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January Wildcard – FPL Fantasy Premier League

January Wildcard – FPL Fantasy Premier League

Photo 22-12-2013 22 28 27The 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.

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742 Comments

  1. 187
    Tekno-kun says:

    I’m facing Norfolk n’ chance in the Banterburys this week. He’s currently ranked 12k, my toughest opponent yet. We have somewhat different teams though, the same strikeforce but different mids and defenders. This will be an interesting face-off.

  2. 188
    hazardeden10 says:

    Got a guy who captained aguero last week… ranked 2 million or something. hopefully should beatt him!!!

  3. 189
    RedVT says:

    Hey gang, any recent team news going on that I should be aware of? I’ve been shopping and wrapping presents all day and haven’t been online at all. Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a huge points haul on Boxing Day!

  4. 190
    Jolaks says:

    Krul, Marshall
    Chester, Koscielny, Vlaar, Coleman, Jagielka
    Ravel, Ramsey, Yaya, Hazard, ward-prowse
    Lukaku, Rooney, Suarez

    1.8 in the bank.
    I can sell Ramsey and get Walcott with a FT.
    But cant decide… HELP!

    • 190.1
      hazardeden10 says:

      tbh, id go ravel—->henderson if you can afford it. i couldnt so did ravel—-> sterling last week, and it paid off nicely. morrison hasnt been doing much of late, and you would add to an already strong midfield. you also have double everton defence, especially with koscielny injured- risk you wanna take i guess. alternatives could be mertesacker -good fixtures. keep coleman out of the two though

  5. 191
    hazardeden10 says:

    Cup opponents team:

    Mannone
    Chambers Walker Gabbidon Coleman
    Yaya Touré Delph Özil Hazard
    Suárez, Agüero (C)

    Harper John Colback Phillips

    should have him.

  6. 192
    The B says:

    How many of you are actually facing real people in Cup?

    Its seems like im the only one without a ghost opponent! SO PISSED!

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