Fixtures

Fixture Analysis – 2017/18 – A Guide To Rotation

As we near July and the launch of all the major Fantasy games, we begin to step up our pre-season preparations and analysis of the fixture list, in particular.

We’ll start by exploring the basic principles involved in fixture rotation – a strategy practised, or at least used, by many Fantasy Premier League managers when considering initial squads.

The Concept

Selecting assets according to fixture rotation is a strategy that can only be applied to squad-based Fantasy games. It’s also often restricted to the assessment of goalkeepers, defenders and assets in the budget end of the market.

The idea is to simply find a couple of low-cost players whose fixtures dovetail, either to offer successive home matches or, at the very least, a prolonged spell of favourable opponents. This allows for the selection of one player – with the other asset benched – to guarantee us a home encounter or a strong fixture.

A rotation policy tends to focus on the acquisition of budget options, mainly because many Fantasy managers will resist benching mid-price assets.

Those playing games limited to just a starting XI – such as Sky Sports – won’t need to turn to this strategy. But for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, rotation can be a useful variable to consider when compiling an initial squad and, as we will see, it can be effective.

Above all, it can help maximise the points returns from two budget options – freeing up funds for big investment elsewhere.

Has home advantage become less reliable?

In previous seasons we’ve played down the effectiveness of acquiring a pair of players – in goal or defence – that alternate home fixtures.

The consensus was that a home match was becoming less reliable as a guarantee of points. However, the data from 2016/17 appears to contradict that opinion.

As the table below illustrates, last season was something of an outlier when it comes to the likelihood of defensive returns.


SeasonCS Home %GC Home %CS Away %GC Away %
2012/1358.0044.3142.0055.69
2013/1459.0543.1640.9556.84
2014/1558.9342.5641.0757.44
2015/1657.2144.7442.7955.26
2016/1761.2142.9538.7957.05


The percentage of home clean sheets was at 61% – higher than it has been over the last five seasons. Elsewhere, the percentage of goals conceded at home dropped from 44.7% in 2015/16 to 42.9%.

While in 2015/16 there were eight clubs who conceded more or the same number of goals away from home, last season we saw just one team achieve this – champions Chelsea.

Antonio Conte’s defence conceded 17 at Stamford Bridge and just 16 on their travels. Every other team conceded fewer goals in home matches.

We have to conclude that, when it comes to predicting clean sheets, the home fixture strengthened last season.

It also seems that the reliability of clean sheets has become slightly easier to predict, with evidence again suggesting that home advantage became more of a factor.


Clean Sheets – Home and Away split

TeamHomeAwayDiff2015/16 Diff
 TOT12573
 WHM8261
 ARS9452
 LEI7253
 SWA6247
 CPL5234
 EVE853-4
 MID743N/A
 STO7430
 WAT5235
 BOU6421
 BRN642N/A
 SOT8621
 SUN4223
 WBA422-1
 CHE880-3
 LIV6601
 HUL23-1N/A
 MUN89-16
 MCI57-2-4



Looking at the table, only five teams – Chelsea, Liverpool, Hull City, Manchester United and Manchester City – failed to produce more clean sheets at home than away.

Aside from relegated Hull, this was mainly due to their record being so strong on the road rather than down to huge failings at home. Certainly Manchester United and Chelsea presented outstanding potential both home and away.

Manchester City are clearly a unique case – they have now produced more clean sheets away from home for two successive seasons and that could be a factor to consider heading into the new campaign.

Further up the table, Spurs reigned supreme for home defensive reliability, building on their 2015/16 performance. The likes of Everton, Arsenal, West Ham and Stoke City also strengthened – all would be handy providers of defensive assets this time around should they extend their home form in 2017/18.

For more analysis of clean sheets from last season, we highly recommend Giggs Boson’s recent community article.

2016/17 Home Rotation

By default, there should be ten pairings that alternate home fixtures perfectly. These are often decided by geographical proximity, created by the need to spread police resourcing.

So Arsenal/Spurs, Everton/Liverpool and Manchester United/Manchester City are always destined to rotate in this way – barring any fixture postponements later in the season.

However, these are rarely popular combinations when it comes to rotation because of the price tags associated with their assets.

The other pairings – as mentioned in a hot topic by Ludo – are the more likely source to guide our rotation selections.

However, since Ludo’s post, we’ve lost two of those pairings due to the re-arrangement of early fixtures. Southampton’s visit to West Ham United – previously scheduled for Gameweek 2 – has now been switched to St Mary’s.

This means that the combinations between Bournemouth and Southampton and Watford and West Ham are now flawed in terms of offering 38 successive home matches. They are, of course, still worthy of consideration.


Perfect Home Rotation Pairings

Team 1Team 2
ArsenalTottenham
BrightonHuddersfield
BurnleyChelsea
Crystal PalaceStoke City
EvertonLiverpool
LeicesterNewcastle United
Manchester CityManchester United
Swansea CityWest Bromwich Albion


The team pairings listed in the table can provide the foundation for any rotation strategy. However, it is worth stressing again that it pays to look beyond the simple concept of home fixture rotation and consider fixture difficulty – this can often reveal stronger combinations.

The Stopper Solutions

Arguably, a rotation policy is most effective when applied to the goalkeeping position.

This is because many FPL managers like to overlook the option of the expensive ‘one-stop shop’ option in goal, seeking out mid-price and budget solutions that can perhaps work in tandem according to fixture.

The FPL scoring system seems to promote this tactic, with save and bonus points proving such a crucial factor.

This was highlighted by Tom Heaton’s appeal in 2016/17, with the Burnley skipper ranking top for goalkeepers with 149 points, despite claiming just 10 clean sheets.

Priced at just 4.5, he trailed both Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois (16) and Spurs’ Hugo Lloris (15) for shut-outs but easily surpassed them for save points and bonus. Heaton collected 32 points from saves and 21 bonus – dwarfing Courtois (13 and 0) and Lloris (15 and 6).

The conclusion is that cheaper goalkeeping options can better their expensive rivals through saves and bonus points, thus promoting the use of two low-cost assets in rotation.

A guarantee of pitch-time is another factor that promotes the strategy. Barring unfortunate injuries, there is every chance of forming a partnership that can see us through a long period of the season.

From the off, FPL managers will no doubt be assessing the merits of the Brighton/Huddersfield Town pairing. Both will surely offer 4.5 keeper options, with save points helping to cover for a lack of clean sheets.

It’s worth noting that there is a third strategy available: the option of selecting a single team and backing both first choice and reserve stoppers.

This can work when either injury or lack of form plays a part in the respective team’s selection in goal. Last season, for example, West Ham rotated between Adrian and Darren Randolph, and selecting both would have guaranteed cover of the Hammers keeper position.

Build from the back

Before selecting goalkeeper pairings, it is vital also to consider what’s on offer from their respective defences. While you may decide that budget and mid-price keepers is the way to go, there could be defensive options in those sides that can provide some attacking threat at a similar price point.

As an example, a Ben Foster pairing with Lukasz Fabianski would offer perfect home coverage throughout next season via the West Brom and Swansea City pairing. However, with Craig Dawson and Alfie Mawson available in defence as possible alternatives – as a pair or more likely as individual selections – their goal threat could sway your decision.

In many ways, it’s best to settle on your defensive selections first. Find those who can fit a rotation strategy who may also offer up the potential of attacking returns. At that point, revisit the goalkeeping spots and scan the coverage options that remain.

We should also be prepared to revise our rotation pairings once the season begins.

Each year we see injury or a surprise team selection decision unearth a budget gem, and these players should certainly be our targets when considering rotation – even if it means scrapping our initial pairing.

Three-way rotation is another consideration at this point. Arguably, by grouping a trio of cheap defenders who offer at least one strong fixture between them, we give ourselves greater flexibility when deploying a three-man defence alongside two heavy-hitters.

The principle is the same: you’re seeking out three teams that combine to always ensure either a home match or a favourable opponent over a prolonged number of Gameweeks – or even across the entire season.

Attacking Flair

Rotation in the attacking positions is worth investigating but, due to the rapidly fluctuating form in midfield and attack, it is arguably far more difficult to settle on a pairing, even for a short period.

There is the option to rotate the fourth and fifth midfielders in our squad, having recruited three heavy-hitters. This can also be extended to include the third forward and work as a three-way rotation, or it can be a restricted to a fifth midfielder working with a third striker.

The pairings listed above all offer possibilities for attacking rotation – not least Brighton and Huddersfield and – for those willing to splash the funds – perhaps a Matt Phillips/Fernando Llorente job share to exploit the West Brom/Swansea City pairing.

That proposed partnership help illustrate the perils of a rotation policy, however.

Phillips claimed two of his three double-digit hauls away from home, while Llorente earned 13 points away to Liverpool. If you commit to the idea of rotation – particularly in attacking areas – be prepared for some frustrating Gameweeks.

We will touch on the possibilities when we discuss specific rotation pairs in follow-up articles.

Appraising Last Season’s Pairings

So can rotation pairings deliver results?

Checking back 12 months, in addition to an equivalent to this article, we looked at four solutions in detail.

These were Crystal Palace and West Ham United, Bournemouth and Watford, Hull City and Middlesbrough and Burnley and West Brom.

In the articles, we promoted the rotation these teams offered up to Gameweek 20 – the point where the second FPL Wildcard became available. Only one of these pairings put forward – Bournemouth and Watford – offered perfect home rotation.

The table below lists the number of home matches used and the clean sheets gained up until Gameweek 20.

2016/17 PairingHome Matches to GW38Home Matches to GW20CS To GW20
Crystal Palace & West Ham24165
Hull City & Middlesbrough34145
Burnley & West Brom36174
Bournemouth & Watford38126

As we can see, the results are hardly spectacular and, interestingly, it’s the Bournemouth and Watford partnership that came out on top for clean sheet returns.

On first glance then, had we embarked on a rotation of goalkeepers or defenders based on these pairings, by Gameweek 20 and the second Wildcard, we’d almost certainly be hatching exit plans.

However, on closer inspection, the partnership between Bournemouth and Watford emerged as an outstanding prospect when we focused on two specific assets.

The Holebas/Smith Combination

By pairing Jose Holebas of Watford and Adam Smith of Bournemouth – two 4.5 targets – we could have achieved a very strong return over the season.

Simply electing to play the defender with the home fixture over the 38 Gameweeks, the partnership would have produced 136 points in total. That’s a better tally than the top-ranked 4.5 defender – West Brom’s Gareth McAuley – who produced 130 points.

In a nutshell, by rotating these two players, you would have gained the equivalent of a defender who ranked fifth overall in the FPL standings – just six points behind Kyle Walker, who cost 5.5.

It’s certainly not unrealistic to suggest that we would have considered this pair of full-backs given their price point, although their nine assists combined – all recorded in home matches – is perhaps an unexpected return.

Having said that, we’re overlooking the fact that we would have missed out on Holebas’ biggest haul of the season – the 15 points away at Middlesbrough. Feasibly, we may well have elected to play the Watford defender for that fixture, boosting the pair’s final tally further.

This success story goes some way to confirming that rotation can work. However, like all our decisions, it still relies heavily on the correct player selection. Certainly, Smith and Holebas benefited from those home assists, ranking top for that metric in home matches among FPL defenders.

Using the Fixture Ticker

While the Holebas/Smith pairing promotes the use of simple home rotation, we must also strive to look beyond these and consider fixture difficulty.

As of last season, we added a new rotation feature to the members’ Fixture Ticker that certainly aids this process.

By selecting any team in the Ticker and hitting “Sort by Rotation”, you will now see teams ranked according to their suitability for rotation with the highlighted team.

You can apply this using both the attacking and defence filters to analyse rotation pairings in attack and defence. Be sure to check out this chapter of our preview movie to see the rotation feature in action.

Over the next couple of weeks, we will be presenting our guides to some of the strongest rotation pairings on offer and discussing the potential assets available when considering the keeper slots, defensive set-up and even options in the final third.

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

504 Comments Post a Comment
  1. PvA
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Do you take any screenshots at the end of a season before that data gets wiped? For example, GW history where you can see all of your GW/OR ranks as the season goes on.

    1. Dreams
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Yes. I take screenshots of some ones I like the most.

      1. PvA
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Someone else's?

        It's tough, because there isn't a way to put a reason behind the numbers - unless you take a screenshot of every team from every week.

        1. Dreams
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          I don't take screenshots. But I do write down some of the transfers they've made and try to assess the logic behind the move.

    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      You've just reminded me to do so - thanks!

    3. Dokdok666
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Yes. Also of transfers and of my team GW1 and the weeks I WC'ed

    4. meerlight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Sadly, each year I maintain a spreadsheet of points scored, rank, etc. so that I can monitor my progress through the season (and compare with previous seasons). It has graphs and everything :sigh:

  2. PvA
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    As the season kicks off on the 12th of August, which date do you think the game will be released on?

    RP

    1. Arn De Gothia
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      10 of july

    2. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      10th or 11th probably.

      1. meerlight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Mark pretty much ruled out the 10th and the 14th.

        1. GreenWindmill
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah, I noticed that 🙂

  3. noquarternt
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Does anyone actually use defensive rotations? There's always lots of talk here preseason, then no one mentions it until next preseason.

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I think lots start off with rotation and good intentions. All that goes out of the window after a few weeks when we can see which way the wind's blowing.

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

        Yeah I think you're right. A good team template will form fairly quickly and that's the end of that. Quite funny really, everyone talking about all their differentials, saying they'll start with Fabregas etc then when someone invetiably gets ~15 points in the first GW everyone jumps onto them.

        I guess the message is to be as adaptable as possible and don't push yourself into a corner.

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          It's extremely difficult to judge in the first few weeks whether an early high scoring player is the genuine season long article (think Michu, Mahrez) or whether he's fool's gold (think Lamela, Barkley and many more)

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Barring any injury/suspension, I do follow my rotating defense

      But my main target is to get a well set defense with which I can survive till first WC. Dont want to waste transfer on defense...

    3. Johqvist
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I'm going for 4-4-2 this season (at least first couple of GWs) so I won't rotate too much. Maybe my 4th and 5th defender.

    4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Did my first fpl season 16/17. Once i started to rotate my defence i did alot better.

      1. SWANCK
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Where did you finish Orrelol?
        Was my first FPL season last year too

        1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          141,263

    5. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I do. Goalkeepers and third defender. I also like to have my weaker midfielders playing at home where possible.

      1. mad_beer ✅
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        I do this as well. I like to know I have two defenders that will play every week.

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

          Well your squad wouldn't be great if you didn't have to playing defenders each week 😀

          1. mad_beer ✅
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Wise guy! 🙂

    6. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I always plan at the start with a pair of gks that rotate plus 3rd and 4th defender. Something like

      GK 4.5 and 4.5 which rotate
      DEF 6M and 5M (Play every week) 4.5 and 4.5(play one each week and a 4.0

      To be honest though I have played my WC every season around GW4/5, not planned to but prices move quick, start with a few duds, some bargains are unearthed.

      With this in mind im thinking about actually planning to play my WC in GW 4/5. That would mean pick an intial squad with great fixtures for the first 4 GW's

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

        Picking a squad with great fixtures seems like a good idea regardless of WC plans 😉

        1. Joggers Nipple
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          True, but I start pre season planning with rotation and fixtures with say about the first 15 weeks in mind. Then every year i play the WC in 4/5. So for me, why bother looking long term!

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

            Exactly. I do the same. I know I'm probably gonna WC in the first international break to gain some TV aswell so I might aswell just look at the first 3-5 fixtures.

    7. Boris Bodega
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I will definitely plan for a cheap rotating defence for the first 10 GWs, and fingers crossed keep my wildcard until then.

  4. Woy of the Wovers
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    I don't think there's anything in this article that supports rotation. If anything, it probably demonstrates that it isn't worth it

    1. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I think it's worth it as a guide to initial selection - if you're going to swap your third defender in and out, why not do so in line with fixtures?

      However, I think, as mentioned in the chat above, best-laid plans are often scrapped once the season starts to unfold and overwhelming bargains are surfaced.

      It would be interesting to hear from anyone who did maintain a rotation pair over a long period and the Smith/Holebas case demonstrates that it can work.

      1. Woy of the Wovers
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        The logic behind rotation cheap players is easy to grasp but the evidence here suggests it's not worth the effort. I'm sure there's plenty of cases we could find where 2x4.5 rotating defenders outscore the best 4.5 or 5.0 alternative over a shorter period but we'd need a huge slice of luck to pick those two players at the right time.

        I'd say the stronger argument for having two players rotating rather than a 4.0 bench warmer is for insurance.

  5. Jafalad
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    I have bookmarked the above article.

    It is that good.

  6. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    To those that know more about European football than I. West Ham being linked with Mario Lemina (Juve), Luis Muriel (Sampdoria) and to a lesser extent, Thorgan Hazard (Borussia M'gladbach).

    Anyone know much about them? Any good?

    1. QPRUTD
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Muriel was pretty good on FIFA 14. That's all I know 😉

  7. kenzo.
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    When you are considering value for a player,
    A. How much do you value 1m?
    B. is it the same for DEF, MID, FWD?

    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      The most value is usually in D. Anything under 5 mill is usually good value.

      You have to pay for quality with Ms and Fs so value goes out the window. However, we are now entering the realms of the VORPists and they failed to show up last season when they were most needed.

      I am still busy rounding them all up.

      1. kenzo.
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        I dont think i phrased my first question properly.... i meant

        In terms of points how much would you value 1m?

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Like responders are saying, such a general question is meaningless.

          We agonise over 0.5m when choosing a goalkeeper whereas it's nothing for a striker.

          1. kenzo.
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            yes hence i wanna try to understand what 1m would mean in terms of points for different positions

            1. Andy_Social
              • 11 Years
              6 years, 9 months ago

              Analyse the FPL column Value (season). It tells you how many points per million each player earned.

              1. kenzo.
                • 9 Years
                6 years, 9 months ago

                cheers

                1. kenzo.
                  • 9 Years
                  6 years, 9 months ago

                  just checked and it uses base 0 which isnt very helpful

        2. @FPL_Chess
            6 years, 9 months ago

            20 points over the season. If 100m gives you around 2000 points, then divide both sides by 100. Gives you 1m and 20 points. I hope that's what you meant.

      2. meerlight
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        The weighting decreases the further forward you move. so 1m invested in a defender is worth more than when invested in a mid which is worth more that when invested in a forward. which is why the template is 24m/38m/29m which, per player translates to 4.8m/7.6m/9.7m

        1. kenzo.
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          yeah thats right... so now how much would you value 1m in all 3 categories not taking into account captaincy

    2. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      If Aubameyang leaves BVB for China, Lacazette is rumoured to be their first choice replacement

    3. meerlight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Nathan Redmond's penalty miss yesterday pretty much sums up how I feel about him as a fantasy prospect.

      He has attacking threat. He can run passed defenders. He can cross the ball. But, when it comes to the steely nerve of sticking the ball in the back of the net, that edge just isn't there.

      Saints have a decent start to the season, and I expect Redmond to be decently priced at 6m again, but I'm hoping to find a better option for the start of the season. Having said that, I did start with him last year and thought that I was on two a winner, but that GW1 performance was soon forgotten by a drab sequence of matches where his performance left an awful lot to be desired and I got rid on my GW4 WC.

      Any of you considering punting on Redmond?

      1. Jafalad
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Nope. There was a big move on him last pre-season and he turned out to be a dud then and will now.

        Just not heavy enough for ff.

      2. Joggers Nipple
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        I do have him in mind for perhaps the 4th mid spot to go with a SOT defender for their nice start. It is more in hope than expectation. Wish Ward Prouse could nail a start!

        1. meerlight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          I agree. Hopefully, under de boer he can nail down that spot. He is an option, IF he can get a consistent run of starts

      3. Johqvist
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        I'm looking at either Tadic or Redmond and a defender. Maybe even Forster aswell since I'll probably WC in GW 4-5.

        1. meerlight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Tadic, is worse than redmond. At a push I'd go for redmond, but tadic is no better and costs more.

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

            Deep inside I know you're right. I just wanna have a reason for having him in my team again. Might just avoid.

      4. Boris Bodega
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        In a word, no.

        1. meerlight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          never say no (unless its for evans)

      5. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        No, but do you think JWP covered himself in glory? He might be a tasty differential. I'd wait to see if the new manager rates him and starts him though.

        1. FC Lackless [BALEGIUM]
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          These guys haven't had much of a rest which is not ideal.

      6. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Not for me. Had Redmond and Lamela for GW1 - 3. Both gone permanently after my WC in GW4.

    4. Johqvist
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Who is your GW 1 captain?

      1. Kings of Lyon ★
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Benteke

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

          I like that pick.

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

        Mbappe 😉

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

          What if they face Barcelona? 😉

      3. FC Lackless [BALEGIUM]
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        kane

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah, 'Arry.

      4. Jafalad
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Ideally someone from CHS but there's no obvious contenders.

        Kane at NEW may do well but he is usually slow at the beginning of the season.

        Lukaku at home to STK maybe. Just not sure.

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

          Would you want Lukaku in your team for their first 5 fixtures even though they play Stoke in the first one?

          1. Jafalad
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            No. Just looked at the week 1 fixxies.

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

              So he's not gonna be you captain then. Who was next in line?

              1. Jafalad
                • 14 Years
                6 years, 9 months ago

                CHS/Kun/Alexis

      5. bojack
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Probably Sanchez or Agüero if they stay where they are.

      6. andy85wsm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Morata

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

          Seems done now right?

          1. andy85wsm
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            To be honest I'm trying not to read anything into any transfers. It's so early on in the window - papers need something to write about.

            It feels like one of those transfers that will eventually go through but until it does I'm not holding out hope 🙂

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

              Yup I agree. I see a lot of people (Liverpool fans in particular since I'm a supporter aswell) that seem to think this is already a failed transfer window.

              I used to try and read every rumour I could but nowadays I keep reminding myself that I'll find out when the transfers are made.

    5. bojack
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Didi Hamman has a pop at the FA on Twitter saying they've not invested in youth development. Didn't we just win the U20 World Cup, or did he miss that.

      1. A.T
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Bit unfair to say Germany were in a different class to England I thought. Both teams were pretty poor last night. The idea some in the media who thought England could win the tournament was laughable when all the best players weren't picked. It's the Spanish that are in a different class at this level.

    6. andy85wsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Morning all

      Passed my driving test early this morning - happy days! 🙂

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

        Good job! 🙂

      2. Kings of Lyon ★
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Congratulations brother

      3. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Congratulations - well done!

      4. Jafalad
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Excellent - you can taxi me about now when I need a DD. 😉

        1. andy85wsm
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          😀

      5. jmcclory123
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Congrats

      6. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Congratulations Andy! 🙂

      7. Mattias
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Congrats... don't look for a points haul though

      8. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        nice one. You getting a run around or something nice?

        1. andy85wsm
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          We have a focus, that will do for now. Getting old enough now but decent mileage left on it

      9. Dreams
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Congratulations Andy.

      10. @FPL_Chess
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Nice one Andy, and keep up the right-shoulder check when switching lanes, and turning right. Look out for fast moving motorbikes in your blind spot. Many congrats.

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

        Stupid question, ignore when answered: When are the fixtures rearranged? Every fixture says "Saturday - 15.00" at the PL homepage.

        1. Mark
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 17 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Not sure, I think the process takes a while as the Broadcasters carry out their bidding war for Burnley vs Huddersfield Town.

          That will be a classic now, you watch.

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

            Thanks, both.

      12. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Who will be your premium defender in GW1?

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

          Probably Valencia or Bailly. You?

          1. FPL Virgin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Moses. And maybe Milner, too. I'm struggling to cope with the huge amount of choice in defence.

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

              Definitely Milner should he bla bla bla. Moses could be great aswell depending on price. I'm starting 4-4-2 this yeah, looking at something like Valencia - Cedric - Dawson - PVA.

              1. FPL Virgin
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 9 months ago

                I wish I had the minerals to go 4-4-2. So many defenders I want and I'm a bit meh about the options in midfield and attack. I feel like everyone will have the same midfielders and attackers more or less - defence is where you can really get a run on everyone else.

        2. Speédy
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Utd guy and/or Arsenal guy

        3. Jafalad
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Alonso.

          1. FPL Virgin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Big Rotation risk.

        4. UnitedFan
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Bailly

          1. FPL Virgin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Are you sure you can handle his immense goal threat?

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

              Yes, that's a worry. But United defence looks essential given their record and fixtures. Might go with Lindelof since I think he'll be 5.5, but his lack of bonus potential according to relatively lower CBI and tackle stats compared to Bailly etc is also a worry. We'll see.

              1. FPL Virgin
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 9 months ago

                Who will be nailed as left back/wing back for United? Could Shaw redeem himself?

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

                  I think Darmian will start the season there assuming he's with us. Had some impressive performances. Whether Shaw can usurp, we shall see.

              2. Piggs Boson
                • 12 Years
                6 years, 9 months ago

                A CS is a CS, it doesn't matter where it comes from. So I wouldn't say any defence is essential early on, so long as you can find those 4pts elsewhere.

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

                  True, I would say Utd cleanies are more reliable/predictable.

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

                    *though

        5. andy85wsm
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Maybe it will be defenderS....

          So tough to decide, will be so many options.

          1. FPL Virgin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Could THREE premium wing backs be explosive? Or would it be a big waste of money?

            1. Now I'm Panicking
              • 9 Years
              6 years, 9 months ago

              Definitely an option IMO

              1. andy85wsm
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 13 Years
                6 years, 9 months ago

                I agree with this.

                Prices will be key.

        6. shirtless
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Bailly or Lindelof alongside Spurs or Chelsea. Trippier nailed on would be awesome!

      13. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Palace and Burnley rotation over the first 6 weeks...
        HUD WBA SWA CPL SOT HUD

        Tripling up Tosey-style would give you a nice set of fixtures for 6 weeks. We all know we're WCing before 6 weeks 😀

        .
        Hennessey(4.5) - Heaton(5.0)
        Yoshida(5.0) - PvA(5.0) - JWard(4.5) - Mee(4.5) - SWard(4.5)

        HUD
        SWA HUD HUD

        WBA
        WHM WBA WBA

        SWA
        hud SWA SWA

        CPL
        WAT CPL CPL

        .
        Do expect Palace to keep a few more CSs under De Boer?

        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Can we completely rule out Heaton getting points in tough away games?

          1. Piggs Boson
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            No.

            You could change it to a double up and just go for 4.5-4.0 in the keeper slots. Would free a Palace slot for Tekkers/Zaha.

            1. Piggs Boson
              • 12 Years
              6 years, 9 months ago

              Foster(4.5) - Myhill(4.0)
              Yoshida(5.0) - PvA(5.0) - JWard(4.5) - Mee(4.5) - SWard(4.5)

              BOU
              SWA HUD HUD

              brn
              WHM WBA WBA

              STO
              hud SWA SWA

              bha
              WAT CPL CPL

              WHM
              cpl SOT SOT

              .
              The amount of funds for the mid/fwd area would be nice... As the first bandwagons are almost always in those forward slots, keeping large pools of funds there makes it simple to hop on the trains in the single transfer.

              1. Mattias
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                6 years, 9 months ago

                What are Jack Stephens prospects for game time this season?

                1. Piggs Boson
                  • 12 Years
                  6 years, 9 months ago

                  No idea. Could be an option. Depends on signings.

        2. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Sounds like lots of eggs in a couple of weak baskets - I'd rather spread my cheapies across lots of teams personally 🙂

      14. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Twenty to eleven and still no fresh content and/or a H.T.

        The lack of consistency is making it impossible to plan my mornings around FFS 🙁

        1. andy85wsm
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          The hot topic is usually coincided with the article so one comes with the other 🙂

          1. FPL Virgin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            When can we expect it, Andy? The people are getting restless.

            1. andy85wsm
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 9 months ago

              "The people" or the "one person" ? 🙂

              I honestly don't know, same answer as yesterday - that would be a Paul / Mark job, maybe even Jonty.

              I'm sure it's coming

              1. FPL Virgin
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 9 months ago

                That's what she said.

        2. Mark
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 17 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          hehe, sorry, i wanted to give the rotation article that extra 30 minutes to catch the coffee morning crowd.

          Fantasy Football is big with the daytime TV circle.

          New article out at 11.

          1. FPL Virgin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Just on the rotation article, Mark.

            I'm thinking about it for my £4.5m 3rd and 4th budget defender.

            The only rotating teams I could see that wouldn't leave you at risk of leaving a big haul on the bench is Brighton and Huddersfield.

            But can Huddersfield be relied on for clean sheets at home? They seem pretty awful.

      15. shirtless
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Got immediately burnt in GW1 last year with my Heaton/Foster rotation, 13 points benched I think!

        Assuming Heaton is priced up this year I might go Foster/Myhill in nets if that's an 8.5 option.

        Defence of Bailly/Lindelof, Trippier/Alonso/VVD plus 4.5 4.5 4.0.

        1. andy85wsm
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          I did the same for the first 2 weeks I think.

          Benched Foster in GW1 (10) and then Heaton in GW2 (10). Oops! 🙂

          1. shirtless
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Ruins your start. I had Dawson and Keane too in a double rotation!

            Just noticed Brighton/Huddersfield though... 🙂

            1. andy85wsm
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 9 months ago

              Ah it's annoying but doesn't ruin anything, it happens.

        2. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Same happened to me and I decided to ditch one. I didn't get that one right either

      16. New post
      17. Sterling is £11Mill..…
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 7 months ago

        Good article on rotation here if anyone hasnt seen it