[sbu_large_image] Preamble
22 February 2014 1095 comments
Mark Mark
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From this point on there’s likely to be a new set of dilemmas rattling around Saturday morning’s fuzzy head. The Premier League’s Ultimate game is with us from today until the end of the season – albeit in “Beta” form.

A new, sophisticated and complex mistress, it’s yet another pull on my time – a Fantasy Football distraction that will occupy my Saturday, only to rouse me on Sundays to demand that I lavish it with further attention. It’s even promising to pop round on a Monday night. This one’s high maintenance.

Am I the only one wondering if I can cope? Maybe it’s the timing – we’re at the tail end of my indifferent season and I’ve just resigned myself to slipping on the comfortable slippers of mediocrity. Ultimate is asking me for some renewed energy and inspiration and, more to the point, I have to find room for it all.

There’s no doubting the attraction. The 25-man squad, the new emphasis on statistics, the downplaying of price changes that have had a love/hate relationship with the game we all know and love. We should welcome these new twists, although I doubt I’m the only one questioning how the new demands will find a place in the routine.

My squad selected, there’s the inevitable tinkering which is pulling on my time this morning. While that task can be abandoned from today onwards, I’m well aware that I will now have to reserve part of my Sunday morning ritual to allow for me to shift players in and out and to contemplate switching the armband.

While Fantasy Football rarely drops below first, second or, heaven forbid, third on my agenda of thoughts, I already know that there’s a real danger there’ll be a Sunday that will see it slip off the radar. I can’t let that happen: that will just give me a reason to abandon the game when I find myself lost in the void of mini-league obscurity.

I will simply have to be ruthless and disciplined. Something will have to give. The Sunday morning trip to the recycle bins. The preliminary small talk with the missus. When I’m forced to venture out and forage for new milk supplies, the journey to the corner shop will have to be fully occupied with thoughts of ditching Charlie Adam in favour of a punt on Jonjo Shelvey.

In addition, I will have to ensure I’m equipped with the ability to “plug in” from all locations – particularly the café up the road – our current favoured breakfast spot. Suddenly, mapping my Sunday morning movements to 3G availability becomes a must. My holy grail will be 4G and wireless passwords – the opportunity to react to Ultimate’s requirements whilst barely breaking eye contact with my girlfriend. With practice, I’m pretty sure I can perfect that.

Forget whether you should gamble on Wayne Rooney. If you’re playing Ultimate, these are the real issues you should be pondering. By all means deliberate your squad but, from this morning onwards, prepare to start shifting your life and preparing partners as the latest tentacle of our Fantasy Football obsession wraps around us.

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

1,095 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. The Milkman
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    How many minutes do we predict for Eriksen this weekend?

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    1. Elwood
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      60

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      1. The Milkman
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        So you expect him to start and get subbed off?? Seems surprising.

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    2. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      59

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    3. OnionBag
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      14

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    4. Grounderz
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Saving the freebie and must endure for another 20 minutes for 2 x FT, though I desperately wanna make changes to my crook bench.

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      1. Grounderz
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        😆

        Sorry, not meant as a reply but a separate post of my own.

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    5. Gooner Kebab
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      will he start?

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    6. skeptical
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      As a Spurs fan I think a probably around 20-30 minutes.

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

    Surez over Sturridge this week for the armband? - Chasing a ML top 7 full of Suarez owners bar one other who has Sturridge.

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    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      No then.

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      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        Obviously not then.

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  3. Rolls-Royce
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Wilsher for a hit done!!

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    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Ha. Really?

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      1. Rolls-Royce
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        yes really and for nolan!!

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  4. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Another question regarding UFPL, for Emergency Loans after GW3, do the loans be subject to budget restrictions or can I loan any striker in case one of my strikers are injured.

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Budget.

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      1. Messiah Hazard
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks

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    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      When making emergency loans your squad will still need to adhere to the rules around budget, homegrown players and numbers of players from each Barclays Premier League team

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  5. beric
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Ince or no one?

    I'm going ince

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    1. beric
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Noone* obviously

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    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Agreed.

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    3. Smakies
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      good choice

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    4. FPL Touches
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Why is everyone getting Ince again?

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    5. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      i will go with ince too

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  6. Thatsnotcricket
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Would y'all play Coleman, or would you transfer Cahill in for one of my other non-playing defenders and play him instead?

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    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Cahill good for the next two weeks as well so looks a good transfer.

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  7. Louis
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Best defender for 3.9?

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    1. Smakies
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      bruce

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    2. Optimus.
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Parr

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    3. No Arsene Around
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      chambers

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      1. Optimus.
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        This^ actually

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        1. Louis
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 6 months ago

          Cheers

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      2. Gregor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        Chambers.

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    4. jonny77
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      baker not bad, but chambers best

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  8. Smakies
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    good replacement for evans ? max price of 5.3 ?

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  9. orangepeel
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Ward or Coleman? Just can't decide....

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    1. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Coleman

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  10. Feed tha Sheep
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Need to get someone out this week as I have 2FT
    A koscienly
    B jakielka
    C Oscar
    D mc Gregor
    (have Speroni)?

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    1. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Else?

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  11. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 17 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Only 2 GWs to enter the FPL Open.

    Code is 58-315

    55K is the current qualifying rank needed.

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    1. Mile Plankton - Myth and Ch…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Just signed in.

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      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        Good man.

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  12. GoonerByron
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Right, I'm feeling punty... Bringing in Ince instead of Mata

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  13. Bolasie
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Play Burner or Demel?

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    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      burner

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

      demel

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  14. FPL Touches
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    RVP ➡ Sturridge (-4) and (C)?

    I'm thinking cpl-mun is going to be a 0-0, whereas Liverpool will smash Swans..

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    1. Declan-
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      I think they will too but I wouldn't do that move. I'd be very surprised if Rvp doesn't score

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      1. FPL Touches
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        He helps me navigate GW29 as well...I'll just be losing a load of ground to my ML rivals if Sturridge does well this week..

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  15. Mile Plankton - Myth and Ch…
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Would you play Vlaar over Eriksen and Mutch this week?

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  16. Capt. Krypton
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Wow I've been off here for a couple weeks and I've noticed the fixtures in GW 29!! What on earth are people doing for that one? No Arsenal No City No Everton No Liverpool just to mention a few... Best save up a couple FT for that week and probably put my WC into play before the DGW rather than my original plan of playing it after! Can only field 5 players that week atm!

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  17. Chucky
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Just 15 k players in UFPL . There is still a chance of top 5 k finish 😉

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      My dead team will finish there.

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      1. Chucky
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        You playing UFPL 😯 ?

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  18. The Milkman
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Play Eriksen or Coleman?

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    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      coleman

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  19. AIRMILES
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Is anyone watching this snowboard slalom? It's so clear that the blue run is faster, but the commentators just haven't picked it up.

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    1. Alan The Llama
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      They do 2 runs, one on each side.

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      1. AIRMILES
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah, I know. Which is fine as it evens out. But generally the person who does the blue run first gets ahead, and then gets clawed back when they do the red.

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      2. AIRMILES
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        My point is the commentators havent spotted that.

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  20. karankachiefs
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    I apologise to anyone who has double Chelsea defence. I have now got it.

    Double defence has never ever worked for me in the past, I will definitely jinx it.

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    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      swap one out?

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      1. karankachiefs
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        I have just got Ivan in!

        I'm not saying it's a bad move (looking at the next 3 gw's) but it's never worked for me before.

        We'll see.

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  21. Gooner Kebab
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Start Eriksen(nor) or Chambers (whu)?

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    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      am leaning to Chambers

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  22. snowman
    • 17 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    anyone going yaya captain?

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    1. Declan-
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      No. I did against Norwich but not again

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    2. Gooner Kebab
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      vc

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  23. blo_in
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Start Sidwell or Adam Johnson....?

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    1. Declan-
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Sidwell

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  24. jonny77
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    I can see Suarez with a much larger return than Sturridge this week... Yet I'm still captaining Sturridge...

    hmmm....

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    1. Declan-
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      I'm going suarez

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  25. d00fus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    2 FTs and nothing urgent to do, so want to replace Colback with someone cheap who'll have to play both GW 28 and 29, any ideas?

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      punch

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      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        or bentaleb

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        1. d00fus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 6 months ago

          Both good shouts, cheers!

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    2. Gooner Kebab
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      i believe the man you're looking for is Noone

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      1. d00fus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        I'd lined up Mutch a while ago but this injury seems to stick around, reckon Noone over him given I wouldn't play him till next week?

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    3. Pinky and Brain
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Noone, Jedinak?

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  26. lowkey
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    januzaj...should I get rid or whats his chances today?

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  27. Giovanni Giorgio
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Captain Sturridge or Suarez??

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    1. Smakies
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      suarez

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    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Read through the other 500 posts asking the same thing and do a tally.

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  28. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Any last minute news/rumours?

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    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Rest for Ozil.

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  29. Bobby_Baggio
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Start eriksen or wilsher

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    1. Grounderz
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Wilshere, I think he's a definite starter. As for Eriksen, we are still not sure what Sherwood will do with him. Best you go with Wilshere and I think he will contribute something.

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  30. Evans
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Paulihno in for Mirallas or Sterling ?

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