Regarding the second free hit, I think changing the rules like this part way through the season somewhat undermines the game. In this case, at least the resources remain the same for everyone, and everyone’s planning right now is so far out of the window that this the best time to announce it. Personally I’m really not a fan though. It’s less rewarding doing longer term strategy, when someone might just decide to change the game.
More importantly, the bigger negative is that this undermines FPL forever more because there’s now a precedent for them changing the resources part way through the season. If we get a period of COVID disruption or a really harsh winter due to global warming, everyone will start second guessing whether they can be more aggressive with chips as more will be offered to players.
Weirdly I think this favours people defending a lead, although it is bound to excite those chasing.