Pro Pundits - Ash

Why I’m changing my transfers approach with time running out on FPL season

In Fantasy Premier League, timing is everything. And that mantra becomes even more important as the season winds to a close.

With just six Gameweeks left of 2019/20, my entire decision-making process starts to change, in regards to teams to target, when to play my chips and which players to spend precious transfers on.

For example, Liverpool winning the Premier League last week has been a much-discussed subject in relation to Fantasy. Will their assets play differently with the long-awaited title in the bag? Well, let’s not forget the title-race was effectively finished long before the lockdown anyway.

For me, there are much bigger issues to discuss when it comes to handling the end of this strange and unprecedented season, not least the ability to make quick and aggressive decisions between now and Gameweek 38+ if you want to make a late charge up the rankings.

 1

The unlimited transfers and Double Gameweek that accompanied the Premier League restart felt like an unexpected bonus chip. Thankfully, I put it to good use, in combination with Bench Boost and the fall-back of a second Wildcard. I managed to score 124 points and cut my rank in half. That’s the sort of thing I want to be doing as often as possible when I still feel like more teams have something to play for.

I couldn’t rest on the laurels of my big Gameweek 30+ green arrows for too long due to the short turnaround, and a new squad staring at me from the transfers page. 

The team as a whole performed well albeit for a Bruno Fernandes (£8.7m) captain fail but that didn’t prevent me from scoring 200+ points, back-to-back.

Had it not been for the FA Cup games over the weekend, I would have almost certainly used my remaining chip, Free Hit, for Gameweek 32+ because, as I said, I like the idea of making quick-fire aggressive decisions to string together consecutive rank rises.

andys-gw33-article 3

However, I couldn’t take the risk this time around, as I felt Free Hitting in Gameweek 32+ would involve loading up on players that had an FA Cup game and then a Premier League outing so soon afterwards. 

As an aside, this sort of thing shows that every remaining Gameweek has a different set of variables to those that come before and after it. 

So, rather than looking at the final games as one block, I plan on viewing them in separate sprints. 

Firstly, the primary focus for me is to strike while the iron is hot. I do want to use my Free Hit chip as soon as possible and I feel that there are favourable fixtures in Gameweek 33+.

→ Which of these 2019/20 matches saw only five shots registered, the fewest recorded in a Premier League game since detailed shot collection began?

Manchester United host a woeful Bournemouth side, Liverpool will welcome relegation-threatened Aston Villa to Anfield while Chelsea and Watford do battle at Stamford Bridge. With those three fixtures, I could form the spine of an excellent Free Hit squad, which I would hope could gain further ground. No doubt, the risk of rotation will be present once again but I feel that will increase further for each remaining Gameweek, especially as more and more teams lose motivation to either qualify for Europe or save themselves from relegation.

Secondly, the Gameweeks leading up to the penultimate Gameweek will rely massively on my wildcard team holding up. I also have two free transfers at hand after not making any changes this weekend. I will reluctantly take hits if I have to but I’m hoping that most of my players are either likely starters or still have something to play for. 

Thirdly, I am treating Gameweek 38+ as a separate entity altogether. By then, a lot of the European and relegation position battles would have been all but settled and I would need to think very carefully on my final moves.

Hasenhuttl to aid Ings' quest for the Golden Boot as Watford's FPL assets flop

I have generally not been a fan of short-term/one-week punt transfers in FPL. The game is, after all, a marathon and not a sprint. So, with each team only having at least half a dozen games left the one thing that I don’t want to do is waste unnecessary transfers. Anyone I buy now will have to be justified as someone I am happy to have in my team until the end of the season. 

I am sure this mindset could cost me a few bandwagon players but I don’t think it’s worth avoiding them in the interest of maximising my remaining transfers. I must be prepared to start all players from subsequent transfers in almost all remaining games and feel confident enough that the outgoing asset won’t do as well.

Assessing these decisions is, admittedly, harder than it was before, not least because it is more difficult to trust fixture schedules these days.

Before the Premier League restarted, the Bundesliga resumption was already in full swing and one of the early patterns that it validated was a loss of significance for home advantage in empty stadiums. 

With the Bundesliga season now completed, it is clear to see that away teams performed far better than they might have expected. 

This has already crept into the Premier League and I expect the trend to continue. It is those sides threatened by relegation who I feel for the most, as their ‘12th man’ edge has been completely eroded. In FPL’s first two Gameweeks, none of the bottom four won a home game. 

It may still be early days with the Premier League’s restart but it goes to show that fixture difficulty ratings need to be reconsidered and the aura of playing at home without fans has been greatly diminished for certain clubs.

FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 32+

1,045 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Feel like being brave

    Son 》Mahrez
    Martial 》Fernandes

    Would leave me with

    Salah Mane Mahrez Fernandes Pulisic

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nooo bro stick with ya man Martial

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Context was that Martial was brought in off the back of last week in case anyone is wondering

    2. Goonsquad245
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Didn’t you just do fernandes to Martial as part of a -16?

      1. Saïss Doesn't Mat…
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Shhhhh... Let them panic 😉

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

          Who cares? If team is not linked, OR has a lot of digits 😉

    3. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Stick with Martial, too kneejerky. I’d do Son to Mahrez only if Son doesn’t look good and Mahrez doesn’t start vs Liverpool.

    4. Pia06rc
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Keep swapping Martial and Fernandes back and forward every GW is the way to go.

  2. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Cresswell's next 4 looks yummy

    Hoping he can get some attacking returns

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Probably the worst player in the team mate

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Shush your skinny vegan bum

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah I wanted him with unlimited transfers but couldn't afford so have Diop instead

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Compared the two and saw Cresswell slightly more attacking - but still a decent option

    3. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      he does still play for West Ham though...

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks for confirming

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

    Hi all,

    With Bruno Fernandes and Rashford already in the team:

    A. Ayew and Guendouzi to Greenwood and Dendoncker
    B. Ayew and Lascelles to Connolly and Maguire

    ...

    C. Rashford and Simpson to Ings and AWB, Ayew to Greenwood next week

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I like C more

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

        Cheers bud, if do C then 100% Rashford to haul against Bournemouth. Just the way it goes haha

        1. Bruce Lee
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Lol c'est la vie innit

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

    Possible WC with the view of using BB after:

    Pope
    Doherty, Alonso, AWB
    Salah, Kdb, Fernandes, Mahrez, Pulisic
    Kane, Greenwood

    Foster, Aurier, Nkietah, Kiko

    What are your thoughts ?

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Look amazing to me

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Like this a lot

    3. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Really nice

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

      Thanks folks

    5. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Still lacks TAA

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

    A. Lascelles and connoly
    Or
    B. Greenwood and Ayew
    ???

  6. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Mount to Pulisic for a hit? (If Pulisic is fit for the next game)

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

      Yes payback in week, 2 at most ( assuming-4)

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

    Rash and Ngakia to Greenwood and Trent a no brainer?

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

    Was going to get Mahrez next week
    (A -4 for Barnes to Mahrez and Jota to Nketiah) or go B Barnes to Foden on free but would you (assuming no injuries) just play this team and carry transfer?

    Pope
    TAA Aurier Maguire Doherty
    Salah Bruno KDB Martial
    Jiménez DCL

    Martinez Jota Barnes Fernández

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

      B looks better

  9. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    2fts....4.2mitb... how would u shake this up radically?

    A...Fleck, dcl and Henderson to Foden, kane and martinez - 4

    B....fleck to mahrez

    C...something else

    Hendo mccarthy
    Taa maguire boly soy stephens
    Salah kdb fernandes martial Fleck
    Jiminez dcl nketiah

    Thanks

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

      B would be great move-

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

        Cheers....bit dull though???

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

    Greenwood and Rashford could be nice signings for next year when they're reclassified as Mids

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

      Unless Greenwood becomes 7.5-8.0m if he scored 6+ goals till end of the season

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

        He will probably be ~7m given he's already scored 6 goals in the league and might sneak into double digits

  11. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    It's the turn of us Fernandes owners to be smug. Probably be Martial getting the points next time. 😀

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

      I had Fernandes on FH last GW and back to having Martial/Rashford this GW so didn’t turn out very good for me lol.

      At least I had AWB though.

    2. Saïss Doesn't Mat…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Own both. Glad I stuck to bruno (c)

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

      That’s my thoughts, so went against grain to do Barnes to Martial.
      Bruno, Rashford, Martial 🙂

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

    Have 2ft tell me what to do

    Patricio
    Awb doherty aurier . Lascelles holgate
    Mane kdb son bruno . Hayden
    Rashford dcl jimenez

    What about

    Rash and hayden to mahrez greenwood ?

  13. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I'm punting on Antonio. Winning the ML looks quite difficult now. Why not have fun and punt an OOP who has good fixtures and everything to play for. Thoughts?

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

      Bowen? WHU concern me albeit strong fixtures

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        They've lost their last 3 against good teams

        1. Bruce Lee
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Beat Saints 3-1 which is impressive

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

            Forgot about this, you excite me

            1. Bruce Lee
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Anytime bebz

        2. Pep Roulette
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah and are battling relegation with good fixtures against bottom teams!

          1. Bruce Lee
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Exactly bro

          2. Bruce Lee
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Maybe West Ham need a player to score a hat trick for people to consider them

      2. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        OOP is tempting me

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

          Go for it, I am also considering for Sarr

  14. Burger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any more news on Pulisic?

  15. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Will any of these increase in price tonight?

    1. Jesus
    2. AWB
    3. Greenwood

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No

  16. TAT
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    MY OR is dropping like a stone, almost down a 100k in two GWs, and season more or less ruined. What do I do with this lot? 1.0 itb, 1 FT.

    Foster
    TAA - Doherty - Aurier
    Traoré - KDB - Fernandes - Salah
    Jiménez - DCL - Aubameyang
    (McCarthy - Fernández - Stephens - Hayden)

    1. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Save for sure and them move Auba out next week

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

        That's one option, though I don't feel too confident this team will pick up enough points next GW either. I'm almost at a point where I'm considering a -8 or a -12.

  17. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is Greenwood and Rashford too much. Have Rash but could get Greenwood for D C L.

    1. chilli con kone
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Dont sell DCL. Haul incoming imo

    2. myteamissheeeeeeeet
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Pretty sure this is the way I will go. Greenwood looked tasty tonight and he will share the hauls in my opinion. For his price he’s a steal 🙂

  18. chilli con kone
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Would you rather have Son or Kane?

    I can afford to fit in either on current team structure

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Kane. Just

      Would rather watch Sheff utd game first to decide though

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

      Son

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

      Kane

    4. elchilangles
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      neither

  19. Better luck next year
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Team for GW33

    Pope
    TAA Doherty Saiss Lascelles
    Salah KDB Bruno Son
    Rashford Jimenez

    Button Hayden Connolly Femenia

    2FT. 0,1 ITB

    Transfer out Connolly for Greenwood and play instead of Lascelles? Blocks me from getting Martial, but should be good with Bruno and Rash for the run in

  20. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Next weeks team news is going to be key - good fixtures for city pool Utd wolves Chelsea

  21. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Grealish, Auba to Mané, Greenwood for -4?

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Without a doubt

  22. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Got a couple of options I’d like some advice on

    Auba/Williams > Greenwood/Aurier

    Should I do this for free then Barnes > KDB with the 7m ITB next week after Barnes plays Palace at home (if I even play him) - trying to strengthen the bench ready for a bench boost. I could even do Hayden > Mahrez and Barnes > Richarlison or something? How does this look?

  23. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    DDG Button
    TAA Doherty AWB Aurier Lascelles
    Salah KDB Fernandes Son Foden
    Jimenez DCL Nketiah
    2ft. Might burn transfer or do you have any ideas?

  24. Babit1967
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Alonso on anyone’s watch list? Lovely fixtures and always capable of goals/assists

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

      I only like nailed players.

      1. Babit1967
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        You reckon he will be rotated? seems to play the league games

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

      On watchlist, yes.

  25. Infamy, Infamy
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Would you rather be leading your ML by 50 points with no chips left or in 2nd with BB and FH left?

  26. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Son and Kane is overkill right?

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Hopefully we see some improvement this week otherwise I’d say so

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

      Both are easy to downgrade though.

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

    Martial > Fernandes seems sideways, but only just holding on to my ML lead and all the others have Fernandes, seems wise to cover myself...

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

      No brainier dude. Go for it!!!

  28. elchilangles
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    can i use my free hit and bench booster at same time?

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

      No

  29. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    How stupid is this movie

    Rashford and DCL out
    Jesus and Greenwood in

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

      Haha, move*

    2. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      3/10 on IMDB.

      Would hold fire, patience will pay off imo.

  30. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Prob with martial is he doesn’t handle not being involved very well - sulks