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. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    2 decisions 2 ft

    A) mount to puli or do it next gw?
    B) lowton to aurier or wilems (targeting next 2 to 4 gw before WC in gw18 or 20)

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B. Aurier

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Only

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

    Gtg here?

    Guita
    TAA Soy Lundy
    Mane Son Pulisic JWP
    Vardy(c) Tammy Jimenez

    Button Tomori Mendy Dendonker

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      1st XI decent enough

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

    Should I take out Mane for Alli simply due to the possibility of Mane not getting minutes?

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

      Hell to the no

    2. osceola31909
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      ??? No.

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

      Okay I need to just clarify that I only asked this because the guys below me in my league dont have Mane. If Mane doesnt start for me and players like salah/alli have big performances, my lead will be cut.

      1. Shah G
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        You can't take out player like Mane for one week.. Dont worry about lead just yet, that's GW30+ talk..

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

          Yeh true but Liverpool also miss gameweek 18 as well so it could benefit me but who knows.

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

    Tomori to Aurier for a hit? Have exact cash but would have to be now assuming Aurier's price rises tonight. Would mean benching Soyuncu or Lundstram this week.

    Yay or nay?

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No, just play Soy and Lund

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

        Cheers. Thinking about it, it would probably mess up my team structure a bit as well!

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Leaning to nay.

  5. osceola31909
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What to do? 2 ft and 1.6 in the bank. Hate to lose a FT.

    Ryan - Button
    TAA - Chilwell - Tamori - Lundstram - Kelly
    Mane - KDB - Son - Maddison - Cantwell
    Vardy - Jiminez -Ings

    A. Maddison, Jiminez --> Alli, Abraham (has to be in 30 minutes)
    B. Maddison --> Alli, save 1 FT
    C. Chilwell, Ings --> Soy, Abraham
    D. Chilwell --> Soy, save 1 Ft
    E. Jiminez --> Abraham, save 1 FT

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'd downgrade Tomori

      1. osceola31909
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Not a bad idea.

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Tough one as your team looks great. Wouldn’t want to lose Maddison Ings or Jimenez but do think Abraham is better bet than Jimenez so reluctantly E for me. (But it could backfire!)

      Or wait a week on abraham and move on Tomori who is probably weakest link in your team

    3. osceola31909
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks.

  6. FPL Mentor
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    How we looking?

    Pope
    TAA Lundstram Robbo
    Salah Son(C) Maddison Mount
    Vardy Ings Jimènez

    Button / Cantwell / Kelly / Söyuncu

    Good to go?

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

      g2g

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

    Rashford.

    If I 99.9% plan to do Auba -> Rashford next week, why don't I just do it this week?

    Rashford in form, Man City hate clean sheets, Arsenal will likely struggle at West Ham on a cold Monday night.

    Or still better to save the transfer this week?

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

      Save

      Realistically Auba is more likely to score than Rashford this week. The bookies will tell you so. Therefore you’re better saving as who knows what happens. Rashford could get injured. 3 or 4 of your other playe

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

        Cheers

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

          🙁

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

        rs could get injured. Might as well save the transfer when Auba has a better fixture and reassess after the weekend.

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

      DId it yesterday and converted Tielemans to Alli with the profit

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

        Well boy did that pay off

  8. boroie
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Aubameyang to...?

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

      Jiminez one-week punt, otherwise Rashford 100%

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

        Is Kane a no go? Got no other spurs attackers...

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

      hold one more week and then rash

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

    The FPL Cup begins this week right?

    1. Alan The Llama
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Qualifying this week

  10. Joggers Nipple
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Does the Mane out thing have any quotes/ facts or just a thing on here with some people assuming/guessing?

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Pure guesswork

      1. Joggers Nipple
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        cheers.

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

      People assuming rotation. Think they may have a point tho, the fixture schedule looks rough

      1. Joggers Nipple
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers, not going to base choices on people on a web site making guesses though

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

      Just guessing but its very possible he could be rested. He has played 4 full games in the last 11 days and Liverpool have an important game on Tuesday in the champions league.

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

      It's all because Salah and Firmino were rested last game.

      1. Joggers Nipple
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Ah, ok. Cheers. Best off not on here sometimes!

    5. Gimli son of Gloin
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Could use a rest given the fixtures coming up. Looks likely having rested Salah and Firmino midweek, and with the replacements doing well the other night.

    6. Mo Salah No Mane
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Mane will get his rest after their champions league game. So next weekend most likely.
      I think he starts

  11. Areyouthereyet
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Son to Alli? Go for it or save

    1. osceola31909
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Thought about that to. Have a feeling Son could be the one to score this week.

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Either way you'll regret it if it doesn't come off. Better to leave than hokey-cokey.

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

      Pointless to go from one spurs player to another, especially when both are in form. Yeh Son blanked in the last game but its one game.

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

      Son can easily score more than Alli

  12. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Team set for the weekend. Good luck all

    Pope
    Taa Lundstram soyuncu
    Mane Maddison son Alli Pulisic
    Jimenez Vardy (c)

    Button Connolly Tomori rico

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

      Lovely set up, best of luck to you too man!

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers, you too. I’ll hopefully be in top 1m by end of gw!!

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

          Haha same here! Fingers crossed 🙂

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

      nice..very similar to mine..

    3. Mo Salah No Mane
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nice team!

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

    Better long term:

    A) Kelly + Rashford
    B) Aurier + Tammy

    1. Cowboy John
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

      1. Mo Salah No Mane
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Both good options

  14. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I have FT and 4.7 itb, anything worth changing?

    Pope
    Lundstrum, Kelly, TAA
    Mane, Alli, Tielemens, Zaha
    Abraham, Jiminez, Vardy

    Bench: Button, Dendoncker, Tomori, Rico

    A. Tielemens —> Maddison
    B. Pope to Schmichel
    C. Tomori —> Soy
    D. Anything else

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      C

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

      Tielemans to anyone with how much you have ITB. KDB/Son/Madds/Pulisic/etc

  15. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Jimmy > Tammy for free? Need some Chelsea cover.

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

      I would.

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Doesn't feel right to me

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

      Keep Jiminez for next 3. He can easily score big in the next 3 games!

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

    What to do
    A) Henderson to Guaita (Already have Lundstram and double Sheffield hurt when no clean sheet)
    B) Mount to Pulisic, Maddison or Alli (But have Son already)
    C) Jimenez to Rashford

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Dele in

    2. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      None of those. Save

  17. Ambu
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Need to bench one....

    A. Soyoncu
    B. Lundstram

    Thanks

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

      a

  18. dshv
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Play baldock and lundstram or just one of them Over kelly..

    Captain?
    Kane
    Mane
    Vardy

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'd spread the risk based on SHU recent form. Jamie.

  19. doppelganger
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Cantwell or Lundstram this gw?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Lund - more ways of scoring points

  20. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What would you do with this team 2ft 0itb

    Pope
    Taa, Soyuncu, Lundstram
    Mane, Kdb, Pulisic, Son(c)
    Abraham ,Vardy, Jimenez

    McGovern, Kelly, Rico, Dendoker

    My ideas are Mcgovern to Martin than next week Pulisic, Jimenez to Rashford, Grelish or Taa, Jimenez to Rashford , Aurie or something with Alli if he continue this form..

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Strong team. Just sub keeper move good enough for this week.

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

      Pope to Gazzaniga

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

        I like Alli and Aurie alot dont want to block my self

  21. osceola31909
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Tamori to Aurier for free?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah

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

      Do it

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

      probably yes since Chelsea don't do clean sheets and Tomori has no attacking threat

    4. osceola31909
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks. Just did it.

  22. olidooley
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Gtg?

    Gazzaniga
    TAA Lundstram Willems
    Mané KDB Alli Maddison
    Abraham Vardy Jiménez

    McGovern Söyüncü Kelly Dendoncker

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Start Soy over Will?

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

        Villa away for Söyüncü....Villa are decent right?
        Willems has SOU at home

  23. sthelenslad92
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which would you start:
    A) Rashford
    B) A Traore

    Both got tough fixtures

    1. osceola31909
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Rashford

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

      a

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Really?

  24. Balls of Steel
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What time are price rises / drops?

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

      now

    2. osceola31909
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      About 12 minutes

    3. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Cheers

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

    Am i GTG? bench correct? thanks in advance for any feedback

    Henderson
    TAA / Soyuncu / Lundstram
    Mane / Maddison / Son / Alli / Pulisic
    Vardy(c) / Jiminez

    Button / Ings / Tomori / Rico

    0.6 ITB 0FT

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'd find a way to start Ings. You don't need to rest him.

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

      I think yes, Ings need to blank ones

  26. acidicleo
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    My team:

    Pope
    TAA Lund Kelly
    Son Alli Mane KDB Maddison
    Vardy Jimenez

    Subs: Button Soyuncu Greenwood Reid

    GTG?
    Bench correct?
    Best captain? - Vardy (Villa at home can be tough) vs Son or Alli (but who to picl from them!!) vs Mane ( red hot form but possible managed minutes)

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Might start Soy. Bench will news some work soon.

  27. BigAsGiroud_
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bench 2 plz
    A) Kelly
    B) Lunds
    C) Willems
    D) Soy
    E) Tomori

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

      AE

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

        E defs
        A/D

    2. Cowboy John
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      It's between A, D and E.

    3. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A and E for me. Chelsea just can’t keep a CS

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

    Worth punting on Son(c) at 25k OR?

    1. Gimli son of Gloin
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      No harm in it, he's a good pick. Not that I think Son will be benched, I just trust Vardy more than him in that regard.

  29. boroie
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Stuck with what to do here. Please help....

    2 FT
    0.7 ITB

    Gazzaniga
    Aurier Soyuncu Lundstram
    Mane(VC) KDB Mount Martial
    Vardy(C) Auba Abraham

    Button; Cantwell Fredericks Rico

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

      Wtf just rid martial, wats so difficult

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

        To who...?

        And why? After City, United have a great run of games for which Martial will be starting up front...

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      If you have held onto Martial all week, might as well keep now. In squad for the Derby. Fredericks to Aurier or Kelly.

  30. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Any Liverpool lineup leaks?