Pro Pundits - Ash

Why I want to sign Sadio Mané before it’s too late

At 5pm last Saturday, I was on the cusp of being hit with a dark red arrow. 

Four of my five players had blanked and I was going into Sunday without highly-owned players such as Kevin de Bruyne (40%), Mohamed Salah (27%) or Sadio Mané (35%) which put me at risk of my overall rank plummeting further.

Thankfully my trust in Jamie Vardy’s (£9.6m) form paid off with his 24 points as captain, as well as an unexpected clean sheet for Kasper Schmeichel (£5.2m). 

This was further boosted with Anthony Martial’s (£7.7m) double-digit haul on Sunday. 

How I got on in Gameweek 12

It was just a shame that my Manchester City coverage of Sergio Aguero (£12.0m) and Raheem Sterling (£12.0m) failed me. Then again the duo have a dire record as visiting players at Anfield so I shouldn’t have expected much. 

Liverpool’s late loss of a clean sheet cost me four points with my ownership of Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.2m) but it probably was for the best as I ended up unpunished by anyone with a defensive double-up.

Previously, I had sold Salah and Mason Greenwood (£4.3m) for Vardy and Martial. 

I felt that this made perfect sense as I was effectively obtaining two attacking players for the price of one. 

I had numerous concerns last weekend with my squad and could have easily used a free transfer or taken a hit. 

Andriy Yarmolenko (£6.0m) could have swiftly been switched out for Youri Tielemans (£6.6m) with my cash in the bank. 

Mané has really caught my eye recently

But ultimately I wanted the in-form, Mané. I should have bought him weeks ago. Aguero has demonstrated that he is a rotation risk too often this season, despite scoring nine Premier League goals thus far. However, only one since Gameweek 6 weakens his appeal significantly.

 An easy move for me would be to sell Todd Cantwell (£4.7m) and the Argentina international for Mané and Aaron Connolly (£4.7m) without taking a hit. 

But I would still be left with Yarmolenko. 

Whether I make one, two or three transfers during the international break, I almost certainly need to crowbar in Mané. I simply have no choice but to do so. 

Another option could be to sell my two attacking Manchester City assets for Salah and Mané if I wanted to put all of my eggs in one title-race basket. 

However, after now trailing Liverpool by nine points, Pep Guardiola will be more motivated than ever before to convert their decline with a winning spree, even if they are facing Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal in their next five Premier League games.

Owning Jamie Vardy has had a big impact on my season in recent weeks

I managed to end Gameweek 12 with a third consecutive green arrow and my best overall rank since the last week of August.

I finally have some momentum on my side with the international break providing me with much needed time to plan ahead for the upcoming winter fixture rush. 

The 62 points I picked in Gameweek 12 seems modest in comparison to a lot of seasoned FPL managers but I do feel content with the 193 points I’ve amassed over the last three rounds. 

It wasn’t long ago that I was ranked as low as 2.7 million despite having a more than reasonable start – so I’m very happy with my recent progress.

I’ve also surprised myself by being more cautious with my transfers this season with only two hits taken to date – each resulting in a red arrow. 

My aim now is to make incremental gains with safe transfers and hope that my armband picks can deliver on a more regular basis. 

December will no doubt be filled with variables in FPL, as it always is, so I need to make the most of my newfound traction and hope that I can continue my run of green arrows.

GAMEWEEK 12 – FPL MATCH REPORTS

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768 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Wally banter
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Is this article supposed to be called RMT for Pundits?

  2. The Man Pastore
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Pope Button
    TAA Robbo Chilwell Lundstram Kelly
    Mane KDB Maddison xxx xxx
    Vardy Abraham xxx

    Pick 1 to fill the xxx :

    A) Pulisic Mount Greenwood (352)
    B) Pulisic Cantwell Ings (343)
    C) Martial Cantwell Ings (343)

    1. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Neither is great but B?

  3. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone thinking about 5 ATB from Gw14? Pool, Sheffield, Leicester, Chelsea amazing run of 4+ fixtures.

    1. Wally banter
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      what will you do with the rest of the money?

      1. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Save it for a rainy day i.e. until premiums are firing again

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      5 seems overboard given you are benching some quality attackers.

      1. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Such as? I would still play Vardy, Maddo, Tammy, KDB and Salah.

      2. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I think to have a full contingent of "good" players is important this time of year. I can see 2 or more regulars getting benched over the silly season.

    3. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Considering 4-4-2 with Rico as backup and triple Chelsea attack

      1. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I like it.

    4. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      What does your team look like atm?

    5. space mercenary
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I have gone 451 with Tammy up top. It allows for a great team.

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I still think: Jimmi, Vardy, Ings, etc have good value. I would look at hitting 1 premium mid and having the cash to spread around.

        Sterling Mousset Rico and Kelly can become
        Maddi Jimmi Willems Stevens and all bases are covered

    6. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Interesting idea.
      We are coming into the rotation silly season and we will need reasonable bench fodder. This is the least expensive way of doing things.
      I can see the likes of Citeh and others using big squads so the need for playing benchers is paramount.

    7. Pocky
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Over Midwicket, I have Robertson, TAA, Lundy, Tomori & Soy. Whether I play all 5 together at any time is another matter.

  4. Plant Based FPLer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Might as well close the site for the next month, month and a half with the fixtures list as it is and these teams in form. 3 Chelsea, 3 Leicester, 3 Liverpool, Lundstram + Budget Keeper. Maybe Jimenez.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Man City are useless now.

  5. milanista10
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Would you rather go?
    A) McGinn (352)
    B) Ings (343)

    1. jimski
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A

  6. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Good news that Salah will not feature for Egypt. Hopefully will be ready for Palace.

  7. claretdownunder
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Before i transfer in Jiminez can anyone tell me if he is involved in international matches during the break and against who - thanks

    1. Kiwi Don
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Playing Panama and Bermuda and he is in the Mexico squad.

  8. Sir_Durs8
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on this slightly different WC team? Not entirely sure that Man City coverage is needed over the next few weeks, although it is a gamble.

    0.1 ITB

    Schmeichel/McGovern
    TAA/Robertson/Rico/Lundstram/Willems
    Mane/Son/Maddison/Pulisic/Martial
    Vardy/Abraham/Greenwood

    I could maybe get Soy instead of Schmeichel as my 3rd Leicester player but I feel by doing that, I don’t get to realise Lundstram’s full potential if he’s just sitting on my bench.

    1. AndyCook
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I’d have De Bruyne over Son still, give him a week at least

        1. Sir_Durs8
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          0.1 out with this team and what I got KDB for.

      • Sahil.....
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I would have downgraded taa to soyu ...Schmeichel to allison son to kdb and upgrade greenwood

      • Wılly
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I came up with the same team for my wildcard, essentially came down to Schmeichel, Son & Robertson vs Pope, Salah & Soyuncu.

        If you wanted to save some money you could do Willems to Taylor/Janmaat

        1. Sir_Durs8
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Thanks, I like the alternative too.

    2. tibollom
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      hello guys, I have 2 FTs and 0.2 ITB as well as my WC which I am keeping for later...

      Heaton Button
      Taa Rico Lunds Chillwell Dunk
      Salah Sterling KDB McGin Dedonck
      Tammy Vardy Greenwood

      Tempted to get rid of Salah, KDB or Sterling and Greenwood for -4? any suggestions?

      Martial, Mane + 6.9 Striker?

      1. AndyCook
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Not much at all at 6.9..

          1. tibollom
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            yea nothing interesting, maybe replace heaton for pope/ryan with the 3rd transfer given heaton is injured?

      2. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Salah owners clutching at straws. When laca was in a protective boot earlier this season people were also saying 'its just precautionary!' and he ended up being out for 2 months

        1. tibollom
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          yea i think im gonna pull the trigger... Salah + KDB/Sterling to Mane + Martial?

      3. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        perfect time for Salah to be rested and eased back in over busy Xmas period.

        1. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          This^ Expect him to be eased into the World club cup at the expense of easier fixtures at home.

      4. OleGGMU
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Current XI

        Pope
        Chill, Lund, TAA
        McGinn, Mane, Tiel, KDB, Puli
        Vardy, Jimi
        Bench : gk fodder, Rico, Abra, Lowton
        2.6 itb

        G2G or switch out puli/Mcginn for Abraham?
        Was gonna do Mcginn to Martial but holding due to SHU having a great def and UTD being too unpredictable , thoughts?

      5. Phlajo
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Sooo, can't decide on the better option..

        Pope (Button)
        Alexander-Arnold, Lundstram, Söyüncü
        Mané, Sterling, Mount, De Bruyne
        Vardy, Maupay, Abraham¨

        Bench: Montoya Tomori Cantwell

        1. Phlajo
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          A - Cantwell and Maupay to Tielemans and Greenwood
          B - Sterling to Salah
          C??

          If A then I would probably get Salah in after next GW. Would be for a hit as I need to downgrade Montoya to 4.2 to fund it.

          I want to keep KdB as city cover

      6. UnitednationsXI
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Opinions here with nothing in the bank

        1. Wılly
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Save

      7. Phil's Stamps
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        2.8m to 180k rank in a GW is nuts, well done.

        If that was my next squad my next move would be to downgrade Cantwell to Donkey and upgrade Lachelles to someone better. But it can wait a GW, save.

        1. Phil's Stamps
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Reply fail to previous poster.

      8. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        GW 18 is not just a missed fixture for Pool but look at the other fixtures. (Citeh Leicester and Spurs Chelski)
        I would not want 3 pool and 6 of the others in GW 18.

        1. dmhomag
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          When is Pool's DGW?

          1. Eze Really?
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Nobody knows but a long time coming.

      9. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        My "bench players" will be:
        Ryan Willems Baldock McGinn
        Surely that is enough for rotation cover.
        I could give you my whole side but it is the usual supects

        2 pool 1 Citeh 2 Chelski 2 Leicester
        Martial Jimmi are my only 'not quite" differentials.
        Lund will play every game
        I will be struggling GW18!

      10. bombayblues
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Hello guys,
        I have the following team

        Pope (Fabianski)
        Lundstram. TAA. Soy. (Ota. Montoya)
        Mane. Sterling. Mount. Cantwell (Dendo)
        Rashford. Vardy. Abraham

        0.4 ITB 1 FT

        Problem areas - Cantwell, Otamendi, and Fab

        1. Rash + Ota = Jimi + Evans (-4)
        Followed by Cantwell + Fab = Tielemann + Henderson (next week)

        2. Hold fire this week and make 3 changes next week