[sbu_large_image] Preamble
11 January 2014 1933 comments
Mark Mark
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Is anybody else wishing they could dispose of their Wildcard? While I’d have snatched at the opportunity to rinse out my Fantasy Premier League squad a couple of months ago, this morning I’m pondering the prospect and wondering how I’ll put it to use.

It’s akin to the missus tipping me the wink just as the first bars of Match of the Day pipe up. Someone in my situation can’t turn down such rare and golden opportunities but the timing is just so bloody awful. Thoughts turn to Gary’s protruding ears as I dim the lights.

You see, I think I’ve got my house in order over Christmas. Six green arrows in seven tell me that I’m on the right path, that finally I’ve managed to slot a few effective transfers in around the staple template performers – Luis Suarez, Eden Hazard and Seamus Coleman.

Don’t get me wrong, nestling around the 600k mark, I’m hardly pulling up trees but the trend is at least positive. This Wildcard could threaten that.

Having managed to make a few good decisions over the past seven Gameweeks, I’m suddenly asking myself to get another dozen or so choices spot on, or risk disrupting the foundations of my recent recovery.

Even today, having been forced to oust my precious Theo – a player I’ve long earmarked as crucial to my season plans – I’m still feeling optimistic. Granville’s been treading water and has had the Walcott and Wayne Rooney problems to contend with. My rival has now spent 20 points on transfers in the last eight Gameweeks and I might just go into today’s deadline with a few handy differentials that could yet help me bridge the gap.

I can’t really call it a comeback just yet, but the deluded optimism I’ve maintained throughout this torrid campaign is at last being fuelled by a rise up the ranks.

Then there’s this Wildcard. Looming over me, offering me all kinds of possibilities, but presenting the very real possibility that, with so much freedom, I’ll go and wreck my recent progress.

For now it’s shelved, with the hope that, in the next fortnight, some clear options emerge that offer assured improvements on what I’ve already built. At the same time, I’ll have to hope that Granville falls victim of his own relative success and gets a little reckless.

It’s not beyond the realms of possibility. I’ll remain positive about my Fantasy prospects and, at the same time, hope that I’ll be forced to watch the Sunday morning repeat of Match of the Day.

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

  1. Vague88
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Marshall
    Coleman, Merte, BTurner
    Ozil, Yaya, Hazard, Oscar, Lallana
    Negrado Suarez

    Mannone Berahino, Ward, Chester

    With enough in bank to allow for Oscar-- > Eriksen/Cabaye + Negrado ---> Kun

    Want to try to be a bit different with 3-5-2 sound any good?

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    1. mojoindojo
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Go for it. I'm on same strategy.

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  2. Super-Hans
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Rooney to Berbatov (c) for a hit? Trailing by 100p in my mini league..! WC next week. Thoughts?

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    1. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      You been on the coke again Super Hans?

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    2. polroger
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      no, What about Giroud? Great fixtures comming up

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  3. Fitzy.
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Great stuff Mark.

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  4. Willis.
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    CATHORLA OR OZIL

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    1. Demelbrush
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      clearly O.

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    2. Djerbil
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      the German

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    3. mipola
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      The one with big eyes.

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    4. Vague88
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Ozil

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    5. Sean.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      I got Ozil , but far from convinced, Santi could be a great differential

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    6. tw
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      😯

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  5. McSauce
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    still no news on baines??

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  6. boney
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Team set and good to go?

    Marshall (mannone)
    Kosc azpi clyne (bardsley,gabbi)
    Silva haz ozil eriksen (sterling)
    Suarez(c) ade (vc) jrod
    5.8m itb.

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    1. mojoindojo
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      I'd rather utilise the itb and upgrade couple of players. 5.8 itb is too much even if its for aguero switch

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      1. boney
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks mate, any suggestion? Purposely left 5.8m itb,i wld choose which 1 of ade or jrod underperform will be upgraded to aguero nxt wk. I don't trust both, so 1 week punt for both.

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  7. FionnMac
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Final Draft WC Team. Seems decent, BUT no Man City cover and only 0.5m in the bank so I'd have to downgrade a midfielder + take a hit if I wanted to do Lukaku > Aguero.
    Big enough problem to shuffle things around??

    Boruc / Mannone

    Turner Coleman Koscielny Chester Ward

    Hazard Ozil Eriksen Cabaye Mutch

    Suarez Lukaku JRod

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  8. Mr Smith
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Non wildcarders, are you worried today? I'm paranoid about my team having not played mine so I'll be working towards some damage limitation today.

    Hoping for an Ade blank
    Negredo blank
    Rooney mysterious recovery and a hattie

    Not too much to ask for surely...

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    1. Pasqualinho
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Your fears could be soothed a lot if you took a hit to bring Negredo in for Rooney. Your WC used later gives you a good opportunity to get those 4 pts back, and maybe more.

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    2. Vague88
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      I wildcarded, would much rather not have but with Debuchy, Rooney and Walcott and Chester + Ward on the bench I felt I had to. If Rooney is your only worry to start then I think the benefits you will reap from late WC will surely be better than having to blow it early.

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      1. Mr Smith
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Wise words, got Sterling coming off the bench so you never know may be covered.

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    3. Bad Pen
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Nope, took just a -4 and I feel like I can compete.

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  9. The Assassin-Faced BabyDave
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    yaya and ade
    or
    negredo and eriksen

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    1. Demelbrush
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      A.

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    2. AllyS
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Yaya and ade

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    3. PGR
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Most will probably say the first one but I went with the second

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  10. Tornado
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Best midfielder for under 4.5m?

    Am thinking kasami or parker

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    1. My Name Is Prince
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Johnson is 4.4 as well but has easier fixtures coming up!

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  11. My Name Is Prince
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Hey folks!

    Two options:

    A) Gerrard & JRod

    B) Cabaye & Lukaku

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  12. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    which is better for next 2 gw?

    1. ozil and giroud
    2. ozil and negredo
    3. lallana and negredo
    4. lallana and giroud

    thanks

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    1. Notorious
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      2 imo

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      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        any chance negredo misses cardiff?

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        1. Notorious
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          i don't think, probably just a cameo from Aguero so Negredo should be safe

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    2. Spencer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      I've gone with 2

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    3. My Name Is Prince
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      2!

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  13. Benjimaate
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Hi all, here's the team

    Mignolet
    B.Turner, Terry, Koscielny, Coleman
    Eriksen, Cabaye, Lallana, Yaya
    Remy, Suarez (c)

    Subs - Marshall, Rooney, Chester, Bannan

    Any changes I should make?

    Cheers šŸ˜€

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    1. McSauce
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Free transfer? if so then rooney --> Adebayor keep money for ageuro when fit

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  14. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Ban the January WC!!

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    1. beric
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      +1

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    2. Djerbil
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Have 2 WCS , 1 from Week 1-19, 2nd from Wk 20-38

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    3. banskt
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      +1

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      1. The Regular
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Have a "beat the golden team" as a side competition. A panel of experts make a starting squad with unlimited funds, then play as per everyone else.You can add that team to mini league at your discretion. Prizes for beating the golden team home, along with the pride of doing so of course.

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  15. Park the bus
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Any word on Barkley? I have him on the bench and Whittingham starting. Is this correct? Also have Lukaku ...

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

    Kim?!

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    1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      jong il?!?

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      1. Give The Todd Some Love
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        I'm so ronery

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        1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          šŸ˜€

          AMERICA, $%£$ YEAH!!!!!!

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          1. Give The Todd Some Love
            • 14 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            Terrorists your game is through, now you have to answer to

            America, f**k yeah

            Brings a tear to the eye. #murica

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            1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              12 years, 2 months ago

              šŸ™‚
              great film. And Baseketball. genius pairing.

              check this memo from matt stone out. superb stuff:
              http://www.lettersofnote.com/2009/09/ps-this-is-my-favorite-memo-ever.html

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

      Kim, 4.3m

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  17. 0thebrodie
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    PRMWCT. Any help, feedback or alternatives would be much appreciated. Team Value 108.8 and 0.6 in the bank. Thanks in advance. Have the funds for Negredo-> Aguero and Ozil-> Ramsey next gameweek. Good to go?

    Marshall
    Koscielny, Clyne, Coleman
    Ozil, Oscar, Eriksen, Lallana
    Suarez(C), Negredo(VC)

    Subs: Mannone, Sturridge, Ward, Chester

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  18. Valar(Keith)
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Boruc (Davis)
    Terry Koscielny Bardsley (Ward Chester)
    Ozil Silva Hazard Januzaj (Gerrard)
    Suarez(c) Adebayor Lukaku(vc)

    over 2 weeks ozil to ramsey and ade/lukaku to aguero..

    All set i think.. cheers guys

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    1. Sean.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Don't think i'd bench Gerrard over Januzaj
      Stoke clumsy tackling and all that šŸ˜‰

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  19. Sean.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Went Negrado over Giroud last night
    got a feeling that was a mistake

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  20. GK
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Mannone or Boruc?

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  21. polroger
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    HELP, will I get a starting 11??

    Boruc
    Coleman Turner, Koscielny
    Januzaj, Barkley,Hazard, Wilshere, Eriksen C
    Lukaku, Suárez V

    Subs: Speroni, Ward, Rooney, Flanagan
    Bank 3.2. (-4 points 2 transfers done)

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  22. The Missing Link
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Cup opponent has his wildcard active, should be an interesting week šŸ˜€

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      There's always next season.

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  23. Just A Hat
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    I am captaining Hazard this week, I look forward to regretting this decision come Monday morning

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    1. Djerbil
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      its the first match , u could be regretting by this evening

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    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      you can regret it in a few hours

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  24. Who Ate All Depays?
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Ok guys finally came up with this WC team...any suggestions

    Marshall / Mannone
    Coleman / Mert / Ward / Chester / Clyne
    Hazard / Ozil / Lallana / Silva / Parker
    Suarez / Ade / Negredo

    2.4m ITB....it leaves me with Negredo -> Aguero next week

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  25. Evs
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Crikey Mark, I have some images of MotD now I no longer want 😯 !!!

    What goes on in the Sutherns house needs to stay behind closed doors šŸ˜†

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    1. Djerbil
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      absolutely, I don't need to know what u do in your bed

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    2. Fitzy.
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Doesn't sound like much goes on at all -

      "Someone in my situation can’t turn down such rare and golden opportunities" šŸ˜‰

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    3. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      whole new meaning to "pick that one out".....

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    4. Pasqualinho
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      If I were you, Mark, I'd ask her to wait until the Cardiff/West Ham game is on.

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      1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        but there may be stability issues caused by the sight if BFS and Andy Carroll..

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

        Why?

        He's going to miss (maybe) extended highlights of the best game šŸ™‚

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        1. Pasqualinho
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Only the first couple of minutes.

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  26. Jimbo123
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Negredo or Giroud?

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    1. polroger
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      gir
      great fixtures comming up

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  27. tw
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    what do you guys think the pool lineup will be this weekend?

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Doubt Sturridge will start. That's what you are after right?

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  28. 0thebrodie
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Sturridge expected to start this week vs stoke? Or bench Eriksen?

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  29. Eddie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    RMprettygenericWCT

    Marshall
    Koscielny / Coleman (vc) / Clyne
    Özil / Hazard / Silva / Cazorla
    Suárez (c) / Rodriguez / Lukaku

    Mannone / Januzaj / Chester / Ward

    Soon
    Caz > Cabaye/Ramsey
    Lukaku > Aguero

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  30. Valar(Keith)
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    First week owning ozil all season.. same with januzaj, lukaku.. been watching them from behind a sofa al season.. feels gr8 to finally own them

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    1. Fitzy.
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      You've owned 78 different players at some stage this week. šŸ˜‰

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