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. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pick one to play
    A- James SHU (A)
    B- Dias LIV (A)

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

      james

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

        Cheers

    2. Ruudy Van
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’d go James. Also assuming you have another city defender

  2. Amans94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which one to bench?

    A) Dallas (CRY)
    B) Justin (WOL)

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

      B

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

    Setting up 5-3-2 this weekend. Absolute scenes!

    Martinez
    Cancelo, Stones, Cresswell, Lewis, Alioski
    Tielemans, Bruno, Souček
    Antonio (C) & Bamford

    Johnstone, DCL, Son, Salah ...

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

      Bold to be benching Son vs WBA

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

        I don't know we have been terrible for a while now and Son looks lost. Can't see a haul IMO

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

      Benching son and dcl is a bit mad.

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

        And salah lol...

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

      Lol dont make sense to bench salah and start two manc defender. I will bench stones

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

      play salah over lewis

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

        6 blanks in 7? vs the best defence? there's a time to play the fixtures and there's a time to consider naked stats... I'm going with the stats.

    5. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Go 3-4-3 with DCL, Son

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

    Can't decide between Mee or Tarkowski.

    Anyone has any thoughts?

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

      Mee has scored more goals this season, if that helps

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

    McCarthy,
    Robertson, Cancelo, Coufal
    Salah, Gundogan, Bruno, Son(c),Soucek
    Antonio, Bamford

    Forster, DCL, Stones, Mitchell

    1ft 2.4itb

    Already used one ft. Brewster > Antonio. I simply couldn't go the next two gw without him.

    A Robertson > Shaw/Rudiger
    B MCarthy/Forster > Pope/Sanchez
    C hold second ft to have 2ft next week.

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

      C or B. C for me

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

      C

  6. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hold chillwell one .more week and hope he starts?

    Have awb/dias to fill in if he's a no show.

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

      I would. I actually expect him to start next one. After that, don't know.

  7. PukkiBlinder
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which Burnley defender should I bring in?

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

      Mee

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

        Sure you're up front for The Pool 😉

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

          LOL.

  8. Johnny too hotty
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    with 2 FT this week and a tendency to make awful decisions at this time of the season may I ask your expert advice sirs:

    Martini
    Dias Maguire Chilwell Coufal Mitchell
    Salah Bruno Sterling Grealish Bissouma
    DCL Antonio Adams

    i was going to go for

    Chilwell > stones
    Adams > Bamford

    both have a DGW on the horizon. Sensible? my only worry is I have zero spurs players but cant have it all?

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

    Have son but spurs and son just looks lost right now, get rid or keep for west brom ?

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Got to keep IMO. I think they looked better against Chelsea than they did against Brighton. He has set pieces as well and I dont think West Brom are hot on set pieces

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

        son>raphinha is very tempting

        1. internal error
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah, Raphinha looks good. I'm getting him for 25. Do you have your WC?

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

      Keep

    3. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      It's West Brom, you know the answer.

    4. Ruudy Van
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Keep. Will oddly be a minor differential

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

    Is Alonso nailed on?

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

      No

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

    Pope
    Cancelo | Coufal | Dier
    Bruno | Salah | Sterling | Gundogan | Raphinha
    Bamford(vc) | Antonio(c)

    [Johnstone DCL Alioski Justin]
    2 ft., 1.2m in the bank

    a) Cancelo to Alonso/Rudiger/Digne
    b) Justin to Alonso/Digne
    c) Salah to Son
    d) Salah to Rashford/Grealish
    e) Alioski to Creswell/Alonso
    f) Johnstone to Sanchez

    Play DCL or Salah?

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

      I expect Jose to drop Dier.
      I will bench DCL and start Salah.

  12. MGD
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best defender to replace Chilwell with?

    Have double City defence + AWB.

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

      Shaw

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

    Bench one:
    a) Salah
    b) DCL
    c) Bamford
    d) Raphinha

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

      Dcl

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

      DCL

  14. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Captain?

    Son
    Antonio
    Bamford

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

      A

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

      not son

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

        This

    3. Monty123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm Spurs, not Son - he is way off the pace.

      Antonio at Fulham for me.

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

    Best captain option ? fallen to 16k and want to get back in top 19k immedietly so have that in mind

    A. Bruno
    B. Antonio
    C. Bamford
    D. Grealish

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

      *10k

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      "fallen to 16k and want to get back in top 19k immediately" ?

    3. Boly Would
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I like the look of Antonio

    4. MikeS
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Antonio

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

      Same options and questions. I am currently on Antonio

    6. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      if you're looking to lose rank, maybe D might be your best bit, otherwise B for me

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

        Why would he want to lose rank lol?!

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

      B

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

      cheers people, antonio it is

  16. MikeS
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Opinions on these two moves?

    Salah to raphina
    Son to soucek
    2ft

  17. Babit1967
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    3 united attackers seems a bit overkill but here we are

    Gtg? Right bench, going for a 0-0 city pool

    Martinez
    Trent Dias Cancelo Coufal
    Bruno (C) Rashford Son Saka
    Cavani Antonio

    Sanchez Gundo DCL Holding

    3.1 itb

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

    Many pll get Pope
    A- Keep With Martinez
    B- Sell Martinez for him

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

      Your other gk?

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

        Forster

    2. Ruudy Van
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’m thinking keep with Martinez planning bench boost

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

      Cheers

  19. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pick one:

    A) DCL + Mee
    B) Antonio + Stones

    Playing Cancelo also

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I fancy Antonio for C this week?

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I feel he should do well too. Have an option between Holding and Stones in option B. Diversify the risk and play Holding Coufal Cancelo in defense with Stones first sub?

    2. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cant you play Antonio and mee?

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Don't have either. Need to decide which one to get this week.

        1. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Id be on antonio 100% this week then Mee next

  20. The Left Duke #3
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Man a 70 pt GW but got my capt wrong (Salah C Bruno VC) and benched Justin and Soucek.

    That's a 36 point swing right there.....and that's the reason i'm 280k OR and 100 points behind my ML leaders. Continually making these errors.

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

      Same but so hard to predict. Justin has stitched me up several times - feel like i need to get rid as can't make the right choice!

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

        Always play him, he's a goal threat, simple

        1. The Left Duke #3
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          So is Dallas and Dallas was at home to Eve so that was my logic playing ahead of Justin. Had 2 x City DF's as well.
          It's very hard to call and most of us have benches that are too strong since the DGW

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

          I prefer Cresswell Dias and Shaw in my team

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

    G2G? 2FT and £2.7ITB

    Martinez
    Cresswell Dias Shaw
    Soucek Son Sterling Barnes Bruno
    Watkins Bamford

    McCarthy Dallas Justin DCL

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Use 1FT to get assets for upcoming DGW. No need to waste.

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

        Who do you recommend - more City?

    2. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Id use up a transfer for mccarthy > pope probably

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

        Yeah prep ahead although i have 2 Ft i can carry may hold off until after this GW as i did last time with burnley and they got injured the day after i put in

  22. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I waited last night & several targets went up in price that seemed way off!

    Should I target Jesse or Burnley, Mee Pope?
    Or Chelsea?

    Foden to
    Mitchell to

    Martinez, Johnson
    Maguire, Stones, Dias, Coufal, Mitchell
    Bruno, Son, Foden, Salah, Barnes
    Bamford, Watkins, Antonio

    5.9

  23. Salarrivederci
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench 2:

    A: Dias
    B: AWB
    C: Coufal
    D: Justin
    E: Barnes
    F: Maddison
    G: Salah
    H: Watkins

    The rest will start alongside this team 😀

    Martínez
    Cancelo
    Sterling - Bruno
    Antonio

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

      A & D

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

        Don't bench Dias that game has 0-0 or 1-0 city written all over it

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

          Then Salah needs to sit on the bench? Just ahead of Brewster 😀

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

        Thanks!
        Areola - Justin - Dias - Brewster the correct bench order? 😀

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

    Pick One to play
    A- Gündo LIV (A)
    B- Soucek FUL (A)

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

      Both!

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

        Others
        Salah Sterling Burno
        DCL Bamford Antonio

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

          I’m benching DCL

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

      Soucek

  25. Dhody
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I keep reading about a big DGW26 but at the same time I only see 4 extra fixtures still to be rescheduled (#AVLTOT, #AVLEVE, #MCISOU, #FULTOT). What am I missing?

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

      Cup tie results

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

      Blank in gw29 (QF FAC) might play in gw26

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

      FA cup

  26. PukkiBlinder
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which United defender to bring in? Have cash!
    A- Maguire
    B- Shaw
    C- AWB

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

      B

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

      Have C and happy with atm

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

      B

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

      There has been significant change in how AWB plays in last matches. He gets more often close to the box and has also direct goal threat. Perhaps OGS noticed that his crossing isn't good enough and he plays now more like Doherty last season. I am happy to keep him and reasses with WC. Haven't done the comparison.

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

    1 FT... what to do?

    DDG
    Dias Stones Dallas
    Grealish(VC) Salah Bruno(C) Gundo Soucek
    DCL Bamford

    4.0 Dias Stones Brewster

    Current plan is on option A.

    A) 4.0 to Pope (play instead of DDG)
    B) Brewster to Richarlison
    C) Brewster to Ings
    D) Save FT

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

      You need to loose a Stone my friend

  28. Ruudy Van
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Am I right in saying the 2 options if you have no FH hit are.

    Option A)
    Build towards DGW26 - Bench Boost
    Make a few changes/hits for GW 29
    Wildcard 30
    Triple captain TBC

    Option B)
    Punt next 2 weeks
    Wildcard 25
    Bench boost 26
    Wildcard 29 (field say 7/8) with an eye on the future weeks
    Triple captain TBC

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

      Are you sure you meant on option B to wildcard twice?!

      1. Ruudy Van
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Ah that would be nice wouldn’t it.

        So by process of elimination A is the only option??

    2. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Think im on A but struggling to see where the triple captain is best for

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

    Last few days I’ve been seeing a lot of Antonio captain choices. At first I was like “f*** Antonio” politely, even though I own him. The more I see it , the more I’m sold, is there any specific main reason to why he’s so popular?! And playing away...

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

      Good xG, plus the 4-goal game vs Norwich is fresh enough for people to remember, especially in a week where there isn't a standout option.

  30. Party time
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Onana!