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

    Capt sterling or salah for the coming gw?
    I feel my h2h opponent gonna capt salah though

    1. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      City game could be a goal fest as Sheffield will try and attack...West Ham on the other hand will make it tough for Liverpool but Salah is the better player so can see both sides, I’d go sterling for the differential pick

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

        What makes you think Sheffiled United will attack?

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

          +1

      2. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Sheffield will attack.

        Just lol

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

          Yeah the thing is they cant attack lol!

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

    Are any of these worth a -4? (Will play Adams if not)

    A. Adams > Watkins
    B. Anguissa > Son
    C. Anguissa > Grealish
    D. Any other mid or striker up to 10 (have salah Bruno gund DCL)

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

    Feel like I could take a -20pts hit right now. So tempted to wildcard

  4. CAP
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any thoughts on this people?
    1. Adams > DCL and play Bamford
    2. Adams, Foden > DCL, Gundo for -4 and bench Bamford

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

      First one. Foden could easily get points this week.

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

      Agree, I wouldn't take Foden out.

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

    Kane, Aguero, Vardy, Jimenez and Wellbeck all out injured.

    What a season.

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

    2fts.
    KDB and Kane to shift.

    Only real striker seems to be DCL...

    Who to go with him?
    a. Son
    b. Sterling
    c. Mané

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

      Sterling and DCL for free are great moves I think.

  7. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What do I do here? Concerned not owning form players eg Gundo/Cancelo/Soucek/Antonio

    (1FT & 0.6itb)
    Johnstone
    O’Shea - Justin - Stones
    Salah - Sterling - Bruno - Son
    Adams - Bamford - Watkins

    (McCarthy - Raphina - Coufal - Alioski)

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

      I would get Adams out for Antonio.

      Who is O'Shea? Is that a typo?

      1. FDMS All Starz
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Lol Defender at West Brom, got him in on WC as he was cheap

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

          Ah ok! I was going to say try and get Cancelo too but doesn't look possible.

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

      Priority IMO is Cancelo based on your current setup

      1. FDMS All Starz
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Via a -4 or do it over 2 weeks?

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

    So many people brought a Kane in this week before tonight. I reckon there will be a few who will take him out before Sunday. Then he'll rise like Lazarus and score a brace.

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

      More likely he comes back for the Chelsea game out of no where.

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

    I still have bench boost - thinking about wildcarding now for GW26 prep... rather than wait for 25.

    3 x city
    3 x Villa
    2 x Eve
    2 x liv
    1 x saints
    1 x Burnley (Pope)
    1 x West Ham (big Tony)
    1 x Leeds
    2 x Leicester

    What u reckon? All should have doubles

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

      In theory looks good, no Bruno tough?

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

        I’m not sure, probs can afford him. Maybe Bruno and lose a Leicester/Villa asset

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

      Wouldn't advocate it, but if your team is an absolute mess, it will give you more points in the long run.
      GW26 is a long way away so you can drop between now and then if you are always behind on your transfers.
      If you can fix your team with -8, take the hits. If you need more hit the WC

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

    Kane injury messed my plans up, so.. Which transfer:

    A) Bamford + Bissouma to DCL + Son -4

    B) Dallas + Bissouma to Cancelo + Son -4

    C) Robertson + Bissouma to Cancelo + Mane -4

    In all instances I will have to bench Soucek.

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

      B. I have Dallas and Bamford myself. I think a Bamford goal is more likely than a Leeds clean sheet.

      Cancelo and DCL in for Dallas and Bamford could also be an option (and play Soucek).

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

        Thanks, yeah that's true. But can't play Soucek, cause I will have to bench Robbo or Justin. Backline is Dias-Justin-Robbo.

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

          Sure. I would probably do Cancelo and DCL in myself. I'm thinking about getting DCL in for the first time myself.

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

        dallas and bamford for me too
        looking at DCL via mitchell to fund it
        also own Rodrigo who looks more dangerous atm

  11. Naby K8a
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Mustafi to Liverpool

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

      source?

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

    Moving on from my last post

    How’s this look

    Martinez
    TAA, Robbo, Cancelo, Dias
    Salah, Son, Bruno, Gundo, Grealish
    DCL

    4.0, Coufal, Watkins, Brewster

    Watkins benched most weeks but ready for DGWs

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

      Gtg

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

      Nice I was tempted by this.. Would have DCL Richarlison Antonio up top
      Fernandes Gundogan Salah in mdf

      But -12 very tempted to totally change my tactics..

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

    such a weird season

    for first 15 or so games

    Son
    Salah
    Kane
    Bruno

    pretty much essential

    this week 7 pts between them

    not to mention now KdB and Kane out template being smashed

  14. AF90
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you transfer in first?

    A) Son
    B) Grealish

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

      B

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

      Wait until villas game this weekend. If Grealish gets booked hes banned

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

      I wanted both but had planned Son this week. Now thinking James

  15. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    BREAKING: Harry Kane has been taken to hospital for inhaling too much dust after opening Tottenham’s trophy cabinet. Get well soon.

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

      I don't know why I laughed but I did....

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

        This

  16. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Both for -4

    Kane and Soucek 🙁 -> Son and DCL?
    or can do Kane and Burke-> Son and Willian José? he’s tempting me esp with Palace next.

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

    Go for Son or double up Mane with Salah?

  18. LucasPodolski
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Adams and Coufal to DCL and Cancelo for a -4 ?. That would mean benching Justin.

    Thanks

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

      Yes very good moves

  19. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Nice article btw Az

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

    A. Raphinha to Barnes (-4)
    B. Coufal to Digne (-4) bench Bamford and allows me to get Antonio GW22
    C. No hits

    0FT 8.9itb
    Martinez
    Stones Cancelo Cresswell
    Bruno Gundo Salah Raphinha Soucek
    Bamford DCL
    (Johnstone Coufal Holding Rodrigo)

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

      C

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

        Hmm I didn't take the Vardy to Kane hit in GW20 and it worked out OK. Option B is really tempting though with Digne playing OOP, two good fixtures and getting rid of Coufal opens that's 3rd WHU spot for Antonio

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

    Is it worth to transfer kane --> dcl with kane as 10.9 value in my team at the moment?

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

      If injured for 2-3 weeks then yes. Why would you have him sitting on the bench at that value

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

    Martinez
    Stones cresswell saiss
    Salah bruno sterling foden barnes
    Antonio dcl

    Subs steer bam kwp dallas

    2ft, still dunno if i shld do foden to gundo and saiss to digne?

  23. jdogg
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Raphinha to gundogan a no brainer yeh?x

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

      Reluctantly yes. Raphinha looked really attacking in the last game but go to maximise on the 3 city players

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

        Yeh thats what im thinking.still have bamford though.if only we could have more midfielders.x

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

    De Gea McCarthy
    Stones Cresswell Bednarek Cash Mitchell
    Son Sterling Fernandes Soucek ESR
    Antonio Kane Watkins

    Thinking Kane out for possibly DCL?
    Any other obvious transfers I should be looking at?

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

    Pick 1 to play from each:

    A) Mccarthy vs AVL(H)
    B) Johnstone vs FUL(H)

    1) Watkins vs SOU(A)
    2) Antonio vs LIV(H)

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

      B1

    2. VaVaVoom14
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Johnstone
      Watkins

  26. Mooster©️
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to keep out of
    Coufal or Holding?
    Need to get Trent:)

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

      i'd be more confident playing coufal

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

        True

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

    50 all out. exactly average and grey arrow
    28 bench points (ouch) prevented me entering top10k (OR 20k)

  28. Gabbiadini
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Kane a must trade or too early to tell?

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

      Esrli imo

  29. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Salah C locked in. He cant blank 7 times in a row

    1. DB_00
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He can though. He's playing sh*t and West Ham are posting solid defensive numbers. I own him but will defo not be captaining him anytime soon.

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

      7 PL in a row, it's possible. Scored 2 v United in cup. Had a goal rightly ruled out tonight. Looks sharper than a few weeks ago but I won't captain him this GW.

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Im between him and Sterling

  30. DB_00
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Stupidly brought Kane in early to beat the price rise and now he's injured. Do I take a hit to take him back out or just let Saiss/Coufal come in for my team? Really don't think DCL will repay a hit but not expecting anything from my assets at this point.

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

      he'll repay the hit though if he outscores Kane over the next 2-3 weeks

      1. DB_00
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I just feel he hasn't scored in a long time and Everton have become so cautious recently that I think even if they win they won't score more than 1/2.

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

          Everton have had a few days off. They gave Leicester a good game so they should beat Newcastle.

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

          Could be right
          Fixtures though seems a lot easier than Leeds for the next few

    2. Shipstontrev
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He’s at home to Newcastle. Have you seen how poor they are?