January Wildcard – FPL Fantasy Premier League
The much anticipated January wildcard is just around the corner and this article will look through the different options you have in terms of strategy when it comes to playing it. For those managers who have already played their season-long wildcard, this is the last chance to have a free mass clear out, get rid of that deadwood – and select all those in-form players into your squad – subject to budget restrictions, of course! If you’re happy with your squad and you don’t feel the need to use your January wildcard, be aware that if you “don’t use it, you lose it”! Therefore, even if your squad does look good, most squads would still need the odd tinker, so your January wildcard could just be used to save the odd 4 or 8pt hit, but for most it’s finally that time when you can cut loose and start afresh.
The facts and dates:
The January Wildcard can only be used after GW20 starts (1 Jan 11:30) until GW23 ends (1 Feb 11:30).
FA Cup dates in January:
3rd round proper weekend of 4/5 January
4th round proper, weekend of 25th January.
Transfer window commences at midnight on 31 December and ends on 31 January. Yep we all know that day, it’s when ‘Arry leans out of his car window…
Using the wildcard early:
Many managers use their wildcard as early as possible, in an effort to maximise team value. This is possible because after GW20 begins there is a 10-day window until GW21 due to the FA Cup 3rd round proper inbetween GW20 & GW21, hence it is expected that there will be plenty of prices rises and in some cases a player may rise up to 0.3m. This method is particularly popular for those managers who still hold their “season-long” wildcard, therefore giving them maximum opportunity to benefit from their increased team value later on in the season. This is hugely significant and one of the advantages of still holding your season-long wildcard as later in the season it may well mean the difference between being able to buy a striker for £10m, instead of being limited to just £9m, if you haven’t raised that team value.
If you are lucky enough to still have your other one then hanging fire as late as possible may not be as pertinent as it is for those who have burned theirs already. You can go early, if you need to, knowing you still have another window of opportunity later in the season to rectify the inevitable squad issues that occur such as injuries. For those that have the January wildcard it is their last chance in this respect so choose carefully when you use it.
Using the wildcard late:
A good deal of managers will leave it as late as possible to play their January wildcard for a number of reasons. Firstly, by leaving it late, you get the whole benefit of the January transfer window. Just imagine David Moyes or Jose Mourinho splashing the cash during the month on some world-class talent…and you can get them in for free! The January transfer window usually throws up some new players from abroad and perhaps a few significant ones this time hopefully (note to Moyes – you need a midfielder!). Some teams view it as the O.K Corral in an attempt to galvanise their ailing squads in an effort to avoid relegation or push or for a European spot. Case in point being QPR last season when they introduced nearly a full new squad! It didn’t work…. The point is though, that if you can afford to wait, you can see what transfers have been made and how this may impact your future transfer decisions. The best example of this may be if Man Utd do bring in the marquee midfield play-maker they sorely need.
Secondly, this is the time of the season when the FA Cup starts to impact the FPL season – the dates of the 3rd & 4th round are listed above – this is all means the possibility of Cup replays, double game-weeks, congested fixture lists, postponed games, increased chances of injuries and suspensions to players, etc. Hence, for this reason it may also be prudent to wait as long as possible – especially if this is your last wildcard available.
Conclusion:
Clearly, there is no right or wrong answer as to when in January you should play your wildcard. Each manager must weigh up for themselves the different variables involved and work out what works best for their individual team priorities during the season. Your team may be ravaged by injuries from the Christmas period, you may still be holding your season-long wildcard, you want to wait for the transfer window to take advantage of new players coming into the league, you may be entirely focused on building up your team value.
Whatever you plan to do or indeed if you’re still not sure, be sure to get involved in the chat, offer up some advice or maybe look for guidance from others.
Good look and don’t forget that if you “don’t use it, you lose it”!
This article was written by Cookie.
Anyone thinking about Adebayor? Possibly for Remy?
As93,
Yep, thinking seriously about him! He’s got a good fixture too! Problem is it is a risk so early into Sherwoods charge!
Yeah I thought the same! Remys been poor lately! May be worth a gamble for the next few games before the Jan WC
For a first-ever 8pt hit I *could* get a team that looks like this:
De Gea
Gibbs Dawson Moxey (Vlaar) (Faye)
Walcott Silva Cabaye Oscar (Ravel)
Suárez Lukaku Rooney
That is: Fonte —–> Gibbs; Ozil —–> Walcott and Brunt —–> Cabaye
Alternatively I just do a 4pt hit, and take out Oscar instead..
..too many decisions/possibilities running though my head!
James
I think 8 point hit is too much. Take a 4 point hit if needed, but then if that gives you 11 starters, stop there mate. Next gameweek is soon here plus Jan WC!
B-Bash – I’ve never done one before, but Cabaye has Stoke at home whereas Brunt has Spurs away – the other starter being Vlaar who still may be injured
So 4pt hit = Vlaar (Brunt if he doesn’t start)
and 8pt hit = Cabaye – surely he can do at least 4 better?
James,
You present a good case, and Cabaye playing well with a good fixture. He’s on my radar too!
Its a gamble that could go either way. Interseting that Moxey was taken off after 45 mins on Saturday!
Haha thanks, it’s a tough one – yes that caught be by surprise. Annoying too. Worryingly he could be benched this time…
Anyone help me sort out my 1 transfer for this GW? Thinking I can’t go much longer without having Mert but also should sort out keeper situation.
1 ft, 2.6 in bank.
Gazza (Boruc)
Coleman – Cahill – MTurner (Shaw – BTurner)
Ramsey – Silva – Hazard – Noble (Oviedo)
Suarez – Lukaku – Negredo
Sorry mate
have replied but its below at 139
Please help – I have 3 questions, and if all answered, I can relax:
1) Which one: Gibbs, Sagna or Koscielny?
2) Is Brunt —–> Cabaye worth a hit? (Vlaar would start if not…)
3) Captain: Lukaku (or Rooney) or Suarez?
If you advise me with reasons I’d be very grateful and more than happy to help you in return should you need it
thanks
James-
1- Right this minute, I’d suppose Gibbs – longer term I’d say Kosc. I’m hoping he’s back fit come time for my WC as well.
2- I’d say so, given Vlaar’s doubt. You wont find me preaching the no hits gospel here mate!
3- Suarez.
Any thought’s on my issues above?
Cheers colriles, I think I’ll go Gibbs and assess the Vlaar situation as late on as possible – as if he’s fit, vs CRY at home, he isn’t a bad option.. don’t you think?
You have a nice squad, but I reckon (perhaps a tad premature but ah well) Ramsey may run out of steam – or at least, certainly will be out scored by Walcott, so look to get him in maybe? Noble isn’t ideal but as a 4th/5th mid that’s fine I guess. Strong otherwise!
James.
1.Gibbs or Sagna as kos isnt fit yet and isnt bound to start on boxing day.
2.I like Cabaye and have him myself but dont think he’s worth a hit.
3.I’m going Suarez as he is in the form of his life against a shaky city defence while lukakus team mates wont pass to him the ball and Hull have a good defensive record at home.
Thanks brooky – Cabaye could be good – but it’d be an 8pt hit I’d take this week if I did that move too, so I think I’ll just play Vlaar like you suggest.
Suárez is pretty hard to ignore…
8 point hit? Absolutely not in that case.
I’ve never done one before Mito – and only 2 4pt hits so far this season! This will be my 3rd, and I shall keep to 4 points and you’re rught, -8 points sounds ludicrous
@James
1. KOs if fit, he will be deemed more worthy of bonus points
2. Transfer Iis worth it, for a hit is more debatable. But I probably do it instead of playing Vlaar.
3. You can almost make no case for Lukaku, Rooney seems a decent shout, but nowhere near as explosive as Suarez. City defence should not scare anyone, but I guess if you want to take a chance this might be the best chance to captain someone else.
Mito thanks – but if Vlaar was fit would you change your opinion? I will wait as long as possible on the Gibbs/Koscielny move and wait in news in his injury. I think out of my 3 forwards above, it’s down to Suárez.
It’s any interesting lint you make though: if we captain him at City (A) then when WON’T we be captaining him? Certainly not often, but never…?
That’s why, as a huge and risky differentials, Wally (c) could pay off?
@james if Vlaar were fit it would probably make a difference but, I would not be excited to play him, he is not very sexy.
As far as the captain choice goes. If you are a bit of a risk taker and you want to move up the standings than there is no better shot. You know where the majority will be on, Suarez. So you can either make a huge leap in the standings or take a terrible fall, but understand you will be on an island. Many will not see the prize worth the risk and are more afraid of the fall than anything. They basically are the type of managers who loathe Pulis, yet have the same style. They manage not to lose. :p
Haha Vlaar and sexy in the same sentence.. oh wow 😉
I’m afraid to fall of course, but I guess it’s how much I want to rise. Well, a lot, and I may well do it. But it will take some guts.. we shall see.
Many thanks Mito
Afternoon guys!!
What’s everyone’s plans for captain choice this week?
Also I’m stuck with what to do with my free transfer this week.
I currently have and there is £2.5m in the bank
Gazza (Davies)
Coleman gabbidon turner (Williams baker)
Ozil hazard silvia Ramsey (bannan)
Rooney Suarez negredo
Want to get in cabaye for bannan but I don’t know who to get in Walcott for
What you reckon?? Hazard or Ozil for Walcott
Check 140… haha
Mitro
captain choice is Suarez
Good team mate. Who would you bench if you brought in Cabaye to that midfield. Its prettyy awesome
Considered putting some money into defence instead?
I would say Ozil for Walcott. Purely on your current Arsenal cover
That’s the problem at the moment I was thinking of dropping Ramsey he looks a bit off form to be honest
Who would you bench out of these
Walcott Ramsey hazard silvia cabaye
Negredo Rooney Suarez
Thats a difficult question as it would be interesting to see how many of them have ever sat on the fpl bench unless injured/suspended!
Since you ask though, I would have to plum for Ramsey
Think about defence though possibly
I know it’s not the best but it has done me well over the last few weeks!!
Who would you for till the WC comes into play?
Mertsacker jag Howard???
If I do that then I would have the problem about benching one of midfield and forwards
Are you set on taking a hit this week mate?
I’m assuming you have 1 ft.
My original thought was use it on your defence this week as you front 7 are pretty mint as they are, and Bannan is on the bench.
See below though that you are doing Ozil to Walcot. Leave it at that then fella for this week.
Mitro…
If your willing to bench Ramsey ..Who is BTW the joint top scoring midfielder in the game ..
Then why not just swap Ramsey for Cabaye..?
Out of The mids & attackers you want…non are benchable..!
If you want that midfield lineup then you’ll have to go 3-5-2 IMO..!
+1