Here’s FFGeek contributor Paul Williams with his bi-weekly ‘Diary of an FPL Manager’ series. This week, Paul discusses his own Chip Strategy. Paul is one of the Top 10 FPL Managers I follow and finished with an overall rank of 412 last season, 1,382 in 16/17 and 7,164 in 15/16.
Paul Williams ‘Diary of an FPL Manager’ – Chip Strategy
You can read more from Paul in his ‘Diary of an FPL Manager’ series on his Facebook blog
using this link.
Introduction
First of all, before I begin, I have to confess that I am not a huge fan of the Chips. I would be happy with two Wildcards each season and nothing else. The reason being is that they narrow the pool of players that knowledgeable managers select from when the Chips come into play.
Of course, I understand that they were partly introduced to raise the number of active teams and add a bit of excitement, but they also have the potential to ruin a season’s hard work.
My Chosen Option
After some deliberation, and mainly because I still have all of my Chips in place, I decided to follow Option 2 (which was marginally the most popular choice in the FFGeek Poll).
As a result, for the past couple of GWs, I have been gradually building a team that will hopefully give me eleven starters in GW31. However, the truth is that the majority of transfers I have made just recently have largely been forced, e.g. Patricio and Laporte. Nevertheless, as it stands, I am one hit away from reaching a full playing team.
Building a Team
Once you have decided your approach (and I don’t necessarily think the same works for everyone), for me, it is important that you make positive decisions without hedging too much. For example, looking at GW31, don’t fill your team with Leicester attacking players and Burnley defenders as one negates the other. Make a firm decision – select who you think will come out on top and back them.
Also, steer clear of the dross. For example, under normal circumstances you wouldn’t consider doubling up on Huddersfield players, so don’t do it just because it’s all you can afford.
In fact, the only team you should definitely have three players from is Liverpool. They should form the basis of your eleven. Consequently, it’s somewhat surprising that people can afford to ditch Salah right now. It’s all very well saying that Mane can cover Salah – but, at the moment, transfers are at a premium. Plus, I’m not entirely sure what you’d do with the extra funds in the immediate future anyway.
Conclusion
Most of you should be committed to your strategy by now and will be well on your way to adapting your team accordingly. Despite what I wrote at the beginning of the post (although I stand by it, I’m not a fan!), navigating your way through the blanks and utilising your Chips to gain as many points as possible does require a fair amount of thought and involves a lot of rapid, forced change. Arguably, developing your own Chip Strategy also succeeds in adding an extra element of interest to playing FPL – although never forget: ‘You don’t play FPL, FPL plays you!’
Hopefully, I can make it through to the other side with a much healthier Overall Rank.
You can read more from Paul in his ‘Diary of an FPL Manager’ series on his Facebook blog using this link.
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