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. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Currently have DCL,Grealish,Son,Cancelo,Fernandes,Dias+(Taylor,Lamptey,Riedwald)*

    and 1 more FT to maybe do Mendy to Martinez or Taylor to Maguire

    Would you advise using FH with that lot?

    1. Old Gregg
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I have Konza, Michell, Stones, Bruno, Son, Grealish, Wilson (Burke)

      2 transfers till 18. I am not going to use my FH. However, I'm not sure I advise it.

      I always felt I didn't want to use it. The difference is I now I have more DGW players.

      1. Old Gregg
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        if that makes sense. I can field 11 DGW players without taking hits, needing massive surgery to my team

    2. Old Gregg
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      will target Man City with the 2 transfers.

  2. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on this DGW19 team? Could get it with 3 moves!

    Meslier Fabianaki
    Shaw TAA Dias Coufal Justin
    Barnes Raphinha Salah Bruno Soucek
    Aguero Ings Bamford

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

      Why Kun? Is he going to start both games?

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

        I have no idea mate. But may as well take a punt

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I like it mate

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

    So just noticed City now have a very decent double gameweek too. So much for all the planning...do I bring kdb back in now!?

    1. 272MK
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Id wait til the DGW or the gw b4. He plays chelsea next anyway

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

        And? Like chelsea are impenetrable?

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

      Do they have a double in 19?

    3. Assisting the assister
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      check his bio security rating first

  4. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So WC16 players have been utterly f*cked? I have zero City/Everton players.

    All my WC16 spreadsheets in tatters...

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      May as well just play the 2nd one now

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Why do Everton players matter? Nothing changed for them.

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

      It’s madness isn’t it! The advantage of keeping that wildcard in the bin

    4. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Why ? this could actually add to the opportunity

      City and United both play twice before the blank , likely a few knocks and rotation. Free hitters have a big advantage

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

      It's a bit of a blessing for me. I was really thinking about keeping all triple Spurs players for Sheffield United game. Now it's easy to switch them out for City

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

    does these announcements have an impact on Spurs still-has-to-be-rearranged game?

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

    KDB sellers massively punished.

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      casuals strikes again

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

      So glad I kept

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

      Yeah.
      3 pointers will hurt everyone !!

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

        Ooo could regret that 🙂

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

          Salah Bruno Grealish Son Soucek

          No place for Super Kev 🙂

          1. I Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Surely KDB with CRY + AVL is much better than Son playing once.

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

              He will get a DGW too IMO 😉

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

        haha

    4. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What’s happened?

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

      Not quite - he blanked this week obviously, chelsea away is a tough fixture, and easily theres enough time to bring him back. Meawhile his price went down so I've lost nothing

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

        No one saw the blank this week coming tbf, those 3 home fixtures definitely looked tasty. I've sold him too and won't say I would bring him back for sure as I'm happy with just Sterling alone.

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

          Haha you're also a seller. Well if you have Sterling doesnt make sense to double up. I'll get KDB back tbh, but no rush, Son has good fixtures for now but come the double its hard to keep son over KDB.

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

            Yup I might get KDB back though but that way I could not get Vardy which is probably fine. This new rearranged fixture just made sure I will not get Mane in 19.

    6. Party time
        3 years, 2 months ago

        What a stupid post.

        I sold kdb this gw & I will get him back for the dgw. So what’s your point??

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

          You're stupid, he could easily haul vs Brighton and you would save a FH in 18 if you own him.

          1. Party time
              3 years, 2 months ago

              You are sliding into the new year as a dumb fella

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

                You're the dumb one if you gonna waste a FH in 18. Have fun.

      • Pitch Perfect
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        "Emotional investment in FPL needs to be low in difficult times like these."

        Never a truer word said!

      • Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Agueeeeeeeeeeeroooooooooooo

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

        1 FT. 0.7ITB.

        Matip -> Cancelo or Dias?

        Martinez
        Dallas Coufal Bednarek
        KDB Bruno Salah Son
        Bamford Adams DCL

        Johnstone Bissouma Taylor* Matip*

      • davies
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I honestly have no idea what to do anymore

        Anyone else feel the same?

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

          I don't care anymore basically. Just gonna take -8 hits every week for batner

        2. Manani
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Diaz or Cancelo?

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

            reply fail

        3. Mr. O'Connell
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Doing nothing is now a viable option I think.

        4. Assisting the assister
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Basically bring in as many City/Utd/Bur/AVL players as you can as they play three times wk18 and twice wk19.

          No idea about free hitting 18 anymore. DGW BB still possible if all your team are playing.

        5. Fit of Pique
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yep

      • Oh Mane Mane
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Hi Guys

        Thoughts on what to do here?

        McCarthy (Button)
        Coufal Dias Dallas (White Mitchell)
        Salah Bruno Son Grealish (Bissouma)
        Kane DCL Bamford

        2 FT and £1.5M ITB

        Option 1 - White & Grealish to Robertson & Raphina

        Option 2 - DCL & Grealish to Vardy & Raphina

        What do you reckon?

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

          I'm not being funny mate but working out what to do with ones own team is enough of a headache without advising others on their teams! There is enough info on here for you to work out what to do yourself.

      • Amey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I'm loving it 😎

        1. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Hey Amey , me too GL fella and Happy new Year

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

            GL mate !
            And a very happy new year !!

      • Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Fck KDB. I'm getting Aguero

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

          Yeah as he will definitely play both games. Lol

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

            Spot on

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

              Personally I will be targeting the City defence with those fixtures. Looks a guaranteed one clean sheet minimum.

              1. Thomas Shelby from Birmingh…
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Planning for the same. Who are you getting in Dias, Stones, Cancelo?

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

                  I'm just tinkering now. If I want Robertson and Soucek then I can only afford Stones.

          2. I Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Good chance if Jesus still has COVID.

      • Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I hope people don't mass buy KDB now, I dropped him this week and wanted to get him back in next week, he looks like he'll possibly drop tonight which would be a big help

      • TAT
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Currently only got 5 players in GW 18. Hits galore or play FH as planned?

        MARTINEZ
        Chilwell - Dallas - TAYLOR
        SON - Raphinha - FERNANDES - Salah
        WATKINS - DCL - Bamford
        (Button - Coufal - Vestergaard - Anguissa)

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

          Used this weeks transfer?

          1. TAT
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            No, the plan was to do Vestergaard to Robertson.

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

              Taylor to Holding

              1. TAT
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                As an Arsenal fan myself, I really don't trust them to keep clean sheets…

      • Manani
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        what to do with Taylor? Out long term? (at least till dgw?)

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

          Same issue here. Was such an unlucky transfer.

      • YEAH PITCH!
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Who you captaining this week then?

        1. Niho992
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Harry

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

          Harry

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

          Son bilong

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

        Any chance Taylor is back before the blank game week now that they're playing city.

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

          Na hamstring prob out till Feb

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

            Awful timing especially with extra game now 🙁

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

          Yeah theres a chance until we hear from Dyche. It could be just a strain, in which case a couple of weeks would be enough to be back for Utd. If its scanned and comes back as a serious tear, then it really buggers things up as a Taylor owner.

      • DAZZ
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Honestly might just dodge KDB and go Dias and Ederson.

        1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Could be very shrewd considering Ederson won't be rotated and Dias fairly unlikely to be too

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

          Ederson rumoured to be one of the city players with Covid so he could miss a few games

      • drughi
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        So FH 18 and BB19 is out the window ?

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

          FH definitely.

          1. drughi
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            then wc ? no players in 18 except son, bruno and dier

        2. In a Rush
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Not for me still on

        3. Niho992
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Still FH. Only have Bruno

          1. In a Rush
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Only Bruno Martinez Grealish and Kane here

            1. Niho992
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Yeah. Have Kane too.

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

          Not for me - I can only get 6 players for GW 18 before hits. Having those extra five players is surely worth spending a chip IMO. It will be awkward to plan for the next set of blanks and doubles but that's what the second WC is for.

      • UshFPL
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Which City players have covid then?

        1. Letsgo!
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Hear is ederson cancelo and torres?

        2. Maeki2
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          It was fake

      • HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No Free Hit 18 needed with the extra fixture
        Build for 19, and Bench Boost “IF” you think it’s worth it, but preferably TC
        WC 24/25 and use bench boost for 26

        Simples

        1. drughi
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          if you have 3 players in 18 though ? son, bruno and dier here

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

            Ok, let’s say if you have 7-8

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

        Mission: focus Man city
        Amazing fixtures between gws 18-22
        Currently I have none of them but I will surely get Dias asap along with KDB(tempted to sell Salah after DGW19) + Stones(?) Maybe

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

          Annoyingly Covid has put car amongst the pigeons

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

            Or cat, even, but maybe car is more 2020 🙂

        2. Mr. O'Connell
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I've played that game before. It didn't end well. KDB and a defender and leave it at that.

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

        FH Gw 19 anyone?

        1. nn11
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          +1

      • Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        A little bit lost with the rearranged fixtures....plan to free hit in 18 and bb19. 3.1mitb

        Is grealish to rashford worthwhile?

        I know grealiah has a double - but so does rashford and his games are better......thanks

        Martinez
        Robbo dallas coufal james balbuena
        Salah bruno grealish raphinha soucek
        Kane watkins bamford

        Thanks

      • Lemongrab
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Do we think Laporte takes Stones place any time soon or is he pretty nailed these days? Looks like an obvious replacement for Taylor now that City have a double but worried about getting shafted by Pep

        1. Maeki2
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yes Laport on his way

      • ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Would you do Forster to Martinez for a hit if it gives you a keeper for 18+ 2 more games for 19 BB?

        Problem is that the other keeper is Mendy...

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

          ItS juST a MinUS TwO

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

        Is there any point in this when they make it up as they go along? Impossible to plan.

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

        WC is still a more valuable chip than FH, and could be used later to sort your team out long term. FH18 TC19 still on for me, just a bigger pool to pick players in 18 and more options for dgw players in 19.

      • lawsy009
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This week: Mane and Taylor > KdB and Cancelo?

        Not just for this week but those City fixtures are just.. *drools*

        Would leave me two more transfers to get out a full 15 DGW'ers on a BB for 19. Still planning to FH in 18 tbh. Too far along in the plan (?) to back out now!