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. Thomas Shelby from Birmingh…
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Will having Cup tie-ups change your transfer strategy? at least in the short run...till we get ousted

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

      Nope because the best teams often lose to worst possible dead teams, its all random! 😮

      But firstly I have to qualify for that 😀

    2. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      no

      it´s fun while it lasts but randomly in nature so pointless to make actions based on it

      one year i did not qualified, that is boring though.

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

      The FPL cup?

      That thing is a joke. I've lost in the first week for the last two years. Both times to a team that has gotten 4 players off the bench.

    4. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I put a prize for it in my sweepstake league (team that gets furthest) which spices it up a bit. I know it's mainly luck of the draw but I must admit it's one of my highlights of the season scoping out your opponent each week.

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

    Wildcard just played!

    Ryan, Martin
    TAA, Lundstram, Kelly, Rico, Targett
    Mane, KDB, Alli, Maddison, Grealish
    Vardy, Abraham, Mousset

    Farewell to: Schmeichel, DVD, Tomori, Lowton, Sterling, Mount, Tielemans, McGinn, Jiménez, Connolly

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

      Looks tidy. Good luck!

    2. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Absolutely massive upgrade. Nice use of WC

    3. dwight
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks for the feedback guys.... need all the luck I can get.... been very good at turning good in form players into spuds this season lol.

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

    Any update on Chilwell? Expected to start?

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

      Still a doubt based on manager comment, keep that bench ready if incase.

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

        Kelly and Rico to the rescue 🙂

  4. Amey
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Is Nigel the new Watford manager a attacking minded football style guy or same old Defense first one ?

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

      Other than when in charge of LEI he's had a ROUGH career

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Cool.
        Looking to get Rashford in GW 18 so was intrigued
        Cheers

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

          I'm surprised they went with him honestly. He last coached a Belgian side that was 18-15-23, not great 🙂

  5. Pumpkinhead
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    A) Keep Jimmy
    B) Bring in Tammy
    C) Bring in Tammy next week

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

      Transfer would be Jimmy to Tammy

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A

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

      C

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

        A and C are essentially the same options! Cheers mate.

    4. Garth Marenghi
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I almost did Auba to Tammy but not going to risk it

    5. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      C... But only because Tammy is a doubt

  6. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Here we go! Boom!

    Heaton
    Soyuncu Lundstram TAA
    Alli(c) Son Mane KDB(v)
    Vardy Ings Abraham

    Pope Cantwell Montoya Kilman

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

      Nice, not feeling Vardy over a spurs asset for cappo?

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Well if I have KDB at vice...

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

          Lol ok

      2. FC Hakkebøf
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        This..

  7. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Play one:
    A) Soy
    B) Lund

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B

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

      B

    3. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Appreciate it guys

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

    Bench one:
    A. Dunk (WOL)
    B. Soyuncu (avl)
    C. Lundstram (nor)

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

      A or C (leaning towards A)

      1. FC Hakkebøf
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Would you rather bench Lund than Soy 😮

    2. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B

    3. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A

      1. FC Hakkebøf
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Scratch that.. Bench B

    4. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A

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

    What to do with Aurier... start over Tiel, first sub?
    Vardy or Alli as captain?

    Pope
    TAA, Lunds, Soyuncu
    Mane, Alli, KDB, Tielemans
    Tammy, Vardy, Jimenez
    (Button; Cantwell, Aurier, Rico)

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Vardy... Alli if you want differ tial. But Vardy imo

      1. FC Hakkebøf
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Want a differential*

    2. ppv
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Aurier ahead of Soy. Villa will score

  10. KuntaKante
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Guaita
    TAA soyuncu lundstram
    Mane sterling alli zaha
    Mousset Jimi vardy

    B: button dendoncker kelly targett

    2ft, 0.0 itb

    Who would you start , bench for this gamesweek?

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Burning a FT?

      Kelly should be in the XI instead of Soy

  11. Karan14
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Bench one from each of these:

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

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

    Think it should be double Leicester on bench.

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

      A2

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

      A2

    3. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A2... Its' a close call between A and B. But as I believe both will concede, I'd rather go for the attacking minded defender

  12. The Yorkshire Pirlo
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Need major help please, waiting for my train home from a night out in Sheffield.

    Kane + Mount >

    A) Tammy
    B) Rashford

    1) Dele
    2) Son

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

      B1

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B1

    3. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A2

      1. FC Hakkebøf
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Might actually keep Kane and Mount this week tbh

        1. The Yorkshire Pirlo
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          You reckon? Could always make the move next gwk

  13. Lav
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    A mini gamble here. Goodnight + GL!

    Gazza
    TAA Soy Lund
    Mane KDB Son(c) Maddison
    Vardy(vc) Tammy Jimenez

    4.0 Cantwell Rico 4.0

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

      We have very similar teams

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

        Your captain?

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

          Not sure yet. Vardy, Mane, Son, and KDB are all in contention. Maybe even Tammy.

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I like it. I am going Salah(C) myself. Good luck.

  14. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Good morning DZ.

    Sub order correct?
    Dendoncker - Willems - Rico

    So far my 3rd subs have done really well.
    Soyuncu vs Arsenal
    Willems vs City
    Dendoncker vs Whm

    No longer trust myself.

    Thanks.

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

      Willems ahead of Dend for me

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers.

    2. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Will rico dend

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers.

  15. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    G2G? Any changes on the bench?

    Guaita
    Robertson Soyuncu Lundstram
    Mane KDB Son Tielemans
    Vardy(C) Tammy Mousset

    Ryan Cantwell Rico Mings

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

      Yep, good to go

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

    Who to start?
    A-Lund (Have Hendo)
    B-Soy

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

      Soy

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A

    3. FirMinaMiMo
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Both

  17. norab
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Has there been a members cup post that I missed?

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

        I mean the members cup in which the first round is this GW. Was there a fixture list released?

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

            God I'm terrible. Thanks TM and sorry Holmes, my bad.

  18. FirMinaMiMo
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Friends!!!

    Anybody thinking that mo will outscore than mane today???

    1. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Mane will be top scorer in the entire game come end of season if he stays injury free.

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

        Thanks mate 🙂

  19. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Second thoughts about captain now ugh.

    Kdb(c) Mane(v)

    Had it on Alli.

    Fancy City 3 1
    Villa 1 Leic 1
    Spurs 1 Burn 0

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

      Part of me still wants to captain Son, but I just feel Burnley will give Spurs a tight game.
      Vardy is probably the safe option but Villa have been good at home.
      Mane's actually a decent shout but I feel like the derby was a one-off, I want to see Liverpool smashing teams again.
      I'm not sure about KDB in the derby to be honest, but he's also a viable option.

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        You really think Fred, McTommy or whoever they stick out there will slow him down?

        I fancy a royal tonking and I'm gonna love it. Jesus brace and Kdb pulling the strings next to Merlin

    2. ppv
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Decent predictions. What about Everton v Chelsea? I'm considering Tammy

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

        I sense a lot of goals. 3-2 Chelsea

        1. Stupendous
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          3 1 Chelsea

      2. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I own Tammy so I'll take some of that

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

      No bounce from Big Dunc?

  20. PepSala
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Would you do Sterling and Connolly to Son and Ings? Or save?

    1. enrico.palazzo
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I like it

  21. enrico.palazzo
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    At a loss. Any advice?

    Gazza (4.0)
    Robertson - soyuncu- Lundstram
    Mount - KDB - mane (c) - son
    Pukki - vardy - jiminez

    Tomori - kelly - Dendoncker

    2 FT 1.0 ITB

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

      Have you kept Pukki this whole time? Impressive.

      1. enrico.palazzo
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        He’s returned the last 3 which is nice.

        I took out Ings for a hit before his run - I’m still angry

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

      Gazzaniga to Guaita/Dubravka?

      1. enrico.palazzo
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Interesting - probably not the week though.

        1. cylus11 ( Manager) - Russia…
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          I just got Gazzinga this GW.
          Spurs should do well defensively under MOU.
          They will start getting CS from this GW. Rotates well with Pope my other keeper.
          And can give you lot of save points too...

  22. PepSala
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Play Lundstram or Traore?

    1. enrico.palazzo
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Lund

  23. super mane
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Need some advice. This is my current team

    Gazzaniga
    TAA Lundstram Kelly
    Madisson KDB Mane Pulisic
    Abraham Vardy Jimenez

    Subs: Pope, Ward-Prowse, Soyuncu, Tomori

    0.6ITB

    1. GW16 - 2 out of Kelly, Lundstram, Soyuncu??

    2. Looking for a way to get Alli in after GW18. I see a few ways
    a. KDB --> Silva, Ward-Prowse --> Alli, Tomori --> Rico (or similar)
    b. Jimenez--> Mousset/Ayew, Ward-Prowse --> Alli
    c. Jimenez-->Ings, Ward-Prowse --> Alli, TAA --> Aurier(?) or similar
    d. Jimenez-->Rashford, Pulizic/Maddison --> Alli, TAA--> Aurier(?) or similar

    Price movements will probably affect the decision then.

  24. Lingard’s Shin Guards
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Which move is the best for this week? -

    A) Pope -> Guaita
    B) Pulisic -> Alli
    C) other
    D) Save

    Pope
    TAA Lund Soy
    Mane KDB Son Maddison Pulisic
    Vardy Tammy

    Button Mousset Kelly Rico (1FT 1.7m itb)

    1. super mane
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I would give Pulisic some more time, as he's been looking pretty good, even though no returns in the last 3 GW.

      Either Pope--> Guaita
      or
      downgrade Son-->Alli (the Spurs double up looks risky IMO) and perhaps get Ings in place of Mousset?

  25. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Will Lampard risk tammy today with a crucial champions league game midweek?

    1. knight_king2
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      exacely my fear. tammy will surely start UCL.. will he be rested at everton? will batsman get a start?

    2. ppv
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      After missing Tammy so much against West Ham, I doubt he will be rested but you never know

  26. Hamadryad
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    GW 16 team - RMT -

    Ryan

    Lundstram, Kelly, Alexander Arnold

    Mane, De Bruyne, Mount, Pulisic

    Tammy Abraham, Kane, Vardy

    1. super mane
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Get Kane out. Perhaps move to Rashford (I know City's next, but he's good against the bigger teams).

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

        Great idea. I've been thinking about getting Kane out and getting Rashford. But, Kane has Burnley and Rashford has Mancity. risky?

  27. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Why the hell does the Guardian have Salah on the bench?

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

      Don’t listen to those squad sheets.

      1. Stupendous
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Farcical tbh

  28. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    I have 2FTs..... Are any transfers required in this team??

    Henderson
    Lundstram/ TAA/ Aurier
    Mane/ Son/ KDB/ Pulisic/ Maddison
    Vardy(c)/ Ings

    Bench:: Button/ Soy/ Kelly/ Connolly

  29. BENOIT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    I've got Vardy, Raahford , Ings.

    No place for Tammy at the mo, right?

    1. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Upgrade Ings when you have 2 frees. No rush.

  30. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Who's the best captain?

    A) Vardy
    B) Mané
    C) Alli

    Thinking B after Klopp's comments. He looks like starting.

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

      Sounded like a benching to me

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

      I interpreted it as a benching