Pro Pundits

Why team and player motivation could be key in the final FPL Gameweeks

In his latest Pro Pundits column, former Fantasy Premier League champion Simon March highlights the motivating factors that might be driving our Fantasy assets in the season run-in.


We’re approaching that point in the season where we begin to consider which Premier League players are still motivated to perform and who is effectively ‘on the beach’. Conventional wisdom suggests that players in teams with ‘something to play for’ will be more motivated during the run-in and, we assume, motivated players will perform better, offering greater opportunity for Fantasy Premier League points.

It’s true that scientists have long discovered a positive relationship between proper motivation and improved performance across many settings ranging from sports, workplaces, health and so on. Working out what is ‘proper motivation’, and how it might affect players for the purposes of FPL is, however, a bit more complicated and, so, this article will look at the nature of motivation itself, and how this might help us identify effective FPL assets for the final Gameweeks of 2019/20.

Motivation

Why is motivation so important at the end of the season? It has to do with a phenomenon known as the (snappily-titled) ‘Goal Gradient Hypothesis’ which essentially states that a goal or incentive becomes more motivating the closer we get to it. Hence why, for example, the final 100 metres of a marathon is often considered the easiest or it’s typically easier to stick to a diet the closer you get to that beach holiday. The reverse is also true, of course; the further you are from the goal, the less motivational power that it offers.

For this discussion, we’re going to focus on two categories of motivational goals; team goals and player goals.

Team goals

End of Liverpool's unbeaten run may have consequences for FPL season run-in

Team incentives may include battling for titles, avoiding relegation or securing European places but how teams respond to these incentives may vary considerably.

It’s probably not too early to state that there is only really one team left chasing the Premier League title this season and that is, of course, Liverpool. Surely there is no greater incentive out there other than to win the Premier League and, with that in mind, we can expect Liverpool to keep pushing themselves, at least until the title is mathematically secure.

We’ve seen in the past, however, that, as teams get closer to the title, they often begin to perform much more conservatively, focusing on securing wins above all else.

In Manchester City’s final ten games of last season, for example, they delivered four 1-0 and three 2-0 scorelines. This was in sharp contrast to the rest of the season where City were regularly seen to score three or more goals per game. We’ve seen similar patterns with other title-winning teams over the years.

Why might this shift occur? Well, it could relate to how we approach risk depending on our circumstances. When we are ahead, we tend to be risk-averse as we fear losing what we have. When we are behind, we are risk-inviting, we think ‘what the heck…’ and take wild punts as we have nothing to lose by doing so. As Fantasy managers, we can probably relate to this state of mind quite easily.

So the first thing to consider when it comes to motivation is how it may manifest itself. Liverpool are probably more motivated than any team in the league this season but, until they secure the league, they are likely to be more motivated not to lose the league than to win it in style. This means there’s a good chance that, while Liverpool are unlikely to stop scoring goals, it could be their defensive rather than attacking assets who offer the best value for the run-in.

Relegation Battlers

At the other end of the table, we have the teams in the relegation dogfight which, at present, looks to include Norwich City, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Watford, West Ham United, Brighton & Hove Albion and potentially a couple more.

While every team will play to their relative strengths, relegation battlers often embody the ‘what the heck’ ethos. They have nothing to lose so they may as well attack, in particular those at the very bottom of the league.

There’s every chance, therefore, that once-popular attacking assets such as Norwich’s Teemu Pukki (£6.5m), Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish (£6.6m) and (dare I say it) Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson (£7.4m) might offer themselves as a renaissance of attacking options. Of course, just because somebody is motivated to score doesn’t mean that they’re capable of doing so, but we can say that their odds are likely to improve at least.

European Chasers

Teams chasing European positions which, right now, might realistically apply to any team in the top half of the table, are likely to offer a combination of the above. As the season progresses, those already in European positions are likely to play more conservatively whereas those chasing them become ever more likely to ‘go for it’.

That said, it’s particularly important when considering the top teams to consider competing motivations. Unless there’s an unlikely capitulation on behalf of Liverpool, it’s fair to assume that, at some point, Manchester City will begin to prioritise the UEFA Champions League (assuming they progress). The same could be true of Liverpool once they’ve wrapped the title up and, should they fall away in the top four race, Manchester United may well start to prioritise the UEFA Europa League as their best route back into the Champions League.

So, when assessing motivation at a team level, it’s important to remember that incentives can be hierarchical in nature. These competing motivations may well, if they take precedence, negatively impact performances in the league.

Teams on the Beach

The teams who occupy the mid-league positions come the season run-in, who are unlikely to be relegated or to realistically secure a European place, are often said to be ‘on the beach’; their performances imply that they are, mentally at least, already on holiday. 

This makes sense; there’s nothing motivating about having nothing to play for and, in theory at least, it also makes sense to avoid these teams and their players. In practice, however, there are almost always one or two standout performers among these teams in the final Gameweeks.

Why might this be? Well, in part because, sometimes, relieving pressure is as effective as goal-based motivation, in the short term at least. Players play with a freedom that they don’t normally have, they are ‘intrinsically motivated’, playing for the pure joy of playing and this is reflected in their performances. Or, alternatively, they have a personal goal, which is what will be discussed next.

Player Goals

Alongside team goals, individual players often have their own reasons to feel motivated during the season run-in. They might, for example, be chasing the Golden Boot and we’ve seen in the past the likes of Spurs’ Harry Kane going ‘Super Sayan’ in the final few Gameweeks in order to secure this.

If they’re not already in your thinking, Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m), Leicester’s Jamie Vardy (£9.8m), Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero (£11.9m), Southampton’s Danny Ings (£7.2) and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (£12.8m), all of whom are in the running for this year’s Golden Boot, will have even more reason than normal to want to score heavily in the final few Gameweeks.

Teammates sometimes even facilitate this goal pursuit, temporarily offering penalty duties to such players, so stocking your FPL teams with Golden Boot chasers, and captaining them, can pay off enormously.

Another individual reason for a player to up their game in the final matches of the season, and one that is particularly significant this year, is to win an international call-up. With Euro 2020 on the horizon, players on the periphery of their international squad may well put in an extra effort to impress their international manager.

Taking England as an example, this could well apply to the likes of Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.4m), Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish (again), Leicester’s James Maddison (£7.5m) and almost every English Chelsea player, among many others. Again, backing these types of players could well pay off as we get to the business end of the season.

Finally, there are those players who might be looking for a move or to sign a new contract. Wilfried Zaha (£6.8m) has long been rumoured to want out of Crystal Palace but, as yet, nobody has appeared willing to meet their transfer valuation. Chelsea’s Willian (£7.0m) is out of contract in the summer but is, supposedly, keen to stay in west London and, yet again, Jack Grealish, while unlikely to demand a move away from his beloved Aston Villa, is surely too good for the Championship should Villa get relegated. Again, these players are ones to keep an eye on.

Summary

The right motivation can have a profound and transformative impact on a player’s performance and, because the power of motivation typically increases the closer a person gets to their goal, this is the part of the season where this will really come into play and where factoring motivation into your FPL decisions can offer big advantages.

Identifying a player’s motivations and how these might influence their performances in FPL terms can be quite tricky as they often compete and do not always follow a logical path, but the key principle is to look for teams, and players, who have something to play for, be it collectively, individually or, ideally, both.

Often, the sorts of players who explode in this part of the season will be the ones who have flown under the radar to date or gone out of fashion and, thus, offer huge differential potential if they can be identified. There’s certainly a skill to doing that but, as legendary investor Charlie Munger once said, “If you want to predict how somebody will behave, first look at their incentives” – and that’s certainly a good a place to start.


Simon March is a member of our Pro Pundits initiative, a team of Fantasy managers here to bring you regular advice and updates on their teams. Simon won the FPL title in 2014/15 and has become a fixture on the punditry circuit ever since.


967 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Atters
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Start Pope or Mccarthy? Spurs and Newcastle both look void of any goal threat

    1. faux_C
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      I have the same problem. Think I'm going to flip a coin.

    2. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      McCarthy

    3. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Spurs have scored 6 in last 3 league games. Play McCarthy.

    4. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      I'm going McCarthy, I expect both to concede though

    5. MOTHRA
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Never underestimate the power of the Pope

  2. Budweiser
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    How's my WC?

    Pope (Button)
    TAA Gomez Ota (C. Taylor Saiss)
    Salah KDB Pepe Saka (Sarr)
    Jimi Jota Auba

    0.1 ITB
    BB & FH remaining

    Transferring Pepe to Bergwijn in 31 leaves me with 10 playing before moving to Fernandes

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Have you used BB?

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Sorry saw that you haven't, not want a second playing keeper? Gonna be annoying to get one in.

        1. Budweiser
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          Thanks yeah that will happen once I downgrade Pepe. Thanks

    2. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Would want a playing keeper. Besides that looks good

      Not sure about Ota. Fernandinho and Stones could be the pairing a lot

      1. Budweiser
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Oh God you've planted a seed of doubt about Ota haha thanks

      2. MOTHRA
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        I wouldn’t go anywhere near Stones after last week.

  3. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    I can't decide if Dendo > Sarr (-4) is worth it, if he's gonna be first on my bench.

    The thing that's making me consider it, is that Dendo is currently wasting a Wolves spot for GW31. I currently have 3.2ITB, which means I could upgrade Rico > Doherty for free next week.

    1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Not for -4

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      No, not if you aren't even gonna play

      1. Maddi Son
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Even considering the long term move? (Opening up a better Wolves spot)

        I suppose the question is; Will Doherty(-4) outscore Dendo in GW30 & GW31? That's what's making me consider it more than anything. Toughie.

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          Do you need to play Dendocker in 30? If not who will play instead?

    3. FPLord
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      I got Sarr for -4 now, as I would have taken a hit anyway come GW31. I play him this week as well though. If you bench him, then I'd wait.

    4. Budweiser
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      What if Sarr gets sent off or injured? A hit for the bench makes little sense. Asking for trouble

  4. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Henderson / McCarthy
    TAA* VVD* Boly* Taylor* Lascelles
    Salah* Richarlison KDB Grealish Hayden
    Auba Jimenez* Ings

    GW29 - Grealish to Sarr
    GW30 - Ings to Jota
    GW31 Henderson to Pope

    Gives me 8 players for GW31

  5. I Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Ings and Vardy are going to punish me aren't they?

    1. faux_C
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Maybe Ings, but not Vardy.

      1. FPLord
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Maybe Vardy, but not Ings

        1. Saka Rice
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          Ings butt Vardy, maybe not

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      As an owner or non-owner? 😛

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Valid question

  6. Marty McFly
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    For gw31, would you be happy with 8 players + Dendonker + Rico if it meant saving your FH?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Yes

    2. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      I think FH for 11 DGWers in 34 has a higher upside, than 3 SGWers given the 31 fixtures/teams involved.

    3. ThisTimeNxtYrRodney
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      I will have only 6 and Rico. It means getting captain correct, essential.

  7. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    People playing WC this GW with the view of BB in DGW37 will have to do some shrewd planning with loads of uncertainty to deal with.

    I have toyed with the idea of WC this week but discarded it completely now.

    1. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      I'm playing WC now and don't have a BB anymore. The plan is to FH in 34 and make transfers to prepare for 37.

    2. Budweiser
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Depends when they announce new fixtures. Hopefully they will give us more notice than they did this week! I'm sitting at 300k so need to take a risk

    3. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Hopefully the steady points gain over eight weeks will far outweigh the benefit of having 2/3 extra players in one week for me

      1. Rolls-Royce
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Yeah, definitely depends on the team. Only strategy which looks best is- playing your own game.

    4. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Problem is you need to get the cheap bench players correct very early, as you don't want to use transfers on them. Also don't think it's possible to have 3/4 players from ManC/Arsenal and then get a good 31 team if not using FH. Prefer FH in 34 or 37.

      1. Jullepuu
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        I have 3 from City/Arsenal with a possibility for a fourth one. I also have 11 players for gw 31

        1. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          Full team?

          1. Jullepuu
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 25 days ago

            Not completely settled but:

            McCarthy Pope
            TAA Gomez Doc Taylor Cathcart
            Salah KDB Bergwin Saka Sarr
            Auba Jimenez Jota

            0.7 in the bank. Bergwin and Cathcart could easily change

    5. Jullepuu
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      There is also a possibility that gw 34 is close to a regular gw. That would make gw 37 nice for a free hit

      1. Rolls-Royce
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        It does make sense if you don't have BB.

        1. Jullepuu
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          Hmm I do have the bb also. Not sure which one is better to use in a single game week

          1. Rolls-Royce
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 25 days ago

            15 players x2 is exciting and has worked really well in the past.

            1. Jullepuu
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 25 days ago

              I don't have a wildcard so hopefully I can build to that with free transfers to make the bb in gw 37 awesome

    6. I Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Same. Was very tempted by the idea but too many moving parts. Also Liverpool losing made it much less appealing as one of the advantages was GW31 prep but it's easy enough to do that with transfers now.

    7. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      FH in 31 and WCing a load of GW31 blankers now (including a load on Man C and Arsenal players) should help a lot with GW37, and give you a better team for the weeks surrounding GW31.

      1. Rolls-Royce
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Most team would have little to play by them, some teams might be fighting for their survival. Then there would be form issue, injury etc to plan for. Too much headache imo.

      2. MOTHRA
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        ^ I quite like that logic

  8. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Doubling up on Wolves or Burnley defence too excessive?

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Double Burnley may be ok with Pope/Taylor using taylor as your bench fodder. Not sure on Wolves double up, I think my preferred 3 would be Jota Jime Doherty

  9. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    How does this team look for this gw? Have all chips intact but still no concrete chip strategy. Any suggestions folks?

    McCarthy
    Taa Doherty Stevens
    Salah kdb Bruno grealish
    Auba Jimmy ings

    Button soy Taylor dendo

    1. Holding Matip
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      TC 29, FH 31, build for DGW34, WC 35/36, BB 37

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Thanks! Think Auba this gw is a better TC option over someone in dgw 34?

  10. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 25 days ago

    Your help is needed on this please

    What changes would you make to this team for GW29 apart from Ings > Aubameyang

    McCarthy

    TAA Lascelles Dunk Stephens Lascelles

    Salah Mooy Traore KDB Barnes

    Calvert-Lewin Vardy Aubameyang*

    0FT 0ITB FH, TC, BB still intact

    Any ideas would be welcomed and appreciated

    1. Holding Matip
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      I would do Vardy to Auba personally, maybe remove Traore/Dunk?

    2. adams_6
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 25 days ago

      I'm not sure on the virtues of two Lascelles, but moving to Auba looks good

  11. Pinturicchio10
      4 years, 25 days ago

      Repost..
      Patricio
      TAA / Boly / Baldock
      Salah / Mane / Perez / JWP
      Ings / Aubameyang / Jimenez

      Button / Cantwell / Digne / Rico.

      Hmm. Think I'll avoid city and hope De Bruyne misses one dgw fixture and I stead build towards bgw31 with fts. Then begin building for dgw37 and use FH in 34. Haven't put much thought into it as yet but seems to make sense. Thoughts?

      WC / TC used. 1ft. 0.4itb.
      Thanks.

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Shifting Mane could see you updrade your team.

        Not keen on the Salah Mane double up. Creates unbalance.

        I am on FH34 and BB37 at this point.

        1. Pinturicchio10
            4 years, 24 days ago

            Thanks FF. I tend to agree but not sure if this is the week to do that. After 31 perhaps...

      2. antis0cial
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Rich Vardy to Sarr Auba for free? leaves .9itb Not FH 31 so building towards that, will be fielding 10 if all goes to plan.

        1. Pep's Money Laundry
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          I'm doing those moves for a hit so for free its even better

          1. antis0cial
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 25 days ago

            Great thanks, I was all set on keeping Rich but now they blank in 31 I've had to rethink

      3. WrightnBright
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Took a big points hit for this, playing bench boost to hopefully reduce it somewhat! Just fancy having some fun with his now with some exciting options as rank is so poor!

        Henderson
        TAA Doherty Alonso
        Salah Fernandes KDB Saka
        Aubameyang Jota Jiménez

        BB: McCarthy Stephens Lascalles Doucoure

        1. antis0cial
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          I really don't like that BB, Southampton have only kept about 2 cs at home this season. Guess you're hoping for a 0-0!

        2. HashAttack
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          How big? - I am on back to back -16s ... made +3 last week

          McC
          TAA, Pereira, Boly, Alonso
          Salah, Bruno, Mane
          Auba, Jota, Jimenez

          1. WrightnBright
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 25 days ago

            Yep -16

        3. HashAttack
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          Wouldn't BB that lot

        4. WrightnBright
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          Hmm, so you think suck up the hits Rather than try and claw it back?

          1. HashAttack
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 25 days ago

            Newcastle have a horrible habit of scoring when you don't want them to - plus will be buzzing after progressing in the cup
            If Ings scores then it's double punishment with Lascelles
            Can't be certain that Alonso will start .. and KDB possibly doubtful

            I have all 4 chips so it is temping (Pope, Sarr, Stephens, Gilmour) but still think it is better for another day

      4. Gazza2000
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Captain Kun ?

        or use my FT and bring in Auba and captain him ?

        1. antis0cial
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          Auba is safer choice but Kun could still outscore him, depends how many minutes you think Kun gets.

      5. Greek Freak
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        I've just realised that after my planned transfers this GW I'll have 8 GW31 players in my team already - and I really wanted to free hit then. Is there a chance for an extra small double in addition to the GW34 and 37?

      6. The Train Driver
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Schmeichel > Leno or save FT for gw30?

        1. Jullepuu
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          Save

        2. antis0cial
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          Save

      7. Holding Matip
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        From: @PlanetFPLPod

        When Ben (Crellin) sent this tweet about GW34 having NO Doubles I found it a very unlikely scenario. Having looked in detail at permutations following the FA Cup draw I believe now it's actually logical & possible that every GW31 postponement moves to GW37.

        1. La Vida Latte
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          That makes all the planning so hard! When will I use the FH?

        2. BNMC
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          If that's true, I'll probably FH in 37.

        3. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          Huge for 37 freehitters.

          1. Silecro
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 25 days ago

            dont forget us 36 WC-ers 😀

            1. Pukki Party
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 25 days ago

              Have WC too, if 34 is boring maybe i'll just save FH for 38

        4. Rolls-Royce
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          Which means load up on your Villas and SHUs for GW34. Yikes.

          1. BNMC
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 25 days ago

            The Second Coming of the Lord

        5. Pep's Money Laundry
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          This is most logical move, GW34 fixtures remain the same but just moved to midweek

        6. Jullepuu
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          If they all move to gw 37 wouldn't that make free hitting in gw 37 really good? Then the bb could just be used in a single game week when your bench has nice fixtures

          1. Dr Dream
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 25 days ago

            Nope. The opposite. So many teams would have a DGW that the FH would be all but meaningless. Everybody will have shed loads of DGW picks...even those playing no chip at all.

            1. Jullepuu
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 25 days ago

              So that would mean that you don't need a wildcard to get the 15x2 bb easily in gw 37?

        7. pablo discobar
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          Either way it confirms

          GW34 Freehit
          GW36 Wildcard
          GW37 Benchboost for me

          Have 8 already for GW 31

          1. Jullepuu
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 25 days ago

            Why free hit in gw34 if it's just a regular game week?

        8. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          I hope this is correct, but whilst it is possible, I am not sure why it is logical. They haven't done this sort of thing any other year, so not sure why this year will be different.

        9. I Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          So FH or BB in a SGW then?

        10. Fpl Richie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 24 days ago

          In which case its fh31 and wc to build a bb37 here

      8. La Vida Latte
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Will Sarr & Doherty score 4 points more than Stephens & Traore this week?

        1. Greek Freak
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          I think they're definitely a better option long-term so I'd take the hit. Of course just this week in isolation anything can happen, but long-term as I said I would.

          1. La Vida Latte
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 25 days ago

            Thanks! Yeah, I need to take a hit somewhere in the next few weeks to field eleven in 31. So this week may be the best time to do it.

          2. FPLord
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 25 days ago

            +1

        2. antis0cial
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          I'd guess yes

          1. La Vida Latte
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 25 days ago

            Thanks!

      9. UnitednationsXI
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Morning dzz, Thoughts on this with 1FT and 0.2m

        Ryan
        Taa Robbo Aurier -- Boly Rico
        Salah Kdb Martial Perez -- Stephens
        Vardy Ings Jimmy

        A: Vardy + Martial >> Auba + Sarr (-4)
        B: Vardy + Martial + Ryan >> Auba + Sarr + gw31 (-8)...the keeper is essentially a 2 point hit
        C: Vardy + Perez >> Auba + Saka (-4)

      10. kamdaraji
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Traore and Ings to Sarr and Jota worth it for a -4? Already have Jimenez

        1. DavidFPL
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          depends what you are doing on 31, Jota and Sarr play so could be worth till you wildcard.

          1. kamdaraji
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 25 days ago

            If I do these moves it will give me seven players for BGW31 so I can use other 2 ft to field 9 players in BGW31 or take a -8 to field 11

      11. DavidFPL
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Who to bench Grealish vs Leicster or Pereira vs Villa

        1. FPLord
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          tough call. I'd play Pereira just, as I feel that Villa could suffer a cup hangover...

          1. kamdaraji
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 25 days ago

            Grealish

      12. pablo discobar
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Is Barnes to Foden a good move for the DGW? Looks like foden will start according to pep. Passed the eye test in the cup final

        1. Jullepuu
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          That is a very luxurious move and Barnes vs Villa is good

        2. Rolls-Royce
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          Barnes can easily outscore Foden with a game less.

      13. evilfish
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        How likely is Ings to start? Really don't know whether to swap for Jota or leave till next week.

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          See scout tweets - sounds like he is starting.

          1. evilfish
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 25 days ago

            Thanks

      14. One Wheels Enough
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Going round in circles here... Got 2FT's and 3M+ ITB

        Don't want to burn one and don't really want to go Firm to Aub with him due a haul and having good fixtures and playing 31 (don't want to waste a FH that week).

        Shall I use one tranny to get a DGW player this week or pop someone in who's got a game in 31??? Can get 10 playing in 31 with FT's

        Hendo/McA
        TAA, Bert, Doh, Tang, Fern
        Salah, KDB, Zaha, Barnes, Fleck
        Firm, Ings, Jimi

      15. SH@KTIMAAN
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        How about this for a -8?
        Ings, Traore, Soyuncu -> Nketiah, Mahrez, Doherty

        1. Rolls-Royce
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          Nah. Maybe wait on Traore news.

          1. SH@KTIMAAN
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 25 days ago

            Thanks

      16. drughi
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        I have no clue on what to do

        1. Rolls-Royce
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          I personally find all these planning really fun. 🙂

        2. Gazza2000
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          Got the same problem 🙄

        3. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          lol, same.

        4. Wag the Drog
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          I'm just going to plan for 31

        5. La Vida Latte
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          I have too many clues. My head explodes.

      17. Sarriball Time
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Who should I captain between:

        A). Salah
        B). Aubameyang

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          B

        2. antis0cial
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          B

      18. abaalan
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        A. Ryan + Rico + Cantwell -> Leno + Reece James + saka. -4
        B. Ryan + Rico + traore -> Leno + Alonso + saka. -4
        C. Some combination of above?

        FH in 31

        1. antis0cial
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          Not sure on taking a -4 to get Leno, 2 games but one is vs City! Rico Traore to Doherty Saka work?

      19. YoungPretender
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Those with FH, WC & BB, what's your current strategy?

        1. Digital-Real
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          really tempted to WC this Gameweek whilst the ownership on some form players is low.

        2. Pep Pig
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          Navigate BGW31 with 8 players (9 for a hit)
          WC GW32/32
          FH DGW34
          BB DGW 37

          1. Jinswick
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 25 days ago

            Any concern there is 5 GWs between WC and when you BB? So much can change in that period (form, injuries, motivation etc.)

            1. Pep Pig
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 25 days ago

              Meant WC 32/33. It could well be I don't need to WC until GW36 for the BB in 37. Will wait and see what we know by GW32 though mate

          2. Rolls-Royce
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 25 days ago

            Interesting- Why WC in GW32 and not before DGW37?

            1. Pep Pig
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 25 days ago

              I think I would WC in GW36 looking at my team mate as it would be set fairly well for GW33.
              GW32 doesn't yell "huge" as City play Liverpool.

              The WC in GW32/33 was if I BB'd in GW34 but I won't be doing that

        3. Jullepuu
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          Wildcard now and then FH and BB in game weeks 34 and 37 depending on how they turn out to be

        4. Pep Pig
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          I liked the Hot Topic earlier so you should take a look. There is no right way of doing things, it all depends on your team and of course any competitive mini leagues and OR

        5. Mr. O'Connell
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          hits to get dgw in for this week
          hits to field a decent 31 team
          WC 32 or 33
          Free Hit 37
          Forget bench boost exists

        6. Respons#1
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          FH this week, scramble through 31 with 10 (for free) or 11(-4) players, use 3 FT to build team for 34, WC in 36, BB in 37

      20. BNMC
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 25 days ago

        Would Mourinho drop Aurier?
        Finding the perfect set of defenders for the DGW is killing me...

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 25 days ago

          Looks their most likely player to score goals at the moment, shockingly.