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. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Raphinha & Adams -> Sterling & DCL (-4) (would need to be tonight before Sterling price rise)

    B) Raphinha / Soucek -> Son (free)

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  2. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Prognosis on Kane?

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

      few weeks. But Jose has lied before, I remember that Son haul well

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers.

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

        He took him off at HT v Liverpool - it has to be serious

    2. Deer-in-headlights
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If it was that serious how did he play for the last several minutes of the first half? Chilwell was taken off shortly after his ankle sprain but was back starting the next game.

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        The longer that he stays on after the injury the greater potential for him to be out longer. Potential sounds the wrong word.

    3. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bit tongue causing dribble

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

    Bench one:

    A) Bamford
    B) Antonio
    C) Raphina

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

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

      C

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

      A

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

      A

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

      A

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

      C

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

      A

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

      A

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

    Kane to Antonio or DCL?

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

      Ant

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

      DCL

    3. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Hold Ant. He plays well against the big teams.

  5. That Was Easy!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hey, all! Is my bench order correct here? Wilson did brace against Everton last time out.

    Areola
    Cancelo Stones James
    Sterling (C) Bruno Son Grealish Barnes
    Antonio Bamford

    Martinez; Wilson, Shaw, Coufal

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

      I prefer Wilson to Bamford actually. Martinez over Areola I think - look at Fulham defensive stats last 4, and WBA do well against worse teams.

      Really like your team - GTG

  6. Pukki Pies
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Shocker of a gameweek, 30 points scored with 20 on the bench.
    Lost in the cup to a dead team, I basically needed a return from Salah tonight to win, so that disallowed VAR goal was a pleasure...!!!

    Put off bringing in Kane all season until last week, then he’s injured!

    Now need to decide which of this midfield need to go to get Gundogan in:

    Martinez Forster
    Stones, Dias, Coufal, Targett, Dallas
    Salah, Son, Bruno, Grealish, Soucek
    Kane, Bamford, Brewster

    Or (depending on Kane) do I just wildcard and have some fun?

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

      Just do Soucek to Gundogan for now.

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

        0.1m short of that unfortunately.

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

          Then take a hit...Kane-DCL, Soucek-Gundogan.

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

            I would play:

            Martinez

            Stones, Dias, Targett

            Salah-Son-Bruno-Grealish-Gundogan

            DCL-Bamford

          2. Pukki Pies
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Yeah a hit is probably going to be needed. Will wait on Kane news obviously.

            Feel like keeping Son, Bruno and Salah could cost serious points over the next few weeks though. I’d much rather have Saka, Harvey Barnes, Mane etc right now.

  7. Captain Hindsight
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bringing in Kane lastnight before he rose 0.1 is looking like a bad move now for those who brought him in

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

      surely people aren't bringing players in before they've played in the prior GW?

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

        A very common thing, done to beat price rises and fuelled by an impatient desire to act.

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

      Living up to your name.

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

      Username checks out

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

    It’s been a crazy, unpredictable season.

    I could have 200m and still not nail a decent first 11 🙂

  9. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Surely Johnstone v Fulham should start ahead of Martinez away to Southampton??

    Have made this mistake before but Southampton are more likely to score than Fulham.

    1. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      In theory yes, but Lookman or someone will no doubt score.

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

      I wouldn't play johnstone against Fulham's u12 s.

    3. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Think both score

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

      Saints have gone limp, play Martinez

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

        I played Johnstone over Martinez when Villa beat Wolves 1-0 and he got 11 points. Johnstone was on straight after and conceded after 20 odd seconds to Newcastle. Newcastle ffs. They haven't got any better defensively so I'm playing Martinez and Johnstone may well be gone when it comes to wc

  10. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sure Harry's auld fella is from Galway. He'll walk off that injury!

  11. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Double up of DCL and Richarlison silly?

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

      No! Love it.

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

      Nothing is silly this season. Punt away 🙂

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

      Prefer DCL and Hamez but Richarlison could do well

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

      Unless both are in great form.

    5. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not a lot of alternative up top really and James/Digne back

  12. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best striker for 12.4m?

    ... god I hate my team

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

      DCL

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Watkins at this time.

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

    Tied in cup and not only did we score the same amount of goals we had the same goal scorers. I can’t be bothered working out goals conceded but hope I go through.

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Coin flip

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

        I think it might be the teams are very similar. I am usually out after a week or 2 but it’s not like it matters if I am am out of it.

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

    If you want us to do a double up on Everton which two would you pick?

    A. DCL
    B. Digne
    C. JRod

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

      D. Rich

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

      A and B

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

      Depends on team. AB is the obvious for me but only because I don’t have any MID problems requiring a transfer. If I did, then would seriously consider AC or BC instead

  15. YLK13
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    -8 to get DCL in for Kane, or stick with just Watkins upfront this week.
    Seems silly if DCL blanks, too many hits.

    What do you think?

    Full team:
    Martinez | Forster
    Justin Dias Stones | Kilman Dallas
    Soucek Salah (C) Sterling (V) Fernandes Grealish
    Watkins Kane

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

      Who's your other striker? I think Watkins is a good pick at the moment, although he's got 2 in 3 for me since I got him which I know isn't the case for everyone so I don't have the scars

      1. YLK13
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Hahah i hear that. Brewster .... yikes. So i'll have to play 4 at the back this week then.

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

    Vinicius (C) VS West Brom - CAN'T WAIT 😀

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

    Vardy to dcl done

    Anyone else with 10m itb ? Lol

  18. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Son the son v Kane audition went well!
    Any point even getting Son with Kane out?

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

      Usually does well without him

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

      I'm parking that for now. Was going to get Son but don't know how spurs will look without Kane. Plus majority of sons goals have come from Kane?

    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Who else is more likely to score for Spurs?

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

        Come on down Gareth Bale 🙂

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

      Not on the second half performance tonight......

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

      Yep.

    6. Hitman MHK
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      So reliant on each other, I might be steering clear of Son now. Whilst Liverpool are a solid outfit no doubt, Son was nowhere to be seen second half.

      At this point a 5 man midfield doesn't look bad.

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

    Sterling or Gundo?

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gundo.

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

      Gundo

  20. Ruffio
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Battle of the no hopers who you picking between the sticks.

    A. Johnstone
    B. Areola

    Cheers

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

      a

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

      B

      West Brom are porous - 17 goals conceded in last 4 home games

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

      B

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

        Thabks all

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

    Pleasantly surprised, after that Kane and Son blank...to find that 68(-8) is a very good score this weekend.
    (would've had and excellent GW if I hadn't done Laca to Kane -4)

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

      Not sure why you did that move though?

  22. Hitman MHK
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Lost 0.1 on Che Adams by waiting to see if Kane plays a full 90. Once again, always pays to wait!

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

    Anyone on worse than 80?

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

      (+2) / 2

  24. dansully3
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Kane > A, Bobby.
    B, DCL.
    C, Antonio.
    Have Soucek. Has Vardy any chance!!!

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

      B or C

      Don’t fall for bobby trap trust me

  25. Tabasco
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you bench out of this lot? Just the one:

    DCL (NEW)
    Watkins (sou)
    Antonio (LIV)
    Saka (MUN)

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

      Saka

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

      Watkins

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

      Tough, probably Saka

    4. Ruffio
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Someone else!

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

      Hmmm Antonio

    6. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      antonio

    7. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Antonio

    8. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      All those defences are weak.

    9. Tabasco
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers all

  26. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Kane > DCL -8? lol

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

      Injured player to a not injured one?
      Gota be done

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

      If you don’t have decent bench cover for Kane.

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

    Soucek>Sterling(c)?

    I’ve got Cancelo and Gundogan and 7.7 million in the bank....

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

      Sure, do not see why not

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

      Would rather another city defender.

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      not sure losing soucek is a good idea. he returns regularly at an incredible price and fixtures are awesome

  28. Well you know, Triffic
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I reckon Jose might pull a random one and just start Ali behind Son.

    1. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Alli on his way to PSG

  29. Apwilkin
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Front 3 of Kane, Adams and Bamford with 1 FT... Thought i was going to just have to decide who I wanted to bring in for Adams....

    Assuming Kane is out for a few weeks at least. Probably just move him. Who knows. Burnley scored 3 on villa. Surely Adams could get something???

    1. Hitman MHK
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm in the same boat looking at getting rid of Adams as well. I feel DCL could be a good punt, but only really got one chance against a decent Leicester outfit last game out.

      For you, Kane's got to go. I'd be getting either DCL or Antonio, banking the money for next week.

  30. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play 1 of these;

    A) Antonio - home to Liverpool

    B) Justin - home to Leeds

    Cheers.

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

      A