As we enter into the final Gameweek of a busy festive fixture schedule, the fear of rotation remains strong. Our hot topics were dominated by line-up discussions, while our community writers were looking further ahead to the January wildcard. We also discover why one of our community scribes is particularly keen for Wolverhampton Wanderers to return to the top flight for purely artistic reasons, as well as catch up with all the latest members tables and community league action.
The Community Articles
There were mixed fortunes for The Puntmaster’s festive punts. Although his Gameweek 18 selection, which included Hull’s Andrew Robertson, sadly all blanked, there was relief in Gameweek 19, when Villa’s Ciaran Clarke and Stoke’s Marko Arnautovic saved his blushes. He will be hoping his Gameweek 20 selection carries on this upward trend.
Applebonkers, meanwhile, has been taking a look at the art of team selection, making sure the right stripes, hoops and colour schemes are in place. He also reveals his dream of Wolverhampton Wanderers returning to the top flight, so he can make a fish finger sandwich design along with Tottenham and Swansea.
With the January Wildcard fast approachingm Saata has produced this guide to budget goalkeeper rotation for the second half of the season. This is a must-read article to ensure you get the most out of this potentially effective strategy.
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.
The Hottest Topics
With the likes of Yaya Toure and Cesar Azpilicueta missing out in Gameweek 19, festive rotation continues to dominate discussion. As we head into the New Year’s Day fixtures, Demi suggested that owners of Manchester United’s strikers ought to be particularly worried.
Other big guns, such as Branislav Ivanovic and David Silva, who have already clocked in considerable playing time over Christmas could also be at risk, according to our discussion on New Year’s Day rotation.
A key way of avoiding festive rotation is to strengthen benches. However, in our discussion on unfortunate festive fantasy management, Van Gallelujah revealed how such a tactic can go disastrously wrong. His Gameweek 18 decision to swap out injured QPR defender Yun Suk-Young for the benched Pablo Zabaleta, as well as discarding two-goal hero Wayne Rooney for the red-carded Olivier Giroud, will live long in his memory.
No New Year’s Eve round up would be complete without a look back on the best players so far this season. Among the names mentioning in Pundit of Punts’s discussion on the team of the season were QPR’s Charlie Austin and Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero.
Fantasy managers could certainly do with the injured Argentine now to offer a reliable source of points over this tricky festive fixture period. Aguero should be back in January, and the timing of his return is likely to be a key factor in which Gameweek to play the January wildcard, according to Evs’s discussion.
Finally, Dzeko the original Lewandowski appeared with some lovely words of thanks to the Fantasy Football Scout team for keeping the articles and site features going over the festive period. Cheers mate, it’s much appreciated.
The Members Tables
Arguably the best indicator of goal scoring potential is shots in the box. Kyleshaunessy’s latest table simply titled Shots in the Box Equals Goals shows clearly how important this indicator has been this season.
Shots in the box is also among the key indicator used in my goals imminent table, which attempts to assess which attack minded players are due a goal. Owners of certain Sunderland and Liverpool players will particularly like this table as we head into the New Year’s Day fixtures.
Meanwhile, Dub has been taking a look at attack minded defenders, which is sorted by goal attempts.
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 League
@OFCProdigy’s popped by to give a post Gameweek 18 update on his Scout Picks Challenge, which is loosely based on our own Scout Picks. Sticky Mockwell and Milanista are among those who were leading the pack at that stage.
Woeisme continues to top the Dead Team Challenge, the tournament created by Zep where managers stick with their Gameweek 1 selection throughout the season.
Following Gameweek 18 and 19 Tinkerman resumed his usual berth at the top of the Fantasy Football Scout moderators and contributors league, closely followed by Greenwindmill.
Rasping Drive is another returning leader. Going into Gameweek 20 he retook the lead in the Puffinboy Memorial Cup and rose to third in the FFS Old Farts Club league, which continues to be topped by Dan Clark.
