surley Jota starts gw 1

      1. DAZZ
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Yeah im just deciding over greenwood or Jota. I think plenty will go for Tsimikas now, and Jota could end up being a superb differential

      2. Rasping Drive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        It’s a tricky one. Bobby was pulled after 60 mins. If he wasn’t match fit, you’d have thought they would have given him longer. Plus he started all opening gameweeks when he last featured in the Copa de America.

        However, Jota has done nothing wrong pre-season and he’s quite a streaky player so you would expect him to start and do well. A bit of a mindfeck, to be honest.

    3. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      they are totally ripped apart by covid, lots of first teamers havent trained. Kind of sad because last time they were in the Prem their CBs got decimated

  11. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Armstrong or Pukki?

    Could Armstrong be on pens? Did he take any Blackburn?

    1. Eze Really?
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Whilst JWP not playing.

      1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Cheers, so would you go for him over Pukki?

        1. Eze Really?
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          I am not a go to Championship type of FPL manager

    2. CRAZY TRAIN
      • 15 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Will Armstrong start though?

      1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        This is what I’m wondering

      2. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        In fact will Pukki??

  12. PartyTime
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Will United keep a clean-sheet vs Leeds?

    A) Yes
    B) No

    Thanks

    1. Eze Really?
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      b

    2. The Wise Owl
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      No

      1. Steinburg FC
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        no

  13. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    With Dean Smith's new comments on seeing Watkins as a Striker and not a winger, and that he should be available for GW1, is he a viable alternative for Ings?

    1. Steinburg FC
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      for sure but i think Ings is worth the 0.5 just for the differnce in finishing ability

      1. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        just trying to squeeze as much as possible to get a midfield of Salah - Bruno - Son - Gundo/7.5M

    2. Stamford B
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      If he’s not a lone striker and is playing in a 442 then you’d have to expect some regression although the first 3 fixtures are certainly worth a punt imo.

    3. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Of course but Ings is the better striker

    4. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      They want to play 3-5-2, not sure they have the squad

  14. Stamford B
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    What are the best 4.5 and under defenders if you want 5 of them?

  15. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Apparently Leicester agreed a fee for vestergaard

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Would have been crazy to start the season with amartey

      Decent signing

      1. 1justlookin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Crazy?!! :-/ surely vestergaard wont start even if he sigbs before the weekend.

        1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 16 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          I don’t know if he’s been in training I thought he was?

          Maybe one game benched worst case scenario. But I had a strong feeling they would sign a cb. Just can’t go through the start of the season with amartey realistically

          1. ☈☾
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            0 pre season minutes

          2. 1justlookin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            5 years, 26 days ago

            He played v.well in his last pre season game, mind.

      2. Steinburg FC
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        unless they play 3 at the back

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Good get for them, huge presence on set pieces

  16. BENOIT
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    I think I'm almost there... any comments?

    Sanchez, 4.0
    Ayling, Amartey, Shaw, Digne, Tsimikas
    Salah, Son, Mane, Greenwood, Sarr
    Ings, Antonio, 4.5

    1. Jdpz
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Sarr to Benrahma, Digne to Coufal, Amartey to White/Veltman

      1. BENOIT
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Thanks. I really like Sarr, so will keep at 6.

        Why no love for Digne? Just the preseason form?

        1. Jdpz
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 26 days ago

          Yes, Everton has poor defence.

    2. Steinburg FC
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      i love the Mane and Son picks, could really pay off.
      Everybody has been put off Digne because of one pre season game vs united without DCL and Rich. I only have one 5.5 slot and i think Shaw is better but Digne could bang

  17. AD105
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Any last minute tweaks or G2G? 0.5 ITB still so could upgrade Barnes/Raph

    Sanchez
    TAA Shaw Tsimikas
    Salah Bruno Barnes Raphinha
    Ings Antonio Toney

    Foster Coufal White Gilmour

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Nice, decent 343 team

  18. Jdpz
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Vardy or Auba?

    1. BENOIT
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      V

  19. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    How’s this look?

    Sanchez
    Targett, Tsimikas, Shaw
    Bruno, Salah, Son, Barnes, Raphinha
    Ings, Antonio

    Foster, White, Amartey, Perica

    .5 bank

    1. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Sweet… amazing Mid’s and forwards when TAA isn’t selected!

    2. vova
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      looks good, keep an eye on Amartey with the Vestergaard news

    3. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Amartey a risk

      My team is near enough identical however I’ve got mbueno over raph

      Allows for a second 4.5 defender and jota over Barnes ready for grealish

      Not saying that’s any better but an idea

    4. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Cheers guys, still cannot decide between 352 or 343!

  20. JoeJitzu +42
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Currently on A but having doubts now. What do you think?

    A. Amartey Jota Raphinha Obafemi
    B. Tsimikas, Gundogan, Raphinha, Obafemi
    C. Amartey, Jota, Brownhill, Toney
    D. Tsimikas, Gundogan, Brownhill, Toney

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      News above is Leicester have a new CB!

  21. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Thoughts on second draft? Though midfield is heavy, it feels more balanced and easy picking for captain for the next 3 GW’s

    Sanchez
    Digne, TAA, Cash
    (S)alah, Son, Mahrez, Benrahma
    Ings, Toney, DCL

    Steele, Gilmour, Duffy, Amartey

    1m iTB

  22. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Dean Smith said he's signed Watkins to play as a striker. What are we saying then, 442? Not sure that works anymore?

    1. ☈☾
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      is Buendia back?

      1. Drip Doctor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        He didn't say.

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Ings might be familiar with 2 up top playing with adams

    3. Dr. Rog
      • 17 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      if you look at his heat map even as a lone striker he plays more like a left inside forward.

      433 with Watkins and Bailey flanking Ings and Buendia as #10 is what we all want to see I think

    4. devoncop
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Exactly that. Though Watkins from what Smith was saying will be the more fixed number 9 with Ings playing around him and off his shoulder in a more mobile role. I actually think that could be pretty potent given Villas proficient creative midfield

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        3 to play from Luiz, McGinn, traore, el Gahzi, Buendia.

        Better hope no injuries…

    5. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      They want to play 3-5-2. I don’t think it will work out..

    6. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Dean Smith tells lies though (Grealish was “ready for this weekend” every week for 2 months) , and he’s also probably being misinterpreted here - he has also been describing Bailey as a “striker” since he signed him

      I think it’s Watkins & Bailey wide either side of Ings (Smith played Watkins almost exclusively wide when he managed him for over 50 games at Brentford)

      With Buendia in the 10 role

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        4231?

  23. Knallie
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    RMT:
    Sanchez 4.0
    Shaw Digne Coufal White Tsimikas
    Salah Bruno Son Ziyech 4.5
    Ings Antonio 4.5

    0.5m ITB

  24. AD105
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Son/Targett vs Raphinha/TAA?

    1. vova
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      B

  25. Jdpz
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Anyone Maguire > Shaw?

    1. vova
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      bigger goal threat for sure

  26. dshv
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Ayling or Amartey

    1. vova
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      Ayling, with Leicester going after Vestergaard

  27. el polako
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Really considering targeting 1st 3 fixtures and pulling WC before GW4.
    My current team.have Salah,Mane,Ings,Antonio,Vardy and Barnes in attack plus Villa, Tsimaskis & Brighton players to bring clean sheets.

    Somebody talk me out of it.

    1. vova
      • 16 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      not the worst idea, a lot of people knee jerk an early WC anyway so might as well prepare for it.

  28. DIMITRIS
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Best 7 to 8 mil option for first 3-4 GWs ?
    A) Jota
    B) Greenwood
    C) Gundo
    D) Grealish
    E) Torres

    1. AD105
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      A, B or C

      1. DIMITRIS
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 26 days ago

        Cheers!

  29. Hughes Your Daddy
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 26 days ago

    Recommendation - (in case you have not considered it) keep in mind covid when considering your subs (ie players that are pretty nailed on). Here in Denmark we are into the 4th week of the Superliga and players from many teams are testing positive and having to sit out games. FC Midtjylland have had 6 positive cases, Brøndby IF who played in the Copenhagen derby last weekend now have 7 first team squad players out positive.

    1. Eze Really?
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 26 days ago

      I have Benrahma and Dunk on my bench