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.
What about Harper out for Marshall got 0.7 in the Bank so I can do a straight swap what do u guys think ?
Haven’t used my season long wildard yet. I think I’ll try to use my Jan one as late as possible (try to take maximum advantage of late january transfers) and then use my other one in hope of some double gameweeks occurring.
Ricky I think you’d be best using your January one early
My team at the moment:
Mignolet (Gazzanigga)
Coleman Dawson Terry Chester (Baker)
Walcott Silva Hazard (Ravel) (Ward-Prowse)
Suarez Lukaku Rooney
I’m sure my strategy will change between now and then anyway as people on here are very influential
Ricky I’m with you on this. Personally fairly happy with my current set up and will await transfers in from clubs before swapping out. Doesn’t neccessarily follow that as you still hold second WC that an early free WC use is a must, although is the considered opinion of most. Not me tho….
Thats a really strong team for a team without a WC
Hey guys. Who is the best possible keeper to rotate with Mignolet until GW 23 (when I play my wildcard)? I can afford any keeper. Team is linked if you need additional info. Thanks!
De Gea works pretty nicely I think
Veer, i have put some thought in this, and i think Guzan is a pretty good choice.
Your next opponents for keepers after rotation would be :
Palace, Swansea, Hull/Sunderland, Stoke, Aston Villa, WB
You know what i just realized? People have finally shut up about their stupid lame second FPL teams!
Oh good FPL Lords, they surely love us!
My stupid lame 2nd Fpl team,which i hardly put any thought into, is doing better than my even lamer 1st team which i spend hours analysing.So go figure.But i don’t like to talk about it………….
Nice tips on the Jan Wilcard Cookster. Now here’s my team:
Guzan
Dawson – Terry – Distin
Yaya T – Oscar – Ramsey – Bannan
Suarez – Negredo – Lukaku
Subs: Vorm(inj) – Clyne(75%doubt) – Morrison(away vs Arsenal) – Rosenior (out of favor)
1FT £2.8 in the bank. My priority is to bring Walcott in this week by any means necessary! But who to take out?
a) Ramsey to Walcott
b) Oscar to Walcott
c) Terry to a £4.9 max defender then Morrison to Walcott for a 4pt hit
With the way Yaya is scoring points, I won’ dare replace him. A straight swap of Morrison/Bannan to Walcott is not possible as it would only give me £7.6 avail and i need £9.1. Any thougths?
Ramsey is the best mid priced 4th midfielder for all teams and Arsenal has been scoring a lot without a striker, so i think its ideal to have 2 mids from the teams, 2nd being a mid priced one, Ramsey.
Same goes for Oscar, its better to have funds diversified.
Terry>Debuchy/Williamson/Olsson
But still, try avoiding a hit.
Thanks for your input The B. Tough decision to be made. I’m slightly inclined to Oscar —> Walcott then in jan wc bring oscar back and reshuffle my squad.
Morrison is at home, fwiw. Option b) if you really must bring in Walcott this GW. But at least wait till tonight’s match is done.
yes i will wait till after the game. Im hitting that transfer button as soon as the final whistle is blown n making sure Walcott is fit and available.
i’d probably get rid of Terry imo but do it over 2 weeks to avoid any hit
Eagle I’d be inclined to do option b, although taking a hit wouldn’t be against my principles. I do think Terry is proving good value for money.
If Walcott is the priority then I’d sell oscar as he can’t seem to be guaranteed game time?
+1 that was my initial gut feeling. I think i’ve made my mind. I’m doing Oscar to Walcott after the game, then as i said, i will get him bk (oscar) during my jan wildcard.
eagle option c for me. how about bardsley(sun) or chester(hull) as cheap defenders
Somehow i have faith in Terry in the long term because of his goal threat so a bit reluctant to lose him. Yes i will do Rosenior to Chester in the Jan WC.
Thanks Cookie,
I’m probably going to hit it straight away, I’ve got 1 or 2 players I’d really like to get.
Hi Fergie, always a pleasure. So who u got in mind mate?
Hi Eagle,
Would like to get Kompany, haven’t ruled out Gerrard or Rvp.
Kompany sounds like a good buy. He made one of the most wierdest own goals i’ve seen so far this season. I guess Gerrard will be back sometime in Jan i think. His price has gone down to 8.8 i believe, and will be good to pick up when fit. RVP very close to comeback too.
Fergie would you mind looking at my post#29 above. What would you do if it were your team? Thanks
Eagle consider it done.