Pro Pundits - Lateriser

My FPL tips on team value, Wildcarding and more for Gameweek 31+ and beyond

In his latest Pro Pundits article, Lateriser12 – who has overall ranks of 77th and 189th to his name  shares his thoughts on the Fantasy landscape ahead of the run-in.


Games are coming thick and fast and there is no time to breathe in terms of processing information and building a strategy. This is when isolated thinking, acquiring information, eye-test and quick thinking comes into play.

My advice to every FPL manager out there would be don’t indulge in too much tinkering. Instead, process as much information as you can and the answers will come to you easier. If I ever have a “this or that” question in my head, I normally tend to re-watch the highlights of the same game and look at some stats in the Members Area and the answer is there in front of me.

I am desperately trying to not overthink the coming eight Gameweeks, which does become a little difficult when you’re just outside the top 500. But nothing needs to change in terms of my strategy and I just need to keep doing what I am doing and we will see where I land in Gameweek 38+.

I have been thinking long and hard on what to write.

I could take you guys through my Wildcard team but I’m still tinkering and most of my thoughts are on the Scoutcast I just did with Joe and Andy. Give it a listen.

I thought of giving you guys differentials to consider but Tom has a great track record doing those and we’ve covered a fair bit of them on the Scoutcast as well.

With eight Gameweeks to go, I’m just going to freestyle this article and talk about a few strategy-focused things that have been playing on my mind and that you might find useful. I did speak about a few of these on the Scoutcast but I think you might find it useful if I elaborate further.

1) What am I doing with Manchester City?

De Bruyne out of Manchester derby as Aguero starts City's Double Gameweek 29 opener

I am writing this article before the Manchester City v Burnley game but as it stands, I have no Manchester City player in my Wildcard draft. The reasoning is quite simple for me: I expect major rotation for them in the next two Gameweeks and I don’t think the games will be easy.

They have the FA Cup (Pep mentioned that it was their most important game apart from the UEFA Champions League game against Real Madrid) just three days after the Chelsea game and I think it is near-impossible to predict who will get the majority share of minutes in these three games.

You could say that they will play their strongest team against Liverpool, which doesn’t sound like a very attractive prospect. Holding Kevin De Bruyne (£10.6m) is a very reasonable move if you have value attached to him but I’ve sold him four times this season already and I’m looking elsewhere for the next Gameweek to hunt for hauls.

You should know that this is generally how I play FPL in general, though, as I’m very comfortable switching big hitters in the search of double-digit hauls from premium assets and I don’t indulge in ‘cover picks’ as much as others.

The two players from Manchester City that I did consider on my wildcard are Ederson (£6.0m) and Phil Foden (£5.1m). Here’s why.

Manchester City have great fixtures after these two Gameweeks, they looked the fittest and most solid team so far and I expect Ederson to keep a ton of clean sheets until Gameweek 38+.

When it comes to Foden, I expect him to get a lot of minutes and I think he’s a really good option for your eighth attacker. What I would do with Foden is that if he is rested for a particular game, I would probably start him in my FPL team in the next game as we expect Pep to rotate and Foden’s upside is very high.

In fact, this is exactly what I intend on doing with Manchester City assets. Since I am expecting them to be heavily rotated, I will try second-guessing Pep and get the Manchester City attacker for a particular run or even a single fixture (they have a lot of ‘captainable’ fixtures Gameweek 33+ onwards).

As things stand, I am looking to add one or two City attackers in my team from Gameweek 33+ onwards and I am being careful to not spread my funds too much with my Wildcard squad so as to afford them in two or three moves.

2) What are my thoughts on the Spurs attackers?

What the FA Cup replay results mean for the Blank Gameweek 31 picture

I have seen a lot of the community struggle with what to do when it comes to the Spurs assets. I would first like to bring your attention to this excellent piece written by Neale.

When I read this article, I had made up my mind that Son Heung-min (£9.7m) was going to be my go-to asset for the Spurs run-in.

My view of the Spurs attackers are that all the midfielders are correctly priced and you will get what you pay for. I personally would not consider Steven Bergwijn (£7.4m) as I think he is more prone to rotation than Son or Dele Alli (£8.3m). This quote from Jose Mourinho after the first game for Spurs led to this thinking:

We played with Bergwijn, Lamela, Kane and Son, and our bench was very strong in defensive options. We had Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen on the bench but we didn’t have Lucas or Dele or Lamela or Bergwijn. Imagine Bergwijn on the bench and Lucas playing and coming out minute 60-65 and Bergwijn coming for the last period, I can imagine the impact that we could have. So a bit of frustration but at the same time really happy with the players.

This makes me think that Son and Alli are less prone to rotation compared to Bergwijn.

Another thing I’d like to mention is that Spurs are third on the defensive ticker when sorted until Gameweek 38+ and, as mentioned by Mourinho in the press conference on Monday, Serge Aurier’s (£4.9m) competitors for that spot are injured which makes him a good pick in my books:

The only position where we don’t have [competition] is right-back because we have only Serge [Aurier] and nobody else. The other options, Tanganga and Foyth, they are both out.

3) But what about value?

Alexander-Arnold's consistency continues as Firmino unlucky to blank

I just didn’t think I could write an article at this point of time without addressing the value question.

Personally, I don’t attach too much importance to value as I always like shifting big hitters.

But even for the more traditional managers, you have accumulated value until this point of the season so that you can use it.

I would not worry about value too much with just eight Gameweeks to go. If you find a higher upside pick that has the potential to bring home a double-digit haul and the only reason you are not selling that player is value, you are playing this game wrong. I assure you that you will be able to buy that player later and if it means paying £0.5m more, so be it.

4) Don’t be afraid to chase hauls

I would also encourage all managers to use this unique situation that we are in to go haul-hunting.

All the transfers you make right now should be more focused towards chasing bigger hauls rather than making ‘balance-friendly’ moves that might not have a huge points impact.

We aren’t going to get very many opportunities this season to get the likes of a differential Richarlison (£8.3m) against a leaky Norwich defence.

While earlier in the season, you might think that you are going to be stuck with a transfer for a long time, as the Gameweeks keep passing us, you are only going to hold players for a shorter and shorter time period. That should help you increase your risk appetite.

5) I am looking at structure and price points

Is it time to invest in Arsenal assets after Gameweek 28? 9

While I’m on my Wildcard, I’m thinking about whether I want to go ahead with a 3-4-3 formation or a 3-5-2. I normally play a 3-4-3 but in this case I am considering switching to a 3-5-2 because I see more options in midfield than I do in the strike force.

I am also making sure all my money is spent on the pitch and not on the bench because I will want to bring in Manchester City assets in the near future and I want to keep those funds condensed into my attackers. That said, I do like fifth midfielders like Bukayo Saka (£4.7m) and Phil Foden (£5.1m) more than I like the budget strikers.

6) Short-term punts?

If you are interested in short-term gambles, there are a few I like depending on your team structure. I will mention four that I really like here:

  • Matt Ritchie (£5.3m)
  • Richarlison (£8.3m)
  • Ismaila Sarr (£6.4m) and Abdoulaye Doucoure (£5.6m)

7) Why am I Wildcarding so early?

Many are not confident about Wildcarding so early into Project Restart because of the lack of enough information. While I see value in that point of view, I also think that we only have eight Gameweeks to play.

Being pro-active is the way I like playing the game and while you might argue that your team is ‘good enough’ for the week, my counter to you would be ‘why not go for ideal instead of good enough?’. 

Like I mentioned earlier, there are very few hauls left for the taking and I want to try being there for as many as possible. In addition, I don’t see the eco-system changing too much between Gameweek 31+ and Gameweek 33+ (famous last words).

On that note, I will take your leave. I will leave you with my latest Wildcard tinker but I cannot assure you that it will be my final team (I still have to watch Manchester City v Burnley):

I hope you will find my slightly unstructured article useful. Good luck for the Gameweek!


Fantasy Football Scout user Lateriser12 has a very impressive Fantasy CV. He has registered two finishes in the top 200 (one of them equating to number one in India) and four in the top 10,000 in the last six seasons. The secret to his success has been playing non-conventionally and fearlessly, swearing by ‘upside chasing’ and not giving ownership much of a look.

Double Gameweek 30+ FPL Lessons Learned

875 Comments Post a Comment
  1. gamesmad11
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I'm saving my free hit for gw38 just in case there's widespread early team leaks, anyone else thinking the same?

    1. JelliedSpark968
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      the ultimate "go big or go home"

    2. Rover
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yup, and also the knowledge of which teams have something to play for. Accordingly you cold either target the MUN-LEI, CHE-WOL games or avoid them.

  2. dee_top
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Guys, any changes I need in my WC team:
    Pope
    Maguire TAA Doherty
    Bruno Son KDB Martial
    Calvert Jimenez Vardy
    Subs: Martin-Saka-Lasceles-Taylor

    2m INB

    1. gamesmad11
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      G2G imo

    2. JabariParkersEyelid
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Swap Taylor for someone else cheap as you have Pope. Kabasele maybe?

      Looks good though.

  3. RVP20
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any changes to make to this FH team?

    De Gea
    Aurier - TAA - Doherty
    Mane - Son - Fernandes - Barnes
    DCL - Jimenez - Rashford
    (Button - Femenia - Guendouzi - Simpson)
    0.5itb

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Looks good though could you not make your bench cheaper with a 3.9m over Femenia? Could that allow you to upgrade Barnes to anyone else or do you simply want Barnes for Leicester cover?

  4. I Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) Foster, Saiss, Jota
    B) Patricio, Kiko Femenia, DCL

    1. JelliedSpark968
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A, but DCL over Jota

      1. Hairy Potter
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        This

      2. I Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Can't afford.

  5. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Grealish > Bergwijn for - 8 or just step away from the screen now lol

    1. Totalfootball
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Step away

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not for a -4.

    3. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      thats chaps.

  6. Rover
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Nyland (Leno)
    Doherty Lascelles ????? (PvA Egan)
    KdB Son Alli Bruno Martial
    Vardy Jimenez (McBurnie)

    With the above squad and a plan to WC in 33 or 34 what would you do with the 3rd defender option?

    A) Just play Lundstram
    B) Get Ritchie (-4)
    C) Get Aurier (-4)
    D) Get AWB (-4)

    1. Nando7
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Aurier or Mags... ive gone for aurier

  7. tokara
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Do we think Salah will play all the way to the end gw38?

    For golden boot i hope

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yep 😉

    2. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      60-70min per game imo

  8. Patron
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    How bout this?

    DDG, 3.9
    Doh, Lascelles, TAA, Taylor, 3.9
    Richa, Salah (c), Son (vc), Martial, Bruno
    DCL, Jimenez, Nketiah

    Cheers!

    1. Patron
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No Lei players feels weird..

      1. JabariParkersEyelid
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Don't think it's needed tbh.

        1. Patron
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Thanks, how u feel about not owning KDB?

    2. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No, its good to go. Leic are off the boil. Hard to pick who will perform in their 11.

      1. Patron
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks! I was thinking Barnes or this 4.7 defender.

  9. Hairy Potter
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on this FH team?

    DDG
    TAA, Doherty, VVD
    Salah, Son, Bruno, Richarlison
    Rashford, Jimenez, DCL

    Button, Lascelles, Dendoncker, 3.9

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Heaviest I've seen at the back but it's a very good side.

  10. LLoris
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Best GK for a WC team (5.1 or under only)

    1. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Dubravka?

    2. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Pope

  11. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Rui Patricio or De Gea? (have Doherty)

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Would go DDH then as you may want two Wolves mids.attackers going foward

  12. Nando7
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    De Gea

    VVD Doherty Aurier Ritchie

    Son Fernandes Traore

    DCL Rashford Jiminez

    Bench:Martinez KDB :/ Saka Robinson

    Cant help but feel guilty for KDB on bench but other player fixtures seem better for this gw

    Thoughts ??

  13. The Count of Monte Cristo
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    2.1m left to upgrade this WC team - GK's and one of Saka/Greenwood?

    Martinez -- Button
    TAA -- Doherty -- Lascelles -- Holgate -- Robinson
    Mané -- KDB -- Fernandes -- Son -- Saka
    Jimenez (c) -- DCL -- Greenwood

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Weak GK

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Really like Foden - feel sure he’ll get plenty of game time.

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I'm tempted to wait until after Chelsea and Liverpool matches as I don't see him playing more than 100 mins across the two personally.

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Sorry misread your set up

          Agreed he’s best from 33 probably - if all goes to plan that’s when I intend to get him

          1. The Count of Monte Cristo
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Not a problem. Martinez --> Foster would leave me 1.4m to upgrade Saka / Greenwood or get a 5.7m 4th defender.

            Is it worth going with AWB?

    3. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah v. weak GK mate. Sure you don't want to upgrade?

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Was thinking Martinez --> Foster/ Pope. This would leave 1.4m ITB to upgrade elsewhere, but where best to put that?

        Another option is Martinez --> DDG leaving 1.0m ITB thereafter.

        Depending on where I invest the remains after GK transfer, it could alter the formation. Maybe play 4 at the back and one of Saka/Greenwood?

        1. Milk, 1 Šuker
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Go Foster. Pope, although at home, his confidence might have taken a hit with the 5-0 last night. Watford more to play for I reckon. Both Saka and Greenwood good for minutes, the former more so I'd reckon.

          1. The Count of Monte Cristo
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Thanks very much, I agree with that.

            There's nobody I want for Greenwood + 1.4m but there are some options for Saka + 1.4m, or alternatively a 4th defender at

  14. JasonG123
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Which pair?
    (A) Patricio and Holgate
    (B) Pope and Saiss

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A all day long for me. Not even close.

    2. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

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

      B

    4. AVIELD949
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

    5. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

  15. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on this wc team folks? No mane means Vardy and Richarlison in. Risky but might be worth it as don’t plan on capping mane for the next two gws at least.

    ddg
    taa doherty aurier
    kdb bruno (c) son richarlison
    vardy rashford jimmy

    martin taylor guendouzi ngakia

  16. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Just for this GW ONLY on a FH

    A) Son & Richarlison
    B) KDB & Bergwijn

    1. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

    2. JelliedSpark968
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

    3. McSauce
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      this doesnt help haha

  17. Fit_to_drop
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    WC active

    Patricio, (Button)
    TAA, Doh, Lascelles (Holgate, Williams)
    Salah, KDB, Bruno, Alli, Saka
    Jiminez, Rashford, DCL

    Only question i had was to shave money off someone and add .4 to Saka to turn him into Foden.

    1. zon
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not worth it imo. Saka will play more I reckon and provide more reliable points from the bench

      1. Fit_to_drop
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers for the steer. I needed to hear that.

    2. HTL
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Change Alli around? I've been talked out of Saka

  18. zon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    RMWCT

    De Gea Martin
    TAA Doc Aurier Lascelles 3.9
    Salah KDB Son Bruno Saka
    Jimenez Jota DCL

    Cheers

  19. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Suggestions please

    Ramsdale
    TAA Maguire Lascelles Doherty
    Sane Fernandes KDB
    Aubameyang Jota Jiminez

    Leno Grealish Stevens Cantwell

    0.1m itb

    1. Fit_to_drop
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Replace your keeper. Rest of it is not bad if no access to chips.

  20. southernpacific
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Keep Mahrez or Sell to Son?

    Not on a Wc

  21. Andre_The_Giant
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    RMWCT

    0.1 ITB

    McCarthy (button)
    Trent, Doherty, Lascelles (Kiko, Robinson)
    Salah, KDB, Bruno, Son (Guendouzi)
    DCL, Rash, Jimi

  22. Carlton_Goal
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Hi guys would appreciate thoughts on this wildcard team. Going for a 3-5-2 as the mids are appealing to me more than the attackers right now

    Pope
    TAA Doherty Aurier
    Mane KDB Fernandes Son Richarlison
    Jiminez DCL

    3.9 Lascelles Nketiah 3.9

    Left myself enough in the bank to move Richarlison to Mahrez/Martial in a couple of GWs

  23. Mackans
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on my WC team? (0.0ib)

    Patricio
    Trent Doherty AWB
    Mané KDB Son Fernandes Sarr
    Jiménez DCL
    Bench: Button,Lascelles,Simpson,Greenwood

  24. BradSK
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Pope
    TAA Saiss Doherty Stevens Justin
    KDB Salah Fernandes Saka Foden
    DCL Jiménez Ings

    On a WC. Thinking of doing the following to get extra Man Utd cover:

    Ings -> Rashford
    Saka -> Guendouzi
    Stevens -> Lascelles
    Justin -> Taylor

    Yes or no? (or something else?) Thanks

  25. JelliedSpark968
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Current team:
    Henderson, Dubravka
    TAA, Stevens, Fernandez, Taylor, Williams
    Salah, Mane, KdB, Grealish, Mooy
    Jimenez, DCL, Giroud

    1FT, 0.1ITB. Suggestions? Want more Wolves and United assets

  26. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on the best option here

    A) Pope + Aurier + Son
    B) Ddg + Saiss + Son
    C) Ddg + Aurier + Rashford + 0.3m (to have a playing 2nd sub)
    D) Pope + Maguire + Rashford + 0.3m (to have a playing 2nd sub)

  27. Nando7
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    De Gea

    VVD Doherty Aurier Ritchie

    Son Fernandes Traore

    DCL Rashford Jiminez

    Bench:Martinez KDB :/ Saka Robinson

    Cant help but feel guilty for KDB on bench but other player fixtures seem better for this gw

    Thoughts ??

    **on a wildcard

    1. Marv87
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Personally, KDB gets in ahead of everyone for me. Form / ability over fixtures

      1. Nando7
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        who would you bench in that team to fit him in??

        1. Marv87
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Tough. One of Ritchie, aurier or traore.

          1. Nando7
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            cheers will have a play around

  28. thomashl
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) Richarlison & Mane

    B) Martial & Salah

  29. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Best possible 4.0m defend?

    1. JelliedSpark968
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Robinson/Ngakia