Pro Pundits

Seven-time top 10k finisher Zøphar on Rashford, Leeds, Grealish and disappointment

The FPL manager with six top 5k overall ranks to his name, Zøphar, looks at some statistical trends from the last four Gameweeks.


Gameweek 16 is finally over and for many it didn’t even start, with the postponement of Everton v Manchester City shortly after the Fantasy Premier League deadline passed and then a similar fate befalling the Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham game. 

Rather than lament about how these absences affected our squads, I thought I would rather look forward and discuss some trends I noticed over the last few Gameweeks.

Shot-Shy Grealish 

Dealing with disappointment

Gameweek 16 was a nightmare for many managers, including myself. Many of us, especially those with a strategy not to Free Hit in Gameweek 18, suffered six-to-seven absences with the last-minute postponements, in addition to injuries and rotation. 

It can be tough for us who take pleasure in planning and obsessing over the best strategy and picks, only to have a fixture called off a few hours before the game. All of those hours spent on listening to podcasts, poring over statistics and discussing on message boards can feel like a waste but we can only make decisions based on the information available and this is no ordinary season. Things are likely to get worse before they get better and it’s important that we don’t let this get us down. It’s the FPL process and community interaction I enjoy as much as the actual matches themselves and I don’t plan to change that anytime soon. 

Adversity usually presents opportunity and these postponed games are likely to present more double and even triple Gameweeks in the future. Emotional investment in FPL needs to be low in difficult times like these. The game is meant to serve as a distraction from troubled times and if you are only letting it add to your grief, you’re doing it wrong. We must remember that the health and safety of players and staff is paramount and the Premier League would only call off fixtures if there was no other possible course of action. 

As my fellow Pro Pundit and podcast co-host Lateriser said in his last piece: “It’s just a game”. There is no point worrying about things we cannot control or cannot foresee. Let’s enjoy watching sport while we can, if these postponements etc do not fall our way, we can just shrug our shoulders and move on. 

Keep your chin up. Better times are coming. Take care of yourself and those around you, physically and mentally. 

Wishing you all a happy new year. 


The arguments for and against using a Wildcard in FPL Gameweek 3 1
1,071 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Rashford this, Rashford that... Blankford when United put 6 behind Leeds! Anyone who watched his goal vs Wolves could see it was extremely lucky.

  2. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Will this suffice for BGW18 (no hits used):

    Leno
    Dias Targett Nkounkou (not expected to play)
    KDB Son Bissouma
    Wilson Brewster

    Feel it’s going to be a very low scoring GW regardless ...

  3. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I need a defender for this week only, any price. Nobody is leaping out at me, TAA maybe for a diff?

    1. Big Hippo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      PVA?

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Funnily enough he was the first player I looked at, but I think he flatters to deceive - just two assists all season and not a sinlge clean sheet

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Tricky as a few fixtures this week that are about the same in terms of one-sidedness. TAA certainly could be a good shout.

    3. Gross Blank Point
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yerry Mina

    4. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Furlong

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

      TAA looks out of form, Robbo being a safer pick.
      No telling when TAA starts firing again though. We all know he is capable.

  4. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Grealish > Son, Rashford or Raphina?

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Would hold

    2. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Keep Grealish mate

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

      Grealish is more essential now that 3 cheap strikers are useless. Allows you to go 3 big mids and 1 of Kane/Vardy.

  5. Big Hippo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If this Utd fixtures gets moved, is Lamptey > AWB a good move? 0.1 off Maguire

    1. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It’s moved. Burnley in 18.

  6. adased
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who should I sell? I have 2 FT and 0.2 itb
    McCarthy - Johnstone
    Targett - Holding - Dallas - Cancelo* - Balbuena*
    Son - Salah - Soucek - Fernandes - KdB*
    Bamford - DCL - Welbeck*
    I probably should sell KdB to free up funds to either get Balbuena or Welbeck to a more nailed defender/striker, but at the same time selling Cancelo might achieve the same objective

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Id keep KDB & Cancelo why so keen to get rid? ts only a matter of time before KDB hauls and Cancelo is playing like a winger

      1. adased
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Ye that's true, I wouldn't sell any of them ordinarily but I think having playing players should be a priority for now, and Cancelo covid rumours from the page earlier might affect my team

  7. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best 2 Def under 4.7m?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      For BGW or DGW?

      1. Jdpz
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Dgw 19

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

    My cup opponent is too strong. Unfair!! I want a re-draw.

    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/1886201/event/16

    1. ClassiX
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He's a casual - he still has Davis. 🙂 😉

  9. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    This lot for -4 points good enough for DGW19 BB?

    Martinez - Fabianski
    Robbo - Zouma - Lindelof - Coufal - Dallas
    Salah - Son - Bruno - Raphinha - Soucek
    Vardy - Adama - Bamford

    13 DGW + Martinez & Son as 2 SGWers

    1. LewanGOALski
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Adama is Adams ofc 😐

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

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

      Martinez is a double now

  10. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I'm looking for a DGW 4.6 replacement for Taylor. Any suggestions to consider? Thanks

    FH18 BB19
    1FT 0.1itb
    Martinez
    Taylor* Robbo Cancelo*
    Son Bruno Salah Raphinha
    Bamford Kane Rodrigo
    (Johnstone Soucek Coufal Balbuena)

    1. Avfcchris
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Was thinking either Lowton or Pieters as a straight swap for Taylor.

      1. Avfcchris
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        But have just read the Burnley v Fulham game may be postponed so going to avoid them now!

  11. Captain Vantastic™
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    CITY DGW 19

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Is it?

  12. Bonus magnet
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    please help restructure this team, maximum 3 transfers

    martinez
    dallas robbo tierney
    salah son bruno mahrez bowen
    adams martial

    forster brewster mitchell dunne

    looking at Antonio if fit, for adams

  13. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    For FH18 who will be the three 'must have' players? KDB Son Kane?

    1. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      KDB, Sterling, Son

  14. GW 18 / GW 19 fixtures added
    Rotation's Alter Ego
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Some news hot off the press for you!

    Burnley vs United (originally scheduled GW 1) has been moved to GW 18 meaning neither will blank this week.
    Man City vs Aston Villa (also from GW 1) has been moved to GW 19 meaning both will double that week.

    How does this change your blank / double thinking?

    https://www.premierleague.com/news/1961289

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Marvelous no FH18 and FH19

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This

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

      Panic!!

    4. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      WC time

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yes thinking about this

      2. Geoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        GW19? Now?

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Was kidding, not kidding.

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

      No FH 18 then

    6. osceola31909
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      This hurts my head.

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Indeed 😆

    7. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Do City still play in GW18?

      1. Rotation's Alter Ego
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yep.

        A concise summary is all 4 teams play in 18 and double in 19 now.

        1. DRIZ ✅
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Thank youi!

    8. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Little annoying to see Villa double after I sold all of my assets, but Man City will be hugely popular now.

      Could see a rise in Bruno Salah Mane KDB midfields? Would really push the budget to the limit.

      Will also give a shout to Pope - looks a decent shout for the next few.

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah i sold Watkins for Adams before his hattrick of assists.

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

        L

    9. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Now have 10 players for BGW18 and 11DGW’s after 2FT’s for DGW19 🙂

    10. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Piss off FPL, useless game when shite like this happens so short in advance

      1. Lord.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I predicted this two weeks ago.

    11. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Jesus

    12. mookie
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      New Year's Eve cancelled. Where's Ben Crellin?

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        We don't need Crellin when the games are decided. You know what's happening

        1. mookie
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I was kidding mate. Unlike most, I like choices and don't need directions.

        2. Geoff
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          😀

    13. HollywoodXI
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Glad I kept 2 FTs and held off doing anything until the deadline now!

    14. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Tasks- guess KDB and Grealish will survive the cull after all...

      1. Scots Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        *Yea - not 'tasks'

    15. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Omg

    16. Avfcchris
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Random question - can any Burnley fan tell me which budget Burnley defender is more likely to play against Fulham. Lowton or Pieters?

      1. Forza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Probably Pieters, but Taylor's injury might not be severe enough for Pieters to be a long-term option. Bardsley might come in for Lowton but he's not played at left back (Pieters' position) for years. Fulham might get the game postponed anyway.

        1. Avfcchris
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks Pal! Take it Fulham have a number of cases then?

          1. Forza
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah, and there are only 4 days between the Fulham game which was already postponed and Burnley v Fulham, so I'd avoid Burnley ahead of GW 17.

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

        I'm not a Burnley fan though!

    17. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I know a template squad/strategy will emerge on here soon (it always does)

      But the truth is this news is fantastic in terms of squad variety. A whole load of new picks just became options.

      1. Geoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        As well as chip strategies

    18. Big Hippo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I need the season ticker to try and work all this out haha. My head hurts

    19. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kills my GW16 WC. Having removed Villa and City. but does invite a serious rethink on previous 18 FH, 19BB.

    20. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      WC18 BB19 FH25/29

  15. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A. Had a plan a d sticking to it
    B. Changed plan due to postponements
    C. Waiting for more news

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C and sit back, time to rethink more info to come

  16. Slurpy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling to Rashford or Fernandes?

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bruno all day

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

      Fernandes

    3. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bruno Goatnandes

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

      Why sell sterling he has a nice dgw

      1. fudoki
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        City having a DGW is not necessarily the same as Sterling having a DGW....

  17. Black Knights
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    City v Villa Wednesday 20th January.

    DGW19 for both.

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Fantastic!

  18. Yeyeyeyeye
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How do you find out who you’re playing in the cup? I’m not smart

    1. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If you qualified it’s down underneath the leagues section.

      1. Yeyeyeyeye
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers

  19. Pep bites Kun
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Small ads: Cheap & cheerful defender wanted to replace Lamptey

    I've been looking at Pieters for 4.3. Limited mins this season, but is this due to injury or not nailed?

    Other cheap swaps considered

    - No time-wasters 😉

  20. FOMFF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Grealish > Barnes?

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Keep Grealish

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

      Maybe wait for the revised schedule? 🙂

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

      No grealish has a double now

  21. nico05
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Could anyone give me their thoughts on my team please? 1FT 0 available
    McCarthy
    Justin-Reguilon Cancelo
    Salah Bruno KDB Grealish Neto
    DCL Bamford
    Holding-Brewster-Taylor

    Thank you 🙂

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

    Man City and Villa will now have a double gameweek in Gameweek 19.

    Man United v Burnley is going into Gameweek 18.

    https://t.co/Xc4bUXOKF5

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes already mentioned.

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

      Lol. Zero need to use a chip now

  23. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    BIG ANNOUNCEMENT

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      BIG?!

  24. Lukakwho
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Confirmed ; CITY DGW 19, United to play in BGW.

  25. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Villa
    Burnley
    Utd
    City

    All have sgw dgw now in 18/19

    Load up

    1. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Might WC 18...

    2. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nice

  26. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    With basically everyone playing in the DGW what’s the point in free hitting lol

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

      I have no City or Villa players and was FH in 18. Spent transfers taking KDB and Grealish out. Difficult to get them back in now with only 2 FTs available before GW19.

      Obvious moves for me now are to bring in a City defender and maybe Watkins.

      What to do about Kevin though?

  27. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Man United vs Burnley January 12th apparently, adds another game to the blank from

    1. Party time
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Wow. Nice. Already with Bruno & Martial so this is good news

        1. Flair
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          The bad news is having Martial 😛

          1. Party time
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Tomorrow you’ll see that Marshall Marthers 😉

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

            Martial will probably rotate with Cavani in DGW19.

      • DRIZ ✅
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Do City and Villa still play in GW18 too?

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          yes

        2. KEN YA DIG IT
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yes

        3. DRIZ ✅
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks! Great news

        4. ClassiX
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          DGW 19

      • Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Will have to FH in 19 now!

      • liiusions
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Casuals win again!

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

          I've been taking out City and Villa players for DG19 players in a perfectly crafted FH18, BB19 plan. Bit of a waste of time now.