January wildcard

FHFC

If I may be so bold as to start a new thread.

What are peoples plans/strategy for this in Jan?

Is it best to get it done early to try to gain ground and value or wait a while and see if there are any nice new signings about provided your team is on midline shape?

When is generally best for price rises? Do the majority of casual players go on jan 1 and the prices go crazy or is it evenly spread over the month? It's a 10 day GW at the start too, although so is the last week of the month.

Finally, how the hell do we not end up all with the exact same team, or 90% the same at least?

First time playing so interested but I'm sure the discussion would be of interest to all.

qwabercd

The game would be much better (and more challenging) without a January wildcard.

alchemist33

I think making money with your WC is over-emphasised. I'll try to make it last until the end of the month. There may be less transfer activity then but I'll have it to use for new players/weather call-offs/injury crises as the need arises.

Iused2likebusts

Ill be playing mine straight away to get a cheap defence and expensive front 7 team. Much harder to make money in this wildcard as there will be lots of players you own that you cant transfer out short term as you have money tied up in them. I think playing it straight away between gw 20-21 or between gw 22-23 is the best time to do it. As there is 10 days between games.
Rotating teams will be useful for picking cheap gks, defs, cheap mids or capt choices.
Arsenal-spurs
chelsea-fulham
city-utd
newcastle-sunderland
pool-everton
cardiff-swansea
west ham- southampton
villa-wba
palace-hull
stoke-norwich

Lemlin

Waiting until the last possible weekend has always worked well for me.

We'll have just had 4 GWs in ten days when January 1st comes, why would you need a wildcard immediately after that? That's 4 free transfers plus whatever hits you took.

Iused2likebusts

Lemlin wrote: »

Waiting until the last possible weekend has always worked well for me.

We'll have just had 4 GWs in ten days when January 1st comes, why would you need a wildcard immediately after that? That's 4 free transfers plus whatever hits you took.

We haven't all had a dream 7 or 8 weeks like yourself :pac:. I see your in the top 5k you have a great chance of a really high finish this year(top 500 maybe) as if my money leagues are anything to go by there are people floating around the top 10k that have never been anywhere near that level before.

Skippy44

I'll be treading carefully with this wildcard, I've bollixed up my team with my last couple of wildcards and had to play catchup afterwards. Minimal changes for me and I'll play it as late as possible, mid/long term injuries permitting. would rather not have it at all tbh.

Paully D

I'll be using it ASAP. We'll have an extra week to make changes too because the FA Cup 3rd round is on the between gameweeks 20 and 21.

My strategy is to go with rotating goalkeepers, a cheap defense that has potential for clean sheets, and load up in midfield and up front. So far, I'm thinking of the below:



That would give me a Sunderland or Newcastle goalkeeper at home every week.

Mertesacker as the mainstay in defense, rotated with 2 of Chester, Turner, Whittaker or Ward. Chester and Ward rotate perfectly for example.

A midfield four of Hazard, Silva, Walcott and Cabaye.

A strikeforce of Suarez, Rooney and Negredo, of which Negredo can be switched to Aguero and Rooney downgraded to say a mid-priced option like Lukaku or Adebayor etc if necessary.

The biggest weakness of course is having a deadrubber in Johnson in my team, but with that midfield four I'm hoping it won't be too much of a problem.

Not a bad draft anyway IMO.

qwabercd

Paully D wrote: »

I'll be using it ASAP. We'll have an extra week to make changes too because the FA Cup 3rd round is on the between gameweeks 20 and 21.

My strategy is to go with rotating goalkeepers, a cheap defense that has potential for clean sheets, and load up in midfield and up front. So far, I'm thinking of the below:



That would give me a Sunderland or Newcastle goalkeeper at home every week.

Mertesacker as the mainstay in defense, rotated with 2 of Chester, Turner, Whittaker or Ward. Chester and Ward rotate perfectly for example.

A midfield four of Hazard, Silva, Walcott and Cabaye.

A strikeforce of Suarez, Rooney and Negredo, of which Negredo can be switched to Aguero and Rooney downgraded to say a mid-priced option like Lukaku or Adebayor etc if necessary.

The biggest weakness of course is having a deadrubber in Johnson in my team, but with that midfield four I'm hoping it won't be too much of a problem.

Not a bad draft anyway IMO.

That's the exact same front 7 I'm looking at. Probably the exact front 7 a lot of people are looking at. I've little bit of extra moola to play with so will probably stick with Morrison as my cheapie and can afford 2 decent defenders.

Lemlin

Paully D wrote: »

I'll be using it ASAP. We'll have an extra week to make changes too because the FA Cup 3rd round is on the between gameweeks 20 and 21.

My strategy is to go with rotating goalkeepers, a cheap defense that has potential for clean sheets, and load up in midfield and up front. So far, I'm thinking of the below:



That would give me a Sunderland or Newcastle goalkeeper at home every week.

Mertesacker as the mainstay in defense, rotated with 2 of Chester, Turner, Whittaker or Ward. Chester and Ward rotate perfectly for example.

A midfield four of Hazard, Silva, Walcott and Cabaye.

A strikeforce of Suarez, Rooney and Negredo, of which Negredo can be switched to Aguero and Rooney downgraded to say a mid-priced option like Lukaku or Adebayor etc if necessary.

The biggest weakness of course is having a deadrubber in Johnson in my team, but with that midfield four I'm hoping it won't be too much of a problem.

Not a bad draft anyway IMO.

Canas is only .1 mil more than Johnson and actually plays.

Lemlin

Iused2likebusts wrote: »

We haven't all had a dream 7 or 8 weeks like yourself :pac:. I see your in the top 5k you have a great chance of a really high finish this year(top 500 maybe) as if my money leagues are anything to go by there are people floating around the top 10k that have never been anywhere near that level before.

I wish it was dream. If I was getting the captaincy right, I'd probably be top 500 already.

If I'm top 5k at the end of the season, I'll be more than happy. My main goal is still my private leagues. I'm winning 2 of those for cash, also moved ahead in work league where I'll win a trip to a PL game and lying second in league for €300 worth of Cavan GAA gear.

Mr.Prodston

Firstly the obligatory wildcard gif



In the weeks approaching Christmas I'd have said I prefer to wait until the last GW it's available as things were going well. However I've begun to stutter and my confidence has taken a bit of a beating. As my good form continued I began to go against my natural playing style: taking less and less risks, play the percentages and bringing in Ramsey. No chance I would have done this months ago languishing in 880k.

Looking back I knew my midfield was a mess and believe I was one of the first people to have all 3 of Rooney, Aguero and Suarez which catapulted me up, however everyone else began to latch on and my midfield still wasn't right. I've made some bad transfers of late, a few good one too but my ambitious streak has been curbed somehow. Only 2 hits in 8 GWs speaks for itself and one of those was Stephens morning while not fully alert resulting in Mirallas in for Coutinho who went on to score. Players I wanted coming into Xmas haven't happened i.e. Walcott and Whitts.

Anyway enough late night reflecting the point I'm making is that at this moment in time I have my eye on an early wildcard but in another 2 GWs things may be looking better again. Last season I remember spending the whole month of December eagerly awaiting it to arrive and by the time it had done I'd fixed the mess my team was in and kept it for the very end. A good thing too as I had to try and set it up for a full 2 months as I was away travelling from early Feb. No such luck this year :pac:

I'd love to wait until the end of Jan and I'll keep an open mind, but I'll do what's best when the time comes.

irish son

I'm planning on waiting until Aguero is back and then work him in with my wildcard. I'm seriously considering going 352 with it too, something like this.

PARlance

irish son wrote: »

I'm planning on waiting until Aguero is back and then work him in with my wildcard. I'm seriously considering going 352 with it too, something like this.

I'm planning to wait until Aguero is back too, I used his injury to go to 3-5-2 and I'm hoping it pays off (Aguero -> Chamakh)...
I think it's fairly low risk, it's working ok so far, if Rooney had a few quite weeks it could really pay dividend

Current 3-5-2
Zab, Mert, Coleman
Silva, Ozil, Walcott, Navas, Cabaye
Suarez, Lukaku

As much as I don't want too, Lukaku may have to make way for an Aguero return. (as opposed to a Chamakh -> Aguero reversal)

FHFC

Hmm, if I was likely to wait till late to WC I'd be more inclined to a hit this week or next.

Still not sure how to play it.....

irish son

PARlance wrote: »

I'm planning to wait until Aguero is back too, I used his injury to go to 3-5-2 and I'm hoping it pays off (Aguero -> Chamakh)...
I think it's fairly low risk, it's working ok so far, if Rooney had a few quite weeks it could really pay dividend

Current 3-5-2
Zab, Mert, Coleman
Silva, Ozil, Walcott, Navas, Cabaye
Suarez, Lukaku

As much as I don't want too, Lukaku may have to make way for an Aguero return.

Yeah I was thinking about going 352 when Aguero got injured too but with Rooney and Suarez upfront, I regret not doing it now.

roryc

What dates can the wildcard be used? I would assume GW 20-23. Too lazy to check the rules on site...

moreau

I don't really see the advantage to not playing wildcard early? There will not be any DGW or anything...

Aguero can be brought in easy enough for a 4 point hit if necessary, don't really get that arguement

Iused2likebusts

moreau wrote: »

I don't really see the advantage to not playing wildcard early? There will not be any DGW or anything...

Aguero can be brought in easy enough for a 4 point hit if necessary, don't really get that arguement

I agree unless your team is in really good shape.

Shedite27

moreau wrote: »

I don't really see the advantage to not playing wildcard early? There will not be any DGW or anything...

Well you might as well wait until the 11th anyway, get the FA Cup games out of the way in case of injuries etc.

After that there's 2 weeks of fixtures, then more FA Cup, followed by a midweek round (which may involve rotation).

Then there's also a few big names who are due back in January (Ramsey, Aguero, Sturridge, Van Persie), so maybe you'd want to wait until they are back to see if you want to accomodate them.

I probably currently have 4 players I'd "like" to change. Probably wait another few weeks to see if that list grows.

sashafierce

This post has been deleted.

roryc

GW23

G1032

Defense needs sorting.

I'm thinking Evans in for Ridgewell,
Get rid of sub goalie Daniels,
Get rid of Moxey,

Also need to get rid of Jedinak

Possibly need to get rid of Lukaku.

All needs to be done early due to cost issues. Need some sort of reserve in case I want to bring Aguero in for Rooney at any time.

G1032

So this is my team as it stands


This is WC proposal. Go for it early or wait? I'm thinking I'll play it early. Lukaku/Adebayor transfer will more or less be decided on what they both do for next GW. Lukaku still skating on very thin ice.....!!



I'll proabably downgrade Szcz to Krul but if Arsenal play well defensively Szcz and Mert will stay

FHFC

Shedite27 wrote: »

Well you might as well wait until the 11th anyway, get the FA Cup games out of the way in case of injuries etc.

After that there's 2 weeks of fixtures, then more FA Cup, followed by a midweek round (which may involve rotation).

Then there's also a few big names who are due back in January (Ramsey, Aguero, Sturridge, Van Persie), so maybe you'd want to wait until they are back to see if you want to accomodate them.

I probably currently have 4 players I'd "like" to change. Probably wait another few weeks to see if that list grows.

Looking more like playing it late, team in reasonable shape if Rooney comes back and would like to see how Aguero is and be in a position to fit him in with the optimum team around him.

Mr.Prodston

It seems like I have 4 candidates for my 3rd forward: Lukaku, Ade, Soldado and J-Rod.

That could change and probably will. I'm also not sure if I'll be rushing back for Aguero, I love him to bits but City will have a lot of rotation with League cup, FA cup and CL to compete in. Although mid Feb through March present some very nice fixtures. A simple case of sacrificing a heavy hitting mid or Rooney.

Mr.Prodston

Also I need somebody to make sure I include Hazard in my wildcard. Not entirely sure how I've continued to avoid him.

FHFC

Mr.Prodston wrote: »

It seems like I have 4 candidates for my 3rd forward: Lukaku, Ade, Soldado and J-Rod.

That could change and probably will. I'm also not sure if I'll be rushing back for Aguero, I love him to bits but City will have a lot of rotation with League cup, FA cup and CL to compete in. Although mid Feb through March present some very nice fixtures. A simple case of sacrificing a heavy hitting mid or Rooney.

Totally agree about Aguero.

I think when a player is on a golden run of form an injury and a spell off playing can totally throw that off, it could take him a month back to find his rhythm again. Plus they've been coping ok without him with Negredo and Dzeko stepping up, so Pellegrini might not be as fearful of resting him now, he had got burned without him at Stoke that time.

With the CL and cups and no guarantee he'll be in the same sort of form I'll wait to see if he's worth the cash. A fit again RVP might be a temptation instead as his season never got going and he could be hungry if he gets a run of games.

iroced

G1032 wrote: »

So this is my team as it stands


This is WC proposal. Go for it early or wait? I'm thinking I'll play it early. Lukaku/Adebayor transfer will more or less be decided on what they both do for next GW. Lukaku still skating on very thin ice.....!!



I'll proabably downgrade Szcz to Krul but if Arsenal play well defensively Szcz and Mert will stay

Looks like a very strong team. Not personally sure Ade will really be better Lukaku although the extra £0.7m could be benefitial at some point (to get Ramsey for Cabaye for example if the former comes back in the same form he left).

Lemlin

G1032 wrote: »

So this is my team as it stands.

This is WC proposal. Go for it early or wait? I'm thinking I'll play it early. Lukaku/Adebayor transfer will more or less be decided on what they both do for next GW. Lukaku still skating on very thin ice.

I'll proabably downgrade Szcz to Krul but if Arsenal play well defensively Szcz and Mert will stay

I need a midfielder for around 4.2 to 4.3. Can I ask what made you go for Jedinak?

G1032

Lemlin wrote: »

I need a midfielder for around 4.2 to 4.3. Can I ask what made you go for Jedinak?

It was in my week 4 WC. I just wanted someone cheap who was guaranteed to start and would get me 2 points if required.

G1032

iroced wrote: »

Looks like a very strong team. Not personally sure Ade will really be better Lukaku although the extra £0.7m could be benefitial at some point (to get Ramsey for Cabaye for example if the former comes back in the same form he left).

I agree about Ade/Lukaku. I have the cash with that proposed team to keep Lukaku and I might just do that.

Mint Sauce

So I was going to play my WC in the first week of jan, considering it was the longest gap between weeks and to capital on changes.

Thn thinking the second week, due to FA Cup games.

Now thinking the last week, as its the end of the actual Transfer Window, and players could actually be transfered and either not available or less popular with new or exsisting managers for what ever reason.

Thoughts?

8-10

Mint Sauce wrote: »

So I was going to play my WC in the first week of jan, considering it was the longest gap between weeks and to capital on changes.

Thn thinking the second week, due to FA Cup games.

Now thinking the last week, as its the end of the actual Transfer Window, and players could actually be transfered and either not available or less popular with new or exsisting managers for what ever reason.

Thoughts?

Later the better I reckon. I certainly won't play it before FA Cup games

Shedite27

Mint Sauce wrote: »

Now thinking the last week, as its the end of the actual Transfer Window, and players could actually be transfered and either not available or less popular with new or exsisting managers for what ever reason.

Thoughts?

Plus, by the end of the transfer window you will have Aguero, Sturridge, Michu, Gerrard, Ramsey, Van Persie available again

Mr.Prodston

Right spent a little while thinking about what I want to do with my wildcard and here's a very early template which I imagine could be very much in the mainstream thinking.



Considering my hipster tendencies I'll want some left-field players but right now that looks solid and covers most of the bases. Obviously I can't afford that team but it's a starting point to work off of.

dahat

Looking at going from this team to team below.
Jordan Mitch i am keen on, seems to offer alot for 4.5 and i want to keep some funds in the bank in case i need to swap Rooney to Aguero.






Any opinions welcome....

Lemlin

dahat wrote: »

Looking at going from this team to team below.
Jordan Mitch i am keen on, seems to offer alot for 4.5 and i want to keep some funds in the bank in case i need to swap Rooney to Aguero.






Any opinions welcome....

It's very like the team I will have soon. The front 8, bar Mutch, are my playing front 7 I'm looking at.

McGregor and Mannone are also my two keepers I've decided on. I just need to bring McGregor in. 4 of the back 5 are my back five.

I have Terry instead of Olsson. That said, my plan is to dump Terry when Aguero gets back so I can go Lukaku to Aguero if possible.

dahat

The keeper choice did come from your posts, you made a good case and plus it freed up money as i had Krul £5.1. I have missed the boat on Mert so he will cost me top dollar so a change to Sagna/Gibbs could be possible.

Aguero is the great mystery of the Jan WC, like you i would love to have him but i do worry about his fitness and his ability to get back to top form, being eased back in etc...

Lemlin

dahat wrote: »

The keeper choice did come from your posts, you made a good case and plus it freed up money as i had Krul £5.1. I have missed the boat on Mert so he will cost me top dollar so a change to Sagna/Gibbs could be possible.

Aguero is the great mystery of the Jan WC, like you i would love to have him but i do worry about his fitness and his ability to get back to top form, being eased back in etc...

Are you sure about Lukaku? He earned a reprieve from me on Sunday but I still have an eye on Ade and Negredo. Ade was a great player for me two years ago. Like Lukaku, sometimes he mightn't play well yet manages to score well.

When is the last date the wildcard can be used? Is it GW23 or GW24?

CSF

Lemlin wrote: »

Are you sure about Lukaku? He earned a reprieve from me on Sunday but I still have an eye on Ade and Negredo. Ade was a great player for me two years ago. Like Lukaku, sometimes he mightn't play well yet manages to score well.

When is the last date the wildcard can be used? Is it GW23 or GW24?

I just don't see the point in looking for value in your strikers. It will more often than not be the main source of points, so it makes sense to go for the top 3 points scorers for that position, and then find the value elsewhere.

Shedite27

CSF wrote: »

I just don't see the point in looking for value in your strikers. It will more often than not be the main source of points, so it makes sense to go for the top 3 points scorers for that position, and then find the value elsewhere.

Yeah I agree.

Imagine if Aguero and Van Persie hit the ground running in January - could be trying to afford nearly 40mil worth of strikers!

CSF

Shedite27 wrote: »

Yeah I agree.

Imagine if Aguero and Van Persie hit the ground running in January - could be trying to afford nearly 40mil worth of strikers!

Yeah, would do it if I had to. Don't see RVP creeping back into my team this season though.

dahat

Lemlin wrote: »

Are you sure about Lukaku?

Each time i sold Lukaku he scored better than his replacement!! Quite possible i will look to move between him and Ade depending on funds, fixtures etc..

Ade and Lukaku are as frustrating as each other, could not even consider having both at the same, torture!

qwabercd

dahat wrote: »

Each time i sold Lukaku he scored better than his replacement!! Quite possible i will look to move between him and Ade depending on funds, fixtures etc..

Ade and Lukaku are as frustrating as each other, could not even consider having both at the same, torture!

Moving between them would be even more frustrating though. Both the exact type of player that you're likely to get in and out at the wrong time. Would be worse than jussi/begovic rotation last year!

dahat

qwabercd wrote: »

Moving between them would be even more frustrating though. Both the exact type of player that you're likely to get in and out at the wrong time. Would be worse than jussi/begovic rotation last year!

Pick one and hope to choose correctly! Lukaku is where i am now so probably stay there.

El Horseboxo

Think I'm going to hold out till the last week for the wildcard. Hoping there will be a double game week around then like last year. Been ahead of the curve for the popular transfers at the moment so my team is in good shape. I'll be going 2 top defenders and one each from Hull, Cardiff and Palace. Probably stick with Szcechzny for the season. Agüero and Suárez should be mainstays if fit. Silva, Hazard and Walcott should fit that profile too. The remaining positions will have a good deal of flexibility about them. One will def be a 4.5 or less midfielder that will only ever get me 2 or 3 points if needed. No risks type player that gets the 90. Juggling between Morrison and Januzaj has been annoying so far.

dahat

El Horseboxo wrote: »

. One will def be a 4.5 or less midfielder that will only ever get me 2 or 3 points if needed. No risks type player that gets the 90. Juggling between Morrison and Januzaj has been annoying so far.

Jordan Mutch of Cardiff is one that fits the bill on that count, play's 90 every week and hits a decent score now and again.

CSF

dahat wrote: »

Jordan Mutch of Cardiff is one that fits the bill on that count, play's 90 every week and hits a decent score now and again.

I don't watch Cardiff too often, think I've only seen the United game this season. If one was to compare Mutch, to a player from one of the big 5 (sorry Spurs, Newcastle and Everton) who would it be?

dahat

CSF wrote: »

I don't watch Cardiff too often, think I've only seen the United game this season. If one was to compare Mutch, to a player from one of the big 5 (sorry Spurs, Newcastle and Everton) who would it be?

Couldn't really answer that, i was looking at his "rap sheet" on the FPL website. Maybe someone else could give an answer to that.

extra gravy

[IMG][/img]

Fairly happy with team at the minute although doubling up on Everton defenders hasn't worked out too well so far. Will probably leave wildcard until end of the month and maybe just get Arsenal gk or def in next week. Might keep Distin and do Mignolet to Szczesny. Any thoughts?