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. las90855
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    RMT

    McCarthy
    TAA, Doherty, KWP.
    Aubameyang, Son, J.Rodriguez, ASM.
    Vardy, Werner, Mitrovic.

    (Ryan, Bissouma, Justin, Mitchell)
    itb- 0.5

    Will not having Salah/Mane brings me regret later on?
    What about James Rodriguez? Will he be okay early in the season? Any better options?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Can’t you go Antonio or Wilson over Mitro?

      1. las90855
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        kinda like Mitro since he is pretty much Fulham go to man. Wilson could frustrate you all season plus I have ASM already

    2. S6 Owl
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I don't like the Southampton double-up.

      I'd swap KWP for C.Taylor and play Justin.

      I'd also just go with either McCarthy + 4.0, and use the 0.5 elsewhere or upgrade to Ramsdale + 4.0

      1. las90855
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I would like to rotate my keeper. but do you think Justin > KWP?

  2. Enes_Sahini1
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What do you guys think?

    McCarthy
    Saliba Dier VVD Egan
    Salah Auba Son Soucek
    Mitro Werner

    Subs: Nyland Richarlison KWP Bissouma

  3. EmmetRyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    1. Doherty + Son
    2. Robbo + Alli

    Last choice to make before kick off, opinions appreciated 🙂

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      1 for me mate

      1. EmmetRyan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers, Spurs fixtures do make it more tempting!

    2. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Tierney + Son

      1. EmmetRyan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Already gambling on Saliba starting for Arsenal, don't want to double up on their defense, but thx!

  4. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on this guys? 1m ITB for Salah+Antonio >> Bruno+Martial for a hit GW2.

    McCarthy
    TAA, Doherty, Egan, KWP
    Salah, Auba, Havertz, ASM
    Werner, Antonio
    (4.0, White/Lamptey, Bissouma, Davis)

    1. Cheeto__Bandito
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Egan over coady/saiss?

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        That’s what I have

        1. Cheeto__Bandito
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I meant I prefer saiss or coady but its 50/50 i guess

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            I could also have saiss (and ditch the two 4.5s?)

            1. Cheeto__Bandito
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              na I like two 4.5

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Looks good. Not sure on planning a -4 for gw2 tho. Are Man U going to hit the ground running? They’ve barely had a break so could be rusty. I’d save and reassess in gw3 with 2 frees

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

      I similar plan. Salah and Ings > Bruno and Martial for a hit.

      Midfielders are excatly same. Thought havent decide yet should I pick Alli or Havertz.

    4. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      What if Salah gets a haul against Leeds, will you still sell him?

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Probably as I won’t captain.

        Perhaps i go with my other team and just go Martial

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

        Last week's points don't count towards next week's points.

        This is exactly why Lateriser thrives with his premium options. It's all about the fixtures.

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

      Much prefer a Wolves defender over Spurs/Sheffield.

      Also I think 343 might be a better option. There are so many strikers in the 6-6.5m range whereas you only have a handful of 6m defenders.

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

        I wouldn't plan for a hit. For a few years, I was mid of the table in which I play. I regularly took hits on points, chasing players who were in forma and invariably then let me down. Last season, I think I maybe took 2 hits (might have only been one) out of desperation and I finished second in my league. When I think back, I was losing a hell of a lot of points before

  5. Pedersen
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Alright, am I the only one who think manchester united assets will rise in price fast, and dont want to take a -4 to get my 2 preferable ones in?

    My team, lots on bench but it is really only 1 player different from the "template" (Salah)

    McCarthy (Nyland)
    TAA, KWP, Justin Vinagre (Mitchell)
    Auba, Son, ASM, Soucek (Fernandes)
    Werner, Adams (Martial)

    Ready to get Havertz/Pulisic and/or KDB depending on who emerges

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

      Burn the heretic.
      It's either have £18m on your bench week 1, or have your first two week's transfers all planned out with no room for the unexpected. Neither is ideal but I can understand people not fancying the former. My answer to this question is 'Mo Salah, and don't make any firm plans.'

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

    Havertz or Ings?

    Ings a better martial placeholder

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Tough one that. Im still mulling over it myself.

    2. Nando7
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Adams 2.5 mil cheaper worth a look esp to save some cash for the midfield options

      1. Nando7
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Chelsea fixtures also relatively favourable/ except Liverpool

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

        I like the pick but cant be a sure as Ings he will deliver

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

      Havertz excites me more

    4. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’m considering Ings and then move to martial with 0.5 in the bank but both good options

  7. HTL
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I have 15 players from 15 different teams, and won't be making any transfers or changes all season. This could end badly.

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

      It should be official rule of FPL, only one player from one team allowed.

  8. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    For those who are rotating 4.5s I think Justin+Ayling/Dallas+KWP could be a good trio. Could comfortably play 2 of 3 at the first 5 GWs, then drop Justin to the bench (when Pereira is back) until u got the FT/WC.

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

      That's what I'm doing

    2. Tarzan
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C Taylor also a great option after GW1

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

      Are expecting 5 gws for Justin? If yes, I am in.

  9. KDB > Henderson
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Final final team done, would love anyone’s thoughts on improvements or money that could he shaved off.

    0.5 in the bank to do Ings to Martial for gwk 2

    Ramsdale
    Trent Saiss Saliba Davies
    Auba Salah Ali ASM
    Werner Ings

    1. Prison Mike
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Very similar to mine so I like, but got Mitro and a bit cheaper defence

    2. Where dahoud at
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Quite similar to mine, good team but defence is too heavy, I'd agree with triming down on it, gave me a team a rating

  10. Von Lipwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best 4.5m MID bench fodder?

  11. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    So here we are, it's the eve of the start off the season for the best league in the world, and I can't wait, feel like iv my team well sorted now, my plan is for gameweek 2 removing alli and replacing him with greenwood, then gameweek 3 dropping Abumayang for kdb, here's my team any advice would be great,

    Mccarthy
    Taa, egan, kwp
    Salah, Abumayang, alli, asm
    Werner, ings, mitrovic

    Bench, nyland, Vinagre, Gordon, Douglas

    Feel free to rip it apart and tell me what I could change, have a great season folks 🙂

  12. Phil's Stamps
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Taylor Bissouma Brewster for a bench too light?

    Could upgrade Bissouma to Souchek but would mean Robbo --> VVD.

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      2 playing bench players and you should be fine. How often would you realistically use your 3rd bench player?

      1. Phil's Stamps
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers. I wasn't sure if Bissouma counted.

  13. Tarzan
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Tinkered with the team a bit

    RMT
    McCarthy - Nyland*
    TAA - Davies - C Taylor* - Johnson - KWP
    Salah - Alli - Greenwood* - Mount - Soucek
    Vardy - DCL - Ings

    €1.0m in the bank for flexibility
    *not playing in GW1

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Rumours flying about that Sancho is a done deal so I'd replace Greenwood.

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

        Ahh replacing Greenwood makes sense ..Thanks!

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

    GW2 .. Bruno or Martial?

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Martial for me.

    2. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Martial

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

      Rashford

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Isn't his ankle crocked?

        Interested in him too...

    4. Visionaries
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Going both.
      Martial will have a great season though

    5. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’m going martial as easier to fit into team

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

      cheers everyone

    7. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I like Bruno more

  15. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What do you think of Batshuayi at Palace? 6m good value as their main player!?. Wait and see or straight in rather than Adams?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      May not start gw1

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

    I love this time of the year on FFS.

    You get to see all the backroom boys, serial stalkers and faceless figures who come to check their GW1 set-up and then never post again during the rest of the season.

    Hello Friends.

  17. twisterteo
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A. Alli + Ings
    B. Traore + Kane

  18. Thewoodyhorse
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    For all the talk of spurs fixtures, the clamouring for spurs defenders and the constant inclusion of Son or Alli, im seeing very few teams that include Kane?? At only 15% ownership I think he could be a difference maker! Add in the fact that his price means you can switch him out for Werner/Aguero/Martial if things don't go to plan and I can't see him not being in my starting 11

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

      Kane here

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Haven’t looked at Kane since I saw him playing in DM last season

  19. S6 Owl
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Think I'm done... any thoughts guys?

    McCarthy
    Robbo-TAA-Doherty-Egan
    Soucek-Auba-Salah-ASM
    Ing-Werner

    Bench: Button-Taylor-Reed-Davis

    Zero in the bank. Will do Werner -> Martial or Salah -> Bruno ahead of GW2

  20. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A- Alli + Martial + Adams
    B- Soucek + Martial + Ings
    C- Alli + Mitrovic + Ings

    Also, who's west ham's RB? Johnson or Fredericks?

  21. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who is the best Leeds DEF pick? Is Douglas nailed?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ayling most nailed

    2. balint84
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I would prefer Dallas

    3. The Yorkshire Pirlo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ayling followed by Dallas

      1. JELLYFISH
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks guys

        1. The Yorkshire Pirlo
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Douglas could potentially start the Liverpool game, but after that he’ll be backup. Maybe even third choice behind Alioski

          1. JELLYFISH
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            ok, not so good then. Cheers

  22. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which team is better here?

    1)
    McCarthy - 4.0
    TAA - Davies - Lascelles - CTaylor - MITCHELL
    Salah - Auba - Saint Maximin - WARD PROWSE - Bissouma
    Werner - Mitrovic - KANE

    2)
    McCarthy - 4.0
    TAA - DIGNE - TIERNEY - Lascelles - CTaylor
    Salah - Auba - Saint Maximin - SOUCEK - Bissouma
    Werner - Mitrovic - INGS

    0.5 itb for Ings -> Martial GW2

  23. steven8991
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is it wise to go big on mid and fwd like this?
    McCarthy
    TAA KWP Lascelles Mitchell
    Mane Auba Havertz ASM
    Kane Werner
    (4.0m 4.5m 4.5m)
    0ITB

  24. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I'm finally down to this draft until any pressers making me tinker again.

    Johnstone
    TAA KWP Justin Mitchell
    Auba Havertz Alli ASM
    Kane Jimenez

    Button Martial Dallas Lemina

    Auba to KDB/STERLING on Gw3
    Easy to get cash itb by Kane to Ings on Gw4 if needed. Try not to waste transfers before Gw8. Dallas/KWP could cover well by the time Justin is dropped in LEI.

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

      Really don't fancy that goalkeeping setup. Surely McCarthy is a better shout, or squeeze out an extra 500k for a Ramsdale?

  25. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Ings or Son as a one week punt?

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

      Ings for me,

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Antonio

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        See Newcastle being tight at the back, surely Ings has a higher chance against that Palace defence

  26. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Brighton full strength vs a Chelsea team with multiple unwanted players in it - Brighton going to do a 2017 Burnley

  27. statenisland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    a) Robertson, ASM, Mitrovic
    b) Saiss, Soucek, Jiminez

    Thoughts?

  28. beetlejuice
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone else facing the problem "This video is unavailable on this device" for the FPL Blackbox #2 video on youtube? I tried with 3 different devices but no luck.

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

      Yeah, same here on my PC, I downloaded it in the morning on my mobile to listen to it during my flight later on and it plays ok.

  29. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Mitchel (or) branthwaite
    B) justin (or) lamptey
    C) taylor (or) pieters

  30. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any new on Vinagre lads?

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Will stay at Wolves is the latest news I heard

      1. Don Rogers FC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        If he stays do we think he will Start regularly?