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.
Fulham have re-signed Clint Dempsey on a two-month loan deal
Dempsey,or as i liked to call him…”God mode”!!! I recently notice he’s a good bit younger than i thought,still only 30/31,it will be interesting to see his price and whether he can adjust back to the league quickly,auld Clint used to be essential for FPL..
NiN could be interesting if they class him as a mid as 6 mil or am i way out ?
Right chaps!
opinions please!! Is Adebayor worth a shot! It means gettin rid of Negredo, and it gives me funds 4 walcott
Adebayor is on my watchlist. I definitely suggest a wait-and-see approach to him, as to see whether or not he will become a starter. If does, he could be an amazing differential imo.
That being said, he has scored 3 goals in his last 2 matches, so it’s not unlikely for him to play again on Thursday.
Yes, but perhaps wait for the January WC to make the move.
Actually, looking at the fixtures, yes. I’m not gonna the hits for him, but if he scores well on Thursday I’m getting on the bandwagon.
Not gonna take…
City has two upcoming home games. I know one of them is Liverpool, but City’s home form is totally crazy.
Be brave – do it! I wish I had the guts. With palace on the horizon I want double City coverage. I do think Ade could be a great buy though.
So this is my cup opponent:
Cech
Ivan – Baker – Whittaker
Silva (C) – Michu – Coutinho – Lucas – Routledge
RvP – Dzeko
Boruc (VC), Ferdinand – Garrido – Moore
I haven’t got much of a chance against such a terrifying opponent, do I?
:dance:
Im guessing its a “F*ck Fantasy I have better things to do” team.
Enjoy
Hey tekno,
My opponent has made 3 GW transfers. That should help me right?
Of course it’ll help, that means either 4 or 8 points will be deducted from his GW score. For example, if he scores 60 points with a -4 hit, the score you have to beat will be 56 points.
You’d better hope you win now 😉
Never been so comfortable before a H2H before Kop. I bet I’ll win by 30 points ^^
Well I’ll wish you the best of luck anyway Tekno
Thanks Kop, best of luck to you as well. And Merry Christmas!
Tekno…
Let’s just hope Silva doesn’t do a Suarez vs Norwich…
:big-lol:
Well I have Silva myself, so I really wouldn’t mind him getting a lot of points. I’ll probably win comfortably anyways :beer:
I have notice Distin is 75% chance of playing:
Dawson, Ridgewell, Coleman, Distin, Rosenior
Ridgewell – Mertesacker for a -4 hit?
I have wanted him for ages and his price is always rising.
Coleman/Mert will then be my season keepers with 2 defenders who rotate and a cheapy from Jan
Not worth the hit. WH will have Nolan back, and its never good to take a hit for a defender.
Thanks
Hope he plays and if he doesn’t Ridgewell will be first sub
Is this FPL Cup a knock out game?
Im really nervous, my opponent has made 3 transfers by taking 4 point hit. I wonder what team he will throw at me.
Knockout
Cup game…
I think I’m playing a ghost team..?
No transfers
No WC
RVP (c)
Sturridge
Only problem is he’s got some other decent players.
Yaya / silva / Coleman / Lampard / Ivanovic / & Mings (vc)
Ffs …Hate the thought of losing to a ghost team..!
My opponent is a ghost team as well RVP (C) Ivanovic (V) and Kasami lol
a ghost team someone who never plays right??
Thats correct
cool
Bigpopz – So you’re opponent has Mignolet as captain this GW??and no strikeforce?? Something awfully strange would have to happen for you to lose here,result!!
You are lucky man!
And RVP is fit, by the way, he has been training.