Metafilter Fantasy Football Challenge 2015/2016 July 27, 2015 6:22 AM Subscribe
The Stars Are Right Again! Liverpool have spent like their pockets are on fire, Manchester City have devoured any player with a hint of English ancestry, Aston Villa's janitor has refused a new three year contract, and Arsenal is preparing for their yearly Wegner Out campaign so it must mean the new season of the Premier League is upon us! Join your fellow Mefites as we scramble for fantasy football dominance. You can sign up at the official site, create a team, and join the league. This year, we have the Classic League (code: 370477-97125) and the head-to-head Metafilter Cup (code: 370477-97129) running. Old gaffers and fresh prospects welcome!
If you have played before, note that there are some new weekly scoring options to make things difficult:
All Out Attack (Play 2-5-3)
Triple Captain Points (Triple Captain Points)
Bench Boost (Add your Bench's score)
If you have played before, note that there are some new weekly scoring options to make things difficult:
All Out Attack (Play 2-5-3)
Triple Captain Points (Triple Captain Points)
Bench Boost (Add your Bench's score)
Kind of related: how can I keep up with premier league without having any cable television? I've been out of the loop for a couple of years now. I wouldn't mind a free or paid solution that I could watch on my tablet/laptop this season.
posted by mikeo2 at 7:14 AM on July 27, 2015
posted by mikeo2 at 7:14 AM on July 27, 2015
Liverpool have picked up another Southampton player I see. Rodgers is like a child wanting to go back to the Disney store to get the full set. On the upside, he's not likely to be worse than Balotelli, who still seems to be on the books, one assumes because no-one else wants him.
posted by biffa at 7:25 AM on July 27, 2015
posted by biffa at 7:25 AM on July 27, 2015
Liverpool aren't the only ones who love to get well-trained players from Southampton. Arsenal goes to that well quite often.
I had given up on all fantasy leagues for a while, but plan to give this a go. With the promise of broadband Internet any day now, I can watch any game (thanks NBCSports!) I want without having to plug my phone into an adapter and use all of my cell data to watch my beloved Arsenal.
posted by terrapin at 8:39 AM on July 27, 2015
I had given up on all fantasy leagues for a while, but plan to give this a go. With the promise of broadband Internet any day now, I can watch any game (thanks NBCSports!) I want without having to plug my phone into an adapter and use all of my cell data to watch my beloved Arsenal.
posted by terrapin at 8:39 AM on July 27, 2015
Here's how this post went for me: Metafilter Fantasy Football?!? Outstanding! Oh wait, Liverpool? Sad trombone.
So is there a MetaFilter Fantasy Hand Egg league?
posted by carmicha at 9:26 AM on July 27, 2015
So is there a MetaFilter Fantasy Hand Egg league?
posted by carmicha at 9:26 AM on July 27, 2015
carmicha, my guess is those won't get setup at least until near the end of the hand egg training camps.
You can also check in at sportsfilter, which seem to have a fantasy league for everything.
posted by terrapin at 9:37 AM on July 27, 2015
You can also check in at sportsfilter, which seem to have a fantasy league for everything.
posted by terrapin at 9:37 AM on July 27, 2015
Ok, I am in for both the league and the cup as The Turtle Arsenal.
posted by terrapin at 9:38 AM on July 27, 2015
posted by terrapin at 9:38 AM on July 27, 2015
Can someone explain the 3 weekly scoring options. I assume one can choose only one, but is that each week?
posted by terrapin at 9:40 AM on July 27, 2015
posted by terrapin at 9:40 AM on July 27, 2015
I know I will never keep up with this, so I will put myself down as a supporter of The Turtle Arsenal. Go you greenish-reds! Enjoy the antics of the mascot, Testudosaurus!
posted by librosegretti at 10:20 AM on July 27, 2015
posted by librosegretti at 10:20 AM on July 27, 2015
thanks for the reminder. my crappy satellite internet dropped out before i could create my kit. sorted that!
posted by terrapin at 10:48 AM on July 27, 2015
posted by terrapin at 10:48 AM on July 27, 2015
the lads have chosen to attempt to blend in a bit with the pitch. stealth like turtles.
posted by terrapin at 10:54 AM on July 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by terrapin at 10:54 AM on July 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
I got really excited before I realized this was for the other football, about which I know almost nothing.
posted by double block and bleed at 5:45 PM on July 27, 2015
posted by double block and bleed at 5:45 PM on July 27, 2015
Ugg. The Reds still are going to suck. Rogers is spending like a drunken sailor. But he has the eye for footballing talent of one, too. Or something. How do you buy half of SH's team and barely do better than them? And why not get DeBruyne? It's been clear that dude is special since the World Cup.
Three must be a German word for being disgusted by your club's performance before the season even starts.
posted by persona au gratin at 3:56 AM on July 28, 2015
Three must be a German word for being disgusted by your club's performance before the season even starts.
posted by persona au gratin at 3:56 AM on July 28, 2015
mikeo2: Kind of related: how can I keep up with premier league without having any cable television?
Well, I listen to the podcast Men in Blazers for my football information & perspective.
posted by wenestvedt at 7:13 AM on July 28, 2015 [3 favorites]
Well, I listen to the podcast Men in Blazers for my football information & perspective.
posted by wenestvedt at 7:13 AM on July 28, 2015 [3 favorites]
Can someone explain the 3 weekly scoring options. I assume one can choose only one, but is that each week?
They're one time things - like the wildcard - and can only be used one per week. I suspect that the weekly highest points tally will be full of those who used them at the right time, but for the most part I don't think they will cause too many swings.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 8:05 AM on July 28, 2015
They're one time things - like the wildcard - and can only be used one per week. I suspect that the weekly highest points tally will be full of those who used them at the right time, but for the most part I don't think they will cause too many swings.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 8:05 AM on July 28, 2015
Three must be a German word for being disgusted by your club's performance before the season even starts.
We can ask Klopp when he takes over in December.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 8:06 AM on July 28, 2015 [2 favorites]
We can ask Klopp when he takes over in December.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 8:06 AM on July 28, 2015 [2 favorites]
My main worry for the summer was he was going to go and buy the other half of the Southampton team on the basis that he must just have got the wrong half the first time.
On the plus side, Rodgers' net spend is only around the £14M mark since Sterling paid for Benteke and Clyne. Is Benteke worth 3/4 of Sterling though?
posted by biffa at 8:09 AM on July 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
On the plus side, Rodgers' net spend is only around the £14M mark since Sterling paid for Benteke and Clyne. Is Benteke worth 3/4 of Sterling though?
posted by biffa at 8:09 AM on July 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
Sterling scored 11 goals for Liverpool last season.
I'm pretty sure Benteke can score at least 9.
(But then again, I thought the same about Super Mario, so...)
posted by robocop is bleeding at 11:50 AM on July 28, 2015
I'm pretty sure Benteke can score at least 9.
(But then again, I thought the same about Super Mario, so...)
posted by robocop is bleeding at 11:50 AM on July 28, 2015
Let's turn this into a de facto Liverpool thread!
Benteke is basically a more motivated Super Mario, so I give him better odds at making an impact. It would help if Rogers used tactics that fit his lineup. Also if he could figure out his best formation before December. Also if he had any clue how to coach defense. Also if he had any idea how to effectively rotate his squad. But those are minor issues, right?
Oh, and I'm in the league as Lovren's Clown Shoes and I've never done this before so I'll probably win.
posted by that's candlepin at 12:11 PM on July 28, 2015
Benteke is basically a more motivated Super Mario, so I give him better odds at making an impact. It would help if Rogers used tactics that fit his lineup. Also if he could figure out his best formation before December. Also if he had any clue how to coach defense. Also if he had any idea how to effectively rotate his squad. But those are minor issues, right?
Oh, and I'm in the league as Lovren's Clown Shoes and I've never done this before so I'll probably win.
posted by that's candlepin at 12:11 PM on July 28, 2015
Not if you're actually picking Lovren.
I can certainly imagine Benteke is worth 2 Balotellis.
It would help if Rodgers used tactics that fitted his line-up and then used them in both halves.
posted by biffa at 12:17 PM on July 28, 2015
I can certainly imagine Benteke is worth 2 Balotellis.
It would help if Rodgers used tactics that fitted his line-up and then used them in both halves.
posted by biffa at 12:17 PM on July 28, 2015
Every year I angst over my team, over pick it, and watch it implode in a month and walk away. Here's to consistency!
posted by kendrak at 1:07 PM on July 28, 2015
posted by kendrak at 1:07 PM on July 28, 2015
Men in Blazers podcast is amazing. Even if you're not into soccer, I suspect you'd like it.
posted by persona au gratin at 2:43 PM on July 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by persona au gratin at 2:43 PM on July 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
I am looking forward to MiB making fun of Brendan Rogers, though. That's some brilliant/suboptimal stuff.
posted by persona au gratin at 2:46 PM on July 28, 2015
posted by persona au gratin at 2:46 PM on July 28, 2015
I've been mentioned twice on the MiB podcast and even have the blazer patch to prove it!
posted by robocop is bleeding at 4:09 PM on July 28, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by robocop is bleeding at 4:09 PM on July 28, 2015 [2 favorites]
I do like Men In Blazers, but I prefer the perspectives of The Guardian's Football Weekly. They mostly focus on England, but usually recap the continent and some other places.
posted by kendrak at 4:11 PM on July 28, 2015
posted by kendrak at 4:11 PM on July 28, 2015
The BBC 5 Live Football Daily podcast gets me my fix most evenings.
posted by Kinbote at 6:49 PM on July 28, 2015
posted by Kinbote at 6:49 PM on July 28, 2015
The best football podcast is obvs The Football Ramble. Football Weekly, MiB, and Gab Marcotti's TheGame are distant seconds.
posted by that's candlepin at 10:08 AM on July 29, 2015
posted by that's candlepin at 10:08 AM on July 29, 2015
I did okay last season, I don't remember where I ended up in the league but I think it was top 5? I always have at least three weeks in a season where I don't make my team changes and screw myself. Who won the league last year, anyway? I don't know how to look at the league standings from last year.
I'm pretty excited for this season, though I'm bummed I still can't watch all of the games. Dish only carries 4-6 games a week and my internet connection is too slow to watch online. I tried getting Directv but they don't have a line of sight at my house. I feel like I never get a good enough idea of individual player abilities or the teams because I don't get to watch them enough. And I never know what to expect at all from the newly promoted teams.
I went to Charlotte over the weekend and watched the Chelsea-PSG game; that was the first time I'd seen a professional match in person, and it was fantastic.
posted by Red Loop at 11:25 AM on July 29, 2015
I'm pretty excited for this season, though I'm bummed I still can't watch all of the games. Dish only carries 4-6 games a week and my internet connection is too slow to watch online. I tried getting Directv but they don't have a line of sight at my house. I feel like I never get a good enough idea of individual player abilities or the teams because I don't get to watch them enough. And I never know what to expect at all from the newly promoted teams.
I went to Charlotte over the weekend and watched the Chelsea-PSG game; that was the first time I'd seen a professional match in person, and it was fantastic.
posted by Red Loop at 11:25 AM on July 29, 2015
Lastplace United are in, hoping to improve on last season's surprising non-lastplace finish.
If we can ever decide on an Arsenal mid and a tolerable set of rotating budget defenders, that is.
posted by dersins at 7:22 AM on July 30, 2015
If we can ever decide on an Arsenal mid and a tolerable set of rotating budget defenders, that is.
posted by dersins at 7:22 AM on July 30, 2015
I'm in. I played FPL last year for the first time and enjoyed myself although the league I was in was a bit, um, serious. The eventual winners were top 100 in the U.S. Overall league. Brits (of which I am one) like to see these things as a bit of a laugh and a chance for some good natured banter NOT a chance to break out the spreadsheets and obsess over every possible permutation and 'differential'.
posted by rollinson at 7:39 PM on July 30, 2015
posted by rollinson at 7:39 PM on July 30, 2015
Oh rollinson. You're definitely doing it wrong. LITERALLY EVERYTHING is a chance to break out the spreadsheets and obsess over every possible permutation and 'differential'.
posted by that's candlepin at 6:48 AM on July 31, 2015
posted by that's candlepin at 6:48 AM on July 31, 2015
Brits ... like to see these things as a bit of a laugh and a chance for some good natured banter NOT a chance to break out the spreadsheets and obsess over every possible permutation and 'differential'.
Lies.
posted by dersins at 9:16 AM on July 31, 2015
Lies.
posted by dersins at 9:16 AM on July 31, 2015
I did okay last season, I don't remember where I ended up in the league but I think it was top 5?... Who won the league last year, anyway? I don't know how to look at the league standings from last year.
I don't think there's anyway to see previous seasons' standings, but I took screenshots of the final classic and head-to-head tables. Congrats to Lorem Ipsum Unum and Postman's Pk Rangers.
posted by lost_cause at 12:26 PM on August 3, 2015 [3 favorites]
I don't think there's anyway to see previous seasons' standings, but I took screenshots of the final classic and head-to-head tables. Congrats to Lorem Ipsum Unum and Postman's Pk Rangers.
posted by lost_cause at 12:26 PM on August 3, 2015 [3 favorites]
I'm in as FC Conestoga.
We're running a league at SportsFilter too. If you'd like your MetaFilter team in our league too, use this invite link.
Only 4 days, 10 hours and 9 minutes until the season starts.
posted by rcade at 6:36 PM on August 3, 2015
We're running a league at SportsFilter too. If you'd like your MetaFilter team in our league too, use this invite link.
Only 4 days, 10 hours and 9 minutes until the season starts.
posted by rcade at 6:36 PM on August 3, 2015
I don't think there's anyway to see previous seasons' standings, but I took screenshots of the final classic and head-to-head tables. Congrats to Lorem Ipsum Unum and Postman's Pk Rangers.
Thanks! The head-to-head last season was like the Europa League of Mefi fantasy football, but Postman's Pk Rangers were still pretty happy to have won (especially as I'd forgotten that there was going to be a semifinal and final after the league games, and thought I'd done enough to win already. Somehow got through the final two games against much stronger opponents -- thanks Walcott!)
posted by catchingsignals at 3:24 PM on August 4, 2015
Thanks! The head-to-head last season was like the Europa League of Mefi fantasy football, but Postman's Pk Rangers were still pretty happy to have won (especially as I'd forgotten that there was going to be a semifinal and final after the league games, and thought I'd done enough to win already. Somehow got through the final two games against much stronger opponents -- thanks Walcott!)
posted by catchingsignals at 3:24 PM on August 4, 2015
Cheeky Backheels in once again for another delightful season of trying quite hard without really getting anywhere. I blame Crystal Palace homerism.
posted by Kafkaesque at 10:32 AM on August 5, 2015
posted by Kafkaesque at 10:32 AM on August 5, 2015
Looking forward to this as always!
Just a nudge, that I've suggested A draft version to run alongside this over here.
posted by garius at 1:39 AM on August 7, 2015
Just a nudge, that I've suggested A draft version to run alongside this over here.
posted by garius at 1:39 AM on August 7, 2015
god, I'm putting my team together tonight at the last minute; this is killing me. I have no idea what to even think about that draft shit.
Anyway: yoicks, and away! Good luck everyone, have fun.
posted by Red Loop at 8:19 PM on August 7, 2015
Anyway: yoicks, and away! Good luck everyone, have fun.
posted by Red Loop at 8:19 PM on August 7, 2015
I don't think there's anyway to see previous seasons' standings, but I took screenshots of the final classic and head-to-head tables. Congrats to Lorem Ipsum Unum and Postman's Pk Rangers.
Thanks lost_cause! It certainly managed to take the sting out of my beloved Liverpool FC getting absolutely drubbed by Stoke in one of the worst displays of ineptitude I've ever witnessed on a football pitch. Hey ho, at least we showed character by drawing the second half one-apiece...
Unfortunately, I won't be defending my title as I've fallen foul of one of my golden rules of Fantasy Football success and gone done had a munchkin, so have to excuse myself for a year or so while I change nappies. Will be back next year if time allows. Good luck to everybody who's entered this year, may the Fantasy Football gods smile upon you!
posted by peteyjlawson at 11:56 AM on August 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
Thanks lost_cause! It certainly managed to take the sting out of my beloved Liverpool FC getting absolutely drubbed by Stoke in one of the worst displays of ineptitude I've ever witnessed on a football pitch. Hey ho, at least we showed character by drawing the second half one-apiece...
Unfortunately, I won't be defending my title as I've fallen foul of one of my golden rules of Fantasy Football success and gone done had a munchkin, so have to excuse myself for a year or so while I change nappies. Will be back next year if time allows. Good luck to everybody who's entered this year, may the Fantasy Football gods smile upon you!
posted by peteyjlawson at 11:56 AM on August 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
Congratulations on your win and your munchkin! :)
posted by catchingsignals at 4:39 PM on August 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by catchingsignals at 4:39 PM on August 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
Did I panic and activate my wildcard after an execrable first gameweek? Why yes, yes I did. Lastplace United living up to our name.
posted by dersins at 1:19 PM on August 11, 2015
posted by dersins at 1:19 PM on August 11, 2015
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posted by andrewcooke at 6:35 AM on July 27, 2015