Fantasy Football - World Cup Brazil 2014

[Pista]

3-4-3 is the new black.

I thought that was "orange"

Goths, innit.

[iesus]

And the second law of football says....

[Pista]

And the second law of football says....

Ball. Must be spherical, made of leather (or similar) 68-70 cm in circumference and of a certain pressure.

[iesus]

And the second law of football says....

Ball. Must be spherical, made of leather (or similar) 68-70 cm in circumference and of a certain pressure.

no no

penalties

[iesus]

Top players of 'myheartland.co.uk'
# Members Points
1 Avatar80 Avatar 80 Ger JohhnyRev7 666 <<<------
2 Avatar80 Avatar 80 Gbr Mav787 590
3 Avatar80 Avatar 80 Gre k_blou 585
4 Avatar80 Avatar 80 Gbr FarParade_FC 558
5 Avatar80 Avatar 80 Gbr EzMo2014 549
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.
.
etc

i see what you did there

[Pista]

Still languishing in 12th

Re-jiggled the squad for the weekend though

[Johnny Rev 7.0]

And so, as we come into the home stretch your Top Five medal contenders are as follows:

1. 680pts - Johnny Rev 7.0
2. 602pts - Mav787
3. 590pts - iesus
4. 567pts - Nikolas Vitus Lagartija
5. 558pts - paint it black

Good luck to all of those who are still in with a shout and a place on the podium!

But, McFIFA have added a twist to the final round. In all the FIFA/UEFA games I've played before, the third place play-off has always been ignored. Both semi-finalists are eliminated and then it's simply a case of picking XI from the two finalists. This time they've included the match in the final round.

Hmm... at the moment I don't have a strategy as it's a new concept for me.

Suffice to say the third place play-off is usually a low-key affair, almost like a friendly match, but usually high scoring as there's nothing at stake. Key players who are carrying knocks or fatigued, tend to get rested, and squad players get the chance of a run-out.

I need to ponder more.

[Mav787]

And so, as we come into the home stretch your Top Five medal contenders are as follows:

1. 680pts - Johnny Rev 7.0
2. 602pts - Mav787
3. 590pts - iesus
4. 567pts - Nikolas Vitus Lagartija
5. 558pts - paint it black

Good luck to all of those who are still in with a shout and a place on the podium!

But, McFIFA have added a twist to the final round. In all the FIFA/UEFA games I've played before, the third place play-off has always been ignored. Both semi-finalists are eliminated and then it's simply a case of picking XI from the two finalists. This time they've included the match in the final round.

Hmm... at the moment I don't have a strategy as it's a new concept for me.

Suffice to say the third place play-off is usually a low-key affair, almost like a friendly match, but usually high scoring as there's nothing at stake. Key players who are carrying knocks or fatigued, tend to get rested, and squad players get the chance of a run-out.

I need to ponder more.

Yes, I agree.

I think I will look at who is in the line-ups for the 3rd place match to see if one side is taking it more seriously than the other. The likelihood is that both teams will pick their squad players and it may result in a 0-0 borefest like England's game against Costa Rica. However last time it ended 3-2.

The alternative would be to ignore it but then everyone will end up with pretty much the same teams and it will be difficult to catch up many points. It would result in the double points for captaincy being critical.

Decisions, decisions....

[Johnny Rev 7.0]

It's tricky, innit?

I think I'll work backwards. Pick my starting XI for the final (nailed-on starters, no punts) as the deadline will be before the third place play-off. See what the third place team sheets reveal and then maybe make a few punts depending on budget.

However last time it ended 3-2.

Indeed. There's (potential) gold in the 3rd place match:

2010: Germany 3-2 Uruguay
2006: Germany 3-1 Portugal
2002: Turkey 3-2 South Korea
1998: Croatia 2-1 Netherlands
1994: Sweden 4-0 Bulgaria
1990: Italy 2-1 England
1986: France 4-2 Belgium
1982: Poland 3-2 France

It would result in the double points for captaincy being critical.

But having two bites at the cherry may not be a bad thing.

[emilystrange]

maybe i should just leave my team as it is.

[Nikolas Vitus Lagartija]

It's tricky, innit?

I think I'll work backwards. Pick my starting XI for the final (nailed-on starters, no punts) as the deadline will be before the third place play-off. See what the third place team sheets reveal and then maybe make a few punts depending on budget.

But having two bites at the cherry may not be a bad thing.

Sounds like sound advice as ever, @Johnny
I finally seem to be getting the hang of the intricacies of the game just when it's coming to an end.

[Mav787]

But having two bites at the cherry may not be a bad thing.

You are right. I hadn't really considered that.

I'm in a league with a £170 winner takes all prize. Going into the semis I was just in the lead but picking the wrong German midfielders Ozil and Schweinsteiger instead of Lahm and Kroos has put me back to 2nd 25 points behind the leader.

I need do something drastic if I'm going to make that gap up.

[Johnny Rev 7.0]

maybe i should just leave my team as it is.

Having looked at your team, you need to move four players.

[Johnny Rev 7.0]

I finally seem to be getting the hang of the intricacies of the game just when it's coming to an end.

These tournie comps are a learning curve, albeit a short one.

You're still in with a shout of a medal.

[emilystrange]

oh heck. i'm out tomorrow night and i'm not in great health tonight. i will have to be quick on saturday.

edit - done. i've lost track of how many changes! :p it was a bit hokey-cokey

[markfiend]

I've gone for a team entirely made up of Argentinians and Germans. I've no idea what I'm doing and will still probably end up with a mid-table finish

[Johnny Rev 7.0]

Steady Eddie choice Mark.

But remembering elsewhere, Australia crashed and burned as predicted, but you're still holding Germany in your works' sweepstake?

[Johnny Rev 7.0]

I've had a rethink...

The alternative would be to ignore it

... I don't think we can.

I think I'll work backwards. Pick my starting XI for the final.

I'm gonna recant this statement as I'm wrong. It's impossible to pick an XI for the final and factor in the 3rd play-off match.

Yes, BRA want it, and the NED don't care. But, 2 x 4m NED = Oscar. And the more bodies on the pitch increases points scoring potential. Team sheets will be crucial.

Plus, as has been proven previously, the 3rd play-off match is a high-scoring affair, whereas the final is normally a low-scoring cagey affair.

This game is all about points. It doesn't matter which team wins, it's all about points. And, with all due respect to markfiend above, he's focused on the trees without seeing the forest.

I think I'm getting there.

[Mav787]

For me its all going to depend on the line-ups for the 3rd place game. I'm leaning towards picking the majority of my players from that game.

I can see the final being low scoring. Argentina are just so good at keeping the game tight. Germany may win but it may only be 1-0.

[Johnny Rev 7.0]

Eagerly awaiting team sheets as I've two completely different squads ready to rock. Or it could be a hybrid of both depending on line-ups.

Hardest part will be telling the boy Messi that he's out.

I could play safe and pick an ARG/GER XI, as there's no way Mav787 is gonna close a 78pts gap. But that's kinda boring, innit?

Plus, I'd like to improve my OR and my Germany position.

So, I've booked myself a seat on the &#9835; Last Train to Puntsville &#9835;

"He who dares Rodney, he who dares."

Let's have some fun and good luck all!

[Pista]

I'm sure my finger nails were longer earlier

[Johnny Rev 7.0]

FIFAWorldCup @FIFAWorldCup
#NED Line-Up: Cillessen, Vlaar, De Vrij, Martins Indi, Blind, Van Persie (c), Sneijder, Robben, Kuyt, Clasie, Wijnaldum #BRANED

FIFAWorldCup @FIFAWorldCup
#BRA Line-Up: Julio Cesar, Thiago Silva (c), David Luiz, Paulinho, Oscar, Maxwell, Ramires, Luis Gustavo, Willian, Jo, Maicon #BRANED

[Mav787]

OK

I've given it a shot. Need my crazy selections to score huge and the expected picks of everyone else to do rubbish.

Probably going to crash and burn

[Johnny Rev 7.0]

As the clock ticks down, I've just had a moment of madness and gone Robin van Glass Ankles(c).

[emilystrange]

Good lord.
I've got no brazilians!