This article was to be included in the final installment of Think Different: An FPL Tale, but after putting the finishing touches on part five, I realized it was just too long. This is also a strategy I’ve been passionate about for a number of years and feel it can be implemented with success. As noted in the previous series an important part of this FPL game is selecting the right players ahead of the first game week. To date, I’ve yet to have a banger to start the season, but looking to get in and select players with the intention of keeping some players unchanged over the 38 week season. Continue reading “Think Different: 5-Man Defense”
Think Different: An FPL Tale Part V
Fancy numbers and key metrics looks great on paper, but as we know, the game is played on a grassy pitch. Preparation and knowledge of players and teams is key in putting out a starting XI that will be successful, there is still a pinch of luck involved when it comes to play the FPL game. This year preparation will take into account last year and how players performed in a broken season, coupled with their season ending statistics and some key metrics, including VAPM. None of this guarantees I will post a good season, but it should be an indication of players who will perform at or above the the level to achieve my total points goals. Continue reading “Think Different: An FPL Tale Part V”
Think Different: An FPL Tale Part IV
This is the fourth article in the Think Different series, where I discuss key metrics. Take away from these articles what you want, if anything. Like many metrics, this is useful information, depending on how you use the data. I believe metrics can help FPL managers when combined with other data sets and performance based statistics, when we examine players under consideration for the upcoming Premier League season. While I stand by the metric, if you don’t find interest in the results, do find one that helps you make your starting XI or transfer decisions as we roll over the 38-week season. Continue reading “Think Different: An FPL Tale Part IV”
Think Different: An FPL Tale Part III
Interest in the FPL game continues to grow year after year. The 2019/20 season saw over 8 million managers participate and it wouldn’t be a stretch to think that number will increase this season. We also anticipate some players potentially being listed under new positions, however, Trent Alexander-Arnold isn’t a midfielder. Ahead of every new season is the speculation of price increases. Last season, it was the £12.5 opening price for Mo Salah and his defensive teammates at £7.0. Price plays into all our decisions when it comes to fantasy and there are key metrics that can break down the price based on performance to see if those players are “good value” or overpriced when selecting your team. Continue reading “Think Different: An FPL Tale Part III”
Think Different: An FPL Tale Part II
Part two of this series will discuss a key metric I found a few years back, but until now I really haven’t used it during the season. In fact, I didn’t use it last year when building my squad ahead of the first game week. Like many metrics, you can take away from these numbers what you want. It’s not the end all, be all. Like many metrics used in FPL, there are some shortcomings, but I do like what it does provide when it comes to players who got it done all season long. In fact, it might hold a bit more value when looking at a 3-5 game run a potential replacement player. Just depends on how plugged into the FPL game you want to be. However, the more time you dedicate to the game doesn’t mean you will finish any better. Continue reading “Think Different: An FPL Tale Part II”
Think Different: An FPL Tale Part I
Each year FPL managers attempt to dissect their season and draw conclusions. If like me, you find yourself continuously questioning transfers, activation of chips and strategy as the year ticked on. The 2019-2020 Premier League season caused an upheaval in the FPL game, seeing the game go cold for nearly three months. As I have said, I lost nearly all interest in the game when the Premier League said it would push forward in a mad dash to finish the season. Continue reading “Think Different: An FPL Tale Part I”
Where Do We Go?
Now that the reality of relegation has set in at Vicarage Road, it will be time before we see the direction ownership and management want to take. I’ve had a few ask me for my thoughts on the direction of the club. There has already been some excellent articles from numerous supporters I follow, who have given their thoughts, it was about time I shared just a few of mine, even though these won’t apply to the FPL next season. Continue reading “Where Do We Go?”
Playing My Own Game
I’m not Apple, but since the restart have been thinking differently setting my GW30+ starting XI. Found it odd that FPL decided to allow managers unlimited transfers prior to the game week. About 12 days prior to the restart I cited “life speeding out of control,” in an article, Game Over and wasn’t going to play out the season. However, reneged on that thought and decided to spend some time (at work) on my FPL team. In hindsight I am glad I did, as the restart saw a strong 121 points, a successful captain and bench boost, as well as cutting my OR in half on the back of 8 out of 10 green arrows. Continue reading “Playing My Own Game”
FPL Season Over
As a Premier League season comes to a close there is always the anticipation for next season. That has been the case the last six years participating in FPL and connecting with many individuals who share a common interest. Over the years, I’ve delved deeper into the fantasy game; articles, spreadsheets, podcasts, interviews and writing articles for a number of websites. This year has been unprecedented with the pandemic sweeping the world, virtual nothing happen, as there have been shelter in place orders to slow the spread. Continue reading “FPL Season Over”
VAPM – Viable Transfers?
The last two years I’ve dug deeper into some key metrics to help with player decisions. This is one of many different metrics to us when when contemplating players of interest. This year, I’ve paid more attention to deficiencies in past seasons. It doesn’t come as a surprise that my midfielders are excelling when it comes to their point totals in relation to their price and minutes played. It’s a plethora of acronyms; PP90, PPM, PPMM and VAPM, as managers look for keys in the numbers to unlock their season. Continue reading “VAPM – Viable Transfers?”
2019/20 Premier League: GW3 Transfers
Let’s put GW3 into perspective, by looking back to the 2018/19 Premier League. After two game weeks last season, I scored 67 and 66 points with an overall rank of 970k. The main concern, the OR combined with the fact I started the season without a premium forward and watched Sergio Aguero sink a hat trick against Huddersfield Town. Without much thought or hesitation, I activated my wild card, using a very small data set of two weeks, while looking forward to what the fixtures held. Immediate satisfaction wasn’t to be, as it resulted in my worst score of the season, but over a 10-week period, the early wild card was successful. Continue reading “2019/20 Premier League: GW3 Transfers”
FPL: GW1 Starting XI
So the 2019/20 Premier League is steaming towards us with a Friday opener, as newly promoted Norwich City, return to the league to face Champions League winners, Liverpool at Anfield. Thoughts aside, we are now deep into our starting XI and much of the tinkering has subsided. For me, there has been some shifting of players and budget this last weekend, however for the last few weeks I held my Defensively Red, Offensively Blue strategy. As Friday approaches I still plan on six players from Man City and Liverpool in my starting XI, but have moved off a few key players in search of better value. Continue reading “FPL: GW1 Starting XI”