[sbu_large_image] Preamble
7 November 2015 2115 comments
Mark Mark
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Granville’s recent calamitous transfers galvanised some navel gazing this week.

I was intrigued by the theory that transfer tinkering, particularly when accompanied by a points hit, was severely damaging our Fantasy Premier League (FPL) prospects.

My investigations were fuelled, not only by Granville’s recent transfer tragedy, but also the fortunes of a certain Sharon Brading – an FPL manager who had hit the heights of 17th in the world without making a single change to her squad.

An innocent in all this, Sharon’s season nonetheless presents an extraordinary case study, forcing us to question the merits of our decision-making.

It became clear that Sharon no longer had her hands on the wheel – her Ashley All Star squad is a “Ghostship” – drifting without guidance, pursuing the same course that was set back in Gameweek one.

That course has beat us all.

On the face of it, she made some canny early decisions. The faith in Leicester’s attacking assets has been key, along with the capture of high performing mid-price midfield options – Nathan Redmond and Yohan Cabaye. Meanwhile, Sharon has suffered injuries, but, as yet, none have presented the iceberg to sink her season.

While her campaign is a slap in the face for those deliberating points hits on a weekly basis, there is one big reason for her prosperity: Jamie Vardy.

The armband has been tattooed on Vardy from Gameweek 1 and Sharon has subsequently surfed the 144 points he’s gained her.

Meanwhile, Granville and I have been switching week-to-week, relying too much on Sergio Aguero and have mustered just 102 and 106 points in response.

Couple that with some questionable transfer decisions – Granville’s Gameweek 11, my punt on an early Eden Hazard revival – and suddenly a yawning gap has opened up. Our hands-on efforts have proved futile.

While Granville and I neglect family to dedicate hours to reclusive tinkering, Sharon has doubtless been interacting with human beings and pondering matters other than the merits of Anthony Martial strike rate.

Everything is wrong.

How do we put things straight? For starters, both Granville and I have to start finding the right captain – we have to stumble upon an antidote to Sharon’s intoxicating Vardy potion.

Digging deeper, it was clear that our failure to find points with the armband doesn’t just pale next to Sharon’s example.

Andy, top of the FFS contributors league and ranked 73 in the world, has gained 26% of his points from his captain. Ironically, that’s the same percentage gained by the current overall FPL leader, Ryan Grzegowski.

Back on 18%, Granville and I can’t cite failing transfers for reason why we’re treading water – our squads have lacked leadership.

Quite simply, we need some goals from our captains and Granville has to apologise to Riyad Mahrez.

Only then can we hope to force Sharon into abandoning her social life, coaxing her into the indignity of actually logging back in to her squad.

Enjoy your Saturday mornings while you can, Sharon.

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

2,115 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Van Klinkert Delarosa
    11 years, 2 days ago

    Should have brought Stanislas in.

    1. sully sonic
      11 years, 2 days ago

      he was playing awful dude when i watched him last GW

      1. Van Klinkert Delarosa
        11 years, 2 days ago

        Thought he was a bright sparks compared to Murray.

    2. Zombie
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Wawrinka?

  2. S.Kuqi
    11 years, 2 days ago

    I have a horrible feeling about Mahrez (C).

    Someone hold me 🙁

    1. dcarlito
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Me too 🙁

    2. Az
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      11 years, 2 days ago

      i switched last minute to Vardy, so i'm sure you'll be fine 😉

      1. S.Kuqi
        11 years, 2 days ago

        That was be before deadline.

        1. S.Kuqi
          11 years, 2 days ago

          me**

    3. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      11 years, 2 days ago

      same here.

      starts on bench probably

  3. Az
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    11 years, 2 days ago

    ive benched Costa and am watching the match later.
    He is definitely going to troll me...
    anyone else benched him?

    1. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      11 years, 2 days ago

      I sold him for Kane last week, never looked back since

  4. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
    11 years, 2 days ago

    *To the tune of Ghost Town, by Adam Lambert (ish)*

    Ghost Ship, by Sharon Brading

    Died last night did my team
    On fantasy footy
    Some old ghost ship

    I tried to believe
    In Mark and Jonty
    FPL locked me out

    Saw all of the members
    Doing their transfers
    I could not copy

    Logged out of the game
    Called out your name
    But there was no transfer

    And now I know my team is a ghost ship...

    My team is a ghost ship
    My team is a ghost ship
    My team is a ghost ship

    Died last night did my team
    All of these RMTs
    I have been disconnected

    Team was thrown at the wind
    All of my friends
    Had been disaffected

    Now I'm searching for trust
    On a website of lust
    A city of members

    Tonight statistics are dead
    And everyone's spread
    Again I beat the average

    And now I know my team is a ghost ship...

    My team is a ghost ship
    My team is a ghost ship
    My team is a ghost ship

    There's no one left in my league
    Coz I was winnin'
    Don't give a f*** if they go
    Down down down (in rank)
    I've got a voice in my head that keeps singing
    Ohhh, my team is a ghost ship

    My team is a ghost ship
    Oh, my team is a ghost ship
    (Said my team)
    My team is a ghost ship
    My team is a ghost ship

    1. Jax
      11 years, 2 days ago

      wow this got hulked!

      1. Zombie
        11 years, 2 days ago

        They hulk anything these days 😉

        1. Jafooli
          11 years, 2 days ago

          Hulk this....

          1. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
            11 years, 2 days ago

            Go on then 😉

            1. Jafooli
              11 years, 2 days ago

              😮

          2. Zombie
            11 years, 2 days ago

            There should be a rule - if a reply to hulked post gets equal or more upvotes, the hulk should be removed from the post and added to the reply 😛 😉

    2. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
      11 years, 2 days ago

      🙂

    3. Fifa las vegas
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Christ...

  5. Mull
    11 years, 2 days ago

    Vardy captain fail.

    1. Az
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      11 years, 2 days ago

      cant believe hes on 0 ffs

  6. Trigg ⭐️
    11 years, 2 days ago

    I don't know ...

    New manager syndrome, he hasn't exactly been on fire ... Why so much Bony (C) love at the top?

    1. Az
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Villa are awful, looked good midweek, stats pretty decent.

      good captaincy shout imo!

    2. Mull
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Surely Villa having a new manager is a good thing for Bony?

      1. Trigg ⭐️
        11 years, 2 days ago

        I think the opposite!

  7. Jax
    11 years, 2 days ago

    2 free transfers. feel good.

    1. Trigg ⭐️
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Easier to get Aguero back.

    2. Jafooli
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Prefer baps.....

    3. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Same here! Cue 100 injuries over the international break so I'm forced to play my WC

      1. Stats Don\'t Lie
        11 years, 2 days ago

        This

    4. Zombie
      11 years, 2 days ago

      hi-5!

  8. sully sonic
    11 years, 2 days ago

    just looked at the top 5 in the world...

    Top 4 captained Bony
    5th in the world captained sanchez ...

    Have I missed something here?

    1. Jax
      11 years, 2 days ago

      yeah should have sanchez captain.

    2. Optimus.
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Capital J"?

      1. Jax
        11 years, 2 days ago

        haha

      2. sully sonic
        11 years, 2 days ago

        Touché 😉

    3. Van Klinkert Delarosa
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Clearly you missed the top 5 ranking?

    4. Mull
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Yeah. City are playing Villa and he's their striker?

    5. Sjaugen
      11 years, 2 days ago

      What? FPL doesn't load here

      1. Jafooli
        11 years, 2 days ago

        Buy a new laptop/smartphone....

    6. Swanremainsthesame
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Don't sweat it.
      I have Bony(c)
      I also, it turns out, have the EXACT same front 7 as the most chosen among the top 1K teams.
      But instead of being in the top 1K among them I'm sliding rapidly down & out past 150K

      Clearly I should be transferring them out for a 32 point hit & picking all 'differentials' while putting the armband on Hennesey as triple captain.

  9. Dynamic Duos
    11 years, 2 days ago

    The guy top of my ml, 4k OR, 25pts ahead, has (C)osta. Maybe I catch him this week, with Sterling(c)? Bottomed

    1. Davido989
      11 years, 2 days ago

      very likely

  10. Zombie
    11 years, 2 days ago

    Any other fellow Ighalo(c) captainers?

    Let's uniteeeeeeeeeee!

    1. Sjaugen
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Iggy VC 😐

      1. Zombie
        11 years, 2 days ago

        Whoever is your captain, may he bring sunshine to you as well!

    2. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Iggy 2 - 0 Leicester

      1. Zombie
        11 years, 2 days ago

        You da man!

        1. Weasel Boy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          11 years, 2 days ago

          He him but captained Mahrez.

          But i believe will score

  11. dcarlito
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    11 years, 2 days ago

    Anybody have any views on nailedness or otherwise of the BFG in the Arsenal defence?

    On a budget and looking for a cheap way in.

  12. Judeksi
    11 years, 2 days ago

    Arter.. King.. that Bournemouth attack looks weak 😀

    1. Jax
      11 years, 2 days ago

      They'll still score.

  13. RoysCallerAnne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    11 years, 2 days ago

    No.1 in the world with 26% from captains.

    I'm on 23.87% and still ranked 1.5m 😎

    Hazard captain today 😎 😎

    1. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      11 years, 2 days ago

      As a long suffering Hazard owner, I wish you luck.

      1. RoysCallerAnne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        11 years, 2 days ago

        Cheers M. I was wondering had you kept him..

          1. RoysCallerAnne
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            11 years, 2 days ago

            lol

    2. Zombie
      11 years, 2 days ago

      I am at 13% but ranked 4.1 K 😎

    3. Sting
      11 years, 2 days ago

      how do you found out this?

      or you just checked it manually?

      1. Zombie
        11 years, 2 days ago

        Search from Gargatron - the chrome extension (for computers)

  14. Van Klinkert Delarosa
    11 years, 2 days ago

    2FT. 😎

    1. Jax
      11 years, 2 days ago

      feels good doesn't it?

      1. Van Klinkert Delarosa
        11 years, 2 days ago

        Absolutely. 🙂

    2. Judeksi
      11 years, 2 days ago

      great feeling to have 2FT before international break 🙂

      1. Van Klinkert Delarosa
        11 years, 2 days ago

        Hope everything goes smoothly. 🙂

    3. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Who's your captain Kim?

      1. Van Klinkert Delarosa
        11 years, 2 days ago

        Mahrez. Just noticed I never captain him before. :ozil:

        And your captain, Kim?

        1. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
          11 years, 2 days ago

          Kone. I'n loving the relationship 'tween him and Luk.

          Best of luck 🙂

          1. Van Klinkert Delarosa
            11 years, 2 days ago

            Can't do wrong with both of them!

            Good luck to you too. 🙂

        2. dcarlito
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          11 years, 2 days ago

          There is a comedy sketch in here somewhere 😉

          1. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
            11 years, 2 days ago

            🙂

          2. Van Klinkert Delarosa
            11 years, 2 days ago

            😉 😉

    4. Zombie
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Feels goooood!

      1. Van Klinkert Delarosa
        11 years, 2 days ago

        Buzzzzzzing!

        1. Zombie
          11 years, 2 days ago

          That's all the candies you had 😉

  15. Davido989
    11 years, 2 days ago

    if Hazard was to continue underperforming, I wonder if chelsea would entertain any bids from teams in the pl?

    1. Jax
      11 years, 2 days ago

      no.

      1. Piggs Boson
        11 years, 2 days ago

        Just like Mata 😉

        1. applebonkers
          • Has Moderation Rights
          11 years, 2 days ago

          benched mata too GB.
          either he blanks again and we're happy or he scores well and helps secure a starting role for a great run of fixtures

          1. Piggs Boson
            11 years, 2 days ago

            Good point. I'd still be happy if he scored!

          2. Jafooli
            11 years, 2 days ago

            Scores well and get injured?

            1. applebonkers
              • Has Moderation Rights
              11 years, 2 days ago

              breaks his ankle landing awkwardly on his hattrick celebration backflip

              1. Jafooli
                11 years, 2 days ago

                Ouch...

              2. Jafooli
                11 years, 2 days ago

                Actually Mata doing a Nani backflip would be too funny.....like my granny doing a rolly-polly.....

                1. applebonkers
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  11 years, 2 days ago

                  would be great, so unexpected. like seeing shawcross do a rabona

                  1. Jafooli
                    11 years, 2 days ago

                    😀

    2. Jafooli
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Stokehino...

    3. Fifa las vegas
      11 years, 2 days ago

      I've been thinking about this the last week, can see LvG pulling off the wonder signing in January 😎

      1. Fifa las vegas
        11 years, 2 days ago

        Only for him to do a Memphis.

      2. Davido989
        11 years, 2 days ago

        would he want to play under that freak? 😆 I was thinking man city for crazy money

        1. Fifa las vegas
          11 years, 2 days ago

          Yeah, seems the only realistic option tbh, otherwise PSG

  16. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    11 years, 2 days ago

    bench mane (STK), barkley (AVL) or payet (tot) ?

    1. Fifa las vegas
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Payet

    2. Optimus.
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Payet

    3. Jafooli
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Westwood

    4. mad_beer ✅
      11 years, 2 days ago

      You have 2 weeks to think about it.

      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        11 years, 2 days ago

        thought id get a head start

    5. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      11 years, 2 days ago

      thanks all

  17. Fifa las vegas
    11 years, 2 days ago

    Mane (C) ftw! 😎

    1. JÆKS ⭐
      11 years, 2 days ago

      o/

      1. Fifa las vegas
        11 years, 2 days ago

        Let's do this, 'you are not alone.....'

        1. Optimus.
          11 years, 2 days ago

          I am here with you..

          1. Fifa las vegas
            11 years, 2 days ago

            Thank you

  18. Scotty B
    11 years, 2 days ago

    Butland
    Clyne Reid VVD
    Mahrez Payet KDB Sanchez
    Lukaku Vardy(vc)Rooney(c)

    Let's have it, good luck everyone 😉

  19. mad_beer ✅
    11 years, 2 days ago

    Watch Chelsea have their best game week ever with no manager. That would be funny.

    1. The Albatross
      11 years, 2 days ago

      If they do well they'll dedicate to him - show of solidarity and all that

      1. Fifa las vegas
        11 years, 2 days ago

        Chelsea? Dedicate? Unlikely

  20. Venom Snake
    11 years, 2 days ago

    Mahrez(c) feeling like a mistake already

    1. S.Kuqi
      11 years, 2 days ago

      It surely does but 6 double digits so far. Keep the faith!

      1. Stats Don\'t Lie
        11 years, 2 days ago

        This

    2. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      11 years, 2 days ago

      how come? watford can be very nervy at the end of away games whilst leicester become rampant

    3. Optimus.
      11 years, 2 days ago

      I'm sure you were planned, don't beat yourself up

      1. Mílanista
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        11 years, 2 days ago

        😀

  21. mipola
    11 years, 2 days ago

    FPL site down?

    1. The Albatross
      11 years, 2 days ago

      really slow

    2. Jafooli
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Free WC 😎

    3. Piggs Boson
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Fine for me

    4. S.Kuqi
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Free wc!

      1. Jafooli
        11 years, 2 days ago

        Fry up?

  22. The Albatross
    11 years, 2 days ago

    Lukaku capt. madness or genius?

    1. mipola
      11 years, 2 days ago

      I'll tell you after the Everton game.

      1. mipola
        11 years, 1 day ago

        It's a genius move.

    2. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      11 years, 2 days ago

      yes

    3. FPL Touches
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Really fancy Everton today

    4. Arteta
      11 years, 2 days ago

      He'll score.

  23. madame shelly
    11 years, 2 days ago

    For those agonising over you benched players/non captained in this age of 8 man attacks, have a little bet on a brace for that player, or a double on two of them scoring a brace. Call it insurance ! It will make you feel better, believe me

    1. Mull
      11 years, 2 days ago

      If I bet on them getting a brace they'll get 4 assists instead.

    2. Optimus.
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Will Westwood score a brace?

      1. madame shelly
        11 years, 2 days ago

        are you agonising over westwood being on your bench ?

        he'll be good odds, if you are

  24. FPL Bond @ Twitter
    11 years, 2 days ago

    First time I am captaining Vardy.. I guess he will finally blank!!!

  25. FPL Touches
    11 years, 2 days ago

    Moussa Sissoko MOTM 14/1

  26. Bøwstring The Carp
    11 years, 2 days ago

    (C) Sanchez 😎 let's do this!

    1. Piggs Boson
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Let's go carp! 20pt haul coming up 😉

    2. Optimus.
      11 years, 2 days ago

      City will be no pushovers

      1. Jafooli
        11 years, 2 days ago

        😀

    3. Arteta
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Destroy Spurs!

    4. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      11 years, 2 days ago

      honestly thought of benching. think he'll struggle v walker in current form

      1. FPL Daniel
        11 years, 2 days ago

        Agree. Will captain him against WBA

  27. blind faith
    11 years, 2 days ago

    KDB(c) - Sanchez - Mahrez - Mane
    Vardy - Pelle - Ighalo

    Have I made a mistake benching Coutinho?
    And have I made a mistake captaining KDB over others?

    1. KOLASINA(C)
      11 years, 2 days ago

      I will tell you after this GW. Calm down. 🙂

      1. blind faith
        11 years, 2 days ago

        Thanks, but I really want to know what people's hunches are?
        What would you have done?

    2. Optimus.
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Yes to both

      1. blind faith
        11 years, 2 days ago

        So who to bench and who to captain from them?

    3. Sting
      11 years, 2 days ago

      should have benched one of mane/pelle over coutinho

    4. madame shelly
      11 years, 2 days ago

      have a bet on a coutinho brace and you'll feel better if he does score 🙂

      real world/fantasy world. it's just a game

  28. Rolls-Royce
    11 years, 2 days ago

    FPL broken.

    1. Jafooli
      11 years, 2 days ago

      Free Laptops 😎

      1. Eden Hazardous
        11 years, 2 days ago

        Well you need a new one after yesterday

    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      11 years, 2 days ago

      ish - I refreshed the page and all was well.

  29. Cristi@no R7
    11 years, 2 days ago

    KDB owners?

  30. Fifa las vegas
    11 years, 2 days ago

    Wait,I did change the armband to mane from Mahrez didn't I?