Pro Pundits - Ash

Why I’m considering Mee as my John Lundstram replacement

Even though things have gone well for my Fantasy Premier League team recently, I still have some issues to solve over the Winter Break.

One of them involves John Lundstram (£5.1m), while I’m still on the look-out for a Jamie Vardy (£9.8m) replacement.

I somehow navigated Double Gameweek 24 with a small green arrow, thanks to captain Mohamed Salah (£12.7m). 

I followed that up by once again securing another small green arrow over the weekend due in large part to captaining him again. 

Salah has found form just at the right time and such has been his influence that he’s scored 60 of my team’s last 123 points (49%). 

In some ways, it shows that I’ve been very lucky with my armband picks of late but it’s also indicative of him papering over the cracks in my team. 

Of course, it would have been a different story altogether had I captained Sadio Mané (£12.3m) during the fateful Double Gameweek, but I still feel that I’ve not made enough traction. I’ve had a rank rise of 120,000 places since then.

However, some of my transfers have effectively been wasted, such as the signing of Brandon Williams (£4.1m) when other former stalwarts in my team are no longer starting games, as in the case of Lundstram.

With that said, the Winter Break has come just at the right time to allow me to contemplate and reflect on my next moves.

 Lundstram Replacement

Lundstram benched again as Fantasy owners consider selling the 'Lord'

I was fortunate enough to benefit from four of Lundstram’s double-digit hauls between Gameweek 2 to Gameweek 17. It almost seemed too good to be true that a player listed as a defender (playing as a midfielder) and with a starting price of £4.0m could score so many points. 

It was, quite literally, the stuff of fantasy. 

But, dare I say it, as with most good things they must come to an end and it looks like he could already be past his best before date. 

Since Gameweek 18 Lundstram has scored a paltry 13 points which no longer meets my expectations even if he initially over-delivered. 

Sheffield United’s Blank Gameweek 28 is further confirmation of him outstaying his welcome and, of course, there is serious competition for places in their midfield right now

Put simply, there are cheaper options out on the market that make more sense and maybe it’s time for me to cash in on the profit I’ve made from Lundstram.

Ben Mee (£5.0m) is currently just £0.1m cheaper than the Sheffield United man and has quietly scored 20 points in the last three Gameweeks when facing the likes of Leicester, Man United and Arsenal. That’s no mean feat. 

He has also played every minute of Premier League football for Burnley since August, won’t have a blank in Gameweek 28 and has three reasonable upcoming fixtures (Southampton – away, Bournemouth – home and Newcastle United – away). 

Mee probably won’t score another 20 points in these games, but I wouldn’t put it past him to potentially keep two clean sheets. 

If you’re looking for longer-term options beyond Gameweek 26, Newcastle United’s defenders are also worth adding to the shortlist. 

The Magpies have kept two clean sheets in the last three matches and after a visit to the Emirates Stadium in Gameweek 26, they will avoid all of last season’s top six until Gameweek 34.

In my view, that makes club captain Jamaal Lascelles (£4.2m) almost too hard to ignore. 

In both cases, Mee and Lascelles’ ownership levels show that they are both differentials. 

Future planning

Vardy cleared for EFL Cup semi-final action ahead of Gameweek 25

My previous Pro Pundits article saw me effectively bidding farewell to Vardy – I only wish I followed up on that. 

Even though I was happy to replace him with Roberto Firmino (£9.6m), I decided to give Vardy one more chance against Chelsea, which backfired as he blanked once again, whereas the Brazilian registered 11 points. 

I’m now tempted to sell Vardy and get Danny Ings (£7.0m) with Southampton’s generous run of upcoming games.

In addition, my bench is extremely light at the moment with Mason Greenwood (£4.4m) and his colleague Williams not giving me enough room to manoeuvre if my starting players get randomly rested. 

I’m not inclined to Wildcard at this stage but could consider a hit if I can justify it. 

However, one thing is for certain, I can’t see myself captaining anyone other than Salah against a hapless Norwich City team that have conceded far too many goals since August.

328 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    @mods. That minutes per goal stat can't be right for Mee amd Lascelles above with both just over 100minutes per goal. Surely it's missing a zero at the end?

    1. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Minutes per goal
      Mee Zero
      Lascelles 1272

      Minutes per goal attempt
      Mee 173
      Lascelles 254

  2. drughi
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Best use of 2 ft?

    A. Mane and Lundstram > Son and VVD
    B. Mane and Vardy > Son and Aguero(C)

    1. Down with this sort of thin…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Can you afford Mane back if you sell?

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        nah my big three in mid would be salah, kdb and son

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A probably the sensible play as you would need to sell Aguero soon

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        yeah just tempting with aguero captain against west ham as I,m trailing behind in ml

    3. SC not pearls before swine
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I like A. There's way more upside with B so it's not like it's the wrong option, but I still think Vardy's a stud and Aguero has playing time risk and a blank. I don't know if I'd captain him over Salah, even if I had him.

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        yeah thats the thing salah has norwich so bringin in aguero if not captain takes away the big cons imo. Just the fact im 65 points from leader in ml and he will c salah and doesnt own aguero

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

          What would you rather? A decent rank but finish second in your mini-league or win the mini-league but with an inferior rank to the former scenario?

          1. drughi
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            I mean i will not get a good rank this year so ml is more important now I would say

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

              Then go for the Aguero move and captain

          2. Monkey Hanger
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Bragging rights with mates more important than bragging rights on here.

            1. Sharkytect
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              100%
              We have now reached the stage where you can allow you opponents moves to affect your own!

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

    Another red arrow.
    What to do with this bunch?

    Ryan Button
    Holgate Robertson Egan
    Mane* Salah KdB Grealish
    Ings Aubameyang DCL
    Kabasele* Doncker* Fodder

    1 FT, 0.0 ITB
    Leaning towards taking a hit!

    1. Down with this sort of thin…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Doesn't look too bad. What do the * mean? On the chopping block?

      1. Slitherene
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Kind of! Could get in Son, VvD for them.

        1. Down with this sort of thin…
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          I'm personally keeping Mane. Partly coz I couldn't afford to get back if I did sell, but also because he's simply too good not to own. Very few players in FPL (regardless of position) I'd rather have.

          1. Slitherene
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            I don't have any value tied up in him.

            Will he play against Norwich?

  4. Monkey Hanger
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Englnd hammered in cricket ODI.

  5. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    What would you have for the upcoming weeks?

    A. Fleck & Stevens
    B. Fleck & Bertrand/Stephens
    C. JWP & Stephens
    D. JWP & Egan

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

      B

    2. abides
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      D.
      I feel like Egan gives you more options if you want to move him on in GW28 and JWP's fixtures and set pieces look pretty nice atm.

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Won't be selling any of them in GW28

        1. abides
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Still D tbh, but maybe B with Stephens.

  6. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    What are people doing with Lundstram? Replace him for?

    1. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      See article above

    2. Down with this sort of thin…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Thinking Saiss (4.4 Wol). Not many mentioning him (possibly for good reason) but a cheap way into Wolves defence.

      1. badgerboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Got my eye on him. No blanks in 28 and 31 are a big plus for him. Also likes to get up for a corner.

        1. Down with this sort of thin…
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Was thinking this also. Put a couple of headers not far wide against United at the weekend.

      2. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        well they hadnt been keeping clean sheets, but maybe now that Boly is back...

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

      Selling for either:

      Stephens
      Fernandez
      Boly/Doherty

    4. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Stevens for me. Then Soy to either Cahill or Stephens. Both the week for free.

    5. Pinturicchio10
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Won't be Ben Mee I can tell you that much.

      • Hog Roast Junkie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Boly

    6. Mork calling Orson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Do I end the eternal frustration of owning Zaha & Martial by bringing in Son & Fleck for -4 ?
      I’m an optimistic guy, but even I’m now thinking enough is enough.

      1. Down with this sort of thin…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Patience ran out a while ago for both. Martial is particularly frustrating, looks like scoring every week until he doesn't.

        1. Mork calling Orson
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          This will be the 3rd time I’ve transferred him out this season, frustrating isn’t the word.
          Well actually it is the word, but you know what I mean.

      2. Down with this sort of thin…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Do you have Mahrez? Looks interesting since Sterling is out.

        1. Mork calling Orson
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Interesting, could do Mahrez until the blank then swap to Son. Food for thought, thanks.

    7. Mackans
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Thoughts on my team?? (1 free transfer, 4.7ib)

      Henderson* (McGovern)
      Trent VVD Söyüncü (Kelly) (Rico)
      Salah Traore KDB* Grealish* (Hayden)
      Vardy Ings DCL
      *Blank GW28

      1. abides
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Vardy->Aguero seems reasonable for this week, and then you can re-distribute the funds before GW28. Good team still 🙂

    8. RoboVanBasten
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Game week 26, pick one to play...
      A) Grealish (Home to Spurs)
      B) Maupay (Home to Watford)
      ?

      1. Down with this sort of thin…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        A. Grealish was unfortunate not to return last game. Spurs match a big game for a big game player.

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

        A

    9. lindeg
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Which would you pick of these?

      A: Richarli
      B: Bergwijn
      C: Bruno Fernandes

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        None of them

      2. Down with this sort of thin…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        A. Proven commodity but with tough fixtures.

    10. JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Best option here?

      A) VVD and Jiménez
      B) O’Connell and Firmino

      1. Down with this sort of thin…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        A all day long.

      2. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        A

    11. Legohair
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Best replacement for Chambers?

      A. Boly
      B. Saiss
      C. Stephens
      D. Fernandes

      Currently A sounds good because wolves play in gw31 but still not sure

      1. Down with this sort of thin…
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Haha, Chambers.

        Been singing Saiss' praises so gotta go with B).

      2. Hog Roast Junkie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        A

    12. Ci Siamo
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      If on a WC, which one do you sacrifice if one?

      A) Son

      B) Auba

      C) Aguero

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

        B

      2. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Aguero cos he not nailed

        1. Down with this sort of thin…
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          People who answer Aguero to this is because they don't have him and are sweating it. I'd go A. I'd be reluctant to own any Mourinho attacker.

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

            He is scoring goals now. Doesn't have to play for Pep to get a haul against Villa 😉

          2. Cok3y5murf
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            People who answer Son don't have him and are sweating it?

      3. Robson-Canoe
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Auba, playing on the wing and Arsenal are garbage

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

          This

      4. Hog Roast Junkie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Def not C.
        Probably B as no fixture in gw28

      5. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        People who answer Auba don't have him and are sweating it?

    13. CheesyZoot
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Really struggling with what to do this week, heres the team:

      Pope
      TAA, Rico, Soyuncu
      KDB, (S)alah, Traore, Grealish, Mane
      DCL, Aubamayang

      (Button, Greenwoowd, Lundstram, Kelly)

      Been thinking of doing:

      A) -4 for Mane + Greenwood > (A)guero + fodder
      B) Mane + Soy > Son + Robertson
      C) Something else?

      Also thinking if it is actually worth holding the transfer to prepare for the blank?

      Very tempting to try to get a big points haul off Aguero this week, I am currently c60 points behind ML rival and at 108K Overall

      1. DavidFPL
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        A consideration is possibly Mané > Mahrez or Silva. Sterling out injured, don’t think Sane is back yet. Maybe worth a 1 week punt without having to take the -4 to get Aguero who I feel like is due to be randomly dropped for Jesus like Pep always does when he looks at his most lethal.

    14. Jullepuu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Still some time to go but it will likely come to this in game week 28..

      A) play Hayden
      B) take a hit to replace Lund or Reid with someone cheap

    15. Bruno Bruno!!
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Is the following worth a hit?

      Grealish -> Mahrez

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

        Nope

      2. abides
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yes, with Sterling out and West Ham in that state, Mahrez surely covers the -4.
        (disclaimer: I own Mahrez)

    16. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Lundstram to
      A) another sheff utd def - which?
      B) lascelles/fernandez
      C) mee
      D) saiss/boly
      E) aurier
      F) Gomez
      G) Stephens

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

        B/D

      2. The Train Driver
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        C, you.

    17. Ci Siamo
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Can any Arsenal fans help shed some light on Martinelli please.

      Is he worth a punt at only 4.6m?

    18. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      What do you reckon the chances of a Shrewsbury win are tonight ? It would make negotating BGW31 a lot easier. I've already got 5 players for that GW, Pool players would make it 8, so I should easily be able to field an 11 that GW without using my FH.

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

        39%

      2. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Excellent if a Pool lose, playing kids not what fans want to see.

        1. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Agreed, as a Plymouth Argyle fan the teams they put out against us a couple of seasons back were very disappointing, and tonight's Pool team is far worse. A plumb draw is what the lower league clubs use to dream about, but it's not a plumb draw if the reserves or worse are fielded.

    19. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Vardy and Lund to Aguero and Robertson (-4)?

    20. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      For those of us who still have Mane, it's best to hold on to him now, yes?

      1. QUEN
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah his due to play next game weren’t he

    21. oi no professionals
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Would you:
      A. Aguero, Auba, Perez
      B. Frimino, Auba, Mahrez
      C. Vardy, Auba, Mahrez

    22. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      what is the biggest priority for a free transfer?

      A maddison to son
      B martial to son
      C wood/firmino to ings
      D lundstrum/kelly to lescles/taganga/boly

      ?

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

        A looks tasty

    23. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      I don't know what it is it, but whenever there is a good alternative to City players for ©, I'm always learning towards avoiding them. Habe been burned badly by city players this season & the last. Only one relible is Kun.
      He also has Jesus on his shoulders now so not keen tbh.

      I think City players will be great when Pep goes away next season !!

      1. The Train Driver
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Kun is very high risk high reward, rarely does a bad game but is injury prone, prone to pep roulette and often subbed out early. But when he fires, he really fires..

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

          Yep
          Kun is awesome. Pep is anti FPL though 😀

      2. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Who does KdB play for now? Had forgotten he moved in the window 🙂

    24. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Damn, Lascelles starts. Early trade to get punished with an injury...

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        What's the lineup?

    25. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Schmeichel Button
      TAA Rico Lundy* Kelly* Williams*
      Salah KDB Martial Traore Dendo
      Kun Vardy Deeney

      Martial, Lundy & Kelly to JWP, Egans & VVD?

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Egan**

    26. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      The lowest numbered shirt on the back of a Pool starter tonight is 46, that has to be a record for any team.

    27. Sloane426
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      (A) Robertson + Chilwell
      (B) VVD + Peieira

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        B

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

      Play 2 and bench one, please advise

      A) Martial (Chelsea a)
      B) Fleck (Bournemouth h)
      C) Ward Prowse (Burnley h)

      Thanks

    29. Le Bluff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Mane expected to return for Norwich:

      https://twitter.com/TheKopiteOFF/status/1224476017668116483?s=19

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thank you - good news.