FPL experts: Lessons learned from first two Gameweeks

The Scout's panel of Fantasy Premier League experts discuss the main lessons they have learned from the opening two Gameweeks of 2023/24. 

Mark McGettigan (@FPLGeneral)

Players who are almost guaranteed to play close to 90 minutes every week are better than picks that are rotation risks. I've been stung by opting for a 3-4-3 with Joao Pedro (£5.6m) rather than a 3-5-2 with Bryan Mbeumo, Solly March or Kaoru Mitoma (all £6.6m). With two free transfers this week, Pedro is very likely being sold. I don't want to sweat over his minutes every weekend.

See: Best replacements for benched Joao Pedro in Fantasy

Sam Bonfield (@FPLFamily)

There's definitely some value to be had in Tottenham Hotspur's defence, with three nice fixtures coming up, so Destiny Udogie (£4.5m) is high on my list of targets. I'm also potentially looking to sell Bruno Fernandes (£8.5m), even ahead of his home match against Nottingham Forest, in favour of a £6.5m midfielder to upgrade my budget forward to Julian Alvarez (£6.5m).

See: Whose FPL prospects have improved after Gameweek 2?

Lee Bonfield (@FPLFamily)

As usual at this time of the season, I prioritise making early moves to capitalise on the good value that's on offer, admitting where I've made mistakes and rectifying it. Both Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion look great so far, with the Bees in particular being overlooked in my team. They have a great run of fixtures coming up, so I'm likely to bring in one of Mbeumo (£6.6m) or Yoane Wissa (£6.1m). 

Ben Crabtree (@FC_CrabDogg)

The lessons so far are based around owning Brighton and Brentford players. But the lesson after Gameweek 3 might be that you should keep patience with good players who have good fixtures.

See: Scout Selection: Best FPL team for Gameweek 3

Lateriser (@lateriser12)

My main takeaway from the first two weeks is that price might not matter so much this season. I am wondering if we can hold on to decisions as late as possible and not care about price gains or drops.

Harry Daniels (@FPL_Harry)

I'm not actually sure the Fantasy landscape is very different now than it was before Gameweek 1. A few teams have not performed to the level we thought they would, particularly Manchester United, but the chances have been there to some extent. In terms of a lesson learnt, it's probably just that FPL remains an ever-moving game, and a combination of flexibility and patience is key to success.

Also in this series

Part 1: Best replacements for benched Joao Pedro in Fantasy
Part 2: Whose FPL prospects have improved after Gameweek 2?
Part 4: The Scout’s FPL Gameweek 3 Ones to watch
Part 5: Wissa or Mbeumo: Who is the better Brentford pick in FPL?
Part 6: The Scout’s Gameweek 3 Differentials
Part 7: FPL experts: What to do with Fernandes and Rashford?
Part 8: FPL long view: Be wary of Brighton fixtures from Gameweek 4
Part 9: FPL experts: Is Alvarez or Jackson the better forward to pick?
Part 10: Scout Selection: Best FPL team for Gameweek 3
Part 11: Best alternatives to Haaland as FPL captain in Gameweek 3
Part 12: How penalty duties are changing the FPL landscape in midfield
Part 13: Best replacements for injured Shaw in Fantasy