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

    GTG?

    Martinez
    Coufal - Robertson - Dias - James
    KDB (TC) - Salah - Grealish - Fernandes - Soucek
    Antonio

    (Peacock-Farrell) (Bamford) (Dallas) (Brewster)

    0 FT - 1.3 ITB

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

      Good to go.

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

      No BB I assume?

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

        My bad just seen TC on Kev

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

    Why the hell did I buy Watkins and Kane and got rid of Kane and JWP? Dear Jesus what have I done?

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

      Watkins and KDB

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

        The moves are fine my dude. Take a breath. Any transfer can backfire but those moves are reasonable

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

        why what is wrong with Watkins and KDB they are on a DGW?

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

      letting the day go by
      the water flowing under

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

    Would you BB with a bench of McCarthy, Bamford, Dallas, Brewster? (if Leeds FA cup game does get postponed, then it's obviously a yes)

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

      No for me.

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

      No Brewster not a starter and McCarthy possibly out?

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

        This

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

    -12 done, BB active. Will either be in tears or buzzing at 5pm tomorrow.

    McCarthy Martinez
    Dias Dallas Coufal Justin Stones
    Son Bruno Salah Soucek Raph
    Vardy Antonio Bamford

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

      McCarthy to Johnstone whoops

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

      Good luck cos that is good looking

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

    Bottomed ...

    ench of :

    Meslier, holding, raphina, Adams

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

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

      Yeah. Just get it out of the way. Worst chip by far imo

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

        Agreed mate, Means We can liquidate the bench a bit more going forward and not worry about having a full playing bench

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

    Hits taken. G2g?

    Johnstone
    Chilwell Robbo Stones Coufal
    KDB (vc) Bruno Salah (c) Bowen
    Antonio Watkins

    Bench boost: Mccarthy Bamford Alioski Bissouma

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

      Good

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

      Gtg gl mate

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

        Cheers, you too!

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

    Would you start Coufal or Bamford?

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

      Coufal

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

      B

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

      Coufal

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

      I have the same problem, going with Coufal.

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

      Coufal for sure.

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

        Was leaning towards Coufal too tbf. Cheers all

    6. max99
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If bamfords 2nd game back on, youd be burned

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

    Pope
    Robertson/Dias/Cancelo/Coufal/Justin
    Fernandes (c)/Salah(vc)/Soucek/El Ghazi
    Watkins

    BB: McCarthy/Kane/Bamford/Anguissa

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

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

      Gtg

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

      A. Well that's what I've done anyway.

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

      I would go for A or C depending on how much of a risk you are willing to take. Not B.

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

      I wouldn't do B. Leaning towards A

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

      C

    6. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

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

      Cheers all

  9. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Worth doing
    Trent Podence out to KDB/Sterling 4.5 defender

  10. 420king
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    FH this team?

    Martinez
    Dier Stones AWB (Dallas)
    KDB Bruno Son Grealish
    Kane Bamford Martial
    1FT 0.5m ITB

    Only way for me to get Salah without -8 is if I go with Watkins over Antonio or sell both Son and Kane and neither appeals to me.

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

    Had exact funds and went for -12... I have never done such a thing, so hope I won't regret it...

    Taylor, Bissouma, Son, Adams > Stones, Soucek, KdB, Antonio [BB Active]

    Own Dias & Stones -- wish I had Cancelo tbf as he's extremely good, so I'm super scared to go without him from now on.

    Good luck y'all!

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

      Great moves. Will pay out. I am also bench boosting. Just did kane Son > KDB Antonio... Have 3.8 itb. You think Dallas Raphinha > Chilwell Grealish -8 could workshop out?

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

        Nah. I’d keep both Leeds players.

        They’ll have a DGW with Saints soon. Also, Grealish is on 4x YCs.

  12. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    DCL > Watkins for a -4?

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

      Wouldn't fancy bringing in a Villa player. We don't even know who is available

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

      got Watkins too just to get the funds for KDB.
      I think Watkins is an ok choice and he's always on fire against big teams.

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

        He'll clearly score more than DCL this week

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

      Not thinking Antonio instead?

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

        Already have Antonio

    4. 420king
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would, but depends on who you'd play instead.

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

        Other strikers are Bamford and Antonio. Was thinking of using the BB

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

          same week a*s front three like me
          good luck

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

    BB:
    A. Holding Dallas
    B. Zouma/Justin Dallas (-4)
    C. Holding Chilwell (-4)

    1. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

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

      B

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

      C

  14. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I will leave it as it is for now and in gonna decide whether to BB, TC or play no chips tomorrow morning...

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

      Don't forget the deadline 😛

      1. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I hate alarms on Saturdays so I hope I will wake up at least 1 hour before the deadline

  15. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Saints vs leeds no more chance to come back for gw19 right

  16. Viper
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Dallas -> Cancelo (-4)? (Bench boosting)

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

      Yeah

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

      Yes

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

      Yes

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

      No. Cancelo will only play 1 of the 2 games

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

        Long term tho it would be okay. Just not this gameweek

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

        Will Stones play 2 games this GW?

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

          I would think so yes with Laporte & Ake still injured

  17. farqy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My final predicament for this week... Reguillion to Stones for a -4pts?

    Wouldn't typically take a hit on a defender, but not all weeks are double gameweeks.

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

      He might not play both games still right but longer term you're going to want city Def so I'd go for it

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

    Thoughts on Kane & Son > Wilson & Salah possibly TC Salah

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

      Looks good. I'm tempted to keep one spurs but two DGWs that should be 8 points already

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

    Will getting rid of Son & Robbo for KDB and a 5.2 defo (-4) be worth it?
    Honestly not sure. Got Kane too.....

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

      Follow the herd. Kane, Son to KdB, Antonio?

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

        Tempting. Dreading a Spurs away masterclass tho...not sure SHU will cope with them....

  20. Somar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi all. Apologies if this is repetitive but does anyone have any news on Bamford covid rumours?

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

      First time I have heard any such thing is right now.

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

        I heard it on twitter on Alioski possible benching post

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

      legit?

  21. ooooo
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Grealish + DCL to Soucek + Vardy(-4)?

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

      Yeah it's worth it but I'd prefer not to be losing a DGWer even for a different one

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

      Yes

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

      DCL > Wilson would be better if you don’t have already

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

      Yes

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

      With Walker back, would you still go for Cancelo or play it safe with Dias/Stones?

  22. emyoueffsee
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Rashford and Vardy out for KDB and Antonio for a -4. Yes or no?

    1. RWB_1991
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No

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

      No.

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

      No

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

      I need KDB in and will have to be for a hit.

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

      People want Vardy in not out

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

        I know. I'm really in a ppickle and I have 2 defenders that Vardy faces in a dbl gw. My thinking is Southampton haven't conceded many lately and Chelsea could be tight game too.

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

          Also it's a break even move on fffix and I bank 1.6m.

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

      Nah

  23. FantasyHero
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any moves needed on a FH ?

    Ederson
    Zouma stones ogbonna coufal robbo
    Salah sterling Bruno
    Vardy antonio

    Ederson zouma ogbonna -> fab chilly coufal ?

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

      Yes, do the latter moves

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

        Thanks. My concern is fab being a doubt and what if cancelo finally gets a rest
        Sigh
        I could probably bring chilly with ederson & ogbonna

  24. noahzark22
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Johnstone (2)
    Coufal (2) Robertson (2) Justin (2)
    Soucek (2) Fernandes (2) Salah (2) Son (1)
    Kane (1) Bamford (1) Wood (2)

    Lloris (1) Nakamba (0) Douglas (0) Walker-Peters (1)

    I went slightly different strategy. I WC in GW17 for a strong 11 then FH in 18.
    I can not do BB and transfer out a single game player to a double game player and not take a hit.

    Or I can take a -8 and do something like Fernandes or Son, Nakamba, Douglas out and bring in Foden, Barnes, and Cancelo and do BB this week.

    Thoughts?

  25. CAP
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    YAY or NAY for BB with these:

    4.0, Dallas, Adams, KWP

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

      Nope

    2. leeboy104
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      My bench is identical and I'm holding off, unless someone can make a very strong argument for it.

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

    Morning all. Worth -8 to do Adams > Antonio? Means I probably will bench Bam.

    Johnstone
    Justin - Stones - Coufal - Dias
    Salah - Son - Bruno - Soucek
    Kane - Bamford

    McCarthy - Raphinha - Adams - Alioski.

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

      I’m in the same boat, deciding whether to transfer out Adam’s for -8, but can’t go to Antonio as have 3 West Ham already. Would be 6.3m or less so only viable option is Watkins but don’t want to risk villa players atm

  27. Areyouthereyet
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Leno Martinez
    Mitchell Dallas Stones Dias Coufal
    KDB Salah Fernades Son Soucek
    Antonio Bamford Watkins

    BB or TC (Salah)?

  28. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    GTG ?
    Martinez (Forster)
    James, Robbo Stones Coufal
    Salah (TC) Bruno Son Soucek
    Vardy Antonio
    (Bamford Dallas Bissouma)

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

      GTG

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

      Would have sexual relations with that team

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

    If I'm chasing in MLs, is it worth punting on Sterling over KDB for the next few weeks? Would prob captain this week too...

    1. noahzark22
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      yes

    2. max99
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yup