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. Nespinha
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    For a - 8, pick one please:

    A) Taylor + Balbuena - - Coufal + Dawson

    B) Balbuena + Adams - - Cancelo + Brewster

    C) Balbuena + Adams - - Coufal + Antonio

    D) don't do - 8

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      D

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

      Is it for a BB or just normal 11?

      Between A or C for me because Brewster.
      A will pay off just because Coufal and Dawson should play both

    3. V-2 Schneiderlin
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

  2. grooveymatt65
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi guys

    just wildcarding on fanteam.

    just checking...does the wildcard option come up after you hit the update team button, after you've done your transfers?

    thanks

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

      You need to take a points hit and then the WC button will become active.

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

      No

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

    Kane/Calvert Lewin/Son/Lowton to Mitchell/KDB/Antonio/Vardy worth a 12p hit?

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

      Absolutely not.

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

        Could also do Calvert Lewin/Son/Lowton to Mitchell/Sterling/Antonio

        reckon it's worth risking Sterlz over KDB though?

    2. Brehmeren
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would be tempted by that move

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

        the first or the second?

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

    Salah C ahead of KdB, who's with me?

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

      yep, i think they both end on the same points anyway but Salah edges it for me as heis rested

    2. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah probably going Salah

  5. Viper
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Lowton, Dallas, Son & Kane -> Dias, Cancelo, KDB & Antonio (-12)

    Too much? Which defender transfer would you lose if so?

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

    Mane to KDB worth a hit?

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

      Nope.

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

      No

  7. Tross007
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Jesus or Firmino?

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

      Firmino will play.

      1. V-2 Schneiderlin
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yup Firm

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

    Sterling captain is madness right?
    Although he's still been getting some points!

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

      Could pay off

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

      Very risky IMO. I got burned by him last week so better options for me out there!

    3. Darnell Nurse
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      yeah, negative points)

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

    i'll do you all a deal... answer my question and then post yours in the same reply and i will answer yours! 🙂

    ...stumped on what to do with Charlie Taylor, is this silly for -8?
    Taylor + McCarthy > Dias + Johnstone

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

      I’d do those moves, even more if for bench boost

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

        cheers dude, am on BB yeh

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

          Cool then, good to go ahead then imo. Oh! My question is below haha

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

      No way would I make those moves for a -8.

      Bamford > Antonio yay or nay?

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

        Sorry, just seen you’re on BB, not so set against it now.

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

        tough one, if for free i would be tempted to take the punt, but -4 then no

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

    Hey gents, just a little help here if you can please

    Martinez
    Robertson - Dallas - Dias
    Raphinha - Salah - KDB - Bruno - Son
    Bamford - Wilson
    _______________________________
    Forster: Holding: Lindelof: Brewster

    1FT, 0.1 ITB

    How does this sound for a -4?

    Lindelof + Raphinha > Coufal/Stones + Soucek

    Just can’t decide between Coufal and Stones. Think Stones?

    Would give me 9 DGW players. Appreciate any feedback

    1. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Has to be Stones with those fixtures this week and thereafter

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

        Cheers RD!

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

      sounds good, think Lindelof not nailed and Raphina no double means its worth the -4 yeh

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

        oh and yeh Stones for sure

  11. G Banger
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Top of small fry leagues chasing on big money leagues:

    Kane => Vardy (-4)

    In or out?

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

      In

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

    Anyone else not using a chip this week? Had planned TC KDB but not sure those fixtures scream goals and he could get a rest..

    1. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yup, going chipless. Got all chips intact and no idea when to use them.

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

        Nice, I used FH last gw. With the amount of postponed fixtures, surely there's bound to be lots of future opportunities... Just scared of a big red arrow this week

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

    A) Ziyech
    or
    B) Pulisic?

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

    A) Robo, Dias, Sterling, Son
    B) Raph, Stones, Salah, KDB

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

      B

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

      B

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

      A

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

      B

    5. Greyling
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

    6. V-2 Schneiderlin
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      B

  15. BigKeith
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    a)Bruno>Salah
    b)Rashford+Kane>Salah+antonio

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

      A

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

      b

    3. Sid07
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

  16. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any update on Tierney’s fitness?

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

      i think i read his scan showed no tear, so prob be back next game or one after i guess

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

        just looked it up - Ornstein reported injury is minor and scan showed no tear, could be fit for Newcastle

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

      Going for MRI scan. Late call on his inclusion.

      1. Will J 256
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cool thanks guys!

  17. Sensible Shocker
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kane & son > salah and Antonio -8

    Or, Bamford > Antonio -4

    Or nothing for a - 0

    Hmmm?

  18. Greyling
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Using BB, for a - 4 hit which move to make?
    1. Button to DDG?
    2. Walker-Pieters to Cancelo/Dias/Stones

    Martinez*, Button
    Coufal*, Justin*, Dallas, Walker-Pieters, Justin*, Mitchell
    KDB*, Fernandes*, Salah*, Soucek*, Son
    Antonio*, Bamford, Wood*

    1. Sensible Shocker
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      2

      1. Sensible Shocker
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Or both

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

          @Sensible Shocker, I can't do both. Only one move based on funds.

          1. Sensible Shocker
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Tough one, I have a similar dilemma.

            I would do KWP to your choice of City defender.

            I think the hit should be taken for the best long term prospect. You won't want the 2 premium (ish) keepers for long so... for me Dias as most nailed.

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

      3. Mitchell to Stones?

  19. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi, mates

    1FT:
    Mccarthy
    TAA Holding Coufal
    Salah Bruno Son Maddy
    Wood Bamford Kane

    Fraser Taylor Bissouma Mitchell

    Son to KDB; TAA to Stones; Wood to Antonio (-8) ?

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

    I'm moving up the ranks just looking at all these hits!

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

      I know! Crazy!

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

      Until second games kick in

      1. Darnell Nurse
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        until second games called off

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

      haha i know what you mean, DGWs are the only time i am comfortable with taking hits, haven't done any all season but max i am going is -8

  21. Pia06rc
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you bench boost this:

    Leno, Smith-Rowe, Rodrigo, Dier

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

      not a chance.

  22. Krafty Werks
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    On a -4 BB triple Leeds & Martinez? Thanks.

    Johnstone
    Zouma / Stones / Justin / Coufal
    Salah / Sterling / Bruno / El Ghazi
    Firmino / Antonio

    Martinez / Bamford / Raphinia / Dallas

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

    Just sold Kane and Son to get in Johnstone, Dias, KDB, Antonio.

    DGW FEEEEVVEERRRRR

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

    Any chance of Bruno's EO less than 100 percent? Want to enjoy his points for once!

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

      No 🙁

  25. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do you think that Pulisic will play on the left side?

  26. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Just done -12

    Leno, Son, DCL, Kane
    to
    Martinez, Salah, Antonio, Vardy.

    And TC, KDB.

    Wish me luck.

  27. Ozzy smith
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) DCL + Holding to Antonio + Stones (-4)
    B) Neto + Holding to Soucek + Stones (-4)

    Martinez
    Dias Coufal *Holding
    Salah KDB Bruno Son *Neto
    Bamford Watkins
    (Steer Dallas KWP DCL)

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

    A) Dallas > Stones
    B) Raphinha > Gundogan

  29. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I have Salah and Mane. Should I move one to KDB for a hit?

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

    I can get to the below bench boost with -4. Worth it?
    Johnston, Dier, Holding, Bamford.
    Thanks!