The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 11

So I’m holding onto Theo Walcott and Raheem Sterling.

These are the worst kind of “maverick moves”.

Traditionally, a “maverick” Fantasy manager is renowned for their flighty transfer decisions, dropping in differentials to score them double figures.

Satisfaction and glory come hand-in-hand with such moves. There’s recognition to be had, smug smiles and virtual back-slapping in abundance.

But risking all by sitting still is far less glamorous and rewarding. Ultimately, the pay-off is often just a big sigh of relief.

I could have shipped them both for a Coutinho and Gundogan combination – backing the most popular midfield option and the current biggest transfer draw. I

Instead I’ve chosen the riskier strategy, one that can only lead to despondency and potential ridicule from my peers should it backfire.

I’ve sat and watched the funds drain from Sterling and Walcott, wrestling with the uncertainty that still surrounds their pitch time and output.

A fortnight ago the pair were apparently part of the midfield “template”. Now they are seemingly disposable castaways.

But for me, they still have a lot to offer – they still have 12-15 goals in them, maybe more in Walcott’s case.

I’m aware of Walcott’s injury record and I’ve considered Sterling’s four consecutive blanks. But I can’t get away from the fact that these are two outstanding attacking assets, and kindly priced at just 8.0 and 7.5 respectively.

Sterling surely remains integral to Pep Guardiola’s ploys.

For all his options in Leroy Sane, Nolito and Jesus Navas, none of them look to boast the combination of pace, thrust and potential for goals offered by Sterling – certainly not on the evidence so far.

Sterling did regress but then so did City. Sergio Aguero’s recent plight was the starkest evidence that Guardiola’s side had suffered a blip.

They emerged from that at the Hawthorns – a match which saw Sterling fire in four efforts from inside the box. He could and perhaps should have scored.

With confidence revived and Middlesbrough up next, the decision to hold my nerve on Sterling was made.

It could yet be costly: he could blank again while Gundogan or Coutinho flourish. If so, I’ll take it on the chin and Sterling will exit as one of my two or three transfers ahead of Gameweek 12. I’m showing loyalty, but even I have limits.

The Walcott decision was made easier by his price.

At 7.5 I’m still struggling to see any asset that can rival him and, in the mid-term, Walcott gives me the opportunity to salve the wound inflicted by eventually shedding Alexis Sanchez. He’s a vital cog in that potential strategy.

I know this goes against my early mission statements – the promise to myself that I would act swiftly and not show false loyalty but I guess I’m trying to fight my natural instincts and losing.

Walcott and Sterling have tested my resolve and I’ve failed. Perhaps it’s pointless to try to resist the traits that seem woven into my Fantasy Football DNA.

I’ve just invented the “dull maverick” and it’s me.