Pro Pundits - Tom
12 September 2026 1310 comments
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In his latest article, five-time top 1k finisher Tom Freeman shows us his Gameweek 4 Wildcard squad.

He also discusses some of the main decisions to be taken.


BRUNO F OR HAALAND, BUT NOT BOTH

As I plan to Bench Boost in Gameweek 5, including both Bruno Fernandes (£12.0m) and Erling Haaland (£15.5m) in my squad isn’t really an option, given the need for depth.

I’ve been going back and forth on which player to include throughout the week.

In my video with Joe on Tuesday, I was really keen on a ‘no-Haaland’ draft, which looked like this:

However, since then, I’ve switched to Haaland, in part due to captaincy.

GameweekNo Bruno F captaincy planNo Haaland captaincy plan
4Palmer (HUL)Palmer (HUL)
5Haaland (SUN)Fernandes (ful)
6Palmer (BOU)Palmer (BOU)
7Haaland (IPS)Fernandes (lee)
8Palmer (TOT)Fernandes (BOU)
9Haaland (BHA)Palmer (MUN)
10Haaland (nfo)Fernandes (AVL)
11Haaland (FUL)Palmer (LEE)

The ‘no-Haaland’ captaincy plan actually looks okay until Gameweek 7, but after that, it doesn’t look quite so robust.

Now, Manchester City play Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain just before Gameweek 7, so Haaland could of course be rested, but I’m hesitant to rely on that assumption, as he may very well start, too.

I do have three free transfers banked, which opens up another route to bring Haaland in. However, restructuring my squad so soon after a Wildcard doesn’t quite feel right.

This is why I am now leaning towards including Haaland.

Dropping Fernandes admittedly doesn’t feel great, especially with Fulham away next week, but it was always the plan to Bench Boost in Gameweek 5 and spread the funds, so I’m just going to see how it plays out.

BENCH BOOST OPTIONS


1,310 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Moneymar
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Semenyo and DCL to Isak and D.Gomez for free??? Then captain Isak?

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I'd say yeah if Isak hadn't played 88 midweek.

      1. Moneymar
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Cheers!

    2. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Probably

    3. Ze_Austin
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Yes but still captain Pedro or Haaland

  2. Mole
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Play
    A. Gross (cov) or
    B. Cherki (mun)

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A

    2. JoeSoap
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A

    3. Ze_Austin
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Has to be both, imo
      Who are the other attackers?

  3. El Presidente
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Thoughts on Gakpo?

    1. Podorsky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Injured

      1. El Presidente
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Oh! Sorry about that, been a bit out of the loop... thanks for the reply.

      2. The Reptile
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Is that confirmed?

        1. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          1 month, 15 days ago

          He's pretty doubtful I thought

          But has a chance?

  4. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Is it a mistake to sell Bruno or is £12m just too much for him?

    1. Deulofail
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Sell him at your peril!

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 month, 15 days ago

        He did okay under Carrick last season didn't he?

        1. Biggsy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          1 month, 15 days ago

          Broke the PL assist record. I'd say thats okay

          1. FPL Virgin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            1 month, 15 days ago

            I can see why everyone is selling him then.

    2. David Parkinson
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Depends how you use the funds.

    3. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Depends if you have Haaland. You need one

    4. Conners
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Short term possibly not, long-term probably yes.

      I've re-structured my WC specifically to allow me to get him back in one transfer without weakening it much.

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Fulham next week for Bruno. You might need him sooner than you think.

    5. Pompel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      If for Palmer(c) could be worth it, but next gw will may hurt you

    6. Don Be Zeelly
      1 month, 15 days ago

      He's actually a decent captaincy pick this week, flying well under the radar.

  5. darlo1883
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Verbruggen
    Konsa Cala Gvardiol Hall Egan
    Palmer Rogers Barnes Gross King
    Isak Haaland JP

    On WC any changes you'd make or gtg

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I would 100% get Enzo if I was on wildcard.

      Loving the Josh King pick. Shrewd.

    2. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Stay away from Gvardiol. City have too many defenders.

  6. TheBiffas
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Anyone fretting over Isak's mins.... He's literally the only no.9 in the squad

    1. Deulofail
      1 month, 15 days ago

      So needs to be preserved

    2. x.jim.x
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Exactly the reason why he won't play 90 mins every game

      1. TheBiffas
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Right, so we'll rotate him with who exactly?

        1. Ze_Austin
          1 month, 15 days ago

          Gakpo when he's back

          Some random attacker at false 9 until then

          He starts vs Fulham, sure

          1. TheBiffas
            1 month, 15 days ago

            Correct

        2. x.jim.x
          1 month, 15 days ago

          He got subbed off for Gravenberch after an hour last week so the question should be "who won't he rotate with"

          1. TheBiffas
            1 month, 15 days ago

            I more meant people thinking he doesn't start

            1. x.jim.x
              1 month, 15 days ago

              Ah fair - would have thought he starts any games he's fit for, but wouldn't surprise me if he's subbed any time you're up after an hour.

              Like today, could see him frustrating owners going off early and missing a 4 or 5 nil game, especially if he only gets an assist or something. Just not ideal for a 9m player, so can understand the concerns. Free Hitters shouldn't care.

    3. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      He’s looking good and 80mins is enough … in good fixtures. His fixtures are mixed though.

  7. Deulofail
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Hey! bottom someone else!

    Good to go?

    Kinsky
    Gabriel Calafiori(v) Konsa
    Palmer(tc) Rogers Brunfo Szobo Schade
    Thiago Pedro

    Palmer | O'Reilly, O'Shea, Egeli

    0FTs. 0.5 ITB

    1. vova
      1 month, 15 days ago

      looks solid

    2. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I would watch the latest episode of FPL Planet's clash of the correspondents before TCing Palmer.

      1. Deulofail
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Spark notes?

        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          1 month, 15 days ago

          I only have CliffsNotes.

          Skip to the Hull's tactics if you don't have time to watch it all.

          1. Deulofail
            1 month, 15 days ago

            CliffNotes?

            1. FPL Virgin
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              1 month, 15 days ago

              Both teams will sit deep and pass the ball to each other because they don't want possession and only want to counter.

              1. Bggz
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                1 month, 15 days ago

                I don’t see Chelsea doing that they want to be attacking and free flowing

                1. FPL Virgin
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  1 month, 15 days ago

                  This is the opinion of the correspondent, he's a Chelsea season ticket holder, he watches every minute they play.

                  1. Bggz
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    1 month, 15 days ago

                    Pfft needs glasses

                  2. Deulofail
                    1 month, 15 days ago

                    All 90 mins of premier league home action under Alonso?

              2. Deulofail
                1 month, 15 days ago

                Wonder how Chelsea will plan to win the game then, or maybe they haven’t even watched this video???

  8. JoeSoap
    1 month, 15 days ago

    A. Wissa/Szob/Rogers
    B. Isak/Sangare/Odegaard

    1. GoonerSteve
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Maybe Wissa/Odegaard/Rogers

      1. JoeSoap
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Thanks. Agree though will keep Rogers this week

  9. GoonerSteve
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Which is the better 3?

    A) Ødegaard, Szoboszlai, Konsa
    B) Cherki, Sangare, Hall

    1. David Parkinson
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A

    2. Deulofail
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A by 5 miles

      1. GoonerSteve
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Worth a hit to swap B to A?

        1. Deulofail
          1 month, 15 days ago

          Nope

          1. GoonerSteve
            1 month, 15 days ago

            I agree on both fronts. I habe 3fts next week so could do it then for free. Bit worried about ditching Hall before his plum fixtures though.

            1. Admin
              1 month, 15 days ago

              Can't you just do Cherki to Øde for now?

              1. GoonerSteve
                1 month, 15 days ago

                I could. Will mull it over.

    3. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A

  10. Kroenius
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Who would y'all start: M.Sangaré/Rutter/Dedic

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Sangare or Rutter

  11. makisss99
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Last place on WC,Barnes or Dewsbury-Hall?

    1. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Too close

    2. Conners
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Not much between them, so Barnes as he's 0.5 cheaper and has mostly good fixtures for the forseeable.

  12. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Got 3FT, and not sure what to do really

    Verbruggen/Kinsky
    Shaw Calafiori Kerkez
    Odegaard Szob Bruno Gomez Mbuemo
    Haaland Pedro

    Barry OShea Rodon

    0ITB

    A) Mbuemo to Rogers (probably want Mbeumo back next week though)
    B) Rodon to Ajayi
    C) A plus B
    D) FH
    E) Suggestions?

    1. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Roll
      Or
      Haaland to isak

      1. Van der Faart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 month, 15 days ago

        United are fairly leaky dont want to not have Haaland this week

    2. Tony Soprano
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Nice team but not particularly suited to this game week. FH?

      1. Van der Faart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Not overly sold on FH this week, as it stands, more of a last resort move for me

  13. FPL Emu
    1 month, 15 days ago

    What do we think about the 5.0 keepers now?

    Could make an argument for most of them.

    - Suzuki: Doesn't interact with other defenders from the same team you want, when doubling up is not an alternative.

    - Kelleher: Good team, but bad fixtures

    - Trafford: Solid choice, but several good defenders to get too

    - Hornicek: Good fixtures, but how good is this defence? Good options like Hall and Thiaw

    - Sels: Decent team with decent manager defence wise

    1. LOS BLANCOS
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Like Suzuki with other 4.0 fodder

    2. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Raya and don’t think about it until next season.

    3. Admin
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Martinez?

  14. damiang2233
    1 month, 15 days ago

    And came out with 3 points, no goals, assists def con etc. Played 69 mins! Too risky IMO until he starts banging in goals and assists.

  15. Moneymar
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Tzolis or Ødegaard?

    1. g40steve
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Went from T to O, O everything goes through him.

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Ødegaard is the pick

      I picked the wrong one for my Gw2 dilemma

    3. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Odegaard

    4. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      O

  16. Gorky
    1 month, 15 days ago

    WC options:

    A: Triple Arsenal defence, perma Barnes.
    Raya (Dubravka)
    Califiori Konsa DeCuyper (Hall, Egan)
    Palmer Rogers Szob Barnes (Slater)
    Haaland Isak Pedro

    B: Rotating keepers, rotating Barnes/Gross
    Verbruggen / Kinsky
    Califiori Konsa DeCuyper (Hall, Egan)
    Palmer Rogers Ode Barnes (Gross)
    Haaland Isak Pedro

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      B

      But without the rotating keepers

      Unless you still have BB?

      1. Gorky
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Nah I don't but not sure I want Verbruggen for Arsenal/Liverpool/City games coming up?

    2. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A

  17. g40steve
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Must be some WC’s in play prices changing rapidly.

    Roger’s nearly 1m buys & Palmer 800k up 😮

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Hull so solid defensively too, but i can understand the transfers

      1. g40steve
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Today we find out how good that defence is but so far been solid.

        1. Van der Faart
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          1 month, 15 days ago

          Its going to be interesting definitely

  18. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Would you be benching Ndiaye or Barry here?

    Everton are decent enough away.

    Pickford
    Calafiori Gvardiol Mitchell
    BrunoF Palmer Mbeumo Semenyo
    Havertz João Pedro Barry

    Steele Ndiaye Mukiele Aina

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Ndiaye probably

    2. Gorky
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I was gonna go Ndiaye until I saw Maresca's comment about him last weekend. Barry safer mins wise and possible pens.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Yeah

        I'm wavering but playing Barry gets me more invested in watching that match at Spurs live.

    3. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      N

  19. Johan Queef
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Free transfer vs FH advice! (Wildcard would be great but left it late and missed price changes)

    1FT can get me:

    Verb (Kinsky)

    Calafiori, White, Davis (Dedic, Shaw)

    Gros, Palmer, Mbeumo, Sangare (Ndiaye)

    Haaland, DCL, JP

    VS FH:

    Verb (4.5)

    Calafiori, Konsa*, De Cuyper*

    Palmer, Rogers*, Odegaard*, Tavernier* (Gomez)

    Haaland, Isak*, JP

    Might be awkward to view but I guess FH means I don't have to play LEAF Davis and Sangare.

    Advice pls thanks in advance!

    1. Ze_Austin
      1 month, 15 days ago

      The players you missed on wildcard would still be this current price or more expensive later

      Your FH team is a good WC team. I'd still go for it

      Maybe Mbeumo Wissa over Isak Tavernier, but that's close

      1. Johan Queef
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Good point that the FH team is WC ready. I think I'm also not ready to commit to the WC, although I can see why it makes sense with some dodgy players going into next week as well. Maybe it's a mental block but feels like a lot building a WC close to the deadline when I hadn't planned for that.

        1. Ze_Austin
          1 month, 15 days ago

          You've got 2 hours

          There's enough time 🙂

    2. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Could you go ndiaye to ode?

      1. Johan Queef
        1 month, 15 days ago

        I actually have exact funds! But it would mean no Palmer (my FT in the team before would be Bruno to Palmer).

        1. Bggz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          1 month, 15 days ago

          Past hull he’s not essential

  20. OptimusBlack
    1 month, 15 days ago

    For just This GW who are best TWo

    A- Muharemović NEW (H)
    B- DCL NEW (H)
    C- Tzolis SUN (A)
    D- Elanga LEE (A)

    Gmable one A& B Leeds
    Or Gamble Against them C &D

    1. Gizzachance
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A C

  21. LarryDuff
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Hard choice between Isak and Pedro for the armband

    1. g40steve
      1 month, 15 days ago

      More chance of Gakpo out & Pedro has Rogers & Cold supplying him

      1. LarryDuff
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Hmmmm

    2. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Isak

    3. Haa-lala-land
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Look at opposition instead. Im going Isak.

  22. Gizzachance
    1 month, 15 days ago

    I’m on w/c, still have gross 1.2 itb
    A keep gross bank money
    B sangare
    C Anderson
    D kdh
    E Barnes have Wissa

    Cheers

    1. OptimusBlack
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A

      1. Gizzachance
        1 month, 15 days ago

        Cheers

    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I prefer E but wouldn't double up with Wissa

      D of the rest - A if you can rotate him for the tougher games to come

    3. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A

  23. marpy016
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Think I'm done for my FH

    Verbruggen
    Calafiori - Kinda - De Cuyper
    Palmer (c) - Rogers - Odegard - Szob
    Haaland - Isak - JP

    Bench Grob + Fodder

    1. marpy016
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      *Konsa

    2. sminkypinky
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Identical to mine but I’m starting Gakpo instead of Odegard and first bench to cover is Groß.

      1. marpy016
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 month, 15 days ago

        I could start them both because I have enough cash to upgrade Szob to Gakpo. Reckon he will play?

  24. Corrine M
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Any improvements?

    Ver/Steele
    Gvardiol Konsa Calafiori
    Rogers Palmer Mbuemo Odergaard
    JP Isak(c) Haaland
    (Yalcouye, Egan, Mendy)

  25. Rhodes your boat
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Final wc decision

    A) Barnes
    B) tavernier

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A easy

    2. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      A

  26. hazza44
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Which two to play this week?
    A) Hall (lee)
    B) Konsa (sun)
    C) Foden (mun)
    D) Sangare (bou)

    1. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Bc

    2. Conners
      1 month, 15 days ago

      BC

  27. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Predicted line ups is a bit of a game of guess who ... Is playing up front on a mobile device!

    Would it be easy for the graphic to have the name above the photo, perhaps utilising the space above the goal line?

    1. Deulofail
      1 month, 15 days ago

      I don’t have any issues

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        1 month, 15 days ago

        How big is your screen?

        Without the photos and depending on the team formation the striker is cut off, and not always mentioned in the commentary.

        This is an issue for mobile phone users.

        I don't have my other devices with me.

        1. Deulofail
          1 month, 15 days ago

          iPhone Xr

  28. oliverjosef
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Should I Bench boost with: Raya, Gakpo, Enciso & Van Hecke ?

    1. BrockLanders
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Gakpo could easily be out.

  29. BrockLanders
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Morning folks!

    Ndiaye to Yery Pino for free?

    Yay or nay?

  30. Ruinenlust
    1 month, 15 days ago

    Keep Cherki or Tzolis?

    1. BrockLanders
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Close that. Probably Tzolis

    2. Pompel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Tzolis

    3. Ze_Austin
      1 month, 15 days ago

      Decide next GW