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. damiang2233
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

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

    Thoughts please? 7 DGW players, thinking getting foden/soucek for neto to make it 8?

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

      2 Cresswell?

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

        Sorry should be Cancelo

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

    Best man City defender for this week?

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

      Cancelo.

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

        And hes exempt from pep roulette?

        1. Park the bus
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          absolutely not. will get rotated in one game

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

          Not actually been much pep roulette this season

      2. Park the bus
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Dias for sure

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

      Cancelo

    3. Genji3lade
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      yeh someone earlier said he has played full 90 in games on the 3rd, 6th, 10th and 13th!

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

      Cancelo but have to accept the risk of peptation

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

    11 doublers after taking - 8 to get Cancelo Soucek Antonio- is team gtg and would you bench boost?

    Martinez
    Cancelo Coufal Dias Robertson
    Salah Bruno Soucek Mané (c)
    Antonio Watkins

    McCarthy Bamford Raphinha Dallas

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

    a) Mane to KDB
    b) Dier to Stones

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

      A

  5. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Currently have zero City...

    Balbeuna / Son / Kane -> Cancelo / KDB / Antonio (-8)

    Y/N?

  6. Amans94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Repost

    Using BB, A or B?

    A) DCL, Balbuena —> Antonio, Cancelo (Brewster as 3rd sub, -4)
    B) DCL, Balbuena, Brewster —> Antonio, Targett, Watkins (Dallas 3rd sub, -8)

    Thanks.

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

    Already taken - 4 on my bb squad but stuck with balbuena. What to do? 0.4m to spend

    A....balbuena to holding - 8

    B....robbo and balbuena to Chilwell and cancelo - 12

    Thanks

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

    Sterling captain is tempting me over Bruno/Vardy.

  9. Park the bus
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    so i have gone from havng 11 DGWers all set for a BB to 6 DGWers and the BB plan shelved.

    would you sell Son and Saka for a hit to bring in 2 more DGWers - most likely Foden (will he even start both?) plus another up to 8.3.

    thoughts?

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

      I'm doing Saka > Soucek on a FT. Considering Son > Rashford too but leaning towards not.

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

    Feels weird to ask, but alas.

    Start Bamford (BHA) or Wilson (ars, avl)?

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

      Wilson

    2. Park the bus
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bamford. Newcastle horrid

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

        Agreed, and therefore, the question. One goal from Bamford could outscore Wilson. He would be on his way out if not for the DGW.

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

    Robbo+Son -> KDB+Dias (-4)

    Would you do it?

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

      Yeah think I would

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

    Did Pep said anything about KdB today?

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

      No. He plays.

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

    I just BB'ed with Meslier - Dallas - Mitchell - Saka on the bench! Why I'm telling you this I do not know. Just think I'd get more screwed if I wait for the perfect week. This season is bonkers.

  14. andrinho
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Posted this wrong last time:
    Start:
    a Saiss (WBA)
    b Neto (WBA)

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

      neto

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

      Neto

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

      Neto

  15. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best 5.6m defender (or below) for this week? Already have Maguire, AWB, Stones and Cancelo. Playing BB this week.

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

      Cresswell

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

        I was thinking him. It would block Antonio though if I wanted him in the coming weeks as I already have Flappy and Soucek. Reece James?

  16. Biggsy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Wood to Antonio?

    What about as a hit?

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

    Captain?
    A Vardy
    B Salah
    C Bruno

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

      Vardy fixtures not easy, Bruno YC risk, Salah I guess

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

        Vardy thrives in that scenario though.

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

          If you're trying to convince me it sounds like you've made your mind up without needing reassurance

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

      Salah

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

      Salah

  18. In a Rush
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    All set bb active

    Martinez
    Dias zouma Coufal stones
    Salah(C)bruno Soucek Bowen Lookman
    Vardy(V)

    Johnstone Kane bamford dallas

    Good luck everyone

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Very nice

      1. In a Rush
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers have a good one

    2. Park the bus
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      benching Kane to play Bowen Lookman and Coufal... nurse!!!!

      1. In a Rush
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Bench boost

        1. Park the bus
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          my mistake mate.... soz

          1. Park the bus
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            looks great!

            1. In a Rush
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              No worries cheers have a good game week

  19. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Adams -> Watkins?

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

      Yes

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

    Son and Kane to Salah and Antonio-4?

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

      Yeah

    2. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I don’t like the idea of losing both spurs tbh. It’s also the only way I can get Salah back but I don’t think I can justify it.

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

        Yeah I know. Just thinking they then have Liverpool.

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

      People are doing those moves...still not sure myself

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

        I know. It’s already burned me once this season.

    4. HollywoodXI
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      This is my big dilemma. I don’t know whether it’s worth it. Salah has looked poor the last few games and Antonio didn’t look fit.

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

        I know. Sacrificing 2 major hitters for those who aren’t looking great but have doubles.

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

    Any love for Foden?

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

      Yes. Looking very good.

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

      He's in my team

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Great pick alongside KDB and not as cover for KDB.

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

      Thinking Grealish & Dallas > Foden & Dias?

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

    Pick one:

    A. Son + Raphinha -> KdB + Lookman (-4)
    B. Kane + Raphinha -> Antonio + KdB (-4)
    C. Son + Kane -> KdB + Vardy (-4)

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

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

      I have identical options. Leaning towards A as realistically Kane is who I want long term and he would be the hardest to work back in.

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

      Cheers both! 🙂

      1. Monkeyslut96
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        A for me. I wouldn’t want to lose both Spurs assets and I’m not convinced Antonio starts both games with him only just coming back from injury

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

          Cheers! 🙂

  23. Mr. Rune
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Son and Vardy
    or
    Salah and Wilson?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Salah Wilson

  24. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which option would you go for?

    A. Balbuena and Kane to Cresswell and Vardy (-8)
    B. Balbuena to Dawson (-4)

    Martinez
    Stones Cancelo Coufal Balbuena*
    KDB Bruno Soucek Salah
    Bamford* Kane*
    (Johnstone Raphinha* Rodrigo* Holding*)

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

    -16 hit is too much to build a bench boost side isn't it?

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

      Yes.. -8 would be as far as I would go..

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

        Yea I agree. Just so tempting...

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

      If they all have doubles it could be fine. But might negate the purpose of the chip.

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

        Would be for doublers but I think 16 points is pushing it, bench not even guaranteed to make that back.

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

          It’s tough isn’t it?

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

            Yep. If it wasn't for Leeds cancelled fixture it all would have done together nicely

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

      Caveat would be if you're bringing in players that are good for following GWs eg 3 Man city.
      Still far from ideal but looking at your side for this week not the worst option if you don't want to use an early WC

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

    What’s the thoughts on best GK for this DGW? I have McCarthy / Forster .. 1.8 in the bank so can upgrade but it would be for -4. Who’s worth it?

  27. akhilrajau
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez, Johnstone
    Robortson, Coufal, Dallas, Maguire, Mitchell
    Bruno, KDB, Salah, Soucek, Podence
    Adams, Antonio, Bamford
    bank: 2.6m, FT: -1( -4 p)

    A. Mitchell, -> Stones (451)(-2 / 8 p)

    B. Mitchell,Podence, -> Stones, Barnes/Mount ,(-3/ 12 p)

    For A tripple captain or for B
    BB( 3 players have one game only)

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

    Thoughts on the following for -8:

    Dallas > Stones
    Salah > KDB
    Adams > Watkins

    Opinions appreciated!

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

      No Salah could haul de bruyne looks tired

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Villa players are don't buy don't sell until we get more info. Definitely wouldn't sell Salah to KDB this GW. Both are the standout cap picks and you need both. Stones move is good

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

    DCL, Son, Raphinha > Antonio, KDB, Burke?

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

    Sorry for long post. Which of the below transfers? Have no city which worries me. 0.3m ITB.

    Johnstone
    Justin - Robbo - Coufal - Balbuena
    Salah - Son - Bruno - Soucek
    Kane - Bamford

    McCarthy - Raphinha - Adams - Alioski.

    A) Robbo + Balbuena + Raphinha > Dias + Stones + Foden -8.
    B) Robbo + Balbuena + Raphinia + Adams > Dias + Stones + Foden + Antonio -12 (Will BB).
    C) Robbo + Raphinha > Dias + Foden -4.
    D) Robbo + Balbuena > Stones + Dias -4.
    D) Robbo + Balbuena + Son > Stones + Dawson + KDB -8.

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

      So you're dead-set on keeping both your Spurs assets? I am looking at Kane out (own Son) for KDB.

      It's getting tough to decide each time, BB! 😀 Currently leaning towards A.

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

        Very tough. Ideally keep both but my last option lets me lose Son

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

          I have a lot of value tied up in Son and a very very low SV/TV so I know I'd struggle to get him back so for me it's Kane, just.

          I didn't like the idea of Balbuena-->Dawson portion of E.