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. 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 for the wildcard to appear?

    thanks

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

    Wood to Antonio for a hit?

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

      go for it - high ceiling!

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

      no

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

      Yea

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

      Wouldn't be enthusiastic about it.

      Then again wouldn't be enthusiastic about owning Wood

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

    Evening folks. Quick sanity check:

    Raphinha --> Salah
    Kane --> Davis
    (-4)

    Current team:
    Martinez (4.0)
    Dias Stones Coufal Saiss (Dunne)
    KdB Bruno Son Soucek (Raphinha)
    Vardy Kane (Brewster)

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

      yep

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

      Nah, stick. You prob wont capt. Salah anyway and you dont want to get stuck with Davis and Brewster

    3. Bonus magnet
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No Liverpool

      Any reason ?

  4. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Lose Salah for KDB?

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

      no!

    2. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No

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

      no

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

      Put the bottle of vodka down 🙂

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

    a. Son and Antonio
    Or
    b. Mane and Brewster for -4
    (Brewster would be on the bench, Justin or Target would play)
    Gw19(have no salah)

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

      a!

    2. Boly Would
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    3. Zolaaaaaaaaa!!!
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

  6. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Will be taking a hit to get KdB in for Son/Kane.

    Would you take another hit to remove McCarthy to Fabianski/Martinez?

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

      no!

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

      no

    3. Zolaaaaaaaaa!!!
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nope. McCarthy will play

    4. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers all! Looks like it's a consensus!

  7. Meme2011
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A or B guys please?

    A) Ederson & Cresswell

    B) Fabianski & Stones - this enables me to do Lookman to Foden next week

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

      a

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

      A!

    3. Zolaaaaaaaaa!!!
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Why not Coufal over Cresswell and re invest cash

      1. Meme2011
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        cheers guys

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

    Evening all! Which of the below looks best to you with 0.1 and 1 FT

    McCarthy
    TAA. Coufal. Lowton (Dallas) (Balbuena)
    Salah. Fernandes. Soucek. Son. Raphinha
    Kane. Bamford (Wood)

    A) Kane > Vardy
    B) Kane, Balbuena > Vardy & Stones (-4)
    C) Kane, Wood, Balbuena > Vardy, Antonio, Stones (-8)
    D) TAA, Son > Stones & KDB (-4)

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

      B

    2. Boly Would
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      B looks tasty.
      Balbuena > Stones worth a hit imo given upcoming fixtures.
      Wood > Antonio more of a gamble.

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

    Currently have 7 DGW players. Is that enough or add another one?

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

      Thats enough with right captain

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

        Not sure who to captain tho as dont have de bruyne or salah. Have bruno

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

          thinking of getting foden so maybe him or cancelo?

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

            Na go bruno

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

          Bruno then, still a great shout this game week.

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Team?

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

        Mendy,
        Creswell, Dier, Saiss, Creswell,
        Bruno, Barnes, Son Grealish,
        Kane Wilson

  10. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Dear lord I’m confused.

    1. Old Bull
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Me too

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

    -12 dropped and I don't even feel guilty about it!

    Good luck all

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wow

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

    What move do you recommend please?

    a) Wilson > Antonio
    b) son + Wilson > Soucek + Vardy(-4)
    C) son + adams + Wilson > Soucek + Antonio + Vardy (-8)

    1. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Adams to Antonio only ? Enough Cash?

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

        This.

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

        Unfortunately not 0.1 short

    2. Deeney-is-a-god
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Why do you want wilson out?

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

        Newcastle are awful

        1. Deeney-is-a-god
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          They got a double and wilson is not awful... this might come back to bite you

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

            Maybe. Thanks for the feed back.

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

            Would you play konza or Wilson then? thanks

    3. Zolaaaaaaaaa!!!
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      Keep Wilson

  13. Punty McPuntface
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Seems I've been toying with this all night so help would be appreciated, Zaha to?

    A El Ghazi
    B who else under 7.4m?

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

      Soucek

      Definitely not a Villan.

      1. Punty McPuntface
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks!!

    2. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Zaha to Foden or B Silva or Soucek or El Ghazi or Barnes (in that order)

      1. Punty McPuntface
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks...I've got 3 City so Soucek it is

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

    Evening lads, got 1,6m itb and 1ft
    Any sensible moves here lads, cheers

    martinez
    robbo coufal dallas
    salah(c) soucek bruno son
    bamford kane adams
    (martin kwp taylor bissouma)

    A) taylor+kane -> cacelo/dias+vardy -4
    B) robbo+son -> cancelo/dias+kdb -4
    C) taylor -> cancelo/dias
    D) robbo+son+adams -> cancelo/dias+kdb+watkins -8
    E) robbo+taylor+son -> dias+stones+kdb -8

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

      C

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

        Nvm A

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

          cheers lad

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

    Salah or Vardy El Capitano??

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

      I like the bold choice in vardy tbh

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

    Going without triple captain and bench boost. Hoping it pays off long term

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

      I think that's where I'll end up too.

    2. Boly Would
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same here. Was very close to BB

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

      Same, will be better opportunities later on I feel.

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

        100% too many games getting cancelled so will be more doubles and dont think any teams looked great post xmas

  17. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    With 3 Villa worth Watkins to Antonio?

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

      Yea

    2. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Gamble may pay off. Then again.

      Note: Antonio plays Sat / Tue thus before Watkins kicks a ball (he plays Wed then next Sat). Not saying that makes much of a difference as its all about points.
      I can just see 180 mins outta Watkins over next 8 days, not so sure i'd see 180 mins from Antonio in next 4 days.

      If I owned neither and could choose one, I'd choose Antonio, but i wont be selling one (Watkins) for the other unless nothing else to do and had a transfer to burn.

      I just wish i had extra money for Brewster to Antonio (-4) then i'd BB

      1. FPL Forward Thinker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I'd have to sell Son 9.4 and raise 1.5m (thus 7.9m midfielder and a total -8).
        The two occasions I sold So (both were for a -4), he rocked up 42 points Away against Red and White teams. Owned Son all other 16 GW's !!

        Thus im biased against selling Son for funds and taking a -8 even though i could then Bench Boost.

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Cheers got 3 Villa & want to BB, if Grealish Martinez & Watkins don’t play screwed

  18. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Meslier
    Cancelo Justin Coufal
    Salah Bruno Son Soucek
    Kane DCL* Bamford

    McCarthy Dallas Lowton Romeu

    O.2 itb

    Was all set on BB but now choose one:

    A) DCL to Antonio
    B) Son + DCL to KdB(C) + Fabio Silva for -4
    C) Son + DCL to KdB(C) + Brewster for -4 and play Lowton instead Brewster

  19. Shankly611
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez Areola
    Robertson Cancelo Stones Coufal Yedlin
    Salah (C) KDB Fernandes Barnes Raphinha
    Antonio Bamford Adams

    Bench Boost ON! Good luck everyone!

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

      Nice side - should do well.

  20. tbhogal
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Son to KDB for -4 worth it guys?

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

      I reckon so.

    2. Mr.K
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I wouldn't.

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

    You think it's worth taking a hit to do Alioski to Shaw? Or any suggestions for another Def under 4.9mil on a double gw?

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

      Not worth hit imo shaw on 4 yellows i think

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

        Any other suggestions?

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

          Coufal?

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

    Play Bamford
    or Dier to Stones for a hit?

    Dier has bad fixture.

    1. Scout15
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dier has Sheffield. That’s not a bad fixture... But might still do it.

  23. grandemessi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Don't see a lot of love for Dawson here. 3 cs and 1 goal in the last 3( all comps). I wasn't planning on BB but with Johnstone, Bamford, Smith-Rowe and Dawson on the bench I am inclined to. Other non-dgw's: Neto, Kane, Son. Rest of the lot, template

  24. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Dallas or Lowton the better option this week?

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

      Dallas

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

      I'm playing Dallas and benching Lowton.

  25. El Lobito 10
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bamford to Antonio for a hit?

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

      I’d keep bamford. Certain to start, good fixture.

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

      No, Leeds have a good fixture against a side who have played recently and looked tired against City

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

      Not for a hit.

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

      Would be a huge risk. And by "risk" I don't mean 'exciting', more something along the lines of 'highly likely not to pay off' Antonio's fitness is a complete unknown quantity.

    5. El Lobito 10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thank you all, great points made. I will not buy Antonio!

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

    Sell Mane or Salah to KDB?

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

      Mane

  27. geoffrolph
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    current team:

    Martínez Cancelo, Coufal, Dias, Wan-Bissaka Fernando's, De Bruyne, Soucek, Son Wilson, Kane

    Bench: Leno, Bamford, Saka, Dallas
    In the bank: £1.00 1 ft, wanted to take a hit - 8, maybe even a - 12 if it gets me a good BB team. Tried to fit in Vardy, Salah, Antonio but I can't seem to make it work. Any ideas? Thanks

  28. 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 Taylo

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

      C

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

      C

  29. Crooky
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Seeing some interesting minute choices which feel quite hasty. Is it really wise to Chuck Son in a fixture like this?

    McCarthy/Foster

    Current team:

    Zouma - Justin - Dallas (Taylor)
    Son - Bruno - Zaha - Salah
    Kane - Bamford - Adams

    Thinking for -8
    A) zaha, Taylor and Adams > Soucek + Stones + martial
    B) zaha, Taylor and Adams > gun + stones + Antonio

    Are either of those my best bets?

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

    Antonio or Stones transfer in for a hit?

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

      For who?

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

        Bench players

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

      I’m considering both + vardy for a -8