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

    I thought people were joking when they said that Coady has 0 goal threat. But they were not.

    In 3420 minutes (a full season) he had 0 goal attempts and 2 touches in the final third. Absolutely insane. He literally almost never leaves his own half. And furthermore he only got 7 BPs too.

    Saiss it is. I don't think I could forgive myself for picking someone as uninspiring as Coady.

    1. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Without Europe I don't envisage Nuno tinkering with Saiss's slot too much

      Personally, over say a 10 game period, I'd have the all out Boly or at 5m have Saiss over Coady even if he should miss one game and play 9 vs Coady 10

    2. Sterling Malory
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I mean, he is basically sweeper in that back 3...

      But those figures are outstanding!

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

      Why not Keane? Same price, odd goal good fixtures?

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

        Because Wolves had the best defense post restart. They were literally ranked the best defense in the entire league for xGC.

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

      The issue with Saiss is the arrival of Marcel and potentially Telles. Marcel can play at LCB. It makes Saiss a rotation risk.

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

        Marcal more likely to hurt Vinagre than Saiss imo.

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

          I disagree, he's too slow to play wing back.

  2. Sterling Malory
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I think of set on this rather template 442

    Ramsdale
    TAA Davies Justin KWP
    Salah Auba Alli ASM
    Werner Ings
    Nyland Vinagre Reed Brewster

    Slightly banking on Brewster being unveiled as a Blade in the coming day or two

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

      It's template but it's good overall.

      I'd do Vinagre > 4.0 and Reed > Soucek.

      1. Sterling Malory
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks, yeah I thought about this but not sure if having a playing bench this season will be more important given Covid etc..

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

          Depends which 4.0 defender you pick. But Soucek is a substantial upgrade on Reed for just 0.5m more.

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

    ok draft 376892. Tried to get a good a mix of template players plus some differentials.

    Ramsdale (Steer)

    TAA KWP James (Burr N. Williams)

    Auba Salah Alli Pereira (Bissouma)

    Adams Werner DCL

    Thinking that Klopp is going to rotate fullbacks a lot more this season so Neco will get more game time. Then for transfer GW3 Alli -> Rashford Auba -> KDB.

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

    Anyone keeping faith in Soucek and starting him vs Newcastle? Has a headed goal written all over it doesn't it

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

      Me. He's in. Another dive into the stats this morning has cleared my head.

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

        I'm tempted to start with him instead of ASM and bank the 0.5 for future transfers

        1. Ser Davos
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I'd do this. That bracket looks like locking 1m and Soucek could be an outlier and in a bracket of his own

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

          I don't like banking the money unless there's something very specific I want to do or if I want to force a transfer of like Ings > Martial.

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

            .5 really helps navigate price rises etc in the fist few weeks though

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

      Horrendous fixtures and plays for West Ham

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

        I don't think the fixtures are THAT bad for a player like Soucek. He scores from set plays etc

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

        The stats don't care. The stats say he's a 6m midfielder who is severely underpriced. His fixtures for the first 4 aren't that bad either. NEW ars WOL lei.

        I think he can score 10 goals+ this season with his profile. His xG stats from post restart are very good. It's not like he got lucky with a few rogue headers. He scored 3 goals from 18 shots, 14 in the box.

    3. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Thinking of bringing both Vinagre and Soucek back into the fray to complete the bandwagon loop

      Trying to locate this year's value with longevity. He could be one of those picks

      Got a Pope, Lundstram kinda feel about it in spite of WHM

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

        Agree!

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

        What's the latest on him? I'd love to drop Saiss to Vinagre, Egan to a 4.5 then have Adams as a third striker!

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

      I've fitted Bowen in as their form player. I know the fixtures look bad but form trounces fixtures and there are several options at around 6.5 to switch too.

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

      100% - Himself & TAA are the only outfielders that have never left my draft

      It's not so much his ability (he's not a 12.0 or anywhere near it - which seems to be the basis for some folks avoiding him strangely)

      It's much more that ridiculous price they've gifted him with

      He can basically fail at 5.0 and still be decent value

      And if he continues where he left off, or even improves on it, he'll make a mockery of that price tag

      Could easily see a world where he starts next year as a 6.5, even a 7.0 if he did what Moyes' midfield target men of yesteryear used to do (Fellaini, Cahill - even Pienaar to a certain extent although obviously very different type of player)

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

        Nice! Think I agree. Cheers

      2. Ser Davos
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Gives a lot of flexibility, agreed and he's surely set to outscore a Reed and Bissouma

  5. amsemp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    RMT, first proper draft:

    Ryan, Walton
    TAA, Boly, Egan, KWP, Justin
    Salah, Aubameyang, Pulisic, JWP, Romeu
    Werner, Mitrovic, Batshuayi

    0.0 ITB

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

      Downgrade bat, upgrade JWP

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

        Did look at that but Bat did very well at Palace on loan last season and there’s no one that really takes my fancy in midfield between 6.5-7.5

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

    We sleeping on Willian? could be a great differential

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

      I agree.

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

    Are we sure Wilson will start over Caroll?

  8. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    how can i improve this lot:

    Mcarthy, Ryan
    TAA, Shaw, lescelles, justin, mitchel
    Salah (C), Auba (VC), son. Pereira, st. maximin
    martial, mitro, adams

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

      martial and shaw prepare me for gw2 and onwards, chelsea assets will come in on gw3 after liverpool and when we see what is teh formation

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

    Alli or Son for GW1 only

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

      Son, always.

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

        Thanks!

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

      Neither if it's a one week punt. If this is your big Bruno plan, it's a bad one.

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

        Who should i get then pray tell?

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

      need to see consistent starts and effort from alli before i can seriously consider him over son

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

        Alright thanks

  10. tinear
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy
    TAA - Davies - Justin - KWP
    Salah - Auba(C) - Son - ASM
    Ings - Werner

    Nyland - Bissouma - Mitchell - Brewster

    Thoughts?

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

      There or thereabouts if you're happy with a nothing bench

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

        Would you change anything?

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

    Mustafi
    Saliba
    Gabriel
    Luiz
    Holding
    Sokratis
    Mari
    Chambers

    Jeez how many cbs do arsenal want

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

    Total number of players is less this season?

    1. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Many will join today and tomorrow and in the first week. Then people start making duplicate teams throughout the season..

    2. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      expect another million between gw1 and gw2

  13. Better Call Raul
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone going for Rob Holding over Saliba? Seems guaranteed to start tomorrow, also 4.5

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

      Not fancying Arsenal's cleansheet chance

  14. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who would you prioritise for GW2, Bruno or Martial?

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

      value for money martial, unless you expect another seaosn with 14 penalties given to united

    2. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Personally, as excited people are at this new Martial, reclassifying to forwards doesn't bode well. I can only think of Firmino for one season where it was worthwhile. By no means dismissing him on this alone, but I'd advise caution

  15. Matty172
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Not seen many double up on Liverpool Mids, landed on this for now:
    McCarthy
    TAA Lascelles KWP
    Auba Mane Salah ASM
    Werner Nketiah

    Hoping it’ll give me the freedom for transfers after gw1!

    1. Matty172
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      +Saliba in a 442!
      (Post fail)

      1. The Man Pastore
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        what's your bench?

    2. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      you play 342?

    3. Matty172
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bench currently
      Nyland Bissouma Taylor Davis

  16. The Man Pastore
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Alright, I decided to go a bit different, what;s your thoughts :

    Ramsdale
    TAA Doherty KWP
    Auba Mane Pereira Doucoure
    Werner Ings Adams

    Bench: Steer Vinagre Bissouma Ferguson

    0.5ITB to do Ings --> Martial GW2

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

      downgrade Doherty, Adams, upgrade Doucore

      1. The Man Pastore
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I would never go lower than 6.0 for a playing striker

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

      Doesn't look that different to me. Dream a little larger, Darling!

  17. Invincibles
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Havertz
    B) Ings

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

      B to start

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

    What are Buur's prospects of playing?

    I won't be relying on him but have him instead of Mitchell at the moment, and Ayling second on my bench.

    Would be great if Buur turns out to be an option, even if only for a few weeks...

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

      Traore RWB imo

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

        Good shout, played there before. Thanks. Would you start with Mitchell instead?

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

    what do you think of doubling up TAA and Robbo?

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

      Doing it. Safe and reliable. Be prepared to resist bandwagons

      1. Ser Davos
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Such on point advice at the end

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

      I'm going for it, but I don't have any other Liverpool players.. TAA seems to be a 'must have', but I really think people are overlooking Robbo.. He can be as dangerous as TAA. The biggest advantage of TAA is free kicks and corners.. Thus the price difference..

  20. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    All set on this team for over 2 weeks but doubt creeping in. Ow should I leave it alone cheers

    Mccarthy
    TAA KWP Saliba
    Salah Son Havertz Aubam Ceballos
    Werner Mitrovic

    Button Mitchell Brewster Taylor

    Was thinking
    Son/Ceballos to Alli and Doucoure

    Cheers

    1. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Confident Saliba starts?!

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

        Good for the first 2

      2. Oggle22
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        90% especially with injuries to 2 arsenal cb's just worrying about the Southampton double defence

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

    How is this Benchboost? Anything obvious to change?

    Patricio* McCarthy
    TAA Robbo Saiss Vinagre* KWP
    Salah(C) Havertz Barnes Bowen Saka
    Werner Antonio Adams

    * Could be any other combination priced 10.0

    Wildcarding GW2.

  22. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    For those wanting Martial & Bruno (or any 2 United attackers) in GW2, what's your plan?

    a) Bench one this week, bring in the other next week for free
    b) Take a hit to bring both in next week
    c) WC

  23. Game of Throw_ins
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Double Spurs, WHO?
    A. Doherty + Son (15m)
    B. Davies + Son (14m)
    C. Doherty + Alli (14m)
    D. Davies + Alli (13m)

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

      I’m on B

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

      I am on D

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

      E) Kane and Son

  24. InvertedWinger
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Have I gone crazy?
    A) Vardy, Alli, Che Adams
    B) Werner, Ings, Mitrovic

    1. Ramsays Raw Steak
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

  25. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    No one wants Saliba anymore?

    1. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Why not?!

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

      I am wondering this as well... why did the Sailba wagon crash?

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

      Literally zero goal throat

  26. Ramsays Raw Steak
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    4.5 nailed def?

    Vinagre for 2-4 games weeks

    Walker-peters

    Mitchell at 4m for a few game weeks

    Justin for 3 game weeks

    Taylor? Not sure

    Leeds do not have appealing fixture

    Lascelles

    Manquillo

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

      Lascelles for safety

      Vinagre/Justin/Mitchell will make a few pennies depending on who gets the baps

      I'd chance the short term sh!tter with the best fixtures

  27. Powers106
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Are any other members having trouble entering your FPL ID for the RMT tool? Mine doesn't take - it's the right number. I've tried both Safari and Chrome.

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

    Havertz or Jimmy Rodriguez?

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

      H

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

    McCarthy (Nyland)
    Davies, Alexander-Arnold, Robertson, Walker-Peters (Taylor)
    Saint-Maximin, Salah, Aubameyang, Son (Reed)
    Adams, Werner (Davis)

    Any changes you would do?

    1. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’d downgrade robbo to upgrade Adams. Too many Southampton players away at palace.

  30. Scout
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Rashford and martial
    Or
    Martial and mane/salah
    Or
    Wilson, Greenwood and mane/salah

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

      Wilson, Greenwood and Salah