04/19/24
July 20, 2006
It's never too early to start Spofi's Fantasy EPL!: We can debate the truth of such a statement (first game kicks off on Aug 19th) inside where the details of the league will be found.
I'm in, Untitled as usual.
posted by trox at 01:27 PM on July 20, 2006
Quick question: can I sign up now, auto-pick a team, then re-do it later withou transfer penalties? It feels like I ask this every year, but I'm just not sure. Phatcat FC will be in the mix.
posted by garfield at 02:08 PM on July 20, 2006
Uhm, once someone answers his question, can they follow up with what transfer penalties are and how one avoids them? And links to good guides would be appreciated, but I understand if you're hiding the good stuff.
posted by yerfatma at 02:56 PM on July 20, 2006
Transfer penalties are incurred when you make more than a straight 1-for-1 substitution per game week. So you can tweak your club one player per week for the entire season without being penalized (-4 points for every extra transfer per gameweek). But say you have two loafs you can't stand, so you drop them, replace them with the flavor of the upcoming week, you'll be penalized -4 points. Say you swap 3 loafs, you'd be down -8. And so on. Don't have any guide links.
posted by garfield at 03:01 PM on July 20, 2006
Yes, you can re-do your team without transfer penalties if you just auto-pick now, but all changes must be confirmed by 19 Aug 11:30 BST.
posted by garfield at 03:42 PM on July 20, 2006
I'm in. Hard to pick a team when transfers are still to come but whatever.
posted by billsaysthis at 03:50 PM on July 20, 2006
"taint."
posted by chicobangs at 03:54 PM on July 20, 2006
I'm interested. I can't find away to log into an existing league. do I need to create a team first? It asked me to pick a team neam and desing a uni. Am I on the right track? I know nothing about football and have never done a fantasy league, so please bare with me.
posted by HATER 187 at 04:06 PM on July 20, 2006
Yup. Make your team, and then you add it to the Spofi league. That Banging Noise? That's me.
posted by chicobangs at 04:17 PM on July 20, 2006
Sock My Balls is my squad's name. This is little more involved than I thought I guess I'll make my team when I get off of work.
posted by HATER 187 at 04:18 PM on July 20, 2006
Here be the league table. Last year we had the league # of 643. This year, 40714. Somebody must have been very on the ball last year. And they have rolled out some new admin tools. I can cut off joiners after the season starts (we had about 5 last year that joined partway through, not a big deal). And I can suspend/remove teams from the league but I don't think that's necessary if the lockerroom updates are the place for trash talking rather than their forum.
posted by gspm at 04:52 PM on July 20, 2006
I stink at internetting. I used HATER_187 as my user ID but typed in my real name for name. My secret identy is ruined.
posted by HATER 187 at 05:22 PM on July 20, 2006
I'm in - as owlhouse. I am anticipating relegation.
posted by owlhouse at 05:45 PM on July 20, 2006
I'm sure you'll all be overjoyed to hear that Ardley Athletic are back for another season.
posted by squealy at 07:01 PM on July 20, 2006
You should all get used to losing to my Wigan Dragons, or some other such name I come up with.
posted by worldcup2002 at 07:12 PM on July 20, 2006
btw, thanks to gspm for setting things up. Also look forward to your weekly updates.
posted by worldcup2002 at 07:16 PM on July 20, 2006
Now I'm stuffed. This is my first time in the league, and I didn't realise it was de rigeur to have a puerile nickname for your team. I feel old. And used.
posted by owlhouse at 07:19 PM on July 20, 2006
Oh, you can totally change your nickname. "The Fowlhouse?" or "Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy? Oy! Oy! Oy!" or "I Sure Like Beans!" are all still available.
posted by chicobangs at 08:10 PM on July 20, 2006
I'm in. With no real knowledge to help me through I have joined after becoming a fan during the World Cup. BTW, HATER 187, you can change it in your profile.
posted by geekyguy at 08:32 PM on July 20, 2006
OK then. "Middle Pocket Mares". Ostensibly named after my horses, but also an apt description of how my players will probably perform.
posted by owlhouse at 08:36 PM on July 20, 2006
Cutters IV are in, and looking to finish in the top 5 this year.
posted by mbd1 at 09:16 PM on July 20, 2006
I've been really creative and added an r to my nickname to get ... Fencers. Lets see if I manage to stick with this all the year through this time. Moving job last year interfered with my team.
posted by Fence at 04:46 AM on July 21, 2006
"Range Park Queens". I'll be the guy you love to hate, relegated by mid-season and looking to dump players.
posted by yerfatma at 06:33 AM on July 21, 2006
"Yukon United". Cellar dwellars here I come!
posted by YukonGold at 01:16 PM on July 21, 2006
My only prediction is that the fight for the Costanza will be spirited in this one! (Note: My predictions are wrong so consistently, I could sub in for Stephen A. Smith.)
posted by chicobangs at 02:06 PM on July 21, 2006
It's tough to award a Costanza (reminder to self, I owe a few dating back a few months) in a league where you can't sufficiently sort out the people who suck because they suck versus suck because they aren't even trying (ie gave up, abandoned team, etc). there seemed to be 8 to 10 of the latter types last year. Including, apparently, Fence's team. Dunno which one that was though.
posted by gspm at 02:55 PM on July 21, 2006
Th'All Black (Hand)s are in. And how the hell did Budweiser end up as the official beer of the EPL? Am I to believe that the English drink Budweiser? Or that any European drinks any American beer, for that matter?
posted by The_Black_Hand at 04:23 PM on July 21, 2006
Isn't marketing amazing?
posted by garfield at 04:25 PM on July 21, 2006
I lived in Scotland for a couple of years and most pubs seemed to have Bud and Miller on tap (in addition to UK type stuff like Tennants/Carling, plus Stella and maybe something like Grosch or Heineken). somebody must drink it. not that it is, by any stretch, the best beer you'd be faced with when making a decision at the taps.
posted by gspm at 04:51 PM on July 21, 2006
I think they use the Bud to rinse the mugs after they're done drinking the Euro beer.
posted by worldcup2002 at 09:02 PM on July 21, 2006
I'm in.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 09:33 PM on July 21, 2006
Added the 'Scores!!! to the league. I do hope to improve on last year's fourth place finish (which I mainly mention to throw in a link to the final standings thread). And if you guys think Bud is bad you should have been drinking the goat swill we sold as Schlitz during the old Cosmos home games at Giants Stadium!
posted by billsaysthis at 01:04 PM on July 22, 2006
you should have been drinking the goat swill we sold as Schlitz during the old Cosmos home games at Giants Stadium! No, we shouldn't. :)
posted by chicobangs at 02:22 PM on July 22, 2006
So what's the feeling on inviting in friends who aren't SpoFites?
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 03:30 PM on July 22, 2006
Who has friends?
posted by yerfatma at 09:03 PM on July 22, 2006
I'm kind of against inviting non-Spofite friends. Have them join Spofi, comment here, then that's fine. At least make an effort to join this community, you know?
posted by chicobangs at 02:16 AM on July 23, 2006
Ok I'm in. Never tried these fantasy football thingies before, so if I don't get relegated it will be a miracle. What difference does it make who's your captain? I think I understand the rest of the concepts involved.
posted by walrus at 12:28 PM on July 23, 2006
Also, what does the substitute priority indicate?
posted by walrus at 12:42 PM on July 23, 2006
Your captain scores double, walrus. Literally, the substitute priority is which player comes on first if one of your chosen XI don't play, assuming your number 13 won't disrupt the required minimum...3 defenders and 1 forward. If number 13 does disrupt the minimum, the game goes on to your next sub until it fills the slot. Here's more info on that: From your 15 player-squad you select 11 players to form your team each Gameweek. Only starting or automatically substituted players will earn points for your team. Your team can play in any formation providing one goalkeeper and at least three defenders and one forward are selected. To change your formation simply select your chosen eleven players on the My Team page. The computer will automatically chose your formation based on the players you have selected. Players can only play in their designated position. For example, you can't play a defender as an attacker. Any changes you make to your team will become active at the next deadline. For some, the substitute priority is meaningless because they fill the bench with the lowest cost players possible to have more money to splash on the starting XI. You can keep up with injuries during the week and use your one player change as a sub as opposed to someone on the bench. You have to be careful with having slugs on the bench and not get caught out during Cup weeks by having no one to give you points as a sub. This is also true with some obscure managerial decision like van Nistelrooy being left out of so many games at the end of the season. More on subs and scoring: Only starting or automatically substituted players will earn points for your team. These automatic substitutions provide cover for unforeseen events like last minute injuries, players being dropped and match postponements. Having a strong substitutes bench also allows you to select a starting 11 each Gameweek based on form and fixtures without suffering transfer points penalties.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 01:08 PM on July 23, 2006
This year I won't feel any misguided loyalty to Blues players, so will pick a full squad of heavy points scorers. Be warned, the Brummie hegemony is set to continue!
posted by Fat Buddha at 05:20 PM on July 23, 2006
Shoreditch United has been reborn as Inter Hoxton, sporting a fresh new kit and a can-do attitude. Rah!
posted by skronk at 05:56 PM on July 23, 2006
Changed my team name to "The Red Mist", cuz I'm also in a Liverpool forum league. Thanks for the tips, Texan.
posted by walrus at 03:20 AM on July 24, 2006
Budwiser is a huge seller here in Ireland. Was my pint of choice when at college. Not any more, I stick with my vodka and diet coke. Though speaking of sponsorship I was more than amused to see that the Celtic league (rugby) will now be known as the Magner League, after the cider. Only in Ireland magners is called Bulmers, so surely the Irish teams should compete in the Bulmers League, playing against other teams in the Magners League ;)
posted by Fence at 06:33 AM on July 24, 2006
I'm back as Sauril's Wideboys. This year I hope to actively participate...
posted by sauril at 05:51 PM on July 24, 2006
This is my first non-world cup experience with football. Be gentle fellas. By the way I do get fox soccer channel (gracias Senior Bangs) I spent some of the weekend watching classic football matches (if you consider the '90s classic and I sure do) Couple of questions: Why do the uni's look like the hood of a NASCAR? Is it taboo to have advertisments on the pitch so they put it on the sweaters? Just wondering.
posted by HATER 187 at 07:26 PM on July 24, 2006
Hater, The shirt sponsors are responsible for a massive part of a club's income with probably only ticket and shirt sales generating more revenue. Of course, a sponsors logo on a shirt costs the club nothing, and it's hard to beat a 100% profit margin. The only major club I know of who don't sell ad-space on their shirts is Barcelona. It would definitely be taboo to have ads on the pitch. When viewing older games, (say pre-late 90's) particularly from the European continent and S. America, you might see ads superimposed on the pitch, but the grass is never tainted with ad-chalk. You will see the advertising boards all the way around every pitch though, so the money comes in, one way or another.
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 08:52 PM on July 24, 2006
The reason Barca don't need sponsorship by the way is that they have a 100,000 ground capacity, one of the two biggest football stadia on the planet, and they are also uniquely owned by the fans, who put money into the club every year.
posted by walrus at 03:02 AM on July 25, 2006
FB, you win 'best team name' regardless of what others come up with. Brilliant, man.
posted by garfield at 12:53 PM on July 25, 2006
I'm in as Punks In The Beerlight. With respect to Budweiser in the U.K., is there any difference between export Budweiser and the Budweiser here in the states? I had thought that export Budweiser had a higher ABV and more complexity (relatively speaking, of course), but I couldn't find anything to bear that out online, so perhaps it is a misperception.
posted by holden at 01:41 PM on July 25, 2006
Budweiser is shite. Budvar, on the other hand ... 
posted by walrus at 01:57 PM on July 25, 2006
Tunbridge Turtles have joined after a year off to find themselves.
posted by scully at 07:06 PM on July 25, 2006
As it worked out, I have drank much Czechvar/Budvar this last weekend. I'd call it a coincidence, but I do tend to drink it evey weekend, so y'know, eventually it would have, etc.
posted by chicobangs at 07:51 PM on July 25, 2006
vagabonds in the muck
posted by catfish at 07:57 PM on July 25, 2006
I haven't been on SpoFi before; I found my way here from the Ask MeFi topic. You folks mind if I join the league? I promise not to win (certainly not intentionally, anyway...)
posted by nickmark at 12:01 PM on July 26, 2006
ACTUALLY, WE MIND TERRIBLY NO WAY HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY oh, of course, and welcome. Don't be a lurker, alright?
posted by chicobangs at 12:07 PM on July 26, 2006
I'm in and guaranteed to finish bottom, as I've called my team FIFA Rankings.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 12:30 PM on July 26, 2006
I'm in from MeFi. Hopefully my team will both destroy the rest of yours (thus proving that a lucky ignorant American can trump the concerted efforts of civilized folk) and run riot over my friends in their league (they're mostly nancies anyway).
posted by klangklangston at 02:39 PM on July 26, 2006
Hooray! I like beer.
posted by nickmark at 03:29 PM on July 26, 2006
Welcome to the noobs. And Buddha, I think you left a t out of that name ;)
posted by billsaysthis at 03:40 PM on July 26, 2006
Thanks for listing the AskMe post. Now I have a decent chance of knowing how badly I'm doing week to week. Can we have a Shithead Bracket for those of us who will be drafting Pele in an early round, starting guys who are off that week, etc?
posted by yerfatma at 06:09 PM on July 26, 2006
Quick question: I was watching a match from from last seaon on the FSC last night (Man U vs Fulham) and Man U scored a goal to go up 3-1 but the play was clearly offside. Is there any kind of replay system in the EPL? Can the coaches dispute a call or "challenge" like they do in the NFL?
posted by HATER 187 at 07:09 AM on July 27, 2006
Referees decision is final, HATER.
posted by walrus at 08:12 AM on July 27, 2006
That must get some coaches pretty heated.
posted by HATER 187 at 09:29 AM on July 27, 2006
Yup. Players, too.
posted by chicobangs at 10:46 AM on July 27, 2006
My team is almost ready and once again I am convinced I'll do really well and then POWWW reality strikes again and I come in around 50% lower than the winner...ahh well this could be the Year!
posted by Duke101 at 03:53 PM on August 02, 2006
My team's in as the magyars...good luck to y'all
posted by obstacle2 at 10:28 AM on August 12, 2006
Good to have you aboard since you at least claimed your team. There are a couple in there that I can't associate with spofi users. as expected. All of the earlier joiners should double check their lineups to make sure they have selected active players and not, say, players that have been transfered to a lower division as happened to a couple of my early picks.
posted by gspm at 06:44 PM on August 12, 2006
The Ball Booters are in the mix
posted by cabuki at 03:41 PM on August 18, 2006
My team: Upper V, Bitches! Goal for season: top 1/2 of the league.
posted by Jeffwa at 08:00 PM on August 18, 2006
You want in? 1. Go to the EPL fantasy site. 2. New players sign up, old players sign in. 3. the league code is: 223077-40714 Now, last year we had a handful of unknown people taint the purity of the Spofiness of the pool. I've posted the code, publicly viewable, so I am sure it will happen again. That said - If you want to be included in the weekly lockerroom updates that I'll provide again (which will act as sort of the official Spofi standings) then you'll connect yourself with one of the teams in the pool (in some cases it'll be quite obvious of course). Say adding a comment to this thread confirming that you've joined then signs you up for the weekly lockerroom update. woo and yay.