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Rate My Wildcard Team Surgery

Welcome to the latest in a series of regular Rate My Wildcard Team articles that will be published at key points during the season when Fantasy Premier League managers are most likely to consider using this chip.

This article showcases the thoughts of two of the Fantasy Football Scout moderators and contributors team, Andy and Greenwindmill, who are wildcarding. Hopefully some of the key issues facing them will mirror your own.

Feel free to use this article thread to put forward your wildcard teams and to help others with their wildcard related issues.

Andy’s Wildcard Team

Key issues

  • With Manchester United’s Phil Jones (5.5) being his most expensive defender, Andy wonders whether he needs to spend more in defence to give him the flexibility to transfer in emerging, pricier options such as Chelsea’s Cesar Azpiliceuta, who has strong form and fixtures.
  • Will an improved fixture list signal an upturn in form for Andy’s pick of Romelu Lukaku, who historically thrives against minnows? Or will the Red Devils striker continue to deliver only average returns for his hefty price tag?
  • With Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata, Spurs Harry Kane and Lukaku in his frontline is he spending too much in attack?
  • Should Andy consider transferring in more Manchester City attackers? Currently he only has Raheem Sterling, who is not even guaranteed to start. Huge returns from the likes of Sergio Agueo, Leroy Sane or David Silva could see his rank nosedive. If Andy opts for one Sky Blue, would Sane be better?
  • Andy has waved goodbye to Christian Eriksen, ahead of a nice run of fixtures for Tottenham. Will he regret this decision?
  • Stoke’s Eric Choupo-Moting and Watford winger Richarlison are Andy’s preferred third and fourth midfielders, but should he be considering Wilfried Zaha instead of one of this duo?
  • Is a Burnley defensive double up of Nick Pope and Ben Mee wise, considering there is continued speculation linking Clarets boss Sean Dyche with the vacant Everton manager post? Furthermore once usual number one Tom Heaton returns from injury, most likely in January, will that leave Andy having to make an avoidable goalkeeper transfer?
  • Is Scott Dann a ‘magic bean’ too far? Crystal Palace have failed to earn a single clean sheet although the centre back’s fairytale attacking statistics do provide good reading.

Greenwindmill’s Wildcard Team

Key issues

  • Greenwindmill is keen to spread his budget well across all outfield positions to give him a strong 15 to cope with the busy winter fixture list. This involves two heavy hitters in midfield, two in attack and at the back representatives from three of the top four sides. Is he right to do this or should he look to focus more cash in one area, such as midfield?
  • Value for money has driven his selection. He believes that all 15 will justify their price tags. Are there any other well priced gems he should be considering?
  • Crystal Palace’s Julian Speroni has emerged as a strong budget stopper to be fielded alongside Newcastle’s Rob Elliot. Is the Eagles keeper really nailed on, or will Newcastle fan Greenwindmill be forced to field Elliot every week?
  • Like Andy, Greenwindmill has been entranced by Dann’s strong fixtures and attacking statistics. But with just 12 points so far will this magic bean ever become a double digit scoring beanstalk?
  • At home Liverpool’s defence is a work of art on fine canvass but away a mere scrappy sketch on the back of a napkin. Should Greenwindmill be putting faith in a Reds defender who cannot safely be fielded on the road?
  • Greenwindmill has shunned the Burnley defence. Is this a disastrous move, considering their clean sheet potential at home and strong bonus potential?
  • With Reuben Loftus-Cheek involved Greenwindmill has tripled up on Crystal Palace players? Is this too much coverage for a side that is already battling relegation? And what if Wilfried Zaha becomes a must-have asset?
  • Swansea’s Tammy Abraham is his favoured third striker, but should Greenwindmill be considering even cheaper options such as Everton’s Oumar Niasse or Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson or Josh King? Or should Greenwindmill instead opt for a strong premium priced frontline as Andy has?
  • Lukaku is in place as a potential short term move, to be replaced by Morata in Gamweek 14, when Chelsea’s fixtures improve. Is this a sound strategy? Will he regret not swooping for the Spanish striker earlier?

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

296 Comments Post a Comment
  1. czechow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 8 days ago

    Can someone please RMWC (pretty template but whatever!):

    Elliot - Pope
    Jones - Daniels - Dunk - Dann/Cedric - Mee
    RLC - Richarlison - Salah - Sane - Caroll
    Kaku - Morata - Kane

    Main omission is Aguero, but I am planning to swap Kaku to Aguero from GW14 onwards.

    1. Speédy
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 days ago

      Nice team,looks solid. Maybe Surman over Tarroll as bench fodder

      1. czechow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 8 days ago

        I was also thinking Caroll - Delph. Think he might get good returns at LWB.

        1. the Penman
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 7 days ago

          As soon as Mendy’s back then he becomes a rotation risk. Good team otherwise.

          1. Pumpkinhead
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 7 days ago

            This

  2. Allthepresidentsmen
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 8 days ago

    I wonder is there any link between a lack of clean sheets and busy fixture list as I'm wildcardong at the moment
    Rotation/injuries means players aren't as used to the system
    Tired players mean a lack of concentration

    Lack of time to set up your team to defend

    More games on tv over Christmas period means more pressure to win games

    1. czechow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      good question - going through last year's results might help... let me know if you find out!

  3. Dellman
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    WC team- any good?

    Elliot / Pereira
    Azpi / Jones / Ward / Naughton / Mbemba
    Erikssen / Sane / Salah / Zaha / Richarlison
    Morata / Kane / Ayew

    Will be playing 3-5-2 with Burnley/Swansea rotation at the back....

    1. TheRealDog
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      I'd prefer Pereira, Ward, Naughton, Mbemba->Speroni, Mee, Duffy/Dunk and another playing defender. The rest looks good if you believe Eriksen will get back in the points.

    2. the Penman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Steer clear of Swansea at the back. Is Naughton 5.0? If so, get two 4.5s for him and Mbemba.

      1. Pumpkinhead
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        Naughton is 4.5

    3. @NF_Janner
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Find a way to get rid of memba

  4. SpartaBhoy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    My WC team at the minute:

    Pope Elliot
    Mee Daniels Jones Dunk Dann
    Richarlison Salah (Silva/Sterling/Sane) RLC Carroll
    Kane Lukaku Morata

    if I go with Silva/Sterling I will have 0.6 in bank to get Ramsey for Richarlison in a couple of weeks.

    My proposed team is very similar to Andy's line-up and a number of teams posted (going heavy up top). I think because of team value constraints this year a lot of people are going to have very similar teams. Team values are very similar compared to previous years and I think the template could indeed be the template because lack of money in the bank restricts our choices?

    1. czechow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      I've gone for a near identical team (see above). Would go for Sane if you can squeeze him in. Possibly drop Dann, don't think Palace can be trusted yet.

      1. Johno99
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        I’m similar
        Not tempted by Elliott / Begovic rotation?
        I was thinking a 2nd premium defender and Doucoure over Richarlison?

  5. SPFC
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    Andy's team appeals to me more. As much as the average points are higher in the defense, you are not going to give the captain's rank to them, so it is better to invest in the attack.

    My wildcard sought to have 15 reliable players, thinking about the Christmas rotation.

    Speroni - Elliot
    Jones - Christensen - Daniels - Mee - Chilwell
    Salah - Sané - Zaha - Choupo-Moting - Cesc
    Kane - Aguero - Abraham

    1. czechow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      I don't think Speroni, Christensen or Chilwel are reliable. None of them have played more than 5 games this season

    2. the Penman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Speroni is not nailed with competition from Hennessey. Christensen will miss games here and there, especially over Christmas. Chilwell isn’t a sure starter, even for a 5th def. Is Cesc as in Fabregas? Think him, Chupo-Moting and Abraham can be mixed better.

  6. ParkingTheVan
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    Hi - would love some feedback on my WC team.

    Pope - Elliot
    Vertonghen - Jones - Mee - Moreno - Hunemeier
    Salah - Sterling - Richarlison - GroB - RLC
    Kane - Kaku - Morata

    0 ITB

    Sane is a 0.8m upgrade on Sterling and not sure if i should downgrade Vert to get him in (though this would also give me money to upgrade Hune to a player def).

    1. the Penman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      That’s a good team. I think the upgrade to Sane is the price you pay for having those three up front. If you left out one of Morata or Lukaku (for Murray or Abramah, for example) then Richarlison or Gross become Sane easily.

    2. djapebronx
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      How the fck do you have that much cash 🙂

      1. ParkingTheVan
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 5 days ago

        lol i've taken a couple of hits but not been particularly chasing TV. Have had some of the bandwagons (Salah, GroB, Sterling) from quite early on.

    3. @NF_Janner
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Whats your sqaud value?

      1. ParkingTheVan
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 5 days ago

        TV is tho 102.3 tho SV is only 101.1. Was hoping Lukaku might fall another 0.1 by the end of the week tho his brace over the weekend doesnt help!

    4. darrellb
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 days ago

      great job with the squad value. my team is similar but having 0.6 less than you i cant get vertonghen.

      1. ParkingTheVan
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 5 days ago

        Thanks! Who've you gone for instead?

  7. Salah Daze
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    Rate my wildcard team (and squad) please?

    Pope (Elliott)
    Jones, Azpi, Daniels, Moreno (Mee)
    Salah, Sterling, Sane, Richarlison (Gross)
    Lukaku, Morata (Abraham)

    Thanks in advance!

    1. Salah Daze
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Pope to Speroni and Sterling to Mahrez?

    2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Looks good. Would keep as is rather than the moves you suggested

  8. NevilleWearsPrada1066
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    I have just wildcarded and would appreciated some comments please:

    Pope (Speroni)

    Daniels Jones Smalling (Moreno) (Hunemeier)

    Sane Salah Alli Richarlison (RLC)

    Lukaku Kane Abraham

    0.2m in the bank

  9. Spartac Mac
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    Salah, Mane, Coutinho .... Firminho.

    Anyone got any good advice of which one to pick over the others, and why?

    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Salah on fire. Mane and Cout injury prone. Firmino is a workhorse but hasn't been getting on the end of many things.

      Therefore, Salah

  10. SeanFriedDyche999
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    Hi - would love some feedback on my WC team

    Pope (Speroni)
    Daniels - Jones - Moreno (Dann) (Mason)
    Sterling - Salah - Hazard - Richarlison (RLC)
    Lukaku - Kane - Abraham

    0.2 itb

  11. Ganso
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    Please choose one...

    a) Sane and Groß/Shaqiri

    or

    b) Sterling and Zaha

    1. Speédy
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      B

    2. SUPER 11
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 days ago

      Sane and Choupo

    3. Ganso
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      Thanks for your help

  12. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    Id really love jonty to rate my WC team.

    Speroni /Elliot

    Mee, /Jones, /Azpi(Duffy, Dann)

    Sane/Mahrez/Salah/Richarlson (Knockaert)

    Kane, /Morata (Niasse)

    Team based on been able to rotate, have a decent bench till new yr and some punts ie Mahrez, Dann, Knockaert etc.

    Any advice welcome jonty.

    1. Pumpkinhead
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Knockaert is interesting. Lively when I've watched him.

  13. brynjaramot
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    My current WC team. Any thoughts?

    Elliot / de Gea

    Azpilicueta / Vertonghen / Jones / Mee / K. Femenia

    Ramsey / Richarlison / Sane / Choupo-Moting / Loftus-Cheek

    Kane / Aguero / Murray

    -

    Considering swapping Ramsey with Zaha, and L-C with a another midfielder (max £4.7). But at the moment I'm more towards Ramsey.

    1. Speédy
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      You need a Pool attacker. Salah ideally. Too much money in defence.

  14. Speédy
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    3rd striker,4th mid combo
    A) Morata + RLC + Maguire
    B) Niasse + Hazard + Duffy/Moreno

  15. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    So is Moreno under serious threat from Robertson now after the Klopp comments? Don't mind, as he's still going to start most games but it's a bit annoying.

  16. Spokey
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 days ago

    If I wildcarded today I would have something like this:

    Elliot - Speroni
    Dann - Alonso/Aspi - Moreno - 4.5 - 4.5
    Salah - Zaha - Richarlison - Chopu - Gros
    Kane - Morata - Lukaku/Aguero

    3-4-3 with rotation in midfield and my 4.5 defence

    1. kunbruyne
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 6 days ago

      Nice team
      Maybe shaqiri over choupo ?

      1. Spokey
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 6 days ago

        Yeah. If choose lukaku and azpi. Already used my wildcard, so only if I had wildcard.

  17. kunbruyne
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 6 days ago

    Thoughts on klavan for a wildcard team? 4.3 for a Liverpool player who keeps clean sheets at home.

    1. XabiAlonso
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 days ago

      Not nailed on at all

      1. kunbruyne
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 6 days ago

        Played the last few games

  18. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 6 days ago

    Thoughts about this draft

    Ddg - Elliot
    Mee - stones - jones - azpi - Moreno
    Salah - Eriksen - Sterling - Gross - RLC
    Morata - Lukaku - Quaner

    .8 ITB, can do quaner to niasse .
    Also considering verto over stones

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 days ago

      Looks solid. I'd consider Alli over Eriksen. No Kane is going to hurt at some stage.

  19. L0THAR
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 days ago

    RMWC

    Elliot/Speroni

    Alonso , Valencia, Daniels, Mee, Gomez

    Richarlison, Sane, Hazard, Zaha, Salah

    Kane, Abraham, Calvert Lewin.

    4-5-1.....

    1. TheAdder
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 days ago

      Its different and looks very, very good.

      Think Id prefer Morata over Haz, but its really a coin toss.

    2. Speédy
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 days ago

      Morata and RLC over Haz and DCL

  20. BJButterman
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 5 days ago

    Is Pogba worth the risk on a wildcard?

    1. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 5 days ago

      I'd want to see him back playing before I got him in personally.

    2. SUPER 11
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 days ago

      Yes he will play in GW12..

  21. SUPER 11
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 5 days ago

    Pope / Lossi
    Alonso / VVD / Valencia / Maguire / Ota
    Doucoure / Sane / Choupo / RLC / Pogba
    Kane / Lukaku / Hemed

    2FT, Bank 0.5
    ANY CHANGES REQUIRED?

    1. czechow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 days ago

      That's a pretty expensive defence you've got there - what formation you playing?! I wouldn't back Pogba just yet either.

      1. SUPER 11
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 4 days ago

        3-5-2
        I have put Pogba in my starting 11

        1. czechow
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 4 days ago

          Wouldn't go 3-5-2 with that much money in your defence. Would get Salah in as a priorty and maybe drop VVD + Maguire to 4.5 defs.

  22. Monkey Tennis
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 5 days ago

    Any changes with the below, defense is slightly weak but rotates, this is my preference to allow 3-5-2 & heavy hitters.
    Elliot / Foster
    Mee / Simpson / Mbemba / Daniels / Moreno
    Hazard / Salah / Sane / Richarlison / Choupo
    Kane / Aguero / Ayew

  23. drfc_matty
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 4 days ago

    3-5-2 wildcard RMT

    Dea gea/ Elliot
    Jones , Daniels , Mee , moreno , dann
    Sterling , Sane , Ali, Salah, zaha
    Kane , Tammy , Wilson

    1. FPL Touches
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      Drop Alli and upgrade that woeful front 3.

  24. The Rock
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 4 days ago

    Elliot, Speroni
    Daniels, Moreno, Mee, Duffy, Long
    Salah, Sane, Zaha, Richarlison, RLC
    Morata, Lukaku, Kane.

    0.0 in the bank.

    Defense is weak yes but it was either have Jones and Grob or Daniels and Zaha and I really want Zaha in my team.

    Will probably have to change Sane to Silva so i have enough in the bank to get Aguero for Lukaku in 2 weeks time. Maybe even Sane to Sterling for a little more cash. Or should I just get a mid price mid instead of a City mid and improve defense? Thanks for any help!

  25. FPL Touches
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 4 days ago

    Looking for a few pointers on my WC team if possible:

    Ryan (Elliott)
    Jones - Otamendi - Gomez - Tarkowski - Daniels
    Salah - Richarlison - Gross - Gudmundsson - RLC
    Lukaku (C) - Kane - Aguero

    Salah the only 'essential' mid imo, so distributed most cash either side.
    Any suggestions appreciated, thanks in advance.

    1. czechow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      Sane not essential? Would personally bleed some money from the defence and upgrade Gudmundsson if you can.

  26. ekmel
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 4 days ago

    RMT Plz.

    (Elliot) Pope
    Jones, Azpi, Mee, (Moreno) (Hunemeier)
    Sterling, Sane, Salah, Richarli, Gross
    Morata, Kane, (Niasse)

    3-5-2
    0.0itb
    I would like to change Hunemeier to someone who plays but dont know how?

    1. czechow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 4 days ago

      downgrade Sterling? Or Pope to Speroni?

  27. Hurricane Gilbert
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 days ago

    Why is it that, when on WC, one always end up -0,1 off the dream team?

    DDG / Speroni
    Jones Christensen Dann Daniels Moreno
    Salah Sané Sterling Zaha Richarlison
    Kane Morata Niasse

  28. Jobramovich
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 3 days ago

    Probable WC team :-

    De Gea • Speroni
    Moreno• Daniels • Mee • Azipilicueta
    • Morgan
    Silva • Richarlison • Hazard • Salah • Zaha
    Kane • Rashford • Quaner

    Rashford can b switched with King to have Niasse on Quaner. I have also decided to go heavy on my midfield as i plan to play a 3-5-2. Besides Silva, all my other midfielders play in a very advanced role. My defence can easily rotate between themselves in the tougher periods.

    Please leave your comments and tell me what you think.

  29. SpartaBhoy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 3 days ago

    Is this just a crazy wildcard team? Really trying to shoe horn two City Mids:

    Elliot/Speroni
    Mee Dunk Francis Dann Moreno (4.5?)
    Salah Sane Silva RLC/Carroll
    Kane Lukaku Morata

  30. eder123
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 1 day ago

    Rate my WC team please lads:

    Speroni Elliot

    Mee,Alonso,Fuchs,Duffy,Francis

    Salah,Richarlison,Sane,Sterling

    Lukaku(C) Kane ,Murray