[sbu_large_image] Preamble
13 May 2012 2165 comments
Mark Mark
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Our final day together with the 2011/12 season feels just a little odd. We should really welcome the fact that all ten fixtures will be played out at three o’clock this afternoon, but ironically, it jars to get a set of Premier League fixtures completed in one gulp. We’ll be eagerly stuffing our faces with no dessert to follow.

Perhaps my indifference is caused by my own anti-climax – it feels like I’m just seeing things out. My Fantasy season ends much like Man United’s – it would take an alignment of the gods for me to scrape further glory from what has been a pretty decent showing. I’ll take a gamble or two and hope for the best, but, for the second season running, most of my attention will be turned to the top of the Fantasy Premier League: that’s where a real tussle will be played out, where all the tension is.

Just five points separates the top three managers, with Scout League leader Gary McLean sitting in third. All three have made their transfers and will have presumably selected captains designed to give them a crucial differential. Now they just have to wait for the goals from three o’clock to decide their fate.

I can’t really get close to imagining how that must feel, few us will. The tangible prize may be far from glittering, but the title of FPL Champion, after 38 Gameweeks, is one that has surely stolen sleep and gatecrashed thoughts for weeks now. The tension these guys feel today, as every goal is announced, must surely be close to unbearable. The stuff marriage break-ups are made of.

Let wish Gary all the best for the day ahead and take a wander with the papers to calm the nerves.

Fortunately, there’s relatively little to unsettle us amongst the prospective teamsheets. Chelsea’s lineup remains shrouded in mystery, with no end of conjecture on how Roberto Di Matteo will approach the game with the Champions League final with Bayern looming large. The general consensus is on strength, with most of the press backing starts for Fernando Torres. Interestingly, however, both the Guardian and The Sun stand against this – both suggest that Romelu Lukaku will be handed the striker’s role, with the Sun even giving a start to Lucas Piazon, although the young Brazilian has in fact confirmed that he’ll be on the bench today.

While the gamble on Torres looks fairly safe, then, Juan Mata’s start seems less secure. Neither the Telegraph nor the Guardian opt for the Spaniard in their predicted lineups and the Sun also find no place for the impish playmaker.

In the Old Trafford camp, the Sun back yesterday’s story on Michael Carrick by omitting him from their predicted lineup. Tom Cleverley is drafted in to support Paul Scholes in the engine room as United look to spark an unlikely chain of events with three points at Sunderland. Carrick is safely in every other press lineup, with the Guardian the only paper to go for Nani on the flank – Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia are expected to retain their starts.

Leighton Baines’ return to the Everton lineup is one we’ve given a fair amount of oxygen to via last night’s Differentials from Big Dunc. The press seem to support our view that Baines will make his return – the Guardian, the Telegraph and the Sun restore Baines at left-back, with Sylvain Distin making way, or replacing Johnny Heitinga in central defence.

Baines could just be a differential to back then, with Torres, Carlos Tevez and even Andy Carroll ending the season on a potential high to edge into our last minute decision making.

When you stop to think, in many respects, we’ve almost come full circle in 38 weeks. We started the season wondering if Tevez, Torres and Carroll could provide heavyweight alternatives up front and, today, they might just do that. Outside of Man City, Victor Moses has commanded more transfers in than any other player – belatedly living up to the hype that burdened him all the way back in the opening Gameweek.

Tevez, Baines, Torres, Carroll, Moses – so many of those we had big hopes for on day one, have suddenly arrived late to the party, clutching cheap booze and looking to crash through the door. Baines has a decent mix tape, Moses is rattling on about successful dribbles and Carroll has a glimmer of a threat in his eye again. Are we really going to let these guys in? Shout if you see Carroll go upstairs.

Enjoy the final Gameweek.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

2,165 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. archie70
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    Corm or Mig?

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    1. el flacooo
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      I play Vorm ...

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  2. archie70
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    Bloody spell check Vorm or Mig?

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    1. Wes Hoolafan
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      I have the same GKs, I'm going with Corm 😉

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  3. Tramp
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    Remember guys, if City do manage to win the title today it will be down to one man and one man only, last seasons fantasy sensation Aleksandar Kolorov for single handedly rescuing that point against Sunderland.
    What a player.

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      Not the guy with the billions then?

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      1. Tramp
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 2 months ago

        I imagine him and Kolorov are probably in it together

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  4. backflipbedlem
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    lost on last page
    Who to Captain????

    Tevez
    YaYa
    Roo
    Jelly
    VDV

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  5. SuperMario
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    Would you start Schwartzer or Migs ???????

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    1. el flacooo
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      Migs

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    2. sotothemightygreek
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      I'm playing Schwarzer because I've got Rooney and this is week to maximise your points potential. If I didn't have him I'd play Mignolet.

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      1. el flacooo
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 2 months ago

        I agree

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  6. Doctor X
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    Can I have a quick final vote please guys?

    Play:

    A) Mata + Valencia
    B) Silva (-4) + Valencia
    C) Mata + Silva (-4)
    D) Ramires (-4) + Valencia

    Trailing by 30 points. Thanks in advance. Goodluck to you all 🙂

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    1. Blue Moon Rising
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      C, has most potential

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    2. Paul
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      i think maybe D but honestly none of them really good....

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  7. Corrigan
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    Head melters everywhere!

    Who's keeping the faith in both Jelavic and Cisse?

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    1. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      Just one for me...

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    2. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      They've both left my team over the past 2 weeks

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    3. The Glory Hunters
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      Sticking with Jelly here.

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    4. Dabooka
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      Me!

      Only playing 3 at the back

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    5. User
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      Sticking with both here. 😀

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  8. Liastro ⭐️
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    (Lost on last page) Final rate my team of this season!

    Friedel

    Kompany Koscielny Williamson

    Bale Sigurdsson BenArfa Pienaar

    RVP Cisse Aguero (C)

    Subs: Vorm, Taylor, JEvans (inj), Dempsey (inj)

    Cheers!

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    1. rohan
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      7.321 / 10

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  9. rohan
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    Great article as ever Mark 🙂

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  10. Sputnikboy
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    Baines or Clichy guys? or alternative defender? Battle between the wife and I rests on it!!!

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    1. el flacooo
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      Clichy of course!! I ve just dreamt that he will score!!

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      1. rvp786
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 2 months ago

        who is your captain?

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  11. Magerost
    14 years, 2 months ago

    Will Gary Cahill play? Got evans,cahill, and dempsey...

    Ship out dempsey for vdv or replace one of the defenders?

    And who to play out of vorm and krul?

    Cheers!

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      Cahill is out
      Play Vorm
      Have you got three fit defenders?

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      1. Magerost
        14 years, 2 months ago

        Nope, forgot to mention simpson also, he also out?

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  12. superpav
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    Whom for the third defender spot:

    Vermaelen, Hibbert or Rafael?

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    1. Sleep Talk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      I'd say Vermaelen.

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    2. Ferris Bueller
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      Verm for me. Can see him being pushed into attack if it's 1-1 with 15mins to go...

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    3. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      Verm. I have a feeling Valencia will be at right back

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  13. unoaime
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    Any news on whether Cech, Robinson or Enrique will start? I'd really rather not take another 2 hits but i might have too so i'm not fielding only 9 players.

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    1. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      JE is my ?

      Cech could also be dodgy me thinks...

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      1. unoaime
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 2 months ago

        Might do Cech > Hart for a 4 point hit.

        I have no idea who i'd get in for Enrique though. 12 point hit last day of the season, eugh.

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    2. Sleep Talk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      Where did you first read the stuff about Cech? Can't see him not starting today.. :/

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      1. unoaime
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 2 months ago

        RDM has apparently said he won't start the last two games and he was rested vs Liverpool so it's all a bit of a gamble at the moment.

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  14. TST4N
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    front 7 is currently: RVP, Aguero, Jelly, Bale, Maloney, Petrov and Valencia.

    I'm defending a 5 point lead and i've already made a free.

    Should I:
    a) swap Jelly for Sturridge,
    b) bench jelly and swap Demps for VDV
    c) leave it how it is?

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    1. Pop Ooh Yeah ★x8
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      I'd go for (c) and leave as it is. 5 point lead is better than a 1 point lead. 🙂

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      1. TST4N
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 2 months ago

        thats my thoughts, the only thing i'm worried about is that he has Nasri and Cisse instead of Jelly and Petrov and I think he has more potential for points 🙁

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        1. Pop Ooh Yeah ★x8
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 2 months ago

          It's going to be close. Imagine if you were level before Kick off, you'd be thrilled with a goal from Petrov, and that in essence is what your 5 point lead is. Stay positive!

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    2. superpav
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      Definitely not a)

      I would stay with c) - need to be sure you justify that -4pt hit and Jelly could well score anyway.

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  15. FBA
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    Baines, Kalou, Hernandez & Torres (c) in. Gamble!

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  16. Ferris Bueller
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    Who to start; A) Williamson or B)Caulker?

    Other defenders/keeper are;
    Cech, Verm, Clichy

    Cheers for any input

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      Caulker fo sho

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  17. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    Just a quckie.... Seems obvious...
    Who to bench?

    Valencia (form, 3)
    Pienaar (7)
    Cisse (7)
    Siggy (5.8)

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  18. Willis.
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    Sessegnon out for Moses, Yaya, Ramires or Piazon (4 point hit)?!

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  19. chriswally09
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    which one to keep...jelavic or cisse

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    1. Sleep Talk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      Keep the fish.

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  20. Liastro ⭐️
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    Hey Guys.

    I know I'm looking ahead a bit, but when are we able to select our squads for next season?

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      Probably late July early August, so a couple of weeks off after the Euros to enjoy the Olymipcs in peace. 🙂

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    2. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      Tomorrow.

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  21. Aguerolicious
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    Will Nani play?

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  22. Gravless wonder
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    which one of torres/ rvp/ rooney/ suarez/ ade?

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    1. big oak
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      did ade and rooney out for rvp and torres just seconds ago

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  23. PlayUpPompey
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    Give the arm band to RVP or VDV?

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    1. Sleep Talk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      RvP imo. 😉

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      1. PlayUpPompey
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers - your team is almost identical to mine (first 11 anyway)! You brought in VDV for Dempsey?

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  24. HVT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    Good luck to all I'm off,v little feedback here on match days , so I'll talk to dead zoners later on or in morning -that's where it all happens !!

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  25. big oak
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    after resisting it for all the season, finally got ferguson in to save my last gw!!!

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  26. Tmel
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    8 behind my rival, have a hunch he will have captained Aguero. I have 4 differentials who I'm happy with... so do I also captain Kun and trust my differentials to make up the difference of captain RVP?

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    1. big oak
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      8 pts is easily catchable
      play ur game and let him play his

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      1. Tmel
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers 🙂 out of interest l, would you captain RVP or kun?

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  27. TorresMagic™
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 17 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    VDV worth a hit for any of these?

    Siggy, Bale, Valencia or Pienaar?

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  28. Paul
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    guys last dire help....plzzzz

    Tevez & Maloney

    or

    Torres & Petrov

    chasing a 40 pt lead.....and already have aguero and moses in my team...

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    1. SmokeyH
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      Torres and Petrov gets my vote

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    2. el flacooo
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 2 months ago

      Torres and petrov IMO

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  29. SmokeyH
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    So....Torres.......we he really do well today or another 2 pointer?
    Thining of taking out Jela for a 4 point hit for him to try and make up a 25 point gap on 1st in my ML

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  30. el flacooo
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 2 months ago

    This is my team:
    Vorm
    Kompany verm gallas
    Bale vdv Silva siggy
    Rvp (c) aguero cisse

    Migs valencia swilliamson Evans

    Good captain? Good sub?
    I am to points behind the first french manager i need your help...!

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