The Triple Captains Podcast
Triple Captains is a strategy-first Fantasy Premier League (FPL) podcast built for managers who want more than noise, hype or hindsight analysis.
Hosted by Arc, Hots and Guffs, the show breaks down decision-making, sequencing and risk through a lens of data, context and lived experience — blending analytics with honest conversation about the emotional side of the game… meaning slander is never too far away.
Rather than chasing trends, Triple Captains focuses on the thinking behind the moves: chip strategy, fixture swings, squad structure, ownership dynamics and the realities that shape outcomes across a season.
This isn’t about perfect picks. It’s about understanding the game well enough to make better decisions over time.
The Triple Captains Podcast
GW36 BROKE FPL MANAGERS… Now What? | Final Two Gameweeks Strategy
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GW36 changed everything.
What looked like strong process and solid preparation was once again humbled by the reality of FPL variance. With only two Gameweeks remaining, the margins now become brutal.
In Episode 36 of Triple Captains, the hosts reflect on the fallout from GW36, review their teams, and break down the short-term decisions that could still define rank outcomes before the season ends.
🔥 Topics Covered:
• GW36 fallout and lessons learned
• Final host league winner revealed
• GW37 player radar and watchlist
• Captaincy trade-offs explained
• Mateta vs Thiago
• Palmer vs Richarlison
• Bruno Fernandes debate
• Haaland vs Semenyo
• Saka vs Gyokeres
• Remaining chip strategy
This game week, we're not gonna be having a feature. We're just gonna get straight to it.
TWO WEEKS TO GO – FPL GW37 ENDGAME BEGINS
SPEAKER_02It's two weeks left to go. And I'm back in the middle. Or should I say, I've won the game week. There'll be no middle this
GW36 WINNER REVEALED – HOST MINI LEAGUE DECIDED
SPEAKER_02week. Oh, Ark came last.
CAPTAIN’S TABLE – FINAL HOST STANDINGS
SPEAKER_02So who cares about the middle? See, Ark making a face. But yeah. In fact, before we even get into it, Ark, you good? What's what's what's your week
FPL GW36 FALLOUT – RECOVERED YET?
SPEAKER_02been like?
SPEAKER_01I'm still trying to find a hole in the ground to hide in. This week hasn't been great for me. Um I went off track and it came back to bite me. Um roll of the dice, I suppose. Um but it is what it is, and we are what we are. But yeah, the don't like the idea of finishing the bottom and my fake people's eyebrow.
SPEAKER_02Well, to be fair, you had uh higher score last game week. Um I think the game amongst us is pretty much over now with two game weeks left to go. Um I think obviously I'll finish up and you'll finish second, we've got last um at least just bragging rights for the last two episodes. But um, yeah, for myself, you know, I've been going on about the bench boost that should have been in game week 33. And got the same problem because I didn't activate that and I was having too much fun in the sun, it's put me in a situation where I've had to change my whole strategy and tactics going through to game week 36, which I just finished. And I ended up having to use the bench boost this week and not got the points that I would have got if I used it in 33. So even though I had a good total score, I guess, it's not what it should have been. So I'm I am disappointed, even though some will say I'm moaning over nothing. I'm actually down at least 20 points overall, plus I wouldn't have put in the play as I did. But um, it is what it is. Two weeks left. Can't wait for it to finish, to be honest. All I'm trying to do is just literally build as much points as I can from now until then. But um, yeah.
SPEAKER_01I was just gonna say I can fully understand you still being upset or disappointed um in not getting those additional points. Um in this type of season where we're seeing how difficult it is to move. Like every point counts. Um so fully understanding, and especially um at least with yours, there was a genuine mistake. Mine has been a bit of self-sabotage, which obviously we'll get into. Um, but because of that, you just sit back and you reflect and you start playing around with some of the figures in your scenario model and you see this is what I could have done if I'd actually just stuck with the plank.
SPEAKER_03Yeah. You know what?
SPEAKER_02Well with mine, it's because I feel like I'm well not feel like, because I'm having my worst season ever, I just felt like the higher I can get, the the software to cushion it or cushion the blow basically. But um yeah, those those points I'm not gonna make them back now, so I have to let it go and just keep going. But um, yeah, it wasn't the greatest of game weeks, but let's we'll start off with yours. Um yeah, let's reflect on your game week and uh get into a bit more of what you did last
ARC GW36 TEAM REVIEW & LESSONS LEARNED
SPEAKER_02year.
SPEAKER_01Um so where do we begin? Um probably to 10 minutes before the deadline. So I had a plan last week. Um we spoke about it. Um I think I put a few things out on socials about it also. Um so I was all set to go ahead with my bench boost and I was gonna captain Haaland. Um, however, um I kept on going over my decisions, kept on going over, kept on going over, trying to work out is there a way that I can push for some additional upside, um, which led me down the path of looking at Turkey as a possible captain choice. Um now, based on some of the data that I could see for him and knowing that over the last five game weeks he was heavily involved in their chance creation, um, his shot volume was only second um in the game. Um and he'd obviously been involved in some goals and assists as well. Um so because of this, I started looking at him thinking, well, actually, this could be an opportunity. Let's see if I um go down the captain route with him. And if I go down the captain route with him as it's a double, why don't I just use my triple captain on him? Um, because I wasn't really um especially confident in the bench that I had um that I'd be pulling in any particular scores. Um so because of that, um I changed. Um I looked at a projection between what my bench was going to get in comparison to the projections for Turkey. I think Turkey, the projection was around about 10, um, meaning that I'd get 30 on a triple captain, whereas my bench, they were set for just about 11. Um, if that um so based on that, I went ahead with um the triple captain choice. Um, however, Pep being Pep, 59 minutes in, I regretted going for jerky as my triple captain choice. And that was my week there and then. Don't get me wrong, obviously he came in for the second part of the double and he got an assist, even if it was off the bench, which only left even more regrets because you start thinking to yourself, well, if he had played the entire game or at least had half, um, he probably would have been able to do something more. Um that said, when I look at my team, um structurally, um, we did okay. Um, I had three standouts. Um, I had Gabrielle, I'd got um Haaland, and one person I've had that has performed well for me over the past couple of weeks is Hintwood. Um, he's done really good for me. Um, he'll either get me an assist or a goal um at the times where I need him to. Um, so he's been good and he will stay in my team until the end of the season. Definitely one that I'll have on my radar for next year. Um but the the biggest issues with my team this week were the missed opportunities. Um in hindsight, we've done a lot about hindsight tax across the season. Um, if I had gone ahead with the bench boost and Captain Haaland um as per the original plan, it would then have meant that I ended up in the 80s for this week rather than the late 60s. Um, in fact, I may even have got more than that. Um, because Haaland um ultimately would have been a third, it would have been 22 points, and then I had 24 on my bench as well. Um, so that's more than half of what I've got now. Um so yeah, it's quite a frustrating week. Um, like I say, the process was correct. Um it was either triple captain or bench boost. The issue is is that in reality now um the environment for bench boost was for last week. Um now I'm in a situation where I'll be forced to use it in either 37 or 38. And either of those they either of those weeks are not weeks that particularly lend themselves to an environment where you can see some upside coming from your bench. Um so yeah, from from that perspective, um the gamble hasn't paid off. Um I can justify the gamble. Um it was calculated, but it ultimately didn't work out. Um so it leaves me in this situation my overall rank isn't anywhere where I need it to be. Like, don't get me wrong, um I was still looking at hopefully bringing my overall rank back into six figures. Um doubt that will happen very much at all. Um I think last week I was about 1.8, so even to have knocked off 800k to get into six figures would have been quite the ask. Um but with the triple captain netting for me, I think it worked out to about 15. Um it's close but no cigar. And in reality, the triple captain chip has been bad for me um throughout the season. I think um the first one um I hedged my bet um did City at home to Leeds, and Haaland did absolutely nothing for that game week although. So um from my perspective, as much as we are the triple captains, I'm very much starting to believe in some of the um discussions that we've had over the past couple of weeks with some of our guests and so on that the triple captain chip, it's difficult to view it as one of the stronger ones. And that makes that makes sense because ultimately it's reliant on your captain choice, right? Reliant on the captain actually doing what he needs to do. Um and fortunately, he didn't do it for me this week.
SPEAKER_02I think it could have been worse for you. Um Harland was the well, he was my captain this week. Um I also didn't triple captain. Um obviously I've got or had two chips left like yourself due to my error in game week 33. But um I just wanted to go into the bench boost. So um, yeah, I activated that this week. Um in regards to Haaland, obviously he didn't play in the second game at all. So it could have been worse for all of those that did captain, or I say triple captained him. It could have been a bigger deficit if he did start in and or play in that second game. So, you know, there's one thing.
SPEAKER_01There's always the still, I guess. But the the kind of overall rank it doesn't I hear your pain though. Um so I guess going forwards I can either go completely gung-ho and do some mad things and see where that gets me, or go back into my show and start being safe again.
SPEAKER_04But there's no point. We've got two weeks left. Well, yeah, that's all I'm gonna
HOTS GW36 TEAM REVIEW – PROCESS VS VARIANCE
SPEAKER_04say. It's two weeks left.
SPEAKER_02For me, it's pretty simple. This game week I went captain Harlan because I wanted to cover everyone that's got a triple captain in. So I don't want to go against his triple captain, see. Um I ended up putting two palace defenders in or Henderson being one of those um Palace defensive players. But um, yeah, Palace did nothing. It's a waste of transfers. Um transfers I wouldn't have done if I had no bench boosts, or just rubs the most out in my wounds. Um to be honest, I'm gonna use a bench boost now, just lead me with a triple captain chip, which I'll probably use this game week. Because I think game week 38 is gonna be a game week with some surprises and some rotation, so I'm gonna get to that game week with no tips, but be in a position where I have some transfers to make. So um when I look at this game week, I think that apart from my three, who you had one of them, Gabriel, he he done, he done his job for me. Um Semeno and Harlan were the three standout players who went double digits. Um they're the main three that did something for me. Um Dominic Calvin Lewin actually got me some points, but yeah, they were the three that were the ones that stood out for me. Um and even for myself, captain in Holland, I wasn't disappointed that he didn't get more, because those triple captain, those that triple captain and would have got further ahead. So yeah, for me it's a case of um I'll take what I got, but I'm just disappointed that my bench boost got my my bench had 15 and that's almost half or should I say it's just below half of what I would have got if I did my bench boost in 33.
SPEAKER_01How did they compare to what you did in 33? Although I know 3 big bono continues. Yeah.
SPEAKER_02So yeah, so with 33, I would have got 28 on the bench, and then I wouldn't have had to worry about the players to bring in for this bench boost. Um I would have continued to the strategy that I had, which would have been triple captain this game with Ireland with with no and the changes I would have made would have been towards the end of the season. But because I had the bench boost, I had to focus on um making amendments for the people that I think would be best for the bench booths. So now it puts me in a position where I've got no free transfers. Um so yeah, I made 15 points, but I got 20 plus points on my bench last week without even trying. So it's a bit disappointing. But I've you know, got to my point where I'm fed up on talking about it, and I'm not gonna be mentioning it um in the next in the next episode or the final episode. I probably will mention it a few more times in this show, but hey, so I I said I won't mention it in the next episode. But yeah, but um in all seriousness though, um I think the triple captain not being played this week by me um can still work out because I will be using it this week on one of my Arsenal players. Obviously we'll get into you know the schisms and schisms on that, but the truth is it's gonna be at Saka and Gabriel. Saka because he's attacking and we need goals. Um City's gone one plus some goal difference, so we need to get the goals in so hopefully we have a strongest team out. But I'm just worried about rotation with Gabriel, who would be my second choice. Um he'll have the full 90, so I mean we should get a clean sheet in that game. Uh uh, you know, touch wood. So um yeah, it's gonna be out of them too. I'll use my triple captain, and then yeah. Um I'm if I'm being honest, I'm looking at it like this. I've got one three change, and there's a few players in my team that I wouldn't mind taking out. Um, for example, Tevenair. Um I've got Enzo, who is a player that I probably wouldn't have kept, but I have kept, and he scored for me this week. Um, and he's got Tottenham game week 37, so I think I'm gonna start him over Tevenair to Tevenair will be my first sub. But um because I've only got the one free change, I think I'll probably gonna approach this game week with my triple captain and save the change for game week 38, so I've got two. Um but yeah. This game week's over. I think we've got 98 points. Some will say that's a good return. Me, I'm a bit better because I know what I would have got in the double game week, um, which was 128.
SPEAKER_01So three-figure week is what it is. It's very unlikely to happen this year for the triple captains, which is frustrating. Although obviously you've still got your triple captain, so you know.
SPEAKER_02And you saw your event was you never know. Like I said, my event last week, my bench last week, I didn't anticipate anything from it. And it got me 20-something, and I was like, why not just do it then? But like, you just don't know what's gonna happen in this and one, this Premier League's crazy. Two, you can just get lucky sometimes and just have the points, or you can get unlucky. But um, I think it's just all timing. If I did my bench boost last week and that and took that 20, whatever, I would have been happy. Wasn't quite 28, but 20-something would have been good. I think it'll spot on about you never know.
SPEAKER_01And I think that um if anything, what the week did teach us was one of the things we've talked about at length over the past couple of months. Because you've got a double game week, or because you've got a couple of fixtures in place, doesn't necessarily mean it's the right environment for said players, right? So, to your point, I mean you've alluded to it with Crystal Palace. I think Crystal Palace did exactly what everybody and his friend out there thought they would do. I don't think anybody confidently felt that I'm bringing in these palace players and they're going to get me a good return. It was one of those things where you sort of had to do it because we knew that everybody else is trying to cover it in the same way. Um, but it's about bravery, right? So it's about being brave at the right time. Um so, yes, it's that hindsight thing of looking back at it and thinking, well, you know, didn't really expect too much from Palace defense.
SPEAKER_02I actually believed they'll get at least one clean sheet, if I'm honest. Maybe I was the only one that believed in it, but I actually thought they'll get one clean sheet. Um my issue was I didn't want them long term and I didn't even want to put them in my team. So, you know, my first one I did was, I think I put Henderson in and I was thinking maybe I should just hold off. But then I thought really my move was meant to be SAR in for Tervenair, but I didn't do that, which would have been better because he actually scored, but I didn't do that because I thought, well, because um going for the um bench bench boost this week probably make more sense because of their defensive players. Um I thought Kleinship was more likely, and I knew Saw would rotate. So it is what it is, man. Um and I think let's move on to the future game weeks because I'm done talking about this game week. Um just want to put it in the back of me and not have to worry about bench boost. Now the chipsine been used, focused on what I'm gonna be doing. So but I just want to finish the last two game weeks as strong as possible, climb as high as I can because I'm not gonna get the target I wanted to. So just whatever, I'm gonna take whatever now. I just hope the triple captain pays off this week for me.
SPEAKER_03Right, yeah.
PLAYER RADAR – BEST FPL WATCHLIST PICKS FOR GW37
SPEAKER_01So just building on what you were saying, Hotz. You know what happens. You talked about the fact that you want to build up to having two transfers towards the end of um, well, for Game League 38. Um, but that kind of sounded as though you you've got ideas or you've got question marks over people in your team at the moment. In an ideal world, who would you transfer at at the moment, or who have you got doubts about?
SPEAKER_02Um so to touch on um one of the players I mentioned, Tavanair is probably someone that I would have got rid of. Enzo is someone who because he's playing Spurs, it was like uh a bit of a differential to keep him. But he's someone I also um was questioning, but he scored last week, so that worked out. So definitely gonna keep him in my starting lineup this week, especially against a scum.
SPEAKER_01What is it what what is it you don't like about Tavernier? Like who's his picture? Who they playing?
SPEAKER_02He's done nothing since he's coming my team apart from the uh apart from the game week 33 when I didn't activate my bench boost. Oh it's just like I put the Burnley, um Burnley, I put the Bournemouth players in for the bench boost. That was their purpose, and then they were meant to be gone from 34 onwards, bit by bit, like I've done. But because I've had to keep players for my bench boost because I didn't use it, I've had to prioritize different players than I had planned. I basically had my my game, my game weeks planned out up until this point. And because I messed up, I've had to alter everything which has messed me up. So these palace players in my team weren't meant to be a part of my team. But I put them in my team for the game week just gone and they did nothing. So they're potential players that I went out of my team too. But Henderson, for example, there's no real point moving him out of my team when I've got Raya. Sorry, I ain't even got Raya. That's not that's how you know my mind's fried. When I start thinking about game week 33, it just messes me up.
SPEAKER_03Yeah.
SPEAKER_02Basically, I've got Henderson and I don't see the point wasting transfers on a goalkeeper. And there's no point me wasting transfers now. So I'm sort of just of the idea I'll roll game week 38, and once I get to 38, I'll have two free transfers, see if the league's wrapped up, see who's down, see who's got what to play for, and then I can just make decisions then. But the players that I looked at, more importantly, if I had free changes available and wouldn't impact my team, I would be looking at Everton players. I think they could finish strong.
SPEAKER_01Um, so I'd probably place my palace defender with like a Keem or Yeah, probably Keen because he's just you know, you know, you were saying you had a question mark over um Tavernet. Yep. But I guess the the other way of looking at it, um if he if you are trying to save the transfer, is that um the fixture, I understand the fixture they've got is a tough one as they're playing City, but it is the final home game of their manager, and also as a team, they are in form, right? Um and if you were gonna have a player from them, you'd want a player that is either in their midfield or is in their attack rather than their defence because you know it's possible for City to put one.
SPEAKER_02100%, but he's gonna be my first sub anyway, because I'm gonna play Enzo against Spurs over him. So I think if for whatever reason my sub bench is activated in the attacking side, then I'll have him. But he ain't part of what I want really, he's just there by default. Literally, who I'd like is Yorkeres, but I've got three Arsenal assets already because I've got Saliba, Gabriel, and Saka. So it doesn't make sense taking out an Arsenal defender against Burnley, and it doesn't make sense taking out Saka for Yokoraz where they're both in similar situations and possible rotation candidates. So um Yores will have to chill. But um if you used to think about all the players that you'd want in your uh at all would consider to bring in, I know you said you you you're not thinking of minuses, but like for me, I'd look at Yoko Rez. I know Bowen hasn't done much, but I would look at Bowen um if I had changes because these last two games are important for West Ham, and if there's a time for him to score a goal, it's now. Um, and like I said, Everton's defense, and where we're talking about Savannah was one of the people that I wanted to take out. Um I was looking at Endye or Dewsby Hall, to be honest. But I've made my decision, I'm not doing anything. Um but what's your views? And when you look at the the potential players that you would have put in, or if you end up doing a minus if you, you know, get that bit of fire to make a last-minute decision like you did this game week, what players would you look at?
SPEAKER_01Well, that didn't work out, did it? So um, yeah, I'm I'm I'm rolling in the in the naughty step, um, and probably never to touch my um computer again um with 10 minutes to go to the deadline. But look, the one transfer that I had in my head, so when I was on my strategy for bench boosting, I brought in Rogers with the thought process that I was gonna get rid of him in 37 for an Arsenal asset. Um, and generally because of the game that Rogers will be playing, like his his final two games, you're talking Liverpool and City. Now, one's at home, one's away. The issue that I have is that if I keep Rogers, like I can't justify or feel that I'm gonna get anything out of him other than two points, um, simply because when I look at the Liverpool team and their particular weak areas for structurally um and defensively, they're not particularly on his side of the pitch. Um so obviously he he's gonna play more from the left, which is Liverpool's right. Um, but now that they've got Graven Birch around and son, it's not necessarily a weak area for them because he does patrol about and cover. Um so from that perspective, um, I don't look at Rogers and think, oh, there's potential for me to get an assist or a goal here, even though whenever Villa do score, he's likely to be involved. Um so there are a few things that need to weigh up, and indeed what structure what structural formation I go with. Um so if I was to go 3-5-2, it would lend itself to keeping Rogers for that extra. Um, but it's not really gonna matter because I'm gonna bench boost anyway. Um but I don't feel that um he's gonna return for me, so my idea had always been that I'd um be moving him out for Saka. Um, but when I had that idea, that was I think um the game week that um Arsenal played Fulham. Um so Saka looked to be his old self. But since then we've seen for the past couple of weeks he's looked a bit out on his feet. Now that may just be because he's only just come back from injury and effectively had to play three games in a week, um, but it doesn't fill you with deep joy um in terms of you thinking, well, I'm gonna get a return from him. And I don't want the season to just um peter out for me. Um however, um that's my likely transfer, um, my likely free transfer. The other thing is whether I take a hit or not. Um, because the reality, I'm I'm similar to you. Um in an ideal world, my plan had been that I would bench boost last week and that I would triple captain Yores this week, which would be wholly interesting for everybody that knows me because they know I don't have the biggest amount of faith in Yorkeres. Um, however, in terms of the team that we'd be playing, um, our position against their position in the league, um, where he's likely to be able to create chances and things like this. Um, I think the game stake is there for him. The only problem that I've got with any of the Arsenal assets at the moment is their minutes miss. Um none of them are guaranteed 90 minutes now unless you're in defense. Um unless you're unless you're Raya or you're one of the two centre backs, it's very difficult. Obviously, Rice is likely to have 90 minutes, and now we have Skelly. Um, who could be a good a useful defensive after. Because in the game he's still a defender, right?
unknownYeah.
SPEAKER_01Um, but obviously you'd be in midfield, he's got great opportunity to either assist or score. And if the defense um remains solid, um he could be uh a very good uplift in the same way that I really was earlier in the season when he started playing in central midfield, even though he's done as a left back.
unknownYeah.
SPEAKER_01But I guess um that kind of brings us into um the game state for this week and um any potential people on the watch list at the moment that you think actually that they're a good maneuver, they're a good pick. There's somebody that you could bring in and you can see an instant effect or an instant impact, rather, should I say. Um what you can see in front of you at the moment is I'd love to take credit for the beautiful display of data that you've got on the screen. Um, however, that's this has come from using an application called XGstat. Um please check it out. Um, it's not um it's not a subscription-based thing. I think there is a premium offering of it. Um, but there's a lot of data that is available on there, and as you can see, it does things like helps to harmonize um some of the data that you see. So, yes, it's great to see a player that's returning um particular amount of goals and their XG is good. Um, but what does that mean in terms of overall XGEI involvement um against um what they actually did? And also what you've also got is that trend. Um, so it shows you, well, yes, they could be overperforming, but if the trend is in the red per se, that means you're likely to see some regression. Um whereas if you can see that they're underperforming and but their trend is high, then you've got likely upside. So you start looking at whether there's shot volumes there or they're involved in lots of chances, that kind of thing. Um, but data is my thing, so I won't um keep banging on about that. Um, Hots, from your perspective, um, are there anybody is there anybody on that initial list that you look at and you think, yeah, actually you had them on your watch list in terms of that you could bring in that could impact things for you?
SPEAKER_02Um there's players I mentioned that I would have liked to have brought in, but I'm not going to. So like obviously I see Yokoraz is high up on there. Um, and as you can see with the XGI trend, his green and it's pointing up. And I know goal pigs, we used to call him, it wasn't always your favourite striker, but recently he's been in good form. Well, I heard you say it first, so but yeah, um well, rightfully so, he was getting goals, but anyway, the bottom line is he looks more um comfortable in the team now, and you know I look at uh it's it's obvious that they've been trying to work to his strengths. Um so I feel like he's gonna be a good threat for the last two games. I know we got Kaieback, so he's another minute risks, but um I I believe that he's gonna get some goals in the close of the season, and um I would have liked to have him have him in my team. Um I mentioned Boeing earlier, who's on air. He hasn't been doing too much goal scoring, but you know, he's had an assist. Um and I just think he's gonna be involved in the last two games. Um so those are the two players attacking that stand out for me. And obviously I've mentioned Everton's defense, but um, because I'm not gonna make no changes this week, this is good information for anyone that can that that is planning on making changes. Um I've got Calvin Lewin who's finally started to do something. I'm not gonna be taking him out, so you know, he he's got a decent end to the season. But if they win their next game, then literally the safety of Leeds is basically well, they're pretty much safe now, if you ask me, but you know, be guaranteed that they might not go into the game week fair yeah, not not caring, but you know, I don't see it being a tough game for West Ham. I'm being honest. I I don't know if it's hope, but I hope that West Ham win the next two games. Um obviously I hope Spurs don't, but um, I just think after this game week, leads might drop off a bit in game week 38 and have some rotation of this of their own. So therefore, yes, Calvin Um Lewin is a decent player for this game week, but I don't know if I'd want him in 38. I'm not too sure. Could be wrong, and he probably will start, and I might not even get rid of him, but that's just how I feel at the moment. But yeah, that's it.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I think um I'd go with what you're saying. Um for Yokarez, obviously he's returned three in the last five game weeks. Um the only issue is his minutes. Um, I think if I'm looking correctly, um I don't have my glasses on this week, um, but I think he's only um done 353 minutes over the last five, um, which isn't 90 per game, um, which you you would be concerned, um, especially with we know how it's is about, um I'm not worried about Jesus, for instance, but it's Havertz that will take minutes off him, I guess, um, depending on what we do. However, because Arsenal are now in one game a week, um, he may be okay. Um, with regards to strikers, obviously Watkins is another one um where he seems to be picking up form where he needs to at the moment. I think he's got um four um goal involvements in the past um five weeks. Um so again, another one that um he's low, he's not owned um highly as it stands at the moment. Um so he could go, but again, the the teams that he's facing over the next two, they're just not teams that I would traditionally think yeah, go go for him against them. Um I know that yeah, I know that some of the data is saying that Rogers is trending, um, but his goal involvement is um quite low. Um the one that sticks out at me a lot, um, and I've been singing these praises all season is Creepy Jr. Um I know um according to this data he's got him down as um a creative attacking midfielder, um, and that's probably because of the positioning he's got at the moment. He doesn't directly play striker, um, although within the game he is striker, um, but he seems to be quite involved in um a lot of what Bournemouth are doing, um, and he's trending upwards as well. And then you've got the usual suspects, Dewsby Hall is um definitely one to be looking at um if you've got those free transfers available to you. Um outside of that, I mean I've seen that um Tiago's made it onto this list. Um, me personally, I wouldn't necessarily go for that. Um, although I I really don't want him to do well over the weekend because I've got Henderson and I can't afford to be um seeing what Henderson did over the past um double game week. Um again, he he brought in like um three points, I think, which you're just like no, like um needing to get some points. Um but outside of that, um I think you know, you've got your Mintes and you've got Semenya. Um, and who knows Semenya may now go on a run um where he starts scoring a goal every other game um as he was doing when he initially first came over to City. Um, although I won't be jumping on that bandwagon as I've got Cherokee.
SPEAKER_02Fair enough. I guess we'll see, because we're both not going to be making changes this week. Well, I'm definitely not. Um, and if you do, it's only gonna be one change, unless you, like I said, do your last minute um decision.
SPEAKER_04Yep.
SPEAKER_02Then it's difficult to pinpoint um an exact player that that stands out apart from Yoko is for me, but he is a minute's risk. But I guess we'll see um next week who people decide to bring in for those that have lot lots of changes stepped up.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I think I think the goal pick would be the differential move for me. Um, but for me to take him on board would mean I need to make two transfers um because I'd either be getting rid of um Pedro or Cavert Lewin, um, and I still wouldn't want to carry the risk of having Rogers, um, which would mean the hit. Um hence I'm not gonna go with him. Um But we'll we'll see how it works out. I'll probably be here next week crying into crying into my hands and be moaning the fact that I've got rid of Rogers and he managed to pull off a double or something against Liverpool. This game is cruel and it does that type of stuff a lot. It's just been that kind of that kind of season for me. Um But um I'm I'm not one to moan. Um it is what it is, and um there's definitely been a few decisions that have ultimately been on me.
BEST FPL CAPTAIN PICKS FOR GW37
SPEAKER_01So, talking about all these potential players that will give us an impact in this game week, the one most important thing for any of us now, especially as we've only got two weeks left, if we want to make any inroads or we want to protect our rank, it will be the captain choice. So, looking at things at the moment and the projections that um are out there um on various different tools and systems, you've got Saka, Haaland, Bruno, Tiago, and Palmer as the ones that everybody believes are projected to score the most points over that period of time. So, without further ado, let's uh dive into it.
MATETA VS THIAGO – WHO SHOULD YOU BUY?
SPEAKER_01So, first up, let's have a look at Brentford v Palace. Tiago or Mateta? What's your general thought process? As you can see, both of them have not particularly got high XGI involvement um over the past five game weeks. Um, neither has wrapped themselves in gold. Um obviously Mateta came back and scored that double um instantly, which is what is anchoring his um XGI at the moment to show that he's in a positive for his differential on it. Um but minutes-wise, he hasn't um had as many minutes as you would expect over a five-game period, which is pretty standard. Obviously, he's just come back from injury. Um, and we know the Palace of Indian rotation thing after their European games. Um that said, his trend is still um generally down, but I think that's largely to do with the team, let alone him. Um Tiago, on the other hand, um, he's trending upwards, but he still had relatively low goal involvement. And I still have nightmares from remembering that game where he had about six chances and didn't register not one XG. What's your thought process here? If you were picking between the two hots, who would you go for? As a captain. Um is that simply because the home fixture?
SPEAKER_02And I just have more belief in him to get a goal. I just feel like um obviously the home fixture helps, but it's a case of Tiago, he's not gonna catch Harland, but he's had a good goal scoring season, and I don't think he's gonna go with no goals for the rest of the season. So um, you know, I can see him nicking a goal with Meteta. Who knows if it's gonna be Stan Larson who starts or Mateta, we just don't know. One thing's for sure, Tiago will probably get 90 minutes.
SPEAKER_01So for me, um Tiago is what that's yeah, no, and so that's a fair show. Um next um captain choice that we could be looking at is Palmer.
PALMER VS RICHARLISON – BEST MIDFIELD PICK?
SPEAKER_01So we're looking at Chelsea Gen versus Middlesex. What's your thoughts there?
SPEAKER_02Well, Palmer's not been in the greatest of forms. Um he was part of the team that I put the players I put in my wildcard. Um I've got Enzo, he's the only remaining Chelsea player I've got. Um I'm not I'm not a big fan of the Palmer captain, see um, he hasn't been the chilly man that he's been known to be. No one's seen him rubbish arms and shoulders recently, and that's because he ain't doing nothing. Um he ain't one of those players that I feel hasn't done nothing but will. Doesn't mean he can't, but um if I was obviously I've got Enzo, so it's a bit biased, but if I was gonna captain anyone from Chelsea, it'd probably be um Pedro over Palmer. I think it'd make more sense.
SPEAKER_01I think um as as many of you know, and I will state it for the record, I'm not having Palmer at all. Um I don't, yeah, I I just can't see it. Looking at his figures, like he's got the minutes now, and earlier in the season it was he's just come back from injury, letting him build up his minutes for expect trail. Um he's still trending down. I think over the past five game weeks, he's had an XGI of 1.9, um, as you can see. Um, and he isn't filling anybody with any joy. Um he's had zero assists, zero goals, um, and even his chance creation um stats down as well. Um yeah, looking at Pedro is the go-to, like the eye test when you're watching Pedro, he does look like the one person within the team that is trying to do something. But within the same game, you've also got Richarlison, right? Um, who is probably Middlesex's only goal threat in terms of either creating a chance or actually getting on the end of one. Although when looking at his stats, and they don't necessarily bear out for him being um that guy that is a go-to. But when we look back to what we've been talking about previously, and that you're looking at the moment for teams that are playing for something, middlesets are playing for survival. Um so um I guess he he could be one that you look at that you think, well, actually, I'll bring him in here. I just am not convinced by the Middlesex defense. Um, likewise, I'm not convinced by Chelsea's. Um so who knows, it may be a high-scoring game. What we do know is there's a lot of hate there. Um so yeah, it should be a tasty fixture to watch. Um in terms of um Captain Chelsea's from there, I think that that's it's free. Um, yes, Palmer, but I think Palmer is more a it's like when people talk about the best player in the world and they literally always go for a particular one. It's like a video game name, right? It's it's like it's the one that everybody knows, so they always default to it. Um but his data doesn't hold up for it. I would go for Pedro um specifically. Um, but yeah, if you really wanted to go for a wild card on this one, um, you probably could be going for Rick Allison. Um although I I wouldn't suggest that anybody does that. Um if we look at some of the other games, um, you've got United being Nottingham Forest, I mean either at home. Um,
BRUNO FERNANDES OR NOTHING – FPL DEBATE
SPEAKER_01so you've got Bruno as one of the captain choices. I think he's projected to get about six um for the game week. Um he's got XGO of like 3.2 over the past five game weeks, but he's trained, he's kind of plateauing. I don't know, I don't know how you see it, but often when I watch him at the moment, he looks as though he's not trying to score, he's trying his hardest to find a way to the sixth because of this bloody record.
SPEAKER_02So some people have been saying that, but I don't believe that if he's in a position to score, he'll rather pass. I think he will score. Um having said having said that.
SPEAKER_01United have just been rubbish over the past couple of weeks.
SPEAKER_02Literally. If that's uh if that's how you want to look at it, but all I all I do, well, all I know is if I was gonna captain anyone from United, it's gonna be Bruno. I wouldn't look at anyone else, even though I think Conyo's been the sharpest out of him and Boma. Um the others. Cesco as well has sort of been getting on the score sheet, but I just don't trust his minutes. But yeah, Bruno would be the obvious, the obvious shout. He's chasing that this record. Yes, he might not be taking shots. I don't know if I trust those rumors, but I haven't been watching a United game, so it's hard for me to have an opinion that won't be like um biased by what I've heard. I I don't believe it. I reckon that if he's thrown goal, he's gonna score. Some people said if he's got a penalty, he might do that that penalty when you pass and someone shoots. But I just don't see it.
SPEAKER_01Like the failed attempt from Henry and Perez. Yeah, exactly that. Yeah. Yep. No, I understood. And I guess one of the now we start looking at games a bit more harder to call for v for different reasons. Um so the City versus Bournemouth game.
HAALAND VS SEMENYO – SAFE OR DIFFERENTIAL?
SPEAKER_01Um, Haaland is quite a default captain as it stands now. Um obviously we know over the past couple of weeks, I think even when we were speaking with Jonas, he was like, well, Bruno or Haaland are the defaults now, right?
SPEAKER_03Yeah.
SPEAKER_01Um so I've learned my lesson, Jonas, considering I didn't captain Haaland last week and obviously it had an impact. Um so Haaland is that guy. Obviously, he's got a couple of goals and some that have helped his SGI as it stands now, too. Um, is there anybody else in the city team that you look at other than we've got Samenio up on up on screen as it stands now? Is there anybody else that you'd consider for captain C for then?
SPEAKER_02Not really, if I'm being honest. Um Harland would be my go-to if I was picking a city captain because I believe obviously he got rested for the whole game in preparation for the FA Cup. But I think after that FA Cup is said and done, they have to go for it in the league. Bournemouth is a very tough team, so they're gonna be putting out the strongest team. So Semeno will be in the team, so Harlan, so with Shirke. I don't know what happened to O'Reilly, but I'd be going for an attacker because they need goals in that game. So if I had to pick one, it would be Haaland.
SPEAKER_01Semenya is a difficult one. He he's had a a drought for him over the past five, six game weeks, and obviously he scored um against Palace. Um, but his underlying numbers are not the greatest in the world. They don't scream at you that, you know, he's just been underperforming, but he's got the right output. Um but yeah, I agree with you, it's very difficult to look outside of Holland. Um, and I guess the reason why the final fixture has been difficult to call is more about rotational risk and
SAKA VS GYOKERES – WHO WINS THE RUN-IN?
SPEAKER_01so on. Um so when you start looking at the Arsenal versus Burnley, um, we know that Arsenal need to score loads of goals because they're one last opportunity to build up um goal difference where they can. Um however, the the issue with Arsenal attackers at the moment is that many of them are back, so it's not necessarily um certain that anybody is guaranteed 90 minutes at the moment, which is kind of what you need for your captain choice, right?
SPEAKER_02Yeah, well, I've got Saka as my only um Arsenal attacker, so you know if if I'm well, I am gonna captain him unless I put it on Gabriel, who I know is guaranteed 90 minutes, and probably a clean sheet, touch wood. But um I think I'm gonna have to chase upside, so I'm gonna have to go for Saka. The thing is, out of the Arsenal attackers, no one's guaranteed 90 minutes. And that means no one. And if I was to have a choice, if I was wild carding right now, I mentioned it would be Yokares that would be in my team, and I'd probably captain Yokohes over Saka this game week. Potentially, he could even take penalties over Saka too. Um, hopefully, not this game week since I've when he got Saka. But um, yeah, in reality, we just don't know who's gonna be taking penalties. I think Yokores is trying to finish the season strong. He's looked proper driven, he's looked like hungry. Um, Saka had a great.
SPEAKER_01He's trending he's trending high. Um I mean you can't fault him, right? He's got three goals in his last five. Um the the trend behind his numbers is on the uh um likewise, Saka. Unfortunately, he's not trending, he's got one assist, right? Or he's got one goal.
SPEAKER_02Um in the last he had his good game against Fulham, and then he's sort of dropped off again. And I'm not you know, he's come back from injury, I know he's got his own issues and stuff like that. But um after that Fulham game, I was like, yes, Starboy's back, put him in my team, and I think that move there has been the reason I can't go for Yokarez now. But um, you know, who knows? This might be the game where we know, okay, we're two points Close City, they got plus one goal difference on us, playing Burnley. Let's go and get some goals, and maybe the goals will be spread across the team, Satakas. So surely if you're gonna get a few goals, you expect Saka to be involved, whether it's assists or at least one goal. But um could be time for Yakurez to add a few more to his tally so he could finish a bit higher, because obviously he's taken them a while to settle, but as we've seen from his record previous seasons, he he he does get quite a few goals, so he might be trying to up that a bit. And Bernley's a good team to do that.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, it's quite frustrating. Um, I'm I'm bringing in Saka, and there's relatively no other options out there for me. Um, I've also got Eze. Um and even with Eze, he's not guaranteed minutes. Yeah. Um now that we'll be trying to get Erdegaard back up to speed. Um also form-wise, um, Eze hasn't looked at the races, to be fair. Um, I think the problem with Eze is that Eze is a final third finisher. He wants to be on the end of chances, he doesn't want to be creating them. Um so I'd go. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. Um I would agree with that. Um, but it's interesting because the last game that Arsenal played, everything went down the left. Nothing went down the right, even though Saka was there. And um, so I think oddly, um, to this point of the season, we're starting to see a different Arsenal that is maybe it's a new balance, etc. Um, I mean the injury last week kind of messed up the way they were playing, but the way they started was exactly what you would want as an Arsenal support type thing.
SPEAKER_02So hopefully Aldegaard had a nice cameo when he came on in the Champions League. Um I'm curious whether he'll start this game or not. Because if he does, he could be a good differential.
SPEAKER_01Um yeah, I think he will. If you look at the strength of the two teams and also his strengths, um it would be a good match to give him 90 minutes in against the game.
SPEAKER_02I've got a feeling he might play Eze and um Odegaard with Rice in behind. Um we'll have to wait and see, I guess. Oh we need goals, we need to be done for it. We've got to just go out there looking for goals, and I think that's the best way of doing so. And obviously the man Trossa might get arrests. People might think it was Burnley, let Martinelli have a run out, but Trossaw's been in I wouldn't say great form, but he's basically been uh uh the guy for us over the last two. So, you know, there's so many options attacking wise, but we just don't know how many minutes they're gonna get. So um, yeah, I'd say probably Yoko Res if I had a choice of captain C, but um obviously I've got Saka, so Saka, you know, knowing the importance of that game, he has to start. If Noni starts, I'll be disappointed. So um, yeah, Yoko Res and Saka are the best two. Um, why are you laughing?
SPEAKER_01We have Noni slander on here.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, well, Noni has to do something in the next couple of games for people not to want to slander him, but yeah, good squad player, but yeah, let him stay eventually.
SPEAKER_01Indeed, indeed, indeed. Fair enough, fair enough. Well, as ever, like and subscribe, people. Like it's not hard. Click of a button, ring that bell.
SPEAKER_02One more game week to go.
SPEAKER_01Indeed. Are you protecting rank or chasing upside? I don't know which one of them I'm doing.
SPEAKER_02I'm honest with you. Um I'm yeah, I'm trying to just get as much points as I can over these last two. But I'm I'm defeated. But in the last episode, I'm not gonna be mentioning my missed bench boost, I'm not gonna be mentioning anything. I'm just gonna be going into that game week, trying to end it on a high. And this hopefully this game week's start of that. And that's it. Lock in everyone. Go on, sorry, right? Go on. Did you what was you gonna say, sorry?
SPEAKER_01You you're not you're not gonna go on about this anymore. No more violence.
SPEAKER_02I'm not gonna mention my bench boost next week. Not at all. Because I'm be playing my triple captain. So that's gonna be the chip that I'm gonna be discussing. There'd be no need for mentioning the bench boost that was meant to be Game Week 33 that had to be used in 36. It's over. I won't be mentioning it again after this episode. And on that note, everyone, we'll catch up with you in the next episode.
SPEAKER_00Truth be told when I wonder what the future holds.