After analysing Arsenal’s season in yesterday’s article, we now turn our attentions to Aston Villa’s displays under new manager Tim Sherwood. Handed the reigns in Gameweek 26, the former Spurs boss successfully guided his new side to top-flight safety and also clinched a place in the FA Cup final, with his attack-minded approach offering a refreshing change from the more pragmatic tactics under previous manager, Paul Lambert.
I had fun with West Ham
Mönchengladbach
Hoffenheim
Augsburg
Celta Vigo
*I don't play FM, but all have some cracking talent, particularly top two...Borussia
Monchenpugblack
Athletico Madrid!
How will you decide from these suggestions?
Go with the dart throw choice.wolfsburg and Leverkusen are great fun
the scout picks look dodgy, dont fancy Charlie Austin at all this week
Community represented by Captain Hindsight
http://agar.io/
This is addictiveVirus?
nope its a game, simple but fun
That's what someone who posted a virus would say.
Damn, I'm on my tablet 🙁
😛 its so good
Bacteria 😉
This is awesome.
Fifa career mode lovers..improvement suggestions?
- Congested fixtures is my main concern, playing games on back to back days is virtually impossible
- The ability to to receive transfer offers with a player included in the deal
- Being able to play with a player in the arena before signing themIn addition to yours:
Online feature to play against your friends
Be able to make your own kits and choose sponsors
Youth/reserve teams
More dynamic transfers made by CPUagreed
it's pretty boring atm, the same thing every year
Bribery ? . Pay a Fifa official 50k and you get to select the referee , the venue of your match or the location of the next world cup
😆
just spat out my drink there haha😀
Bring back the old database style transfer system. Playing as a League 2 team is impossible with the rubbish scouts
ive done a career mode this year with pool milan and leyton orient and i agree..impossible to find any decent players unless you search online
Someone in FIFA is extremely attached to the Transfer Network System. It's basically the Youth Scouting system that no one uses. But this person/people are so stubborn that it's a good idea that they've forced all career mode users to use it 😡
I hate it.
Agreed. So poor and takes such a long time to find any talent at a decent price.
Agree with your first two.
I don't know if it's the same in yours but in my careers, the likes of Suarez and Aguero move clubs either every season or every second season. A lot of the computer transfers are unrealistic and repetitive in different careers.
I'd also like to be able to make more than 3 subs in friendlies, and be able to have a say in who your preseason friendlies are against.Agreed. Happens with me as well, Suarez Aguero Benzema move clubs every summer!
I'm sorry I know this is a noob question but I've been quite busy with exams lately, when does FPL start for the new season?
Tonight
10 july 4am
It's actually been shut down and this is now a support group for people who cannot cope without fpl
the second part of that sentence is oh so true.
Welcome to the meeting, my names Funkyav and I am addicted to Fantasy Football.
So, if you were playing a copa america fantasy game, who would your under the radar picks be, teams and players...
Maybe Messi
Messi? First name?
Leonardo I think. Why, is there a copa america fantasy somewhere?
see page 1
using google translate
http://www.ca.superdt.cl/
Firmino
he's been starting?
Might get the nod as a false 9 with coutinho in behind. They've used him there successfully recently, but tardelli started the last game. 50/50 but he'll be gold if he gets the nod
I've just discovered the Ricky gervais show podcasts 😀
I am incredibly jealous, you have so much joy to experience. I'm an obsessive (indicated by my grav).
used to love the show on XFM, is is along those lines?
Yeah it's very similar, Ricky, Steve and Karl chatting bollocks. I recommend getting them all, they're comedy gold.
If Newcastle and Sunderland start off with some good home fixtures I might rotate pva and janmaat even at 10.0. Thoughts?
Reckon we'll get any brom defenders at 5.0?attacking defenders at 5 each you would probably just want to play both regardless of fixtures not rotate? people keep talking of stacking brom defenders this season - do we actually know what the starting back line will be?
Not necessarily imo.
As for wba backline one of the great things about pulis is the predictably of his backlines. A good signing might confuse things I suppose. As it stands lescott, mcauley and dawson will startMcCauley 35 years old and not got a new contract yet? dawson nailed on?
Is McAuley 35? Wow, never knew
Damn did not realize he is that old! They are negotiating with him now though. Dawson is nailed on at right back unless they sign someone better. Pulis has always liked to have fullbacks that are just wide centre backs
lescott seems the safest but I hate to pay 5.5 for a defender - not cheap but not quite premium
Yeah, I'm hoping I can nick myhill and dawson for 10. Have to check foster is due back...
I think Dawson will be 5.0. PvA could easily come in at 4.5 too.
What about Cresswell? Do you think he'll be 5, 5.5 or 6?Hope so on Dawson. Maybe myhill too for 5.0.
Pva will almost certainly get a price hike. 4.5 is the standard price for a regular starter in a bottom half team with no attacking instincts. Pva will cop a 0.5 premium for attacking like janmaat and trippier last season.
I reckon creswell will stay at 5.5.How about kolarov price? 6.0?
Yeah your probably right. Myhill surely can't be 5 though since he won't be nailed for the whole season.
I'm liking the look of Cresswell if WHam have decent fixtures.
And yeah Kolarov at 6.0 seems about right, hopefully he's nailed onMyhill will start #1 and has probably the best chance of any #2 keeper in the league of claiming the #1 spot.
My guess is myhill 5 Foster 5.5
Hurry up fixture list!Yeah true.
Should be interesting. Anyone else you eyeing up?As for attackers Costa, mane, gomis, adam, chadli, coutinho, walcott are all interesting. Then there's the usual suspects..
Yep. Bojan and Sakho are two other cheap strikers that could be gold. Bolasie could also be a good option
Yep good calls. I think I'll avoid utd from the off and see how they take shape.
Yeah I think that's a good idea too
Hit me up on chess.com for a turn by turn game scouterinos. Username is champynwa
Will do, gimme a min
Cool
Friend equest and invite sent, might be a little rusty...
Cool your move. Can't see the friend request on the app. I'll sort it later on the website.
I was rusty a few weeks ago but have been playing with zasa, ak, scored and marknlard recently. Getting back into the swing of it nowNo worries mate, sounds good.
Good luck
Challenge sent, username- ANell75
Every year I get excited about a promoted team and wonder how I can choose just 3 players when I want 5 or 6... then come week 4 wildcard I usually don't want any. This year Bournemouth.
I have to do some research on them yet. I never get to watch championship footy. Who you got your eye on?
gotta be matt ritchie
Tell me more...
Pretty sure will give ritchie and wilson a punt. atsu from Chelsea may end up a bargain. 2 or 3 of the defenders had some good attacking returns and should only be 4.5. always tempted by the 4.5 keepers also.
Ritchie and Wilson at? Positions? Good goalscorers?
Atsu will be an interesting one. Likely to come in at an akward 5.0/5.5 though ayritchie scored plenty from the wing and wilson 20 odd striker. 5/5.5 awkward yes - tempting to pay 5 for a 5th mid but that extra .5 always comes back to bite with transfers a few weeks in
Nice. Yeah can do. I tend to invest more in the squad than most and even like to rotate mid price attackers sometimes. Generally not until value has increased a bit. 4.5 bench fodder probably best from gw1
Oh fine I'll pay up this season!
Hehehe! 😉
Hey, Doos. How you holding up?
Pretty well. Should be home soon. Physio going very well, thanks.
Good to hear.
Former Arsenal winger Gervinho has left AS Roma having been sold to Al-Jazira of the United Arab Emirates for a significant €14M (over £10M) fee.
Season 2013/14: 37 Games, 12 Goals, 12 Assists
Season 2014/15: 34 Games, 7 Goals, 6 Assists
Age: 28
-------
good player.. could play another 4 years at the top..
just in the game for the money?If another employer called you and offered to increase your wages +50% or more wouldnt you go?
I would. its the way of the world.true, saying that it does depend on the company and the career path available...
I wouldn't leave my current role for a 25% pay rise as it's a strong well established company and I know within a couple of years I would have that 25% anyway if things go as planned... Translate this to a footballer and you could argue that if he gets a one year contract somewhere and does amasingly well then he too would get the pay increase after that...
50% would be hard to turn down though if correct...I do use this argument quite a lot about new employer 50% wages extra etc etc. It's one of the reasons I would never begrudge someone like Sterling trying to go from Liverpool to City/Chelsea for money/trophies. Club loyalty is great and I love players like Scholes, Giggs, Gerrard for it but ultimately these players are thinking about themsleves and their family for the most part.
That being said, I do find it surprising that Gervinho is making this move so early, he's still quite young in footballing terms.Agreed, why would Sterling have particuarly loyalty to Liverpool or Gervinho to Roma?
Especially the latter. He played like 2 seasons there.
But then, this is not about loyalty, but about his career choices. Would you rather play in more interesting league for less money? Personally, atm, I have chosen a more interesting job for less money over more money and less interest and personal development. But I know many who choose the other way round, and that's their choice, I have no problem with that.
That's it. I'm not buying Benteke...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3117353/Christian-Benteke-gets-ears-flicked-Belgium-team-mates-crossbar-challenge.htmlWest Bromwich Albion are considering a move for Crystal Palace back-up goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, as regular first-team stopper Ben Foster is sidelined through injury, according to reports in the Birmingham Mail.
Nice. The more mud in the water the better.
😉You gonna buy one of their defenders?
No idea Dooster. I suppose I will let the gw 1 ownership dictate.
I am agin it - see tables above. Myhill, on the other hand ...
I miss Forca... nutter but always entertaining... I still picture him at his snooker club, with his black car with black windows outside.... gangster style
which site is he on now? any ideasBeen on ATFPL a lot. Got banned there as well I think for a while.
hahaha... he can't help himself... will take a gander at that site when we get closer to the season as he used to crack me up with his craziness and wouldn't mind hearing from him.. forum layout is terrible there though so he must hate it....
Hi there,
I'm very disappointed that UEFA just didn't convert my U21 Test Players into their actual names because I REALLY liked the shape and balance of that team. Now it's taking me absolutely ages to find out who's actually who. I'm getting there but I'm totally stumped with Test Player 31 - Serbian bloke.
Anyone help?Doosra about?
Yup. Just back on for five. 🙂
I have West Ham up in my next article now Bilic has been appointed. Any pointers, players to watch out for?
My names not Doosra but I think Cresswell would be a good buy at 5.5 if WHam have decent fixtures. Since the other defenders will be 5.0 Cresswell should be well worth the extra 0.5.
Sakho could also come in cheap and be a good optionAh. I thought that Ruth meant unknowns ...
Jeez, I'm going to hold you to owning Cresswell in GW 1. You really are "selling " him big time on here!
😉Hahaha 😀
I am seriously considering him, depending on fixtures.
Yep. Think he'll be 5.5?
Yes.
One or two - but I can't get at them until I'm home ... 🙁
I will try, however.Thanks, won't be doing it till tomorrow probably so whenever you have time - I'll look back here. General comments, players you think will do well, views on Bilic, anything really. Doesn't have to be obscure players.
Which transfers would you like to see happen after FPL is launched?
I'd like to see
Cech ---> United/Arsenal.
Clyne---->UnitedThink United will get Lloris unfortunately so maybe Cech will come to Spurs...
- Crystal Palace and WBA Article - Help Wanted
Crystal Palace and WBA "Janus" Appraisal
Here's the draft for the next article. As usual, comments from WBA and/or Palace fans (or those that know the clubs well) will be welcomed and taken into account when the article is revised. And if you don't want to read a long post please skip over.
Next up we look at 2 teams that had significant alterations of fortune after mid-season manager changes - 10th placed Crystal Palace (48 points) and 13th placed WBA (44 points).
When Alan Pardew took over from Neil Warnock at Palace in January they had taken 17 points from 20 PL games and were in 18th place having only scored 18 goals. After Pardew arrived they took 31 points from the remaining 18 games, a big improvement that was largely due to a more attacking style of play. Scoring 27 goals in those games, they amply fulfilled Pardew's initial promises that his team would "put the ball at risk" and play with proper wingers.
The defensive performance under Pardew did not improve, however. In fact they only kept 2 clean sheets under him having kept 5 under Warnock. Pardew teams are not usually noted for defensive solidity, so it will probably be the Palace attacking assets that FPL managers will be more inclined to look at for next season. "We have a new attacking set-up and we're more expansive now" commented Pardew towards the end of season.
WBA were almost the polar opposite in terms of how their approach changed but similarly effective in terms of results. Tony Pulis took over a team in 17th place that had taken 18 points from 20 games but he concentrated on defensive shape and focus. WBA then took 26 points from the remaining 18 games during which they managed a startling 10 clean sheets (having achieved 6 clean sheets in 20 games in the first half of the season).
The goals scored column for WBA showed little change - 19 in 20 games under Irvine and 19 in 18 games under Pulis. So it will probably be the WBA defensive assets that will be of most interest to FPL managers (with a couple of possible exceptions). "If I owned a PL club I'd employ Tony Pulis", said Jose Mourinho recently. "He is always managing clubs that want to survive and want stability and he's a guarantee to achieve what the club wants."
THE DEFENCE
The focus here is firmly on WBA assets. Ben Foster is not expected back from injury until October but Boaz Myhill was an able deputy and although his contract expires in July, WBA have an option to extend by a further 12 months. There is also talk of interest in bringing Wayne Hennessey of Palace in to give Myhill some competition in the first 3 months of the season. Had one GK played the whole season for WBA they would have amassed 159 PL points, enough to make them the top scoring FPL goalkeeper outright. So the double WBA GK option will be one that many FPL managers will consider. Much will depend on price, however, and it is hard to predict how FPL will handle the fact that Foster will miss the first 3 months of the season.
In terms of outfield defenders, Joleon Lescott and Craig Dawson would appear to be the most reliable candidates for next season as things stand, although there may be an outside chance that Chris Brunt (often deployed by Pulis at LB) could be listed as a defender. Lescott's 127 points put him on a par with premium priced defenders (he was 2nd highest rated defender on value) and even a predictable rise to 5.5m would leave him as a realistic option. Dawson was almost ever present under Pulis and a likely rise in price to 5.0m would leave him as a short list candidate as well. The stats show little difference between Lescott and Dawson on attacking potential but Brunt's assist potential could make him very attractive if re-categorised.
For Palace, GK Julian Speroni and defender Scott Dann would appear to be the best prospects but Palace's defensive instability under Pardew makes them appear as poor options next to WBA assets. Dann had better attacking numbers than Dawson or Lescott but not enough to compensate for the lack of clean sheets.
THE MIDFIELD
The focus shifts to Palace here and there are plenty of options to consider. Jedinak, Ledley and Macarthur tended to be preferred for the central midfield positions but none produced outstanding returns and are less likely to be considered by FPL managers unless one of them comes into the 4.5m price bracket. Amongst the attacking midfielders there are plenty of good options, however, notably Wilfried Zaha, Yannick Bolasie, Jason Puncheon and Jordon Mutch.
Puncheon was the stand out option in terms of key passes and chances created and was described as Palace's "best player since my arrival" by Pardew in May, when Puncheon signed a new 4 year contract. With plenty of set pieces as well, Puncheon could remain a viable FPL contender though his price seems likely to rise to 6.0m or 6.5m. Bolasie led the way amongst the Palace attacking midfielders for shooting stats, although his inability to convert chances into goals was an apparent weakness. They player says he is working hard on that, however, and his late season form (including a hat-trick against Sunderland) coupled with Pardew beginning to deploy him more centrally could make him an exciting prospect for 2015/16. Likely to be priced around 7.0m, Bolasie would be in perfect 4th midfielder territory for many FPL managers.
These comments about Puncheon and Bolasie are not to say, however, that Zaha and Mutch are options to dismiss. Zaha's statistics over the season were not far away from Bolasie's, although he didn't have such a big FPL profile, and Mutch showed what he can do given an injury free run with his 7 goals and 6 assists in the 2013/14 season with Cardiff. Unlikely to be priced so high for FPL as Bolasie and Puncheon, Zaha and Mutch could also be worthwhile options if establishing themselves as 1st choice players next season.
For WBA it is hard to see any midfielder that FPL managers will be rushing to have in their squad unless they are priced at 4.5, suitable for a bench midfielder. The fact that Brunt outscored the rest of them despite playing half the season at left back says it all really, though his goalscoring record in previous seasons indicates that he could be a viable option at around 5.5 if handed a more attacking role. As a defender he'd be fantasy gold; as a midfielder perhaps not so much.
STRIKERS
Strangely enough, for all Palace's attacking potential the striker position for them was a mixed bag. Glenn Murray, Dwight Gayle and Fraizer Campbell all had short spells of success that didn't last and it's not surprising that Palace are being heavily linked with strikers this summer, including Demba Ba and Loic Remy, both of whom previously played under Pardew at Newcastle. Certainly a good, sharp striker at the front of Palace's creative midfield would be an option well worth looking at.
For WBA the situation is clearer. Brown Ideye and Victor Anichebe have not done enough yet to convince that they will be 1st choice players let alone score enough FPL points to make them realistic options. But Saido Berahino had a break out season with 14 PL goals and was very much WBAs main man. There have been links with other clubs but they seem to have quietened down recently and Pulis is on record as wanting him to stay. Even though he's probably due a price hike to 7.0 or 7.5 after his 148 FPL points last season (6th highest scoring forward) he could well justify that kind of price if settled at WBA. And should he move to a more creative club his FPL prospects could be even better.Hmmm. I am not convinced by WBA defenders. Myhill, on the other hand ...
Just delaying an inevitable Keeper transfer though once Foster is back. Or you going both?
No. Something is wrong with Foster. Myhill may make it to Xmas.
http://www.espnfc.com/west-bromwich-albion/story/2484848/ben-foster-training-with-olympian-jonny-brownlee
Foster looks like he hasn't had any setbacks.Maybe. I am getting a bad vibe.
Sauce? Gut?
Gut, yes.
Source, surely.
Unless you mean tomato.
Nice write up Ruth.
Why not, Doos?For all the possible clean sheets, they also suffer multi-goal disasters.
True, but that applies to Myhill aswell?
Saves, but.
Hm. Mainly seems to accumulate saves in the big games (when most keepers will get a decent amount of saves, and also when you might prefer to bench him).
If I had him I'd be tempted to play him every week. Maybe its not a terrible idea to spend a FT on a Keeper once Foster returns and you can play the fixtures till the January WC.
Think I did justice to Bolasie, Nick? I know he's one you've been looking at.
Bolasie 7m?
Ouch.Yeah definitely, although I can't see him being 7m, 6.5 seems about right. He started the season at 5.5, 1.5m would be quite a hike for a 132 point season
Fair point. Depends how swayed FPL are by his late points surge I guess. I'll revise to 6.5/7.0.
Yeah. I'd say they are more likely to look at the season as a whole. He could even be 6.0.
At 6.0 he'd be in a lot of teams. 🙂
@Doos - Adrian? 5.5m I guess?
Sadly, yes. 🙁
City in for De Bruyne and Remy to West ham according to todays papers
Would be great for us!
there is plenty of rumours going about, take most of it with a pinch of salt.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/may/27/tea-national-disgrace-beverage-british
Anyone who reads this and agrees with the opinion should have a strong word with themselves, and a nice brew.not surprised to see there are 1600+ comments under it!
The man is a half-wit.
Towards the end it sort of touches on a point I agree with - 'normal' tea is bland and uninspiring. If it's not a proper quality Chai/Lapsang Souchong/Assam or similar then it's almost flavourless. Nice tea is nice though.
agree with this.
I might lobby Jonty to update the quote at the bottom of the page. "Nice tea is nice"
this is the kind of hard hitting reporting that visitors want to read
Nothing speaks economic powerhouse like the smoky aromas of Lapsang Souchong drifting around the office.
With this stance the writer may as well say fruit and vegetables are boring too, so why bother? And this is coming from someone who doesn't drink tea and doesn't eat enough fruit and vegetables 🙁 Its actually not right to have a society that demands interesting food and drink when often thats the unhealthy choice.
I don't like or drink tea but this guy writes like a douche.
What a load of old tosh! A nice (pinta) cuppa of Twinings Ceylon first thing in the morning is a wonderful start to the day.
Pure clickbait, and it's worked!
I recently tried drinking tea - normal teabag kind you buy in boxes of 100 or whatever, nothing special.
It was okay but rather boring. It doesn't really taste bad it just doesn't taste good either. Ultimately I decided if I was going to drink something that didn't taste bad or good I'd save the hassle of boiling the kettle and just drink water.Wake up and smell the coffee people!
Ayew having medical at Swansea today?
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/andre-ayew-could-undergo-swansea-9422160
Could be interesting.
Can he an Gomis play together?could be a good buy if there is any truth to this.
Will be 3rd option for most fpl contestants after Siggy and Gomis. But he could be a good punt for those willing to take the punt.
Seen lots of him and I am not at all sure he will come good in PL for a while though.Why?
If he's a creative player that should make Gomis even more of a FPL target.
He's a pretty good goal scorer himself, in fact. Probably going to be on midfield too. A tough, physical guy, so shouldn't have too much problems with regard to that. May be interesting himself then. Depends a bit on price that they put on him. If he's cheaper than Siggy, I'm sure going to consider him. And I expect him to be.
Swansea could have another good season with no Europa and good signings like this.
Yeah, Siggy might be the "go to guy" instead of Mane...
:wink;
A hattrick of Community Articles has just been published
Here's the latest in RuthNZ's season review series - this time he casts his eye over Swansea and Stoke
http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2015/06/10/swansea-and-stoke-reviewed/
The Sarjeant has been taking a look at clean sheet potential among the top four sides.
http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2015/06/10/clean-sheet-analysis-the-top-four/
Can a dead team with no changes made throughout the season beat the real life tinkerings of a Fantasy manager. Red Lightning investigates.
http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2015/06/10/the-optimal-dead-team-squad-201415/Serbia U-20 vs Hungary U-20, 118 min own goal. This must hurt.
http://rutube.ru/video/72b51c848d2fce5c000b5554acc8b929/Its really good information, i like your blog post. Thanks for sharing Happy Wheels Game | pac man 256
I very happy to discover your post as it will become on top in my collection of favorite blogs to visit.
pacman 256: https://plus.google.com/105681680670329440849/about
Happy Wheels Game: https://www.pinterest.com/happywheelsfull/
8 years, 11 months ago
Any suggestions on who to play as on Football Manager Handheld? Prefer to manage a team in England, Spain, Italy, France or Germany. Preferably a top flight team, but doesn't have to be a top club.