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. Cahill17
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Is Tielemans to Pulisic worth a hit?

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

      No

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

      God no

  2. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Play kelly?

    Guaita
    Taa soy Lund
    Mane kdb son pulisic
    Vardy(c) Abraham jimi

    Button kelly rico dendo

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

      Nope

    2. Patrick Bateman
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      No

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

      I've got the same dilemma... Currently playing Kelly over Lund

      1. Rhodes your boat
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Tough one, both good fixtures, we know what Lund can do though so I would go Lundy!

  3. Patrick Bateman
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    KDB to Alli anybody?!

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

      Yes. Did it myself.

      1. Patrick Bateman
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Really tempted. The move makes sense

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

      No

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

      Would be looking for another way. I'd be keeping Kevin with two homes in the next 3 and an appealing 20-23

    4. Weilong7
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      thinking of this move also.. wondering wanna pull the trigger or not

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

      Thinking the same, but I've held for now

    6. pjomara
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      No.
      Man utd conceded 2 to Villa and 3 to Sheff Utd, so I expect Man City to put about 5 past them with at least 2 involving Kdb

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

    Alli or Vardy for captain?

    Is It just looking to be clever captaining Alli? Just do the tried and tested and captain Vardy?

    1. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      This is my dilemma. Burnley have only beaten 2 weak teams in their last 6 and have let in a few goals along the way. Vardy speaks for himself and villa let opponents take a lot of shots. Sensible is vardy, but...

    2. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I'm going Son(c) myself.

      Alli is the man in form and Burnley love to concede.

  5. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    I remember when Mane struggled to finish games at Saints because he was so unfit, but now he plays 90 every game no problem. What a transformation he's had at Liverpool.

    Klopp even said he's in "incredible shape" yesterday, so he'll start again no doubt.

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

      Truly stepped up from a relatively lightweight and frustrating player to a consistently brilliant powerhouse. Total dude

  6. FAR EAST
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Which one to play?
    a. Mousset
    b. Kelly
    c. Martial

    1. Ritchies Magic Hat
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A

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

      Kelly

  7. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    2 FT's used

    Heaton
    TAA Soy Lundy
    Mane KdB Alli Maddison
    Vardy Tammy Jimenez

    1.4 itb

    GL everyone

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

      lovely team. Captain?

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Vardy

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

          would you go Son over Vardy?

          1. Christina.
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            (c)? I dunno. I suppose if you are chasing but not sure if its worth the risk. Vardy on penalties and more involved I reckon than Son.

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

              thanks will play safe with Son. Good luck thanks for the advice

              1. Twisted Saltergater
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 4 months ago

                He’s just said Son is the riskier option 😆

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

                  meant Vardy! doh

                  1. Twisted Saltergater
                    • 14 Years
                    4 years, 4 months ago

                    🙂

    2. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Wish I went Maddi over Tiel a few weeks back

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Good luck Tina. Looking good.

    4. Cruz88
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Same team except Son instead of KDB and Robbo as an extra defender. Benching Soy currently but hard to choose between him and Lund. Good luck to us!

    5. caldracula
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Looking at Kane and Mount to Tammy and Alli but only have 1FT, do you think it’s worth the hit?

  8. Lexi2014
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on my team?

    Pope (Heaton)
    Aurier / Pereira / Lundstram/ VVD (Cathcart)
    Mane / Mount / KDB (Yarmolenko/Cantwell)
    Vardy / Ings / Jimenez

    2 FTs and £2.5 itb

    Thinking Mount and Yarmolenko out?

    1. Mambino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      keep mount and bring in Rashford

    2. Mork calling Orson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Yarma to Maddison

    3. Eric Banternaaa
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Pope to Hendo. Pope for fixtures.

  9. dark91
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Can do with some advice, who to bench out of this lot?

    Zaha Mount Son Kdb Mane
    Abraham Jimi Vardy

    Currently leaning towards benching Mount but feel like Kdb will blank

    1. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Mooooont

    2. Eric Banternaaa
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Serious TV. How much?

  10. Mambino
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Is it not a good week to (C) Alli given he is still a relative differential?

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

    Put Ali captain just to see how it feels for a little while. 😎

    I feel risky. Dangerous almost. I can conquer anything I set my mind to today. Where’s the nearest mountain? I’m off to climb it.

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

      Alli is a good a captain as many others today. Its not that dangerous

      1. TheTinman
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        That’s just how I feel bro innit

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

    Team gtg?

    Guaita
    TAA Lunds Aurier
    Son Alli Mane Maddison
    Vardy Tammy Jimi
    Button Cantwell Soy Rico

  13. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Sold Kane for Rashford and thought I sold Tieleman for Alli but I sold Cantwell for Alli so Tieleman on the bench..

    Guess I need good bench for Xmas anyhow..

    1. Goonsquad245
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      What a rollercoaster. I’d get rid of Tielemans soon though - I reckon Cantwell (for example) will likely match him...

  14. Goonsquad245
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Ings to Rashford for free? Have a feeling Ings could be rested and Newcastle are not pushovers...will do it next week regardless.

    Thanks!

    1. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Ings ain’t getting rested

      1. Goonsquad245
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        So a no from you then?

    2. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      No

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

      Tricky one... I'd do it

  15. Kaiser123
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Not sure about the bench. Am I crazy leaving Mount on bench.
    Gaz
    TAA Lund Kelly
    Mane KDB Mad Alli
    Vardy Tammy Ings

    Mount Soy Rico

    1. Ritchies Magic Hat
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Not crazy as team looks good. I’d play Soy over Kelly tho

  16. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    De Bruyne to Salah(c) for free?

    1. Goonsquad245
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Depends what you bought KDB for. If he scores today will you want him back?

      1. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        10 mil

        1. Goonsquad245
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          I’d be tempted then

          1. CRO KLOPP
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Cheers

  17. Cahill17
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    who do i start;

    A) Trossard
    B) Kelly
    C) Connolly

    1. Goonsquad245
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      C

      1. Kaiser123
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        B - Fancy CP cleanie.

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

      B

  18. RyanKent14
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Kdb to Alli to punty?

    1. Dr.Oftaw
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I think you spelt punty wrong

      1. RyanKent14
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Love the observation

  19. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    G2G?

    Hend
    TAA Lund Aurier
    Mane KDB Maddison Pulisic
    Vardy Jiminez Tammy

    Heaton Kelly Soy Dendonker

    1. Siggy Azalea
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Good team!

  20. Siggy Azalea
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Morning all, am I good to go?

    Heaton
    TAA - Soyuncu - Lundstram - Kelly - Aurier
    Sterling - Mane - Ward-Prowse
    Abraham - Vardy

    SUBS: Mount - McGinn - Wood

  21. bluenose82
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Does anyone know why so many people sold Jimi this week?

    1. Siggy Azalea
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I've just done it....may regret it. Think Abraham's fixtures are better and he will get more points

  22. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    A) Keep Pulisic Maddison
    B) sell 1 for Alli (-4)?

  23. Alli
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Correct order? Start Lundstram and Cantwell first on bench?

    Ryan
    Robbo - Lundstram - Aurier
    Mané(vc) - Son - KDB - Pulisic
    Vardy(c) - Tammy - Ings

    Button - Cantwell - Söyüncü - Rico

    1. Siggy Azalea
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      G2G

  24. Captain Warlock
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    A or B good people
    A) Dunk (H) v Wolves
    B) Söyüncü (A) v Villa
    Currently thinking Dunk ?

    1. Siggy Azalea
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A

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

      I’m going with soy

      1. Captain Warlock
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah maybe Wolves got a better chance to score

  25. Plagued by indecision
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    I’ve got 2.3m ITB to get Abraham back next week, but if there is something compelling I can do with my other FT thoughts welcome.

    Heaton
    TAA / Soyuncu / Lundstram
    Mane / Maddison / Grealish / Pulisic / KDB
    Vardy (c) / Ings

    SUbs: Pope / Connolly / Guilbert / KWP

    1) Play Pope or Heaton?
    2) captain Vardy or Mane?

    1. Siggy Azalea
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Heaton and Vardy. Think Mane could potentially get rested.

      1. Plagued by indecision
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers

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

    Bruyne/trossard to Dilva/Alli... worth it? What ya recon....

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Nice

    2. Siggy Azalea
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Like that

  27. Fantasyfootballdemon
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Which 2 to bench??
    A soy
    B kelly
    C tielimans
    D cantwell
    E lund

    Currently
    Pope
    Taa aurier soy
    Mane kdb son cantwell
    Vardy(c) tammy jimmi
    Button kelly tielimans lund

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

    Maybe I will gamble on Mane (c) with Dele (vc) - think Mane should be play or be totally rested like Salah.

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

      good shout!

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

      GL.

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

    More chance of a CS?

    Leicester

    or?

    Sheffield

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

      Sheffield I'd say

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

    Ali captain

    1. Mambino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      ditto

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

      your making me re-think! haha