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. kip kop
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start one:

    1. Gundogan CRY(H) AVL(H)

    2. Wilson ARS(A) AVL(A)

    1. ankj70
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      1

    2. Gemma817
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      1

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

      2

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

      2

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

      1

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

      1

  2. ankj70
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kane to Vardy for a -4?

    1) yes
    2) no

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

      Yes.
      Even more so if you have Son

      1. ankj70
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yep have son

    2. kip kop
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No

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

    Is Mane to KDB(C) worth a hit?

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

      Mane my captain - would never take out for a hit

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

      Who would (c) be otherwise?

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

        Mane or Salah

    3. French Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I did the exact same move.
      Kdb better fixtures for the double and better fixtures in the next game weeks which are also captaincy fixtures

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

      Possibly, due to fixtures after the DGW

  4. Gemma817
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How we looking here guys?

    Johnstone
    TAA, Justin, Stones
    Soucek, Salah, KDB, Bruno
    Vardy, Antonio, Bamford

    TC on KDB!

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

      Looks great

      1. Gemma817
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers mate!

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

      Looks good. Like the triple captain punt

      1. Gemma817
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Here's to hoping KDB isn't benched for one

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

      Jel!

      1. Gemma817
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Haha you never know with this season

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

    Brighton are going to be tired tomorrow
    Weds night to Saturday lunch
    Leeds should be fresh and expect a backlash from FA Result
    Might be crazy to bench/sell?

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

      I’m playing Bamford, benching Dallas and selling raphinha to soucek I think!

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

      Play Bamford for sure.

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

    Bootomed, PLEASE HELP 🙂

    Team is

    DDG
    Dias Stones Coufal
    KDB Bruno Son Soucek Madisson
    Kane Bamfod

    Bench: Johnston Dier Holding Benteke

    1) (TC) KDB
    2) Kane and Benteke -> Vardy and Antonio for -4 and BB Johnston, Dier, Holding, Antonio.

    Will appreciate your help!

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

      Easy 2 imo

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

    What move do you recommend please? Hopefully I will decide shortly.

    a) Wilson > Antonio
    b) son + Wilson > Soucek + Vardy/Werner (-4)
    c) son + adams + Wilson > Soucek + Antonio + Vardy (-8)

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

    Johnstone/Areola worth it over McCarthy for a -4?

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

      I don't think so. Neither Johnstone nor Areola are '4 pts per match' [the cost of a hit] level players and don't forget, McCarthy will have a catchup DGW at some point in the future, keep him for that.

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

        Double for Areola this week and good gw20+21 fixtures? Thinking it may be worthwhile short term with Fulhams increase in form somewhat

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

      No

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

      Worth doing -4 to do 4.0 to Johnstone/Areola?

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

        -4 to replace McCarthy since he only has a not great sgw and not particularly good fixtures coming up

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

          I've got McCarthy too. He rotates decently with Johnstone/Areola and considering getting 2 playing keepers

  9. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    C.Taylor + Adams -> Stones + Antonio -4?

    Play Adams or Raphinha?

  10. Firmino
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Raphinha, Vardy
    B) Son, Watkins

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

    robbo+son -> cancelo/dias+kdb -4

    good moves? which city defender?

  12. Bennyboy1907
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Jus took a -12.

    Son, DCL, Mitchell, Robbo >>> KDB, Antonio, Stones, Cancelo.

    BB active
    Let’s goooooo idk if I’ve gone mad but legooooo

    1. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Haha, good luck mate

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

      Nice moves, GL

  13. lilmessipran
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Pick one-

    A Bamford to wilson- ft
    B Bamford to antonio-ft
    C play bamford save ft

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

      C

    2. kip kop
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

    Is Sterling > KDB worth a hit this week? Thoughts?

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

      nope. I think KdB is the more tired of the two, more likely to be rested. Sterling has had his rest.

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

    Breaking News

    Due to the financial problems surrounding a lot of football clubs at the moment, Manchester United have had to release 25 members of staff from their payroll. The 15 referees and 10 linesman are said to be devastated.

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      So the VAR-team is still on their books?!

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

      Paul Tierney is devastated

  16. Slim25
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez,
    James, Stones, Coufal
    KDB, Bruno, Salah, Grealish, Soucek
    Kane, Bamford
    (Button, Brewster, Ayling, Mitchell)

    Do I do the following?
    A: Bamford - Antonio
    B: Triple Cap Salah or KDB?

  17. House Frey Wedding Planner
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Son Grealish & DCL for Salah Soucek and Antonio (-8).

    Good move or not?

    Already have Kane for Spurs cover plus I think the upside is huge. The -8 hit and the team value I'm losing on Son are the only downsides I can see

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

    Bench order looking ok?

    Kilman (WBA), Taylor (Whu, Liv), Brewster (TOT)

  19. DagheMunegu
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Antonio or Werner ?

    Money no pb

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

      Antonio

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

      Q

  20. ABCDEFC
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is this worth a bench boost?
    McCarthy, Adams, Dallas, Raphinha

    If not, thinking of these moves for -12 (effectively -6)?
    A) McCarthy to Martinez
    B) Adams to Watkins
    C) Raphinha to Foden

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

      The only one of those moves I would consider at the moment would be C.
      Worth BB then though, certainly

  21. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    All out of A) Dallas, b) holding C), bam, d) son, E) Kane & F) Wilson is correct to bench a, b & c? Cheers

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

    Right, think that’s me all set. Fully expecting a red arrow this week, hopefully not too big. Might hit the TC, (-4) and DCL survives. GL everyone, expecting to see some monster scores!

    Martinez
    Dias Stones Coufal
    Salah(c) KDB Bruno Son Soucek
    Watkins Bamford

    (Steer Dallas KWP DCL)

  23. Puyol Pants Up
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Alrighty boys, I'm pulling the trigger for Kane + Adams + Kwp ---> Vardy + Antonio + Dias (-8)

    Wish me luck

  24. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Time to do Kane/Son to Watkins/Salah now or any reason to wait until tomorrow?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The article suggests you wait.

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

    Forster/DCL & Kane to Ederson/Antonio & Vardy -8
    Y/N
    Have no other Man City defender

  26. Tabbara
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which option is better :
    A : Balbuena, Adams and Son to Chilwell, Grealish and Antonio (-8)
    B: Balbuena and Adams to Antonio and Pieters (4.3 itb) (-4)
    Playing BB
    Thx!

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

    Who is backing up Cancelo
    Trying to decide between Dias and Cancelo

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

    Dias and KDB in for Robertson and Son for a -8. Would you do it?

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

      No not at all. KDB could even get a rest for once. Robertson more likely a haul than dias

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No chance

    3. kip kop
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No

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

    Bench of:

    Johnstone, reguilon, Adams, Mitchell.

    Would you bench boost? I was convinced I was going to until i did my transfers and set my team up!

  30. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which one to sell for Kdb? Thinking long term too

    A) Son (will lose 0.4 value))
    Or
    B) Rashford (will lose 0.1 value))

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B