With an international break looming, the community was busy examining the upcoming flight schedules as Premier League players prepare to globetrot. Before suitcases can be packed, though, there’s the more pressing issue of Gameweek 11 as we look back on the community articles, members tables and hot topics that have been on hand to help identify the key players to consider for the weekend. As always, we also take time out to explore who is currently sunning themselves at the summits of our community leagues.
The Community Articles
Looking to free up some funds? Heels Over Head popped up this week with an excellent look at getting the most out of the two goalkeeping slots for the most limited budget possible. There were some more budget friendly players on offer in The Puntmaster‘s latest assessment of the weekend’s punts.
TM245 was also on hand to help out with captaincy decisions. His analysis of the most consistent and explosive options is a must read. Finally, The Sarjeant demanded our attention once again with his Form Gauge run down of the most prosperous teams at both ends of the pitch.
Don’t forget, if you’ve got some analysis, scout reports or features brewing, be sure to visit our community section to submit your article. We also offer £25 to the writer of the most popular article each month. Ludo’s research into Europa League Hangovers won October’s vote. If you missed it, his article is worth a read, particularly for those looking to invest in Tottenham players this weekend.
The Hottest Topics
With 45 points in his last three matches Arsenal’s midfielder Alexis Sanchez has been the must-have purchase for many Fantasy managers. Already this Gameweek more than 176,000 managers have drafted in the Chilean but, for many, a price tag of 10.7 makes him unaffordable. For Utd Gaal-Vanized bold action may be required, including swapping out another Fantasy favourite, Diego Costa. Your Mum’s Athletic isn’t convinced, however, he enquired whether Sanchez really is essential.
Southampton’s penalty taking midfielder Dusan Tadic is another player in demand this week. Armed with a stack of members tables, Doosra suggested that urgent investment is required to take advantage of Tadic’s strong underlying statistics and point scoring potential. Screaming Midget went even further in Bartowskis’s discussion on Southampton, arguing that, even when their fixtures stiffen, the south coast side’s strong form suggests assets like Tadic are worth clinging to.
West Ham is also a popular place to spend Fantasy cash this week, with Stewart Downing and Diafra Sakho the pick of their assets on show, according to AA7’s discussion on the best route into the Hammers attack. Sakho is among those to figure strongly in Arvin-ation’s look at teams’ most important players in terms of goal threat.
Harry Kane has also emerged as a surprisingly popular pick this week after he climbed off the bench to score Tottenham’s winner at Villa. Wakey was amongst those urging Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino to ensure the 4.8-priced Kane starts at home to Stoke this Sunday.
Looking ahead beyond this weekend’s fixtures, I popped into the UK’s departure lounges to assess the air miles set to be racked up by popular assets such as Angel Di Maria and Alexis Sanchez during the international break. Turns out quite a few South American stars are more likely to drive to their country’s matches than fly.
Liverpool are among those teams who have a favourable fixture run after the international break. In our discussion on the Mersyesiders’ poor form, Djerbil believes Daniel Sturridge’s return to fitness holds the key to their success over that upcoming schedule, though Berbinho’s Forehead is less optimistic about the summer recruits’ chances of digging the Reds out of a hole in his rundown of their good, bad and ugly recent transfers.
Even further ahead, MJ6987 was pondering the value of saving a wildcard for the post New Year double Gameweeks. Evs was among those who likes to hoard this potent weapon at all costs.
Back to this week and the community will be hoping Toon Army HTL can turn around its fortunes in the Scout Picks, where each week a Community Champion is chosen to go up against myself, Mark and Paul’s picks. There’s the added bonus of a £100 Amazon voucher to the Champion who can muster the best Gameweek score (first ten matches in a double Gameweek).
One of our most discussed hot topics this week looked at experience and what the years of playing Fantasy Football have taught us.
From a personal perspective, experience has taught me not to fall victim to the siren call of a Steven Fletcher brace. For Jordan, it’s less hits and more patience and for ENR it’s ignoring rivals and setting your own targets. There was more chat about Fantasy management experience when our Hall of Fame was updated. This proved a good opportunity for the community took a look at how Fantasy Premier League’s seasoned pros are performing this season. Also on the issue of experience, D1sable sparked this discussion on what lessons we’ve learned so far this season.
The Members Tables
The Fantasy Freak has compiled one of the week’s shortest, but nevertheless useful, tables, looking at West Ham’s biggest attacking threats. A Hammers player also figures at the summit of Sedge87’s table on attack minded defenders.
Meanwhile, West Ham fan Doosra has compiled a nuts and bolts look at penalty takers so far this season.
If you’re a member and are yet to get to grips with the custom statistics tables, you can view this movie for an explanation of how they work. Also, remember to tag them so that people can find the tables with ease.
The Community Leagues
The Tinkerman continues to lead the FFScout moderators and contributors league, closely followed by Mark and Athletico Timbo, who leaps to third sport after an impressive 95 point-haul in Gameweek 10, even with Diego Costa captained.
Rasping Drive is another to cling onto a lead, keeping the top spot in the FFS Deadzone and FFS Old Farts Club leagues as well as the Puffinboy Memorial Cup.
In TorresMagic‘s Last Man Standing competition, 932 teams survived after 65 were eliminated when the safety score was set at 44.
