Pro Pundits - Az

Is it time to take captaincy punts as FPL premium assets continue to blank?

I’m writing this article in quite a good mood.

Despite having Tomas Soucek (£5.3m) on my bench and not taking a hit for the mighty Ilkay Gündogan (£5.7m) as I planned, the second half of the season has started pretty well for me.

João Cancelo (£5.9m) has finally delivered on all of his promise and Raphinha (£5.4m), who I’ve had for what seems a decade, got me a nice double-digit return.

I’m really hoping a decent Gameweek 20 can be the catalyst in my average season and I can start getting some decisions right. The last few seasons have seen me struggle until around this point and then I’ve managed to turn it around – so here’s hoping I can pull that off again this year.

I’ve got a plan going forward, so here it is:

Operation Target Everton and Manchester City players

Sky Fantasy Football: Sticks and Stones? Who to bring in before the Overhaul? 2

You don’t need to be an “expert” (and I’m certainly not) to know that a) Man City are pretty good and b) we should probably get in some of into our teams.

The question is, who do we go for?

Going with two defenders from the same team normally fills me with fear, but I don’t have any concerns when it comes to City. Going three at the back is also an option, where rotation looks less likely with the likes of John Stones (£5.1m), Ruben Dias (£5.9m) and of course Cancelo all looking strong.

Ederson (£6.0m) is the most nailed on player in the whole team – but getting in an expensive goalkeeper and missing out on defenders with an attacking threat, or limiting yourself to not being able to move for a midfielder, does not seem sensible to me.

For me though, I think it’s now time invest in a Man City midfielder and, Kevin De Bruyne’s (£11.9) has paved the way for quite a few options to come into the reckoning.

Mark and I talked extensively about Gündogan on FPL BlackBox and it was nice to see those who took a punt on him rewarded straight away.

Cancelo finally delivers big haul as Gündogan shines in KDB's absence 18

His stats are brilliant this season and any fears of him playing too “deep” were allayed with a fantastic performance against West Brom. He’s my pick of the lot. As my fellow Top Gun Luke said to me, if Gündogan was valued at £11m, people wouldn’t have hesitated to get him in and would probably have captained him against West Brom. I think he’s right, the German being such a cheap price, leaving people with lots of money in the bank and no idea what to do with it, probably puts people off.

Gündogan’s form doesn’t mean that players such as Raheem Sterling (£11.5m), Bernardo Silva (£7.4m) and Phil Foden (£6.3m) should be completely off people’s radar though. In fact, this might be the time to grab two midfielders, rather than two defenders. This would make the most of what promises to be a rather incredible run of games for City, likely involving lots of Double Gameweeks – and the likes of Sheffield United (home) and Burnley (away) who you would expect them to steamroll.

Everton

Returning Digne can help Everton's attacking assets return to form in Gameweek 20

So, along with my three City players (most probably Stones, Cancelo and Gündogan), I’m also looking at Everton who have literally just scored a goal against Leicester as I write this (it must be a sign).

They currently have two games in hand, have a couple of good fixtures to come against Newcastle (home) and Leeds (away) and crucially, they’ve got their players back. Losing the likes of James Rodriguez (£7.7m) and Lucas Digne (£6.0) is enough to unsettle any side – but these two are back and looking class when I see them play.

I’m hoping that this means extra service for Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.7m) and he can get back to his early-season form. Digne is playing on the left of midfield tonight. I’m going to find it very hard to resist him, knowing his quality and with the upcoming fixtures and this new potential out-of-position classification.

I think I’ll be getting both Digne and Calvert-Lewin in my team this week.

Time to take some captain punts

Calvert-Lewin offsets longest goalless streak with another Fantasy assist

It was a really interesting chat with Mark on BlackBox about how myself and most people I know are much more likely to take a punt on transferring in a player rather than rolling the dice with a captain option.

There’s an element of fear when it comes to captaincy, but this season should be teaching us to perhaps think outside of our normal realm. The likes of Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) and even the ever-reliable Bruno Fernandes (£11.4m) have all let us down on occasion and with the likes of West Ham, Leicester, Everton and Aston Villa surpassing our expectations, I believe it is time for us to start widening the net.

The likes of Cancelo and Gündogan were overlooked this week as people (myself included) flocked to Bruno Fernandes, who became the most captained player ever in a Gameweek (and the full-time whistle has just gone, he’s blanked at home to Sheffield United!!!). The logic of Fernandes was completely sound of course, but there is huge potential to get ahead if you can get the captaincy call right.

The captaincy allows us to roll the dice for one week and if we want to elevate our seasons to the next level, getting on the right end of some of these calls could be a great way to rise up the ranks.

It’ll be a fortnight until my next article, so I’m planning on mixing things up a bit and captaining my City and Everton players, who at this point, are likely to be flying a bit under the radar when it comes to captaincy and will hopefully mean I can maximise their potential in the games ahead. One of Gündogan or Calvert-Lewin (or maybe even Digne if I’m feeling particularly brave) is likely to be my captain in three of the next four Gameweeks.

I’d feel really good about captaining a Leicester player this week against Leeds too. Either Harvey Barnes (£6.8m) or my favourite player, James Maddison (£7.2m). I think I’d swing for Barnes in this one though as I expect Phillips to do a good job on Madders, with Barnes causing havoc down the wings. I think I need to prioritise getting Gündogan in this week, but if I had a transfer spare, it would likely be captain Barnes for me.

The biggest test for my new brave outlook on captains will be the Spurs vs West Brom game in Gameweek 23. With the Baggies conceding goals for fun it will be hard to back against Son Heung-min (£9.7m) or Harry Kane (£11.3m).

Can Chelsea can get their act together so we can consider one of their players versus Sheffield United? Or maybe Bamford can find his shooting boots again before they entertain a pretty woeful Crystal Palace side. Man City also play at Anfield in what could be a title-deciding match – we’ve seen goals in this fixture before, so depending on the Liverpool’s centre back status, the likes of Gündogan may still be a shrewd move.

Az <p>One half of the FPL BlackBox YouTube series with Mark Sutherns.</p><p>Former Membership Strategy Manager for FFS&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

2,504 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Took a -8 for that past GW due to injuries to Vardy and KDB.

    Got in Son and Kane, sold TAA and benched Soucek as a result.

    What a mess 😀

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You aren't alone mate. I sold Trent and benched Soucek too.

      1. DannyDrinkVodka
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Me too

    2. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Feel ya pain mate, I did Vardy to Kane after doing KDB to Gundo which means I put Soucek first sub too, I need to listen to Take That more and have a little ‘Patience’ haha

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Well you are the tinker man.

    4. Nedvěd11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Sold Brewster last minute for DCL for -4 to play 3-4-3 instead of 3-5-2 with Soucek..

      74 points thou, but still

  2. Ohh1454
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What to do ? 5.1itb had been planning to do Wilson> Kane.
    Martinez
    Dias Dier Coufal
    Grealish Mads Salah Son Bruno
    Wilson Antonio

    1. slove
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Wilson to DCL?

    2. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Easy Wlson to DCL move there.

      1. Ohh1454
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Worth a hit to do dier > cancelo ?

  3. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Harry Kane has taken knocks on both of his ankles.... expected to be out for a few weeks.

    https://twitter.com/BenDinnery/status/1354915482424516608?s=19

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Well.. There goes my Bamford to Kane plans.

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ben is 100% guessing.

      1. Avery
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        It’s on the interview right now confirmed

      2. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Confirmed by Mourinho interview

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

          Like when he said about Son 😉

          1. Casual Player
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Well Son had a week to go from a few weeks to a 100% fit, let’s see what Kane can do in a couple of days 😉

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

              True, fearing the worst 🙁

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

      DCL then

  4. Steirish
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    If kane is out is it worth giving werner a second chance now he has a new manager?

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No.

      I’ve just sold him

    3. Sarri-ball
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Also tempted

    4. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'd be tempted had he not been benched already

  5. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    If the cup match is tied it goes on goals scored we both only have one goal each so it moves to goal conceded in the round if he has 3 spurs players does that count as 9 goals conceded or just 3?

    Cheers

    1. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Virtual coin toss.

    2. Robman
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      counts as 9 goals - its the total goals conceded by the playing 11.

      1. Oggle22
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Gutted he has 17 to my 18 goals conceded!

  6. Orion
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    FFS Match Data still has Mane for 3 baps and TAA on 2...

  7. Forza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    4 goals in the game and Salah, Kane Son & Robbo average 1.75 points each... lol

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Fantastic news!

  8. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Robertson Stones Cancelo Coufal
    Salah Fernandes Gundogan Soucek Raphinha
    Bamford

    Forster Vardy Brewster Ferguson

    1 FT, 6.5 itb

    1. Raphinha / Soucek >> Son
    2. Vardy >> DCL
    3. Other ?

    Thanks

  9. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    At least i'll profit from owning Kane for 1 GW

  10. DangerFC
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who is the best Kane replacement?jose just said he is injured in both ankles....

    1. Avery
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Both swollen, both very painful sounds like a few weeks out at least

      1. DangerFC
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah agreed sounds like 2 weeks at least. With his history of ankle injuries aswell. Who to replace him with? There is a lack of marquee forwards at the moment

        1. Avery
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Depends on who you have already buddy

  11. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    KDB, Vardy and now Kane.

    Not to mention over 12m invested in Salah

    Goodness me.

  12. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    This is the article I needed. My captains keep on blanking and starting to think I roll the dice on someone other than the premiums.

  13. ExpressoMySonny
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cancelo, Watkins and DCL for Kane KWP and Brewster for a -4?

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Kane injured, wait and see.

      1. ExpressoMySonny
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Sorry it was the other way round

  14. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Well, there goes the Wilson > Kane plan.

    https://twitter.com/BenDinnery/status/1354915482424516608

  15. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Delighted to see us with some mojo back and to put paid to everyone expecting Spurs would win this comfortably (yes I know they missed Kane but they were still poor - no fight)

    From a fantasy perspective, managed to get through in the cup but ended with a poor 44pts and a c. 15k rank drop.

    Kane likely out/ not fully fit puts a real spanner in the works for my plans. For those who were planning on bringing him in tonight - are you just going to go for DCL and sit on the extra cash?

    Robbo - still think he needs to go (if I no longer need the funds)? He had similar positioning and number of touches/ runs to Trent but the opportunities fell to Trent today

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Keep robbo. I’m looking at DCL as well instead of getting Kane...not sure what to do with the extra cash tho!

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks mate

        So it looks like I’ll do:

        Vardy, Raphinha > DCL, Gundo (2 FT)

        I’ll then have 2.1itb!

        Could move Dallas > Digne or something but doesn’t feel worth a hit!

    2. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Was gonna do Wilson to Kane and already have 3 spurs (with Martin), so can't get Antonio.

      Stuck on DCL Wilson Bamford.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Could you downgrade Wilson instead and spread the cash to mids or def?

    3. Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would definitely keep Robbo. Theres absolutely no need to take out 7m from the defence when big hitters are failing/injured and the similar priced options in midfield arent exactly amaizng

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeh looks right

        I could do something unnecessary like upgrade Stones to Cancelo. But clearly not worth a -4!

  16. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Kane to DCL would leave me 8.8 in the bank!!! Haha

    1. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      11 for me 😀

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Haha brilliant!!Might do Kane to Brewster and invest more in a back up keeper!!! Haha

    2. DangerFC
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Mate I'm in the same boat. Not many marquee forwards available now

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not many for either mate!! Haha, this season is just so unique!!!

    3. JammySprat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Had 7.5m in the bank this week and scored 96 so don't be scared

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yesssss!!! Immense mate!!! 76 here with 5.2 in the bank and Areola on bench and Soucek first sub this week too!! Could have been sooo much better!! -4 Vardy to Kane and bench Soucek backfired quite dramatically!!!

        1. JammySprat
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Ahh man that's very unlucky with Kane injury. I did KDB > Gundo (C) and Balbuena to Cancelo 😀

          Going to bench Soucek this week against liverpool which is scary lol

          1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Aw very nice mate!!! I did KDB to Gundo but unfortunately VC!!! Had Cancelo already!! Dias and Dawson and Saka chipping in nicely too!!! I’m currently starting Soucek and Saka but the initial plan was to move one of them to Son but I cannot decide which one to lose!!!

  17. TRIPOS TOPPER
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Before the game tonight was sitting smug

    two teams above me in ML - both missing Son and Salah....
    to have two goals wiped by VAR was a real kick in the teeth

    the on top of that one of them had Regulion....with Souk on the bench....

    🙁

  18. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Chilwell to Digne

    Or

    B) Soucek to Barnes?

    C) neither

    1. Aster
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A if you have FT.

      C if you do not.

    2. Raybigblue
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

    3. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ta both you

  19. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    DCL or Antonio in?

    1. Aster
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Antonio.

  20. n-doggg
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Need to get out vardy and have a minor reshuffle. In terms of stocking up on future DGW assets are we looking at, city, spurs and Everton as good bets?

  21. Heisenberg W. W.
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is DCL likely to rise before deadline?

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Who cares, everyone has cash to burn now

    2. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      no, he's still locked

  22. Raybigblue
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Quick question please

    A Raphina to Harvey Barnes or
    B Bamford to DCL

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

      1. Raybigblue
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

    2. Aster
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    3. Nedvěd11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

  23. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Mourinho doing his classic, like Son vs Newcastle.

    Kane starts weekend and hauls lol

    1. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      you mean Son vs Man U?

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

        Yeah, it was the Newcastle game where he went off at halftime

  24. George James
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you wildcard this lot? 1FT 6.3ITB

    Martinez
    Coufal / Cancelo / Stones / Robertson
    Salah / Bruno / Gundogan / Bissouma
    Kane / Wilson

    Steer James / Burke / Brewster

    1. Aster
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No way.

    2. Raybigblue
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Kane to DCL
      bissouma to Mane ? budget

      1. George James
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah can afford that no problem. Mane and Salah vs a tough West Ham could be gold

  25. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    GTG?

    Martinez
    Dias - Dier - Mitchell
    Sterling - Bruno - Son - Grealish - Foden
    DCL - Bamford

    Button - Wilson - KWP - Holding

    2.5m in the bank.

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Where’s martial?

  26. UpAndAway
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone with some historical numbers for Son without Kane?

  27. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best mid up to 9m from this week onwards?

    A - Grealish
    B - Maddison
    C - Havertz for the banter!

    1. Aster
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      A

    3. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Grealish easily

    4. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      cheers boys

  28. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    It's really annoying having brought in the likes of Taylor, Vardy, KDB & now Kane in the last few weeks.

    Goalposts keep moving.

    1. Blue Moon Rising
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      +1

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      (Kane transfer was really my fault, but it's just compounded. Can't plan anything.)

  29. Blue Moon Rising
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    We are quickly running out of good high value players. Downgrades aplenty and lots of money itb for the next week or two

  30. Eirern
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Why is everyone suddenly so keen on DCL? Just Newcastle?

    1. Londongeezaa
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lack of decent alternatives