Community

Pundits Playoff – We have a winner!

As the dust settles on the last week in the Pundits Playoff, the community competition that involved teams of FPL players pitted against each other (I would go into more detail but it’s over so if you haven’t got it by now…well it’s too late). Twelve teams sized up to each other over 22 gruelling week of Head to Head (H2H) action, in more ways than one, and then went into the finals stage. Before the Quarters even got under way, four teams found their way into the Pundits Playoff You’re Ropey League of Shame (PPYRLOS), having been tried an found wanting to get into the Pundits Playoff Champions League (PPCL).

Semi-Finals

Setting the scene at the playoff corral the remaining eight teams had their quarter-finals, and the four losers ended up making their way into either the Ropey League, or the Wooden spoon competition. We were then left with four semi-finalists: Blame It on Rio found themselves facing up to the BSC Small Boys (in the Park) FC, like two gunslingers in a do or die duel to the death. In the second semi-final, Nirvana Scott Talent found themselves up against one of the most consistently high scoring teams of the competition, Unbelievable Jeff FC. As they raced to high noon, or in this case a deadline of 16:30, it was impossible to tell who had the upper hand pre-match.
Elsewhere, the following teams picked themselves and their pistolero teammates up off the ground, dusted themselves off and prepared for the semi-finals in the ‘lesser’ leagues, the PPYRLOS, and the Pundits Playoff Losers Wooden Spoon (PPLWS). Holly’s Hamsters took on A Whole Lawro B*llocks to see who could make it to the PPYRLOS finals, as did Brazil Nuts and The Keane Fifteen. Slaven’s Ball-itch had their semi-final in the PPLWS against Back to Square Owen to see who would avoid being in the final that every team wants to avoid. Likewise with teams “15” Musketeers and WhenTheOWENgetsTough. Here’s how all the semi-finals played out:

Champions League

BSC Small Boys (blah blah) FC continued their fine run of excellent form, clearly the threat of leg-breaking violence did the job again as they prevailed against Blame it on Rio. The Small Boys won 40 extra points from the H2H battles and won out 1011 – 903.
Nirvana Scott Talent got their H2H battles line ups all wrong, which could have turned the table on this match, but the extra 60 points gave Unbelievable Jeff FC the 108 point lead they needed for victory.

You’re Ropey League of Shame

Holly’s Hamsters found themselves wanting as their total score was 31 points behind their opponent’s, A Whole Lawro B*llocks. Could their H2H battles save them? Nope, both teams shared the bonus point riches, 30 points apiece. In the end, the well-endowed rodent’s subs saved the day, with the hamster’s team manager, Toblerone52 benching just 114 points, to Lawro and crew’s 150. The Hamsters won by a mere five points, and proceeded to the PPYRLOS final.
In the other PPYRLOS semi-final, Brazil Nuts vs The Keane Fifteen, the result was just as exciting, both teams scores before subs just 18 points apart, the H2H points split 35-25 in the Brazil Nuts favour. The final score was Nuts 933 – 926 TKF, and Speedyboyz and co went on to meet the Hamsters in the PPYRLOS final.

Losers Wooden Spoon (the one NO ONE wants to win…)

In this section of the finals, it is the losers who go to the final. Slaven’s Ball-itch faced off against Back to Square Owen to avoid such a fete, and pulled a nice win 1029-889, winning 50 of the H2H points to boot. Back to Square Owen, as losers, sadly headed to the final.
Their opponents would be the losing team out of “15” Musketeers vs WhenTheOWENgetsTough. Again this match was a proper nailbiter, and despite having the slight edge of winning 35 of the H2H points, “15” Musketeers went through to the final by losing 909-915, by a mere six points!

The Finals

Starting with the Losers Wooden Spoon of Shame final, “15” Musketeers had the sweat put on them by their opponents Back to Square Owen, as they finished with an overall score of 913, 71 points shy of the 984 posted by the Owens. But good benching and H2H management skills meant that the Musketeers fought their way back to win 853-841, and escaped the humiliation of being awarded the wooden spoon. Tough luck Back to Square Owen, you fought bravely to the end.

In the 3rd place playoff, WhenTheOWENgetsTough triumphed over Slaven’s Ball-itch, 976-798 and finish on a high note.

In the PPYRLOS, both Holly’s Hamsters and Brazil Nuts had a chance to finish the competition with their heads held high by winning the You’re Ropey League of Shame final. What occurred can only be honestly described as a bloodbath, as the Hamsters were neutered by a very well organised Brazil Nuts team, who won 999-789.

A Whole Lawro B*llocks took on The Keane Fifteen in the 3rd place playoff, and this time it was Lawro and co who won by a tight margin. The scores finished 891-885 and The Keane Fifteen, who masterminded an excellent campaign during the group stages lost by just six points.

The Champions League Finals

Having faltered at the penultimate hurdle, both Nirvana Scott Talent and Blame it on Rio were still in the finals, albeit in the 3rd place playoff match. Blame it on Rio started well, an overall score of 959 before subs and H2H points. Nirvana Scott Talent were 33 points away from them, could they rely on the H2H points and subs scores to help them out? Sadly it was not to be, and they succumbed to the victors, Blame it on Rio, 903-834.

The big match, the final that all teams have been focussed to reach over the last 24 match weeks finally arrived, and the finalists pitted against each other were BSC Small Boys (in the park) FC managed by Tets McGee, best manager of period four, and Unbelievable Jeff FC managed by Pirlo’s Pen best manager of Period 1. On paper, it looked like being a close affair, and so it played out in real life. Overall scores were in UJFC’s favour, 1025-1015, but after subs came out the Small Boys were in the lead 861-859. So it came down to the H2H battles:

  • H2H C, the 10 pointer, was won for the Small Boys by Wally Banter, who beat his opponent Haggis 78-62.
  • H2H B, for 20 points, went the way of Unbelievable Jeff FC, Hasselbank Forever beating Az by 83-62.
  • H2H A, the big 30 point match, was between Jake Donahue (Small Boys), and the manager of UJFC himself, Pirlo’s Pen, who won the 30 H2H bonus points for his team 79-61.

And so the winners of the Community Competition 2019/20, the Pundits Playoff, are Unbelievable Jeff FC, beating the BSC Small Boys (in the park) FC, winning 909-871.

All members of the team are eligible for free membership to Fantasy Football Scout next season, and are urged to keep in touch with their team manager, Pirlo’s Pen, to find out how to claim them.

What a tournament, what a winning team, and what a ridiculous and eventful season it has been!

Many thanks to all who have taken part, not the least the other members of the organising committee, Swanmoretime, Bielsa’s Binoculars, rjcv177, TorresLove, Toblerone52, Mr Hindsight, Vobinho and Mr Perfectionist. Thanks also to Rotation’s Alter Ego, who has shown immense support of the competition throughout. Lastly thanks to Fantasy Football Scout for the free memberships for the winners. See you all next season.

Here is a link to all the results of the finals.

 

Boris Bodega Business Analyst and Spreadsheet Nerd. This kinda sums up my FPL life http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2015/11/05/sky-sports-focus-gameweek-15-3/?hc_page=1#hc_comment_11763056 Follow them on Twitter

35 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rotation's Alter Ego
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thank you Boris, it's been an absolute pleasure putting these articles up.

    Big shout to you and all the team (in particular Toblerone52 and Lord for the articles they submitted) for putting on this tournament, it really isn't an easy task!

    And of course well done to Pirlo's Pen and the Unbelievable Jeff FC team for winning - deserved winners.

    1. Boris Bodega
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Big thanks to you also, RAE, the turnaround for getting these articles up has been first rate.

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

      Thanks a lot for your great support of the tournament!

  2. Stats Don\'t Lie
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Unbelievable Jeff!

  3. Pirlø's Pen
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thank you Boris for running the competition, a truly tremendous effort!

    Also, I want to say thanks to my team. Every single one of us had a big part to play and can honestly say the victory was well deserved.

    Hope we can defend it next year!

    1. Morph - Unbelievable Geoff
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks Boss. Thanks to the rest of the team.

      Thanks to Boris for all his hard work.

      Thanks to everyone who took part.

      Can't wait for the next one already.

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

      Congrats on a Great win, you were a fantastic team throughout the tournament and hope to take you on again next season!

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

    Congrats for everyone who was able to participate. However, this seems to be pretty much a closed league and a lot of same people seem to play in same teams every year. Could there be possibility to create some kind of shadow league or increase numbers of teams by playing H3H for example?

    1. Morph - Unbelievable Geoff
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      100% agree that the tournament needs to be accessible to new people, but the flip-side of this is that I wouldn't want to lose anyone from my current team.

      At the start of this season we had to let people go and gamble on getting them back in the auction. I've been on the same team as some of them for 4 seasons. I'd be gutted if I coudn't be on their team next season, I'd especially miss the WhatsApp group.

      Expanding the tournament is the simplest solution but that depends on there being enough new people willing to play.

      These tournaments have been going for a number of years, so perhaps some form of 'relegation' is needed where a small number of teams are disbanded but the rest can stay together.

      I hope that all 15 Jeffs can stay together and defend or title next year, but that we can still find a way to get more people involved.

      1. Wolverine
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I had never entered any of these tourneys before and found myself being signed by UJFC. Feels like I've been a part of the team for a while even though a few of the lads have known each other 4-5 years...Shows it is possible to integrate new players in but agree that this may perhaps be a limited number

    2. Lord.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      It's true that many squads have a core nucleus from previous tournaments; and its to be expected given that lasting friendships are forged.It might look like a closed shop, but in my experience it really isn't. You do need to be around when the tournament, and the signing up process, is announced, and it helps to make your interest known, and and join in with the banter FFScout that usually builds up as the tournament warms up. This years tournament offered 180 berths, plus a number of transfer windows to refresh squads, so if you're keen, you should get in. Just don't be that person who signs up in August, disappears for two months, and then wonders why they didn't get picked up.

      One way to guarantee success is to volunteer to be a team captain; and then you join the ranks of those deserve the most praise: the volunteers that make these tournaments happen.

      And don't just assume that there will be another tournament. They only get off the ground when there are hard working organisers like Boris and his team (and others in previous years), who put the hours in, week after week, to keep it going.

      Keep your eyes peeled Baps Sniffer; I'm sure there will be a place for you.

    3. The Boot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      The intensity of FPL increases when you are part of a team. I was very lucky to be part of Unbelievable Jeff. I think they had a core of successful players and they improved my understanding of the game. Any new team would fine it difficult to beat them unless they too had an experienced core. Therein lies the problem. Plus from my experience the team manager has to give so much to the team. Keeping 14 players working together is no mean feat. Perhaps all team managers should be given free membership each year.

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

      Very good point - and as the other posts above point out it's a tricky one.
      We did try to use a draft system to encourage players to move in and out of teams, but what we found is that nearly all players wanted to stay within their original team - and I can see why, the WhatsApp group I am in, that was formed precisely for an old FFS tourney, is more useful and valuable to my FPL life that FFS in many ways.

      Therefore, in order to get more players involved we need to form new teams, and for that we need more volunteer team managers, but there are very few willing to step forward. We were ideally looking to have 24 teams of 8/10 players rather than 12 teams of 15. but didn't have enough managers. Perhaps next season, if we run it again, we will get more stepping forward - for me I believe more prizes on offer would certainly improve on the uptake, but that's for the FFS team to look at. I would love to be able to hand out mugs/t-shirts as monthly prizes for example.

  5. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thanks for organising such a great tournament

    Looking forward to another one next season! 😀

  6. Chaballer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sensational tourney...thanks to everyone who helped out!Lawro’s men will be back next season ready & reinvigorated to up their performance levels.

  7. BC1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Congratulations to Unbelievable Jeff, nice one!
    Cheers so much Boris and your brilliant team, thanks seriously, looking forward to this again next season 🙂
    Cheers to Brazil Nuts, great team, 5th in our teams league was 15k!
    Couldn't have met them without this "game", cheers again Boris, go Nuts!!!

    1. FPL_JAAFAR
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      We smashed it

  8. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thank you Boris for this tournament.
    Thanks for this tournament I was managed to meet great friends for our Team (Blame it on Rio).
    Hope we can ran this again next year.

  9. Jigger & Pony
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Congratulations Boris and team for running a wonderful tournament. On behalf of BSC Small Boys (in the park) thank you... Hope to have another similar tournament next season.

  10. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    From being at the bottom of the league, to finishing with the bronze medal, it's been an amazing journey.
    I am grateful to be picked by Gaffer Gee, without whom I wouldn't have got the opportunity to blame Rio whenever things don't go our way. Along with the I've made very good friends, whom I am sure to be in contact with next season too, irrespective of any other tournament or not ( I hope there will be).

    Congratulations to unbelievable Jeff for winning the tournament.

    Lastly I would like to thanks Boris and his team for organizing this tournament and updating it every week without being biased.

  11. Haggis
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Can't believe it, bloody hell. A big thank you to the organizers, personally think it's been the best run championships to date (with the most wicked spreadsheets).

  12. Speédy
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Congratulations UJFC!!!! Well played.
    Big thanks to Boris and co for organising a great tourney. Couldn't be better run than this........
    Cheers to my fellow Nuts for being a great team throughout. 🙂

    1. FPL_JAAFAR
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Cheers gaffa

  13. Greyhead
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Quite simply - THANK YOU Boris and his cabinet! Great tournament and yeah Lawro’s B*ll*cks were awful this year but we’ll be back.

  14. Annie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Great read. A big thanks to the organisers for running a fantastic tournament and to my team mates for supporting each other. Hopefully see you all next year!

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

    Huge Kudos to Boris on behalf of all the Hamsters and the rest of the organising committee.

    Without his unbelievable input organising spreadsheets, writing articles and coming up with this amazing concept there would have been no pundits playoff to speak of!

    Watch this space as the main man himself is already plotting new and exciting tournament ideas for season 2020/21!

    1. Boris Bodega
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Cheer's Toby, couldn't have done it without your help and input, especially with some of the articles.

  16. fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Superbly organised tournament Boris .... cheers!

  17. Az
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Urgh another slap in the face for a poor Free Hit team.
    Congrats though Unbelievable Jeff FC!!!

    Thanks for organizing folks

  18. Wolverine
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Great tourney! Thanks Boris.

    Pirlo's Pen...give me my membership boss! Haha

  19. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Free membership received 🙂 Cheers FFS

  20. tets mcgee (Bachmann an Rob…
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    cheers Boris. well played UBJ. We had a good run and lots of fun.

  21. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Thanks for organizing this Boris! Great effort.

  22. Geevious
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Thanks Boris and the organizing committee for a great tournament. And congratulations to Unbelievable Jeff for winning it all. Blame it on Rio will come back stronger next season and challenge the throne once more!

    To those who are pondering whether you should join the tournament next season - hopefully all the comments above have conveyed enough reasons for you to make up your mind. As someone who was brand new to FFS community tournaments, I decided to sign up to participate in my first ever tournament this season as a manager and it was one of the best decisions I've made in my FPL life. Not only did I get to pick the brains and learn from some of the most experienced and successful veterans of the game, I also got to meet and know a bunch of lovely people along the way who share a passion for the game and we now have a great group to banter with on any occasion. It certainly brings a new and meaningful joy to my Premier League matchdays. Truly hope to see the tournament organized with more teams, aka more players and managers, next season!

  23. QPRUTD
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Big Thanks to the organizing team for this tournament.
    It was great fun. Can't wait for next year's tournament 🙂