We head into the second international break and it seems the only consistent thing I’ve had to rally behind this season has been the non-stop captaincy of Mo Salah, recording 134 points (16.8 avg.) over eight game weeks. Even with that limited success, I feel my season slipping away, as I continue to struggle to put green arrows on the board. This week was just the second on the season and only the third time I’ve scored over 60 points. We’ve got some more data to review and put into key metrics. For me, I continue to push VAPM or value added per million. Continue reading “VAPM Update: GW8”
VAPM Update: GW7
The value added per million or VAPM has been updated to include GW7 with prices current as of November 3. Not surprisingly, defenders dominate the top of the chart, as Max Kilman picked up his fourth start, as Wolves claimed their third clean sheet in four weeks. Could the league finally be settling down after seven week of action? It appears that way, as Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma and Ben Chilwell are just behind Kilman, The Chelsea center back helped his cause with a goal and clean sheet, scoring 14 points. Chilwell quiet on the day did help the Blues to their third clean sheet in the last four as well. Continue reading “VAPM Update: GW7”
VAPM Update: GW6
Guess I can take solace in knowing that the key metric, VAPM numbers have been updated for GW6. Most notably this week has been in the increase in defenders above the baseline VAPM of 0.35. By the conclusion of the game week, 74 players are above the threshold and based solely on this metric are targets for transfers and wild cards. VAPM numbers are slowly decreasing overall, which is the expectation, as players put in more minutes and don’t have the returns to keep their VAPM over the median. As a reminder, this key metric uses 180 minutes and 4 points as the minimum qualifications to make this list. Players in bold are highlighted by position are currently at or above 0.35 VAPM. The GW6 list includes: 25 defenders, 26 midfielders, 13 forwards and 10 goalkeepers. Continue reading “VAPM Update: GW6”
VAPM Update: GW5
It will probably require much of the season to see if crunching the numbers in order to generate a baseline figure for VAPM will provide any advantage during the FPL season. This year, more than the previous two seasons, I’ve started using the ‘value added per million’ (VAPM) of 0.35 as a baseline for players in my squad. By no means will it guarantee a successful season, but it’s my hope that using this data in order to get a number to base player decisions around could improve the “total immediate points gained from transfers” as tracked using FPL Statistico. Continue reading “VAPM Update: GW5”
VAPM Starting XI
Yesterday I compiled the statistics from the first four weeks of the Premier League season to calculate the current VAPM for FPL purposes. In order to shorten the list I’ve used the minimum of 180 minutes played and four points scored. Early in the season, VAPM is inflated. It’s not common to have a players over 1.00, let alone over 0.50 on the season. Early season success for teams have seen players from Aston Villa and West Ham United topping the list. While players like Mo Salah, Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy, while popular among FPL managers haven’t faired as well because of their premium prices. This article will highlight a fictitious starting XI using the average FPL team value of £100.2 (courtesy of Fantasy Football Fix). Continue reading “VAPM Starting XI”
VAPM Update: GW4
If you have read any of my previous articles in the past few years, then you have seen VAPM now and then. It’s a key metric used when making decisions and player selections in FPL. VAPM is something I found on Reddit three years ago, used it the last few years sparingly, but have delved deep this year, using it exclusively to set up my starting XI and see how players I own are progressing after each game. It’s not much different than FPL managers using any number of metrics available to help narrow down player selections in an attempt to field the best players, giving them the best opportunity to score points. Continue reading “VAPM Update: GW4”
Think Different: GW1 Retrospect
This Think Different series began a few years back when I was a contributor to Fantasy Football Geek and initially focused on the viability of playing five defenders. While that strategy didn’t last long, the series did last a few seasons, before discontinuing submissions to FFG. This year, I’ve decided to revive the series on 6thGoal.com, posting the first of six articles on August 18, Think Different: An FPL Tale Part I. This series was conceived to follow my second team from pre-season planning and strategy, over 38 game weeks to see how a set and forget 5-man defense can get on in a very attack minded FPL game. Hopefully the first game week isn’t an indication of how things are going to go, but I am confident this team will rebound and finish the season with a respectable OR. More importantly, I am curious to see what I learn from this exercise. Continue reading “Think Different: GW1 Retrospect”
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”