Syracusefan.com group for the official Fantasy Premier League game

[IthacaMatt]

Great breakdown, IM. It’s hard to argue with any of your points. As a Liverpool fan, I’ve been disappointed with their Boeheim-esque skid, losing to PSG in Anfield to crash out of Champions League, and then the inexcusable loss to Newcastle at Wembley. They even looked meh against LC today. I hope they close the season strong.

I understand Liverpool's skid. Salah, Van Dyke and TAA were all on the way out, every day in the press, for the last month or two. Another title is still a huge deal.

Arsenal is in top form right now (only took the whole season) and has a legit chance to win the big one. Knocking out Real Madrid deserves major props, and I do mean knocking out, Mike Tyson style. They are going to have a real tough time with PSG’s forwards. They are all but locked for second in the EPL.

As much as PSG is scary up front, Arsenal have the best defense in the Premier League. People almost forget about that. This is going to be a great semi.

Man City is also a lock at this point. They seem to have found their groove and should have enough to hold on for a top 3 finish. If they beat Villa, I think they lock up 3rd. Their schedule is pretty weak.

I agree, they are back to where they need to be to see out the season. I wonder if they are going to drop the hammer on them this summer.

Newcastle is a team that seems like they could finish near the top, but I’m just not sold on them. They are Jeckle and Hyde despite the cup win. And they have Arsenal twice in the last 5 games. I think they could very well stub their toe and find a way to drop.

Eddie Howe deserves Champions League, and it allows the Saudis to invest in the team properly for next year. I hope they hold Isak for another year, and properly bolster the squad. I really enjoy watching them play.

I have a bunch of teams like that whose games I really enjoy this year, especially when they play each other - Newcastle, Villa, Crystal Palace, West Ham. I enjoy how good some of these midtable teams are, real talent up and down their rosters.

As you said, Villa is scary right now and give as good as they are getting. They could easily slide into the top 5, but a lot hinges on a win against Man City. If they can win that game and win 3 of the last four, I think they have a shot. They have a tough run of matches.

I tried to take Emery a few weeks ago as my manager, and I just couldn't get it to work. He's a terrific manager, and Champions League money is going to get them more good players. They won't have to sell an important player this summer for financial reasons.

I’ve been pulling for Forest all season. Nuno deserves something out of this team. He’s had nothing but heartache the past few seasons. They need to dig deep and finish this thing strong, and I think they do. If they beat Spurs, I think they hold on and grab the last UCL spot.

Forest remind me of an old-school Premier League team from the 2010-2015 era, long balls, big guy up front, strong in the air. Solid defense. Forest could be Andy Carroll at West Ham, you know? They are the throw back team, stylistically. I think this was their Leicester year. I see them taking a step back next year, unless they add another striker. Good young wingers, though. Nuno has done a tremendous job.

Chelsea has a ton of talent that is really starting to gel, but I don’t think they are ready to grab that last UCL spot in the standings. They have the toughest slate of games remaining and needed late match heroics to pull today’s result out.

They don't seem to have any sort of plan. Who they sell could be freaking anyone. It has made it very tough to get excited about them since New Years. Enzo told them they couldn't win the league when they were in 2nd place, and they have only been like the 11th best team in the New Year. They need a quality, sure thing up front, a really better goal keeper, and a mature guy to shore up the central defense. Somebody who commands respect. We need another Antonio Rudiger. He was the under-appreciated lion of our last Champions League winners.

My final standings prediction:

Liverpool
Arsenal
Man City
Newcastle
Forest
Villa
Chelsea

Villa's going to be Top 5. Either Newcastle or Forest are not going to make it.

 

[PeteCalvin]

I understand Liverpool's skid. Salah, Van Dyke and TAA were all on the way out, every day in the press, for the last month or two. Another title is still a huge deal.



As much as PSG is scary up front, Arsenal have the best defense in the Premier League. People almost forget about that. This is going to be a great semi.



I agree, they are back to where they need to be to see out the season. I wonder if they are going to drop the hammer on them this summer.



Eddie Howe deserves Champions League, and it allows the Saudis to invest in the team properly for next year. I hope they hold Isak for another year, and properly bolster the squad. I really enjoy watching them play.

I have a bunch of teams like that whose games I really enjoy this year, especially when they play each other - Newcastle, Villa, Crystal Palace, West Ham. I enjoy how good some of these midtable teams are, real talent up and down their rosters.


I tried to take Emery a few weeks ago as my manager, and I just couldn't get it to work. He's a terrific manager, and Champions League money is going to get them more good players. They won't have to sell an important player this summer for financial reasons.



Forest remind me of an old-school Premier League team from the 2010-2015 era, long balls, big guy up front, strong in the air. Solid defense. Forest could be Andy Carroll at West Ham, you know? They are the throw back team, stylistically. I think this was their Leicester year. I see them taking a step back next year, unless they add another striker. Good young wingers, though. Nuno has done a tremendous job.



They don't seem to have any sort of plan. Who they sell could be freaking anyone. It has made it very tough to get excited about them since New Years. Enzo told them they couldn't win the league when they were in 2nd place, and they have only been like the 11th best team in the New Year. They need a quality, sure thing up front, a really better goal keeper, and a mature guy to shore up the central defense. Somebody who commands respect. We need another Antonio Rudiger. He was the under-appreciated lion of our last Champions League winners.



Villa's going to be Top 5. Either Newcastle or Forest are not going to make it.

Great analysis. Again, can’t argue against any of your points. It’s going to be a great ending to the EPL season. There is still so much to play for.

 

[PeteCalvin]

Forest picked up three huge points today. The race is on!

 

[IthacaMatt]

Forest picked up three huge points today. The race is on!

Hey congrats, Pete. It's at my expense, but everybody is looking at big games this time of year.

 

[PeteCalvin]

Hey congrats, Pete. It's at my expense, but everybody is looking at big games this time of year.

I can’t imagine being a Spurs fan this season. They have really collapsed since dealing Kane to Bayern. Son needs lots of help.

 

[JDubbin]

PeteCalvin, love that you're a Liverpool fan (been so myself for 15 years or so)! I'll have the Gerrard jersey & corresponding Reds gear on & ready rock after church tomorrow... Liverpool's winning the league tomorrow (hopefully!). Let the celebrations begin! YNWA

gbo! I played all my remaining chips to make up the sizeable lead you had over the last few weeks... I honestly never thought I could make up ground, but things have fallen my way surprisingly. It's on a knife's edge to see who wins the Syracusefan Premier League, for all I know you have 2-3 more chips to play & you'll move back in front. Exciting!

My hope is that everyone honors their $12 commitment for playing the league, spoils go to the winner to be used towards new jersey/gear of the team you support! As a reminder, I'll also have a cheap WWE style Championship Belt that will be sent to whoever wins (or in this case may just stay right here!). Gonna be a fun push the last few weeks!

 

[IthacaMatt]

My hope is that everyone honors their $12 commitment for playing the league, spoils go to the winner to be used towards new jersey/gear of the team you support! As a reminder, I'll also have a cheap WWE style Championship Belt that will be sent to whoever wins (or in this case may just stay right here!). Gonna be a fun push the last few weeks!

absolutely

 

[JDubbin]

Liverpool won the league! So beautiful to do it in Anfield after not having fans during 2020 Covid to celebrate with - I’m hyped!

YNWA!

 

[gbo]

PeteCalvin, love that you're a Liverpool fan (been so myself for 15 years or so)! I'll have the Gerrard jersey & corresponding Reds gear on & ready rock after church tomorrow... Liverpool's winning the league tomorrow (hopefully!). Let the celebrations begin! YNWA

gbo! I played all my remaining chips to make up the sizeable lead you had over the last few weeks... I honestly never thought I could make up ground, but things have fallen my way surprisingly. It's on a knife's edge to see who wins the Syracusefan Premier League, for all I know you have 2-3 more chips to play & you'll move back in front. Exciting!

My hope is that everyone honors their $12 commitment for playing the league, spoils go to the winner to be used towards new jersey/gear of the team you support! As a reminder, I'll also have a cheap WWE style Championship Belt that will be sent to whoever wins (or in this case may just stay right here!). Gonna be a fun push the last few weeks!

Yea my lead has dwindled quicker and quicker it seems. It's been a fun ride. I have 4 more chips to play so we'll see what help that is.

I'm in for the 12$. Just let me know where to send it.

 

[PeteCalvin]

Liverpool won the league! So beautiful to do it in Anfield after not having fans during 2020 Covid to celebrate with - I’m hyped!

YNWA!
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Nice collection, JDubs. I have a scarf my daughter picked up for me when she visited the UK two years ago.

Anfield was absolutely electric today. Kudos to all the fans who showed up early to welcome the team buses. I can’t imagine what it was like to actually be there. 20 titles is quite a feat of excellence. So glad the players were home. Makes up for that lousy 2020 celebration the fans were cheated out of.

I must say I’m really quite pissed off at NBC and SiriusXM on the coverage today. Of course NBC puts the game on Peacock, which I refuse to pay for out of principle. Then, Sirius carries the FA Cup semifinal with MC and NF. Really? Not even radio coverage? I had to watch all the highlights and postgame interviews on YouTube.

 

[ROCcuse]

Nice collection, JDubs. I have a scarf my daughter picked up for me when she visited the UK two years ago.

Anfield was absolutely electric today. Kudos to all the fans who showed up early to welcome the team busses. I can’t imagine what it was like to actually be there. 20 titles is quite a feat of excellence. So glad the players were home. Makes up for that lousy 2020 celebration the fans were cheated out of.

I must say I’m really quite pissed off at NBC and SiriusXM on the coverage today. Of course NBC puts the game on Peacock, which I refuse to pay for out of principle. Then, Sirius carries the FA Cup semifinal with MC and NF. Really? Not even radio coverage? I had to watch all the highlights and postgame interviews on YouTube.

It sucks when there isn't even a competing game in the timeslot and they still force you to Peacock.

Surprised this wasn't on NBC like most of the "Top 6" (lol Tottenham) matches are.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Nice collection, JDubs. I have a scarf my daughter picked up for me when she visited the UK two years ago.

Anfield was absolutely electric today. Kudos to all the fans who showed up early to welcome the team busses. I can’t imagine what it was like to actually be there. 20 titles is quite a feat of excellence. So glad the players were home. Makes up for that lousy 2020 celebration the fans were cheated out of.

I must say I’m really quite pissed off at NBC and SiriusXM on the coverage today. Of course NBC puts the game on Peacock, which I refuse to pay for out of principle. Then, Sirius carries the FA Cup semifinal with MC and NF. Really? Not even radio coverage? I had to watch all the highlights and postgame interviews on YouTube.

Yeah, I just buy it all. Peacock, Paramount and ESPN+ pretty much cover all the soccer in the world.

 

[JDubbin]

I must say I’m really quite pissed off at NBC and SiriusXM on the coverage today. Of course NBC puts the game on Peacock, which I refuse to pay for out of principle. Then, Sirius carries the FA Cup semifinal with MC and NF. Really? Not even radio coverage? I had to watch all the highlights and postgame interviews on YouTube.

It sucks when there isn't even a competing game in the timeslot and they still force you to Peacock.

Surprised this wasn't on NBC like most of the "Top 6" (lol Tottenham) matches are.

I’ll say this in NBC’s defense, PeacockTV is genuinely like $2.99 a month, it’s one of the cheapest platforms out there - great coverage of the premier league, solid lineup of movies, etc.

Most of the weekly games are shown on USA Network, usually that 12:30 Saturday game is on NBC itself. PeteCalvin I feel your frustration though… I think I had the game on for an hour+ afterwards for the full comprehensive celebration coverage. Just soaked it all in!

 

[IthacaMatt]

I’ll say this in NBC’s defense, PeacockTV is genuinely like $2.99 a month, it’s one of the cheapest platforms out there - great coverage of the premier league, solid lineup of movies, etc.

Most of the weekly games are shown on USA Network, usually that 12:30 Saturday game is on NBC itself. PeteCalvin I feel your frustration though… I think I had the game on for an hour+ afterwards for the full comprehensive celebration coverage. Just soaked it all in!

The people who should be pissed are MLS fans. 90% of their content has moved to Apple+, which is the smallest platform in terms of viewers among those who show sports. MLS has a game of the week on cable, and it almost always features Messi, so they are not growing the game with this TV deal.

 

[IthacaMatt]

It sucks when there isn't even a competing game in the timeslot and they still force you to Peacock.

Surprised this wasn't on NBC like most of the "Top 6" (lol Tottenham) matches are.

Well of course they've done that on purpose the last couple years, especially early in the season, putting the weekend's best games only on Peacock while we watch Aston Villa v. Wolves on USA. LOL. That's just business, mate.

 

[JDubbin]

I have a 7 point lead on gbo with 2 weeks to go! Absolute barn burner finish... we may come to fisticuffs

 

[IthacaMatt]

I have a 7 point lead on gbo with 2 weeks to go! Absolute barn burner finish... we may come to fisticuffs

Yeah, I was going to comment on that. And you made up about 7 points last week, right?

 

[JDubbin]

Yeah, I was going to comment on that. And you made up about 7 points last week, right?

A few weeks ago I jumped past him by 25+ points, but gbo has played his assistant manager chip well the last two weeks & has closed the lead down again!

 

[IthacaMatt]

A few weeks ago I jumped past him by 25+ points, but gbo has played his assistant manager chip well the last two weeks & has closed the lead down again!

I tried to play that twice. Emery was my choice, but I just couldn't figure out how to do it.

 

[JDubbin]

I tried to play that twice. Emery was my choice, but I just couldn't figure out how to do it.

Not sure if you're asking or need it, but let me share a quick tutorial on Assistant Manager chip. When you play it, you actually have it for 3 straight weeks (you can't play other chips while it's activated). You start by selecting your first choice manager. The manager points are based on both wins & position on the EPL table - i.e. if you selected a manager who's 5+ spots lower on the table then the team they're playing, you receive additional points for winning that game. You are allowed to transfer out the original manager you selected within those 3 weeks, but each manager transfer is -4 points.

 

[JDubbin]

Alright yo, confession time... I gotta spill the beans on this one. Today, I purchased the jersey that the money winnings will go towards if I win the league!

Here's the story:
As I've shared a few times, I first played FPL 12-13 years ago at the request of a friend who lives in England. As the league manager, he's the the one who modeled the "Buy a Jersey" & Championship Belt (still need to pick that up!) idea for the winner that I'm trying to institute here. My 2nd year playing, I won! The jersey I picked up was a Nike Clint Dempsey USMNT Centennial jersey - which I absolutely love. I ended up selling it a few years ago because I flipped my whole wardrobe from Large to XL (Gainz season?!). Those particular jerseys are hard to find & super expensive, usually in the $200-$300 range. Yesterday, I came across an AUTHENTIC Nike Dempsey Centennial jersey in XL for $125 on eBay. Here's the issue... it's SUPER dirty/stained, potentially some other damage - hard to know for sure if the stains will come out. Today, the seller offered me $100 + free shipping & I took it. This is potentially the perfect story arch for me, finally getting that first jersey I won 12 years ago back in my collection, I've been looking for years & it often seemed unattainable. It could also be an epic fail... but either way, win or lose, my jersey is purchased! I'll keep you update on the clean up process once it arrives.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Not sure if you're asking or need it, but let me share a quick tutorial on Assistant Manager chip. When you play it, you actually have it for 3 straight weeks (you can't play other chips while it's activated). You start by selecting your first choice manager. The manager points are based on both wins & position on the EPL table - i.e. if you selected a manager who's 5+ spots lower on the table then the team they're playing, you receive additional points for winning that game. You are allowed to transfer out the original manager you selected within those 3 weeks, but each manager transfer is -4 points.

Here's the thing, I played the chip twice, but couldn't find where to pick my manager.

 

[JDubbin]

Here's the thing, I played the chip twice, but couldn't find where to pick my manager.

I see, yeah they’re listed on each individual team roster under the player transfer pull down menu… If you wanted Arne Slot, you activate your chip & you’d see a blank/available Assistant Manager spot in your gameday roster page, you’d add to that spot by selecting the desired coach from the EPL team roster (Liverpool)

 

[JDubbin]

Wow, ROCcuse with a massive points haul the last couple of weeks! Went from 100+ points behind to having an outside chance pulling a major upset next week! Either way, what a close. I think gbo & I will be something like 10 point a part… trying to finalize this thing next week! Gonna be fun.

 

[ROCcuse]

lol yeah, I needed more out of my Bench Boost (12 pts) and my 4 or so guys that played the last games this week added only 4 points..

All out of Chips to use now so everything would have to go impossibly well next Sunday.