With they symptoms of double Gameweek fever in full effect, the majority of hot topics continued to focus on the potentially lucrative set of fixtures in Gameweek 31. However, there were still plenty of other pursuits to occupy us, most notably a controversial assist, mini-league prizes and an alphabetically challenging five-a-side tournament. We revisit these discussions and take a look at the latest activity in our community competitions, with a focus this week on those dedicated to the Fantasy Premier League’s most improved managers.
The Hottest Topics
We couldn’t let the week go by without taking another look at the fall-out from its most controversial incident – namely the belatedly awarded Luis Suarez assist.
To recap, on Sunday night, Suarez’s assist for Rafael’s handball in Liverpool’s win at United was not credited by the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), leaving many of those who captained the Uruguayan in a distraught state as they retired for the evening. However, come the morning, the FPL reviewed the situation and, despite announcing confirmed scores on Sunday night, addressed the issue by mid-morning. Andy’s breakdown, just hours after the whistle at Old Trafford, offered a superb explanation as to the reasoning behind the decision – pure consistency. His account of all the assists given for handballs so far this season proved one of the week’s most popular posts, not least among Suarez’ captainers.
While all bets are now off on Gameweek 31, we just had to acknowledge Fortunesalwayshiding’s extraordinary analysis of Newcastle’s Paul Dummett from earlier in the week. Regardless of whether the information will be of use to us from this point on, the sheer effort and the fact that it’s unlikely that the unfashionable Dummett has ever had so much attention, warrants us paying it some further kudos.
Bandwagons have been inevitable whilst in the grip of a double Gameweek, so Scratch’s hot topic in midweek offered a timely and, as it happened, a rather prophetic warning on jumping eagerly on the top targets from the week. He advised us all to show caution when assessing David Silva following his haul at Hull and, as it turned out, one match and a single assist into Gameweek 31, there will be more than a few wondering if their investment was a wise one. There was certainly some sound logic on show – wise words ahead of the Gameweek 34 doubles, perhaps.
Elsewhere there was some concerted effort to wean the community off the topic of Gameweek 31: The Tinkerman was on hand to look ahead to the rest of the season, and in particular the effect that teams with little motivation could have on the final Premier League table. His analysis of these potential mid-table minnows, such as Newcastle, Stoke and Aston Villa, took a look at the sides due to meet them during the run in. He ponders whether they could prove to be pushovers when pitted against teams fighting relegation or pushing for a place in Europe.
Assessing such long-term issues can prove crucial to mini-league glory and Agbonlahorse took the opportunity this week to find out a bit more about the community’s competitions and, in particular, the prizes at stake. For Kingpin, mini league victory is worth a whopping £700, although he faces a tough climb to victory as going into Gameweek 31 he was ranked 100 out of 200 contenders. Whitman 2013 is in better Fantasy Football health, currently in first place in his mini-league, which awards a wallet-splitting £625 to the winner.
To underline just how we craved double Gameweek distraction, this week’s busiest hot topic was Funkyav’s alphabetical five-a-side game, which demanded that we construct teams of footballers using the first two letters of their surname. This resulted in over 120 replies at the time of writing.
Finally, it wouldn’t be a Sunday night round-up without another discussion of the FPL ruleset. This week it was Sinik’s turn to canvas opinion, suggesting that extra points be thrown our way depending on a player’s position. Are the FPL testing the water with the Ultimate FPL rules?
The Community Tournaments
Teltzham Hotspurs continues to provide inspiration to all those with a lowly rank. He remains in first place in HeelsOverHead’s Worst to First – 2 Million+ Club, for teams with an overall rank below two million in the first five Gameweeks. Going into Gameweek 31, he had an impressive overall rank of 2,189. There are seven teams now in the top 100,000 and Bales of Fury has also joined Teltzham Hotspurs in the top 10,000.
There are more ascending heroes in Kings of Lyon’s Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? league, for those outside the top 1,000,000 at the Gameweek 8 mark. Going into Gameweek 31, 60 of the 65 entrants are now within the top 1,000,000 and 16 players, including Kings of Lyon, were in the top 100,000. Top of the league is Elizabeth Genius who, with a rank of 8,961, is the first to breach the top 10,000.
In AZ’s Non Qualifiers Cup, for those who failed to qualify for our own Paddy Power cups, AH67 was the highest scorer during Gameweek 30’s round, with a tally of 69. JameswestPot, Danny Rex25, King of burgers, Hagop, Lazarus and OcProdigy all went into Gameweek 31 having won all three of their group matches.
In TorresMagic‘s leagues, 54 remain in his Last Man Standing competition with The Elite 64 draw made once Gameweek 31 is complete.
Finally, the Fantasy Football Scout’s contributors and moderators league welcomed a new leader after Gameweek 30, with Spencer snatching top spot from Gaz Downright by a slender three points. Sadly for Mark, the ScoutCast team overtook him again tonight thanks to Adam Lallana’s goal.
