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

    If you have the power 5 mid (I don't)

    KDB, Salah, Son, Bruno, Grealish

    Then I guess you most likely don't need to use the free hit in GW18 anymore

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

      No Grealish, but Klich

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

      Well Salah doesn't have a game so that's only 4x fixtures. Would depend on the rest of your team.

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

      I have 4 except Grealish.

  2. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Tbh those fixtures in 19 are the best for Bench boost. But with so much uncertainty around using the WC FH and BB seems not right.

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

    Someone before said nothing is confirmed with city double being in 19 but yet their fixtures are given as a double in 19 on the site? Hmmmm

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

      It is confirmed.

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

        Nice!! Chuffed

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

    Ffs.. Now I can't sell Kdb for Son :/. Can't afford him back.

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

    Mates, will PL postpone Burnley vs Fulham?

    1. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No word yet. I think it depends on the outcome of Fulham covid tests

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

        Cheers mate, will be a late call again I see, 2 hrs before the game... disgusting

  6. Muscout
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So any plans I had have gone down the drain!
    How many players are acceptable in BGW18 in order to avoid a FH?
    Guessing it’s best to bring in United, City, AV players now to accommodate blank and double with as little transfers as poss?

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

      Fo sho!

    2. chaser123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Annoyingly City and Villa don’t have a good fixture this week

  7. Well you know, Triffic
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sold KDB and Grielish on wild card. D'oh

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

      sold grealish for raphina yesterday

    2. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Grealish has a double but is it even that good?

      Sold KDB too though so bit annoying, but form still isn't great.

  8. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    No city this week worked wonders... 100% FH in 18 but damn surely I need one city atleast for the dgw. Lovely fixtures :/

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

      vardy and son > Martial and KDB is possible

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Like Vardy tbh and Sons fixtures are good and money saved... hmm

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

      Same boat here have gone without city for a while

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

      Still on the same I think FH 18 now even a stronger move with both United and City playing League Cup and Fa cup before the gw 18. Thinking only Dias in for the double ?

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Think they steam roll in both games... hmmm

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

    Martinez
    Dallas kwp stones
    Bruno salah mahrez neto
    Dcl kane bam

    Subs steer cresswell jwp lamptey

    Gtg for gw17? Or u will wildcard

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

    Who to get,
    Diaz or Cancelo?

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

      My question exactly.

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

      Cancelo covid

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

      Dias easily - nailed

  11. sergioaguero67
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which fixtures have been rescheduled?
    And to which gameweek?
    Please help

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

      ManU v Burnley - GW18
      City v Villa - GW19

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

    Next five weeks with DGW announcement. Whose better..?

    El Ghazi or Raphinha?

    And what's a better duo..

    A) El Ghazi and Wood.. or
    B) Raphinha and Watkins..

  13. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So annoying that I’m still gonna have to FH in GW18 due to loading up on the original DGW19 players.

    1. chaser123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Late wildcarders massively disadvantaged by this

      1. Il Capitano
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Not great is it, only 2 BGWs (excluding injured Taylor) no way I can get a viable team with transfers now. Have to stick to the plan FH18 BB19.

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

        Not at all mate , you're missing that both City and United have 2 games between 17 and 18. With FH you have the luxury to put in the more assured starters. I really think this is a blessing in disguise lol

        1. chaser123
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          People that didn’t load up will now be able to get through without playing a chip. That’s certainly better than having to play it

        2. chaser123
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Don’t you think?

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

      Same here many in the same boat

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

      Surely that is still the best play? FH18 and BB19, it's only 1 extra fixture in each, and FH18 means you can go triple United and city if you wanted

      1. Il Capitano
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yes FH team looking better with the addition of Utd, it's the BB19 with no City I'm concerned about

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

          Well, when I went WC16, I took on 3 Spurs, I'll probably ditch 2 of those for City and/or United assets

        2. chaser123
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yeh I’m thinking the same. Are you going to bring one in now?

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

      same here, not much you can do about it now but whine

  14. OLLY G
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So United now play Burnley in GW18 and Man City now play Villa in GW19. Anything else l have missed?

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

      That's the update yeah

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

    Looks like Kdb is dropping. So if he drops to 11.6 and I sell him tomorrow for Son, will I be able to bring Kdb back in with 0.0itb right now?

    Sorry if I didn't word that properly, hopefully someone understands my question.

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

      What did you buy him for? If you got him at 11.5, and he drops to 11.6, you will only sell for 11.5.

  16. M2.0
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What is a free hit worth to you?

    a) -8 pts
    b) -12 pts
    c) -16 pts

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

      D) 20 pts

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

      More.

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

      I only have 3 players for GW 18, so -32

  17. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Exact funds for Johnstone, Salah to Ederson, Sterling... naughty naughty you teasing me

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

      There's gossip Ederson is one of those City players with Covid. Might be OK for DGW, might be not, depending - assymptomatic or not...

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

      you want to sell Salah? He also has a double..

  18. mitro
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Ah, Jed Steer blocking my Grealish and Watkins transfers.

    Inevitable.

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

    FH18, TC19 it is then

  20. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    City players that are likely to start both DGW games (Sunday + Wednesday)?

    Ederson
    KDB
    Dias
    Stones?

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

      Yes

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Add Sterling aswell imo

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

      Ederson likely, but given covid you only have to look at ASM to know it doesn't always indicate a quick return.

      Expect to know post city training today who the other two are, been kept quiet so far

      KDB only nailed, Dias pretty high chance of starting both

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

      Not stones, add sterling to that list and thats it

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

    Do we think Coufal has lost his place to Fredricks? Is Cresswell the safest route into West Ham defence?

    1. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No, he was rested.

  22. konrad.sygula95
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which option would you choose?
    A Taylor to TAA
    B DCL to Vardy
    C Taylor to Justin
    D Watkins to Rodrigo
    E something else?

    Martinez
    Dier/Coufal/Cancelo
    Son/Fernandes/Salah(c)/Grealish
    Watkins/DCL/Bamford

    Bench: Forster/KWP/Anguissa/Taylor
    1ft 2.7 itb

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

    Made my bad already so have to sleep in it now, just hope for the best. FH 18 and BB 19 is still on, scary without city though

  24. SHOOTER MCGINN
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hopefully Aguero is fit and firing ahead of GW19. Would be a glorious triple captain

  25. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is 7 players in GW18 enough or just FH in that case?

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

      FH are you even sure that the 7 you have will all be starters ?

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

    I still have to FH next GW, have just 5 players..

    Really need confirmation on the Burnley Fulham game this week to know what to do.. can't save a transfer before FH 18

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

      FH Bross it's still the move , and maybe even more so now

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

        I know FH is the move. But I want to get Lookman for the double and I need to make a transfer this week or its wasted because I'm FH next week.

        But is Burnley Fulham even going ahead after covid?

  27. davies
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you still FH in GW18 if you only had 6-7 players?

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

      Lollllllll of course u will

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

      Yes

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

      It looks like I'll only have 6 and I still intend to FH. I think having 4-5 extra players is worth the awkwardness of planning for the next set of blanks and doubles without having the FH available.

  28. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Someone please help me, 1FT 0.3ITB
    Martinez
    Zouma,Dias,Robbo
    Salah,Bruno,KDB,Bowen,Raphinha
    DCL,Bamford

    Button, Kilman,Brewster,Konsa

  29. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez, Forster
    Robbo, Coufal,Dallas
    Burno , Salah , Son ©,Soucek
    Kane , Bamford, Adams
    (James , Bissouma ,Dunne)
    Already -4 Any other Thoughts ??

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

    Tbh i think everyone will need to fh18... i dont think ur team wil have 11 playing for gw18 if u are preparing 17 for 19’isnt it. The most u gt 7/8 players for 18, that is not enough isnt it

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

      Will have ten which is fine and please use proper English.

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Depends on how people had been planning

      E.g. Magnus Carlsen today has:

      Martinez
      Dias, Stones, Reguilon, Kilman
      Bruno, KDB, Grealish, Martinelli
      DCL, Brewster

      (Bench Steer, Robbo, Salah, Bamford)

      So 11 BGW players and then 9 DGW players

      https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/76862/event/16

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

      I have 10 and am very happy with that