Community insight: What can we learn from FPL Focus?
We had a chat with FPL Focus to get some expert insight, find out what his strategy has been so far this season and what his plans are for the coming Gameweeks.
FPL Focus is part of the Scout Academy. He has his own YouTube channel as well as commentating on matches.
How is your season going, FPL Focus?
I am currently ranked 900k. It’s been a difficult season for all FPL managers with the disruptions and cancellations, however with the new Double Gameweek announcements it should be a great end to the season.
How often are you taking hits this season? Is that more than you would normally take?
Normally I am a manager who forward plans. This means that I rarely take points hits during an FPL season, in fact I avoid them like the plague. However this season I have taken two points hits, both times were a -4.
How are you deciding who wears the captain’s armband? Form/Fixtures/Historic record against opposition etc
I tend to go for form most of the time. That means this season the captaincy decisions have mostly been easy ones and if Salah has been available he has worn the captains armband for me.
Which chips do you have left and when are you planning to use them?
I used my last chip in Gameweek 29. I Triple Captained Lacazette who returned eight points across the Double Gameweek.
How are you planning to target Double Gameweek 31?
I already have Wout Weghorst, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Jordan Pickford who all double in Gameweek 31. This means that I don’t need to target any additional Double Gameweek players.
My transfer this week will look to improve the squad for this week in terms of a good fixture, but will also target another team who plays twice in Double Gameweek 33. I’m focusing on potentially another Arsenal asset or maybe a Chelsea player. Both Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz are on my list of potential targets.
Who are you scouting over the international break?
I like to step away from FPL decision making over international breaks. I will be keeping an eye on players who are away with their countries to make sure all my current squad stay injury free. At the end of the break I will assess how my team looks as well as who has performed well for their countries. Having said that I do like Tottenham’s Dejan Kulusevski so will be monitoring his form over the next two weeks.
Should managers captain one of the double Gameweek players in Gameweek 31 or stick with a trusted single Gameweek player?
I always just look at the big players for the captaincy, even if they do only play a Single Gameweek. This is because they are capable of returning a big points haul regardless of having less minutes.
I don’t see Weghorst scoring against Manchester City, which removes much of the appeal of captaining a Double Gameweek player. I think Weghorst’s opponent Kevn De Bruyne could outscore him against him and without the second set of 90 minutes.
Who has been your best and worst transfer in so far this season?
My worst transfer was getting Dominic Calvert-Lewin when he returned from injury. The Everton forward hasn’t returned since Gameweek 3. Since I have owned him he has either failed to play at all or returned just one or two points per match.
My best transfer has to be bringing in Kai Havertz for his 26 point haul in Double Gameweek 28.
What is your preferred system at the moment?
I have mostly been playing using a a 3-5-2 formation this season. This has mostly been because there have been so few reliable striker options during the course of the 2021/22 season so far.
Which Premier League teams does FPL Focus think FPL managers be looking to target/double up on over the next 4-5 Gameweeks?
Both Arsenal and Chelsea have appealing fixtures over the next few weeks. Arsenal still also have another fixture to be rearranges. I would double up on both Chelsea and Arsenal players. In particular the likes of Antonio Rudiger and Kai Havertz for Chelsea. As well as Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli for Arsenal.
What is your target for the end of the season?
Considering my current rank my target is a top 700k finish. Last season I finished 800k and so I am hoping to improve on that this season.
One piece of FPL advice from FPL Focus…
Always go with you gut instinct. However, read up on the underlying stats, and watch as many matches as possible to help inform your decisions. Doing that will help you to feel confident in backing your own decision making.
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