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. Tross007
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Son > KDB
    Kane > Firmino

    -4

    Thoughts?

    (1)

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

      Yed

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

      Can you get son > kdb and Kane > Vardy?

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

        Got Vardy

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

          In that case go for it!

    3. jpkelly2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Go for it

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

      Can you afford to get Son and Kane back in?

  2. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I did a poll earlier, got mixed responses, looking for further responses please. I am super confused.

    A) Kane > Vardy
    B) Kane Son Laca > Vardy Salah 4.5 for -8 with 1.5m to spare.
    I don't need to play the 4.5 guy. Currently I am forced to bench Lacazette anyway.

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

      A

    2. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A,leave one from Spurs

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

        I agree with this keep Son and get Vardy for Kane. Deffi wouldn't take a -8

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

      B

      1. Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks all. Both polls had majority A. I'll go for it then.

        Was just worried that Salah is TC material so he alone could break my GW

        1. CRO KLOPP
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          If you will do TC Salah then do B

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

    I rarely take hits but took -8 for last GW and came 3 (11-8) points better than I would have. Also removed injured players to playing ones. Now I find myself looking at another -8 hit with.

    Son, Zaha & Kilman > Salah (TC), Soucek & Mitchell

    Let's see how this one goes.

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

      Good moves imo

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

        Thanks.

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

      I like them

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

      Watch out, it's addictive - Took -16 last week and will be -12 this week

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

        Did it work for you last week?

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

          Green arrow - scored slight higher than all my FH ML rivals ... so down between 10 and 14 points on them with FH intact and a better team (which just happens to need another -12 to make it a bit better!)

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

          Technically I was down -4 on the transfers, which include an early purchase of Soucek. I brought in KDB and captained him, otherwise I would have captained Bruno, so I made +4 there. Also now have AWB in my team

          Reasonable punts such as Laca and Lloris didn't pay off - but there's little down side when the alternative was less players

          I don't like to cost out hits over the immediate gw - usually the effects are longer term

  4. jpkelly2
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    That’s it, I’ve triple captained KDB. I’m done, not looking at it anymore....

    1. jpkelly2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You’re mental

    2. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Me too. I've avoided listening to all these pods, knowing that they would all say not to do any such thing.

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

    McCarthy > Mendy/DDG -4 ?

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

      Nope. Tiny ceiling for those keepers. They never get bonus & save points. Not worth a hit

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

        Would you do 4.0 > Johnstone for a hit? Rotates decently with McCarthy

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

          Im doing Nyland to Johnstone, have McCarthy!

  6. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Score predictions for Kev and Mo?

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

      KDB = 9 + 12
      Salah = 5 + 13

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

        Those would result in some seriously big scores!

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

      20 (14 & 6), 10 (7 & 3)

  7. Zola
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Evening dudes. Stick with team below or switch Keane to Stones for - 4 and bench Bellerin?

    Mendy*

    Cancelo*, Bellerin, Justin*

    KDB*, Bruno*, Son, Soucek*

    Kane, Bamford, Antonio*

    Bench: 4.0, Mitchell, Keane, Saka

    1. jpkelly2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Stick

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

    Antonio or Wilson a better pick this week and medium term?

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

      ant

    2. jpkelly2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Neither

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

      Antonio

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

      Wondering people's thoughts on this also, tough call

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

    Kane + Dier vs Son + Antonio -4

    Who wins?

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

      Kane dier

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

      A

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

    Currently on 9 DGWers + Kane & Bamford.

    Does anyone reckon Bamford > Antonio worth a punt? High risk, high reward!

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

      For a hit nah

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

    Evening guys

    Any changes required? Currently on -4pts + 0ITB with 9 DGW* players (one on the bench- Taylor. Not going to BB or TC I don't think.

    McCarthy
    Coufal* Stones* Justin*
    Salah* Bruno* Son Soucek* KDB* (C)
    Vardy* Bamford

    Forster Alowski Taylor* Brewster

  12. Super John McGinn-
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any thoughts? KDB triple captain is very tempting

    Martinez,
    Robbo, Cancelo, Dias
    KDB (C), Salah, Bruno, Grealish, Soucek
    Bamford, Antonio

    Forster, Dallas, Adams, Mitchell

    0 FT 1.2 ITB

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

      Just captain. Save triple for later on

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

    Wold you BB if the bench is:

    (Johnstone) - (Bamford - Bednarek - Dallas)

    Cheers

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

      Tough one but yes I think I would

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

        Thanks!

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

      Yh go for it

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

        Cheers!

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

      yeah I would!

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

        Thank you!

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

    Why do people think that Werner is gonna keep starting as a CF week in week out?

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Don't know who thinks that, but it's certainly not guaranteed.

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

      For his price he needs to start producing consistently. Too many other good premium options at the moment

  15. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    KDB doesn't seem to be much of a goal scorer. Is he the one to really captain? (over Salah)

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

      There are alternative imo

  16. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What one do you like better?

    A son and Adams to soucek and Vardy
    B raphinha and Adams to soucek and Antonio

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

      A

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

        Thanks

    2. T88MYE
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      How much value do have in Son & do you want him back?

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

        Got him at 9m and would get back after pool game probably

    3. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

        Thanks

  17. T88MYE
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    0.3 ITB 0FT. Do I BB this..

    *Steer* Dallas, Dier, Bamford

    DDG
    Dias, Stones, Justin
    KDB, Bruno, Salah, Soucek, Son
    Watkins, Antonio

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

      If you get a playing gk then I would

      1. T88MYE
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah but I think it will cost me -8

        Unless Martin for West Ham starts!

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

    Are these hits worth it to be bench boost or not?

    Brewster to Antonio
    Meslier to Martinez
    TAA to Stones (funding move)

    -12

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

      I’m tempted with similar :/ go for it

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

      Maybe not the gk move but others I can see the thinking. Cancelo over stones?

  19. Dexters Laboratory
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who scores more
    A) Cancelo (-4)
    B) Zouma

    Start one
    1) Martinez
    2) Johnstone

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

      B1

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

      B1

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

    Shorter version of previous post:

    Is Lindelof & Raphinha > Stones & Soucek worth a -4?

    A) Yes
    B) No

    Is it worth doing Wilson & Holding > Antonio & Coufal to make it -12 and play bench boost for Forster, Dallas, Coufal & Brewster?

    1) Yes
    2) No

    Cheers guys

    1. Hueng-min Son of a
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes.
      No, despite them being good transfers, bench is too weak for a BB expecially considering McCarthy is back from his isolation period so Forster won't play.
      Just my opinion, Good luck

  21. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do you guys think the Soton Leeds game has a chance to come back on?

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

      Extremely unlikely imo

  22. thedarkhorse
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is sterling TC completely madness, or potential genius?

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

      Wouldnt put TC on someone out of form

  23. marcos11
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    TC KDB a good idea? Probably would if I thought he was guaranteed to start both

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

      Would save it

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

    If I play BenchBoost chip tonight can I cancel it tomorrow before deadline if we get news overnight of any new cancellations or covid cases?!

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

      Yes

  25. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Never taken a -8, but considering this:
    McCarthy, Targett, DCL > Martinez, Stones, Antonio

    Team then becomes:
    Martinez, Forster
    Stones, Chilwell, Coufal, KWP, Kilman
    Salah, KDB, Bruno, Grealish, Soucek
    Antonio, Wilson, Bamford

    Go ahead with the -8?
    (fwiw -- might BB to cover it)

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

      Taking hit to sell Villa defender for Villa GK???

  26. dansmusen
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    WC team
    Martinez - Meslier*
    Robbo - Coufal - Dias - Stones - Mitchell*
    Sterling - Salah - Fernandes - Soucek - ESR*
    Vardy - Antonio - Brewster*
    Chasing in ML so need Sterling my punt for DGW
    Yay or Nay ?

  27. Eastman
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    BB worth it with a bench of

    Steer Shaw Bamford Mitchell

    Thanks

    1. T88MYE
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’m in the same boat..

      Steer, Dallas, Dier, Bamford

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

        Don't know what to do lol

        1. T88MYE
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I’m Contemplating

          Steer & Dier - Johnstone and a DGW Def (4.6m)

          But that’ll be -8. Is it worth -8

          I think I like the idea of using BB so I can concentrate on a solid 11.. but actually this year you need a good bench

          1. T88MYE
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Ahh I really don’t know

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

              Not sure I'd make those moves for a -8, not for a keeper. Dier could well keep a clean sheet. I also think that Bamford could do well v Brighton.

              1. T88MYE
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Yeah Dier v Shef is C/S & a nice free kick hopefully.

                Dallas & Bamford vs Brighton. Could go either way!

                1. T88MYE
                  • 8 Years
                  3 years, 2 months ago

                  I think with shaw you have to

  28. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Raphina to Soucek for free look good here?

    Martinez
    Cancelo, Dias, Cresswell
    Sterling, Bruno, Son, Raphina
    Kane, Vardy, Bamford

    Forster, Amartey, Mitchell, James(4.3mid) 1ft 0itb

    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      As easy as it gets

  29. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Repost,bottomed
    Play one
    A) Fabianski
    B) Martinez

  30. Nay08
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    need some thought.

    Martinez
    Dias/Robbo/Creswell
    Salah/Kdb/Bruno/Grealish/Saka
    Bamford/Watkins

    Button/Dallas/benteke/bernardo

    I plan to do Dallas to Coufal (1FT) and bench Saka.

    is that good enough? any suggestion for a better move?