Fellow traders new and old, I hope this message finds you in sound mind and body.

Today has been traumatic for many on the Index.

The uncertainty caused by the Coronavirus pandemic is touching our everyday lives more than we know. As a result, the effects are evidently being felt by those of us fortunate enough to have significant money invested in the Football Index.

For those that wish to jump ship, fair play to you, I hold no grudge, we all have a decision to make.

If however, you decide that you don't have the stomach for this particular fight, then it is only fair that the Football Index protects both the company and its remaining traders by increasing spreads to extortionate levels. In simple terms, If you want to leave, it will cost you, and rightly so.

Those departing will provide the funds (via spread/commission) to enable the Football Index to incentivise those of us remaining to stick around and invest further.

I am almost certain that if you decide to see this event through to it's natural conclusion in a few months time, you will be amply compensated by the Index for your loyalty and courage.

This is a massive opportunity for those of you willing and able to take the risk and buy the dip.

Do not expect to make money in the short term.

Accept this situation for what it is. Don't sugarcoat it, but also don't bury your head in the sand.

When we panic, we make irrational, illogical decisions.

I have been here nearly 3 years now and I have never once tried to pull the wool over your eyes, fool or misguide you.

Trust in my advice. Trust in the platform and trust in the forum.

Continue to discuss your fears, worries and concerns.

Sometimes all it needs is a rational external voice to reassure you that the world is not ending, to calm you down and settle the nerves. Let me be that voice.

All the best for the future, whatever you decide to do.

Onwards and ... (eventually) upwards!

JohnboyWalker
Head of Panic Reduction at Football Index

Folks,

It's that time of year again, when I dust off my soapbox, don my oversized black suit, tie and bowler hat combo whilst attempting my best Winston Churchill impression ...

Listen, I know you lot are scared of losing all your money. I know most of you don't have a fucking clue what is going on. I know panic is rife and you feel like you're stuck in a forest fire, not knowing which way to turn ...

I know this, because I feel exactly the same way.

It's been one disappoinment after another over the past 8 months. We are tired and weary, battle scarred and on the verge of deserting.

I have kept a close eye on the forum over the past couple of days. I have seen many forum users add fuel to the fire. Whether this is deliberate or not, ill leave you to make your own conclusions.

For the past few months, I have been in private contact with forum users who's opinion I value and trust. I'm sure many of you will have had positive interactions with each of them during your time on the forum.

@Advinculas-Index , @Black-Wolf , @Ericali , @MickTurbo , @BMCG

Everyone of these guys are still here.

They are all sticking around and they still believe in the potential of this platform. They are obviously concerned about current events, but also see these 'crashes' as massive opportunities.

We all believe that the Football Index is on the verge of something special. I know you lot believe it too. The dividends on offer are currently higher than they have ever been.

If you have risked too much, bet too big or overstretched your budget then I sympathise and understand you are concerned, but during times of panic, the first reaction is almost always an overreaction. Trust me, I know this.

Whatever you decide to do forum friends, make the decision for yourself.

For those of you that still have a little fight left in you ... I'll be here, at your side, losing if you lose and winning if we win.

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more.

jbw

@Westy

I had to stop reading after the bit where you attempt to justify the behaviour of those that tried to sink the FI ship just a few months ago.

They did nothing but harm my investment, your investment and more than likely their own investment, for selfish, childish reasons.

Allowing them to claim credit for FI's recent (re)action is nonsense mate.

There were many disgruntled users who chose to voice their concern in a mature, constructive and appropriate manner, whilst also continuing to provide support and advice to others, especially the newer users who were clearly panicking.

It really grits my shit to see those forum terrorists now trying to claim responsibility for any positive change.

Genuinely, I believe that.

Firstly, let me apologise for yet another thread, but I want this message to be visible to all.

Now, some folk will be upset about all the doom and gloom that has been posted on the forum recently. Don't be. It's the honest truth, and it is a clear indication that the market is not happy.

I use the forum to gauge the sentiment of other users and their general happiness with the platform. The problems are visible to all. Do not bury your head in the sand and ignore this.

Onto my point ... 🤔

This is the best thing that could have happened.

Today will likely provide us with the biggest 'footie' drop in the history of the football index.

Again, don't shit the bed.

This is the wake up call that was required.

The users are voting with their wallets, and removing money from the platform. The football index must, and will react.

Believe me, there will be some significant meetings taking place at FI tower just now. How do we stop the drop? Why is this happening?

Well, luckily for us ... and you might not even know it, but we all have a seat at this particular negotiating table.

The darkest hour is just before the dawn.

Deposit bonuses only covered the cracks.

That won't work anymore, and as we can all see. The market is falling heavily during a bonus period.

The only fix. The only solution, is to widen the goalposts once more and turn the odds back in the favour of the punter.

This product is unique. It is the best form of gambling I have ever found. It is addictive.

The concept will not fail.

The index just needs to listen to the users again, like it used to.

By all means folks, derisk if you must, and get yourself to a place of safety. This particular boat is heading into very choppy waters.

But I for one, am content that the journey will be worth it when we reach the other side.

Think of it as travelling across the North Sea in a dinghy during gale force winds, in order to attend a 'Victoria's Secret' convention in Stockholm. 😉

Best of luck to you all, whatever you decide to do.

@Black-Wolf

Spot on mate, thanks.

Think of it like this ... you are stuck on a cruise ship, locked in your cabin with no window and no way of exiting.

There is a bloke running up and down the corridors telling you that he can smell smoke.

Shortly after, another voice pipes up that they heard someone else mention a fire in the floor above.

You can't go out and check. You can't make your own assessment. You can't do anything.

Fight or fight mode kicks in.

Now the choice appears to be, take a load of pills and end it all peacefully or wait for the inevitable flames to engulf your cabin where you WILL die a horrible, horrible death.

All of a sudden, the ships captain unlocks all the doors ... turns out Pepe the cabin boy burnt his toast and set off the smoke alarms ...

The moral of the story??

Fuck knows ... you tell me, I just like a good nautical analogy. 🤣

Lads,

Come on, let's quit the petty spellchecking and pishy back and forths ... it sounds like Carol Vorderman having a scrap with Rachel Riley for fuck sake!? 🤣

Just enjoy the good news and have a relaxing weekend safe in the knowlege that the index is preparing to launch several rockets over the coming weeks ... 🚀 🚀 🚀

@BradD said in Port dropping?:

Do we need a thread every time a portfolio dips for a day or 2?

Whilst I appreciate that these threads can be tedious and frustrating for those that have been here for over a year, please accept that others on the platform will not have the experience that hindsight brings.

I am almost certain that the first time your portfolio experienced a prolonged dip, you shat your pants and thought the world was about to end.

You probably came onto the forum seeking reassurances that you weren't going to be left bankrupt.

That is exactly what the OP is doing. Cut him/her a little slack. We have all been there! 👍

@Millerman-again

I take it you don't hold shares in any of the players mentioned? 😉

The art of the pump has taken a more sophisticated, sinister approach ...

I actually prefer it when @Zola25 just straight up attempts to mount me in the back of the taxi (wearing a Marco Reus facemask), rather than inviting me back to his under the pretence of coffee, only to find out that he doesn't even own a kettle. 🤣

It has been for months ...

FI expect those users that have instant sold the big boys (Pogba et al) to now reinvest that money in the cheaper players. I spoke about this a while back ... they want (and expect) us to bridge the gap between top and bottom. Lowering Pogba to raise Kroos for example.

Media buzz has historically been the easiest way to make money on this platform. Previously, they actively encouraged this. They marketed Neymar/Pogba as the flag bearers for those seeking a sure thing. The Long term investors.

Now, with so many changes in the backroom staff and company direction, it was clear that FI were driving towards a traditional gambling narrative.

Media Buzz costs the index money, and ultimately, they will seek to lessen the impact it has on their running costs. More PB games, less guaranteed MB payouts. Problem solved.

The current system for MB is broken beyond repair. The scoring system, how the articles are calculated, which media outlets are used. The full name/surname debate. There are so many issues here and the system is not transparent. I'm surprised the gambling commission haven't raised concerns with this area of the platform.

Whereas the PB system is fair. I can check Opta data, and confirm the PB score is correct.

But, with every new IPO that is launched, they dilute the market. They lessen the chance that Depay/Sterling/TAA will win PB.

I can guarantee you, if the same 5/10 players continually win PB over the next 6 months, they will seek to change the scoring system, in order to make it 'fairer'. They want to make PB a lottery.

The less predictive the index is, the less they pay out. The more we speculate, the more money they make as a business.

I now feel like when I lose, it's no longer mick/vesp/eric that takes my money, its Adam Cole and the Football Index. Just like that fat prick Ray Winstone used to do on Bet365.

I've only been playing with profit for a good while now. So I have less to lose than alot of you, but I can already hear my taxi pulling up outside ...

My advice to you all ... only play with money you can afford to lose. The gold rush days are long gone, and risk/loss is no longer an unimaginable proposition.

I walked away from Ray with a healthy profit when I eventually saw the warning signs. I'm getting that same feeling with the football index. That the odds are no longer in my favour, that the goalposts are being continually moved, and that the risks are starting to outweigh the rewards.

The index is changing ... or is it just me?

@VicMackey

You could maybe try that bloke @nallycat ... i haven't seen him around in a while, but he used to be incredibly helpful for things like this.

I think the problems begin when you become entrenched in a mindset and are unwilling to adapt.

The FI goalposts are constantly on the move, but if you expect this to be the norm, then you won't go far wrong.

At the moment, quick flipping appears the easiest way to make money due to the IPD bonus, but there are still hundreds of 'long term investment' opportunities to be had across the platform.

Ntcham at Celtic for 40p or Grimaldo at Benfica for 55p.

Surely, within the next 3 years they will both end up at clubs in PB leagues. When that happens, I would expect them both to double in price.

My advice is to cover all the bases and then you won't be left over exposed when the tide turns.

@Tom77 said in Rolling matchday thread:

Bought more januzaj, market buy, lots of fixtures coming up.

Noticed he took the pen today ... although he only came on in the 70th minute when the regular pen taker Oyarzabal was replaced.

Not a bad speculative shout at only 50p.

Sociedad are at home to Valencia on Wednesday 29/09/20, one of only two games, so potential for one last blast at the double divs and also the bronze matchday dividends.

@Splurger_Dan said in Rolling matchday thread:

How are Chelsea doing?🙊

Wow!! 🙈

Bet Fat Frank can't wait for his half time pie ... 🤣

@Dan-The-Man

No worries mate, thanks for your contributions.

@Dan-The-Man

I wouldn't say I'm quick to vent at you mate. I tried reasoning with you in private a few weeks back.

From my perspective, it feels that you just repeat the same negative message over and over and over, to anyone willing to listen.

If that helps someone else out, then great. But unfortunately, its got to the stage where I am considering blocking you. The only reason I haven't, is because you regularly produce insightful and thought provoking posts. Unfortunately, the negatives outweigh the positives at present and this is where we are at.

I don't want a back and forth with you for the simple reason that my phone will run out of battery long before you will ... 😉

@Martyn-B

I can't believe I picked up my Papu Gomez collection a few weeks back when everybody thought he was off to Saudi Arabia, because of a dogshit article in some unreliable Arab website.

85p.

He is the Messi of Atalanta and only a fraction of the price. 👍

@R9inter

Well here's a suggestion ...

Why don't you and Dan go be polite in private and moan the pants off each other till one of you passes out? 🤣👍😉

As a gambling addict, I know who I'm putting my money on in this particular contest!! 😎

@R9inter said in BIRTHDAY BONUS BABY:

@Dan-The-Man to be honest mate I really appreciate your honesty and point of view ,but even if others try to coat it with sugar is enough to look at the market to understand that it is not good
Today is the best example :
Net buy bonus in place
Rashford scores no love whatsoever actually his buy price went down yes the spread is a bit tighter but what is the point in getting him 20p cheaper if his buy price never rises...

Soria (getafe ) gets clean sheet little to no love ...

Pacheco (alaves) clean sheet plus possibly gk pb he scored 150 and yet barely any love towards him

So people should stop having a go at you for being realistic...

Stop sugar coating things as it stands now the situation is bad ... maybe is going to get better ...but in the main time is about reducing the losses ...i am not leaving the platform but I am taking a chunk of money out where I can as I am not able to see any recovery right now even the bonus is not working ...

I've got a 5 month baby that shits, pisses and spews all over himself ... He cries less than some of you lot!? 🤣

I'm fed up listening to constant negativity and whinging around here. Surely I am not the only one.

I don't expect lollipops and rainbows, but for fuck sake lads, lighten up. Only bet what you can afford to lose.

Adapt and overcome or wither and die.

If all you want is somebody to listen to your sob story, I suggest giving the Samaritans a phone.

Now, how's that for sugar coating mate?? 😉

@Dan-The-Man

There is always one cunt who tries to spoil the birthday celebrations ... 🤣🥳😕

Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce Dan the Man. He used to be a positive, optimistic chap ... honest!!

For those that struggle to see past his now almost daily negativity and ranting, I can assure you there is an intelligent and very shrewd trader in there, that has proved the masses wrong on more than one occasion.

Dan, let's lose the constant negativity mate. It's becoming hard to stomach. I know you feel aggrieved at how the platform has treated you, but take it up with customer support. 🤷‍♂️

If i wanted to be moaned at constantly, I'd untie the wife and let her out the basement! 🤣👍😎