Pro Pundits - Sam

No room for the heart when playing FPL

Some Fantasy Premier League selections are made based on form, some on fixtures, some on a gut feeling and some come from the heart. 

This season I am learning that the heart should not be trusted where FPL is concerned.

This is something that I have always known and I have tried historically to base my choices on tangible evidence but this season one man crept in.

This was, in part, due to the price reduction he had at the start of the season but also due to a need for a talisman, someone I really trusted alongside my maverick John Lundstram (£5.1m), John McGinn (£5.8m), Dean Henderson (£4.7m) and Diego Rico (£4.3m) picks.

Harry Kane (£10.9m), should have been the perfect striker – playing in a team who made it all the way to the Champions League final and at the low price point of just £11.0m at the time.

However, Spurs have been far from their best this season and Kane far from his, playing more as a defensive midfielder under Mauricio Pochetino than a striker.

Fast forward to Gameweek 14, Kane nearly left my team but the arrival of Jose Mourinho changed things. Would Spurs improve? Would Kane play as an out and out striker again?

Would the Fantasy hauls return?

Suddenly it was the wrong time to get rid, especially as he had a price rise with other managers bringing him in.

However, my gut feeling (which should always be followed) was to switch him for Dele Alli (£8.6m) who I spoke at length about on every FPL show and podcast that week.

Nonetheless, I held Kane who failed to return when Dele did. This has been repeated in both Gameweeks 14 and 15.

The stay of execution is over, this week Kane will go.

Having watched Kane against Manchester United revert back to playing deeper when Spurs fell behind, whilst Dele was in and around the box making all the right runs, it was apparent which Spurs asset is the one to own and it’s the one playing as the number 10 not the meant to be playing as the number 9.

Having two transfers going into Gameweek 16 means that I am able to make a change in my strike force and midfield without taking a points hit. McGinn is the unfortunate casualty in order for me to bring in Dele.  

Whilst the Aston Villa man was fantastic in the early Gameweeks of the season the points have dried up of late and with a Kane downgrade up-top, I have plenty of budget to afford the upgrade to Dele. This leaves me with £8.2m for a third striker alongside Vardy and Abraham.

There are a few decent options in this price bracket. 

Raúl Jimenez (£7.7m), Danny Ings (£6.2m) and Lys Mousset (£5.1m) are the three in contention for the spot.

Having used the Members Area to compare the players the results are interesting.  

Sam FPLFamily <p>Fantasy Football Scout's General Manager. Half of the FPLFamily. Pundit on the FPL Pod, Fantasy Show and Sky Sports News&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

3,982 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    GTG?

    Schmeichel
    TAA Robbo Lundy
    Mane Son Zaha Barnes
    Vardy(C) Jesus Jiminez

    Button Kelly Dendo Rico

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

    Tomori Traore & Kane > Kelly Alli & Abraham (-4) sound ok before price rises tonight?

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

      I don't think that will be worth the hit

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

        Do you expect Kane to score big or what?

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

    Gtg? Or one of below?

    A) Cancelo > Kelly
    B) Mount > Pulisic
    C) Mousset > Ings

    Pope
    TAA, Aurier, Lundstram
    Son, Mane, Maddison, Mount
    Abraham, Vardy, Mousset

    Button, Soyuncu, Cantwell, Cancelo

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A
      For free?

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

        Yes for free

  4. Doolittle
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Play 2:

    A) Soy (Avl)
    B) Cantwell (SHU)
    C) Willems (SOU)

    1. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Close one, A & B

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

      Close but BC

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      C for sure. A perhaps

  5. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Quick captain vote:

    Son
    Alli
    Vardy
    Mane

    Thanks!

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

      Alli

    2. Roy Rovers
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Vardy

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

      Vardy, dont overthink it

    4. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Jamie

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

    One last hoorah from Kane against Burnley too much to ask for? Pretty please.

    1. Roy Rovers
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Sold for Tammy

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

        Can't bring myself to sell for a hit. Will get Rashy with my next FT.

  7. KaBoZ: Kids,don't Drin…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope, button
    Soy, (Robertson), lund, tomoroi, rico
    Salah, kdb, cantwell, (martial, james)
    Jimenez, vardy, Abraham

    2FT's: Martial + James --->
    A) Madison + Pulisic
    B) Alli + Grealish
    C) Madison + Zaha
    Or
    D) Robbo + martial + James ----> maddison + alli + kelly + 1.8 itb for a hit that can be used to upgrade Jimmy to Rashford or others in future

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

  8. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Thanks for previous advice....GTG??

    Schmikes
    VVD Lundstram Tomori
    Mane KDB Mount Alli
    Vardy (C) Tammy Jiminez

    Button Tielemans Mings Rico.

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

    Thoughts this GW? 1 FT

    Pope
    TAA - Soy - Lundy
    Mane - Son - KDB - Pulisic
    Vardy - Jimmy - Ings

    Button - Azpi - Cantwell - Rico

    A) Azpi > Aurier/Kelly
    B) Pope > Gazza/Guaita/Hendo
    C) Save FT

    If I do Azpi > Aurier I can still do Jimmy > Tammy next GW. If I do Azpi to Kelly, I can do Jimmy > Rashford next GW.

    Thoughts?

    1. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A to Aurier

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

        Cheers, and play over Soy?

    2. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Hold Jimmy for next 3 at least

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

        Cheers, if thats the case then I don't need funds for Rashford then

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

    Who to bench this week?

    Henderson (Button)
    Lovren Tomori Soyuncu Aurier Lundstram
    Sterling KBD Mane Tielemans Cantwell
    Vardy Abraham Jimenez

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

    Tidying up defence :
    Lowton to

    A) Kelly
    B) Clark
    C) Targett

    Cheers!

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

      Looking at C myself.

  12. FPLHaggis
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Worth doing Lowton > Kelly with 1 FT for the coming weeks and GW18 in particular, given the 0.2 swing tonight?

    Pope (Button)
    TAA Robbo Lord
    Mane Alli (c) Maddison Pulisic
    Vardy Tammy Jimmy

    (Soy Hayden Lowton)

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'd do it

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

      Lowton lost his place so defo worth it, but there are alternatives to Kelly (see above).

  13. Duffy Dunk
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Sell TAA or Robbo?

    Leaning towards selling TAA due to him being 1 yellow away from suspension, while Robbo hasn't been booked yet.

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

      Robertson. Set pieces too valuable to give up. Chances are you have more than 1 decent sub, so NBD if he does get booked

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

      Keep both until GW18 imho

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Robbo, Trent has set pieces, dead ball duty & one of the best passers in the game.

  14. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Please select there defender for this gameweek 16

    A) Soyuncu / Aston Villa away
    B) Lundstram / Norwich away
    C) Willems / Southampton home
    D) Kelly / Watford away

    My choice was on ABC but I saw Kelly in the scout picks so I need advice 🙂

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      ABC

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

        This

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

      ABC

  15. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I did a similar thing as the writer of the article on Wednesday night.

    Did Kane and McGinn to Alli and Rashford (I was lucky enough to have enough money left to stretch to Rashford).

    I also contemplated Alli on my WC which coincided with the week Mourinho arrived at Spurs but went for Kane instead.

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

      Right idea on bringing Kane in, just ended up being the wrong Spurs mid

      Fair play on going for Spurs lads the week of Jose, I wanted to give it a week - like most, probably.

      Solid moves moving on. Rash looked great.

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

        Cheers Al.

        Surgery was needed, so glad I did it now.

  16. Astronautovic
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    2FT and 0.1 itb
    Pope stekelenburg
    Taa Robbo aurier lundstram rico
    Salah sterling son martial hayden
    Rashford ings connolly

    Having a really bad season. Should I go for A or B?
    A) sterling and Connolly to alli and abraham
    B) robbo martial Connolly to Kelly grealish and abraham

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A out of them

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

        You don't like either of them?

    3. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Get Vardy

  17. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Henderson
    Tomori - Lundstram - TAA
    Alli - Mane - Pulisic - Son
    Tammy - Vardy - Jiminez
    __________________________
    Button: Soyuncu: Tielemans: Rico

    Who would you captain here fellas? Just gonna go with majority of who is mentined most, can't take the headache anymore haha.

    Thanks gents.

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

      Vardy

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers, i'm chasing though, but maybe it is the obvious choice.

    2. Roy Rovers
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Vardy

    3. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Your team is one of few that have both Alli and Son (mine too).
      I started to doubt if that was good idea.

      For C - I am probably going to try Alli or Son.

  18. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope to;

    1) Guaita
    2) Henderson
    3) Keep and save 1FT.

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

      3

  19. Bobby_Baggio
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Any ideas please people? 2FT & 0.2m ITB.

    Pope
    Soy - Robbo - Lund
    KDB - Sterling - Mount - Tielemans
    Kane - Jimenez - Vardy

    McGovern - Tomori - Rico - Nakamba

    A) Sterling > Alli (have 2FT next week)
    B) Kane + Tielemans > Tammy + Alli
    C) Anything else

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

      B

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

        Thinking Kane will get a brace

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

      b

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

        Selling Kane this week worries me

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

      Easy B

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

        Not worried Kane will get something?

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

          The pan don’t friggin sell him!

          Simples.

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

            The pan? Should say Then!

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

              Ha easy tiger

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

      B for me

  20. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    TOT stats as a team has not been too impressive. Double up Son Alli maybe too early?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Maybe, but i've risked it as i have nothing to lose lol

  21. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pulisic to be rested tomorrow?

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

      No idea.

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      doubt it personally.

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

    Bench one from each of these:

    A) Soyuncu (avl)
    B) Lundstram (nor)

    1) Tielemans (avl)
    2) Cantwell (SHU)

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B2

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A1

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

    Anyone having that gut feeling Kane will haul tomorrow and punish all the sellers 🙂

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nope.

      But he could

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

      No

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

      Non Kane owner btw (and not planning to get him anytime soon 🙂

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

      No he's been playing to deep. Alli seems to be plating further forward than him.

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

        Still can score 2 penalties and an open play goal 🙂

    5. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No, tbh. But giving him one more week then getting rid. Probably for Rashford. Will get Alli in for Mount if Alli keeps throwing decent stats around

  24. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    1 Rico, Maddison, Greenwood

    or

    2 Aurier, Cantwell and Ings

    1. Jones Kusi
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      2

  25. james 101
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    GTG / anything you’d change?

    Hendo
    TAA Lunds Soyu
    Mane(vc) Son Pulisic Alli
    Vardy(c) Abraham Jimmy

    (Button. Maddison. Kelly. Rico.)

    1FT and 0.8m in the bank if required. Happy to save it though.

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

    What to do this week? 2FT 0.2 ITB
    Need to get rid of Martial !!
    Any Suggestions?

    Pope. McGovern
    TAA. Aurier. Tomori. Lundstram. Rico
    Sterling.Mane. *Martial Cantwell .Hayden
    Vardy. Jiminez. Rashford

    Thanks

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Puli?

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

    Would you do Jimenez > Abrahams for -4?
    Pope/
    TAA/ Willens / Lund/
    Mane/ Alli/ KDB/ Mount/ Son/
    Vardy/ Jimenez/
    Button Soy/ Tomori/ Connolly/ 0.4 it TV 106.2

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

      No

    2. james 101
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No need for a hit

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes, gaps only getting wider.

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

      Wow i like your TV 🙂

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

        Thanks guys. I'll hold then. Just that Abraham rises tonight and looks like jimenez falls. Was thinking of doing that move next week but if I did it this week -4 it saves me doing it next week then I could have 2 transfers for gw 18 when Liverpool don't play.

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

          P.s just a thought ?

  28. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bench Kelly or Soy?

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      K

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Ta

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

    Pope to?

    First to 3 wins

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

      Why sell?

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

        Idk

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

        Should I keep

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Hendo

    3. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Kasper

    4. james 101
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Hendo

    5. james 101
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Hendo.

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

      Guaita if you have extra cash, otherwise Henderson

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

      So Hendo wins with Kasper and Guiata as alternativets hmmmm
      Maybe Keep Pope afterall

  30. Gaddafi
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I sold Abraham last week.

    Wilson -> Abraham sound good this week? (had barely any value on Abraham anyway, like £0.1m).

    Team:

    Ryan
    Van Dijk, Tomori, Lundstram, Kelly
    De Bruyne, Maddison, Sterling, Alli
    Vardy(C), Ings

    Button, Wilson, Dendoncker, Mings

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

      Good lad!

      Admit the error and rectify it as quickly as possible.

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

      Wow why you kept Wilson for that long is the question?