05/06/24
July 13, 2003
SpoFi EPL Fantasy League 2003-2004 needs leaders! Who will set things up? Who will report?
posted by worldcup2002 to navel gazing at 12:07 PM - 54 comments
How about this: Everybody else ...wins Starfucker........loses?
posted by Fat Buddha at 05:21 PM on July 13, 2003
I'm a one sport table maker. Besides, I don't have enough knowledge about soccer to make an interesting table.
posted by corpse at 05:26 PM on July 13, 2003
It's actually easier than the baseball one (remember my not-so-good-looking lists?). Rank, spofi member name, total score, position change from previous week. C'mon, corpse!
posted by worldcup2002 at 06:19 PM on July 13, 2003
I suppose that if corpse will share his secrets (CSS or HTML, he asked breathlessly?), I can manage this bit for one season.
posted by billsaysthis at 07:28 PM on July 13, 2003
Yay, bill! btw, bill, you signed up for last season. ;-) I hope you don't have to do it again, but w/ yahoo!, one never knows.
posted by worldcup2002 at 08:06 PM on July 13, 2003
Yahoo! Bites! My! Weinee!!!
posted by billsaysthis at 04:00 PM on July 14, 2003
Hey Fooker! Are any of the other fantasy leagues (not yahoo!) open for the new season? D'ya think we should move our business over there? Or just give yahoo another chance -- and a couple more weeks to get going?
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:32 PM on July 14, 2003
The Telegraph is open for business from Saturday, but I think you have to pay for it. The BBC will be running one, as will 365, but that will cost a tenner. Personally, I would be content to stick with Yahoo.
posted by Fat Buddha at 04:19 AM on July 15, 2003
I would be, too, FB. It's the simplest and free. And infuriatingly unpredictable.
posted by worldcup2002 at 09:48 AM on July 15, 2003
If there's an opening on the roster for a new entry then i'd say i've been satisfied by yahoo in all the pools I have tried. If there is no opening - ignore me.
posted by gspm at 12:26 PM on July 15, 2003
Hey gspm, you must join! The more the merrier! ... as soon as that darn yahoo! gets its act together, that is.
posted by worldcup2002 at 05:58 PM on July 15, 2003
So, everybody, since we still can't sign up, I was wondering: Who would be in your fantasy EPL team? I would go: A = Owen, Henry, Van Nistelrooy M = Geremi, Gerrard, Duff, Scholes D = Finnan, Silvestre, Riise G = Friedel And then again, maybe not. ;-p
posted by worldcup2002 at 06:40 PM on July 15, 2003
That sounds like way more than 100 units (as Yahoo! values players) so how about giving us a lineup that's a bit more in reach?
posted by billsaysthis at 07:31 PM on July 15, 2003
Also, why are you going 3-4-3 rather than 4-3-3?
posted by billsaysthis at 07:31 PM on July 15, 2003
bill: I will address your questions in order: 1. too many units When the fantasy league opens up, all players have the same value (1.00, I think; I don't think they carry over values from the previous season). So if you're in there early, you can buy up all the players you want. The expensive values occur only after the first fantasy league update that takes into consideration all the market transactions (which players were bought most by the fantasy competitors). So, get in early coz you don't know when the prices will go up. Note: Another nice trick is to buy good players immediately after they've scored or done lotsa point-racking play in a match. This will allow you to acquire the player before that week's updates occur. Now, this doesn't guarantee better points, because you only get the points from that player for what he does the _following_ week. But if he's on a hot streak, it usu. pays (esp. if his market value doubles the day after you bought him). I've found that most player's "streaks" last a couple of weeks. Unless they're Henry, Zola (hope you enjoy being back in Italy, Ziggy) or Van Nistelrooy. 2. 3-4-3 This formation (theoretically) gives you the greatest no. of attacking players and fewest defensive players. This is attractive (as is 3-5-2) in the yahoo! game because attacking play (goals, assists, shots on goal, fouls won, etc.) gets more points than defensive play. Note: One should always strive for as many attacking options as possible, so watch out for players like Riise who are (AM, D -- that is, attacking midfielder and defender) who you can slot in defense but will usu. get more points than the average defender. Also, players like Kewell and Schole (AM, M) or (A, M) are more likely to score more points than an average midfielder.
posted by worldcup2002 at 08:11 PM on July 15, 2003
God, I can wait for the new season to start!
posted by worldcup2002 at 08:11 PM on July 15, 2003
can't. can't.
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:19 PM on July 15, 2003
Latest episode of this sorry saga: I emailed yahoo! UK and asked them two days ago, "When's the EPL fantasy league back on?" and got a response yesterday. So, good responsiveness. But look at the reply:
Hi Thanks for your email. Please note that the current Fantasy football game has now finished for this season. However the game will return for August and we are also launching a new premium version. Please continue to check the site for further updates in the up and coming weeks: http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/ Regards Customer Care - Yahoo! UK & IrelandOoooooo ... kay. So you're telling me something's happening some unspecified time in August. Since the league starts in the middle of August, it would probably be a good idea to start in August. Oh, and you're coming up with a premium version, too. How nice for you. And click on the link so I can see the exact same thing that's been there since last May! I applaud your brilliance!
posted by worldcup2002 at 12:58 AM on July 18, 2003
God damn Brits!
posted by StarFucker at 08:40 AM on July 18, 2003
"Another nice trick is to buy good players immediately after they've scored or done lotsa point-racking play in a match. This will allow you to acquire the player before that week's updates occur." I didn't even KNOW this!!
posted by StarFucker at 08:47 AM on July 18, 2003
Soccernet costs money... I am pretty sure you guys are looking for free games right?
posted by StarFucker at 08:48 AM on July 18, 2003
Free games is right, SF. If yahoo would only get in gear, I'd be there in a heartbeat. I really do like the simplicity of their format.
posted by worldcup2002 at 09:31 AM on July 18, 2003
As long as all interested parties are ready to go at the drop of a hat there would only need to be a couple of days of lead time, no? day 1 - Pool created, entrants join day 2 - sort out your picks for your team. day 3 - good to go. A suitably motivated bunch here and probably all pile into the pile within a day or two of it becoming avaiable. I am not worried by the present lack of a pool. There was a hockey pool I played last season that didn't get their act together until only a few days before the season. I like the Yahoo pools. As for a premium version I hope that just involves the kind of real time updating that their other pay for extras pools (NBA/NHL) provide.
posted by gspm at 10:12 AM on July 18, 2003
day 1 - Pool created, entrants join day 2 - sort out your picks for your team. day 3 - good to go. day 4 - ????? day 5 - Profit!!! Sorry, I couldn't help meself. ;-)
posted by squealy at 11:06 AM on July 18, 2003
gspm: You're right. Everyone can get set up in about five minutes, team picking and all, esp. if you already have a (free) yahoo account. It's as simple at that. It's just that, as you'll find when the season starts, the free version (which is all we've had until now) is highly unpredictable about when the updates occur (altho stated policy is 48 hours after the games are played), and sometimes they update incompletely, or take back points. But on the whole, it really is straightforward and fun. And, welcome to you. I look forward to a big group this season. I think the max is 20 players per private league so get in quick (or we may have to go to SpoFi 1 and SpoFi 2 formats! Oooo. That would be fun. Maybe we could play those as a two-tier format and have promotion from 2 to 1, and relegation from 1 to 2. Hmmmm.)
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:44 AM on July 18, 2003
squealy: What the heck are you nattering on about? Get off the sauce, mate! btw, you better take part in the fantasy league this year! I'm counting on your witty repartee in here. With you and FB and Calmy (where is Calmy? He's been really quiet lately), it would be a regular Midlands gathering.
posted by worldcup2002 at 12:15 PM on July 18, 2003
DUDE!! That would be awesome!! Well...i have a new picture for you all... Its a picture of my team after we played some real scumbags this last Sunday...we tied 2-2. So our record so far is 2 wins, 1 draw, 0 Losses. I won't tell you which one i am...you'll have to guess. But even then i won't tell you...heh heh... 
posted by StarFucker at 12:29 PM on July 18, 2003
bottom, second from the right.
posted by corpse at 12:44 PM on July 18, 2003
I was thinking bottom, third from right since that's the only bald white guy. Plus he looks older than everyone else. SF, please apologize to your teammate if I'm wrong.
posted by billsaysthis at 01:05 PM on July 18, 2003
My first thought was second from bottom right, same as corpse. I know Fooker is 34, and that guy looks about right. Then again, third guy from bottom right could be him, but he seems to nice. Second right has about the right "I'm a smug bastard" look that I'd associate with Fooker. And that tattoo sends off the right "I'll smash your head in if you look at me wrong or talk about pigskin football" message, too.
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:17 PM on July 18, 2003
btw, SF, good on you and your team. I hate playing against scumbags. It seems like you lose even if you win. Or something like that.
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:18 PM on July 18, 2003
3rd from right bottom row.
posted by Fat Buddha at 01:31 PM on July 18, 2003
Ha! Great comments guys...
posted by StarFucker at 02:30 PM on July 18, 2003
Oh one more thing...since i'm so proud of our team this year... We have 13 goals for, and 3 against... Unfortunately, I don't have a goal yet this year, but my playing time has been limited due to a massive abdominal tear and some kind of left groin problem as well...
posted by StarFucker at 02:32 PM on July 18, 2003
billsaysthis There is more than one balding white guy...
posted by StarFucker at 02:44 PM on July 18, 2003
My guess is bald guy #2. The one on the right. When do we get to find out?
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:15 PM on July 18, 2003
SF is 34? I was thinking closer to 20 - 22. Good for him (?).
posted by Samsonov14 at 03:35 PM on July 18, 2003
Yeah, it was revealed in my groundbreaking SpoFi Locker Room interview with the Fooker. Are you ready for yours, Samsonovocheckski?
posted by worldcup2002 at 03:40 PM on July 18, 2003
Good for me?
posted by StarFucker at 03:42 PM on July 18, 2003
Massive abdominal tear?..it has to be the fat git 3rd right bottom row.
posted by Fat Buddha at 03:55 PM on July 18, 2003
Well, he's got blonde hair, blues eyes, and is 5'10" 170. That help anyone?
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:02 PM on July 18, 2003
Buddha, do you EVER have anything nice to say? You've been nothing but a bitch ever since you won the Yahoo League...what is your major malfunction?
posted by StarFucker at 04:08 PM on July 18, 2003
Abdominal tear and left groin problem do not sound funny. Except that I am very envious that you have a left groin, SF. I only have one, which although it is healthy and works well, still cannot match up to left and right ones. I am truly in awe.
posted by worldcup2002 at 04:13 PM on July 18, 2003
I thought I was being nice.
posted by Fat Buddha at 04:34 PM on July 18, 2003
Well, it hurts on the left side and then bolts across my lower abdominal area...i don't think that the two injuries are related though...at least that what Dr. Ettner said... The doctor said i should be fine if i don't play for about 8 weeks...but thats like telling me not to breathe..
posted by StarFucker at 04:36 PM on July 18, 2003
Well, i'm not from the Midlands, but i'm pretty sure git isn't a very nice word to describe someone...
posted by StarFucker at 04:38 PM on July 18, 2003
Man, it's all in the intonation. From a scouse git it would be intolerable. So you are the fat git third from the right?
posted by Fat Buddha at 05:28 PM on July 18, 2003
Intonation is difficult to recognize on a message board... worldcup, i don't know what is down there in the groin area, all i know is my lower left side hurts and the doc said it was my groin. So i said, "left groin". Could be that i only have one...maybe i have two...maybe it split into two like Siamese Irani twins joined at the groin...i don't know.
posted by StarFucker at 06:03 PM on July 18, 2003
Oh, and I assumed you would have picked up on my "intonation" and then guessed i must be the "fat git" on the right, Buddha... You may be close...but read again what Ufez wrote about my weight above...
posted by StarFucker at 06:06 PM on July 18, 2003
Could be my bad eyes or a poor photo but I only see one balding blonde in that photo. Sorry you're on the DL, SF.
posted by billsaysthis at 07:24 PM on July 18, 2003
Get well soon, Fooker, whichever groin is hurt. I am still in awe. My one groin shrinks in shame.
posted by worldcup2002 at 09:11 PM on July 18, 2003
My groin is better than your groin...
posted by StarFucker at 09:48 PM on July 18, 2003
HEy, something's happening over at the yahoo EPL fantasy league. Not much, but something ... I clicked here: http://uk.premiership.fantasysports.yahoo.com/salary and got this message:
Not Found The requested URL /salary was not found on this server. Additionally, a 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.Hahahaha. Their page for dealing with missing pages is MISSING! Hahahaaha! Anyway, I think they finally took down the months-old page because they're actually updating the damn thing. Keep your eyes peeled people!
posted by worldcup2002 at 12:41 PM on July 22, 2003
I just realized yesterday that it's only a month before the new season (I thought we had two weeks more than that). And I'm looking at a busy year with work, travel, family, etc. So I can play but I can't _reliably_ moderate the league or do the report. SETTING UP: Can someone make sure to just set the league up and run it? yahoo! sports still doesn't seem to have any news about when they'll start, or even IF they'll be doing the fantasy league this season. I'd prefer to have yahoo! for its simplicity but if that's not a choice, I think the Fooker knows other options we can use. WEEKLY REPORT: I'd like to have someone just post the weekly standings in the locker room, at minimum (and better if you throw in some general commentary and goading to start things off, too). Then we can all talk trash here. corpse is the man when it comes to tables (even if he's not very good at the player-picking, heh heh) so he'll make that weekly standing look damn good. So, who will step up? Who will take it? Who reigns supreeeeeeeeme?