Fantasy football proved a harsh taskmaster as the 2015/16 season kicked off in frustrating fashion. As well as looking back on Gameweek 1’s shocking results, our community writers and hot topic posters were full of advice on how to ensure Gameweek 2 revives our spirits. We also take a look at the similarities between poker and Fantasy football, examine the mysteries of price rises and falls and analyse of the best stats to emerge from the first round of fixtures. In addition, we find time to see who has taken in an early lead in the many community tournaments taking place this season.
The Community Articles
After the debacle of Gameweek 1, Pooodle provided a thought-provoking article weighing up the pros and cons of being patient or taking action, regarding the disappointing start to the season. For those looking to draft in last week’s star performers, Rodellegabomb was on hand to look at three of the biggest bandwagons.
Our resident poker expert Get In also popped in to show how decisions such as captaining Eden Hazard was still the logical move based on tried and tested gambling theory.
Our Rough with the Smooth article rounded up your tales of woe and also highlighted those who can afford a little smugness going into Gameweek 2.
Amongst the most radical steps Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers can take is to use a chip early on. DMHomag suggests using the Bench Boost chip during a single Gameweek could be wise, as saving it for a double Gameweek may be more troubled than its worth.
Finally, this week saw some of the first FPL price changes of the season, with Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez amongst the risers. For those unfamiliar with how the game’s transfer market works Diva was on hand to offer this beginners guide.
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
Whether hits or patience is planned the community was on hand to offer a raft of good advice in our hot topic on ensuring Gameweek 2 is full of cheer. Amongst those offering further advice on lessons to take from Gameweek 1, was the RMT Professor, who also showed that even the game’s all time best can be humbled by a poor start. Avoiding rash moves was the key message Sports Guy offered this week as the community continued to lick its wounds from Gameweek 1.
Players being considered for Gameweek 2 include a pair of Premier League newcomers, West Ham’s Dimitri Payet and Swansea’s Andre Ayew. Jeanz provided this handy comparison between the two midfielders, who have an excellent fixture on paper this weekend.
Big hitters under consideration include Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez, but OGooner wonders whether the midfielder is as strong an option as many think for this week. Another is Yaya Toure, who was the subject of Invertebrate’s hot topic.
Players facing the chop going into Gameweek 2 include Chelsea’s expensive stars, who were disappointing against Swansea in their opening fixture. Doosra’s discussion invited the community to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of hanging onto the likes of Branislav Ivanovic and Eden Hazard.
Wayne Rooney is another player making his Fantasy owners a little nervous and there are question marks as to Martin Skrtel’s position as the Liverpool defender of choice. Both issues cropped up in our midweek Scout Picks discussion which we opened up to the community here.
The Members Tables
Spineless Weasel has been busy dissecting Gameweek 1’s underlying statistic with a raft of tables this week. The most attacking and defensive teams were amongst issues covered, as was the best defenders, strikers and midfielders.
Doosra has also been updating his defender tables, to show which so far are looking a good bet for bonus points and scoring goals.
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 Tournaments
Jaffalicious’s UEFA Cup themed tournament kicks off next week. Key matches include Irish Madridsta versus The Fantasy Freak, who finished in the top ten in FPL last season. I face Blue Lion, while Demi takes on Beavis. The full qualifying round fixture list can be found here.
After Gameweek 1 Craig McGorum takes the lead in Red Lightning’s Top 10K Any Season league.
With a sensational score of 63 Andy has a commanding lead at the summit of the FFScout Moderators and Contributors league, with the RMT’s Professor taking second spot 21 points behind.
Nocturnals leads the Puffinboy Memorial Cup, which is named after one of FFScout’s first ever posters.
The FFS Old Farts Club league , for our community’s more senior members, is topped by Le Saux Solid Crew, while Devious Weebles takes first in the Long and Winding Road main league.
The safety score in Torres Magic‘s Last Man Standing was 24 this week, which meant 150 managers were knocked out. Entry is still open to those who scored 24 or more in Gameweek 1 and will close at the end of Gameweek 2. More than 2,600 Fantasy managers have qualified so far.
In AZ’s cash league the aptly named ‘Pace Setters’, managed by Khizer Alam currently leads the way after scoring 51 points.
If you are running a community tournament and would like the latest scores included in future Community Round Ups please email me a brief summary of the current leaders and a link to your league, spread sheet or head to head competition, at jonty@fantasyfootballscout.co.uk.
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