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

    2FT's.....Long term moves, worth it?

    Out: Tomori / McGinn
    In: Webster / Grealish

    Pope
    TAA - *Webster* - Lundstram
    Salah - Sterling - Mount - *Grealish*
    Vardy - Jimenez - Rashford

    Bench: Kelly - Cantwell - Rico

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

      i really don't like the webster move.

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

        His stats compared to Dunk are decent.

    2. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      No

  2. fc_skrald
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Bench ok for this team?

    Martin
    TAA, Lundstram, Aurier
    Salah, Son(C), KDB(VC), Pulisic, Maddison
    Vardy, Ings

    Henderson, Kelly, Greenwood, Williams

    1. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Gtg

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

      Yar

  3. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Play one
    A) Söyuncu (AVL A)
    B) Kelly (WAT A)

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

      A

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

      A

  4. Gizzachance
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    any thoughts appreciated, 1ft, 2.1 itb
    James 6.1 to

    A madd
    B pulisic
    C dilva
    D moura
    C any other
    0.3 short of ali ! would have to take a hit, downgrade cantwell or tomori for the 0.3
    cheers , and good luck

    1. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Grealish next GW

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

        Cheers

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

      B

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

        Thanks

  5. james 101
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 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...

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

      Cheers and good luck

    2. Al-Chemy
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I like it, would save the transfer

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

        Thanks

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

      Nice team. I'd downgrade one of your 8 fowards otherwise you're have a headache every week who to bench..and you know the one you bench will score more pts than at least the other 7 in the starting line up..good luck anyway..

  6. Riggs
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Ryan (Button)
    TAA Soy Lundstram (Kelly) (Rico)
    Mane KDB Maddison Zaha (Cantwell)
    Jimenez Auba Vardy

    Does Auba and Cantwell OUT - Mousset and Alli IN for -4 worth it? Or to wait one week for it?

  7. Al-Chemy
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    How's Pulisic looked the last couple of games? Worth sticking with?

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

      Good apparently

    2. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Pretty good tbh

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

      Yes imho. I will get rid, however, if Abraham is out.

  8. Gaddafi
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 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

    r/p

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yes
      Wilson needs to go

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

        Who do I sell him for?

        1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Pretty much anyone
          Tammy or rashford best choices

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

            Tammy isn't nailed to be fit.

            1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 4 months ago

              That settles that then

    2. Threat Level Midnight
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Link your team

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

        I just posted it, why link?

  9. PapaWengzz
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Jimidrop

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

      Punishment incoming

  10. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Captain Mane, Vardy or Alli?

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

      Vardy

    2. PapaWengzz
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Vanelli

  11. Weasel51
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Would you do Chilwell >> Aurier (-4) to make enough funds to do Jimimez >> Rashford next GW?

    1. Luton_Fan
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yep

    2. Bandwagondude
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      No a Leicester defender out for a hit seems a bad move at the mo I’d say

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

      No

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

    What to do with this lot?
    2FT but 0 cash

    Hendo (Martin)
    TAA Lunds Kelly (Soy Williams)
    Salah Mane KdB Pulisic (Hayden)
    Vardy Jimmy Ings

    A. Hayden to Dendo
    B. KdB to Alli (+ cash for Tammy later)
    C. Waste FT
    D. Anything else?

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

      Surely Salah to Son or Alli has to be the absolute first thing on your agenda?

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

        I WCed to double up and Salah is gonna be my (c) next week vs Watford

        Plan to drop Salah during the blank GW

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

      Salah to son or Alli especially has you have Mane

  13. Luton_Fan
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    A. Jiminez, Tiel -> Alli, Mousset
    B. Tomori, Tiel -> Pulisic, Kelly

    Really torn, appreciate any feedback.

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

      Mouset was sub last gw. Can you afford Ings?

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

      B keep Jimmy

      1. Luton_Fan
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks. He was rotated so should start this gw. Could get ings if i go pulisic over alli.

  14. VinMar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone think TAA could be benched?

    1. Luton_Fan
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Nope

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

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

      I hope no

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

      Maybe

    5. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Doubt it

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

      I wouldn't think so

    7. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Unlikely but never say never?!! 10% chance maybe?

  15. hammersp2000
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Best transfer for this week:-

    Jiminez to tammy
    Jesus to tammy
    Pope to guaita

    Thanks

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

      Jimi to Tammy

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

      Why don't you save your transfer?

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

      I think tammy will play, but he is still flagged. On that basis I’d hold. Fancy both jimmy and Jesus to play and score.

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

      C

    5. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Jim > Tam if you must, depends on rest of team, how many FT's etc? I've kept Jim in FPL squad but sold for Tammy in my fanteam squad.

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

    G2G?

    Hendo
    Taa, Soy, Lunds
    Mane, Son, Tielemans, Alli
    Vardy, Tammy*, Jimi

    Button, Tomori, Hayden, Hanley**

    Haven't decided yet who for C :/

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

      Any money in the bank?

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

        1.5 but used already my FT

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

          Fair play maybe hold then but upgrade Tielemans wit your 1.5 next week would be my advice

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

            Tielemans is going to become Grealish in gw18. That was my initial plan.

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

    Any news on Tammy?

    1. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Read the team news article

  18. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Settled on this WC team, going triple chelsea attack 🙂

    Ryan
    Lundstram TAA Aurier
    Salah Pulisic Mount Alli
    Vardy Abraham Rashford

    Button Dunk Grealish Kelly

    Any suggestions.

    - A little worried about triple Chelsea attack but feel it could be worth the gamble

    - Feel it has good sqaud depth

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Confident going with 0 ManC players? Thinking DSilva myself, on WC too.

      1. Bruno Bruno!!
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        For now yes will look at Man City after the next 2

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Mane has to be in there over salah

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

      Killer attack, Grealish is on my watch list when fixtures turn, looks well set up.
      Salah vs Mane?

  19. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    On WC now, would you have Rashford or Martial?

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

      Rashford

    2. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Rashford

    3. Bruno Bruno!!
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      just posted my WC team, ive gone Rashford

    4. Bandwagondude
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Rashers. Less injury prone, better form and on penalties and free kicks

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

      Martial can do one, lost count of transfers wasted on him.

    6. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Cheers all.

    7. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Easily Rash by a country mile.

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

    Is Tomori a rotation risk now? Or was he rested?

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

      Rudi close to returning.

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

        True. Going to oust him then, got a trannie to burn

    2. Bandwagondude
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      We shall see tomorrow

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

    Could I field better team, bench order look correct?

    Hendo,
    Lundstram, Trent, Soy
    Mane, KDB, Son, Alli, Maddy
    C Vardy, Tammy

    Button, Mousett, Kelly, Rico

    .3 bank

    WC

    1. Bruno Bruno!!
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Looks very good

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

        Cheers, just think Mousett might run riot at Norwich & lost count of times swapped Soy & Kelly 🙂

        1. Bruno Bruno!!
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          can I get some feedback on my WC team above 🙂

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

      Nice team

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

        Cheers 😉

    3. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      GTG, maybe Button > McCarthy with the 0.3?

  22. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Bench order ok?

    Hend
    TAA Lund Aurier
    Mane KDB Maddison Pulisic
    Vardy Jiminez Tammy

    Heaton Kelly Soy Dendonker

    1. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Just Soy ahead of Kelly with bench order for me.

  23. alfast1c
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Name a captain and explain why, withg other words who will score the most?

    A. Vardy
    B. Son
    C. Mane

    Going for now with Vardy since AV has the record for most shots in the box.

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

      Vardy In 2 words- form, pens

  24. BobbyDoesNotLook
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Stats are for Vardy. But how do you feel about not captaining Mane or Salah against that Bournemouth who lost against 10 man Palace?

    Br still considering C and Vc for Mane and Salah

    1. alfast1c
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      What if Mane gets rested for the reasons u mentioned. Since Bou are so weak he can rest on the bench at least for 60 min?

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

        Yep. Biggest worry putting armband on Mane would be cameo from him. However I am expecting more of a 0min or starter and playing for 75min with assumption Pool leading with two goals at least.

        Definitely lot of questionmarks with Mo and Mane so I will likely end up with Vardy as well.

    2. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Slightly worried.

  25. bennyp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    GTG?

    Henderson
    Soy - Aurier - Lund
    KDB - Mane - Zaha - Alli
    Kane(c) - Vardy - Tammy

    Button - Kelly - Tomori - Guendouzi

    1. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      GTG but not a fan of Kane(c) personally, could be a huge diff i suppose if he does happen to haul?

  26. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    If I bring in Kelly for Gibson for free how would you fit him in to start this week?

    Heaton
    Robbo Soy Lund
    Mane kdb Ali Tielemans
    Vardy Jimmy Ings

    Pope McGinn Tomori Gibson

  27. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    I may regret but I am doing KDB to Alli and have son already

  28. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Vardy or son captain? Not sure on mane due to possible benching

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

    5 minute Abe cameo this weekend

    ta

  30. Kane Toads
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    anyone keeping faith in Aubameyang? Since I've had him it's been 2,5,13,2. Arsenal not looking too good.