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. DagheMunegu
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bamford Zouma Raphina to DCL Digne Gundogan -8 ?
    Yes or no ?

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

      Yes

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

      Just Zouma.

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

      Sounds like a lot, but it will pay off

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

      Absolutely not!

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

    Did Adams to Kane because of price changes. Kane -> DCL -4?

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

    Son now less effective without Kane could have to go but who for? Already have the KDB funds burning a hole in my pocket. So much money available with nobody to spend it on!

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

      He's done well without Kane before. Spurs best attacking threat now.

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

        I'm not sure he has actually scored a goal without Kane assisting him has he?!!

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

      why less effective? He will be their main man

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

    With Salah Bruno and Gundo already in, who takes the 4th mid spot?

    A) Son
    B) Grealish
    C) Zaha
    D) Saka
    E) Barnes

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

      A

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

      A

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

      if I had the transfers available I'd go for a 5 mid with A and B

      sadly I have Bruno Rashford Son Grealish

      and my FT this week will probably be selling Kane

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

      A

    5. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      E

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

      E

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

      i only have saka,i fancy zaha ,just a great set of fixtures

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

    Benching Bamford (will probably regret it).......what do I do with all the cash to upgrade Soucek?

    A) Sterling
    B) Mane
    C) Son

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

      C

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

      I'd go Sterling.

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

      A

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

      C

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

      A of those

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

    Any team got stand out decent fixtures? City coming to the end of their fixtures

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

      Aston Villa and Chelsea

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

        Seen villa. Cheers for the chelsea shout. Might get Chillwell in

    2. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Palace?

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

        Zaha punt time possibly

        1. Danno - Emre Canada
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Yep, he would be my move but cant get rid of my mids of Son, Sterling, Bruno, Gund and Grealish yet though but if one needs replacing Zahas in.

    3. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Everton Leicester

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

      none better than crystal palace,doesnt matter who city play they are by far the best at this time,3 city is compulsory..

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

    As one of the idiots who moved for Kane early and took a -4, how’s about this benching headache WC?

    Martinez Schmeichel
    Stones Digne Cancelo Chilwell Robertson
    Soucek Grealish Gundogan Bruno Salah
    DCL Antonio Watkins

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

      Ask FPL for another bench boost and play it haha

  8. Pandastar5
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    shaw --> cancelo OR neto --> sterling?

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

      Cancelo.

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

    Salah has now blanked for 6 games running!

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

      I spent his entire breakout season saying he'll stop scoring in a minute. He's just having a good patch. Three years later and I'm finally proved right. Shame I've been captaining him every week until today.

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

      Is the 7th impossible? No LIV here for few weeks now ...

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

    A. Raphinha to Gundogan
    B. Vardy to DCL
    C. Both for a -4

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

      B

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

      B

  11. Mr. O'Connell
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    DGW: Kane to Vardy (-4)
    This week: Vardy to Kane (-4)
    Next week: anyone know if Vardy is fit?

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

      I think he might miss the next two and be back for Fulham. I have thought about holding him.

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

        Sorry I mean he'll likely miss Fulham and might be back for Wolves if lucky. Problem is if he misses that one as well Liverpool could be the comeback game.

  12. tc93
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    best way to finance Gundogan 2FT:

    1) Robbo + Anguissa --> Digne + Gundo
    2) Bamford + Anguissa --> Brewster + Gundo

    Team:
    Martinez
    Robbo* / Dias / Stones
    Salah / Fernandes / Son / Soucek
    Bamford / Antonio / Kane

    Bench: Button, Coufal, Anguissa, Michell,

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Kane to D C-L

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

    Didn't watch the game, any reason to not do ESR > Son tonight?

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Son Is shite without Kane

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

        That's not correct.

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

      Think there are better options with Kane out- or at least need to see how Spurs play without him.

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

        Just realised Kane is out...

  14. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Do you reckon cancelo is worth taking a -4

  15. tc93
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    best non City defender for the next 5/6 weeks? for 6.8 or less

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

      Chillwell

  16. Chrisitis
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Watkins with Barkley starting 8 matches 8 goals
    DCL with Jrod starting 12 matches 10 goals

    Who to pick?

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

      Watkins has form, although short term so far. DCL doesn't.

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

    It's mighty when Fantasy Football Scout becomes your social life 😉

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

      Tbh, at least this place is peaceful and mostly friendly.

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

    Must resist the wildcard.

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

      Log everything off and go to bed. Even if it's daytime where you are.

  19. Danno - Emre Canada
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How about this, talk me out of it please. For one week only or maybe two a DCL double up with Richarlison?!?!?!… I already own DCL and thinking of getting rid of Bamford for a bit. 8.3m to spend, what do we think, too much chasing Newcastle?

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

      Follow your gut, in the end even when asking others for opinions, your's is last.

      1. Danno - Emre Canada
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Aye I always do, hence my disgusting position this year. I don't fancy Bam to get much in the next couple, so I might well do

    2. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      im thinking about this too I can see in next two games, Newcastle more joy for DCL, Leeds more joy for Richarlison but both could deliver big

      1. Danno - Emre Canada
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yep my ranks awful, I may as well mixt it up a bit.

  20. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Should I get Cancelo, Dias or Digne and why? (have Stones)

    Cancelo - might haul again, have a feeling he can be rotated soon
    Dias- more nailed I guess
    Digne- nailed and next 2 games are nice

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

      Dias. Nailed like you say, small attacking threat, more CS upside than the 'enigmatic' Digne.

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

    Mane or Salah?

    1. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Go mane

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Mo

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

      Mane has smashed Mo's stats recently

  22. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Feel salah was just so unfortunate ytd. Should score against westham.
    So guys will u still start cresswell?

    1. Bring the Cavalry
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      West Ham have been really good, definitely no walk over. Who would you start over cresswell?

      1. Letsgo!
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I am thinking digne. However... i also have saiss. Do you think saiss will start? I have dallas too but vs leicester, surely concede i feel

        1. Bring the Cavalry
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I would definitely start Digne. Would also start Saiss, if he doesn’t start unlikely to come on

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

    Salah going to drop before deadline it seems and I’m thinking if captaining

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

      I'm thinking of captaining him too.

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He’s my C after tonight

  24. Bennyboy1907
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Raphina to Son
    B) Adams to DCL

    Or both for -4?

    If no B then Bamford starts with Antonio up top

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

      B

  25. Bring the Cavalry
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    DCL has scored 1 goal in 10 Gameweeks? Is he the best option to replace Kane? I’m leaning more towards Watkins even though he needs 15 chances to score 1, horrible choices right now

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

      Next game he is going to “bring the cavalry” (Digne/James)

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

      At the moment a formation with 6 midfielders is needed

    3. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      "skate to where the puck is going" as saying goes

      1. Danno - Emre Canada
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Gretzky!

  26. marcos11
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Kane/Rashford/Raphinha > DCL/Salah/Gundogan for a -8?

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lovely

  27. Matsy123
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play one out of Dallas, Coufal or Cresswell?

    1. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Surely coufal or cresswell

  28. AlternativeB
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    WC and TC chips left.
    Overall rank 6k
    Did -4 yesterday to get Kane
    1.Would you WC this team?
    2. Take -8 to get Kane out (Switch with...?)
    3. Do nothing

    Martinez (Sanchez)
    Dias, Stones, Cresswell (Dallas, Michelle)
    Maddison, Som, Bruno, Salah, Gundogan
    Kane, Watkins (Bamford)

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

      With no FH save your wildcard

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

        No FH

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

        So do nothing or -8?

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

          Play Bamford and do nothing. None of the alternatives are worth -8

  29. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    No replacement for Kane as a -8 surely? Maybe I just hold with Smith-R(doubtful) Coufal on bench..

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

      I'm in the same situation and almost certain I am going to play Coufal

  30. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Like most i planed to put the KDB money into Kane. Now that’s up in smoke.

    Someone talk me out of playing 4atb

    With Dias, cancelo, Robbo, taa!

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

      That actually looks pretty good! Do it 🙂

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

      Definitely would with Trent and Robertson anyway, better options but yeah 451 is viable

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

        *wouldn’t

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

      4 in defence is nothing unusual. I’m even considering 5 🙂

    4. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I might do it for a -12.. looks fun..

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

      not at all, 4 atb seems the sensible option
      a lot depends on kane injury
      i think 442 352 is the way to go

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

      3 of them are as good as midfielders,play all 4