Football Blogging Awards - Please Vote For Us

Dear Friends,

It was through your support that this blog was confirmed as a finalist at the 2013 and 2014 Football Blogging Awards for "Best FPL Blog".  The aforementioned slot isn't present for 2015.  With this in mind we have entered the "Best Influencer" category.  We believe that this is befitting to the service that the blog and Twitter account provides - a basic combination of wanting others to do well with some sensible planning.

With our 4th Birthday just around the corner, we would be immensely honoured if you voted for us again.  Since the turn of the decade, the blog has attained almost 2,000,000 hits and has produced over 150 consecutive Gameweeks' worth of articles.  Our unofficial hints and collective influence has helped many FPL managers to such an extent that they have finished high in the overall rankings as well as winning their respective mini-leagues:

— Khal (@Beardious) May 24, 2015

Huge thanks to @fplhints for sharing his #fpl knowledge this season. Following him helped me finish 34th in the world #legend

— GadgetDesire (@GadgetDesire) May 25, 2015

£350 won in mini league win. Huge thanks to @Fpl_Updates @fplhints and @FPL_Fly for their tweets this year. And especially @BenDinnery #fpl

— Craig Trim (@Tr1mola) May 24, 2015

Thanks to @fplhints. Picking players from the top and bottom 6 teams was one example of many sound pieces of advice he gave this season.

— FantasyFootyFan (@FantasyFootyFan) May 25, 2015

Many congrats to @fplhints and all podcast crew who helped me finish 1st in my league! Thanks a lot Chief, you made my year. Follow them

— Zion (@fplzion) May 25, 2015

@fplhints thanks for the updates , news , recommendation .....

— fantasysuvam (@fantasysuvam) May 24, 2015

The influence of ALL of our writers, past and present, has played an important part in this blog receiving peer acclaim.  We aim to help others by providing fantasy football advice - be it FPL, PlayTogga or FanFeud.  In addition, the plethora of words we use on the blog and on Twitter have gained wider currency in the ever growing FPL community - such as Differentials, Mini-Wildcard, Pound Shop Defender, Baps, Power 7, etc.

Our influence hasn't been restricted to funky jargon and general advice.  Ultimately, our specific transfer purchases have been integral to the blog's success, whether it was Martin Petrov during  the famous Double Gameweek in 2012 or Dame N'Doye's in 2015. We always publish the blog's FPL team in advance of every Gameweek so that FPL managers can gain insight and benefit accordingly.

A large part of our influence and growth (in terms of hits and social media following) comes down to the blog team's FPL success - Top 1.1% finishes for the last 4 seasons is no mean feat - very few FPL managers have been able to achieve this, which is partly why we are consulted on a weekly basis.

With all that said, have we "influenced" you to vote for us?  If so, you can cast your vote through the following channels:

You can vote for FPLHints as the "Best Football Influencer" by going to The FBAs website.

Or you can vote via Twitter by by clicking here and tweeting this.

Regards,

Chief @FPLHints

Looking back at Gameweek 35 - Chief's "LESSLINES"‏

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"OZIL-LITE" ASSISTS SPURS TO VICTORY AGAIN AS FULHAM FALTER.

BORE SCORE DRAW AT VILLA PARK WITH 8 PLAYERS BAGGING BAPS!

PENS THE WORD AS 2 SPOT KICKS ARE CONVERTED IN DRAW AT CARDIFF.

TOON FAIL TO PICK BONY AND RECORD ANOTHER DEFEAT AT ST JAMES'.

JEDI-MASTER SEALS IT FROM 12 YARDS AS PALACE LOOK LIKE A DELIGHT!

BLACK CATS SNUFF THE WICK OUT OF CHELSEA'S TITLE PUSH & JM'S RECORD.

LIVERPOOL PUT IN A STERLING SHOW AT CARROW ROAD & GAIN 5PTS LEAD.

RAMBO'S BACK TO HIS BEST AS ARSENAL WIN CUP FINAL REHEARSAL.

IT STARTED WHERE IT BEGAN, BUT MOYES LOSES & IS DULY SACKED!

ARGENTINE-INSPIRED WIN AT THE ETIHAD KEEPS CITY IN THE TITLE RACE.

AND FINALLY...

DON'T HIRE A TROPHY-LESS MANAGER TO LEAD A TROPHY-LADEN TEAM!

*"LESSLINES" is a portmanteau of Lessons and Headlines.  They are intended to be bite-sized summations of what we learnt during the Gameweek!

Bantasy Football: Courting Crystal Palace

Three reasons I'm in a pickle this week:

1. I've got a really good Michael Jackson joke but it's been so long - it's no longer funny. 

2. I've got a cracking Peaches Geldof one but it's too soon.

3. I've talked about all the best teams from which to procure GW34 players already (Man City, Everton etc.) and I don't want you to get bored of me. 

I ain't gonna tap out tho...

Crystal Phallus Palace

Once upon a time there was a silly little team with a silly old name, a supremely silly kit and an even sillier manager. This silly little team had accrued a paltry 3 points from ten Premier League games - and they were destined for the nether-nether land of the Championship - according to all the big bad football pundits that ever there were.

But one day the silly little team won a football game, and another, and then another - until eventually they were toppling the mighty Chelsea, beating teams (alright, Cardiff) 3-0 away from home and slowly but surely climbing away from the clutches of the drop zone.

Also - Double Gameweek.

If the end of Palace's season is half as good as the ending of this book, boy we're in for a treat 

Defence is the best form of defence

Let's forget about strikers for a moment because, well, Palace don't really have any - but also you already have SAS and either Dzeko or Lukaku so why would I waste my breath?

Cheap Ds are where it's at - and although The Eagles have Everton, City and Liverpool still to come, their players are SO SO cheap - and we all know rotation is the name of the game anyway.

This week it's Villa (currently about as predictable as any weather forecast ever) at home, and Everton away. The former should provide a clean sheet - Palace have three in their last four. Much of their recent success has been predicated upon their ability to shut out teams like Chelsea but perhaps their greatest defensive achievement this season was conceding just one at the Etihad (seriously - who does that!?)


Joel Ward (4.4m)

I was shocked when I saw this guy's ownership - 8.8%! I've had him all season and he's been phenomenal. He's played all but two games. 10 clean sheets, 8 Bonus Points and best of all - Palace are relatively predictable - Apart from the Chelsea result which was an obvious bonus, they got their shutouts against Cardiff x2, Sunderland, Hull x2, Stoke, Villa, Everton and West Brom. Rarely do you expect 4 defensive points and get dissappointed. No goals yet but Ward is a full back so the law of averages dictates he'll score one day.

Damien Delaney (4.4m)

Fantasy-wise, this lad's a carbon copy of Ward. 10 clean sheets, played all but two games, and has a decent rack of BPs (12). For some reason his ownership is a skull-scratching 1%. Snap him up, boys and girls. This one's a kipper.

Fish jokes: Not as good as cheese jokes but pretty gouda

Adrian Mariappa (3.9m)

He's missed two long spells this season but holds the record for the longest consecutive playing streak in Watford's history, has started the last four and cost £2.5m in real life sterling last summer so you'd expect him to see out the season with 90 minutes in each game. He got 10 pts against Cardiff last weekend for his assist and 2 BPs and scored a towering header against Fulham back in October. If you're pressed for cash, he's your man.


Jason Puncheon (4.9m)

Ever since THAT penalty miss, the man has been on fire.

This alone is worth the price of admission if you haven't seen it 

Since that dreaded Spurs game, Puncheon raked in 11 points for two straight weeks and he bagged 16 against Cardiff from a brace and all the BPs - there's even talk of him going to the World Cup.  

Did you look at his price? Good. How many players cost that little and can pack that kind of a punch? One.

In good Kompany*

I had Ward and Puncheon on the bench this week which made me feel bad - really bad. Until I saw that The Silva Surfers (top team in FPL standings) did too. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good I suppose. Man I wish I'd been stupid enough to captain De Guzman last week.

*This section does not pertain to one Vincent Kompany, nor Cystal Palace if I'm honest. I just had to get it off my chesticles. 


For more Bantasy Football, go to: bantasyfootball.blogspot.co.uk or follow @BantasyFootball

Looking back at Gameweek 32 - Chief's "LESSLINES"‏

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UNITED BUCK BAD LUCK AT HOME AS THEY KNOCK 4 PAST VILLA.

PALACE WARD OFF CHELSEA WITH SHOCK CLEAN SHEET WIN AT HOME.

SENSATIONAL SAINTS SMASH THE TOON & OVERTAKE THEM IN THE TABLE.

PETER SCORES AGAIN AS STOKE STEER WELL CLEAR OF RELEGATION.

SWANS EASE TO WIN OVER CANARIES WITH MICHU SHOWING OLD PROMISE.

CARDIFF SECURE LAST GASP WINNER IN 6 GOAL THRILLER AT THE HAWTHORNS.

ARSENAL INFLAME CITY'S TITLE RUN IN AS FLAMINI SECURES A DRAW.

EVERTON TAKE STOCK OF FULHAM & LEAVE THEM ADRIFT OF SAFETY.

LFC CAN'T STOP SCORING AS THE TITLE RUN IN COMES INTO THEIR HANDS.

SUNDERLAND'S POOR HOME RECORD CONTINUES AFTER CARROLL INSPIRES WIN.

AND FINALLY...

Y. TOURE DOESN'T ALWAYS SCORE GOALS!

*"LESSLINES" is a portmanteau of Lessons and Headlines.  They are intended to be bite-sized summations of what we learnt during the Gameweek!

Looking back at Gameweek 31 - Chief's "LESSLINES"‏

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6 STAR CHELSEA STUN 10-MAN ARSENAL IN WENGER'S 1000TH GAME.

SUAREZ & SKRTEL ARE SENSATIONAL AS CARDIFF SHIP IN 6 AT HOME.

BARKLEY GETS BACK TO FORM AS EVERTON OVERCOME PLUCKY SWANS.

TIGERS SCORE TWICE AND BUMP BAGGIES NEAR THE RELEGATION ZONE.

TOURE TUCKS IN THRICE AT HOME AS FULHAM FAIL & FLOUNDER.

LAST GASP CISSE GOAL SECURES 3 POINTS AGAINST UNLUCKY PALACE.

BLACK CATS FAIL TO CUT DOWN CANARIES AS SNODDY SCORES AGAIN.

ROONEY WONDER GOAL ROCKS HAMMERS AND GIVES UNITED SOME HOPE.

EXCELLENT ERIKSEN INSPIRES SPURS TO COME BACK & WIN FROM 0-2 DOWN.

STOKE SCORE FOUR AND STUN VILLA IN NOTHING-TO-PLAY-FOR MATCH.

ARSENAL'S TITLE CHALLENGE COMES TO AN END AS SWANS BAG A DRAW.

THERE IS ONLY ONE CLUB IN MANCHESTER NOW AS CITY THRASH UNITED.

PARDEW-LESS GEORDIES CRASH & CRUMBLE AGAINST IN-FORM TOFFEES.

10-MAN HULL BATTLE IN VAIN DESPITE ONLY CONCEDING TWO GOALS.

POYET'S SUNDERLAND PUT UP A FIGHT, BUT LIVERPOOL WIN & GO 2ND.

AND FINALLY...

EVERYONE THAT WAS ANYONE SCORES 100+ POINTS AS BEST BAGS 200+!

*"LESSLINES" is a portmanteau of Lessons and Headlines.  They are intended to be bite-sized summations of what we learnt during the Gameweek!

Looking back at Gameweek 29 - Chief's "LESSLINES"‏

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BAGGIES AREN'T THE VICTORS AS UNITED ROO-DISCOVER THEIR FORM.

FULHAM ARE CAULKED TO THE BOTTOM AFTER CARDIFF TAKE THE SPOILS.

EAGLES CAUGHT FLAPPING AFTER BEING STRUCK BY SAINTS' J-ROD.

NORWICH FINALLY CONCEDE AT HOME IN 2014 AS STOKE WALTZ TO A DRAW.

CHELSEA SHOW THEIR STRIKING CLASS WITH BULLISH VICTORY AT THE BRIDGE.

DID THE TRUNCATED GAMEWEEK CATCH YOU OFFGUARD?

 

HAS ROONEY ENTERED ANOTHER ONE OF HIS PURPLES PATCHES?

WILL CITY PEG BACK CHELSEA WITH THEIR 3 GAMES IN HAND?

AND FINALLY...

DON'T PANIC IF YOU HAD A DIRE GW29 AS 31 IS A DOUBLE GAMEWEEK!

*"LESSLINES" is a portmanteau of Lessons and Headlines.  They are intended to be bite-sized summations of what we learnt during the Gameweek!

Looking back at Gameweek 26 - Chief's "LESSLINES"‏

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CARDIFF'S GOALIE MARSHALS THEM TO A CLEAN SHEET DRAW V VILLA.

HULL HOME HIPE CONTINUES TO WANE WITH FONTE RE-WRITING SCRIPT.

HAMMERS STUNNING FORM CONTINUES WITH NOBLE WIN OVER CANARIES.

CHELSEA AREN'T THE VICTORS AFTER LAST GASP ANICHEBE EQUALISER.

ARSENAL & UNITED TOO AFRAID TO LOSE & PLAY OUT A NO SCORE DRAW.

PARDEW'S PAIN CONTINUES AS FOUR STAR SPURS SMASH TOON AT ST JAMES'.

CHICO TIMES HIS FIRST PL GOAL TO PERFECTION WITH SWANS NICKING A DRAW.

LIVERPOOL SHOW THEIR TITLE PROWESS WITH STUNNING WIN IN WEST LONDON.

NO ONE WANTS TO WIN THE TITLE & NO ONE WANTS TO AVOID RELEGATION!

AND FINALLY...

UK WEATHER IS BARMY AS GAMES AT ETIHAD & GOODISON ARE POSTPONED.

*"LESSLINES" is a portmanteau of Lessons and Headlines.  They are intended to be bite-sized summations of what we learnt during the Gameweek!

Looking back at Gameweek 25 - Chief's "LESSLINES"‏

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FIVE STAR LIVERPOOL THRASH ARSENAL WITHOUT SUAREZ EVEN SCORING!

CAPTAIN KEVO BAGS ANOTHER BRACE AS IRONS JUMP UP TO 15TH.

HAZARD HAT-TRICK HURTS HAPLESS TOON WITH CHELSEA TAKING TOP SPOT.

NEW-STYLE PALACE RESPOND TO THE SOUND OF THE PULIS BY WINNING 3 IN 4.

CITY'S MACHINE FAILS TO SCORE AGAIN AFTER CANARIES SOAR AGAINST FORM.

SO'TON & STOKE PARTAKE IN A STALEMATE, DESPITE FOUR GOALS IN 45 MINS.

10-MAN BLACK CATS EATEN BY TIGERS WHO REGISTER FIRST PL WIN OF 2014.

SWANS TRASH CARDIFF IN S. WALES DERBY AS MONK-ERA TAKES OFF IN STYLE.

ADEBAYOR AIDS SPURS TO WIN & IN TURN TAKES 5TH SPOT OFF TOFFEES.

UNITED CAN'T CROSS OFF FULHAM AS RENE COMES BACK TO HAUNT MOYES.

SPACES TO FILL: ALL ABOARD THE INCE, NOLAN, STERLING BANDWAGONS!

AND FINALLY...

IS HAZARD REALLY THE NEW MESSI?

*"LESSLINES" is a portmanteau of Lessons and Headlines.  They are intended to be bite-sized summations of what we learnt during the Gameweek!

Looking back at Gameweek 23 - Chief's "LESSLINES"

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IT DID MATA FOR UTD! JUAN & RVP INSPIRE REDS TO A HOME WIN.

TAXI FOR CAB AS CANARIES & MAGPIES PLAY OUT A HEATED 0-0 DRAW.

ARSENAL DROP POINTS AWAY AGAINST A RESILIENT SAINTS TEAM.

CHICO TIMES IT RIGHT WITH SHELVEY BAGGING THE WINNER FOR SWANS.

PULIS'S EAGLES CONTINUE TO SOAR WITH A TYPICAL 1-0 WIN V TIGERS.

REDS RUN AMOK IN MERSEYSIDE DERBY WITH THEIR "SAS" STYLE FINISHING.

BENTEKE BANGS HOME THE WINNER AS VILLA WIN A 7 GOAL THRILLER!

ALLARDYCE PARKS HIS BUS JUST RIGHT AS HAMMERS HALT CHELSEA'S RUN.

JOHNSON'S JOLLY FORM CONTINUES WITH BLACK CATS PIPPING STOKE.

5 STAR CITY CRUSH SPURS AT THE LANE AND CLAIM TOP SPOT IN THE PROCESS.

DIDN'T YOU LISTEN BEFORE FELLA? EH? JUST CAPTAIN SUAREZ!

OUCH IF YOU HAD ROSE, REMY, B.JOHNSON OR FLAMINI - MARCHING ORDERS.

AND FINALLY...

USE THAT JANUARY WILDCARD BEFORE IT EXPIRES!

*"LESSLINES" is a portmanteau of Lessons and Headlines.  They are intended to be bite-sized summations of what we learnt during the Gameweek!

Looking back at Gameweek 20 - Chief's "LESSLINES"

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CITY SCORE 3 WITH NO CREDITED ASSISTS AS THEY SWAT SWANS IN WALES.

ARSENAL STAY TOP WITH 2 LATE GOALS AGAINST MANAGERLESS CARDIFF.

CANARIES HOLD EAGLES TO A DRAW DESPITE FER'S LATE RED CARD DRAMA.

BERBA SCORES THE WINNER IN RELEGATION DOG FIGHT V 10-MAN IRONS.

HULL COME BACK TO REALITY AS LIVERPOOL'S FINE HOME FORM CONTINUES.

CHELSEA SMASH IN 3 AT ST MARY'S AGAINST SAINTS' WEAKENED DEFENCE.

ASSASSIN-LIKE ASSAIDI SCORES AGAIN BUT BAINES PEN BAGS A DRAW.

VILLA RECORD 4TH AWAY WIN WITH CLEAN SHEET WIN OVER SUNDERLAND.

BERAHINO KEEPS HIS COOL AS BAGGIES BEAT 10-MAN GEORDIES.

EXCELLENT ERIKSEN EXCITES SPURS WITH ROUTINE WIN AT OLD TRAFFORD.

NOT A GOOD GW FOR STRIKERS UNLESS YOU'RE LIKE SUAREZ OR BENDTNER!

HARD LUCK IF YOU HAD NOLAN, FER OR DEBUCHY - RED CARDS GALORE.

AND FINALLY...

SCORED SUB-150 POINTS DURING THE FESTIVE PERIOD? 
CHIN UP: THE WINTER WILDCARD IS HERE!

*"LESSLINES" is a portmanteau of Lessons and Headlines.  They are intended to be bite-sized summations of what we learnt during the Gameweek!

Looking back at Gameweek 19 - Chief's "LESSLINES"

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HAMMERS LOSE THE LEAD TWICE AS WBA HOLD THEM IN A 6 GOAL THRILLER.

VILLA'S WINLESS RUN CONTINUES AS LAMAH NICKS A POINT FOR THE SWANS.

HULL SMASH 6 PAST STOCKDALE AS FALTERING FULHAM HIT A NEW NADIR.

SUPER SPERONI BATTLES IN VAIN AS DZEKO SCORES THE WINNER FOR CITY.

UNITED HOLD STRONG WITH A DOGGED WIN AGAINST CHIRPY CANARIES.

TAN ISN'T THE MAN AS CARDIFF BLOW A 2 GOAL LEAD & ADD TO THEIR WOES.

COLEMAN CAN'T STOP SCORING AS EVERTON RECOVER FROM THEIR BLIP.

GUNNERS REMAIN AT THE TOP WITH A CLEAN SHEET WIN V GEORDIES.

LIVERPOOL COME TUMBLING DOWN AS THE BLUES WIN AT THE BRIDGE.

SHERWOOD INSPIRED SPURS MAINTAIN UNBEATEN RUN WITH EASY WIN.

PLAYERS GET RESTED AS THE FESTIVE FIXTURE JAM REACHES MID-POINT.

YOU MUST BE :( IF YOU HAD Y. TOURE, NEGREDO, ROONEY OR ZABALETA!

AND FINALLY...

DON'T PANIC BUT EXPECT MORE PLAYERS TO BE RESTED ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.

*"LESSLINES" is a portmanteau of Lessons and Headlines.  They are intended to be bite-sized summations of what we learnt during the Gameweek!

Looking back at Gameweek 18 - Chief's "LESSLINES"

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UNITED FIGHT BACK FROM A 0-2 DEFICIT TO TAME TIGERS AT HUMBERSIDE.

PULIS'S PALACE CARRY ON FLYING WITH ANOTHER CLEAN SHEET VICTORY.

CARDIFF IMPLODE AT HOME AS SAINTS HAMMER THREE PAST MARSHALL.

HAZARD PROVES DANGEROUS TO SWANS AS MOURINHO'S MEN MOVE TO 2ND.

10-MAN EVERTON LOSE TO BLACK CATS & FINALLY LOSE AT HOME IN 2013.

5 STAR NUFC RESULT AGAINST 9-MAN STOKE AT HOME. ALLEZ LES TOON!

CANARIES SUCKED INTO RELEGATION FIGHT AS FULHAM WIN AT CARROW RD.

SHERWOOD'S SPURS DRAW AGAINST WBA DESPITE 20 GOAL ATTEMPTS.

WALCOTT INSPIRED ARSENAL HIT 3 PAST IRONS AS THEY RECLAIM TOP SPOT.

CITY MAINTAIN THEIR 100% HOME RECORD AFTER LIVERPOOL FALTER.

SUAREZ DOESN'T ALWAYS SCORE & THE "RAMSEY BUBBLE" HAS NOW BURST.

AND FINALLY...

IT WAS A LOW SCORING GAMEWEEK. BRAVO IF YOU'RE STILL IN THE #FPLCUP!

*"LESSLINES" is a portmanteau of Lessons and Headlines.  They are intended to be bite-sized summations of what we learnt during the Gameweek!