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. chaser123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on Rudiger as an option?

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

      Rotation risk

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

      Give him two more GWs to see if he is nailed , he’s unlikely to rise in price before then and you can just pick him up after the Spurs game

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

    Tempted by Saka and Kane > Mane and DCL for a hit

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

      Do not touch Saka.

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

        Devil is tempting you there.

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

      Keep Saka, enabler

    3. The VAR Team
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Saka is too good at the moment

  3. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My front 3 scored 1 + 1 + 1

    Still got 60 pts so can't complain.

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

    Surely, surely, Salah will not blank 7x in a row!?
    A. Rashford > Salah
    B. Rashford > Grealish, Wood > DCL
    C. Wood > DCL

    1. The VAR Team
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C

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

    Time to pump some more money into defence?

    My current backline is: Robbo Chilwell Cancelo Stones Coufal

    Coufal -> Trent to complete the 5ATB? Hahahaha

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

      Nah

  6. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Doesn't sound like a serious injury on Kane based on Jose comment...

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

      No - only his two ankles injured. What's the problem.......

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

    Can we trust Everton again?

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

      Yes we can

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

        Make Everton great again.

  8. The VAR Team
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Was planning Wilson > Kane but now it's gotta be either Son or DCL. Salah is the only mid I'm unhappy with at the moment so best to go Wilson > DCL?

    Salah Bruno Grealish Gundo Saka
    Antonio Bam Wilson

  9. The Senate
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    could Kane not have waited until Vardy was fit again to get injured?

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

    Having so few premiums has now given me a benching nightmare potentially.

    Bench of

    Soucek Wilson Bamford

    Nuts.

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

    Looking at Son’s form, and with the potential absence of Kane, it is a cause for concern.

    Trouble I have, I paid 8.9m and reluctant to get rid so easily.

    1. The VAR Team
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You wouldn't get rid ahead of Brighton anyway surely

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

        Probably play him and see how he fares.

        But with so many decent budget alternatives, it’s making it hard to keep playing him.

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

      He often does better without Kane, he'll be Spurs' talisman now

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

    I need cash to make Bamford to DCL.
    Would you

    A Just keep Bamford
    B McCarthy to Forster-4
    C Robertson to Digne -4

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

      C

    2. The VAR Team
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C could be great

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

      C

  13. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    GTG? 🙂

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

    Button - Wilson - KWP - Holding

    2.5m in the bank

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

      Only Foden to Gundogan.

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Not worth a hit. Is he?

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

          In my opinion, he is. He will outscore Foden by more than 4 points and is a great long-term investment.

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

      Would try and get in Chilwell or a Robbo/TAA if the funds allow. More potential for attacking returns.

  14. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Raphina > Raheem? 😯

    McCarthy
    Robbo, Dias, Coufal
    Salah, Bruno, Gündo, Raphina
    DCL, Bamford, Antonio
    (Johnstone, Soucek, Dallas, Lowton)

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

      Yes .. nice team you got there

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

      No Cancelo?

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        That’s the other move possible

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

    Who would you sell first?

    A Holding
    B Dallas

    1. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Same deal for me. Thinking Holding.

      Hilariously sold Justin weeks ago, that wasn’t my best move

    2. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm probably benching Dallas for *gulp* Dier in 21. I think he'll get back in the attacking returns at some point and he's easily cheap enough to sit on the bench IMO

      1. The Senate
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        so Holding to go IMO

  16. Holteendersinthesky
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Afters Vardys injury I did Vardy>Kane for a -4. Not only is he now injured for the main game I wanted him for it also cost me souceks 15 points. This game can be cruel. Now I have no idea what to do. Already have 5.6 ITB

  17. Casual Player
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So Salah had 5 blanks due to the witch doctor but one standard?

    My team looks ugly AF next GW - terrible matchups, out-of-form players. And now instead of Brewster -> DCL it’s likely Kane -> DCL. I just can’t get rid of the worst attacking team in the comps 4th choice striker...

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

      Hits!

      1. Casual Player
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah I haven’t taken one yet this season but inclined this week. Either DEF -> Cancelo/Digne or a 2nd striker for Brewster (so I can also bench Souceks next 15pt haul). But haven’t looked closely enough to make a call yet

  18. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How to improve team with a -4 ( 2 transfers) or hold?

    Foden to Gundo or could Phil explode?

    Martinez
    Maguire, Stones, Dias
    Bruno, C Son, Foden, Salah
    Kane, Bamford, Watkins

    Johnson, Soucek, Coufal, Mitchell

    3.3

    1. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Could be foden’s turn this gw

      I’m keeping

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Bench Kane?

  19. Casual Player
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bold prediction: at least one of Bamford or Foden goes off this weekend to troll everyone here.

    1. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      well if Kane is properly inj I can't sell Bamford :/

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

        It’s not like Bamford missing his chances is due to Kane...

        1. Casual Player
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Bamford is missing his chances because he always has.

          But it’s swings and roundabouts, he’ll come good.

          Two weeks ago Watkins was useless and a must sell and Bamford was close to essential. Now I’ve seen people now wanting to take a -4 to get Watkins in for Bamford

          I also wonder how many people already did Bamford -> Kane?

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

            Not to mention Kane double rise this week without playing a game!

        2. The Senate
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          true true - I was going to do Bam to DCL but now it'll probably end up Kane to DCL, and I wouldn't fancy Bamford to Antonio/Watkins for a hit

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

            I was going to do sterling + bamf to Gund + Kane
            Now looking at bamf to DCL with those fixtures via Dallas to Mitchell

  20. n-doggg
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Teams with most nailed chance of dgws coming up? City spurs and Everton?

  21. The Invincibles
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any advice on this team?

    McCarthy, Johnstone.
    Dias, Stones, Dier, Justin, Balbuena.
    Salah, Fernandes, Son, Gundogan, Soucek.
    Kane, Antonio, Bamford.

  22. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Folks, is it worth -4 Bellerin to Trent?

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

      Can't see Liverpool keeping a cs Vs WHU so it's a no

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

      Liverpool’s defence isn’t good still man. All their main 4 centre backs are out.

  23. jia you
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    After doing Lacazette to Kane(-4) I'm not impressed waking up to this blank and injury!
    Kane + Holding to Richarlison + Digne (-4) confirmed... love a good ole rage transfer lol
    ... now for the obligatory one nil to the Toon result

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

      Surely DCL is the one if you're going Everton

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        he's the obvious pick but Rich is looking sharp again so fancy the punt

  24. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I would hold Kane unless confirmed and Red flagged.. I stupidly bought him in early so I have no choice but to hold...

  25. slove
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Son or Rashford for next few GWs? Have Bruno already

    1. Nedvěd11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Son

    2. Guru Mediation
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm going both. If I had to choose it would depend on if I was chasing or not

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

    Sell Bruno anyone?
    I know it's a weird move but something pushes me to do it, he is not the same player with Pogba in pitch

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

      Surely you have higher priorities?

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

        The only other guy I can sell is Soucek but how can I do this to myself? But maybe yes Bruno is better than Soucek...

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      See my comment below. So many brilliant midfield options that he is the one catching my eye somehow to make way...

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

    So Kane out for a few weeks according to Sky

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

      Matip also damaged ankle ligaments

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

      I’ve earmarked gw23 to bring him in. Would be a shame if he missed that west Brom game

    3. The Hunt
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kane non essential.

  28. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Fpl suicide to go without Fernandes?

    1. The Hunt
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He was shite against Sheffield United fwiw.

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

      Do you really need to ditch him with most other premiums out ?

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Nope but I’m considering an early wildcard and I don’t think he is in my top 5 mids currently

  29. YLK13
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Already on a -4 should i take a -8 , Kane to DCL?
    Seems stupid to me, just wait till next week and then do my transfers.
    But that will probably be a -4 that week anyway going to upgrade Brewster.

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

    All the big teams main players are out:

    Pool: Van Dijk
    City: De Bruyne
    Arsenal: Auba
    Leicester: Vardy
    Chelsea: Kepa
    Spurs: Kane

    Im calling it, Bruno. Is. Next.

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

      Hahahaha kepa good one

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Let’s hope..

    3. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Had a proper LOL at Kepa

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

        Just checked, I assumed he was out since he wasnt getting minutes. Looks like I was wrong!

    4. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Huh kepa?
      I