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. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any thoughts on what I could do to improve here. I have 0.0m in the bank and 2 free transfers??

    Pope Button
    TAA Doherty Maguire Lascelles Kiko
    KDB Salah Fernandes Sako Hayden
    Rashford Jiminez DCL...

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Rash to Greenwood and Hayden to Mahrez?

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

        +1

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

          What Miggy said

  2. Abra Dubravka
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Holgate and DCL to AWB and Nketiah for free? (Nketiah on bench)

    1. Wally banter
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yes

  3. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Price not an issue. Which one?

    A. Son
    B. Mahrez

    1. Wally banter
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Mahrez

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

      Mahrez - get Aurier if you want a Spurs wing back

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

      I'm going to watch game this GW to decide this exactly.
      (If Mahrej is benched vs Pool & Son fails to impress, Son to Mahrej FT)

  4. Wally banter
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on below team and transfer proposition lads....

    Dubravka
    TAA Doh Aurier
    Mane c Son Kdb Bruno Saka
    Jiminez Rashford

    Bench Lascelles Nketiah 4.0

    1 Save
    2 Son, Doh to Awb, Salah
    3 4.0 to AWB/Alonso

    1. Abra Dubravka
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not 2.
      If you save, I’d also play Lascelles over Saka.

  5. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    GW30: Got Rashford on FH but Bruno scores
    GW31: Bruno(c) but got Martial and he scores a hatty
    GW32: Got Rashford(c) but Bruno scores a brace

    GW33: Rashford or Bruno or Martial cap?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Rashford for me.

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Tempted to roll the dice with him again. He's due a haul now.

        1. EmreCan Hustle
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          He was due a haul vs SHU if only he took his chances.

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

      Bruno - best spread of point scoring opportunities

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        How things change in a week!!
        No one was ready to captain him for this week.

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Gonna go mad chasing points at United - just pick one for captaincy and stick

    3. Sterling Archer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Safest pick - Bruno
      Highest potential - Martial
      Risky - Rashford

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

    1FT. Auba ->

    A. Rashford
    B. Vardy
    C. Jesus
    D. Kane

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

    Martinez Saka Saiss Cathcart

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

    Eve v Lei score predictions?

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      0 - 0

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

        Fearing the same.

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

      1-2

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

      2-0

    4. Costa in Wengerland
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      1-0 Leicester

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

      2-1

      Leicester are not looking good

  8. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    expect the young lad Neco Williams to be rotated with TAA and maybe even start against Villa 😉

  9. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    5th mid, 2nd/3rd striker.
    Jimenez, Greenwood my other strikers.
    Going to play 451 for the most part + a BB at some stage soon.

    Which pairing would you choose?
    1. Pulisic/Nketiah.
    2. Foden/DCL.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      2

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      2

  10. Netters2018
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Morning All. Just FH left and 2 fts this week. Need triple utd
    Pope,
    TAA, Doherty, Kiko, Lascelles, Holgate
    Salah, KDB, Son, Bruno, Gendouzi
    Jimi, Rash, DCL

    Thinking either
    A) Doherty + Kiko - Boly and AWB
    B) Gendouzi + Rashford - Martial and Greenwood

    Thanks

  11. n14mul
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Morning all,

    No doubt there is alot of love out there for Greenwood but I would like to know from united fans or anyone how likely is he to get regular game time?

    At moment united places are hot so is it worth it putting a bit part player in?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      He will get rotated, but a good performance should be rewarded with back to back starts IMO.

      1. n14mul
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Unitrd places offer great value, question is can we afford to get greenwood if he gets rated with james

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

      He’s better than James - ole wants to keep his job!

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

      He looks a hell of a prospect - doing what he's doing - at just 18 years of age... surely has a big future ahead

      FPL wise its hard to know - he's so cheap, but TV is kind of less relevant at this stage for various reasons so that may not be asmuch of an advantage as it first seems

      But very excited to see how he develops over the coming seasons - great to have him & rashford in their forward line as two homegrown youth team products

      1. n14mul
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        100% agree but I'm currently chasing in my ml and may roll.thr wc. Just trying to work out if greenwood is worthy of a united slot.

        Current wc

        Martinez Alison
        TAA Wan Lasc Taylor Doherty
        Salah KDB Mahrez Martial Foden
        Nketiah Greenwood Jimi

        Need a good squad as I want to play the bb soon

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

          I'd still go for one of AWB/Maguire plus two of Bruno/Martial/Rashford

          Teams are going to have markers sucked towards Bruno at all times in the next few games after last night's destruction - should leave more space for Martial & Rashford again & you just know Pogba has a 20 point haul up his sleeve in one of these games coming up

          1. n14mul
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Agree again Bruno killed me last night hence need to work out which united 3

    4. manu4life99
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      currently its his place to lose

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

      Wouldn't get him in. Wait and see for now.

      1. n14mul
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        would love to see what happens next game. Maybe I will but not long left for the season now

  12. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Good morning DZ.

    Both moves involve a hit.

    Richarlison+Vardy to

    A) Mane+Greenwood(-4)
    B) Mahrez+Jesus(-4)

    Thanks.

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Do you have Salah?

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        No. Just TAA

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Both options look great tbh.
          Slightly leaning towards B though.

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

    Greenwood 20/21 price prediction?

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

      6mil

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

      7.5

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

      Depends whether United will buy another winger/RF. If they don't, then 6/6.5, if they do, then 5.5.

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Think she's due sometime in mid July.

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

        Why you didn't tell me this before restart. I thought this was vardy part II and avoided Jimenez 🙁

        1. Lev Yashin
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          The you did well this week.

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

            Ha ha

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

    A. Rashford + DCL --> Greenwood + Kane
    B. Burn a transfer

    Patricio
    TAA - Doherty - Maguire
    Son - Mane - Fernandes - KDB
    DCL - Rashford - Jiminez

    (Button - Holgate - Lascelles - Guendouzi)

    All comments much appreciated! Thanks 🙂

  15. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    What to do?
    A) Auba and Grealish to Rashford and Mahrez
    B) Auba and Grealish to Jesus and Martial
    C) Auba, Grealish and Stevens to Greenwood, Son/Mahrez and TAA for -4

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

    Which combo would you prefer for next few gw's

    A: Aurier + Mahrez + Greenwood/Sarr rotation
    B: Aurier + Pulisic + Martial (-4)
    C: 2x4.3m def rotation + Pulisic + Rashford
    D: 2x4.3m def rotation + Son + Greenwood/Sarr rotation (-4)

    1. Pomp and Circumstance
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A or D

    2. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A with Greenwood.

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

        yes but benching sarr or greenwood every gw will be a nightmare

  17. TKC07
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    1FT and 1.3 itb. Suggestions please?

    Patricio | [Martin]
    AWB | Doherty | Taylor | [Lascelles] | [*Targett*]
    KDB | Mahrez | Martial (vc) | Cantwell | [*Grealish*]
    Kane (c) | Jimenez | *Auba*

  18. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Save FT?

    Patricio
    TAA Aurier Doherty Maguire
    Salah KDB Bruno Pulisic
    Jimi Rash

    Martin, Foden, Holgate, Nketiah

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

    Planning for this GW is painful

    Actually need to see all the games played and hear team news before deciding what to do, particularly since I have no Liverpool attack

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

      I think patience will be key here, you will still need TAA though, I think he is an absolute essential, regardless of them winning the league already.

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

        many commas, excuse for that 😀

  20. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on my team? 1FT, 0.3 ITB

    Pope
    TAA - Doherty - Lascalles
    Son - Mane - Fernandes - Martial - Adama
    Rashford - Jiminez

    (Leno - Nketiah- Stevens - Egan)

  21. Steiger
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Hey guys, who would you rather have out of these two going forward..?

    A) Salah/Son/Greenwood
    B) Salah/Foden/Rashford

    ROT

    Patrício
    TAA - Maguire - Doherty
    KDB - Son - Fernandes - Richarlison
    Jiménez- DCL - Rashford

    TIA

    1. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

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

      B everyday of the week. I reckon Foden is a better pick than Son.

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

        If Son scores a pair tonight then I may have a rethink. If not, then I’ll be going B. Cheers.

  22. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Will Klopp play his full first choice team at home to Villa to give the fans a chance to celebrate the title with the players ? 🙂

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

      Yes, he needs to give Anfield a chance to celebrate, empty or not.

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

    On a WC, which 3 United players should I get?

    1. TKC07
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Bruno, AWB, Martial (Greenwood if don't have funds)

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

        No Rashford?

      2. The Man Pastore
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        this

  24. n14mul
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Ok new draft for wc, thoughts please?

    Martinez Patricio
    Wab TAA Taylor Lasc Boly
    KDB Salah Mahrez Foden Martial
    Rash Nketiah Jimi

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

    Is TC 34 looking better than TC 33 if you’re looking at Mo?

  26. dillydally1982
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    After reading this article from Simon, I'm tempted to use my Free Hit chip this week, but I have 2 free transfers and don't want to lose one. If I make a transfer (Auba to Jesus), then drop the Free Hit chip in a separate transaction, will Jesus be in my squad for GWK34+? I'm guessing not...

  27. Zebrahimović
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Bench one next Gwk

    A) DCL
    B) Foden

  28. ChipsnGravy
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Traore out for

    A. Foden (leaves 1.9 itb)
    B. Willian (leaves 0 itB)

    Long term move til season end

    1. zotter
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Hmm Foden probably

  29. zotter
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Worth taking out Martinez for a -4?

    To Pope ? Or anyone else?

    Or stick?

    Martinez has four nasty fixtures on the bounce now