Pro Pundits - Lateriser

The best way to bounce back from a poor start to the FPL season in Gameweek 2

“Run the risk. If it works out, happiness. If not, wisdom” – Unknown

So then, one Gameweek into the new season and Fantasy Premier League managers already have big decisions to make.

For me, rolling the dice and going without Mohamed Salah (£12.0m) fell flat on its face. It would be naïve to think I was unlucky and those who owned the Egyptian were lucky ‘because penalties’ – FPL is not as black-and-white as all that. I think it was quite the opposite, to be honest. The quote above tells us one thing. If you don’t learn from your mistakes, you don’t gain ‘wisdom’.

I have a sneaky feeling that the Salah of 2017/18 is back. I haven’t seen him this sharp and fit for a long, long time and that it is why it is dangerous to have ‘pre-conceived’ notions in this extremely dynamic game. 

I have spoken a lot about ‘Upside Chasing’ and ‘Big Hitter Switching’ this season but I’ve also spoken a lot about ‘Adapting’. And when Salah puts in a performance such as he did against Leeds, you pay attention. You adapt. You re-align your thinking. 

We’re not talking about any old FPL asset here. We’re talking about someone who finished in the top two overall Fantasy scorers over the last three years and has a proven ceiling of 300 FPL points (which was achieved largely without penalties). 

Salah was struggling with an injury last season and I have a feeling Jurgen Klopp was playing him through it because there was a historic title on the line. It seems like he is over it now. 

Now, I am not going to buy him this Gameweek BUT I am not going to go without Salah for a long time and am working towards a plan to get him. 

He’s fit. He’s sharp. He looks hungry. Liverpool are due some penalties. He’s got increased assist threat. 

Being stubborn will not make you a good FPL player. You have to respond to what you see on that television screen. I wouldn’t stick to a pre-determined plan of chasing fixtures by selling Salah if you had such a plan. In Gameweek 2, he’s facing Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5.0m) for what it’s worth. His troubles between the sticks are well-documented, most recently by David in this match report of Chelsea’s win at Brighton. Shooting on sight might be enough for Salah

For those that got off to a bad start like me (43 points), don’t worry about it too much. I always said Gameweek 1 was somewhat of a shot in the dark with more unknowns than any round of the season. It is how you respond beyond Gameweek 1 that makes you a good FPL manager. 

But, just a word of warning before we draw any drastic conclusions. We only have one week of data so far this season. We don’t know what the norm is yet, meaning we don’t know which match events are the anomalies either. 

If, like me, you went all-in against Salah, don’t forget that you knew the risks and the opposition had a really good hand (not a lucky one but a good one) that came through. You learn from it and move on. The key is that you do learn from it. This is a game of temperament that you need to hold for a season. 

There are a few other things worth mentioning about Gameweek 1 that I’ll take you through. There’s no structure here. Just think of it as me writing in my diary.

We need to talk about Raúl Jiménez (£8.5m). There are so many new ‘toys’ in the market when it comes to exciting, explosive strikers that we might tend to overlook the old, dusty pack of Uno cards which have never really given us a ‘laugh-riot’ game night but it’s never been boring either. 

There is not much to think about here. Jiménez has been reliable for two seasons now. Yes, he slowed down at the back-end of Project Restart but still scored a steady four goals in that run. And it looks like Nuno has decided to go ‘sexier’ with his team this season. They looked more formidable in attack at Sheffield United, Jiménez looked incredibly sharp and it seemed like they created more than they usually do. 

This did have a little bit of an effect on Wolves’ defence though and I thought they looked more open at the back than usual. As it was Sheffield United, they went largely unpunished. The upcoming fixtures pit Nuno’s men against Manchester City (home), West Ham (away), Fulham (home), Leeds (away), Newcastle (home) and Crystal Palace (home). It certainly looks like a night of Uno that’s going to be more fun than usual without the unnecessary disruption of European Football.

How Spurs and Everton's new signings fared in their FPL Gameweek 1 debuts

Remember that year in school when one of the less popular kids came back a changed person one summer before suddenly became a changed person one summer. Over the holidays he went home bought the best gym equipment, went on a shopping spree with a good stylist and became a cool kid virtually overnight. Well, in the Premier League this season, that kid is Everton. 

Everything you knew about them last year is irrelevant. Yes, a certain Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.1m) was a troll during Project Restart and went on a horrible run. But that kid named Everton accompanied by their suave new stylist Carlo Ancelotti went shopping and bought a completely new wardrobe (read midfield) and you now need to view this team completely differently. 

Out of nowhere, the Toffees look creatively competent. Having players who can switch the side of play so easily instead of others that are incapable of making a single forward pass makes a difference I guess. Add to that, they have one of the best ball-winners in Europe protecting that back-line in Allan (£5.5m). The team deserves our attention at both ends of the pitch and you must erase every bad memory you had with this kid last year when he trolled you no end.

Elsewhere, a pair of 4.5m defenders are already standing out to me as the pick of the lot. I’ve got Tariq Lamptey (£4.5m) and Luke Ayling (£4.5m) on my watchlist for this price bracket. 

Lamptey, in particular, has immense potential. Brighton looked very encouraging against Chelsea, with Graham Potter instructing much of his team’s offensive play to travel through the full-backs. Lamptey showed us what he can do last season with an impressive performance against Liverpool and seems proficient in creating chances with great reliability.

Someday, we might even get to purchase a nailed-on defender from Arsenal at £4.5m or below. Now that the Gunners are much more solid at the back, I will be keeping close tabs on William Saliba (£4.4m) and Rob Holding (£4.5m) to see who emerges as the better option long-term. It is worth noting that Arsenal’s fixtures don’t become incredibly appealing until Gameweek 8, so we do have time to judge them, which is helpful.

After a major captaincy-fail last week, I really hope this week is easier on me. I am currently having a major heart versus head debate as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£12.0m) seems like the obvious captaincy pick, but I also happen to be a Manchester United fan. I know the Arsenal man has an easier fixture, based on the defensive prowess (or lack thereof) displayed by West Ham last season and in Gameweek 1 but I also own Anthony Martial (£9.0m) and Bruno Fernandes (£10.5m).

My co-host Zophar told me on this week’s episode of The FPL Wire that West Ham made Steve Bruce’s Newcastle look like prime Barcelona on Saturday evening. I trust his opinion and that has me worried about how much damage Aubameyang can do in Gameweek 2. That said, Manchester United were really effective going forward last season once Fernandes joined the team and Paul Pogba (£8.0m) was fit.

So, with all that to consider, I haven’t yet made up my mind about my next captaincy decision. Traditionally I always like captaining a Manchester United player in the first good home game of the season. And we do play this game for fun, right?

*Looks through post-season notes*

 “You love Tony gloves.”

1,967 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Wiltonj
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Solid 82 pts first week thanks to salah..still wildcarding though.

    Meslier ( McCarthy)
    Robbo justin lewis (james, mitchell)
    Salah bruno KDB willian (jorginho)
    Wilson, DCL , Bamford

    Tempted for a cheeky bench boost aswell next week

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Good team

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Don’t fancy Chelsea in GW3?

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

        Away at west brom i think?

        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Yep

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

            Probaly bench boost GW3 i fancy chelsea at west brom..depends how far i am infront in my manager of month league haha

    3. Joey Barton and Friends
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No Everton or Wolves with their fixtures?

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

        DCL main man

    4. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nice team however on wildcard I'd definitely be getting Jiminez

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

        True but would have to weaken elsewhere and with wolves having city this week..but will be keeping an eye on him in next few GWs

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

    Podence & Neto on the bench alongside Jimenez. Jota not in the squad. Getting Podence this week surely!

    1. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Jota On his way out you think?

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

        Podence will be in everyone's team then

    2. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      First bargain of the season

    3. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      May be my Pereira escape route if required...

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

      Interesting

    5. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Getting him for the City game?

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

      Maybe Jota is just rested. I wouldn’t draw conclusions so soon

      1. Werner Bremen
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Two games in a row?

      2. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        What rested from his rest last week ?

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

    Which pick is better suggestions plz

    A) taa/auba/asm/dcl
    B) dier/salah/james/laca

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

      A

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

    G

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

    Spurs struggling without Dele, again.

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Spurs are just terrible who ever they play, no rhythm, no tempo, 1 pass football back and forth , no creativity, just a bad team

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

      Dele doesn’t add much value in my opinion.

    3. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Spurs 75% possession with only 2 shots on target against Farmers wifes 11......load up on double Southampton defence and Ings batty

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

    Spurs no cutting edge this game as well

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

      I’m not convinced that Bale and Reguilon can actually help this poor side.

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

        Sure would help, more shots for son and kane to score the rebound.

  7. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Have a lot of fires to put out in my team at the moment. Have Alli, Pulisic and Ben Davies. What would you do in this situation? Who would be the priority to get out? Trying to avoid hits for GW2!

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

      Just do Alli to Willian or Rodriguez. The rest can wait for now.

    2. Teddy Steddingham
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Davies not a priority - should play this weekend and may want to prove Mourinho he's the player to play and grab a goal / assist (thinking optimistically).

      Alli - looks like moving on / big fall out with Mourinho. I removed yesterday if that helps.

      Pulisic - wait until Lampards press conference, but could be prime candidate to move on too if looks like he'll be injured / slowly building up game time. You don't want a player clogging up your team at that price. I like to weigh up whether i'll earn back 4 points. If neither Alli or Pulisic are going to start is there a decent chance you can earn 4 points this week alone over replacements - depends on your team, but my guess is yes.

      tl;dr I'd move on Alli 100%, Pulisic, Davies in that order. Probably not Davies this week.

      1. Will J 256
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Really appreciate the response! I think you are bang on as well. Going to wait for Lampards press conference and if he says Pulisic isn’t available then may have to consider a -4!

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

          No worries - hope it works out

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

    Oh my... Spurs are playing their first team and still struggling.

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

      All you need to know about Spurs. Absolutely rubbish

  9. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    WC3 looks more and more appealing

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      XD Told you Spurs are a trap before the season began

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

        I have 1 Spurs in Davies... White, Pulisic, Vinagre, McCarthy, KWP and no Salah is why I'm contemplating the WC

      2. Threat Level Midnight
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Link your team

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

      Why not now?

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

        Just do it

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

    anyone going for lamptey?

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I'm looking at him for sure, he was playing so far up the field and Brighton had some decent defensive games after the restart. Up until the Lallana mistake they were dominating Chelsea.

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

        i'm trading him in for salt 'n' vinegar!

  11. Werner Bremen
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Soucek or Hendrick?

  12. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Plan was to give Son Everton, Saints and Newcastle, then re assess. He can easily haul against both.

    1. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I agree with that. Definitely keep for those fixtures. Everyone is selling so he will probably be a nice differential haha

  13. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hmm, Alli not playing. Has he been dropped or is injured.

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

    What wildcard team is better??

    A.

    Martinez
    Taa, Castagne, coleman
    Podence, bissouma , kdb, Salah, James Rodriguez
    Werner, martial

    Bench, nyland, saiss, Mitchell, brewster

    B.
    Martinez
    Taa, Justin , coleman
    Bissouma, greenwood, kdb, Salah, James Rodriguez
    Werner, jimenez

    Bench, nyland, saiss, Mitchell, brewster

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

    Gudmundsson (injured?) Out for Pieters as a winger?

  16. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Just been show this defence.

    TAA Taylor Lascelles Ayling Ferguson

    Works really well together.

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Some good options in the 5m bracket

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah I have a more expensive defence myself , 7.5m 5m 5m 5m 4m

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      It does , yes.
      I like Ayling/Lewis as a rotation and if you have a Wolves defender then both can play this week.

      Palace looking to bring Clyne in as they don’t know when Ferguson will be back.

  17. Threat Level Midnight
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is captaining Kane this week...

    A. Complete madness
    B. Utter Madness
    C. Sneaky potential

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

      A or B

    2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      You are obviously not watching/listening to the spurs game........I would rather capt my goldfish

      1. Threat Level Midnight
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Is your Goldfish named Kun?

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

      A for Auba

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

      He’s due a haul

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

        Please don't say that. That means nothing. His odds of scoring dont go up just because he didn't score the previous game

  18. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Premier Sports. Probably the worst tenner I've ever spent.

  19. I Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Even if Steer does start McCarthy might be a better option this week the way Spurs are playing...

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I thinking that as well.

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

    Is there a way to search comments? Would love to know what pulisic owners are doing, and I don't want to check every page

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

      I’m an owner and definitely keeping.

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

        Really? I'm nervous he's a no show again and I get bissouma!

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

          True, but I don't anticipate lampard giving us a clear answer

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

            Sorry meant for inazuma

    2. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      You're stressing too much on Pulisic. You have to wait for presser first.

    3. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Why this forum needs to move to a thread based system (as Reddit). Will never happen cos then they can't spam gambling articles anymore

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

        I'm guessing that's a no on the question then? I'd like that too, can search for what you need, and ignore the rest of the noise

  21. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Favourite sports brand?

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

    People's thots on greenwood?

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

      Don’t buy don’t sell

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

      He's great as long as Sancho is not signed.

  23. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    When will Jorginho stop playing for Chelsea?

    Really want Werner on pens

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

      When Kovacic returns

  24. Midlands Saint73
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Does Ali not playing tonight make him a sure starter for the weekend or should I take the -4 and switch to Willian (already -4 taken)? Leaning towards keeping as his record is decent Vs Saints.

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Alli out tbh but not for Willian - would probably go for Hames

  25. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    TOTTENHAM LOSES VS LOKOMOTIV PLODVIV HAHAHAHAHAAHHAAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHA

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

      *losing

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

    Okay Doherty needs to go

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

      "Why? Surely Spurs can't be 1-0 down and about to go out of Europe..."

  27. Werner Bremen
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Podence or Harrison?

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Podence

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

    Well spurs will be out of Europe quicker than i thought

  29. QUEN
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Leicester sign cengiz under

  30. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Alli Mitro out for Martial and Podence looks appealing