This was the Gameweek where the veterans and top 10,000 teams aligned. There are now barely any differentials between them. In addition, this was a week where both the veterans and these top placed managers once again smashed the overall ranks. One key factor in this hive mind between the top and most experienced managers is that following the recent blank Gameweeks the veterans are beginning to replace the less experienced ones in the top 10,000.
The 34 veterans I’m tracking, who are made up of FFScout contributors and moderators, Hall of Fame toppers and former Fantasy Premier League winners, are on the march to the top, but need to do more to unseat many of those new and inexperienced managers still in the top 10,000.Â
TRANSFERS
Transfers by positions (% of all transfers in bracket)
– Goalkeepers: (5.00%)
– Defenders: (60.00%)
– Midfielders: (25.00%)
– Forwards: (10.00%)
It seems that veterans were happy with their squads – they made only 0.59 transfers per team. Vincent Kompany‘s injury was the main reason why defenders transfers were the most popular in Gameweek 31.
Transfers In:
– Ashley Williams (SWA): 14.71%
– Romelu Lukaku (EVE): 5.88%
– Craig Dawson (WBA): 5.88%
Swansea kept a clean sheet against Aston Villa and Ashley Williams, after two bonus points, now has 23 bonus points this season (top among all defenders). He was a savvy buy for the Fantasy stalwarts this week.
Transfers Out:
– Vincent Kompany (MCI): 17.65%
– Virgil Van Dijk (SOT): 5.88%
– Jamie Vardy (LEI): 5.88%
CAPTAINS
Harry Kane played a part in all three of Tottenham’s goals in a home win against Bournemouth. He was by far, the most popular captain choice among the veterans but also overall and amongst top 10,000 teams as well. More differential choices will be needed if the veterans are to take a distinct advantage.
MOST POPULAR PLAYERS
(Top starting players)
* stats for top 10,000 teams and overall can be found here.
Eleven of 16 of the most popular players amongst the veterans scored five or more FPL points in Gameweek 31. It was the same story when we look at the top starting players in the top 10,000 teams.
OVERALL RANKINGS
After Gameweek 30, the average overall position of all 34 veteran teams was 57,251, but now, their overall position is 47,165. This is their highest overall position so far in the season and 10,008 places better than last week. Among the veterans  94.12% gained a green arrow in Gameweek 31. In addition, the veterans’ average Gameweek 31 score was 81.38 points, way up on the overall average (55.90 points) and also better than the top 10,000 managers’ average (75.60 points).



