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.
Colriles
Gazza should start and see you thru till Jan WC, however you could have any keeper you wanted.
Mert is quality and a season stayer for me up to now.
If anything could do with a tinker I’d be thinking about Noble. Upgrade to Cabaye/Januzaj/Barkley could be an idea
Cheers BB. I agree Cabaye could be a good shout, but there’s no way I could afford both he and Walcott come WC time. I can only get Wally with a dirt cheap 5th mid and I’ll prob stick with 3-4-3 as opposed to the power 5 midfield.
Do you think Hazard > Oscar is a decent way to free up cash in Jan?
I’m in similar dilemma. Dont have Walcott but want him!
I wouldnt do Hazard to Oscar though. Oscars gametime is questionable, whereas Hazard seems to in Mourinho’s starters.
Ozil to walcott… you dont want 3 attacking players from thw same team… plus gives you more money to play with
I’m going to regret taking out Ozil but I need Walcott in so I’m going to so that move
Next question who would you bench out of these player for the fixtures this week
Walcott hazard Ramsey cabaye silvia
Rooney Suarez negredo
Mitro – after 12 gameweeks of service, I’m finally parting with Özil too – which hurts as he has great fixtures, has scored well, and also as I’m a Gunner 😉
But personal bias aside, I’m sure it’ll be worth it as he will be rested soon whereas Walcott could take off imminently
He could do James, but equally he squander a host of golden chances like he did at the start of the season and like he has done for a significant proportion of his career. At some point he will get a burst of goals – and given he is fresh and eager it could be now, but personally I have other priorities to accommodate with my FT.
similar problem, i have the funds to bring in Wally but would have the same front 7, who to drop?
It’s going to be hard one!! I haven’t done the transfers yet but looking to do them tonight!! But I agree with you he needs a rest and I expect him and Ramsey to be rested over the coming games
Was even thinking of taking out Ramsey for Walcott but I would lose just over a million if I do
I would much rather do Ramsey to Walcott that Ozil to Walcott… Ramsey is starting to sit deeper in the midfield now that the main attacking mid’s are back for Arsenal
Hey guys, any help would be appreciated. I’ve went from 5th to 2nd in my league over the past 3 weeks mostly because of Suarez – but this week I’m kinda stumped.
FT: 1, £0.8 in the bank
Mignolet
Coleman / Evra / Fonte
Wittingham / Shelvey / Yaya / Ozil
Lukaku / Suarez / Rodruquez
Bench: boruc, collins, bacuna, zabaleta
I’m thinking of Fonte > Gibbs?
Good bye Özil, you have served me well.
Noooooooooooo
Haha heart breaking stuff. At least we can be fairly sure Walcott will start v West Ham, which I wasn’t before with Mesut
Indeed, that WC should be interesting – are you using it asap or saving til late January?
I have just done it as well mate.
I can always get him back when the WC comes active
Last year I did it straight away but I’m going on hold til the latest point possible. I’m doing pretty good this year so I only need to tweak a couple of players plus aguero when he comes back from injury
You??
Afternoon all, 2 quick questions:-
1- coutinho out wally in ?
2- ramsey out wally in ?
These are 2 different teams by the way, cheers.
Both yes. Wally > most mids right now
elleffcee,
1 – Yes,
2 – Can you fit them both in?
Watchful, got haz, silva, januzaj + whittingham in that number 2 side, so no
Fellow FPLers, can I get your thoughts on something?
I’ve had Mirallas since GW5 and in that time he has outscored Barkley by 56 to 41. But I find myself wondering whether the 2.2m price difference is worth it. That amount of money could make a big difference to my defence for example.
What do you think?
Mirallas is, on paper, a great midfielder. Barkley annoys me as he keeps scoring cheeky goals and out doing Mirallas’ good work. I own neither of these players and am not an Everton/Liverpool fan, so no bias here, but I feel Mirallas will prove he is worth that extra 2-3 million in the long run.