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. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    What to do ?

    A : Vardy to Rash for free and play Boly vs Arsenal
    B : Vardy and Grealish to Rash and Pulisic for -4 and bench Boly

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

      A out of those

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        cheers

    2. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B for me.

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

    Obviously wait but what do you guys think about these 2 FT's:

    Son + DCL - > Pulisic + Jesus

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

      Pulisic might be injured

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

      Wait and watch Son DCL first

  3. barcaa7
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    3rd man utd player:

    a-Greenwood
    b-awb

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

      There’s a lot of defenders performing and very few strikers performing, let alone at an enabler price. Greenwood for me

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

        11 and 10 points the last two

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

          AWB it is

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

          Only 1 more than Jonny. Any popular strikers putting the same numbers in as greenwood ?

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

            Playing 541 only need Jimmy

    2. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Whoever did well in the last game ay?

      I’ve got Martial, Bruno and Rashford and am sticking.

    3. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      AWB has increased attacking threat now. CS potential looks good + he is a BAPs magnet. TAA is the only defender to have more BAPs than him. However, Greenwood looks more and more like he's nailed that right wing side for his own. His assist today showed he is more than just goals. Even if he doesn't start, with 5 subs, he is likely to feature in every game.

      It's a tough one. I'd go Greenwood as an enabler if I had to pick.

  4. Meme2011
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    whose more important to have in your team in the run in, particularly with the run in in mind

    Salah or KDB?

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

      I’d have neither if you’re chasing. Everyone ahead of you will have them.

      1. Meme2011
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        i have fernandes and son but none of the big 3...

        tempted to go mahrez but again concerned about rotation

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      KdB by some way for me especially now that he's on pens

    3. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      KdB probably.

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

    Mahrez or Martial?

    Bruno and KDB owner.

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Can you wait till city game?

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

        Yeah, is Auba droping tonight though?

    2. D.Glynn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Same Q for my team and I'm currently leaning towards Mahrez

  6. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Goal fest in Leicester Everton tomorrow would be nice

    Double returns for both Vardy & DCL to keep everything going

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      0-0 then

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

        Unfortunately this

    2. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      wouldnt be suprised if VArdy be on the bench

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

      Yep that’s the 0-0 signed, sealed and delivered. Cheers.

    4. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Neither team look like they can hit a barn door atm. So goalfest it is

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

      DCL/ Richarlison to Greenwood/ Son for free, good moves?

      1. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Of course mate Greenwood just scored

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

        3 of them yet to play this GW. Wait and see.

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

          Yeah totally agree mate, just mulling over moves just now

    6. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Will all fixtures in GW 36 and 37 be played at the same time as it says on PL site?

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

        Nope, schedule not sorted yet.

      2. Rains of Castamere
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        No, TV schedule tbc

      3. School of Poch
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks. I assumed that would be the case.

    7. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Can this team withstand not having an Pool attack this week?? Can do Aubameyang and El Ghazi to Salah and Connelly for a hit with this exact funds as we speak....or do I do something else??? Or save???
      Henderson
      TAA Doherty Fernandez
      KDB Mahrez Bruno Martial
      Aubameyang Rashford Jiménez
      Subs- Nyland.. Saïss Lundstram El Ghazi

    8. EWH2020
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      How many points you think these players get tomorrow and Thursday?

      Martinez
      Soyuncu
      Aurier
      Saka
      Salah
      Son
      DCL

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

        3
        2
        9
        2
        5
        13
        8

      2. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        All get 100

    9. tucaoneo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      This is weird. I think Livefpl is calculating total score wrong in live leagues.

    10. Manani
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Ings/DCL to Greenwood?

      the first sub will be Lascelles, which I am more than happy to play

      1. Hy liverpool
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Defintely mate

      2. noquarternt
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Why oh why?

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

          part of way to fund a better midfield. Not mahny forward choices that I fancy

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

        Ings is going for the golden boot. Greenwood is a sub.

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

      Salah or Bruno captain for the weekend?

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

        I'm going Salah

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

        Toss a coin mate

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

        If salah gets reduced mins he’s TC for me

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

          If he gets 90, just a standard Bruno for me

      4. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Bruno. I'd wait to see Klopp's pressure to see if he might rotate players now.

    12. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      People with FH left when are you planning on using it and why?

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

        gw 38

      2. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Current thinking is 38. If everything is settled and there will be rotations for some teams. Good chance to get in differentials and close out a lead or make a last push depending on where you are.

    13. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Pope | Martinez
      TAA | Aurier | Doherty | Lascelles | 3.9m
      Salah | Bruno | Son | Traore | Cantwell
      Jimenez | Rashford | DCL

      How does DCL + Cantwell -> Greenwood + Pulisic look?

      Have 2 FTs

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

        Good

        1. WE GO FOR IT
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Cheers! 🙂

    14. JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A) Rashford, Foden
      B) Son, Greenwood

      Best option here?
      (Nketiah to rotate with)

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        B

      2. D.Glynn
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        B

    15. Greglarrrr
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Pope / Henderson

      TAA Saiss Lascelles Taylor Egan

      KDB, Mane, Fernandes, Duda, Grealish

      Rash, Kane, Jimi

      I have exact funds for Duda, Grealish & Rashford > Greenwood, Mahrez & Pulisic.

      Yes????

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

      For the weekend mane or bruno for captain ?

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I'm going Trent(C), Bruno(vc), Villa are rubbish!

    17. SH1M1
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      When should i use my triple captain & on which player?

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

        there's zero strategy to it. Surely you can figure out a good player with a good fixture?

      2. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        If you don't have FH, City vs Norwich is a good fixture in the final week. Could pick a differential depending on who looks likely to start.

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

        Salah vs Villa looks good

      4. Lukey27
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Gameweek 19 on Trent

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

      Best combo

      A: Martial + Pulisic with Guendouzi fodder
      B: Mahrez + Sarr/Greenwood rotation

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        B

      2. D.Glynn
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Don't like Sarr pick. I'm currently selling him

    19. jia you
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Hopefully a going away present from Auba(c) tomorrow... decided I'm going triple City mids!
      Auba + Fleck to Nketiah + Sterling

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        hoping that Sterling will outscore Kane and Jesus (the two Kane replacements that I was considering) in the run in!

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          *Auba replacements

      2. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I’m contemplating this too mate, would be Aubameyang and El Ghazi to Sterling and Connelly with money to do Lundstram to Digne too,(or I may end up just going for Salah)

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          I think it might be decent, those City mids can all haul from the bench too especially considering fixtures

    20. 420king
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'm a little confused with the whole Liverpool situation. If I was Klopp I'd just send my stars to vacation to make sure they get some rest for a season that will be more congested than ever due to its late start and get some edge over other teams that will be forced to play till the end.

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

        theyve just had 2 months off

      2. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        They just came from 3 months off. He might manage minutes as there is nothing to play for. Except records of course. But still most starters will start around 5-6 of their remaining 7 games.

        1. 420king
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah, good point guys. And they can still take a month off during champions league finals tournament in August as I don't expect the friendlies to start before then.

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

        He needs them sharp for next season.

      4. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I’d imagine the main lads play. But I do think Klopp will use this time-period to find out about his squad players a little more...Liverpool clearly won’t be spending massive amounts of money so giving some younger players a chance and testing them in the Premier can be a good way to save some money

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

          Rumoured to have already procured a marquee signing in defense. Someone to partner VVD.

          1. Athletic Nasherbo
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Where’s this rumour coming from?

    21. The-Red-1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Who gets more points for gw 33

      Kepa Mahrez

      Or Ederson Willian

      1. Park the bus
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Wait and see minutes this week. Could be Mahrez turn for a rest

    22. Podorsky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      If I use my 2 free transfers and then free hit before next gameweek, will my 2 tranfers be included in my team after the free hit?

      1. Park the bus
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        No

        1. Podorsky
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Them I would basically loose the 2 tranfers, right?

      2. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Whatever transfers you make in the GW where you play FH will be counted towards the FH. It doesn't matter if you make them before activating the chip or later.

    23. Park the bus
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A good night for Son DCL tomorrow and an Auba blank and I’ll be top 100 🙂

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

        I'll get a green arrow if all my players haul too

        1. Park the bus
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Crikey what a bitter reply

        2. Park the bus
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Have just taken the time to read your comment history. Not one constructive or positive offering. Just sarcasm and negativity. I believe that’s what’s called trolling...

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

            What's you're team? Have you chips left?

            1. Park the bus
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Just free hit remaining mate

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

                Team?

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

            not blowing smoke up your bum doesn't make me a troll. I offer plenty of good advice to people who i think deserve it

      2. Lukey27
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Comments like this are troll magnets

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

          Rhinos isn't a troll though. Speaks as he finds.

      3. Victor6359
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Nice one fella

        1. Victor6359
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          * nice one Park the Bus

      4. MosF94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        If Vardy's allowed to score too, I'm with you!

    24. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Henderson
      TAA Doherty Egan
      KdB Fernandes Richarlison Cantwell
      Aubameyang Rashford DCL

      Nyland Grealish Lundstram Aarons

      1FT 3.1ITB. Any ideas? (Well aware GW hasn’t ended just getting the cogs working because it’s a quick turn around)

      1. Park the bus
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Auba and Cantwell our, greenwood and Salah in

        1. Athletic Nasherbo
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Was thinking these moves but getting rid of Rich providing he doesn’t haul tomorrow?

          Then allows Lundstram + Grealish > 4.7def (E.Garcia, Holgate etc) + Sterling

          1. Athletic Nasherbo
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Like Cantwell price and fixtures

            1. Park the bus
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              No Liverpool Attack this weekend could really hurt

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

      How will Auba do tomorrow?

      Another captain fail or what?

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

        He'll score tomorrow.

    26. jia you
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Happy with this side for the run in if all staying fit!
      Pope
      Trent(C) Robbo Doherty
      KdB Mahrez Sterling Martial Bruno
      Jimenez Ings
      (Button Williams Nketiah Saiss )

      1. Athletic Nasherbo
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Filthy.

        Don’t like Robbo imo. Alonso or Digne look like higher ceiling options

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah, will leave him a GW or two but might be the position I swap around a bit as a punt on an attacking defender. Cheers.

      2. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Trent will be rested vs Villa

        1. jia you
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          is this just a random comment or some substance to it?

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

      Only D c l playing tomorrow. Rank fall assured.

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

      Is downgrading Rashford to Greenwood too knee jerk? Already have triple United with Bruno and Maguire.

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

        Very knee jerk.

      2. antis0cial
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yes unless enabler