He thinks bench boost is being overvalued, and says the optimal approach is probably somewhere in the middle rather than going all-in or barely optimizing it.

Reasoning: James explicitly says people are putting too much weight on bench boost plans, but also argues that taking only minimal bench coverage may be too far the other way. He recommends a balanced approach.

I do think there's people putting too much weightage towards their bench boost plans at the moment... So the answer is probably with a balance somewhere in the middle there.

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At the moment he is more likely to start with Smen than not, but he does not see him as a definite pick.

Reasoning: He says Smen's price at 8.5 is reasonable and he may come back to him after correspondent week, but his current leaning is slightly negative overall.

Players/teams: Smen (Subject)

He's not out the running for me, but he's definitely not a definite either. He's probably a more likely no than a yes for me.

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If choosing between the Tottenham and Brighton defensive doubles right now, he would prefer Tottenham's pair of Kinsky and Van Heck over Brighton's option because Vuskovic is the riskier piece.

Reasoning: He says Kinsky and Van Heck will start if fit, while Vuskovic is the main uncertainty, so the Tottenham double is currently safer than Brighton's.

Players/teams: Kinsky (Subject), Vuskovic (Risk), Van Heck (Subject)

I know Kinsky and Van Heck will start as long as they're fit... the answer would be Tottenham... just because of the Vuskovic element

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Harvey Barnes is currently a watch-and-wait option rather than a starter pick.

Reasoning: He acknowledges Barnes has upside, but says Newcastle will likely add players and he wants to see whether Barnes regularly gets the left-wing role once the window closes.

Players/teams: Newcastle United (Team context), Harvey Barnes (Subject)

I think it's probably a watch and wait on him... Not one at the moment I'd be thinking of starting with.

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Jacob Ramsey is one of the Newcastle attackers he is most interested in during preseason and could be an overlooked eighth attacker with a minutes boost.

Reasoning: He says Ramsey is cheaper, may get a significant minutes increase, and could break out after Newcastle's summer departures.

Players/teams: Newcastle United (Team context), Jacob Ramsey (Subject)

I'm keen to see what his minutes look like moving forward cuz I he could potentially be a nice one that might break out... Ramsey minutes wise could be a big increase this year.

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For a Defcon defender from the stable teams, he would currently lean toward Tarkovski and Sangari if he had to pick two right now.

Reasoning: He identifies Arsenal, Villa, Brentford, Everton and Leeds as the comparable group, then says Tarovski and Sangari are the two he would put in at this moment based on last season and current pricing/context.

Players/teams: James Tarkowski (Subject), Leeds United (Team context), Everton (Team context), Ibrahim Sangare (Subject), Brentford (Team context)

then it would be probably Tarovski and Sangari at this moment in time.

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He thinks the first managerial sacking may be quite late, and if he had to pick one manager in most danger right now it would be Daniel Far at Leeds.

Reasoning: He argues too much has changed at many clubs to make an early sacking obvious, but says there are background noises at Leeds and that Far may be under pressure if results are poor.

Players/teams: Leeds United (Team context), Daniel Farke (Subject)

I'd say the one that's most in danger there might be Daniel Far... I do think there's kind of noises in the background with leads

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He thinks Kinsky is the strongest long-term 4.5 goalkeeper option, and for a bench boost one setup he would lean Kinsky plus Vereen or Kinsky plus Petravic.

Reasoning: He says Kinsky feels like the standout 4.5 keeper for longer-term play, with Petravic more of a rotation choice, and for gameweek one bench boost he'd go Kinsky and Vereen or possibly Kinsky and Petravic.

Players/teams: Vereen (Alternative), Kinsky (Subject), Petravic (Alternative)

it does feel like Kinsky for a longerterm play might be the outstanding 4.5 goalkeeper choice... if I had to bench boost gameweek one, it's probably that I'd go Kinsky and Veren or... Kinsky and Petravic maybe.

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An early sub in the Community Shield should not make managers rethink Haaland for gameweek one.

Reasoning: He says a 60-minute build-up in the Community Shield is fine and that he would only start to worry if Haaland did not start after the match had been and gone.

Players/teams: Erling Haaland (Subject)

Why would a what would an early sub make us think differently?... I can't see what would be the issue with that.

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He would currently side with Sunderland as the most likely non-promoted team to go down, though he does not actually expect Sunderland to be relegated.

Reasoning: He says the league feels very open, but if forced to pick now he would side with the bookies' view on Sunderland while explicitly saying he doesn't think Sunderland will go down.

Players/teams: Sunderland (Subject)

If you had to ask me now, I'd probably side with what the book is saying. Say Sunderland. I don't for a moment think Sunderland will go down.

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Maguire is a better option than Shaw in the short term, especially if United are on a free hit four / wildcard six type path.

Reasoning: He likes the set-piece theory for Maguire and says he prefers the extra on Maguire over Shaw, but frames it as more of a short-term play than a long-term one.

Players/teams: Manchester United (Team context), Luke Shaw (Alternative), Harry Maguire (Subject)

I think it's probably shortterm at the moment... prefer the extra on him over Shaw because of that.

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He would not use Ben White as a long-term Arsenal pick; Mascara looks safer unless Timber is unavailable right up to the wildcard.

Reasoning: He says he does not envisage White being used at centre-back and therefore would view Mascara as the safer play, with White only becoming acceptable if the injury timeline forces it.

Players/teams: Mascara (Alternative), Jurriën Timber (Team context), Ben White (Subject)

I'd think Mascara is safer... If you're looking at as a longerterm play for me, that's that's a no.

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He prefers saving 0.5 by going for Shaw over Maguire only if budget makes it necessary, but otherwise he leans Maguire.

Reasoning: He says yes, Maguire over Shaw, but also accepts the saving if the decision is strategy-driven and money matters.

Players/teams: Luke Shaw (Alternative), Harry Maguire (Subject)

yes Magguire over shore, but if it's going to be like a deal breaker and you're on a shortterm strategy, don't mind you making the saving.

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If Ballard is only being considered for a short hold before wildcard six, he does not want him.

Reasoning: He says Ballard is fine as a longer-term pick, but if the plan is to buy him and then sell him around gameweek four, that is not the right use of transfers.

Players/teams: Ballard (Subject)

Please don't get Dan Ballard and transfer him out in gameweek four for two weeks... if you don't like that and you, oh, I'm wild card six, go somewhere else.

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He thinks there is no need to rush Elliot Anderson if you are planning an early wildcard, and he currently prefers Bruno Fernandes if Haaland were absent.

Reasoning: He says Anderson is not yet a definite starter and is something to watch, whereas in a Haaland-less build he says he would definitely start with Fernandes and even captain him in gameweeks one and two.

Players/teams: Bruno Fernandes (Alternative), Elliot Anderson (Subject), Erling Haaland (Team context)

I'm very much of the viewpoint on him watching him wait... I'm definitely starting with Bruno Fernandez and I'm captain him in game at one and two.

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He does not think Meguire is a strong long-term pick because he may not hit Defcons often, despite the set-piece upside.

Reasoning: He likes the theory and says Maguire could be relevant short term, but explicitly warns that he probably will not score Defcon points often enough to be a long-term player.

Players/teams: Harry Maguire (Subject)

if you're looking at a really longer term player I'm not sure I really Meguire's probably not going to hit defcons often

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For the first three gameweeks alone, he would currently lean Enzel Lefay among 6.0 midfielders.

Reasoning: He says that if the question is only about the first three games, Enzel Lefay has a decent opening run and finished last season well, making him the current preference.

Players/teams: Enzel Lefay (Subject)

6 million midfielder first three games alone I'd say Enzel Lefay decent first two Brenford away third finished last season quite well

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If Alexander Isak is in good condition for gameweek one, he becomes a real consideration for him over Pedro.

Reasoning: He says he is a big fan of Isak and would be willing to start with him if the fitness/reliability looks good enough, though at the moment he slightly prefers Pedro.

Players/teams: Pedro (Alternative), Alexander Isak (Subject)

if Alexander is heading into game week one looking like he's in good condition then he's a real consideration for me... at this moment but two weeks time I may well change that opinion.

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He would not start the season with either of Tottenham's current attacking options, and he thinks the club still need at least two, possibly three, attacking signings.

Reasoning: He says Spurs cannot be trusted for FPL attackers at the moment because roles/minutes are too uncertain and the club are still expected to buy more attackers.

Players/teams: Tottenham Hotspur (Team context)

you cannot pick a Spurs attacker for FPL at the moment. No. Tottenham are going to buy at least two attacking players, possibly three.

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He currently prefers Pedro over Thiago for the long term, even if Pedro may not be the best fit for a short-term bench-boost strategy.

Reasoning: He says Pedro remains his preference if forced to choose for the long term, though he notes the strategy might land him lower than a bench-boost-specific option.

Players/teams: Pedro (Subject), Thiago (Alternative)

if you're asking me to kind of nail down preference on that for the long term it would still be Pedro for me

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Norgard at 5.0 looks like a viable enabler, and Sangaria at Forest is another player worth monitoring in that price bracket.

Reasoning: He says Norgard could well do the job as a cheap midfielder, with Sangaria another name to keep an eye on and room for others to emerge too.

Players/teams: Sangaria (Alternative), Nottingham Forest (Team context), Everton (Team context), Norgard (Subject)

Christian Norgod Everton 5 million could well do the job. Uh don't be surprised if someone else moves club that becomes attractive roundabouts that price.

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He currently sees Kinsky and Van Heck as the best free Tottenham assets, though he says not to overdo that idea.

Reasoning: He answers the question directly with those two players, but frames it as a short-term view and later warns against wasting transfers on fringe Tottenham defenders.

Players/teams: Tottenham Hotspur (Team context), Kinsky (Subject), Van Heck (Subject)

right now it would be Kinsky Van Hecro probably.

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Harvey Barnes is not a start-with pick for him, but could become a really good option if Newcastle's left-wing role becomes secure after the window closes and the fixtures turn favorable.

Reasoning: He says Barnes has scoring upside, but he wants to wait and see whether Barnes becomes the regular left-winger and how Newcastle's transfer business shapes the side.

Players/teams: Newcastle United (Team context), Harvey Barnes (Subject)

Not one at the moment I'd be thinking of starting with... if it looks really good as he's regularly going to play the left wing position... then I think that could become a really good option.

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He thinks there is a case for keeping Bruno Fernandes in a Haaland-less draft because Haaland's injury would make Fernandes the obvious captaincy pivot.

Reasoning: He says if Haaland were injured before the season starts, Fernandes would definitely be his starting player and captain for gameweeks one and two.

Players/teams: Bruno Fernandes (Subject), Erling Haaland (Team context)

if Erin Harland got injured in the next two weeks before we start, then I'm definitely starting with Bruno Fernandez and I'm captain him in game at one and two.

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He would not wait until gameweek 16 for bench boost and recommends getting it done within the first 10 gameweeks instead.

Reasoning: He argues that later weeks become too congested and awkward to plan for, and says gameweek 16 looks safe but is too far away to force transfers for.

Get it out the way in the first 10. Strongly recommend getting it out the way earlier.

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He does not think the extra 0.5 is worth paying for F.S. over Shabbasha in a bench-boost-to-wildcard-six plan, because the cheaper option gives guaranteed minutes.

Reasoning: He says he would probably take the saving with Shabbasha and prioritise minutes certainty over paying more for the alternate pick.

Players/teams: Shabbasha (Alternative), F.S. (Subject)

I'd probably go the saving of Shabbos of the two. This I'm guaranteed on the minutes, right?

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He prefers Gallagher over the 0.5-saving alternative if Ballard is being used as a longer-term defender, but says Ballard himself is not a fit for a short hold into wildcard six.

Reasoning: He argues Ballard's fixtures are awkward in the middle and that transferring him out quickly is poor use of transfers, so Gallagher is the better attacking Everton-style choice if going that route.

Players/teams: Ballard (Subject), Gallagher (Alternative)

Please don't get Dan Ballard and transfer him out in gameweek four for two weeks... Jbury Hall probably if I had to have an attacking one.

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He would currently pick Kinsky and Petravic as the best goalkeeper pair for gameweek two if not using commentary keepers.

Reasoning: He says those two are the obvious choices based on the fixtures he can see, with Kinsky at home to Newcastle and Petravic as the other 4.5 option he mentioned.

Players/teams: Kinsky (Subject), Petravic (Alternative)

It's probably Kinsky, isn't it? Home game against Newcast. Probably that mate. Kinsky and Petravic probably.

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He would rather have Ben White than Mascara only if Timber remains unavailable by the time of the wildcard; otherwise Mascara is safer.

Reasoning: He says White is unlikely to be used at centre-back and therefore feels less secure than Mascara for longer-term planning.

Players/teams: Mascara (Alternative), Jurriën Timber (Team context), Ben White (Subject)

I'd think Mascara is safer... If it looks like Timber's not going to be available till the time that you wild card, then I have no problem going with Ben White.

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He does not like delaying bench boost into gameweeks 12 to 14 and strongly prefers getting it out of the way early.

Reasoning: He says later bench boosts are too congested and awkward to plan for, especially with midweek fixtures and rotation risk.

I really don't like bench boosting in the sort of weeks 12 14... strongly recommend getting it out the way earlier.

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He is not paying the extra 0.5 for F.S. over Shabbasha in a bench-boost-to-wildcard-six setup, and would choose the guaranteed minutes player.

Reasoning: He says the cheaper option is the safer choice because of minutes security and short-term structure.

Players/teams: Shabbasha (Alternative), F.S. (Subject)

No. At this moment, no. I' I'd probably go the saving of Shabbos of the two.

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He is not convinced Elliot Anderson should be started immediately at Manchester City and expects a better process is to wait and assess.

Reasoning: He thinks Anderson is first-choice in theory but not a guaranteed gameweek-one starter, especially with other possible options like Kovacic, so he prefers to watch first.

Players/teams: Manchester City (Team context), Mateo Kovacic (Alternative), Elliot Anderson (Subject)

I don't think we should a guarantee game at one start. I'm very much of the viewpoint on him watching him wait.

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He would only consider Dan Ballard if the user is actually holding him long-term; buying him to sell quickly is poor transfer management.

Reasoning: He explicitly says not to buy and flip Ballard around gameweek four if the plan is wildcard six, because those transfers are better used elsewhere.

Players/teams: Dan Ballard (Subject)

Please don't get Dan Ballard and transfer him out in gameweek four for two weeks

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If Haaland were injured before the season starts, Fernandes would be the default captaincy and starting pick for gameweeks one and two.

Reasoning: He says that scenario would make Fernandes the obvious replacement and he would captain him in both opening gameweeks.

Players/teams: Bruno Fernandes (Subject), Erling Haaland (Team context)

then I'm definitely starting with Bruno Fernandez and I'm captain him in game at one and two.

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He prefers Kinsky and Petravic as the goalkeeper pairing for gameweek two if focusing on that week alone.

Reasoning: He says Kinsky at home to Newcastle plus Petravic is probably the route he would go for a gameweek-two bench-boost type setup.

Players/teams: Kinsky (Subject), Petravic (Alternative)

It's probably Kinsky, isn't it? Home game against Newcast. Probably that mate. Kinsky and Petravic probably.

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He thinks using a free hit in gameweek three or four does not add an extra transfer to the following gameweek.

Reasoning: He explains that transfers are banked before using the chip, and the free hit neither gains nor loses transfers for the next week.

you do not gain a transfer when you use a chip

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He thinks Ben White is not a strong longer-term option, with Mascara being safer unless Timber's return is delayed until the wildcard.

Reasoning: He says White is not someone he trusts for centre-back usage and would only use him if the absence of Timber lasts until the wildcard.

Players/teams: Mascara (Alternative), Ben White (Subject)

If you're looking at as a longerterm play for me, that's that's a no.

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He thinks Kinsky is the best free Tottenham asset right now.

Reasoning: Asked directly for best free Spurs assets, he answers Kinsky and Van Heck, with Kinsky effectively first in the pair.

Players/teams: Tottenham Hotspur (Team context), Kinsky (Subject), Van Heck (Alternative)

right now it would be Kinsky Van Hecro probably.

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He thinks Gakpo could become a very interesting mid-priced option only if a specific Tottenham transfer and tactical shift actually happens.

Reasoning: He frames it as a hypothetical contingent on Spurs making the move and Gakpo starting as a number nine, but says this is not a gameweek-one consideration right now.

Players/teams: Tottenham Hotspur (Team context), Cody Gakpo (Subject)

Could be good... could Kodi Gapo in gameweek seven be a great buy as an OP playing as Tottenham's number nine? You'd have to have a look, wouldn't you?

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He would currently choose Djed Spence over other Tottenham right-wing stopgaps only because the position is so unsettled, but he is not confident about any of them.

Reasoning: He says he has no clue who starts at right wing for Spurs and that the role could even go to Spence before being changed later.

Players/teams: Tottenham Hotspur (Team context), Djed Spence (Subject)

I have no clue starts for us right wing... might be that Jed Spence plays there game week one.

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