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How premium FPL midfielders fared against ‘big six’ teams in 2018/19

Our new Flat-Track Bully tool has recently been unveiled for our Members, with an explanation of how to use the feature available via this link.

This development allows subscribers to filter in/out opposition teams when trawling through the masses of Opta player data.

The tool will also hopefully prove very useful from an editorial perspective going forward and we begin our research with this feature by exploring how premium Fantasy Premier League midfielders fared in matches against the ‘big six’ last season.

While many Fantasy managers prioritise favourable fixtures over other factors, it is still worth scrutinising how players perform against tougher opponents – particularly the heavy hitters who may sit in our Fantasy squads for much of the season.

For this article, we have studied FPL midfielders whose end price was £8.5m or higher and who also started in more than 50% of their team’s league fixtures against the top half-dozen clubs.

Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Raheem Sterling, Paul Pogba, Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli, Son Heung-min and David Silva will, therefore, form the basis of this analysis, with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Leroy Sane having been bit-part players in this category of fixture last season.

We have also overlooked Eden Hazard, who has now departed for Real Madrid.

We will delve into greater detail with Salah and Sterling for reasons outlined in the article below.

Members can read on for our analysis, while those wishing to subscribe can do so by clicking one of the two links below:

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126 Comments Post a Comment
  1. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    But who can forget that Aguero hat-trick against Chelsea.

    Thing that was most interesting was the number of CS Man City kept against the Top 6 - 6 CS out of 10.

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Aguero seemed to morph into an extremely high variance player this year - 200 points, over 50 of which came in just 3 games (that arsenal game + Chelsea/Huddersfield)

      A sign of things to come? it was almost like blink & you’ll miss it points from him at times - he has the potential to literally score 40 & setup 20 in a season playing up front & on pens in that city team, just never seems to go too far over 20 in recent seasons

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        He did tick along tbf to him. Was a very good option in two scenarios:

        (i) at home
        (ii) away against the really rubbish teams (Brighton, Burnley, Fulham, Cardiff, Huddersfield)

        An interesting contrast to Sterling who scored a lot of points against the more middling teams

  2. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Popular players in Fantasy Cricket World Cup today:

    AUS: Warner (44%), Smith (22%), Starc (20%)
    PAK: Azam (17%)

    Weather looks to have cleared up so there is a good chance of a match being completed.

    1. Vobinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I may just use my bowling chip today if all four bowlers play and if Aus bowl first

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Pakistan win the toss and bowl first

    3. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Poor from Finch vs Amir. Amir is the main strike bowler. No point going after him unless h gives you something really juicy. See him off and attack all the rest.

    4. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Can see Australia scoring big here and the scoreboard pressure getting to Pakistan. Pakistan rattled out for a low total.

    5. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Pakistan are disgraceful in the field. Shameful how poor some of the teams from the sub-continent are at fielding. India were that bad, but Kohli has sorted them out by setting higher standards and barring unfit players from playing in the team.

    6. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Danger man Fakhar , gone

  3. farmerfat
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    TAA, Robbo and Salah/Mane first 3 names in the team next season.

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I wouldn’t say for sure until you see the prices my friend 🙂

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      And fixtures 😉

      1. farmerfat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        I'm prepared for the worst.

  4. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Liverpool's Andy Robertson suffers hamstring injury with Scotland,
    he could miss start of 2019/20 Premier League season.

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Will go for TAA next season anyway. Better assist potential.

  5. Je suis le chat
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Who'll cover Robbo? Jurgen may get the checkbook out.

    1. caldracula
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Milner can play LB although they do need cover there anyway. Can’t see them splashing out much though.

  6. caldracula
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    So there’s a photo circulating online which are supposedly leaked fixtures for the first GW of the season:

    Saturday 10th august:

    12.30
    Tottenham v Norwich
    15.00
    Bournemouth v Sheffield Utd
    Crystal Palace v Arsenal
    Everton v Newcastle
    Southampton v Chelsea
    Watford v West Ham
    17.30
    Burnley v Liverpool

    Sunday 11th August
    13.30
    Aston Villa v Leicester
    16.00
    Brighton v Manchester Utd

    Monday 12th August
    20.00
    Wolves v Man City

      1. Geoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks for providing a source 🙂

      2. Mysterion
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Ah, the sun, so it must be true

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      The first fixture is on Friday 9 Aug I think. There will be a few inaccurate “leaks” so I would not pay much heed to it until official launch

      1. caldracula
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah, I wasn’t convinced these were totally accurate. Just saw and thought I’d post it anyway.

    2. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Always blag fixtures which come out early from someone doing a dreadful photoshop.

      This one had Burnley - Liverpool on BT Sport which is wrong as Sky have the Saturday 5.30 slot this season.

      Also think they actually announce the TV selections for opening month at the start of July rather than when fixs come out.

    3. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      As said by others, these things are never accurate.

      Just wait until tomorrow and you will know for certain what the fixtures are.

      1. caldracula
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Didn’t realise they were being released tomorrow, should of saved myself the time lol

  7. Vobinho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Salah & Sterling the first two attackers in my team, will have to make sacrifices elsewhere...

    1. Tommyg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Will obviously have to see there price but they would be a constant thorn in your side it you don't have them.

  8. Tommyg
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Who's gonna step up for Chelsea now that Hazard has left? Barkley? Hudson-odi? Loftus-cheek?

    Can't see william doing so, as he's been consistently mediocre for seasons now. Can't see pulisic making that massive leap forward because frankly, if you can't score more then 5 goals in German you definitely can't in the EPL.

    All that said there is gonna be a player who will be the focal point for creative play. Just can't really see who that's gonna be.

    Any thoughts or insight's?

    1. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      CHO and RLC will need a while to recover from those serious injuries but I guess they could step up to an extent towards the 2nd half of season.

      Pulisic presumably signed as the ultimate "successor" if he can get anywhere near Hazard's level. Not convinced myself yet.

      Reckon whoever the manager is at the start of next season will start with Pedro - Giroud - Willian as front three and go from there... but that looks absolutely bang average by Chelsea's recent standards.

      1. Tommyg
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah that doesn't look like a top 4 front line to me.

        It's a worry for them.

        1. Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          They have good young players, though, who they never give enough chances to.

          This should now force them to play them. Pulisic has got talent, Lampard (if as expected he takes over from Sarri) should be able to get the best out of him.

          You can't replace Hazard overnight, he's one of the best players on the planet. But they have been over dependant on him in recent years. Time to go in a different direction now.

    2. Geoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I don't really have an answer, but I'd add 'where do you expect Chelsea to finish this season?'

      For that, I have to say out of the top 4. 6th maybe?

    3. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      The issue for Willian has been that his best position is on the left, but the same goes for Hazard and Hudson-Odoi, meaning he's often had to adapt himself to the other side.

      When Sarri has played him in his favoured position, he's actually done very well. Consistently good in the Europa League (he started 10 games on the left, scored 3 and assisted 7) and pretty well in the league - think Newcastle at home, Burnley and Cardiff away etc.

      Re a top four finish - if Sarri is in charge yes all day long, if its someone else its dependent on who that is.

      1. GREEN IS GOOD
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        I think the opposite - Chelsea finished top 4 despite Sarri, not because of him. If he stayed, Chelsea would struggle to make top 4.

        Haz pretty much carried the team.

        It's a moot point as Sarri is almost certainly gone.

        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          The process takes time.

          Look at Guardiola in his first season at Man City - 3rd in the league, Champions League Round of 16, FA Cup semi-final, League Cup 4th Round...

          The way I see it is Sarri took over a team who'd finished 5th, playing a back 3 under a far more defensively minded manager in Conte, and delivered Champions League football (finishing behind two of the best teams the PL has ever seen), won the Europa League and played the final of the League Cup.

          Personally I'd love to see him get another year to see if he can develop it further - looks unlikely tho.

          1. GREEN IS GOOD
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            fair points, well made.

            his intransigence was frustrating at times tho. stubborn as a mule with those timetabled substitutions and playing Kante out of position.

      2. Vobinho
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Hazard going is the same as Salah or Aguero/Sterling going from Liverpool & City.

        He carried that team so much, his creativity and making space is huge as he attracts so much attention from defenders. 6th at best for Chelsea if they can't buy a replacement.

        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Huge blow I agree, but sometimes giving responsibility and spreading it between others has helped teams - Coutinho leaving Liverpool, Kane's recent injury meant Lucas and Son had to step up etc.

          I remember watching Chelsea smash Burnley 4-0 last year with no Hazard, they were brilliant, and a front 3 of Hudson-Odoi, Pulisic and Giroud could do really well - time will tell.

    4. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I hope Chelsea change their style of play slightly now Hazard has gone. Would like to see them play a 4-3-3 like the below:

      Kepa
      Azpi Rudiger Zouma Emerson
      Kante RLC Luiz
      CHO Bats Pulisic

      One of the things that can happen to a team when they lose a star attacking player is they concede more goals. I think pushing a slightly more defensive team is therefore the way to go for Chelsea. I would push Luiz into midfield as he has the passing and vision to open teams up, but also provide a bit of defensive back up.

  9. PrettyDick
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Apologies for a question that might be a bit offside, but does any of the Elitserien FPL players know what "strekk" means, Psyché has it on him as a reason he's not playing next game.

    1. Vobinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      It translates to a strain - best to look out for Eurosport team news on Friday.

    2. RedLightning
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      stretch/tension/elasticity/traction(for a broken limb)/sprain
      https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/strekk

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Strekk is a light muscle injury, like a tight hamstring.

      1. PrettyDick
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Thank you all! Doesn’t sound too good, will keep an eye out for more info.

  10. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Leaked opening Premier League fixtures:

    Tottenham vs Norwich
    Bournemouth vs Sheffield United
    Crystal Palace vs Arsenal
    Everton vs Newcastle
    Southampton vs Chelsea
    Watford vs West Ham
    Burnley vs Liverpool

    Aston Villa vs Leicester
    Man Utd vs Brighton

    Wolves vs Man City

    https://t.co/nUnjh9vc71

    1. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      https://twitter.com/MailSport/status/1138716332868984832?s=19

      Looks reliable but it's almost never correct.

    2. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I'll be very surprised if this is legit

    3. Portsmouth Bubblejet
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I'd be surprised if this is genuine. For one thing, the Sunday fixtures take place at 2pm and 4:30pm this year, not at 1:30pm and 4:00pm as claimed in this document.

      1. GreenWindmill
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Wow! Great to see you around PB, always used to value your contributions on the site 🙂

    4. Norman Conquest
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      tv fixtures are usually announced 2 weeks after official fixture list is released
      sky don't have 12:30 kick off next season
      bt don't have 5:30 kick off either

    5. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Absolutely no way we’ll be playing Brighton at home. FA always gives Utd the tough fixtures

      1. Lovren an elevator
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Wait til pogba and de gea leave, all your fixtures will be tough fixtures 😉

      2. avfc82
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Really? It was Leicester last season and West Ham the one before, both at home, from what I can remember.

      3. FPL_Hazards
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        always the victims

      4. LOL LINGARD SCORED
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Haha. Brighton is a tough fixture for Utd now

  11. Lovren an elevator
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    What's happening with these abandoned games in the cricket, are the teams really just given a point each or will they all have to catch up and play those fixtures?

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      No replays. Teams are given a point each. That is it.

    2. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Imagine a cricket WC held in Scotland. Everyone goes home with a share of the trophy

  12. FPL AXE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    When did FPL open for new teams last year? When is it estimated this year?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      July.

  13. blauriecon
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    All this noise about US 13-0 over Thailand. Thailand was in the third pot for the draw. More double digits to come.

  14. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Austalia 84 for 8 after 223-2. Good comeback from Pakistan.

    1. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Awesome bowling by amir...

      1. Coldplay
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Absolutely, Shame about the poor fielding. Should be a good contest

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Think Australia need to give Steve Smith or Warner a bowl now. Maxwell is going the distance and they need to get the 10 overs from the 5th bowler from somewhere.

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Agree, my VC too

        1. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          But if Pakistan lose one more wicket soon it's over. Pressure will tell

  15. Markus
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Just signed up again. With the fast track bully feature, I think this is really helpful, but one plea - is there a way of applying this filter just to home/selection of matches as it only seems to be available if selecting all?

    The reason I ask is that stats bear out that eg arsenal at home is probably an easier fixture than Everton away, and home/away plays significantly into goals scored (around a 57:43 ratio) so would be helpful if factored in here as a pretty important influencer of fixture difficulty which is what this feature is trying to get at.

    The ideal would be able to filter man City h, man City a, Liv h etc, but to at the very least be able to manually do this analysis by applying the filter that's there to just home games or just away games would be the next best thing.

    I'm beginning to do some analysis into influence of Fixture difficulty on returns based on a range of attack/defence strength groupings which I'm happy to share once done too so h

    1. Markus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      ... So hopefully be of use to the wider (member) community but can't easily cut the data how I'd hoped at the moment because of the home/away thing.

      1. Markus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Being able to apply the fast track bully feature to team as well as player stats too would be a helpful addition too if not too difficult.

    2. Geoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Just set the Range to All Home Matches or All Away Matches 🙂

      1. Markus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        That's what I tried - the filter disappears, it's available on all other options but the all home and all away. Might just be mine, can email if more helpful but don't know if others experiencing same thing.

        1. Geoff
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Strange.. that's working for me. Maybe try a private browser/clear the cache and try.. if that doesn't work send an email and we can dig into it.

          Anyone else having this problem?

          1. Markus
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            Will send an email, seems to be on multiple browsers/devices on mine

  16. 2019/2020 PL and FPL predictions
    Queenofthestoneage
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Questionnaire

    1) PL winner 19/20?
    2) Golden boot 19/20?
    3) Most FPL-point defender 19/20?
    4) Most FPL-point midfielder 19/20?
    5) Most FPL-point attacker 19/20?
    6) Team w most clean sheets 19/20?

    1. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      1) City
      2) Salah
      3) TAA
      4) Salah
      5) Kane
      6) Liverpool

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      City
      Salah
      Robbo
      Salah
      Vardy
      Liverpool

    3. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      City
      Sterling
      Robertson
      Sterling
      Kane
      Liverpool

    4. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      1) Man City
      2) Aubameyang
      3) Robertson
      4) Sterling
      5) Aubameyang
      6) Man City

    5. Ramboros
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      1) Man City
      2) Kane
      3) TAA
      4) Salah
      5) Kane
      6) Liverpool

    6. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      1) Liverpool
      2) Mane
      3) TAA
      4) Mane
      5) Aguero
      6) Liverpool

    7. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      1) Man City
      2) Aguero
      3) TAA
      4) Sterling
      5) Aguero
      6) Man City

    8. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      City
      Auba
      Taa
      Sterling
      Auba
      Liverpool

    9. Queenofthestoneage
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      1) Liverpool
      2) Aubameyang
      3) TAA/Robertson
      4) Sterling
      5) Aubameyang
      6) Liverpool

    10. ritzyd
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Liverpool
      Kane
      TAA
      Salah
      Kane
      Liverpool

    11. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Liverpool
      Salah
      Trent
      Salah
      Aguero
      Liverpool

    12. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      1) utd (City to run us close)
      2) Griezmann
      3) Laporte
      4) Sterling
      5) Griezmann
      6) City

    13. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      City
      Kane
      TAA
      Salah
      Kane
      Liverpud.

    14. Dušan Citizen
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      1) City
      2) Sterling
      3) TAA
      4) Sterling
      5) Kane
      6) Liverpool

    15. Vatroslav
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      1) City
      2) Salah
      3) TAA
      4) Sterling
      5) Aubameyang
      6) Liverpool

    16. OLDHERMAN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      1) Liverpool
      2) Aubameyang
      3) Alexander-Arnold
      4) Son
      5) Aubameyang
      6) Man City

    17. ENZO SZN™
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      1) Man City
      2) H. Kane
      3) Trent
      4) Salah
      5) H. Kane
      6) Liverpool

    18. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      1) Pool
      2) Kane
      3) TAA
      4) Salah
      5) Kane
      6) City

  17. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Fixtures released tomorrow morning, should get this place a little bit busy again!

    1. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      The return of the gravless

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Yay, love it

    2. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      DailyMail got a leak

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        They can literally just change it there is no point leaking

  18. Lav
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Does anyone know where I can find some articles on strategies to play FPL?

    Going to be entering my fourth season, and my highest finish was in my second year at 35k. The rest was in the 100ks. I am trying to mix it up this year to make it fun and more enjoyable, while yielding good results.

    1. Tommyg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      You are here.

      This is the next level of geek for fpl.

      After this place you start wondering into dark arts. Don't go there.

      1. Markus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        I'd agree, this is the right level.

        A couple of things to consider to reach that higher level that I've seen mates that have similar ranks to you fall short on:
        - Think about value rather than just high scores (except captain), there will be plenty of stuff on here around that in the coming weeks, particularly in relation to team structure. The members projections are a good shortcut on this, which increases my enjoyment of the game/analysis.
        - Plan, be consistent, don't take knee jerk decisions/punts. This includes keeping a watching brief on runs of fixtures, emerging gems on a consistent basis, all which can be done on here fairly simply with the tickers, but not switching for every bandwagon because you've thought about it objectively in advance. Also re use of chips largely around double game weeks.

        As you can see fun (depending on your definition) and good results aren't necessarily always the same thing but most people here who take it seriously will finish top 50k,so there is a lot of wisdom around

        1. Lav
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Value over high scores is definitely something I struggle with. Interested to see articles on team structure and analysis. I always focus on fixtures, but I usually miss gems. As I said below sometimes I miss out on things because I do not have much time to truly plan due to university.

          That second season I finished 35k I was a senior in high school. So much time, and I watched like every game that was televised lol. Cannot do that now.

          1. Markus
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            I think you can manage time commitment by focusing on week 1 and first few weeks as starters become established and prices change a fair amount + wildcard weeks (1st International break is a common one, but pre Liverpool World club championship could be consideration this year). Rest of the time could get by keeping an eye on watch list feature alone I reckon

            1. Markus
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 9 months ago

              Watching games definitely not necessary (although obviously enjoyable!) for fantasy success

              1. Debauchy
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 9 months ago

                Each to his own is for me to try and identify some gems

    2. Geoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      What are you looking for beyond what we have?

      If we don't have it we'll write it 😉

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Can you write an article on how to pick a winning team that no one else has?

        1. Geoff
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah but I don't want to give away my secrets

      2. Lav
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        I have been around this site for while now, and I am a member too when the season starts. University makes it hard to truly go and analyze stats since I have other things to do. I guess I am just trying to find play styles and why people play a certain way, and what are the outcomes.

        Kind of like the ownership tactic for example.

        1. Geoff
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          I wonder if the Manager of the Month videos that Joe does would be a good place to start.. Joe speaks with managers who have decent rank histories and digs into their strategies.

          1. Lav
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            Could be a great start yes. Only read a handful of those articles and it was a long time ago.

            1. Geoff
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 9 months ago

              The videos/audio/podcasts are a nice thing to listen to while doing other things.

              There are certainly different strategies for different managers but I think for me one of the things that often separates top 500k or top 100k scores from top 20k or 10k scores is some kind of hard to define lack of risk taking. Or more accurately 'calculated' risk taking.

              I see lots of managers going for low owned or out of form players and hoping for a big return to rescue a season or a GW when in reality the best move is to go for a reliable player who has a better chance of getting some returns. To use a baseball analogy, going for a home run on every pitch will likely mean you strike out, even though it also means you means you could get a run on any swing; it's about picking your spots to take chances

  19. Callout for match reporters
    Geoff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Just a reminder about content we're looking at for next season..

    We're looking to increase video output and are looking for users who are interested in helping out.

    We'd like to have short clips from fans or reporters right after games, which will contain initial reactions from people who have been at the game and know their team well.

    If you're an FPL manager who is interested in getting involved and will be attending your team's home matches (and maybe away too) you should get in touch.

    Email me or David (geoff@fantasyfootballscout.co.uk or david.munday@fantasyfootballscout.co.uk) with info and how often you attend your team’s matches. It's still in the planning stages until we've gauged interest and can put together a proper plan but we'd like to set some things up soon.

    We're looking at video content but equally short written pieces might work too!

    A few more details are here where we initially had a callout:
    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2019/04/30/how-fpl-community-can-help-with-eye-test-videos-in-2019-20-season/

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I can do Barnet games if you want. Drop me an email on Ginkapo@fantasyfootballscout.co.uk

  20. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    USA getting criticism in social media for celebrating the later goals against Thailand in 13-0 win. Thoughts?

    Personally I think this kind of attitude is holding female football back. Its not a little league tournament where people get participation trophies. Its supposed to be one of the top tournaments of the game and celebrating big wins should be supported.

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Of course. US will always get critisicm on social media though. Just the way it is, always has been

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Minnie Mouse tournament. How shite were the teams that Thailand qualified ahead of?!

      1. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Surely you have to expand the game. And to do that you have teams getting drubbed. Thailand aren't there to beat USA they're there to try and get something against Chile.

      2. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Thailand were utter shite and it says it all about the quality of female asian football that they even qualified. But they'll never improve if other teams are shamed into treating them like a Special Olympics participant.

        1. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Exactly

      3. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        😆 Minnie mouse
        Sure but celebrating goals against any opposition is the done thing for supporters. Thailand girls will live another day happy they dont play for N Korea

    3. VanDijksToWatchOutFor
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      You can be sure Mr perfect Harry kane would be celebrating every goal thinking he was going to win the world cup golden boot. I agree, it's a competition and it matters, go celebrate.

  21. Pirlø's Pen
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Signed up again - best 12.50 you'll ever spend. Serious value for money!