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. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Lets settle this

    Ramsdale X
    X X justin X X
    Auba salah ASM lund X
    Werner mitro X

    Which?
    A) nyland or buton
    B) mitchel taa or robo lewis/lamptey/4.5
    C) sais or coady or marcal or vinagre
    D) pieters or taylor
    E) son adams or ali DCL

    1. thepuntmaster
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Steer
      Taa
      Coady only nailed from those
      Taylor
      Alli DCL

  2. jam sandwich
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    RMT

    McCarthy // Steer
    TAA - Dier - Saiss // Justin - Ferguson
    Salah (v) - Auba (c) - Son - ASM // Bissouma
    Werner - DCL - Adams

    1. Marmalade Forest
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Boring

  3. moz_1983
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone taking a punt on Harvey Barnes? 6 goals and 10 assists in just over 2000 mins is pretty damn good.

    1. Chilli Heatwave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not for me

    2. thepuntmaster
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Have seen a few doing so, I'd go for Minamino if you were feeling particularly punty tho. Even Trossard maybe.

    3. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      maybe

    4. The Mantis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Keep seeing his name pop up last few days, he is decent and could be a differential. I'm tempted

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

      Leicester finished the season so badly.
      Pereira still out, Chilwell gone.
      Not much in the way of incoming activity muted.
      Aside from a defensive 4.5 option, it's wait and see for me.

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

        Add Maddison's injury into the mix as well

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

    Bottomed...

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

      Possibly yes

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

      Bruno is very likely. Close to being less than 20% ownership.

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

      I can see it happening for sure.

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

        It would throw everyone's transfer strategies into turmoil if that 0.1m results in them not being able to afford the transfer.

        1. thepuntmaster
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          For sure. I've got 1.5itb to do Son > Bruno - Imagine I'll just have to move early

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

            I'm torn between bringing in Fernandes and KdB. I plan to bring in Martial so I either go KdB to cover both teams or double United

        2. tim
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Thats why one leaves money in the bank

    4. teddypicker
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Doubtful imo, all the sheep will be reacting to get in that player who pops off in gwk1

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

      Can we not all just promise to do our business in GW3 with a + 4 and let that be that?!

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

      Just transfer as soon as the arsenal game starts

    7. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Auba to KDB gives you 0.5 back, or 0.4 in this case....

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

      Masses will also jump to the bandwagons who will score in the first GW.

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

      I'd say Bruno is the most likely to increase.

      KDB doesn't matter so much seeing as almost everyone is swapping Auba

  5. Chilli Heatwave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What would you change or good to go? Thanks all, don’t normally post these but bored at work.

    McCarthy, 4.0
    TAA-KWP-Dier-Justin-Williams(cover if TAA dropped)
    ASM-Salah-Son-Auba-4.5
    Werner-mitrovic-Watkins

    1. thepuntmaster
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Looks pretty good, like the Watkins punt.

      Would maybe go for Mitchell over Williams but that's no biggie.

      Good luck!

      1. Chilli Heatwave
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks, fair point.

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

    Nench boosting with wc next week

    Need a 5m mid to fill up the kast mid slot

    Noble or soucek?

    1. thepuntmaster
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Soucek

  7. thepuntmaster
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Think I'm there, any final thoughts appreciated...

    Ryan - Steer
    TAA - Egan - KWP - Mitchell - Johnson
    Salah - Auba - Son - ASM - Bissouma
    Martial - DCL - Mitro

    4-4-2 first week with Martial on bench and Mitchell playing.
    Got 1.5itb to do Son > Fernandes GWK2 and then wither Salah or Auba to KDB after that.

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

      I like it, similar to mine.
      I'm doing the hit method of Werner & Son > Martial & Bruno in

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

      Not a big fan of ASM or DCL, but think it looks good

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

      Dam you have Mitchell Johnson in defence

    4. Chilli Heatwave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Looks good, DCL is hit or miss but like the rest

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

      Thanks all.

      DCL is a bit of a personal pick, but it's nice to have a 7.0 in there too. Can pivot up to 1.5 or down to another 6.0 fairly easily. Hoping the new Toffees midfield has an upturn on his goals too.

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

    FPL Blackbox was great

  9. foreverton
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Wolves fans - will Podence start?

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

      they don't know

      1. Marmalade Forest
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Need Nuno ES to join the forum

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

    Looking ok guys?
    McCarthy 4.0
    TAA Davies Justin Ayling Mitchell
    Auba Mane Son Soucek Bissouma
    Ings Adams Martial

  11. Jon Snow
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) 3-4-3 + 4-4-3 back-up
    B) 3-4-3 + 3-5-2 hybrid

    Basically, put spare funds into 5th mid or 4th defender?

  12. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Can you use emojis in your team name?

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

    Lets finish the team, Which?

    A) nyland or buton
    B) mitchel taa or robo lewis/lamptey/4.5
    C) sais or coady or marcal or vinagre
    D) pieters or taylor
    E) son adams or ali DCL

  14. Dybala10
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Just looking at the popularity picks on FPL and especially who is unavailable for GW1. Look at the below selections across 4.5m players.

    Pope - 19.7%
    Ake - 7.9%
    Tarkowski - 7%
    AWB - 12.8%
    KDB - 29.3%
    Fernandes - 19.9%
    Grealish - 11.6%
    Greenwood - 9.4%
    Martial - 14.4%

    Could be a good chance to get a head start on people.

    It's hard to know how many of those have a clear plan and how many didn't even consider the fixtures and can't field 11 players!

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

      Keep in mind that some Martial, Greenwood, KdB and Fernandes owners are doing it on purpose. Those are the guys that might steal a march on you come GW2.

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

        Except it means they have to start a horrible player in GW1 and then you can just take a hit to get the same squad as them.

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

          Not necessarily. That 'horrible' player is Soucek for me.

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

          It's basically something like

          Ings (-4) v Soucek.

          Most likely scenario, they both blank and Soucek wins (plus possible clean sheet point).
          Second most likely scenario, ings scores and Soucek blanks. Either even or in favour of Ings with bonus slightly.
          Third scenario they both get attacking returns and again most likely Soucek wins with the +4.

          I'll take my odds on the bench.

    2. Marmalade Forest
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I reckon 50% of FPL players couldn’t care less.
      And 20% of teams by the end of the season are just eejits creating new teams to win the Gameweek, despite not being allowed to win the Gameweek if it’s your first week.

      Don’t worry about rank or the herd.

      Don’t worry about the pros who can have poor starts but come back and smash it.

  15. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is there a case for drafting Jesus before Aguero?

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

      nope

  16. ⭐ ABHISHEK - THE CURIOUS …
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mohamed Salah can become the first Liverpool player to score in four consecutive PL opening matches, and just the second in history.

    Take note of this if someone going without Salah .

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

      blank due, not ideal

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

      Pretty niche stat

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

      Think the record will be on his mind. Was going without initially but not now

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

        😆

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

      Thats what i call a jinx - im happy with Auba now

    5. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Who cares?

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

      King Mo

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

      Why? Auba can become the first PL player to score 8 goals in one PL match. What of it?

  17. AYLD28
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Think my biggest decision today is this:

    Salah + Adams - 3-5-2

    Fernandes (bench) + Ings - 4-4-2

    With Fernandes benched I’d have Fernandez playing West Ham as my fourth def

    McCarthy
    TAA James Saiss (Fernandez Ferguson)
    ?? Havertz Auba ASM Periera
    ?? Werner (Brewster)

  18. SerieD
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is attacking too thin? I would like to have Chelsea asset. Anyhow avoiding to have Werner so options are Puli and Azpi.

    Team:
    McCarthy(Steer)
    Doherty, Justin, Taa (KWP, Ferguson)
    Alli, Puli, Salah, Auba, Soucek
    Wilson, DCL (Mitro)

    Earlier i had Puli+Wilson --> Werner+ ASM. That feels too common combo.

    RMT/tips? Cheers!

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

      Decent but see no point in benching Mitro. Put the money into getting Ings anyway.

      Lose Doherty to Davies and you can get Rich over Wilson. Much better player and much better team and good fixtures from GW2 on

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

        I have 0 ITB. So only possible transfer is Doherty--> Davies, DCL--> Rich. Even that i could change wilson to rich it would be everton double up. Ings is 8.5 so it would take more money than doherty to Davies. Thanks for insight, food for tought!

        What would be budget ideal attacking?

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

    Hi - no replies last time

    Please RMT

    McCarthy
    Robbo Davies KWP
    Auba Salah Alli ASM
    DCL Wilson Werner

    Nyland Egan Stephens Ferguson

    Thanks

  20. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Palace cs week 1?

    By no means impossible. Tidy defensive record historically at home and most especially against non top 8. Defensive weaknesses a tad exaggerated. See Brghton podcasters on here who typically tip Palace for relagation and disaster 😀

    Look at Ward Ferguson as a guaranteed 4.25 starter perhaps. On a 3 at the back system you can bench for United Chelsea and play v Everton and Southampton - both quite possible cs.

    From 5 on Palace top the ticker.

    Just a thought 😀

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

      A 4.5 palace defender actually looks decent to rotate in the opening weeks, their fixtures actually look better than burnley's

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

        This is easily the best 4.0 play in the game in my opinion. All it takes is a belief that Palace can keep cs. Just before lockdown they got 5 on the trot - also with limited options in defence

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

          Nobody here believes palace on both ends, I believe they will def do better than last season, zaha will do better as long as they stop playing the useless 4-5-1 system. 2 seasons ago he had his best season playing behind 2 strikers so it's fine whether he plays as the supporting striker or left winger. I was initially determined on ayew as zaha+ayew will score half the goals palace score, until wilson came in his price is just too good to ignore for first 2 weeks.

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

      They do rotate well. So you're intending on having 2 Pal defenders - what are your other defenders out of interest?
      Ferguson over Mitchell too?

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

        Mitchell works if you want him strictly for week 1 only.

        PvA I understand is close and Palace away to United is a 1 pointer presumably at best

        Roy presser soon

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

        Still pondering 4.5s

        Davies and TAA did sure. Dunno really

        Started Kelly award last season on this theory and it worked then

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

      Very unlikely I'd say.

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

        Lowest odds for a CS other than the newly promoted teams and Brighton

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

          If so frankly laughable Newcastle minus Dubravka are at better odds

          WH with no RB are also well below Palace imo

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

            I mean the reality is both Newcastle and CP will concede. I think you're talking yourself into the CP CS too much, it's not happening.

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

              Reality is most teams will concede and there’ll be around 2/3 cs overall 🙂

              Not doing it yet but under consideration for long term 4.0 play. Palace have overall good fixtures up to 8 for cs for a non top 8 side

              Could of course be wrong but think Palace defence is likely to oerform exactly the same way this season as in the past. No solid reason to think otherwise

              Non top 8 sides at best average around a cs every 4 games. Southampton and KWP cost 4.5. WardFeruson is cheaper that’s all

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

                Yeah but that's why I wouldn't want to play any 4.5 or 4.0 every week. In my opinion better to spend a bit more getting a solid defence and rotate the 4.5 in when they've got particularly good fixtures.

                All I can say is good luck though if you do go for it.

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

                  Don’t disagree at all

                  GL to you too

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

        That can only be backing against Mitchell then. This set up averages between 40 and 50% cs against non top 10 defences for 2 straight seasons with multiple injury crises

        Not probable but perfectly possible. RH sides can defend

  21. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which Newcastle player is better to have?

    Wilson

    Or

    ASM

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

      Wilson

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

        Anyone else just shout WILSOOOOON!?

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

          🙂

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

      Wilson for me...the old link with Fraser hopefully.

    3. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Wilson

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

      Wilson > everyone
      Fraser > ASM

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

      Wilson. I was uncomfortable with the double up so ditched ASM for Soucek.

  22. mlwafc
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone considering Saka or Keita?

    Currently thinking ASM, but tempted with the other 2....

    1. Look at his face!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      tempted by both! should play GWK1 but not sure after that. Saka has big competition for his place

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

        Yeah - Might go for Keita.... minimal ownership too

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

      Punting on Saka, but am WCing GW3 anyway

  23. iati
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    RMT (1.5m in the bank)
    3-4-3
    McCarthy (Steer)
    TAA, Egan, Davies (Vinagre, Mitchell)
    Auba, Salah, Son, Soucek (Bissouma)
    Werner, Mitrovic, Adams
    any suggestions on where to invest the extra 1.5m?

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

      Hold the 1.5 and carry over to GW2....enables options on Man U assetts

  24. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone going with TAA Robbo double up? Can you talk me into it?

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Going from gw4 onwards

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

        Yep same for me

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

    Any good 7.0-7.5 mids for first couple gameweeks?

    Not the best value area but it seems to work well if you start with Salah + 7.0 then switch to Bruno + Havertz by week 3.

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

    Some great GK/Def comments thanks. Think my last call lies here then...

    OK, last call.

    A. McCarthy+Vinagre/Justin/White
    B. Ryan+KWP

    XXX
    TAA, Egan, Davies, XXX
    Salah(C), Auba, Havertz, ASM
    Werner, Ings
    (Nyland, Bissouma, Ferguson, Davis)

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

    Davies or dier?

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

      I have Davies. Not sure I should. Might switch to Dier just because he's not as injury-prone.

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

    A) Taylor or pieters

    B) Coady or saiss

    C) Taa mitchel or robbo lamptey/lewis/4.5 (have justin)

  29. Lukakwho
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What’s the situation with Justin? Likely to be a regular in the team or a transfer waiting to happen?

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

      Good for at least first 3 GWs I believe
      Not nailed when Periera comes back

  30. umerlfc
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    AWB nailed?

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No doubt about that