Saturday, 2 August 2014

Premier League of Pundits; Top 10 FPL List, part 3

Alright then...you've made it through the first two installments of our 3-part series bringing you the Top 10 FPL Sites/Blogs for the 2014/15 season. We're in the home stretch and here's another batch of FPL sites that you simply cannot do without.

 If you've found your way here by mistake and have not read Parts 1 and 2; they can be accessed HERE and HERE.

Whenever I think about the Chief and FPL Hints I have to remind myself to tone it down a little. Chief welcomed me to the FPL Twitter community 2 years ago and the bond we share is one I cherish. He is one of the single most astute FPL minds that you will ever find and enjoys nothing more than helping those who smartly seek his counsel. Last year he created a team of FPL contributors that I was fortunate enough to be a part of and the year we had is one that I will never ever forget. To say it has been special is a gross understatement.

Don't let Chief's "semi-retirement" as a pundit fool you; you can be sure that FPL Hints will continue its long-standing tradition of bringing you top-notch content and insight that every FPL manager will soak up and benefit from. As usual, Chief will be posting his team every week and thousands of FPL managers will excitedly wait to see it, as they use this brief glimpse into a brilliant FPL mind to help them construct the moves that they will make for the coming week. He'll also have a stout team of contributing writers who will be dishing out FPL quality week in and week out. Put most simply, Chief is one of the most well-respected people in the FPL community. Share a few tweets with him and you will immediately see why. If you are ever lucky enough to really get to know him, he will make you feel like family.

Here are some quotes from fans other than myself....

Fplhints: my first advisors and the chief is a boss! Calledit the sarcastic one and my fav despo Walt the best weekend laugh and banter @mozzy86

 FPLHints of course has the BEST writers and I've enjoyed every article of theirs last season @FPL_Player

 And there is fplhints' blog, they have the best writers and the awesome weekly calls such as the very famous matej's #Calledit and all the others! The best thing is their dedication and insane love for the beautiful game!  Matej's *shockingly smart* calls, Fly's brilliance and tactics, Walt's bounce backs, ... What more can you ask for?  @Stranger_53

 But if I ignore our own site honestly my favorite is hints! Reason 1: hints got the most friendly and welcoming bunch of FPL pundits! & Reason 2: FPL success path summarized in one line -."Form is key......class doesn't matter" Reason 3: No deep sea of stats that mostly takes your time but FPL wise mostly redundant.....rather hints got good number of short yet handy articles!  @FPL_nOracle

 @FPLHints- 'Runs one of the most useful and informative FPL blogs you could ever find on the 'tweetosphere', I never make my changes without reading his blog.' @FPLMaestro

 @fplhints -www.fantasypremierleaguehints.blogspot.co.uk - don't read the site as much as i probably should but Geordie Ash has an excellent record and has a good team of writers beneath him for some excellent advice. @markwatts
What's FPL without the Chief and his team @FPLHints home of #JITB #CALLEDIT #FLYBUY and the chiefs own punt, reject, captain picks and his hot pick all helpful in aiding one in selecting your team before the deadline. What I did find through the season my team was similar to the chiefs so I always checked his team out before the GW as he always posted his just so as to see what he was doing different to me. @vicksrama05


And here is a statement from the Chief himself:

"First and foremost, we must remember that FPL is a game.  As with all games, we should remember to have fun.  After all, it's "fantasy" and isn't real!
FPLH was initially put together as a creative outlet, whereby I could write about my adventures in the world of fantasy football and thoughts on potential FPL stars.  Overtime, it has expanded include a sound bunch of award-nominated writers that is complemented with a global following.
We are not experts and provide unofficial hints on a voluntary basis.  We're just a bunch of lads that like Fantasy Football.  FPLH's purpose is to provide free FPL-related hints through our Twitter account and blog. 

We can't promise to pick people's teams or to provide in-depth statistical analysis, but we do like to provide rudimentary advice on which players should be considered and ignored from our perspective.  This is primarily conveyed through our writers hints and our weekly team that is posted up before each GW."


FANTASY YIRMA



While I'm getting all sniffly, I may as well move on to the other member of my FPL family, my long lost "brother" Ryan and his team at Fantasy Yirma. I am proud and honoured to say that I have become good friends with Ryan over the past few years, and the reason is simple. I don't know anyone who cares more about creating a sense of fun and involvement around the sport and game that we all love.

The Yirma gang have one of the best writers you are ever going to find in Mark Jones. His previews are second to none and he's so good you will also find his material on Bleacher Report and the official Liverpool website if I'm not mistaken. Put simply, this is grade A premium content and if you can believe it; it's only a piece of the bigger puzzle that Fantasy Yirma provides.

Take one quick glimpse through FantasyYirma's Twitter profile and you will immediately see why Ryan is so popular. I cannot name a single other account whose first and foremost priority is engaging people, providing humorous yet relevant football related content to be shared and enjoyed, and simply getting people involved. FPL managers congregate around Yirma because he provides a welcome platform for interaction. He initiates conversations that lure people in and get people talking among themselves so that they can enjoy each other's comments and ADD to everyone else's fun. He truly enjoys what he does and selflessly creates an environment in which the enjoyment of those he engages is more important than his own. Pure class.

Here's what our friends had to say:

Yirma: the name says it all...the dons of Fpl and always available with great insights and weekly polls @mozzy86

 Fantasy Yirma:
Started to follow these guys last season, love the banter they come up with. My weekend just wouldn't be the same without a #SoreYIRMA or #ScoreYIRMA!! They also throw in with the fun all the insights I need for FPL from injury updates (with the man I call the FPL doctor Ben Dinnery) to recommendations. Footy chat is included too. Plus anyone that endorses the CPFC cheerleaders gets a follow from me! Great mix of tips, suggestions and fun make them a definite read for me. @McIntoshRosco

 @FantasyYIRMA is an excellent account with brilliant articles building one up before the GW ahead. I would put YIRMA up there as they interacted with managers even getting their views and opinions on FPL matters almost on a daily basis and not forgetting their world class banter. @vicksrama

 I'd like to say the Fantasy Yirma site is one of the most comprehensive football websites out there. It has high quality FPL content and FPL-related banter alongside brilliant footballing articles. A must visit for football fanatics. @hesham786


And here he is, Mr. Fantasy Yirma himself:

I think it's fair to say, that if you had told me FantasyYIRMA.com would still be running almost two years after it started I would have chuckled immensely... but it has... we have... and as both the twitter (@FantasyYIRMA ) account and website have continued to grow, it genuinely is a pleasure to be involved in the ridiculously brilliant world of Fantasy Football.

The interaction online from #FPL fans across the world has been fantastic! Our goal now is the same as it was from day one - to try and provide interesting and quality insight and to help create as much interaction around the game as possible. Simply watching the evolution of the game over the past few years as the level of interest continues to grow has been fascinating. 

Best of Luck to everyone for the 2014/15 season from us at FY! 

#ScoreYIRMA


FANTASY FOOTBALL PUNDITS


Following a wildly successful inaugural year in which their much-anticipated site was unveiled to an insatiable FPL community, the Pundits are gearing up for year 2 and have really hit their stride. If you've been around since the World Cup ended you know that these guys are on top form and are really making a strong pre-season push. After hearing about Negredo's injury, I barely had time to think "Wow, Dzeko may be a great FPL option now" before an article appeared from the Pundits addressing the very same subject. Similarly, as I sat here starting to mull over the choice between Costa, Sanchez, or both in my beginning FPL squad, another article appeared which made me start to wonder if someone was reading my mind.

The articles continue to come fast and furious, addressing the very questions that most of us are thinking about as we tinker our little hearts away. I have a feeling that Leon and his team are ready to show us all that the phenomenal success of their first year was just the start of something amazingly special. With popularity continuing to soar through the roof, it won't be long before you start to feel the gravitational pull of their magnetic presence. Just lean back, smile, and go with it. You'll soon see a significant increase in your FPL knowledge and skill and have a stunning array of helpful information at your fingertips.

Here's what the rest of the gang have to say:

What's my favourite FPL website? That's a toughy. There's the veterans of the fpl community, also known as the fantasy football pundits, do I really need a reason? Well, here's 3 reasons!  Their glorious set-piece takers list, Rate my team, and the brilliant articles on their website. @Stranger_53

Has to be Fantasy Football Pundits with their differentials,  @WeAreChelseaFC

Of course. I mainly use FFPundits. Enjoy reading the articles on new signings etc. Feel it gives me the upper hand on my rivals. Without this site and the fpl community I would not be the Fantasy football manager I am today!   @ChrisDowd2013

I like how the fantasy football pundits app works and how the articles are short and quick to the point and is very helpful. Whenever i need to know something about a player or team these are the first places i go. @ChristianTurri

My favourite site hands down is the one belonging @FFPundits, the Fantasy Football Pundits. The reason is simple; it's the site that I enjoyed using the most last season due to content and interaction. I was following Leon when he first started tweeting about #FPL and he has gone from strength to strength. The way that the brand has been created and built up is an inspiration. @fplchihuahua

I also use FFP (Leon's banter is top notch specially after a couple of strongbows) @McIntoshRosco

@FFPundits was one of the first accounts I followed on Twitter with regards to FPL. Helpful guys with a wealth of knowledge features some great guest posts along with the Last minute scramble, hidden gems etc and not forgetting the ever helpful Physio table an added bonus, basically everything under one roof. @vicksrama


SPECIAL MENTIONS

Before signing off and sending you on your merry way, there are just a couple more i's to dot and t's to cross. As you can probably guess, many FPL managers enjoy many sites and blogs all at once and provided "general" quotes not necessarily related to one particular site, but touting the Twitter FPL community as a whole or giving a special mention to sites that do not appear on this list but either have earned themselves a loyal following through consistent offerings or have recently started up and are expected to rise in popularity. Those sites and quotes of general appreciation deserve special mention.

 Here is one such quote that nicely represents the thoughts of many a member of the Twitter FPL community:

 I use all sorts of sites including those you have mentioned and several others! I like to read the different opinions on seasoned experts who have played the game for years with a keen interest in helping others still even when all technically rivals! Excellent for banter and bringing football fans from all over the world together! @jaycarr1984

 Specifically, established sites such as TotalFPL, FF Cheat (now back open for business and soon to re-enjoy the popularity it had once established), WhoScored.Com, FFPB, FPLHelp and FPL Dugout all earned mentions and are deserving of a link and a visit.

 Additionally, there are a few newer sites out there with a nice bit of momentum and gaining popularity; among those FPLAvids, SimonSaysEPL, and Bantasy Football. Check these sites out now as they each enjoy a solid fan base and are expected to do good things this season and in seasons to come.
Matthew Martyniak - aka @spiderm4tt

 Another special account earning significant mention from many in the community is 2012/2013 FPL World Champion Matt Martyniak, aka @spiderm4tt. Not only has Matt earned cult hero FPL status as former World Champion, but since his notable victory over 3 million others his genuine generosity, advice, and overall nice guy-ness has done nothing but increase his popularity and the extent to which FPL managers seek his counsel and enjoy his every tweet. He quite frankly has lived the dream that every FPL manager under the sun wishes they could experience, and he's done it with a respect and appreciation for the game and for those of us clamoring to follow in his footsteps that highlights his humble nature.

As someone whose input and advice is sought by so many, I have decided to publish the quote/statement he has provided separately. And here it is...

 There a few FPL sites/blogs I tend look at, but with limited time on my hands I tend to mainly look to my favourite sites - FISO and Fantasy Football Scout.

 There is a wealth of FPL knowledge from these two established sites, whether it's from FPL veterans, or FPL newcomers. FISO is the first ever FPL site I discovered - it's my FPL home. It has helped me greatly over the past 8 years with my FPL management. There are a lot of top quality managers on there who will provide FPL help at more or less an instant. 

 Fantasy Football Scout is excellent too. They have lots of quality knowledgeable writers there that provide a wealth of FPL information, and it's enjoyable too to read. I particularly like the 'Hot Topics' and 'Articles' sections, which makes it easier to find the daily key FPL points at an instant. Also the new live video Podcasts are great, and fun to watch.

 My other favourite FPL sites I've discovered recently are Fantasy Football Pundits, Fantasy Yirma, and the relatively new Fantasy Football 247. These sites provide regular great reliable FPL information, articles, interviews etc - and they are fun too, which is important. @spiderm4tt
He went on to add a kind word about the author of this article but as this article is about others, with apologies to Matt, I have cut it to maintain focus on the sites and blogs mentioned previously (by the way, Thank You Matt).

 Okay, there you have it. The Top 10 FPL Sites/Blogs for new and novice FPL managers to sprint to in your quest for that ever-unreachable level of superior knowledge and managerial acumen. At the end of the day, my hope is that you will enjoy these sites, follow those who have generously shared their thoughts, and develop an FPL addiction that you and the other readers of this article can be proud of.

 Here they are in summary:
TOP 10 FPL SITES/BLOGS 2014/15 




 I would like to thank each of the FPL managers who gave their time and effort generously to provide the thoughtful quotes contained in this article, along with the site owners who offered statements despite the ever-increasing demands on their time as the season gets closer every hour and every minute. I want you all to know that, despite the necessity to truncate some quotes for length and/or content, I have done my very best to preserve your quote as closely as possible to its original format and message. I welcome and request the opportunity to answer any questions regarding quotes that have necessarily been shortened or omitted. The camaraderie expressed in your quotes and in your willingness to contribute speaks volumes of the cohesiveness and shared appreciation that we all have for the Twitter FPL community as a whole and for the new managers who we seek to help and incorporate into our fold along the way.

 From the Chief, myself, the entire FPL Hints family, we thank you for taking the time to read this article and wish you all the best for the 2014/15 FPL season. We hope to share many a laugh and more than a few cries of anguish together as we navigate the special world of FPL that is soon to take us all on a most marvelous ride.

 As my English and European friends like to say, and I like to repeat.... GET IN!!!!

 Bonus Points to all,

 Walt
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Premier League of Pundits; Top 10 FPL List, part 2

Alright, well let's keep this train chugging along. If for some reason you've found yourself here at part 2 without having read part 1, click HERE to access.

 The next site/blog in our 2014/15 Top 10 FPL list is

If you had been a regular visitor to one of the most well-known FPL blogs a few years back, you probably remember that almost all discussion forum topics led back to one person; the go-to guru called upon to provide options that nobody had thought of and to reinforce guesses and assumptions made by even the most dedicated managers who sought his help. His profile pic was that of a monkey; and every time I had something important to find out that monkey is what I would look for.

His name, aptly enough, is In Tommy We Trust, and oh boy do we. He has his own site now, and you should prepare yourself for big things. I could write pages upon pages of specific details regarding how his knowledge and generosity has helped me, but one stands out. Last season, the DAY AFTER the entire EPL fixture list had been released, Tommy had a comprehensive spreadsheet posted showing not only simple 2-man rotations, but 3 and even 5-man defensive rotations that could be used to save tons of cash on the attackers we all wanted the most. To this day I envision him poring over the details for hours on end, meticulously crafting together the rotation secrets we all were thirsty for and then sharing them with us before the ink had dried on the newly distributed fixture list.

If you are a new FPL manager, do yourself a favour and access his Beginner's Guide today. It will simplify things for you and have you feeling like you know what you're doing in short order.

Here are some quotes from experienced FPLers....

I like all things fpl a lot because they do a lot of research on every aspect of the game starting from the player to their team, form fixtures , rotation possibilities , captaincy potential etc. thus their inputs are extremely reliable @sid22022

Really liking the spanking new AllthingsFPLcom. Great look, great forum and great articles  @HForrest85

Another excellent account has to be @AllthingsFPL I don't know how they do it but are forever putting out new and informative articles (do these guys even sleep). One has to just wonder about something regarding FPL and BOOM these okes have an article out on what was on your mind amazing. @vicksrama05

Site owner Tommy has spent an impressive amount of time and effort providing a direct message to readers and new FPL managers who may be finding their way to his site for the first time. For the sake of space an abbreviated version is found below. However, I also include a link so that you may read it in its entirety.

Mission Statement: 

All Things FPL is a Fantasy Football website designed to give the best tips, advice, guides, statistics and tools we can possibly manage. This is all driven by our motivation to give you the best opportunity to achieve your goals and quests when you embark on your fantasy football season.

Hi Fantasy Managers,

 From all at AllThingsFPL.com we would like to take advantage of this opportunity to say hello. We are dedicated to the best fantasy game around; Fantasy Premier League (FPL) and devote ourselves to providing the best resources available to aid fantasy managers. We embrace the forthcoming season and are proud to announce we will be instituting major enhancements for our users. We believe that to put forth the best product possible we have to invest heavily in features for fantasy managers to exploit. This led us to agreeing a three year contract with the number one online sports statistics provider OPTA Sports to deliver Premier League statistics designed and presented with Fantasy Football in mind. Rest assured our final content and delivery method will not only be the best resource on the internet but also be the only fantasy football tailored Premier League statistics provider that offers this service for FREE for 2014. 

 Our second objective for the site is to become the most comprehensive news resource around for fantasy managers. With this in mind we have significantly extended our gameweek publications schedule. This extended schedule has seen our gameweek publications grow to a confirmed 17 articles per standard gameweek, ranging from Gameweek Previews to Reviews, Player Differentials to Captaincy analysis or our Fantasy Football Watchlist to Club Fixture analysis. 

 Our third objective is interaction. Interaction from the Fantasy Football community is crucial and opinions matter from every FPL player. To develop this users can access the comments boards on every article published as well as relaxing in our members lounge. To further increase this growing aspect of the site, the community can benefit from two members leagues, five head to head competition leagues and a cup knock-out competition. All combined a total grand prize pot of £2000 is available to the winners; the biggest fantasy premier league prize pot around.

 The list of features accessible via our site is quite substantial and can be viewed by clicking this link that will take you to a comprehensive listing I put together specifically with you in mind.

 Good luck for the season and your mini leagues, and we hope to see you very soon!

 Tommy McMaster
In Tommy We Trust
Founder and Chief Editor
AllThingsFPL.com


FPL ADDICTS


We're two weeks away from opening day and we all have a similar question: Who can I count on to be in the Starting XI on August 16? Well you won't have to look far because FPL Addicts is running a 20-part series as we speak, giving you predicted lineups of all 20 Premier League sides. This, by the way, is just a little extra credit side project to go along with the other 248 articles they have planned for the next week and a half or so;) I don't know how these guys do it but the ratio of their article publications to biting incidents involving a rabid Uruguayan is easily 300 to 1.

They're knowledgeable, they're voluminous, they're highly involved in the Twitter FPL community, and they are fun as hell. As I begin my 3rd season in FPL on Twitter, I look back on a period where I have followed the Addicts every step of the way, enjoying their knowledge and good-natured banter more and more each year. I just can't recommend them strongly enough. The more my email inbox fills up with notification after notification that another article has been published on their site, I can't help but smile, shake my head, and think "Holy crap, those crazy mofos are at it again." They are a permanent fixture in the FPL community, their enthusiasm for FPL knows no bounds, and they are top top gentlemen.

Here's what some of our friends on the Twitter boards had to say...


 FPLaddicts are also one of my favorites, their articles helped me alot during last season especially the captaincy article and the news wrap @FPL_Player

 @FPLAddicts are friendly & helpful guys who put out pretty good articles in regard to GW previews, Captaincy options, Differentials, Bandwagons etc and some other extras. @vicksrama05

 FPL Addicts is  my most visted site; it offers a wider variety of articles about every important aspect of FPL, Prices, players, form, fixtures, among many other subjects are covered on a weekly basis helping managers like myself feel confident in my decisions. Forum sections help maintain a sense of community and give managers opportunity to reach out with their own opinions. At the end of the day this site helps me get what we all want; green arrows. - @BryanBoen


The Addicts themselves were kind enough to provide a direct quote to describe a little about what they're up to.  Check it out...


We created the site for two reasons. Not only were we glad to spread fpl to the wider community and help everyone out, we needed a forum to spill all our ideas into! It says it all in the title, we're fpladdicts and we like it that way. We're starting to build a fantastic community, with everyone willing to share ideas and help each other out.

Our goal is not only provide managers with some helpful tips But also give you something to do whilst at work! We pride ourselves on producing well written, quality articles, and there's plenty of them We'd love to have you on board. Also let the banter reign. That's what fpl is all about!


FANTASY FOOTBALL SCOUT


I could probably just leave the name of the site here and not type another word. FFScout has been the standard-bearer in FPL for as long as I've been around. The vast, sprawling site could be easy to get lost in, as if getting lost in volumes and volumes of FPL related content would be a problem.

They have a Members Area for paid subscription holders that kicks things up a notch, but in all honesty, the amount of free information is plenty and more than enough to get you by for your first season. In their highly active forum you will find answers to any question about FPL that you could possibly come up with and more still to questions you never even would have thought to ask. You will be hard pressed to find an FPL manager anywhere who doesn't know about this site or visit it pretty regularly; it's that good and that thorough.

FPL managers in the Twitter community enjoy it for the reasons cited below...

Yeah of course. Fantasy Football Scout for me. The format is clear & organised, the articles are the best around written by people who know their stuff and I really like the Watchlist & fixture ticker. Ticks every box for what an FPL manager would need.  @FPL_Guru

 Of course. I mainly use fantasyfootballscout. Enjoy reading the articles on new signings etc. Feel it gives me the upper hand on my rivals. Without this site and the fpl community I would not be the Fantasy football manager I am today!   @ChrisDowd2013

Fantasy Football Scout has everything that a FPL manager needs, ranging from in depth player analysis to gameweek previews. A must visit for everyone!  @DieHardCFCFan

My favourite site will no doubt be FantasyFootballScout Amazing analysis & consistent article! A must read for me! Set piece list  @benjapoh  

FFScout covers the game from every angle, especially during pre-season, truly a must for every FPL manager @FPL_Player

 Hmm, I think I will vote for FFScout, since their website is user friendly, and also I like the fact that they provide many useful information and stats in their articles, not based on gut feelings or instincts.  @marktony88

Sure, I really don't visit many. I kinda use a combo of friends/forums/articles/twitter Mainly read FFS as far as Fpl sites , hardly comment though.  (Anonymous)

I only have one favorite fantasyfootballscout. Although I do look at others sites, I don't need to. Everything is at FFS. @FFS_TheShadow

 When i have the time to read i like to read the articles on the fantasy football scout because their articles give such great in depth information. @ChristianTurri

 @fantasyfootballscout - www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk - The main site for all news fantasy football news, reviews, injuries, suspensions and more. As a member i look at all the stats and the season ticker is one of the main reasons for visiting this site. The podcast is always a good listen! Massive site but plenty of lowly ranked "experts" on there. @markwatts

We're going to stop Part 2 here and ratchet things back up again in our third and final installment. You can access it HERE

See you in a minute,

Walt
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Premier League of Pundits; Top Ten FPL List 2014/15

This article is as simple as they come. It has one goal and one goal only; to provide new and novice Fantasy Premier League managers with the best resources available to either start off on the right foot or to beat the you-know-what out of the "friends" you're competing against in your minileagues. It also aims to simply enhance your enjoyment of the FPL experience.

 What you will find below is a simple guide to the 10 best FPL sites and blogs available, described in detail by experienced FPL managers who have gone out of their way to help you understand why the sites are worth your time and attention. The managers quoted are also people that you would do very well to follow on Twitter and hit up for additional guidance and advice.

 In short, the information below is information that virtually every single FPL manager wishes was provided to them when they first started. It's our way of giving back, of thanking those who came before us, and of expressing in no uncertain terms that the FPL community on Twitter is one of shared love and appreciation for a game based on a football league that we all adore and that we want you to enjoy the way we do.

 Here's how it'll go. I'm going to start by providing a short paragraph or two describing each site. That will be followed with a group of quotes by FPL managers who have volunteered personal quotes of their own describing why they like the site. Following that will be a short statement from each site owner (where provided) describing their site and providing an exclusive message to you, the readers of this article.

 The sites are not ranked and the sequence of the sites is not indicative of where they would sit on any ranked list; they are simply the best sites out there for you to get the information you need to become a better FPL manager, presented in random order. Although they are not ranked within the group, their inclusion in the group is a decision I made; both based on my own personal experience and on the feedback provided by members of the FPL Twitter community.

 Visit these sites, register if available, and bookmark them in your browser for frequent use. Also make sure you follow each of the Twitter users mentioned (clicking on their name will take you directly to their Twitter page) and get involved. Don't be afraid to jump in and ask questions; half of the enjoyment of FPL is the fun you'll have "talking shop" with the gang and batting some serious banter back and forth.

 Let's get started..... oh, FYI - you can access each site by clicking on the link embedded in the underlined name of their site ;)

The InsideFPL blog took the FPL world by storm last year and dazzled us with their standout graphics, comprehensive information, engaging approach both on Twitter and in their articles, and their ability to dial things down and get to the heart of the matters at hand. Their analysis provided FPL managers with the stats and comparisons that helped many of us make decisions based on pertinent info that mattered to us.

Their Fixture Analyzer was the first place I went before making any transfers, and I know that anytime I see their profile on the Twitter boards that I'm about to read something that is not only relevant but also something that I'm going to want to RT to my followers. Their Pre-Season Guide, due to come out early next week, is something that you simply must check out. Have fun with this site while you enjoy an aesthetic presentation that is second to none. With over 20,000 followers, you know they're onto something big; and deservedly so. Here's what others had to say:

I like @insidefantasypl because their articles are good. Also they alert you on price changes. -@venantradz

My favorite site is www.insidefpl.com, for several key reasons. 

1)They send out a weekly email that really aggregates the week's data/info/injuries, and gives you an easy to digest read that isn't overly saturated with text and strategy.
  
2)Their website is very professional looking, with nice background colors overlayed with fonts that don't strain your eyes.  Well coded site, and solid user experience. Again they employ the same concepts as the email, easy reading, not overly thought out, not overly strategic, just the right balance of all things that make it a good read, understandable, with logic and sound reasoning.

 3)They were the first site I found/used when I joined Twitter and my first #FPL league.  I was in search of a faster source of info and ideas, Twitter and subsequently insidefpl.com provided me with that.  Since then I've found loads of pundits/blogs/sites and a real friendly #FPL community who are willing to share ideas and help each other just for the sake of loving the game. @pmxmsg


Something else I also enjoyed was the weekly newsletter sent out by @insidefantasypl now how great is that why go look for something if it can come to you.  I give them 2 thumbs up for that. - @vicksrama05

 Steven from @insidefantasypl was kind enough to provide the following statement regarding the site that he has obviously spent a great deal of time putting together for our enjoyment:

"We won’t mince words. At InsideFPL we’ve the ambition to be the very best fantasy football website and to do this we know we need to work hard to gain your trust. To do this we’ve built a blog team with over 20 years combined experience playing the game and 3 top 2000 finishes last year.

 We also know that selecting a big list of ‘good’ players to choose from is pretty common on fantasy sites, and any FPL manager worth his or her salt could quickly reel off a list of the best players. That’s why we are also dedicated to providing data-driven advice in the form of projections, player stats and rankings, and fixture analysis. We’re also dead keen on strategy and gameplay tips – FPL is not just about the players, it’s about how you play the players.

 Our mission this season is to build you tools. We know you don’t want to be spoon-fed a generic FPL squad and that half the fun is doing your homework to come up with your own team. However, this can take a lot of time! We aim to use the today’s technology to place all the information you need at your fingertips. Imagine a web app that plugs in directly with your own FPL team, and brings you the best analysis, stats and news on your players and those on your custom-watchlist. This is where we are headed at InsideFPL in 2014."


If you're looking to add a little bit of fun to your FPL experience,  you won't have to stray too far from the guys at FF247. They lure you in with their knowledge and their informative articles, such as a standout series a few weeks ago featuring a first look at players who have been transferred in to the Premier League over the summer. The series told me everything I needed to know and answered every question I had running through my mind before reading it. It easily saved me 2-3 hours of Google and YouTube research and I still refer to it.

Their bread and butter, though, is their active community of FPL banter specialists. I got to know a number of these fellas much better this summer during the World Cup, and I can not remember a time I've had that much fun talking football and getting solid information in the process. Knowing that there are guys out there who are this knowledgeable AND this funny is actually kinda scary, and the fun to be had on this site is like a giant magnet that you can't help but succumb to. Once you check it out you'll be back for more...often. But don't take it only from me, listen to these guys too...

ff247 was one of the first communities I really used and I love the advice, banter and characters that are on that site. I have written a couple of articles which they were kind enough to publish. They have great articles and there is always a friendly person to RMT or give advice on who to select/transfer in or out/formation selection etc  My personal 'go to' site is ff 247 because of the friends and nature of the site @alexwaterbaby

Ff247: fpl advice that absolutely takes the 'urine' coupled with good advice as well plus love the poetic potty  @mozzy86

What can I say about www.fantasyfootball247.co.uk  that has not already been said? The only Fantasy Football website I visit for advice. The world’s greatest Fantasy Football advice forum. Great banter and more importantly great advice, visit www.fantasyfootball247.co.uk  @PatheticoMorbid 

Love the interviews with what I call the "proper" FPL players. They offer great advice, do's & dont's plus strategy from people who know how to do it the right way! After reading the brilliant article 4 Key FPL Questions Answered, I was able to learn where I made mistakes last season and how to potentially fix them for this one. I also picked up
some other tips like using the watch list on the FPL website, as loads of times I have wanted to put a player in then completely forgot!! Also I learned the importance of selecting the right captain and also to look ahead to future GW's before selecting your team. I will be following these guys for sure this season. @McIntoshRosco

My fav site has to be ff247. A spin-off show from the popular series fantasyfootballcheat, it has all the regular characters and goons. It is like a family. (Arguing all the time, but REAL love behind it.) They help not only with fpl dilemmas but also life problems. For eg. I had some strange downy type hair appearing on my chest-I was told I am developing into an ape! Ha. My advice-Get on ff247! @LionelRichTee

One has to love the banter that comes with @fantasyfooty247 probably second only to "POTTY" what I do love here are the articles they put out with stats to match helpful in more ways than one they are definitely one of the top FPL accounts. @vicksrama05

@SteveCook9, proud co-owner of FF247, shares his thoughts below:

"FF247 was created just six months ago as it enters its first full season. We publish daily articles such as Tips, Player Profiles, Fixture Analysis, Captain's Picks and Team Talk weekend preview. But the joy of the site is the community of FPL managers who enjoy chatting on the message boards in a friendly environment. 

We pride ourselves on the fun element, remembering that FPL is just a game, therefore the banter and fun is as prevalent as the advice, help and analysis on offer. On top of all that, there are weekly prediction competitions and if that is not all we host what are probably the most keenly contested and well run H2H leagues care of the Banterbury Leagues."



Read this, highlight it, underline it, then print it out and post it on your wall: 

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PLAY FPL WITHOUT BEN DINNERY'S INJURY INFORMATION.

Ben is the man who last season brought you the Physioroom English Premier League Injury Table; the table that conservatively gained managers who utilized it as many as 75-100 points or more towards their season score. If you've played FPL for any period of time, you know how important it is to have solid injury information, and there is no better source of reliable injury info than everyone's friend Mr. Dinnery.

The color-coded injury notifications on the official FPL website are embarrassingly inferior to the information provided by Ben. Not only is his information more detailed than what you'll find on the FPL site, but he does not tell you what you want to hear; he gives it to you straight. If I polled 100 well-respected FPL managers and asked them to name the 5 Twitter accounts they considered absolute must-haves, Big Ben would be included on well over 90 of the smart people's lists. Get him high on your list today and watch as his fame grows before your very eyes. He is already featured on such platforms as ESPN and TalkSport and he is preparing to roll out his new brand shortly. It will be called Premier Injuries and ambitious plans include a state-of-the-art website and mobile app that you simply must take advantage of.

As a matter of fact, as an exclusive offer to those who read this article and follow me (@FPLWalt) on Twitter, Ben is offering a free iPhone/iPad app to those who follow his new @PremierInjuries twitter account and send him a tweet with the hashtag #FreeApp. He will keep a record of those who take advantage and contact you when the app is ready to go. He's like a gift that keeps on giving, as is evidenced by what these folks have had to say....

when is your article due? im away from the internet for the weekend but if anything its got to be physioroom... injury news is critical! @fpl_junkie

Ben gives us the latest updates on injury news 24/7. Undecided on bringing in a player as he's an injury doubt? Ben Dinnery is your man! Provides the best injury updates with detailed reports. A must follow for every FPL manager! @DieHardCFCFan

Aside from all of the obvious choices of FPL "go to" sites that make your decision making process easier during the season, there is one site that I refer to more than the rest. Injuries are potentially the one thing that can make or break your Gameweek, and for that reason the latest and most up to date information is essential.

Ben Dinnery is that one stop shop, with his up to the minute injury listings that can prevent a catastrophic transfer or captain mistake being made. His Twitter account is professionally run and is an absolute must follow for the serious FPL manager.

His inside knowledge of the latest injuries leads me to believe that he has reliable sources inside each and every Premier League club, and if this isn't the case then he's got one hell of a crystal ball!

In all seriousness, if you're not already following @PremierInjuries and @BenDinnery then you need to get with the programme. After all, if you don't, you'll be putting players like Seamus Coleman into your GW1 team without realising he's listed as having a hamstring injury. It's this kind of info that is potential gold dust. @Meet_the_Gadfly

Ben has this message to share with you....

“My hectic lifestyle probably reflects countless others; I have a passion for all things fantasy football but sometimes schedule constraints mean I can’t always dedicate the required time to consider team formation, captaining decisions and squad selection dilemmas. Fundamentally my priority is availability, if a player is likely to miss out or have limited game-time because of an ongoing injury problem - point scoring probability - is greatly reduced; keeping up to date with the latest fitness news can mean the difference between winning and losing! PremierInjuries.com will help you pick the perfect starting eleven.”

Cheers
Ben




The geek is a total dork, but the kind that every FPL fanatic loves. He is one of the unsung heroes of the FPL community. You won't see him doing a bunch of marketing or making a lot of unnecessary noise. You will, however, see some of the best, most well-respected fantasy information and guidance to grace your computer screen. It's quite simple; those who really know their stuff soak up as many articles as this guy can pump out and use the info for their betterment.

Browse through his site for any time whatsoever and within a minute or two you will see titles to articles that make the hair on the back of your neck stand up as you think, "Holy crap; this is awesome!" The Geek is as consistent as they come; constantly in research/analysis mode and sharing his thoughts and spot-on commentary through articles and tweets that so far has resulted in 8,278 very smart and very fortunate followers.  Here's what some of them had to say:

Favourite site- fantasy football geek. Excellent articles which makes your FPL decision making so easy.  @CallumFplonly

 ff geek is a very knowledgeable guy who spends a lot of time coming up with great statistical info and some great articles @alexwaterbaby

 FantasyFootballGeek is one of my favourites - brilliant accurate insight, been around for years and straight and to the point!  @FPLHelp

 FantasyFootballGeek: This site kept me going through the World Cup. Simple advice & recommendations. Easy to follow information for that all important team selection. Great for the new players to FPL. I like the fact they post their team as well, good to compare to my own. Love the fact they give a breakdown of games, teams and value players around plus the potential starting XI info as well. Great read with their pre season round up. Like this a lot. Great follow for anyone new to FPL as they keep everything simple. @McIntoshRosco

 For now my favourite site is for @fantasyfoot20 and I like it because it gives me info earlier in a new GW Two, 75% of their facts are right. @venantradz

 My fav website! Yes its okay, His articles are spot on & really helpful in players stats throughout the season. An underrated FPL blog IMO @AseelSalem

Alright, well there you have the first installment of the Top 10 FPL Sites/Blogs for you to visit, favorite, and get immersed in as the pre-season shrinks day by day and August 16 gets closer and tantalizingly closer.

Next up we'll dig into 3 more sites/blogs waiting for you with open arms and anxious to get you involved.  Click HERE to enjoy Part 2,

Cheers,

Walt
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