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FPL team reveal: Benching dilemmas ahead of Gameweek 11

Pro Pundits 29

I’m currently in nosebleed territory with an overall rank of 21,857 after ten Gameweeks.

Historically, I’ve been a late developer in a season, however in my best season (817th place in 2017/18), I got off to a similarly good start. I’m hoping to kick on from this position and move into the top 10k.

I played my Wildcard back in Gameweek 8, where picks of Reece James (£5.8m) and Phil Foden (£8.2m) have carried me up 150,000 places. This shows how just a couple of well-timed differentials can really make your season. Don’t give up hope if you haven’t got off to the best start!

Above: My pre-Wildcard team (Gameweek 7)

My major decisions this week don’t actually revolve around transfers. I’m in an enviable position of not having many fires to put out in my side; instead, I have decisions to make about who to put in my starting XI and who to bench.

The last few weeks have seen me bench hauls from the likes of Emile Smith-Rowe (£5.6m) and Aaron Ramsdale (£4.7m) and this is one of the frustrations of having decent picks across my entire 15, rather than any ‘fodder’ options.

While it is annoying to bench players who return points, having options in my team should allow me to take my time with transfers and perhaps be able to save a free transfer when others are scrambling around. Having picked up Smith-Rowe at just £5.3m, I’m very happy to own him over the likes of Josh Brownhill (£4.4m) and I already reaped benefits when I got his nine points off my bench for the benched Bryan Mbeumo (£5.6m).

However, with three very good options currently on my bench, I sense that this week could test my current calmness for this approach.

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

647 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Would you do this for free?

    Antonio Semedo -> 4.5 FWD TAA

    Would leave me with Vardy Toney up top in a 442

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Not this week IMO

  2. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Sanchez (Foster)
    Cancelo Rudiger Chilwell (Livra, Amartey)
    Salah Son Foden Havertz (BSilva)
    Antonio Hwang Broja

    1FT, 0.4ITB

    A) BSilva to ESR (Broja on the bench)
    B) Antonio to Toney
    C) Play Broja and bench BSilva
    D) BSilva to ESR and bench Broja

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Think A will set your team up better for the upcoming weeks

      1. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        I think so, just hoping Broja on the bench won't hurt me...

        1. Esalman
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          I got Broja as the 8th attacker in case a of autosub. Won't mind if he gets return and stays on the bench.

          1. Gooner97
            • 10 Years
            2 years, 4 months ago

            That makes sense, because he's also returing from an injury... anyway, I don't know if I should have gone with Toney instead of Antonio/Hwang on WC last GW... who knows

  3. bruuuno
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Cancelo Havertz Antonio > James Son Toney (-4)?

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I do think those moves will pay off the hit, if not this week then very soon, so on that basis I would say it is worth it.

      1. bruuuno
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Ok thanks!

  4. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Bottomed.

    Being priced out of a one move route to Son from Havertz. Have a FT. Best option?

    A. Do it now and keep Vardy
    B. Wait. Then downgrade Vardy to get Son.
    C. Wait. After IB do Havertz to Foden, Vardy to Kane.

    1. Billybigspuds
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      C

    2. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      C

    3. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      A

    4. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      A

  5. Jullepuu
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on a punt on Zaha?

    1. Billybigspuds
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Not the worst idea

      1. FourLokoLeipzig
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Agreed. Doesn’t fit my team structure and he’s let me down in the past, but I wouldn’t bet against him doing well the next ten games or so

  6. AD105
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    G2G or is anything worth a hit?

    Ramsdale
    TAA Chilly Cancelo
    Salah Foden Raph Mbuemo
    Vardy Antonio Jimi

    Foster Livra Duffy Brownhill

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Definitely good to go. Would personally play Duffy 1st bench over Livra perhaps.

  7. Essrick
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Got £1.1m itb and 2 FT’s, what transfer should I make? Team is as follows;

    Ramsdale
    Foster

    TAA
    Cancelo
    Azpi
    Livra
    Henry

    Salah
    Foden
    Raph
    Mbeumo
    ESR

    Vardy
    Antonio
    Hwang

    1. Tinfoil Deathstar
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Azpi to one of James/Chilwell

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        This. Azpi seems capped at 6 whereas others can get much bigger scores

  8. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Is Broja nailed? Dont know too much about his situation. Minutes inconsistent so far

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Just coming back from injury but the Southampton attacking situation seems anybody's guess atm, wish there was some more surety as I have Armstrong.

    2. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      don't think there's any 'nailed' forwards at saints.
      who is first choice could be week to week

    3. Tinfoil Deathstar
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah I’m a Saints fan and haven’t got a scooby tbh. Would steer clear for now.

  9. The Count of Monte Cristo
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Went unanswered -- is it best to do Cancelo --> Chilwell / James and save the other FT?

    Sánchez
    TAA -- Cancelo -- White
    Salah (c) -- Raphinha -- Saka -- Havertz
    Toney -- Antonio -- Vardy

    Foster -- Livramento -- Sarr -- Amartey [2FT + 1.4m ITB]

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Looks good.

    2. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Yep

    3. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Even if you didn’t do a transfer, I’d play Livramento over cancelo!

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks, all.

        And yes, I think I would also to be honest but I hate benching Cancelo!

        1. No Kane No Gain
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Even over white tbh. More attacking threat

  10. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone looking at callum Wilson gw12 onwards?

    Brentford, Norwich and Burnley at home 3 of next 4.....Eddie howe impact

    Eyeing up vardy and raphinha to son and Wilson during the break perhaps

    1. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      good differential, it's not the worst idea whilst hes fit!

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Would be the only Newcastle player I would consider but with quite a few budget options I think he's a wait and see.

    3. maglia rosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Yup, he's quite possibly one of the better options i'm thinking about. It's not the greatest list tbf 😕
      Jiminez/Hwang, Edouard and Broja all under consideration with Wilson looking promising.....compared to the options i guess

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        That's it isn't it.....seems to be a lack of mid to cheap priced striker options....

        Hwang broja etc...

    4. cjsoccer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      yes. I almost switched jimenez for wilson this week - Jimenez has been on fire lately, but would have switched him for Wilson and his slgightly better fixtures, but would have cost me minus four.

  11. GRPunk
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Saka to Son using 2 ft?

    If yes,
    A. Gray to Rice
    B. Downgrade Ronaldo

    1. Esalman
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      A. Ronaldo is going be essential after city match, I have a feeling.

      1. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Not again...

        1. Esalman
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Ole said he didn't have a pre-season which seems valid to me. Especially after gw14 they have a great run of fixtures and some utd asset is going to be essential.

  12. gauzah
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Is it wise to sell Raphinha for Son this week?

    1. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Trying to work this out myself as well.

      Leicester quite weak down their left side… also had to play midweek & then come up against energetic Leeds. Unsure on it frankly.

    2. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I considered it but doing Marcal to Chilwell this week and Vardy to Kane next instead. My way of getting to Spurs, Son just out of reach for now

  13. PascalCygan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Bring in Chilwell or James?

    Already own Rudiger but need one of those pesky wing backs with my 1FT!

    1. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Chilwell

      1. PascalCygan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Am considering moving on Christensen for one of them, seems like a real lineball call so the 0.2 saving with James might just about swing it in his favour.

      1. PascalCygan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Cool, thanks

    3. gauzah
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Chilly due to him rarely being subbed on if he's benched. James regularly subbed on

      1. PascalCygan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks

      2. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Hmmm, not a bad point this actually, such a hard decision.

        1. PascalCygan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 4 months ago

          Quite a few things to consider, this might offset the appeal of James set-pieces etc. So hard!

    4. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Definitely Chilwell

      1. PascalCygan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers!

  14. sarnshawn
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Sa
    Rudiger, Thiago Silva, Livramento, TAA
    Salah, Benrahma, Townsend, Mount
    Antonio, Vardy
    Bench - Sarr, Saint Maxim, Johnson

    A) Townsend > Smith Rowe
    B) Save transfer & change bench?

  15. boroie
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Who would you rather over the next two GWs…?

    A - Mbuemo (NOR, new)
    B - Raphinha (LEI, tot)

    1. gauzah
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      A

    2. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      A

    3. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      A, but if you can afford Toney even better

    4. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      A just

  16. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Which one for a -4? Taking out Walker, De Bruyne & Antonio.

    1. Trent, Mbeumo, Kane/Aubameyang (specify)
    2. Trent, Son, Jimenez

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Just Walker and KDB out for free rather than take the hit?

      1. Klopp's Kids
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        can take out antonio and kdb, bench walker for livra! think I can wait on TAA

    2. kbaby901
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      2

  17. TheYogaDaddy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Best Move Here?

    Ramsdale (Foster)
    Cancelo TAA Azplicueta Duffy (Livramento)
    Salah (C) Foden Raphinha Mbuemo (Brownhill)
    Vardy Maupay (Antonio)

    2 ft, 1.1 itb

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      Azpi to Chilwell/James seems a pretty popular move, especially with 2FTs. I would start Antonio over Duffy fwiw.

      1. TheYogaDaddy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 4 months ago

        Start over Duffy or Cancelo?

  18. Ludde
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Saka to Foden for the 2 FT or save the FT? Is that a good transfer?

  19. TheYogaDaddy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Chilwell or James?

    1. JoJoRed
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      James

    2. kbaby901
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 4 months ago

      I think the one point subs will make Chilly better in the long run.

  20. klopptimusprime
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Should I contemplate BB?

    Dont wan't to burn a transfer so need help with my one move this week before looking to use 2FTs GW12

    Sanchez
    TAA | Cancelo | James
    Salah | Foden | Raph | Mbeumo
    Vardy | Antonio | Toney

    Foster | Livramento | Dias | Brownhill

  21. JoJoRed
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Start ?
    Hwang or Broja

  22. kbaby901
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Gray, Antonio, Livra - Bench 2

  23. Brunsvigeren
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    1FT. 1.7 ITB, ranked 200k

    Save transfer here, or do something wild?


    TAA - Rüdiger - Chilwell - Duffy
    Salah - Raphina - Saka - Foden
    Vardy - Antonio

    Steer - Gray - Semedo - Richardson

  24. Brunsvigeren
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 4 months ago

    Ideas? 1FT. 1.7 ITB, ranked 200k, want to keep my green arrow march on


    TAA - Rüdiger - Chilwell - Dufy
    Salah - Raphina - Saka - Foden
    Vardy - Antonio

    Steer - Gray - Semedo - Richardson