Pro Pundits - Lateriser

Reigning India FPL champion reveals strategy and team for new season

Lateriser, who finished 30th in the world last season, discusses “overthinking” in FPL and reveals his Gameweek 1 team.


This time of the season is a delicate time. I don’t really tinker too much but while I am reading articles and assembling information, the subconscious is working overtime in the background debating every minute decision in our Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team while the conscious is pretending hard to remain interested in the conversation on the dinner table.

I am generally a very decisive manager and normally after about two to three sessions of spaced-out, focused tinkering, I arrive at my team. Just before recording Episode 2 of our new Podcast, The FPL Wire (also available on all podcast platforms), I had one of these long tinkering sessions on Sunday night and the outcome was a team I was really happy with (it involved me not having a single Liverpool attacker but more on that later).

Monday and Tuesday passed and I was convinced that I was there. I even mentioned on the pod that I was feeling good about my team since I was so close to the final piece. Then came yesterday and I happened to watch France’s highlights versus Croatia and watching Anthony Martial (£9.0m) reminded me how much I love this player and that simply put I need him in my team.

When I referred back to my post-season notes that I had scribbled in my little notebook, I found “You Love Tony Gloves” scribbled in there. I hadn’t planned for Tony (except for a lazy afterthought that I’ll do Timo Werner (£9.5m) to Martial in Gameweek 2) until then and had Bruno Fernandes (£10.5m) sitting on my bench Gameweek 1. Panic set in because I know I’m not going be happy with my team until I get him.

Gameweek 32+ Scout Picks focus on Arsenal, Wolves and Man United

This led to me immediately logging on to the FPL website and just not being happy with all the compromises. Suddenly, it all feels imperfect. This happens to most of us (we overthink way too much). Our FPL decisions (at least for me) are constantly evolving in our heads and while there’s panic at first when something strikes you, all you really need to do is put on some earphones, dig in some more (statistics + highlights + articles) and you’ll find that in some time you’ll arrive at a place you’re happy with.

The key to all of this is the earphones. You need to be away from all the noise when you’re ‘Beautiful Minding’ (as my friend Walsh likes to call it) your team and after some time and thought you’ll get there. Yes there will be some sacrifices along the way but mentally you’ll have debated all sorts of decisions and as long as there is reasoning to the team you’re building, you should be okay.

After all of this, I really think to myself: why do we even overthink? The chances of us getting Gameweek 1 right are so slim. But then I see Mark Sutherns, who is possibly the best instinctive FPL manager I know, talking on his new fabulous show “FPL BlackBox” about having a set of rules and filters for his decisions.

In my head, I just went, “Mark, don’t do it because of one rubbish season. You were careless last season. Your strength is your instinct and filtering will just stop you from being naturally instinctive and aggressive”. I might have even DMed him the same. Seems like we’re all just wired to overthink. It’s probably me doing just that with my decision to not go with a Liverpool attacker.

Let me take you through that decision and some other relevant ones while building my Gameweek 1 team.

The elephant in the room is that as of today, I plan on starting without Mohamed Salah (£12.0m) or a Liverpool attacker for that matter. There are two primary reasons for this.

What is FPL Upside Chasing and how can I implement it in 2020/21?

BEST PLAYERS BY POSITION:

3,147 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Enjoyed writing this one. Good luck for the season folks! See you on the other side.

    1. 3 A
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nice one sir! Thanks

    2. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Good luck also

    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Glad to know we are all equally scrambling; good luck

    4. OLDHERMAN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Thanks from Italy.

    5. Incredibles
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Likewise!

    6. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Another great article mate!

      Is Ben white nailed?

    7. FPL flop
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A 'beautifully minded' article!

    8. Hubert
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Cheers!

    9. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Always love your ideas. But the article I read a couple of hours ago persuaded me to put Salah in and captain him, and here's you saying take him out and go with Auba! Aaarghhh

      1. Long ago I drew a walrus
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Which article was that, may I ask?

    10. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Love it, nice to see my team is similar and especially pleased to see a player not focus on a beached Everton and instead focus on their performance beforehand, Carlo's 9/10 and 13/14 Madrid and Chelsea seasons come to mind.

    11. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Excellent stuff as usual. Good luck LR

    12. Jawosaurus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A good read, thanks for writing

    13. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Update the link in your profile so we can see your team

  2. SpagBol
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which option?

    A) Doherty + Saiss + 1.0M itb (for Ings to Martial)
    OR
    B) Robbo + Vinagre + 0.5M itb (for Ings to Martial)

    Robbo means I have 2 LIV defenders against my Havertz and Werner for GW2...

    1. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  3. Steve McCroskey
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Gents, are Rob Holding and Ben Davies good options at the back? Worried about the nailedness of both

    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Saliba is better than holding

      1. Pedram
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        But Saliba won't start

  4. Lev Yashin
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    CEO of last post in an article:

    Still got 1.0m in the bank.
    Any suggestions?

    Lloris, 4.0m
    TAA, Saiss, KWP, Justin, Lamptey
    Auba, Havertz, Alli, ASM, Soucek
    Vardy, Ings, Mitro

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

      McCarthy and Dier instead of Lloris and KWP saves you £0.5m and I don't think it is a weaker option at all

  5. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I feel I'm almost there guys.
    Changed son + saliba to vvd + h.barnes

    McCarthy
    TAA VVD Davies KWP
    Salah Auba Havertz H.Barnes
    Werner Nketiah

    4.0 Mitchell Bissouma Vassilev

  6. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    How is this lookig? One of Salah/Mane to Kdb/Bruno gw2

    McCarthy
    Taa, Justin, Kwp
    Salah, Mane, Auba, Haverz, Asm
    Wilson, Mitrovic

    Nyland, Mitchell, Stuijk, 4.5

    Any alternative for Wilson? Batshuai?

  7. Kristobal
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Pick two out of:

    A) Charlie Taylor
    B) Adam Webster
    C) Kevin Walker-Peters

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      AC

    2. MrBoombastic
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      i prefer kyle WP to kevin but that's just me

      cheers

    3. Root
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      AC

      And it's Kyle

  8. Soto Ayam
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Ac

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

      Dc

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

    Brewster or Davis as fodder?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Davis unless the Brewster rumours really hot up

      1. eljinj
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Villa just bought Watkins for 28m so I wouldnt expect minutes from any of the 4.5 forwards,

        If you want 3rd on the bench fodder, then the least owned is less likely to lose value, but it depends what you want them for.

  10. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    *repost for new post*

    Morning all.

    Any ideas of how to alter my template team for the better? Thinking I need to upgrade the defence a little...Doherty or at least a 5m def.

    McCarthy
    Trent - Justin - Mitchell
    Auba - Salah - Son - Soucek
    Werner - Ings - Mitrovic

    Subs: Nyland - Gordon - Taylor - Vinagre/KWP

  11. lfcserg
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Just starting my team, so what's the general template around here lads?

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      McCarthy/Ryan...4.0

      Taa/spurs defender/wolves defender/4.5/Mitchell

      Salah/ Auba / asm or souceck/son or Ali or Havertz or both

      Werner/mitro/4.5 or a 6-6.5 punt

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      McCarthy
      TAA Dier KWP
      Salah Auba Son ASM Soucek
      Werner Ings

      1. Soto Ayam
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah, this

  12. sergioaguero67
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Safe to pick Greenwood from GW2 after his recent hotel bust up?
    Please help

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      It’s a bit messy now that the Sancho news rumbles on.

  13. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is there any nicer sound than hearing an Indian man say the word ‘tinkering’

  14. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Another great write up LR. Think I am now all set with my GW1 BB pending positive news on Soucek starting. Good luck all!

    Leno McCarthy
    TAA Robertson Boly Saiss KWP
    Auba(c) Havertz Barnes Bowen Soucek
    Werner Wilson Adams

    1. Soto Ayam
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Looks great for a 1 week team. Full of starters that have great fixtures. I'd change saiss for Egan, not sold on Wilson either but there's not much in it. great effort.

      1. sumatera
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Soto ayam enak di Medan

        1. Soto Ayam
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Soto betawi lebih enak, no?

          1. 3 A
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Emangnya bahasa Indonesia dibenarkan di sini? xD

            1. Soto Ayam
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              My Bahasa is jelek, maaf. Knew I'd get found out. Haha. Sorry. I'm an expat in indo, buy I've only learnt the basic.

              1. 3 A
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Haha. Your nickname only found in Malay / Indo language dictionary. Obviously you'll be find out. My English is not so good either... Lol

                1. Soto Ayam
                  • 4 Years
                  3 years, 6 months ago

                  Your English is better than my Bahasa! You're from Medan? I'm in Bandung

                  1. sumatera
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 13 Years
                    3 years, 6 months ago

                    Istri saya dari Medan
                    Aku dari London

                    Di mana kamu tinggal di Indo?

                    1. Soto Ayam
                      • 4 Years
                      3 years, 6 months ago

                      Bandung, nice here. So you're a brit? Where do you live?

                  2. 3 A
                    • 8 Years
                    3 years, 6 months ago

                    Actually I'm from Malaysia. As Malaysia and Indonesia share almost the same langguange, then I can understand what our fellow Indonesian said just now 😀

      2. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I looked up Wilson’s record and the hammers are his best opponents with 7 goals in 8 games. Have thought about the Saiss to Egan switch but don’t want to be rooting for a 0-0

        1. Soto Ayam
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I see his record but he wasn't exactly pulling up trees last season. Hopefully for your sake I'm wrong! Job done

        2. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          But does a previous record against a club have any direct relevance? ..... It's a topic that always leaves me confused (like many other topics too).

          1. Miguel Sanchez
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Perhaps not but would you not say Vardy has clubs he always seems to do well against?

            1. Old Man
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Lol - yes he does. West Borm are one of his favourites ..... he always seems to do well at the Hawthorns. Facepalm - disproves own scepticism!

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      That’s a good team for a BB.

  15. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Team locked in apart from my 4.5m defender. Who is better option?

    A....Taylor - seems dull but safer option

    B....ayling - think Leeds may be a tight ship..

    Thanks

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A - go with the known quantity

    2. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Charlie

    3. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

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

        Thanks

  16. Werner Bremen
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    How's this, looks balanced?

    Ramsdale (Button)
    TAA, Doherty, Tierney (KWP, Mitchel)
    Salah, Auba, ASM, Soucek (Bissouma)
    Werner, Mitro, Ings

    Ings becomes Martial GW2 with the 0.5 I have left.

    1. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Good!
      V.similar to mine but I’m going for Bruno.
      I’m now doubting the keeper combo, what do you think ?

  17. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Down to this for me:

    A) Ings / Werner / Son / Soucek 5th
    B) Ings / Wilson / Salah / Soucek 5th
    C) Werner / Mitro / Salah / Bissouma 5th

    1. supercolso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      not much in it, probably C

      1. Hansel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        C

      2. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Hate going without Ings but it looks headed that way..

  18. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Doherty + Sonny
    B) Robbo + Alli

    1. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

    3. Werner Bremen
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

    4. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Better a Chelsea mid than son if you can find another .5

    5. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  19. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Saliba or KWP?
    Have mccarthy

    1. Root
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Magnus Carlsen said KWP

  20. sumatera
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Doherty might not even start according to TeamNews

    1. Root
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nice. Total selected by 26.4%

      1. sumatera
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He was 8n my team until now

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think we sometime confuse a player’s fantasy output with how good they actually are. I know I have been guilty of this in the past with Alonso who is an awful defender.

    3. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Probably will start but 100% not worth the risk with other decent options

    4. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      It’s not been updated yet, I was wondering this last night

  21. supercolso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Morning all,
    a) Rashford & Werner
    b) Havertz/ Pulisic & Martial

    If b) that would allow me to upgrade defence which is currently TAA & 4 X 4.5'S.
    Cheers

    1. Jusagoras
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B for me. Ideally would want Pulisic, think he will be making constant runs into the box with Werner tending to drift to the left.

  22. NotsoSpursy
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Should I upgrade button to McCarthy?

    Button - Ramsdale
    Taylor - Mitchell - Alexander-Arnold - Egan - Dier
    Aubameyang - Salah - Saint-Maximin - Son - Soucek
    Davis - Werner - Mitrović.

  23. THEKID_88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What are peoples thoughts on keeping a United asset on the bench this week?

    1. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      All depends on your 4-5 week strategy. Could work well

    2. Laurel and Vardy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bruno is on my bench since day 1 of tinkering 🙂 Don't want to use my FT on him next week, and rather focus on bringing in Martial or any any other asset who might explode in GW1.

    3. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Think Greenwood is ok, but anymore expensive and it just feels you’re not making the most out of GW1

  24. Spab
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Sorry if I've missed it, but I haven't seen much talk about James Rodriguez. Intriguing player at a decent price. Thoughts?

  25. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    anyone drafted a team without Liverpool players?

    1. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      McCarthy
      Davies, Justin, KWP
      (A)uba, Son, Barnes, ASM
      Kane, Werner, Ings

      Steer, AWB, Mitchell, Bissouma

      1.5 itb for Ings>Martial and upgrading Barnes.

    2. Nightrain_
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      It's too risky mate

      Choice is at least 1 with the obvious pick : TAA
      but i think TAA and Robbo is a good combo

    3. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Tumbleweed

    4. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’ve got 3 of them so no...

      1. Toonmad
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        TAA, robbo and mane with mane going to kdb gw2. Get then locked in now for the big at the back strategy

  26. Jamb0
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    My favorite author on the site - always enjoy your articles.. good luck for the season 🙂

  27. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    G2G guys? Think im settled now on my team...play KWP or Mitchel?

    McCarthy
    TAA Justin KWP
    Son Auba(c) salah soucek ASM
    Werner Ings

    Nyland, Mitchel, Ayling, Davis

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Probably Mitchell, I’m adverse to doubling up at the back unless it’s Liverpool

  28. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Should I get Auba instead of Salah?

    McCarthy
    TAA | VVD | Doherty
    Salah | Son | Greenwood | ASM | Soucek
    Kane | Werner

    Steer | Mitchell | Buur | Davis

    Thanks

  29. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mind sharing your formation and strikeforce for GW1? Lemme start first.

    343 Kane Antonio Mitro

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      As above

    2. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      343 Kane, Werner, Ings

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Nice

      2. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Oooh heavy

        1. sunzip14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Plan is to go heavier GW2 Ings>Martial. Lets see how it goes!

    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not worried about Antonio playing wide to accommodate Haller?

    4. 3 A
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I just copy LR's team. Easy. Haha

      1. Long ago I drew a walrus
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        You say that but LR isn't known for his good starts. It's in the name - he rises late

      2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Pathetic

    5. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      343 Kane Werner mitro

    6. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      442 Werner Vardy

      Switch to Kane/Aguero on the cards GW3