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

    Good to go lads?

    Martinez
    Robbo Coufal Dallas
    KDB Grealish Son Bruno Salah
    Antonio Bamford

    4m - Holding Mitchell Brewster

    1. milanista10
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sure, good team!

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

      Looks very nice - good luck!

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

        GTG - sweet team!

  2. milanista10
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Robbo & El-Ghazi
    B) Chilwell & Maddison

    Do you prefer A or B lads?

    1. Robman
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B for me - El-Ghazi might not get both games now Barkley fit again. Chilwell and Maddison both guaranteed starters.

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

      A if longer term, though I think B could get more points in just this gameweek

  3. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A. Son + Zouma to KDB + Stones (-4)
    B. Son + Adams to Foden + Vardy (-4)

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

      A

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

      A is safer, but B is risker but could be more explosive. Personally I would go with the safer option of A

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

    Current team:
    Martinez-Forster*
    Justin-Coufal-Cancelo-Dier*-Bellerin*
    Rashford-Fernandes-KdB-Gundogan-Saka*
    Watkins-Kane*-Bamford*

    1FT 1.8M ITB - Which 8p hit would you take (no chips):
    a) Rashford, Saka, Bellerin -->Salah (C), Soucek, Strujk
    b) Kane, Saka, Bellerin -->Salah (C), Antonio, Strujk
    c) Kane, Rashford, Bellerin -->Salah (C), Vardy, Dawson

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

    man the pages are flying..

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

    [Bottomed]
    Current squad (single GW players*):

    Johnstone McCarthy*
    Robertson Coufal Justin Lowton Dallas*
    Salah Fernandes Son* Soucek Anguissa
    Kane* Bamford* Adams*

    I'm sticking to my plan to BB this week despite the fixure changes, and don't mind taking a hit - the question is, how many?

    I will definitely do Kane to Antonio (I need to free up funds) and Son to KDB for a -4, but could also do:

    A) Lowton to Cancelo (-8 total)
    B) McCarthy to Martinez (-8 total, with Villa's future DGWs in mind)
    C) A and B for a -12 total
    D) Stick with just a -4

    I'm leaning towards A at the moment, what would you do? Any advice appreciated!

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

      d

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

        Cheers

    2. milanista10
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A is definite yes for me
      B is 50/50

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

        Thanks - I enjoyed having Cancelo last week on my free hit, and figure with this DGW he could pay back the -4 immediately, or if not after just a few weeks.

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

    Which one guys?
    a)Take a -16 to have 12dgw players and BB with Raphinha,Bamford,Wood,Johnstone.
    b)Take -8 to get Kdb,Antonio and play 9 dgw players and 2 single gw players

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

      b

    2. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B and it's not even close

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

    A or B

    A) KDB (C) + Salah for -8
    B) Salah (C) + Son

    1. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

  9. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kane, Son and Lacazette to Vardy, Salah and Antonio-8 yes or no chaps???

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

      Yes

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

      I like it!

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yesss thankyou gents!!! I’m going for it!!

    3. Pommie22
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Awesome was just about to post
      Kane,Son to Salah Vardy for -4
      Seems a good move

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

    Literally just got in my final West Ham player only so see Fabianski is back in training. Absolutely gutted

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

      That tweet was posted hours & hours ago? 🙁

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

        Mate. I checked. Saw that Moyes said he wasn’t sure on Fab and haven’t been on since lunch. Wish I’d have asked. I’m an idiot.

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

      Antonio over double DEF I assume?

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

        I already had Soucek. Got in Antonio and Cresswell. I’m an idiot.

        1. Robman
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          same transfers as me!

  11. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Save FT for next week
    B) Wilson out for Antonio
    C)Dier out for Coufal

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

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

      C

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

    Pick my HIT

    Taylor for...

    Coufal
    Stones

    1. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Stones if there are no money issues elsewhere in the team

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

      I had exactly the same choice in place of Lindelof. I doubled up with Fias and chose Stones, nailed and tremendous value.

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

        Dias*

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

        This means I can't take another hit for Antonio, will play Raphinha and bench Adams

        Looks good?

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

    Which transfers should I make?

    A) Taylor for Dawson
    B) Stones Vardy for Kane Taylor (-4)

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

      B for me. Do you own Son?

  14. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Planning to BB, but am slightly concerned at the news that Alioski may not start. Do I stick with him and hope for a sub cameo at worst, or do I take a -4 for someone with two games?

    4.6 to spend, already stacked with West Ham and Villa players.

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

    Unusual for pages to be turning over in 6 minutes at this time of the night in the UK.

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

      Sure is! Unheard of at this time in UK

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

      Yep, I keep waiting for the DZ to arrive but it just isn't!

  16. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Stuck on this. Can only pick one.
    A) Cresswell
    B) Soucek
    C) Antonio

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

      B

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

      b

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

    Am I supposed to look forward to tomorrow's game having triple Leeds? Or should I sell Alioski and get Targett who's got 2 games for a hit?

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

      Trouble with Targett is we don’t know how COVID has affected him so I would not make move

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

      Hope BHA does not park the bus

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

    Crikey, assuming SOU/LEE moved to GW23, have made a cracking plan:

    GW19: No chip.

    GW23: BB with existing LEE players, couple of transfers getting likes of Ings, SOU defence in later. (Caveat here is my current team all mostly have a good GW23 fixture. 1/2 premiums have a tough fixture but I wouldn't ever have benched them.)

    GW25/26: WC for the DGW. Either before to use TC this week, or during if after.

    As BB will be used up, no need to target bench players for that double. Hold a few players who will have a BGW29 fixture - and spend a couple of transfers doing extra prep if needed.

    ...now, when's the next postponement to mess it up? 😀

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What a waste of time

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

        All I have left to do tonight is fall asleep. Not like I'm putting anything off that's more important 😉

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

      Bonus is the the GW25/26 WC fixes any budget spread too wide across the squad for 23.

      All reliant on the DGW23 happening but all you can do is hope.

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

        If the DGW23 does'nt happen, it's not then end of the world. Plenty are using BB this week with SGW players and taking hits to do so! GW26 BB with some SGW players on your bench could work just as well.

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

      I'm on exactly this mate. You know something will mess it up though lol

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

        Oh for sure. Fortunately plan doesn't have to change too much if the DGW falls there.

        Either BB in 26, or save for later again. Will worry about BGW29 on a later date lol.

    4. Nespinha
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You're saying that us, sotton and leeds owners, have an option to use our BB chip later and not waste it?

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

        Unbelievable scenes.

    5. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I like it.. my head's in a spin as it is trying to plan transfers for this GW

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

    Does this look reasonable for a -8? (Already own Son)

    Kane --> Brewster
    Raphinha --> KDB (c)
    Dier --> Stones

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

      I’d certainly say so, you’ll have Son for Spurs cover, Rapha to KDB is huge and should pay off. Stones solid buy, all good imo

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

        Thanks, pal.

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

      Nice moves

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

      do it

    4. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      kdb capt prob pays it back.

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

    GTG? Cpt, bench ok?

    McCarthy
    Cancelo Justin Coufal
    Kdb(C) Salah Bruno Soucek
    Kane Antonio Bamford

    Forster Dallas Lowton Romeu

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

      Gtg

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

    Currently have:

    Meslier
    TAA-Cres-Justin
    Salah-Bruno-Son-JWP
    Bamford-Kane-Antonio

    thinking about -8 hit JWP and Meslier to Soucek and Ederson.

    Yes or No?

  22. MaestroMostar
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench Lowton or Grealish ?

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

      lowton easy

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

      Lowton. Just.

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

      Lowton

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

      lowton

  23. Fit_to_drop
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would you do Neto (with a knock) at home to West Brom >> Double GWer Soucek for a -4.

    Have one -4 already done.

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

    Would you bench boost the following:

    McCarthy Dallas Raphinha Adams

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

      No guarantee McCarthy plays. I'm doing BB have him but considering hit for more certain double gk

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

      Borderline for mine.

  25. Vlekz
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bench 1
      A)dier
      B)Bamford
      C)laca

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

        a

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

      I could wildcard this team.... looks mad!!

      Martínez / 4.0
      Dallas / Stones / Coufal (Struijk / Mitchell)
      Grealish / Salah / Fernandes / Son / De Bruyne
      Vardy / Antonio (4.4)

      1. Fit_to_drop
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Are you mad?

    • rozzo
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mccarthy
      Cresswell Dias Dallas
      KDB Fernandes Son Soucek
      Kane Lacazette Bamford

      Steer Anguissa Pieters Mitchell

      1ft
      2.5 itb

      A). Lacazette to Vardy
      B). Lacazette and Mccarthy to Vardy and Martinez - 4
      C). Lacazette and KDB to Vardy and Salah - 4

      Cheers

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

        Of those, I'd say A but no Salah could hurt in the long term

    • EIE
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son, Mahrez, Firmino > KDB, Antonio, Grealish for -8...talk to me. Yes or no?

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

      1FT, 0.0 ITB

    • Mind över Mata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Worth a BB? Triple Leeds.

      4.0; Bamford, Rodrigo, Dallas

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

        Too many eggs in the Bielsa basket. Could go horribly wrong. Big upside though.

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

        Na, maybe if you had a playing keeper.

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

      TC Activated