Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Pre-season

Stoke City were the first Premier League side in first team friendly action as they began their pre-season tour of Switzerland with a 1-0 victory in the opening fixture of the “2017 Uhrencup”.

Neuchatel Xamax 0 Stoke City 1

With just five days of pre-season training behind them, Mark Hughes’ side played out their first summer encounter and earned a 1-0 win over Swiss second division side Neuchatel Xamax in the Tissot Arena.

The opening match in the four-team Uhrencup – which also features BSC Young Boys and Benfica – was decided by a late own goal as Hughes used the opportunity to field two different XI’s over the two halves.

Mixing first-team players and Under 23s, Hughes started the match in a 4-2-3-1 formation and fielded Jack Butland in goal ahead of a defence that included captain Ryan Shawcross and full-backs Phil Bardsley and Erik Pieters.

Bojan started in the central attacking midfield position, with want-away Marko Arnautovic also named in the starting line-up. Saido Berahino was the lone striker.

Hughes’ early plans were disrupted by a back injury for Bardsley, who departed on 19 minutes. The problem was later reported as a knee injury.

Berahino is a player who will be monitored by Fantasy managers in pre-season, with the former West Brom man surely burdened with the responsibility of scoring 15+ goals next season. Stoke’s official website described the striker’s appearance as “incredibly trim”, although he fluffed his lines having been presented the best opportunity of the first half.

The striker was replaced by Peter Crouch for the second period as Hughes retained the same shape. Giannelli Imbula, Glen Johnson and new signing Josh Tymon were also introduced.

It was Belgian starlet Thibaud Verlinden – promoted to the first team squad for 2017/18 – who provided the spark that led to the match’s decisive moment when his 87th-minute cross was diverted into his own goal by the unfortunate Mustafa Sejmenović.

Hughes seemed happy with the win and overall performance, explaining the intention behind his line-ups.

“We mixed it up tonight with some young guns and some more senior lads, and I think that was the right thing to do. We are just getting started, and it is all about getting the minutes on the pitch, getting the timing of your play right and I saw quite a bit of that tonight which is satisfying.”

However, the Potters boss is likely to have been distracted by confirmation of the transfer request submitted by Arnautovic earlier that day.

With a renewed bid from West Ham United looming, this threatens to cast a shadow over pre-season preparations, with Arnautovic a crucial component of the Stoke attack.

Hughes’ post-match response to the news indicated this was perhaps not a situation that will quickly be resolved.

“Marko and his people have put in a transfer request, but that happens on occasions. Any comings and goings are at our discretion, and it’s our decision ultimately. Players can express an opinion or a view in terms of where they see their future but at the end of the day contracted players are contracted to the club and ultimately we have the final say.”

Arnautovic limped off after the first half in Switzerland and it remains to be seen if yesterday’s breaking story impacts on his pitch-time in the fixtures to come.

Stoke’s next Uhrencup encounter is against BSC Young Boys on Wednesday.

Stoke City XI First Half: Butland; Bardsley (Edwards 19), Shawcross, Sweeney, Pieters; Adam, Jarvis; Arnautovic, Bojan, Telford; Berahino.

Stoke City XI Second Half: Haugaard; Johnson, Wollscheid, Souttar, Tymon; Muniesa, Imbula; Ngoy, Shenton (Campbell 80), Verlinden; Crouch.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

1,247 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Will the new chip effect your team value?

    1. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Only by missing out on price rises for the players you are temporarily getting in. Think of it as a one-week loan.

    2. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Yes, as long as the players you bring are suspended.

    3. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I don't think so. Only your old team value will be affected.

    4. Prokoptas
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Not directly. You don't gain value on the players you draft in using the chip. However, price changes will continue to accrue on your old players (i.e. the time to which you will revert one week later).

      1. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers. Sounds like a cracking chip

    5. StalkingDwarf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      "Managers cannot benefit from any price changes gained from their new Free Hit squad.

      However, price changes applied to their previous line-up will take effect on their return once the chip expires."

    6. FPL ZB
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I wonder if managers getting rid of people whilst using their free hit will influence the price of that player for others though

  2. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Morning all,

    I see we're close to being back in action. Good times. Best of luck to all the regulars on here this season. PS, I've made a New Season's Resolution - no RMTs or transfer questions! 🙂

    1. Prokoptas
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I'll believe that when I see it.

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        😆

    2. pompeyfan
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      that's quite a promise!

    3. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Right ... 😆 😉

  3. Excuse The Kun
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Does it count like hit if it's free? (Jafooli humor attempt)

  4. liiusions
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Everyone will use the free hit for blank GW, TC before the smaller DGW, second WC before the bigger DGW and BB for that. Yawn

    1. TooDifficuIt
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      for *

  5. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Filthy casuals currently popping the champagne.....

    1. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      😆

    2. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      They are all still celebrating Capoue being priced at 5.5

  6. Comment removed. Please refer to our terms and conditions on posting.

    1. Ziro
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      BAN

      1. Miami Monkey
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Oh shoot. I clicked on this https://fantasy.premierleague.com/updating/

        that someone else posted. Then after a while I forgot I had clicked on it (was in another tab) and then I went to it and got excited before remembering.

        Sorry

        1. TooDifficuIt
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          B A N

    2. Speédy
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Ban

  7. PvA
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Bye all out attack 🙁

    Bet chip ever

  8. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Does this mean we play a normal game between GW20-27 instead of dragging dross like Phillips and Stanislas just because they don't blank in 28?

    1. Jambot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Ergh I had both. My 'planning' for that week cost me a lot of points i'd have been better off not knowing

    1. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      respect
      what's tonight's lottery numbers pls?

    2. CostaCoffee
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Can you ask your source when launch is

      1. Jambot
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        I can try but I've probably got a better chance guessing those lottery numbers

    3. Tomlette Greggs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      noice. Now tell us your source.

    4. Hooky
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Is that you Jules?

      1. Jambot
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        No, sorry.

  9. HVT
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    That certainly makes the wildcard more interesting

  10. Moin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Untill I saw the official link, I thought this 'Free Hit' Chip was a joke!

    Are they seriously giving us another WC? that's lame! Makes the game easier

    1. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Okay, so maybe it's not a WC, it's something else..

    2. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Don't use it, make it harder for yourself.

      That's my plan.

    3. GoonerByron
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      It's not a WC, your team reverts back the following GW.

      1. Moin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        yup, understood, still makes it easy for casuals, as planning for blanks was a major benefit

    4. PvA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Lol me too, I thought it was a troll

      There hasn't been a tweet on this which is strange

  11. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    What's the difference between Free Hit and Wild Card?

    1. RSe
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Team reverts to previous week

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Going out on loan compared to a permanent transfer.;

    3. fitzy
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      -f,e,e,h,t

      +w,l,d,c,a,d

    4. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Your team reverts back the following week after 'Free Hit'.

    5. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      So What I understand is to have a completely different team, for just one game week..and after that, you revert to the original team

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Correct

      2. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        *vomits everywhere *

    6. Yome
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      With Free hit you will get your previous team back after the gameweek is over.

  12. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    I see this as more value than the WC. Reverting back to your old squad means take advantage of complete fixtures or DGW's without the surgery that follows with a WC and keeping long term planning easier.

  13. Twelve years a slave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Article on the new chip
    http://www.triggerlips.com

    1. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Like it. The Trashman chip.

      1. greghammer95
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Genuinely interested in your opinion here Mark.

        What do you think of this new chip? Not to sound bitter but planning for blank and double gameweek's is key after Christmas.
        Back when we had one wildcard this was very hard, the second wildcard made it a bit easier when it could only be used in January but that eventually got rolled out to the rest of the season.

        Now with this new chip, it makes the mega blank gameweek VERY easy. Do we not think the game is getting too predictable and strategies are similar and going away from the variety it once had?

        I must admit though, not having Rondon, McAuley and Phillips in my teams for 7 weeks prior to GW28 will be a blessing.

    2. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Boy, that was quick.

    3. TooDifficuIt
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      already

  14. PvA
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    The name "Free Hit" is so bad

    It's more like a 1 week wildcard

    1. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      This would have been a better name

      1. PvA
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Mini Wildcard would be good

    2. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Free hit is better.

      They use the term in short overs cricket.

      Catchy 🙂

  15. GoonerByron
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    How weird.. Remember this exact chip being discussed on here last season when we were trying to think of a better replacement for AOA! 😀

    1. TooDifficuIt
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      link ?

      1. GoonerByron
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Was a long time ago, not sure how I'd find it. Pretty sure it was a hot topic on here but when I have no idea now!

    2. ScotDougie
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Was my idea can't go back far enough in comments to prove it but I'm pretty smug about it

  16. liiusions
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    No point planning for BGWs now, that was a big advantage for us lot, excluding having Phillips for 10GWs before it

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Could be useful before a big CL midweek with a lot of big players being rested.

    2. Arn De Gothia
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      If you plan for a DGW you can use 2xCap or Benchboost

      1. Arn De Gothia
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        sry 3xcap

  17. Speédy
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    FFS Cup qualification made easy.

    1. PvA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Gahahah

    2. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      nice thinking

    3. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      last man standing league -when you know you are in a fix

  18. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Can you select a Free Hit team exactly the same as your current team?

    1. Fiz
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Asking the real question here xD

    2. BC1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Best used for gameweek 1

  19. PvA
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Free hit would be best used in a blank imo

    1. Slartibartfast
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Agreed

    2. TooDifficuIt
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      yup

  20. Bedknobs and Boomsticks
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    I think its pretty obvious that the chip will best be used for when there are blanks.What would make it interesting is if you had unlimited budget for that week. It would make it very powerful but you'd see it getting played all over the place.

    1. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah this appears the most obvious time to use it to me.

      Saves carving up your team to put 3 Stoke players in.

      Or if there's a weather-affected GW.

    2. firetog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Since its only for 1 week you won't be needing to use your bench players, so you can buy the cheapest possible guys, thus freeing up more money for your starting 11

  21. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    By 'Free Hit' I thought they meant you get a free hit, so one extra FT in a week.

    Out of all the creative ideas for chips that were devised on here, the brilliant minds at FPL Towers came up with "Just give them another wildcard". Still better than AOA I guess... 🙂

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I like that it's for 1 week though, missed that.

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        In fact I love this chip 😀

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          What a journey.

          1. Wild Rover
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            😀

          2. kolejorz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Another nail in the coffin for head to head leagues.

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Ehhh? 😀

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          In head to head leagues sometimes you have the misfortune of playing someone who just so happens to have used their chip. Last season only 2 chips mattered. This season there are 3 chips that can affect head to head games.

          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Them's the breaks ... 😉

      2. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        We're all going to use it in the same shitty Stoke and Brighton DGW anyway.

        As TLs said, it's like taking out the trash immediately after one of those crappy DGWs.

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          - or to get those horrid Chelski players before a DGW ... 😉

    3. FC Lackless [BALEGIUM]
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Will be interesting to see if a consensus is reached on how best to use all the chips or if [hopefully] several viable strategies emerge.

  22. Slartibartfast
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    I presume you can use a FT to bring in a player you want for more than just one GW before playing the Free Hit chip and still gain cash on them?

    1. Slartibartfast
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Or does it wipe any transfers you've done before confirming the trip, like a wildcard?

      That's what it sounds like from this, but I don't think it's super clear:

      "Like the Wildcard, the Free Hit is used when confirming transfers. It cannot be cancelled once confirmed.

      Managers cannot benefit from any price changes gained from their new Free Hit squad.

      However, price changes applied to their previous line-up will take effect on their return once the chip expires."

      1. Slartibartfast
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        *confirming the chip

  23. Free Hit Chip - Your Thoughts
    J0E
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Fantasy Football Scout daily hot topic

    New Free Hit Chip

    What are your thoughts on the new chip?

    What may be the best strategy? Used during a small double perhaps may be good. Or to cover a blank, or a snowy day?

    https://www.premierleague.com/news/436425

    1. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Only other time apart from those mentioned might be a ridiculous fixture swing for one GW, but less likely I guess.

      1. J0E
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Looking back at last season the City and Stoke double looked perfect. Lots took 8-12 pt hits around then to counter blanks and small doubles.

        I think that Feb Lg Cup blank poss double time looks perfect.

        1. J0E
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Lots used their TC chip then...those that were able to use it for Kane/Sanchez later in the season were laughing.

          So Aguero got me an extra nine points then - but if I'd have saved it I could have got me more - plus I'd have saved those hits around that Lg Cup blank -double. Looks a very lucrative chip potentially that allows us to really maximise our TC and BB for later on. There are almost always at least three DGWK in a season so this has a strong upside - unlike the awful AOA chip.

    2. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I don't necessarily see this Free Hit as a DGW chip. It can be used for Christmas rotation or anti trend fixtures. Let's say my team is full of Spurs, United and che players and all of a sudden City and Arsenal have 2 monster home games. I can use the free hit at that point to take care of the highest upside for that gw alone. with blank planning, this chip will get you players that start but not neccessarily the highest upside.

      Viewing it as a blank curing week or a dgw advantage week is a limited point of view in my eyes and might not present the highest upside.

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        This ^^^. 🙂

      2. Fantasy Gold
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Well said Lateriser

      3. greghammer95
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Very open-minded view, I can't get over that it'd be used for a mega blank gameweek only. Could also be used when you're stuck in a bit of a downer, you're team is looking terrible for the week around GW15 and you're some time away from a second wildcard.

      4. Lateriser 12
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        My good mate Scored has the perfect definition. It can be used for the biggest anomaly week in your fpl season. That biggest anomaly can be a blank week/ dgw week but it isn't a necessity. IT's subjective to your team.

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          *consults own hand-made ticker*

          😉

      5. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        There will be any amount of scenarios to use this chip and it will be down to the individual to decide when and how. Obviously your suggestion will be one of the more popular ones but I think that timing could be essential GW38 could be a golden week to use it

      6. Bedknobs and Boomsticks
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        I like the principle, but how often does that really happen? If City and Arsenal have a monster fixture, then you will want their form players. but if Sanchez and Jesus are in form, then you will probably have them anyway.

        I like the idea of using it creatively, but in reality I think it will default to the blank GW scenario.

      7. J0E
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        I agree that could be a good time- depending on the team. But with Christmas rotation there is the danger that players will be rested, as there is with double. Also depends on the teams involved in a double/blank. Could be a big upside if it is a team like City.

        But the point you make is good that it is much more dependent on individual circumstance. If you find yourself with no good players for a set of sides that have one good fixture in a sea of red then it could be great. Usually though we are used to planning in advance for that situation though.

        What would be good is to have a look at the season ticker and try and pinpoint that exact scenario - where there is a set of blue fixtures one week for a team that is stuck in a sea of red.

        1. J0E
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          So I've had a quick look to find an example of when this could be used.

          Eg - GWK 10 (not this is just as example)

          GWK Arsenal Liverpool Watford
          9 eve tot che
          10 SWA HUD STK
          11 mci whm eve

          So for this you could in theory stock up on Arsenal, Liv and Watford for GWK 10 only.

      8. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Wow this make fixture planning so complicated. I don't have the spreadsheet skills.

      9. Marstar
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        How about you use it the week b4 you plan to WC ... we all know a star turns into a donkey the moment you bring him in 😛

        Then you can breathe a sigh of relief when you get your team back the next week ^.^

    3. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Don't have any. Still figuring it out.

      But it strikes me that it might be good for a one-week gamble, as well as the touted blank week.

    4. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      2 pages of thoughts so far.

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        😛

    5. PvA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Best strategy would be used in a blank gw for me

      It gives you the chance to keep the big hitters who have blanks for their upcoming fixtures, all while still fielding a solid team for the week

    6. Speédy
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Blank,Crucial H2H games.

    7. StalkingDwarf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I think blank would be the best way to go. Now you don't have spend transfers loading and ditching players from dodgy teams.

    8. Henry Hill
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      First reaction is that it would be ideal for small gameweeks (like GW27 last season), pack your squad with players from 4 or 6 teams or whatever...

    9. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      It takes thinking away for sure. GW 37 has been traditionally a big DGW. Now there will be no planning for GW 38 as an example. The same applies for cancelled fixtures. IMO as valuable as a WC if not more.

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Easier to retain team value also.

    10. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      If there are 3 DGWs, Free Hit could be used to maximize the points in the DGW where you don't want to use TC/BB.

      Otherwise I think the chip will be perfectly suited for a blank gameweek.

    11. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      For a 4 games week 🙂
      We can use wc for gw 37 and we can also have a good gw 38

      1. Philip Jones's Diary
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        I want to know what happens with regards to Cash over the week you use the Free Hit. Does your Cash adjust with the new team? Or does it remain constant with the old team?

        1. Emiliano Sala
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Old team surely

    12. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Absolutely hate it!

      Best strategy is to use it when you game weeks with many blanks...

    13. Prokoptas
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I imagine the meta will become using the chip in a blank GW (like GW28 last year) to ensure 11 starters.

      However, it may be that there is more value to be had in using it during a mini-double, and planning for the BGW as we have always done.

      I'm off to run some numbers!

      1. Boris Bodega
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        this ^

    14. Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Liked it initially. The more I think about it the more I hate it. If they had scrapped the second wildcard and made one WC for the season alongside the FH it would've been more balanced. Now the game is just too easy. It's the forward planning that's the funnest part and now it seems you can get away without planning and still do well 🙁

      Two wildcards was already pushing it...

      1. SAY MY NAME
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        this - so much advantage from advanced planning wiped out

    15. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      has to be used for a minimal fixtures gwk surely..

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Clearly what it was designed for, yes.

    16. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Possiby good for that FA Cup weekend where only 3/4 PL games are being played.

    17. XabiAlonso
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I'm going to use my free hit on mourinho, a slap right in the chops 😉

    18. Bedknobs and Boomsticks
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I'd like it to also give you unlimited budget:
      1. It would expand the range of weeks in which it would be good to play it beyond the obvious blanks.
      2. It would even out high team values just a little bit.
      3. It would be an hilarious amount of fun to just make an unlimited team for one week only.

    19. Jinswick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I think it's a good addition and certainly much better than the AOA chip. Best strategy will likely depend on the DGW/blank situation at the time and your current squad. Probably best used during a small double or blank where unpopular teams feature, or during a big DGW if there are 2-3 decent ones in a season.

      Biggest DGW - WC the week before and BB in DGW
      2nd biggest - Free hit to get another 15DGWers
      3rd biggest - triple captain

      ....could be an idea

      1. RedLightning
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        If you use Bench Boost to get 15 DGWers in the biggest DGW, then Free Hit will only get you 11 DGWers in the second biggest (because the other 4 players will stay on your bench), and some of these DGWers will probably be in your squad already. And don't forget that some of your star SGW players may outscore some of the DGWers.

        The blank game-week is likely to require a different set of weaker players from lesser teams though, so that is very likely to be a better time to use the Free Hit.

    20. Urchin
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Use it in GW38, or during fixture pile up around new year, when rotation is maximum....IMO

    21. Az
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Definitely better than AoA!
      Going to catch a few casuals out when their teams revert back to their old ones! 😛

      Is 'Free Hit' really the best name for it? Not what I imagined when I saw the name...

      1. Lawrø
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Temporary Wildcard just doesn't have the same ring to it

      2. Jinswick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Agreed! Very misleading with it not being plural. "One night stand" chip.

        1. RedLightning
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          More like an orgy!

      3. Baines on Toast...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        I think that's because we associate hit with point losses, and they're using it in the cricketing sense.

    22. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Love it.

      Hopefully it's used in many different ways!

    23. Feyzi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I think it is a great strategic tool. It enables managers to use their wildcards, not for/with a DGW strategy. We can feel more free with our wildcards now and use this chip to tackle the DGW (of course at the expense of BB or TC chips; but that is what makes it strategically a cunning tool)...

    24. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I love this. Perfect for doubles.

    25. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      The chip could be used tactically also to copy a rivals team in week 38 if you are defending a lead

    26. Lukey27
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      The snowy day could be when you have a few to many South Americans arriving back late from international duty.

    27. wowBOBwow
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Utter crap. Just another gimmick to try and hold the attention of idiots. Kind of similar to pokerstars and their stupid low skill games they keep introducing because casual players just get crushed by regs and bots.

      1. Baines on Toast...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        this kind of reaction is silly. why get so worked up?

        and who are these 'idiots' anyway? People who just want to enjoy fantasy football? a game of 4 million+ this year and growing annually?

    28. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I'm against this in principal in almost every way possible. The benefits to casuals and poor wildcard planners will be huge. Is Team Value now dead in the water?

      but

      but

      I absolutely love it

    29. Backup Dancer
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      This is definitely for the blank week imo. So you don't end up with triple west brom defence late season again

    30. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I can also see myself using this early to protect myself from spamming my wildcard inappropriately as I always do.

      1. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Thats the only use I can think of indeed.

        Say it's GW4 and you're not happy with your team. You have 2FT. If you use that chip then you could for instance change 4 players by taking just one hit, thus saving the WC for later

    31. bamberman
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I have mixed feelings.

      Bad because I think it reduces the value of me spending/wasting hours of my life planning ahead in fantasy football by making it easier for less committed people to deal with problems they didn't see coming.

      Good - because despite the hours of planning I'm still not as good as some other people at the game so this might help me.

      1. The Hindu Monkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        exactly my thoughts!

    32. Essan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I like it. Lots of possible circumstances in which it can be played and possibly means we won't all be playing TC and BB the same weeks .... Could even save it for GW38? Then it really would be a 3rd wild card ....

      Certainly more interesting/useful than AOA!

    33. BC1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      If you plan in a 6 gameweek block there's sometimes prior knowledge that you've a week side in 1 of those gameweeks, use it then and stick to your end of season blank/double gameweek strategy that serves us all well here(from reading posts here at end of last 2 seasons, there's mostly talk of green arrows)

    34. shapply
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Presenting new chip today may be a sign that there is no plan of launching FPL today.

    35. Rohirrims
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I like it. Better than AoA and can be played between boxing day and new years eve or blanks planning. I'm assuming the free transfer won't roll over?

    36. melvinmbabazi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Best use of the Free Hit chip is the big blank GW

    37. KickIt
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Can't be used in DGW, unless you choose not to use BB or TC in the DGW. So can be used for blank GW navigation as main benefit or for a major fixture swing as a 1 week punt. The second option is an issue as most of us plan the fixtures pretty well anyway and basically you do not get to keep any players, so no long term transfer made. Might actually be best played in GW38!

    38. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      good for an extra DGW where we don't want dgw players for future or a blank GW where we dont want to lose our players

    39. Diva
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Utter garbage.

    40. alexmj
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      It could also allow you to get complete bench fodder for one week and maximise money on the pitch for more big hitters potentially. Later in the season when some defenders drop to 3.8/3.7 and you won't lose an value in them. Compared to the usual 4.5 could be an extra £2m overall to spend on starting 11 in any given gameweek compared to 4 x £4/4.5

      You could also be shedding value on your original team though when you get it back the week after.

      1. KickIt
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Like this idea!

    41. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Utterly useless chip - very disappointing.

      It just means +4 for everybody.

      Would have preferred a Double Clean Sheet Hit for instance. Would have been more 'tactical'.

      1. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Double Clean Sheet Chip*, I meant

      2. Annie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        +4?

      3. SAY MY NAME
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        it's a 1 x week wildcard rather than a free transfer

    42. Sangomango
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Can it be used after you have made a transfer already?

      Eg: if I buy Sanchez just after a match and he gets injured mid week during the Europa league. Can I use this chip and it will give me back my team from the previous week (without Sanchez)?

    43. KickIt
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      The Mini league killer......copy team of your rival at the end of the season if needed.

    44. Stu3y
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I will probably use it on a multiple blank week but i can see value as a stealth chip if you need to give your team a boost in a mini league without the competition being able to react.

    45. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      It's little more than a Get Out of Jail Free card for people who haven't planned ahead.

    46. FPLzebub
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I disagree with the idea that this chip will help casuals. It's just another decision for them to get wrong. At least unlike AOA it's a chip we will all definitely use. Looking at the season ticker the DGWs look easy to navigate so i'll probably use it for a blank GW but there may be a better time to employ it during the season. It's impossible to know at this stage but it has me thinking which is fun.

    47. TopMarx
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      with planning it will help most regs gain a further advantage, most casuals play chips for fun not strategy.

      need to figure out when to maximise it's use - an early double gameweek or week with a small set of fixtures seems best. Or would it help to delay using the second wildcard? perhaps last season GW34 would have been best.

      Last season I used my second wildcard early (GW32) and my rank went from 18K in GW32 to 4K by the end of the season. I took 32 points hits during those final gameweeks as a result of the early WC, this chip I'm sure could have saved me a few of those points hits.

      I also took 20 points hits around gameweeks 26/27/28 so again it could have helped then.

      Seems like it could be a useful chip for a manager who likes to take hits!

    48. tm245
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      GW1, definitely.

      1. Pocky
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        GW 11 looks like a decent candidate for the free chip...Amongst a sea of great fixtures for City & Chelsea, in GW11 they come up against Arsenal & Utd, while amongst a cluster of poor fixtures in 9,10, & 12, Spurs face Palace at home in 11. Other favourable home fixtures in GW11 are Eve v Wat, Sou v Burn, Swans v BHA & New v Bou.

  24. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    I predict a ghost ship dead team to win FPL this season.

    Game so easy for them now.....

    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Rubbish. 🙂

    2. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      They have it as easy as us.

    3. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      trash talk!

    4. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      that's tripe,theres wasn't a ghost ship sailing the seven seas last year with josh king amongst the crew.

    5. RedLightning
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Ghost ship dead teams don't use chips.

      The new chip makes things easier for casuals, but it considerably reduces the chances of ghost ship dead teams being successful.

  25. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Crikey. I wonder what other little goodies they have waiting for us.

    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Is that you, Wakey?

      *peers, shortsightedly*

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Aye. I'm in disguise.

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Well you got me. Kink of the Mountains?

    2. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      it's a cyclist
      is it eddy m?

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Yes it is.

  26. Hurricane Gilbert
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    "The one night stand chip".

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Story of my life

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        :grin;

    2. BC1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Ha! Christened

  27. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Last season my team was in a bad way after xmas fixtures so I used 2nd wildcard in GW21 but then had no wildcard for the big double gameweeks, oh how I could have done with the 'Free hit chip' then!

  28. PvA
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Gw1 free hit

    Who's with me?

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      This is why I come on here.

      Outside-the-box thinking

    2. Le Blues
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Wait do you get to pick your team all over again in GW2 then?

  29. Fantasy Gold
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    With this new chip announcement this morning, it's pretty unlikely the game will launch today right?

    Can anybody remember when the game went into update mode last year?

    1. Aapo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      19th of June

      1. Aapo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        I mean July...