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. Vanbasten9
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    RMT out of 10

    McCarhty (Nyland)
    TAA Egan Vinagre (KWP, Mitchell)
    Salah Auba Son ASM (STephens)
    Jimenez Ings Mitro

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Template and well balanced, not much more to say really

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

        8.3

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

        8.3 seems about right

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

          Maybe not the Southampton double up though?

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

      How is this Benchboost?

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

      * Could be any other combination priced 10.0
      Finding those two spots difficult so any suggestions are welcomed.

      Wildcarding GW2.

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

        Wouldnt advice wc gw2
        Busy schegual
        Injuries and not setteling on a formation yey
        I would advice after gw3

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

        Too many wolves for me, change 1 or 2 to sheffield.

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

        Crazy talk. We don't know any lineups yet. Vinagre, Havertz, Bowen, Saka or Adams could all be benched. That's before we get into late injuries or Covid isolations. That's what your bench is for. Roll with the punches till the value options emerge.

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

        Thank you all.

    3. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Guys, been away from the footy news for a day or two, have I missed anything along the lines of Vinagre potentially being sold/Soucek being quarantined? Things that wouldn't necessarily be headlines

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

          I would also like to know*

          *Asking for a friend

      • Brazooka
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Ramsdale
        TAA Saliba Justin KWP
        Auba(C) Mane Son(vc) St-Maximin
        Werner Adams

        Meslier; Brewster, Kalvin, AWB
        0.5 itb

        Possibly my favorite DEF and MF mix for start. Thinking a bit about the first impact of bargains.

      • tinear
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Play Ings, Justin and bench Brewster

        Or

        DCL, Mitro and bench Justin?

        Other striker is Werner

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

          Ings/Justin

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

        If son performs im quiting after gw1

      • Clintymints
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Seein a lot of McCarthy love over Ryan and also Brewster interest?

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

          Mccarthy has good fixture
          Brewater if gets time he will go up in price

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

            Using up a nice Liverpool slot and transferring 4.5 keepers will be low down on my list of priorities for weeks

            Not sure I like it

      • The Wogmeister
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Batshuayi or Mitrovic

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

          Bat might not start
          Waiting for updates

      • TyroneGAA
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        First rmt really difficult any advise appreciated ...

        McCarthy

        Taa VVD saiss kwp

        Auba salah son

        Werner mitro Wilson

        Nyland mitchel Mendy Bissouma

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

          Not sire if saiss is nailed
          Gw3 u can auba>stir/deb .5 in the bank
          Id go for saint max over wilson than > adama/jota
          Solid team

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

        Best 7.0 mid in your opinion?

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

          I like the look of Zaha if, and it's a big if, he plays upfront as he has pre-season.

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

          Jota

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

          Greslish.

          But prefer the options at 6.5:

          Bowen
          Jota
          Traore
          Foden

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

          Barnes for now

      • wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Do you think that Castagne will start?

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

          I've seen nothing that says either way.
          My assumption is yes, but based on nothing but gut feel.
          Having said that, I had him and too him out because the uncertainty was too great for my team - I needed a guaranteed starter.

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

        RP: 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.

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

          risky

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

          0 playing players on the bench? Soucek and Mitchell are risks to play

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

          will Rodriguez actually play the first GW? Is he match Fit n ready?

        4. Boly Would
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Not keen at all, risk only having 8 or 9 players.

      • Obamawang
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Getting there...

        A little help would be appreciated. I've got two decisions left:

        (i) best combination, both would start: (a) Mitrovic and Robertson; or (b) Ings and Vinagre/Walkers-Peters

        and

        (ii) which is the best midfielder for a first week punt? He will become Bruno in week 2.

        Thanks!

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

          i a
          ii barnes

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

          i B
          ii Alli

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

            B with KWP, that is

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

              Thanks, chaps.

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

        Please hurry GW1, I want to stop thinking about making changes...

        I'm now back to wondering if I should drop Son to Alli for the 5th time...

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

          i went from that to niether
          Probably get son back an hour before kickoff

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

          I did Son to Alli, so that's obviously the wrong thing to do

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

        Got 11m to spend on 2 x Mids.

        Can you give me a few options other than Soucek (bad fixtures after GW1) and ASM (have Wilson already) please?

        Other mids I have are Salah, Auba & Son.

        Cheers

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

          I wanted to say go for a 6 and a 4.5 but then realized there's no decent 6s available

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

            what about JWP?

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

              Penalty and set piece taker, decent but not overly good. I either take 7.0 or 5.5

        2. Boly Would
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I've be making a case for Harrison at 5.5. Creates a lot of chances, just needs someone other than Bamford finishing them.

          Or JWP + Ceballos / Norwood?

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

            Was thinking of Ceballos and what are your thoughts on Hendo?

            1. Boly Would
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              Never been too sold on him but his numbers last season were good. JWP seems a bit more of an attacking threat

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

          There's a bunch in that range I quite like: Klich, JWP, Pereira, McNeil, Trossard, Trezeguet...

      • Danstoke82
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Which Spurs Def?

        A) Doherty
        B) Davies

        Thanks in advance

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

          b

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

          I'm on B as well.

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

            im not

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

          B

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

        Considering benching Martial so I can double up on United/City from GW2:

        McCarthy (Nyland)
        TAA-Justin-Vinagre-Holding (Mitchell)
        Auba(c)-Salah-Son-ASM (Bissouma)
        Ings-Mitrovic (Martial)

        Defence too weak? Or any better alternatives to Mitrovic?

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

          Swap Holding for Dallas/Ayling/White, otherwise a great team

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

          a few 4.5 short term def
          Ull be forced to wc or take a hit

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

            Who would you downgrade to improve DEF?

      • Binny
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        A) Havertz and Ings
        Or
        B) Alli and Werner

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

          A

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

          b

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

          A

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

          Thanks

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

          I've got all 4 but probably A if I were forced to pick. Hate the idea of dropping Werner though

      • Kodap
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        RMT, good to go?

        McCarthy
        Saliba - Justin - TAA
        Salah - Auba - Son - ASM - Soucel
        Ings - Werner

        Subs: Steer, Mitchell, Brewster & Taylor

        0.5m itb to do Ings > Martial next week.

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

          Swap Saliba for a more nailed defender - otherwise G2G

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

            He's pretty much nailed on, Sokratis and Luiz are out!

      • JelliedSpark968
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Who are people most scared about not owning in GW1? Mine is Vardy

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

          Same mate - Vardy

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

          Salah

          Salah

          and Salah

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

          Kane, Son and Vardy.

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

            Maybe also that order if I dont think about ownership levels.

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

          Salah

      • JelliedSpark968
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Can someone tell me how I fit City/United assets into this team for GW2/3?

        Ryan/Steer

        TAA/Tierney/Justin/KWP/Mitchell

        Salah/Auba/Barnes/Soucek/Bissouma

        Werner/Ings/Wilson

        0.5ITB

        Thanks

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

          Ings > Martial GW2 and the Auba to KDB GW3?

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

            Sounds good but not sure how I feel about getting rid of Ings

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

              hard choices as we cant have everyone lad lol

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

          Salah to Fernandes then Auba to KdB

      • sirmorbach
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Greenwood training alone. Just a covid precaution or he might be benched for GW2 after that sh— he pulled?

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

          Missed the Greenwood news? whats happened?

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

              Cheers mate

      • JelliedSpark968
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I think Soucek will be the best value asset this season

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

        I try again your opinion:

        a) Egan or
        B) save 0.5 with Vinagre/Justin/Ayling/other who?

        Have KWP, Dier, Mitchell, TAA as other defenders at the moment.

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

          B

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

            Thanks. That might be good call since SHU might be more vulnurable with Ramsdale and Egan is a att threath only occasionally on the set pieces.

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

        Alright, final draft here, what's your thoughts :

        Ramsdale
        TAA Justin KWP
        Auba Mane Pereira Bowen
        Werner Ings Adams

        Bench: Steer Dallas Bissouma Ferguson

        1.0ITB

        Anything you would change?

        Thank you!

      • cjhewitt92
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        What are people doing over first couple of weeks. With Man City and United not featuring in Gameweek 1.

        Is it best to bench these players, transfer 3 for hit in next week or wildcard next week

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

          bench or take a hit but save WC imo

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

          for me 1 man u in gw2, then 1 or 2 city in gw3,or 1 and another man u player. None on bench gw1 for me

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

        What is the better option to start the season with :

        A) Vardy
        B) Werner

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

          B

      • FULLSERVICECOVER
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        First 2 gws, which one is chopped?

        A. Wilson
        B. DcL
        C. Adams

      • foreverton
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Just about finished. RMT? 0.5 ITB

        McCarthy (4.0)

        TAA, Digne, KWP, Vinagre (Mitchell)

        Auba, Salah, ASM (Gordan, Bissouma)

        Werner, Richarlison, Ings

        GW2: Ings > Martial

      • Scotty Dog
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Think I'm pretty set on my current draft but would like some advice on one important topic? which 4.5/4.0 keeper combination to go with? Been on McCarthy/Nyland from first draft but just feel I've neglected the importance of a good cheap season keeper combo?

        1. Blues for Salah
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Why wouldn't you go with Ryan/the new Button (Walton)?

          If Button were still at Brighton, this wouldn't even be a question in your mind. Would it?

        2. The Wogmeister
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          McCarthy/Nyland