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. nurav11
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A rogue one here, any help greatly welcomed. Bamford, Saka and De-Cordova Reid (2 games). If to leave out one, who would you leave?

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

      Saka

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

      Saka

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

      You have an excuse. It's getting late 🙂

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

        That was supposed to be in reply to the failed reply below and now ive fail replied.

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

      Saka. Could easily be palying LB if Tierney is not back.

    5. nurav11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Much appreciated, that's where I leaned especially with the tierney thing but seems so strange to place faith in de-cordova reid haha

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

    Saka

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

    Raphina to Soucek for a hit?

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

      For a hit, no!

    2. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah

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

      Nope

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

      not for a hit

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

      no

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

      yes

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

      No

  4. Hits from the Bong
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Should I stick with this on -4? Seems a bit stingy for a double gameweek. Tempted to bench boost, but got zero in the bank and a non playing keeper..

    Martinez
    TAA Stones Coufal
    Salah Bruno Son Grealish Soucek
    Kane Antonio

    Steer Wilson Dallas Taylor

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

      Don't bench boost

    2. gart888
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You can't BB that... Taylor is doubtful and has bad fixtures, Steer isn't playing.

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

      I'd stick. Taylor will probably only play the Liverpool game, I'd expect 4 points max from Wilson so I wouldn't BB either.

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

      Stick and no bb I think. There will be opportunities later and starting 11 looks good

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

      I would bb with that team

    6. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Okay thanks that’s made my mind up. Would have required a -12 to sort the bench out

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

    1. What is the appeal of Coufal? Last 10 games: 1 assist, 3 clean sheets. I mean not terrible for the price, but?
    2. Anyone else going with Vardy (c)? I chose him over Salah

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

      Cheap way into West Ham defense with some attacking potential.

      Vardy's minutes might be managed. But, he could easily haul. Not a bad pick.

    2. gart888
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      1. He's a cheap and reliable way into the West Ham defense that is about to play Burnley and West Brom at home. He could well be worth 12 points this week just for showing up. What's not to like?

    3. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The eye-test innit? He’s like an extra winger towards the end of many games and has a great delivery too

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

        Reckon he starts both?

        1. Hits from the Bong
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah hope so

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

      coufal meh, I'd go for dawson for goal threat
      vardy's minutes managed

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

        hmm dawson. Was also thinking Targett

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

          not a fan of target. but cheap way into good defence

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

      thanks all

      1. southernrocker1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I have Vardy. Don't hsve the cajones for captain but could be a great shout. Not many people seem to have him in their drafts either. I think he'll be fine for minutes.

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

      1. When I imagine him, I see a small jackpot, and this week, the chance is double!

      2. I might go with Madison C and Salah or Vardy V

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

      He's created far more chances than Cresswell.

  6. barcaa7
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best City Defender for DGW?
    a-Dias
    b-Cancelo
    c-Stones

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

      Cancelo, wish I had him (I have Stones)

      1. gart888
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I just brought in Stones instead. They seem to have fewer CB options right now, and he's cheaper. It's a toss up for me.

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

      b>a>c but all good

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

    Son and Rashford out for KDB(C) and Soucek for a hit?

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

      yes

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

      Naah!

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

        Gaining 4 points on fffix with 2.2m itb. Hate losing Son but he has Liverpool soon and KDB is essential this gw.

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

          Losing Son isn't the wroth thing but I wouldn't lose Rashford. No other option?

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

        -4 worth it for coverage and less headache on captaincy

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

      Yesss

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

    Which player should i get rid of for Coufal

    Dallas or KWP?

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

      kwp

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

      KWP

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

      Kwp

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

      KWP or neither

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

    McCarthy >

    a) Mendy
    b) De Gea
    c) Johnstone
    d) Areloa
    e) keep no -4

    already have Martinez

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

      E

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

      Keep

    3. gart888
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Keep.

      Assuming you're bench boosting this week?

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

        yeh BB

    4. mgilbert86
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      D

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

      E. Not enough upside in either case. Maybe if Fabianski was sure to start both games, he could've been worth it.

  10. mgilbert86
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bech justin , coufal or bamford?

    1. mgilbert86
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      *Bench

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

      Bamford

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

      Bamford reluctantly.

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

      has to be the SGW player

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

      justin

  11. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which move has the more upside?

    A. Kane > Vardy
    B. Raphinha > Soucek
    C. Do both for a -4

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Coufal Konsa
    Salah KDB Bruno Raphinha*
    Kane* Bamford*
    Meslier Adams Anguissa Taylor

    1 FT 0.1 ITB.

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

      A

  12. Sloane426
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Salah triple captain anyone?

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

      Nah, not even regular captain. His form is questionable

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

    A) Son
    B) Rashford (-4)

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

      A

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

      A

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

    So if Grealish, Targett, Bruno, Maguire or Shaw pick up a YC in the first game, they’ll miss the second of the DGW?

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

      And McGinn

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

      Yeah

  15. Gabbiadini
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I have a defence of Cancelo, Stones, Dallas, Coufal and Lowton for the DGW.
    Whom of the last three names above do I trade back down to Mitchell?

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

      Lowton

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

        cheers.
        Villa, Chelsea, City is a tough run, opens up a bit after that.

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

    Bench boosting. Want atleast 100 lol. Expecting around 60. GL all. Bench of Martinez, Bamford, Raph and Dallas

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

      If Leicester go crazy like they did against WBA/Newcastle, you could reach your 100 mark

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

      All on leeds. What a shame their dgw was wrecked or id have joined u. have same 3 plus kwp and mccarthy

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

        Yup. Not ideal but owell

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

        I had 3 plus adams and McCarthy but took hits

  17. PrestigeWorldwidewidewide..…
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    G2G? KDB (TC)?

    Martinez
    Dias / Stones / Zouma / Coufal
    Salah / KDB / Bruno / Son
    Antonio / Bamford

    Steer / Brewster / Mitchell / Podence

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

      Looks good

      I wouldn't TC. But it's not a bad option.

      1. PrestigeWorldwidewidewide..…
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thx, leaning towards saving TC

  18. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez
    Stones, Chilwell, Coufal
    Salah, KDB, Bruno, Grealish, Soucek
    Antonio, ------

    Start...
    1) Bamford
    2) Wilson

    Can't say I have a lot of faith in Wilson, even with the double.

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

      Play the odds I would say. Go for Wilson

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Most sensible. But, with my luck, he'll blow an ACL in five minutes in game 1.

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

    Would U BB those for -8
    A- Johnstone Bamford Dallas ESR
    Or
    B- TC Salah.

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

      BB not worth it. TC out of these two

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

    Stinks of TC KDB

    BB in GW 26

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

      Yep but I'm terrified to TC a Pep player in a DGW. It never ends well.

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

    If money is not the problem, which two defenders should I choose from ManCity?

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

      Cancelo and Dias.

  22. 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

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

      C if youre ok playing pep roulette or b for sensible

  23. Congressman
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play Bamford, or take a 4 point hit to bring in Stones?

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

      Play Bamford IMO

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

      Play Bam

  24. Lucas8406
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play Targett (two fixtures) or Bamford (one)

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

      Targett could only get one game if he gets a fifth YC

  25. Ruudy Van
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bought in Martinez for -4 and had a moment of panic that he could be on the COVID list!

  26. TheCurseOfRaheem
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Can't believe we're only at the halfway point now. The season has felt so long with the drawn-out GWs.

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

      Indeed. This being my worst season is not helping either.

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

      Having a decent season rank wise, but it's the least fun I've had playing FPL.
      Much rather games were confined to weekends. There's too many consecutive games, feels non-stop.

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

    Dallas->Konsa for a hit?

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

      No imo. Dallas could get a CS and attacking returns.

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

        Konsa will get nothing at City so you're banking on him in one game like Dallas has anyway IMO.

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

      Not enough upside there with Konsa for me.

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

      cheers

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

    Cancelo (c) is the one

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

      you know that's not a bad idea

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

    I want to bring in Foden, but worth the roulette? Likely to play both games?

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

      Can't see 180mins but will play both. A good shout.

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

      Never put it past pep to bench a guy in form just to rotate

  30. Purefection
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    McMcarthy
    Diaz Robbo Cresswell (Mitchell Dunne)

    Salah Bruno Son Foden Saka

    Vardy Bamford Adams

    Thinking of doing:

    Dunne and Adams to Brewster and Stones. Double up on City defence. Should I or shouldn’t I? Cheers

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

      Forgot to add, would be for a -8 hit as I already got in Foden for Podence