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. S3
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who to bench: Wilson/Watkins/Bamford

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

      Wilson

    2. kringe
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Watkins - dont know if he will play or not unless we get covid news before deadline.

      1. dwain100
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Wouldn't it be better to play Watkins then? If he has Covid, then he will be subbed.

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

          Good point. Wilson has 2 games so i would play him.
          Watkins first (if he plays) is against City so i suppose i look at do i think Bamford or Watkins get more over one game. Would probably still bench Watkins my self, but tough decision.

          1. S3
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Problem is Wilson docent look like getting anything against anybody in recent games...Newcastle have been really poor

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

    Play Dallas or Lowton?

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

      Dallas

    2. kringe
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dallas

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

    Any changes to do here?

    Bb chip active

    Meslier, Fabianski
    Robertson, Stones, Justin, Coufal, Alioski
    Salah(c), Bruno, Rashford, Maddison, Soucek
    Firmino, Bamford, Giroud

  4. deshawn7
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez
    Robbo Cresswell Saiss Stones
    Bruno (VC) KDB(C) Son Soucek
    Kane Bamford

    Subs: Areola Lacazette Dallas ESR

    Intending to bench boost. Should I
    A) Keep the FT
    2) - 4 for ESR Laca to El Ghazi and Wilson?

  5. michudagawd
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who to start?

    Dallas (BHA)
    ESR (NEW)

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

      Dallas

  6. mitro
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    C Taylor to Dawson for a hit?

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

      Is Dawson nailed?

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

        Should be, 3 games and 3 cs and a goal

    2. Corona is not good 4 U
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think so.

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

    Is it worth doing Alioski to Dawson for -4

  8. Bojam
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Transfer out Wilson for: (a) Antonio; (b) Watkins; (c) neither?
    Would be for free.

    1. Corona is not good 4 U
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Antonio only recently came back from a long injury. The Covid virus was circulating at Aston Vill. That would be too risky for me.

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

        Yeah, a (big) part of me agrees with this. But Newcastle have been awful recently so the upside of Antonio looks enticing....

    2. kringe
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

  9. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    i want deadline to come quickly
    my head is exploding

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

    Which transfer 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. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

    2. kringe
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

    A) No hits
    B) Bamford -> Antonio (-4)
    C) Something else

    DDG
    CANCELO, COUFAL, TARGETT
    KDB(TC), BRUNO, STERLING, Son
    WILSON, WATKINS, Bamford

    Forster, Bellerin, Martinelli, Mitchell
    Bank 0.6m, 0FT, all chips

    1. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Martinelli to Soucek?

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

        And bench Bamford (BHA)?

        1. Cruyff's Eleven
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yup

    2. TKC07
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bellerin to Dias or Cancelo if you can afford?

      1. Cruyff's Eleven
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Already 3 ManCity

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

      A

  12. itsmeguneet
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mane owners?

    1. Corona is not good 4 U
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No, but Salah and Robertson owner.

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

      Captaining?

  13. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I have Adams? Is it any striker (at a lower price) worth taking a - 4 to get Adams out? Thanks!

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

    Should I bench boost this or hold the BB?

    A) Keep and hold BB
    B) -8 and Bench boost this (I removed Son and Steer for Foden and Mendy).

    Mendy
    Dias Coufal Justin
    Salah KDB Foden Soucek Bruno
    Wood Antonio

    Martinez R James Dallas Bamford

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

    When is the last time Dean Smith had a team update?

  16. The Greenback Boogie
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kane to Vardy or Son to Sterling or take a -8 to do both? I can afford KDB as well but I feel he might be rested for one game.

    1. Wonderful Wizard Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Vardy

  17. Bojam
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How many hits would you take to bring Salah in this week (zero, -4, -8, etc)?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      depends for who

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If you can’t bring him in with 2 transfers then something is wrong

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

        I can but the two out would be Kane & Son. Not sure that's worth it. Don't want to lose KDB or Bruno this week. And Grealish & Kane leaves me short of funds for a decent Kane replacement....

        1. Pukki Blinders
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yes Kane and Son out is worth it

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            not for me

            1. Pukki Blinders
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Enjoy Spurs 1 goal ceilings do you?

              1. Ajax Hamsterdam
                • 9 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                maybe..or maybe not..they re playing the blades..

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

            You think? The Utd game kind of puts me off - probably a cagey low-scoring affair. Kane and/or Son could go off against SHU.

            1. Pukki Blinders
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              When’s the last time SHU got mauled? They rarely concede more than 1 or 2

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

                OK. But if Spurs score twice the likelihood that both Kane and Son are involved in both goals is pretty high = lots of points.

    3. dwain100
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would have to take - 8 and United first game as well as his current form means that I won't do it. I will be hiding behind the coach when he plays tho!

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

        I hear you!

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

      See below. -8

  18. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is this team good to go?

    Johnstone (Mc. Carthy)
    Dias, Stones, Robertson, Coufal (Lowton)
    Salah, Fernandes, Soucek, Foden (Raphinha)
    Kane, Bamford (Adams)

    Thx!

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

      Yep. Lovely.

  19. Wonderful Wizard Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Grealish/Balbuena to Foden/Stones for a hit? Only have 8DGW with Son/Dallas/Bam as my singles. Feel like those players are worth keeping. Not sure if its worth it to transfer Jack out.

    1. dwain100
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Risky as we don't know which Villa players are Covid affected

      1. Wonderful Wizard Hazard
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        True, just decided to go for it. Might want JG back but it's fun to take hits!

    2. kringe
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Do it. Balbeano likely not play 2 games and Grealish IF he plays has one against city and is on 4 yellow cards.

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

    Any of these moves worth a -4??

    A) Kane to Vardy
    B) Lamptey to Coufal (and play him instead of Saka against NEW)

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

      No

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

      B

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

        Oh, didn't see the hit. No.

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      no

    4. WHUFCSmith23
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B, seems reasonable and you need to get rid of Lamptey anyway

  21. PapaWengzz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kane, Son, Neto > Salah (c), Vardy, Soucek (-8)?

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

      Kane and Son out for -8 doesn't sound right

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

      I think Spurs will hose Shu

    3. dwain100
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not a bad move. As stated above, I wouldn't as I would need to transfer KdB or Bruno to accommodate Salah, both of whom have double game weeks as well. You, however are bringing in some potential heavy hitters with double game weeks. My concern was Salahs form but he can explode anytime and I am dreading going into the game week without hin

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

      Cheers

  22. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do you expect anything from Antonio? He was injured for a long time and is only now slowly coming back. So I can't quite understand all the hype. Thanks!

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

      Just a punt, might end with 1pt or some double digit score.

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

      Good Q. I think the fixtures and previous explosive form is attractive. Especially in the absence of other DGW options in that price bracket.

    3. WHUFCSmith23
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He has looked very rusty and plays best when he has some space. Burnley and West Brom won't give him much to work with in open play. Could score from a knock down at a corner but so could anybody.

  23. ItsJonesy
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hey all, can’t decide on this following :

    A) Son + Antonio
    B) Vardy + Foden (-4)

    Son has a great fixture this week but 2 tougher fixtures over the next 4 while Vardy has a better run of games over the next few weeks. I don’t have Kane if that sways it.

    Antonio’s fitness is questionable for 180mins while B does get an extra game but not guaranteed minutes.

    Thoughts appreciated.

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

      A

    2. Corona is not good 4 U
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Antonio is a risk for me and I expect from Foden much (probably de Bruyne will rest one game because he looked tired). So B.

  24. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    i dont get the whole kane to vardy for a hit.
    i have kane and could do kane to vardy for free and I think the spurs striker is a better option for 2 reasons:

    a great fixture
    b save a transfer which could be very useful later on especially for people who used bb like myself, in order to get rid of some of the bench players not needed anymore

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

      Games vs Everton, Leeds, Fulham and Wolves after DGWs are probably making it look attractive.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        that avatar of yours holmes make things such more convincing...

  25. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Which of these would u choose for a -4?
    1. Dallas-> Cancelo. (Bench Bamford this week). 451.
    2. McCarthy -> Martinez. Villa's fixtures after City are great + possibly a few doubles. Can play Bamford this week. Concern about Villa form after COVID.

    McCarthy.
    Robbo, Stones, Coufal.
    Salah (TC), Son, Mane, Fernandes, Soucek.
    Antonio, Bamford.
    Forster, Dallas, Brewster, Ferguson.
    0ft, 1.3m ITB

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

      Save.

    2. kringe
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would leave yout team as it is.

  26. SomeoneKnows
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Should I play Bamford ahead of Grealish given the uncertainty of AVLs team form and the fact that he has 4 yellow cards?

    Martinez
    Cancelo, Stones, Dallas
    KDB (C), Salah, Bruno, Grealish, Soucek
    Kane, Antonio

    (Forster, Bamford, Bednarek, Douglas)

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

      Looks like im going to do that. Dont know who plays from Villa because no covid news. Also no idea of their form.
      Bamfords fixture ok

  27. M.I.A.
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do you think Bissouma for a -4 and benching Bamford is worth it for either:

    A) Soucek
    B) Foden
    C) Play Bamford

  28. blauriecon
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    McCarthy, Bamford, Rapinha, Son, and Kane are single gamers for me. Any transfers worth a -4 hit - 0.4 ITB, 0 FT.

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

      McCarthy to Fabianski possibly?

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

    TC Vardy?

    1. M.I.A.
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      KDB

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      no

    3. dwain100
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No.

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

      Risky but could pay off

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

      TC Salah

    6. PapaWengzz
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kdb and Salah better options

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

      No. I think owning him is enough of a differential

    8. WHUFCSmith23
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Can Vardy play 2 games in quick succession?

  30. LABILLETHEGOAT
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    son > sterling for a hit?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      mmh..have kane ?

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

        yep

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          in view of fixtures i would be tempted to say yes

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

            thanks was thinking same, tough choice guess I just gotta go with my gut

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

      Nah