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. seewhyaxe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Salah replacement thread required! 🙁

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

      I'd keep if I had him

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

      Easy hold

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

      I’m considering captaining hah

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

      Nah. Mané had a better game but Salah still scored, despite the handball in build up.

      Not a fire to put out yet

  2. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bamford to DCL a good move or too sideways?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Could be good, not sideways on current form.

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

        If we take DCL's form into consideration....it is a neutral move. Still, I made it.

  3. waldo666
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Need a City defender...

    A) Cancelo
    B) Dias
    C) Stones

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

      A, or B if you need the money

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

        Sorry meant A, or C

        1. waldo666
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Cheers, money not a problem atm.

    2. moz_1983
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A if money no object.

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers.

  4. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Damn brought in Son/Kane recently. Kane's injury ruins both IMO.

    Which one?

    1) Kane>DCL
    2) Kane>Watkins
    3) Kane>4.5, Upgrade a midfielder (specify) [-4]

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

      1)

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

    Can anything be said for kane to ings?

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No, not worth the risk and low ceiling for ings

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

      I don’t love Ings fixtures

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

      Hasn’t got the form or particularly good fixtures to back it up unfortunately

  6. Jimbo-Jones
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    2ft and basically infinite money!
    Who would you get?

    KDB & Kane —> ? ?

    Was planning to get Son but less convinced if Kane is out.

    McCarthy
    Stones Cresswell Coufal
    Salah KDB Bruno Gundo Soucek
    Kane Bamford

    Dallas Pieters D-Reid

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

      Sterling and DCL/Antonio is my first reaction

    2. moz_1983
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      KDB to Sterling, Kane to Antonio?

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

        Prob this

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

    Son or Rashford for next few GWs? Have Bruno

    1. moz_1983
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Son for me.

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

      I'd take the gamble on a strong United response.

    3. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Son, you don't want to go anywhere near Rashford

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

      I have all 3... I think Son's better next 3 fixtures edges it for him

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

      Son. You don’t want Rashford!

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

      Rash

  8. moz_1983
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Currently have Adams and Bamford stinking up my team, but also have Kane.

    What would be your priority there? Have had Kane since GM1 :/

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

      I would switch Adams. Bench Kane and see if he is going to be longer than 2 weeks out.

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

        Only problem could miss 3 games in the next 10/11 days

  9. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A. Coufal to Digne 442

    B. Or vardy (still rotting on my bench) to dcl 343 ?

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

      I would sort Vardy out. Sooner the better

      1. aleksaa2
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This

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

      B 100%

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

    This is gtg right? 5.3itb 0 ft

    Martinez
    Robbo Chilwell Stones Cancelo(c)
    Son Gundo Salah Grealish Soucek
    DCL(v)

    Martin Bamford Wilson Kilman

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

      V nice yeh

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

    Which order sequence would you put these for the next few weeks (considering DGW coming up too)

    A. Grealish
    B. James Rodriguez
    C. Maddison
    D. Zaha

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

      A of those I think

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

      I’d go the order you have them

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

        Thanks pal

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

      A B D C

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

        Thank you

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

      Sorry for any confusion. I mean rank them in terms of importance. Thank you

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

    Two questions for you:

    1. Which to move out for Gundo?
    A) Soucek (LIV, avl, ful, SHU)
    B) Raphinha (lei, EVE, CRY, ars)

    2. Any of these worth doing for -4nas I’ll have 2m itb?
    a) Dallas > Digne
    b) Stones > Cancelo
    c) Soucek/ Raph > Maddison/ Barnes

    Cheers!

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

      1B

      2. I probs wouldn’t but A is the one I’d think most about

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

        Thanks mate

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

    Kane doesn't play till Sunday evening. Pains in his ankles doesn't sound that serious. Could be back.

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

      Sky quoting Mou that he's out for a few weeks

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

      Out for a few weeks

      1. pablo discobar
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        2 weeks at least being reported

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

          Is this like when Son was out for 2-3 weeks then 6 days later got (from memory) 18pts?

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

            To take him off at HT v Liverpool meant it had to be serious

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

          Which is 3 gameweeks

  14. Aladdin Sané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What would you do? 1 FT, £7.7 ITB

    Johnstone
    Cancelo Stones Robbo
    Salah Bruno Gundogan Raphinha
    Bamford Antonio Adams

    Mccarthy Soucek Coufal Dallas

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

    Play ?
    A Rashford (ars)
    B Bamford (lei)

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  16. michaelington
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How I have got a green arrow with 50 points? Doesn’t sound right. Live fpl doesn’t lie thought does it?

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Average was 32 before tonight and no one scored any points

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

      Quite a low scoring week. A few players did very well but a hell of a lot of blanks, especially from Bruno who was massively captained as well as Salah, Son. Kane etc

    3. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Overall average was 40, 49 for top 10k.

    4. Majestic Chanka
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Crap week for main captains

    5. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It doesn't 🙂 50 is a good score this week, top10k avg is 48.7

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

      Almost the top owned players - Bruno(c), Bamford, Son, Kane, Salah etc - blanked

  17. Jayv807
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Taking a -8 to get rid of Vardy/Mane and the bonus of allowing me to bench Soucek this week worked out well. Finished on 56 points(-8) where I'd have gotten 83 points if I saved my FT! 35 point swing factoring in the hits...and Kane gets hurt to boot!!
    someday I'll learn patience haha

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

      Bad luck.

  18. Boberella
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play which one of Antonio or Soucek against Pool?

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

      Ant

    2. HollywoodXI
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Antonio

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

      Antonio definitely

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

      Antonio

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

      Thanks all

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

        Bench Soucek at your peril 🙂

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

          Was happy to have his points this week! Had him ages and very rarely bench him. Not sure he’ll haul
          Vs Pool though.

  19. DIMITRIS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hi guys. Is any out of this three options worth a - 4 hit :
    A) Regulion to Digne
    B) Che Adams to Bamford
    C) Che Adams to Watkins

    1. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Well supposedly Reg is out for few weeks, so A doesn't seem bad

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

        Thanks for the answer. I'll consider doing that. Just need to think about it a little bit more

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

      A.
      Definitely not B!

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

        Thanks.
        Why do you think Bamford is a bad pick right now? Leeds seem to be attacking like mad dogs. It's just a matter of time before he starts scoring again.

  20. Mogger11
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    With that Kane injury, there are literally no good, fit strikers. Even Antonio has a better looking Liverpool next. 4-5-1 the way forward in the short term?

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

      DCL, Watkins, Bamford, they could all do well. They also have nice fixtures

      1. Mogger11
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        True, but they’re not Kane, Vardy, Aguero etc. ‘Could’ is the operative word.

    2. Doctor Evil
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Just bench him, he might even play

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

      Liverpool down to the bare bones at the back again with Matip out with damaged ligaments

      1. Mogger11
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I’m a Liverpool fan who watches every game and despite difficulties scoring, have they ever looked that bad at the back (ok, Villa but you get the point)?

        1. Mogger11
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Fabinho more than likely to return next game too.

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

          They win but they often concede is my point

          1. Mogger11
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            They conceded either 1 or 0 goals since gw 5.

    4. jia you
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Richarlison for me...DDs v Leeds confirmed after his 9 pointer v Toon

  21. Mackans
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    DCL or Watkins? Money isn’t an issue

    1. Mogger11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Slim pickings, isn’t it? Roll the dice.

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

      DCL for me

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

      Dcl

    4. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think I would go watkins for long terms

  22. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    KDB and KWP out for Gundo and Cancelo for - 4 seem sensible?

    Was going to go for Son but don't like it as much without Kane...

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

      Go for it

      1. FF Dirtbag
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        But I do have Kane too...

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

      Why not, they are in good form, and KDB isn't even playing

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

    Sell Rashford or Soucek this week for Gundogan?

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Soucek.

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

      Rash

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

      Soucek

    4. Boberella
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Rash for the spare cash

    5. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Rashford

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

    Did KDB to Son last week and regretted not going Gundogan before a ball was kicked. Obviously a bit of hindsight now but worth a free to do the change now? Still a couple of great fixtures to come plus theye just better than everyone else in the league anyway.

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

      Tbh in the past when Kane has been out, Son has still done alright.

  25. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any reasons not to put DCL & Cancelo in early? I don't want to overthink it...

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

      I’ve just brought in DCL for Vardy (for a hit)

  26. GS456
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Kane to DCL or Antonio?

  27. PapaWengzz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Mane a good option? Cash to burn

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

      Kneejerk reaction

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

      Yep. Looked good today. Stats are good too.

  28. Holteendersinthesky
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Injured Vardy to Injured Kane. Time to rip up the script. Wolves fans is Willian Jose going to start? I need a big differential.

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      join me on the Richarlison diff 🙂

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

        I'd have to go DCL if I was going for an Everton forward. Palace have been awful lately so Willian Jose is definitely tempting seeing as no one will have him. Just need to know if he starts

  29. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    TAA monster haul and Kane injury.. tonight couldn’t have gone any better

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Obviously you’ve never owned John stones

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Had him before he became mainstream actually

        1. Mogger11
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Spot the hipster

  30. jonnybhoy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play Coufal/Alioski or do Taylor to Cancelo for -4pts?

    1. aleksaa2
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      -4