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. theodosios
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    If I am correct, out of TOP6 clubs, Blades only slipped against SOU at home, in term of CS and that was long time ago.
    So, Lord looks like a nice (C) option this GW. Thoughts?

    1. Regin
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No way. Vardy at home to rock bottom watford

    2. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Would be very tempting and potentially high reward but can't see past Vardy at the mo

    3. Stef rocks
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      If there were no other good candidates yes, but this is not the case this GW

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

      You are betting on a lundstrum haul with a Vardy blank. long odds i'd say

  2. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which one for Martial?

    1. Zaha
    2. Pulisic
    3. Alli (have Son)

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      2

    2. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      1

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      1

    4. Stef rocks
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      2 is top of the list for me but 1 is tempting especially if you can use the money elsewhere

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

      Zaha

  3. Kay317
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Could do with some advice after a gamble gone wrong last GW. Don't ask!

    Pope (button)
    TAA, Robbo, Pereira, Lund (Rico)
    Mane (VC), Maddison, KDB, Mount (Traore)
    Vardy (c), Ings, (Batshuayi)

    Would you:
    A) hold and carry free.
    B) Pulisic in for Mount
    C) Jimenez in for Bats
    D) Mousset and Pulisic or Alli in for Bats and Mount? (-4)
    E) Mousset for Bats

    Any advice much appreciated.

    1. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Or bring Tammy back and hope he starts??

    2. Effe
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      C

      1. Kay317
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks, that's what I'm swaying towards and should have done last week but tried to be clever.

        1. The Bonus Magnet
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          C yeah

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

      C

      1. Kay317
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks all. Would you wait for Tammy news or just do it as a fit Jimenez is better than Tammy carrying a knock?

        1. The Bonus Magnet
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Jimmy is good for next 4 regardless

  4. Doctor Evil
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    When do we find out Tammy news?

    1. Podge
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      18:30 Wednesday

      1. Stef rocks
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        LoL

  5. Lucas8406
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which move
    A) Pope to Henderson or Guaita
    B) Mount out for someone under £9m like Pulisic or Maddison
    C) Abraham out for someone under £10m

    1. andres
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B with Pulisic

  6. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Lads, would you be so kind to help me out with this?

    Pope / 4.0
    TAA, Chilwell, Lundstram / Kelly, Rico
    Salah, Sterling, Mount, Tielemans / Traore
    Vardy, Abraham, Jiménez

    A. Hold
    B. Mount, Tielemans out / McGinn, Pulisic in (- 4)
    C. Mount, Sterling out / KDB, Pulisic in (- 4)
    D. Mount, Abraham out / Connolly, Alli in (- 4)
    E. Mount, Abraham out / Greenwood, Son in (- 4)

    1. The Bonus Magnet
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Hold play kelly or traore with other first sub to cover tammy

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

        Cheers, mate!

      2. The Bonus Magnet
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        *Tammy and mount

  7. andres
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope
    TAA Soy Lund
    Mane KDB Son Tielemans
    Rash Vardy Jimenez

    Kelly, cantwell, Pieters 0.7 ITB 1FT.

    A Pope to Guaita
    B son, tielemans => Alli, Pulisic (-4)
    C rash, tielemans => Mous / Ings, Pulisic (-4)

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

      Nice team. I'd hold honestly and do for free next week

    2. The Bonus Magnet
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A out of those

      1. The Bonus Magnet
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Or hold yeah

  8. thunder_mike
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Maddison >
    A) Son
    B) Dele

    Difficult to choose between the two

    1. andres
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      keep mads, otherwise Dele to save cash

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

        Maddison has been ticking over okay, but feel I could swap him for someone more explosive.

        1. Podge
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Prefer Maddison to either

  9. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Just to be clear - were the Lampard comments from a press conference or not?
    Just trying to work out if we're likely to get more info on Tammy etc.

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      He has a presser tomorrow mate.

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Ed - you are always a comforting presence here. Good man. How's it going lately? Have Doherty for his goal?

        1. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Thank you, appreciate that! I did, had a pretty good week, very pleased I finally got something from him after all his close calls, capped Son too. How did yours go?

          1. Fpl Richie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Been on a good run but slowed up last week - Vardy perma-cap has really helped in this period. Martial over Son 3 weeks ago has stopped me rising further.

            1. The Ejiptian King
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              I have Martial too, I think he's gonna go next gameweek, losing patience with him.

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

    Still got my wildcard so I don't think I should be taking hits. But this looks good to me

    Ederson and Martial to Henderson and Alli for -4

    Ederson
    TAA Tomori Soyuncu Lundstram
    Mane Son KDB Martial
    Vardy Jiminez

    McGovern Lowton Greenwood Dendoncker

    1ft 0.2m

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Do it over two gameweeks?

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        This

      2. MartialMatas
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I suppose. Can't do martial to Alli this week though, and it seems bad to drop Ederson vs Burnley when I'm not getting the upside of having alli

        1. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Prefer Henderson at home to Newcastle than Ederson away to Burnley.

        2. Pukki Blinders
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Think Martial is a better option than Alli this week, definitely not worth a -4

  11. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Henderson (button)
    TAA, Soy, Tomori, Lund (Rico)
    Mane (VC), Maddison, KDB, Son(Dendo)
    Vardy (c), Jimmy (Tammy)

    good to go then??
    or anything worth a hit (if so please advise)

  12. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    For someone chasing is better to go Alli over Son?

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

      Yes

    2. Give Me the Mane
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Son

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Would go for Alli whether chasing or not.

      If chasing, double up can be a good differential. But for those of us who are millionaires, anyone is a differential 😆

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Can't afford the double up unfortunately have Kane too.

        Agree with that Alli is a huge differential for me in the millions 😛

    4. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      both good picks it seems, just go with who you think will score more points, too early in season to worry about having differentials, fwiw i have Son

  13. Akshatjazz
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Kbd, mane, Maddison, pulisic, zaha which 4 can I play ??

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

      Why did you give yourself a headache like that? Can you play all 5?

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

        I can but I have vardy, Jimenez & mousset ady striker

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      All 5?

    3. Podge
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Drop a def/striker

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

        Who to drop I'm playing 3-4-3
        Can't drop Def as for strikers - vardy, Jimenez & mousset wat to do ??

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

    Please advise on my wildcard team:

    Schmeichel (Henderson)
    TAA, Doherty, Kelly, Lundstram, Rico
    Zaha, Mane, KDB, Alli, Hayden
    Jimenez, Vardy, Ings
    Bank: 0.1m

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

      I quit elike, Doherty pick is interesting. Too much on keepers though. Just one of Schmeichel/Henderson would be fine.

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

        Any gp combination suggestions?
        Henderson and Heaton

    2. Podge
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Looks good

    3. nolard
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      get pulisic instead of zaha, get the cash from your keepers?

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

        Yes if i use Henderson and Heaton i can include pulisic. I like Zaha and his fixtures and also interested to in tammy Abraham .. anyway it needs to down Doherty to some cheap defender. Wat about ur thought

      2. nolard
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I like the Docherty pick.
        Zaha, I don't see the hype, he just scored his first goal all season and is not a stable performer.

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

          Yea fine

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

      Just get one playing keeper and one non-playing (Button, McGovern, etc).

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

        Understand. As this is wildcard and bench boost are available just thought of 2 players. Ok i agree on you but thinking he 21,22, 24 and 25. Heaton or gazzinaga is worth? I am a beginner in fpl

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

        Done. picked Martin. Which one is good in ur thought as i have 0.7m in bank
        A. Henderson and TAA
        B. Schmeichel and Robertson

    5. nolard
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Do you plan on playing the front three?
      If so, I would try to get a better striker than Ings.
      But it becomes a price issue of course.

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

        Yea but later i think tammy will better than ings. That time may be need to change pulisic or need to check other options

    6. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      You only need a second keeper for one week on bench boost, not for the entire season. If you intend bench boosting soon after your WC then that's different.

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

        Thanks. Seems good. I selected Martin as the second keeper

  15. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone have a link to watch free livestream of Ballon D'or? Not available on TV by me. Thanks

  16. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What to do with Martial and Mount- getting rid of Mount means no Chelsea attack v Villa

    A Keep 1 more week
    B Transfer to Zaha

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

      * ignore as pushed send in error- will repost later. Sorry!

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

    3. Podge
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Pulisic and Zaha?

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

        Yes actually might be good shout- although could also get Alli and Zaha

  17. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts?

    A: Martial >> Pulisic/Maddison/Zaha...with a view to upgrade Mount >> Alli next gw
    B: Mount >> Pulisic/Maddison/Zaha....with a view to do Martial >> Alli next gw
    C: Save FT with a view to do Martial + Mount >> Son + Grealish next gw
    D: Save FT with a view to do A+B combined next gw. No point getting rid of Martial and Mount who are nailed for midweek and both playing home games.

  18. Monkey Hanger
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    This series of articles is so tedious.

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

    Can't decide if Tammy & Mount to Ings and Pulisic is genius, idiocy or just a sideways move

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Sideways. You'll probably want Tammy back when fit, which will be either this week or next. Mount to Pulisic is sensible

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

        Thanks, just be good to afford him without dropping a 'big gun' still having faith in sterling and salah.... (regret)

    2. hustler7
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I did just that for free a few mins ago. Only way I could see to upgrade Mount in my team.

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

        I'm teetering on the verge, would be for free too

  20. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Would you rather have Grealish or Zaha over the medium-long term?

    1. aborg
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Grealish good after GW 17. Next 5 GW's i'd go for Zaha

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

      Grealish.

  21. aborg
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone knows when the press conferences are taking place please?

  22. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Would rather have Mount v Villa than Martial v Spurs. I would say A if Lampard indicates Tammy still out as Pulisic could be in striker role with Mount tucked in behind him

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

      Failed response to UnitedNations

  23. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Martial ➡

    A) Maddison
    B) Zaha
    C) Grealish
    D) keep..?

    1. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Zaha

    2. aborg
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Has to be B

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B is sensible, I'm keeping though... hoping he can find some form again soon

      1. The Bonus Magnet
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Same. New manager bounce soon

  24. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Help me sort out the bench here, lads?

    Ryan
    TAA - Chilwell - Tomori - Lund
    Alli - Mane - KdB - Maddison
    Vardy - Jimi

    Heaton, Mousset, Cantwell, Guilbert

    1. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Mousset start over Tomori?

      1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah, leaning towards that, as well. Do want to shoehorn Cantwell in, but wary of a blank after two hauls.

  25. Dirty Harry
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Quick vote lads?

    1. Tielemans > Alli
    2. Guendouzi > Zaha (benching headache. Mousset probably)

    Front 8:
    MANE KDB Pulisic Tielemans Guendouzi
    Auba Vardy Mousset

    1. The Bonus Magnet
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Tielemans home to watford. Alli away to man u. Id probs hold

      1. Dirty Harry
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks

  26. Stef rocks
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bottomed - really wanna get Pulisic, but what to do with this squad:

    Pope
    TAA Pereira Lundy (Reid, Taylor)
    Mané Sonny KDB Maddison (Cantwel)
    Vardy Jimmy Tammy

    1FT 0.0ITB

    Only way i can see is Tammy Cantwell to Pulisic Connolly for a hit?
    But then if Tammy plays it could be serious backfire

    Do a GK change - who? 0.1 short of Henderson!

    Or just save FT

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Probably just save FT.

    2. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Would save. you can't own everyone + that team is fine.

  27. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    These are my planned moves in the near future:

    Pope Martial Dendoncker Ings

    to

    Henderson Zaha Alli Greenwood

    Which are best for this GW?

    1. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Why Henderson?

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Pope awful fixtures. Henderson good ones

        1. Dirty Harry
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Henderson does not consistently return

  28. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Martial to Maddison/Pulisic or keep?

    1. Arfaish
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Pulisic unless you have one of mount/tielemans then avoid the double up

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

        Have Mount..

  29. aborg
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    IMO i'd say that Pulisic will only continue firing if Abraham is on Pitch.

    If anyone like me can't decide who to bring in between Zaha and Pulisic, i'd say it all depends if Abraham is fit to play or not.

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

      I don't think that's the case. Abraham had very little involvement in the game in which Pulisic scored his hat trick for example. It was just poor finishing which lead to his blank in the last game.

  30. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    GTG?

    Pope
    TAA Chilwell Lundstram
    Mane KDB Maddison Zaha Mount
    Vardy (c) Jimenez

    McG Mousset Tomori Rico

    1. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      £4m itb