MLS GW13 Tips Fantasy Major League Soccer
Once upon a time we all fell in love with MLS fantasy football. We’ve since been through a messy break-up period for various reasons. One being that they took the best fantasy game out there and decided to ruin it completely! We did manage to turn the other cheek on that one and kept playing but then our MLS guru Guy Sanchez, who skilfully guided us through each week, had to take a break from writing for a bit. And as a result we haven’t had an article on it since. Until now! For anyone who hasn’t kept up since the FPL season finished then in short one of our website friends Fantasy Football First has called it a day and that left their brilliantly talented MLS writer Ivan a bit homeless. It therefore felt like a no brainer to invite him to continue his great work on here. And so here we are, on the start of another journey.
NEW FF247 MLS LEAGUE
To celebrate our new arrival we have decided to start up a fresh FF247 MLS league beginning this week. As a quirk of the new MLS rules they have split their season in two. The first part expires in GW17. You will then automatically be entered in to our league again for the second half of the season.
It’s a perfect opportunity to begin playing MLS if you haven’t already, or if like many others you’ve been playing but haven’t given it due care and attention due to the busy end to the FPL season then perhaps a perfect opportunity to kick-start your MLS season.
TO JOIN THE NEW FF247 LEAGUE JUST CLICK HERE OR THE CODE ITSELF IS RAVFLP3H
THIS WEEKS DEADLINE IS 01:00AM UK TIME on SATURDAY (That’s Friday night, ish)
This weeks fixtures…
And so finally over to the man himself Ivan…
It wasn’t the easiest double gameweek (DGW) for fantasy football managers, having to make difficult decisions over DGW players from two currently unstable teams. Nevertheless, we witnessed 38 goals, including 3 braces, and many managers crossed the 100 points threshold once again (as that has now become the norm, the next target is the 200 points landmark!). It was an emotional day at the Yankee Stadium where David Villa Day was organised to present the player with a trophy for his 400 career goals. To mark the occasion, he added two more and an assist.
Pregame honors + two goals + three points = A very happy @Guaje7Villa Day. #Villa400 pic.twitter.com/gt4vBkYTSu
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 19, 2018
Gameweek 12 Review
In the first game of the week Vancouver Whitecaps split the points with San Jose Earthquakes. In the 19th minute the home team opened the scoring through Techera, but seconds before half time Hoesen made it level. Lima reinstated the visitors’ lead in the second half before Reyna scored in the 64th minute to secure the draw. Score: 2-2.
Toronto FC salvaged the three points at home against Orlando City. Both sides had equal possession and the host team had 14 shots compared to 10 from the visitors. After a goalless first half, Chapman opened the scoring for the hosts in the 63rd minute, but Higuita cancelled the lead ten minutes later. Telfer then scored his first MLS goal for the win. Score: 2-1.
On a rainy day at home, New York City FC thrashed Colorado Rapids. In the 22nd minute Moralez found Villa, who opened the scoring. Shortly after the start of the second half, Matarrita added another. Then, in the 56th minute, Villa repaid the favour to Moralez by assisting his goal to extend the lead. Later, David completed his brace for the resounding win. Score: 4-0.
Portland Timbers ended the six-game unbeaten streak of Los Angeles FC, thanks to two players who scored their first MLS career goals. After many attempts from both sides, the first half finished goalless. At the start of the second, Paredes went on the scoring board for the hosts. The visitors answered with a goal from the ever dependable Vela. When everything looked to be heading for a draw, Armenteros found the net to bring home the three points. Score: 2-1.
Goodness what a strike from Armenteros. 2-1 Portland. pic.twitter.com/ztbRR69EWL
— Total MLS (@TotalMLS) May 19, 2018
It was a disappointing draw for FC Dallas when they hosted Vancouver Whitecaps. The only goal in the first half was scored by Cannon (another player registering his first MLS goal). Urruti doubled the score in the second half, but less than five minutes later Figueroa gave one away with an own goal. In the last seconds of a long ten minutes of added time, Kei Kamara scored from the penalty spot to earn a point for the guests. Score: 2-2.
New England Revolution faced their second home defeat of the season when they welcomed Columbus Crew. Both teams battled hard on the soaked pitch in the heavy rain. The lone goal came from Abubakar. Score: 0-1.
Philadelphia Union comfortably won their home game against Real Salt Lake. Epps and Dockal produced the goals in the first half. Kreilach scored the consolation goal for the visitors, but Philly went on to extend their lead with goals from Ilsinho and Rosenberry. Score: 4-1.
In their second game of the week, San Jose Earthquakes were demolished at home (somewhat surprisingly) by D. C. United. The job was done and dusted by the visitors in the first 37 minutes, with goals from Steiber, Mattocks and Asad. Hoesen scored the consolation goal for SJ. Score: 1-3.
Despite the better possession and 24 shots (including 10 on target), Sporting Kansas City had to settle for a point when they visited Minnesota United. The visitors quickly went on the scoring board with a goal from Shelton in the 8th minute. The lead didn’t last long as Quintero levelled the game in the 20th minute. Score 1-1.
Chicago Fire didn’t have enough gas in the tank to overcome Houston Dynamo. Quioto was quick off the mark for the visitors in the 4th minute. The hosts answered with goals from Nikolic and Campos. The guests increased their domination in the second half (with twice as many shots as their opponents), which eventually paid off when Elis scored a brace to snatch the three points. Score: 2-3.
That feeling when you score your first of the season…? #PHIvRSL pic.twitter.com/OMgKrxFMuv
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 20, 2018
Atlanta United failed to win at home against New York Red Bulls. The home team was looking good at the start with a goal from Barco, but Royer produced the equaliser a few minutes before half time. The Bulls pressed harder in the second half and the great Bradley Wright-Phillips scored his 16th brace for the club. Score: 1-3.
Montreal Impact endured another loss at home, this time to LA Galaxy. It wasn’t the most entertaining game. Perhaps the highlight was Zlatan Ibrahimovic being sent off in the first half after slapping an Impact player. Despite going down to ten men, Ola Kamara managed to find the net in the 75th minute to earn three points for Galaxy. Score: 0-1.
Gameweek 13 Preview
After a rather strange mini DGW we are back to normality for a week before we jump into another big DGW with eight teams playing twice. Atlanta United is on bye this week. Let’s see what we can do without the usual staples Almiron and Martinez this time around.
TOR (W 3 D 1 L 6) vs DAL (W 4 D 5 L 1)
After a shameful two losses in the previous round, somehow the Reds managed to pinch a win last week. That doesn’t mean they are out of the woods yet, as it’s a long road ahead if they want to get into a playoff position. Many are beginning to wonder what is going on with the reigning Champions, as the excuses about the CCL are well behind them now. That said, old habits die hard, so expect to see Giovinco popping up again in many teams. As for the rest, it depends how much trust you have left.
The Texans remain in a respectable position in the West, despite having drawn 50% of their games so far. They really need to start turning those draws into wins. Still, the defence remains the best in the league, with only 11 goals conceded in 10 games. Perhaps this isn’t the best matchup to select players here, but neither will they be a walkover for Toronto.
HOU (W 4 D 3 L 3) vs NYCFC (W 7 D 3 L 2)
The Orange are on a three game unbeaten streak. Will they extend it? They certainly have the assets to do it in Manotas, Elis and Quioto (although it can be a bit of a lottery as to which one will score from week to week). I wouldn’t be looking for defenders here, as they will be hosting another in-form team.
After that disaster in the Hudson River Derby a couple of weeks back, the Blues went on to become the first team to cling to a draw at Banc of California. Last week things went even better for them, after demolishing Colorado. Although this game looks unpredictable, expect them to fight hard as, with Atlanta United on a bye, the Blues have a great opportunity to regain top slot in the Eastern Conference. Of course, Villa remains a safe choice at home or away.
The winner for @HoustonDynamo. ? #CHIvHOU pic.twitter.com/kEfuz7dfPY
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 20, 2018
LA (W 4 D 1 L 6) vs SJ (W 2 D 3 L 6)
The California Clasico is back and we are about to find out whether it will retain its former glory or if it will be overshadowed by the new El Trafico Derby in the Golden State.
Both teams are struggling at the moment and I personally would ignore this game.
SEA (W 2 D 2 L 5) vs RSL (W 4 D 1 L 6)
Nothing is going right for the Sounders this year. Last year’s runners-up are at the foot of the Western Conference with a pitiful 8 points out of a possible 27. In DGW 11 they managed to scrape a win against Toronto and then go on to lose at Portland. Their star player Lodeiro missed both games with some mysterious toe injury (which we only found out about at a later stage). Will they find some way to get out of this slump? They had a bye last week to regroup, so let’s hope they come back showing their fighting spirit from last season. Watch out for injury updates.
Real is the worst team on the road this season. With no wins and five losses out of six away games, they just can’t be trusted. Only the biggest gamblers will chance a player from this team.
VAN (W 4 D 4 L 5) vs NE (W 5 D 2 L 4)
The Caps seem to be stuck in a black hole of late, and if things don’t improve soon their chances of remaining in the playoff section will quickly diminish. Often they take the lead, but then can’t hold it and have to settle for a draw. I suspect all the players who were backed for the DGW last week will be dropped by fantasy managers this week.
The Revs are becoming increasingly inconsistent and causing a headache for many managers. Will the next game be a win or a loss? You will need a crystal ball for the answer. With so many bad matches in this round, Penilla could be a decent punt here.
NYRB (W 7 D 0 L 3) vs PHI (W 4 D 2 L 5)
The Bulls are on fire at the moment. With four consecutive wins, and 12 goals scored in them, it will be a hard job for any opponents to try stopping them. Bradley is surely a must-have for this game, alongside the in-form Royer and the assist-king Kaku (7 assists and 2 goals in his last four games). Watch out for injury updates as Kemar Lawrence was taken out on a stretcher and Adams received a knee injury last time out.
There is a glimpse of improvement with Philly, but it’s too early to get excited. On the road they are eternally bad, with only one win out of five and only two goals scored. I simply can’t see them doing much this week, playing away to a very strong team at home.
BWP gets his second. 3-1 RBNY pic.twitter.com/GVha5KuxXE
— Total MLS (@TotalMLS) May 21, 2018
ORL (W 6 D 1 L 4) vs CHI (W 3 D 2 L 6)
After a great six game unbeaten streak, the Lions hit a brick wall with two consecutive defeats. This will be their chance to make sure they don’t slip any further down the table at this crucial point in the season. They still remain one of the highest scoring teams but the problem at the back needs to be looked at. Key striker Dom Dwyer missed the last game with some lower body injury, so watch out for news on that (they have a worrying trend of losing when Dom isn’t playing). If he is back, then pairing him up with Kljestan might be a good idea.
The Fire was extinguished for a second week in a row. They are slipping down the table quickly and jeopardising their chance for a playoff place. Last year’s Golden Boot winner, Nikolic, remains their main man. He has been inconsistent this season, but might try to top up his tally of six goals so far.
MIN ( W4 D 1 L 7) vs MTL (W 3 D 0 L 9)
The Loons are just about hanging on to the last playoff spot, but with their inconsistency it won’t be long before they fall off the cliff. It has been said many times, they are there to spoil the clean sheet of their opponent with a single goal as always. This game has a draw written all over it, so avoid any defence.
The Canadians have totally lost the plot of late, registering their third loss in a row last week against the 10 man LA Galaxy. Piatti blanked yet again and will surely be off the radar now for fantasy managers.
COL (W 2 D 2 L 6) vs POR (W 5 D 2 L 3)
The Rapids are currently in a total mess. Five consecutive winless games and 14 goals shipped between them. Even the high altitude doesn’t scare teams anymore.
On the other hand, the Timbers will arrive with their heads high, looking to extend their five game unbeaten streak. Valeri or Blanco should be considered for this game.
LAFC (W 6 D 2 L 3) vs DCU (W 2 D 2 L 5)
Unfortunately, the hype over their new home has not been justified yet for the Black and Gold. Since moving in, they’ve had to settle for two draws in four games, with only six goals scored. After a stormy start at the beginning of the season, Rossi has gone completely off the boil. The team can’t rely on Vela alone. Maybe this will be a chance for them to meet the high expectations before they go on the road for the next two rounds.
The Black and Reds will arrive here with a pinch of confidence after their first road win last week. That said, I doubt the party will continue on the West Coast. The team is still in bad shape, so don’t let the result at San Jose fool you!
What a beauty from Vela. 1-1. pic.twitter.com/XX204KkjWz
— Total MLS (@TotalMLS) May 19, 2018
SKC (W 7 D 3 L 2) vs CLB (W 7 D 3 L 3)
Sporting only managed a draw last week, but they are still sitting four points clear at the top in the West. Returning home will be a different story, as we know the Children’s Mercy Park is a fortress for them where visiting teams are not allowed many goals. Melia and the rest of the defence will take centre stage in many fantasy teams. Zusi will most definitely take back his seat. Russell and Salloi must also be considered.
Despite coming here on a six game unbeaten streak, the Crew has scored only 3 goals on their travels. With the endless and unpredictable roulette of different scorers, it’s probably best to make plans around the home team instead.
Captain Picks
1. Bradley Wright-Phillips (NYRB) On great form with a promising home fixture.
2. Carlos Vela (LAFC) The main playmaker at home against bad travellers DCU.
3. David Villa (NYCFC) He can be trusted in any game.
Notes for your Diary
Many players will be departing soon for the upcoming World Cup. Clubs can hold onto their players until 28.05 but some can leave earlier. Surprisingly, MLS has decided to have a summer break this year, from 14.06 to 23.06. After that, it all depends how far players progress with their respective countries. The group stage finishes on 28.06. This is a list with players who have been chosen for their national squads.
Deadline
Friday 25.08.18 at 8 PM EDT – Saturday 26.05.18 at 1 AM BST
Best of luck to all managers.
Post your teams below and we will be sure to help out as much as possible.
Thanks for reading: MLS Tips Fantasy Major League Soccer GW13. This article was written by Ivan The Terrible
Evening all, ‘ows it ‘angin ? A warm welcome to all our new found friends from FFF. Just to let you know when the FPL kicks off, apart from the FF247 league which is open to the whole world, we have a regulars cash classic league, a H2H league system ( same as Benchs’ Banterbury) and we have a doubles league. Regular means you post on site every now and then. Hope you all get involved.
As I am in the US, would a cash league be kosher for me? I got thrown out of Mondo once the US banned gambling. With the Courts overturning the law does this free me now?
I like your confidence
You’d be fine regardless as technically you’re not gambling, as I understand it. You’re not paying to enter.
You are not paying to enter, it is money we give out to the winner of our Regulars league.
There are cash leagues out there (twitter) which several people play that reside in the US. Is not a big deal, many of us here in the States were doing it whether it was legal or not
You simply pay someone the entry fee via paypal (as an example) and that person hands out the money at the end of the season, via paypal. They can’t prove you won it by gambling. 
Be similar to how people do fantasy nfl.
Mito, because of those crazy laws the UFPL had to stop. They used to charge £5 for a season membership to play the game. In many countries that is classified as gambling and they wouldn’t have it.I used to love it, very similar it was what FMLS is now.
I did the beta version, I liked it.
Mosc, let’s say the law is changing over in US. You can say it’s simply sports betting 😉
https://www.theguardian.com/law/2018/may/14/sports-betting-gambling-legal-supreme-court-decision
Ivan, It’s a joke over here. Now the Pro Sports Teams want a % of the amounts bet to insure the “integrity” of the games. What “integrity”? They want a piece of the pie to line their pockets. Hopefully. they already have things in place to monitor point shaving, etc. So it’s just a money grab by the owners and the NCAA at the college level.
That’s it, the beginning of match fixing. You gonna learn something which we know for many years in Europe.
What are we playing for Mosc it’s only a game where not getting the cards out here of course your aloud in , oh & if you what to join me for a poker night one night that’s fine 😉
I.m not allowed out at night. 79 years old & going on 80. I need my rest!
Mosc, you were the most senior member at FFF and the youngest at hart. No need to be afraid :ok:
It was a tongue-in-cheek reply to Silvers” invite to a poker night.
Horse if you’re out there I’m going to send your winnings over tonight. I was waiting for the others to claim to do them en masse but so far it’s only us two who have claimed! I’m going to transfer mine to myself in another account just so that I feel like I won something
Mmmm….
Don’t be bitter there GP, I still have no idea why you never entered it?! You’d have been 2nd I think? I’ll not tell you what you lost out on
I could stand to lose a bit of weight in fairness 😉
No idea why I wasn’t in that one in all honesty.
I’m waiting to hear what I have won from my club supporters group who contacted me yesterday to say they were finalising their prizes.
How ironic, this was the original 75 pounds image I found!
I won £100 this year. That’s £100 more than normal too. £50 from FPL Generals league which I didn’t even know had a prize and £50 in this which I’m obviously not even claiming! I really need to get in more cash leagues. Bloke who finished 5th in my ML won £375 from 3 of his other leagues and he was 176k overall!
Congratulations.
Yeah when you put it like that then yeah there is definitely cash to be made in this game.
I would have been 9th in Scotland this year. Rather be Gibraltar’s No. 1 though!
Cash leagues with no paying to enter!! That’s nice, now I really want to become a regular here! :dance:
What’s a doubles league?
ZL, have you been down to the cellar again :fish-bowl:
Never left :dance:
Something we started years ago. It’s just a fun one, no cash for that. Does what it says on the tin – two people run one team. There’s a separate league for it.
Ahh… Sounds like fun! :ok:
Btw that “ok” emoticon looks a bit like a rooster, innit? 😀
Kop! This works on so many levels for you
David Gold: “I’m looking forward to the new manager turning Declan Rice into a strong English defender for the future of the England team.”
Hahah what an idiot!
Put me down for the hammers next season!!! I’ll run the c**ts into the ground every week.
And to think David Gold is even less of a prick than Sullivan.
There is nothing to like about the club.
I find them charming.
That doesn’t surprise me
Once again cheers for this Ivan. I’ve done my first draft care a to cast an eye over it anyone?
Miller
Zusi, Murillo, 2 4.0 Defs
Kaku, Valeri, Kljestan and Wolff
BWP, Vela
Bench: 4.0 GK, Callens, Martinez and Quintero
Will Vela still be with LAFC by the weekend??
Where’s Ibra?!!
Nobody chooses Zlatan, Zlatan chooses you! He obviously didn’t choose me this week haha
Hard luck Matt. Maybe next week!
I’m always hoping! 😉
Maybe in prison already :D:
https://twitter.com/MLS/status/998652608574251010
I love how he rolled around
I’ve been saying this in the last few weeks. Ibra is frustrated, he likes to play for teams where everyone makes some effort and LA are not the one at the moment.
I doubt he will last long in there. Done all the TV shows across America, time to move on
Once a pr1ck, always a pr1ck!
Ibra slapped a biatch (Montreal player) this week so he is suspended.
Apparently the guy mistakenly backed into Ibra and stepped on him.
The other bloke should never be allowed play football again!!
It was a disgraceful act, Lee Cattermole would be proud
Vela should be fine by the looks of it, I am sure Ivan will cry a river if he finds out he left, so we will all know Vela is off when we are having to swim in Ivan’s tears.
Team seems fine, I will assume that is Martinez from Houston on your bench, you really need to specify.
I did have one question though, why Wolff? You just like his name?
I don’t have any information that he’s left. Have you 😯
Nah, he hasn’t but I am hoping he does.
Damn that’s actually Moralez didn’t notice my autocorrect changed it to Martinez sorry.
As for Wolff I just stuck him in there but I’ve changed him to some 4.0 mid who has no chance of playing.
Matt, I like your team. Put Robles on the bench and see how it goes. I am expecting the Bulls to get a CS. If they do then change Miller to a scrub and use the money elsewhere. The trouble here is that you need to see the result of the NYRB game which starts at midnight in UK. The rest is the same. We don’t know who is going to play and who would be already on the plane for the WC.
Cheers Ivan. Where should I downgrade to give me the funds to upgrade to Robles? I’m thinking downgrade Vela and if Robles keeps a CS then drop Miller and bring Vela back in?
If you can post a screenshot with your current settings and the money ITB I might get some ideas.
For some reason I can’t get a field view on my phone so this is the best I can do to fit it all it on my laptop. Hopefully it’s readable…
I’m actually thinking of dropping Kljestan as Orlando might not have Dwyer back and with Yotun out, the only weapon Orlando have is Kljestan so Chicago will probably try and focus all defending on him. This could give me funds to upgrade to Robles.
Is Robles marked as injured or am I seeing things?
If you insist on ORL player, Mueller is perfect. I would go for C. Roldan. I think Seattle will walkover RSL who are just atrocious on the road and they need to catch up.
I was looking at Roldan actually because I wanted to bring in a Seattle player that’s kind of the reason I had behind Wolff. Cheers Ivan.
Matt is not getting up at 2am to make subs.
Recommendations to Matt usually have to be done with no later substitutions in mind or at the very least with a day between games.
Mito, very often that is the best way. I know few people, Zorro for example, who prefer the old school style and they do very well
Old people usually prefer old school. 😉
Matt however is 20, he is the Wayne Rooney of this site. He loves them grannies, that’s why he runs Facebook for us.
so I guess you can say he really loves old school.
Thanks Mito, for nowt.
Hi all, nice to see some new faces on the boards today. Welcome to the site. My advice is leave before I start writing articles again next season – it’ll be a good ten minutes longer than Ivan’s
You’re staying?
He’s passed his first year initiation with flying colours to be fair. I don’t think we’ve ever been so harsh on anyone before
#blamemitro
Does this mean all the bullying stops now?
@Kop, if you don’t let me continue writing I’ll just write essays in the comments section again 😆
Bullying?!
Yes, you’re done now, probably much to HL’s disappointment! I may even do RMT’s for you again now 😉
What a treat. Master Inittowinit doing rate my teams for Dobby, I mean me.
What is all this bully going on did I miss it do I need to have a word with HL 😉
As long as it makes sense, doesn’t matter how long it is – something we tried to explain to Ivan years ago!! 😉 😆
I’ve been encouraging shorter sharper articles for years now Zed but the b@stards don’t listen and I’m sure they’re deliberately taking the piss and making them longer each week :rant:
I’m just about up to the Forwards section on GW12 of Tips now
From this past season?
You must be a speed reader.
Thinking about this, we can drop out the review section and just concentrate on preview the next round reflected by the previous game performance. It make sense but it’s up to you.
Didn’t mean yours at all mate. You carry on as you are.
Haha, Ivan, Init is only joking (I think).
From my point of view your article didn’t feel like it dragged on because it covered a lot succinctly, so you never felt like you were reading the same point thrashed out over 20 lines.
But yeah, if I was cutting something, cutting the review would save you a nice bit of time and not be too detrimental to the article as a whole
But then my opinions are irrelevant
:whistle:
Initt and AT, I’ve been seriously considering this for a while. Highlights can be done in the intro and then brief mention of the previous performance as we predict the next game.
Definitely saves time and might look better. We can discuss this over the weekend in emails. I am sure Chipster will agree while admiring the slapping :hippo: :p
AT just wants to make sure his articles are over 1000 words longer than anyone else’s article.
I know I am incredibly biased, but I think the article works best having both the Review and Preview sections. I think it’s nice to namecheck the players / sides that have done well (and those who fared poorly) in the Review portion, before going into the Preview portion. That way you have an idea of recent form in the back of your mind while reading the Preview.
If anybody is short on time, they can always choose to skip over the Review and just read the Preview. But personally, I find the combination of both really helpful.
I edited your hippo and your p :p
I’ll be perfectly honest, when I read it properly on First it was the first thing that struck me – was a review necessary? I couldn’t decide. I agree with Chip on it too, it’s a nice catch up. It’s probably less necessary in FPL as we’re all more across that and most will have watched MOTD anyway. In MLS (or at least when I played it properly!) I’d know the scores but wouldn’t have necessarily seen any highlights or reports so it’s helpful from that POV as a catch up. Totally up to you guys anyway, I liked it as it was this week.
And no AT, I wasn’t joking about Tips!
Yeah, maybe you’re right, Chipster. And welcome to the site, by the way. For MLS articles it might make more sense.
Mito: you weren’t supposed to tell them!
Pfft, it was one time. Repeated several times.
Ok Chipster, you have a point but sometime it helps to be shorten a bit. For example, we have a very short turnaround with a deadline on Wednesday for a massive DGW ahead with 8 teams playing twice. On the top of that add the commotions of WC departures plus quite few significant players will be missing due to international friendlies for which I am already gathering information. We have always managed in the past and I am sure we can do it again but as I said, we have all weekend to think about that :whistle:
Ivan, just take a call on it week by week. If time allows and you want to then do it, if it doesn’t then don’t. Best example I can give is the FPL DGW’s and some normal midweek GW’s. We’ve often arrived on Sunday to plan the weeks articles and then realised that they don’t all fit given the week ahead finishing late and the new one starting 2 days later. We’ve simply cancelled half the articles and combined a load of others. And nobody bats an eyelid.
Inittowinit, you are absolutely right. We do what we can best do. The most important thing is to provide a platform for discussions and the rest always comes into place
It’s a relaxed approach we take whilst still being deadly serious about it. Make sure all the key messages are ticked, however that happens. And if there’s time to expand then great and bonus. If it’s a tight deadline and I’m an end user I’m not wanting to wade, I’m wanting key points – key players/ capos etc. If it’s a normal week then I’ll probably want more to digest. But as I say it’s your call. Check your email though as we do have a formatting issue to resolve!
Ivan, I threw up a little. You sounded way too corporate.
Yep, short and to the point should work well especially for the wider audience, and for the occasional visitor to the site! I think I don’t exaggerate much if I say that most folks just want to know which players to buy and why
People have made some excellent points here, both in support of longer articles and against them.
I guess it’s up to Ivan really, as he’s the one who spends the most time on them each week. If it ever becomes too much of a chore, or the turnaround is too short, then culling the Review section is the best way to make the article more manageable, as people have suggested. Or, I am happy to share writing duties with Ivan if that would help (e.g. I could focus on Review and Ivan on Preview perhaps?). Review is just a factual summary, whereas Preview combines facts and opinion. Ivan is far better qualified than me to cover off the latter!
One other point in support of a longer article would be that there is a scarcity of FMLS weekly articles out there, compared to FPL, so although it may require a greater time investment to read the whole of Ivan’s article each week, at least it does present things very comprehensively to make up for the lack of other sources of FMLS-related information. It’s a one-stop, “read and done”, FMLS-planning resource, whereas FPL people probably prefer shorter, snappier articles because they want to read five or six each week across different forums / platforms.
OK, soapbox rant over 😀
Chipster, totally agree regarding the difference between FPL articles and Mental League Soccer 😆 articles! Nice to see you reaching out a helping hand, always appreciated in these circles!! :thumbup: 😀
Where is Villa :oogle:
He doesn’t need good chances to score.
…
….
Don’t like it Rich. I’d get Kun in for sure 😉
Or did you just forget how to spell Test :hippo:
So many jokes to be had here……
???????
Don’t, you know how sensitive he is!
But it’s his annual comment, might not get another chance for months……
Mito. Shut it Browno.
I’ll put £75 of GP’s money on that word originally ending in ‘ie’ before you stopped yourself and realised
Cookie, how could you?!
#racist