Fantasy League

How to prepare for a Fantasy League auction

Last week we alerted you to the relaunch of Fantasy League for the 2019/20 season, with a Q&A with founder Andrew Wainstein and an introduction to the long-running auction-based game.

For those looking to master Fantasy League, we’re lucky enough to have an in-house expert – Fantasy Football Scout site user Clouseau – to help us out.

Clouseau’s previous article looked at the merits and basics of auction-based Fantasy Football based on his two decades of experience playing the Fantasy League game.

This latest feature is the first of a two-part piece which will look in more detail at how to have an effective auction – from prepping in advance through to the big night itself.

Take it away, Clouseau…

The Scene-Setter…

First of all, let me give you the context of this article. For a lot of what you’re about to read, you should put FPL from your mind. Although the advice in this piece should translate to any auction-based fantasy game, I’m looking at it from the perspective of playing Fantasy League (FL), using their traditional scoring system.

Where I talk about FL points, this is based upon three points for a goal and two points for an assist, both irrespective of the scorer’s position, and, for goalkeepers and defenders, one point for an appearance, two points for a clean sheet with -1 point for every goal conceded.

There are no bonus points and, for goalkeepers, no points for saves/penalty saves. Fortunately, there are also no minus points for cards or penalty misses. Furthermore, whilst your league can select any number of permitted transfers, I am assuming that just 20 are allowed for the course of the season, with a starting squad of 15. This puts the focus very much upon the auction rather than your ability to constantly swap players in and out.

Think Long Term!

The principal thing you need to understand if you are a veteran of FPL, but have never played the auction-style before, is that you are looking to select a squad for the full season. As a result of this, you should try to forget about fixtures and Season Tickers because, ideally, all your players will play every team home and away.

Understanding the Player List

Most of the things which make good outfield players good FPL players also make them good Fantasy League players. That’s the good news. What’s slightly less good news is that I tried to do some rudimentary comparisons and analysis to see if there was a common margin/denominator by which FPL points convert readily to FL points; there isn’t. I also specifically said outfield players because goalkeepers throw up a lot of anomalies which I will discuss a little further down.

What I’ve managed to do is break it down by category (and for the purposes of this I have amalgamated full-backs and centre-backs, which are separate categories in Fantasy League, into an amorphous group) and, based mostly on FPL’s ‘premium’ and upper-mid-range players (I may have swapped a few players in and out of the list based on expectations for the coming season), I came up with the following average margins by which FPL points convert to FL points:

Strikers (priced 8.0 and up): 2.7
Midfielders (priced 7.0 and up): 3.6
Defenders (priced 5.5 and up): 4.3
Goalkeepers (priced 5.5 and up): 5.2

Put simply, if your striker scores you 200 FPL points, you can expect them to get you around 74 FL points. However, remember that these are based on averages and the very best players will have margins lower than the average due to their scoring the majority of their points through goals, assists and clean sheets; as an example, both Sergio Aguero and Trent Alexander-Arnold had margins of 2.5. Salah and Sterling had margins of 2.9 and 3.0 respectively, due to their playing in teams which kept a lot of clean sheets and, therefore, got additional points for them in FPL, but still much lower than the mean for midfielders.

Goalkeepers are the real outliers and, with them, it’s doubly important that you understand the difference between a good FPL goalie and a good Fantasy League stopper; remember, there are no points for saves/penalty saves or bonus.

Let me use two examples from last season: Lukasz Fabianski and David de Gea. Fabianski was the fifth-highest-scoring goalkeeper in FPL with 143 points. In Fantasy League he was the 21st ‘best’ goalkeeper with a massive score of -3 points; you’d have been better off picking a non-playing goalkeeper for the season. De Gea similarly scored 120 points in FPL, making him equal-ninth best, but got -2 in FL.

With goalkeepers, notwithstanding De Gea’s horror show last season, you are best sticking to those from the top six clubs and, after that, looking to clubs you hope will keep things tight at the back, not ship a cricket score too frequently and pick up the occasional clean sheet. Don’t be tempted by keepers in sides you know will have shots rained in on them like it’s the Alamo, but where you expect them to make 25 saves a game. That will just end in tears.

Sensible Prices

My first piece talked about setting yourself reasonable maxima for players so that you don’t end up in a bidding war with someone over a player that you both ‘must have’, where you go way beyond what represents good value for money (VFM).

I’m not saying that you should always stick rigidly to your pre-auction plans, and sometimes you’ll have to sacrifice a player you really wanted in order to secure four of the other five upon which you’d set your heart, but remember, your pot of money has to get you the whole squad, not just a couple of players, and whilst there will be those you can pick up for free or for not a great deal, it’s a brave manager who goes all-in on only a handful of players and has 14+ slots to fill with the dregs.

When doing your auction prep, it’s worth thinking about how much players may go for in order that you can sketch out a potential squad for yourself. In my experience, the table below sets out the approximate costs for players by position and ‘quality’, based on % of auction budget (I’ve gone with this rather than absolute prices as different leagues will set different starting budgets):

 

The VFM point above is one I consider to be imperative in having a successful auction and you should always be conscious of the point at which no player is worth the amount you’ll have to spend. No player is guaranteed to score you a certain number of points and whilst certain players increase the likelihood of big scores, these have to be looked at relative to prices and points for other players.

Consider the top three Liverpool scorers from last season: Mohamed Salah, Andrew Robertson and Alexander-Arnold who scored 90, 82 and 75 points respectively in Fantasy League. Salah went for 28% of someone’s pot at my auction, whereas Robertson and Alexander-Arnold went for 10% and 4% respectively. Clearly that won’t happen again but I would expect Salah to be around 32% and the full-backs to be a maximum of 16% each. Based on last season’s scores, the two defenders would get you 157 points to Salah’s 90. Now, of course, this vastly oversimplifies the argument. For starters, it overlooks the fact that you’d have another player, picked up for free, to sit alongside Salah when working out how many points your 32% of budget had bought you. However, the chances of your picking up a freebie who will score you at least 67 points are very, very low. I’m not saying it can’t happen (I remain smug to this day that I picked up an unknown Michael Owen for free at the 1997/98 auction) but just bear in mind when you set yourself an eye-watering budget for a big player that you may be better off spreading the money around.

Starters vs Substitutes

Although picking players you expect to start matches is a good starting point, appreciate that it matters less in Fantasy League where there are, for example, no appearance points for midfielders and forwards. Impact subs at good clubs can easily outscore regular starters in lesser teams.

Leroy Sane is a great example of this. He currently sits in just 3% of FPL squads, reflecting his lack of certainty of starts, even though he was the 10th-highest scoring FPL midfielder. Last season in Fantasy League, he was the fifth-highest-scoring midfielder (and 18th highest in any position) and rightly went for 16% at the auction. Good players playing only 15 minutes per match can easily outscore 90 minutes per match from lesser players or those at lower-placed clubs.

Squad Structure

With Fantasy League giving you up to seven substitute berths (on the Legend package; the squad is fixed at 15 players for Novice and Pro), over which there are no positional restrictions, it can be very tempting to load up on strikers; you can, in principle, have up to ten of them with the Legend package.

A wiser move is to spread your substitutes around: for example, assuming that your starting XI is a 4-3-3 formation, having three strikers, three midfielders and a defender on your bench. There’s no perfect structure until your squad is forming but this is the sort of ballpark for which I aim in my pre-auction prep. Of course, you should keep an open mind and you should never limit yourself by enforcing a certain structure; to use an extreme example, you would never turn down the chance to get Aguero for a good price because you already had your ideal number of strikers, particularly if you were only missing a midfielder from your subs and the only options left in that category were players who only their mothers had heard of.

The caveat I give to this advice is that Fantasy Football is a game loaded with schadenfreude and, in the case of auction-based Fantasy Football, spoiling tactics. Every player you own is a player denied to everyone else. If the average number of strikers per manager is six, your taking ten means that you’ve removed four [presumably] desirable strikers from the pool who are now not available to your fellow managers.

The same can apply to goalkeepers. As you’ll see from my analysis of points by position in Fantasy League vs FPL, good goalkeepers are more of a rarity in the former than they are in the latter. Whilst a second goalkeeper (I would never advise getting a third keeper!) is rarely a boon from a points-scoring perspective, it can leave one of your opposition managers with the unpalatable choice of a goalie who will likely leak goals like a rusty bucket or one who will only ever be played by his club in League Cup games.

Caveat Emptor…..

….. or ‘buyer beware’ for those of you who aren’t lawyers and/or versed in Latin. If you spend your precious money on a player who is crocked or is halfway out of the door, you kiss that money goodbye. Therefore, even if you do very little prep in the run-up to the auction, five minutes of last-minute cramming may well save your season. Check the latest injury situation.

I’m not saying don’t aim to buy players who are currently injured for the short term (see above for ‘think long term’ with your acquisitions), but be aware with your VFM calculations that being out until the end of September means seven games will be missed, almost 20% of the total season.

Similarly, check the gossip columns. The BBC does a handy daily round-up of all the stories from the main papers and outlets, and whilst if every transfer ‘story’ came true half the players around the world would be playing for three clubs simultaneously, you should still bear them in mind.

I learned the painful way 20 years ago when I spent one-third of my auction pot on Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink after he’d had that stellar season with Leeds, only for him to run off to Atletico, leaving me with a gaping hole in my squad and not a penny of my huge investment returned. Back then, I’d have had to buy a paper every day to know this; nowadays, with the proliferation of news and gossip through multiple, free outlets, there’s no excuse for not knowing the latest.

Finally….. Make Lists, Lots of Lists

Lists will smooth and caress your passage to the successful end of your auction. Ok, that may be a slight exaggeration, but lists help with focus in preparation and can act as a vital crutch during the auction, particularly towards the end when your player list, printed from the Fantasy League website, is getting harder and harder to read.

Break down by position the players you really want and maybe break them down again by premium, mid and low; you’ll probably want to ensure that you get at least one from the premium column and avoid delving into the low column as much as possible.

Print out at least two copies of the player list to take with you: one to keep on top where you’ll cross off players as they are bought, and one hidden underneath (away from prying eyes) where you’ll highlight the players you want, preferably using different highlighter pens to denote must-haves, highly desirables and ‘have at a push’.

I will be looking at how to tackle the auction night itself in the not-too-distant future so watch this space.

Clouseau Serious (for which you can read \'stressy\') fantasy football fan. Have been playing the auction-based version with its unique squads (fantasyleague.com) for over 20 years but more recently branched out into FPL. Follow me on Twitter @FFSClouseau

1,994 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Right guys, I am really happy with my team now, KDB over Sterling is my only risk / potential regret but I don't mind a cheap defence:

    Ryan
    VVD - Cathcart - Dunk
    Salah - KDB - Siggy - Brooks
    Kane - Vardy - King

    Bench: Dendonker - Diop - Gibson - Button

    1. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      go sterling

    2. seewhyaxe
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Kane (C) gw1?

    3. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      That’s decent mate, not many on here will like it because of the cheap defence but looks strong to me

    4. Jackie Moon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Brooks and King could end badly with Fraser and Wilson getting the points

    5. Holteenderinthesky
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Had this team way before Kane become cool yesterday. One spot for me is the question.

      Barkley/Grealish/Townsend/James?

      Ryan
      TAA, VVD, Coleman, Dunk
      Salah, Sterling, Perez, 6.0m
      Kane, King,

      Button, Targett, Dendonker, Greenwood.

  2. HamezMace
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    As more Salah - Sterling - Kane RMT drafts start to appear, the more convinced I am that it's not possible to have all three.

    Has anyone come up with one they are actually happy with? As in one that doesn't rely on Greenwood/Andone playing every week, or starting Dendocker.

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Only if I drop a Liverpool defender.

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

        With lots doubling up, going without altogether is too risky for me.

    2. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      No point having all 3 because you can only captain one of them.

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

        Still think there is merit to owning three players who could all top 200 points regardless of captaincy.

        1. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Yes, but for example, Sigurdsson + Jimenez outscores Kane + Dendoncker. 2 is enough imo. Salah and Sterling rotate well. Also Liverpool and City defenders will get lots of points.

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

            I know it's about finding the balance, and yes based on last seasons points Sigurdsson and Jiminez out Kane and Dendonker, the problem is finding this years Sigurdsson and Jiminez - it's a lot harder to do, whereas we can all be pretty confident Salah, Sterling and Kane will get 200+ points assuming they stay injury free.

        2. jtreble
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          3 @ 200 points with Robbo, TAA and VVD is slightly cheaper. :).

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

            I don't understand, do you mean 2@200 points + the liverpool defence?

            1. jtreble
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              “... Still think there is merit to owning three players who could all top 200 points ...”. Where’s the value?

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

                This, the value is highest defence, then midfield and lowest up front.

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

                  Based on last season yes, do you think Liverpool will keep the same amount of CSs this season?

    3. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      you've already seen this, but here you go 😉 pretty much need to play 4 6.5m mids/forwards

      Pope (Button)
      VVD Coleman KWP (Gibson Rico)
      Salah Sterling Fraser GroB (Dendoncker)
      Kane Deulo Origi

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

        Yes mate, be interested to see what anyone else seeing this thinks, but as I said earlier deadlocking Origi in the team is a problem for me (as in there is no easy transfer out for him after Mane returns).
        I could get on board with two 4.5m rotating instead of KWP and Gibson.

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Pope (Button)
          VVD Coleman Kiko (Dunk Rico)
          Salah Sterling Perez GroB (Dendoncker)
          Kane Deulo King

          1. SADIO SANÉ
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            good changes? that is potentially quite a good team tbf

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

              I do think that's as good as it can be actually.

              1. SADIO SANÉ
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                think I might prefer Pereyra to Perez for the first 4, so there's an extra 0.5 for the defence 😉

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

                  I quite like Perez actually, and Tielemans.

          2. pokern1nja09
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            That actually looks quite decent. Might be worth trying to get the 5.5 city centre back or Zinchenko over Coleman though

            1. SADIO SANÉ
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              yeah Zinchenko looks good

    4. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Toooooooo much

    5. seewhyaxe
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I had a go but I dislike it; it looks like this in a 451

      Pope
      Ake, TAA, VVD, Zinchenko
      Salah, Sterling, Perez, Brooks, Doucoure
      Kane

      4.0, 4.5, 4.5, 4.0

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

        I think there is something in there, what concerns me is the lack of playing 4.5m strikers - basically you have no bench, which I don't like, but then bench players usually only get 1-2 points anyway, so might be worth the gamble.

    6. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      3x premium is a waste of money. even 2x premium could easily be a waste of money

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

        Spot on

      2. The Mighty Hippo
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I agree. Salah has a good run of fixtures to start the season and can be captained for most of them. There isn't a definite need to have any other premium players. Obviously, any of them can return huge points in a given week, but it does come at the expense of significantly weakening the reminder of your team.

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

          Good points.

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

      Its possible but its pretty bad

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

        I agree, hence asking the question. However I structure the team, there are at least two players I just can't be happy with.

    8. UnluckyXI
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      My attempt 4-4-2

      Ederson - (button)
      Taa-vvd-coleman-holding (Kelly)
      Salah-sterling-perez-jorgihno (dendonck)
      Kane-king- (greenwood)

      Pros: all 3 plus double lpool and good keeper

      Cons: holding and jorgihno or another 9.5 combo have to start so doable once some of those undervalued gems are unearthed

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

        It's not bad. As I mentioned above, there are always two players in the 11 I just don't want (Holding, and Jorginho in this case) and only one sub.
        If I could get it down to just one player I'm not crazy about I think I could live with that.

    9. Maddamotha
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Pope
      TAA, Zinchenko, Coleman, Catchart
      Sterling, Salah, Lucas, Perez
      Kane, King

      Thats what I've got so far. But as some say here, if you can't captain them, is it really worth spending that much money.

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

        I think it's still worth it regardless of captaining them.

        We pick our captains because we think they'll score well every week, why would I not want a player who I think will score well.

    10. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      It can be done but the likes of Wilson & Siggy go down the pan, it's too much quality to sacrifice for me but I admire those who are happy to do so.

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

        Exactly that 'too much quality to sacrifice', very well put.
        I just like the idea of having three players that I'm pretty confident will all get 200+ points over the season.

    11. Andy Unsocial
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Pope
      Digne VVD TAA Zinchenko
      Salah Sterling Perez Norwood
      Kane King

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

        Any bench? Dendonker the only starter?

        It's not bad though. Problem is such a jump between Norwood, and anyone decent is £1.5m. Not an easy amount to find.

    12. Rock n Grohl
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Not ideal but still functional:

      Leno

      TAA, Coleman, Awb, Azpa, vertoghen

      Salah, Tielemans, Sterling,

      Kane Adams

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

        It's not bad, few players I don't fancy, Leno, AWB, Vertonghen, however that's personal preference, the price points are still quite good.

    13. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Burnley GK

      Robertson TAA Digne Zinchenko A.Smith

      Salah Sterling Perez

      Kane King

    14. Ohh1454
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Pope
      Vvd taa coleman zinc
      Salah Sterling brooks yarmo
      Kane DCl

    15. Crazygopher
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Ryan button
      Vvd Rob boly balb kelly
      Perz brooks salah sterl noble
      Kane king green

    16. Holteenderinthesky
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Reply Fail from Above.

      Had this team way before Kane become cool yesterday. One spot for me is the question.

      Barkley/Grealish/Townsend/James?

      Ryan
      TAA, VVD, Coleman, Dunk
      Salah, Sterling, Perez, 6.0m
      Kane, King,

      Button, Targett, Dendonker, Greenwood

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

        I really like this team.
        I've had Kane since the game came out too, and was always between Salah and Sterling.
        I was hoping for some RMTs to give me some inspiration, but up until yesterday no one else had Kane (hence the original post).

        1. Holteenderinthesky
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I just went two Liverpool Defenders, Salah, Sterling, Kane and tried to build the rest around them. If I do lose anyone it will be Kane. Other Draft looks like this;

          Ryan
          TAA, VVD, Coleman, Dunk
          Salah, Sterling, KDB, Siggy
          King, Jota

          Button, Greenwood, Dendonker, Kelly.

          Basically does Kane, Perez, 6.0 outscore KDB, Siggy, Jota

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

            I think the Kane team looks better.
            I've just tinkered with mine and gone 3-5-2.

            4.5 rotating keepers
            TAA - Digne - two rotating 4.5m defenders + Gibson
            Salah - Sterling - Zaha - Perez - Norwood
            Kane - King (Greenwood)

    17. Skalla
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah will be tough from the start as pre-season has not revealed too many cheap options yet

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

        Not yet, still some way to go though, I think the game came out so early we forget that, but still almost three week still to go.

  3. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on this? 🙂

    Pope
    TAA VVD Zinchenko Digne
    Salah KdB Sigurdsson Tielemans
    Vardy Wilson

    Button, Greenwood, Dendoncker, Kelly

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Very good team. Similar to mine. I've also gone the KDB route.

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        no Sterling?

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Nope. No doubt he will score 200+ points but I just can't fit him in for now. Happy to take a hit etc. if my plan goes wrong.

          1. Twisted Saltergater
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Vardy + KdB vs Sterling + 6.5m is quite a tricky call.

            1. Shatner's Bassoon
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Gone with KDB + Sterling from the off myself; with Wilson instead of Vardy to free up funds, and no double Liv defence - backing double City attack to outperform them early on.

      2. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks, I've had Sterling the whole time but suddenly just decided to switch 😀

    2. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Vardy and Tielemans? wow big hope on Leicester

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Yep I could change Tielemans tho

        1. FF Dirtbag
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Yeah quite easily, I would have one or the other due to the risk in their fixtures.

          1. Coys96
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Ok thanks!

    3. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Only difference my side is you have Tielemens and VVD

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

      The front row of Vardy and Wilson is very enticing. I cant afford both without ruining the rest of my team so sticking with just Wilson for the start.

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I was on that too, but I've downgraded sterling to kdb

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

          Yeah getting vardy in means I have to lose Sterling/Siggy/Fraser . They pretty locked in for me.
          Will look to swap Wilson for Vardy around game week 8

    5. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Almost identical to mine, but I've opted for Perez over Tielemans

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        nice 🙂

    6. Denali
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I like it.

      Identical to mine, except mine has Walker and Coleman over Zinch and Digne.

      Also considering Kane and Fraser over KdB and Vardy.

  4. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Defenders week. It could pay off but you will be left behind if it does not.

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      *Defenders weak

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Post fail for No Kane no Gain

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        sorry didn't mean to be a nob, thought you were making an individual post about how it seems to be "Defender's Week" on FFS 🙂

    3. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Weak defence, how?

  5. Pjanić At The Disco
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Ryan
    Digne | VVD | Robertson | Walker
    Sigurdsson | Salah | Fraser
    Deulofeu | Aguero | King

    Button | Dendoncker | Kelly | Hayden

    Any tips to improve this draft?

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      very solid, taa better than rob

  6. The Wise Owl
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Norwood (5.0) could be gold this season. On set pieces.

    1. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Plays for Sheffield United.

      1. EMBOLOFAN
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        here’s the problem

      2. el polako
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        ...says an Owl.

        1. The Wise Owl
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Who is wise 😀

      3. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        r/yesyesyesno

    2. jomikijiq
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      i know that he might be on penalties, but this somehow reminds me of Cairney hype last season

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I owned him, he did return in April if I'm right.

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

          Same, you are right.

      2. The Wise Owl
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        The problem was, Fulham were rubbish.

    3. Maddi Son
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      He's remained in my draft for a little while now. I think one penalty from those first three fixtures could easily happen.

      I've always preferred the 5.0 mid enabler route. Gives you 10 very strong players in your starting 11, and any kind of return from your 5.0 is more of a bonus.

    4. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      He's a tempter at 5m

    5. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      just one answer
      Noble

      1. The Wise Owl
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Monitoring for sure.

      2. Maddi Son
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Only 2.2k minutes last season. Expecting a little less this season too.

    6. Puyol Pants Up
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      THE WISE OWL 1 year 23 mins ago
      Cairney (5.0) could be gold this season. On set pieces

  7. falafel
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A: Ederson, Felipe Anderson
    B: Fabianski, Bilva

    1. Pjanić At The Disco
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B edges it, slightly

    3. Licky
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A

  8. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Which one do I sacrifice / downgrade?

    a) Vardy --> Perez

    b) Kane --> Lucas

    c) Sterling --> KDB

    1. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      a for me

    2. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A

    3. Werner Bremen
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

    A) Sterling, Perez and Zinchenko
    B) KDB, Bilva and Digne (+ 0.5m)

    I'd captain Salah over Sterling every week of the first 6 apart from GW4 anyway...

    Cheers all

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      still a

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      no-one is forcing you to have Sterling 😀

      1. liiusions
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        He's a very good option it's whether him and Salah are worth using 1/4 of my budget

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

          The answer is no 🙂

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

      Dont go Sterling then.

  10. SB8
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A) Kane + King
    B) Wilson + Vardy + 0.5m

    1. falafel
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. liiusions
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A for me

    3. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        imo Vardy + Kane will score similar point totals... Wilson a lot better than King.. and you get 0.5 mil

        1. FF Dirtbag
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          B for me.

        2. SB8
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Yeah. If both Wilson and Vardy keep scoring 170 points, then B is the right way to play. Kane should have another 27-30 goals season to match the pair.

  11. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Slight tweak.. Plan to go Wilson + Fraser > Pogba + Haller gw3.

    Pope
    VVD TAA Zinchenko Digne
    Salah KDB Groß Fraser
    Vardy Wilson

    Button, Greenwood, Dendoncker, Kelly

    Taking a punt on Groß for the Pens.. Everton attack on my radar.. KDB or Sterling??? Groß or 6.5m forward... 🙂

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A nice team 🙂 wouldn't plan transfers in advance though as we never know what will happen 🙂

  12. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Need a bit of a vote on:
    A) Digne and 4.5m defender + 0.5 mill in the bank (spent elsewhere)
    or
    B) Coleman and Zinchenko

    Team at the moment:
    Heaton/Pope Button
    TAA VVD Digne Targett/Fredericks Kelly
    Salah Sterling Siggy Yarmo Dendonkey
    Vardy King Greenwood

    0.5 mill in the bank.

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      b

    2. Boris Bodega
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B

    3. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Or can I find 0.5 somewhere to have that 4.5mill defender as zinchenko?

      1. Shatner's Bassoon
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Siggy to Fraser stands out...

        1. FF Dirtbag
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Put I already have King...

    4. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B for me. Interesting team. Yarmo could be good

      1. FF Dirtbag
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I'm very worried at my possible disappointment from digne returns but I guess coleman eases that slightly.

  13. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Latest draft lads, rate it please

    Pope
    TAA VVD Zinchenko Digne
    Salah Sterling Fraser Pérez
    Wilson Deulofeu

    Button Dendoncker Greenwood Targett

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Really like it

    2. SKJ
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Good team to start with. Not sure if Zinchenko is a long term prospect - could face some competition for his slot. I would wait for Perez to settle into the Liecester attack first. Otherwise solid

    3. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I think a 4.0 will emerge, go Siggy over Fraser and this is a fine template.

    4. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers all

  14. Puyol Pants Up
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts lads?

    Pope
    TAA, Gomez, Coleman, Zinkencho
    Salah, Sterling, KDB, Siggy, Perez
    Deulofeu

    Button, Kelly, Greenwood, Wickham

    I personally think Gomez could match VVD's minutes in the first 5 games (Surely there won't be too much rotation before UCL) and after that would be the time most of us would WC in which case he'd be gone after.

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

      Not sure Gomez will start the season, would avoid..

      1. Puyol Pants Up
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        One of the 5.5 Liverpool defenders will though, and I expect whoever to start to be the 'first choice' CB up until cup competitions start where liverpool would be forced to rotate.

    2. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      sorry I think you are talking guff about gomez-returning from team and rotating with the other CB and RB-he will have mins managed.
      Wickham?-I hope you dont mean...
      Sorry imo you have overpromised on your mids.
      delboy as your main striker-collapsocalyso by gw 3

      1. Puyol Pants Up
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        My point about Gomez is that I expect VVD's pairing CB to play most minutes (if not all) up to around GW 4/5/6 which is where most of us will play our WC's.

  15. Dacra
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Hows this looking?

    Ederson (4.0)
    TAA - VVD - Zinchenko - Digne (4.0)
    Salah - KdB - Siggy (4.5, 4.5)
    Vardy - King - Jota

    Some possible modifications could be:

    Ederson > Pope to fund King > Wilson
    King > Perez (Switch to 442)

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I think I'd do Ederson to Pope. King hasn't even featured in pre season yet and Wilson much better imo

  16. Chelsea91
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Ederson
    Robbo,VVD,Coleman,Walker
    Salah,Sterling,Siggy,Perez,
    King,Jota

    Set mate, any comment would be appreciate.

    1. SKJ
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      King, Perez and Walker are the risky ones imo. Wilson is showing great form in preseason and has had a great last season - I personally prefer him to King. Perez - may need to wait until he settles in, but could be a big factor this season - not fully confident. Walker - although he featured a lot for City last season, I like Laporte's goal threat better for just 0.5m more

      1. Chelsea91
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        how about this mate?

        Ederson
        Robbo,VVD,Coleman
        Salah,Sterling,Siggy,Perez
        Deu,Jota,King

        1. SKJ
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Try to get a 8m forward - it will help you to upgrade to a 10m ish striker easily (Vardy/Kane) if that striker emerges once the season is underway. Plus, given Wilson's preseason form and fixtures, there is a real case. Compared to King, he seems a better option. Otherwise good team!

  17. adamtheyido
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Ryan
    TAA, VVD, DIGNE, KWP
    SALAH, KDB, PEREZ, BARKLEY
    WILSON, KANE

    Pope, Andone, Dendonker, Kelly

    KWP is holding place for whichever 5m gets the RB spot at spurs. Barkley could be gold at that price if he plays. Obviously will assess throughout pre season.
    Thoughts please?

    1. Holteenderinthesky
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Similar to mine, I'd drop Wilson down to King. And find an extra 1m to turn KDB into Sterling.

      1. adamtheyido
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks for reply. Tbh I prefer KDB and Wilson to Sterling and King

    2. SKJ
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Barkley maybe wait till after GW1? Great team btw

      1. adamtheyido
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks. Il keep an eye on the Barkley scenario pre season. I'm sure we will have more info on Lamps chosen first team before season starts

  18. Super John McGinn-
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Pope
    Robbo, VVD, Digne, Dunk
    Salah (C), Sterling, Siggy, Tielemans
    Vardy, King

    Button, Kelly, Dendoncker, Greenwood

    Dunk is only there if he signs for Leicester, also not sure if I want he Tielemans + Vardy double up, any recommendations what to change?

    1. Holteenderinthesky
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Yes your missing Grealish

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      This suffers from lack of Bournemouth quality, it probably needs at least Fraser, ideally Wilson. That's the Vardy problem, you have to scale back somewhere.

  19. SKJ
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Ederson vs Nick Pope? Who do you prefer and why..

    1. Holteenderinthesky
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Can't compare the two, Ederson will definitely outscore pope. Just how you use your extra funds as well and are you happy using a man city spot on a GK

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I prefer the good 4.5's, always a chance they can 150 with 10 cleanies and a pks or 2.

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

    If Toby stays at Spurs ( buy out clause expires Thursday) do you think good option ?

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      The value is at RB, all 5m, just need to wait until Foyth's back to see which way Poch goes.

      1. adamtheyido
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Foyth came in at CB against Juve whilst KWP stayed at RB.

        1. Netley Lucas
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Indeed, we should know the truth when we see the NEW teamsheet.

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Better value defenders around I think personally.

    3. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      i'm going Lloris, think spurs defense is overlooked. Third best team in the league and 5.5 defenders

    4. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Yup. The TOT wingback situation is very murky at the moment.

  21. dbeck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    after some discussions on here today fitting 3 x premium players in (i.e. kane, sterling and salah), is anyone thinking or planning on a team with Sterling, Salah, Vardy and Wilson? The Vardy and Wilson front two offers some level of flexibility to move to a premium striker or is this just a bad idea and if going heavy up top, Kane and a 6.5 for the same price is better?

    1. Holteenderinthesky
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Currently on Kane and a 6.5 myself. Seen a few teams with Vardy in though. Just think King will offer much better value than Wilson. 1.5m to spend wisely elsewhere.

  22. Puyol Pants Up
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Why is liverpools 5.5 CB option being overlooked?

    Yes, I understand that Gomez/Matip/Lovren aren't nailed. But do we really expect the one to get the nod to be rotated in the first 4-6 GW's? I can't see it personally due to no UCL at the start + long international breaks. Early WC's are always the way to go so as long as the 5.5 Liverpool option plays enough of the early games I can't see why getting one is a bad idea.

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      CB are rarely rotated unless injured/not fit. I expect one of matip or gomez to nail down the spot. Just look out who klopp goes for in pre-season

      1. Puyol Pants Up
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Exactly my point. I don't understand how VVD at 6.5 is better value in the short term.

        1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          For people who are picking their teams right now VVD is the best option. For those willing to wait and are patient then Gomez/Matip will be the best option alongside another Liverpool defender.

          Once one of the other CB's starts nailing a spot during pre-season expect to see them popping up in RMT's all over the place.

    2. Holteenderinthesky
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      You just said it yourself, who plays out the three? It's a wait and see and if one emerges as the main starter select away.

      1. Puyol Pants Up
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        We'll likely know by the end of pre-season, especially with the community shield. Team's usually play a full strength side.

        1. Holteenderinthesky
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          No rush to bring one in though. Definitely a wait and see, see who starts regularly and bring them in with a transfer or wildcard 4-5 weeks in.

    3. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      We don't know who will play yet.. and VVD, Robbo and TAA offer better goal threat

    4. Wheato182
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      As a Liverpool fan i expect Matip to start the first few but I wouldn't be surprised if Gomez gets the nod.

      I certainly wouldn't be considering a 5.5 option who isn't bolted.

      1. Puyol Pants Up
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        At the moment yes we don't know. But surely by the end of pre-season Klopp will start playing his preferred lineup?

        1. Wheato182
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          You might be on to something, worth keeping an eye on I suppose - VVD owner myself.

          Personally i can see the spot being Gomez's before long anyway, was a mainstay until the injury last season.

    5. Rostah
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      The way I see it is people are picking TAA/Robbo specifically because of their attacking returns + CS and VvD for his CS + nailedness.

      If you are going for TAA/Robbo then downgrading to the 5.5m option is a change of strategy, you are looking just for CSs and moving that 1.5m to find attacking returns elsewhere in your squad. Nothing wrong with that but it's a shift of strategy.

      Downgrading VvD on the other hand is a very viable option as what you're seeking is the CSs. Should a 5.5m nail down their position then lots and lots will make the move in GW2/3. You are paying the premium for VvD for that certainty of starts to begin with & little risk of price drops.

      I've gone with TAA/Robbo personally but if I did have VvD then I would be certainly downgrading once I know who else is nailed in the defence. I've no interest in selecting anyone in my initial 11 who are risks of not starting though. GW1 anyone gets benched who was a coin toss starter then you're forced to remove them immediately. High chance you aren't the only person in this position and a mass exodus will begin. With a Liverpool 5.5m option specifically, if they are benched you are more than likely missing on CS points from VvD and playing one of your bench options (mightn't be the worst thing in the world depending on who they are of course).

  23. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Best £7 mil mid or lower? (Not Brooks as have Fraser + Wilson)

    -> Currently on Groß for fixtures on pens...
    -> But also like Tielemans + Perez... bad fixtures but Leicetser attack looks great... going to Cambridge vs Leicester tomorrow so I'll know more then, I'll share details after!
    -> I would have Zaha if the situation becomes clearer, I think he's defo the best option but unclear atm.
    -> Felipe Anderson also looks alright due to fixtures and plays well against bad teams.
    -> Sanchez could be a bargain if nailed, but I doubt it.
    -> For 6 mil.. Barkley, JWP, Pereyra, Yarmolenko and save 1 mil?

    Thoughts please 🙂

    1. Winter_is_coming
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I prefer to start with Gross and monitor Ayoze, Grealish and other options while Bri have super start.

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        My plan!

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Zaha if he stays at Palace for sure, otherwise Perez. Still will probably be more goings-on in the transfer window for everything to change though.

    3. Bullet Eder
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Perez for me. Striker playing in midfield and Leicester's first four fixtures are actually very nice indeed.

    4. adamtheyido
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Barkley is the best player imo. Just needs the minutes. If he gets those, I expect him to be gold

  24. Wheato182
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    How am i looking guys? feels light up top but thats the price with having Salah and Sterling in i suppose.

    Pope
    TAA - VVD - Digne - Kelly
    Sterling - Salah - Richarlison - Bernardo
    King - Jota

    Button - Greenwood - Dend - Targett

    1. aapoman
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Bernardo to Perez/Tielemans and King to Wilson

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Easily fixed, Bernardo/King>Perez/Wilson, not sure about the rotating 4th, I suspect you really have 5.5m there.

    3. Wheato182
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers guys

  25. Stef rocks
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Building a Salah(c) team with 14M left for last remaining 2 slots. Currently no BOU and WOL - who would you pick:

    A) Jiménez & King - 3 FWDs
    B) Frazer & Jota - 2FWDs

    Any other suggestions are welcomed.

    Rest of team is pretty nailed

    Loris
    Robbo VVD Digne
    Siggy Anderson Salah(c) Moura
    Vardy

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. Wheato182
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I'd go B think Fraser is decent Bournemouth cover.

      1. Stef rocks
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        So overall you think Frazer is more worth 1M more than King than Jiménez over Jota

  26. aapoman
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Opinions? Plan is to play 442 or 352 depending on the fixtures Cathcart, Diop and Dendoncker have

    Ederson
    TAA Robbo Digne Cathcart
    Salah Sterling Siggy Perez
    King Deulofeu

    4.0; Dendoncker, Greenwood, Diop

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Similar to mine, i go for 3-4-3
      Eder
      Robbo,VVD,Coleman
      Salah,Sterling,Siggy,Perez
      King,Jota,Deu

  27. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    The Times are saying Man Utd are making good progress in negotiations for Pepe from Lille. Hopefully this transfer doesn't happen as he plays right wing and probably means less game time for Greenwood

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Probably why they are looking to sign him.

  28. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Wow, DCL has got 13 fantasy assists having only created 32 chances last two seasons

    To put that in perspective, one of the best creators Hazard got 15 assists having created 97 chances last season 🙂

  29. KKluigi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Does Wood really takes penalties for Burnley? I thought it was Barnes?

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      They appear to have an understanding, so yes, both.

  30. Jackpot777
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Possibly too many RMT's for this to be noticed (and understandably so), but this was a great article (again), Clouseau. Cheers!

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

      Hadn’t previously spotted this but thanks again for your kind words; really appreciate the positive feedback.