24hr freeze is over. Everyone feel free to remove any bad decisions (probably about 80% of my team in that case ) from their teams now. Remember, as we all know, a post in the FPL forum is a must to confirm the transfer but if you want to add it here as well as updating googledocs then do so by all means. Let the ribbing begin!! * I ain't wishing anyone any luck!! I want to win this thing!! I hope you all join me in F5'ing the Physio Room website constantly throughout the season *
ChrisSuttonsSlippers Player Out - Harper - G - NEW - 4.5 Player In - Krul - G - NEW - 4.5 In the bank - 0.5 Harper ain't doing anything anytime soon methinks.
I have added/moved some pages around on the Sand league G-Doc, which mirrors what I've done in Small Rocks. Some description here: http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showpost.php?p=24064602&postcount=3 As said before, we have left it to each league to figure their way on this and there may be parts that you find more helpful than others. 1. After making a trade on the FPL space, you should then input it on the "Trades" sheet and on the "Updated Rosters" sheet. I've found it easiest to type it on the Trades sheet and the cut and "paste values" on the Rosters sheet. Not required, but we also adopted a practice of highlighting on the Rosters sheet the name of new players as an additional way to note pickups. Fraser's first post-draft pick is up on both sheets as a model to follow. 2. On the rosters sheet, there is an 'updated thru' date. If you fill this in when you make changes to your team, it is an easy way to communicate with each other about how current the roster is (as well as to identify a team whose owner has gone fishing). 3. The "League Table" sheet must be manually copied after the conclusion of a gameweek and probably easiest if one or two will agree to take responsibility for this. The format was based on the FPL system used in the past, so it may be that it will need to be modified given the changes made on the site. I'll figure that out after the first week. This doesn't need to be done every week, but is a nice way to keep a historical record of how the season went. And, as Vegas noted in the Small Rocks thread, is where we have posted the inevitable manual deductions that get made during the season when an illegal transfer gets made. 4. Do check out the "Players Owned" page, but remember that it is only as current as the Updated Rosters sheet. As noted, this page is protected so you can't sort here, but you can copy and paste into your own spreadsheets. 5. I note that Fraser made changes on the Roster/Player List sheet to reflect his first post-draft pick up. You are welcome to continue to give that a go during the season, but we have given up on that in Small and use that page only for the draft itself. While having that kind of list of owned and available players would be the proverbial "holy grail" of this project, I've yet to come up with a realistic way to keep the roster list current during the season as there is no easy way to track the additions to the FPL system, which would in any event need to be input on an individual basis so as not to disrupt the existing information.
I've seen other leagues have started their own individual head to head league as well so I've set one up for us. I've PM'ed everyone the code. Here's hoping everyone joins before the season starts.
Quick run down of week 1 and what it might bring: Dear Claudio will be forced to move Cahill, Lennon and Assou-Ekotto to the bench due to the postponed Spurs-Everton match, leaving their squad a little thin. Means that new boys from QPR (Connolly) and Norwich (Surman) will be forced into action. Looks like Torres and Yaya Toure have shaken off injuries and will play. Can't see Torres getting 90 minutes though. I would think that Begovic gets the start in goal, but both goalies face tough opposition this week. Rooney for captain seems a safe bet.
Teso Dos Bichos No Everton, no Spurs, no problem. Teso can field his strongest XI without worrying about riots in Tottenham. Lucky guy! Be interesting to see how much playing time Malouda gets, some drafts avoided him completely. I think he will play more than most think and be a good point scorer for Teso. On paper Teso's front line looks scary and I am sure a high scoring affair in Newcastle will be appreciated by him! I am assuming Nani gets the armband and Schwarzer the nod in goal.
DoctorJones The doctor only loses Arteta due to the postponed match, but certainly has enough strength in depth to overcome that loss for one week. Hart is certainly the go to guy in goal and should be a lock for clean sheet points at home in week 1. Looks like Lescott will be a starter and join him in the clean sheet club. There may be some doubts about Carroll starting every game but with Suarez's status a little unknown he will be starting tomorrow and will be expected to score. I expect the strong defense to rack up the points this week.
Buzz Killington My buddy Mike comes into week 1 avoiding Spurs and Everton players as well. Did he know something we didn't? Mike's midfield is looking a little thin this week as Nasri seems to be on his way to City and not traveling to Newcastle and Maxi might not even make the bench for Liverpool. With Hernandez also injured Mike may be forced to play a 5-3-2 which he does have the squad depth to do. No 4.0 defenders for Mike. He will be watching FSC/ESPN rooting for clean sheets for the likes of Fulham, Blackburn and Newcastle. I hope he eats a light cereal as that seems like indigestion to me. With injuries hitting Mike hard this could be a tough week. Maybe some late moves in the transfer market might solve a dilemma or two.
I hate reviewing myself but here goes Al Habsi is likely getting the nod for week 1. In all honesty most weeks it will be Given, but Villa's fixture seems harder to me this week. Bale will be missing due to the postponed match but I should have enough cover for him. Banking on a strong week from late pick up Charlie Adam who seems to be a lock to start until Gerrard recovers from injury. Walters looks like he will be playing up front for Stoke even though listed as a mid. I don't expect much from him in week 1 with such a tough opener, but over the season expect some bargain goals. Clichy is a doubt as a starter and could be traded if he doesn't lock down a starting spot quickly. Fortunately the other defenders all seem to be on the first XI of their respective teams. My over reliance on midfield points is gonna be bust or boom this week and the same story will repeat through the season. Nervous on Suarez starting, likely he will be on the bench this week lessening his points. Downing and Adam will be fighting to be skipper.
Morrison8312 No Distin or Modric this week puts a damper on season opener excitement. That will force at least one 4.5 defender to start which can be a little nerve wracking. Kalou is not guaranteed a start at Chelsea so team sheet news for the Sunday match will be a little anxious. On the good news front, it seems Odemwingie has shaken off his injury and should play. Reina has to get the start in goal and i see Drogba as the captain or possibly Ashley Young. Should be a solid week despite Distin and Modric missing out.
Wendys Two defenders AWOL, Dawson and Baines -- quite a blow. A West Brom defender forced to start against a rampant Man U would make me nervous. Aguero is reportedly on the bench for City, Wendys will be looking for a super sub appearance with an assist from Silva for Aguero! Bent and Holt form a formidable duo without him. Good to solid week expected considering the loss of two key defenders.
Frasermc Fraser's impressive looking team sees Jagielka, Beckford and Van der Vaart missing. Cech starts most weeks for Fraser and my only doubt at the back is whether Jones will get enough minutes. With Jagielka gone and Jones possibly on the bench the defence looks a little stretched this week. Without VdV Fraser's mid has taken a hit and some reliance on NZogbia and Moses will be necessary considering the tough fixtures facing Sessegnon and Dorrans. Skipper may well be RvP or NZogbia. I am sure it would have been VdV without the riots. Tough week for Fraser this week, but he will bounce back with a vengeance.
My team looks awful. 1/4 of the players are unfit and another 1/4 have had their match postponed Luiz out, Bosingwa in. Surman out, Watson in. At least my only decision is Begovic vs Chelsea or Mignolet @ Liverpool (lose-lose) since I have three non-players taking up the bench spots.
I'm still considering changes right now with the team. Had thought about making a move but can't get onto the site now.
Since I have FINALLY managed to sneak back into the site: Posted by Mike Kuhn on 13 Aug 3:11 Out - Holden - M - BOL - 5.5 In - Obertan - M - NEW - 5.0 Posted by Fraser McInnes on 13 Aug 7:10 Player Out - Beckford - F - EVE - 6.5 Player In - Long - F - WBA - 6.0 Player Out - Dorrans - M - WBA - 5.5 Player In - Formica - M - BLR - 5.5
The only lucky thing was I had my team 'ready' midweek so the recent lockout, while a pain, should have no real impact. I was considering making a couple of changes but they can wait. I was not going to let Malouda go undrafted particularly as I wanted another top tier option in midfield and at least one player from Chelsea. He is currently their lone winger so hopefully he will continue to get minutes although I doubt he will have the same points return. Expensive decision though. A high scoring game would definitely be appreciated between Newcastle and Arsenal. You are correct with Schwarzer/Nani.
I miss the live point updates we get on the site. It's usually very easy to figure out, but kind hate that it's not there now.
I'm sure it will be fixed in the coming weeks, but I REALLY miss the live scores with links to team sheets and live player points that used to be right on the homepage. The hardest thing to figure out is assists... Bolton scored four but I have no idea if Petrov got 3 points or 12 points. I transferred Watson in, someone else transferred Formica in. Not bad when there wasn't much scoring today.
Try soccernet's gamecast and player stats: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/gamecast/statistics?id=317969&cc=5901 Assists to Eagles, Klasnic and Kevin Davies
