Former HOF Number 1 FPL Manager Richard Clarke is an FPL veteran and has one of the most enviable best records out there, notching 2 top 500 finishes, 8 top 10k finishes and has never finished outside the top 0.5% in every single one of his 14 seasons. Rich will be revealing his team on a weekly basis in 2020/21 season; providing observations and strategy comment where appropriate.
Rich's FPL record
Gameweek 10 Performance: 60 points
(Rank rise = up 181,000 places)
Rich's Gameweek 10 Points
General Observations since last week
Gameweek 10 was a difficult week for transfer and captaincy selections. On the whole, most of the 'heavy-hitters' returned points for fantasy managers. There were not as many swings as there perhaps could have been, given the fixtures on offer.
Results were fairly predictable, with the expected Manchester City big win delivering right on cue! Chelsea and Tottenham played out a (surprisingly goalless) draw and Liverpool and Manchester United secured narrow victories away from home. Maybe the only real surprise was the heavily backed Leicester going down to Fulham at home.
Before this week starts, we already have our first Covid postponement of the season. Aston Villa and Newcastle will not likely feature in Gameweek 11. This will really test owners of their assets without strong benches for the coming weekend.
My Team
After a big climb up the rankings (from 2.2m to 583k) over the previous two weeks, my team achieved a decent 60 points. This brought a third green arrow in succession to move up to 402k overall, with exactly 600 points so far. I also topped some of my mini-leagues I play in for the month of November, so that's encouraging me that I'm making the right choices!
It is important to reflect on this and feel good about it. FPL can be very frustrating a lot of the time, so when it goes well - smile and feel content for a change!
I was undecided right up until the deadline last week on whether to bring in Kevin De Bruyne or not. It would have required a 4-point hit and I wasn't quite sure if City (and Kevin) where going to thrash Burnley as so widely predicted.
A late press conference announcement on Newcastle injuries, confirmed Allan St-Maximin's unavailability for the Crystal Palace game. This was enough for me to avoid the move for De Bruyne and bring in Diogo Jota instead.
Getting rid of a player who was doing nothing for me (St-Maximin), strengthening my bench and keeping Heung Min Son were all factors in the decision. Jota duly scored the winner and two bonus points - lagging De Bruyne by just a single point on the week.
Switching the captaincy to Bruno Fernandes also delivered a ten point haul. The Manchester United talisman continues to deliver most weeks and he's a must-have for me going forward.
Dear Rich,
Hope everything ok with you!
So, if you do not get KDB should you captain Bruno or Kane?
And in the case you had Son and Werner, will you take a hit to put DCL and KDB or save a transfer for the next game week?
Thank you in advance!
I think his Bruno (VC) answers your first question. ;-)
I would say Bruno over Kane yes, his away form is very good and Kane being a slight doubt, you are safer with the United man. I’m not sure I’d get DCL in now as Evertons strong fixture run is ending. Perhaps if looking to fund KDB I might go do Werner to Bamford? Hope this helps
Nice team Rich. How would you plan to bring in Salah in the next GWs? Would you go for a striker enabler or sacrifice Kane for him?
Holy Hokey Cokey Batman!
After todays game I am inclined to keep Bruno and KDB as they re the form men in the league at the moment. I may move to Salah then back to KDB in consecutive weeks, but may also just go with Jota and get Bamford in!
lots of options.. want to keep Kane for Christmas really..