An epic Wildcard guide proved amongst the week’s most popular posts as the community considered the drop or draft dilemmas. In this week’s round-up, we also revisit discussions on the pros and cons of the more complex Fantasy games, the potential trends which could emerge in the second half of the season, while moderator and Hall of Famer, Evs, offered his shortlist of “essentials”. As always, we also find time to discover who is rising and falling throughout our community’s leagues.
The Hottest Topics
It started with the words “Long Post Alert!!” but not one of the 1,400 words of Deadeye367’s Wildcard guide were wasted. This popular post covered some of the major factors to be considered when Wildcarding, such as rotating goalkeepers and creating a strong spine of heavyweights throughout your squad. Essential stuff.
Another Wildcard issue being considered this week was whether Fantasy managers are being too hasty in ditching their quality players. Everton’s stuttering striker, Romelu Lukaku, is certainaly among those being considered for the chop. HeyDudes13’s discussion on just what to do with Lukaku provided a chance for his naysayers to emerge with Beavis, Nomar, Lazarus and Little Z among those ready to ditch.
Manchester United’s teenage sensation Adnan Januzaj is another potentially earmarked for the scrap heap, although it appears he still has a sizeable fanbase among the community. Rotation fears, stronger budget options and a Gameweek 28 blank for both Manchester United and City were key factors raised in our Januzaj discussion.
If that pair look under threat, it’s pretty clear that the twin firepower of Daniel Sturridge and Sergio Aguero are high on the most wanted list. Can the Liverpool and City pair rekindle their tri-force with Suarez in Fantasy Football’s own SAS combo? Their goalscoring heroics in yesterday’s games certainly strengthened their case and prompted further investment. Earlier this week, RonH and Hot Sauce were among those talking up the “SAS”, although Hyndman was more doubtful, speaking out on the merits of saving cash for midfield investment.
As we moved into the second half of the season, Dufflinks was on hand to look at some trends that are likely to emerge as the Gameweeks roll by. A host of scenarios were considered, including whether the so-called “big” teams would tighten up at the back and if a relegation scrap would promote the use of the target man and long-ball.
While that discussion may have you considering some Wildcard differentials, Evs was on hand to give you his view on those players who have established “essential” status. We’re not sure what qualifies the guy to be so bold – except perhaps the fact that he’s currently on target for a fourth top-2k finish in five seasons having ranked fifth overall last term. Yeah – best listen up.
Finally, at the other end of the Fantasy Premier League rank spectrum, Mark asked the community for their views on the complexity of Fantasy games and whether you’re put off by those that involve captain and starting XI changes during a Gameweek. Marr revealed he is a big fan of such complex games, most notably the Sky Sports effort. While MJ6987 was amongst those who felt that the added layer of involvement is too much of a commitment.
The Community Tournaments
Teltzham leads the charge in HeelsOverHead’s Worst To First 2Million + Club, a tournament for teams of an overall rank below 2,000,000 in the first five Gameweeks,
Teltzham currently holds a rank of 35,118 going into Gameweek 22. Five teams were in the top 100,000 at the Gameweek 21 stage.
Torres Magic’s Last Man Standing league lost a further 24 managers at the end of Gameweek 21, leaving 247 to fight on. To enter any of TM’s leagues click here.
Those topping the “Long and Winding Road” (LAWR) leagues after Gameweek 21 were Evs, Christina, Minty, Giggs Boson, Demented Flamingo, Champ and Athletico Timbo. The 127-strong main LAWR league leader is Beric.
Our moderators Evs and Athletico Timbo were also pre-Gameweek 22 league leaders in In Tommy We Trust’s All Things leagues. Others topping his leagues were Bootsy, Crouch Potato, Jambo17 and Koneheads.
Evs also continued to lead the Old Farts Club league, the 27 -trong league featuring the community’s elder-statesmen and women. Meanwhile, Athletico Timbo snatched the lead from DonTheSpecialOne in the Fantasy Football Scout veterans competition the Puffinboy Memorial Cup, named after one of this site’s first posters.
In the Iron Man competition, for those taking part in multiple games, some chap called Jonty sits on top in the Fantasy Premier League part of the competition, while Gigging Order continues to top the Sky Sports game but has lost his Metro league lead to FFS mod, In Like Flynn.
Meanwhile in the FFS Moderators and Contributors league standings, Evs and Athletico Timbo shared top spot ahead of Gameweek 22, having made the same number of transfers. New recruit to the editorial team Swanny14 joins the league in pole position for the wooden spoon. His fellow new editorial recruit 7ShadesofSmoke faired much better and was a new entry at number four after Gameweek 21. Any claims that Mark recruited both to keep him off the bottom are vehemently refuted.
