Pro Pundits - Andy

How a single Gameweek Bench Boost went better than expected

In Gameweek 27 I did something I’ve never done before in Fantasy Premier League. I used my Bench Boost in a single Gameweek.

As a Fantasy manager who is fairly set in their ways in terms of when to deploy the chips, this took me as far out of my comfort zone as was possible.

I wanted to use this article to reflect on whether I’d do something similar next season, and whether I have a different thought process now, compared to my previous point of view which was always to save Triple Captain, Bench Boost and Free Hit for managing blank and double Gameweeks only.

Using the Bench Boost early was a result of using the Wildcard early. My season was going from bad to worse and I felt I needed to change something. Whether or not I was right to Wildcard early is probably something that could be discussed in its own article, but because I had used it, it felt right to think about the Bench Boost, and as you can see it went pretty well.

andy-bench-boost-article 5

A 99-point score resulted in a green arrow taking me from a rank of 1,054,696 to 467,182. It’s still not great, and not where I want to be after Gameweek 38, but for now, I’ll take it.

I think the Bench Boost still remains the hardest chip to get right. You’re having to rely on four players who are likely the four worst players in your squad. Most of your transfers throughout the season are centered around improving your first eleven, and it’s not very often we’ll specifically make a move to improve the bench.

Because of that it always feels like using the Wildcard to set up the Bench Boost in the coming weeks is the easiest way, and that’s exactly what I did.

andy-bench-boost-article 1

There’s obviously some luck involved with every chip, a Bench Boost with Dwight McNeil (£6.0m) getting only his second goal of the season, as well as an assist and three bonus points, probably isn’t going to happen very often. But on the flip side I also Triple Captained Sadio Mané (£12.3m) in Gameweek 24, so maybe it was just luck evening itself out.

And it’s this luck that would make me still want to use the Bench Boost in a Double Gameweek nine times out of ten to allow those four players to have two chances at getting points.

Ultimately though, I think it comes down to when you play your Wildcard. I opted for a single Gameweek bench boost because I didn’t know what kind of state my team would be in by the time the big Double Gameweeks came around, and as I mentioned before, it’s not often we have spare transfers just to fix the bench.

This is the change in my thinking following this Gameweek. My strategy for the Bench Boost will simply be to use it soon after I Wildcard, whether that’s close to Double Gameweeks, or in a single Gameweek. I think there’s even an argument to use it in Gameweek 1, although you have other worries then, like potentially not knowing all the preferred starting elevens.

If you’ve recently used your Wildcard then I would still strongly suggest using your Bench Boost sooner rather than later if your squad allows you the opportunity. You can’t account for injuries, loss of form, and team changes that might affect your squad in seven or more weeks time when the first big Double Gameweek comes around. You’ll likely need to spend transfers on your first eleven, without needing to worry about the bench.

Gameweek 29 looks ideal for that and was a Gameweek I had considered instead of 27.

745 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    What are y'all planning to do with Traore if he's benched again this gw?

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Say goodbye

  2. Mince n Tatties
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Great article Andy - 99 points for last week is a big win - nice one!

  3. bangers and M*A*S*H
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Best midfielder for 6.5 or less?

    Can't be from Liverpool, Leicester or Wolves.

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Mount

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

      McNeil

    3. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Probably Mount

    4. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Doucoure

    5. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Barnes

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

    team look gtg? Best captain this week?

    Pope
    TAA Boly Stephen's
    Mane Salah Barnes Mooy
    Ings DCL Jimi
    Henderson Fernandez Steven's KDB

    1. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Gtg, Mane.

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Salah(c) for me

    3. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Mane or Salah

  5. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    If you had to improve this team in 2 transfers, what moves would you do?

    Hendo Pope
    TAA Gomez Taylor Egan Basham
    Salah KDB Traore Cantwell Hayden
    Kun Jimenez Ings

    1 Ft 4.1 itb

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

      Kun to Vardy and Hayden to Barnes

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

    Great read Andy glad to see things finally turning around for you

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

      33 points from BB it is very, very good result Difficult to achieve even in DGW. I personally belive that getting over 20 poinst from BB can be classified as a sucess.

  7. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I have to say the 'Who's Andy?' banter on here this weekend was hilarious 🙂
    Well done Andy. In nine months congratulations on the birth of Dwight jnr.

  8. Gunners in Haaland
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Morning all!

    Ryan
    TAA VVD Lundstram* Lascelles
    Salah(c) Bruno Traore
    DCL Ings Jimenez

    Button Cantwell Williams KDB

    Waiting for Friday news but thinking of Lundstram -> Doherty...
    Any suggestions are highly appreciated! 1FT, 4.6ITB

  9. aapoman
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    How did Mount look yesterday? Thinking about bringing him in for Grealish

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

      Poor finishing and decision making but lively nonetheless

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Think he ll start at the weekend ?

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

          Very likely to

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Cheers.

    2. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      He didnt look at all convincing and I thought he was back on track after his Spurs performance. Bullied off the ball quite easily by Bayern players. Looked like a boy in a mans game TBH. But Bayern would be better than every team in the PL with the exception of 2.

  10. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Morning all, best option here with 2FT and 1.8m

    Ryan
    Taa Robbo Aurier Rico -- Lundy*
    Salah Martial Grealish* -- Kdb* Stephens
    Vardy Jimmy Ings

    A: Lundy >> Saiss/Lascelles and carry FT. Means playing 523
    B: Grealish >> Perez and carry FT. Means playing 442 and hope Rico starts
    C: A + B combined to guarantee a starting 11 but 2FT's in gw29 might be handy
    D: Somethign else i.e. Stephens/Lundy >> Cantwell/Lascelles or Grealish/Jimmy >> Bruno/Jota

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

    Nice score, Andy. Stick a flake in it.

  12. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Looking at the FA cup fixtures it looks likely that the only fixtures left for 31 will be

    Burnley Watford
    Norwich Everton
    Wolves Bournemouth

    And maybe

    Newcastle Aston villa

    FH not worth it surely ??

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      That’s what I expect.

      FH depends on whether or not Liverpool go through.

      Even if they don’t you could still get a decent FH out.

      Pope
      Digne Boly Doherty
      Richardlison Mcneil Doucourne...okay midfield is thin.
      DCL/Pukki/Jiminez

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I suppose the advantage of fh is not having to plan to get players you might not want in your team . Cheers

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Exactly that.

          Assuming Liverpool aren’t involved in 31, the only players I currently have involved would be, Taylor and Jiminez.

          I wouldn’t mind bringing in a Wolves defender, or DCL before 31, but other than that I wouldn’t want anyone else.

          If Liverpool go out my 31 team will look something like,

          Pope
          Taylor Boly Trent
          Salah Mane Zaha
          Jiminez DCL

          I can easily get this team by 31 with no hits. And I’m be happy going with 9 players and saving FH until a juicy double later on.

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            If pool goes out definitely not using fh. Thanks for input .

            1. HamezMace
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Same. And you’re welcome.

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

      Probably like that

      But 34 could be really skinny on doubles and you could be using FH to get extra games from just a few DGW players who you could get in on FTs once you decide there are SGW players you keep - perhaps not dissimilar to 31!

      31 - 6-7 SGW players
      34 - 4-5 DGW players (KdB 3 x Liverpool and done DGW already held)

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        My head hurts ...

  13. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Will Liverpool play the kids v Chelsea in the FA cup??

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Doubt it .league is wrapped up and a week before c1

    2. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Not kids.
      But expect Adrian, Lovren, Matic, Milner, Origi....maybe a couple of the outstanding youth options, Jones is it? Maybe Elliot.

  14. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Can’t believe Aubameyang’s price is about to rise...

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Music to my ears 🙂

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

    Is there a cut off point by which time this season needs to be completed ? If the Coronavirus starts effecting the PL like it is Serie A, I'm thinking that we could have a mega GW38 with teams having multiple fixtures making WC GW37, BB GW38 a tempting option. The alterative would be to play behind closed doors, which would be financialy crippling for PL teams.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Think that if Coronavirus is getting that bad I won't bother much about fantasy football :0

      Yes there is a cut off point especially with euros .

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

        It's a massive overreaction (especially by the press) if you ask me, the common flu is a much bigger threat to our health (even the press admits that). So life would continue as normally as the government allows for me, but I can see the situation where PL games are called off because there are a handful of cases in an area where a game is going to take place or where visiting fans are travelling from.

    2. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Wouldnt factor coronavirus into your chip and transfer plans

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

        I'm not planning to WC until GW33 at the earliest, so we should know a lot me by then.

    3. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Didn’t you hear, we’re out of Europe now. That means we’re free of all those nasty European diseases....well that’s what my MP said anyway.

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

        Now you are safe:) What beautiful move you made:)

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Exactly. Borders closed, no way that virus is getting past our coast guards.

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

            Yeah right, they are even testing pupils in my local schools now.

            1. HamezMace
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Yes I read that.

              I can see a scenario of postponed games, but too difficult to predict, or plan for.

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

        My PM is Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs I think he's more worried about the floods than the Coronavirus, hopefully yours works in the depend of Department of Health and Social Care !

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Actually, joking aside, it’s Angela Ledsum, so she’s got bigger problems, like finding a new job.

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

            gives her plenty of time to concentrate on your constituency. George Eustice appears to have gone to every flood hit area in UK, so I doubt he's been back to my constituency since the Storm Ciara hit.

            1. maffew85
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              *Waves from "up north" Truro*

  16. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    McCarthy
    TAA-VVD-Fernandez-Boly-Soyuncu
    Salah-Maddison-Cantwel
    Ings-Jimenez

    Button-Aubameyang-KDB-Grealish
    1ft and 0.0 itb

    save?

    1. Party time
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Strong bench for a benchboost 😉

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

          hahaha especially for gw28

      • Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Same bench than you and selling grealish .

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

          to whom?

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Barnes or mount .

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

              Not worth the move, think i'm keeping him...

              1. Ajax Hamsterdam
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 1 month ago

                Fixtures are not great after the blank I was going to keep but decided otherwise. Gl

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

                  I've decided to go form over fixtures this season... Good Luck mate

    2. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      What to do with Lunds? Get rid for who or save FT?
      1FTs & 2m itb

      Ryan
      TAA - Taylor - Soy - Cathcart*
      Salah - Martial - Mane
      Ings - DCL - Jimenez

      Subs: Button - Romeu - Kdb - Lunds

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

        Lund > Boly

    3. tbhogal
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Kun owners who are you Shipping him out for ?

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

        Jimi

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

      Reply fail..

      McCarthy
      TAA / Robbo / Lund
      Mo / KDB / Grealish / Fleck
      Ings / Vardy / Jiminez
      (Button / Williams / Tanganga / Doucoure)

      Grealish and Doucoure to
      Fernandes/Martial and Richarlison for a -4?

    5. XabiAlonso
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Try it next season you may get 4 points. Luck if you ask me

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

        Luck is a big part of this game.

    6. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Ryan
      TAA Stephens Robbo Soyuncu
      Martial Salah Traore
      Ings Jimenez Vardy
      Button-Holgate Dendo KDB* (2.2 1ft)

      Any moves worthwhile?
      A. Looks like a save.
      B. Replace Traore (up to 8m)
      C. Replace Ryan (despite decent fixture)
      D. Other.

      1. Gunners in Haaland
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Save for me

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

      Any big Brighton fans ?
      I would really like to know why Montoya has not been in the squad.
      Cannot find any info anywhere

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

      Morning all. Thoughts on where to use 2FT & 0.2m ITB. Rico, Cathcart, Foster and possibly Traore need to go?

      Foster
      Rico - TAA - Saiss - Soy
      Salah - Cantwell - Martial - Traore
      Vardy - Ings

      (McGovern) Cathcart - Auba - KDB

    9. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      BB is a certainty an over rated chip, in the early days I used to do the whole WC to set it up routine, but these days don't bother. In my personal experience most I've got is 18 points.
      I know tend to use it as a glorified All Out Attack chip to play a front 8 that's been selected for final day of season carnage. (1-2 defs usually AWOL by then.)

      Obviously each season is different - there can be seasons with great DGW budget options to free cash for viable BB bench- but I'd rather front load the first XI and leave very little money on the bench over a DGW.
      BB + DGW is something I've given up trying to master.

      1. HamezMace
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Can you see your BB history anywhere?

        From memory I’ve always done quite well with it, but maybe I’m being nostalgic

        Last year I had 14 DGWers and Camarasa at home to Cardiff, thought that went well.

        TC is the biggest gamble.

        I’ve had 75pts from Sanchez.
        And 3 from Kane.

        Mane this year was decent.

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Sorry, Salah this year*

    10. Jet5605
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Morning all, I can scrape 11 together but that includes Williams who may well not start for Utd. Which option looks best?

      Boly's fixture isn't great but is probably a better longer term option than Lascelles. Or is it time to ship Grealish before the blank and tough run?

      A Save and hope Williams starts
      B Grealish > Barnes
      C Lund > Lascelles
      D Lund > Boly

      Guaita
      TAA / Robbo / Williams / Webster
      Salah / Cantwell / Traore
      Vardy / Jimi / Ings

      Button / KDB / Grealish / Lund

    11. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      D

    12. Goat
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Can afford either Soyuncu or Pereira. Who would you rather?
      A) Soyuncu
      B) Pereira

      1. Gunners in Haaland
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        B

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

        B

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

      Need some advice here, 2 ft so got some options

      Ryan
      Taa Boly Soyuncu Lascelles
      Mane Salah Dendoncker
      Ings Vardy DCL

      button grealish kdb rico

      A. Grealish and Rico > Barnes and Taylor
      B. Grealish and Dendoncker > Barnes and Jorginho/Snodgrass
      C. Grealish and Rico > Jorginho and Alonso/perreira

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

      Is Pereira worth the extra 0.7 over Chilwell?

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

        Chilwell isnt motoring as well as earlier in the season. Got a right runaround against Mahrez.

    15. DALEDOBACK
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      McCarthy
      Stephens TAA Boly Lascelles
      Barnes Mane Salah
      Vardy Jiminez Ings

      Hendo Holgate Dendo KDB

      0FT
      GTG? Bench order right?