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.
Hey guys! Hope all of you had a good GW, I still have hazard Ozil and Ramsey to play tonight. Could I have some help with my team? Would my top priority be my goalkeeper situation, as Vorm is injured and Mignolet has city and Chelsea away next? I have:
Mignolet Vorm
Coleman Lovren Zabaleta Gabbidon Chester
Özil Ramsey Hazard Whittingham R.Morrison
Lukaku Rooney Suarez
Also, does anybody know the latest on Zabaleta’s injury? Thanks in advance for your help :biggun:
Hi Veer – I’d agree and say address your keeper. Guzan may not be a bad shout as they have a few favourable fixtures until the Jan WC (Palace, Swansea, Sunderland)
Veer
Yes, the keeper situation seems the most alarming one right now and a move needs to be made there, a good replacement could be Guzan/Stekelenburg/Shezny.
But you should wait for news over Zabaleta.
The most interesting thing is that your team currently is isolated from City coverage. Most managers brought in Negredo as a direct replacement of Aguero, and some made space for YYT/Silva.
Just remember that City is averaging 3 goals per game, and you dont want to miss out on nailed on points.
The B,
Is it worth a hit to bring in city coverage? If Ozil doesn’t turn up tonight I will probably switch him for Silva.
Morning ..B
How’s it hanging..?
What transfers you got in mind.?
Thanks for your help. By selling Vorm I have 6.2 in the bank, enough to buy every keeper in the game. Who else are good options?
Krull has got 45 points in the last 8 games,hes 5.2 !!!!
:biggun:
Good stuff cookie,great informative article!!
Morning chaps, please RMT
Cech, Given
M.Olsson, B.Turner, Distin, Chester, Fonte
Bacuna, Shelvey, Ramsey, Hazard, Yaya Toure
Rooney, Suarez, Remy
I have 2.0m in the bank and I’ll have 2FT. I’m think of downgrading Remy to Gouffran/ Chamakh and upgrading Shelvey to Silva and possibly playing 3-5-2. Or should I upgrade to Negredo/ Dzeko? Thanks
I would do Remy >> Negredo, as you already have Yaya in midfield, and 3-4-3 is the best formation from what I’ve heard. I would also look to strengthen your defence.
As93,,
I’d upgrade to Negredo…
without Aguero he,ll be the focus for city upfront..!
You’ve got Yaya who’s out performing Silva ….
Anyway if Yaya dips in form you
Could do a straight swap if needed..?
Remy is a good third striker to have as93!! If I were you i’d upgrade ur 4th midfielder as Bacuna and Shelvey are both weaker options!!! Personally I think Negredo is a fantastic player,a workhorse but I don’t think this will ever transfer to FF points,hes just not greedy enough!!!Even Welbeck has a higher points per game ratio!!!! 😉
Haha thanks chaps. I’m thinking of getting rid of Fonte too as he seems to have fallen out of favour, think Shelvey to Cabaye is a good move?
Shelvey to cabaye is a good move.Have you thought about downgrading Cech so you can strengthen your defence ? Chelsea just aren’t keeping clean sheets.Try and get an arsenal defender in if you can as they have a run of really nice fixtures after tonight.
Yeah I’m going to change both keepers using the WC in Jan. Want to try and get Mertesacker for Fonte too
Great article Cookie..
I Needed that WC tip
Thankyou
+1 just the article I needed in my rookie season
Hey guys..
Arsenal v Chelsea
Predictions anyone..?
2-1 to Arsenal, goals from Ozil, Ramsey, and Hazard
2-2 with a brace from Ramsey a goal from Terry and a goal and assist from Hazarrd.Heres hoping……….!! 😉
Surely there will be goals. Koscielny is a big loss to Arsenal. I see a 2:1 to Chelsea
i feel this is going to be a high scoring game.
something like a 3-2 or 4-3 and could be in anyone’s favour.
just hoping ozil scores the most. with hazard and walcott gettin gin a goal too 😛
Ozil hat-trick and an Oscar brace in a 3-2 Arsenal win would do me!
Does anybody know if Yaya will rise in price before christmas day or boxing day?
I am considering Shelvey and Negredo out for Yaya and Adebayor… For a hit.
I already have Silva.
Totalfpl.com mate.Wouldn’t think so.
I wouldn’t bother with a hit to bring Adebayor in after one decent game in how long ?? Plus Negredo has a few nice fixtures coming up !!
You can check price rises/falls at totalfpl.com. And are you actually considering Adebayor? Silva and Negredo are fine, Yaya is only a minor upgrade on SIlva, and I wouldn’t have 2 man city mids.
If Sherwood is going to continue with the attacking formation and Soldado continues to be awful then Adebayor is going to continue smashing in goals.
Yaya has been immense all season and I can’t see him slowing down. Him and Silva are getting good points while Negredo only ever scores one a game and never scores away.
I got Negredo for Aguero. Changed him for Rooney now.
I have Yaya and am considering doubling up with Silva until the end of Jan when I play WC
Thinking the same with Ramsey/Walcott
Mid: Yaya, Silva, Ramsey, Walcott (Ravel)
It would mean selling Hazard who’s fixtures aren’t so hot. Good plan?