Fantasy Premier League - Tips/Advice/Strategies

Mr.Prodston

In the past few weeks there's been a good number of people hand in a team to be rated/assessed which is natural in the weeks before the season begins. What has struck me is the number of people who seem to make the same mistakes and don't pick up on advice for similar situations.

So I thought it might be good to have a thread where anybody with a certain philosophy or general rule/code for the game could enlighten the rest of us and makes us think before throwing up teams willy-nilly.

To get the ball rolling what I try and do:

Always try to have substitutes who will actually play. It may be hilarious to have Paul McShane on your bench but when John Terry ends up doing something stupid and Daniel Agger gets injured you won't be laughing with a bit fat zero on your bench. Try to make sure the sub has potential of attacking returns if possible. Lucas may be a good player but Jerome Thomas is a winger/in the hole player who may just nick something

Try and achieve some semblance of balance in the team. 5 big hitting defenders may lead to a number of clean sheets but how realistic is it to pin all your hopes on Anelka, Agbonlahor and Luke Moore for goals

Don't just pick somebody that somebody here has told you too in blind faith. If your gut tells you something and after a little research you still think Hooper might do well then challenge an opinion with your reasoning and we may all win

Last but certainly not least if in doubt pick Mickey Turner

The more I play the game the more fascinated I become with different approaches and tactics. Any other tips would be more than welcome I'm sure.

Menas

Look for goalkeepers that rotate well together.
Don't gamble with your captain choice unless it is the end of the season and you NEED to gamble.
Don't blindly pick players from your favourite club. Be objective.
In midfield and up front try to have players in different price brackets. This gives your squad some flexibility and helps minimise the need for double transfer when jumping on bandwagons.
Look at fixtures....very few players are fixture proof....only two at the moment, rvp and bale.
Look at the bookies odds when deciding your weekly 11. Go for those with the bests chance of a cleansheet (gk, def) or of scoring a goal (mid, stk).
Avoid rotation risk players....they will be rotated when you most need them.
Don't follow the sheep, look for some decent differentials.

Iused2likebusts

Forget about what team you support and what teams/players you dislike.
Wildcard early and try and get team value up. It will stand to you come the Jan wildcard.
Try and have as many captain options as possible. I always try and have a utd/city and arsenal/spurs attacking player as it means I will have 2 out of those 4 players at home to captain every week. I'll probably start with rvp,dzeko, walcott, soldado to achieve this.
Dont be afraid to sell a player because he has gone up a million since you bought him.
When some random cheap defender scores a goal in gw1 don't sell Mickey T to get him in.

moreau

Not useful preseason, but look at match stats as season goes on. In particular player stats such as number of shots and average position. Team stats useful too.

This helped me a lot last year, for example Suarez was not getting points early last year and his ownership was low as a result. However his shot count was actually the highest of all players. I stuck with him and it paid off bigtime, especially around xmas before everyone jumped on board with WC.

Stats help with bandwagons too, a guy who gets two goals from two shots and hansen and co say he is best thing since sliced bread on MOTD, everyone jumps on. Meanwhile another guy is producing great stats and has great fixtures but not getting FF points...

It does take a bit of time checking match stats but it works well (admittedly if used consistently over the entire season)

dahat

moreau wrote: »

Not useful preseason, but look at match stats as season goes on. In particular player stats such as number of shots and average position. Team stats useful too.

This helped me a lot last year, for example Suarez was not getting points early last year and his ownership was low as a result. However his shot count was actually the highest of all players. I stuck with him and it paid off bigtime, especially around xmas before everyone jumped on board with WC.

Stats help with bandwagons too, a guy who gets two goals from two shots and hansen and co say he is best thing since sliced bread on MOTD, everyone jumps on. Meanwhile another guy is producing great stats and has great fixtures but not getting FF points...

It does take a bit of time checking match stats but it works well (admittedly if used consistently over the entire season)

And it paid off for those who git him in on the WC,holding a player who is scoring low week in week out whilst waiting for him to hit form in FF suicide

Markx

Don't chase last weeks points. (When Cattermole gets -2 one week he certainly won't get -2 then next week...erm you know what i mean)

Anticipate players coming into form.

For a more solid tip for the coming season initially avoid players who've been at the Confederations cup and don't have a preseason under their belt.

moreau

dahat wrote: »

And it paid off for those who git him in on the WC,holding a player who is scoring low week in week out whilst waiting for him to hit form in FF suicide

Disagree. If a player is playing well and delivering statistically I will persist with him even if he has a few 2 pointers.

Worked well for me last year finished just outside 1000 worldwide.

I just think people get rid of players too quickly and then rant how they were so unlucky when they got rid of such and such just when he hit 'form'

dahat

moreau wrote: »

Disagree. If a player is playing well and delivering statistically I will persist with him even if he has a few 2 pointers.

Worked well for me last year finished just outside 1000 worldwide.

I just think people get rid of players too quickly and then rant how they were so unlucky when they got rid of such and such just when he hit 'form'

Getting rid too quick is wrong as well as hanging on too long so judgement is key. 3/4 weeks unless they are your core players e.g Bale,RVP,Silva etc is long enough to stick it out

kennyb3

My only 2 - every year clean sheets seem to be at a premium pre xmas then the big defences tighten up later.

Leave 0.5m or 1m in the bank for GW1 so making a transfer doesn't mean a hit straight away.

Benimar

1. Don't be afraid to bring in a player just because 'the guy 30 points ahead of me has him so I need to be different'. Sometimes a player (eg: RVP, Bale, Michu in weeks 1-30) is getting so many points you have to bring him and try catch up with your other 10 players.
2. Have no bias. Pick players from teams you 'hate' if they are going to get you points. For example, there were people on other sites (and one or two here) who wouldn't pick Suarez last season because of his 'antics' Its a game of FF you are playing, not voting for Man of the Year.
3. If possible keep 0.5m 'spare' at the start of the season to give a bit of flexibility with a GW2 transfer.
4. Don't give up. So many people think its over if they are 50 points behind in their work league after 6 weeks. If they can outscore you by 50 points over 6 weeks, you sure as hell can outscore them by the same amount over 32 weeks!
5. Unless money is of critical importance, never, ever rush a transfer. Give yourself time to think before you take that 8 point hit to bring in that Hull defender who scored his only 2 goals of the season during the game you are watching.

theRB

I always go for cheap strikers who are their teams' main attacking threat and should score a good number of goals. This year I'm starting with Long, RVW and Bony up front, their total value is 22m and they should be fairly consistent goalscorers. This way I can have Bale, Walcott, Hazard and Mirallas in my midfield. I really have no idea how people don't see that RVP is outrageously overpriced. Personally I like my strategy a lot better than having RVP up front and then a completely awful midfield.

Iused2likebusts

theRB wrote: »

I always go for cheap strikers who are their teams' main attacking threat and should score a good number of goals. This year I'm starting with Long, RVW and Bony up front, their total value is 22m and they should be fairly consistent goalscorers. This way I can have Bale, Walcott, Hazard and Mirallas in my midfield. I really have no idea how people don't see that RVP is outrageously overpriced. Personally I like my strategy a lot better than having RVP up front and then a completely awful midfield.

i have rvp and 3 of your midfielders add in the fact i have the option of captaining rvp i cant see the problem.

theRB

Iused2likebusts wrote: »

i have rvp and 3 of your midfielders add in the fact i have the option of captaining rvp i cant see the problem.

I assume they are the 3 midfielders that aren't named Gareth Bale? Out of curiosity what is the rest of your team? I've seen a handful of decent RVP teams I'd be interested to see what yours looks like.

Iused2likebusts

theRB wrote: »

I assume they are the 3 midfielders that aren't named Gareth Bale? Out of curiosity what is the rest of your team? I've seen a handful of decent RVP teams I'd be interested to see what yours looks like.

cech toure coleman m turner mirallas ramires hazard walcott rvp dzeko aspas subs boruc brayford collins thomas.My team is for the first 3 weeks i gave my reasons for the picks in the picking a team for the first 3 wks thread.

theRB

Iused2likebusts wrote: »

cech toure coleman m turner mirallas ramires hazard walcott rvp dzeko aspas subs boruc brayford collins thomas.My team is for the first 3 weeks i gave my reasons for the picks in the picking a team for the first 3 wks thread.

To be honest, your team is kind of a prime example of what I was talking about.

Kolo Toure isn't even a guaranteed starter in my mind and poses almost no attacking threat whatsoever.

I wouldn't have to much confidence in Michael Turner keeping you too many clean sheets.

Ramires generally seems to play more of a defensive midfield role and it's not unimaginable that he doesn't start Chelseas first 3 games which would completely undermine your system.

Aspas probably will start and has looked decent but he isn't exactly an ideal starter, particularly when he costs as much as van Wolfswinkle.

On the other thread I believe you said you have 2.5m in the bank as well so I really have no idea why you don't upgrade at least 1 or 2 of these players but either way I think the money you spent on RVP could be put to better use. Anyways, we'll see on the 17th

massdebater

1. Most obvious captain choice is always the correct one. Always. Don't try to be clever by picking someone obscure. Which brings me to my second point:
2. Never ever captain a defender. Baines might have scored 30 points in his last two games but guaranteed he'll pick up 2 at home to Hull this week.
3. Follow the advice on this forum. Regular posters here constantly win their private money leagues so they're obviously doing something right.
4. Be prepared to put in the time and effort over the full season. After a few profitable fantasy football seasons, I moved overseas last year and couldn't commit my time to the game and my ranking plummeted.

This will be my first year without fantasy football for 5/6 years (which I'm actually looking forward to). Good luck to all.

Iused2likebusts

theRB wrote: »

To be honest, your team is kind of a prime example of what I was talking about.

Kolo Toure isn't even a guaranteed starter in my mind and poses almost no attacking threat whatsoever.

I wouldn't have to much confidence in Michael Turner keeping you too many clean sheets.

Ramires generally seems to play more of a defensive midfield role and it's not unimaginable that he doesn't start Chelseas first 3 games which would completely undermine your system.

Aspas probably will start and has looked decent but he isn't exactly an ideal starter, particularly when he costs as much as van Wolfswinkle.

On the other thread I believe you said you have 2.5m in the bank as well so I really have no idea why you don't upgrade at least 1 or 2 of these players but either way I think the money you spent on RVP could be put to better use. Anyways, we'll see on the 17th

Fair enough we all have different opinions on the way to play this game,
Toure I think will be first choice rodgers doesnt rate skrtel. I wouldnt put too much scope on attacking points. I went with carragher last year from feb onwards knowing he wouldnt get attacking points and watched while he clocked up regular cs points every week, others went with ryan nelsen for his attacking threat. Liverpool usually have one of the best defensive records and I think he is a great price.
Mickey T is also great value. The odd goal, bonus point magnet and good for cs at home.
Ramires I take your point is not a great pick but I will more than likely only have him for the dgw. He has always been a regular can play in a number of positions and has the odd goal and assist in him. The fact that he plays twice and wont drop in value is why im thinking of picking him.
Aspas as I said I'm picking a team for 3 weeks and if it looks like he is starting I'd have him all day over rvw. Liverpool score a lot more goals than norwich and have 2 nice opening fixtures.
I really dont think having rvp weakens my team. Adding in the fact that he is a great captaincy choice. Personally I would probably never captain rvw, bony or shane long.

Canyon86

General word of warning,

Aston Villa GK and DEF,

Villas first three games are

Arsenal

Chel

Liverpool,

So maybe exclude villa players especially Guzan as they could get thrashed in some of these games

slingerz

theRB wrote: »

To be honest, your team is kind of a prime example of what I was talking about.

Kolo Toure isn't even a guaranteed starter in my mind and poses almost no attacking threat whatsoever.

I wouldn't have to much confidence in Michael Turner keeping you too many clean sheets.

Ramires generally seems to play more of a defensive midfield role and it's not unimaginable that he doesn't start Chelseas first 3 games which would completely undermine your system.

Aspas probably will start and has looked decent but he isn't exactly an ideal starter, particularly when he costs as much as van Wolfswinkle.

On the other thread I believe you said you have 2.5m in the bank as well so I really have no idea why you don't upgrade at least 1 or 2 of these players but either way I think the money you spent on RVP could be put to better use. Anyways, we'll see on the 17th

I think Aspas for 7 playing up front for Liverpool is a much better option than the Wolf given the midfield that will look to create chances for him.

Amirani

slingerz wrote: »

I think Aspas for 7 playing up front for Liverpool is a much better option than the Wolf given the midfield that will look to create chances for him.

Particularly with a Suarez ban and Sturridge's pre-season injury.

dahat

Try not to fill your team with too many new signing's especially ones new to the EPL,it takes time to adjust for alot of them.

Michu last year an obvious exception.

amber69

dahat wrote: »

Try not to fill your team with too many new signing's especially ones new to the EPL,it takes time to adjust for alot of them.

Michu last year an obvious exception.

And Hazard. I had considered him but for this reason I stayed away from him.

Lemlin

dahat wrote: »

Try not to fill your team with too many new signing's especially ones new to the EPL,it takes time to adjust for alot of them.

Michu last year an obvious exception.

Well said. I only went with Hazard last year.

Had Michu in by five on the first day but there are plenty of new PL signings that have promised so much and flopped.

Anybody remember Mauro Boselli at Wigan!?

theRB

slingerz wrote: »

I think Aspas for 7 playing up front for Liverpool is a much better option than the Wolf given the midfield that will look to create chances for him.

Van Wolfswinkle has less competition for a starting spot up front though and I like the way Norwich play, I think he'll get plenty of goal chances up front for them. Although if Suarez leaves Liverpool I'd be fairly confident that Aspas would start too so there isn't a huge difference between them.

Mr.Prodston

theRB wrote: »

Van Wolfswinkle has less competition for a starting spot up front though and I like the way Norwich play, I think he'll get plenty of goal chances up front for them. Although if Suarez leaves Liverpool I'd be fairly confident that Aspas would start too so there isn't a huge difference between them.

The Wolf and Hooper could be competing for the one spot so not totally clean cut

KevIRL

dahat wrote: »

Try not to fill your team with too many new signing's especially ones new to the EPL,it takes time to adjust for alot of them.

Michu last year an obvious exception.

Yep. Carlos Kickaball is always a risky signing.

For every michu there are about 10 bosellis

manual_man

theRB wrote: »

Van Wolfswinkle has less competition for a starting spot up front though and I like the way Norwich play, I think he'll get plenty of goal chances up front for them. Although if Suarez leaves Liverpool I'd be fairly confident that Aspas would start too so there isn't a huge difference between them.

Sturridge back in full training. Will be first choice

Synode

Does anyone know where you can see a players week by week stats from last season?

Iused2likebusts

When picking your team plan out your first couple of transfers and have a think about the worst case scenario. Things like a player not being a regular or an injury. Transfers early doors are going to be precious before gw 3 most will have 3 chelsea and 1 of the above issues to sort.That makes 4 players minimum that will be no use to you with only 2 transfers to do it.
1 Don't pick cech and a non playing keeper and waste a transfer getting in Hart.Only pick Cech with a 4.5 playing keeper.
2 Only pick one of the following rvw, hooper, dzeko, negredo, aguero, aspas, lukaka, torres,zaha, nani. I can't see that any of them at this stage could be classed as guaranteed starters.
If you dont plan this properly barring some luck you will have a weak team come gw 3 unless you take a ponts hit.

Hogey007

haven't read this thread in detail but advice often given on here is don't double up on defenders/keepers from the same club. i usually don't but if they're both from a club that keeps a good amount of clean sheets i don't see the problem.

reading the article from the guy who won last year, he had no problem doubling up on stoke when they were doing well.
did many on here double up on stoke too? (i didn't use this forum as much in the first half of last season)
i have mignolet and am thinking of putting toure in too? he's a great price.

Mr.Prodston

Hogey007 wrote: »

haven't read this thread in detail but advice often given on here is don't double up on defenders/keepers from the same club. i usually don't but if they're both from a club that keeps a good amount of clean sheets i don't see the problem.

reading the article from the guy who won last year, he had no problem doubling up on stoke when they were doing well.
did many on here double up on stoke too? (i didn't use this forum as much in the first half of last season)
i have mignolet and am thinking of putting toure in too? he's a great price.

I wasn't on here until the second half either and I stumbled onto the doubling Stoke defense myself. Cameron was some man for the cleanies and nothing else

Hogey007

Mr.Prodston wrote: »

I wasn't on here until the second half either and I stumbled onto the doubling Stoke defense myself. Cameron was some man for the cleanies and nothing else

i might give it a try, reading the article from the guy who won last year he says how he picks a cheap defence and emphasises on his top 7 (1 cheap to make 8)
if i put toure in for terry it gives me 1.0 to strengthen my 3rd attacker.
over the course of the season i can see liverpool keeping almost as much clean sheets as chelsea, terry is more of a goal threat though, but given rodgers seeming dislike for skrtel toure could be nailed on for starts whereas there's a bit more doubt about terry.
I only really have terry in for dgw coverage.

Crumbs

Some excellent advice in this article: http://www.letsbet.ie/blog/fpl-helper/fpl-helper-season-preview/

Mr.Prodston

Crumbs wrote: »

Some excellent advice in this article: http://www.letsbet.ie/blog/fpl-helper/fpl-helper-season-preview/

I'll be honest after the first few lines I was very worried that this was a serious article :pac:

Synode

Yes it's brutal.

kennyb3

The john mcclane part was pretty funny imo

Paully D

One thing I would say is don't be afraid to take points hits.

I was far too cautious at the start of the game and fell behind. Over the last few weeks I've taken points hits to get Aguero and Suarez (both of who I captained for their big weeks) and Hazard, and have since started to climb my leagues.

I'll take 4 point hits whenever they're needed from now on.

Iused2likebusts

Paully D wrote: »

One thing I would say is don't be afraid to take points hits.

I was far too cautious at the start of the game and fell behind. Over the last few weeks I've taken points hits to get Aguero and Suarez (both of who I captained for their big weeks) and Hazard, and have since started to climb my leagues.

I'll take 4 point hits whenever they're needed from now on.

its swings and roundabouts with point hits .The people who took a points hit to get in aguero this week will have a different point of view.

FutureGuy

Iused2likebusts wrote: »

its swings and roundabouts with point hits .The people who took a points hit to get in aguero this week will have a different point of view.

Yes, but the people who took a point hit to get Aguero in last week for a home tie against a dreadful Norwich were in a FAR better position than those getting him in for a point hit away to Sunderland.

One was a good use of a point hit, the other was not such a good idea.

I'm not basing it on the points scored, I'm basing it on the fixture the player was brought in for. This gw, Suarez for a hit was a good idea - again, not for the fact he did well but for the fact that the fixture was so strong.

If you keep making those type of points hits, they will come off more often than not.

Iused2likebusts

FutureGuy wrote: »

Yes, but the people who took a point hit to get Aguero in last week for a home tie against a dreadful Norwich were in a FAR better position than those getting him in for a point hit away to Sunderland.

One was a good use of a point hit, the other was not such a good idea.

I'm not basing it on the points scored, I'm basing it on the fixture the player was brought in for. This gw, Suarez for a hit was a good idea - again, not for the fact he did well but for the fact that the fixture was so strong.

If you keep making those type of points hits, they will come off more often than not.

I agree with you 100 % on the suarez and aguero examples you have given, particularly when they are the standout capt choice for the gw.