Keegan’s Gone
After a quiet day, here comes the bombshell - Kevin Keegan has officially quit Newcastle this evening after 24 hours of constant speculation on his future at the club.
I won’t dwell on the facts - there will be plenty on this story to soak up from various sources over the next week or so. In terms of its effects on our fantasy teams though, this will surely be bad new for owners of Newcastle players, although owners of players about to come up against the Magpies could well capatilise. Newcastle’s morale will doubtless take a major blow and Keegan’s likely successor (Dennis Wise I’d imagine) will face a mammoth task to lift things.
Anyone owning a Newcastle player - not many of you I’d guess, (perhaps Gutierrez at a push) will now have to consider the likely effects of this latest development on the fantasy output of the Newcastle squad. Like Curbishley’s departure from West Ham yesterday, we can only speculate on the effects of a change of manager so early in the season. The likelihood that Newcastle and West Ham players will react positively however, seems remote.
i might stick with miller one more week and hope wba get a goal against west ham. hes becoming a bit of a freeloader on my team.
Hull might get a bit of reprieve in the next 5 fixtures after curbs and keegan going
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If Wise gets given the job i worry for Newcastle, the fans detest him.
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I think I will be avoiding West Ham and Newcastle players too until they are more stable.
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I hope the fans follow through with a decent boycott. I think they’ll be outside St’ James’ Park tonight tbh.
CTC updated. I’m getting excited as RVP nears a price rise. Bring movers as expected are Berba and SWP.
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Ive already taken a 4 point hit, but considering changing ashton for zaki. If he only scores 1 goal more it would be worth it, plus zaki price to increase, ashton possible decrease. Thoughts appreciated..
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Reply by Akers on September 4, 2008 7:22 pm:
These 4 point hits almost never work. Plus the fact Ashton isn’t injured and doesn’t have a difficult fixture next week makes the transfer the more unfavourable. Ashton is quite a way awap from a price drop.
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Reply by Tom Mills on September 4, 2008 9:02 pm:
I think Zaki for Ashton would be a good swap. I am considering it myself. West Ham in potential turmoil, Ashton injury prone and Zaki is just a cut above.
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Reply by Niall Quinn's Disco Pants on September 4, 2008 11:43 pm:
But still not worth 4 points
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i think it would be worth it tbh.
I have used my wildcar already , but i am wondering whther it is worth taking berbatov out for robinho this week . This is onky temporary. I am basically wondering whether robinho will rise by 0.2+ before berbatov rises another 0.1 this week.
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Reply by Steve on September 4, 2008 7:25 pm:
can’t see that happening
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Reply by Al on September 5, 2008 9:04 am:
I can’t see Robihno being a decent purchase until I see he’s a decent purchase. In my opinion many people are getting wowed by these bug stories with all this Berba / Robihno activity.
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Ashton seems to be a long way from a drop, but i know what you mean, deffo keep a close eye on him now Curbs has gone. I made that swap a few days ago. I think it’s worth it given the price difference, need to move quickly though, i can see Zaki being 6.3 on Saturday
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Reply by Brad © (Fußball spielen) on September 5, 2008 3:26 am:
He’s already 6.3 damn it. I had missed the boat for 6.1 on Sun/Mon past and was biding my time before bringing him in at 6.2… now missed that as well. Argh. Still think he is good value at 6.3 tho so might bring him in before the deadline. As some have already mentioned tho, is wise to wait for next week’s internationals etc before pressing the button.
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and also , does anyone think dossena has slipped under the net as far as fpl is concerned?
he seems to be a regular in rafa’s line up and at only 6.0 he seems a snip in the usually strong liverpool defence.
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Reply by Steve on September 4, 2008 7:30 pm:
i’ve noticed him and put him on my watch list, but after watching the villa game last week have decided that he’s unlikely to get in the oppositions half and therefore his assists/bonus and goal threat will be very limited. There is better value for 6M. I personally would have Wes Brown before Dossena, even more so considering Liverpool don’t seem to have got it together yet
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Reply by Akers on September 4, 2008 7:35 pm:
Again, I think he will be subject to rotation. It may be fairly obviously that I detest Benitez but, all bias aside, Aurelio seems to fit the formation better than Dossena. In terms of FPL, I can see Liverpool keeping as many clean sheets as United and Chelsea I honestly do, but I think only Carragher and Reina will be the main benefactors.
I really fancy Babel doing well this season, but cannot put him in due to Rafa.
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Reply by llama on September 4, 2008 8:12 pm:
Get Arbeloa instead. He’s 6 too and with Finnan sold, he’s the only right back who’s going be playing for a while.
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as long as he doesn’t get rotated with bellamy back, ashton has a very nice run of 5 games so i’d keep him.
kev, i seriously doubt it, 53,000 odd people would have to transfer him in before 30,000 more people tranferred in berbatov ( for him to go up 0.2 before berb went up another 0.1)-keep berbatov
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That throws a spanner in the works doesn’t it, just as newcastle were looking a good bet, what with a nice set of fixtures coming up and a home game to hull next.
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thanks for the response guys
i here your comments about Dossena and will keep an eye on him but not put him in right away.
I agree Daniel , bit disappointed with it actually. There were a few cheap players from Newcastle who i liked the look at but that has now gone out of the window
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Robinho in at £9m, Pav at £8.5m, Riera at £7m and Fellani at £6.5m
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Reply by stevie b on September 5, 2008 4:50 pm:
overpriced, overpriced, overpriced and….hmmm, ‘maybe’ overpriced.
All about 0.5 too much. Robinho probably 1m too much.
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Is there any reason why people aren’t having a cheap punt with Zamora with the good run of games he has lined up?
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Reply by Maureenho on September 4, 2008 9:56 pm:
He’s done sweet FA so far, and they’ve already played Hull.
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Reply by stevie b on September 5, 2008 4:47 pm:
not big scorers, Fulham. Less so zamora.
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Reply by phil on September 5, 2008 6:33 pm:
I’ve had Zamo in my squad from gw1. He’ll be on the bench most weeks, but at £5.4m with Fulham’s forthcoming fixtures, I agree with Schwing. He had a decent pre-season and although he hasn’t scored yet, he did register a bonus point last time out against Arsenal.
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yeh pre-season i fancied Zamora to do well but with Fulham’s poor early fixtures i stayed clear. I’l now give him a few easy gamers to prove his worth as there are strikers like Zaki who have proved they can score so at the minute i am sticking with Zaki but if Zamora starts getting pretty regular points then he may go in.
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Zomora’s my second secret weapon! I have Berbatov, Zaki and Zamora all starting this week. Fulham has kind fixtures and 3 out of 5 home games. I have a feeling all 3 of my forwards are gonna smash it in the next few weeks and I’m gonna stick with them for at least a month or 2. Jump on him now Schwing, you won’t be dissapointed. Cheap veteran who will be central to Fulham’s attack for at least a good month.
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Reply by Mark on September 4, 2008 8:53 pm:
Like Michael says, Zamora has a good run of games. I’ve got my eye on him and he’ll be climbing my monthly rankings when I eventually update them. I think he has suffered as a result of Zaki and, to some extent, Ashton, starting well though.
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Reply by Dwight K. Schrute III on September 5, 2008 8:25 am:
Zamora has dropped 0.1 but I’m sticking with him, at home to Bolton next and I expect him to get his first of the season. His price should soon return to 5.5 in the FPL. He also got 1 bonus point last week which is promising. And he should make a good partnership with Johnson?
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Reply by Alexi on September 5, 2008 8:36 am:
i wanted to keep him especially with such good fixtures…but i saw his price was about to drop and defoes was about to hike - so it was a no brainer for me!
Question lads if you’d be so kind - ive got de Ridder and as you can see ive already made my free transfer but his price is about to drop…what i wanna know is do you think it is worth taking a 4point hit so save that value for when i do upgrade his position lata? i used to always think i should but i am a lot more patient so far this season
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Reply by Al on September 5, 2008 9:06 am:
Is Berba gonna ’smash it’ away to Liverpool and Chelsea? My brain says not. Maybe the only goal, couple of bonus?
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I have had Dossena from day 1 and has not disappointed. Rafa may rotate but you watch, he will be consistent with Arbeloa, Dossena and Carragher
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Anyone else think Pavy is worth a punt? I really liked the look of him in international games, his scoring record is excellent and I think he might be worth a gamble.
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I reckon bentley is looking better with pavy in the team. From wot I remember of euro 2008 (not a lot) pavy seemed quite good in the air and from set pieces. could see bentley gettin more assists.
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Reply by Dr. Rog on September 4, 2008 9:45 pm:
I am convinced Bentley will come good but I am looking at the fixtures and it just seems rude not to give the next 2 games to arteta, this coupled with benders upcoming price falls which will gather pace if he does not fire makes me think this is the best move both tactically and financially.
Everton next two are Stoke (A) & Hull (A). Then both teams have a difficult weak and spurs have Hull (H) & Stoke (A) after.
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Reply by Bomber on September 4, 2008 10:02 pm:
I’ve got Arteta and yes I’m hoping for points in the next couple of games.
However, I’ve got a really strong feeling Tottenham are about to come good. Points galore for Modric & Bentley, and possibly Bent & Pavy.
However, like I think your saying Rog I it might be a couple of games before it happens.
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Always us!
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anyone think kompany is worth a punt hes playin out of position and is in a strong man city team
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I don’t know if anyone’s seen yet, but Robinho’s on FPL now… 9.0 his price is as a forward, not bad I reckon.
EDIT: OK I realise now this is sort of old info, Oh well.
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Mark, no Berb in your scout picks. I know it’s a bit of a gamable but care to explain? Are the MU fixtures the decider?
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Reply by Akers on September 4, 2008 10:24 pm:
check again
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Reply by Mark on September 4, 2008 10:26 pm:
hi jimbo. He’s gone in high in the monthly picks which I’ve just updated. Will sleep on these and give them another pass tomorrow and then hit you with some blurb to go with them tomorrow.
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Reply by jimbo on September 5, 2008 9:32 am:
Sorry, must have caught you mid-update. I look for ward to the blurb as usual.
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No one seems to have mentioned Tim Cahill. Is it just me that thinks he’s going to be a bargin in the forthcoming weeks. Personally if he’s fit he’s better than Bentley or Arteta.
Also has anyone got any ideas on where Kompany will play in the new Man City line up. Currently classified as a defender but playing in midfield. He got a couple of bonus points and i’m hoping from midfield he’ll get the odd assist. Thoughts?
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Reply by Akers on September 4, 2008 10:26 pm:
Agree about Cahill.
As for Kompany, he should carry on as a defensive midfielder, so expect bonus points and possibly the odd assist.
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Reply by Mark on September 4, 2008 10:31 pm:
hi cloughie (love the name) - Yep Cahill could be a real bargain. Still doubtful for a return for the next fixtures though. Once he’s back he’ll probably surpass Arteta for potential although he may well get spot kicks after the Yakubu miss.
Like Akers says on Kompany - he should profit from some added assists and bonus whilst in a midfield role - apparently he’s looked comfortable and even threatening coming forward. Might be quiet vs Chelsea but should pick up over the next four that follow.
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Reply by Beeeez Dad on September 4, 2008 11:21 pm:
Hey Mark. Thanks for your continuing efforts. I fully get that Kompany gets defensive points and that’s his “extra” value playing in the midfield, but how confident are you that Kompany remains in the midfield in light of the recent acquisitions of SWP and Robinho? Is there some chance that Johnson or Ireland still make the pitch but have to player deeper and in turn that pushes Kompany back into the defense or to the bench? If the midfield is full, is it clear Kompany would bump someone off the backline? Or are Johnson and Ireland now relegated to pure backup roles (interesting in particular as Ireland just went up in price as he’s a current “transfer in” darling?
Related, will Jo, Elano, Robhinho, SWP, and Petrov ever all be on the field at the same time (4-1-3-1-1 or otherwise), in which case there’s only room left for 4 defenders and holding/defensive mid, or are they going to have to rotation amongst the 5 of them up front? I know Elano gave way for SWP last game, but can’t imagine that’s a permanent move…
I guess time will tell, but are you willing to make any early guesses/predictions as to what is going to happen with this situation assuming all are healthy and suited up?
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Not convinced that defenders playing out of position as holding midfielders is a points magnet. I know Geremi got a few last year, but he had a freer role. From memory, those playing as holding midfielders (I’m thinking of Neville, in particular) didn’t seem to score significantly better than they would have done in their normal positions.
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Reply by Mark on September 4, 2008 10:37 pm:
That’s true but Kompany also has decent potential of pulling clean sheets regardless of any attacking points he can bring in. City should score plenty of goals so there should be a few assists in it for him while he’s that little bit further up the field.
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Tim Cahill is a really good player when he is playing…. but he’s not. Maybe a better midfielder who has already got an aasist and a goal is Denilson! Has anyone got any ideas if he will continue to be in the starting line up for Arsenal?
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Reply by Akers on September 4, 2008 10:43 pm:
Guaranteed if Cahill played most of last season, you would be looking at a 8.5, possibly 9, valuation this season. My advice would be to grab him when he’s fit. Even if it’s another cameo role he’ll bang in the goals.
His value will soar as soon as he’s back, as quickly as it will plummet when he gets injured again (or gets sent off!).
As for Denilson, he’ll be as much as a flash in the pan as Fletcher.
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See your point welling womble. I’ve already made that mistake with Jagielka this season, but Kompany seems a more natural midfielder than Jagielka. Haven’t got much cash available for a defence so ideally i need 5.5m defenders who’ll get bonus points and the odd clean sheet.
currently gone with Fabregas, Lampard, Deco and Berbatov which is a drain on resources but should be a steady flow of points but it means i can either go with 2 quality defenders (c.6.5m) surrounded by a set of 4m men or a more balanced approach of 2-3 (5-5.5m) and a 4.5m guy like Traore or L.Young
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Reply by Mark on September 4, 2008 10:47 pm:
Jags and Everton have let us all down with clean sheets though. We’d all have let him off a lack of goals and assists if Everton hadn’t started so badly defensively. I reckon Moyes will shake his defence up for the trip to Stoke and Jagielka will be back in the centre of defence.
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Reply by Akers on September 4, 2008 10:54 pm:
Yes but Everton have only gone with Jag because of their frail squad, and is out of position in the true sense of the phrase. It looks as if Kompany has been brought in solely as a holding mid. And yes, these are usually poor fantasy players, but when they have the ability to bring in 4 points for a clean sheet, they are worth their weight in gold (provided they play for a team likely to keep clean sheets).
As for your defence, I think it comes down to preference. I have gone with one expensive 6.5M-7M, one cheap 4M, and 3 mid-value defenders from teams like Everton, Pompey, etc. I have 5 defenders from 5 different teams, and will rotate according to easy fixtures.
I expect the other method to be equally successful, but both totally depend on your picks.
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Reply by cloughthemagicdragon on September 4, 2008 11:50 pm:
Seems my options are tied heavily to my strike force.
If i went with the current berbatov defoe combo it means my defence would be weak with:
Given/Green
Young, Kompany, Woodgate, Traore
Alternative swap berbatov with alves meaning i rotate alves/zaki with defoe and my defence could look like:
Howard
Bosingwa, Evra, Young, Traore
In both cases my midfield would be Fabregas, Lampard, Deco and Cahill/Bentley/Arteta
Any suggestions. Once the big four get there tough games out of the way in the next couple of weeks? Go for clean sheets or is Berbatov going to be the next Van Neistroy.
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Anyone got any views on Ashton and Faubert?
His next 5 fixtures look really, really promising, but Ashton’s threat of rotation/substitution with Bellamy and Cole is worrying, as is the potential turmoil caused by Curbishley leaving.
Stick or twist?
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Reply by Mark on September 4, 2008 10:52 pm:
Worried about Ashton for the reasons you state but strangely, Curbishley’s departure might help him. When he was there he showed no hesitation about benching Ashton. A new man might be more likely to play safe and opt for the reputation of Ashton over Cole, despite fitness and form.
Like you say, West Ham’s fixtures look strong - Faubert does look good but I’m currently favouring Valencia in that price bracket and, despite tough fixtures, I still like the look of Lawrence at Stoke.
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Reply by Maureenho on September 4, 2008 10:57 pm:
Double down.
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Any takers for Nani?
I just think he has been priced out of the game at 8M. I just think the price-setters are scared he’ll do a Ronaldo, but after last season you’d think he’d be closer to the 7M mark.
I wanted him in my squad this year, and have noticed he’s on the monthly picks, but at 8M its a huge gamble
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A question to Mark and the Others,
Not sure about West Ham players at the moment as they are more or less managerless. I was considering Ashton and Faubert but not any more - which is a shame (Morale has gone down). Anyway, I have been looking at the FPL’s stats and the number one team at the moment which is called: JT’s Blues with 226 point for three gameweeks. Notice the strong back line which was a theme from last year. The player who won our league always has a strong back row. I was wondering if everyone believes that 3 or 4 defenders of 6M plus are essential to winning or doing well in the FPL league?
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Yeah, Nani is another good player - but when he is fit he is often used as a super-sub or does not play the full 90 minutes. Man Utd have so many options now when they are all healthy that Nani looks unlikely to play a whole match. But a real star player.
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Reply by Akers on September 4, 2008 11:16 pm:
I just wondered if he was a short-term target for anyone. Seeing as how he is fresher than everyone else due to his suspension, and that he is an almost guaranteed starter with Ronaldo out of action.
Personally, I don’t think he is worth it. Especially against ‘Pool and Chelski. He may have a few bumper weeks against poor opposition.
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I am rather struggling in my league and am looking to use my wildcard transfer. As is the trend with spontaneous implementation of the wildcard, I’ve consumed a copius dose of buckfast and went for it.
I’ve drawn up this mob so far . .
Cech (Schwarzer)
Clichy Botwsinga Lescott Johnson (Figueroa)
Arteta Deco Fabregas (Kim Do Heon, Geovanni)
Zaki Berbatov Defoe
Bear in mind, lescott,johnson and defoe have favourable fixtures ahead.
This leaves me with not a penny to spare, as my team valuation was 99.8 beforehand i think
Any comments will be relished, i’m new to this fpl malarchy ;p
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Fran, I’m definitely an advocate of a strong backline. My defence of reina carvalho clichy evra bosingwa (Traore) are my major points scorers. Plus I like the consistency you get with them.
Especially with capt. Adebayor doing ss poorly in the first 2 weeks(then switched to lamps when ade gets 2 assists..typical!) But my defence has put me top of my mini league on 166 points.Not sure how that compares with everyone else here (probably terribly!!) but as long as I’m beating the other folk in the mini league I’m happy - Got bragging rights for the next 2 weeks
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Oh and regarding Nani, if it weren’t for the difficult next 2 fixtures I’d have him in but with ronaldo not to far away after that I’m worried about his place in the team alongside tevez rooney berbatov and ronaldo.
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My new team
GK: Cech (Schwarzer)
Defence: Gallas, Carragher, Ferdinand, Traore, Figeroura
Midfield: Arteta, Young, Bentley, Denilson, Deco
Strikers: Defoe, Zaki, Carew
As you can see I pretty much 14 players who, when playing, could score points whoever they are playing! Which may get frustrating if I have them on my bench
I’ve gone for a defender from each top 4 team and then a Portsmouth defender cause they are cheap and have a top 5 defense. Figeroura is my cheap 4.0 defender but I expect even him to keep clean sheets at nearly every home game and push for a starting spot in my team.
Arteta is my first midfielder due to him being the only good Everton player and having two pathetic games coming up. Next is Young, who just has to be in your team pretty much!
I’m keep faith with Bentley, I used my wildcard and took him out of my team for Wright Phillips. Wright Phillips will go up .2 and Bentley will drop down .1 so when I put Bentley back into my team before the next deadline, it would mean a profit of .2!
Next up is Denilson…I call him “The Black Horse of Pleasure”. He seems to be more attacking then Flamani ever was, which doesn’t just mean that he will get more assists + goals but also means Cesc will have to play more defensively. I really don’t see the point spending an extra 4million for Cesc in that case.
Last up in my ‘Midfield of Fear’ is Deco! I was gonna go for Lampard but changed my mind and went for Deco cause I think he is swell.
Up front, Zaki! Thats an obvious choice.
Next is the always dangerous, Carew, with his large body frame and heading ability…I expect 20 goals from him this season.
and last, but not least, my captain for this gameweek! DEFOE!
GO DEFOE!
- Marks House
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OK I gave in and took a 4 point hit to swap Zaki in for Alves out. I know. Tell me I’m mad.
Mark’s House - I’d love to see your ‘Black Horse of Pleasure’ at work.
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Reply by Taken on September 5, 2008 8:57 am:
Dwight: if you’re mad then so am I as took the 4 points for Berba (Alves out)… was going to put him in anyway and need all the spare £ I can get for Ronnie… especially as Bentley’s value is going down… I have faith in him though.
Denilson has been my little gem, but not quite my ‘Black Horse of Pleasure’. He’s on his last legs at the moment as it’s not long before Rosicky is back… who will then walk straight into my team. 7.5 is a bargain I think!?…????
Does anyone else think that the influx of wildcards during an international period has something to do with boredom?
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Reply by Dwight K. Schrute III on September 5, 2008 3:10 pm:
I know for a fact years of playing football manager, and championship manager before that, gives me an itchy transfer finger. I’m expecting to start GW4 with a -16 point penalty
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Dwight, your mad!!!!!!
You told us too.
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My midfield consists of fabregas, deco, SWP, Osman (garcia). I am thinking of transferring osman for either valencia, ireland or denilson. Any advise? or recommendations for any other midfielders under 6.2M?
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The one thing that has blighted my FPL successes over the years, is making too many transfers and getting 4 points or 8 points hits on a regular basis (especially when i am intoxicated late at night). Furthermore, I have noticed the really succesful players on FPL use limited transfers and all in all never take ‘points hits’ on a regular basis, if at all.
It has dawned upon myself that for every hit i take, i gather little momentum as i already have a deficit on a player of -4 points, have to expect that my newly transferred in players perform very well and that my transferred out players perform very poor or are suspended/injured. That is over the short to medium term.
That’s what worries me!!!! I love reading these blogs and enjoy the banter but in a two week break from the FPL, the amount of transfers seems very high unless you are bringing in an obvious player that will increase or decrease like Zaki and then you must know he is right for your team and your teams formation. Be patient, because mark my words some players will come back injured from international games or just training at thier own clubs and then you could find, you have to make more transfers at the risk of more points hits.
Or there again, you could have a seriously good substitutions bench in which case these transfers are not as necessary.
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Reply by Al on September 5, 2008 9:30 am:
You said it Dave. I’ve enjoyed reading all the comments a great deal with this MAD week of football occuring.
But I sure ain’t going to do any transfers till after the internationals. I figure as my team value is at 101 mill I have some extra cash I can move around should I need to.
I’m not going to be too worried about getting Berba in now when I know i’ll have to spend another 0.2 -0.3 if I get him next week. Which I’m not I should add. (Can’t wait to see him drop after two games away at Liverpool and Chelsea where he plays 30 mins a piece and scores no-goals!)
Ok.. that last thing was wishful thinking.. but how can we be sure this won’t happen? He also hasn’t played much for Spurs recently. Is he super-sharp? Is Ferguson gonna give him 90mins?
My immediate concern is getting out banned Cahill and non-starter DeRidder anyway. A solid team all-round is always my priority, even the bench. You may not get their points if they’re benched but if they are decent and go up in value they boost your campaign anyway.
So..
Let’s all relax this weekend.. laff at England being rubbish again, and see what the headlines are on Monday? Someone will be crocked that’s for sure.
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Reply by Stion - (Strathcarnage) on September 5, 2008 9:34 am:
Dave, I could not agree more.
I started FPL two game weeks late last year and after another two weeks used my wild card. Because I picked all the in form players within a month I rose to third in my league.
I then preceded to throw it all a way by making panicky double transfers week after week and ended up 8th by the end. Double transfers should always be a last resort.
Having said that if you get things wrong early on I am a big advocate of using the wild card. There is no point waiting till half way through the season when all the form players have gone through the roof price wise. The guy who won our league last year and is 1st on 180 points this year did not use his till near the end. Even he reckons though that the whole point of a wild card is to use it early if you have completely misjudged things and want to get in all the form players.
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Reply by dave on September 5, 2008 10:05 am:
Hi Stion, while agreeing that wildcards are a wonderful idea to boost a weak start to a season, we have only played 3 game weeks of 38 in the FPL. Also, you make multiple transfers in your wildcard to bring in the form players but it is so inevitable that these said ‘form players’ will lose form or get injured/suspended and that other players during the long course of the season will pick up form and be attractive to FPL players.
Perfect example, last season was Fabregas who started like a house on fire, got injured and then relative to price, underachieved towards the end of the season.Why did the Gooners stumble in the latter part of last season?? While on the flip side, Jermain Defoe did not get games till his transfer to Pompey and scored and amassed points till late in the season and then, what about John Carew at AV who started terribly last season until Novemebr due to injury and poor form and then managed 12 goals in the last 25 outings for Villa???
Form players should be brought in where appropriate with timing essential but to use a wildcard so early to bring in form players…
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Reply by Yogesh on September 5, 2008 2:30 pm:
hi Dave, totally agree with you on this. This is my first full season in Fantasy Football. I tend to make too many transfers and then expect newcomers to perfom well. For example, I had RVP and bent for first 2 gameweeks. They did not perform well and then i transferred them out. Then both of them scored. Had I been patient to keep them till International break was over, i would have profited greatly.
Seems so easy and sensible now….
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Reply by stevie b on September 5, 2008 5:15 pm:
yep, points hits are BAD! however it’s important to get a team you’re happy with quite early on, then you just tinker with it. Making two or 3 changes in one week to set you up for the next couple of months is ok, as long as it is a one off!! Plus you can make some money with clever dealings early on which will help later on in the season when things have crystalised. Although don’t get too carried away with signing players whose values are rising! you’ve got to be thinking about how long you plan to keep them for, and whether any replacements are sure to score more points for you.
am i the only one here that plays 3 at the back and generally thinks expensive defenders are not worth it? i have gallas and bosingwa (plus steinsson, young, figueroa) but am considering paintsil for gallas to free up more money. defenders on the whole only seem to score a max of 6 points, and often only get 1 or 2 points, and it’s hard to predict when clean sheets will happen. with 3 def +a keeper, i’m happy with 2 clean sheets and 2 appearances then invest in the points machines upfront and in midfield. so, for this season have bosingwa every week plus two from the other 4 cheapos, based on who is playing at home or who has a decent away fixture.
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i don’t think the number of transfers that people make is all that important so long as there’s some method behind the madness. I’ve finished in the top 500 before making about 60 changes in the year.
early season points hits can be made up so long as you’re earning cash along the way. It’s quite possible to have about £104m in your account by Mar/Apr just by making the odd 4 point hit and still have a competitive team (i don’t advocate many 8pt hits but sometimes it’s worth it). Having that extra £4m if used right can make the difference between having a top quality points scorer e.g lampard for the end of season run in or someone like bentley who’ll have the odd good game. which when made captain has more potential to shoot you up the leader board than any quality defence will ever do. I remember last season i fluked having berbatov and lampard as captains the weeks they both scored 4 goals. I would need all 5 defenders and my goalie to keep clean sheets to come anywhere near that amount.
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Oh dear, I had one too many beers to commiserate the loss of Kev and made 3 changes on top of a free one I had already made (team below), all costing me a ridiculous 12 points. I am currently languishing in a position of mid table mediocrity.
Would people advise I take this massive 12 point hit or use my wildcard to recover?
Reina (Schwarzer)
Evra, L Young, Bosingwa, (Cahill)
Lampard, Arteta, Wright-Phillips, A Young, (De Ridder), (Figueroa)
Berbatov, Van Persie, Zaki
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Reply by Tombo on September 5, 2008 10:21 am:
Try FPL but dont think you can avoid losing the 12 now. Team looks fine, just love to know what changes you made ?
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I don’t think using your wild card will get those points back. It doesn’t work retrospectively like that. Its not a bad team at all. Just make sure you don’t make any more double transfers as it will take a while to recover from the 12 point hit, me thinks.
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It might work, because points aren’t deducted straight away.
I’d email FPL for a definite answer.
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Reply by Dr. Rog on September 5, 2008 9:57 am:
it means all transfers are free, whether you have done them already or not
in short, you will incur no losses for the transfers done this week
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Anyone thinking ronaldo might not have such a great season as last? with rooney or tevez behind berbs im thinking he wont have such an advanced role?
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Reply by Dr. Rog on September 5, 2008 10:03 am:
probably, but are you willing to risk being proved wrong?
everyone will restructure their teams to bring him in.
if he does not fire u can always sell him at a profit
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Reply by dave on September 5, 2008 10:10 am:
Will you make a profit On Ronaldo if he underachieves. I find it hard to see Ronaldo going any higher than £14 m to be honest.
He finished at £12m last seson and think no matter what happens he surely will not rise. Surely the FPL have a ceiling on players value?
Will he be as good as last season, Raf. Very likely IMO.
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Reply by Dr. Rog on September 5, 2008 10:19 am:
he started at 12 last year and finished somewhere around 13.5-14 if memory serves me correctly
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Reply by dave on September 5, 2008 10:20 am:
Scratch my last post then..
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Reply by Dr. Rog on September 5, 2008 10:23 am:
i could be wrong
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Reply by Beeeez Dad on September 5, 2008 1:40 pm:
If “everyone” is going to transfer him in, his price is going to go up just like anyone else who is being transferred in….
He will go up, probably as fast or faster than everyone we’ve seen thus far….
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Reply by Dr. Rog on September 5, 2008 1:42 pm:
that I am sure about
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Reply by stevie b on September 5, 2008 5:27 pm:
the price (up and down) of ronaldo is irrelevant providing you don’t come on board way too late. if he plays close to his best he gets you bucket loads of points, and will be everpresent in your team (barring a bad injury) then it matters not one jot. he may suffer from not being able to reach the peaks of last season but he’s still the best midfielder by some distance. i can see people getting him in, him not scoring for 2 games and people panicking and getting rid, but for me he’ll be a season long signing. what you’re looking for from your team each week is the potential for it to score big, Ronaldo gives you that potential, no question.
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Reply by stevie b on September 5, 2008 5:20 pm:
if he scores anywhere near the rate of last season he’s a must. I mean, who else is going to score almost every bloody week from midfield? a.young, lampard & deco are good, but not in the same league as Ron.
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wheres my friend fran today?!
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Reply by Tombo on September 5, 2008 10:25 am:
Is Raf Fran ? Very similar names…………..
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Reply by Dr. Rog on September 5, 2008 10:33 am:
like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hide…
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sorry to disappoint…………not fran here.
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Reply by Dr. Rog on September 5, 2008 10:44 am:
I’m Fran !
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No, I’m Fran!
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Reply by Spartacus on September 5, 2008 10:45 am:
No no no, I am Fran!
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Reply by Phil Pino on September 5, 2008 10:52 am:
Stop arguing boys, i am Fran.
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Reply by Damo on September 7, 2008 11:24 am:
I’m Fran, and so is my wife!
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lads what do u think about taking a 4 point hit to save on de Ridder’s price dropping seeing that i have already made my free transfer? is this sort of thing worth it…
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Reply by Spartacus on September 5, 2008 10:51 am:
if u wanna bring in Ron you will need a 4.5mln bench warmer anyway - so u might need to bring him back in ?
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Reply by Alexi on September 5, 2008 11:15 am:
good point thanks Spartacus…would prefer it if was playing at least tho
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Reply by stevie b on September 5, 2008 5:29 pm:
nope. no 4.5m bench warmer required, valencia will be my cheapest midfielder. i’m going for 3 strikers under 8m and 4 cheap defenders +bosingwa.
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I am definitely not Fran. Although i’d like to be.
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1. Should I play my wildcard? No.
2. Should I make my transfers before the international games? No.
3. Should I take a 4/8/12/16+ point hit? No.
If you asked Kevin Keegan he’d say the same thing. Don’t be the hare… be the tortoise: slow and steady wins the race.
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Reply by Alan on September 5, 2008 12:37 pm:
If you asked Keegan he’d tell you he has no say in those matters, and to ask Dennis!
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Reply by Brad © (Fußball spielen) on September 5, 2008 12:41 pm:
Touché
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Moo
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Reply by Moo on September 5, 2008 11:07 am:
Yes?
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I’m Brian, and so’s my wife!
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Hi Everyone!
Can someone give me some details whether it is worth getting Denilson as his price will rise this weekend. Some have said he is not a regular but he has score and done an assist already?
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Reply by Dr. Rog on September 5, 2008 11:03 am:
he’s a regular but may come under ompetition when diaby and rosicky come back
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I must’ve done something bad in a past life to deserve this…
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edit
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Reply by chicken on September 5, 2008 11:06 am:
cluck cluck
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So anyone want to take a guess re the likely score of Australia v Netherlands? I am going for 2-1 to the Dutch.
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Reply by Dr. Rog on September 5, 2008 11:05 am:
injury count?
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Reply by Brad © (Fußball spielen) on September 5, 2008 11:11 am:
True.
I am conflicted. As an Aussie I’d like to see the boys play hard as they are known to do but as a fantasy manager with RVP in my side I hope they don’t hurt the little guy.
Honestly am hoping that RVP doesn’t take the field at all.
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As a West Ham fan I can advise that Zamora is a streaky player, so once he starts scoring get on him. WRT Ashton, he was knackered after runn