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. L S P
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Lacazette to Antonio for -4?

    Y/N?

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      N

    2. In Bale We Trust
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would

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

      Tough
      I'd probably be reluctant to do it

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

        I've done it as it allowed an upgrade elsewhere for Madison. As a standalone transfer probably not.

    4. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      N

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

      i did

    6. All de Gea
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes, transfer out Lacazette immediately

  2. The Left Duke #3
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Team as it stands. Was looking good before Leeds So'ton postponed.

    1 FT. 0.8m ITB
    *DGW

    Martinez* (Forster)
    Robbo* Justin* Coufal* Dallas (Taylor)
    Salah* Son Bruno* Soucek* (Bissouma)
    Vardy* Bamford (Adams)

    A) Taylor --> Stones
    B) Adams --> Antonio
    C) Both for a -4
    D) Son & Adams --> KDB (C) & Brewster (fodder) for a -4 hit as planned
    E) Something else

    Thoughts?

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Still looking good.

      Son to Rashford?

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

    Who would you back the most to score the most in GW19?

    A) Antonio + Foden
    B) Son + Raphinha + 4 points
    C) Antonio + Raphinha + 4 points

    1. DavidHopkin
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      A

    3. All de Gea
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B or C.

      Foden in form but he doesnt tend to play 3 or 4 games in a row.

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

    Are the fixtures now set in stone or still rumours of changes?

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

      Leeds v Saints could be back on if Shrewsbury have to forfeit the cup tie.

      1. Kay317
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Isn't just the manager and a couple of others? Doesn't seem to be a major issue.

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

    Which on is better?
    A) Dias Cancelo for Taylor Robbo
    B) Stones KDB for Robbo Son
    C) Stones Vardy for Kane Taylor

    1. DavidHopkin
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

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

    Bench Boost these lot?
    McCarthy, Adams, Bellerin, Alioski

    1. In Bale We Trust
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not for me

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

      If I had a WC I’d wait for another DGW but looks like possible 20 points

    3. Heisenberg W. W.
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm contemplating it with McCarthy-Adams-Holding-Dallas

    4. I Must Break You
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Is McCarthy playing for sure?

    5. All de Gea
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No way

  7. michudagawd
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Repost

    Martinez
    Coufal Dias Robbo
    Salah ESR Grealish Fernandes Son
    Kane Bamford

    Forster - Dallas KWP Brewster

    1 FT, 0.9 itb

    Looking at doing Son + Kane -> KDB + Antonio for -4.

    G2G then or is Brewster -> Watkins worth a further -4?

    Cheers.

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

    Start Bamford or Gundogan?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Gundo

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      2

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

      Gundogan

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

      Cheers!

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

    FH Team

    A) Grealish
    B) Robertson

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      Robertson

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

        Cheers

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

    Bottomed...

    McCarthy
    Holding Targett Coufal
    KDB Bruno Son Grealish Soucek
    Kane Watkins

    Forster Clark Lewis DCL

    0.4M ITB, 1FT, Roll transfer or any other ideas?

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son to Rashford

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

        Could be a good idea, thanks.

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

      Savs transfer or get Fabianski/ Martinez

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

        0.1m short of Flappy and got 3 Villlains

  11. Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Guys, who should be my captain?
    A. Salah
    B. Bruno
    C. Vardy

    (I dont want to captain KDB)

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

      I am handwringing between Mo and Kev, so I would say Mo.

      Why are you avoiding Kev? Afraid of a rest?

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

        I am 100% sure that he will rest...so yes 🙂

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

          Thinking same about Bruno vs Fulham

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

          Sounds like we have solved each other’s dilemmas, then.

          King Mo!

    2. All de Gea
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I dont own him but fancy Vardy this time

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

    Yes or no to these hits?

    A) Lowton to Stones
    B) Mccarthy to Martinez
    C) Adams to Antonio

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

      Only A make sense

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A no
      B no
      C yes

    3. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

  13. Yankee Toffee
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez
    Stones, Reguilon, Justin
    (c) KDB, Son, Salah, Bruno, ESR
    Kane, Bamford

    Steer, Mitchell, Strujik, Brewster

    1FT, 0.0itb

    I know they have good SGW fixtures but might do:
    A. Reguilon > Cress
    B. Reguilon > Coufal, ESR > Soucek (-4)
    C. Neither and Save

    1. Skogen89
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

  14. All about the galacticos
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which to do?
    A) Play Holding
    B) Antonio for -4

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

      a

      1. All about the galacticos
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        cheers

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

    Anyone help?
    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?

  16. Sir Burtenshaw
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    1. Who should I replace Che Adams with?
    Antonio or Watkins?

    2. Should I bench boost?
    McCarthy, Raphinha, KWP and Antonio/Watkins

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

      1. antonio
      2.no

  17. FPL Bargain
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Does anyone have a reference for the further COVID problems at Shrewsbury that could put the Leeds vs SOU game back on?

    1. FPL Bargain
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I saw they had 2 more postive COVID cases on Thursday and their manager won't be able to be at the game for the same reason.

      It really surprised me that they moved the game considering there was still an up turn in cases.

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

        Oh god please no!

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

      If it is back on, we won't know about it before deadline, right?

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

        Agreed. Got two Leeds players on the bench. Could be messy if it’s back on. Tears

  18. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play 1, not using BB

    A) Lowton
    B) Dallas
    C) Adams

    1. Sir Burtenshaw
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dallas

      1. Sir Burtenshaw
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Nvm, I'd actually go with Lowton

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    3. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      b

    5. Skogen89
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Im going with b

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

    Hi guys just need abit of help...

    im doing a wildcard on fanteam but when i change my players and click update team it doesnt mention about a wildcard on the screen after it just lists the transfers that are happening and theres a confirm button.

    Do i need to hit confirm first or something?

    thanks

    1. Cake by the pound
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hi

      When you click change team it’s on the right next to (points)

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

    Sterling 4.3% ownership

    Worth a punt over KDB?

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

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

      No

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

        Why not?

  21. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Adams Son Targett -> Salah Antonio Cresswell -8? Benching AWB

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      First 2 for -4

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks. Would love a West Ham defender though

  22. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    1. Dier to Chilwel for a hit
    2. Smith Rowe to El Ghazi for a hit
    3. None
    Which one if any

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

      1.

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

      3 - None

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

    McCarthy (Johnstone)
    Justin - Robbo - Coufal (Balbuena - Dallas)
    Bruno - Salah - Son - Raphinha (Soucek)
    Kane - Bamford - Adams

    Going crazy and doing this for -20, and bench boosting
    McCarthy, Balbuena, Son, Raphinha, Kane, Adams to Martinez, Stones, KDB, Foden, Antonio, Watkins

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

      Dont do the keeper transfer. Keepers average les than 4 a game and dont do bamford to watkins

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

        Martinez has an extra game, so effectively a -2. Then has two chances at save points and a clean sheet.
        Also its Adams to Watkins. Again, effectively a -2, and has an extra game to contribute.

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

      Ouch

  24. Luton_Fan
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Last decision

    Kdb or sterling.

    Why am i so tempted by sterling? Someone talk some sense into me before i get sterling over kdb

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

      Either could do better over 2 games but you’ll want KDB long term.

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

        True

    2. Skogen89
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sterling out of form, not as nailed as kdb.

    3. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If it helps Sterling will very likely not take penalty again

  25. Skogen89
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Good to go?

    Martinez
    Stones, cancelo, coufal, Dallas
    Kdb, salah, bruno, grealish
    Bamford, vardy

    Bench : steer, C.Taylor , welbeck, burke

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

      Yes. great first 11

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

      Yep. Who is captain?

      1. Skogen89
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Kdb or salah,

    3. All de Gea
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Proceed.

  26. Chrisitis
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Roll and buy a big sofa thursday

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

      Reply fail

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

    Mane to Sterling?

    1. osceola31909
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No

  28. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A Holding Kane to Coutal Vardy (-4)
    B Kane Son to Antonio Salah (-4)
    Have Cresswell.

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

      I'm going to do B and captain Salah, so B for me

  29. damiang2233
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Foden or Soucek for Neto?

    Is 7 DGW players enough?

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

    Start...
    1) Bamford (BHA)
    2) Wilson (ars, avl)

    Seems like this should be an easier decision.
    ps - already used transfers