FPL 20/21 : Disappointing GW 1 | Team for GW 2
FPL 20/21 season has started on a disappointing note for me, with just 42 points from the first Game week, and a rank of 35 lacs. There are a lot of lessons to be learnt, some of them I am action straight away in team for GW 2, others will have to wait till next couple of game weeks.
Positives – Sadly only 3 players did not blank for my team in GW 1
- Contributions from budget forwards – Wilson and Calvert Lewin scored a goal each to help me save face in GW 1.
- Aubameyang also scored, which ensured my captain does not blank.
Negatives
- Dele Alli – Subbed out at half time to just score 1 FPL point. Contrary to what I thought at start of the season, things don’t seem to be good between him and the manager and I must avoid him in my team
- Mason Mount – Mount is a short term punt for me, despite playing in an advanced role he did not get involved in the goals – he is on a tightrope in my team
- Trent Alexander Arnold – I did not expect Leeds to score 3 against Liverpool and that costed me defensive points. On the other hand, no involvement in 4 goals Liverpool scored was also disappointing, still seems to be a bankable option in long term, hence will continue
Near-Misses
- Mane over Salah – Decision between the two has always been a difficult for me, while Salah seems to be a better choice based on selection percentages, I have observed Mane has been neck to neck with Salah on points in last 2 seasons. But GW 1 was a huge differentiator, had I gone the other way I would have seen a 18 points swing, getting me closer to my weekly target. Fine margins. I would ideally want to continue with Mane in the hope that he will catch up, but with KDB waiting to be selected, I am not so sure.
- Jiminez and Bamford – I had both of them in my initial GW 1 squad but decided to go with Ings and Wilson instead. In the long term will prefer work towards getting Jiminez in my team, not so sure about Bamford, especially with Rodrigo expected to take his place soon
- Gibbs over Lascelles – I chose Gibbs in my playing XI, it was just a toss up which did not go my way.
GW 2 team
Manchester United and Manchester City are starting their premier league campaigns from this week. I had hoped to get Martial and KDB in my team.
Ings seems the easiest to convert to Martial given I have 0.5M in the bank. Fixtures for DCL and Wilson seem to be good and they are in decent form.
To get KDB into my team I need to replace Mane or Aubameyang. Mane seems a more viable choice as Auba has a good fixture at home against West Ham, potential captain pick. But I want to give Mane time in my squad to see if he can balance out Salah’s points. Could be a potential differential.
Talking of differentials, to get Manchester City presence I decide to take a punt on Foden for a -4 hit. Alli seems to be in some sort of trouble lately, so I plan on bringing Foden in for him.
Another change I am thinking in Goalkeeping department as Fulham have signed Alphonse Areola on loan from PSG, if he starts for Fulham, I could be playing with 10 men. But I am going to take a risk this GW as I am already going for a -4 hit.
Transfers
- Ings —-> Martial
- Alli —-> Foden
Captaincy – Going to stick with Aubameyang as captain for GW 2 as well, he has a good home fixture against West Ham. My other option is Martial, but this is the first match of a shortened pre-season for United, hence not willing to take the risk with a United captain.
Best of luck for GW2 everyone!