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. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I just took a -12 and will be bench boosting lol. Screw it... I’m bored 🙂 need something to spice it up

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

      Good luck.
      I'm doing the same 🙂

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

      Good luck, -8 here & BB. Wasn’t planning to take such a hit but Neto’s flag forced me an extra move (can’t handle a 0-1 point while BBing)

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

      What players are on bench?

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

      Entertainment, what's that for! GL 😉

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

      Now I can go to sleep in peace. All the best, TS. Hope it works out!

      Hate when you get caught between two extremes in this game. Usually either extreme ends up being better than the middle of the road sacrifice.

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

        Cheers mate 🙂 all the best to you too. Hahaha I hope so, not too convinced but we’ll see

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

    Taylor and balbuena have screwed me!

    McCarthy
    Justin taylor* balbuena*
    Salah KDB Bruno son grealish
    Bamford watkins

    Subs: kwp Alioski Brewster

    A) Taylor + balbuena > Lowton + Dawson
    B) grealish/son + balbuena > soucek + cancello

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

      And maybe McCarthy

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

    Transfers done, BB active.

    Martinez / Johnstone
    Chilwell / Cancelo / Dias / Coufal / Maguire
    Salah / KDB / Fernandes / Maddison / Soucek
    Antonio / Watkins / Bamford

    Good luck all! 😀

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

      Me too 🙂 Goodluck mate

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

        Thanks, same to you 😀

  4. sthelenslad92
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Saving BB, is TC'ing Salah a good idea? (Don't have KDB)

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

      It's unlikely, but who knows

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

      7pts last 3 and tough fixtures

  5. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    is anyone playing TC this week? or any other chip???

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

      TC KDB

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

        Are you going to TC Sterling? Haha

    2. Deulo10
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thinking about TC Salah or KDB currently

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

      KDB if anyone. Seems unlikely that Salah's going to find a lot of joy in the manyoo fixture

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

    McCarthy > Ederson. Yay or nay

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

      For free yeah!

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

    DDG
    Cancelo - Stones - Coufal
    Rashford - KDB - Bruno - Son
    Bamford - Wilson - Kane

    subs: Forster - ASR - Holding - Mitchell

    Is it worth to do Kane and Son -> Antonio and Salah for free??

    Thanks

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

      I just did it for a hit so yeah go for it 🙂

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

    Moves finally made. G2G?

    Martinez
    TAA Justin Coufal
    Salah Bruno KDB Foden Barnes
    Vardy Bamford

    (Steer, Dallas Davis Mitchell)

  9. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    0.1m off the perfect move - so annoying!

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

    Where is the Dead Zone?!!

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

    Who to start?
    A) BamBam
    B) Holding
    C) Dier
    D) ESR
    E) BB

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

      A

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

      Dier > Justin then BB

  12. Deulo10
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kane, DCL, Bissouma, Taylor --> Antonio, Brewster, KDB, Stones for -12?

    Yay or Nay?

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

      I'm just visually matching them with the star next to my favourite for DGW
      Kane - KDB*
      DCL - Antonio*
      Bissouma*- Brewster (splitting hairs)
      Taylor- Stones*

      Yeah that looks good to me Deulo

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

      yes

  13. ZLNR
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Kane-> Vardy (-4)
    B) Bamford-> Antonio (-4)
    C) hold

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

      Ç

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

    That’s one costly defence! Hehe, looks good tho best of luck!

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

      Eurghh reply fail to Milanista, soz man

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

        Thanks man, will downgrade that as soon as I’m done with this BB thing 😀

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

          Haha all good man, best of luck! 🙂

  15. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    No point in doing Son to Salah now is there? Just wait for late news maybe? Sons drop doesn’t effect me.

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

      If it doesn't affect, it's better to wait

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

      Price drop about now so wait closer to deadline

  16. klopp2567
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Please help...Should I BB yay or Nay?

    Johnstone Aerola
    Stones Dallas Castagne Coufal Kwp
    Kdb(c) Soucek Bruno Salah Lookman
    Vardy Bamford Decordava

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

      Yay!

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

    If Alioski is not certain to start, is it worth going for Targett for a hit?

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

    Just lost Robo as part of a -12. Enjoy his haul owners 😉 and Brighton winning 3-0 hehe

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

      Wow, what were your transfers?

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

      Was close to it with TAA. Held in the end.

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

      Robo, McCarthy, Lowton, Adams to Dias, Martinez, Stones, Antonio. Bored of playing safe

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Honestly that looks great!

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

        Those are very good transfers I’d say. All the best 😀

      3. Deulo10
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Looks good. Good luck!

    4. MMN
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Just did exactly the same.

      McCarthy, Robbo, Zaha, Kane > Martinez, Coufal, Bruno, Vardy ...

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

      Cheers all

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

    Anyone beat my bench for Bb??

    Martinez, Fernandes, Dias, Stones

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

      Martinez, Bruno, Salah, KDB

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

        Who tf is your captain

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

          Brewster

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

        That's the way to do it 😆

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

      Pure wankery

  20. FPL FAN
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Guys, did i miss the price change deadline?

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

      1 minute

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

        😀

    2. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      1 minute quick

    3. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You're about to

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

      Thx!! Did Son to Rashford, last minute!!

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

    Who to bench out of this lot:

    A) Justin (SOU, CHE)
    B) R James (ful, lei)
    C) Son (shu)
    D) Bamford (BHA)

  22. Ten Season Wonder
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    -8 worth this below

    Son, Kane & Rodrigo >> Mane, Vardy & Antonio

    Yay or nay

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

      Yes

      1. Ten Season Wonder
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Good coz i did it 🙂

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

    Kane-less for the first time this season. Just know he's gonna get his hattrick vs Sheffield. Let's hope Son gets some points as well.

    1. Ten Season Wonder
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same. i've literally just ditched both my spurs lads 5 minutes ago who I've owned since GW1...

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

    GTG? -4 taken (DCL & Lowton to Antonio & Cresswell):

    McCarthy*
    Cancelo | Stones | Cresswell
    KdB (C) | Bruno | Grealish | Soucek | Son*
    Antonio | Kane*

    Steer | Bamford | Dallas | Mitchell

    0.3ITB

    Late decision to be made to TC or not.

    Thanks

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Looks great Kap good luck to you

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

        Cheers mate, how you looking this week?

  25. KrisMCFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench of :

    Meslier, holding, raphina, Adams

    Good to bench boost? Slim Chance of Leeds Southampton being back on as a bonus

  26. Crouch Potato
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who would to TC, KDB or Salah?

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

      Probably Salah if I had him

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

      Now Kdb.

    3. Deulo10
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Think KDB's minutes will be managed, so currently leaning towards Salah

  27. The Alli Way
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    worth McCarthy to someone like Mendy or DDG for a -4 BB?

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

      Only if you plan to have them long term.

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

      Yes

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

      Considered changing 4.0 > Areola/Johnstone instead? Rotates decently and DGW ahead for McCarthy

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

    Any chance Forster plays?

  29. Footieboot
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start Dier or Smith Rowe?

  30. Ragabolly
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Risers: Antonio (6.3) Meslier (4.7)

    Fallers: Son (9.7) Zaha (7.3) Greenwood (7.0) Özil (6.7) Pierrick (4.3)

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

      Thanks

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

      Cheers!

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

      Kane is a survivor!!

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

      Less carnage than expected.

      Cheers Raga!

    5. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks! Glad Mitchell didn't go up, can still get him super cheap now!

    6. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cheers Raga

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

      Lame. Was hoping for 4 risers. FPLStats is having a mare

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

        Same

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

        Maybe it's FH/WC that is killing it's predictions

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

      people ditching Son vs Sheff Utd lol i might come here during the game with the popcorn

      Son up against Chris Basham 😀

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

        As someone who has tried to go without Son since Spurs’ initial “hard” fixtures - which has massively backfired - I’m glad to see others are ditching him so it doesn’t hurt me quite so bad when he scores every week!

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

      Son to punish the sellers and do a Southampton away jobby!

      Cheers Ragbolly!

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

        *Ragabolly

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

      Lol rushed in Cresswell who was showing +109% and would've been too late

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

      Strange as for example fplstats predicted { KdB Vardy Cresswell Stones Mitchell Struijk } to go up but... only Antonio (119.9) and Meslier (94.3) went up.

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

        Almost panicked me into doing Stones in for -4 but thankfully can now wait until next week and still afford him in for free.

      2. Party time
          3 years, 2 months ago

          It is rigged & boring. Only losers do this

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

        Aubameyang is only 4.3m now? Didn’t know he was that bad. Cheers

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

          Rather Saka for 1m+ more

        2. Long ago I drew a walrus
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Not sure I'd own him even at 4.3 right now!

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

            Good 3rd sub as he’d be cheaper than Dale Stephens at least

            1. Alisson WondHaaland
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Only 0.1 cheaper than Smith-Rowe 🙁

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

        Thanks

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

          Meslier - that's weird

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

        Have some internet karma Raga

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

        Cheers Ragaboly.

      7. Ragabolly
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers all, have fun and good luck!

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

        Cheers Ragabolly! 🙂

      9. Party time
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Rigged

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

          Loving that sudden Ozil drop.

          It’s as if there are a group of deluded diehard Arsenal FPL fans that have held him this long all season but only now finally accept that their dream of him ever playing for their club again is over.