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

    McCarthy
    Robbo Soy TAA
    Son Salah Grealish Martial
    Vardy Jimenez Ings

    Fab - Cantwell Rico Lundstram

    1 FT 1M ITB

    Thoughts on Martial to Mahrez?

    1. Pinturicchio10
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Martial to Dendoncker makes sense never mind Mahrez 😀

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

          lol

      • RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        You’ve got no other issues so might be worth a punt. Or ship soy

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

          Cheers Rafa

      • pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Fix the defence

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

        I like it. I'm considering it for a hit.

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

        Cheers lads

    2. Kevin Twine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Ditch Kelly or Lund?

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Feel like Lund could backfire this week but I am also considering it

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

        I am ditching both

      3. jtreble
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Consider both.

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

      Is that Pool line up the U/19s, or the U/15s?

      Talk about disrespecting the FA Cup.

      1. Pinturicchio10
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Can't expect them to field first 11 players in this game. It would be a stupid thing to do.

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

          You want them to disrespect their booked week in Ibiza instead?

          1. Dr. Agabuse
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Hotels live by late storno

      2. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Where to go now? Thanks 🙂

        A. Vardy >> Ings
        B. Lunds >> Fernandez / Stephens
        C. Lunds+Vardy >> Robbo+Ings (-4)
        D. Save & Pray!

        McCarthy
        TAA • Lunds • Aurier
        KDB • Salah • Grealish • Mahrez • Traoré
        Agüero • Vardy
        (McGov. Rico. Soy. Greenwood)

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

          Think I'd probably go B, maybe even save. I don't have him, but I'm not convinced the Vardy party is over yet.

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Yeah, just feel B might backfire spectacularly

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

              Yeah, maybe. It seems more likely to me that Lundstrum doesn't start but I don't think you have to rush him out the door.

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

          evening mate, I did similar to B.........Lord Lunds to Lacells ...........

          I have also bought in Hayden as my 5th mid........will he be OK ??

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Yep. Both solid picks, although I prefer Fernandez to Lascelles

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

              Thanks mate, but I needed the extra 0.2k ...........your boys looking solid at the back.....more than I can say about my lot......we are in trouble and its not Moyes fault !!!

      3. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        With Newcastle team news does this means Hayden is no longer nailed on?

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          We’ve rotated for the cup. If anything he’s even more nailed. He’s been our best central midfielder this season

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

          Not at all, there are three or four first teamers on the bench.

          1. FPL Daniel
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Thanks all, hope that is true. Fingers crossed

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

        Dendonk starting unlikely now that Boly is back, or could he get his cdm position back?

      5. Citizenkane91
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Might just WC now.

        1. No Professionals
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          I have.

          No playing sheff utd def.

          Kelly not playing.

          Soyuncu dead weight.

          Vardy no form.

          Double liverpool defences killing me.

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

            "Double liverpool defences killing me."
            How so?

            1. Get up ya bum
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              I get what he means. Unless you were smart enough to get Gomez then you are paying 6.5/7 for 6 pointers while Salah, Firmino and soon mane are making it rain.
              I actually sold Robbo and kdb this week to get Stevens and salah

              1. FPL Blow-In
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 1 month ago

                What.?! 😯

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

                  Am I living in a parallel universe? One where Robbo and VVD have scored more points than Firmino? And in the last 10 games VVD scored 67, Robbo scored 57, Firmino scored 51. Double Liverpool defence with Salah is great over here.

                  1. Get up ya bum
                    • 14 Years
                    4 years, 1 month ago

                    Sounds like a convenient time frame comparison. And you are ignoring the fact that other than Firmino in fine form and fixtures the appealing forwards are basically Ings, Jimenez, wood, Aguero and Aubameyang the latter two blank. There are lots of appealing defenders.

                    Still my problem was I had Trent Rob and Firmino. If I had what you have I wouldn't be rushing to change. Likewise if you had Firmino you wouldn't be looking to sell

                2. Get up ya bum
                  • 14 Years
                  4 years, 1 month ago

                  It's the captaincy of Salah combined with the city blank that convinced me. Before that was happy with my 6 pointers from Rob and captaining Aguero/kdb/mahrez/son

      6. Dr. Agabuse
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Fellow least casuals hopibg for a Shrewsbury win and FH possibility for 34 or 37

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

          It unlikely that any of the top teams will have a DGW34, GW37 looks like the best week to BB despite the rotation. So I'm hoping for another DGW. City/Arsenal in GW36 or GW37 would be nice.

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

            GW35 or GW36

          2. Kun Tozser
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            37 could be a good FH week

      7. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Surely double Sheffield united defence is still worth holding onto it selling Lundstram? I went with Baldock but Stevens etc good options also obviously

        1. Kun Tozser
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Absolutely, providing you are set for 28

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

        Guys. On a WC For the next 2 GW.
        Aguero and Fleck
        Or
        Son and Jimmy

        1. Garth Marenghi
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          B

      9. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        On wc

        McCarthy
        TAA Gomez Egan
        Salah KDB Son Fleck
        Aubameyang Jimenez Ings

        Button Taylor Cantwell Lacelles
        0.4itb

        Suggestions welcome.

        Tempted by Gomez to Boly and Fleck to Henderson?

      10. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        is Liverpool on Bein sports ?

      11. Dr. Agabuse
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Is Loris a good option if Spurs lose in the cup?

      12. Warblers
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I'm surprised Ritchie isn't getting notice. Good fixtures, likelihood of attacking points. No?

        1. Get up ya bum
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          He's likely getting dropped for rose. Rose is a better full back. ASM and almiron are better in midfield

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

        Question 1 - Fleck or JWP?

        Question 2 - Egan or Stephens?

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

          As to Question 2 I would say Egan but only if you have enough cover in GW28.

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

        Guys, Who do I bench......

        A) Hayden ( away to Arse )
        or
        B) C Taylor ( away to Southampton )

      15. Dr. Agabuse
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        So Ncastle has andother game bedore we know about 31 right?

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

          Yeah, against West Brom.

      16. Get up ya bum
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Mee was in my thoughts too. Need a williams replacement. Don't have lundstram.
        I prefer to splurge on Doherty or Pereira for their nice run. Aurier looks better at 5.0. As do tanganga and Fernandez imo

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

        My question is whether Sheffield cover is important for the next two games. I do not have Henderson and I fear two cleansheets at home for the Blades without Lundstram getting a cleansheet bonus. I get the Mee attraction as the author says, but I plan to bring in Pope next week so Mee is not really a good option. Thanks for your help.

        1. Get up ya bum
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Sheffield are a good chance of cs and highly owned. Also a good chance of conceding one goal a game. I'd be happy to bet against them with Tottenham and Liverpool cleanies.