I’ve been asking the FFGeek contributors to do fantasy premier league imaginary wildcard teams to give you another perspective for player picks. Here’s Scott Hargadon (aka Cesspool) who’s currently got an overall rank of 22k and is 2nd in the FFGeek contributors league with an imaginary wildcard team to help you plan your transfers for this week. This will give you player picks with more longevity than just the current gameweek
fantasy premier league – Scott Hargadon (aka Cesspool) and his imaginary wildcard team
I appreciate being asked by FFG to share my thoughts on a potential wildcard for GW25. I will go over each position where I think there were choices to make and give some of my thinking. My goal for any wildcard is to have 15 players who start regularly and to have one cheap player who plays but will be really only a space filler. I also committed this year to play four defenders for value purposes, and I will continue that practice.
Here’s the team:
THE ESSENTIALS
Harry Kane FWD
Mo Salah MID
Raheem Sterling MID
Phil Jones DEF
Marcus Alonso DEF
GOALKEEPERS
I have chosen Adrián (4.3) and Alex McCarthy (4.4). These budget keepers rotate well and both have good fixtures over the next six. Because West Ham has suffered injuries to attacking players, I expect David Moyes to revert to a more defensive style. Southampton, furthermore, has Yoshida and Cedric back and should be a better unit than they have shown the last 10 games. If McCarthy is replaced by Forster, I would opt for Fabiański at 4.6.
DEFENDERS
In addition to Jones and Alonso, about who nothing need be said, I have chosen van Dijk, Monreal and Bardsley.
I think Van Dijk will have scoring opportunities and help shore up Liverpool’s defence, which has been decent with Gomez at RB and Robertson at LB. Gomez has been a rotation risk so I would avoid him; Robertson represents good value at 4.7 if you think, as I do, he will hold off Moreno at that position.
Monreal is a value player based on the reduction of his price back to 5.6. I think Arsenal will play better now that the Sanchez saga is over and Arsenal has finished the last two seasons strong defensively. I also like how Monreal has moved up in the offensive zone this season, aggressively attacking loose balls in the box. Three goals already, maybe more.
Finally Bardsley, Burnley’s run in looks good now that the worst of their schedule is over. At 4.3, he is great value and has kept Lowton on the bench.
I have not chosen a Man City defender given their injuries and my perception that any defence with Stones will rarely get a clean sheet. It also might be that Otamendi has logged a lot of minutes – remember Chelsea’s vaunted defence faltered down the stretch last season.
MIDFIELDERS
In addition to Salah and Sterling, who again need nothing to be said, I would add Anthony Martial, Bernardo Silva and James McArthur.
I like Martial far down the stretch. His game has been transformed by Pogba who seems to be able to find his French teammate in space in the box. Martial’s speed and finishing should keep him in the lineup over Rashford, and the arrival of Sanchez should, in my opinion, impact Lingard or Mata more. I can see Sanchez playing as No. 10 and Lingard moving to the right attacking mid. At 8.0 and 3.5% ownership, Martial could be a big differential.
With the injury to Sané, I decided his natural replacement, Bernardo Siva, was worth it at 7.4 versus David Silva at 8.0. Bernardo has 2 goals and six assists in limited minutes and I think he will continue to shine. I can understand though if you choose the long-term game security of David Silva too.
McArthur of Palace is my cheap filler at 4.3. He has played 90 minutes in each game since he returned from injury.
FORWARDS
I have chosen Firmino and Callum Wilson to pair with Kane up top.
Firmino instead of Agüero is the hardest choice. I have gone on record that I would not take Agüero at 11.5 and with so little game time security. The Jesus injury may have changed that, but City had so many upcoming fixtures, I can’t help but believe Agüero will suffer rotation. If he punishes me, so be it. Firmino’s price tag allows me to have a much better defence and a worthwhile third striker. I also fear not having Firmino due to his 38% ownership.
Wilson is the third striker. Bournemouth is playing better and Wilson’s play off the ball has been excellent. At 5.8, for a nailed-on striker with pens, he seems an easy choice.
WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE US?
This team is flexible to play 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 with Wilson rotating with Bernardo Silva. The defence can yield four decent fixtures in virtually every game week until the end. It is heavy on Liverpool, which is a risk, maybe light on Chelsea, just right on Man City and Man United.
I hope this analysis has been helpful to your planning and transfer plans this week.
Thanks very much Scott, if you’re interested, you can also see the FFGeek imaginary wildcard article here
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