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.
Right chaps,
Need opinions
Team is
Marshall (Boruc)
Coleman Mert Gabbidon (Chester, Clyne)
Hazard Yaya, Ramsey Henderson (Ravel)
Suarez Rooney Negredo
1ft 1.4m in bank
Options
1. Henderson to Cabaye
2. Negredo to Adebayor, Henderson to Walcott (4 point hit)
Dont like hits but want Walcott and concerned about price.
Ia Adebayor too risky?
With Arsenal’s good fixtures coming up, i think a big hitter from Arsenal like Walcott and Ozil would be essential besides Ramsey.
Personally, i wouldnt like Henderson>Cabaye move, given that you brought Henderson only recently. Keep him until you hear news that Gerrard would be back.
Adebayor is really tempting. I think this GW is the right time to bring him, because next GW he will face United.
+1 on that – Walcott for me, more guaranteed game time
Cheers guys!
Dont like hits or taking risks (adebayor) but want walcott. Going out for beer now, so I’ll let decise later! 😉
People with Swansea defence, get ready to offload them. Chelsea, United, City and Spurs coming in next 5 GWs.
Yeah, I brought in Ben Davies a few weeks back and have regretted it. Will get rid of him next GW, I expect.
Okay who are the brave ones here who have already transferred in one of the following:
1. K2
2. Podolski (Given that Giroud has been awful and should be rested sooner than later)
K2?
Kevin Keegan?
Adebayor
Ah I see – I think Podolski is a far braver punt than ‘K2’
Good afternoon all,my dear wife has granted me a small window to get on site, so….what’s happening? We all set for the Bxing Day games ? And the others 2/3 days later ?!
Cookie – hi, are you set? I’m taking a rare 4pt hit this week
Who would you pick: Gibbs or Sagna? I feel Bacary’s more nailed…
Hi James, all good thanks.
I asked the same question this morning to one of my trusted advisors and I was told to go for Sagna. Do you need to take the hit?
Good stuff. It’s gonna he a busy period.
Well, I have both Fonte and Vlaar in defence, so yes really. My backlike is in turmoil at the moment. It’s best to think of this Fonte —–> Sagna move as my FT, and Özil —–> Wally as my hit – in which case I’m more than happy to take a rare -4pt this week
Afternoon cookster, this weeks dilemma for you, post 143, page 12.
Ey up, Cookie. It’s the 25th here now. I’d say ‘Merry Christmas from Japan’, but a) It’s a Buddhist country, and b) I hate Christmas. :thumbup:
Looking forward to the footy bonanza though. Seems like the festive season has made a few of us a bit more trigger happy than usual. Myself included. First 4pt hit in ages. Hope your team keeps up it’s form. You’re doing stellar, mate.
BM, although a Buddhist country, I am keen to know if, much like Dubai where I live, the city is flooded with Christmas decor, ads, etc. in the malls, shops, etc.
Cookie – Cheers for the advice earlier mate,who are you making captain for the next game mate? I think City away is the only game of the whole season where Suarez(c) seems a bit dodgy..looking at previous meetings between Arsenal & West Ham,and both sides current form i’m thinking Walcott is the man this week…??
Somebody posted this the other day,i bet everyone here can relate to some part of this video!!!! lol 😉
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvTTEmC1xao
Hahaha peaky mate,that is brilliant!!
Who is more nailed? Lowton or Luna?
Not a fan of watching AV play, so no idea who is more attacking and more nailed. Really need to get in AV’s backline for the next 3 GWs, great CS potential there for cheap. B)
The B – Both seem to be missing a lot of games,Clark hasn’t missed a game in a while now so he’s likely to be more nailed on than either Luna or Lowton.It’s worth noting that in their last 6 league games they’ve conceded 11 times,so be wary about picking any of them.
Yeah. Was considering cheap Fulham defence too for once, but I know that Fulham is a fan of usually conceding 2 to 4 goals this season.
The B – You know better than us about Fulhams problems,this could be a really tough period unfortunately,if i’m not mistaken Fulham have the oldest squad in the league..doesn’t bode well for the hectic schedule..