Pro Pundits

Why I’ve ditched a playing substitute ahead of the busy FPL festive season

In his latest Pro Pundits article, Ash – aka ‘Chief’ – discusses his aggressive transfer strategy, losing a playing substitute and overlooking Manchester City assets.


It seems as if a lot has happened since writing my last Pro Pundits piece.

With December upon us and the commencement of the short turnaround between games, I decided to change my safety-first strategy, especially after having a squad of growing injured players and non-starters.

Prior to Gameweek 14, I had made four transfers in the previous five Gameweeks with only a solitary hit since Gameweek 4.

However, I’ve now made a staggering eight transfers (most of them during the early hours) in the past three Gameweeks, amounting to 16 points-worth of hits. Not all of the transfers have so far worked out as planned but they were made with a long-term view.

The best transfer that I made was selling Andriy Yarmolenko (£5.6m) for James Maddison (£7.7m) and I’ve already reaped substantial net gains from that move.

Buying Patrick van Aanholt (£5.5m) in Gameweek 16 made sense but acquiring him for a hit and his unfortunate injury amounted to a virtual nine-point hit, which proved to be catastrophic in the short term. Thankfully, I moved quickly to replace him for Martin Kelly (£4.3m) as he scored eight points last weekend.

It didn’t end there – I ditched Mason Mount (£6.6m) for Dele Alli (£8.7m), which also saw immediate net gains, but to make this happen I had to sell Frederic Guilbert (£4.4m) for Winston Reid (£3.9m) just for the sake of it. My previous transfers finally paid off for this weekend.

December is the time of the year when advice is given to strengthen benches but, in some ways, that’s something which hasn’t helped me of late. I’ve lost 46 points on the bench since Gameweek 11. For someone that traditionally keeps a light bench, that’s 40+ points too much.

But I don’t blame myself too much when I’ve benched Sergio Rico (£4.3m) against Manchester United (six), Rico against Liverpool (six), Todd Cantwell (£4.7m) away to Everton (ten) when he was struggling for starts, Cantwell against Arsenal (eight) and Rico against Crystal Palace before getting subbed off early (nine).

For the most part, those decisions beforehand made sense to me – it was just gut-wrenching to think that I had players on the field clocking up one or two points when my bench was scoring for fun.

Unfortunately, when I did finally need an auto-sub for this weekend, it was Cantwell and his miserly one point for Sadio Mane (£12.3m). Put simply, auto-subs haven’t worked in my favour and I’ve lost a lot of ground due to lost points on the bench.

I’m hoping that with only two ‘active’ substitutes that I can reduce the number of points I lose on the bench during the Gameweeks ahead.

A conscious decision that I made at the end of November was to have a squad without Manchester City assets. Having an FPL team with no coverage from the reigning champions seems a massive risk on paper. But when they’re struggling for form, hampered by injuries and managed by someone that is known for rotation, it made sense.

Don’t get me wrong, you have to hide behind the sofa when not owning Kevin De Bruyne (£10.2m) or Raheem Sterling (£11.8m) when they’re owned by a considerable number of FPL managers.

But how I saw it was that I could have a more balanced starting XI and invest in areas where other FPL managers simply couldn’t. The fact Sterling has only scored one goal since Gameweek 10 and De Bruyne has only scored two goals from Gameweek 6 almost justifies not having them in my squad.

Clearly, Manchester City have to improve from here and I need to re-invest in their assets soon. For now, at least, I’m just not enthused buying Gabriel Jesus (£9.6m) when I’ve got the in-form Jamie Vardy (£10.1m) or buying City’s defenders when they’re struggling to keep clean sheets.

Looking at this weekend, after all the hits that I’ve taken of late, I feel almost content in not making any more transfers for now.

I have plenty of armband options at hand but the two which seem most tantalising are Mane against Watford and Vardy against Norwich. It’s almost too hard to decide on who to pick. I just know that if I captain one the other will do well and vice-versa.

But for me, from a logical perspective, Vardy probably edges it.

Despite Mane being rested last weekend, Liverpool have a fixture-laden December and the last thing they will need is for Mane to be unnecessarily over-exerted.

Norwich have the worst away record in the league and Vardy is getting close to breaking his goalscoring record that he set in the 2015/16 season. By virtue of that alone, I surely have to captain him.

What could possibly go wrong?


Ash, known by many as Chief, recorded his best-ever FPL finish of 110th in 2011/12 and has become a hugely popular name on Twitter ever since.

351 Comments Post a Comment
  1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Struggling with this transfer but what do you think?

    TAA, Jimi > Soy, Rashford

    1. FirMinaMiMo
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Taa to soy ...no need!
      Jimmy to rash ...a solid one!

    2. Maddamotha
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Its decent if its for free.

    3. LarryDuff
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I would pal

    4. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      You don't want TAA vs Watford at home?

      1. Clay Davis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Could be rested after last weekends failed attempt

    5. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Two downgrades in my eyes

  2. BadaBing
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    KDB and Jimmy to Son and Abraham for free? Good moves right? Son is going to out score KDB for the foreseeable future. Abraham higher ceiling than Jimmy.

    1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      You just never know when KDB/City will start firing... I would see what team Spurs actually play tonight.

      1. BadaBing
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        They don’t look like firing consistently any time soon. If they do pick up I can wildcard in January!

    2. Pinturicchio10
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Makes perfect sense.

    3. LarryDuff
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Whoever wrote this article is talking waffle. Having a good and playing bench around Christmas is well known to be very beneficial. Yes benching 8 or 9 points is frustrating, but getting them in once or twice over say 1 or 2 points is extremely beneficial. FPL 'experts' are destroying FPL

      1. Stupendous
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I tend to agree with this.

        Why would you not want playing bench during the busiest time of the season and when rotation has already well and truly kicked in?

        Tripe

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

        Agreed, who cares if you have bench points. Id rather my bench players score and get potential price rises/form than just having a perma red flagged 0 points every week

      3. Rover
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Agreed. Especially with the likes of Rico, Kelly, Cantwell, Lundstram there can be no real argument for a non-playing bench (okay maybe one ultra cheapo in defence). I'd argue that even a player like Greenwood is worth it, generally subs on every game for a point and might actually score on and off.

      4. LarryDuff
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Good to see I'm not alone in my thinking haha

      5. doy
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Rotation is also slightly overrated during the hectic Xmas period.

    4. FirMinaMiMo
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Anyone thinking over gw19 ....???

      Big clashes against big teams (((liv vs lei))) ...we hve to break our entire team structure especially defence options using WC ....Agree????

      1. Lav
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Free hit.

        1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Waste

    5. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Hendo, 4.0
      TAA, Aurier, Lundstram, Kelly, Targett
      Mane, Son, KDB, Maddison, Pulisic
      Vardy, Abraham, Greenwood

      Early thoughts about GW18 moves. Which looks like best option?

      a) TAA, Pulisic > Soyuncu, Alli
      b) Pulisic, Greenwood > 4.4, Jimenez
      c) Maddison, Pulisic > Alli, Grealish
      d) Mane > Alli and roll FT (will lost only 0.1 on him)

      1. Lav
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I reckon C. I was gonna do Maddison + Jimmy to Grealish + Rash this week but now I dont know.

    6. CRO KLOPP
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Local press here in Croatia are predicting this lineup for City tonight

      Bravo
      Cancelo Ota Garcia Mendy
      Rodri Gundo Foden
      Mahrez Jesus Bilva

    7. Legohair
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Pope
      TAA-Soy-Lundy
      Mane-KDB-Pulisic-Maddy
      Vardy-Abraham-Jimenez

      Button, Aurier, Cantwell, Chambers

      A. KDB to Son
      B. KDB&Jimenez to Alli&Rash - 4p
      C. Save

      1. Lav
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I would be tempted to do B. Would also just role with Tammy soon, and no Pulisic.

        1. Legohair
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Thanks

    8. JBG
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Are there any good defenders too own from GW 18 till GW 25??

      1. Lav
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Thats a long stretch, but Palace arguably look the best there defensively

        1. JBG
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          It's basically the GWs Pool defenders aren't that likely to get many points.

          1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            The wingers can haul against any team at any time

    9. Lav
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Any ideas here? Have 2 FT, 1.1m ITB

      Gazza (4.0)
      TAA Soy Lund (Rico 4.0)
      Mane KDB Son Maddison (Cantwell)
      Vardy Tammy Jimmy

      1. JBG
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Kdb to Alli and Jimenez to Rashford maybe?

        1. Lav
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Yeah I really want to do Jimmy to Rashford and I was short 0.3m of that, now 0.4m. I was going to do Maddison to Grealish to fund the move, but feel like that is harsh to do when he has Norwich at home. Unsure I want to double up Spurs attack right now + I have Gazza.

      2. Jimbo-Jones
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Team is great for this week.
        Must be considering Jimmy to Rash but can’t see where you’d get the money this week.
        If literally no option, I’d further downgrade your 4.0 or Cantwell to free up a bit more cash.

        1. Lav
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Yeah Jimmy to Rash is the ideal move that I want to do. Was ready to do Maddison to Grealish to fund the move but that is harsh now. Need 0.4m to fund the move so may have to downgrade elsewhere if possible like you say.

      3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Solid. Maybe just upgrade your 4.0 defender?

        1. Lav
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          An option, but I really need Rashford

    10. Jimbo-Jones
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      G2G and roll transfer?
      Bench right? Or start Jimenez over Tielemans / Lund?

      Pope
      TAA VVD Soyuncu Lundstram
      KDB Zaha Tielemans Mané
      Vardy Abraham

      Jimenez Kelly Dendoncker

      1. Lav
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        GTG

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

        Would start Jimmy over Soyuncu.

    11. Bring back ole
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      2 ft and iv 0itb what's peoples thots as too what i can do with this lot, please help,

      Pope
      Taa, lundstram, Pereira
      Kdb, maddison, mane, Pulisic,
      Ings, vardy, abraham

      Bench, mcgovern, O'Connell
      Cathcart, cantwell

      1. Lav
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Pope has to go, and maybe I would consider changing Pulisic.

        1. Bring back ole
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Pope to who tho lol and also pulisic to who?

          1. Lav
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Just realized you dont have any Spurs players. Maybe would keep Pulisic then and consider dropping one of KDB, Maddison, Mane to Son/Alli. Pope to Guaita

        2. Annie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Why Pulisic?

          1. Lav
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Been playing so many matches so maybe a rest is coming, and Tammy is the main man. All you really need for Chelsea I think.

            1. Annie
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              If he played 90 last night I'd be inclined to agree, but looks a great shout for this week at least.

    12. BrutalLogiC
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      It's almost half time for season, has it been a good one so far?

      1. Lav
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        FPL wise yes, my best ever run so far sitting at 24k. Been incredible. As for the PL, its a one horse race with Leicester keeping us entertained. Otherwise been a write off season, last year was better.

      2. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Meh, back in top 100k, nowt special, early days still

    13. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Save FT here? Right to bench Aurier?
      Thanks 🙂

      Pope
      TAA • Soy • Lundy
      Son • KDB • Mané • Maddy • Pulisic
      Vardy(C) • Tammy
      (McGov. Aurier. Greeny. Rico)

      1. Lav
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Can get rid of Pope, otherwise save and GTG

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Not a bad week for him but wouldn’t be surprised if we scored again

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

        Save FT most def. Right to bench Aurier, I predict a tough one for Spurs.

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Thanks Zon!

    14. Bring back ole
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Peoples thots? Kdb to alli to city cover?

      1. circusmonkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        In English?

        1. Pinturicchio10
            4 years, 10 months ago

            People's thoughts? De Bruyne out for Alli for Spurs coverage?

      2. The Greenback Boogie
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Current team :

        Pope
        VVD - Soy - Lundstram
        Salah - KDB - Son - Zaha
        Jiminez - Vardy - Rashford

        Have 2 FT and 0.1 ITB. Which moves would you make?

        A. KDB + Jiminez to Kane + 6.4 mid (Likely Shelvey/JWP/Grealish)
        B. Jiminez + VVD to Tammy + Spurs defender
        C. Jiminez + KDB to Tammy + Alli/Richarlison
        D. KDB + Zaha to Richarlison/Pulisic/Maddison + Alli

        Loads of combinations there and I am confused as to which avenue to pursue.

        1. Lav
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          C. if you are content with your league position and want consistent greens/small reds

          A. if you want a bit of a differential and to climb

      3. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Sterling will haul against Arsenal (confirmed) because he's a troll.

        1. zon
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Or because Arsenal's defense leaks like a granny's arse.

        2. Pinturicchio10
            4 years, 10 months ago

            A troll would blank vs Arsenal

        3. phuang
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Pope
          Soyuncu, TAA, Lundstrum
          KDB, Mane, Pulisic, Son
          Vardy, Abraham, Ings

          Subs: Heaton, Kelly, Hayden, Tomori

          Looking to shift out Pulisic for Martial/Maddison. Who would you go for?

          1. Lav
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Martial.

          2. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Maddison. Nailed. Better team. More creative player. Less injury prone.

        4. rodragon
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Jiminez to rashford?

        5. Nostalgia picks
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          TAA and Jiminez to Rashford + Def up to 6.2m (and who?)

        6. circusmonkey
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Misleading headline, suggests he doesn't have a playing substitute. Rupert Murdoch, take note of this emerging tabloid talent.