Ok, this is really quick fire then.

I’ve made my moves.

In this game of chess, well, FPL.

My SkyFF team is currently unchanged, but I’ve set the captains.

I’ll pause this for a minute.

Did you know that apparently there are two forms of consciousness…anyway lad/lady…I’ll tell ya who I picked in fantasy footy in a minute.

Then I’ll add my teams soon. They *could* change after being posted (written on 24/02/23 a 14:54). Otherwise they are pretty much set though (got to beat those FPL servers haven’t we).

You know, it’s funny doing all this lark, you are putting yourself out there every week / or most weeks (as in I am that is).

Honestly lad, who blogs about Fpl anymore, it’s all on YouTube now.

Well, I don’t know, this work for me.

Jokes aside, I think there are platforms this sorta thing, and it’s nice to something to read right. Well, I try to make it quick fire ish, skim through it. Come for the team reveals, stay for the music. (It is definitely an outlet for me).

Whether it is 1 person seeing it or 100, less or more, or whether it is people in mini leagues or in spaces listening to you or whatever.

I suppose that is part of the intrigue though.

Or part of the fascination, or enjoyment or it is a way to endure the game.

| Structure Is The Enemy, Mesin Ish, This Is The Scores From The Previous GW Bit (Honestly You’d Think Anyone Has Done This In A Semi Care Free Style Sorta Way On His WordPress App On Their Phone Wouldn’t You (Well, It’s 2023, And It’s How I Roll Sometimes )… |

Well, I’m off the back of numerous green arrows, and on a high.

So whatever really.

I’m just going with the flow.

As usual really.

So, I’m ready for DGW25 for sure, so I’ll put my teams in here in a minute then mate.

It is possible that I make another change or make transfers or whatever, I’ll put it out now, and I have the option of posting an extra something on here or on social media.

Otherwise, I’m pretty much set really, sorted.

‘It’s all about the game and how you play it.’

‘Tryna’ figure out what my moves are gonna be, come on sucka why don’t you ask me.’

‘It’s time to play the game.’

‘Dancing with the devil, going with the flow, it’s all a game to me’

I’ve played my cards, and one of my chips (free hit), now it’s time to play the game.

Motorhead

‘If I hadn’t seen so many riches, I could live with being poor.’

I don’t know why, well maybe I do on some level (subconsciously or something), but I love those lyrics.

Yeah, now I do, it in relation to supporting a team that has been in winning trophies and in titles challenges in recent season – now in a top 4 challenge (and still technically in the Champions League, just about like) – this season.

Sorta being tongue n cheek there, first world problems eh.

I’m letting these songs flow, I’m letting Spotify do it’s thing, part of being in flow I think.

You know, in a weird way, this is my favourite time of the GW (before it has even began), as the possibilities are endless.

That said, it is also boss when ya lads get you clean sheets, assists & goals of course (plus bonus points, and/or passing tier, shots tier, tackles tier points).

If anyone is reading this who doesn’t play fantasy football and is intrigued by this pelicular world we live in or enter most weekends then fair play.

I do write them in a way to make non fantasy footy players a little bit curious, but obviously it is mainly written for a fantasy footy audience though obviously.

I mean, there is normally plenty of general footy stuff too, so if you fancy coming for the xG and home/away form then fair enough mate.

Or the tunes mate, on that note, I’ve got Shack on now.

I also read about nostalgia the other day, on Psychology Today, well it was on Monday. Basically it was saying how there are good sides to nostalgia, how listening to old songs can take you back, or make you feel happier. Interesting that eh, I mean I think certain songs and memories can remind you of what is possible again and can put you on a high and go into things, challenges or adventures on a high (deep that lad, I know right eh). So, I hope captaining Salah is not a nostalgia pick, well there is the effective ownership factor, plus in all serious he genuinely is in form (think it is a pick that makes a lot of sense with the DGW). Sometimes I have technical problems with these posts/the size, hang on think I’ve fixed it now.

(Yeah see the green bit to help you edit that bit that)

| Using A Free Hit Is Like Being On Holiday |

I see the free hit as being like a holiday really, a change of scenery, and I get to home to a tidy house (this is the bit where my FPL team is the tidy house in the analogy).

I mean, it’s mostly a tidy house, well, I’ll enjoy my holiday (free hit), I can see how the house (my FPL team) looks in GW26.

I’m on holiday, and I’m enjoying it, as well as being strategic of course.

I mean, I’ll come home to see Cancelo sitting there in the spare room (on my bench) – actually let’s say he is sitting in the garden on a bench – to take this apology further.

To clarify, this was an analogy or a joke, and Cancelo is in Münich (well as far as I know).

But generally it’s sound.

One game at a time & all that jazz, one gameweek at a time, one day at a time.

One minute at a time…yeah you get the idea.

One post at a time (stop it, stay focused, write about the footy).

So it’s a bus man’s holiday basically.

I can come back to Brighton, Manchester United, Newcastle (and co) players, plus, I have other chips in my back pocket (being considered for other GWs), so I’m being flexible.

Liverpool have won back to back league matches, remain 3rd for xG in the Premier League this season, and do look better going forward with Gakpo influencing their play.

| Quick Fire Footy Bits (Fixture Based Really) |

Darwin & Salah look like they’re linking up well, and are looking sharp, their heat maps make for good reading too (or viewing, you cant read a heat map, well you can a bit).

I am fully aware that Liverpool are not having a great season by any means, and before I am accused of being biased – I mean literally everyone is really, it is one of the drawbacks to being human, I read a pyschology article about bias the other day – I’d say it was good but you may said that I am being biased (rubbish that, keep it in anyway) – I mean I am being more of a robot these days (we’re half robots these days right, sorta joking) with the data/statistics – where was I (being so ADHD here, going all ADHD on ya) – but things change as the season goes on (performance have improved recently, to an extent, attacking wise the numbers show that) – and Liverpool’s win against Newcastle United does open things up.

In terms of points in the table things are closer, and things do tend to even out as the season unfolds, and having a bigger squad can very much help proceedings (there is the 5 subs rule too, that helps us from a fantasy football perspective at times).

Sides that go for the top 4 generally tend to be inconsistent, and I do think to some extent you can score your way to a top 4 finish.

Of course when being in the top 2 and competing for the title, it is a different kettle of fish, and the side with best defence (or second best defence) often becomes champions.

And in a league where few sides win 6 in a row or more, even City have dropped points against bottom half sides in 2022/23, it can very much to the wire to decide the top 4 places.

Palace have a high xGA (expected goals conceded) at home this season – and Liverpool do have a strong record against Crystal Palace in recent seasons – particularly at Selhurst Park.

Salah is set for two matches, is likely to have high eo (effective ownership), and I do think this Liverpool still very much has goals in it.

Liverpool’s record against Wolves generally speaking is good, obviously it wasn’t in the reserve fixture, but at Liverpool have beaten Wolves in every home match in the Premier League since being promoted back to the Premier League in 2018 (or they have won the vast majority of their matches at home against the Midlands club in recent seasons).

Trent’s underlying numbers and actual numbers have improved in recent GWs, and he can create chances/get assists from different areas of the pitch (even from deeper positions with balls over the top, or from midfield areas or from getting into advanced areas) – as well as being on some set pieces.

Everton have won back to back to Premier League home matches (by the same score, 1-0), and play twice (Aston Villa at home & Arsenal away), and carry a threat from set pieces.

Hence why I’ve gone for a cheap yard dog option in Tarkowski, partly as every Tom, Dick & Harry has him too (playing percentages there).

Listen, let me say this, we can have different opinions on players.

There are stats to explain our selections.

I do not expect to get literally every single decision is a season absolutely perfect, I am realistic enough to know that.

It still does not stop me from aiming high though, it just puts me in a relaxed frame of mind, and that increases my chances of making better chances (that helps me do better).

I am writing this partly as I know how demanding playing fantasy football can be, I mean it is just literally picking footballers, but I think I am at a point where I just do what feels right really.

I have looked at the fixtures in great depth, but a lot of this is going with the flow for me, I don’t even know what I am writing here (whatever).

I think my point is, it is a free game, so this is me playing a mind trick on myself here or something to take some ‘pressure’ off (the elephant in the room).

Well, actually, since the World Cup I have been really enjoying playing FPL a lot more.

I think having the chips, the DGWs etc helps too.

A few differentials have also helped.

(I may put my teams up from the previous GWs here).

(Edit this, check over it, ok)

I’ll carry on now, I’ll get this done in a minute, then I’ll chill with some tunes on or something lad.

(This is nice, this is flow state, I’m so in the zone)

Anyway, this was going to be quick fire, now it is coming along (I had writer’s block when I had started writing this).

(I’ll put some tunes on in a minute, although not having any on sometimes helps too, it depends).

I think being decisive in this game is important, one way or another, and I have quite a lot of momentum right now.

I am still looking ahead fixtures wise of course, but I am being really decesive, and the quicker I get my teams sorted the quicker I get my posts done – the quicker I can relax- you get the idea.

Stopping this for a minute, to make a brew.

The kettle is on.

So.

Back to the actual (fantasy) football, Salah is seemingly on a run of scoring/assisting (in recent matches in all competitions), and as much as Liverpool are up and down in 2022/23 Liverpool’s win against Newcastle (0-2) was massive.

With a game in hand, and 2 matches this GW, Liverpool can go level on points with Newcastle United (5th) and level on points with Spurs (in theory, they play at home this GW), so the incentive to gain ground for absolutely there for Klopp’s side – if they were to win both of their next two matches in the league (think that’s right, double check in a minute).

My tea is brewing, I’ll put the milk in in a minute.

What I am saying here is, just because teams have had results earlier on in the season doesn’t mean it is going carry on like that for the rest of the season.

Part of this game is looking beneath the surface, and looking at various different elements in an attempt to get an edge if/when possible.

And for as much there is general form for teams and ultimately players from a fantasy football perspective, every game and every GW is different.

Trends come and go, different styles emerge, things change on a weekly basis.

Things go in cycles.

Everything is new, everything is old. Everything is old. Everyone is wrong, everyone is right (throwing that trippy bit in there).

I went off one on there – I’ve picked some footballers anyway – I’ll see how they do.

So yeah, Salah is looking on it to me, a goal and assist Real Madrid midweek did him no harm confidence wise whatsoever, and the eo (effective ownership) is a factor too this week.

The former Roma forward, despite not quite being at his absolute best this campaign, still has the best part of 20 goals (close to) to his name and counting (top scorer in the Champions League this season).

I think, dare I say it – these two fixtures are quite kind – and do present potential for numerous points this GW.

It is the Premier League though, so both of Liverpool’s opponent’s in the shape of Crystal Palace and Wolves cannot be underestimated, but neither side are in top form to say the least (both teams are in the bottom half of the league).

So on that note, I’ve got some Wolves players this week…

Well, this is the funny thing about this game, there are so many variables.

I think Wolves do strike me as a better team away from home, I don’t know what it is, perhaps they’re more set up that way.

They have a top manager in Julian Lopetegui, the ‘they’ve got a top manager there lad’ factor there (to take into consideration), and as much as I think Liverpool are more than capable of beating Wolves this GW, I think Wolves can offer something this GW.

In relation to that, and such as the curiosities of the Premier League (or football in general), Fulham away is not an easy game but Fulham have conceded a fair bit at home this campaign – and yet have kept 5 clean sheets in their previous 9 league matches (or something like that) – but Silva side have conceded in numerous home matches this season for what it is worth.

Some of Wolves’ better results have been away from home in recent times, whilst Fulham have conceded at home against Liverpool, Newcastle, Chelsea, Manchester United among many other sides this season (I don’t know, there’s defo a fair few others).

I think Sarabia gives them a boost and extra quality, who was selected for Spain for the World Cup in December, and is fresh as a daisy (to use a technical term there).

Manchester City go to Bournemouth, Manchester City have had a few off days away from home, and Bournemouth do get an atmosphere going.

Generally speaking they concede less goals when former Juventus goalkeeper Neto is in net for them.

Ok, my brew is ready, the caffeine boost definitely helps!

Arsenal play twice too, against Leicester City away from home, and then they are set to face Everton at the Emirates.

Leicester may have Maddison (currently a doubt) to choose from, and have had some better performances recently, and on their day can give sides a tough match at the King Power.

Arsenal come off the back of having scored 4 at Villa Park, and mostly importantly winning at their gaff to keep the title challenge going, but have curiously been conceding a fair bit recently (their goals conceded at home tally is higher than expected).

So that was a bit of a wrap, or a summary of fixtures, and to show my thinking of how they may go from a fantasy football perspective.

Ok, pretty much there, Supergrass to see me home (nice & upbeat!).

I’ve done some bits re aesthetics.

Quick edit now (different fonts, or colours helps sometimes actually).

Overview wise – food for thought re DGW27 & DGW29 – I may have something up my sleeve.

Well somehow I’ve managed to pull this out of the bag, and get into full flow, is right.