The Waiver Wire: Gameweek 3

Those who think Fantrax Leagues are won and lost at the draft are wrong. Very wrong.

In fact this is where the winners will be winners because of their sharp eye for a bargain and the losers will be losers because…well, they ignore the Waiver Wire.

Each week, we will analyse those low ownership players that could win you your match up or even become a mainstay in your roster for weeks and months.Here is what the Gameweek 3 waiver wire has to offer!

John Lundstram | Sheffield United (DEF) | 9% ownership | Avg 14.25ppm

If you haven’t heard about John Lundstram where have you been?!

Every FPL manager loves an out of position player and Lundstram’s classification as a defender looks like it could be a glaring error. Definitely one to capitalise on.

The Sheffield United “midfielder” impressed in GW1, picking up the man of the match against Bournemouth. Many Blades fans expected the more dynamic Luke Freeman to take over from GW2 onwards but Lundstram kept his place and looks to be set to keep his spot following another decent outing and an injury to midfield partner John Fleck.

Oh, he also scored the only goal in the win over Crystal Palace, rewarding those who have already taken the gamble on him with a tidy 24.5 point haul.

There will surely be a scramble on the Waiver Wire this week to secure his signature.

Jeffrey Schlupp | Crystal Palace (DEF) | 34% ownership | Avg 4ppm

This pick is one for future weeks but this week saw the return of a FPL favourite from last season. Roy Hodgson seems to like Jeffrey Schlupp and the team’s lacklustre, goalless start to the season should see him integrated back into the side pretty quickly.

Playing at left wing or central midfield, Schlupp is another out of position defender for FPL managers to enjoy. Max Meyer has had the chance to nail down a starting spot in Schlupp’s absence. He hasn’t taken it.

With a trip to Old Trafford in GW3 on the horizon, as well as the fact Schlupp is yet to hit full fitness, this pick is one for the future but one that could be lucrative long term. Time to get him off the Waiver Wire a week early.

Luke Freeman | Sheffield United (MID) | 2% ownership | Avg 2.5ppm

Maybe we’re getting a bit too excited about Sheffield United after one win but their organisation and style of football has been very impressive so far.

New boy Luke Freeman added an extra dynamic to their attacking play when he came off the bench in the first half in GW2 and could be a handy FPL asset if he nails down a starting place.

Playing as the most advanced of the midfield three, Freeman was instrumental in the only goal of the game on Sunday and he should be amongst the goals and assists this season, especially because he seems to take a fair share of the set pieces.

Todd Cantwell | Norwich City (MID) | 8% ownership | Avg 15.75ppm

Who? You’d be forgiven for not knowing the name Todd Cantwell before the season kicked off but he’s announced his arrival to the Premier League in style.

We tipped him to do well in our Differential Potential XI for GW2 and he produced the goods, laying on two assists for Teemu Pukki and scoring 24.5 points in the process. Now is the time to take advantage of his availability on the Waiver Wire.

Chelsea in GW3 doesn’t look the mist appetising of fixtures on paper but the Blues look far from watertight at the back and Norwich are flying going forwards.

I fully expect Norwich to score at least one and wouldn’t be at all surprised if the exciting Cantwell is involved.

Danny Welbeck | Watford (FWD) | 7% ownership | Avg 1ppm

Another one for the future. The pool of low ownership forwards is very sparse at this stage of the season!

Danny Welbeck was always going to struggle to break into the Arsenal front three, even before the arrival of Nicolas Pepe. His release came as no surprise and Watford have taken the chance on the former Manchester United striker.

It should take a little time for Welbeck to establish a regular place in the Watford XI but if he gets the chance to form a partnership with Troy Deeney, they could be deadly.

This certainly isn’t a pick to satisfy any immediate roster needs but if you have a spare spot in your squad, Welbeck is worth the gamble.