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. Sj3451
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pick 1 to start then bench order!

    A) Tomori - Eve (a)
    B) Lundstram - Nor (a)
    C) Kelly - Wat (a)

    1. Max City
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      C
      B
      A

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B to start.
      Then Kelly, then Tomori.

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

      Who is your GK? If it's not Henderson i would play Lund and Kelly

      1. Sj3451
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Pope still unfortunately! Only 1 plays though so guessing you go Lundy?

        1. NielsvanDelft
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Yeah Lundy it is

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

      bca

    5. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      BCA

  2. Max City
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Janmaat >> Soyuncu worth a hit?

    Or just play Lundstarm?
    But I have lost plenty of points with no LEI def so far

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

      No

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

      Play Lund. Plenty who own both will be doing the same.

      1. Max City
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        thanks

    3. Sj3451
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Not worth hit

  3. The Handsome Hunk
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bench 1 of the below:

    a) Pulisic
    b) Mount

    Playing Mousset, Zaha, KDB, Vardy, Salah, Firmino

    Thank You!!

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. istanbul05
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

    3. Sj3451
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

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

    Henderson is my goalkeeper. Which three to play??
    A: TAA
    B: Kelly
    C: Soy
    D: Lund
    E: Willems

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A,B,E

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A,B,D

      1. NielsvanDelft
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks! Don't you think the defensive Sheffield double up is not too much?

        1. Sj3451
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I think it is

    3. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A E and D

  5. JT11fc
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Gtg?
    Pope
    Trent Lundy Willems
    Son Mane JWP KDB
    Vardy Tammy Ings

    Button Zaha Chilwell Kelly

    Bench ok? Abit doubtful about Chilwell

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Play Zaha bench JWP

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

      Why have Zaha for Watford if you don’t play him?

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

      Zaha benched seems illogical jwp should be benched..

    4. Kiwi Don
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Chilwell is injured

    5. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks all

  6. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Any suggestions what to do here here guys?
    Pope
    Robertson Soy Lundstram Kelly
    De Bruyne Mane Maddison Zaha
    Vardy Jimenez
    Abraham Dendoncker Rico Heaton

    1 - who to sub out to play Abraham
    2- 2 Ft 0.7 ITB any ideas for possible moves?

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      1 is Zaha for sure

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

      kelly or soyu

  7. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Captain:

    A) Alli (BUR)
    B) Vardy (avl)

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. istanbul05
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

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

      A

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

      A

    5. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

  8. GAMBIT
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bench 1

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

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

      A

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

  9. istanbul05
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bench in the right order guys??

    Pope,
    TAA, VVD, Lundstram,
    Mane, KDB, Alli, Zaha,
    Vardy, Abraham, Jimenez.

    Soyuncu, Cantwell, Kelly

    1. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Gtg

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

      Would have Cantwell first on bench

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

      Cantwell over zaha

  10. Prison Mike
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who to captain?

    A) Vardy

    B) Salah

    1. istanbul05
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A obviously.

      1. Prison Mike
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Obviously? Salah rested and surely can do damage to a struggling Bournemouth side?

    2. GAMBIT
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

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

      B

    5. Smell the Lavender
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B

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

    Bench 1:

    A) Lundstram
    B) Soyuncu
    C) Aurier

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

      same 3 as me. Defo playing C. Cant decide between the other 2!

      1. Stockport Hatter
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I'd bench Soyuncu.

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      b

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

      B

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

      Cheers!

  12. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    deciding between playing Soy vs Lunds seems a major headache for most.
    I fancy Norwich to score more than Villa based on the 2 defences but Lunds has the attacking threat.

    So quick vote for everyone! Play

    Soyunuc
    Lundstram

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

      I don't think anybody knows!

    2. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      For me Soy more likely to keep cs but Lund more likely get attacking returns.

      I vote Lundstram

    3. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Lundy

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

      Lund

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

      Stats suggest AVL more likely to score ...

    6. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      4 votes for Lundy then!

    7. 1zverGGadeM
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Im playing them both with TAA and benching Rico + Tomori 😉

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

        I would bench Tomori too if I had him but have Arier!

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

          Nice pick. GL

    8. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Lund for me no doubt

  13. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Guaita Button*

    TAA Robertson Soy Lund Hanley*

    Son Maddison Zaha Alli Mane

    Vardy Jimenez Greenwood*

    Last bench spot?

    everyone Is suggesting playing Lund but I see Norwich scoring and a blank/rotation?- thoughts!?

    1. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Ye considering it. He just gets forward so much

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

      Lund

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

      bench soy

  14. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Very nervous as a Pulisic and Mount owner 🙁 i can see one being rested.

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

      Think both will play.

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

        Hope you are right matey!

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

      A cup of ginger tea will sort you out.

    3. Prison Mike
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      This! Pulisic’s turn I fear

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

      Hope it is pulisic...

  15. Touré De Force
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    My bench is Pope, Kelly, McGinn, Dunk. Tammy and Mané starting, the other 9 appear to be guaranteed starters. Play BB chip? What do people think is a good return from BB. Think those 4 should return 15-20 pts this GW

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

      Why do this in a single gw?

      1. Touré De Force
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        It's often best time to do it. In fact GW1 or just after a WC are the best times imo as you have 15 guaranteed starters

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

          Good luck to you, I'll stick with a dgw.

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

      With rotations possible, not a gud idea for BB

    3. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah fair. In my opinion it's a bit of a worthless chip, so good to get it out the way.

  16. 1zverGGadeM
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone with captain Salah around?

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

      Yep

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

      Yes

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

      Nice to see Im not alone lol

  17. matiakez
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Ok to roll the FT?

    Ryan Button
    TAA Aurier Ricardo Lund C Taylor
    Mane KDB Mount Maddison Dendo
    Tammy Jimi Vardy

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

      Not mount but Pulisic

    2. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

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

      Ok to roll

  18. lilmessipran
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Which one to captain?

    A Vardy
    B Mane

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

      Mane

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Vardy for me- not willing to risk Mané benching and late point off bench

  19. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    (c) between Vardy, Mane and Dele. Vardy seems boring this week, thought about Dele but they may effectively park the bus, any truth in rumours that Mane will be benched?

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

      I dont think so, Klopp's comments seem to suggest otherwise you could argue

    2. Kiwi Don
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I think he maybe rested for champions league must win game.

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

      50/50 with Mane to be benched, but even from the bench he is able to score a brace
      Vardy is chasing his own record on consecutive scoring games, so not be surprised if he is the most chosed one.
      Dele is a gamble

    4. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I think Mane is rested in this one, ready for bigger tests to come, Salah and Bobby both had their rest so makes sense for them and the Ox to come in front 3

  20. Kiwi Don
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Ballsy move of benching Mane for Zaha (hoping Mane rested and cameo) and captain Alli or play it safe with Mane and Vardy captain?
    Got to catch twenty points on ML rival.

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Benching Mane is not ballsy, it's reckless

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

      Use of the word 'hoping' a bit of a worry.

    3. Kiwi Don
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Lol, true but to climb the ranks you have to take calculated risk sometimes. Will be hiding behind the couch when they name the Liverpool team.

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

      Only 20 points, I wouldn’t bench him. Got to trust your differentials.

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

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

    Captain?
    Kane
    Mane
    Vardy

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

      Hahah same below,
      Currently on Mané

    2. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      One of them and capt vardy

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

      Lund and kelly....

      Armband ... Vardy

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

      Finally a Baldock CoOwner 🙂

      I am thinking of starting both soy and Baldock over soy ? Thoughts?

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

        Its possible for double clean sheet against norwich..

  22. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who to captain, first to 3 is getting the armband.

    A) Alli
    B) Vardy
    C) Mane

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Vardy

    2. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Vardy

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

      A

    4. Kiwi Don
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Alli

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

      Alli 🙂

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

      B

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

        JHahahah 3-3 right on the buzzer!!!!

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

          Vanelli

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

      Both Burnley and Bournemouth conceded 8 goals since GW11...

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

    Guys! 🙂

    How's my team looking!!!

    Heaton 4.0*
    Aurier lund kelly soy* rico*
    Salah(c) bilva kdb son cantwell*
    Vardy jimmy rash

    Any opinions lads!!!! 🙂

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

      Any replies 🙂

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

      Handsome

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

        Haha...really ...sounds like a troll

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

        Thank yu mate 🙂 ...cheers lad!

  24. Bobby_Baggio
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Bench one please?

    A) Tomori
    B) Lund

    1. RyanMK
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Tomori

  25. RyanMK
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Play 1:
    Lundstram
    Kelly

    1. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Lund

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

      Lund

    3. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Lund

  26. SHOOTER MCGINN
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    If you still had Kane, would you consider captaining or is it madness to think he's due?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Madness

      1. SHOOTER MCGINN
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Totally agree, but I haven't changed it yet...

  27. Pukkipartyy
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Play Soy or Kelly ?

  28. andres
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Have Hendo in goal. Which one to bench:

    Lund
    Soy
    Kelly

    1. Thunder Warrior
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Kelly

  29. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Best captain?
    A) Son
    B) Vardy
    C) Salah

    1. Thunder Warrior
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Vardy

  30. Old Gregg
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Morning,

    Alli in for -

    A) Maddy
    B) Pulisic
    C) neither - Save

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

      C

    2. Thunder Warrior
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B