Pro Pundits - Lateriser

‘Enjoy the ride, adapt and stop planning’ – FPL’s reigning India winner says to focus on the short-term

The Double Gameweeks are here.

But it hasn’t been a smooth ride. Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have had so many unexpected detours (a lot of off-roading) on the way, but battered, bruised and with a lot of dents, we’re finally here.

Just know that you are not the only ones facing these twists and turns. It won’t be the last time unexpected rescheduling happens either.

FPL managers all over the globe have been meandering their way through these unexpected times and you’ve just got to enjoy the ride and adapt. It’s the only option you have really.

So what do I intend to do differently? First off, stop planning. Be more short-sighted. Normally, when making moves, I look at the next five to six Gameweeks.

Instead, I am going to play for the points available and have a more short-term approach when planning my moves.

This means I’ll likely look at the next three Gameweeks when making my moves and no more than that.

Why? We could literally have unexpected cancellations and changes (Double Gameweeks) at any time. So planning mid-term doesn’t have much value in my opinion.

Secondly, and I have said this multiple times this season, I’m all for wanting to chase price rises, but honestly, I can’t say it enough, this is the season to delay your transfers as far as possible.

The fantasy landscape is changing daily and new bits of information are appearing on a daily basis, which might drastically affect your transfer strategy.

You might think that your transfers might not be affordable the next day, but when you look closer, there is always another way.

Has the recent Double Gameweek news for Aston Villa and Newcastle and the lack of a double for Leeds United and Southampton changed my plans?

FPL Transfer Traps Gameweek 6 1

I currently own only Patrick Bamford (£6.6m) from the two teams and before Blank Gameweek 18, I sold Jack Grealish (£7.7m) and Che Adams (£6.0m).

I had heard murmurs of the Leeds vs Southampton game being called off and I just don’t trust the fitness of Villa’s players and the lure of two premium Manchester big hitters was too much for me.

It was a gamble and it won’t be the last time I’ll need to roll the dice this season.

It just seems like a season of difficult decisions given the sheer number of consistent big hitters but it is what it is.

Just a small note on Aston Villa, the nature of the COVID-19 outbreak is unknown at the time of writing and we don’t necessarily know how the squad has been affected.

It is a very thin squad that is very reliant on 10 to 14 players and if the majority of the first team squad is affected, I don’t know how much I’d trust them.

Keeping this in mind, their players come into the don’t buy/ don’t sell category for me until we know more about them.

Auto Draft 1

Speaking of difficult decisions, one big decision that FPL managers will likely be making this season is whether to sell Son Heung-min (£9.8m) or Harry Kane (£11.1m) for a premium Double Gameweek asset in Gameweek 19.

The one thing I’ll say is if you’re doing it to get in a premium big hitter like Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) or Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) who are genuine captaincy options, then it makes sense to me.

If not, it becomes a very difficult decision (one that might not necessarily be the right one) given their fixture in Gameweek 19.

Then it comes down to gut and the kind of FPL manager you are.

If I was to hold one of Son or Kane, at the moment I’d lean towards holding Son primarily because of the price difference.

I see a lot of people selling their Arsenal and Leeds United assets for Double Gameweek players.

It is important to not have the blinkers on for the doubles because both of these teams in addition to Spurs have very good games in Gameweek 19 and it might not be the smartest thing to sell them just to buy additional minutes in the Double Gameweek.

You need to look at the next couple of Gameweeks while making these decisions and then make the call.

A few things I have noticed in the last few weeks is that players like Son, Bruno Fernandes (£11.3m) and KDB have looked very tired in the last 30 minutes of games and I feel like in comparison, Liverpool and Chelsea both having some time off will play into their hands.

I’m personally expecting an upturn in performances for both of these teams in the coming weeks.

Having some time on the training ground with the full team without playing games can be underestimated and I think that will show.

It is worth noting Chelsea have all their players fit now including their full-backs and it’s easy to forget that when they, along with Hakim Ziyech (£8.1m) were fit, Chelsea were creating chances for fun.

They have a decent looking Double Gameweek (both Leicester and Fulham are in the worst five teams for big chances conceded at home this season) and I quite like their fixtures in the mid-term as well.

There are some good picks in that team both in attack and in defence should you fancy it.

Some of you are wondering about whether you should Bench Boost or not.

In my opinion if you have players from the likes of Leeds who have a good Gameweek 19 fixture, I’d still use the chip and play the Bench Boost.

The case for you to Bench Boost is even stronger, especially if you have used your Free Hit chip in Gameweek 18.

I say that is the case because if you wildcard in Gameweek 25 for the Double Gameweek in 26, your bench spots will need to be likely focused on Blank Gameweek 29 and that is something to consider while you’re making your decision.

Otherwise, one of the prime advantages of having used the Bench Boost chip is so that it’s out of the way and you can focus funds on your starting 11 (plus two bench spots) rather than spreading them over 15 players.

It is very difficult to give an answer with regards to this conundrum because it is very team dependant but generally when it comes to using your chips, there will be many more mini Double Gameweeks in play the way the season is going, so there are going to be more opportunities than you think for chip deployment.

I intentionally decide to just talk a little bit of macro-philosophy with this article ahead of the Double Gameweek but all of you are aware of the numbers and the good picks so I thought it might be worthwhile to outline a few things that might not have caught your attention.

I’ve been making steady progress with my season after a terrible start.

Despite having games called off for my Manchester City and Spurs assets and despite not deploying my Free Hit chip in Gameweek 18, I’ve climbed from a 3.1 million Overall Rank (OR) in Gameweek 12 to a 1.54 million OR at present.

I was very happy to get a 300,000 sized green arrow in Gameweek 18 despite taking a hit, owning nine players and not deploying the Free Hit chip which tells you that quality matters over quantity.

If the odds are stacked against you in a particular Gameweek in terms of numbers of players, it still isn’t the end of the world because if you have the right players, you could still climb up the table.

Also, it is worth mentioning that Zophar & I had the pleasure of interviewing the creator of LiveFPL.net recently and it was a pleasure getting to chat with Ragabolly.

He’s a PHD in quantum physics and still claims to not be a genius.

He’s a very humble guy and it’s an interview worth watching if you haven’t already. You can see it here.

We also did our standard podcast of The FPL Wire where we talk about Double Gameweek 19 in depth which you will find below. Thanks for reading and good luck this Gameweek!

5,989 Comments Post a Comment
  1. scottissound
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Lamptey/Son/Watkins
    to
    Cancelo/Foden/Cavani

    for -12
    ??
    Thoughts

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

    Werner captain? 😛

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

      Saw someone TC him on Twitter, if that helps.

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

    Would U BB those for -8
    A- Johnstone Bamford Dallas ESR
    Or
    B- TC Salah

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

      Id probably just TC over taking hits to BB that

    2. Dream Killers 2.0
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

    QUICK POLL

    1. Keep Bamford, Holding

    2. Antonio, Holding (4 pt hit)

    3. Antonio, Coufal (8 pt hit)

    1. Mr. Funny Name
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Keep bamford

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

      1

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

      Cash for Bamford & Coufal -4?

    4. Max City
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      1

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

    Bb this ?

    Martinez dier smith-Rowe dier

    1. gomez123
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      2 Diers??

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

        Sorry
        Holding

  6. gomez123
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Gunna BB best 2nd keeper to go with Martinez under 5.2m
    A) Johnstone
    B) Areola
    C) Mendy
    Thanks in advance!!

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

      Well Mendy really

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

    Would you bench boost for -4?

    McCarthy - Chillwell - Bamford
    - SmithRowe

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

      Yes

  8. Chris_White
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Stones & Soucek

    B) Gundogan & Antonio

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

      A

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

    Final check - thoughts appreciated as this is tough.

    Kane, Robbo, Raphinha > KDB, Cancelo, Antonio -8

    A. Yes
    B. No

  10. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you BB if Mitchell, Bamford & Adams were your three SGW players?

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

      I might if I didnt have FH anymore.

  11. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Worth a hit to go Bednarek - > Dawson? Would push me to a -12.

    Cheers!

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

      Step away

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

        what matty said

      2. Ibralicious
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        🙁

  12. Gideons Rolling Another One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Keep Martial?

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

      Yes, wouldn't surprise me if he starts both matches.

      1. Gideons Rolling Another One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Hmm fingers crossed

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

    TC this week anyone? Or will there be better opportunities later in the season?

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

      KDB is mega tempting . . . . but I just worry about the turmoil going on.

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

        Yeah I’m the same. Of all the weeks for him to be ‘tired’ ffs

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

      Salah locked

      1. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Same especially with United, will be extra special when he spanks them...

  14. davewg59
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would u bench boost this please guys?
    Areola
    Wilson
    Dallas
    Bednarek

    1. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

  15. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is there anyone else who can play as striker at West Ham right now? Bowen maybe?

    1. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Soucek (hopefully)

      1. Saka Punch
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah Soucek would probably do well there tbf

  16. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you BB?
    McCarthy Adams Alioski Anguissa

    Leaning towards doing it as I planned to and I don’t want to carry value on my bench

    1. Corona is not good 4 U
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No. There will come better chances.

  17. Mr. Funny Name
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Antonio & Raphina

    Or

    B) Rodrigo & Foden

    1. Dream Killers 2.0
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

  18. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench one of the following:

    a) Antonio
    b) Chilwell
    c) Bamford

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

      c

  19. The Wizard of Ozil
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Stones, Vardy (ESR)
    B) Cancelo, Son (Brewster)

    Son selling price only 9.3 so not sure if worth it as they have two games still the be rescheduled

  20. Dream Killers 2.0
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Planning on playing bench boost. Still have 1 FT to use. Was planning on Kane and Son to Wilson and Salah for -4. Worth it or not?

    DDG
    Dias Cancelo AWB Coufal
    KdB Bruno Soucek
    Antonio Kane Wood

    Areola Son Saka Holding

  21. Origal73
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you bench boost Johnston, Dier, Holding and Bamford?

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It’s not the worst BB to be fair

    2. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      For sure

  22. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is this team good to go?

    Johnstone (Mc. Carthy)
    Dias, Stones, Robertson, Coufal (Lowton)
    Salah, Fernandes, Soucek, Foden (Raphinha)
    Kane, Bamford (Adams)

    Thank you!

  23. Kaptenen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which one?

    A) Robertson & Son --> Stones & Salah
    or
    B) Kane & Grealish --> Antonio & Salah

    I know both could backfire but feel like Salah is a must

    1. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably B, though Antonio is such an unknown right now.

  24. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bamford > Antonio worth a punt for DGW are you guys thinking?

    1. southernrocker1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      This is my final dilemma too, although I already have a - 8

  25. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I'm going leftfield with two defender capt/vc choices this week. Be a bit different. It's only a game after all. Got to enjoy it!

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No DFers I’d like to captain to be honest. Let alone 2!

      Who’s your (c) & (v) then?

      1. Milk, 1 Šuker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cresser C and Stones VC

  26. Coaly
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best moves?

    Currently have all DGW players in my starting 11 except McCarthy, Son and Bamford

    a) DCL to Wilson - start over Bamford
    b) Pulisic McCarthy to Grealish Martinez -4
    c) DCL McCarthy to Wilson Martinez -4
    d) Save

    1. Yes Ndidi
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Too many unknowns with Villa to be taking hits for them. Your SGWs are fine.

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

        What unknowns? Been doing well this year

  27. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Adams to Watkins for a hit? Looks good for this week and for going forward as long as he doesn’t have Covid

    1. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Covid fears would put me off doing that. Antonio instead?

  28. Boberella
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Quick one guys:

    Is it worth -8 to have this for a BB?

    Areola/Johnstone Cancelo Dallas Adams

    Hit would be for GK and C Taylor to Cancelo

  29. Footieboot
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez
    Dias Coufal Stones Dier Mitchell
    KDB Bruno Son Grealish Smith Rowe
    Kane DCL Bamford

    A) DCL + Son --> Salah + Brewster (-4)
    B) DCL + Kane + Smith Rowe --> Salah + Brewster + Antonio (-8)

    Basically, Kane + Dier +4 vs Son + Antonio for this GW. Hard to call

  30. Ronny Sandstone
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Made my biggest mistake of the season last week and bought in Sterling, completely stuck as to what I'll do now? ...surely I should keep him right or swap for Salah?

    Already have KDB if that makes a difference? ...Current midfielder is

    Soucek - Sterling - KDB - Bruno - Son, can't see a viable way to get Salah without dumping Sterling, feel this is a season defining move, 40pts clear at top

    Anyone?