Pro Pundits - Az

My FPL tips for those struggling after a chaotic start to the 2020/21 season

FPL BlackBox co-host and three-time top 10k finisher Az discusses thinking with a clear head, the move away from ‘big at the back’ and form over fixtures in his latest Pro Pundits article.


What is happening? Why is football broken? That’s what I keep asking myself week after week as new, crazy things keep occurring.

As it stands, I’m having my worst start to a season ever but given all that’s been going on, I’m trying to take it in my stride. Trying to get to grips with this season is proving to be an impossible task and if you’ve managed it, well hats off to you. But if you are like me and haven’t quite got a handle on it yet, well, there’s plenty of time to go.

2019/2020

2020/2021

I’m having an even worse start to the season than I did last year.

My last article called for patience and calm amongst the madness, but it’s hard to stay cool and collected when Aston Villa are putting seven goals past Liverpool and Son Heung-Min (£9.0m) is plundering another mega-haul.

It’s typical that Mark and I started FPL BlackBox this season, attempting to scrutinise our decision-making process when everything is so turbulent. It feels that patience often goes unrewarded, but equally, acting bravely and decisively can cause similar problems. I really feel for the people who took out Son this week based on Jose Mourinho’s comments – or for those who, like me, have stuck with Timo Werner (£9.3m) hoping that he will deliver on all of his promises when he signed for Chelsea.

The roughs on the Scoutcast’s ‘Rough with the Smooth’ have never been rougher. I’ve seen a multitude of people losing 30+ points on seemingly perfectly fine transfers on paper.

So what can we take from this crazy start? Should we be changing the way we play the game to compensate for the madness or will things start to settle down? What can we, as FPL managers, do to fight back against the madness of the 2020/21 season?

Analyse the decisions not the outcome

 1

It was key when I started up FPL BlackBox that I wouldn’t just be looking at decisions purely in hindsight and would instead be assessing whether the actual decision and thought process that went into it was sound – or whether there were flaws to make a note of.

The fact is, there have been decisions made this season which, whatever way you look at it, were good decisions with an awful end result.

The main example for me is this week, with managers taking out Son due to a half-time substitution and a ‘confirmed’ hamstring injury that would rule him out for weeks.

For those that didn’t want to hold a £9.0m asset in their team, and instead wanted to try their luck with the likes of Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m), Marcus Rashford (£9.5m) or Harvey Barnes (£7.1m), I applaud the decision. I would absolutely have made the same move if I had him; I couldn’t be benching a premium asset like that with so much potential for points in the players in the price bracket around him.

But then, I am equally impressed by those who decided to hold. If you saw through Mourinho’s apparent deception and kept the South Korean, you were richly rewarded.

This is quite simply, the kind of decision that makes FPL such a wonderful, yet excruciating game. You can’t expect the level of punishment/reward for those who made the ‘wrong’ decision.

 1

On the other hand, separate horror stories I feel do have some learnings for us to take. I’ve read about people who transferred out Jack Grealish (£7.1m) for James Maddison (£7.0m) for a hit. Or others who sold Ollie Watkins (£5.9m) for Raul Jimenez (£8.6m). Of course, a hit comes with an inherent set of risks but I do appreciate that one single transfer costing managers around 20 points of damage is tough to take.

But looking at things logically: if you weren’t on a Wildcard, did Grealish really need to leave your team so urgently despite not really putting a foot wrong so far? Were there really no other fires you had to put out before making that move? Watkins hadn’t scored leading up to the win over Liverpool but had looked lively. Underlying stats also didn’t indicate that Wolves would maul Fulham. Watkins had only had two games to prove his worth so perhaps losing patience with him immediately was a little short-sighted.

Similarly, for those, like me, who kept Werner. Why were his lack of goals, out-of-position tag and fairly laborious play up to now not enough to convince you to move him on? And if you are intent on keeping him for another week, ask yourself: are your reasons for this sound or are you just refusing to accept a mistake?

Of course, there’s an element of hindsight here (as there is when any decision doesn’t go your way) but it’s the repeated mistakes we are looking for. When you keep making these decisions and they keep backfiring, well… did I ever tell you the definition of insanity? It’s doing the same thing… over and over again… and expecting different results (thanks, Vaas).

Back form over fixture

The FPL Eye Test - Gameweek 3 3

I think now might be the time for us to consider that in the current climate, form trumps fixtures. It appears to me that teams are perhaps feeling less pressure without crowds to grind out hard-fought scrappy wins, and are throwing caution to the wind a bit more and really trying to get at teams.

At the moment, it’s almost impossible to really put your finger on what is a good or bad fixture. Teams like Manchester United and Liverpool are suddenly leaking six and seven goals, West Brom are putting three past Chelsea after 20 minutes, and Wolves and Leicester have both just been thrashed by West Ham.

Caveats to this may be seen in Burnley and Fulham – and West Brom defensively – who really do look to be struggling due to the personnel at their disposal. But aside from perhaps targeting players who play for these three teams, I’m much more inclined than in previous seasons to be looking at the underlying stats and form of players, while paying less attention to what games they have coming up.

A good example of this is Neal Maupay (£6.6m), who I have brought in this week. In his last three games, he’s scored 30 points despite tricky visits to St James Park and Goodison Park and hosting Manchester United at home.

Equally, Michael Antonio (£6.3m) may be a shrewd pick despite playing Spurs, Liverpool and City in his next three games as he looks absolutely electric.

I’ve also made a move for Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.6m), who faces Liverpool next but is the in-form striker in the league. It just doesn’t seem sensible to wait, when it feels like any team (even Liverpool!) can capitulate at any moment.

Essentially, I wouldn’t be put off by a player who faces a tricky run at the moment, because I simply don’t know what a tricky fixture looks like anymore. I think we can work this to our advantage. Bring in players who pass the eye test, who have strong underlying stats and are playing for teams with an air of confidence about them, and I reckon you’ll do just fine.

Move away from four at the back?

Another decision I’ve made this week is to abandon my 4-4-2 formation and rejig the structure of my squad.

With Allison (£6.0m) out for a prolonged period, I do wonder about the impact this will have on Liverpool defensive assets – as we saw last season (and even against Aston Villa), Adrian (£4.5m) can’t hold a candle to his illustrious Brazilian counterpart.

With the attacking threat of Andy Robertson (£7.0m) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m), keeping one does still seem sensible. But I feel like anyone with the double-up must surely be considering moving one on for pastures new.

Similarly, the likes of Lucas Digne (£6.1m), Ben Chilwell (£5.6m), Nelson Semedo (£5.5m) all still look fine players, due to the quality of both the chances they both have and create – but really, given the carnage that is currently happening in the Premier League, my money is on more goals. And surely this means that backing attacking players in midfield and up front is the most sensible way to go.

With affordable strikers such as Antonio, Watkins, Maupay, Patrick Bamford (£5.8m) and Callum Wilson (£6.4m), not to mention mid-priced midfield assets such as Jarrod Bowen (£6.3m), Matheus Pereira (£6.0m) and Grealish, in my opinion, anyone still playing four at the back should be looking to make the switch to a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 formation. I’d advocate keeping Alexander-Arnold or Robertson, grabbing a £6.0m/£5.5m defender with attacking potential and pair with one of Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.5m), Tariq Lamptey (£4.7m) or Luke Ayling/Stuart Dallas (£4.5m). This, coupled with a £4.5m goalkeeper, allows you to really maximise your other slots to get the most attacking players possible.

Things will get better

Leeds defence boosted by return of Cooper as Mitrovic starts for Fulham

If you’re like me and struggling, my final message is one of hope. If you’re reading this article, you’re probably quite into Fantasy Football. You probably spend a fair bit of time scrutinising stats, listening to podcasts, weighing up whether Luke Ayling (£4.5m) is a better option than Stuart Dallas (£4.5m) (I think it’s pretty damn close, by the way).

Eventually, the effort we put in will win out and we will start to ascend the ranks. Whether this happens due to us adapting to the chaos or the Premier League settling down into more familiar territory remains to be seen, of course.

But surely, this can’t go on for another 34 weeks… can it?



Az <p>One half of the FPL BlackBox YouTube series with Mark Sutherns.</p><p>Former Membership Strategy Manager for FFS&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

522 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Muscout
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any 4.6m or below defenders worth having over Lamptey?

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Konsa

      1. Camino Aleatorio
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Konsa always seems in the thick of goal mouth action. He is like a lower price Tarkowski or Boly. Now that nobody plays defense, might as well play with Konsa and the like.

        Lamptey is good too, the kid is fast. I would hate to chase him. ASM had to nearly break the kid's leg to stop him.

    2. leo_messi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Dallas KWP

  2. Camino Aleatorio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Jorginho vs Bruno - on the Comparison tool will make you laugh...

    Bruno is a Penalty taker and Jorginho is a Penalty taker. If Lamps and Azpilicueta keep Jorginho in the lineup and enforce his PK preference, then he probably get 80% of Bruno's points at 50% of the price.

    If you forget the 7 weeks in June and July that Bruno resembled KDB...the rest has been all Jorginho and Luka Milivojević.

    Not saying Bruno is rubbish, just saying he's contracted Man United disease. Trashford, Greenwood, Martial, Bruno, Pogba, and Matic could put on Bayern Munich uniforms probably beat Liverpool 5-0 at Anfield, but in Man United uniforms, they are cosmically diseased.

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      This should have ended at Matic, anything after is absolute garbage

      1. Camino Aleatorio
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Bayern collects the 'failed' and 'useless' from Barcelona and others.

        Remember when Ajen Robben was a spicey but surplus little winger at Chelsea? Remember when Coutinho failed at Barcelona? BM have built an entire empire around buying surplus and recovering lost potential.

    2. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      End of season Bruno will have double points,so price is ok

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Wrong. You need more than double the points for double the price

    3. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Man UTD haven't brought in the players wanted by the manager. When it happened to the previous two managers they got sacked in their second year. So history repeats, Bruno has a worse season and will go down in value. Jorginho points maybe closer than we think.

    4. Party time
        3 years, 5 months ago

        You’ve said it all. Utd are a shadow of what they were. Back then, they were a force to reckon with. Nowadays, teams like Palace... just stroll in at Old trafford & they take a piss all over Utd

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Early days still pal 😉

    5. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Tinkering on this,better option?

      A) Son + Antonio + PVA(soon) or other for 5.4m

      B) Bruno + Bamford + 4.6m defender

      1. Goonsquad245
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Do you think Bruno is a better option than Son? Struggling to see how this is even a question

        1. FFSbet.com
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Dont struggle its question.
          Yes,Bruno is better option than Son for me but problem is with other two.

          1. Goonsquad245
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Another 15 pens then?

            1. FFSbet.com
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Anything above 10 will be ok,he will score few from open play/set pieces too.

              1. Goonsquad245
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 5 months ago

                If you think Bruno will score > 10 more pens this season, go for him

                1. Amey
                  • 5 Years
                  3 years, 5 months ago

                  Will we have him for all of them is issue

      2. Iceball
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        A

        1. FFSbet.com
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Cheers,have B may need to do Bruno > Son for hit to get other two.

      3. Sgt Frank Drebin
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        A by an equator

    6. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Are Ayling & Dallas worth the hype?

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Prefer KWP and Konsa

      2. zdrojo187
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Dallas in my opinion will be Lundstram 2.0...so...YES

      3. Amey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Dallas is amazing.
        I'm waiting till some GW's. Will swap Taylor for him

      4. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers everyone

      5. leo_messi
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        My plan is to swap Justin for Dallas next gameweek

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

      Punting on Brewster as a starting striker means I don’t have to choose between Kane, Son and KDB. What do you reckon?

      Martinez (4.0)
      Chilwell Saiss Ayling (Lamptey Mitchell)
      Salah KDB Son Rodriguez (Bissouma)
      Kane DCL Brewster

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I'd rather play Lamptey every week.

      2. jaguar shark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        bold move, but could pay off, and if not you are two move away from a normal team again... i dont hate this idea.

    8. Gatekeeper22
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Son, grealish, walker peters or bellerin, bruno, mcginn

      Ryan, steele
      Coady, robertson, chillwell, mitchell, x
      Kdb, salah, saint max, x, x
      Dcl, jimi, Brewster

      1. Zrinkec
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        1

    9. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Everyone needs one of Robbo or Trent

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Trent is rubbish

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Yeah, right, ok

        2. Shineonme
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          derr

      2. Homer21
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I'll wait till one of them starts firing.......

      3. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Robbo for me. Will likely get him for GW6. Let's see.

      4. jaguar shark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        everybody needs a -2 every now and again... ;b

    10. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Points tumbling week by week. Love a challenge. 😀

      It's a game after all.

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Oooops, only way is up, last week was my best week

      2. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Green arrow next week.

    11. Oh Mane Mane
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      On wildcard would you rather have:

      A) KDB & Maupay
      B) Grealish & Kane

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        A

      2. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        KDB will get a massive haul v Arsenal and everyone will want him back

      3. Homer21
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        B

      4. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        B

      5. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        A

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

        B

      7. Tony Moon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        B

      8. Camino Aleatorio
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I would rather have B last week

        I basically had A and I got Red Arrows and Pain

        Long term they are probably equal choices, KBD is still the best in the league

    12. Oh Mane Mane
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Beat option between Dallas and Ayling?

    13. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Play Ayling or Mitchell?

      1. Right In The Stanchion
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I currently have Ayling playing. Mitchell on bench.

        Ayling more attacking

        1. Shineonme
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Yeah was leaning that way. Thanks.

    14. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Play Justin (AV) or Mitchell (BRI) ?

      1. Party time
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Justin

      2. Amey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Good article

        1. Did you see that throw-in?
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          the

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            It

        2. Az
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Thanks! 🙂

      3. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Must try harder , must try harder , note to self

      4. Dwotle
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thoughts on this WC draft?

        Martinez (Steer)
        Robbo Saiss Chilwell (Lewis Mitchell)
        Salah Sterling Son Rodriguez (Stephens)
        Antonio DCL Wilson

        1. Shineonme
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Looks good.

        2. Lord Flashheart
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Antonio can wait for good fixtures.

          Maybe ollie or Wilson or Maupay for now

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

            Figured Antonio might be fixture-proof. Might switch for someone else, thanks.

      5. jam sandwich
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        is this the dream wildcard front 7?

        Salah - Sterling - Son - Rodriguez
        Kane - DCL - Maupay

        1. jam sandwich
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          can afford with:

          Martinez - 4.0
          Saiss - Zouma - KWP - Ayling - 4.0
          and a 4.4 mid

          1. Dynamic Duos
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            If your happy to go without Robbo or Trent it looks good

        2. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Salah KDB Bruno Son Hames
          DCL Antonio

          1. jam sandwich
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            with that mid 5 I can stretch to:

            McCarthy - Forster
            Chilwell - Saiss - Lamptey - Ayling - Dunne
            Salah - Sterling - Fernandes - Son , Rodriguez
            DCL - Watkins - Brewster

            1. Dynamic Duos
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Great team

        3. polis
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          No. There isn't one.

          Which makes this season all the more exciting.

        4. Shineonme
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I'd say atm imo... son, sterling, Rod J. Salah, Kane, DLC Wilson.. so you're not far off.

        5. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I think I'd prefer Grealish to Rodriguez.

          But otherwise, pretty much.

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

            😆

      6. Kryptonite666
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        What is the consensus opinion on Maupay v Wilson on a WC ?

        1. polis
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Or Antonio. Or Watkins.

          Or maybe even Brewster.

          1. Shineonme
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            I wouldn't sant brewster until I know he's a starter and plays 90 min. He'll probably only get 15 to 20 min next Gw and who knows after that.

            1. Shineonme
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              start #

            2. Kryptonite666
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Sheffield Striker situation is quite dire. They have spent record transfer amount on this guy. i reckon he’d start every week. Issue is bad fixtures

            3. Dynamic Duos
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Yeah I can't see Brewster being nailed on , when Sheffield United have McGoldrick, McBurnie, Sharp and Burke, who score so many goals, prolific they are, doh

              1. Shineonme
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 5 months ago

                The thing is even of he starts most games sheff utd are that bad i just cant see brewster hauling in many games if any. Nice price I know but after all it is sheff utd we're talking about.

                1. polis
                  • 12 Years
                  3 years, 5 months ago

                  It's the like for like financial comparison though isn't it?

                  Don't have to start him every week because he's a 4.5 player but if you get a last minute covid related withdrawal he's not a shabby player to have around.

                  1. Dynamic Duos
                    • 10 Years
                    3 years, 5 months ago

                    Yeah he is my 8th , but had him since day 1

                    1. polis
                      • 12 Years
                      3 years, 5 months ago

                      Also have him to allow 5 in midfield.

                      Tempted to start him next week but kind of defeats the point.

                      To my own, if someone doesn't make it. I'm happy to put him in instead.

            4. polis
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Fair point but he's a big enabler.

              4.5m and Sheff U haven't spent 20m+ on a striker that they won't be playing every week.

              1. Hotdogs for Tea
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 5 months ago

                the paid that much for McBurnie 😉

        2. Atimis
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Maupay for next two, both on pens but Maupay in more attacking team

      7. keefy59
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I've just checked the full 15 player squad with maximum points at the moment costs just £101.1m at buying price .
        Some of these players we should already have .
        The only downside I can see to this is no Man City players .
        Although it does include both Son & Kane -who could be swapped for Aguero when he returns to cover this.
        Other observations are 3 Villa players (Martinez plus 1 defender & Grealish)
        Also 5 defenders valued at @£5.0m or more .

        1. keefy59
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          If anyone is interested here's the squad
          Martinez/Darlow
          Castagne/Cresswell/Saiss/Mings/Zouma
          Son/Salah/Grealish/Rodriguez/Jorginho
          Kane/DCL/Wilson

      8. Will J 256
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Which two would you play?
        Mitchell (BHA)-H
        Lamptey (CRY)-A
        Ayling (WOL)-H
        Podence (LEE)-A
        Brewster (FUL)-H

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

          the 2 forwards

      9. AD2110
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Ings or Jiminez on a WC?

        1. keefy59
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Who are your other 2 forwards ?

          1. AD2110
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            DCL + Wilson

            1. keefy59
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Jiminez based on short term fixtures
              Put Muapay on your watchlist

      10. Lord Flashheart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        No city players for me thanks.

        A no form
        B fixtures not great
        C Kun and Jesus are back very soon pep roulette is nasty
        D they are expensive (unless mahrez is starting most games- dont trust foden)
        E many players share the points, hard to know who
        F many other good options

        Just makes life easier...

        1. polis
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I'm sure KDB and Sterling will say hello some weeks but it's not a terrible idea.

          1. Lord Flashheart
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Of course in the future things will change. I’m just saying for current woldcarders

            1. polis
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              As I say, not a terrible idea.

              The difficulty is the expectation for every player (especially premium) to return every week, which isn't realistic at all.

              I'd go with one and hold but we all play this game differently.

        2. Amey
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Whenever we think like this, it's mostly to make ourselves feel better.

          Just saying 🙂

          GL

        3. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          G) KDB best player in the league and playing for the most attacking team in the league , bounce back masterclass v Arsenal incoming

          1. Lord Flashheart
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            In the future, will consider him of course. Just not on my current wc

            1. Dynamic Duos
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              GL with that

        4. keefy59
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I'm holding KdB for 2 more weeks then I will reconsider .
          He has 3 red (4 rated on FPL) games in a row 7/8 & 9 .

          1. Dynamic Duos
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            One is Sheffield Utd lmfao

          2. polis
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Do you think these players don't turn up for the bigger games?

            I understand the logic here and I look at fixtures too but quality does prevail longer term.

        5. claretparrot
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          For now it's fine. You just need to know you can get to them quickly when they inevitably start firing

      11. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Captain
        Kane or Son?

        And best 5.3 defender that isn’t Saiss?

        Thanks all

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          If only you could of got PVA, Zouma is up there or just go into the 4.5-4.7 (sub bracket).

          Son

          1. Champions League Varane
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            I know real shame man

            Son really!?

            1. Dynamic Duos
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Yeah Son is the most advanced player in that team, he is basically playing oop

          2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            PVA ready?

            1. Dynamic Duos
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Should be back after the break yeah

              1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
                • 10 Years
                3 years, 5 months ago

                Nice! Have rethink my WC now

      12. claretparrot
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        In what has been a pretty negative few weeks so far, what is your favourite thing about your current team? What do you love most about it?

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

          I'll start.

          For the first time i can remember, I'm not 'too tied to any one asset. I'd be happy to ditch any of them as soon as they stop performing.

          In previous seasons I've held on for far too long to players that I was convinced would come good.

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

          Barnes and Calvert-Lewin from the very beginning. They have been more coherent and brave than me. I'll learn the lesson.

        3. polis
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          The bench.

          I have one for once.

        4. keefy59
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Team value £101.9m & 5 of the team of the season

        5. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Midfield with Hames from day 1

        6. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Had a reasonable start

        7. leo_messi
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          My midfield! Hames Grealish Salah Sterling and Son looks amazing!

      13. Will J 256
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Hi guys, which two would you play here?

        Mitchell (BHA)-H
        Lamptey (CRY)-A
        Ayling (WOL)-H
        Podence (LEE)-A
        Brewster (FUL)-H

        Hope this makes sense!

        1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          2 and 5

        2. FC Hakkebøf
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          3 and 6

          1. FC Hakkebøf
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            5*

        3. MSTRKRFTSMN
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          2, 5

      14. FC Hakkebøf
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Pick two for a wildcard:

        A) Pulisic (2 votes)
        B) Rodriguez (5 votes)
        C) Zaha (1 vote)
        D) Grealish (6 votes)

        Price doesn't matter as I want to be flexible and be able to switch between them.

        1. MSTRKRFTSMN
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          For long term hold? Puli and Hames. The other 2 arent even close

          1. FC Hakkebøf
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            At least 3-4 weeks

            1. MSTRKRFTSMN
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Don’t like Grealish short term, don’t like palace attacking at all for even plumb fixtures however long you look. Puli could be player of the year this year if he picks up where he left off. Hames... tough next game but otherwise hard to see a better option at that price point

          2. polis
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Agree up to the point Puli picks up yet another knock.

        2. polis
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I'm contradicting your question but I think JRod and Grealish could be two core players to just stick with for the season and change others.

          1. FC Hakkebøf
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            You are that confident in grealish!?

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

              Yeah he singlehandedly did everything for Villa last year and now he has players that can help him.

            2. polis
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              7m, 149 points last season, team has bought well and improved, talisman.

              I think he has a lot going for him and could just tick over. 175+ points isn't beyond the realms and that's value I think.

            3. MSTRKRFTSMN
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Do we know when villas double Gameweek will be?

            4. MSTRKRFTSMN
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Grealish Has LEI, LEE, SOU, ARS next 4 games...., not for me. Don’t buy the hype yet to put him in for those 4 games

              1. polis
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 5 months ago

                That's cool. Play the game you want.

                I'd say if Villa score in any of those, and could feasibly in all of them, there's quite a high chance he's involved.

                He's not going to score 24 points every week but if he comes out of that with 20 points from the 4 I'd be very happy.

                1. MSTRKRFTSMN
                  • 10 Years
                  3 years, 5 months ago

                  Puli and Hanes capable of 20 points in a game against anybody. No right or wrong answer. I just think those fixtures might be more tricky than they look at a glance

                  1. polis
                    • 12 Years
                    3 years, 5 months ago

                    You're no wrong but then I guess nor is Grealish looking at the pool game.

                    A fully fit Puli is an incredible pick. Though I do think Chelsea will be sharing the points around.

                    My initial point being Grealish and JRod are players I think you can put in a team and just leave every week. You probably won't captain them but if they're fit and not suspended they play and can return.

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

                Other than Arsenal, it couldn’t get much better than that.

          2. MSTRKRFTSMN
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Agree but what a player he’s becoming when he is fit. Lamps has talked about the need to be gentle with him already so definitely one to monitor

            1. keefy59
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              I'd like to revisit this thread at the end of the season .
              Pulisic now listed as available
              Start the clock now with both players at zero

        3. Pukkipartyy
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          AB

        4. Phil's Stamps
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          James & Grealish and it isn't even close.

        5. keefy59
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Looking at the list of midfielders £7.2m or less I would expect Grealish to outscore all of them over a season .
          Zaha & Pulisc will have outstanding gameweeks but aren't consistent enough .
          Plus J Rod of course .

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

          Grealish and Zaha. Rodriguez isn’t a bad option either but definitely stay away from Pulisic.

          1. FC Hakkebøf
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Why stay away?

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

              Injury prone, we don't know what state/form he will return from injury, at risk of rotation and managed minutes.

              He performed significantly better when playing alonside Giroud instead of Abraham last season; we don't know how his style will fit alongside Havertz/Werner.

              Also while he is a very good player, his style (constantly running onto opposition defenders) often means he needs at least 2 attacking returns to get any baps which reduces his points potential.

        7. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Grealish and Pulisic.

      15. Pukkipartyy
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Do u think Trossard could be good FPL asset? Thinking to downgrade Foden.

        1. polis
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Already is.

      16. keefy59
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I've just revisited my pre wildcard team (gameweek 2)
        I've only got 2 of the players now in my squad (Salah & Digne)

      17. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Hames and Grealish or Bruno and Trossard?

        1. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          A all day.

          1. Dynamic Duos
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Coming round to Grealish now haha 🙂

            1. Camzy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              You won't regret it. I'm very confident in him being a good asset this year.

            2. FC Hakkebøf
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              😮

        2. polis
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Probably all four at various points over the season.

      18. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Grealish vs James is a very interesting comparison.

        They're almost deadeven imo.

        Grealish has the overall stronger stats but in the key attacking stats, James leads.

        James with slightly higher xG, xA and xGI
        Grealish with more goal attempts, much more pen area touches (28 vs 5)

        Both look pretty elite and worth closer to 9m with these numbers. I think both of them are pretty outstanding options going forward.

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Adding Son and Grealish this gwk i think for Bruno and Podence, midfield would be

          Salah KDB Son Hames Grealish

        2. polis
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Two threads above saying similar, less your stats, but agree.

          Also a fairly simple eye test that the vast majority of both teams play goes through them. Which is pretty ideal.

      19. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Why isn't Grosiki playing for WBA?

        1. SmasherLagru
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Cos hes about 40 kid