Interview

How FFS helped Paul Gee finish in FPL top two

Membership with Fantasy Football Scout helped Paul Gee to his “greatest Fantasy Premier League achievement” this season as he finished second in the whole world.

On a dramatic final day, the 33-year-old electrical engineer from Leeds was just 17 minutes away from winning the FPL title before a Josh King goal robbed him of a clean sheet double up on Burnley’s defence.

However, Paul admitted he has very few complaints after 2017/18 proved his best ever campaign, with FFS playing a big part.

Tools for Success

“The website for the last eight years has been my number one tool to success,” Paul told FFS.

“I’ve achieved three top 5,000 finishes and have never finished below 50,000 in the time I have been a member.

“Finishing second in the world and as the top FFS member felt great. It is my greatest FPL achievement, which I didn’t think would be possible for me.

“I put a lot of effort into it, from planning my team in Gameweek 1 right the way through to Gameweek 38.

“Just like a lot of other guys on FFS, I love reading all the opinions on every player and tactic. They all share a common interest with me.

“A lot of my mates mock me for how serious I take it. I know the fixture lists off-by-heart. So I have to thank the ‘ROFL bois’ and my wife for not killing me this year!”

The Leeds United fan cited FFS tools such as the season ticker and expected goals table, as well as having discussions with other members, as the key reasons behind his success in 2017/18.

“The forums on their own are so valuable,” he explained.

“Some of the guys created spreadsheets for defensive rotations and this proved a key part of my success this season.

“This meant I would never take a hit on a cheap defender. You have to use your squad and not take a hit early on. If you get your rotation right you don’t need to take hits.

“I like to try and get a good rotation with the fifth midfielder and the third striker and play 3-5-2 or my favourite formation 3-4-3.

“I always like to use the goals imminent table too, if I couldn’t make my mind up about a transfer.

“I also like to play the fixtures, so a key part of being an FFS member is the season ticker. I can’t explain how important this has been to me.

“Most importantly, for me, the key part of FFS is the community. There are a lot of guys putting so much effort into it such as creating tables discussing tactics, which are invaluable. So maybe I should share all my prizes with you, or maybe not!”

Final Day Drama

However, all the research in the world could not prepare Paul for a rollercoaster of emotions that was the final day of the season. Having made just one change to his side, signing Mohamed Salah for Dele Alli, it was an inauspicious start to Gameweek 38.

He said: “I use Twitter to get the team sheets from their respective club account and I knew straight away that Gabriel Jesus and Pascal Gross were benched.

“I felt totally gutted because the two transfers I had in mind for the hit that I didn’t do was Jesus to Alexandre Lacazette for a differential and Gross to Wilfried Zaha.

“I went through all my opponents’ teams and saw that Bharat Dhody (then leader) had lots of players out and, crucially, he had no bench with Ashley Barnes injured. I thought Faisal Idris in second place had it won.

“I was, however, aware that Yusuf Sheikh had the Triple Captain chip left and I was pretty sure he would give Salah the armband.

“I just thought that with my advantage of about 12 points I would be able to hold him off with no points hits, but he played the game very well.”

Paul ended 2017/18 with 2504 points after a Gameweek score of 72, which proved just eight short of eventual winner Yusuf from Tanzania. It could have been ever better for him though, and, at one stage, he was top of the pile.

“I spent all afternoon refreshing the squads of the other teams,” Paul revealed.

“At first I wasn’t that nervous. I honestly felt that with looking at the teams, after all the players that had been rotated, that I had no chance making up the points.

“The first goal that went in for me was really early on with Jamie Vardy getting the opener for Leicester at Wembley.

“My Dad and I went mad! That’s when I started dreaming of glory.”

The Burnley Defence

“By the second half I knew that the Burnley defence was key to me doing really really well. Getting first place would ride on their clean sheet.

“I knew I was going to be doubling up since my Gameweek 32 Wildcard. At that time Burnley were keeping a only few clean sheets, so I wasn’t so confident at the start of the Gameweek because of their recent defensive form.

“By the time it got to the 73rd minute it was, unbelievably, still on, and I really started to feel the heat then.

“I knew at the back of my mind I was winning the whole thing. I had worked out that my overall position was first place, but I refused to look at the game by that point. I think the wife, thought I was losing it I was that nervous.”

It all changed in the 74th minute when Callum Wilson equalised for Bournemouth, wiping out eight of Paul’s points and robbing Tarkowski and Lowton of a clean sheet.

“I was devastated,” Paul revealed. “But in a way I was still happy because at that point I knew I had clinched a top three finish, with a bit of mental maths. I had seen that Faisal and Bharat (the previous top two) were having absolute stinkers by their high standards.

“Very soon after losing the clean sheet, Vardy scored his second against Spurs. I knew he was my ultimate differential and he was doing his job.”

The signing of Vardy on his Wildcard in Gameweek 32 was another decision influenced by FFS. Going into the final day of the season, he was one of the differentials Paul hoped would claim him the title.

Key Decisions

He explained: “My plan had been to try and push for third, as that’s where the FPL prizes started. Looking at all the other teams above, over-all they seemed a lot stronger than mine.

“I had to rely on the differentials I had over the others, such as Vardy and Marko Arnautovic.

“I saw Vardy’s record away against the top sides in the league and this was backed up by an article I read on FFS, which helped me a lot.”

Paul was one of just two managers in the top five who was able to sign Salah back into his side for Gameweek 38 without having to take a points hit, which made a big difference for him in the end.

“Re-signing Salah was my plan all along,” Paul revealed.

“I knew a lot of the guys would go all out to spend every last penny, forgetting about the final crucial Gameweek 38. If I went with Salah I knew I would captain him. I knew that captaining him could be a slight differential because the other guys might try to be too clever with their choices.

“I was aware there was only two of us in the top five who could get him hit free, so I would make four points up straight away. It turns out it really was crucial that I didn’t take a hit because I beat Bharat into second by four points.”

433 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Darth_Krid
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Loving the amount of Hot Topics being created; it's a great way to fuel discussion and read interesting posts at a time when the site probably has the least traffic.

    1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Agreed. This is the best time of the year for quality discussion. I wish it could stay like this all through pre season, but as soon as prices are released we will be taking a big hit

      1. Darth_Krid
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        World Cup fantasy game is launched next week! 😉

        1. FFFrog
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Which one??

          1. STEP rOVERS
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            Golden Archies

    2. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Ironically. It’s the time of year where every post is basically a hot topic.

      Mods must be bored 😉

    3. el polako
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Next season should I go:
      a) 4 4 2
      b) 3 5 2
      c) 3 4 3

      Please help me decide now !!!!!!!111

      As soon as I get formation I will post RMT.

  2. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    If Ranieri should end up at West Ham- Good appointment for taking West Ham forward or not?

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Might be a good shout but to be honest who's manager is not the biggest issue at West Ham.
      Problem is the board, its transfer policy and lack of forward planning.
      Plus looks like they are not pulling in the same direction.
      Less than 24hours before Moyes was sacked Gold said in a interview that he hopes that Moyes will stay, then boom and Moyes is sacked.
      Sulivan got 51% of the sahres he is calling all the shots go figure...
      How we can be seen as serious club if our owners dont treat each other seriously ?

  3. 32chickens
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Pep signs extension to 2021
    - so he's not going to West spam...

  4. Epic Fail
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    "How FFS helped Paul Gee finish in FPL top two"

    Why not just say he came 2nd? 😀

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      During cold war two athlets took part in a 100 meter sprint. American won ahed of Soviet. The next day russian press wrote "Our sprinter finished in a great 2nd place of a very prestigious run, american sprinter came one before last".

    2. *sigh*
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Like your Mam

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Just like the guy who came 2nd my Mam also likes rimming.

        1. Yozzer
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Hahah

    3. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I am waiting in anticipation of the next article.
      How FFS scoutcast curse lost the crown for Bharat Dhody.

      1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        😆

    4. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Stop being such a hater 😉 . Not every day FFS get to claim credit for the second place trophy

      1. Yozzer
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        😆

        Number 1 or GTFO

        1. Twelve years a slave
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Ffs so many members who have all the best info that it actually a failure when one does not come first

  5. Spike ⚽️
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    No one ever remembers who came second!

    1. Spike ⚽️
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Except if you're a Man U fan of course!

    2. el polako
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Girls do.

      1. Spike ⚽️
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Wrong forum. You want tumblr for that discussion!

      2. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        😆

      3. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        😆 😆

  6. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Did i see someone mention that some of the guys at top of the FFS league and members league only joined in the closing weeks?

    I have said it before,i believe that when running such a league you need to have a cut off point for entry it is an injustice on the managers fighting it out to win what is seen by some as a prestigious league that some guy joins the league in gw37 and ruins the race imo.

    1. Spike ⚽️
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Good point

    2. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Bharat joined the open league with a three weeks to go, though I'd asked him a few weeks earlier - he wasn't in the members league. Paul's been a member and in our leagues for several seasons as has Faisal.

      I agree on a cut-off but really, it needs to be imposed by the game. We could set an example, but I doubt others would give a damn!

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        You can stop entry to the league in the settings on FPL can't you?

      2. Ógie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Maybe FFS could run two leagues in parallel to the two that currently being run.

        Members from gw1 league and FFS from gw1 league.

        I have some experience of how it can feel because last season i was having an epic battle at the top of the members league with Billy Katsu and some guy joined in gw36 or 37 to take first spot and the league just lost all credibility for me.

        1. Mark
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 17 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Sorry to hear that Ogie. I remember the Katsu battle but can't recall who joined late one - I'm sure I didn't invite them but, of course, we didn't lock the league. Like I say, I'd like all leagues should be locked at some point - perhaps with six GWs to go.

      3. @FPL_Chess
          5 years, 10 months ago

          I stopped two guys joining the FPL Chess League in GW34, and then I ticked the cut off box. It didn't seem fair that they'd go straight to the top of the league. Any opinions on the best week to pull the plug on new members? GW19 perhaps?

      4. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        I agree. "Best league" is irrelevant as far as I'm concerned.

        1. Mark
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 17 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Yeah, I reckon it could be scrapped unless more is made of it or its governed better. When there were managers getting cash prizes for joining in final Gameweeks it was getting a bit silly. At least that's better now (I think).

          When the members league is up there its more meaningful (for me) because that is created from scratch every season and is more exclusive I guess.

      5. FC Lackless [BALEGIUM]
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        THIS

        1. FC Lackless [BALEGIUM]
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          A massive own goal that leaves a nasty taste for those who were battling it out at the top all season

          1. Mark
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 17 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            Yeah, see above, I wouldn't do it again. I wanted to get Bharat on the ScoutCast and, at the same time, asked him to join our league to add context to that. Regret it now, won't do it again. In my defence, he was an FFS user (since 2014) so there was no headhunting involved.

            1. fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              Sorry for late reply ... not sure if notifications are a feature on the site but if so they've never worked for me! ... but anyway nice to hear that, thanks.

    3. Grounderz
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Just seen that Vardy started the season with a brace... and ended the season with another brace.

      1. Mark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        I dont' want to see him rise in price next season. We might be buggered in the mid-price if that's the case.

        1. Yozzer
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Nah we still got Bentekke. Don't be greedy

          1. CloudSky
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            And Gabbi. Never forget.

            1. Yozzer
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 10 months ago

              * throws up*

          2. Mark
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 17 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            Genuinely, I fear a bit for that position unless there's more choice. 4-5-1 with two budgets could be the new default.

            1. CloudSky
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 10 months ago

              Falcao in Wolves shirt at 8.5 and we gucci.

            2. Yozzer
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 10 months ago

              I can see Arnie being a mid priced striker. They may even mix it up and turn players like Son into a forward player, giving more mid priced options. Or yes it could end up like season before last where forward options were limited

              1. badgerboy
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 10 months ago

                Yeah can see that. Josh King will surely drop back to a mid. Hope Charlie Austin has a injury free summer, just laying in a hammock.

                1. Yozzer
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 10 months ago

                  Agreed. Although expect an hammock incident which includes Charlie not being available for a while

            3. Richd
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 10 months ago

              Yeah I was pondering this as strikers seem so weak right now.

              However something Jonty said on the Scoutcast about keeping the team flexible sort of makes a lot of sense. So two heavy hitters then spread the money evenly throughout the first 11/12 so we can adapt quicker.

              Go 451 with Auba for example and then Kane and Aguero start firing you’re facing a lot of hits !

    4. Numb
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      So, Paul Gee says how much the FFS community have helped him in coming 2nd and yet the sum total of what he has given back to it is a few boast posts?

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/profiles/up-the-arshavin/

      Why do you want to promote someone like that??

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        "the key part of FFS is the community. There are a lot of guys putting so much effort into it such as creating tables discussing tactics, which are invaluable"

        “Just like a lot of other guys on FFS, I love reading all the opinions on every player and tactic. They all share a common interest with me."

        But everyone was like him there wouldn't be any of this stuff to read.

        Sorry, but this has annoyed me.

        1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Just read through his contributions to the site...

          I know I stopped contributing properly years ago but at least I did once upon a time when this place was actually a community

      2. Syd.
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        A true lurker

        Definitely doesn’t deserve an article like this since he appears to contribute zilch

        1. Mark
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 17 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Might just be that Paul is a good FPL manager but not great at posting online and in communities.

          This is about the only site that I post on and I used to be an online journanlist and a marketing manager for a games company - I hated posting on forums.

          We have lots of "lurkers" who don't post but that shouldn't influence our opportunity to feature them when they achieve something like this. Tom Fenley wasn't a prolific poster by any means when he won it.

      3. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        You have to be kidding me...

      4. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        I understand your point and I've yet to read the article (!) but could it be they're not promoting the person but the site itself?
        Showing what advantages there are to being a member here?
        I'll give it a read now...

        1. Numb
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          He does mention some of the tools but he also talks a lot about the "community", "forum" (assume he means comments) etc - I'm just saying that if everyone was like him and leeched off others' comments and knowledge then there'd be no comments and knowledge on here.

          1. G-Whizz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            No honestly I do get your point 🙂

      5. SUAREZ_MESSI_COUTINHO
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        That comment history is hilarious. 😀

        I hope he puts 'Finished 2nd in FPL 2017-18' on his CV.

      6. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        I'm taking these articles with a massive pinch of salt after the OR1 at the time was allowed to join the FFS league in GW37. Makes you wonder how many of the others in the top 50 also joined late on because they had an amazing OR. Makes a complete mockery of the league.

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Wouldn't surprise me if those at the top are "tapped up" and asked to join.

          1. SUAREZ_MESSI_COUTINHO
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            "Bharat joined the open league with a three weeks to go, though I'd asked him a few weeks earlier - he wasn't in the members league. "

            1. Epic Fail
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 10 months ago

              Ha, there we have it.

              1. Mark
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 17 Years
                5 years, 10 months ago

                Bharat has been visiting the site since 2014 and was posting back then - I wouldn't have invited him to join our league if he wasn't an actual user of the site. I mailed him when he recently started posting again. I don't think it's out of order to ask an FFS user to join the FFS league. Recruiting non FFS users is a different matter.

                In hindsight, I won't do it again but in truth I was just chuffed that an FFS user was top and want to congratulate him and get him on the ScoutCast, which we did and it was a good episode enjoyed by many.

                As for Paul, he's been a registered user and member since 2010. Not sure if he joined the members league every season as we scrap and start again but he joined this season of his own accord.

          2. Team Cruel
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            Yeah it's been confirmed by the mods that he was encouraged to join the league. Cynical stuff.

            1. Epic Fail
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 10 months ago

              Where do they get their contact details from?

              1. badgerboy
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 10 months ago

                Cambridge Analytica. Allegedly. Possibly. Maybe.

              2. Sánchez
                • 11 Years
                5 years, 10 months ago

                This is something I've wondered.
                I've noticed they also know who's who on here even when you don't link your team.
                I asked about that once and got told they it was from svore checks.
                Never understood that one

                1. Epic Fail
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  5 years, 10 months ago

                  I mean it's possible to do a bit of research to work out who some people are and what their teams are based on posts, but to get hold of and use their contact details is all kinds of dodgy.

                  1. Sánchez
                    • 11 Years
                    5 years, 10 months ago

                    Possible but from 5m teams? Would take alot of work cross referencing all those score checks.

                    I'm guessing we've all ticked a box on fpl saying we agree they can share our details with partner companies

                    1. Epic Fail
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 13 Years
                      5 years, 10 months ago

                      This is what is says.

                      "HOW WE WILL USE YOUR INFORMATION

                      We will ordinarily only use your personal information to send you information which you have requested or to otherwise respond to you. We also use and disclose general data regarding your information (which does not identify you as an individual) for the purpose of administering and developing our website.

                      DISCLOSURE OF YOUR INFORMATION

                      All personal information you submit to us will be held in accordance with our responsibilities under the Data Protection Act 1998 and related legislation. As a consequence we will not disclose your personal information to any third party other than:

                      as required as a matter of law;
                      in the reasonable enforcement of our contractual rights;
                      to identify or resolve technical problems arising from the use of our website;
                      to deal with complaints from any party regarding the operation of our website;
                      as otherwise set out in this Privacy Policy or in those parts of the Website where we collect your personal details."

      7. Fantastisk
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        MEEEOOOWWW!

      8. Numb
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        I'd rather see interviews with people who have tried to help others on here over the years like Balders, Evs, Smarty Pants, G-Whizz, Perchino, etc etc

        1. Numb
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Epic Fail another

          1. Epic Fail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            I do help from time to time but you have to wade through my arsey sarcastic replies to find the helpful ones. But there are some.

            1. wulfrunian
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 10 months ago

              Undoubtedly,you are a very good manager.Imho many people here would like to see more helpful replies from you.

              1. Epic Fail
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                5 years, 10 months ago

                Depends on how the person asks. I'm not a big fan of spoon feeding, but advice is all good.

            2. Numb
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 10 months ago

              Nah, I've seen you helping a lot of people, you've been busted 🙂

        2. badgerboy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          It's a shame Bowstring couldn't push on at the end of the season.

          1. G-Whizz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            Great guy was a good watch on the Scoutcast too!

        3. Steve
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Evs, now there’s someone I’ve not seen around for a while. Anyone know where/how he is?

          1. A.T
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            He's retired from fpl. Packed in halfway through this season.

            1. Steve
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 10 months ago

              Thanks, that’s a shame. Nice guy and had some good ranks too. I was tempted to jack it in this season too, shocking compared to my usual standard

              1. A.T
                • 13 Years
                5 years, 10 months ago

                I imagine that was his idea. If you've not much time to spend on it the rank will suffer.

            2. Gnu
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 10 months ago

              I wish Epic Fail would retire.

              😉

      9. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks for this post. I admit I thought it was bizarre he's waxing lyrical when I'd only seen one post from him, when he came on here once he got to 3rd OR. Obviously no obligation to contribute if you're here and/or a member, but the whole community/forum/opinions stuff is a bit disingenuous if you're not an active member of any real discussions..

      10. Speédy
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Hot topic

      11. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Ok maybe we're being a bit harsh - he's been a part of FFS for over seven years. Maybe he's done his time and just doesn't post much anymore.

        https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2010/10/29/metro-tips-gameweek-ten/?hc_page=6#hc_comment_85990

        1. Richd
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Exactly. Many of us who have been posting for several years have changes in circumstances all the time.

          Still. I’d rather a regular chap did well than a random

      12. DavidMunday815
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Hi Numb,

        Thanks for commenting on this story.

        Apologies for the delay in getting back to you. Myself and the rest of the FFS team have been off-site planning our coverage for the 2018/19 season.

        Personally, I think Paul has given back to the FFS community by publicly giving them the credit they deserve for helping him get to second in the world.

        I’d like to think that his comments are more likely to increase interest in the features he’s mentioned and will encourage more people to join the community and help build it up even more.

        As for why we’ve chosen to promote him, Paul was just a Burnley clean sheet away from winning FPL this season. He has supported this site as a member for eight years and I believe it would have been unfair not to speak to him in light of his achievements in FPL this season.

        Maybe it is a shame that Paul hasn’t commented more and we are keen to get him more plugged in with the community.

        During our current planning meeting, we have actually been discussing how we can get people from the FFS community more involved in our editorial content next season. You were actually one of the names mentioned. Hopefully those who are active on the site will have more of an opportunity to be play a part in what we do and will be keen to get involved.

    5. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Onanism is rife! to paraphrase a great contributor!

      1. badgerboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        +42

      2. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        I think Doosra says this too.

        1. SUAREZ_MESSI_COUTINHO
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          This

        2. A.T
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          😀

    6. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      "[...]before a Callum Wilson goal robbed him of a clean sheet double up on Burnley’s defence."

      CS are gone at the second goal you concede? If so then I've been been robbed of about 20 double Burnley clean sheets this season.

    7. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Personally think Sven is talking a load of crap here:

      https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44163141

      Still feel as if our (i) tactical nous is lacking (i.e. if we're going to park the bus - let's do it properly and not be embarassed - it is about winning, not how you win) and (ii) we don't play as a team (i.e. too many egos who believe they are the main player - choose one and make the team work to support your main player - like Portugal do for Ronaldo)

      1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Sven- Goran "they are not players, they are cultural architects" Eriksson

    8. Waynoo
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      no laca in french squad

      1. Yome
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Deschamps preferred Giroud, Griezmann, Fekir and Mbappe for the strikers.

    9. Yome
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      France squad for WC:
      Gardiens (3) : Hugo Lloris (Tottenham/ANG), Steve Mandanda (OM), Alphonse Areola (PSG).
      Défénseurs (8) : Djibril Sidibé (Monaco), Benjamin Pavard (Stuttgart/ALL), Samuel Umtiti (FC Barcelone), Raphaël Varane (Real Madrid), Presnel Kimpembe (PSG), Adil Rami (OM), Benjamin Mendy (Man. City/ANG), Lucas Hernandez (Atlético de Madrid/ESP).
      Milieux (5) : Paul Pogba (Man. United/ANG), Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich/ALL), Blaise Matuidi (Juventus Turin/ITA), Ngolo Kanté (Chelsea/ANG), Steven Nzonzi (Séville FC/ESP)
      Attaquants (7) : Antoine Griezmann (Atlético de Madrid/ESP), Olivier Giroud (Chelsea/ANG), Kylian Mbappé (PSG), Ousmane Dembélé (FC Barcelone/ESP), Florian Thauvin (OM), Nabil Fekir (Lyon), Thomas Lemar (Monaco).

      11 in reserve:
      Wissam Ben Yedder (Séville FC), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Benoît Costil (Bordeaux), Mathieu Debuchy (Saint-Etienne), Lucas Digne (FC Barcelone), Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal), Anthony Martial (Man. United), Adrien Rabiot (PSG), Mamadou Sakho (Crystal Palace), Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham), Kurt Zouma (Stoke City).

      So no Lacazette, Martial, Payet (injured), Rabiot...

      1. badgerboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Mon dieu! Le Donk dans le attaquants!

      2. I Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Best squad going to the tournament. Ridiculous depth.

      3. The Mighty Hippo
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Interesting to see that Mendy is going, given his lack of games due to injury this season.

    10. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      No Lacazette in French squad. Scandal.

      This will light a huge fire under him - A Lacazette with something to prove next season will be an essential lacazette.

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        When has this happened before?

        1. Random Name
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          When has what happened before?

          1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            You banging on about Laca being essential and then him being very much not

            1. Random Name
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 10 months ago

              more points than morata and jesus

              1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 10 months ago

                And fewer points than Vardy, Firmino, Aguero (who spent a fair chunk injured), Kane - two of which were cheaper

                1. Random Name
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 10 months ago

                  Aguero - 39 apps this season all competitions

                  Lacazette - 38 apps this season all competitions

                  1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
                    • 6 Years
                    5 years, 10 months ago

                    You've conveniently ignored my other examples. Who cares how many CL appearances Aguero made anyway? Bein injured and unavailable is different to being rotated/dropped

                    1. Random Name
                      • 8 Years
                      5 years, 10 months ago

                      Yes because respectfully your other examples don't matter.

                      Are De bruyne, Eriksen, Mahrez, Sane, Alli etc. no longer viable options because Sterling who was cheaper got more points?

                      1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
                        • 6 Years
                        5 years, 10 months ago

                        I didn't say he wasn't a viable option. I said he wasn't essential 🙂

                      2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
                        • 6 Years
                        5 years, 10 months ago

                        Also you have 5 mid slots. 3 striker slots - logically filling the slots with cheaper better scoring players will be the optimal strategy

          2. badgerboy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            Epic fires up his Google search comment finder again!

      2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Lol

      3. Speédy
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Not if Arteta becomes our manager.

        1. Random Name
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          He won't

          1. Speédy
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            He's the no 1 choice now with Allegri staying at Juve. And knowing the board,I can totally see Arteta being given the job.

    11. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      France players NOT selected for the 2018 World Cup squad:

      Karim Benzema
      Dimitri Payet
      Anthony Martial
      Alexandre Lacazette
      Aymeric Laporte
      Kingsley Coman
      Andre-Pierre Gignac
      Adrien Rabiot
      Wissam Ben Yedder

      Meanwhile Southgate had to choose between Welbz and Walcott. 😀

      This also means that basically the whole Arsenal team (Laca, Auba, Mkhi, Ramsey, etc.) has a free summer. Might see triple ups in GW1.

      1. Random Name
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Lacazette was already a guarantee for my team either way. Shame tho, won't be playing world cup fantasy football now

        1. Fantasy Gold
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          lol

      2. JurgenRodgers
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Probably depends on New manager & formation..
        But very interesting

      3. Fantastisk
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        They'd all walk into the England side. Embarrassing.

    12. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Looking like pellegrini is in West Ham’s hands. Final decision depends on Rafa Benitez’s response to having all our money thrown at him in the next couple days. Excited for the first time in a while as a fan.

      1. A.T
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Who is your preferred choice?

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Had been excited about pellegrini as soon as we were linked but rafa’s End of season has made me entirely indifferent. Incredible managers either way. Pellegrini has never fallen outside of the top 7 in any league he’s managed

          1. A.T
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            I can see Pellegrini taking it, less so Rafa. Were you not impressed by Moyes then?

            1. Ask Yourself
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 10 months ago

              Effective for getting out of a relegation battle. Not taking forward a club with ambitions. I appreciate all he’s done but his time is up.

              1. A.T
                • 13 Years
                5 years, 10 months ago

                Yep the modern day manager needs to play attacking football it seems. Or either be very successful doing the opposite. There's not a lot of love for the conservative approach and Moyes is certainly that.

      2. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        West Ham's problem is that it is a London club, but not the best London club. So you get average players wanting to play for the Hammers because they want to live in London. The key in recruitment for West Ham for me is being able to sort the wheat from the chaff. In a way it is the opposite problem to Newcatle where players are lured to Manchester / London.

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          This stadium was meant to establish us amongst the most desirable. Then we hired David Moyes. Pellegrini or Benitez will attract some talent for sure.

          1. Random Name
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            "Pellegrini or Benitez will attract some talent for sure."

            The best defenders Pellegrini managed to attract was mangala, Bacary Sagna and Willy Caballero

          2. el polako
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            Thats if they let him buy players he actually wants.
            #nomorejoehart

        2. A.T
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          I think this living in London thing is a bit of a myth. Players from the north go out In London all the time. It's only a short flight away at the end of the day.

      3. Fantasy Gold
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Pellegrini plays exciting, attacking football.

        Arnie would be a must.

        Defence probably a no go

        1. Bunk Moreland
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Just like this season then.

          1. Ask Yourself
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            Except the exciting attacking football bit...

    13. Twelve years a slave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Have England ever taken a worse midfield to a world cup?

      Dier, Alli, Henderson, Delph Lingard, Sterling, RLC

      Alli and Sterling are good but they are not workd class distributors.
      Where is this generations Gascoine, Hoddle or Beckham?

      1. Random Name
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Nope.

        The 3 most creative Midfielders this country has to offer - Wilshere, Shelvey and Oxlade-chamberlain.

        None of them are on the plane to Russia, and 2 of them are Southgate's fault

        1. Hibbo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Lol.

      2. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Depends what you want your midfield to do. I saw Portugal and Greece win Euros with crap midfields and parking the bus. I think that parking the bus and playing on the counter attack is probably what would suit us best. But it is ballsy for an England manager to do that because it means accepting you are inferior to your opposition. Personally think England are inferior to a number of teams and are not in the Top 10 in the world.

      3. Hoos01
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Hey Triggerlips, your book helped me reach my best ever rank of 11k in just my second season. Thank you! However you have blocked me on twitter for asking your opinion on where you felt you might finish based on your rank around GW 30 I think. Was just an innocent q sir. All the best mate. Cheers.

        1. Fantastisk
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Looool

    14. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Hope next season is better, got my highest OR ever in 3 full seasons in GW 17. Had my hopes high thinking I would finally finish in the top 10 at the end, didn't work, ended up at 51,886, operating between 20k and 75k for the rest. Hope I learned my lessons.

      1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        What lessons would you say you've learned? How are you going to approach next season?

        1. Botman and Robben
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Captain the hot streaker most, i.e should have put the arm band on Salah more instead of last seasons golden boot winner.

          Save the 2nd WC chip till much later, always use it early thinking it will give me an edge to gain early, always backfires. I'm stubborn, I know, but no more.

          Make sure you don't keep some hard hitters earlier in the season, very late in the season when its kinda obvious they at great risk of being rotated. Still had Ota in the last game. 0 points.

          Don't transfer in a new player (Walcott) and keep him after he got a ton of points in the first, is it 2nd game? at Everton and keep him hoping he will turn into a wonder while losing tons of player value. When you never got in the first haul.

          1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            2nd point 100% - WC is still (IMO) the most useful chip, the "get out of jail" card and the one that allows most flexibility in planning around DGWs/BGWs. There were many on here asking "should I WC this?" at random times for no reason, when their teams had only minor issues.

            4th point was a classic point chasing scenario. I was tempted, then I checked Walcott's stats! Thank goodness I avoided him.

            1. Botman and Robben
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 10 months ago

              You had an awesome season, congrats, guess you knew all (some of ) the above already. Hope to be limited and mediocre next season like you.

              You never commented about points 1 and 3.

    15. Pirlø's Pen
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      So... World Cup fantasy.

      Anyone nailed in your team?

      I like the look of Werner, Mertens (if mid) & Jesus.

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Recently got advice on picking players that aren’t going to be rotated later on in the group stage, a case of identifying those for me. Unfortunately I think mertens will be an St as that’s where he plays domestically

      2. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Salah, Ronaldo & Lewandowski.
        A German defender.

        1. Pirlø's Pen
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          The rest of your team will be 4.5s.

          1. Karan14
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            Will go for 442 or 433.
            Werner & Mertens far from nailed. Firmino to be rotated with Jesus?

      3. el polako
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Zielinski

    16. JurgenRodgers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      14 June World cup starts

      1. Random Name
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Thank God JURGENRODGERS has told us when the world cup is gonna start.

        How were we ever gonna find out that invaluable information

        1. Fantasy Gold
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          lol

        2. JurgenRodgers
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          It was a repl fail..
          Meant to say World cup starts June 14 + Pl fixtures announced lol

          1. Richd
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            LOL

    17. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      If you're quick you can be the first to post on the new article. It's a dream come true to some.

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2018/05/17/the-scoutcast-episode-262-retrospective/

    18. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      You plan on joining any World Cup fantasy? If yes, which one?

      After a horrific FPL season I feel pretty keen on just enjoying the games but I know that wont happen in the end...

    19. @FPL_Chess
        5 years, 10 months ago

        I stopped two guys joining the FPL Chess League in GW34, and then I ticked the cut off box. It didn't seem fair that they'd go straight to the top of the league. Any opinions on the best week to pull the plug on new members? GW19 perhaps?

        1. FC Lackless [BALEGIUM]
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          gw 2 max ... if they're not in they're out.

      • G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Yusuf who won the title said this on Twitter:
        Hi guys, some of you have been asking for some tips.This article covers some things I did this season. Hope you find it useful... https://t.co/pmNnnkqVMK