Pro Pundits

Why the stats are becoming hard to ignore in the Pulisic v Mount debate

Let’s Talk FPL’s Andy looks ahead to Gameweek 15 in his latest Pro Pundits piece


I don’t like making late changes to my team – at that point, it all feels a bit rushed. Despite this I still found myself on Saturday morning chopping and changing between Jamie Vardy (£9.9m) and Sadio Mané (£12.2m) for captaincy, only to pick the wrong one.

It turned out to be a fairly average week, scoring 51 and seeing a 4,321 red arrow, down to 510,594.

Looking ahead to Gameweek 15 and I’m in that weird situation where I could transfer out one of three players or just make no transfer at all.

Nick Pope (£4.7m) has a bit of a fixture swing from this Gameweek, and not in a good way. Looking at the Season Ticker in the Members Area right up until Gameweek 30 (which is when I’ll start looking at using the second Wildcard), Burnley are second bottom in terms of fixture difficulty for defence.

I’m still reluctant to use a transfer on a goalkeeper however. The ceiling for points is fairly low and at just £4.7m he’s scored 55 points total, only five points behind current leaders Mathew Ryan (£4.8m) and Kasper Schmeichel (£5.3m). With the fixtures getting more difficult I would hope for an increase in save points to combat the likelihood of less clean sheets as well.

Mason Mount (£6.6m) is another player I’m looking at giving the boot to. He has just one assist to his name in the last six Gameweeks. There is a part of me that wants to give him the Aston Villa game, but that would definitely be the last-chance saloon.

If you compare Mount to Christian Pulisic (£7.5m) over the last six Gameweeks, there really is no competition: Pulisic has created more chances, registered more big chances and recorded more shots inside the box over the same period.

Despite all of this, it’s John Lundstram (£5.0m) that I’m looking to bring in (yes that’s correct, I still don’t own him).

It will be Harry Maguire (£5.3m) leaving my team to accommodate Lundstram. I have thought about keeping him, given that he’s nailed and has good goal threat, and instead transfer out Issa Diop (£4.5m), but that leaves a lot of money spread out over my defence, and would mean I don’t have enough flexibility for future transfers.

It’s been difficult to ignore Lundstram, and that is made even worse by their upcoming fixture run that includes Newcastle United, Norwich, Aston Villa, Brighton and Watford. Couple that with his 45.5% ownership and it’s hard to go any longer without him given the potential for clean sheets and attacking returns: he’s 12th for expected goals (xG) from open play in the last six Gameweeks for example.

As much as the fixtures look good for my team this week, I want to be more aggressive with my transfers in an attempt to get ahead of the curve. Lundstram doesn’t do that but he does provide a comfort blanket. That being said, after writing this article and looking at the stats for Pulisic, it’s difficult to ignore him with Villa up next. Maybe I’ll take my fourth hit in as many Gameweeks and just get it over with…

As for captaincy, that’s easy. I can’t look past Vardy at the moment and even though I bought Mané in under the guise of handing him the armband between Gameweeks 14-17, I think it’ll be the Englishman who becomes permanent captain now, at least for the next three weeks.


Andy is the face of Let’s Talk FPL, one of the leading Fantasy YouTube channels and has been a big part of the Scoutcast over a number of years. He has two top 10k finishes and an additional three inside the top 20k over nine years.

1,294 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TANGUY TUESDAYS
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Alli or Son?

    I have enough for both, and no other Tottenham assets in my team.

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Alli

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

      Both is good too

    3. thepuntmaster
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I have Son but wish I had Alli

    4. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Both

    5. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Both if ppsssible but son if picking one for me.

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

    Henderson
    TAA, Lord, Soyboy
    Sterling, Mane(vc), Maddison, Zaha
    Vardy(c), Jimenez, Tammy

    (Tomori, Montoya, Dendoncker)

    Good to go?

    1. thepuntmaster
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Looks good to me

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Very

    3. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Doubt very much Abrahams starts tomorrow. .I had to sell him sat even sadly even though I've had him near on all season and bought him at 7.0. Can't justify keeping a player if he's out for 2 to 3 games.

  3. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    1) Pope > Hendo
    2) Robbo, Mount > Kelly, Alli (-4)
    3) Robbo, Mount > Kelly, Son (-4)

    1. thepuntmaster
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I was thinking about selling Pope this week but couldn't quite convince myself there were a lot of genuinely better options.

      I'd go 2 out of those

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        3, assuming u have n keeping taa

        1. jdp219
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I have TAA, yes.

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      3

    3. Bavarian
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      1

  4. thepuntmaster
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Good afternoon all.
    Pope (MCI)
    Soyuncu (WAT) - Lundstram (NEW) - PVA (BOU)
    Mané (EVE) - Son (mun) - Richarlison (liv) - Cantwell (sou)
    Auba vc (BHA) - Vardy c (WAT) - Ings (NOR)

    Button - Maddison (WAT) - Tomori (AVL) - Rico (cry)

    Couple questions.

    1) Who two to play:
    A) Richarlison
    B) Cantwell
    C) Maddison

    2) Which one to play:
    D) Tomori
    E) Rico
    F) Lundstram

    3) Should I consider using bench boost this week?

    1. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      C & F.

      Tough benching options.

      1. thepuntmaster
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers, who'd you go for out of Richarlison and Cantwell along with Maddison?

        1. Rolls-Royce
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I am playing Richarlison, so he'll blank probably. Go with Cantwell.

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      BC
      F

  5. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Henderson
    TAA Soy Lund
    Salah Richalison Pulisic Martial
    Kane Vardy Ings

    McGovern Dendonker Rico Dunk

    £1.3m inb, 1FT

    Best option here?

    A) Save
    B) Richarlison -> Alli
    C) Martial-> Alli
    D) Salah-> Mane
    E) Kane-> Auba
    F) Any other?

    1. thepuntmaster
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I think C is your best move, maybe D next gameweek

      1. Rolls-Royce
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        My team is in shambles. lol

        1. thepuntmaster
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          there's a few transfers to make sure, but reckon you'll be sorted in a few weeks

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

          Lose salah & Rich

          1. Rolls-Royce
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            What are you doing with Kane tina?

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

              Not sure. Keeping for 1 gw or if Im brave then out for Ings to finance Son/Alli -4

              1. Rolls-Royce
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Might wait a week. Alli passes the eye test, I'd say even better option than Son atm. Kane has been such a letdown though.

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

                  Yeah, when ever Spurs break away and have players in the box, then kane is the last to arrive.

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B or C

  6. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which games are Amazon Prime showing tues and wed this week?

    1. Jack Burton
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      All I believe and boxing day

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      All of them. So you can choose which game to watch.

      1. Feed tha Sheep
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers and you can sign up for free for first month isn’t that right?

        1. BabyB
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          if you haven't done so before then you should be able to, yes.

    3. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      All of them

  7. Simon B
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Need a bit of help! I bought Tammy for 7.0, and if he drops to 7.8 tonite, will my value also drop again to 7.3? (Went to 7.4 when he dropped to 7.9).
    Thx!!

    1. The Lighthouse Keeper
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No - it'll stay at 7.4

      1. Simon B
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thank you!

  8. Drogba Legend
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What do we think here:

    Pope
    TAA - Azpi - Soy - Lundy
    Mane - KDB - Son
    Jimmy - Vardy (C) - Ings

    Button - James - Rico - Cantwell

    A) Save FT
    B) Azpi > any defender (PvA, Robbo/VVD, someone else?)
    C) James > Pulisic/Willian/Zaha/Tielemans
    D) Pope > ?

    Cheers

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I like B with PvA - a bit of a punt but an upgrade I think on what you have

      1. Drogba Legend
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers, Ping

    2. mattyb09
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      C with Tielemens

      1. Drogba Legend
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers

    3. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

      1. Drogba Legend
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        B with who?

    4. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I like

      B PVA
      C Zaha

  9. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What to do here chaps?

    Roberto(lol)*
    TAA Soy Lundstram
    Mane Maddison Mount KDB
    Tammy* Laca Vardy

    McGovern* Saiss Rico Dendoncker

    Zilch ITB and 1 FT

    A) Roberto ➡ McCarthy
    B) Roberto Tammy ➡ McCarthy Jimmy -4
    C) Roberto Tammy ➡ Guaita Mousset -4

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I like C a lot

    2. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

      Do you still have WC?

      If so, could even do Roberto > Martin and ride it out.

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        No WC unfortunately

    4. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Save, unfortunately

    5. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

  10. Captain_Shirokov
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Jesus back in the team, Sterling back on the scoresheet.

    Seems like he's a differential around these parts now.

    1. Annie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      which one?

  11. AFC49
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Any ideas for this team? WC still available

    Pope
    TAA, Soyuncu, Tomori, Lundstram
    Mane, Son, KDB, Mount
    Vardy, Jimenez

    Button, Greenwood, Dendoncker, Rico

    1FT, 2.7 ITB

    1. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      That's the same 11 I'm starting next gw..

  12. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    1FT nothing in bank. Any moves needed?

    Pope
    Tomori Lundstram TAA
    Mane KDB Traore Maddison
    Kane Vardy Jimi

    McGovern Rico Willems Dendoncker

  13. akhilrajau
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What about tammy Abraham instead if ings if i wildcard ?

  14. The Wanton Trader
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope
    TAA / Aurier / Lundstram
    Mane / Pulisic / KDB / Maddison / Zaha
    Vardy / Auba(c)

    Button / Willems / Guilbert / Greenwood

    This team came at a price.
    12 points to be precise.

    Shouldn’t take long to recoup though, with a team like that going forward.

    GTG...?

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      What if I said no after you took a 12 point hit lol

      No point asking if you've made your moves already.

      1. The Wanton Trader
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        They were good moves on paper.
        Hanley, DougLuiz, Martial, Firmino >
        TAA, Pulisic, Zaha, Greenwood.
        I’m feeling pretty good about it. 🙂

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

      But Auba and Zaha apart its template central.

      Hope you’re right about Zaha but sceptical

      1. The Wanton Trader
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I suppose it could be considered a bit templatey.
        I’m ok with that though... ty

  15. teneighty
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bought Cahill in Friday to beef up the bench during the festive period...scene...

  16. Pep bites Kun
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Gents, I need a bit of a steer ...

    I have 1 FT and am looking at the following transfer options:

    A. Pope to Henderson or Schmeichel - Pope could easily make up for tough fixtures with save points as Andy states in his article?

    OR

    B. Martial to Zaha - I like the feel of this transfer, although A seems more pressing/solid.

    Views appreciated and thanks in advance ...

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A for me

      1. Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers.

  17. pratikpaw
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    2 FT's with the team below - opinions appreciated!

    Pope - Button
    TAA - Soy - Lund - Rico - Ward
    Mane - KDB - Maddison - Martial - Mount
    Vardy - Jimenez - Abraham

    A) Martial + Mount -> Pulisic + Zaha
    B) Martial + Mount -> Alli + Grealish

    1. Bruno Commando
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A!

  18. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone else thinking BB in gw17?

    Nice fixtures for many usual suspects, and my palace boys as well

  19. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Score predictions for the midweek games?
    Palace vs Bournemouth
    Burnley vs Man City
    Leicester vs Watford
    Man Utd vs Tottenham
    Wolves vs West Ham
    Southampton vs Norwich
    Chelsea vs Villa
    Liverpool vs Everton
    Sheffield United vs Newcastle
    Arsenal vs Brighton

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      1-1

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No

    3. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      1-1
      0-3
      3-1
      1-1
      2-0
      2-1
      2-1
      2-0
      2-1
      1-0

    4. lindeg
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      1-1
      1-3
      2-0
      2-2
      2-0
      2-1
      3-1
      1-0
      1-0
      3-1

    5. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      CRY 1-1 BOU
      BUR 0-1 MCI
      LEI 3-0 WAT
      MUN 1-1 TOT
      WOL 2-1 WHU
      SOU 2-2 NOR
      CHE 3-1 AVL
      LIV 1-0 EVE
      SHU 1-0 NEW
      ARS 2-0 BHA

    6. The Bad Seed
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Definitely B for me

    7. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      2-0
      1-2
      4-1
      1-2
      3-0
      1-2
      2-1
      3-0
      0-0
      2-1

    8. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Chelsea 8 - 0 Villa

    9. St. Joseph
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

  20. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Apparently Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler are doing the commentary for Amazon Prime

  21. Steirish
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which to bench?

    Pulisic
    Maddison
    Mousset

    1. POLSKA GOLA
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Mousset if you have to

  22. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Goals in the United Southampton and Arsenal games

    1-1
    1-2
    2-0
    2-3
    1-0
    3-1
    0-1
    1-1
    0-1
    2-2

  23. Rex Lapis
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who's out first?
    A. Martial
    B. Mount

    1. lindeg
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      martial

    2. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Mount for me

    3. Bushman
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Martiall because fixtures imo

    4. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Martial - based on fixtures

  24. ITFC96
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bit of a bench nightmare.. Team is:

    0 FT 2.3 ITB

    Henderson
    TAA, Robbo, Soy, Lord
    KDB, Mane, Maddison
    Vardy, Ings, Jimenez

    Martial, Cantwell, Rico.

    Advice on who to bench would be great!

    1. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Bench boost says hi

      I know a lot of people will plan to BB on a double GW but this could be a good week to use it with your squad.

  25. ZimZalabim
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    pulisic or zaha ?

    1. Taegugk Warrior
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Zaha

    2. Bushman
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'm swinging between the same 2. I'm leaning towards Puli as I took out Tammy

  26. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who should I get in place of Martial? Have 7.7 to spend. Attack is:

    Mane KDB Martial Hayden Dendoncker

    Aruba Vardy Tammy

    1. Bushman
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I face the same question. I think Pulisic or Zaha

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Zaha's two in two is making it so difficult. Plus, is Maddison an option?

  27. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Any news about tammy..?

  28. TheBabyfacedAssassin
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Martial and Mount to Zaha and Pulisic for a hit worth it?

    1. Bushman
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Looks good

      1. Bushman
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Or just do 1 and then do the other at the weekend

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

      not for a hit

    3. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Go aggressive... I like it

  29. Bruno Commando
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    tielemans or perez for mcginn? no money for son/alli/maddison unfortunately..

    pope
    taa // soy // lunds // tomori
    mane // kdb // mount //
    vardy // kane // tammy

    skeletenburg // rico // mcginn // dendoncker

    1.1 itb

    1. Bruno Commando
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      or shud i take a hit for mcginn + mount -> cantwell + alli?

  30. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Are people without Amazon Prime using their free trial now, or saving until next season?

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah