Pro Pundits

A strong bench and going for broke: the ways FPL bosses can tackle a busy December

In his latest column, three-time top 5k finisher Az looks at the strategies to consider as we get ready for seven Gameweek deadlines in the space of a month.


I’m writing this on December 1 and having just received the news that the Aston Villa v Newcastle game, originally set to be played on Friday, has been called off.

In a way, it’s remarkable that, given the situation that’s happening across the globe, this is the first Premier League game to be postponed this season. Hopefully, it will be the last.

With many people holding two to three assets from Aston Villa and/or Newcastle, this comes at a bad time for our squads, especially as the focus for many is on juggling around their heavy hitters. 

For a lot of managers, there simply isn’t the wiggle room to consider shifting the likes of Jack Grealish (£7.7m), Emiliano Martinez (£4.8m), Ollie Watkins (£6.1m) and Callum Wilson (£6.5m) for one week only. All of these players have decent fixtures and are doing enough to justify their selections in our teams. It’s a shame to have to be putting out fires when we are trying to maximise the points potential.

As we look for ways to give our FPL squads the best possible chance of returns during an unpredictable month, one way of playing is to turn relatively defensive. This means ensuring that our teams are strong and healthy and that we can dip into our benches if and when needed. 

Alternatively, people might be looking to go for the jugular. This means trying to juggle heavy hitters and squeeze out as many points as possible during this busy period. While this poses a considerable risk, it of course may lead to huge returns if you can nail it.

Time to strengthen the bench?

Hunt for £4.0m FPL defender takes a turn as Ferguson ruled out through injury

The news of the postponement at Villa Park does serve as a bit of a wake-up call that a bench of players who at least play regularly for their teams seems a pretty good idea going into the festive schedule. With Tyrick Mitchell (£4.0m) now seemingly doomed to watch on from the sidelines, many of us are down to just two players on our FPL benches. 

The continued threat of coronavirus, as well as a packed winter schedule, means this may need to be addressed. Many of us are carrying players who seem likely to be at least in some way rotated over Christmas. For example, any of the Manchester City assets, Reece James (£5.1m), Timo Werner (£9.5m) and maybe even now Liverpool midfielders, with Diogo Jota’s (£6.8m) emergence, all look a little vulnerable. Now might be a good time to make sure you are prepared for any omissions.

Upgrading Mitchell to a £4.5m defender may seem a bit boring, but it might put you in good stead in the weeks to come. Stuart Dallas (£4.5m) looks the standout option at this price point for me. Five goal attempts over the last four Gameweeks puts him up with the likes of Reece James (£5.1m) and Ben Chilwell (£6.2m) and Leeds have a great run of fixtures to come, with only Manchester United looking like a potential banana skin right up until January 2.

Luke Ayling (£4.5m) is also a consideration, with the right-back boasting nearly double the number of penalty area touches (13) compared to Dallas over this time. However, despite promising stats, he has yet to register an attacking return this season, whereas Dallas already has a goal and an assist.

If one of the Leeds defenders doesn’t float your boat – or you already own one – then the other options to turn to are Arthur Masuaku (£4.5m) or Vladmir Coufal (£4.6m). I really like how West Ham are currently set up under David Moyes, who is doing a fantastic job when many (including myself!) had written them off. 

Both Coufal and Masuaku have just 2.3% ownership at the time of writing, and once Manchester United are out the way this week, have a great run of fixtures right up until the end of January, with only Chelsea in Gameweek 14 looking like a good time to bench whichever defender you bring in.

Going for broke

The less conservative strategy at this stage is to accept whatever state our “fringe” players are in and really try and hammer the assets who have the biggest upside.

Mohamed Salah (£12.2m), Kevin De Bruyne (£11.7m) and Bruno Fernandes (£10.8m) all delivered in Gameweek 10. Many view these three as the “holy trinity” – players we should get in our squads no matter what.

However, is this perhaps doing a disservice to the likes of Harry Kane (£10.9m), Son Heung-min (£9.5m) and Jamie Vardy (£10.2m), who have all had stellar starts to the season? For many, these are the sacrificial lambs as people look to pastures new.

I feel that a case can be made for any combination of the above, which really reflects how exciting this season is, with so many players being worthy of our consideration. However, out of all the options, I really do feel that Fernandes has done enough to make him immune from any form of “hokey-cokey”. If you don’t have him, he’d be the one that I’d look to get in before he’s out of reach.

While the likes of Jota and even Riyad Mahrez (£8.3m) may be good value for their price – and this is how you should look at them, not as “coverage” for their more prestigious team-mates – I worry that the bubble could burst at any minute and we could be left with egg on our face. 

Salah and co look set to continue to deliver points all season. The trick is going to be knowing when these hauls are likely and when to get on them.

I brought in Vardy this week and a poor Leicester performance is making me consider whether he can really keep pace with the other players in his price bracket. An away game at Sheffield United, who have made the worst start to a Premier League season from any team in history, looks a good match-up for the Sheffield Wednesday fan so I’m not panicking just yet.

But, depending on whether you think Brighton is a tough game, Vardy’s fixtures are a lot less rosy thereafter and so the short-term pick of the Englishman may prove to be a costly one. He looks set to depart my team after being given little time to truly impress.

With no Salah or De Bruyne in my squad, and both with Fulham on the horizon, I am getting jittery. I think Son and Kane who will simply struggle to match De Bruyne and Salah over the next five Gameweeks, until Spurs themselves play Fulham in Gameweek 16. But moving these players out will require a hit, so timing feels like everything. For those that made the move before the Chelsea stalemate, well played. I think this was the time to do it. 

With games against Arsenal and Crystal Palace next, it feels risky shifting out the Spurs assets, so if you think they can continue to deliver points, then holding might be a sensible strategy. That said, can you really afford to ignore the upside of both De Bruyne and then Salah against Fulham? 

It’s hard to argue with a move for De Bruyne this week, which may be even better if paired with plans for another switch to Salah for the Gameweek after. Jiggery-pokery at its finest. 

My decision

The best Man City players for appealing fixtures after 5-0 win over Burnley

I’m toying with the idea of acquiring Mahrez for the Fulham game, which would mean ignoring De Bruyne entirely and looking for a way to bring in Salah for Gameweek 12. 

Getting a City player in feels a priority this week and a rest for the Algerian in the Champions League and some very, very promising comments from Guardiola about how “players who score will start” certainly bodes well for his chances of a start against the Cottagers.

This means I could hold on to both Son and Vardy this weekend and potentially move them both on next week to get Salah and Bamford, who have Fulham and West Ham respectively in Gameweek 12. Alternatively, I could lose Son this week and keep Hakim Ziyech (£8.3m) for his home match against Leeds.

Salah is the player who I’m coveting for the long term. Simply put, not owning him in my squad just feels… wrong. Okay there is the increased chance of rotation now that Jota is doing such a good job, but put simply, the Egyptian has proven over the last few seasons that he is the player most likely to register huge returns and if I’m ever torn between who to captain, he’s my go-to. 

As a captaincy option, while I’m happy with Fernandes if I need to, games against Fulham, Palace, West Brom and Newcastle in quick succession provide a perfect platform for the Liverpool double-up of Salah and Jota. City’s fixtures do also remain excellent, but there is the higher chance of rotation, a slight risk of De Bruyne dropping deeper to control the midfield in “tougher” games and from what I’ve seen from Man City, the high likelihood of a spread of points across their very capable forward line. 

Turning my back on last season’s top FPL performer doesn’t feel great and I know what he’s capable of. But you can’t have them all and this feels like something we are all going to have to put up with this season. Hopefully, we’re about to see the Mahrez of old who is more than capable of scoring 200+ points this season if he plays a decent number of minutes – although I also appreciate that he’s someone that can cause misery for those who take the punt on him. We’ll see what happens.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck for the following weeks. It’s going to be a wild ride.

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

1,832 Comments Post a Comment
  1. G-Whizz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Giroud hat-trick...

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

      I would do anything for that sexy Frenchman.

  2. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Surely Lampard has to start Giroud now

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I think he just might

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Great for Reece James owners if so

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      not good for Werner though, will be stuck on the left for a while

      1. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Maybe he will play better with Giroud than Abraham.

        1. F4L
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          could do, you would just have to hope he doesn't share his minutes with Pulisic. I think I'd prefer Jesus to Werner right now.

          1. Qaiss
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            True. Werner rest today though. If a sub happens for Werner though then I’ll probably look to get rid at some point.

      2. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Has been getting more chances from the left than he was when playing through the middle. Just needs to start taking them a bit better.

        1. F4L
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          fair enough. No doubt he'll still get goals.

      3. Ozzy smith
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        He’s looked a threat every time I’ve watched him play off the left tbf. I’m in no rush to get rid just yet.

        1. F4L
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          yeah, wouldn't be getting rid, can imagine the Leeds game will suit him as they should leave space in behind.

      4. AnfieldLad
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah, and surely Pulisic will start some games? He was their best player last season post lockdown

        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Giroud will be good for Werner imo

  3. Gerd Mueller’s thighs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    VAR only checks for reds not second yellow.......again terrible call.

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      What’s the point then. Can’t correct an incorrect decision because it’s not a straight red. Seems flawed really.

    2. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah I don’t think so.

  4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    5 subs yet keeps Fred on

    1. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      this

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

      Never a second yellow that, but yeah. Should have taken him off.

  5. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Not watching the Chelsea game, has Werner been poor or something?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not playing

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He looks poor on bench

    3. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Ahh ok cheers guys haha

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

      Hasn't touched the ball even once. Appalling

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

    Giroud is way too good to be third choice in Chelsea. It seems like he is not highly thought of in PL but I never got why.

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He was really wasteful around 3 years in a row for Wenger and never scored 20 goals in season so he got that reputation

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He’s always been criminally underrated

  7. Pariße
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    What’s the point of VAR when egomaniacs won’t admit their mistake?

  8. airzeppelin
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    With Kane uncertain, I'm not sure I should risk his sell loss (100K)? Returns and price rises could make it worthwhile. Thanks!

    McCarthy
    Chilwell - Zouma - Justin
    Jota - Bruno - Son - Grealish - Mendy
    DCL - Vardy - Kane

    1 FT - 1 million ITB
    Kane > Cavani or Bamford
    Mendy > Mahrez

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Remember when Jose told us Son was out? Pepperidge Farm remembers...

      Kane will play.

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Jose said he thinks kane will play didnt he?

        1. BeWater
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Last I heard he said Kane was a doubt. I haven't seen today pre match conference yet though. I'm a Spurs fan so I tend to watch them all.

          1. airzeppelin
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Thanks for the feedback.
            I do think he'll play and I have a funny feeling that he'll get a few against Arsenal.
            Keeping Mendy in the fourth spot will hurt and I have Konsa and Dunne both as a no-go in the back too so I'll need to keep what I have there.
            Cheers

  9. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Typical, Cavani worlds best striker against us then immediately crap again!

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      His chip against the bar wasnt that crap

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        He should be scoring that chance, didn't even hit the target, crap!

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Moral of the story; psg are good and saints are a bit shite? 😛

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Hehe

      2. WVA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        How dare you, I'd back us to bear PSG at the moment, United were lucky haha!

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

      Inch away from a wonder goal, he’s class.

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Missed a one on one...... Class!?

  10. clarkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    My squad is horrendous, 1FT 2m itb

    Martinez* Steer*
    Laporte* Kilman Coufal Gabriel Ayling
    Salah Sterling Son Foden* Grealish*
    DCL Jiminez* Brewster*

    What to do?
    a) Foden -> Mahrez
    b) Jiminez -> Vardy
    c) Jiminez -> Werner
    d) Martinez -> Meslier
    e) Grealish -> Jota

    something else

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      You need some sure starters. Jimenez must be out for a few weeks so I'd ship him at least.

  11. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I will have Olivier Giroud once this seaskn. No doubt about that.

    1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Season*

      1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        At one point*

  12. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Rashford injury must be bad if Cavani & Martial are having to be rested.

  13. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    So when we need a goal, Ole takes off Rashford, Cavani and Martial!
    What the hell??!! 😡

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

      I think Rashford got injured 🙁

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      How he left Fred on is ridiculous.

      At the wheel though and doing his thing, long may it continue!

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

      When he needs red,
      He so keeps Fred

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

    I don't understand why even an inexperienced manager like Ole can't have the common sense to take off Fred. We all do.

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Shocking decision really really was. How can he justify it I don’t know. Poor management is the only explanation.

    2. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Especially when he can use 5 subs too!! Mind blowing!!!

    3. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Inexperienced?

      He's been a manager for like 370 games.

  15. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    United are losing and Ole takes Cavani and Martial off

    1. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Cavani is too old. He has run out of steam. Martial just came back. But, yes Ole is c"£p.

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I think Cavani is ok for a bit longer. Much quicker and fitter than I thought.

        1. Tinkermania
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Quick for you, but not PSG 😉

          1. FPL Blow-In
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Yeah maybe! We were better team than them tonight before the red card. Second goal was against the run of play. Martial is at risk of getting dropped soon I think.

  16. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Giroud FOUR goals

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

    Giroud with 4, unreal.. miles ahead of Tammy!

    1. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He won't play Seville every week!

  18. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Werner lost his spot now.

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

      He plays on the left wing....

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Or Tammy...

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      *Tammy

  19. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Crikey 4 goals for Giroud. Wasted at Chelsea.

  20. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Le donk on fire

  21. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Kane > Giroud for a -12 done!

  22. aborg
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Lol Giroud scoring a four bagger...now this really is a weird season !

    1. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Watch him go 8 league games without a goal.

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

        Exactly this ! 🙂

  23. sentz05
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is it worth using one of my free transfers to upgrade my second keeper to McCarthy so I can rotate between him and Martinez?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Rotating keepers never works, or so I’ve found

    2. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'm on 50 points in 10 gameweeks from rotating Martinez and McCarthy. Haven't got it right every week. These were the highlights...

      GW2 Martinez 13 McCarthy 0
      GW4 McCarthy 9 Martinez 3
      GW5 Martinez 9 McCarthy 1

  24. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Timo on for Gru

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

      Gru rested for Leeds

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

    BTW That was an ultra perfect quadruple.

    1 x left foot
    1 x right foot
    1 x header
    1 x penalty

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Does he need the 5th one in of his arse?

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

        He can do anything.

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wow, incredible

  26. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Wilson still rising on fplstats 😛

  27. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Mbappe big miss.

  28. Madderegern
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martial and Ole lost it.

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

    The legend is on. Ighalo! 😆

  30. Saka Punch
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Need KdB, who should I move for him:

    A) Grealish (-4)
    B) Son

    1. JohnnyRev7
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Son and save the hit. You're a GW late but your best move this GW out of the options above.

    2. JohnnyRev7
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Link your team.