Neil Pickering

FPL Addict.
29k Rank finish in FPL 24/25 plus several top 5% finishes.

Big NUFC Fan.

[Neil Pickering @FPL_Neil]

Ok so Draft 2 is looking like this. There is a small chance Gakpo could be doubtful for the weekend as he’s sat out training. If that’s the case I make an easy switch of Gakpo to Szoboslai.

Doing this free’s up an extra £0.2m. This then allows me to go full premium Arsenal triple defence while also giving me the option of upgrading James Justin to Nico Williams. I actually think I like this version better, regardless if Gakpo is fit or not. What’s people’s thoughts? #fpl #wildcard #GW4

[Neil Pickering @FPL_Neil]

My chip strategy.

WC GW4
BB GW5
TC GW7

This is the first draft for the WC. £1.4m ITB.

I’ve reluctantly went without Haaland although this could change. However he just completely dilutes my team with drafts I’ve made that include him so I’m probably going to leave him out.

It’s worth noting while Haaland has 8 goals and 3 assists v Man Utd in 7 games, the majority of these came in home fixtures. In 3 games played at Old Trafford he has blanked twice. The only time he has produced at Old Trafford was in 23/24 when he scored twice and assisting once in a 0-3 win.

The pros for owning Haaland would be is how bad Man Utd’s defence has been. They have conceded twice in each game this season and it’s hard to imagine Man City drawing a blank here. Man City also entertain Sunderland at home in the following fixture.

The cons would be that owning him would mean a much depleted squad heading into the next 2 GW’s. As I plan on bench boosting in GW5, I don’t want to punt on £4.5m/£5m players who don’t have the best fixtures. By distributing the funds more equal and targeting good fixtures, if this team performs, it could still well out perform a Haaland team even if he produces at Old Trafford.

The following fixture at home to Sunderland looks good on paper however it’s worth pointing out that Haaland failed to score against Sunderland both home and away last season. Sunderland are also usually very defensively sound, so I wouldn’t expect a City win by a big margin either.

After Sunderland, Man City travel to Anfield at a ground Haaland has only ever scored once at.

Because of the reasons highlighted above, I think the “No Haaland” draft looks best. I’ve also planned my team for the next 3 GW’s meaning come GW7 I will have 3 FTs in which I plan to bring Haaland back in for the TC at home to Ipswich. My original plan was to save the TC chip for GW16 when Man City play Hull at home, but I now believe the Ipswich defence is now the one to target between the two newly promoted clubs.

What your thoughts on this draft? Anyone I’ve missed out? And what’s your plans for GW4? Let me know in the comments.

#FPL #FPLCOMMUNITY #GW4 #Wildcard #Haaland

[Neil Pickering @FPL_Neil]

@FPL_Harry I’m on the WC this week and currently have Gakpo in my team. Guess I’ll have to monitor this. Easy switch to Szoboszlai if not.

[Neil Pickering @FPL_Neil]

@FPL_Harry Joined @FPL_Harry Good Luck All

[Neil Pickering @FPL_Neil]

@FPL_Gaurav Gorgeous that 😍

[Neil Pickering @FPL_Neil]

Another option would be triple Arsenal defence. Could do Justin to Konsa or Martinez to Raya.

[Neil Pickering @FPL_Neil]

Might do Justin to Daniel Munoz. I have the funds available. Was tempted to go Pedro Porro, however would conflict with Dewsbury Hall. Munoz has a great fixture in GW5 (Coventry Home) for the BB Team.

[Neil Pickering @FPL_Neil]

@FPLBazuu Yeah deffo be having them at some point.

[Neil Pickering @FPL_Neil]

@FPLBazuu I know I’m still 50/50 between Isak and Palmer.

[Neil Pickering @FPL_Neil]

Who is your Captain for GW4?

One of the main 3, or are you going rogue?

Let me know in the comments 👇

#fpl #palmer #isak #haaland #GW4

[Neil Pickering @FPL_Neil]

@FPL_Gaurav Hahaha, imagine. Hull are winning 1-0 now you’ve said that 😂

[Neil Pickering @FPL_Neil]

@FPL_DEVILS Was looking at him but he’s been brought off on 60 and 67 mins last 2 games.

[Neil Pickering @FPL_Neil]

I’m on the WC this week going into BB next week. Think I maybe going without Haaland as when I make drafts that include him, he just completely dilutes the team. Currently a toss up between Palmer and Isak for me for the armband.

My only worry is if Hulls low block will be hard for Chelsea to break down and Palmer isn’t given much space and ends in just a 1-0 or 2-0 win or even worse 0-0 😂

[Neil Pickering @FPL_Neil]

@fpl_graba Stack!!

[Neil Pickering @FPL_Neil]

@FPL_Gaurav Still a green arrow mate ✅ Well done.

[Neil Pickering @FPL_Neil]

@FPL_Schie Yes, Lacroix deffo the safe bet mate

[Neil Pickering @FPL_Neil]

‼️ GW4 DISCUSSION THREAD ‼️

Chelsea are obviously the main target this week as they face a Hull side they’ve historically done very well against.

However… with Hull’s extraordinary start to the season, is it still sensible to triple up on Chelsea’s attack? 🤔

Hull are far more defensively organised than I think any of us expected. They’re yet to concede a goal and currently sit 3rd after three games.

I don’t expect them to pull off a Leicester 2015/16 (although I’d absolutely love it 😂), and I’d expect their level to drop eventually. But it’s becoming increasingly clear that they aren’t the whipping boys many predicted.

When looking to triple up on an attack, you’re usually targeting a strong attack against a weak defence.

Chelsea certainly have the attacking quality, but there are now question marks over whether they can put 3+ goals past a defensively solid Hull side.

My original plan was Palmer, Rogers & J Pedro. But if this games goes as I expect in a 1-0 or 2-0 Chelsea win, then you could potentially be looking at three blancs from your Chelsea attacking assets.

Because of this, I’m now seriously considering Chelsea defensive assets instead.

Whether I go with one Chelsea attacker or two is something I’ll probably change my mind about 17 times before the deadline 😂

One thing I’m fairly certain of though:

I won’t be going triple Chelsea attack.

What are your plans for GW4? 👇

And are you using any chips?

#GW4 #Chelsea #FPL

[Neil Pickering @FPL_Neil]

@FPL_Schie I’m currently on Palmer and Pedro. I think Lacroix is the best bet. But wouldn’t put anyone off on Reece James for a short term punt. He’s went down in value as well. Can always pop up with a goal or an assist now and then.

[Neil Pickering @FPL_Neil]

@EFFFFPL 100% 👊

[Neil Pickering @FPL_Neil]

52 Points for GW3 and we find the tiniest of green arrows ✅ to climb 1,296 places for our second green arrow in a row.

Considering I wasn’t on TC this week I will class that as a win.

✅✅ 2 Green arrows down
✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅ 8 to go,
to try and hit my target of 10 in a row!!

How did your game week go and what’s your plans for GW4? Are you using any chips? I’ll be on the WC for this week! #fpl #GW3 #wildcard