I'm currently sat at 500k having used TC and FH. My best ever finish (in 5 years of playing) was 350k last season, so going 'against the grain' probably means you won't end up beating the template in the long run but with a following wind, you could end up winning FPL.
FWD - I'm hoping Sesko will come good but if not, Mateta is no.1 for me. Gyokeres is an option of course but I'm monitoring Bowen too.
De Cuyper looks good. I also like Truffert, Diakite and Alderete for their price.
MID - If Palmer comes back with good mins and form, he'll probably come in for a Salah as Mo is overpriced.
Looking at Minteh, Gordon, King, Paqueta, Neto and Eze as possible buys.
Players I'm considering bringing in for the next 5 GW before WC13..
DEF - my defence (except I sold Sels this week) has stayed the same all season, as I prefer to spend in attack, even with the changing landscape this season.
I do need to replace Digne though as his minutes are risky.
You won't win FPL by being template! I bought Salah in GW6 because everyone was selling! Of course its a balancing act as you could get left behind but there are players that people are ignoring to fit in all their Arsenal picks, which can easily match or exceed their points.
I haven't posted this season but I see so many similar teams and podcasts saying there's no other option than to follow the template, that I thought I'd give advice for those that like to go a different path.
Thread below
Thanks, MGW was in my draft when it looked like he might end up at Spurs but there are better options for sure. Rogers for one would give me some Villa coverage
With many interesting signings by the top clubs, this year I think it makes sense to do an early wildcard (gw 4 so transfer window is closed, 2 week int. break to catch price rises & some idea of who are the best FPL picks)
This draft is made with GW1-3 in mind. Any thoughts on this team/strategy?
This is likely to be my wildcard team. Watkins/Wissa was a close call, and if we get a leak that KDB doesn't start, Sarr will come in.
I like Semenyo vs Ars reserves & Man city days after FA cup final.
With 9.2itb I could easily upgrade but who comes in/out?
Last week 84 points.
Nkunku to Saka was the planned transfer but left 0.0 to change Glasner (bad choice). So I took a -8 to do next weeks transfer early (Asensio > Elanga) & Glasner > Arteta.
With no FH left, hits were needed to get 11 players out next week so might as well get them over with!
Hard decision on who to pick as AM this week as I wanted a chance for TB. In the end I went for Moyes, with Arsenal having bigger fish to fry & injuries.
Another hit this week, Murphy for Dango and Marmoush for Watkins as I can't trust his minutes.
Transfers: Trippier for Trent & Isak for Wissa
As I'm playing Assman (Glasner)31-33, I won't wildcard until 34 but with transfers I think I'll be fairly well setup for dgw33.
If predictions are correct, maximising dgw36 will be hard as those 4 teams blank in 37. Anyone considering Wildcard 37?
Free hit is annoying as you do your transfers but that doesn't stop you thinking about doing more!
Chris Wood is the safe pick but I won't capt him so any returns will probably lose me rank. Much more fun to go with Evanilson..
Here is my Free hit draft, any thoughts?
Seen a lot of Gvardiol, Ait- Nouri and yes they have upside but chances of a return in 1 week..I'm not sure. ARS,EVE, NFO are among the best defensive teams so backing them.
Mid/Fwd fairly template, KDB might come in for Wissa if there's a leak he starts
I'm thinking about KDB on a free hit. But will he start? Might be a last minute decision if we get team leaks before deadline
I need a replacement for Hall that can play this week but benched other weeks so welcome Agbadou (4.0m)
For a hit, Gordon to Asensio. He'll be popular on wildcards but a good differential this week.
Leaves Dango as a decent 1st bench.
Looking at FH29 to get me back to 100k after a few red arrows!
Did the planned transfer of Timber to Munoz today, should've done it weeks ago!
Knowing how bad Saints are right now I did Rogers to Nkunku for a hit. Some regret already on that move, he wasn't even on my radar before today but after a terrible gw26 I felt like I needed to attack the good fixtures
Gakpo out for Capt Wissa this week. Hall vs Timber the only real decision to make, hopefully White stays on the bench.
Players on my radar for next week: Jorgenson & Munoz or Gvardiol.
Let's see how much damage Salah, Wood and Isak can inflict this week!
Not much in it, if Fh29 go for Rogers, if not stick with Amad
Dgw32 has helped clarify chip strategy for me: FH29, AM 31-33, WC34
Last week (94 points) was a rank killer (300k) for me, but I'm hoping 5 doublers this week will help claw some back.
This week's transfer was Kulusevski to Dango. I'm reluctantly benching Gordon, could still swap him with Gakpo
Transfers for me this week Foden to Rogers & Duran to Watkins.
That gives me 0.5m to afford Moyes (plan yesterday) but woke up with a plan to go chipless this week!
Depending on FA cup results I'll AM 25-27 or keep it for 31-33/36-38 in the hope or more nice table bonus fixtures. Wish me luck!
I'm thinking about Mateta or Gakpo for Havertz this week. This year I'm trying to be more patient but that's backfired at times when I've kept out-of-form players for too long.
Considering form, fixtures and minutes I think Mateta comes out on top.
Anyone else with Havertz got a similar dilemma?
I thought I would go for Haaland this week but in the end his fixtures & history don't make up for his lack of form/price.
Sold Semenyo & Kudus for Foden and Gordon instead. I'm passing on Isak so need some Newcastle cover!
Duran for Cunha last week was a disaster but its done so I'll keep him!
Kulsevski in for Saka for me, cheapest of the Spurs attackers and nailed.
Also brought Duran for Cunha - not convinced by this move but it does give me the option of Havertz to Haaland if I see enough in gw18.
Otherwise I'll be upgrading Semenyo/Kudus. Who's going to be the Star this Christmas?
Do I sell Watkins this week? Possible injury and Duran lurking in his shadow. Obvious replacement is Isak but I held him too long at the start of the season and can't face getting him again.
Havertz has the fixtures but he's quite wide and doesn't seem to have much goal threat right now. Hoijland?
Same here but instead of Rogers I have Watkins, who was my captain. Not a great start!
You've hit the nail on the head there. Martin can't look at himself in the mirror if he doesn't do it "his way". So the rest of us just have to put up with this kamakazi football which has produced about 1 goal all season.
I'd play Rogers and bench Pedro. Both probably looking at 70mins max but Villa will be 3 or 4 up by then so good chance he returns.
2 hours before gw14 I decided to WC. Plan was to keep it until GW19 but my team needed surgery and seemed crazy to take hits.
Pretty pleased with a 4th green arrow in a row and into the top 100k.
Hopefully this is set up for Xmas schedule and I'll have 4/5 transfers to catch the swing in gw18
There's plenty of players who are performing, depends on your appetite for risk. It's much less template this year than last, as we can't have them all. As fixtures change theres new possibilities..Rashford, Kluivert, Kudus, Neto...
I've had Savio, Raul, Foden, its not worked out but that's fpl!
