Fantasy Premier League: How to use the new features in the 2015/16 season
With modified rules and three bonus items, the Fantasy Premier League has an all-new avatar for the 2015/16 seasonThe rapturous applause that nearly takes the roof off, the adrenaline rush when the ball ripples into the net, the rage when a rash tackle comes to greet a player from your beloved club, the English Premier League. It’s all coming back. Not even a fortnight to go for the world’s favourite league to come back and make our weekends worth it again. But the Premier League no longer comes alone. It brings with it the world’s most played and most loved fantasy game - the Fantasy Premier League. More than 3 million people signed up for the game last season and the numbers are expected to spike even higher.However, this season’s Fantasy Premier League was launched more than its mere share of fanfare. The game has also provided us with a few changes in its rules and the introduction of three “Chips” that is sure to get the strategic minds go on overdrive. Lets’s take a look at each of these new features and analyse how they might affect your usual strategy and gameplay.
#1 Change in Wildcard policy
The Wildcard till now has been the greatest weapon afforded to FPL enthusiasts. For those, still in the fledgling days of the game, the wildcard generally provides the player with a clean slate. Using a wildcard allows managers to make innumerable changes to the side without having to worry about deduction in points that come by the way making transfers.
While the number of wildcards provided to the managers in the new season remains at two, the tweak comes in the form of when you may be allowed to play it. For the past few seasons, managers in the game were afforded a complete recall during the January month in addition to a general wildcard, which you could play at any time, you deemed suitable. Whilst most fans waited for the late double game-weeks in the season, many rather opted to use them early to give them a good start to the season.
The biggest moan was always the January wildcard, which would expire after the first game-week of February commences. Many wished that the FPL would allow them to use the Wildcard at a later stage and, for them, their wishes seem to be answered.
The FPL now gives two wildcards that are subject to be played in two halves of the season. The deadline for the first wildcard is 28 December 2015, whilst the second can only be played after the said date and before any game-week the manager deems it suitable.
So, now you don’t have to moan about having to play that wildcard in the month of January, before you know which of the new signings in January are sure to have an effect. You can also re-ignite your team if it goes through a lean patch early on in the season. This should really make everyone happy.