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.
So guys Eveyone know it going to be a hard choice to pick a (c) this Game Week but if we give owe predictions then maybe we can make owe (c) pick a bit easier my predictions are
Hull City 0-3 Man Utd
Chelsea 2-0 Swansea
West Ham 1-3 Arsenal
Everton 2-2 Sunderland
Man City 2-1 Liverpool
Right now am going for ROONEY how about u guys ?
I’m leaning towards Rooney too..
Rooney scored 4 goals against Hull last time. So yeah, go for him.
I wouldn’t captain anyone away at Hull. They are very solid at home.
bihom +1 this is the concern I mentioned earlier
Yes the record is quite impressive. Has only conceded 3 goals at home this season, which is like WOW. And not to mention the 3-1 spanking of Liverpool as well.
My team:
Krul, Marshall
Chester, Koscielny, Vlaar, Coleman, Jagielka
Ravel, Ramsey, Yaya, Hazard, ward-prowse
Lukaku, Rooney, Suarez
1.8 in the bank.
What move/s would you suggest me ?
Thanks
A really good team, but i think the defence needs some working. Vlaar and Kosc are doubts, while Chester faces ManUtd. So you have 2 good defenders playing, in case you wish to double up on Everton, which im guessing you will.
So to solve this dilemma, you could either do:
1. Vlaar > Luna/Clark. This will maintain AV cover at the back, and AV also has good 3 fixtures coming up, where i can see CS potential.
2. Kosc > Sagna/GIbbs. Its a sideways move, and do it only if you think Kosc wont play this weekend. Id stay away from this move personally, but most are doing it, or have done it.
Like the keepers.
Couple of injuries there in defence. Villa disaster without Vlaar. Not clear either who is first choice for the two fullbacks. Looked like Luna n bacuna at one stage but lowton back in picture. I wouldn’t double up Everton but can see why. Newcastle have two home fixtures and look at o Shea or bardsley as nuts as it sounds.
You could prob go Ransey to Silva if you downgraded say Jakielka.
Same forwards as I do. Lukaku not getting the ball of of some players in worst positions.
Dzeko or adebayor worth keeping an eye on.
Jolaks – Good squad,i think you could do with a midfield upgrade though,Morrison > Cabaye would be a solid improvement if you can afford it??
Great suggestions guys, still undecided..
.. i can make Ramsey out – Walcott in with a FT..
Jolaks – Certainly an improvement,if you’re playing 4-3-3 then yeah this is probably the best move actually,otherwise i think the Cabaye move would be a bigger improvement.
I like that move also. Am even thinking I might switch Cabaye in for Ramsey come wc time.
Who is a solid replace of Chico? Chico will be hit by terrible fixtures in the coming 5 GWs, and ill prefer a cheap defender in his place.
So for around 4.5M, whose my safest bet?
The B – A Palace/Newcastle defender should see you right..
Then perhaps I should buy Ward back. Sold him 2/3 weeks ago. Now he is 0.1M expensive.
The B – Still super value though so it’s all good,Williamson at 4.4m looks a good shout too..
The B – what’s the story with Rat? Looked great option before injury. Gabbidon or Turner of Cardiff or even Olsson could be decent options.
Rat is fit now. The only issue is that WH has a lot of competition at the LB position, which makes it difficult for Rat to get consistent starts.
Lukaku/yaya or negredo/mirralas,( I also have silva )
Id go with Lukaku and YYT.
Mirallas is a good player, but i dont think he has been producing points lately.
Lukaku/Yaya…
FDMS – Lukaku&Toure for me.
Even with silva ? Or are there better mids around the 9mil mark, I have theo and lampard aswell.
FDMS – City’s home form is incredible..ask James101 how having both mid’s is going for him… haha,i can assure you it will be a positive response!!
Hi everyone,
Would you mind rating my team? Have got 1FT with £0.7m in the bank.
Krul
Jagielka, Olsson (Norwich), Dawson
Ozil, Hazard, Yaya Toure (v), Whittingham
Lukaku, Suarez (c), Remy
Subs: Szczesny, Lallana, Gabbidon, Davies
I’m thinking of using my 1 FT to change Remy for Adebayor. What are your thoughts? Would love to be able to get Rooney but can’t afford him
Ta muchly!
A very good team. We both have same problems, “Cant Afford Rooney”.
I also fancied a move from Remy to K2 but ill keep Remy for another GW. He has a solid fixture.
Honestly, your team doesnt need any improvement as of yet. Save the FT. Lots of clean sheet and attacking returns potential.
Awesome, cheers B!
theswirly – Nice squad,think i’d play Lallana ahead of Whittingham though.As for Adebayor,i think both he and Remy have similar prospects of scoring well so i’d hold the FT,unless of course you’ve totally lost faith in Remy..then Adebayor could be a very shrewd move,provided he keeps being picked of course.
Cheers, NIN – Lallana v Whittingham has been my dilemma this week!
Out of my team, do you think Suarez is the best option for captaincy?
theswirly – Yeah it’s a close call,especially with Whittingham being the set piece taker but i’d go with Lallana.Yeah i think Suarez is your best shout,i’m going with Walcott but if i didn’t have him then it’d be Suarez for me too,Hazard tempted me too to be honest,he’s due a big score.
Hi everybody (hi DR Nick)
Can I have peoples opinions on the following.
Wk18 Looking to get in Taraabt for kasami as a 5th(sub) midfielder
Wk19 Terry out Kompany in
Then wildcard wise Im looking at Doubling my mancity midfield with silva and toure. I will transfer Ramsey out for this.
Im not keen on chelsea midfield as its hard to predict.
Cheers
Chopper
I Wudnt waste a trf on a 5th mid unless you plan to wc late.
Chelsea more compact last night with new formation so terry out May not be needed.
Can’t argue with city double up.
Nice Simpsons reference. Ha, Taraabt’s an interesting pick but why waste a precious xmas FT on a 5th mid who doesn’t make your starting XI when you can do that sort of tinkering whilst on your January WC? Terry should’ve gone a while back, poor CS returns
Taraabt is playing forward for us, so could be a great out of position pick for a midfielder.
One thing Ive learned B is not to take massive gambles. I plan on rotating Adel with sterling as I can see Fulham picking up for the next few weeks. I need a diff. He could be it. Ive knocked down my 100pt defesit… deafecit…. deficate to 75 now so need to push on.
Cheers boys. When I say 5th midf. He will play for 2 week as I rest Sterling for 2 weeks. The Terry thing has killed me. Just when I try to get him out HE PULLS ME BACK IN!
chopper2540 –
1.No to the Taarabt move,Fulham are dodgy and he’s extremely overrated in my opinion.
2.Yep,i like this move.
3.Doubling in midfield has it’s obvious pro’s and cons,City’s home form is a big plus for this move though.
4.Chelsea in general are becoming a nightmare,Hazards explosiveness kind of makes up for his inconsistency though,those 3-4 game bursts are godsends when they come.