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. Mattymo23
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Got Dias so play one of:

    A) Stones
    B) Dallas
    C) Lowton

    And also which one to bench here:

    1) Foden
    2) Watkins
    3) DCL

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

      B1

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B1

      1. Mattymo23
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Was thinking this so that's reassuring!

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

      B1

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

      B2

  2. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Triple Burnley def worth it for 24? Im chasing in ML

    Pope/Mee/Lowton?

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

      I personally don't think you need triple, I will probably only have Mee.

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

      Hell to the no

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

    Chilwell > Dallas
    Martinez/Steer > Pope

    Thoughts?

    2.2 ITB
    2FTs

    Martinez
    Cancelo | Cresswell | Mee
    Sterling | Soucek | Gundogan | Bruno | Son
    Watkins | Bamford

    GK: Steer | Chilwell | DCL | Digne

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

      GW23 Pope
      GW24 Dallas

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

        And save the other FT each week?

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

          That is a good strategy if there are any injuries or any other players you want to bring in later

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

            Also it keeps you flexible for DGW26 when it is announced later

  4. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hodgson presser today or tomorrow?

  5. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    2FTs. 4.8m ITB. Johnstone >> Pope?
    & Roll? Any other changes?

    McCarthy
    Dallas, Coufal, Cancelo
    Salah, Bruno, Raphina, Soucek, Gündo
    Bamford, Antonio
    (Johnstone, DCL, Dias, Robbo)

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

      I like it

      1. Here's Tom with the We…
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Big yes, then GTG

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks mate

      2. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Other option is get Son in. Or Martinez

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

      Yes good- similar to my team- who are you thinking of as captain ?

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Antonio or Bruno. You?

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

          Same 2 and also thinking Leeds and Bamford or even Raphinha who has been in good form

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Yeah, Raphina is looking great. No need to Captain though, still a good differential. Can’t believe he price dropped this week.

            I think I’ll either go safe with Bruno or slightly riskier with Antonio

  6. 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?

    1. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B
      X

  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. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    For GW 24 who is the best from A & B ?
    A- Son or Sterling
    B- Gundo or Soucek

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

      Sorry GW 23*

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

      Son and Soucek.

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

    Fabian / Martinez
    Cancelo / Stones / Coufal / Holding / Chilwell*
    Salah / Bruno / Son / Grealish / Foden*
    DCL / Antonio / Bamford

    0.5 ITB, 2 FT

    How about Chilwell & Foden > B. Mee & Gundo?

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

      Could do Gun this week and have 2ft for next week.

  10. JP\'s
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who is scoring more points over the next two GW's

    Rudiger or Lowton?

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

      Leaning towards Rudiger myself, still think Chelsea will fair out better defensively

  11. Nemanja Vidic
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Suggestions?
    2FT 2.4 ITB
    WC TC and FH available

    Mendy Martinez
    AWB Stone Couf Justin Saiss
    Salah Bruno Son Gundo Saka
    DCL Bamford Antonio

    GW 23 Saiss to Lowton
    GW 24 Son & Mendy to James & Ederson
    GW 25 Lowton & Antonio to Dallas & Ings

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

    Play one from each combo:

    A) Soucek
    B) DCL

    1) Dier
    2) Dias
    3) Coufal

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

      A
      3

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

        1 actually*
        I think Jose will be desperate for a CS.

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

    2FT, 6.5 ITB, thoughts?

    Martinez, Johnstone

    Cancelo, Dias, Dallas, Coufal, Mitchell

    Salah, Fernandes, Son, Gundogan, Anguissa

    DCL, Bamford, Antonio

    Johnstone to Pope and roll the other FT?

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

      I’ve done similar

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

    Best 2 week Mid punt 6.5M

    A) Lingard
    B) Soucek
    C) Raphina
    D) McNeil

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

      Got to be Raphinha

    2. ArseneAllTheWay
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A or B, I like A personally

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

      A & B

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

      stretch to 3 weeks and Minamino is a real "punt"

  15. ArseneAllTheWay
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Going punty with my captain choice sooooo...

    A) Bamford (Palace H)
    B) Soucek (Fulham A)

    Sick of Soucek scoring on my bench :@

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

      A

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

      A

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

      A
      I've said this before but, look at the dgw... Soucek blanked twice and had "great" fixtures.
      His scoring isn't always reflective of the difficulty of the opponent.

  16. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best 3 players to Have for DGW 24 ?

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

      Burnley defender.

      x2 City, take your pick.

  17. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Burnely defence , who will lose the spot if Taylor returns? Lowton, Mee?

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

      Pieters. Mee is a CB and Lowton plays RB

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

        Txs, will get either of Lowton or Mee ahead of double then

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

      Lowton plays RB and Mee plays CB.

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

    Guys why everybody looking for burnley players? Is there a dgw around the corner? Also which are the teams burnley facing?

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

      Open fpl. Select a burnley player and click fixtures. Faster than asking here?

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

      Go look at Burnley's fixtures. They have been updated

  19. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez or McCarthy out for Pope?

    Martinez
    Cresswell Dallas Cancello
    Bruno Grealish Salah Son
    Antonio Bamford DCL

    McCarthy Gundogan Stones Mitchell

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

      McCarthy

    2. Tshelby
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      McC

  20. jb1985
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which 2 defenders to bench? Currently thinking A & D but if playing Salah wouldnt it be good idea to bench both A & B? So confused.

    A) Stones
    B) Dias
    C) Shaw
    D) Justin
    E) Coufal

    Pope,
    XX, XX, XX
    Salah, Grealish, Gundo, Bruno
    Watkins, Bamford, Antonio

    Martinez, Soucek, XX, XX

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

      A and B

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

      I think bench A. I would play Dias though. It's right between Justin and Coufal. Both could get a clean sheet. But I would bench Justin.

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

      AD

  21. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Chilwell, Dias, Stones, Coufal, Alioski
    Grealish, Salah, Bruno, sterling, Soucek
    Watkins, Antonio, Bamford

    2ft
    0.1 itb

    A) Chilwell -> Shaw
    B) Chilwell -> Rudiger
    C) Chilwell -> Mee
    Someone els? Do I keep Sterling?

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

    Is it necessary to have 2 GKs that start or should I stick with Steer?

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

      depends if you have BB left.

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

        I do

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

          Then you need to plan to BB in GW26 and ideally have two playing GKs to take advantage of that chip

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

            Isn't the DGW next week though?

            1. No Kane No Gain
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              the big DGW is 26

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

      Stick with steer

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

      Also depends on fixtures.
      At the moment I've still got Fabianski leftover from BB, handy week to use him and then bench Martinez.

  23. upforgrabs
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    With Burnley's double I've finally found an excuse to get rid of the annoyance that is Jed Steer.

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

      3.9 great option.

  24. CrouchDown
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hi there,

    I'm slightly confused about who will have DGW25.

    Will MCI, EVE, BUR, BRI, LEE, SOU have 2 DGWs? I was hoping to save wildcard for GW29

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

        Nice just thinking this. This is a spoon too far.

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

        Sorry I meant DGW26.

        I basically don't want to stock up on Burnely, Leeds, Southampton players if they have a SGW in GW26.

  25. Michelle Davin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How did Son play yesterday ?

    Yes I know he just got 2 points..

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

      Go watch the highlights.

      1. Michelle Davin
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thats helpful

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

      Spurs were awful. He got no ball. Chelsea bossed the game.

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

      Spurs were garbage and Son didn't have a look in. Had a shot really late which went over the bar. If you have him don't sell. If you don't have him probably don't buy. I've been put off giving him the armband.

  26. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which teams are most likely to have double gameweeks..

    Everton Villa and?

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

      City

  27. No Kane No Gain
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Does anyone know when the Aston Vila double gameweeks might happen?!

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

    Best strategy with 2nd WC, BB and TC left (but no FH)?

    A) Wildcard on GW25 to get a full playing bench but also players who play on blank GW29, use BB GW26
    B) Try to plan for GW26 with FTs, use BB then and save WC for surviving blank GW29
    C) Wildcard on GW24 to get a full playing bench for GW26, but also get something out of double GW25

  29. faux_C
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Really not convinced by Son captain this week but is so risky to go elsewhere...

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

      If you have him then I think you need to cap him

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

      They should score against West Brom and it is most likely to come through Son.
      Put the C on him.

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

    Can Watkins cover Antonio this weekend.

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

      He can, but you could also be looking at a 10 point difference.

      How can anyone know?

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

      That's not how cover works(?)

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Why do people get so crazy about the word cover on here

          All he's asking is do you think Watkins can get as many points as Antonio this week