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.
Guys can anyone Rate my Starting 11 my team is
Marshall
Ivanovic – Dawson – Sagna
Whittingham – Ramsey – Hazard – YYT
LUKAKU – (c)ROONEY – SURAEZ
Bench : Januzaj – B.Turner – Ridgewell – Mignolet
Who should we (c) this Game Week I’m 60% sure am going to (c) ROONEY what do u guys think ?
Its a very strong team Jeet. This is the kind of team most people would dream for, lol. Cant believe that kind of defence and forward line is actually affordable.
Go with Rooney man, or ill bust your head open. Last time Rooney scored 4 against Hull, so yeah.
Rooney plays Hull, away from home, where Hull have been very strong.
On another day I’d maybe go for RoonPig, but not this week for me
Looking for some help please:
De Gea (Boruc )
Coleman Vidic Dawson (Baker B.Turner)
Ozil Oscar Ramsey Henderson (Morrison)
Suarez Lukaku Negredo
1 FT, 1.7m in the bank. Thinking Barkley in for Morrison and benching Henderson for 2 GWs, good idea?
Yeah sounds fine. Kind of harsh on Baker though, has a very nice fixture and will probably play, given Vlaar’s injury.
Baker might actually be first choice sub if I know he’ll play. Turner has a decent fixture too but Baker will be first to come in if Vidic goes missing again. Any idea what’s up with Vidic? I noticed his yellow flag has been removed.
I’ll give Oscar a chance next week then he’ll be out for Toure/Silva/Walcott.
Guys, if Vlaar hasn’t recovered for this gameweek I’ll have to play a 3-4-3 with either Brunt of West Brom (vs Spurs A) or Ravel of West Ham (vs Arsenal H)
I would rather Vlaar played! ..but if not, who would you pick? Leaning towards Brunt
Also could get in Cabaye for a -4 but I’m already on a hit so I’d best not…
Honestly, Brunt.
Spurs have been conceding a lot, and i think the defence is just stupid. Although WB would still not score, they would at least have a good chance.
B – my thoughts there, even though I have Dawson.. should I just play Brunt ahead of Vlaar this week and save the drama?
I think AV have the best fixture of the season to get back on winning days. Wait for the news on Vlaar because he is on his way to recovery.
But im afraid even if he makes to the squad, he could be a 1 pointer man at max.
NIN – so are you, like me, genuinely considering Walcott for the armband?
jamesimmo – It’s between Suarez and Walcott for me,it feels stupid not picking Suarez,but considering it’s City away it also feels silly to TO pick him,also..Walcott has scored 4 in his last 4 against West Ham,which is interesting to say the least,especially taking both sides current form into account.I also contemplated Hazard but i think the other two are better shouts even though both have an away game.
Right now I have Suárez (c) and Walcott (v), but a vice captaincy here counts for nothing as you know Luis will play. He should get 1-2 goals, but no more against City away surely..
..that’s the thing, if you captain him, you’re almost guaranteed some points – but they’re the same points 80-90% of serious FPL players will get this week. If you take a punt on Walcott – a good one, given his past record and form like you say – then you could either shoot up the rankings or plummet right back down.
So the questions is, are we berave enough? I’m not sure if I am.. especially when I can’t see Walcott *destroying* WHU away from home in all honesty, only bagging a goal and assist maybe. Which is what I see for Luis too. So that’s why I’ve got Suárez as captain right now.
Final thought: if we captain Suárez thus week, when will we not..?
jamesimmo – Apologies for the delay,pesky Christmas!! 1 goal 1 assist for Walcott would likely bring 3bps,14pts will be hard for Suarez to beat at the Etihad,Wally scores twice and Suarez needs a hatty to outscore him..?? Having said that,it’s Suarez!!! haha.I’m leaning towards Walcott though..
Haha it’s fine! I’m a moody teen being dragged in to xmas stuff myself, it’s fun, but an FPL inconvenience! 😉
A goal and assist or brace would be captaincy material – even over Suárez this week – but in my eyes that’s a best case scenario.. WHU are usually crap but are good at their stale mates! Whereas Suarez will surely bag one.. argh it’s hard
Yep,i suppose it comes down to how you predict the Arsenal game going,i think they’ll score 3 or 4 so that makes it a little easier to pick Walcott,for me anyway..
Very true. Maybe 3 goals I can see myself. So Walcott is more than viable. Whatever you decide, good luck! Oh, and Merry Christmas
Hello All ! How is every1 doing ?
Back from work…and I’ve read some good news…
GERRARD is back in training :dance: !!!
:satansmoking:
Serioulsy…wheres that news rung from…great if so…might enbale Suarez to start turning in a few decent performances….;-)
Haha hopefully Drexl, he’s been mediocre at best lately…
http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/151893-boss-injury-update-for-xmas-fixtures
All Pool sites – confirm this…
Also -:
** Rodgers : Flanagan added to injury list with a hamstring strain.
“We have 17 fit players at the moment.”
**Sturridge should be back training mid January back playing Late Jan/Feb. Enrique the same. BR confirmed today!!!!
So is RVP.
So after 17 weeks of qualifying, we have are 16 teams, that will take part in the Banterbury Shield in the new year , The group have now be finalize too , Group 1 looks a bit tasty
Group 1
1) Cookie’s Monsters
2) James 101
3) Powerful Potty Fc
4) ChorleyRocks
Group 2
1) Gallowgators
2) CFC(Awesome)
3) 3rd league 2
4) Where’s The Dosh?
Group 3
1) Monty (Caz Daz)
2) Norfulk-in-chance
3) Arsene’s Boys
4) WhoIsRonaldo
Group 4
1) 4th Place Trophy
2) Park Bench Exports
3) Son of a Pitch
4) we love manchester
Fixtures
January 11th -13th 1 v 4 & 2 v 3 GW21
January 18th -20th 1 v 3 & 2 v 4 GW22
February 1st 1 v 2 & 3 v 4 GW24
February 22nd 4 v 1 & 3 v 2 GW27
March 1st 3 v 1 & 4 v 2 GW28
March 8th 2 v 1 & 4 v 3 GW29
knockout stage – top two from each group qualify
Quarter FInals March 29th GW32
1) winner G1 v runner up G4,
2) winner G2 v runner up G3
3) winner G3 v runner up G2
4) winner G4 v runner up G1
Semi finals 26th April GW36
A winner game 1 v winner game 2
B winner game 3 v winner game 4
Final May 3rd GW38
A vs B
TOP work, Bench !
:beer:
Who is this “A” guy whose facing me in the finals?
Ill give him a piece of me!
Sorry i missed White Boys Day 3) Group 2