Pro Pundits
21 July 2022 594 comments
Simon March Simon March
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The 2014/15 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) overall winner, Simon March, talked to our very own Joe in midweek about his Gameweek 1 plans and first team draft.

With FPL live for 2022/23, we’re welcoming back our stellar team of Pro Pundits and Hall of Famers for the new campaign.

We’ll be hearing from our panel of writers in the lead-up to August, to get their thoughts on the pricing and to see their initial picks.

Our contributors will be providing regular articles and team reveals throughout the new season, with only Premium Members able to access every single one.

With some of us Fantasy managers wondering whether we can adopt a successful ‘threemium’ strategy with a trio of heavy hitters, Simon’s team contains only one £10.0m+ player.

The former champ has instead packed his midfield and attack with four players in the £8.0m-£8.5m bracket, including lone forward Gabriel Jesus (£8.0m).

There are the obligatory premium names in defence, too, along with a surprise choice between the posts.

You can watch the embedded video below.


Other top FPL managers such as Lateriser, Zophar, Tom Freeman and Luke Williams have already been speaking to Az about their first drafts, and you can watch their videos – along with lots of other pre-season content – over on our YouTube channel.



594 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. WVA
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    This is definitely the best team structure, just need to decide on the players now.

    Mendy
    TAA Cancelo Doherty Tomiyasu
    Salah Mount Maddison Neto
    Kane Jesus
    4.0 Andreas Williams Archer

    1. Sun God Nika
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      ngl loving that for most part but doherty and tomi are iffy fo rme

      1. WVA
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Yes agree, as I said it's the best structure, some players are undecided at the moment, Doherty and Tomi definitely need to do more to convince me of their inclusion but the 5m defender options are very strong

    2. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Not for me. I'd invest more in the back line. The last poster makes a valid point.

  2. Tigger_7
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Latest Draft. Thinking (Hoping) there won't be too many clean sheets this year!

    Ederson
    Cash, Trent, Perisic, Zinchenko
    Maddison , De Bruyne, Diaz
    Jesus, Kane, Martial

    Bench 4.0, 4.0, 4.5, 4.5

    1. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Nice, different

  3. LangerznMash
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    A) Ramsdale + Trippier (+ Dasilva on bench)
    B) Meslier + Martinelli (+ Nico Williams on bench)

    A = safe
    B = higher potential upside

    1. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      I feel like Trippier has a higher upside than Martinelli in the first few weeks? More like to be starting/playing. Strong potential for points at both ends of the pitch. Not convinced on the upside of Nilliams. Dasilva could do well.

      I like A. Though I currently have B with Tripps over Martinelli.

  4. FPL Brains
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Very interesting that 343 is being overlooked by pretty much most people on here.

    1. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Funny you should ask (I know you didn't)... Just finished making this:

      Jesus | Havertz | Kane
      Maddison | Bruno G | KDB | Diaz
      Zinc | Trippier | TAA
      Meslier

      1. FPL Brains
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        That's a nice set up!

        1. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          Yer, I don't hate it! It feels great to liberate myself from the Salah/Son/Haalaand/Cancelo tyranny! (Even though those are the four odds-on favourites to finish alongside TAA in the top-five highest-scoring players at the end of the season haha).

      2. Jackie Moon
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        I feel like Cancelo outscores Havertz and Maddison for less cost, but I could be wrong and as a Chelsea fan I hope I am.

        1. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          Yah can definitely see that. I'm just a bit wary of MCI defence with possible injury news. I don't think I'll end up with Havertz; but I really like Maddison.

  5. marcos11
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Bailey as a 1st bench option? Or just use a 4.5m and use the 0.5m elsewhere or itb.

    1. Tomerick
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      As long as you accept he’s a punt.

    2. TheTinman
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Spend the money

  6. adstomko
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Unpopular opinion, but I think the Kane & Haaland (C) transfer rotation could perform better than owning Salah (C), as long as you have Luis Diaz.
    Does anyone else agree?

    1. Jock Grealish
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      no

    2. Silecro
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Yes, but with having Diaz, TAA and Robbo. Double Liv def is a must if you try to "cover" Salah with Diaz

      1. adstomko
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Yes. Should've stated that. I have all 3 in my draft with Kane

        1. Silecro
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          I'm on similar strategy. Do you play with 2 strikers or 3?

          1. adstomko
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 21 days ago

            Just Kane. Saka as a differential to Jesus.
            Pro: Can swap with many other 8m midfielders
            Con: Most people have Jesus (but Saka a nice differential)

        2. TheTinman
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          Yep. Very unpopular opinion though! I prefer the City Spurs captaincy rotation for the first 6 weeks, then Liverpool City for the next 10 weeks.

          1. adstomko
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 21 days ago

            Exactly my plan. Haaland to explode vs BOU, Kane vs SOU

            1. TheTinman
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 21 days ago

              More than one way to skin a cat. And with the 2 wildcards on first 16 weeks it's relatively low risk.

            2. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 21 days ago

              I feel like the CHE game could also be great for Kane/Son. CHE defence not in the best shape... But yes, MCI vs Bou is hard to overlook! I'm going with KDB for that reason.

  7. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Just wanna say thanks all for the comments and chat. Really enjoying the mood on here these last few days. Also seems like an exciting season ahead with lots of options and permutations!

    1. TheTinman
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Good luck

    2. Agent J
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Good luck

  8. Flynny
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Hi...which of these look better please?

    A....ederson and rashford (double city defence)

    B....4.5m keeper and sancho

    Feel rashford more rotation risk than sancho

    Thanks

    1. Warby84
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      I’m going with rashford, with a possible move to Zaha by Gw3

  9. Malkmus
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    A'noon all. Any thoughts on this? It's hard to fit in Son/Kane and keep the other big guns but this is the best I've come up with.

    Meslier
    TTA - Cancelo - Dalot - Trips
    Salah - Son (c) - Neto - Colback
    Haaland - Jesus

    Subs - Williams, Andreas, Greenwood

    Ta!

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      This is pretty similar to what I have been looking at....until I tried a big midfield and I like it.

      Raya 4
      TAA James Botman Dalot Neco
      Salah KdB Son Bailey Andreas
      Jesus Johnson Archer

    2. Warby84
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      I was tempted by son/Kane as I think they’ll blow Southampton away, good (c) pick and I’m very tempted by Kane (c)

      1. Malkmus
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Thanks, yeah I think Son/Kane will be the cap pick for gw1 and 3 and spurs fixtures are too good to miss, just hard to fit them all in.

        1. Warby84
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 21 days ago

          I’m going with Kane GW1/2 and maybe move to Haal depending on form

  10. Warby84
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Meslier Raya (good rotation)
    Trippier Trent Cancelo Chilwell (Neco)
    Salah Diaz Rashford Neto (Andreas)
    Kane Jesus (plange)

    Think this is what I’m aiming for, tried the 3 premium but but was a touch unbalanced

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Looks good

    2. LC1
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Spot on

    3. ebb2sparky
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Personally I wouldn’t bother with rotating keepers. I did it many years ago and managed to pick the wrong keeper far too often!

  11. RichieW
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Any suggestions?

    4.5
    Trent Cancelo James Chilwell
    Salah Diaz Mahrez Maddison
    Jesus Martial

    1. Warby84
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      See above for 4.5, Martisl to Wilson or Watkins personally

  12. Philip Jones's Diary
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Anyone else like a TAA + VVD double up? VVD's appeal is that he will play every game where as Robo might get some rotation with Tsimikas.

    1. Ser Davos
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      I really like it, but I'd be inclined to save a whole 1.0 - 1.5 m on Alisson. I now PPG suffers a bit

    2. TheTinman
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Rotation and minute management is surely very low risk between GW1 and your first WC, wouldn't worry about it at all.

      1. Philip Jones's Diary
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 20 days ago

        Thanks for the feedback guys. @thetinman that is a very good point, looks like the first WC will be dropped in or around GW8.

  13. sirmorbach
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    A. Dean Henderson + Reece James + Luis Díaz
    B. Alisson + Matty Cash + Mahrez

    1. Warby84
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      A with Mendy

      1. sirmorbach
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        0.5 short of that move. But thanks much!

    2. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Alisson, Trippier, Diaz?

      1. sirmorbach
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Got Tripps already, and with Alisson I wouldn't be able to have Diaz... but cheers!

  14. Bobby Digital
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Really want that Arsenal 4.5m defender. Team is incomplete without one.

  15. Bavarian
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Thoughts please

    Meslier
    TAA-VVD-Cancelo-Trippier
    Salah-Mount-Rashford-Neto
    Jesus-Kane

    1. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Covers most of the bases. Mount is a good shout (Maddison also could work there). Really like Trippier and potentially Rashford. Only downside would be no City attacker?

      1. Bavarian
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        Cheers

    2. DazF90
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Nice but beware of some tough GW3 fixtures

  16. Eric Banternaaa
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Is there a post about FPL draft?

    I am entering a fun league with some friends for a small stake with no transfers allowed.

  17. Union_Jacks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Feeling this

    Sanchez
    Trent, Robertson, Cancelo, James, Perisic
    Salah, Rashford, Bruno G
    Haaland, Jesus

    Steele, Reed, Colback, Plange

    1. Union_Jacks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      A) chilwell Diaz
      B) Trent rashford

      Main debate atm

  18. Bavarian
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    A- Meslier-VVD-Mount
    B- Mendy-Dias-Diaz

    1. Lallana_
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      B

  19. Float
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Does Sterling count as a premium? If not, I'm currently on a onemium draft

    Meslier
    TAA / Cancelo / Chilwell
    Salah / Sterling / Diaz / Rashford / Neto
    Jesus / Wilson
    (4.0 / Neco / Archer / Patterson)

    1. One Man
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Nice line up, just not certain of Meslier.

  20. King Prawn
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Please RMT:

    Mendy (Steele)
    James, Cancelo, Robbo, Trippier (Neco)
    Salah (c), Saka, Bruno G, Odegaard (Andreas)
    Jesus, Haaland (Greenwood)
    Too template? I feel like Odegaard could be value at 6.5 - likely to be given the captaincy and should get more assists with Jesus upfront

    1. King Prawn
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 21 days ago

      Plus Diaz

      1. King Prawn
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 21 days ago

        No Saka

  21. pmletch
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Recommendations welcome

    Raya (4.0)
    Trent, robbo, James, Cancelo, Nilliams
    Salah, coutinho, Bernardo (4.5,4.5)
    Jesus, Haaland (4.5)

    1. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Downgrade one of those 7s to upgrade neco

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      So you have to play one 4.5 or Neco every week. Not optimal imo.

  22. Warby84
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Chilwell James
    Zinchenko Trippier cash

    Best 11m dbl up currently on Trippier/James but also like the thought of Zink in an Arsenal shirt..

  23. Yip Jaap Stam
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 21 days ago

    Diaz and Kane
    Or
    Salah and Mitrovich?

    Thanks

    1. Pether
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Diaz + Kane, not getting trolled by Mitro again

    2. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Need Salah Diaz and Kane really

    3. Bobby Digital
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      DK

    4. One Man
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Mit has bad fixtures and is in a team that prob won’t score many.

  24. Pether
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    RMT please - 4 x city is tempting with their schedule

    Mendy
    Cucurella (if city) Cancelo TAA Robertson
    KdB Diaz Ødegaard Neto
    Jesus Haaland

    4.0 Andreas Nilliams Archer

  25. Lallana_
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    How is this looking? N. Williams comes in during Arsenal's hard fixtures.

    Mendy
    Robertson | TAA | Cancelo | Gabriel
    Neto | Diaz | Son (C) | Rashford
    Haaland | Jesus

    Bench: Steele, N. Williams, Andreas, Taylor

    1. Pether
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      I prefer KdB/Ødegaard/Cucurella > Son/Rashford/Gabriel 😉 see team above

      1. Lallana_
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 20 days ago

        Not sure about Cucu yet with his transfer not even made yet.

        KDB is a good pick!

        Odegaard could be more assure than Rashford but like Rashford's potential. Seeing what Ronaldo is doing...

  26. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    Back after a long vacation. Hope everyone is doing well. First attempt at making a team. Does it look alright?

    Raya
    TAA Cancelo James Zinchenko
    Salah Mahrez Rashford Martinelli
    Kane Jesus

    Balcombe Andreas Williams Greenwood

    Thanks!

    1. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Welcome back, very solid team, pretty much the template atm.

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 20 days ago

        Thanks! Template is good I guess. Especially with the extra wildcard.

        1. TheBiffas
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 20 days ago

          Yep. Like the mahrez pick.

  27. Cleric
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    Any recommendations to improve my side:

    Mendy
    TAA, Cancelo, James, Tomi, (nico)
    Salah, Diaz, Rashford, Neto, (Andreas)
    Haaland, Jesus, (greenwood)

    0.5itb

    Not 100% on Tomi or rashford but with the money in the bank I can react to any bandwagons. I’m missing spurs cover but they always let us down with clean sheets.

    1. Cheeky Onion
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Tomi > Trippier/Zinchenko/Cash

      1. Invincibles
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 20 days ago

        Cash - most nailed.

        1. Cheeky Onion
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 20 days ago

          Got to recon Trippier is also nailed. Both good picks, tough to separate them. I prefer Cash's fixtures for the first few weeks

          1. Invincibles
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 20 days ago

            sorry, of course. Not a big fan of their opening fixtures though. City and Liv in first 5

      2. Cleric
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 20 days ago

        I like zinchenko at Arsenal and cash. Thanks.
        Not a fan of trippier being a Newcastle defender. They don’t have a good history with clean sheets, albeit they are on the up.

        1. Cheeky Onion
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 20 days ago

          I think Trippier has the most potential for attacking returns unless Zinchenko plays in an advanced role with set piece duties. Cash is just an all round solid full back. Agree on Newcastle being the least solid defense of the 3 though

          1. Cleric
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 20 days ago

            I guess we all hope zinchenko plays in midfield and out of position. Then he will be a bargain

    2. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Not a big fan of Cash. Never got attacking returns then got a few jammy 20 pointers. Trippier and Zinchenko much better options

  28. Cheeky Onion
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    Where to find 0.5 to upgrade Robbo to TAA?

    Sanchez
    Robbo - Cancelo - Chilwell - Tomi
    Salah - Diaz - Saka - Neto
    Kane - Jesus

    Steele - Andres - Neco - Archer

    1. Invincibles
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Perosnally I'd lose Jesus for Awoyini.

      Gives you 2.0m to do:
      Robbo >TAA
      Tomi > James/Dias.

      You'd back Jesus to outscore Awoyini but by how much? Think the other two moves more than cover it.

    2. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Chilwell is far from nailed on at this rate, I’d downgrade him anyway.

      Having said that, what the heck is wrong with Robbo?

      1. Invincibles
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 20 days ago

        Are you going without TAA?

        1. La Roja
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 20 days ago

          See below post

          1. Invincibles
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 20 days ago

            Fair enough. I'll be starting with him, Cancelo, James, Laporte and a 5.0.

            1. La Roja
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 20 days ago

              Laporte won’t be fit until season starts

    3. One Man
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      No real need, Robbo could score as many points as Trent this season.

    4. Mona Lisa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Sanchez, Robbo, Chilwell > Mendy, TAA, Doherty? (Doh depends on how pre season shapes up)

      1. Invincibles
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 20 days ago

        Doherty a no go, they have so many fullbacks to know who will start.

        1. Mona Lisa
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 20 days ago

          True he's a gamble I suppose Romero is the safer pick, but Doherty has the higher ceiling if he plays.

  29. La Roja
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    How’s she looking?

    Mendy
    Robbo Cancelo Gabriel Mings
    Coutinho KDB Diaz Kulusevski
    Jesus Kane(c)

    4.0 Neco Andreas 4.5

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Decent. I'd be tempted to find the 0.5 from Gabriel or Coutinho to go Robbo to TAA

      1. La Roja
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 20 days ago

        I’m pretty settled to start with Robbo.

        Also considering this;

        Coutinho Mings ➡ Martinelli Perisic

  30. waltzingmatildas
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 20 days ago

    Really torn on this decision. What do you reckon guys?
    A) Ederson, Cash, Mount, Jesus
    B) Meslier, Coufal, Martinelli, Kane

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
      4 years, 20 days ago

      A

    2. TheBiffas
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      B. By far

    3. Lallana_
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      A

    4. Invincibles
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      A for me. I'd get one of Kane/Haaland though to start.

    5. waltzingmatildas
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 20 days ago

      Ha, cheers guys