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. fplfansss
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Gtg?

    Pope
    TAA, Kelly, Soyuncu
    Mane, Son, Cantwell, KDB
    Ings, Vardy, Tammy

    Bench: Button, James, Lundy, Zinch

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

      GTG. Vardy C?

    2. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Lund over kelly?

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

    Play which 2 of from these 3 this gw?

    1) Kelly
    2) Soyuncu
    3) Lundstram

    I had my eyes on starting 2,3 but Scout picks including Kelly have made me doubt that now!

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

      2 and 3

    2. Super Nashwan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Lundstram and Kelly

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

      Performance over fixture. Kelly and Soyuncu!

    4. Flying Nugget
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I have the same dilemma and benching Kelly. Surprised the scout picks have 2 palace with their defence so threadbare

    5. HNI
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Even RMT says 2,3

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

      2 and 3

    7. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      2, 3

  3. Lebowski85
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Pick 2 out of 4 to play. Bench headache!

    Mousset
    Ings
    Grealish
    Zaha

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

      i'd play Mousset and Zaha

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

      MI

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

      Ings & Zaha
      Mousset wont get 90 mins
      Grealish will have a tough game against inform Leicester
      imo

    4. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Ings and Zaha...

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

      Zaha and Ings

    6. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I and Z

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

    Bottomed
    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)

  5. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Bench Söyüncü or Lundstram?

    *I also own Henderson

    Thanks a lot

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

      Soy cz Lundy has a higher ceiling

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

      I have all 3 and benching Soy

  6. Cto
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    I have 2FT and 0.4 ITB , anything need changed?

    Ryan
    Soy Lund TAA
    Mane KDB Madd Pul
    Vardy Jimmy Tammy

    McGovern Mount Rico Kelly

    Thanks

    1. FPL Xylophone
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      McGovern out. Martin in. Save other transfer.

      Or Mount out and Grealish in.

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

        Thinking about button in, in case Ryan gets hurt. Iv already used BB

        1. FPL Xylophone
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          A logical move

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

      Great squad mate, Id say G2G here
      I'd monitor The Lord, should he get another Yellow, perhaps upgrade rico for cover unless you have faith in Kelly

      Mount and Puli, idk about having both so perhaps drop either and save the cash unless you see a bench boost use coming up
      otherwise dont really see a need for you to make any changes

  7. Bookmark
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Pick one
    1. Williems or Kelly
    2. Grealish or Jimenez

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

      Kelly Jimenez

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

        Scratch that, Willems Jimenez

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

      Willems and Jimenez

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

      Willems Jiminez

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

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

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

      Drop Robertson?

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

        you mean on the WC team? question is which 2 of the 4 others to play, basically

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

          Yeah, maybe get someone cheap for Robertson and save cash.

          Playing 2 out of those 4 is kind of headache. Will probably go with Willems and Lundstram

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

            could--what would you suggest tho? just considering Robertson in on the WC (of course there is the upcoming blank GW 18--so would transfer out for that)

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

            current WC team is this:

            Henderson
            Robertson, Soy, Lund
            Zaha, Mane, Pulisic, Alli (v)
            Rashford, Abraham, Vardy (c)

            subs: Martin; Shelvey, Willems, Kelly

  9. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Morning dzz, best options till gw19

    A: Kelly (1st sub) + Tomori + Pulisic Mount...with a view to get Alli (-4) in gw18

    B: Kelly + Rico (1st sub) + Pulisic + Alli (-4)

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

      B

  10. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Bench 1

    a) Mount
    b) Soy
    c) Kelly

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

      c

  11. Pacer.
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    My squad value is 105.8 which I reckon must be the highest it's even been after 15 games. Is this average and just indicative of price mobility thesedays?

    I don't really pay any attention to rises and drops when making transfers. If I get priced out during the week I just change my plans accordingly. Seems that if you just make the right choices then your squad value takes care of itself

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

      Average on here.
      Popular players like Lund, Mane, KDB, Soy and Vardy make it easy for most to be higher than 104.

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

      My SV is nearly same and I guess its becuase of Lundstram, Abraham and Vardy.

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

      I picked up Vardy four weeks or so back and mane and mane about five, no KdB. Was also not on Tammy until 8. Aside from starting with Lundstram I've been fairly slow to big players this year so must have been building a lot of value from players with shorter bursts of form

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

      107 here, and I took a bath on Tammy recently.

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

      Team value doesn’t mean much this season with the likes of Lundstram, Mane, Vardy rising so rapidly. 105 is average. Sale value is the key element

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

        they are directly proportional are they not?

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

          They're not, but don't believe the line that always gets spun here that SV is all that matters and TV doesn't. That extra 0.1 you might have on players might not change your SV, but it sure helps you in being able to absorb a drop and not having to panic transfer.

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

            But they are...higher TV will result in higher SV...thats what directly proportional means, They both rise together, 0.2 TV rise = 0.1 SV rise

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

              Yeah, and a 0.1 TV rise might not change your SV at all, other times it will - so they aren't.

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

                thats not what directly proportional means, it if they are rising together the ration doesn't matter. In this case, they are directly proportional in a 2:1 ratio.

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

                  So even with a 0.1 rise in TV, you get a 0.05 rise in SV (which isn't reflected in your actual SV and can't be used)? Is that what you're saying?

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

                    What I'm saying is, from the time you buy a player, a 0.1 rise in TV itself will never cause a rise in SV, you a need 0.2 rise every single time. That being constant for every player's rise in value makes it directly proportional.

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

                      I knew how the price rises worked already, but thanks for the replies regardless.

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

            Happened with me when Jimmy dropped today, SV remains the same.

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

            I may keep Vardy, Tammy and Lund for whole season and I bought them very cheap so how is it not going to help me? So I guess squad value matters

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

      105.9 here

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

      This year players are rising really quickly - so this is probably slightly above average. I believe for active players average is about 105.
      Mine is 106.1 for example after last night rises

    8. Sailboats
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      my sv is 106.6

  12. The Final Boss
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Newcastle been good at home so is it better to start Cantwell over Ings,i know it's Sheffield but they are conceding now..

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

      I'm benching ings. Feel like this is a case of team form over player form

    2. ChelseaGuy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I have Ings starting ahead of Cantwell

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Ditto...

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

    Really struggling with Captain choice, please help
    A. Vardy
    B. Mane
    C. Son

    Thanks

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

      Same here. On Tammy atm
      Out of those Vardy is the safest one. Only if we knew Mane would start or not

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

        I reckon Mane does start.... if he doesn't then he doesn't come on IMO

  14. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Play Kelly or Lundy?

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

      Lundmeister

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

      Lundy is a starter for me.

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

      Lund

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

    All set for Son, Jimmy > Alli, Rashford for free tonight

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

      Before CL, meh.

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

        Priced out otherwise and no other way to bring these guys in. Rashford in particular showcasing world class talent.

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

          there is a slight chance of injury only to Alli, doubt rash will start on Thursday. Will take it on the chin

    2. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      It's you are being forced to make transfers early in a week and before CL games then perhaps you should find another way. These moves just aren't essential. One is just a sideways move that could easily end up a downgrade

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

        One sideways move and one upgrade and gw18 (c) option. Gotta keep trying to make the team better even if its small wins

  16. Kryptonite666
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Whom to bench ? - one of Kelly Soy Lundy ?

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

      Not lundy

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

    Bench two:

    A) Lundstram
    B) Söyüncü
    C) Willems
    D) Kelly

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

      B and D maybe

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

      BC

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

      BD

    4. The hope that kills...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      CD. Saints might not win, but I reckon they'll score

  18. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Hopefully we get a leaked Chelsea lineup before the deadline.

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

      would be ideal

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

      I would like that

    3. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Who leaks it usually?

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

    Pope -> Guaita then gtg? Will set up like this -

    Guaita
    TAA Lund Soy
    Mane KDB Son Maddison Pulisic
    Vardy (c) Tammy

    Button Mousset Kelly Rico (0ft 1.2m itb)

  20. Smelbow
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Who to bench

    Zaha
    or
    Mount
    ?

    1. Bada Bing
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Mount

      1. n14mul
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Agree

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

    Hendo
    TAA - - Soy - Lund
    Mane - KDB - Madisson - Son
    Jimmy - Vardy(C) - Abraham

    Tomori - Rico - Dendo
    Is the Bench in right order?

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

      sorry Alli in place of KDB

    2. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      No city in your team? Bench order is fine

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

        Moved out KDB for Alli this week. Will get one of City asset again after some games

        1. n14mul
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Good luck! Inhave kept KDB from the start, season keeper for me. Good price and most likely the least likely to be dropped by pep unless I just jinxed him now!

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

            I had him too from the start too but I moved him out after his injury so now its easy for me to move him out and bring him in if I want him again. But that was a total mistake. GL to you too

  22. Imrie
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Who to start please?

    A: lundstram
    B: Aurier
    C: sell Aurier for Kelly and start Kelly

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

      Start both Lund and Aurier

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

        And bench soyuncu instead?

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

          Seems you have a very good bench then

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

            Pope
            TAA, Aurier, Lund (Soyboy, Rico)
            KDB, Mane, Maddison, Son (Cantwell)
            Vardy, Jim, Tammy

            That’s the team I think

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

              I'd start that team. Soy is safeplay but Aurier can reward you big.

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A

  23. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Have Son, should I bring in Alli as well? For Pulisic

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

      Thought alot about son-alli double up and I have finally done it

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

      I'd keep Puli this week against managerless Everton and decide if he blanks today

    3. The hope that kills...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Seems a bit like over-kill. You'll need Spurs to keep scoring a lot of goals, which Mou teams of latter years have rarely done. Maybe swap instead if you're hankering for All I.

    4. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      There is a possibility of limited minutes for puli

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

    Play Soy or Mount (Have Tammy)?

  25. n14mul
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Morning,

    I have 1 FT and thinking of taking out chilwell with the uncertainty and the harder games ahead. To who is the question?

    A. Soyuncu
    B. Aurier
    C. Other

    Thank you

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

      Depends on your other defenders

      1. n14mul
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        TAA Tomori Rico Montoya. I usually play 3 at the back with Rico and montoya on bench

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

      I'd buy Aurier but Soy is fine too

  26. Salarrivederci
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Gtg? 1.1 ITB & 1 FT

    Guaita
    TAA - Söyüncü - Robertson
    Mané - KDB - Maddison - Zaha
    Vardy (C) - Jiménez - Ings

    (Button, Lundstram, Cantwell, Tomori)

  27. Von Lipwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Time to drop Sterling? I kept him long enough

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I did this GW too. Have him enough chances.

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Gave.

    2. The hope that kills...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Been wanting to do it myself for weeks, but had other issues. Now feel a haul must surely be due and it's got to the point where he's pretty much a differential. Gonna watch the match and make a call based on my gut.

  28. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Captain?

    1. Vardy
    2. Alli
    3. Mane
    4. KDB

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

      No one knows. Vardy if you want to play safe. Otherwise Alli

      1. n14mul
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        As above vardy is the safe rest are good gambles

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

    on WC; I was going to include Robertson (who I did not have before), but based on suggestions and other DFs (Soy, Lund, Kelly, Willems) am considering different moves...
    should stay with Robertson and Pulisic--
    or bring in Rico and KDB (just enough funds for this!)

    1. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Need either robbo or TAA in a WC

  30. smix
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Mane to Salah (c) for a hit ? Trailing by 70 points in the ML

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Does your ML leader have Mané? If so go Salah as he will prob explode this GW.

    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Smacks of desperation - what has Salah done recently to justify this move?