So the time has finally arrived……..
Our last day of the English…… Sorry the Barclays Premier league has arrived. As sad as that fact is in three short months it will be back and so will FiT!!! Imagine given a summer of contemplation the minor adjustments or big advancements that the big cheeses at FiT Towers will have for us next year!
I have personally really enjoyed the new league formats this year. Finishing in the top 40 in the Allstars and being kicked out of the KFC in week 20 have been real highlights, as you can imagine. Roll on next season for more humiliation!
Now after the forthcoming weekend we all have plenty of time to organise our new assault on the FiT World Championship, but for now we should all concentrate on the strange up and coming fixture list. Strange because all the games are played on the same day at the same time! 4pm Sunday for anyone who has been on another planet. So how can we best effectively use our transfers?
We have the opportunity to score with 11 players this week, so first things first anyone who’s rested, injured, suspended or sulking in the stands can be removed. If however, all of your players are playing it gives you the chance to swap and change to some in form players. Here are a few of my views which you can take on board or just ignore, I wont be offended.
After his weekend hat-rick Daniel Sturridge is going to be flying into a lot of teams, especially as Liverpool play the already relegated QPR. He could be the captain pick of the week. Who would bet against Emmanuel Adebayor scoring for the 3rd game on the trot? Has anybody noticed out of the last 9 games Everton have managed 7 clean sheets? It’s kind of slipped under the radar and although they have a tough away game at Chelsea it could be a nice gamble to put someone other than Baines in your team from the Everton back line. I also can’t remember the last time Fulham kept a clean sheet so a final away game at The Capitol One Cup Winners Swansea could be fruitful for the likes of Michu, De Guzman, Dyer and Routledge, but that’s all dependent on the team sheets.
Lets get down to the meat of this week, it looks like last years winner James Dash has again pipped his rivals to take the honour of the trip to Brazil. I had written several paragraphs on how it would all be winding up into a great finale this week but Alan Davey committed suicide with his all out United defence. Brave but unfortunately looks like he’s handed the great prize to James.
The question you all need to be asking is how do the top players compete week in week out? Do you think they know more about football than you? Do you think James is just a lucky bugger? I’m here to tell you they don’t know more and they are not any luckier than you and me. The key is doing your background work! If you want to be up there next year you literally need to spend a few hours a week trawling the internet for the latest facts and figures. Listen to all the press conferences. Follow the right people on twitter! I personally have the pleasure of working with Alan on a day to day basis and I can not put into words the time and effort he has spent this season. Full credit to him and James.
Personally and as part of the FiT coaches and every single user I’d like to say a big thank you for the thought and effort that has gone into developing everyone’s favourite app……… I love Candy Crush! In all seriousness the app has again improved and is head and shoulders above any other fantasy football game. So please instead of your comments saying how amazing my blog has been take some time out of your day to write your own short piece thanking the FiT team for their hard work this season.
Thanks again everyone!
We will meet again next season.
Enjoy the final week!!!
Richard Easterbrook
The season is drawing to a close and we have just two gameweeks remaining to clinch some silverware/pride with our Fantasy iTeams. Whether it’s battling it out for the World Championship, the last monthly win of the season, a weekly win, chasing mini league glory, or just cementing a place in that World Championship top 100! Whatever it is that you’re hoping to achieve, it’s make or break time… So let’s knuckle down, and go for it! Make those crucial transfers that could make or break your season, month, gameweek. Remember, with all GW38 fixtures kicking off simultaneously, transfers made in GW37 will have a massive impact on how well you do in the final gameweek of the season.
Here’s my little preview of the GW37 fixtures…
Sat 12:45pm
Aston Villa vs Chelsea
Villa have given their premier league survival hopes a massive boost win successive wins over Sunderland and Norwich in the last two gameweeks, but could still need something from this fixture to avoid a potential “winner takes all” relegation decider at the DW stadium on the last day of the season. Benteke’s had an outstanding season and will definitely be one to watch. Chelsea will have Wednesday evenings Europa League Final on their minds and may rest a few first team regulars ahead of that fixture. Chelsea do have a squad more than capable of picking up the three points while still rotating players, so this fixture could come down to who wants it more.
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Sun 1:30pm
Stoke City vs Tottenham
Stoke are almost safe from relegation having gone through the forty point mark, Spurs still have it all to play for if they want Champions League football at White Hart Lane next season. It’s not going to be easy for Spurs, Stoke can be stubborn and tough to break down at home, Spurs have Gareth Bale though, that alone should be enough to see Spurs grab the three points here, we’ve all got Bale in our teams, right?
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Sun 3:00pm
Everton vs West Ham United
You’d fancy Everton to have enough to beat West Ham and secure that sixth position in the premier league. Andy Carroll could yet be Liverpool’s player of the season if he helps West Ham to a victory over Everton to keep Liverpool’s faint hopes of finishing above Everton this season alive. It’s worth noting Everton have a tough away fixture at Chelsea in GW38, West Ham have a juicy looking home fixture against already relegated Reading, I may even bring in Andy Carroll myself!
Fulham vs Liverpool
Fulham are almost safe from relegation, which is good for them as they’re on a very poor run right now, they where well beaten by Reading in GW36 and have picked up just one point from their last six fixtures, if Liverpool play like they did at Newcastle in GW35 there could be lots of points up for grabs here. Bringing in the right Liverpool players this gameweek could pay dividends with the two fixtures they have remaining.
Norwich vs West Brom
There’s at least one fixture every gameweek that I leave alone, and this is the one for GW37. Norwich still need points to be safe and will be hoping for a win against West Brom who are safe, but with Norwich away at Man City in GW38 and West Brom home to Man United I can’t see any value in bringing in players from either team.
QPR vs Newcastle
QPR are already relegated but will want to sign off with a win against a struggling and relegation threatened Newcastle team. Newcastle know they need a win here to help secure their premier league status, their last game of the season is home to an Arsenal team chasing a Champions League place. Newcastle have found goals hard to come by lately but know anything less than three points here could leave them in serious trouble.
Sunderland vs Southampton
A real six-pointer. Sunderland are stuttering after a mini Di Canio revival, losing Sessegnon for the rest of the season for the sending off at Villa was a massive blow to their survival hopes. Di Canio is quoted as saying Danny Graham is going to score in the next couple of games, he didn’t manage one against Stoke so if you believe Di Canio bring Graham in for GW37. Southampton have Stoke at home in GW38, I’d fancy their players more if I was transferering anyone in, which I’m not.
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Sun 4:00pm
Man United vs Swansea
It’s partyime at Old Trafford and United will want o sign off with a home win before being presented with the premier league trophy. It’s anyone’s guess on the starting line up so a real bonus that this fixture comes late in the gameweek. Swansea could always spoil the party, but with the main threat and leading scorer Michu out injured I can’t really see that happening.
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Tue 19:45
Arsenal vs Wigan
A game vital to both teams or differing reasons, Arsenal need the win to maintain her Champions League qualification hopes alive, and Wigan will, depending on how earlier results go, be fighting for premier league survival. I’d bank on the Arsenal victory here, possibly a clean sheet too, Walcott and Mertasacker will be high on my transfer targets list.
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Tue 20:00
Reading vs Man City
Last up in GW37 should be the most attractive of all fixtures his gameweek, Reading should be no match for Man City, who follow this fixture with an equally attractive home game against Norwich in GW38. The trouble you’ll have is finding a couple of Man City players that feature in both games. Hart, Kompany, Silva, Tevez, maybe…
Here’s my best shot at a team for GW37, no budget, regular FiT rules, just for fun!
Szczesny, Kompany, Agger, Walker, Baines, Coutihno, Bale, Lampard, Walcott, RVP, Sturridge. Transfers, Mertasacker in for Walker, Tevez in for Sturridge… PS. If I was losing my H2H I’d use the ET and bring in Silva for Lampard!
That’s it from me, hope to see you in the UK mini league, enjoy what’s left of the season and the very best of luck in GW37.
Super Don
It’s been reported that FIT favourite Fernando Torres earns £200,000 per week, which after goal and assists bonuses is about £200,000 a week.
On a lighter note, Suarez has started his ten match ban for biting Ivanovich… Football finally reaches its finest hour.
He will attend the Professional Footballers Awards Dinner tonight…or as he calls it ‘all you can eat buffet’
As the season draws nearer to a close, thoughts of a summer without the FIT buzz begin to fill me with fear, even more than having to make ‘conversation’ with the Mrs on a Saturday.
Still it’s been another great season with FIT, with the introduction of new FIT coaches adding variety and experience to the game, along with the new app updates, the game is constantly evolving and improving.
Gameweek 35
HIGHLIGHTS.
Manchester United suffered a slight champions hangover conceding an early goal to a rejuvenated Arsenal, Walcott the player on hand to score his 12th goal of the season,.. Cancelled out by an RVP strike just before half time.
Manchester City console themselves relinquishing the Champions title by beating West Ham 2.1 at home, with a fine strike by a fit again Aguero, two assists by Nasri will boost his Fit value.
Reading v QPR turned out to be a dire 0.0 game played by two teams whose premiership status finally vanished.
Bales importance to Tottenham again showed through as Spurs struggled in a 2.2 draw against a resilient Wigan.
Lampard given a start from the bench after an early injury to Oscar doesn’t disappoint as he scores a penalty and creates an assist in Chelsea’s 2.0 win over Swansea.
A fine hat-trick by one of the players of the season Benteke, will help Aston villas survival hopes as they thrash Sunderland 6.1… Sessegnons red card will affect a lot of FIT managers this week also.
A rare goal this season by Charlie Adam, assisted by Crouch help Stoke to a much needed home win against a fading Norwich.
Liverpool step up to the mark also with a fine 6.0 demolition of Newcastle, showing no signs of missing Suarez with Henderson and Sturrage taking over the scoring mantle.
Gameweek 36
A bonus game-week ahead for shrewd FIT managers will see many of their players in action twice, as we gear up for Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City, Swansea, Wigan and WBA in a double Gameweek, could it be a record scoring week?
Captains choices will be critical this week I feel as we near the end of the season.
Obvious favourites will be Michu, Bale, Defoe, Matta, Tevez, Agureo, Lukuku…. Certain players are a gamble considering clubs rotation policies… Ba and Torres being in this category.
Chelsea & Tottenham play early next week, so these players may be a good option if you have the ability to transfer players in early this Gameweek.
A lot of managers now are grasping the game well, and are managing their teams with great knowledge and skill, full respect to the Dashman who currently leads the world Championship for the second season.
MR BENNABLES TOP TIPS.
1. Don’t just rely on the most expensive players; there is quality and points in lower ranked players
2. When asked what steps to take in case of a fire.. Bloody big ones is an acceptable response.
3. Plan ahead at least two Gameweeks to fully benefit.
4. Always poo at work, not only are you saving money on toilet paper, you will also be getting paid for it as well.
5. Avoid expensive car re-sprays, simply cover your car in cling film spray and peel off when bored of colour.
6. Transfer in players as late as possible; always wait for team sheets on twitter or newsfeed if possible
7. If you have a bad Gameweek don’t be disappointed, the season is long and you will have time to make up ground.
8. Do not be hasty in accepting a h2h challenge, check the Gameweek you are committing to, and to see if this will affect your next transfer purchases.
9. My granddad gave me some great advice on his deathbed. ‘It’s worth spending money on good speakers’ he told me.
10. Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens - Jimmi Hendrix.
Yours in FIT
Mr Bennables.
Gameweek 34 Overview
Fulham v Arsenal 0-1 - Well this one had a lot of action but with very little of it coming in the goalmouth. Sidwell was sent off early in the game and is unlikely to feature again this season, but even with the 1 man advantage for most of the game Arsenal were arguably lucky to come away with the win, as Fulham pressed very hard and were unlucky not grab a share of the points. With the sending of Giroud towards the end of the game Arsenal may find need to rely on Walcott in the centre, can he recapture his early season goal scoring form?
Norwich v Reading 2-1 - A much need win for Norwich which now puts them 7 points ahead of the drop zone and look safe, whereas Reading are surely down now with 4 games to go and 10 points behind, But you have a good manager and a good base of players so I’m sure will be looking to come straight back up.
QPR v Stoke 0-2 - A must win game for both sides this one, and it was Stoke that took the spoils with a good away win, QPR had their chances with Remy again looking a very good player, but it was one of Harry’s favourite sons Peter Crouch that took this game away from them. QPR, like Reading now look down but Stoke have given themselves a real chance with this win.
Sunderland v Everton 1-0 - Sunderland are living the dream under Paulo Di Canio, who has made a big impression since his arrival, winning his last 2 games and making Sunderland look like a team that don’t deserve to be in a relegation battle. With the team in the battle they now look for me best placed to get out of trouble. Everton on the other hand took a massive blow to their Champions League aspirations with this defeat and now looks unlikely they can challenge for top 4, but I’m sure if you had offered David Moyes any type of European football next season he would have taken it.
Swansea v Southampton 0-0 - Not a lot happened in this game from 2 sides now playing pride this season as they are both sitting very much mid-table with not a lot left play for.
West Brom v Newcastle 1-1 - Newcastle dominated this game for the first half and most of the second but couldn’t find that 2nd goal that would have made the game safe and with half an hour to go WB made them pay for it, and maybe should have gone on to win. This puts Newcastle firmly in the dogfight but with the other teams down there as well it will be a battle but should be safe come the end of the season.
West Ham v Wigan 2-0 - This was one of Wigan’s games in hand over the other teams down at the bottom, and one they thought they could win, but unfortunately it was not be, with WH fresh from their good 2-2 with MU, they dominated the first half and then with Nolan’s goal with 10 minutes to go wrapped up the points that puts them safe to enjoy the rest of the season. Wigan really need something from their other game in hand, can Wigan do it again? Unfortunately, I don’t think so.
Spurs v Man City 3-1 - Not the greatest first half from Spurs or really first 75 minutes, but then Spurs showed why they can never be written off, with late goals in Europe this season they took that mind-set into the EPL this week and scored 3 in 15 minutes to hand the title to MU, and give themselves a great chance for the top 4. After this defeat MC lost the title and will be looking over their shoulder for 2nd, although with a game in hand over Arsenal they should comfortably finish second, and with a cup final to look forward to, their season is not over yet.
Liverpool v Chelsea 2-2 Well what do I say about this one? A good game unfortunately overshadowed by Suarez’s animal like tendencies. Surely we won’t see him again this season, which is a massive shame because as a footballer he is one of the best in the EPL. With regards to Chelsea, they will be disappointed at the Uruguayans goal, as those 2 points could be the difference between them, Arsenal and Spurs come the end of the season.
Man Utd v Aston Villa 3-0 - MU were crowned champions in a game they never looked like losing, with RVP in fabulous form the champions were irresistible. Villa on the other hand were dealt a big blow to their survival hopes and will be fighting all the way to the last game of the season, they will be relying on Benteke’s goals to get them out of trouble.
Looking ahead to Gameweek 35
Remember, it’s the last extra free transfer of the season this week so make the most of it, and with quite an open week in terms of KO times it could be a good scoring week. Look for the teams battling against relegation they will have it all to play for and will be going all out to win. Beware of MU players, with the title wrapped Sir Alex could start to use a few fringe players towards the end of the season, although RVP will want to play to try a grab the golden boot. QPR are all but down, but Harry still maintains they have a chance so look for them to go all out against Reading, there’s goals in this game.
Remember week 36 is a double GW for another 6 teams so make your subs wisely to maximise both week’s scores.
Players to watch
Defoe - scored on his return last week and will look to continue against relegation threatened Wigan, and he plays twice next week.
Benteke - Playing against Sunderland in game that could go either way, if Villa want to stay up they will need his goals and this would be a good time to score them.
Sturridge - If as expected Suarez is banned then he will get his chance in the middle and was in good form from the bench against Chelsea.
There is not much value this week but if your funds are short then Kone is a good call, Wigan will be battling against Spurs and although I don’t see them winning, the Spurs defence can be shaky, and he plays twice next week. I expect Lambert to be back on the score sheet against WB and QPR have a very winnable game against Reading and I expect Remy to fill his boots.
Good luck to all those still in the hunt for FiT trophies and prizes, I wish I was there with you, but this season has been a poor one for me, but I’ll be back next season looking to challenge all you winners.
Hope you enjoyed the read, until next time.
Rob Wright
So, you support a team whole heartedly from being this high, till the day you die. Nothing will ever change your allegiance. Then comes along fantasy football………. You select your most hated player from your most hated team. (Generally they go hand in hand). Then you secretly pray he scores a hat-trick, but maybe gets beat 4-3. It completely turns your head.
And this game is based on luck, right? You’d imagine. How much thought and time do you really need to put into it? How much time will it require? It’s a flip of a coin if you put Suarez, Rooney or Aguaro in?
Well you’re mistaken! If you want to be good for a week, carry on. If you want to win a month or the season then it’s like anything else in life you need to put the time and effort in to reap the rewards. Granted, there is no sure fire formula for the game but why are all the experienced players there or there about week in week out?
The key to beating your fellow players is to pre-empt not react to your weekly transfers. How many times do you put a player in once he scored his brace or hat trick the week before? We all do it!
The single biggest mistake made seems to be putting players in as they have an easy game and are bound to score you points! For example, Hernandez against QPR. Yes, he started and yes he scored but will he play next week? The answer: probably not. So a wasted transfer. Stick to player who is guaranteed to start. You’ll lose enough players through the season through injury without throwing in some mistimed benchwarmers!
We are now entering a really interesting period of the season with so many double game weeks due. Well I’m here to give you a few ideas on this week and the next couple, as they are just as important when planning your transfers.
Let’s first look at the teams due double game weeks so we all need to concentrate our transfers on them. Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, West Ham, Fulham, Everton and Wigan. It’s not realistic to think you can cover 4 players from each team but I am here to help you judge which ones you could cover. It is also important to remember Tottenham, Swansea and West Brom have no match in game week 33, creating more double game weeks. Total confusion!
The first of the double game weeks is 33, where we see Arsenal, Everton, Manchester United and West Ham. So you need to be looking this week to put players from those teams in. I will let you pick through your own players as that is where the lottery comes in but I would look at Arsenal as they are the only team with two home fixtures and fighting for a Champions league place, so are likely to play their strongest side. If Manchester United beat City, be prepared for players to be rested. The only issue is that United play last in game week 32 so it is easiest to put their players in, but who is guaranteed to start the following week?
The only other fixtures that have been rearranged are Swansea and Wigan whose double game weeks have been arranged for 36. Every season one of the struggling sides put a run together, I have a feeling like the last two seasons it will be Wigan. They have already started in recent weeks with some good results and have been tight at the back on and off for the past month, with the exceptions of a good beating against Chelsea and Liverpool.
Who’s going to be brave enough to chuck a couple of their players in?
The rest of the matches are yet to be arranged but whoever wins this month will in my eyes be a true FiT champion. This will be probably the most difficult month of all. This month will sort the men from the boys. So good luck, hope I have helped a little and you’re not all as confused as me right now as to what you are going to do.
