This was meant to be restful. After a Summer tangled up by various technical and business related headaches, I’d promised myself a proper break. Instead I’m typing this from a holiday balcony in Spain, my head racked with doubt, anxiety and stress. I’m on my Wildcard.
Being handed the Wildcard is akin to a sugar daddy handing you a sum of money and telling you to go and “buy yourself something pretty”. There are almost limitless possibilities, an array of trinkets and treats to indulge in and yet, at the back of minds we know we must control the urge to splurge with abandon. We must use the opportunity wisely, use logic, data and our instincts to select a squad without our heads being turned by the allure of a glittering short-term prospect.
That’s not my only worry. Having occupied this page for the last two Gameweeks, Robin van Persie is again at the forefront of my thinking. Or rather my concerns.
In many ways the selection of the Dutchman and my stubbornness to build my initial squad around him is the reason I’m faced with this dilemma. Van Persie’s selection undoubtedly narrows options but I had enough faith in the likes of Kevin Mirralas, Phillippe Coutinho and even my rotating strike pairing of Andreas Weimann and Nicolas Anelka, to assure myself that I could overcome the strain caused by Van Persie’s hefty price tag.
I don’t need to tell you where it all went wrong. While Van Persie has done his bit, the supporting cast have let me down badly, leaving me adrift in mini-leagues and with several misfits sliding in value.
I had to act and, don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I made the move. I’ve at least chosen a week that has seen the Fantasy Premier League market go into overdrive. Volatile player prices have seen dramatic rise and falls and, with a few strategic moves I’ve been able to pocket a small profit, whilst avoiding various drops along the way.
The problem, with under an hour to go before I commit my selection, is that I’m now forced to make that decision on Robin.
My head tells me that his price tag remains unworkable. That Wayne Rooney will provide satisfactory cover of United’s potential over the coming Gameweeks and allow me to invest elsewhere. That, if Rooney should outscore Van Persie on Sunday, he’ll rise in price while the Dutchman drops. Sadly, my head is also telling me that Van Persie will end the season on top of the scoring rankings.
It’s tough to let go. They say its better to have loved and lost than to have not loved at all. In this case, I’m not so sure. Having enjoyed many triumphant days lauding Van Persie, I’m all too aware of the damage he can cause, of the anguish he can create amongst those Fantasy managers who decided against the big investment.
As I sit here with various Wildcard configurations circling in my head, most without Van Persie installed, I’m wondering if I’m about to make a terrible mistake. Whether my decision to sign and then dump Fantasy royalty is about to ruin my season and my holiday.
