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. Eastman
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Rash or Martial?

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

      Martial.

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

      Rash for me. More consistent, less injury prone

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

        currently nursing an ankle injury and missed a chunk of the season because of back?

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

        Wouldn't say less injury prone at all.

        But I do think Rash is overlooked. Martial benefits from a much weaker striker pool compared to mids so I think inevitably more people will want him over Rash.

        Rash if up against Havertz, Son, Pulisic, Mahrez vs Martial who's up against Werner, Ings, Jimenez.

      3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Martial has started 28 of the last 29 league games - that's not injury prone

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

      Martial.

    4. Boz
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Martial

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

      Rash for me, most are going Martial for what I think is due to too many option in midfield.

    6. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Martial

    7. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I prefer a motivated Martial like we saw at the end of last season. For me it may come down to whether I ship Ings or Son after GW1 for Martial or Rashford.

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

    Enda Stevens Vs Saint-Maximin. Who wins in FPL?

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

      SM

    2. Boz
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Stevens but would have Egan and the 0.5

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

        I do, the legend son of a legend plus Ramsdale.

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

    Son and Soucek
    or
    Alli and JWP ???

    1. JelliedSpark968
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      1

    2. Boz
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      S&S

  4. Boz
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Doherty + Egan
    B) VVD + Justin (/4.5)

    To go alongside TAA and KWP in 4-4-2

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

      Went w Doherty n Egan

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

    Punting on Everton. RMT / 10

    McCarthy
    TAA, Mina, Egan, Justin
    Auba, Mané, Rodríguez
    Werner, Ings, Wilson

    SUBS: Steer, Mitchell, Lemina, Alzate

    1. JelliedSpark968
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Swap Mina for Tierney, otherwise it's a great team

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

    Ryan - Pope
    TAA - Bednarek - Azpi - Stevens - Amartey
    D. Jota - Saint-Maximin - Mount - Trezeguet - KDB
    DLC - Jimenez - Kane

    Thinkings? I didnt pick many Manchester Player, because their not playing the first gameday.

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

      good to go

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

        :/

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

      Downgrade one of your keepers, Pope perhaps given how expensive he is. The midfield is an absolute minefield. Jota and Mount will be rotated, not sold on Trezeguet.

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

    thoughts guys?

    McCarthy
    Justin, TAA, KWP, Mitchell
    Auba, Alli, Salah, ASM
    Kane, Werner

    Bench: Nyland, Davis, Bissouma, Taylor

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

      Template but it's template for a reason so it's good!

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

      Kane & Werner squad, rise!

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

      I'd change KWP to Saliba as don't like double soton defence

    4. The Sociologist
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Think you’re set! Plan for United assets?

  8. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I think I’m finally settled. Phew..

    McCarthy - Steer
    Saliba - Justin - KWP - Targett - Mitchell
    Mane - Aubameyang - Son - Havertz - Stephens
    Ings - Richarlison - Wilson

    GW 2 - Ings > Martial
    GW 3 - Aubameyang > Sterling
    GW 4 - WC

    Going all out for the first 3 gws as I will be WCing in GW 4.

    Thoughts? 🙂

    1. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      0.5m in the bank.

      1. Oi! Shadders!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I hope your defence gets you that far! But looks good considering your plan.

        1. pundit of punts
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Thanks

    2. Almathkourq8
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nice team ..
      goor luck

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheer

    3. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Looks good. Not a big fan of Richarlison, but could be a good differential prior to WC. Saliba expected to start?

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Saliba should be good for the first 3 until my WC

        1. Hairy Potter
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Could be a great pick. Good luck.

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

      I prefer DCL over Richarlison, but if you have the 1m spare then it seems fine.

      I like the Sterling choice over KDB, not sure if I'll be brave enough.

      Weak defence, not much room for movement, but overall it seems alright.

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers

    5. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Where’s Trent? Stopped reading after that

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He will be in gw 4 WC

        Don’t need him for he 2 and 3 which are tough fixtures. He may not start he 1 as he has had no pre season.

        It’s a very well calculated risk

        1. IRBOX ⚽
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Was Leicester a tough fixture when he scored 23 points? It’s not worth the risk

          1. pundit of punts
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            He isn’t fully match fit

            He was then

            1. IRBOX ⚽
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Check his minutes for England. He is ready to shred

    6. Lucky Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Rich => TAA and save 0.5

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        No way

        Rich has great fixtures

        TAA no preseason and tough games in first 3

  9. Almathkourq8
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hello everyone!!
    Final draft for my Team

    McCarthy (button)
    TAA Holding Justin (Mitchell Douglas)
    Auba Soucek Son Mané (Stephens)
    Werner Ingsy Wilson

    Please RMT !

  10. Malinwa
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who to pick? Advise pls, appreciated!

    A/ Doherty
    B/ Davies

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

      Wait until the press conference.

      Any sign of Doherty starting, then it's an easy A.

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

        When is the press? 🙂

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

          1pm (just under an hour away if a different timezone)

          FFS Twitter posts an article after usually, and updates their twitter.

          https://twitter.com/FFScout/status/1304306177929404416

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

            Thanks for the info !

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

    Am I G2G? Would you swap Vinagre for Justin?

    McCarthy
    Taa - Vinagre - Saliba
    Salah - Auba - Son - ASM - Soucek
    Ings - Werner

    Subs: Steer, Taylor, Brewster & Mitchell.

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

      You literally have my exact team except Vinagre instead of Egan, so could you go up to a 5.0 instead?

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

        I'm holding 0.5m itb to do Ings > Martial for GW2.

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

    Egan or Saiss?

    1. JelliedSpark968
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Saiss

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

      Egan all day. 100% nailed unlike Saiss and early fixtures are better

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

        How is Saiss not nailed? Because they signed a 31 year old LB for 2m?

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

      Coady?

  13. JelliedSpark968
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Can anyone tell me the likelihood of Greenwood staying in the team?

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

      35%

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

    Want an Armstrong replacement. Moutinho? Soucek/bank the 0.5? other ideas?

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

      Soucek is a considerably better pick than Moutinho

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

        Thanks. Only Soucek's fixtures making me hesitate. Gift horse etc...

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

    Best mid max 7.5m?

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

      Greenwood if they dont sign Sancho

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

      Barnes

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

        This

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

      4 at the back and get Robbo who would outscore most of the 7.0s

    4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think it's worth giving Barnes a chance

      Lost count of how many times I cursed him last season (as a Vardy owner) for either greedily shooting when he should have passed to Vardy, or wasting what seemed like so many cast iron Vardy assists/tap-ins - he’s young, and he’s raw, but he’s a greedy little sod with bags of pace & power & see him as a decent punt for 7.0

      He also managed 16 attacking returns last year without any set pieces (Pulisic got 17 for example)

      12 midfielders scored more than him last season - but 5 of those were KDB, Salah, Mane, Sterling & Auba

      Of the other 7- all except Mahrez played at least 400-500 minutes more than him, some (e.g. Grealish) played over 1,000 minutes more

      i.e. 30 points behind Son in 400 less minutes, 40 points behind Rashford in 600 less minutes etc. etc.

      Greenwood probably better longer term if utd dont get Sancho - so maybe starting with Barnes, see what happens during the window then switch to Mason depending on how things go

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

      Zaha

      Mount/Barnes/Jota good too

  16. FPL Brains
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Just made some changes. Taking some risks but breaking the template. Let me know your thoughts:

    McCarthy
    Trent, Doherty, Justin, Mitchell
    Rodriguez, Soucek, Son
    Werner, Adams, Mitrovic

    Nyland, KDB, Fernandes, Taylor

    Obviously taken out Auba and Salah from the first two weeks.

  17. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Play Saiss or Stevens?

  18. thomashl
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    What's the latest on Vinagre?

    Last I read was that Porto prob can't afford him, but hard to know what to make of it:
    https://www.molineux.news/transfer-news/report-fc-porto-unlikely-to-be-able-to-afford-ruben-vinagre/

  19. The Lighthouse Keeper
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I need a pair of 4.5 defenders. Currently sat on Justin & Vinagre - but both have question marks.
    Others in the frame might be KWP (but I already have SOT keeper), Taylor (tough fixtures for a few weeks) or Lascelles perhaps.
    Any thoughts?

    1. Kyle2210
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mitchell CP 4.0

      1. The Lighthouse Keeper
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He's already my 4.0 defender 🙂

    2. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Aston Villa and Leicester City
      wba, BUR, ful, WHU, AVL, LEE

      Palace and Newcastle
      whu, BHA, EVE, BUR, BHA, ful

      Saints and Brighton
      cry, new, bur, WBA, cry, WBA

    3. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Run the risk. The upside is worth it in the short term with an early WC inevitable

      1. The Lighthouse Keeper
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks. Thinking the same, and I don't mind an early WC

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

      Kenny has question marks over him, but I expect him to start and he would then become the best 4.5.

      1. The Lighthouse Keeper
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Not one I've considered - *off to take a closer look*

  20. Kyle2210
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which player out of Adam Traore and Zaha would you keep longer term?

    Adama means I can change Son to Bruno for GW2. But Zaha means I need 0.5 from elsewhere.

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

      Longer term I'd have Foden over them both and have Bruno.

      Of the 2 I'd rather Adama if it allows u to get Bruno.

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

    Arteta's update on Luiz....does that improve Saliba's prospects of a start?

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

    So shaw is back
    Interesting

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

      Benching him first week. Good fixtures for Utd. Just hope Justin or Mitchell start

  23. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is there a case for sticking with Vinagre?

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

      Doesn't look like he'll be sold. Why not?

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

      Yes

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

      yes, I'm starting with him

    4. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      The best 4.5 in the game

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

        Don't think Marcal will be starter?

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

    Doherty worth the extra 1m over Ben Davies?

    1. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not sure

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not yet.

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

      Not yet

  25. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Great article Lateriser

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

    Thoughts greatly appreciated:

    McCarthy
    TAA, Saiss, Justin
    Salah, Auba, ASM, Son
    Mitro, Werner, Wilson

    Steer, Biss, Mitchell, Douglas (1.5ITB) - Son for Bruno next week

    Am i good to go?

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

      Nice team - prefer Soucek over ASM though

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

    Could use some help here.

    McCarthy (Nyland)
    Doherty - James - TAA - KWP (Justin)
    Auba - Salah - Son - Soucek (ASM)
    Werner - Mitrovic (Brewster)

    itb 0.5

    Could replace Doherty > Davies and save 1.0

    GTG?

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

      Looks good to me. Personally don't rate Davies as despite stats he rarely scores or assists. Doherty should be good - I have him myself. Minor worry that Doherty won't start every game, but hard to say. Would be nice if Aurier got his move away.

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

        2 or 3 seasons ago, davis was the robertson for spurs b4 rose

  28. Super Squirrel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Batshuyi as a cheapie fwd, any takers?

    1. The Lighthouse Keeper
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I like him - did well at Palace previously.

  29. RVP 20
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    G2G?

    McCarthy (Nyland)
    TAA Davies Mitchell (Ayling Taylor)
    Salah Auba Barnes Son ASM
    Werner Mitrović (Brewster)

  30. xtremesid
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Please RMT

    Schmeichel (McCarthy)
    TAA, Egan, Mitchell, AWB, Dallas
    Mane, Auba, ASM, Phillips, Lemina
    Werner, Mitro, Ings

    ITB 0