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. LABILLETHEGOAT
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My team atm. 1FT 1.7ITB.

    Martinez
    Justin Coufal Taylor
    Salah Grealish Bruno Son Raphinha
    Kane Bamford

    Brewster KWP Mitchell

    Which would you choose? Thanks
    A. KWP + Son > Struijk + KDB
    B. Taylor + Brewster + Stones + Antonio
    C. Taylor + Grealish/Raph > Stones + Foden

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

    A) Son (shu) & Cavani (liv, ful)

    Or

    B) Zaha (mci) & Vardy (SOU, CHE)

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      a

  3. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which option please?

    A) McCarthy, Son & Davis > Ederson , El Ghazi & Wilson -4

    B) Steer, Son, Davis & Struijk > Johnstone, El Ghazi, Wilson & Chilwell -8

    McCarthy
    Dias* / Coufal* / Dier
    Bruno* / Rashford* / KDB* / Son / Soucek*
    Kane / Bamford

    Bench: Steer, Davis, Holding, Struijk

  4. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez*
    Cresswell* - Stones* - Justin*
    Salah* (vc) - KdB* (c) - Bruno* - Foden* - Soucek*
    Kane - Watkins*

    McCarthy - Dallas - Brewster - Mitchell

    Currently on WC, so no BB. Anything else worth doing? 0.4m ITB

    Next couple weeks Watkins & Cresswell will become Bamford + 1 def

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

      Nice set up there and that plan looks good too.

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

        Cheers Count, unfortunately only 0.1m from McCarthy > Mendy for some Chelsea def coverage

        Only two players I fear this GW are Vardy & Grealish - reckon I can live with that

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

          Ah, dang. That would have been nice as Che defence definitely is a differential this week. Do you think you'd keep those two GK's medium term for upcoming DGW's?

          Can't have them all but those aren't the worst to be fearing!

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

            Not sure on GKs haven’t looked that far forward 😆

            But yeah, could do Martinez > Mendy and McCarthy to someone else, but have quite a bit of value tied up in Martinez and City (for saves) and New (for possible CS) ain’t the worst

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

    What are the chances of Leeds conceding tomorrow?

    Got Meslier and Alioski and that will decide if my BB will be worth it

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

      Replied on previous page 🙂

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

        Thank you!

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      High imo, Leeds defence isnt great. I think itll be a bloodbath, 2-2

  6. pls
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A: adams to antonio (-4)
    B: play Adams/yedlin/Tierney(!)

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

      A - can't risk Tierney after knock last time out.

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

    I’m trying to guess if my closest rival would play bench boost.

    His bench is: Holding, Dallas, Adams

    Would you play BB here? I can’t be sure.
    Thanks Guys

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      just do you mate, why does it matter what he does, you cant control it. His actions shouldnt dictate your own

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

        Very true, was just a fleeting thought is all 🙂

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

    Have 1FT & planning to save. Have 6 DGWers. No city though. Right thing to do to save ? Thanks guys

    Martinez
    Robbo Coufal Dallas
    Salah C. Bruno Son Soucek
    Kane Bamford Adams

    McCarthy Holding Anguissa Balbuena

    Good luck everyone

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

    Kane Saka to Vardy El Ghazi (-8)?

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

    Thanks everyone for all the help tonight. All the best for this DGW - hope your decisions pay off!

    Well done on all those with green arrows last week with all the chips floating around.

    Red arrows - this is the week to make back up our ground!

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

      Still no clue what to do. Damn bb is so so tempting

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

        Which 18 options have you narrowed it down to now, TS? 😀

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

          So many hahaha. Either -12 bb or -4 to get in kdb

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

      Cheers Count you too!

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

      Best of luck, some week incoming!

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

      GL mate, long time no see

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

        go back to your old grav

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

          Likewise, hope you're well.

          Have been getting more green arrows with this one - no choice but to stick 🙁

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

    Just did a drunken -12. DCL, Adams, Balbuena, Son for Antonio, Stones, Brewster and KDB. Makes sense tonight, let's hope it will in the morning.

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

      Lovey

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

      I'm sober and it looks ok. Take it Brewster was an enabler.

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

        Yeah, have to move money off my bench after a long planned bench boost went tits up.

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

      Dont blame the drinknfornthe calls you wanted to make 😉

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

        Looks like I'm the one drinking

        *drink for the

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

          You might be more pissed than I am. Respect.

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

      That moment when someone's drunk moves are better than your sobes ones...

    5. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What on earth have you done....

    6. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      i took a -24 a few weeks ago, the hit doesnt have to pay off the 1st week or the 2nd week nor the 3rd or 4th week either..

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

      Whiskey and Cognac. Not in the same glass though.

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

    What are the dgws likely to be in 26? Any idea

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

      I guess it's hard to tell in this situation, FA Cup + Covid problems.

      Lookup for Ben Crellin on Twitter, best info on the subject.

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

      https://twitter.com/BenCrellin/status/1350200051981824006 lists all the possibilities. Probably about 5-6 added fixtures will happen.

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

    McCarthy > DGW GK for -4 on BB

    Yes or No?

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

      Yes

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

      Would do it

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

      I think so with Mendy or Martinez

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

    Hi guys just need abit of help...

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

    Do i need to hit confirm first or something?

    thanks

    Matt

  15. Razmataz
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best midfielder for the double game week for 6.5m or less?

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

      Foden worth a gamble

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

      soucek or foden

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

    Would you consider going without KDB if that affords you a great bench for BB?

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

      Yup defo

  17. Railwayman
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Some help please:

    A) Salah & Watkins
    B) Mane & Antonio/Watkins

    0.1 short to do Salah and Antonio 🙁

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

      a

  18. Tiki-Taka
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Good to go?

    Martinez
    Cancelo / Dias / Coufal / James
    Salah (C) / Mane / Sterling / Bruno
    Antonio / Bamford

    Bench: Raphinha, Brewster, Mitchell

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

    Imagine Salah scoring hatty vs United

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

      We can only dream, won’t happen though

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

      In a 4 3 loss

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

    Help!

    A.) Do I prioritise getting City defence (Dias) and sell Son?

    B.) Keep Son and go without City defence?

    Son (Shu)

    Dias (Pal, Avl)

  21. wantsharptv
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    TC KDB

    Fingers crossed

  22. Razmataz
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best striker for the double gameweek 7.8m or less (already got Antonio)

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

      Wilson

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

      watkins

  23. Teahupo'o
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Last question. Bamford to Antonio worth a hit?

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

      No

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

      No

    3. Tiki-Taka
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      people have taken a lot worse

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

      Same quandary I’m mulling over.

      My head is firmly saying to just play Bamford.
      But, my heart says to roll the dice on Antonio. He’s so explosive when he’s on it, and WHam fixtures are brilliant.
      Still undecided though to be honest

      1. Teahupo'o
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I'd agree on explosiveness but being out of form is probably the deal breaker. Leeds fixtures look good (possible dgw) and value tied up in Bamford also plays a factor.

    5. Teahupo'o
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers all. Gonna stick with BamBam.

  24. TopCopy
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez
    Coufal stones justin
    Sterling TC Bruno KDB Soucek Rashford
    Antonio Bamford

    Gtg?

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

      Yep

  25. Hits Central
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So what are everyone’s thoughts on an acceptable BB score ?

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

      20 or more is a nice BB in my opinion

    2. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      20

    3. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      20 minimum

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

      I think it's relative and depends on a few things. Got to consider hits in and out of it etc.

  26. FPL Doctor
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play 1:

    A) Justin (SOU, CHE)
    B) R James (ful, lei)

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

      B

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

    OK I think I've narrowed it down to three choices. Any help would be much appreciated!

    A) Mahrez, Firmino, Kilman > Sterling (c), Antonio, Mitchell -8 (allows me to hang on to Son)

    B) Mahrez, Firmino, Son > Sterling (c), Vardy, Soucek -8

    C) Mahrez, Son > KDB (c), Soucek -4

    D) Something else of your choosing!

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

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

      Sorry, four choices ha ha

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

    Sterling > Salah & Dier > Stones done with my 2FT...

    ............Martínez
    ....Cancelo - Stones - Justin
    KDB(c)- Salah - Bruno - Grealish - Soucek
    ........Kane - Bamford
    Bench: Holding - Brewster - Mitchell
    0.5 ITB & 0FT

    G2G or a cheeky punt on Bamford > Antonio?
    Hit the TC button on KDB?

  29. SKENG
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on my WC draft please? Plan is to navigate DGW26 with FTs and use FH in BGW29. Thank you!

    Martinez 4.0
    Cancelo Dias Coufal Dallas Mitchell
    Salah KDB Bruno Grealish Soucek
    Antonio Wilson Bamford

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

      Which attacker benched?

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

        Bamford for the DGW + I want Leeds for potential DGW23 and good fixtures. Soucek most probably in the future + his price and COVID makes him a good pick imo

  30. FPL Doctor
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play 1:

    A) Justin (SOU, CHE)
    B) R James (ful, lei)
    C) Stones (CRY, AVL) (-4 hit)