Meet the FFGeeks – meet Alex Ball

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alexBall

Here’s the 5th article on our “meet the FFGeeks” series where we get to know some of the regular visitors to the site. Not only from an FPL perspective but the rest of their non FPL lives! The 5th person is Alex Ball originally from Sheffield but now residing in Cambridge in the North Island of New Zealand

Meet the FFGeeks – meet Alex Ball

1. I see you’ve been coming on the site and on our twitter site recently. Tell us a bit about yourself.

My names Alex, I’m a 36 year old PE teacher from Sheffield but I emigrated to New Zealand 11 years ago for a job. I’m married with two young children. Very sporty, still play semi-serious football and an avid Sheffield Wednesday fan (from a far!). I was back at Christmas and lucky enough to see them win the five games I watched them at! Locally I supported the Wellington Phoenix although don’t see them much as they play in Wellington which is about six hours drive from the Waikato where I live. If you twisted my arm I would say Im a Liverpool fan purely because I was at uni there.

2. How long have you been playing FPL and what is your motivation 

This is my 8th season playing FPL and I think its fair to say I’m well and truly addicted! My motivation is a combination of overall rank and winning my mini-leagues. I am in a couple of cash leagues which adds some extra spice! I am a firm believer in playing my own game in order to climb the ranks. If I do this well and I stand a good chance in my mini-leagues as well.

3. Show us your team and your rank history?

alexBallFPLhistory

alexballFPLpreviousSeasons

excellent rank this season btw Alex

4. Do you have an overall playing strategy? 

My playing strategy is first and foremost to follow my gut! If I go wrong after doing this, so be it but there is nothing worse than seeing a player your gut said was a good pick do well and you didn’t pick him.

Since I have found your site, I follow your team with interest as I have a similar philosophy to you. For example I often hold my captain decision till I have read your captains article and also usually playing 3-4-3.

As you can see from my team I tend to stick closely to the template team with a few differentials. Currently the differentials are in my defence which is pretty unusual for me as I usually have a pretty cheap and standard backline. At present it is costing a lot more than usual to get the differentials in. I usually aim for the differentials to be midfielders or forwards.

This season has been the toughest I can remember. Whilst a few Augero captain picks at the correct time have got me up to my current position I am just treading water around the 75K mark. My plan from here is to hopefully capitalise on the upcoming DGW’s combined with a few differentials. Currently Siggy, Coutinho, Khazri and Shaqiri are on my radar.

5. Do you play any other formats of the game or other fantasy sports.

No, I spend enough time thinking about this version of the game, any more and I’d be divorced!

6 Your best ever/worst ever fantasy moment

My best moment was hitting 80 in the world for a short time last season (before having a terrible christmas and plummeting down the ranks!)

My worst has been the frustration of this season which I am sure is felt by many. My hat goes off to you if you have been able to adapt and climb the rankings.

7. Your favourite fantasy player and player who consistently has let you down

Favourite would be Suarez and Augero. I also have a soft spot for Sturridge, I had him and Suarez last season and it worked a treat for a time! As for worst it has to be Ericsen, no matter when I have had him in my team he has done NOTHING. Oh and guess who I toyed with getting a month or so back and decided against it!?

8. Do you have a twitter handle for other geeks to follow you? 

I certainly do although Im not a prolific poster @alexwaterbaby (don’t ask!) Can I also recommend the website Fantasy Football 247. They provide excellent articles and have a friendly and helpful community.

Thanks for all the work you do FFG, I genuinely enjoy reading them. Your articles are to the point and really helpful.

Thanks to you Alex for the excellent interview and good luck this gameweek

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