The Knee Jerk – Lost In Rotation
Filed under: The Knee Jerk - Posted by: Mark
Maybe it’s the loss of control – the fear that, no matter the logic behind our decisions, we’re at the mercy of another’s whims. Whatever the psychological babble surrounding the Fantasy manager’s view of the rotation policy, there’s no doubt that it can hit us hard – just below the gut, where it really hurts.
If today’s teamsheets at Goodison and White Hart Lane provided early Gameweek wounds, we can at least take some comfort that at least one of the culprits will be similarly bruised as a result of the tinkering.
Harry Redknapp’s decision to make five changes for the home clash with Norwich ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea truly backfired, condemning Spurs to a damaging defeat, leaving the back door ajar for Newcastle to drew level on points with their routine win over Bolton.
Without the promptings and threat of Rafael Van der Vaart and the power and presence of Emmanuel Adebayor, Spurs struggled to make an impression on yet another spirited Norwich showing. With Scott Parker also preserved, Spurs were unable to wrestle control; even the belated introduction of Adebayor failed to spark them as they slipped to a 2-1 reverse.
Gareth Bale was fit enough to start but, again, failed to register returns. His performances have warranted better but, with Spurs scoring just six goals in their last seven games, Bale has struggled to maintain the form that had seen him nudge his way to essential status in Fantasy terms. That status has slipped spectacularly – nine starts without a goal makes painful reading for his remaining owners and will doubtless fuel further heavy Fantasy sales.
Over 40,000 have already shed the Welshman off the back of the uncertainty going into today’s game – there’s likely to be plenty more to follow with the yawning Gameweek 34 blank looming. Bale’s Gameweek 36 double with Blackburn and Bolton remains a temptation and could yet carry a sting for those who have lost patience. Indeed, the run-in remains ridiculously favourable for Redknapp’s men but the loss of form is alarming. Bale can’t turn fortunes and win matches on his own – his efforts in recent weeks have proved that much.
Form is certainly no issue at Goodison Park, with today’s 4-0 rout of Sunderland bringing their third win in four. Despite the result, David Moyes was the other villain of the day. The Scot also made five changes to his lineup, notably resting Nikaca Jelevic and Leighton Baines, a player who had, until today, had missed just a single league game over the past two a bit seasons. Unlike Redknapp, however, Moyes will be feeling rather smug this evening.
The Everton boss watched his “makeshift” lineup sweep Sunderland aside with Scout Pick Steven Pienaar and winger Magaye Gueye particularly influential. He’ll now sit back and observe how Kenny Dalglish shuffles his pack for tomorrow night’s Ewood Park visit, comfortable in the knowledge that his own key players are well rested for their FA Cup clash, opening up a four point gap over their rivals in the process.
Credit to Moyes, the plan came together beautifully. When that plan is a rotation policy, however, it’s so often us Fantasy managers left wincing. I’d like to imagine that Moyes will feel just a small pang of regret with his celebratory dram and slippers tonight. We already know that Harry will be choking on his Horlicks.
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April 10 at 3:03 am
The Parmtree says:
Anyone care to flick through my transfer plans?
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AhFqkaFEe92idGlDM3NQV0pfWTN3TnZCUGZnaWNyNXc#gid=0
April 10 at 3:03 am
Lucky says:
Anyone considerig weimann? Mun is poor but their DGW (SWA BOL) is juicy
April 10 at 3:12 am
LOCO ABREU says:
he is in my watchlist but he seems a waste for the 3rd striker spot.
April 10 at 3:16 am
Chicho says:
+111
April 10 at 3:04 am
China Mag says:
Phew. That was close. I’d forgotten (again) that the clocks went back. Mrs China Mag had just enough money to do McClean – Sess, so needed to do it today, before the rise. Looking at it, how didn’t I miss it? Are the changes not 2:30am UK time anymore? Anyway, good job I am on this site, otherwise I would have missed out on the transfer, and loads of points. Cheers lads!!
April 10 at 3:09 am
moment says:
Does Mrs China Mag exist, or do you just have two teams? You seem very clued up as to her strategy. Mrs Moment refuses to discuss anything FPL-related with me. Beating the crap out of her mind (points wise)…
April 10 at 3:10 am
China Mag says:
Let’s just say that Mrs China Mag (she does actually exist) gets some “assistance” from Mr China Mag.
April 10 at 3:12 am
China Mag says:
Note that it is against the rules to have two teams in fpl! (would insert winking smiley if knew how to do one!)
April 10 at 3:16 am
Acquafresca says:
; )
without the space in between, cheers
April 10 at 3:21 am
China Mag says:
April 10 at 3:11 am
Acquafresca says:
+1, thats the way to do it. Win at all costs.
April 10 at 3:11 am
Mark's Favourite Hat says:
I have also been confused for the past month or so who Mrs China Mag is!
April 10 at 3:04 am
Acquafresca says:
When are price rises due?
April 10 at 3:15 am
Kirby says:
3.30…so in 15 minutes
April 10 at 3:17 am
Acquafresca says:
cheers kirby
April 10 at 3:06 am
China Mag says:
Jinswick, on your arteta v sessegnon debate. Look where playing with my heart, rather than my head got me!!
April 10 at 3:16 am
jinswick says:
I know!!
Having Walcott and RVP already though is making me sway Sess’s way…
April 10 at 3:13 am
edgardavids says:
After the DGW which keepers should I have? I’m currently with Migs and Bogs, there are reports that Gordon could be back soon and Bolton is just crap.
April 10 at 3:16 am
LOCO ABREU says:
Migs out for me, rotattion risk. how much to spend?
April 10 at 3:18 am
elniñorules: CL QFs Draw @ 4pm & ECL Last 16 Draw @ 430pm on 12 Apr. Catch 'em live! says:
Who told you that?
April 10 at 3:20 am
Acquafresca says:
MON stated in his press conference he’d be giving gordon some PT in the coming games..
April 10 at 3:21 am
elniñorules: CL QFs Draw @ 4pm & ECL Last 16 Draw @ 430pm on 12 Apr. Catch 'em live! says:
Uh-oh.
Hopefully gw34 isn’t the week.
April 10 at 3:22 am
Acquafresca says:
Fingers crossed, might just be. With weaker opponents i see Gordon getting starts vs the likes of wolves/bolton.
April 10 at 3:20 am
LOCO ABREU says:
Martin O’Neill
April 10 at 3:19 am
edgardavids says:
I have 0.9 in the bank and I sell Mig for 4.3 and Bog for 4.0
April 10 at 3:20 am
moment says:
In Vorm we trust. Since GW1.
April 10 at 3:23 am
edgardavids says:
Been there done that, now he is much more expensive
April 10 at 3:30 am
moment says:
Not if you bought in GW1 and kept. My total keeper investment all season is 8 mil. Reduced to 7.9 mil when Moreira dropped.
April 10 at 3:21 am
Cruizer says:
howard or friedel. though its almost the end of the season, so i’m not sure if its ok to spend your FT on goalkeeper
April 10 at 3:24 am
edgardavids says:
I already have BAE, Bale and Manolito, and no Toffes’ players so maybe Tim is a good option
April 10 at 3:30 am
Cruizer says:
i have vorm and krul, and seeing at their fixtures after gw36, doesn’t think that they can keep clean sheet. while howard is facing wolves away and newcastle at home. both are not easy games as wolves will be fighting against relegation while newcastle is among the form team right now. probably i’ll make krul -> howard
April 10 at 3:14 am
Chicho says:
Sunderland attacking still deserve place in your team after they just had 3 attempt shot on goal yesterday?
April 10 at 3:18 am
Acquafresca says:
yes, considering their nice fixtures.
April 10 at 3:19 am
Cruizer says:
morning chico
yesterday they are against everton who has kept clean sheet against man city n spurs. eventhough moyes made changes to the team, goodison park is still a hard place to come. so yes, i would still keep sun player until gw36
April 10 at 3:21 am
Chicho says:
Morning mate.
Im thinking for a hit to do sideway..McClean to Sess. But the question is, can Sess get 5 points better than McClean?
April 10 at 3:24 am
Cruizer says:
difficult to say, sess is an important player for sun, and mclean also seems to play well with him in the side. since sess returned, his score is 20 points, while mclean is 19 points. so, toss a coin
April 10 at 3:27 am
Chicho says:
Thanks for your wisdom thought. Im keeping McClean till gw34.
April 10 at 3:19 am
elniñorules: CL QFs Draw @ 4pm & ECL Last 16 Draw @ 430pm on 12 Apr. Catch 'em live! says:
It’s more of their opposition in gw34 which warrants having 3 players.
April 10 at 3:15 am
jinswick says:
Which would you fancy to get more?
a) Kompany (wol), Bale (qpr), Skrtel (CHE) + 4 points
b) Cuellar (SUN, BOL), Walcott (CHE), Verm (NOR)
April 10 at 3:16 am
Kirby says:
A
April 10 at 3:17 am
Chicho says:
B by miles
April 10 at 3:19 am
Chicho says:
Arsenal in form. They beat 300million squad!!
April 10 at 3:18 am
Acquafresca says:
dont consider villa or bolton players, the dgw is toying with your mind!
April 10 at 3:24 am
jinswick says:
Nice DGW for Villa though – can see at least 1 CS in there, plus Cuellar is a BP magnet!
April 10 at 3:26 am
Acquafresca says:
Worth a hit though? And would need to ship out for GW36 no?
April 10 at 3:29 am
jinswick says:
Well, that’s the question. And yep, he’d go to Baines in GW36. Think he’s been injured but expected back imminently. Would only bring him in if he plays this w/e.
April 10 at 3:27 am
Acquafresca says:
Why hasent he started the last 3 matches?
April 10 at 3:19 am
LOCO ABREU says:
B to me too all the time!
April 10 at 3:22 am
McLovinnnn says:
Verm has Chelsea if Walcott has Chelsea, Lol
April 10 at 3:23 am
jinswick says:
Yeah, but I’d be getting Verm in GW37
April 10 at 3:25 am
elniñorules: CL QFs Draw @ 4pm & ECL Last 16 Draw @ 430pm on 12 Apr. Catch 'em live! says:
B
April 10 at 3:25 am
Cruizer says:
i thought cuellar is injured? me myself also looking at villa’s defense, probably interested with lichaj or hutton
April 10 at 3:31 am
jinswick says:
I can’t stand Hutton. I think Cuellar is due back any time now. Would only bring in if he starts at the w/e. Is Lichaj nailed on?
April 10 at 3:33 am
Acquafresca says:
lichaj replacing injured defenders, wouldnt want him. Cuellar is a good shout. Is he the most of a goal threat of the back 4? Collins?
April 10 at 3:36 am
jinswick says:
Actually, Collins is probably the best pick. Decent attacking threat from set pieces.
April 10 at 3:42 am
Cruizer says:
against chelsea lichaj is playing at right back, he scored 1 and assisted another one. in the last 2 games, with hutton back, he is playing at left back and warnock being pushed up to left midfield. so yeah, probably collins is the only nailed on starter
April 10 at 3:18 am
elniñorules: CL QFs Draw @ 4pm & ECL Last 16 Draw @ 430pm on 12 Apr. Catch 'em live! says:
The biggest problem with owning Cisse in the past 2-3 weeks would have been sacrificing on Walc/Dempsey. Happy I didn’t fall for that trap!
What are the chances of Bendy starting in the weekend lads?
April 10 at 3:21 am
Acquafresca says:
Not true. I have had Demps and Cisse the past 2 weeks, and got Walcott in for Bale this week.. seems to be going well so far.
13pts from 2
April 10 at 3:24 am
elniñorules: CL QFs Draw @ 4pm & ECL Last 16 Draw @ 430pm on 12 Apr. Catch 'em live! says:
How many players do you start this week then?
April 10 at 3:25 am
Acquafresca says:
11 in GW34 if that’s what your asking:
Vorm
Caulker-Verm-Kompany-Evans
Valencia-Walcott-Siggy-McClean
RVP-Rooney
April 10 at 3:25 am
Chicho says:
Not agree on sacrificing part.
Bendy had been a waste FT for me. Just transfer in him last 2 gameweek but only last for 3 days. I cant waste 3rd striker spot on him. His place replace by Pappis.
April 10 at 3:20 am
Mark's Favourite Hat says:
Dempsey is the best
April 10 at 3:22 am
Chicho says:
He will be in top team next season.
April 10 at 3:23 am
Acquafresca says:
but his goals will decrease massively methinks. Like Carroll and Torres.
April 10 at 3:27 am
Cruizer says:
dempsey to man city or chelsea then?
April 10 at 3:27 am
China Mag says:
Liverpool are not a top team, can’t really see him fitting into any of the top 6 teams. Maybe spurs if VDV leaves?
April 10 at 4:41 am
Phil10 says:
He needs to be a striker!!! More goals for Dempsey
April 10 at 3:26 am
Lucky says:
What bonus is Clint looking at?
April 10 at 3:27 am
Acquafresca says:
3
April 10 at 3:26 am
LOCO ABREU says:
Mad Mario is out! who is in? I don´t want cisse.
April 10 at 3:28 am
Acquafresca says:
if you want to achieve highest rank possible, cisse is the only option. Dont be selective or bias when it comes to FPL
April 10 at 3:29 am
edgardavids says:
Maybe consider Jelavic
April 10 at 3:34 am
Cruizer says:
cisse has scored 10 goals in 10 games, is there any reason why you don’t want him?
April 10 at 3:40 am
Chicho says:
Get Tevez if you could.
April 10 at 3:30 am
LOCO ABREU says:
I don´t trust Newcastle.
April 10 at 3:31 am
China Mag says:
Care to elaborate?
April 10 at 3:34 am
LOCO ABREU says:
bad experience with Ba. Ba captain when he missed that penalty.
April 10 at 3:35 am
edgardavids says:
But we are talking about Dave not Ba. Ba days are over
April 10 at 3:38 am
Chicho says:
Agree. Ba is just a tool to settle down Pappis in second.
April 10 at 3:35 am
Acquafresca says:
Hes probably a chelsea fan…
April 10 at 3:36 am
edgardavids says:
Of course he is a Harry Rotation Fan
April 10 at 3:42 am
LOCO ABREU says:
Too burned with players like that. I don’t know.
April 10 at 3:32 am
Acquafresca says:
well they are in 5th so you have no valid statement as to why you shouldnt trust them. They are in form, and scoring regularly.
April 10 at 3:33 am
edgardavids says:
+1
+ Ben and Cabaye are setting up a HUGE amount of opportunities to Dave
April 10 at 3:36 am
Chicho says:
Pundit on MOTD said Newcastle is in UCL next season.
April 10 at 3:40 am
China Mag says:
Ha. Who said that? Getting a bit ahead of himself I fear! You never know though! Have you ever seen a mackem in milan?
April 10 at 3:46 am
Chicho says:
Did you watch MOTD last night? Mark Lawrenson and Alan Hansen.
April 10 at 3:50 am
China Mag says:
Based in china, so don’t get it. Speaking of which, I used to download MOTD every week the thebox.bz, but now that doesn’t let me do it any more. Is there anywhere else I can get MOTD on a weekly basis (plus recorded ones, as I am about two months behind). Cheers
April 10 at 3:42 am
Desertbug says:
Glad to hear they’ve been relieved of the hassles of actually qualifying or anything like that.
April 10 at 3:31 am
Cubillas says:
My current team . . .
Szczesny, Bogdan,
Kompany, Caulker, Evans, Cahill, Enrique,
Siggy, Song, Silva, Valencia, VDV,
Roons, RVP, Cisse
I’m considering Cahill =>A. Williams for GW 34 so that I can field 11. Over the subsequent 2 GW’s, I’d bring Cahill back and ship in Fiedel so that I can have a couple more DGW’ers.
Does this make sense, or does anyone else have other suggestions to improve this team over the next 3 game weeks?
April 10 at 3:37 am
Acquafresca says:
0.9 (I would make this #1 but silva shouldve been gone weeks ago) Silva->Walcott
1. Song-> Sess
2. Komp-> Baines
April 10 at 3:40 am
Cubillas says:
Thanks for your comments, Acqua – Good food for thought . . .
April 10 at 3:42 am
edgardavids says:
Also VDV is a rotation risk
April 10 at 3:44 am
Cubillas says:
But with the GW’s squeezed so tight right now, wouldn’t many more of these players also be rotation risks?
April 10 at 3:45 am
LOCO ABREU says:
I don´t know about enrique also.
April 10 at 3:45 am
Jafalad says:
Needless trade and don’t understand those obsessed with the need to get 11 out in 34. 8 or 9 is plenty.
Silva ->Walcott stands out and Enrique needs booting asap too preferably for a NEW defender like Mr Simpson.
April 10 at 3:51 am
Cubillas says:
Thanks, Jafalad. I suspect it’s the same obsession with people being overly concerned with getting in as many DWG’ers – Even if they are not very good and even if they have to take pts. hits to get them.
April 10 at 4:20 am
Phaze 1 says:
A bird in the hand an all that. I’d rather field 11 in 34 and have points locked down than hope all my DGWers get to play both games in GW36.
April 10 at 5:13 am
Jafalad says:
Only if you have the right players with fixtures. No point filling up with 2 pointers that you are then burdened with.
Look at 34 and 36 in the larger context of 34-38.
April 10 at 3:41 am
Sammy says:
Would this be a right formula?
Playing 9 this weekend which would let me have 8 on DGWs?
April 10 at 3:45 am
Acquafresca says:
all up to you. Im playing 11 this weekend and 7DGWs(-4 hit)
April 10 at 3:48 am
Chicho says:
If 9 play for this week. You can have 10 dgw players without any hit.
April 10 at 3:54 am
Willis_Hide says:
Well it depends who the 9 are, doesn’t it?
April 10 at 3:42 am
jinswick says:
Oooh, just noticed I’ve hit a team value of 110m for the first time this season.
April 10 at 3:47 am
Acquafresca says:
109.5 myself
these upcoming rises should shoot me up to 110 though!
April 10 at 3:49 am
Chicho says:
109.6 for me
April 10 at 4:10 am
Phaze 1 says:
Was 114+ till I cut bale. Now 113+
April 10 at 3:47 am
OneTwo says:
Once they take this goal away from Dempsey…surely he still gets the assist right?
April 10 at 3:48 am
Acquafresca says:
The goal will stand. Mark said so.
April 10 at 3:49 am
Mark's Favourite Hat says:
what happened with the goal?
April 10 at 3:50 am
Chicho says:
Why? I thought its a clear header.
April 10 at 3:54 am
Crazy Joe says:
Clear header onto Cahill’s assbones.
I’ll take the points though.
April 10 at 3:55 am
Willis_Hide says:
Which was going off target if it didn’t deflect off Cahill…
April 10 at 3:48 am
Canadian Football says:
If only AVL had a better fixture in GW34 and a Striker on form.
Would love to take an AVL player this week!
April 10 at 3:49 am
Canadian Football says:
Any suggestions? or is it simply not worth it!
April 10 at 3:57 am
Lucky says:
Weimann seems to be playing well and McLeish said it’d be very hard not to include him in first team now.
It’s risky as hell, but if you’re chasing a big lead it could be a worth a look in
April 10 at 3:49 am
Acquafresca says:
Evening CANADIAN. Long time! Im up to 14k!
13pts with 2 played for this week, how you doing so far?
April 10 at 3:52 am
Canadian Football says:
Good for you! I am 15 from 4 with RVP (c) to go! Just cant make up any ground. hovering around 8-9 K
Hope i can make it up in 34 and DGW’s . Leading my mini league by 40 pts…2000 euro up for grabs.
April 10 at 3:54 am
Acquafresca says:
Nice, goodluck, Im up 90odd pts, but not even close to that prize.. 250$ LOL
Hoping to crack the top 10k this week:
RVP(C), Rooney, Siggy, Valencia, Walcott, Kompany, Verm, Evans, Vorm + 6BPS atm
April 10 at 3:56 am
Acquafresca says:
How many you have playing for GW34/ how many DGW players for 36??
April 10 at 3:56 am
China Mag says:
Morning Canadian
Cheers for pointing me in the direction of Howard rather than Friedal. Its been working out for me so far. But I see that you didn’t follow your own advice!!
April 10 at 4:10 am
Aguerolicious says:
Top 8K. Feel good about that as goal was top10K at christmas. Now to stay here and keep movin’ up!!!!
April 10 at 4:23 am
Phaze 1 says:
Still time to aim for top 1 k if you have a few monster weeks.
April 10 at 4:26 am
Aguerolicious says:
You’re holding your own well up there. Well done and g’luck on the run in
April 10 at 4:28 am
Phaze 1 says:
Thanks. Had some rough weeks but hopefully back on track now. Next 2 GWs will be Massive for making up ground and hope to take full advantage.
April 10 at 4:32 am
Aguerolicious says:
What’s your plan with this next gameweek? Are you fielding a full team or letting a couple of spots slide in order to focus on the final few weeks?
April 10 at 4:39 am
Phaze 1 says:
I plan to field 11 this week and then have 6 DGWers in 36. I feel theres more value in locking down the points in GW34(Strong teams have good fixtures) vs Hoping that all your DGWers manager to play both games in GW36. People who are planning to bring in players like Mata and VDV are taking the biggest gambles and I hope my rivals go that route lol.
April 10 at 4:42 am
Aguerolicious says:
Would have to take a hit to field 11 so am not sure yet. Am well set up for 35 and two frees will really sort me out for dgw
April 10 at 4:10 am
Acquafresca says:
Risers: Sagna, Walcott, Demps, Valencia, BArfa, Sess, VDV, Mata, Cisse, Jelavic
Fallers: S.Petrov, Yaya, Smalling, Raylor, Campbell, Graham, Hennessey, Yakubu, Pog, Sordell, Sterling
April 10 at 4:11 am
ravagerten says:
Where do you check that?
April 10 at 4:12 am
Willis_Hide says:
Total FPL & FISO CTC.
April 10 at 4:10 am
McTown says:
should i do ade to cisse or ride it out?
April 10 at 4:13 am
Phaze 1 says:
Tot looking real bad right now and Cisse can’t miss so….
April 10 at 4:10 am
McTown says:
should i do ade to cisse or ride it out?
April 10 at 4:11 am
Acquafresca says:
Id swap to cisse imo
April 10 at 4:14 am
Willis_Hide says:
I would do Rooney out for Cisse in GW 35.
April 10 at 4:10 am
ravagerten says:
Anyone considering selling Bale?
April 10 at 4:11 am
Acquafresca says:
Already sold this week for Walcott.
April 10 at 4:14 am
Phaze 1 says:
Sold today. Needed to make room for 11 GW34 players.
April 10 at 4:16 am
joe90 says:
Current team for gw34:
Vorm
Evans J Olsson
Valencia, Sessegnon, Sigurdsson, Walcott
RVP, Rooney
Not sure weather to spend 4 points to get 11 and if so who to get in?
April 10 at 4:16 am
ravagerten says:
Should I sell McClean/Bale for Ben Arfa
April 10 at 4:18 am
Phaze 1 says:
Nah he’s got a blank this week.
April 10 at 4:17 am
Jafooli says:
So Liverpool could genuinely finish as low as 12th this season. In Kenny you trust?
April 10 at 4:18 am
Jafooli says:
Actually 14th, but that is a little far fetched isn’t it? That would mean West Brom & Swansea both gaining 4pts on them.
April 10 at 4:17 am
Phaze 1 says:
Hey guys. Got 10 starting in GW34 right now and planning to cut Enrique so I can field 11. Best option to replace him for GW 34? Current options right now are:
1) Kompany
2) McAuley
3) Ridgewell
Who do yo like more for a 1-2 week punt?
April 10 at 4:19 am
Cruizer says:
mcauley
April 10 at 4:19 am
Drinky - Manager ФК Динамо Київ Participants in the "Death Match" of 1942 says:
Take a look at this deadzoners
money has been deposited so goal confirmed
http://www.fantasyfootballscou.....nt-3019261
Oh happy days
April 10 at 4:23 am
Willis_Hide says:
Booo! I still think that there’s a chance that FPL will remove though…
April 10 at 4:25 am
Phaze 1 says:
With how close it look they were always gonna side with the player.
April 10 at 4:20 am
Lucky says:
According to PPI, Rooney is player of the season