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>Head of Partnerships, People and Product. Half of the FPLFamily. Pundit on the FPL Pod, FPL Show and Sky Sports News&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

3,982 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ASAP Rocky
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Start Kelly or VVD? Mousett or Cantwell?

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

      VVD,Mousett

    2. TheBabyfacedAssassin
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Vvd and mousett

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

        Actually Cantwell maybe

        1. ASAP Rocky
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I know, Im torn on the Cantwell v Mousett decision

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

      I might start VVD and Kelly vs. Mousset/Cantwell.

  2. TheBabyfacedAssassin
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    When does the live HoF update? ""Live" table that will be updated using the latest season data, after every Gameweek".

    Can't see any update from last gw yet?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Harder to get the data this season.

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

        Means there's no API to talk to anymore?

  3. The SK
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What to do with Tielemans? Could he be rested this week?

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

      Grealish not a bad shout at all. Viable 5th. Even 4th mid.

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

    Would you rather have Henderson or Ryan on wc?

    1. King Kun Ta
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      If you got Lund then choose Ryan

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

    Bench 1

    A) Soy
    B) Tielemans
    C) Lund
    D) Aurier

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

      Tiele

    2. Jullepuu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    3. King Kun Ta
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

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

      b

    5. mojoindojo
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

  6. Champions united
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who should be bebched

    Soy lund kelly cantwell

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

      Cantwell

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

      What if I tell you that I own all of them and I will be playing only 1

  7. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Play Dunk(WOL) or Soy(avl)

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

      Soy

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

      Dunk

    3. King Kun Ta
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Soy

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

      Soy

    5. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Cheers all.

    6. ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Soy

    7. TheBabyfacedAssassin
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Soy

    8. Peteski29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Soy

  8. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who should you bench this GWk??

    A. Aurier
    B. Soy
    C. Kelly

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

      Kelly

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

      Kelly

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

    If Wildcarding in GW 20, is a SHU defensive double up a good idea?

    Y or N?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Starting to leak now.

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

        The point is, there are not many good defenders for the run-in. Making me consider United defenders as well.

  10. King Kun Ta
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anybody got an aspro? Mighty headache who to captain....

    A Mane
    B Alli
    C Son
    D Tammy
    E Vardy

    Leaning towards C or D. Ta in advance!

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

      B/C

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

      When in doubt...Vardy...

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

      C

  11. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Todays game predictions?

    EVE 1-1 CHE
    BOU 1-3 LIV
    Spurs 3-0 BUR
    WAT 1-2 CP
    MC 2-2 MU

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

      EVE 2-1 CHE
      BOU 0-2 LIV
      Spurs 1-1 BUR
      WAT 0-0 CP
      MC 2-1 MU

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

      Watford and City will win

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

      Eve 2-1
      Liv 4-1
      Spurs 2-1
      Wat 0-0
      City 3-1

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

      1-2
      1-3
      2-0
      1-1
      3-1

    5. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      2-2
      0-4
      3-1
      0-1
      3-1

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

    Bench soy or Ings?

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

      Soy

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Bench youself if you're thinking of benching Ings over Soy!

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

        🙂

    3. Peteski29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Soy

  13. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Gazzaniga McGovern
    Lundstram Söyüncü Tomori Rico Williams
    Mané de Bruyne Son Zaha Saka
    Aubameyang Vardy Jiménez

    Any ideas what to do? And who to captain?

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

      1 free transfer and 0.1 in the bank.

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

      Save.

      Captaincy is your choice, no standout captain, I prefer home player.

    3. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Start by selling Auba.

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

      Form says Vardy.

  14. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    G2G? 0FT and 0.3 ITB. Who to captain?

    Ryan
    TAA, Soy, Lund
    Mane, KDB, Son, Maddison
    Vardy, Jimenez, Abraham

    Button, Cantewell, Targett, Rico

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

      Form says Vardy, gut says Mane.

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

    2. Ings and Aurier

    Or

    2. Ried and Jimenez

    ?

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

      1 if both needs to play

  16. el polako
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Quick A or B, who is bigger spoilled brat ?
    a) Neymar
    b) Pogba

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

    Gtg? Willems over Söyüncü because of attacking threat?

    Gazzaniga
    TAA Lundstram Söyüncü
    Mané KDB Alli Maddison
    Abraham Vardy Jiménez

    McGovern Willems Kelly Dendoncker

  18. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    So I just realized H. Wilson can't play against LIV. Suddenly that makes me more inclined to captain Mane, but I'll probably stick to Vardy.

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

      H. Wilson is not a defender?

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      How does an attacking midfielder influence an attacking player on the opposite team? Mane will be benched (rotated) regardless imo. Vardy is the safe bet

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

        Most in form player at BOU, they are bullocks right now regardless so field a weaker team??

    3. Sarri-ball
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      out the 2 mane got better fixture but really worried about his mins. vardy 100% gets 90 mins

  19. Sarri-ball
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    no abraham price rise last night.

    captain kane 2day then kane to abraham 2night. lets hope for a parting gift.

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Might aswell.captain Kante or Rodri

      1. Sarri-ball
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        your probably right

    2. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I find it strange that he dropped

  20. drughi
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I think mane starts and comes off around 65-70 minutes when liverpool is already up 3-0

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

      I'd be happy with that as long as he scores

    2. el polako
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Liverpoll and clean sheet ?

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

        nah they will concede a late goal as usual

  21. GoonSquad
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Play 2....

    Lund
    Soy
    Barnes

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

      LS

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

        What I'm on...feels like Barnes due an assist and SHU looked poor for CS opportunity last match.

  22. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope
    Robertson Aurier Soyuncu
    Salah KDB Dele Traore
    Vardy Abraham Jimenez

    Button Lundstrom Dendonker Rico

    1. G2G ?
    2. Team/bench correct ?
    2. Bench correct order ?

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

      I'd move Rico to 2nd sub. Watch him score a worldie to end LIV's clean sheet.

  23. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Any news worth noting over the last 24hrs?
    Martial might or might not play is not news; conjecture only.

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

      Watford new Coach again

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Who?

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

          Nigel Pearson.

          1. Eze Really?
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Cheers. He made Leicester!

          2. TiAgoFPL
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            What can we expect ?

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

              Watford to be relegated

              1. Eze Really?
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                It won't be Pearson's fault.

  24. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Guys the one who gets the least poll will be my cap..

    A) vardy
    B) Mane
    C) Ali

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

      D

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

        So captaincy Locked on pope at the moment

  25. TheBabyfacedAssassin
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    1ft 0.8 itb. G2g or do maybe Mount to Pulisic? Bench right order as well?

    Pope
    TAA, Soy, Lunstram
    Salah, Mane, Zaha , Cantwell
    Vardy, Tammy, Jimmy
    Subs Mount, Kelly, janmaat

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

      I'd play Mount or Kelly over Cantwell.

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

        Cantwell only player with a home game, but yeah valid.

    2. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Double LIV attack, no City, no Spurs... that's new.
      Pope's fixtures ahead aren't great so I'd go with Guaita, but I don't like GK transfers.

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

        Nah, don't want to 'waste' a transfer on a goalie now. Pope will get some save points as well.

        City/spurs back in gw 18 I think/hope. Gambling on a Salah haul!

  26. FPL ElasticO
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Are these transfers worth doing for -4 after this week deadline??

    Son / Jimenez / Tomori >>>
    Alli/ Rashford/ Guilbert

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

      Son to Alli and Jimi to Rashford seem odd choices as the players you have can easily outscore the players you're coveting.

  27. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Start - Baldock or Soy?

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

      Soy.

  28. Pomp and Circumstance
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    which 3 defenders to play? (on WC too, I note) have Robertson; choosing 2 of these: Soy, Lund, Willems, Kelly

  29. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone doing Mane > Salah (c)?

    1. Super Nashwan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I don’t think so, Mané form is to good and salah terrible

  30. Super Nashwan
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    One of these players needs to be benched but they all have great fixtures. Who should I bench?
    Maddison (villa away), Jimenez (bha, a), Pulisic, Abraham (both Everton a), De Bruyne (Man U h)

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

      Maybe Pulisic

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      You really need to sort your team structure if you’re faced with this dilemma. I would bench Jimenez