634x258 Preamble
18 January 2014 1714 comments
Mark Mark
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I think there’s a danger I could run out of ideas. Seven green arrows in eight Gameweeks should indicate progress but, looking at the gap in the contributors league and the chasm between myself and Granville, it seems that my efforts have been little more than powder puff. I need to find a boost in a season which, to this point, has offered few opportunities for those looking to make up ground.

Much as I like the fella, Luis Suarez hasn’t helped matters. Last weekend provided yet more evidence that it’s almost suicidal to peel the armband from the Uruguayan’s bicep. The option to take a risk with the captaincy doesn’t look a viable strategy for the straggling Fantasy manager. I’ve tried that route and, while Luis let me get away with it by drawing two blanks, even that gamble had little impact.

So where do I turn next? As I’ve mentioned, Granville doesn’t have any apparent chinks in his armour. His squad looks settled, his budget far in advance of my own – if anything the Wildcard will hand him further advantage. I’m faced with having to take some calculated risks but, such a decision also threatens to derail my run of green arrows and begs the question, when do you allow mini-league rivalries to influence your overall decision making?

A few weeks back I decided to don the blinkers, ignore the mini-league scenario and set about saving face. I’ve gradually climbed the ranks and so, naturally, I have to conclude that I’m on a gradual path of progress. It feels cosy and safe but, equally, I can’t help thinking that Granville’s has his slippers on and is running the foamy bath of victory.

Should I continue to look at the bigger picture? Maybe if I continue to play safe and go with template signings – Mesut Ozil being my latest – I will ensure an ascent up the ranks and I may yet even avoid my lowest ever Fantasy Premier League finish. However, I can’t help consider that, if I allow the Fantasy Sat Nav to keep me on this comfortable path, Granville has it won. I swear when it advised me to turn to Ozil there was a Manchester twang in its voice.

To this point I’ve been subdued with the risk taking. I’ve veered off to take an occasional hit, taken the Edin Dzeko detour – nothing too outlandish. Clearly, it’s had little effect.

My latest half-baked plan is to use my third forward slot in rotation – attempting to hit a Gameweek sweet spot and find some double-figure differentials. It will be hatched later today but, if this also fails to make an instant impression, I’m faced with having to decide to either stay on this path of safety and effectively concede or go for broke and risk inviting the red arrows.

Sooner or later the Sat Nav will tell me to turn to Ramsey. I’ve a feeling that, by then, my season will be at the crossroads.

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

  1. Nath88
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Bench Gabbidon(STOKE - HOME) or Erikson(SWANSEA - AWAY)?

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    1. mipola
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Bench gabbi

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  2. Sooda
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Bony or Welbeck

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    1. Sweetpea
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Bony

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    2. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      This week, Bony. Next week, Beck.

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      1. Sooda
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Hmmm

        Okies 😀

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  3. Sweetpea
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Lukaku falling rapidly.

    If he doesnt score this gw, might have to get rid...

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Before the derby? Mad.

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      1. Sweetpea
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        just concerned at the level of drop

        and am on WC

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        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          Fair enough. You have plenty of profit in him though. Points over value.

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      2. Cornelius
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        You just sold him?

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    2. Qubit
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      He probably will to keep his owners hanging on. (and also because I sold him this week)

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  4. karankachiefs
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    If you had the choice between hoping evans plays

    and taking a - 4 for evans --> kolarov.

    What would you do? (If evans doesn't play i have 10 men)

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    1. Sweetpea
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      play evans for sure

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      1. karankachiefs
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Even if i have 10 men if he doesn't play?

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        1. Sweetpea
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          No, in that case get Kolarov.

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  5. Lucky Luke
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Is wilshere a doubt?

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    1. The Rock
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Didn't train yesterday.

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    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Not officially but he missed training yesterday so there must be some doubt

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    3. rozzo
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      he was born a doubt lol he has a decent points per game if stopped being injured all the time

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  6. chedz9284
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Please help

    Negrado and wilshere
    Or
    Ozil and sturridge?

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    1. JayJ
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Wilshere and Sturridge

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      1. Wirtzle Gummidge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Wilshere didn't train.

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  7. Koflok
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Start Sterling or Gabbidon?

    Contradicting news on Sterling chances of starting..

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    1. Sweetpea
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      sterling but its a risk worth taking. Lucas will be dropped imo

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  8. GreennRed
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Stattos -

    Where can I find a breakdown of the first goalscorers in all PL games this season with times ?

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    1. Podge
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      You could do it yourself off BBC or somewhere, might find something in the racing post.

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      1. GreennRed
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers Podge.
        A bit hamstrung at work , can't check betting or betting related site.
        I'm gonna finally win that 100 euro Seanie Mac voucher on Off The Ball today 😉

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  9. masonwt
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Start walker swa (a) or rat new (h)

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  10. SvenGoranErskine
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Olsson (nor) > Kolarov -4?

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    1. masonwt
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Noo

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  11. Leeds Lucky
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Whom to bench. Eriksen lallana or Ade.

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    1. JayJ
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Ade

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  12. tw
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    TM - why do you think Lukaku for the next two?

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Old club & derby.
      Giroud is also a donkey.

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  13. McSwegan
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone going into this week with just Silva as Man City cover? Feeling like I'm staring down the barrel of a gun 😉

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  14. Tozier
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Captaining ozil... Wish me luck.

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    1. El Berbossa - \\\"El b…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Stupidity

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  15. Blue Moon Rising
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Wildcarding between 23 and 24 isn't viable only a 3 day gap.

    I'm doing it between 22 and 23

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    1. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      this was always my plan until the Rooney/Walcott/Cabaye etc injuries.

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  16. pundit of punts
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Any early team news? 🙂

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Yes.

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    2. Tim Canterbury
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      No

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    3. Valar(Keith)
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      loads

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  17. ste2510
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    definitely play Lallana over gnabry

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  18. Mak_Gold
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Boruc,
      Coleman, Koscielny, Kolarov,
      Hazard, Silva, Eriksen, Ki,
      Suarez (C), Agüero (V), Giroud.

      Davis, Januzaj, Ward, Chester.

      WC team. All set? Subs order correct? Cheers.

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    • Ed
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Chester nailed on for Hull right?

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      1. GreennRed
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Like a beardy lad at Easter.

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    • andres
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Has robbie savage spoken yet?

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    • Cheers Kane, Sons Crying
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Another vote for all you experts,

      Who do we think will score higher this week?

      1) Silva (CAR)

      OR

      2) Ozil (FUL)

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      1. andres
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Ozil

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      2. Mojo Rojo
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        2

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    • Think Tank
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Arrrghh, can't decide which of these two options is better:

      Some opinions please:

      Haz // Ozil // Llama // ?

      Aguero // Suarez // ?

      A) Eriksen and Giroud
      B) Silva and Bony

      I'm leaning towards B for the Bony differential, but don't know if I should jump off the Giroud bandwagon just yet.

      Opinions welcome!

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      1. andres
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        A

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      2. Cheers Kane, Sons Crying
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        I have gone B, and feel great!

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      3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Silva is ESSENTIAL imo... He is going to go mental today, i feesl it in me waters 😉

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    • Muller Reus
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Azpil or Gibbs

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      1. andres
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Gibbs

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      2. Mojo Rojo
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Az

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      3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Gibbs

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    • boyler
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      does the 4-4-2 favour eriksen ?

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      1. andres
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Yes

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      2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Hugely

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    • r0nh
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      What is the benefit of Vic Reeves doing the Lawro predictions this week, when he has only made a mockery of it?

      Predicting scores of 400-1, 11-12, 2-20...

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      1. r0nh
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        I blame Moyes!!

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      2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        but lawro did a 4-0 .... can you adam n eve it!! must be cocky after gettin so many 2s right last week

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      3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        When i was younger i thought he was hilarious... But now he just comes across as a cock. Gordon ramsey fairly put him in his box when reeves tried to be smart ordering a fried egg in rambo's retaurant... Tail between his legs was an understatement!

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    • Ed
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Who to start?
      A) Adrian
      B) Mannone

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      1. andres
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        B

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      2. Chris_White
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        B

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      3. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Mannone

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      4. Ed
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        thanks guys

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    • Pack The Ripper
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Last minute

      Kosc or Kolarov this week?

      Quick!

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      1. andres
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Both

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      2. 7shadesofsmoke
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Kolarov, just. Id want both to play though

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    • ameenkw
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      giroud over suarez captain .. madness?

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      1. andres
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Dont

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      2. The Rock
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Yes

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      3. Lrf
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Would go for Suarez

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      4. karankachiefs
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        hahahaahahahaaaa

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    • Lrf
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Lallana or Eriksen? Can't bloody decide.

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      1. andres
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Lallaba

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      2. boyler
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        do u hav cabaye ?

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      3. Qubit
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Ive got both, and Cabaye as well. Will probably end in tears! However all 3 are good mid price options

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    • The Rock
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Wilshere and Aguero or
      Lallana and Negredo?

      Speroni
      Coleman, Kos, Kolarov
      Hazard, Silva, Lallana Ki
      Suarez, Giroud, Negredo
      Marshall, Ward, Januzaj, Chester

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      1. OptimusBlack
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Wilshere and Aguero

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        1. The Rock
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          Even with both being doubts? Or i could wait and bring in Aguero GW 25 and free up Lallana to someone else next week or week after to free up cash.

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