Pro Pundits

Three-time top 200 finisher Lateriser on City, captaincy and the Blanks and Doubles

The reigning FPL champion of India, Lateriser, shares his thoughts ahead of the Gameweek 16 deadline.


Things are moving incredibly fast in the Fantasy Premier League world and it’s important to stay on top of things and react. Traditionally, this is the period where the engaged FPL managers make ground on the casuals (who are getting not so casual, year on year).

For your information, I am writing this article on the morning after Saturday’s games so the piece will not contain relevant information from Sunday’s matches. Due to the current fifth-gear nature of FPL, this will be a freestyle ramble of all things I want to address.

First up, we need to talk about Manchester City. They are one of the prime culprits for my poor start to the season. In my Gameweek 3 Wildcard, I got in a triple City midfield and have had two City attackers for the most part of the season.

That explains my rank (1.7 million at the time of writing, which is a lot better than the 3.1 million it was in Gameweek 12). It has taken me so long to readjust my thinking in this case and I have definitely failed to adapt. Their fixtures from Gameweek 10 to 15 seduced me like prime Demi Moore (Burnley, Fulham, West Brom an Newcastle at home) and being a fixtures guy all my life, I jumped in.

I mean, we’re talking about Pep Guardiola and the most attacking team in the country for the past three years. But one of the signs of a good FPL manager is to adapt. I didn’t and my rank shows that. After watching Manchester City play Newcastle United last night, I was convinced that the play with the Citizens is their defence not their attack. I know I’m stating the obvious but we have three viable defender options from Guardiola’s side (I own two of them), all three of whom are under £6.0m.

For what they offer for their price, I personally think that taking the odd rest/rotation from them is fine because of the significant value they offer. City are playing a different brand of football (all audition games for the Champions League knockout stages) and we need to re-align our thinking with their attack.

One manager who did adapt is my pod-partner and fellow Pro Pundit, Zophar. He’s been sitting on double City defence since his Gameweek 9 Wildcard and reaping the rewards. That move reeks of low-key shrewdness that can go a long way in having a good season. He was sitting at 970k on his Gameweek 9 Wildcard and is currently at 119k.

What about Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m), though? Well, if we’re talking about the game yesterday, except for that one-on-one chance, he didn’t do much else.

Manchester City are eighth amongst all teams filtered by shots in the box over the last four matches. Yes, De Bruyne is shooting a lot and is playing further up the field, but I get the feeling that while he’s a clean striker of the ball, he takes a fair amount of time to get his shot off. As a result, a large chunk of his efforts just seem to get blocked.

Here’s some more data for you. These are the average expected per goals 90 minutes (xG/90) figures for Manchester City this year and the past three years:

SeasonxG/90
2020/211.6
2019/202.5
2018/192.2
2017/182.1

It just seems like us holding De Bruyne at the moment is for three reasons: ability, history and fear. Yes, he may explode and get a game with a penalty, an assist and a goal. But the more you actually watch Manchester City, the further away such a haul seems given that Pep Guardiola is channelling his inner Louis van Gaal these days.

I myself haven’t made the decision whether I’m holding or selling him but I will need to before Gameweek 16. To fund Harry Kane (£11.0m) into my team, I either need to downgrade Jack Grealish (£7.8m) to Raphinha (£5.4m) or move De Bruyne to Son Heung-min (£9.7M). It’s fair to say that I’ll be scouting some players tonight and Sadio Mane (£11.9m) is also someone I am monitoring closely.

A lot of you will be on a Wildcard while reading this article and I’d like to reiterate and say that don’t have a single-minded, tunnel-vision focus on just the Blank and Double Gameweeks. Every Gameweek counts and focusing on just Gameweek 18 and 19 isn’t going to help you. I urge again to look at the fixtures for players you are bringing in on your Wildcard before Gameweek 18 and after Gameweek 19.

At the moment, I’m looking at going chipless in Gameweek 18 and maybe using the Triple Captain chip in Gameweek 19. It is with this thought that I recruited both the Manchester City centre-backs before Gameweek 15 so as to play them in Gameweeks 18 and 19, and I particularly like their fixtures from Gameweek 20-22.

I’ll briefly talk about captaincy in Gameweeks 16 and 17. Scanning through the fixtures, Mohamed Salah (£12.6m) and the Spurs attacking duo stand out as captaincy options. The game against the Cottagers seems like a more Kane than Son game as I expect Fulham to sit deep, which means more chances closer to the box for the England international.

That said, Fulham are on a bit of a resurgence and are in the best five teams for expected goals conceded (xGC) in the last four matches. Spurs, on the other hand, are second only to West Brom for expected goals (xG), but we’ve seen that this does not seem to matter with them too much because if they score, it is very highly likely that their premium FPL duo will be involved.

I just happen to trust Salah and Liverpool a lot more than Spurs at the moment, which is why Salah will likely have my armband in Gameweek 16. Unlike Fulham, Newcastle are in the worst five defences in the league for expected goals conceded in the last five matches.

Gameweek 17, though, is where I’m looking to captain a Spurs attacker. A match against Leeds United should be considered as a prime fixture for captaincy and on paper, this just looks like a Son game to me, given the space Leeds United offer their opposition. The one good thing about this game is that we know that Bielsa is stubborn about his style of play and we can rely on him to offer the opposition tonnes of space to run behind. This captaincy call in Gameweek 18 might be what influences my transfer decision later tonight, depending on how the games pan out.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading what is possibly my last article for the calendar year. Here’s hoping that 2021 is a much better year for all of us.

As a side note, I would like to thank Fantasy Football Scout for the opportunity to write for them and all of you for reading my articles, supporting me and always providing me with valuable feedback.

Given the year that we’ve had, I’d just like to add a small note on mental health. I haven’t had a good season from an FPL point of view (so far) but I’m slowly beginning to climb the table. That hasn’t affected my enjoyment of the game at all.

Firstly, those of you that are struggling should remember that at the end of the day, this is just a game and that is exactly how you should treat it. If you ask me personally, I’m really enjoying this challenge of a bad start and am simply focusing on making good decisions week on week.

One of the best things about this game is that it enables you to talk to likeminded strangers from all over the world and develop new friendships. That is the essence of the FPL community. That is the primary. The rank is secondary. A lot of you ask me about my rank goal and I personally feel it is too early to think about that. FPL is about assimilating information between Gameweeks and then making decisions. Focus on that and make good decisions and leave the rest to chance because the rest isn’t in your control.

Secondly, the ‘perceived’ bad luck appears greater than it is because of the slow-drip of games that we are witnessing. So if you do end up watching a lot of matches, you do end up seeing a lot of chances missed, which just leads to a greater tilt. Just know that on an average, it takes four to five chances for a player to score a goal and these single incidents become magnified in your head because in most cases, you are watching one game at a time. Expectation management during FPL is a thing so that you don’t drive yourself crazy.

 I repeat, it’s just a game.


What is FPL Upside Chasing and how can I implement it in 2020/21?
1,821 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    It's been 3 gw now that not owning city attacker has hurt me.

  2. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Meslier nyland
    Zouma Alioski Taylor Bednarek Dunne
    Kdb Salah son grealish Fernandes
    DCL Bamford Brewster

    2 FT 0.0ITB

    Kdb to Neto & bank the other FT?

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

    1FT. 1.2M ITB. What to do?

    A. Upgrade Steer to who?
    B. Sell Matip?

    Martinez
    Dallas Coufal Bednarek
    KDB Bruno Salah Son
    Bamford Adams DCL

    Steer Taylor Bissouma Matip

    1. Saint Tim
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Sell matip. To dier maybe?

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A City defender would seem the way to go. Stones is under 5m.

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

    1FT 0.3ITB

    Martinez
    James Dallas Holding Taylor
    Salah Bruno KDB Grealish Soucek
    Kane

    Steele DCL Struijk Brewster

    Going to bench DCL this GW and bank the FT, good to go?

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

      I’m also benching DCL in favour of Watkins.

      Feels weird lol

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

        I think it's the right move

      2. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yeh, I'd bench DCL this week. Next week Rich and James should be back to supply him.

  5. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Nice end to that article. Well done.

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

    Options to transfer KDB to?

    Current team is

    Johnstone / Forster
    Taylor / Cancelo / Zouma / Dallas / Mitchell
    Salah / Bruno / KDB / Soucek / Burke
    DCL / Vardy / Watkins

    0.0 itb
    Thinking to do:
    KDB -> Son? / keep
    Vardy -> Kane (c)

    1. Saint Tim
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      KDB to son

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

        What about Vardy and the risk of him not playing?

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

      i wouldnt want to lose KDB, unless u are bringing him back later for his solid fixtures. Vardy to Kane is good as he might be rested but vardy got DGW in 19. I'm keeping son, kane, KDB for the next few weeks.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        KDB has had solid fixtures and done nothing with them.

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

          yet. He will continue to create chances.

    3. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Get Son

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

    Mitchell to Struijk or Alioski? I can’t afford Dallas

    1. Saint Tim
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Alioski

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

        yes

  8. Saint Tim
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Playing my first wild card to give the below squad. Free Hit GW18, Bench Boost GW19. I still have £1.2m ITB and I’m struggling to see how to use it. Help much appreciated!

    Johnstone
    Dier, Dallas, KWP
    Salah (C), Harrison, Bruno, Son (VC)
    Bamford, Adams, Kane
    Bench: Fabianski, Coufal, Justin, Soucek

  9. Andy_Social
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thanks Lateriser - you made me see the obvious transfer I was missing: KDB > Mane. A double-up on Salah/Mane and double City in defence seems a sensible balance right now.

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      This move tempting me too but means no Son or Kane for me this week.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Ah, I've got both. My midf is now Salah, Mane, Son (Soucek, Raphinha). Bruno conspicuously missing and needs to return.

      2. yanky
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        i think im going to go son for next few then switch to mane/rashford for dgw19 (have salah and bruno)

    2. Winners900
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I did that instead of Son. Makes more sense if you are planning for gmw 19 and dont want to take a hit

  10. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which combo would u rather have this week only

    A) Grealish and DCL

    B) KDB and Soucek

    1. Saint Tim
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

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

      B

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

      B

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

    Would do Grealish > Raphina for free?

    Y or N

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

      I also already have Bamford

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I did that last week to enable another transfer. Raph only got 3 points but he looks likely to earn his price.

    3. Saint Tim
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Y

  12. House Frey Wedding Planner
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    *repost

    Will FH19

    Martinez, (4.0)
    Cancelo, Dias, KWP (Lewis, Mitchell)
    Salah, Bruno, Grealish, Son (Jones)
    Kane, DCL, Bamford

    1ft, 0.4itb

    Should I:

    a)- Grealish & Mitchell out, Saka & Dier in for a -4 hit
    b) Grealish out, Saka in
    c) Save transfer and go double City defence
    d) Any other transfer

    Thanks

    1. Saint Tim
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      C

    2. Schwarzer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      C surely

  13. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Mane (TC) in DGW locked

  14. Koroko990
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Chris Wood or Watkins?

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

      Wood. In view of DGW19

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Depends for how long. I'd favour the more attacking side, but short-term favours Wood.

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

      I'm doing Watkins to Wood with my FT. 2 better fixtures, FH18 and DGW19.

      But will probably go back to Watkins soon, his stats are great.

  15. baines is god
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A part of me says do Werner to Kane for -4 points.

    But another part says Kane could be rested, Werner could start, and their expected returns for these games aren't wide enough to justify the move.

    Yay or nay?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Hard to say. Spuds are nothing without Kane, yet it's only Fulham. Werner could be dropped. Too much uncertainty to warrant a hit, imo.

    2. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No unless you captain Kane

    3. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Jose don't do rest to key players imo, he played Kane for 90 mins in the league game

    4. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I really don't think Jose can afford to rest Kane. With so many dropped points recently this game is must win for them

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

      Do that move...
      Werner is such low in confidence.

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

    McCarthy (Forster)
    Dias, Dier, AWB, Justin (Lamptey)
    Salah (c), Bruno. Son, Soucek (Bissouma)
    Kane, DCL, Bamford

    0 FT, 0.0m ITB

    I need to bench one more, should it be ?

    A) AWB (WOL)
    B) Justin (cry)
    C) Soucek (sou)
    D) DCL (MCI)

    1. Eye Test Dave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      AWB, average defence and rarely gets attacking returns.

    2. Schwarzer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

  17. Eye Test Dave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Nope. Fixtures are so so but not sure he offers anymore than a cheaper alternative like a Soucek, or a JWP that in Ings absence will be on penalties.

  18. Schwarzer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which 2 of these 3 would you start?

    A) Soucek (sou)
    B) Adams (WHU)
    C) Raphina (wba)

    Cheers

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Bc

    2. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B C

    3. yanky
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      b and c

    4. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I've never veered from my habit of keeping Soucek on the bench and will again. To my detriment yet again, I'm sure.

      1. The Seagulls and the Trawle…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Had the same with Neto all season long. Finally sold him couple of GW ago.

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Aarghh, painful!

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

      Thanks all

  19. yanky
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    After reading that I feel better about my double city defense!!!
    WC team, thoughts? FH18, BB19– 0.0 in bank.

    Fabianski Johnstone
    Dias Cancelo TAA Justin Coufal
    Salah Son/Mane** Bruno Soucek Raphinha
    Bamford Rodrigo Wood/Adams**

    1) start with mane
    2) start with son ans transfer to mane for dgw19

    a) Woods
    b) Adams

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

      Probably 2

  20. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Now that Brewster is back in the SHU starting lineup, would you start him over Soucek this week?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Never!

    2. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No. He’s awful.

  21. MoSalalalalalalalalah
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best 6.2 replacement for Watkins?

    1. Esalman
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Adams

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'd keep until Antonio is back. Don't fancy anyone else at that point.

    3. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      WBA new manager bounce 🙂

    4. yanky
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      between wood and adams, im on wc and torn between the two

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

      Wood, but Adams is also good

  22. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    is barnes an option? i miss the price rise for maddison.
    sell jwp to barnes for -4?

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Don’t think he’ll play this gw

  23. niloh1
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    do you think vardy will play tn?

    1. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He was rotated last year right around this time. Has been a bit banged up and palace have been poor so wouldn’t be surprised if he is rested

  24. Bad Kompany
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which one to bench?

    A. Soucek
    B. Rodrigo
    C. Raphinha

    1. Martinez
    2. Johnstone

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B2

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers! Do you think that Rodrigo might not be nailed?

        1. Stockport Hatter
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Possibly but he’s marginally the worst in your list IMO

          1. Bad Kompany
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Cheers! What about Pablo Hernandez? I know he is old but he was great for Leeds last year. He’s came in as a sub in theIr last couple of games. Could he be a threat to his minutes?

  25. Stockport Hatter
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Start 2

    A Taylor
    B Zouma
    C Stones
    D Bednarek

    Start 1

    1 DCL
    2 Soucek

    Thanks in advance!

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

      AC1

    2. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      AC
      1

      1. Stockport Hatter
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers chaps

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

    Who is everyones captain in GW18?

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

      Salah

      1. Stockport Hatter
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Not in 18 it isn’t - he doesn’t play.

    2. Bad Kompany
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      KDB or Kun likely

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

      KDB or Sterling i guess (FH)

    4. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Dias

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        If he had more attacking threat I’d consider this. Cancelo could be an option. Ive had success captaining Alonso in the past

  27. Party time
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Captain this gw??

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Salah

      2. yanky
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        king mo

      3. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Sticking with Salah despite last night's pain.

        1. Stockport Hatter
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Same

      4. jomikijiq
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Salah

    • EWH2020
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Start one:

      A) Raphinha
      B) Soucek

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

        A

    • jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      2FTs, 0.3itb
      1) Kilman > Taylor & roll FT
      2) Kilman, KDB > Cancelo, Son
      3) Grealish, Wilson > Son, Brewster (then 1 next week?)

      McCarthy, Forster
      Chilwell, Targett, KWP, Coufal, Kilman
      Salah, KDB, Bruno, Grealish, Soucek
      DCL, Bamford, Wilson

      1. Bad Kompany
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Chip plans?

        1. jdp219
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Probably FH in 18. Undecided on 19.

    • Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Which WBA fwd would you fancy vs Leeds?