Awards

Team of the Season – Nathaniel Clyne

In the wake of Calum Chambers’ summer switch to Arsenal, Nathaniel Clyne enjoyed free reign of the right-back berth under new Southampton manager Ronald Koeman. The Crystal Palace youth product has since established himself as one of the most in-demand full-backs in the league and a top pick on the Fantasy scene.

The Statistics

After starting just 20 league matches in 2013/14 under Mauricio Pochettino, Clyne was afforded a 5.0 starting price in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game.

His Fantasy potential was manifest from the off, in light of a goal and assist within the opening trio of fixtures. Four bonus points and three clean sheets for Southampton in the first five Gameweeks bolstered his appeal and encouraged 630,000 mangers to invest in Clyne prior to Gameweek 6 – in turn causing his value to rise to 5.5. By the end of Gameweek 12, the Saints notched another four shut-outs and Clyne had grabbed his second goal of the campaign, boosting his value up to 5.8.

Notwithstanding Clyne’s paucity of attacking returns (one assist) from there on out, and the fact Southampton registered just six more clean sheets in the matches he started, the England international boasted a hefty 32.5% ownership on the eve of the final Gameweek – more than any defender. Ultimately, Clyne was subject to the highest price rise (0.9) of any Southampton player this term and the third-highest price rise of any player in the league.

Among Southampton’s full roster, only their top scorer, Graziano Pelle (149), recorded a higher total score than Clyne (142) throughout the course of the season. In terms of the league’s full complement of defenders, the Saints defender ranked joint-third (alongside Phil Jagielka) behind the high-powered Chelsea duo of John Terry (177) and Branislav Ivanovic (179).

Clyne’s points per game average (4.1) equalled Ryan Bertrand’s, with his output further aided by a stellar disciplinary record (only four yellow cards) and a decent collection of bonus points – only Jose Fonte (16) chalked up more than his team-mate (15) this term.

The Prospects

Clyne’s current contract at Southampton is due to expire next summer, casting doubt over his future at the Hampshire club amid interest from Manchester United and Chelsea. That being said, manager Ronald Koeman is optmistic that Clyne – who’s recently changed agents – will put pen to paper on a new deal:

“Still confident that he (Clyne) will sign a new contract but I think next week we will know about his situation.”

Even if Clyne elects to renew his contract, there’s the lingering fear that Southampton – given their lack of Champions League football – will lose a selection of their most-prized assets for the second year running, with the likes of midfield stalwart Morgan Schneiderlin already angling for a move away. Clearly, if Saints face another summer of extensive reshuffling, we’ll have to re-evaluate their worth from a Fantasy perspective.

Clyne is destined for a price hike off the back of his eye-catching season, with a cost of around 6.0 looking the likeliest scenario. In that price bracket, investors will expect a significant goal threat yet – despite an early-season flourish – Clyne was unspectacular in that regard, drawing blanks in all but one of his last 23 league starts.

Certainly, at that price, his popularity is bound to take a turn for the worse as we look to cheaper alternatives for our five-man backlines, with West Brom under Tony Pulis sure to be on many a shopping list.

The Saints’ goalkeeper situation is likely to be key to our assessment. With Fraser Forster expected to be sidelined for the first few months of the new campaign, it remains to be seen whether Koeman will dip into the market to strengthen between the posts. If the Saints boss keeps faith in his current back-ups options, one of Kelvin Davis or Paulo Gazzaniga could well be the favoured route into the Southampton backline until Forster is fit and available – both stoppers will certainly be cheaper than Koeman’s first-choice defenders.

Much could also depend on Toby Alderweireld’s situation. Southampton have the option to wrap up a transfer from Atletico Madrid but if the Belgian chooses to move elsewhere, the likes of Maya Yoshida could even come into contention at centre-half as a more budget-friendly option.

948 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Whoop!

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Too easy in the offseason. I wonder if Jonty is going to viciously delete this though.

      1. J0E
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Just checked, 'whoop' is not 'first' in any recognisable language...you're safe to proceed. 🙂

    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Saints Defence will be a no go next season, massive shame

      1. Coldplay
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        That was to prevent Jonty deleting your post, wasn't it? 😛

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Entirely. I'm not new to this game.

          He sometimes deletes it anyway.

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

    He will be priced 6.5 next season

    1. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      For limited threat, 6m would be fairer. An extra 1.5m invested in Ivanovic gets 35pts which is superb value

      1. Sess!
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah I can't see him being more than 6m.

  3. Coldplay
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Two RB in TOTS? Nah, I'd rather have Fonte.

  4. JÆKS ⭐
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    When doest the new fantasy season start guys?

    1. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Early July imo

      1. JÆKS ⭐
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        That's pretty fast, thnx!

        1. Kings of Lyon ★
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Its usually mid July but the season starts early this year so I think FPL will do the same

  5. Kings of Lyon ★
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    So nervous about tonights game. Would love to see Rangers back in the top flight but our defence is just so bloody poor.

    1. andy85wsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      http://tinyurl.com/qgwrxg9 ?

        1. andy85wsm
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Well played.

    2. No Pirlo No Party
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      HUGE game tonight. Gutted I can't be at the game. Our defence is so poor.

      1. Kings of Lyon ★
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Same! It sold out so bloody fast! Its on SS1 so will be nervy

        1. John t penguin
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          BT sports

          1. Kings of Lyon ★
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Good point. I think i need a better 'Whats on TV' app

            1. John t penguin
              • 9 Years
              8 years, 10 months ago

              you would have noticed quickly when you turned on SS1 and seen a group of average players with a recent history of incompetence in the boardroom and realised this is english cricket team

              1. No Pirlo No Party
                • 14 Years
                8 years, 10 months ago

                Would have continued to watch unknowingly...

            2. No Pirlo No Party
              • 14 Years
              8 years, 10 months ago

              'Sport on TV' is a decent app (iphone).

              1. Kings of Lyon ★
                • 13 Years
                8 years, 10 months ago

                Cheers mate

    3. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I think we'll win no problems. Motherwell are shite.

      1. No Pirlo No Party
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Honestly, I've watch very very little of the SPL this season. I do think we should have adopted the same playoff model from the English Leagues. Seems ridiculous that a team can be relegated and then 'promoted' in the same season.

        1. Bubz
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Yeah it's ridiculous

        2. Kings of Lyon ★
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Agreed

  6. Woy of the Wovers
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Out of interest, what is the purpose of the Team of the Season? So far, spent 23.5m of starting prices on four defensive players so we'll end up with the usual fantasy FPL team.

    1. Sess!
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I think it's just a nod to the players that were best for our squads over the season in one way or the other. Most will be big hitters but you'll get the odd value option like Kane in there. Guess Clyne offered amazing value to start with.

      1. Woy of the Wovers
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Last year it was Coleman, this year was Clyne. Wonder if we'll spot next seasons must-have mid-price bargain before the season starts.

  7. What did 2014/15 teach you about Fantasy Football management?
    J0E
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Fantasy Football Scout daily hot topic

    Key lesson learned

    This follows on from a Scoutcast discussion on what 2014/15 has taught us as Fantasy managers.

    For me the lesson learned is to look at form and fixtures more than price. Too often the likes of Kane and Puncheon were benched. Too often big money players like Sanchez failed to deliver.

    For Mark it was to use the ability to hold over a free transfer better to revamp a team every now and again.

    What has 2014/15 taught you?

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      For me its that its more important to get a double digit captain than to risk a potential hattrick scorer who may also get zero. Pick the reliable points.

      I still count Sktrl in a DGW as a reliable double digit captain, so this doesnt necessarily limit me to Aguero week in week out.

    2. jambo17
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      For me, it's don't invest in players straight after injury, even Aguero takes a couple of weeks to get going, and always invest in double gameweeks, no matter how unappealing they look.

      1. Coldplay
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        I agree. And something that's come out from the DGWs are that defenders are actually better value than a punt on any of the attackers. Take Ars and Pool DGW for example.

    3. Mull
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I learnt that every season is different and trying to apply what worked in one season in another isn't too good of a strategy.

      1. andy85wsm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        I think I'd agree with this.

        I remember Mark on the scoutcast after speaking with Luke Weston last year saying that he would take more hits this year but it looks as though they weren't needed in the end.

        Each season you have to adapt.

      2. Doolittle
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        This is actually a good point. I thought the scoutcast advice highlighted it actually. There was talk from Simon of how important it is to stick with proven players, and trust that they'll come good, but then Mark said about how he learned last year that he stuck with players for too long and didn't notice potential quickly enough, and Jonty says to forget price and judge on players and fixtures - somewhat contradicting the idea of sticking with proven, therefore expensive, players through bad patches.

        Simon's method is generally very good, and something I try to do, but if he'd applied the same tactic last season it wouldn't have worked.

        1. Shifty
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Agree on the last sentence Doolittle.

          I applied that logic in 13/14 after missing out on Ramsey + Yaya (went 75% of the season without them), and it was HORRIBLE.

          Holding on to Hazard, Mata @ United, Eriksen was good, but not good enough as Ramsey + Yaya continued to outscore them!

        2. Fred54
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          They did kind of contradict each other.

          Be flexible.

          Be patient.

          Two very different things.

          In reality to get a good score, you have to have the right players at the right time. To know when to stick and to know when to move on is the most difficult part of the game and if you get that right you will win out.

      3. applebonkers
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        ha, that's such a good point

    4. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      If you have 2 free transfers and you cant see a move then let one transfer go to waste. Dont make a move for the sake of it

      1. Ten Season Wonder
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        I would have to agree with this KOL. Too many times this season i've lost ground by doing this exact thing.

      2. Nickofoz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        This, did Foster -> Adrian in January three weeks before I wildcarded, would've been better sticking and it would have meant 1 less trannie (better for rank also)

        1. Shifty
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Nick, we finished on exactly the same score and rank :ozil:

          1. Nickofoz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Really?!? Wow! :doubleozil:

    5. HVT
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I don't think Hits pay.
      Culling players early if form is an issue.

      1. Shifty
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        culling players quick is key - but difficult to actually do.

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

      Captain Luck plays a huge part.

      Don't take too many silly Punts

    7. Doolittle
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Working out the difference between a real diamond/under-priced player and a short-lived bandwagon, and not taking too many punts at once.

      Ulloa, Berahino, Defoe, Murray - all huge bandwagons. I jumped on the first 3 against my better judgement; my head said that they wouldn't last, but I couldn't resist the points chasing. By the time Murray came around, despite the huge wave of "get Murray" on here, I had learned that it was a flash in the pan.

      Kane is obviously the exception, and it's important to be able to identify that kind of player early. However, they are very rare. I plummeted down the rankings around Christmas time when I had a team with too much uncertainty. Defoe, Walcott, Di Maria - either rotation risks or players who were simply not going to deliver consistently.

      Stick with a quality, reliable team with a couple of punts thrown in, maintaining flexibility and never leaving myself needing a complete overhaul of a team. That's my plan for next season.

      1. Leaf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        I think this goes with my point below about top players

        A Ulloa is never going to end up on 25 goals in a season , he isn't that good and won't get the service anyway

      2. Carlos Kickaball
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Kane was not that different to a short-lived bandwagon, he completely over performed his ability for a period in the season.

        Yes compared to Ulla, Berahino, Defoe and Murray, he played for a better team and is slightly better than most of them, but he slowed down a bit at the end of the season and I don't think we'll ever see Kane hit 20 Premier League goals in a season again.

        1. Ruth_NZ
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Brave call.

          Personally I think he is better than that - I think he has a big future. But I can't see him performing at this season's level again in terms of FPL returns till his 2nd season at United. 🙂

          I certainly won't start with him in my team next season if he's priced around 10.0 which I expect. At 8.0 I might be tempted.

          1. Carlos Kickaball
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            As Spurs main striker, he'd be worth a go at around 8.0m, I think he'll probably trundle along and score 12-18 Premier League goals a season.

            I agree with you that he'll probably be around 9.0m-10.0m because of how heavy his scoring was this year, I think if he is that price lots will select him, and he'll disappoint somewhat as an FPL pick.

            Look at someone like Ross Barkley, 6 goals 4 assists, hyped up as next big thing in 13/14, only managed 2 goals and 3 assists this season.

      3. Sharkytect
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Yes! your last sentence summed it up for me. Be mainly predictable with a hint of flair with one or two players.

        Next season I aim to start gameweek 1 with an entire team of dead cert starters, then I won't be pressured into making an early transfer because players are not playing, and can relax a bit and maybe go for those players who start with a bang.

    8. Coldplay
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      My lesson learnt was to always go with your heart even if the advice on here doesn't agree with it. For example, the week Morgan got 12 (GW35) I wanted to bring him in for Ivan (after the DGW as I had Terry aswell) but after asking around on here, I came to the conclusion that keeping Ivan was better. Of course, that didn't work out very well.
      Form then on, I decided to listen to my gut and brought Morgan in the next week. He got a CS and Ivan didn't. Also, my transfer for GW38 wasn't very popular but I went with it anyway and got rewarded. I got Albrighton for Boyd while I had Sterling and Giroud in my team. (Would have probably got Mata or Lukaku for them)
      So going with your gut feeling is always good. Even if it doesn't work out, you tried your best which is better then regretting not listening to yourself, if it does work out.

      Disclaimer: By no way I mean that bad advice is given on here. It's really good and I'm thankful for that. There's no way I would have finished where I did without this site. But when it comes to punts just go with your heart.

      1. Doolittle
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Yes, I agree. This site and its posters are fantastic, but there have been times this season that I've had my heart set on something and advice on here has dissuaded me (captaining Austin for his hat trick, bringing in a Leicester defender, getting PVA for a hit GW37). Then again, I'm sure I've been talked out of a bad move plenty of times - I probably just don't give away the credit for that 😉

        1. Shifty
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          at the end of the day, the consensus here streamlines to the template, and if you want to make brave moves, there's no point asking the questions here as MAJORITY of the replies will re-divert you back to the template.

          You also have to realize that sometimes asking simple transfer questions don't work because the dynamics of every team is different. The same transfer might work well for one player and not for another.

          1. Doolittle
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            That second paragraph is a point I've also made on here, particularly when people ask things like "double up on Chelsea defence?" or "Ramsey or Giroud?" It's folly to think of decisions simply as A or B, as it all depends on your team structure, planned transfers and, most importantly, who you will be transferring out.

            As I've said before, transfers in this game are not a question of "which of these will score the most", they're a question of "which of these will outscore my current player in that position by the most".

            1. Shifty
              • 10 Years
              8 years, 10 months ago

              "which of these will outscore my current player in that position by the most"......."over the next 3-5 GWs" if i may add.

        2. Coldplay
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          This is true. Maybe we overlook those decisions as decisions we made ourselves rather than the advice given but we aren't ready to take responsibility for a transfer that we made even if we didn't want to initially. Still, the support and advice on here is amazing. And seeing the ranks of people on here I am only impressed more and more by this site.

    9. Shifty
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Jonty, I appreciated your point about keeping core players regardless, while taking the risks with cheaper players. This was something I did this season as well, with my 3rd striker + 4th mid positions used for punts.

      Aside from this, 2014/15 has taught me to not be afraid of using FTs on DEFs early on in the season. I think with so many players on the FFS boards early season, there's overwhelming pressure to hop on attacking bandwagons as the "fear" factor of missing a bandwagon comes into play - especially if you don't start off well and missed the Ramsey + Yaya wagons of 13/14.

      Looking back, I wish I had made a few more early transfers on defenders - keeping Caulker, Stoke defence were horrible and a quick switch to a Southampton double up or Hutton would have helped my team so much.

    10. Del Griffiths
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      This season, I think being comfortable with having money left in the bank and picking players based on form not their price. Leaving Puncheon on my bench cost me more points than I care to remember.

    11. Leaf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      If a cheaper player from a top side (the usual suspects) starts scoring some points get him , straight away
      Don't try to use your own judgement on whether he is a good player or will continue that run , just follow the crowd and buy

      Missing a Kane or a Ramsey will finish a season

      My poker and gambling background has ingrained in me to go against the crowd . Fantasy football is very different . Go with the crowd .

      1. Ruth_NZ
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        OK, what I'm going to say comes with the caveat that it's based on 1 season's experience only.

        I don't think going with the crowd is correct, neither do I think going against the crowd is correct. There are times in a season when, in your good judgement, the crowd is wrong. You check it again and you still think they are wrong. That's the time to back your judgement.

        There are other times when you aren't sure or you can't see a definitive steer either way. That's the time to go with the majority - it's safer. There is no point in being different for the sake of it. But there is no point in following the herd automatically either unless all you want is a safe top 10k/20k finish.

        Knowing when to do each and having the clarity to do so is one of the critical skills of a FPL manager that wants to be really good as far as I can see.

    12. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      What ive learned

      1)- Getting the timing of your transfers correct

      Giroud ozil fab got poor returns for me

      2)- Play your own game.and dont focus too much on your rivals team

      Was too busy blocking rivals players while he got Theo which ultimately decided the ml league

    13. Daniel Levy- Not the Chairm…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I definetly need to learn how to save an FT. It always their staring at me and I feel I have to use it. Also don't be afraid to captain a defender in a DGW.

    14. Leaf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Something I applied this season much more and Simon March mentioned on the scoutcast too that helps rank massively
      I see slot of people trying to second guess the form of the big players . Don't . The likes of Aguero , hazard , Sanchez etc are top players and will end on a massive score . Just get them , stick them in the team and forget about them . Don't transfer in & out

      1. Shifty
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        I wish I got rid of Sanchez earlier though 😀

        But your last point is very valid - transferring in and out wastes 2 valuable FTs can be used elsewhere. From that perspective, keeping a proven big hitter for the long haul is probably the wisest course of action.

        1. HurriKane
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Same here. think ive missed sanchez 3 big scores on a row which then i got him. .

          Kun and Hazard are the first names on my team sheet when fit

    15. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I came 15k with 61 tfrs and losing 160 pts between Captain and Vice.
      I see about 600 finishing same points as me but all higher in the log.
      Does it have anything to do with tfr's or captains picks?

    16. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Be patient. I went into this year aiming to take more hits but began with ridiculous ones including Costa out before his 12 pointer and Mata > Eriksen before Mata scored in week two. My captain scores and so on after the first 8 weeks or so were generally good, but the damage was done.

    17. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Avoid players with a history of getting injuries. FTs are precious.

      1. Patch
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        FTs are precious. I like it. Also, points are precious. Only in rare circumstances are hits a good idea.

    18. getfunky
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      well this is the third yr in a row i've finished between 7k & 9k overall so it seems I'm not learning anything.

      1. Doolittle
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        You've learned the art of consistency!

        1. getfunky
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          lol true, I can't complain but I feel like I should be pushing on now... maybe next yr.

    19. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      This season taught me that less is more. So often I transfer an underperforming player, only for him to explode that week and his replacement flop. Sometimes doing nothing with your team is much more beneficial than doing too much. The less is more philosophy also applies to the lesson that you don't have to use all of your budget, if the cheap picks are performing, buy them, regardless of how much money it will leave you in the bank.

      1. andy85wsm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        I do this quite a lot this year, held on to players for longer and if I couldn't think of a better transfer I just let it roll over.

        Again though - nothing to say that will work next year.

    20. Sess!
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Have patience and faith in your players. You picked them for a reason, so sometimes it's worth giving them a game or two extra before shipping.

      Don't jump on bandwagons after a player has one good game. Give it another week at least to make a better assessment.

    21. Patch
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      If there's a player you're really worried about not having, get him.

      1. Az
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        yeah, theres a reason youre so fearful of not owning him! Just get him in!

    22. Qubit
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      For me it has re-inforced my number 1 FPL rule: No two seasons are the same and adapting to those differences quickly is key to a good season.

      Oh yes and dont be too stubborn to admit you were wrong and get a player in who is scoring well (even if they probably shouldnt be by all accounts!)

    23. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      like poker luck is ultimately the make or break factor

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

        For the game proper it would be to not take the large number of hits that I did this season. Also not to gamble on a player who has had a decent pre-season but shown no semblance of being able to transfer that into the Premier League. Sanogo was my initial blunder this season.

        As some you probably know, I'm a keen draft league player and am always there or there abouts when it comes to claiming the title among my friends. I've learned that no matter where you are placed in the draft round, you stand a chance provided you pick the right players and have a good balance to your squad of 16 (1gk, 5 def, 6 mids and 4 fwds) is my preference.

        1. Bolivian Seaman
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          A good start is so important. I've never had one

    24. Holy See
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Less is more. Pretty much every season, I should have stuck with what I've had, rather than seeing points where they don't exist yet, and bank the transfer. Think someone made the point on the podcast d'other night to not try to be clever, great advice. Excellent podcast btw, alot of the prime dos & don'ts in fpl, from 3 that know the game & know the pitfalls that remain every season.

    25. Bolivian Seaman
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Same as last season - differentials rarely work.
      As everyone above has said; every season is different. A cheap defence used to work, but this season it would've struggled unless extremely lucky. I think simon march had a weak defence to begin with (dummett, ntaylor, wisdom) but outside of that a cheap defence would've been horrific.
      Another thing; if i'm scared of a player he should be in my team

    26. Kuqi Monster
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      if it ain't broke don't fix it - by january my team was doing well and my OR was under 5k, I made wholesale changes with my jan WC and the team performed poorly, never recovered.

    27. Enzo the Baker
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I think one of the lessons that I've learnt over the last couple of years of FPL is patience.

      For most of us, the real reward in FPL is to win cash MLs and try to better last year's rank or finish in say the top 1k. To achieve this - it doesn't matter if you've had a bad start to the season and your GW1 team does poorly. It doesn't matter if you miss out on that one great GW - like GW8 when everyone on FFS seemed to hit 100+ thanks to Tadic + Aguero(c). And ultimately, luck doesn't play as big a part as everyone seems to suggest, at least in getting to the top 10k or so.

      The important thing is to not overreact when things go badly by taking 12 point hits and bringing in last week's over-achievers. And also if you are doing well, there is a tendency to start picking an excess of flair players just to shake things up. Ignore both of these! Post-Jan WC, a strong core of 7-8 high owned heavy hitters + 2-3 punts is probably ideal. 38 GWs is a long, long time and there are lots of opportunities to catch your ML leader or achieve your OR goals, so long as you stay in the game !

    28. Carlos Kickaball
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Avoid hits : This is probably the main one, I took 4 all season, but all in the first half. In the future I will roll my transfers and be better prepared for the unexpected. They are occasionally worth it, but often best avoided at all cost.

      Ignore points chasers : Not usually individuals, but rather a collective thing on FPL sites seems to be vastly overrating players who are currently going through a purple patch, and underrating players if they don't score for a few weeks. After week 3 Eriksen was apparently and a rubbish pick, but I kept him in my week 4 wildcard, and he was one of the top scoring mids over the next few months; after week 4 many were convinced Fàbregas was a better pick that Hazard; and after Cazorla's haul against Villa people labelled him a must have, he piddled through the rest of the season.

      About the only player worth points chasing in this season has been Harry Kane, and even he was on most of his owners benches when he exploded against Chelsea.

      Don't stress over FPL incidents : Like when 1 goal goes in, and you lose a CS and your rival gains a goal and 3 bonus. FPL season is a long game, just enjoy the football!

    29. Gizzachance
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      dont panic on wildcard !myself and a lot of others tend to use them to quick within first couple of gameweeks, due to your selections maybe not doing well,just use trans wisely
      bank trans, if i can try and keep wildcard for a nice dgw,,!
      look at form and fixtures, dont jump on the bandwagon to quick,dont dump people like aguero cause he hasnt scored in a couple of games,top players like him will reward you in the end
      an dont be scared to bench big money players if fixtures arent favourable, go with your instict on cap trans etc,most of all, we all need a little luck to !

    30. Philmatic
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      First time player here, and mine is that Price =/= Points

    31. Az
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Take less hits.

      Don't gamble with the quality players from the big teams. Taking out Costa for Falcao was one of my worst moves of the season over Christmas.

      FFS is a fantastic site, but don't always listen to people! Sometimes you need to trust your own judgement or how can you expect to be in the top 10, 100 or even 1000. Many on here will miss out, it's like copying someone elses mistakes on an exam.

      Don't be afraid to captain lower priced players.

      Fixtures arent everything, especially for the big players who step it up in important matches.

    32. Flycroft
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      That using the members area intelligently can make up for not watching games. I lived in Zambia from February-May and didn't watch a single game during that time. I signed up to the members area initially to show support for the site, but used it exclusively to make transfer decisions for the last 3 months. Finished at 1.2k overall, roughly the same position I was in before I left. It really helps when making those 50/50 decisions between two players.

    33. Ruth_NZ
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      It has been my first FPL season so I guess I have learned a lot, though I haven't formulated it all yet.

      One thing I have come to recently is that form is more important than fixtures for big players. A negative example is Liverpool, who had WBA and Hull in their DGW and QPR the week after. 3 great fixtures in which they managed 2 goals in total and 1 clean sheet. The team was generally out of form and their players (with the partial exception of Courinho and Skrtel) disappointed as a consequence.

      A positive example is Chelsea who had a run of 6 games when they were closing in on the title including United, Liverpool and Arsenal among their opponents. Not the most enticing fixtures on the face of it yet Chelsea managed 4 clean sheets in those 6 games and Terry scored 44 FPL points (average 7.33 per game).

      1. prata
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        ruth, arsenal article is released today?

        1. Ruth_NZ
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Don't know, today or tomorrow probably.

    34. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      so many lessons seem to be conflicting. some say trust your players and don't knee jerk after a bad game or 2, others say react quickly to form, don't be scared to take hits to jump on multiple new form player etc.
      i really don't know any more. maybe we're all over-thinking it. form or fixtures, or both, or worry about fixtures more for defenders/keepers.
      only thing i think which definitely helps is stay disciplined, even if that can be really difficult to maintain for a whole 9 months (i personally really struggle here). don't make a rage tranfers, don't make a 2am transfer for a bit of fun that you might regret in the morning. even though instant transfers can be very therapeutic after a bad gw you may have just priced yourself out of a key free transfer next week with your haste.
      i think hang in there and hope fortune favours you, if not lucky then hope to simply get neutral fortune. the poker connection was like if you keep getting your chips in with the best hand/as slight favourite then that's all you can do really, the rest is luck. the poker connection also because some players always seem to pop up on final tables, like some people here always seem to pop up in and around the top 1k.

    35. Gideons Rolling Another One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Take less hit. Took the equivalent of a -68 point hit across the season. Some paid off. A lot (ADM 1 pointer) didn't.

      Don't be a sheep. If you see that lots of players have bought in Sterling for the DGW. Don't panic and drop a form player - Silva - when you already made your move. Eriksen to Coutinho. To many times did the green sheep eye ruin my week.

      My plan for next season, along with the above, is to set my team up in such away that I always have a space and cash for a decent punt. That on occasions I captain.

      1. Rhinos
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Great Debate
        I agree that every season is different but unless FPL mess with the algorithm again then saving wildcard has to be a great idea ( I've never tried to coz figured may as well increase my team value after the usual slow to average start). This season making money on wildcard was virtually impossible so I'm definately gonna try save. In order to do this its essential to have a balanced team ie not too much money invested in any one area

    36. bennyp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      1. Punt on transfers not captain choices.
      2. Focus on increasing team value.
      3. Cheap backlines aren't the best option.
      4. Always captain a Crystal palace striker when they are playing liverpool.

    37. shirtless
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I need a review after my worst ever FPL season in nine seasons, and first ever six figure rank (171k).

      Think I will cut down the games I play. Telegraph, I-Team and Sky on top of FPL is too much! But I had a great Sky season (332)...!

      The last game week I resisted selling Kane for Benteke/Lukaku, and selling Hazard, all of these worked out. Not being too jerky is something to think about. But holding Sterling for far too long just because he was up front is the other extreme! Liverpool were just a poor team and not worth covering.

      I held Fab and Costa too long, when I should have got Hazard in. A lot of bad timing looking back. Give my last three seasons were 12k, 18k, and 26k, a lot of work to do to get back up there..

  8. MMN
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    When can we start making our teams on FPL?

    1. Coldplay
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      15th July 4 AM

      1. MMN
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks

      2. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Is it awful to have just put that in my diary

        1. Sess!
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Nobody knows the exact date/time. When it gets close to when people expect it, becomes a mad frenzy of F5 refreshing around here!

        2. Coldplay
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Lol this is actually a joke. Nobody knows the exact date and time. Somebody joked about how it would open t 4 AM last time, keeping people awake until 4AM to get the lowest ID possible.

    2. Bauerhaus 24
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      around 8th july

  9. iCon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone here used GadgetInsurance.ie? Half the price of Vodafone for insurance, but just want to check they're not shysters!

  10. Doolittle
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    After listening to the scoutcast last night, I'm interested to know if people have seen a correlation between the amount of football that they watch, and their FPL success? They pointed out that Simon March has barely watched any this season, yet Tom Fenley attributed his win largely to watching more than ever.

    I ask because, with a wedding to plan, I imagine that I won't have time most weekends to watch any live matches. I'm wondering whether actually taking a more objective, rational view based on facts and figures could be beneficial rather than a hindrance, or whether I'll lose a sense that can perhaps only be gained through actually seeing the games for yourself.

      1. Doolittle
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Interesting, cheers Mull.

        1. Caravagio
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          I've watched 1 game all season while in Budapest and managed to come 124,000ish. (not superb by any stretch relatively to people on ffscout). But I managed to beat a few of my friends who watch all the football every weekend. Think you can do well on stats and FFScout alone ^^

    1. pompeyfan
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I watched zero live PL games last season, and caught some of MOTD on maybe 10 occasions.

      1. pompeyfan
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        I did however watch countless Eredivisie games live and on tv and all of their MOTD equivalent. I was terrible in that fantasy game though!

    2. iCon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I definitely don't see a correlation; I watched quite a lot less live football this year than I have previously and watched no Match of the Day at all this year, yet I had by far my best ever season on FPL. I think when you look for a reason as to why/why not a particular reason has gone well, you might think it's down to one thing or another, but really it's down to a huge number of factors - a very large one being luck!

    3. Coldplay
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I think watching the matches might help but it is not a condition for doing well. A stats person who works around with stats and figures but doesn't watch the match might be better off than someone who base his decisions solely on what he sees during the games.

    4. jambo17
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I've watched a handful of games all season and the occasional match of the day and I finished with an overall rank of 61! I think the members stats here are generally better than watching games

    5. Doolittle
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Thanks all, it will be interesting to see if there are any noticeable changes.

    6. andy85wsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Probably watched less year than ever due to working nights and finished outside top 100k.

      Other than that year its been around 8k, 10k, 15k and 20k.

      Maybe just a bad season.....

    7. jradic
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      My FPL success this year was more attributed to the terms of our ML (you got paid out if you were in the top half of the table) which made me focus on it a lot more. I only watched games when I had free time but I watched MOTD most weeks.

  11. John t penguin
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    cmon the well

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Boooo.

      1. John t penguin
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        boooo yoooo

  12. Nickofoz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Bolasie and Mane price prediction?

    I'm thinking maybe 6.5 and 8.5

    1. Coldplay
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I would agree.

      I really hope we get some new low priced players who would score because if the main scorers of the game remain same as last season it would be really hard to fit them all in a team like we did last season.

      1. Nickofoz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah. If Bolasie is 6.5, I'd certainly snap him up. I reckon he'll have a big season

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

      agree with this!

      1. Nickofoz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        I know your a fan of Bolasie, I'm sure you'd snap him up at that price eh?

        I remember you had him when you beat me in the cup 😀

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

          haha yeah! Love that guy! would snap him up

          1. Nickofoz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Yep, I'm thinking the same. How'd you finish up mate?

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

              horrible, from 26k rank I went down to 133k rank because of wrong captain choices and bad punts...I see you finished up well! 1K is an awesome rank

              1. Nickofoz
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                8 years, 10 months ago

                Ah, unlucky mate 🙁 It's easy for that to happen.

                Yeah thanks mate, a bit peeved I didn't crack the Top 1K being in there for about 16 weeks but overall pretty happy

    3. Shifty
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      6.5 and 7.5/8? I don't think Saints posted great attacking stats and that will probably be factored into his price.

      It seems like all the "price prediction" topics so far have just basically priced this season's good performers higher next season.

      Don't think that will be case entirely. For example, Costa and Sanchez were priced perfectly imo and won't be different next season, maybe Sanchez to 11.0. Eriksen was priced quite well and I don't expect a drop, even though to us FFSers he's crap.

      1. Nickofoz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah agreed with all your points. Yes you might be right about Mane, but he clocked up, what, 12 goals (?) in limited playing time, surely at least 8

        1. Shifty
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Would be disappointed to see him come above 8.

          If he comes in above 8, might be tough to start the season with him.

          1. Nickofoz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Yeah. Saints having Europa League is another negative of getting him, always seems to hinder teams

    4. Qubit
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Id be slightly surprised to see Mane at 8.5, dont think his season was quite good enough to justify that price tag.

      1. Nickofoz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Maybe, his hat trick certainly showed his potential. 11 goals is a good return though, especially at his price. EL may put me off him though

  13. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    So since the season is over, I thought I'd ask about something I was planning on doing for next season. I ran a 10-person head to head draft league this season - with a similar rule structure to FPL. The difference was the lack of BPS, equalizing penalties (everyone gets 2 points to score a penalty - regardless of defender / midfielder / forward), 2 points to earn a penalty (instead of an assist. you get it even if it's not scored / you score it yourself) and some minor points for defenders / defensive midfielders for tackles and interceptions.

    Anyway, next season, we'll be doing an auction system. There will be a budget of $200 for 16 players (min bid of $1).

    What do you think I should go to a max of for the big players? Lets say:

    A) Aguero
    B) Hazard
    C) Sanchez
    D) Ivanovic

    $200 for 16 players actually means something like $195 for 11 players - assuming the bench I pick will be later for $1 each.

    What do you think?

    1. iCon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      65
      70
      70
      40

      1. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Hmm. Basically, it would put you in a stage where you end up having only say Aguero and Hazard and the rest would be tertiary picks once all the bigger names are gone?

        1. iCon
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          I'd always look to get 2 nailed on captain options and then look for value with the rest

          1. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            There's no captains. That's why I was thinking three Silva-level players over 2 Aguero-Hazard!

    2. Nickofoz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Hmm. A lot depends on whether Aguero will be a lone striker or together with Bony/Dzeko. Maybe $30-40?

      B) $40

      C) $20 - Don't think he will be a good option personally, explosive but too inconsistent

      D) $20

      1. Nickofoz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        When does it start btw? I'm thinking of making a draft league with friends

        1. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          We'll do the auction a week or so before the season starts.

          I ran one this year with a great structure / ruleset. It was outstanding. I can easily say I had far more fun in that than FPL (even though it was my best FPL season to date).

          I can guide you to the rules / structure I used if that helps? Using Fantrax btw - they have everything and it's completely customizable.

          1. Nickofoz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Oh okay nice mate, yeah it would be good fun.

            Yeah is that okay? Thanks mate

            1. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
              • 10 Years
              8 years, 10 months ago

              No problem. Pass me an email or something?

              1. Nickofoz
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                8 years, 10 months ago

                nick.bachmatiuk@gmail.com

                Thanks mate

                1. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
                  • 10 Years
                  8 years, 10 months ago

                  Will send you something in a few hours 🙂

                  1. Nickofoz
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 9 Years
                    8 years, 10 months ago

                    Cheers mate 🙂

      2. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Curious to why Hazard would be so far ahead of Sanchez? Sanchez outscored him and had the same assists this season I think. It's also his first season in England, I'd expect him to improve upon it quite a bit.

        Basically around 40 for premium talent though? Hmm, this auction business is really interesting / hard!

        1. Nickofoz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Well maybe I'm wrong with the prices, maybe around 60-70 for Kun/Ivan/hazard.

          Did Sanchez outscore Hazard in that draft game? If so I take that back, but in FPL terms then I think he won't be a good option at 10.5/11, he went through a purple patch (but that was without Giroud/Ozil) and since they returned he's been getting scores like 2, 2, 15, 5, 2, 2 etc. Silva and Hazard both better options imo

          1. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            60-70 for them means you can only afford 2 of them though. Maybe 3 but then all the rest of your team are basically $1 picks.

            Based on the current rules the highest scorers were:

            Aguero - 204 (6.18)
            Hazard - 196 (5.16)
            Sanchez - 178 (5.09)
            Ivan - 176 (4.63)
            Cazorla - 171 (4.62)
            Fab - 171 (5.03)

            The penalty rule change has come in after this - can check what their scores would have been if that was implemented. Also, Sanchez was classes as a forward this season (won't be next season). So, he would have been a bit higher than Hazard (1 point for all the clean sheets plus one extra point for all his goals).

            1. Nickofoz
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              8 years, 10 months ago

              Hmm yeah. I guess it depends how much you want them really. My priotities would be Hazard, and then one of Aguero (if playing lone striker) or Ivan (if Aguero playing in a partnership). Silva also a good option but can't have them all I guess

              1. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
                • 10 Years
                8 years, 10 months ago

                True. The question for me is if I want 3 Silva-level players or two Aguero-Hazard.

                1. Nickofoz
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 9 Years
                  8 years, 10 months ago

                  Yeah, think is it would be very hard to get Hazard and Aguero

        2. Shifty
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Hazard is on pens and superbly consistent. You know where the Chelsea points are coming from.

          Sanchez is great but he will be sharing points with that Arsenal midfield.

          1. Nickofoz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            This is another good point too, along with what I said there are so many more potential Arsenal scorers

          2. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Correct, just that Sanchez is more explosive than Hazard.

            Also, pens would just be 2 points in our league next season. Earning and then scoring would be 4 points.

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

      buy Costa instead of Hazard

      1. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Haha, those were just examples. I'm just trying to figure out what people think a max bid for a top player in various positions should be 🙂

        Helps me settle my own values so I can be prepared. First time we're doing this so no idea how people will rate various players, etc.

      2. Mull
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        This. The lack of bonus points and fewer points for penalties make Costa much more valuable than in this game than he is in FPL. I'd argue that in this format he's on the same level as Aguero and you wouldn't have to pay as much also.

    4. John t penguin
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      at first thought i would think maybe half your budget on your big name players would be wise.
      if you can i would do a comparative on this season in terms of points per $ to give you an idea wht price they should be bought for. Giving them a little flexibility on the price due to them being the foundation you build your team around if that makes sense

      1. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        I agree. The question is how many big name players as well. I would look to spend around $120 on big names without a doubt - I expect most of the smaller names to be much cheaper later on.

        However, is it enough to get 2? Or should one aim to get say 4? It really affects how much one is bidding for them!

    5. Mull
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Do you have a captain that gets double points?

      1. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Nope, not as of now! That said, we made it head to head (seemed far more fun as you play an opponent each week - plus stays way more competitve). So explosive players do help as they can win a week on their own.

      2. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        I am trying to get that implemented though!

        1. Mull
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          It's really hard to give you a correct answer about what the correct strategy is. I'll need to think about it some more. If I had to guess I'd say it's best not to overspend on Hazard, Aguero and Sanchez because you won't be able to buy many other quality players who combined could easily outscore them.
          Also, I think it's a good strategy to pick defenders that many aren't too well known, for example, Dawson over Lescott.

          1. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            That's what I think as well. It's really interesting / difficult because there's no way to get a base model. For stuff like NFL, one can see average auction values already!

    6. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Been knocks and niggles draft league on fantrax for two years. Heels over head runs it and his structure, size and scoring is brilliant. We don't have prices or budget though. Just a twenty man draft, 10 players each with formation restrictions. Then you can claim free agents once a week and negotiate trades. I love the draft format. I'd very keen if you have a spot? Your way sounds interesting

      1. iCon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah, my first year playing it...was a great distraction from FPL. Won League 2 this year, so will be up with the big boys this year!

        1. Get up ya bum
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          awesome 🙂 pressure gonna be on you to show you can do it on the big stage 😉
          I was in top two for ages in division 1 but fell off the pace and ended 3rd. Got 6th in first year from being last at xmas! Ours went down to the wire with Enr pushing Gloria k right up to the final gw.
          Who else is getting promoted?

          1. iCon
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Aaron Ramessi and Borginho007.

            Aguero's late goal just pushed me past Ramessi on final day too. Was all very exciting! 😀

        2. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          That kinda sounds awesome.

          Relegation would make it so much more fun!

      2. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        That sounds awesome. I don't really have a spot as I ran it just for friends - but I don't mind doing an FPL version!

        We did a 10-person draft with 16 person squads. I'm pretty confident in my ruleset/scoring as I spent a lot of time on it and I feel it's very balanced. A Matic/Coquelin type player can actually be a decent pick!

        Basically, I played around with rules till the final player standings seemed "fair" to me. Gave value to Ramsey/Yaya last season apart from the goals (which is fair because they were doing a lot more work as well).

  14. Kings of Lyon ★
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Copa America - The tournament will be held in Chile from 11 June to 4 July 2015

    Might be worthwhile steering clear of Sanchez ADM Aguero ect at the start of the season. These players wont get much of a break as the season starts on the 8th of August

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

      4th of July till 8th of August seems to be a good enough for a break

      1. The Machine
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        They wont play as soon as they return. There is no way wenger would start sanxhez at the start of the season

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

          hmm this means I can start the season with Wally! Great!

      2. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Actually - they'll need to have some sort of a preseason / get fit before the start as well.

    2. Sess!
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      There's always some spanner thrown into our pre-season plans. Least it's not a chelsea DGW this time!

    3. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      yep no pre season so I'll avoid both gw1. Bony could be an option

      1. Get up ya bum
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        I want to start with costa anyway if they get some decent fixtures. Suppose most will though if kun is behind on fitness 🙁

  15. Colonel Wasabi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Some interesting gossip on BBC sport this morning.
    Plenty of rabble-rousing... http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/32908550

    Ancelotti would 'jump at' the Liverpool job, and Benitez says he's interested in getting Sterling to Real...

    Benitez not appointed yet, and Rodgers still in place. Newspapers....

  16. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Looks like Jay Rodriguez, will be fit for next season.

    He started the last FPL season at 7.5m, but failed to play a single minute. How is this likely to reflect in his price for next season, gussing he be priced at 6.5m or lower.

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Will he be nailed though? And in what position will he play? May be risky to start with.

      1. Nickofoz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        This, there is always Pelle and Long who ended the season in good form.

        I'd say 6.5 yeah, not lower since he has good history

        1. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Will keeping a close eye on preseason games, if he's priced 6.0 or lower and getting plenty of game time, I will be tempted.

          1. Nickofoz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Definitely

    2. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      6.5/7
      Should be a great pick. Forward though so mane likely to be better as a 7.5 mid.
      GB he'll likely play on the left. If they play 4-2-3-1 him, mane, long and Pelle can all start. 4-3-3 one has to miss out.

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        If that's the case, I'd be tempted.

  17. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Jose Mourinho is looking to sign up to three players this summer to bolster Chelsea’s Premier League title-winning squad.

    http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/chelsea-planning-two-three-summer-9345139

  18. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Vladimir Putin accuses US of meddling in FIFA affairs, trying to take away Russia's World Cup.

    1. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Did he wrestle a bear to let his frustration out?

  19. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    LvG said that he only played Rooney in midfield because he had injuries and no one else could play that role. With a new DM signing, Rooney(C) should be nailed up front.

    He may be as little as 10.0m next season. Potential bargain there.

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Same plans.

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Great point. A 10m upfront forgotten man Rooney could be a real differential too.

    3. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      ooh costa rooney gomis frontline sounds nice. Silva, hazard and ramsey/walcott in midfield. Affordable?

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Maybe. I want Kun though so I may get something like this:

        4.5 - 4.5
        5.5 - 5.0 - 4.5 - 4.5 - 4.0
        11.5 - 9.0 - 7.5 - 6.0 - 4.5
        12.5 - 10.0 - 6.5
        Impossible to tell without prices, fixtures or signings though 😀

        1. Get up ya bum
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          true but I can guarantee you costa won't be 12.5 and silva won't be 9 😉

          1. Get up ya bum
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            and I've clearly ignored the first sentence you wrote 😳

          2. Piggs Boson
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Yeah, that 9 may be an Arsenal or United midfielder.

            And the 6.5 (maybe jRod) may turn into a 7.5 (Gomis?).

    4. Shifty
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I desperately want Rooney in my team next season. He's been very good for me whenever I've owned him over the 2 seasons before this.

  20. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    According to the German media outlet Kicker, Manchester United have made a ‘concrete offer’ for the duo of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Dante.

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I'm not getting excited until it's confirmed.

      Both would be fantastic signings though. Dante, being left footed, would partner Smalling well. And Schweinsteiger is one of the best CMs around...

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Schweinsteiger is ageing fast ...
        Dante may bring an Inferno ... 😉

        1. John t penguin
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          hellish pun

          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            😀

          2. Piggs Boson
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            🙂

        2. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Sweinsteiger is only 30 and put in outstanding performances to win the World Cup last year. Some experience would do that young United side some good imo.

          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Hmmm ... 🙂

          2. Get up ya bum
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            yeah world class. Him and vidal will boss the premier league if they come

    2. Doolittle
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I think Dante would be a calamity.

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

        Dante-nice name but pretty useless. Maicon mark II.

  21. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Norwich City confirm six players (Javier Garrido, Carlos Cuellar, Mark Bunn, Kyle Callan-McFadden, Sam Kell and Luciano Becchio) to leave the club.

    1. Shifty
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Garrido was fantastic in 12/13

      1. Bolivian Seaman
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Olsson should be good I think

    2. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      cuellar to west brom so he can link up with sessegnon again

  22. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Blatter holds emergency meeting with 6 leaders of the confederation. SKY

    1. Ball Breaker
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Blatter has planned this all along. IMHO he has filtered corrupt money through the accused bank accounts to deflect the blame from himself. The whole organisation needs to be taken down and restructured. Football is a mess but corruption, will no doubt win in the end. Blatter will see out another term and he will be more powerful than ever.

    2. Mull
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Meanwhile at the Legion of Doom...

  23. NorwichCityLad
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Do many of you members make your own stats table up on here? If so any good

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Of course, I love them.

      1. NorwichCityLad
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Been a member all season never really bothered till season ended but deco become a member again brilliant site

        1. John t penguin
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          you could be next years know everything norwich guy
          davies with leicester and lucy with spton last year really helped.

    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Yes. I am brilliant at them. 😉

      1. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        I can attest to that! I've seen a LOT of your tables!

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Thanks!!! 😀

        2. FortunesAlwaysHiding
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          I do on the odd occasion but they are generally to wade through interesting dross for my draft league game which has little interest for a wider audience.

          1. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            I used them far more for my draft league too.

        3. Kings of Lyon ★
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          I'll second that

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

            Alright don't rub it in.

  24. Ball Breaker
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Looks like Bayern are after Di Maria. They need a winger and Utd need a centre half. Dante would fit the bill. I can't see Schweinsteiger leaving Germany to be honest.
    Real Madrid will come in soon and ruin it as they always do.

    1. John t penguin
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      bayern need a winger who can cross a ball and actually get a decent amount of his passes to his own team.
      would be more tiki kaka than tiki taka

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

        I'd rather have chicken tikka.

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Cant see Man U signing a 31 yr old Schweinsteiger, when they are trying to fill the role long term.

  25. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Following up from above, if there's interest, I'd be happy to run a draft / auction style league for FFS as well. Would be a lot of fun!

    1. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I'd love to, send me an email
      rchamp.per@gmail.com

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I'd love to play an auction style game. Not a draft one though.

      1. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        I'd rather do that as well - need to get everyone online at the same time for it though. Might be a little difficult with timezones.

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          You can do silent bid auctions. We did that during the Euros a few years back and it worked really well (because I won everything 😉 )

          1. WHY ALWAYS MESUT?
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Nice!

            How would that work exactly? The way I'd heard was that you split up the list of players into various rounds and everyone does a blind bid.

            The only issue is that you may not be able to build your squad up perfectly. Say you get Aguero + Costa + Sturridge in round 1 when you really only wanted 1 forward - etc.

    3. Daniel Levy- Not the Chairm…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I am also interested in this. email me lev100@habsboys.org.uk

  26. applebonkers
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    this guy should have made the PFA team of the season too. bonus pints are actually a decent gauge of defensive ability imo as they reward tackling and penalise being dribbled and fouling. clyne getting more bps than ivanovic with 4 goals and assists compared to 10 for ivan does tell a story, if you think it's a team thing then look at azpi v ivanoivc. clyne was robbed, and here's the theory to add to vermaelen theory where goalscoring defenders are over-inflated. it's called big man theory. ivanovic is a big man, a man's man. football men trust big men. ignore the fact left wingers constantly found joy against him, that's irrelevant. he's a man's man who scores goals and you can trust him. imagine making a defender who got 10 yellows and a red your rb of the season, he's not even dirty, just gets beaten too often. at a team as strong as chelsea with willian helping him out that's actually quite shocking.
    anyway, clyne, i salute you. just try and be more of a big man next season.

    1. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Great post 🙂

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Love it, especially the bonus pints.

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      You make a great point, he deserved to make it. Shame he's going to be too expensive for us FPLers next season.

    4. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I can't see why the old method of someone choosing man of the match shouldn't still be in force. When one watches a match it is clear who played well and who did not.
      I think they could deduct points for poor play also.

    5. Bolivian Seaman
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I agree but Ivanovic has been a rock, not many players have got past him. Left wingers didn't have a good time against him

      1. Nickofoz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        I actually disagree, compared to Azpi (and other full backs) all it takes is a pacey winger and bang. GJ (yes, Glen Johnson, you read right) and Bolasie/Zaha eased past him in recent matches, can't remember from the beginning of the season though

        1. applebonkers
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          would be very interesting to see how many left wingers voted for him. can see it being mainly other players who just assume he's great

    6. Doolittle
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      This is so true, Ivanovic is great for FPL but I think he is incredibly overhyped in "the real world". He was a liability defensively earlier in the season, but it gets overlooked because, as you say, he's huge and intimidating. English pundits especially see size and solidity as one and the same (see Stoke, West Ham, and Chelsea even when their defence was leaky). Contrast that to the idea of Arsenal being porous even when having a good record, because they a short team.

      Azpilicueta is a far better defender than Ivanovic; I'd go as far as to say he's the best defender in the league. You just don't notice him as much.

      1. Nickofoz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Agreed 100%

  27. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Does anyone know if you used fantasy football fix exactly as the predicted stas state. How would your season in terms of FPL points add up.

  28. Mr. Grv
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Just realized that the top 4 teams have atleast one creative Spanish CM
    Fabregas
    Silva
    Cazrola
    Mata
    😯

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Shows the gulf between Spain and England. About time the EPL learned from the Spanish.

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        We have Shawcross and Andy Carroll...

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Quite right.

        2. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          There you go!

          1. Dr Dream
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            But...but....Surely you don't think that we might be doing things wrong ?

            Surely making kids play football at 11.00 a.m in the middle of January in three feet of mud wind and rain is a good thing .... Isn't it ?.... I mean...we have Shawcross and Andy Carroll...

            1. Eze Really?
              • 9 Years
              8 years, 10 months ago

              If darts is so popular, one can only think the local pub is a higher priority than football.

      2. Nico.
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        England should be learning, not the EPL. The EPL is doing fantastic considering we own basically the entire Spanish contingent of attacking players.

    2. Daniel Levy- Not the Chairm…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      You are forgetting some. Sunderland and Jordi Gomez. I would also say Bojan at Stoke is a creative no10

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        He's not forgotten them. It was a short and to the point statement.