Pro Pundits

Three-time top 200 finisher Lateriser on Shaw, a strong bench and transfer strategy

The reigning FPL champion of India, Lateriser, tackles an assortment of issues in his latest Pro Pundits column.


In this season of absolute fails for me, there is finally some reason to cheer. In the last two Gameweeks, I’ve gone against the grain with my captaincy calls – and both picks came through.

I captained Harvey Barnes (£6.9m) in Gameweek 21 and Bruno Fernandes (£11.4m) in Gameweek 22 and I’m finally close to breaking into the top one million for the first time this season, as my fight for respectability continues. I’m eight points away from that landmark rank, so I’m hoping to pass it sooner rather than later.

Some time ago I realised that if I was to have a respectable finish this season (so difficult from where I am sitting because the template is so strong at the moment), I will have to take some calculated gambles. Captaining Bruno ahead of the popular Mohamed Salah (£12.7m) was one of those decisions.

This wasn’t a shot in the dark as I weighed up Southampton’s injury problems, their worsening underlying defensive numbers and Brighton’s form. While we know that Salah sees a higher percentage of returns without his Sengalese compatriot, I personally thought Liverpool would find it difficult against a tough Brighton outfit without him. I was assisted by an early red card for Southampton and some dodgy decisionmaking but given the season I’ve had, I’ll take this small win with both hands.

That’s enough about me. This is going to be one of those freestyle articles where I talk about all things I find relevant to FPL.

LUKE SHAW

First up, let’s discuss Luke Shaw (£4.9m). I talked him up in this article I wrote in early January and he is currently emerging as one of the best-value picks in the game.

Manchester United are in the best five teams in the league for big chances and shots in the box conceded in the last four matches and have a decent run of fixtures on the horizon, with a potential Double Gameweek 26.

With Shaw, you are not just dependant on clean sheet points. He’s become incredibly vital to the Red Devils and is a ball progressor and an attacking outlet on that left-hand side. In the last six Gameweeks, Shaw has created 19 chances, which is top amongst all defenders. Shaw is also top for big chances created (five) in the same period and is on some set pieces and corners.

For those in the market for a defender, Shaw is a very good cut-price pick and definitely offers value. Personally, I wouldn’t worry too much about rotation when it comes to him. He’s very much first choice and will only miss the odd game, which you can afford at this price point.

There is a lot of talk about people being impatient with Salah and looking at selling him, which seems like a little bit of an overreaction to me right now. He has decent fixtures coming up, including a likely Double Gameweek 26, and has very strong underlying numbers as well. In the last two matches, he is top of the league amongst all attackers for shots, second for shots in the box and third for xG non penalty. All his underlying numbers are moving in the right direction and I would urge more patience.

Macro Strategy

Kane and Son both return in new formation as Spurs breeze past Sheffield United 3

Let’s talk a little bit about macro strategy now. A lot of Fantasy Premier League managers have a lot of cash flying around with the plethora of budget midfielders and forwards in play. That said, having that cash handy is very easy only because it gives you a lot of flexibility to jump very quickly without any surgery to the premium attackers that emerge.

Tottenham Hotspur potentially have a very strong-looking Double Gameweek 26 and the return for Harry Kane (£11.0m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) isn’t too far off. Be patient with that cash as the timing could be crucial.

For those looking to Wildcard in Gameweek 25, there is a good opportunity to punt on Manchester United, West Ham and Chelsea assets in the next few Gameweeks. With there being a Double Gameweek 24 as well for Everton (and three others), there is the freedom to gamble on an extra Toffees player or two in the knowledge that they can be got rid of in the Wildcard in Gameweek 25.

I’m personally hoping for Brighton to beat Leicester in the FA Cup, which makes the in-form Seagulls a very attractive target for a Gameweek 26 Bench Boost, with cheap defenders available.

It looks as of now that Aston Villa, Manchester City, Spurs and Liverpool are the teams to target for the big Double Gameweek 26 but anything can happen in the FA Cup and we will have a clearer picture after the fifth round in the coming midweek.

In case you don’t plan to Wildcard in Gameweek 25 (which is very much possible as it might be do-able to field a good team without it), you can wildcard after the big Double Gameweek and have a relatively thinner bench. That said, we’ve seen the bench be very useful this season and with the Champions League and Europa League coming back very soon, having one or two good substitute players might be very useful in the latter stages of the season.

If you’ve already used your Wildcard, it might be worth saving a transfer this week so that you’re able to make your moves next week with a lot more information, as the FA Cup ties will have been played.

BENCHED POINTS

Tomas Souchek punishes doubters as West Ham move into top four 3

A lot of people have been moaning about a lot of benched points lately. Let me just give you the flip side. When the City defenders and Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) were rested against Sheffield United, most had good options coming off the bench while I had non-playing bench fodder. Trust me, I’d rather be in your position than mine and take a few points hauls on my bench. You aren’t going to get all your benching decisions right but it is a good problem to have and one that will be very useful when the random benchings occur, which they will as the season continues to remain congested and European football returns. The frustration you face is only psychological. Take it on the chin, trust the process and move on.

Those on double or triple Manchester City defence shouldn’t be too worried given their upcoming run. They are still the best defence in the league by a distance and I still expect them to keep more than a fair share of clean sheets in the upcoming Gameweeks. Since I’m on a triple Manchester City defence, I’m looking to shift one defender and get an attacker instead to balance things out. But I see no problem in holding City defenders as they are by far the best defensive options in the game at the moment and I don’t expect that to change.

That’s it for me this week with the quick turnaround and when it comes to captaincy, I will be making my decision after watching Son Heung-min (£9.7m) play tonight against Chelsea.

If you want more of my thoughts, you can watch the latest episode of The FPL Wire below. Good luck this Gameweek!

What is FPL Upside Chasing and how can I implement it in 2020/21?
824 Comments Post a Comment
  1. fpork
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play three:
    1) Dias
    2) Cancelo
    3) Targett
    4) Dallas
    5) Justin

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

      Cancelo, Dallas & then flip a coin between Dias and Justin.

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

        This

      2. niaz1982
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I would have said Dias nailed on no?

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

      Cancelo, Dallas and Justin

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

        This

    3. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cancelo, Dallas and Justin

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

      I'm not benching City defense on current form.

      Cancelo, Dias, Dallas (Justin, Targett)

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

        I am currently on Cancelo, Dias, Justin, with Dallas as first on bench.

        If dropping one from City, I suspect I would play Dias, since he is safe.

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

    Which of the following players would you get first?

    A. Pope
    B. Mee/Tarkowski
    C. Rudiger/Alonso/Azpilucueta
    D. Dallas
    E. Grealish

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

      I like Mee.

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

      B

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

      Depends on the rest of your team. For me, it is Pope, since I have Grealish, and would need to bench B-D.

  3. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Possible gw24 team before any transfer.

    Martinez(bha)
    Dias (dgw)
    Cancelo (dgw)
    Cresswell (SHU)
    Salah (lei)
    Bruno (wba)
    Gundogan (dgw)
    Soucek (SHU)
    Grealish (bha)
    DCL (dgw)
    Antonio (SHU)

    Bench: Dallas, Bamford (ars), White (AVL)

    Would you replace any defenders/gk for Pope/Mee? 5.1itb currently. TIA

  4. SHOWSTOPPERRR
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Guys have 2ft don't know exactly what to do here..

    Martinez
    Cancelo dallas digne
    Salah bruno grealish gundo
    Dcl Antonio bam

    4.0 dias bissou kwp*

    Plenty itb

    A) kwp to Rudiger and start ahead of digne
    B) bissou to son and bench dcl
    C) kwp bissou to Rudiger and son and bench dcl and digne

    Suggestions needed guys.TIA.

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

      Southampton has a dgw coming up so I am not sure that makes much sense.

      4.0 gk to Pope?
      Bissouma upgrade to someone like Son or Leicester midfielder?

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

    The plan was Robbo to Shaw which I was quite excited about!
    Now with DGW news should I do:
    A) Robbo to Shaw
    B) Johnstone to Areola
    C) Robbo to Mee

  6. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I am strongly considering a BB in GW 24.

    Anyone in ?

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I am considering but the fixtures aren't the best for my bench players.

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

      No WC left?

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

    Pope then Mee. I have Martinez and McCarthy myself so going to get rid of the latter for Pope and play him.

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

      Reply fail to Gudjohnsen.

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

      Not as simple as one over the other, it depends who you can upgrade.
      For example, if you have a 4.0 defender then I would consider going the defender rather than trading one of the keepers.

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

        I have Lowton already and no 4.0 defender so for my team Pope is the move. But your point make sense.

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

          yep, Pope then.

  8. niaz1982
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Do i need to make any changes or hold? 2 FT £2.7 ITB

    Martinez
    Cresswell Shaw Dias
    Son Soucek Sterling Bruno Barnes
    Bamford Watkins

    Bench: McCarthy Dallas Justin DCL

  9. drughi
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Mccarthy>Pope worth a hit ?

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

      Johnstone>Pope for a hit I mean

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

        not for a hit, can you not do it next week?

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

          Brighton is not an easy match up considering their recent form.

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

          yeah it could wait a week but would probably need to take a hit next week then if not now

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

            I prefer to take the hit the week later, as more things become known.
            that is if you are willing to go without Pope this week.

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

              cheers

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

      wait and use FT

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

        its basically a hit now or next week. Probably going for double burnley defence in gw 24

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

    any changes needed here please?

    Sanchez
    Shaw, Diaz, Dawson
    Salah, Maddison, Son, Bruno(c)
    Watkins, Wilson, Antonio(v)

    De Gea, Gundogan, Digne, Stones

    £2.6 mil itb & 1 free transfer

  11. bored by december
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Marty
    Cancelo Maguire Dallas Coufal
    Barnes Grealish Bruno Sterling Son
    Antonio

    Stones DCL Brewster

    GTG?

    No clue who to captain after last nights performance, Spurs were awful...but WBA are far worse...have a feeling i may just be following the crowd on this one

  12. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What are people thinking tactics wise in GW 24/25?

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

      Don't have the BB so nothing... Will be saving all of WC, FH & TC.

      1. The Mighty Whites
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Does BB seem to be the chip to use?

        1. bored by december
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          BBGW26 seems the best laid out, but it depends on your own tactics

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

          well, why would there be any reason to WC or FH, I don't see it personally?

    2. bored by december
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      3x city, Dallas and BamBam, and DCL for me, that's all i've got so far, might bring in Pope for Marty but with AVL potential double 3 weeks straight I'm waiting

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

    No news on press conferences?

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

    From 4.9k>16.8k in 2 gameweeks with no hits taken and very good team and setup, wow

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

    If you got nth to do, since i have 2ft, shld i do steer to sanchez?

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

      Steer to Pope

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

        Nt enough funds and also not interested in pope or mee or wood or whoever from burnley lol

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

      depends what your future trades look like, how many times are would you be fielding sanchez...
      hard question to give an answer to without knowing all factors.

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

        Alot? Brighton fixtures are good

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

          can you get to Pope?

  16. pierri13
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Awesome article Laterisier12! I agree with Shaw discussion- brought him in last week, to go with my dbl up on Stones and Diaz. Hoping KDB and Kane are back prior to GW25

    Its crazy to see all the previous greats of FPL struggling this year. Template so heavy! Ive been lucky specifically with my captains picks this season - also opting for Bruno instead of Salah and paid off well. Hoping to drop into top 100k OR by this coming GW and consolidate with WC and BB during DGWs to come. Onwards and upwards

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

      Nice! Same here i have shaw but annoyingly misses out his clean sheet points. Still nt sure why he is sub off 45 mins

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

    I don't get the love for bringing in Mee. He rarely gets an attacking return. You can get Lowton for 0.5 cheaper and easily bench him as your 5th defender after the double

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He scored two in recent weeks

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

      Bonus, nailed, goes up for corners. Lowton is just a blackhole for any attacking threat or bonus. It's only 0.5m.

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

      Cheers, need to give it a think again. 0.5 could come in handy later when I need to bring back Kane/Son/KDB

  18. tjostolv
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    DGW city exposure: Cancelo, Gundo and
    a) sterling
    b) jesus
    or
    c) kdb fit again for gw24?

    1. Your Man With The Hair
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      a) I really don't trust that KDB will be back by GW24

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

      A leaving the possibility to get KDB

    3. bored by december
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      sterling then move to KDB when/if needed

  19. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    With Pope, Wood and Mee am gonna have 3 Burnley players for GWs 24,25 and 26.

    Never thought I would own full quota from Burnley

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

      Overkill unless you already had Wood

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Ya already own him

  20. Your Man With The Hair
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    TAA ->
    a) Shaw
    b) Rudiger
    c) Another?

    Foden ->
    x) Grealish
    y) Son
    z) Another?

    Team in case you care:
    Martinez
    Stones | Justin | TAA
    Salah | Sterling | Bruno | Foden | Soucek
    Bamfrod | DCL

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

    Hey there, would you play Foden or Sterling against Liverpool?
    Leaning on Foden because if he ends up not playing, Sterling will come in (pep can't allow himself to bench his 'best' player)

    1. Party time
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Foden has a good record vs Liverpool while the other has a terrible record

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

        I am playing both

    2. George James
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Robertson >>

      A) Shaw
      B) AWB
      C) Dallas
      D) Mee

      rest of defence
      James / Coufal / Cancelo / Stones

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

      Pope
      Cancelo, Dallas, Dier
      Salah, Bruno, Son, Grealish, Soucek
      Bamford, Antonio

      (Martinez; DCL, Dias, Coufal)

      Save the free transfer?

      Bench order correct?

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

      Who gets more points this gw??

      A) Gundo and Antonio

      B) Pope and DCL

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

      Captain?

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Zaha if fit

    6. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Which is better?

      A- Steer > Pope ( bench Martinez)
      B- Mitchell > Mee ( bench Justin/Stones)

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        B

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

      2 FT, 4.6 ITB

      Martinez ¦ Forster
      Cancelo Maguire Coufal
      Bruno Rashford Grealish Barnes
      Jesus Ings Wilson
      ¦ Saka Holding Lascelles*

      Thinking of Lascelles -> Mee, but I'm not sure who I'll bench then.

      Suggestions please??

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

      Johnstone, McCarthy
      Robbo, Cancelo, Stones, Dallas, Rudiger

      - Johnstone + Robbo --- Pope + Shaw / James / Azpilicueta

      Thoughts?

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

      Planning to use 1 free transfer on McCarthy to Pope and carry other- this team and bench look set up correctly to go and so tempted with differential captain Raphinha who is in form v Palace but may end up on Antonio

      Pope
      Cancelo Coufal Dallas
      Salah Bruno Grealish Gundogan Raphinha (c)
      Bamford Antonio

      Martinez Watkins Dias Robertson

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

      Good read.

      Re: Shaw, really don’t like that I got overcautious with his 4 yellows and bought in James instead. I think everyone chasing AWBs recent pts should be on him for 0.6 less for sure. The best def available under 5.0