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. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    1. Bamford -> DCL.
    2. Soucek -> Grealish.
    3. Both moves for a -4 which is what I am thinking.
    4. Something else.

    Martinez.
    Robbo, Stones, Cancelo.
    Salah, Son, Gundogan, Fernandes, Soucek.
    Antonio, Bamford.
    Forster, Dallas, Brewster, Ferguson.
    1ft, 5.9m ITB.
    WC, BB left- Prob 25 and 26 for these.

    1. Evil Greg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would consider Soucek to Barnes this week.

  2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    0.1 short of
    Rodrigo, Soucek to Son,DCL for a hit :/

    Would you do Bamford,Soucek to Son,DCL for a hit instead and keep Rodrigo?

    Or just Soucek to Son/just Rodrigo to DCL

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Rodrigo arguably better than Bamford at the moment anyway

      1. Evil Greg
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Bamford's days are numbered, but trying to minimise hits and consolidate!

  3. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    FPL Cup

    Points: Me 49 - 49 Him

    Goals Scored: Me 4 - 2 Him

    phew!!!

    Thank you Gund & Soucek.

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

      congrats mate!

  4. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Robbo >> Cancelo for FT?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

    2. Evil Greg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It's hard to argue with that.

  5. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Not sure what all this misconception regarding Son is about... people suddenly think Son is not as good as an option with Kane out but it’s actually the opposite.

    Son’s stats without Kane are significantly better than his stats without Kane. Plays more central and gets loads more chances. Simple as that. I’d be wanting to own Son now more than ever this season...

    1. Evil Greg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would, if my 'Slot' wasn't currently filled by a mighty dangerous looking Saido Mane.

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

      It’s a bit different to previous seasons when Son essentially replaced Kane as the main man - this season they have an amazing partnership which is broken for the first time now. Most of Son’s goals have come from Kane assists and that loss of creativity is a big negative to Son’s appeal imo.

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

        That's the worry. Did he even touch the ball in the second half?

        1. Pukki Blinders
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Son doesn’t need to touch the ball, all his goals come from clinical finishes on the counter

      2. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Depends on how Mourinho lines up though. If he starts 7 defensive players like he did v Pool every week then it’s going to be a hard watch. Don’t think he can be that daft though

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

      That is old data when Kane wasn't passing his goals.

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

    Is digne a good pick for this week?

    1. Evil Greg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I expect Everton to concede, but Digne never far away from an assist.

  7. Evil Greg
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Had a brilliant few weeks. To quote the mercurial Patrice Evra: "I love this game!"

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

      congrats! 600k to 100k is amazing in a few weeks

    2. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Same here. 324 points in January and without using any chips. 600k to 70K now. From 6th to 1st in my ML as well. Very happy 🙂

      1. Evil Greg
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers guys!

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

    Captain Sterling or Salah?

    1. Evil Greg
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      My my. I'd gave to say Salah based on the balance of probabilities & the chance of Pep Roulette.

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

        I think Sterling roation threat is slim given who played in the cup, but always a chance so Salah's safe

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

      sterling

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

      Sterling will haul soon imo.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Sterling does hauls?

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

          Tidy 11 last week.

          1. Salah’s Sonnet
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Aside from that, he really isn’t worth it, then again I absolutely despise the guy, terrible to own in fpl, and always more than likely to let owners down.

  9. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any sense in bringing in Son to this team? (despite Soucek's haul, he lifts out the easiest)

    Martinez, Forster
    Stones, Chilwell, Coufal, KWP, Kilman
    Salah, Bruno, Gundo, Grealish, Soucek
    Antonio, Bamford, Wilson

    1. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I see a place for one of Son or DCL in your team. I am bringing DCL in place of Wilson, as I already have Son.

  10. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Something funny just happened. I've been waiting it to happen for 1.5 years. I got punished from early transfer supposing Kane is out.

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Your luck was running thin to get away with such a crime for that long

    2. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Last time Son was 'injured' at half time, it forced me to WC and sell both Son and Kane. I missed their hauls against Utd and had to promptly bring back both for a hit the very next GW. Could be genuine this time though, as next game is not Chelsea for Mourinho to use the same trick that he used against his former side Utd 😉

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

    Best Kane replacement out of these?

    A. Dcl
    B. Antonio
    C. Watkins

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Exactly what I’m pondering also. Right now it’s a flip between DCL and Antonio imo

    2. osceola31909
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DCL

    3. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Werner?

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

      Antonio

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

    Anything better than Wilson -> DCL here? Planning to WC25 so only 4 weeks to consider. Thanks!

    DDG
    Cancelo, Bellerin, Mitchell
    Sterling, Bruno, Son, Gundogan
    Watkins, Wilson, Bamford

    Forster, Targett, Coufal, Martinelli
    Bank 6.8m, 1FT

    1. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I dont know why but i am considering Werner ahead of DCL.
      Maybe just as a Chelsea fan.

      DCL is the most sensible option.

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

        Getting Werner is actually not a bad idea now. Burnley suddenly leaking goals and spurs missing Kane. Those 2 fixtures suddenly become good fixtures.

    2. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Or Martinelli to Barnes and bench Wilson or Antonio.

  13. villian-ty
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cancelo captain anyone?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Week too late

  14. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Below par of most people on here, but is moving from over 3.2m OR to under a mill OR good over 6 GW’s?

    Sure it’s easier to move the higher you are, but a god awful start made it much harder. I’m imagining I’ll find it hard to push on from here now, still got 2nd WC BB and TC left, be lucky if I get anywhere near 100k by seasons end I reckon.

    Eurgh, thoughts? Cheers.

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

      I think you can certainly get in the top 100k. You have half the season left.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Ahh true I suppose, pleased with the progress no doubt, just have my suspicions that a sloop awaits, I could be wrong though, just a bad GW this time round like many.

    2. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      That should be considered as good progress, with only FH used. 100K shouldn't be that hard if you have a few good GWs. I was 600K GW16 and a few good GWs later I am at 70K now. Not used any chips either, so I hope the good run continues and I finish Inside 20-25K if not top 10K.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers bud, yeah I’m proud of the big jump, just really really hope it continues.
        Your gain using no chips is incredible very well done!
        Could kick myself this GW though, last few mins brought Kane in for a hit and benched Soucek, grrr!
        But lost as to where to go now with this:

        Martinez
        Dias - Robbo - Stones
        Soucek - Son - Gundo - Salah - Bruno
        Bamford - Kane
        ________________________________
        Forster: Dallas: Holding: Brewster

        Thinking just Kane to Antonio if he is injured and out, or DCL. Possibly captain Gundo or Salah?

        1. sunzip14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I am bringing in DCL myself in place of Wilson. You could get Antonio for Bamford next GW as fixtures are great after Pool and if you WC 25, he is a great place holder. Captaincy between Son and Salah atm, not sure of that myself so can't suggest one.

          1. Salah’s Sonnet
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Sorted, cheers for the help man appreciate it

  15. Ini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Rashford ->Barnes (-4)?

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

      No

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

      Go for it.

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

    Team is a bit tragic this week. Having to start Coufal, Mitchell, Soucek and Wood. Not to mention Bamford and Raphinha. I am begging for that WC25.

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

    Foden and saiss to gundo and digne for free?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      For sure! Good moves I say

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

    Kane making a habit of these ankle injuries, never heard of someone injuring both ankles in one game

    feels as if he never healed properly from the first ones, or it could possibly related to his surgeries

  19. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on keeping Rodrigo instead of Bamford as 8th attacker?
    Will be hardly used and when I get the chance I'll look to downgrade anyway

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

    What to do with Rashford?

    Mendy
    Cancelo Dias Targett
    Bruno Son Barnes Gundo Rash*
    Antonio DCL

    A Hold
    B Mane
    C Mo
    D Grealish
    E Rodriguez
    F Zaha

    Not really fussed but it would be a minus 4

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

      B Mane is fighting in every game. He so badly wants to score. I don't see it this much with Salah. Nor would I want any of the others listed. Maybe Rodriguez later...see how he does.

  21. kobewan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Tuchel planning to play Werner against Burnley? he did score against Burnley in their 1st meeting this season...

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

      He should get a start, the front 3 last game did nothing to warrant a start.

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

        Neither has Timo though. He hasn't scored since GW 8... Surely we need to wait for signs of a pulse?

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

          Yeah just wait and see. I can definitely see him starting next game, he probably rotates to see his squad or the games being too near each other. He usually has a few nailed players while rotating the rest, can see Werner becoming one of the nailed ones soon.

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

    How good is Son without Kane?
    Thinking of 4ph Bissouma to Son.
    Thanks

  23. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Had one of the closest cup run.

    I had Salah (2) and Kane (1) and my opponent had Son (2) and Reguilon (0)

    Reguilon was injured but he had Nat Phillips on his bench who would've come on for a 1 pointer which would've led to a tie.

    Fortunately Philips got a yellow card lol

    We move!

    1. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I was out on goals scores last GW when Watkins had 2 bonus in the 90th minute in the game vs Newcastle. He fell to 1 at FT and then went out afterwards.

      This week I had a complete opposite. Opponent started with a -52 (He's the one who goes for GW competitions). So, I had won it there itself.

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

      haha did he really put Phillips first sub lol what a casual 😀

  24. Philosopher's Stones
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A: Bamford to DCL
    B: Adams -> DCL, Taylor -> Mitchell (-4)
    C: Bamford -> DCL, Adams -> Watkins, Taylor -> 4.2 def (-8)

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

      A if you have to

  25. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    McCarthy | Forster
    Cancelo | Dias | Coufal | Alioski | Ferguson
    Salah | Sterling | Bruno | Son | Soucek
    Bamford | Antonio | Brewster

    1ft and 1.9 itb.

    Pick one:
    A. Soucek to Barnes
    +: Barnes fixtures and form are good in the short run. Good differential with explosive potential (maybe)
    -: Soucek is the best value mid. Has resturned every few weeks. Had him since he was 4.9. Won't be difficult to get him back but will lose a lot of value

    B. Ferguson to Mitchell
    +: Have a genuine playing 5th defender. Mitchell's fixtures are good as well.
    -: No real cons apart from maybe this is a luxury/boring transfer. Nothing much to gain from this a she will be on the bench most weeks.

    C. Alioksi to Targett/Digne
    +: Get a defender with a potential DGW. Targett/Digne's fixtures look good and have attacking potential
    -: Digne is too expensive (maybe) and I may lock myself out of getting the likes of Barnes/Maddison/Grealish unless I sell one big hitter. No real con for Targett I can think of.

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

      C with Targett, hang on to Soucek. Also gives you the flexibility for one of those mids.

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah. Was thinking the same.

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

      C

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers! 🙂

  26. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Better option:
    A) Soucek + 4
    B)Dcl

  27. Yankee Toffee
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who’s on pens for Spuds with Kane out?

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

      Sonny

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

    My best cup run ever! Only 18 rounds left until I can be a champion

  29. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Any reason at all to consider Richarlison instead of DCL!

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      *?

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

      He's on Pens I guess. The last time I took a one week punt (it was before my wildcard) I went for Rich over DCL and got punished hard so I wouldnt recommend it

  30. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Glad I did Vardy => Kane before Vardy dropped 0.1

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

      Lucky you

      1. Tambling5
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        No! He's Lucky Z not Lucky U.

    2. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It's these small pyrrhic triumphs that keep us playing the game!

      1. Lucky Z
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        haha this