Site Features

A Sunday Statement

14 August 2011 849 comments
Mark Mark
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Before we proceed with today’s planned coverage here on the site I thought it would be worthwhile to state our position when it comes to the current issues facing the Fantasy Premier League game.

The majority of our visitors will be well aware of the problems that have occurred – I don’t need to go over the issues with logins, the inability for those who were not logged to change their squads and then the absence of live scores. In all honesty, I can’t add anything to what you already know about those events.

We really don’t have a wealth of “inside information” on what has occurred. I did have contact with the FPL very late on Friday after the issues they faced forced a major traffic spike on our servers. On that occasion I was informed that there were issues with login and registration which were revealed by a surge in sign-ups on Friday. I was told that work would be done overnight to hopefully rectify the problem.

At that time I was forced to concentrate on our own issues – we had to provision more servers and get Fantasy Football Scout stable once again.

That’s the last communication and information available to me. I’ve had to concentrate on our site on the opening day of the season –traditionally one of the busiest in our year. I did make efforts to get more information and I will up those efforts today.

I will try to find out more then, to hopefully get some idea on what will be done to fix the problems and the frustration amongst us all. I feel it too and I want answers and reassurance as much as anyone.

In the meantime, we are going to go about our business and deliver you some articles – not to provide distraction, not because we’re hiding information or we’re ignoring what is going on over at the FPL, but because that’s what we do here. Through all the frustration, we have to carry on what we do.

Scout Notes on yesterday’s games are in the works.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

849 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Dave Bauer
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    The lack of points updates is a dreadful step backwards, as is the bonus-points-on-a-Monday thing.

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    1. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 19 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      Personally, I don't think the lack of points is a permanent move. That's a really strange one and something I'm very keen to get clarified.

      The Bonus Points - I can understand -they are based on stats, from my experience with Opta, lots of stats - passes complete, tackles won etc, get revised 24-hours after the games. If those stats govern where the Bonus goes, then the Bonus is very likely to change once the games and stats have been revised.

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      1. Dave Bauer
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 6 months ago

        Fair enough Mark. Of the two, the bonus points are certainly less of an issue for me.

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      2. jimnastics
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 6 months ago

        I can only assume the lack of live points was simply because their resources were focussed on sorting out the underlying technical issues. I'm sure the staff at FPL had a pretty miserable day yesterday, and live points was seen as a time-hog feature that could be temporarily dropped whilst other issues were worked on.

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      3. Telly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks for the update Mark! Good to know a little of what's going on.

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      4. Pasqualinho
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 6 months ago

        I'd agree with this - I'm only able to use the mobile site at the moment and small things are changing all the time. It's light-years behind the standard of last year, but I'm sure they will get there. At least the basics of transfers and team selection are working for now (although we still had the same server issues on Friday/Saturday. Features like being able to see your score or next week's fixtures are not essential - you can work these out by other methods

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  2. thejamit
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Here here!!!

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  3. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Thanks Mark, we appreciate your efforts. You are right, we need to try and talk football until more details of the issues are known. Thanks again

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  4. MB10
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Thanks Mark. Your efforts are much appreciated.

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  5. dmcqt
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    My two bits worth: I think it'd be best if FPL reverts to the old website and spends the coming months beta testing the new system in preparation for the next year. There are too many bugs with the new format -- no live scores, delays in rankings, delays in updating player scores, delays with bonus points, difficulty with logins, bandwidth issues, and a less appealing design. I think they should admit a significant failure of testing and return to the prior normal situation. I'm surprised that such a major site would go live with an update with so many obvious flaws. Their advertisers can't be at all happy.

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  6. Tiki-Taka
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Thanks Mark, just cos you guys now write for FPL doesn't mean you know everything going on behind scenes suddenly, keep doing what ya doing

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    1. Cognog
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      didnt know they write for the main site! just reading over it now its funny how you recognise writing style.. and depth of knowledge.

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  7. AndyCairns
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    I seem to remember the site had issues on the first day of the season before, but not to the same scale as yesterday. They soon sorted it before and I am sure they will do again.

    I can live with the BPs on a monday, but live scoring is a must.

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    1. dA4s
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      FPL went down last year also. A few hours before match start the site went down, then huge problems with logging in. Everyone is FPL crazy on the first day of the season. I guess this time the changes they have made to the site had some unforseen side effects when the load got to high. I am quite sure the everything with the scores (or missing scores/points) comes from new systems configurations to make things better, but that on gameday once made it even worse. When they just get a few things sorted out I am sure the system should work even better than last year (I hope).

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  8. Torpedo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    I just posted a comment calling for an FFS statement but I see my post has crossed in the post as it were.

    Many thanks Mark for this important statement which will do much to provide everyone with some reassurance that you are as concerned about things as everyone else, and that you're on the case.

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  9. Gold Monster
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    I miss the 'latest points', it's all a bit click here, click there heavy this new FPL site and on first impressions less user friendly. One click did most things on the old site, not here, it really seems like a backward step for the sake of a bit more eye candy. They will lose users over the newly implemented problems IMO. I for one have been hugely disappointed, the definition of 'anti-climax'.

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    1. Milan
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      Agree, exactly my opinion.

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    2. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      It didn't help that there was nothing to get excited about on the football field yesterday. Worst opening Saturday that I can ever remember.

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  10. gaspar
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    OFF-TOPIC:

    Today is the opening of the PGE Arena in Gdańsk - one of the Euro 2012 venues. Should be cracking atmosphere. Game is at 17.00 CEST - Lechia Gdańsk vs Cracovia Kraków.

    Some pics of the stadium:
    http://www.uspro.pl/files/2011-07-20/b531a98eabcb512cd817727f06352b9aPGE.jpg
    http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/9040/25165860.jpg

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    1. Cognog
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      that stadium gets my two thumbs up! 🙂

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    2. MAS
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      oh my sure thats a nice Arena, but sure for such an scale 44000 seems a little.

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    3. swedish_toffee
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      Reminds me of the Allianz Arena in Munich. Looks nice!

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  11. The Real Big Vern
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Yesterday and Friday were laughable and FFS were as much a victim as the rest of us, so thank you for your continued efforts.

    BP's understandably wont be updated until later on due to the way they now operate so that's fair enough. It stretches the weekend out anyway!

    The lack of live updates must surely have been a further glitch? I can't see that been a new feature.

    However, the lack of log-on availability is simply not acceptable and gw1 should be null and void (unless Rooney scores 5 today!)

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  12. Demí
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Cheers Mark, appreciate it.

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  13. Denis Denis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    they have slipped up on design (it's not as pleasing to look at) they have slipped up on servers (they can't take a decent amount of users) and they've slipped up on gameplay (no live points update). All technical compromises someone DECIDED to make.

    If they were aiming for live points updates but a bug was still in the system would it have stopped ALL or just SOME of the points from showing?

    As usual the thing that's lacking is clear communication - what is the intention on points scoring? To show it live as it happens? Or in the evening after some guy with an abacus has totted it all up? At the moment we have to guess which it might be. Why don't FPL just say clearly how it will work eventually, then some calm is restored...

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    1. Denis Denis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      I should add I don't expect FFS to be able to answer any of these questions. But if the FPL are interested in hearing feedback from long term players of the game, clearly FFS is as good a way into that conversation as anything. I hope they make use of people insights on here - they do go beyond moans and gripes. People are interested in an interactive and 'real-time' experience on match days. FPL used to provide both. All of the things that seemed to make FPL a clear winner compared to other 'pretenders' to the crown have been tinkered with or removed. Such a shame.

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  14. Milan
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    I also think that no live updates wasn't meant to happen. It's just they were trying to present a new look and module before really being prepared for it. One thing lead to another and complete havoc broke loose on day one.

    For me, biggest failure is no complete look on all scores and fixtures. That was something that put out FPL above other FF games. They will probably pay the price for it next season. Pitty.

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  15. Demí
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Hey Mark, is the no showing of the H2H fixtures a glitch aswell that they are fixing.

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    1. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      There are loads of other things too. Click on the fixture scores and it takes you back to your own team. The new scroll bar that replaces the gameweek dropdown is woeful. Your latest points don't show by default, you need to click on 'view points'

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      1. Demí
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 6 months ago

        Yep, it's horrible. I can only hope by the start of next gameweek, they will of patched certain things up and it won't be as bad

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  16. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    I didn't notice the "latest points" section at first but once it was pointed out to me I figured that conventionally they will do it live, just everything this week was a bit much for them. Really hope that's the case anyway.

    Cheers for the update anyways.

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  17. kirkus
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    I personally think we should petition the old site back, mobile and website. Even the old wap site was better than this. I for one put my name down and as a member of fantasy football scout hope we can all get together to petition and send on to fpl

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  18. AndyCairns
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    The new site isn't backwards compatible with old versions of IE either. Unfortunately my employer still runs and old version and we now cant access it. Good for productivity you may say, but not good for the banter on the mini league positions.

    Probably not the time to bring it up with FPL, might have to leave it a week or two until they get their capacity issues sorted!

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    1. Pigvig
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      Ah, thats why I couldn't get onto it at work. Thats a real pain in the arse.

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      1. AndyCairns
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 6 months ago

        probably not too high on the techies priority list though

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    2. Victor Hugo
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      Have you tried Chrome Frame? Its compatible with IE6 onwards - not tested myself so don't know if it will fix your issue.

      http://lifehacker.com/5813662/new-version-of-chrome-frame-doesnt-require-admin-rights-to-install

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  19. Gold Monster
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Still haven't updated the leagues? Don't they know how impatient I am 

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  20. wolves_simmo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    As well as nOt being able to do any changes in the last day or two I've also noticed I've been removed from half the leagues I was in? Any1 else have that problem? Mainly the head to head leagues as you can join others at a later date!

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  21. 4vets
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Thanks Mark.

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  22. Bram
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Thanks for the update Mark.

    Appreciate if you have no information from FPL that there is not much you can say but at least communication of this type as against the blanket silence from FPL shows you are leaps and bounds ahead of FPL when understanding you users.

    The fact in the absence of anything from FPL we all flock here in the hope of finding something out is a credit to how far this site has come in the few years I've had it permanently open in my browser. Obviously difficult at a time like this but in terms of your input to FPL The Sout is head and shoulders better than The Pundit!

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    1. Bram
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      Appears FPL is not alone as this year I entered a team in the Sky game which states;

      "Team points will update live on match days. These are indicative and exclude man of the match points. Classified points will appear by 10am the morning after each match day".

      As yet still no scores this morning unless I'm missing something ...... will see what happens at 10:00.

      For anyone interested though the MotM awards in their reports went to Given, Adam, Moses, RJ, Muamba, RVP. (This ofc is in no way an indicator of fpl bp as the Sky game works differently!).

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  23. Pulauwin
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Common FPL !!!!!!!
    Cant solve the login session bug in 10 hrs!!!!!!!!!
    SLA is one thing we engineers always maintain..if your engneers cant solve it hire me...i will do it for free for you but for God sake no more bad feelinigs on FPL

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  24. doobie doo
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    very excited for today's matches!

    Already last night, starting to scheme the coming weeks trade routes...Now the fun starts, the more drawn out chess game of transfers that plays out after you've seen the players actually on the pitch....

    Preseason squad selection is just has a burdensome intensity, with a complete open slate, the options and data to juggle is so overwhelming. It's exciting, but dizzying.

    Now the squads are all set, having that one or two transfers in the week, there's a calming meditative consistency that's breathed into the game ...a steady forward looking path for 37 weeks!

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  25. CarelessGenius©
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Live scoring is a must for FPL as this is the most fun bit. However, I need to know who I'm playing in the Head-to-head leagues and watch progress. I'm sure they will sort it cos if they don't next year is gonna be quiet for them!

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  26. cheezymouse
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Thanks Mark. Frustrating weekend for everyone... hopefully the FPL site will be in good order before next weekend. Your work at FFS is much appreciated.

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  27. pleccy
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    This is all jsut teething troubles with a new web site / servers. I'm sure it'll all sort itself out over time.

    That said, I very much hope that the lack of live scoring is an oversight and not a conscious decision.

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  28. Maefteda
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Does the Metro Game have price changes? Considering a switch here.

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  29. Kloppelganger
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Last comment on previous thread:

    Yesterday’s performance from Cahill could work out well for those who DO look at fixtures. I imagine there’ll be a whole load of sheep jumping on his bandwagon now unaware of what he’s going to be facing in the next 6 GW’s.

    And those who already have him won't exactly be encouraged to get rid of him- at least not until it's probably too late.

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    1. AndyCairns
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      you referring to Boltons fixtures or his new clubs? ;o)

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      1. Kloppelganger
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 6 months ago

        🙂

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  30. Wolf
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 6 months ago

    Thanks for the update Mark. And for what it's worth congratulations on maintaining the integrity of the scout website during all this. I can only but imagine the new volume of users, heading onto it after the FPL tie. Despite having far fewer resources than the FPL, you've provided a lifeline (imagine if we hadn't been able to get onto the scout as well as FPL - armeggedon!).

    Am sure everything will be sorted (bar realtime bonus points), so suggest we just take one game at a time. Fortunately the players I would have sold had I logged on (senderos) and bought (vp) turned out well - the scout pick Gabbidon! Not ha

    Keep up good work Mark (and simmo - just think the issues just gave us time to savour the league table - champions league here we come)

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    1. Bram
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 6 months ago

      Could be worse, I was logged in and changed Gabbidon to Clint Hill :(.

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