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. King Henrik
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hey guys and gals,

    Please give me your thoughts on this team?

    McCarthy
    Trent Kwp Egan
    Salah Auba Periera Son Soucek
    Werner Ings

    Nyland Mitchell Dallas Brewster

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

      I have almost the same team. Somebody said that Ayling's underlying stats are better than Dallas' so maybe toss a coin on that.

      Also I am doing a coin toss between Dier and Egan (see below).

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

        Also I dont expect many minutes for Brewster unless there are injuries so I would save third Pool spot.

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

        I'm struggling with my 4.5 defenders too! Do you think Leeds are a good pick with their fixtures? I am looking at Lamptey or maybe for short term Holding? I'd appreciate thoughts on those two please or persuasion to get on Leeds?

        Also, don't know if it helps... but I've also just brought in Brewster over Davies and I am thinking Steer over Nyland. :-S

    2. max99
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      gonna need a lotta rotations, awful bench

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

    Dier or Egan?

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Davies

    2. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Dier for me. Spurs fullbacks a no-go due to fixtures personally.

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

    Podence or ASM?

  4. Hapless FPL
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Getting nervy now... please give (constructive) feedback:

    McCarthy (Ryan)

    TAA Egan Justin (Taylor, N Williams)

    ASM Auba Salah Son (Bissouma)

    Adams Werner DCL

    Wanted to go for Reece James as my 5m DEF but getting put off by people saying he won't start...

    Help appreciated! 🙂

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

      starter if they go 5 atb but with opening fixtures it seems like 4 atb is more likely. Azpi would then be clear first choice imo

      1. Hapless FPL
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thank you! What do you make of the rest?

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

          I'm feeling the rest of it. I feel like you did a better job of shoehorning those premiums than I did!

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

    Thoughts on starting the season with Saliba?

    1. Hapless FPL
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Decent value if he starts, but you might not want to start him after GW2, so would have a strong bench if you go for him.

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

        Thank you, sir. That's exactly the plan. Arteta said in today's presser that he has five CBs on the shelf. The opportunity is there for Saliba to build some momentum.

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

    Could someone please RMT? 0.5 ITB

    Ryan, (4.0)
    VVD, Dier, KWP, (Dallas, Mitchell)
    Auba, Salah, Son, Soucek, (Bissouma)
    Werner, Ings, Mitrovic

    Upgrade VVD to Robertson or bank?
    Ings to Richarlison and upgrade Dier to Doherty?
    Chelsea mids a bit tricky atm otherwise eyeing them

    Plan is to bring in KdB and Bruno as we go. Maybe even move to Martial

    Thanks in advance!

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

      Upgrade VVD to Robertson or bank? 50-50, in your case I would save the money
      Ings to Richarlison and upgrade Dier to Doherty? Ings & Dier > Rich & Doc
      Chelsea mids a bit tricky atm otherwise eyeing them -> yep, wait and see, also gw2 is Pool

    2. Hapless FPL
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I am not sure about Spurs' defence myself... Dier got made to look a bit silly by Erikson in the England game...

      Mitro too wasn't overly impressive last time in the league... maybe swap Dier to a 4.5 who rotates well with what you have already and then you could get Chris Wood when he doesn't blank 🙂

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

    How much itb do you have? I am currently with 1.0.

    McCarthy (Steer)
    TAA Dier Justin (KWP, Mitchell)
    Auba Salah Alli ASM Soucek
    Werner Ings (Davis)

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

    A) Havertz and Mitrovic
    B) Havertz and Adams
    C) Pereira and Ings

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A

    2. Ole's at the wheel
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

      ha I'm just gonna say it for the crack, go with C 🙂

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

        Haha lucky I didn’t put a D or this could have gone on further lol

    4. Villa Velour
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      D

      1. Villa Velour
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        😉

  9. nico05
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best 6.0 mid and below? Currently on Saka do we think he will get decent game time or is he a bad pick?

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

      He’s a good player but not nailed enough for that price.

      1. nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        That's my concern as well. Any decent suggestion's? Its the one area of my team I'm just not happy with

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

          At 5.5 it’s ASM or Armstrong I’d say. Palace defence is in tatters so Armstrong could have a good GW1.

          You could also consider Soucek if the 0.5 will be useful.

          1. nico05
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            I was considering Armstrong but I think he is now injured

    2. Ole's at the wheel
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      The lad is hot property. Played really well and Def has deserved a nailed spot. Don't get why a few are finding it hard to accept it

      1. nico05
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        That was my thinking when I have seen him but I'm by no means an Arsenal expert

        1. Traction Engine Foot
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          I think he'll start most games but get hauled off early.

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

    Ramsdale/mccarthy
    Taa/robbo/davies/Justin /Mitchell
    Auba/mane/ASM/Foden/bissouma
    Werner/adams/wilson

    What you guys think?

    1. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Good, I'm not sure about Ramsdale and Foden though.

    2. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Looks really good Id downgrade one of your keepers tbh if anything no need to bench a playing GK imo unless cheaper

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

        Foden is abit of a punt but easily changeable for a 7m mid as will be doing mane to kdb for gw2.

        Ramsdale and mccarthy are good fixture rotations so that's the basis of having both

  11. Riggs
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy (Steer)
    TAA Robbo Justin (Vinagre) (Taylor)
    Auba Mane Alli ASM (Bissouma)
    Adams Werner Mitrovic

    Robbo because I like him more than any 7.0 Midfielder. Mane differential. Adams is the sacrifice, but is in good form lately. What do you think?

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

    Ramsdale
    TAA - Robbo - Davies - Saiss - Justin
    Auba (c) - Son - Soucek
    Werner - Adams

    Nyland - Romeu - ASM - Martial

    1.5 ITB - Son to Bruno GW2

    What do you think?

  13. Traction Engine Foot
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Good to go? Got 0.5 in the bank to get Martial for Ings next week.

    McCarthy
    Saliba, TAA, Egan, Justin
    Salah, auba, Havertz, Son
    Ings, Wilson

    Martin, Mitchell, Bissouma, Vassilev

  14. fpl.balance
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Lateriser is a great fpl player but the 30-38 table is very much a cherry pick of a period where Chelsea and United had something to play for and Liverpool didnt. Having said that the Salah non pick might turn out to be the correct one despite the dodgy stats

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

      Liverpool had records to break

  15. Jabler79
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Would love some views on the following for the first 4-5 game weeks:

    A: Jiminez + ASM + 0.5 ITB
    B: Mitrovic + Havertz

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

      I’m on b

  16. Admiral Benson
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Havertz or Son for just GW1

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

      Go safe with Son as he's nailed on, Havertz may not play and just be a sub for the fist game or 2 possibly

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

    Stronger midfield or stronger forward line?

  18. Crg1311
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hey folks. Have struggled through for the last couple of hours to put a team together. Looking for opinions.

    Schmeichel / Nyland
    TAA / KWP/ KT / Saiss / Bernardo
    KBD / Aub / Fernandes / ASM / Rice
    Werner / Bamford / Davies

    1. Crg1311
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Playing a 4/5/1 week 2 onwards

  19. Etonmessi
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hi Guys...between Button or Nyland as a benched keeper is there any reason to choose on over the other?
    Main reason I ask is one of the top rated managers who had been on Nyland just switched to Button but didnt explain why...

  20. Hovztar
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    After to many hrs, my team feels almost rdy. Biggest struggle is Salah vs no Salah, and if Salah, cap Salah or Aub? If dropping Salah I'm thinking finding a spot for Havertz, and hopefully also Kane. Please RMT

    GK: Mccarthy (Steer)
    D: TAA, Dier, Walker - P, Vinagre (Mitcell)
    M: Salah, Alli, Saint-M, Aubameyand (C), (Bissouma)
    F: Ings, Werner (Mitrovic)

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

    Thoughts?

    McCarthy/Steer
    TAA/Robbo/Lewis/Taylor/Ferguson
    Salah/Auba (c)/Saint Max/Alli/Burke
    Mitro/Werner/Adams

    General strategy is to keep TAA and Robbo for the season and to rotate Lewis and Taylor initially with Ferguson to come into the fold when available. I really dont want to make too many defensive transfers through the season as this has less variance in points than midfielders and forwards.

    Further down the line im considering Auba>Rashford and Alli>Pulisic.

  22. etown
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Good evening everyone, good luck to everybody this season!

    Any advice on current team?

    McCarthy

    TAA, Egan, Vinagre, Tierney

    Pereira, Alli, Salah(c), Auba

    Ings, Werner

    Steer, Stephens, Mitchell, Davis.

  23. Gol D Roger
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Decided and happy on my final draft 2 days ago

    McCarthy
    TAA Justin Doherty
    Salah ASM Son Auba
    Mitrovic Werner Adams

    Steer Bissouma Mitchell Dalls

    Auba (c)
    Salah (vc)

    Haven’t been keeping up with team news yesterday due to being extremely busy at work, anything to watch out for that’s popped up ?

  24. RussWells89
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Last decision to make:

    Bissouma or Mitchell to start?

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

    A) Son & 8.5 Chelsea mid

    B) Salah & ASM

    Wouldn't captain any of the above

  26. Bobby's Teeth
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hey legends, need your help!

    A)
    McCarthy
    TAA Davies Swiss Mitchell
    Salah Auba(c) Alli ASM
    Werner Ings
    Bench: Nyland Bissouma Taylor Davis
    ITB: 1.0M
    Plan: Ings to become Martial. Extra 0.5 can be used to upgrade Alli to Chelsea mid

    B)
    McCarthy
    TAA Doc Saiss Mitchell
    Salah Auba(c) JWP ASM
    Werner Vardy
    Bench: Nyland Bissouma Taylor Davis
    ITB: 0.5M
    Plan: Vardy to become Martial. The 1.5 overall to be used to upgrade JWP to Greenwood.

    Two questions:
    1. Which team is better?
    2. Worried about the forward line. Any suggestions on how to improve?