Yes.Fuzzy wrote:So, to cut a long story short, the flexibility to shift (and to be open enough to consider shifting) between different structures is valuable. I certainly wouldn't start the season with a structure that was built on the assumption that I would be benching 2 F/Ms each week. The other, lesser, point is that it appears to me that squad value builds more quickly via price increases in the front half of the pitch. I know its a points game and not a value game, but the greater flexibility that higher squad value provides can't be disregarded.
I wouldn't start a season on that assumption either. In fact 4-4-2, although it has distinct advantages, also needs specific circumstances to appear in order to thrive.
One is that there must be a maximum 5.0 striker that carries real goal threat and is a regular starter. They need to be a player you'd be happy rotating in and out of your team and who would be a very good 1st sub when not selected. Until the emergence of Anichebe this season that ingredient was missing, Barrow was the most hopeful option.
The second ingredient is that there needs to be a lack of obvious and clear-cut bargain assets in midfield and forward areas in the 6.0/6.5m area. In a season where Vardy, Mahrez and Alli are available around that price and doing exceptionally well (2015/16) or where you get a Kane emerging and an underpriced Sigurdsson doing very well (following his switch to Swansea after the prices came out, 2014/15) then the budget pressure is much reduced and having a credible front 7 is very feasible. A front 7 will always be a better bet if you can afford 7 attackers that are predictably high points-scorers.
The third element is that there needs to be a contingent of premium-priced attackers performing very well, not just one or two. The biggest advantage of the 4-4-2 structure is that it makes it easier to shoehorn 5 or 6 expensive attackers in because you are not trying to get the 7th. That circumstance is now demonstrably at play this season too.
I figured out 2 years ago that the 4-4-2 structure could be optimum under certain circumstances. Personally I think those circumstances are all now in place. I don't agree with those that say it is reflective of general FPL pricing. I think it's much more specific to the price/performance landscape at play at any time.