Site Features

Development Squad – Mat Arrives at FFS

Listeners to the ScoutCast will already be aware that, just over two weeks ago, we took on a new team member – Mat Williams aka “matzi11a” – as a new Developer.

Mat is now working with Ed – our Technical Director – and will be tasked with day to day fixes and improvements both to our sites and our infrastructure.

This is a big appointment for Fantasy Football Scout.

We’ve been searching for this hire for over a year and, in Mat, we’ve found something of a “unicorn”.

Not only is he a highly skilled developer with vast experience, Mat has been a visitor to our site from its inception. In fact, he still coughs up his £1 Paypal donation to Fantasy Football Scout – having signed up back in 2008. I need to pay him back.

He came to our attention having developed a Fantasy Premier League tool which analyses transfer market activity – it’s a new widget that we’ll be making available to you next season.

Mat’s familiarity and passion for the site, the community and Fantasy Football, coupled with his skillset and with Ed managing gives us a fantastic opportunity to build on what we’ve got. I’m hugely excited about where we can go from here.

What’s more, I want to use this step to change our policy when it comes to involving the community in what we do.

We want to be transparent with the work going on and allow you to have input into our priorities and the development roadmap. We want you to help shape the tools and features we provide you from here on.

With this in mind, we will be publishing regular Development Diary articles like this, offering you a glimpse into what Mat and Ed are working on and Mat himself will be posting comments detailing his progress and answering queries.

His first task was to familiarise himself with our working practices, our servers and our tools and to get to grips with the Opta feeds – the raw data that provides the backbone of the Members’ area.

That hasn’t taken him long and, as a result, I’ve been working with Mat to address some fixes and begin work on adding features over the last ten days.

Here’s what we’ve been up to…

Sky Sports Bonus Statistics
While we’ve not supported the Sky Sports game during the season, we hope to put that right and give it far more focus.

It’s meant we’ve neglected the Sky Sports tables in our Members’ area, which currently omit the new tiered bonus points system introduced for this season.

As a first familiarisation task, Mat has now added this, along with the new Shots on Target bonus points.

Time Played Modification
A particular bugbear of mine – to my knowledge, we’re currently the only football statistics site on the net that displays the true number of minutes played by a player in any given match – including all stoppage time.

While that sounds admirable, it means that our stats differ from the norm and also warps our “minutes per” figures. A player like Ben Gibson, who has been ever-present, has minutes played covering almost two extra fixtures due to the addition of stoppage time.

Mat has now corrected this, with players capped at 90 minutes, whether they started the match or were introduced as subs.

Dev1

Touches Modifications
The event feed we license from Opta is a complex beast, with the onus on us to create the queries to extract the statistics that you see in our members tables.

Opta recently added new match events – such as blocked passes – to their list of events regarded as a touch, so we needed to bring our own queries into line to address this.

Mat has made a pass over our queries and our data to align us with Opta’s recorded touches in all areas of the pitch – including penalty area touches.

We are one of very few sites who offer statistics for touches in the various pitch regions – now those numbers are more accurate.

That paves the way for our touch heatmaps on the development roadmap.

New Home and Away Filters
We’ve always allowed you to filter our data by home and away matches but I’ve wanted to extend that further.

Mat is currently investigating adding new filters that will enable you to view data restricted to a player’s last 2,4,6 home or away matches. Again, as far as I know, this is a facility unavailable on any other site.

We’re not sure how simple this will be to implement. Because we slice our data – and large amounts of it – our existing queries may not be quick enough to deliver the performance we need. We will keep you updated on this.

What’s next?

Our major mid-term aim is to generate the Fantasy Premier League Bonus Points system stats and offer tables dedicated to those numbers.

We could scrape these numbers, but that’s never been our bag. Instead, we’re going to build them from our own statistics to allow us the possibility of offering more in-depth analysis, including the facility to see baseline BPS (without goals, assists and clean sheets).

Long term, this will marry up with another roadmap feature – the storage of player positions – to give you the opportunity to run advanced queries such as – “show me Ozil’s baseline bps when playing as a No 10, with Sanchez as the central striker.”

That offers you a view as to the ambition of what we have planned.

We’re preparing the first steps, creating the Winning Goal stat and fixing other key stats like Caught Offside that’s currently returning false data.

We’re also adding Fantasy Assists to our database which will replace the standard Opta assists in our tables.

Once those building blocks are in place, we will create the BPS tables and then we plan to move to storing the line-up and player position data.

This is just the start. I’m delighted to welcome Mat to the team and, together with Ed, I now believe we have the “Development Squad” to take Fantasy Football Scout to a whole new level – not only as a Fantasy Football site, but also as a place for football statistics.

But we want you involved. We’re going to keep you up to date with progress on Mat’s tasks and we’re looking to you to help set our priorities.

BPS, heatmaps, expected goals – these are all features we can explore, all while Ed helps to implement further facelifts and improvements to our architecture. If you’ve a feature you want, let us know.

Thanks for your patience over recent seasons. Now we’ve strengthened the squad, we’re excited about what we can deliver.

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

1,427 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Shifty
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Sorry been out of touch with the latest news - what's the latest with Hazard?

    1. willgriggsonfire
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Nothing concrete, just guesses.

    2. George Sillett
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Virtually every other post saying swap him for Coutinho based on nothing but guesswork.

      1. We Will Klopp you
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Not really, it's logical because Haz has yet to be rested, with a cup final coming up what better a time to do it than Sunderland at Home?

        1. Lone Wolf FPL
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          this. he was often subbed and still he played 90mins last game.
          He will be benched vs Sun

        2. Sylas
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Really? He's got a week to rest. Would you have said the same if he didn't play the full 90 the other day?

        3. George Sillett
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          I think Conte will start his Cup Final attack . It is absolute guesswork both on my part and anyone else's as nobody truly knows what Conte will do.

  2. Konig Luther
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Would be so useful if i could save the move for next season....... don't see any thing else than use it on some defender

    Cech
    Yoshida Clichy Monreal
    Sanchez King Alli Fabregas Sane
    Jesus Kane

    Bench: Pickford, Benteke, Bailly, Blind

    Don't even want to bench Benteke

    1. Boris Bodega
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Cech to Mignolet?

    2. Duffy Dunk
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Matip for Bailly/Blind and play him over Clichy

      1. Konig Luther
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        probably it will be something like that..

        really wanted to take a punt on Wijnaldum, but no place.

    3. willgriggsonfire
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Team is good to go!

  3. b✪mber
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Play 2 please

    a) Clichy
    b) Bavies
    c) Yoshi

    1. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Bavies, Yoshida for me

    2. Duffy Dunk
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      BC

    3. Botman and Robben
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Bavies Clichy

    4. willgriggsonfire
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      B
      C

    5. Clifford☯
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      BC

    6. b✪mber
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers all

  4. willgriggsonfire
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Hi all!
    Cech
    Monreal Alonso Yosh
    Eriksen Sanchez Hazard King
    Jesus Kane Gabby
    (Caballero Stephens Kone Capoue)
    Do I keep Hazard or get Fabregas/Coutinho/Sane?
    0 ITB, 1 FT.
    Anything else you'd suggest?
    Thanks!

    1. willgriggsonfire
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Also, if that, then Gabby to Giroud for -4?

    2. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Perhaps Coutinho and i think it may worth the hit

      1. willgriggsonfire
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks, can't justify the hit though even with Gabby burning so badly.

        1. Our Tiny Windows
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          It's the last week. Just go for it.

        2. willgriggsonfire
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Yeah won't make much of a difference.
          Good 30 points from top 10k too.

        3. willgriggsonfire
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Oh dang!
          Just realized have 3 Arsenal already!
          Won't be doing a -8 defo! 😀

  5. Botman and Robben
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    0FT and 1.3ITB

    Caballero
    Monreal Lovren Bavies
    Zaha Sanchez(V) Alli Pedro King
    Costa Kane(C)

    Pickford Yoshida Gabbi Stephens

    1. All -> Couts worth a -4?
    2. Also play Yoshi and bench Monreal?

    1. willgriggsonfire
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      No, team is set for the GW.

  6. ABCDEFC
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    De Gea
    Yoshida, Luiz, Kompany
    Son, Alli, Coutinho, King, KDB
    Kane, Jesus

    Schmeichel, Stephens, Ayew, Baines
    1 FT 0.3m ITB

    15 points ahead of rival. What would you do?
    A) De Gea and David Luiz to Mignolet and Alonso(-4)
    B) De Gea and Alli to Mignolet and Lallana (-4)
    C) De Gea to Mignolet

    1. willgriggsonfire
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      C

    2. FP El Wonky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      C should be enough.

  7. AYLD28
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Really unsure what to do with my front 8. Feel like my entire midfield is poised for points this week.

    KDB, Ozil, Fabregas, King, Zaha
    Kane, Jesus

    King v a team who just conceded 6 and in form
    Zaha v a team who is likely to field the u19s

    I can bring in Coutinho in for King for a hit (with Gabbi > Vokes the enabler) but is it worth the moves? As I would then be also benching Zaha.

    Ultimately it's who will score more:

    1. Vokes + Coutinho
    2. Zaha + king + 4 points

    1. Clifford☯
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      2

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      2

      1. AYLD28
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        From a Liverpool fan that says something! I'm assuming haha

    3. Rash
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      id stick zaha against old club and kids could be fruitful

    4. willgriggsonfire
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      2

  8. Clifford☯
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Is Sturridge a better option than Giroud this week?

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      I think he is personally

    2. willgriggsonfire
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Yes.

    3. Duffy Dunk
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Do you imagine Sturridge doing his wave dance celebration 3 times this Sunday?

      1. Clifford☯
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

  9. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    New Home and Away Filters? Game-changer.

  10. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Who do you think will score more on Sunday?

    A Alli
    B Hazard

    1. Rash
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      If both start the B

    2. Clifford☯
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      B

      1. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks so would you say Alli to Coutinho may be better move than Hazard to Coutinho?

        1. Clifford☯
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Yep.

    3. Numb
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      A

    4. willgriggsonfire
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      A

  11. French Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Rank these players in order by highest points scored in GW38

    A)Hazard
    B)Alli
    C)Coutinho

    1. George Sillett
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      A
      B
      C
      Liverpool balls it up.

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      CAB

    3. willgriggsonfire
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      BCA

    4. Bubz
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      C
      A
      B

  12. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    CAB

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Destination?

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Sorry reply fail!

  13. Duffy Dunk
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone expecting Barnes to do anything?
    He's on my bench. If I was to start him, it'd be instead of King

    1. willgriggsonfire
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      No, West Ham solid in defense lately.

      1. Duffy Dunk
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah, they haven't conceded any goals since Monday

      2. willgriggsonfire
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        😀

  14. We Will Klopp you
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    1. Is Alli (have Eriksen) and Negredo worth a -4 to get KDB and Barnes (bench) in? Yes/No

    Team would be
    Heaton
    Cahill Stephens Yoshida
    Sanchez Coutinho Eriksen Sane KDB*
    Kane Jesus

    2. Alternative is Son in for Alli. Ignore if yes to 1

    3. Keep Alli

    1. willgriggsonfire
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      3

      1. We Will Klopp you
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers, gonna just consider a defensive transfer instead

  15. barracuda
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    44 more hrs of drinking......

    1. *sigh*
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      I'm with you pal

  16. leocarter27
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Who are people gonna captain this gameweek?

    I'm stuck between Kane, Jesus or Alexis

    1. We Will Klopp you
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Kane for me out of those

    2. karvs155
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Same here + maybe Cout

    3. willgriggsonfire
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Kane surely.
      Jesus against weakened Watford too a good option.

  17. karvs155
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Rival already on -4 from 3 transfers. Which makes him 20pt behind in total. Have no idea what he done. Guessing at least Cout in.
    What should I do? 1FT

    Me:
    Cech
    Yoshi Davies Alonso
    Haz Sanch Alli King Albrighton
    Kane Jesus

    Pick, gabbi, steph, blind

    He:
    Pick
    Yoshi Davies Kosc
    Sanch Alli King Sane
    Kane Jesus

    Valdes, Moses, Ake, gabbi

    1. willgriggsonfire
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Nothing pressing here.
      Haz to Cou just if you're worried about his game time.

    2. Rash
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Haz to cout to cover him

  18. LIARS POKER
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Need some advice on what transfer to make. Going to keep Zaha. Haz > Coutinho is the obvious one but thinking about risking it and hoping he starts. Not sure what to do.

    Also bench Yoshida/Holgate/Carroll?

    1ft 0.5itb

    Caballero Jaku
    Alonso Monreal Kompany Yoshida Holgate
    Sanchez Hazard Alli Zaha Carroll
    Kane Jesus Gabbi

  19. Lone Wolf FPL
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Pick one to play last GW

    a) Pedro
    b) Sane
    c) Gru

    1. redbeard
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Sane

    2. Duffy Dunk
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      b

  20. umerlfc
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Would you consider Mahrez a decent punt?

    1. UnitedFan
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

    2. Duffy Dunk
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      He cares more about his hairstyle(s) than helping his team

  21. AYLD28
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Pick 3 defenders:

    1. Alonso
    2. Monreal
    3. Kompany
    4. Matip
    5. Stephens

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      124

      1. AYLD28
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        I'm worried about benching Kompany

      2. AYLD28
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        If I own Cech too?

    2. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      wow, all 5 can get CS so pick the ones with a chance for a goal/assist = 1, 2 and 3 or 4 a coin flip

      1. AYLD28
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        I'm in such a tough situation this week. Who would you start from the below:

        Cech (Pick)
        Alonso, Matip, Kompany, Monreal, Kompany
        Ozil, KDB, Fabregas, Zaha, King
        Kane, Jesus, Gabbi

        I also have 1.9 itb and 1FT. I can bring in Cout for King with Gabbi to Vokes for a hit as an enabler but I think that gives me further headaches as I think Zaha and king are poised for points this week with the weak teams they are playing.

        What would you advice?

        1. AYLD28
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Stephens I mean not kompany

        2. Lone Wolf FPL
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          no hits. bench pick, stephens, matip, gabbi.
          personally I would make Ozil > Coutinho
          good luck

          1. AYLD28
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            How about Fabregas > Coutinho

            1. Lone Wolf FPL
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 5 months ago

              Fabs has big chance for starting but not bad idea too

  22. abaalan
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Best Defender this GW? Any price
    Best Midfielder this GW? Any price

    1. UnitedFan
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Alonso
      Eriksen

    2. Duffy Dunk
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Azpi
      Sanchez

    3. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Alonso
      Sanchez/Coutinho...Sanchez

  23. FPL Footy Show Pod
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Current lineup for the final game -
    Am I ready to go

    Caballero

    Azpi Monreal Vertonghen

    Sanchez Alli Coutinho King Albrighton

    Jesus Kane (C)

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Any better keeper?

  24. Cocky Spaniel Alves
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Play two out of these?

    A) Gabbiadini STK
    B) JWP STK
    C) Stephens STK
    D) Albrighton BOU

    1. FPL Footy Show Pod
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      C & D

    2. Clifford☯
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      CD

  25. MrPark
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    1 ahead in my ML.

    2nd place has Kane.

    Is it worth a -4 - Haz/Lukaku > Cout/ (K)ane?

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

  26. HD7
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Hi Managers 🙂

    Leader is within 3 points, was 100 points behind 3 weeks ago (small matter he has the bench boost but I I will give my best)

    My team: after Hazard to Coutinho

    Cech
    Alonso Kompany Yoshi Stephens
    Sanchez Coutinho Ali King
    Kane Jesus

    Subs: Pickford Gabbi Albrighton Smith

    Leader Team: (Dont what his transfer/s gonna be)

    Cech
    Stephens Mawson Holding
    Sanchez Hazard Ali Sane Eriksen
    Jesus Kaku

    Subs: Jaku Barnes Tarkowski Smith

    Wondering if it is profitable to make Gabbi to Giroud for -4 and play 3-4-3 or just leave it like this ...

    Your suggestions in in order to complete an epic win ?

  27. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    This is the only clue in Conte's press conference that he will play a strong side. He wants the 30 wins record and to prepare for the FA Cup final.

    "On Sunday we have two targets, to try to win the 30 games in this league, which is an unbelievable target for us and also to help Thibaut win the Golden Gloves. Also to prepare in the right way for the final of the FA Cup ..."

    Slim pickings. Not sure what to do about Hazard. A lot of uncertainty.

    1. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Who's leading the golden gloves list? I thought De Gea was

      1. Rash
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        courtois leading

  28. VFORVANDETA
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Gtg or Costa to Giroud/Sturridge for hit?

    Caballero
    Alonso Kompany Yoshida
    Sanchez (C)outinho King Eriksen
    Kane Costa Jesus

    Pickford Stephens T.Caroll Gabriel
    ft 2.7itb

  29. Rash
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    RE:
    Really struggling what to do here

    Cech (willy)
    alonso holding stephens (yosh holgate)
    eriksen sanchez KDB fabregas (king)
    vardy costa jesus

    1ft 0.9ITB

    vs

    +29
    foster
    luiz azpi bailly
    eriksen alli KDB sane
    jesus kane rashford (think this is now vokes)

    What can i do to try and win upto -4

    considered bringing kane back for vardy with KDB making way for Son to give me another diff or do i go without kane and get someone different and hope kane stays quiet??

  30. French Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Alisher Usmanov: Arsenal shareholder makes £1bn takeover bid to Stan Kroenke

    Skysports & BBC

    1. French Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      this would change everything...