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. ResultatFar
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    How's it looking?

    Martinez
    Robertson - Coufal - Justin
    Salah (C) - Fernandes - Grealish - Son
    Kane - Adams - Bamford

    (Forster, Soucek, Taylor, Mitchell)

    If anything, what would you improve before the DGW? Right now, I am thinking to free hit in gw18 and TC in gw19

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

      G2G

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Looks good but benching Soucek isn’t ideal!

      You aren’t far away from a good BB team. You wouldn’t consider for 19?

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

        thanks! Luckily I played Soucek this gw and just got in Son. BB is always such a bet, looking to win a bit on everybody else by triple captaining Salah, but bench boosting is tempting no doubt

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          There’ll be plenty playing TC on Salah too btw. GL!

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

    Please can you put me out of my misery

    KDB -> Son

    Yay or nay?

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

      Worth the punt for me but many on here will tell you to save. Good luck!

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

      I'm in the same place. Son was the plan all along but I spurs and Fulham's form have put me off getting him in

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

      yes from me

    4. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I think yes

    5. Fodderx4
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I have Son and I'm keeping but wouldn't buy now as have Kane and think the double up is too much as Spurs not looking great in the last few games.
      KDB can easily outscore him. It depends if you want KDB long term or not.

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

      I dunno. Both off form.

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

        I'd want Son for Leeds but for Fulham not that important.

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

      Yes

    8. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yay

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

    Need some help here folks:

    A) Grealish + DCL > Son + Adams (-4)
    B) KDB > Son
    C) KDB > Mane

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      C

      1. Big Ronnie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        C

    2. Fodderx4
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      C

  4. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A. Salah (new,sot) + Wilson (LIV,LEI)

    Or

    B. Kane (FUL,LEE) + Podence (mun,bri)

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

      A cause of Salah.

      Don't think Wilson or podence will return

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

      A

    3. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

  5. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I bought Son last night for KDB.
    Plan was to get also Kane or Vardy for DCL but for a hit. Any opinion on that move?
    My cap would be Salah probably.

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'd just save.

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

    Is Rodrigo likely to start this gw? Would you play him or Soucek?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      S

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

        Cheers! Do you think Rodrigo is nailed?

        1. DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Yeah .Bielsa doesn't change too much. We don't have the squad to do so.

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

            What about Hernandez? I know he was big for you last year. What has happened to him?

            1. DA Minnion (Former great)
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              He's not mobile enough for premier league. Luxury player that doesn't suit Leeds style anymore.

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

                Cheers!

    2. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I’d play rodrigo

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

        Cheers!

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

    Best option out of these for the next 4 gameweeks?

    A) Mane (new, sou, blank, MUN/BUR)
    B) Son (FUL, LEE, avl, shu)
    C) Rashford (WOL, AVL, blank, liv/ful)
    D) Keep KDB for this week

    I might FH18 if I go with Mane/Rash and could have Son for that week.

    1. Big Ronnie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A and FH 18

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

        I'm tempted by this.

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A or B are good. I’d personally be wary of spending all that on Mané if you’d never captain him but I get that he’s a nice differential and looked good last match.

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

        Not going to captain KDB/Kane/Son either for the next 2 I feel. I think I'm going to stick with Pool cap for next 2 games. Salah vs Newcastle and Mane vs his old club.

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

          I'd much rather captain Kane/Son vs Leeds than Salah/Mane vs Southampton. Leeds are the worst defense in the PL right now.

        2. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Fair enough.

          Personally going for armband on Salah this week but next week vs Leeds screams Son or Kane cap for me

  8. primal33
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Robbo + Son (keeping Wilson)

    Or

    Kane + 7.1m max Mid (keeping Cancelo)

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

    Guys no replies

    A) grealish and James to taa and raphinha -4
    B) kdb to son
    C) kdb James to son robbo -4
    D) lamptey kdb to Taylor Mane -4
    E) save

    Fh 18..

    Martinez
    James Dallas kwp bal lamptey
    Salah kdb bruno grealish bissou
    Kane bam adams

    1. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      D

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      C

  10. 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 or something else?

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

    Bench two:

    A) Dias (eve)
    B) Zouma (AVL)
    C) Dallas (wba)
    D) Taylor (SHU)
    E) Coufal (sou)

    1. iL PiStOlErO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B and E

  12. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    1ft 0 itb
    Martinez
    Konsa Matip Taylor
    Salah Son Bruno Grealish
    Bamford Firmino DCL

    Steele Soucek Kilman Mitchell

    Worried DCL is rested and Matip doesn't play and my bench isn't the strongest

    Cheers

    1. tommo1989
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Matip won’t play and neither will your two defenders on the bench. DCL may not start but I’d imagine you have value tied up in him like the rest of us. Transferring Matip out for your free transfer should be the priority.

      1. Oggle22
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        That's why I'm thinking but for who and something eating away at me telling me I need Kane!

        1. tommo1989
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I don’t have Kane as Tottenham don’t attack enough for me to justify 11m. I’ve had a midfield of Salah, KDB, Bruno & Son the last few weeks and just done KDB to Mane, looking ahead to the GW19 double. What’s your plan for GW18/19 and I’ll tell you who I think is your best replacement for Matip?

          1. Oggle22
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Similar midfield I debated bringing mane in for the last game week but went for Firmino instead and haven't really thought that much about it yet preety sure I'll free hit gw 18 and then mayne a -4 for the double game week I was thinking of bringing a double game week player in last week and this week but don't want to over think it and miss out on short term points was debating a lunt on Bellerin or Tierney this week?

            1. tommo1989
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              You need to have a plan in your head now about what you’re doing for 18/19 as it will impact on all transfers you make. If you’re free hitting on 18 (which I am too), you want to bring in a defender for 19 that has two good games. I’d say Coufal is a good shout as he has two good home games

              1. Oggle22
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Yer that's true I suppose thanks for your help I could really do with getting shut if Kilman and Mitchell as well but that will have to wait!

  13. Ruudy Van
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    For free
    KDB & DCL OUT

    Ward Prowse & Vardy in

    Should I wait one week because Vardy likely not to start??

    1. tommo1989
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes I don’t think Vardy will start

  14. Fodderx4
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Play 1 and who is 1st on the bench
    a) Taylor
    b Soucek
    c) Coufal

    1. Ruudy Van
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Toss up between coufal & soucek

  15. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    G2G? bench/ captain?

    -4 2.0itb
    Martinez
    Robbo, Dias, Coufal
    Salah (C), Bruno, Son, Raphinha
    Kane (v), Bamford, Adams
    (Forster) (KWP, Stephens, Branthwaite)

    I stuck with my original plan and brought in Kane and took out KDB. I still believe he has it in him to bust the recent slump in stats. If he proves me wrong over next 2 I may drop him to Vardy for the double.

    Plan to FH18 (would prefer to avoid using FH but I can’t get more than 6 starters with this squad) and BB19. Moves before 19 would be: Forster, Stephens, Branthwaite > Johnstone, Taylor, Soucek

    Cheers!

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

      Team looks awesome!

      Must have a v good team value?

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Not at all

        104.1.

        I haven’t been playing the value game much and lost a chunk when I prematurely dumped Chilwell last week!

        Thanks though and GL mate!

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

      Team looks great!

      We have such different teams but I see the sense behind both. Going to be an interesting few gameweeks.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks mate. Yours looks good too. There’s definitely so many ways to go and it’s a real rollercoaster.

        The one thing annoying me is using 2 chips this early on but it seems to be the best way to take advantage of the squad I have right now

  16. No_Mo_Salah?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Morning. Play Soucek or Grealish?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Grealish

  17. 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 or something else??

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

    Any news on Rashfords injury? Was looking at getting him in

  19. Dion D's Solo Shower
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Castagne a good punt for this GW?

  20. karsworde
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    How's the WC team looking, fam? Any obvious changes?

    My only concern is the amount of money I've got on the bench for GW16 and GW17.

    Pope | McCarthy
    Robertson | Justin | Coufal | Dallas | C. Taylor
    Salah | Bruno | Raphinha | Soucek | Reed
    Kane | Vardy | Bamford

    Planning to FH 18 and BB 19! Appreciate your thoughts 🙂

  21. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Are most people planning to free hit on 18. Seem to be a lot losing De Bruyne.

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not me. Keeping it for later.

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

      Yes. I am

    3. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Probably, I'll only have 4 for the blank GW otherwise.

  22. pratul09
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best Captain choice?
    Kane
    Salah
    Son

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

      Salah out of those, I'm on Bruno personally.

  23. Mr. Clueless
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Has been a while,

    Can I activate my 1st Wildcard after today's deadline or will it fall away?

    Thanks

    1. tommo1989
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      First wildcard has to be used before today’s deadline

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

    Who is the best double game week goalkeeper?

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

      Fab

    2. tommo1989
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I’ve got McCarthy as had him all season but money no object for 19 I’d say Fabianski

  25. The Left Duke #3
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Morning Community.

    Bench 1 this GW only

    A) Soucek (Sou a)
    B) Justin (CP a)
    C) Taylor (SU h)
    D) Dallas (WB)

    Thoughts appreciated

  26. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    KDB > Son locked in. Will get KDB back in 19 depending on form. Salah (c)

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

      Please convince me of this

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

        Im looking at it like this. Fulham + Leeds home is just too good to ignore. You can get KDB back if you want him. Son’s 60% ownership is scary and i’m fed up not reaping the rewards. He’s blanked twice in a row and i’d be gobsmacked if he blanked 4x in a row. He’s safe from rotation now with Bales injury and Spurs poor recent results, and KDB has been due a haul for 5-6 gameweeks, it will come but take it on the chin

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Why would you get back KDB in 19 for a DGW when he has a SGW?

  27. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who to play ?
    A- Coufal
    B- James

    1. tommo1989
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I don’t think James will play

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thx

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

    Play McCarthy or Johnstone this week for save points? I’m feeling the latter...

  29. MiguelAngel
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    McCarthy
    Justin Dias Zouma Taylor
    Salah Mane Grealish Bruno Neto
    Welbeck

    4.0 DCL Brewster Kilman

    A) GTG
    B) Neto > DCL
    C) Welbeck > DCL

  30. karsworde
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who scores more?

    A) Robertson & Raphinha
    B) Maguire & Maddison

    1. tommo1989
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Depends whether Maddison starts today after playing on Saturday with his recent injury record