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FPL team reveal: Benching dilemmas ahead of Gameweek 11

Pro Pundits 29

I’m currently in nosebleed territory with an overall rank of 21,857 after ten Gameweeks.

Historically, I’ve been a late developer in a season, however in my best season (817th place in 2017/18), I got off to a similarly good start. I’m hoping to kick on from this position and move into the top 10k.

I played my Wildcard back in Gameweek 8, where picks of Reece James (£5.8m) and Phil Foden (£8.2m) have carried me up 150,000 places. This shows how just a couple of well-timed differentials can really make your season. Don’t give up hope if you haven’t got off to the best start!

Above: My pre-Wildcard team (Gameweek 7)

My major decisions this week don’t actually revolve around transfers. I’m in an enviable position of not having many fires to put out in my side; instead, I have decisions to make about who to put in my starting XI and who to bench.

The last few weeks have seen me bench hauls from the likes of Emile Smith-Rowe (£5.6m) and Aaron Ramsdale (£4.7m) and this is one of the frustrations of having decent picks across my entire 15, rather than any ‘fodder’ options.

While it is annoying to bench players who return points, having options in my team should allow me to take my time with transfers and perhaps be able to save a free transfer when others are scrambling around. Having picked up Smith-Rowe at just £5.3m, I’m very happy to own him over the likes of Josh Brownhill (£4.4m) and I already reaped benefits when I got his nine points off my bench for the benched Bryan Mbeumo (£5.6m).

However, with three very good options currently on my bench, I sense that this week could test my current calmness for this approach.

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

647 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Dr. Rog
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Rondon (c) locked

    1. GROBARI
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Who owns Rondon 😀

    2. acidicleo
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Will he start

      1. Dr. Rog
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        only needs 10 minutes

  2. Will Kane
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Oops. Only just realised I actually do have the channel the Spurs game is on... hope I didn't miss anything....

  3. Bleh
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Bench order correct? Unsure whether to play 5 at the back or Gray.

    Sanchez
    TAA, Cancelo, Chilwell, Duffy, Livramento
    Salah, Son, Jota
    Vardy, Antonio

    (Steele, Gray, Dennis, Allan)

    1. Will Kane
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I like the 5 at the back, Gray first sub seems right to me

      1. Bleh
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers, leaning towards that too.

  4. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Pick one for short-medium term (FPL Draft):

    A) Maupay
    B) Broja

    Cheers!

    1. GROBARI
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

    2. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      B

    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      B

    4. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      B

  5. John Colby (Capt)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Crystal Palace:
    Which Eagles players will you be bringing into your squads in the coming weeks given their fixture swing?

    1. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      None

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Maybe Gallagher as an enabler at some stage but not too high on the priority list atm.

    3. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Guiata

      1. John Colby (Capt)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Guaita is a superb prospect Collie - agreed.

    4. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Zaha maybe

      1. John Colby (Capt)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah I do think he’s in the conversation Scholesy especially at that price

    5. Boberella
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Already have Gallagher. Maybe Mitchell as 5th Def

      1. John Colby (Capt)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Again that lad Mitchell looks a cracking option but I’ll be bringing in Guaita and avoid the defensive double-up I think.

  6. Vovhund
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Best move?
    A) Benrahma to Mbeumo (no value tied up)
    B) Antonio to Toney (value tied up)
    C) Antonio + Benrahma to Toney + Mbeumo (-4)
    D) Antonio + Benrahme to Toney + Mount (-4)

    1. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

    2. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

    3. Boberella
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Easy A

  7. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Oh god I just realised Eddie Howe will have both Fraser & Wilson at his disposal again.

    1. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      And Ritchie!

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Oh yes, that's a throwback too.

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I'll be getting Wilson in if he stays fit... Big if though. Had him earlier in the season and he did good.

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Why wait?

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Tempted to do Jimi to Wilson

    3. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Gonna rock the Championship (because there's no way Howe will keep Newcastle in the Prem).

      1. tbos83
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Just wait until he spends £200m in Jan

  8. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Havertz & Antonio to Son & Hwang for free?

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Good move

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Not this week

      1. Hansel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Agreed

    3. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yup

  9. Flair
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Only Spurs could make a new manager bounce last half an hour

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      They need more than a new manager with those players

    2. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Two individual errors for the goals from Moura (passed straight to opponent) and DIer (beaten to a header at a corner). Hard to see them erasing those mistakes ovenight.

  10. WVA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Like I said bar Son and Kane that Spurs team looks awful especially the defense!

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      defence is about organisation just as much as personel, look at likes of Brighton, shef Utd prime, average/bad players but well organised

      when conte has got them sorted they will be good, the players are fine, you can't say Romero is a bad player

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        He's a liability!

  11. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Get Son for Havertz this week or wait one week?

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I am waiting until after the IB

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      For free? I might.

    3. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yes from me

  12. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Raphinha's fixture immediately after Lei starts to look more appealing.

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I really want him, he's killing me!

  13. lifes a pitch
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Azpi out for which chelsea defender? Or are there better options? Currently have Cancelo, Taa, Livra , fodder in the other spots

  14. John Colby (Capt)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Maximus:
    I enjoy your thoughts on United’s assets. Who do you think we should be considering for our squads from Man U besides Ronaldo?

  15. Flair
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    For a team that's playing with eight against 14 Spurs are actually doing very well here.

  16. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Still benching Benrahma after his brave tonight??

    1. camarozz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Damn!!!! Brace I ment

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        You probably didn't see his 2nd goal.

        1. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Defenders defend on PL, they don't just stand and look like those "slalom sticks" or what they are called, excuse my English, it perhaps isn't as fluent as I believe.

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Will he start after Bowen, Fornals & Lanzini having reduced minutes tonight?

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah i'm still benching, Liverpool are another 10 levels up, he wont do that against them

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        This

        1. camarozz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Fine... Il bench him so. Saw the 2nd goal..

  17. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Who'd be a priority to buy first (Already got Havertz + Chilwell)
    James
    ESR
    Son

    1. John Colby (Capt)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Huge Son fan here. Great prospect surely under Conte.

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Son imo

  18. MikeLowrey
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    2FT so May as well use one:

    A) Vardy to Toney (have Mbeumo)
    B) Dias to James (have Chilwell)
    C) Gray to Gallagher

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Definitely not A imo
      I like B and wondering wether to do it myself even for a hit

    2. Thinkering like a Boss
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      C

  19. tryf88
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Gray to
    A: Gallagher
    B: ESR

    1. Thinkering like a Boss
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

    2. tryf88
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Or C: Mbuemo

      1. Dexters Laboratory
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        C!

  20. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Victor Moses scores vs Leicester, Vardy needed!

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Auditioning for Conte to sign him

  21. Thinkering like a Boss
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Which option looks good

    1) Havertz+Benrahma > Son+Gallgher
    2) Havertz+Gray > Son+Olise (risky yet potential if start)

  22. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    we are being totally outplayed since 20 minutes lol

  23. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I’m struggling on who to bench. Seems seriously wrong benching Cancelo but Livra at H seems a good bet?

    Who to bench?

    Sanchez
    TAA James Rudiger Livra
    ESR Salah Mbuemo Foden
    Vardy Ronaldo

    Subs; Steele Cancelo Douglas Luiz Scarlett

    0FT

    Thanks in advance

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I'd start Cancelo over Livermento.. think the Derby will be a cagey affair after the Crystal Palace and Liverpool matches

      1. Danstoke82
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks!

      2. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Yes, according to bookies MCI clean sheet slightly more likely. Cancelo is also more attacking. But the difference with them is pretty minimal, Livra scoring and keeping cs wouldn't surprise me at all.

    2. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      It is wrong to bench Cancel bench Liv.
      Fancy Villa is to knick this one 2-1

  24. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Eddie Howe's last job was to relegate the Cherries and now employed to keep up the Magpies.
    Makes perfect sense to me.

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      lol you think the Newcastle board went "hey Eddie relegated Bournemouth, lets hire that guy"?

  25. Dexters Laboratory
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Ramsdale Foster
    TAA James Cancelo Livermento Duffy
    Salah Foden Mbeuno ESR Raphina
    Vardy Toney Antonio

    2ft 1.4m ITB .. struggling to use a transfer and have it down to
    Duffy to
    A) Mitchell
    B) Manquillo (Save 0.5m)

    1. Thinkering like a Boss
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      White?

  26. winchester
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Hey lads! Have 4.2m itb and 2ft. what move should be done? Duffy lost his position? Cheers!

    ramsdale
    taa - cancelo - james
    salah - raphinha - mbeumo - mount
    antonio - vardy - hwang

    (foster - livramento - duffy - luiz)

    A) mount -> son
    B) mount -> esr
    C) mbeumo -> esr
    D) something else?

    1. Thinkering like a Boss
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I like A imo

      1. winchester
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers. It's good if mount confirmed out

        1. Stranger Mings
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Mount back in training

    2. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Definitely not C.. Hwang to Broja? .. Or Duffy to Mitchell/Manquillo/Henry/Lamptey

      1. winchester
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Mbeumo due a haul? Duffy move is intersting. Mitchell nailed?

    3. Farteta
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Duffy to chilwell and go 4 at the back? I would wait to see what spurs look like before jumping on Son.

      1. winchester
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers. Ok, is mount fit? If duffy->chilwell, Bench mount or hwang or who

  27. Ludde
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Is this the best set up of the team?
    Ramsdale
    TAA James Duffy Livramento
    Salah Son Raphinha Saka
    Vardy Toney

    Foster Cancelo Luiz Davis

  28. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Bench one of these:

    a) Antonio
    b) Cancelo
    c) Livramento

    1. klopptimusprime
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Liv

    2. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Livermento

    3. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      c

  29. klopptimusprime
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Dont wan't to burn a transfer so need help with my one move this week before looking to use 2FTs GW12

    a) Armstrong to Toney (play) - move to 343 (need to get rid of Dias next week in this case)
    b) Armstrong to Broja (bench)
    c) Dias to 4.5-5m DEF (bench)
    d) Dias to Chilwell (play)
    e) Raph to Jota (play)
    f) Foden to Jota (play)

    Sanchez
    TAA | Dias | Cancelo | James
    Salah | Foden | Raph | Mbeumo
    Vardy | Antonio

    Foster | Livra | Armstrong | Brownhill, 1.1m, 2FT

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

    2. Thinkering like a Boss
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A or D

  30. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Amartey wagon

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      He's my sub, I'm happy as long as he starts, which is a big if.