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. Thewoodyhorse
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Right I'm settled.......for now

    McCarthy
    Doherty, Tierney, Bertrand, Justin
    Auba, Havertz, Son, Barnes
    Kane, Ings

    Ryan, Stephens, Douglas, Brewster
    1.5m itb

    Switch McCarty/Ryan fixture dependant
    Martial for ings gw1
    Kdb for Auba gw2
    TAA who come in from GW4

    That's the current plan anyway......thoughts?

    1. BENOIT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      you better hope TAA doesn't get a price rise

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

        Can't imagine him rising much given their opening few games, always Robbo to fall back on otherwise if a liv defender is needed

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

    20.5m on 1 def and 2 mid, which ones? I have Auba already.

    A) Justin (or another 4.5), Greenwood, Alli

    B) Mitchell, Salah, Bissouma (or any other 4.5)

    The full team right now:
    McCarthy - Steer
    TAA - Doherty - KWP - Taylor - Justin
    Auba - Alli - Greenwood - ASM - Soucek
    Kane - Werner - Adams

    1. Reacher
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B I fully expect salah to turn up now its for real

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

      why go Bissouma when Stephens played more last season?

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

        No special reason, seems to be a popular pick and just named someone from the cheapest price

  3. Reacher
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Forwards are causing me a headache, rest of the team is set

    Currently - Mitro, Werner, Antonio (my differential for week1)

    Considering - Ings but don't want to play 442 with cheapo defenders

    Any thoughts people?

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

      I think having Ings with the usual template of Salah and Auba as two premium kids makes the rest of the team unbalanced. Personally I’d go for Adams over Antonio just so you have some saints cover

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

        Mids *

      2. Reacher
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks, this will be my final decision, game time for adams is a slight worry

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

      Think that's a nice front 3 currently.

      1. Reacher
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers

    3. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I'm going with Werner Ings (Saints have the fixtures). But I'm going without any 12m mids so doesn't leave my team that unbalanced.

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

      I prefer Adams/Robertson over Ings/any 4.5m defender.

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

    Just for fun I would like to rank the players in my minileague. What sounds best?
    A) Average points, lets say last 5 season (or less if they havent played that often)
    B) Average rank 5 season
    C) Points, but weight 100% last season, 85% the season before, 70% 3rd, 60...50...40...
    D) Rank, but weight 100% last season, 85% the season before, 70% 3rd, 60...50...40...
    E) Top 3 season average or at least don count 1 bad season

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      The one that makes you look better

  5. axos86
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Ready to go?

    Leno (Steer)
    TAA KWP Davies White Johnson
    Salah KDB Son Pereira Saka
    Werner Mitrovic Adams

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

    Points prediction for the season?

    A) Dele Alli
    B) James Rodriguez
    C) Willian
    D) H Barnes

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

      all 2

    2. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Alli 175.
      Rod 150
      Willian 160
      Barnes 140 But it all depends on minutes. I tried to factor this in.

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

    Saint Max or JWP??

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

      Max short term, JWP long term

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

      I’m going JWP. ASM is going to troll

  8. AnfieldLad
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy
    TAA Robbo Davies Vinagre (Ferguson)
    Salah Auba ASM (Soucek, Biss)
    Werner Ings Mitrovic

    0.5 ITB for Ings -> Martial

    Pretty set on this, obviously Vinagre is a risk but I prefer him with Soucek as backup/ rotation rather than say Saiss with another 4.5 mid bench who I’d never play.

    Thoughts?

  9. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any Leeds fans here?
    Who is the more attacking wing-back? Dallas or Ayling? I am trying to understand which side will be more open (which side they building their offense) in order to choose between Salah and Mane.

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

      They're both fairly attacking. Ayling a bit better defensively but Bielsa might decide to play a proper full back and push Dallas to left mid

      1. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks mate.
        So if Ayling a bit better defensively he might stay back (right side, Mane's side), while the other wing get exposed with the other wing back get more forward, think it makes Salah a better option for this game. What do you think about that perspective?

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

      See the Hot Topic section. People will be all over Dallas if he holds a mid spot

      1. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Hey buddy,
        tbh my interest is in Salah\Mane, just want to know which side is being more exposed.

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

    Kindly need your RMT for my team:
    McCarthy (Steer)
    TAA Davies Egan (Mitchell Ferguson)
    Mane Auba JWP ASM (Bissouma)
    Kane Werner Mitrovic
    0ITB. I don't mind having 2 4.0m as def subs

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

      Like the front line, but as you're aware the bench is too weak

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

      I like it but prefer Salah to Mane by quite a lot

  11. amit1964
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    hii
    i need 2 mid at 4.5 , who should i peak?(folders)

    thank you

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

      Bissouma looks to be a common pick in that bracket

  12. SINGH
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hi

    Please RMT

    McCarthy
    Robbo Davies KWP
    Auba Salah Alli ASM
    DCL Wilson Werner

    Nyland Egan Stephens Ferguson

    Thanks

  13. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A. Souchek, ASM, Ings
    B. Pereira, JWP, Callum Wilson

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

    Alli dcl (or) son adams ?

    1. SINGH
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I gone Alli and DCL

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

        Me too

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

    Nyland (or) buton

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

      Nyland probably 3rd choice, soon to be 4th. Button 2nd choice, so him.

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

    Pick 1 and why?

    A. Dier
    B. Davies
    C. Egan
    D. Other

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

      Egan cos think Sheff U are better defensively

  17. gauzah
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    JWP or punt on Pereira

    1. Big Al Stankovic
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Pereira

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

      JWP - think Soton are gonna do well this year, think WBA are going down.

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

    Which?

    A) taylor (or) pieters
    B) which wolves def. Marcal coady sais vinagre

  19. Yip Jaap Stam
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What was his team?

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

      I’ll tell you the forward line:
      Michu,Suarez,Van Persie

      1. Yip Jaap Stam
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        No wonder he won last season 😉

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

      He shared it on one of the podcasts, can't remember which one though, I've watched so many!

  20. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anybody got a link to Anti FPL?

  21. Hangman Page
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I just can’t get away with the idea of benching a 9.0 asset from a side, especially one that had a friendly game at the weekend when injuries could occur.

    I’d rather have Kane, Vardy, Ings, Jiménez, or Richarlison for two games than Martial for one.

    It’ll be popcorn time on here if a popular United asset does pick up a knock before GW2.

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      The player you have instead of Martial can get injured too.

      1. Hangman Page
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Aye but they may have knocked in a brace beforehand. Martial is knocking in nothing.

    2. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Anyone you just listed could pick up a knock.

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

      Martial on my bench, ive got zero issues with that at all mate.
      Issues i do have are.......
      1- whose my GW1 punt?
      2- GK, never had an issue of picking a GK before ever
      3- Aubas my captain, and i have no Salah.........seriously im scared haha

  22. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Its been afew hours....

    I have been on and off the site numerous times over the past 11 years and whilst I have been very impressed with the staggering amount of new content the past few years, id like to rekindle some of the communication between the old school registrants of the site.

    To this end, I have set up an FPL FSS Old School Classic league for registrants who have been on the site for 10 years +.

    I thought this would be a fun way to see which old school lurkers are out there and to try and tempt them to come out of the woodwork.

    Who of the FPL FSS stalwarts would like to pit themselves against age-old friends and foes?

    This isn't supposed to be inclusive and one day the new school will be eligible!

    The eagle-eyed among you will net that the; League name has been changed slightly to hide the fact that you have been on here for at least 10 years....League name: FPL FSS Old School.

    FOR ALL THOSE THAT HAVE JOINED, PLEASE EMAIL ME YOUR NAME AS REGISTERED ON THE FPL SITE, AND FFS ID IN ORDER TO CONTINUE YOUR ANONYMITY THROUGHOUT THE SEASON! djasatate@yahoo.co.uk

    League Code:einzkp

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

    wish Brighton players were nailed, Chelsea look ripe for a shafting

    1. Hangman Page
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I want a Brighton win in GW1 and then Palace to go to Old Trafford and win like they did last season =)

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

        that would be lovely

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

    Fairly settled on this.. I think

    Auba, Salah, Alli, ASM
    Werner, DCL, Adams

    Gw2 Auba/Salah & Adams > Martial and Bruno

  25. 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 starting RB? Johnson or Fredericks?

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

    First time on here, but played FF for a while. Decided to challenge myself further this season by pretending to be Gareth Southgate (not in a weird role-playing way) but in only choosing English players. So here's my team, bang on £100m:

    McCarthy
    TAA Basham Coady Ayling
    Barnes Alli Saka
    Kane Vardy Ings

    Martin, Mitchell, Stephens, Sterling

    Still pondering Dier in the back line and contemplating Wan-Bissaka in Week2.
    Thoughts?

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

    Any thoughts on this gratefully appreciated. Worried that it's as template as you can get, but feel like this might also be a smart season to play it relatively safe.

    McCarthy
    TAA, Van Dijk, Davies
    Salah, Auba, Son, Soucek
    Ings, Wilson, Mitrovic

    (Nyland, Justin, Mitchell, Bissouma)

    0.5m ITB

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nice team

  28. Shatner's Bassoon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Did Southampton just have that one pre-season friendly against Swans?

  29. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Here it is. Forward thinking.

    Johnstone
    Tierney, Dier, Egan, Justin
    Auba, Havertz, Armstrong, Soucek
    Werner, Wilson

    Button, Shaw, Fernandes, Martial

  30. primal33
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Just a thought but with price rises dependant on transfers in/out, could we see the following before gameweek 2 even kicks off?

    KdB - 11.6m
    Bruno - 10.6m
    Martial - 9.1m

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

      Bruno and Martial especially may go even higher.
      Ings, Son and Alli all to drop like stones.