Pro Pundits - Tom

The Everton and Man City assets I’m considering for the FPL season run-in

One of the world’s best FPL managers, Tom Freeman (aka avfc82), discusses Everton, Manchester City and more in his regular column.


So, as I write this, we’re just two games into Gameweek 32+ and I sit 44,693rd overall in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), having banked 89 points in Gameweek 31+.

It feels like I’m back on track after a sluggish Free Hit in Gameweek 30+, which saw a 30k rank drop.

However, with a Wildcard and Bench Boost in hand, and this week’s captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) still to play, a ninth top 10k finish remains within reach.

Since the restart, I’ve been watching loads of football and individual players, so I thought I’d use this article to talk about two of my top targets, and why I’m looking to bring them in.

Looking ahead, one of the reasons I moved away from my initial plan to Wildcard in Gameweek 33+ and Bench Boost in Gameweek 34+ is that my team looks in pretty good shape right now. It feels like I’d be making changes for changes’ sake, which can be dangerous.

With one free transfer and £0.3m in the bank, here’s how I’m currently set up…

I’m still undecided on transfers but am considering moves for Foden or possibly Jesus.

I’ll likely make a late call on that one once I’ve watched all of this week’s games, along with captaincy.

Thanks for reading… until next time.


Tom Freeman – aka avfc82 – comes onto the team to make most of us feel wildly insecure about our overall rank history. A long-time Fantasy Football Scout user, he has finished inside the top 1,000 a staggering five times since 2009.

FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 32+

541 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Dacra
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Stupid Ward.

    Stupid me not wanting double Burnley and getting Ward in for Taylor on WC.

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Stupid game.

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I sold Ings instead of Jota so I could switch to 352 and get in Pulisic who is now a doubt, captained Jiminez and benched Taylor.

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        But other than that...?

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah other than that this week is going swell

          1. james 101
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            So that’s good mate.

            To be fair, at least your actual team is fun to watch right now

    3. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Ward is a liability for Palace in home games against teams in or around the bottom half. Burnley were happy to let him have the ball as they knew he could not hurt them. Contrast that with the defensive attention PVA got on the other flank.

  2. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Pope’s a hero

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      With side kick Taylor, not an easy watch!

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      On track for all time GK point scoring record

    3. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Popes annoying, I knew he would do this after the horrow show

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

    Any suggestion for my FH 33+ Team:

    Pope
    Lascelles Maguire Justin Taylor
    KDB Mane Mahrez Salah Fernandes
    Rashford

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Geez, you must have a great T.V.!

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

        with week defence and 1 striker its possible

      2. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Samsung ?

  4. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    DCL and Holgate for me.

  5. james 101
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Do we have any news at all about Ritchie’s injury?

  6. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Got 2 free transfers and no fires to put out

    Seriously considering lacelles --> Taylor

    Damage limitation for every Pope haul. Thoughts?

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I have him in my team.

      Not sure if that helps

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Wait for the GW to end first. I have 2FTs too and waiting for something to come up. Lascelles is definitely a starter for me next GW, so wouldn't be transfering him out.

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Valid

        I have 2 spare FTs too.

        Holding for now

        Waiting for everything to fall to pieces

  7. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Zaha should take up tabbogoning useless at this kick a bag of wind thing.

  8. Releasebreaks
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is Erik Pieters nailed ??
    Good price 4.2
    Was he replacing someone tonight ? or came back from injury?

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Played OOP too

    2. Young Lingard
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Burnley are injury savaged
      He came in out of position for Jay Rodriguez

      Wood and some others are close to returning so unless Charlie Taylor drops out he’s a no pieters
      Duchess Defence barely rotates baring injury

  9. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    1FT. Auba -> Rashford or Sarr -> Foden?

    Pope
    TAA C.Taylor Boly
    Salah KDB Fernandes Sarr
    Auba DCL Jimi

    Martinez Saka Saiss Cathcart

  10. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Man said Everton. 😀

  11. Maddocio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Useful lesson here, don't overthink. I thought I was being clever getting Foster instead of Pope, I was wrong

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      think the city burnley 5-0 result swayed many people in the wrong direction

      1. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Agreed. However for the last couple of seasons Burnley get nailed against the bigger sides but do the business against the rest regularly. It seems people
        have short memories.

      2. @ocprodigy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        This was what made me happy. Bought him in straight after and he’s been a saint

      3. POLSKA GOLA
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Thank god for that 5-0 at City. It’s made Pope a slight differential.
        I made a mistake of selling Pope earlier in the season ahead of some tough fixtures and he’s been killing my rank since.
        Had to get him on 31+ WC no matter what

    2. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Foster wasnt a bad shout, but sadly Watford have been ass. I was sure Watford would do good tbh, theres still time I guess

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        So this

  12. drughi
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Crazy to consider doherty>alonso

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not crazy. But I expect Traore to start vs Arsenal and Doherty is a lot better in FPL when Traore and Boly both start.

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        cheers, i really dont want to but a bit behind ml leader and very similar teams so need to change things up

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

      Crazy, keep who keeps delivering

    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Why swap them?

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        good question but ml leader have very similar team so need some differentials

    4. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      There could be a case for downgrading Doherty, it whats I feared. No Doherty attacking returns means you may as well have gone Saiss or Boly. But Doherty is a scary player not to own, Doherty is almost captain material in some fixtures tho.

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        got both saiss and doherty but agree

        1. have you seen cyan
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          I was going the double, but went Justin instead of Saiss. The yellow situation swung it really, but Saiss through that now I think?

    5. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Keep Doherty

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        yeah

  13. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I had Pope and Ings for nearly the whole of.....last season

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Interesting. Who have you have most of this season? I'll keep them in mind for next season. You might just be getting them in a season too early.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        No I just have terrible judgement/bad luck!

        This season I’ve had Cantwell, Kane (when not injured), McCarthy, Lascelles plus the usual suspects for most it.

  14. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Just to counter FPL Virgin.

    Mark's WC not doing great so far. PVA, Sarr and Jimenez all blanked, Pulisic flagged and Fernandes (c) played 120 mins vs Norwich in the FA Cup and is a benching risk.

    But Mark got luck on his side. So expect hauls elsewhere and some cheeky bench points.

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      The idea he has luck on his side with a rank like that is hilarious tbh.

  15. SouthCoastSaint
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I appreciate hes not playing in the most attacking team but is Zaha the most over rated player in the league ?

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Has barely done anything since his move to United. Moyles bought him, didn't he?? Apart from winning a few dubious penalties he's done very, very little...

      1. SouthCoastSaint
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Would be interesting to see him in a good team

    2. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Zaha is garbage for fantasy I tell you that

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Zaha should've changed clubs ages ago.

    3. Young Lingard
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Last season he was winning them penalties
      I think even now at his best Everton is about the right fit
      But tbh they are pretty well set up without

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        He is crazy expensive, Palace selling Zaha means relegation. He is essentially a 60mil player basically and no one is paying that. Similar with Grelaish, altho Grealish is actually good. People dont want to pay 50mil+ for Grealish, but Villa relegated this season so he will go this time probably.

    4. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I’d say Jesse Lingard is!!haha

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        *most overrated player

        1. have you seen cyan
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          I dont think anyone rates Lingard tho lol, maybe immediate family and friends

  16. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Want to take a 1-week punt before I WC next week, I got 0.0 ITB.

    Pope
    TAA Robbo Doherty
    Sarr Salah Bruno Martial KDB
    DCL Jim

    Martinez Saiss Ayew Ward

    Sarr -> Mount/H Barnes, anyone see anything better?

    1. Young Lingard
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I personally believe Watford stay up
      And they have nice fixtures
      That said if you think sarr is done
      In terms of random punts
      FODEN
      Mount
      Henderson (captain assist )
      Traore starting versus arsenal ?

    2. Whiskerz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Sarr to Forden or
      DCL to Origi

  17. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I knew I saw a lot of Leicester muppets lording it on Bournemouth beach.

    Bloody disgraceful.!

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Hope you were wearing that mask in your grav when you were down there watching them lord it up 😉

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I live not far away, not surprising.
      Highest amount of cases in UK & rising where as everywhere else going down or flat.
      Local company has 28 positives

  18. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Excellent article again, Tom, thanks!

    Foden is definitely tempting me but it would probably mean downgrading one of DCL, Rashford or Son and then using the cash to upgrade Guendo to Foden and bring in another attacking defender (AWB/ Aurier etc). Still undecided!

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Thanks mate, nice one.

  19. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Finally some good results from 'keepers this season for me. Had Foster and his 2/3 pointers most of last season and Mat Ryan and his 2/3 pointers up until lockdown this season. Didn't have Henderson or anyone, so by my reckoning I am deserved of good points tallies from my GK now... 🙂

  20. Young Lingard
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    X2 transfers
    Traore and Auba >> Salah and DCL (rebuking salah and dcl fixtures)
    Or
    Saka and Auba >> Mahrez and Jesus (Rashford for a Utd triple)

    Forward line of ings auba and Jimi
    Wanted to sell ings but no options

    1. Whiskerz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      like option 2. Or if you really want to move ings you could punt on origi.

  21. Releasebreaks
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Anybody considering Digne from gw 34+? Or Holgate should be fine?

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Digne is a decent punt...higher ceiling for points and is fairly exciting to own!

    2. SouthCoastSaint
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      May be an option if there’s some benchings for Trent

      1. SouthCoastSaint
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        He’s also posted some great stats, I however had him for all his own goals/ red cards he seems to pick up!

        1. have you seen cyan
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Digne and Aurier lol, what a combo

    3. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      IDK Digne can be good, but Everton feel too unpredicatble to me. I dont like ever having an Eve defender you never know what you will get. He is a punt imo, think theres better/safer options

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

    % chance Fernandes plays v bha

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      80%

    2. SouthCoastSaint
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Plays 100%

      Starts 0%

      Pogba will play

  23. SouthCoastSaint
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone know what to do with Sarr? I don’t have to play him next week and Norwich and Newcastle are mighty tempting to keep him given he looks the only player who will do anything for Watford.

    I already have foden and don’t have any cash to upgrade, bit of a headache price bracket

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Upgrade or downgrade. That midfield price bracket is useless atm.

  24. Bobby
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Ok I've come up with a plan to keep me sane for three next six weeks. I need to just stick my armband one player for the rest of the season and forget about it. Whose the best player for that responsibility?

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Pope

    2. SouthCoastSaint
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Rashford/ martial

  25. Bobby
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    *the

  26. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Rapid fire either/or questions...

    Martial -or- Mahrez -or- Son?

    AWB -or- Maguire?

    Mount -or- Sarr?

    Rashford -or- Martial? (if you had to choose just one)

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      MM
      None
      None
      Both

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Correct

      2. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I'll allow this answer.

      3. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        What if I narrowed it to:

        Martial -or- Mahrez?

      4. Releasebreaks
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Will Mahrez keep playing? i suspect big roulette from now on

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

          Mahrez would be so annoying when he comes on part way through the game for a one pointer.

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

      Mahrez
      AWB
      Mount
      Martial

  27. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Leicester v Palace won’t happen next week.

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Neutral venue in worst case scenario.

      This local lockdown will probably become more widespread given the amount of people at beaches, partying etc.

      PL and clubs will do everything they can to get it complete asap, there's no way they're repaying £££

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Or delay and dgw later?

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Really, really doubt that

          1. Baps hunter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Tbh, so do I. But it still is a possibility, even though not likely one.

    2. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      whys that? Whats happening?

    3. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I don t think I could stand not seeing Palace play again.

      I may have to beat myself around the head with a wet rusty chain to alleviate my misery.

    4. Boss Hogg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not sure how playing a football match can be deemed to justify ‘essential travel.’

      Could be at a neutral venue I suppose (Ricoh Arena maybe?) but it’s surely not happening in Leicester:

  28. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Pope 145
    Schmeichel 136
    Henderson 135
    Patricio 134
    Dubravka 126
    Guaita 125
    Foster 118

    ...

    de Gea 111
    Alison 105
    Ederson 96
    Kepa 74

    Premium GKs the biggest con out there!

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yep. I also already regret getting Patricio instead of Pope on WC, but tbh didn't trust Burnley after their 5 goal loss and contract issues. Hindsight is easy 🙁

    2. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      You haven't heard of our president, have you?

      Or did you mean just in FPL? 😉

    3. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Allisons been injured or would be up near pope but yeah no real value in premium keepers due to save points. Same every year.

    4. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Alisson PPM is 4.8 - would be top scoring GK if not for injuries.

      But I get your point and agree. The poorer teams often face more shots (= more save points) and when they keep CS, the GKs do better with BPs cos their defenders usually hoof the ball and don't pick up passing stats etc as well as they should.

  29. PascalCygan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    *must not drive myself mad with hindsight about decisions*

    Infuriating game!

  30. Dacra
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    27, predicted rank I think an all time high of 1412, with 10 to go on bench boost this week.

    Could be worse. 😀