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. Razor425
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Dias or Cancelo a better transfer in?

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cancelo

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

      I have dias, but its a coin flip

    3. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cancelo

    4. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cancelo - more exciting
      Dias - tiny bit more nailed

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

        This is the point. But albeit from an idiot.

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

      Dias for safety, Cancelo for fun.

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

      Dias more nailed, Cancelo higher ceiling. Have got Dias and Stones myself...

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

      Dias

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

      Cancelo will only play one of the DGW games.

      Making Dias better option short term, long term Cancelo

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

        He will play both IMO

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

        1 rest in 13 games now...

        No guarantees either way on playing both in DGW. But I’d lean towards him playing both.

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

    Apologies for repost but would appreciate any input on how I solve a problem like Riyad Mahrez! Not made any moves yet, 1FT and 0.0 ITB.

    Martinez (Forster)
    Dias, Stones, Justin (Coufal, Kilman)
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Mahrez (Bissouma)
    Bamford, Firmino, Watkins

    Cheers!

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

      Firmino > Antonio
      Mahrez > KDB?

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

        0.6 short unfortunately. Cheers for the reply though - any other suggestions welcomed!

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

          I'm considering Son, Mahrez, Firmino > KDB, Antonio, Grealish for -8 but feels a little punchy!

  3. Saka Punch
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which is the better option?

    A) Son, Kane, Burke -> Salah, Antonio, Soucek (-8) Bench Dallas

    B) Rashford, Son -> Salah, Soucek (-4) Start Dallas

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

      B

      That way Kane salah and Sue
      Better than salah, ant and Sue

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

      B

  4. Hutchiniho
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Neto to Foden ?

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

      Yeah I did it

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

      Do it, but be worry of Pep's rotation

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

    For -4?
    A. Kane, KWP > Vardy, Stones
    B. Son, KWP > Foden, Diaz
    C. Kane, Raphinha > KDB, Brewster

    McCarthy - Johnstone
    Robbo - Coufal - KWP - Justin - Dallas
    Salah - Bruno - Son - Soucek - Raphinha
    Kane - Adams - Bamford

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

      C, A, B

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

    Thoughts on the following for a -8:

    Son > KDB(c)
    DCL > Antonio
    Raphinha > Burke

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

      Can you just do the first two?

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

        Unfortunately not

  7. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Right order of starters and bench?
    Captain?

    Mccarthy
    Stones Holding Coufal
    Salah Bruno KDB(C) Maddy
    Antonio Bamford Kane

    Fraser Taylor Mitchell Bissouma

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

    Is Reece James maybe a better pick than Stones for this gw?

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

      Don’t know if he’ll start both

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

      no

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

      Nowhere near

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

    A) Cancelo + Chilwell

    or

    B) Zouma + Dias

    1. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      A

  10. mlm
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Wilson > Antonio -4?

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

      No

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

      Give that one a few weeks. Who knows if Ant will stay fit

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

        Personally would say live a little and go for it! Newcastle are dreadful and Antonio will start both games this week if he doesn't twang anything

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

    Who to captain all have DGW

    1. Cancelo
    2. Creswell
    3. Bruno
    4. Foden
    5. Mendy

    1. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      3

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

        Even if only 1 Yellow away fro suspension?

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      probably Bruno and just hope no yc against Liverpool

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

      Wow, what options! 3 safest - 1 most punty.

  12. Awesomeness
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Need a 4.4 defender to fill in the last spot on my bench boost team, I guess Lowton is the best?.. Or any better suggestions?

    Thanks

  13. School of Poch
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would love some final opinions on the following moves. Happy to help in return

    A: Chilwell > Cancelo
    B: Rashford Vardy > KDB Antonio (-4)
    C: Save FT

    Martinez
    Chilwell Dallas Coufal Balbuena Neco
    Salah Bruno Son Rashford Riedewald
    Vardy Bamford Watkins

    1FT 0ITB

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

      Could regret A if he doesn’t start both but B looks good

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

      B

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

      Would rather transfer someone with only one game to someone with a double, like Balbuena & Son to Cancelo & Maddison for example, no way would I get rid of Vardy for a hit

      1. School of Poch
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I think Son against SHU is as good as a double though. Could maybe do that move with Rashford though? Still gaining an extra double

  14. #FPLBhuna
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Play Maguire
    B) Play Che
    C) Buy and play Antonio (-4)

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

      A

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

    This team worth a BB

    McCarthy - Forster
    Zouma - Justin - stones (Taylor/Dallas)
    Foden - Bruno - Son - salah (soucek)
    Bamford - Adams - Kane

    -8 to bring in stones, soucek and foden

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

      I don't think so, play Soucek over Adams.

  16. F4L
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Transfer in Lookman or Soucek? Better immediate fixtures for Soucek has me leaning towards him.

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

      soucek 1000000%

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

        This

      2. F4L
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        cheers

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

      Soucek

      1. F4L
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        cheers

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

      Soucek, his EO will hurt you if he does well

      1. F4L
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        cheers, not too worried ownership to be honest.

  17. Denis Tueart on the wing
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Werner a differential with potential - or just stupidity
    Can't afford Vardy

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

      might be a nice shout

      1. Denis Tueart on the wing
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I like that comment 😎

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

      I had him for weeks with very few returns. His record at other clubs is so good that it can only be a matter of time that Lampard puts him in the right position and he can get some confidence to knock in a stack of goals

  18. OBAMA
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Cancelo + Chilwell

    or

    B) Dias + Zouma

    1. Denis Tueart on the wing
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

      1. Denis Tueart on the wing
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        assist & assists

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

      B

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

        why?

    3. james 101
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      A

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

      A

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

      B - more likely to start, greater goal threat

  19. james 101
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any of you trip capping this week?

    If so, who?

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

      KDB if I do but don't think I will.

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Unsure of gametime?

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

      Too many question marks for me to consider triple captaining

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

    Cresswell worth 0.7 more than coufal?

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I decided so yes

    2. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Come on you hatters

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

        Who’s getting a hat trick? This guys grammar.

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

      I'm thinking Cresswell vs Dawson

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

    Who is backing up Cancelo?

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I am

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

      Mendy?

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

      he played full 90 in City games on the 3rd, 6th, 10th and 13th.

      obvious benching v Palace imo

      1. Gianluca Busio's Hair …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        so what you're saying is he's an animal who can't be stopped?

  22. Purse83
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Almost considered a -12 because the moves seemed too good to be true:

    Kane, Davis, Dallas and Lewis to Antonio, Watkins, Cresswell and Dias

    Madness?

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

      Not utterly mad, I like it actually

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

      Pull the trigger, it’s just a game, enjoy the ride!

      1. Purse83
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers guys it’s happening!

        Good luck!

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

      do it

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

    Who scores more this GW?

    A) Alioski
    B) Targett -4

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

      A

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

        Is he in danger of bring benched? I heard Cooper is back and Ayling and Dallas should coved LB and RB?

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

          Being*

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

    If only Fabianski was confirmed as fit. Best GK for this double.

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

        Noooooo. Just got in my last WHU player.

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

          I WC him in last week so am relieved to see he’s ready to play

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

            Bugger bugger bugger

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

        Looks like he's injured himself on that post in the pic. I'd avoid...

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

          What have I done?!

    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Go away Rupert

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

        Go away Jonah

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

      Who you got instead?

  25. Dele
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    G2G? Good luck all!

    Martinez
    Robbo, Dias, Cresswell
    Salah, KDB, Bruno, Grealish, Soucek
    Antonio, Watkins

    Bench boost: Johnstone, Bamford, Dallas, Ayling

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

      looks solid!! 3 villa risky but those are the rigtt hit 3 to have, GL see my post below, not as clear what to do haha

  26. yanky
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Johnstone
    Cancelo Dias TAA Coufal James
    Salah(c) Bruno Son Soucek
    Bamford

    Bench: Fabianski(doubt), Raphinha, Rodrigo, Adams

    I think im going to Bench boost, right??? with that in mind.....
    a) Son > Sterling for free
    b) Adams > Cavani for free
    c) Son TAA > KDB Chilwell -4pts
    d) Son Adams > KDB DecordovaReid -4pts
    e) Raphinha Adams > Ziyech DecordovaReid -4pts

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

      A

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

        would u bench boot johnstone raphinha rodrigo adams then?

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

      Adams Son to Antonio, Sterling?

  27. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    so vardy went down in price last night and rising again tonight, bit mad 🙂

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

      I thought that haha, really weird, the to’s and throw’s of a BGW to DGW dramas

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

      Sums up this season's variance

  28. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Have no City buy going to have to do without....

    Couple of Qs:

    1) Why the fuss over Antonio? Are we sure he's going to play both games?

    2) DCL -> Wilson + Son -> Rashford for -4?

    Cheers

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

      1) Serious lack of forward options

      2) Just do DCL to Antonio 😉

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

    is it worth switching McCarthy for a -4 to a GK with a DGW? am on BB

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wouldn’t do it for a keeper no

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

      If it was a 4.0 fodder I’d do it

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

        Oooooo see below. Thanks!

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

      I'm considering bringing in Martinez for Forster for -4, to play over McCarthy. I'm thinking it's better to have a potential DGW GK.

  30. HonestBlatter
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hiw nailed is Dawson? 180minutes?

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

      I guess its either 90 or 180. Pretty sure his sort of game is Burnley but worried Diop gets the other. He is in though