Avoid these FIVE schoolboy mistakes to improve your Dream Team rank this season

ARE you determined to improve your overall rank in Dream Team this season?

We’ve assembled a list of five schoolboy mistakes to avoid if you want to take your game to the next level in 2024/25.

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PAGuehi played well for England in Germany but that’s in the past now[/caption]

Clinging to the Euros

After major international tournaments, it’s always the case that too many Dream Team managers allow the details of England’s campaign to impact their strategy for the domestic season ahead.

Marc Guehi (£3.5m) was arguably the Three Lions’ best performer this summer and that’s probably why he’s currently the fourth-most popular defender in the game.

The Crystal Palace centre-back is a class act but he averaged just 3.4 points-per-game last season, which is more relevant than his England form.

Guehi may be the subject of a big-money transfer before the window closes, which would affect his viability, but at present it’s weird that he’s over six times as popular as fellow Eagles Joachim Andersen (£3m) and Daniel Munoz (£3m), who are both available at a lower price.

It’s a similar story with Kobbie Mainoo (£3m), who became a starter under Gareth Southgate in Germany.

The Manchester United midfielder is a natural talent who is pleasing on the eye but the fact is he mustered 135 points last season, a tally that doesn’t align with his current status as the tenth-most selected asset in his position.

APHaaland is currently the most-popular player ahead of the new season[/caption]

Poorly-timed Boosters

There are some exceptions, but it’s generally wise to wait for double Gameweeks when activating one of your three Boosters.

Each of the Boosters – Goal Bonus, 12th Man and Max Captain – applies a special effect that will result in bumper points if deployed smartly.

Each Booster lasts for the duration of one Gameweek but you can maximise their impact by waiting until the relevant players have two fixtures to fulfil instead of one.

For example, you might choose to select a 12th Man from a team with an easy league fixture that falls in the same Gameweek as a favourable European match-up.

Picking defenders purely for defence

It’s easy to fall into the trap of picking defenders purely because they’re solid at the back.

These days, more goals are scored in your average Premier League game than in eras past and that means fewer clean sheets for defenders.

Arsenal showed last season that a solid defence can still set themselves apart from the rest but it’s generally a good idea to select defenders who offer other avenues to points.

The likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.5m), Josko Gvardiol (£4.5m) and Pedro Porro (£4m) had success last term because they chipped in with goals and assists.

Whereas Ezri Konsa (£4m) and Antonee Robinson (£3m) did well because they earned plenty of bonus points.

EPATrent Alexander-Arnold is the most-expensive defender in the game because of his attacking threat[/caption]

Limiting your opportunities

This may sound condescending but it’s worth stating: a player can only score points when they’re on the pitch.

Ideally, your team will consist of eleven players who are guaranteed to start every game if available – this isn’t always possible but it’s the optimal approach.

Half the battle in Dream Team is ensuring you give yourself as many chances to earn points as possible by squeezing the schedule for all it’s worth.

This means selecting the right players from the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa to capitalise on the Champions League fixtures; not forgetting Tottenham and Manchester United in the Europa League plus Chelsea (if they make it through the play-offs) in the Conference League on Thursday nights.

Targeting certain Carabao Cup and FA Cup fixtures can also be beneficial.

GettyCole Palmer could feast if Chelsea make it the league stage of the Conference League[/caption]

Shortsightedness

Two transfers per Gameweek allows for a certain degree of flexibility but the best gaffers are able to plan ahead.

Shortsighted transfers are changes that initially provide healthy returns but ultimately hinder your team’s progression.

For example, you might use your two transfers to bring in a pair of Crystal Palace players ahead of their favourable home game against struggling Southampton (sorry Saints fans, it’s just an example!) and immediately see rewards following the Eagles 3-0 win.

But if Oliver Glasner’s side then face a tricky run of Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester City, your two newest recruits may find points hard to come by.

Of course, you’ll be able to replace them with your next set of Gameweek transfers but that means you won’t be able to make any other changes – what if one of your other players has picked up an injury?

Sometimes it pays to target certain fixtures but you should also consider how the following Gameweeks might play out as a result of your changes.

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