[sbu_large_image] Preamble
23 January 2016 1911 comments
Mark Mark
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Sure enough, it didn’t take long for Sergio to punish my lack of faith.

I’m still not budging, though. Despite taking a good hiding during this week’s rather heated ScoutCast, I’ve got to stick to my guns. For now.

I still think there’s “another way” – that I shouldn’t feel compelled to gut my squad and shift it towards another template, just to cater for the Argentine’s undoubted talent.

I want to be able to field a three or even four-man defence I can believe in. I want to make transfers in midfield that can transform my Gameweek, not just plug a hole in my squad: another 4.5 defender acquired in the hope that he’ll shore up a cheap backline. I want to keep having choices that excite me just a little.

In fairness, the recent emergence of Charlie Daniels (4.6) and Matt Targett (3.8) have helped to facilitate those willing to sacrifice spreading funds in order to welcome Aguero.

I can see plenty of merit in this. In some ways I’m a little frustrated that these full-backs have timed their run onto the radar to coincide with Aguero’s return to prominence.

Even so, I’ve been there before – I’ve seen budget defenders come and go, briefly flirting with the possibility that you can scatter them amongst a cast of heavy hitters. They can often turn out to be “fools gold”, left to depreciate, week by week on the bench.

There’s also lots of talk of Aguero’s rise ahead of double Gameweeks. That’s fair enough, there’s little doubt that the “triple C” looks ready-made for the City striker’s bicep. There are all kinds of permutations surrounding double Gameweeks buzzing around our heads – I won’t go into them here.

However, we do know that should City overcome Everton in Wednesday’s Capital One Cup semi, Aguero will face a Gameweek 27 blank. Throw Kevin De Bruyne into that mix and suddenly you’ve got yourself two very expensive reserves. It will be interesting to see how squads adjust to that.

It seems unlikely that anyone will be selling City assets should they book that double Gameweek – but those who time their acquisitions prior to the two fixtures could avoid some damage and still gain the benefits.

It’s easy to forget that Double Gameweeks come coupled with a blank. Just as it’s easy to point out Aguero’s obvious potential for points, whilst ignoring or downplaying the compromises made to get there.

There’s no doubt that Aguero offers a degree of comfort – certain goal returns, spectacular hauls.

In contrast, I’m currently putting faith in a transient cast of mid-price midfield differentials and the theory that, eventually, investment in a strong defence and squad will balance things out.

It’s a gamble and probably a huge error but it’s definitely more “interesting”.

Perversely, I’m enjoying it while it lasts.

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

  1. Blue Moon Rising
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Romelu Lukaku 29.93% (3,995 votes)


    Sergio Aguero 29.36% (3,919 votes)

    1. Blue Moon Rising
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      So close - I'm on Serg!

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Closest ever?

    3. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      SO WHICH ONE? PLEASE CHOOSE FOR ME!!!11111!11eleven!!11

    4. Optimus.
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      I'll cast my vote now

      1. RubeRx
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        no one cares about your vote

        btw

        Alli or Mahrez?

    5. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Following the FFS captain poll for the rest of the season, Rom for moi.

      1. Numb
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        But Triggerlips said that the more savvy voters on his poll have voted Aguero

    6. Dot Polka Dot
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      But how many Lukaku voters don't have Aguero?

      1. Sailboats
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        good point

    7. Tshelby
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      I personally think Lukaku has more votes cause not everyone has Kun

  2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    I had visions last night in my dreams.

    Benteke starts
    Mahrez goal
    Aguero injury

    We can probably rule em all out as no way big Ben starts.

    1. Sailboats
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Mahrez (c) then?

    2. MagicMessi
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      anyways Benteke was looking sharp at the cup game wont be strange to start btw

  3. Parm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Rise up, realise you only have 15 minutes to set your team, remember you brought in Borthwick-Jackson and grind.

    1. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Ladies and gentlemen, the real Parm.

  4. Wardinator
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    o/ Aguero Captain?

  5. ChildishFirmino and Lallana…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Any news on pool line-up?

  6. adidasOriginals
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Lukaku over Kun for captain, ok?

    1. Test Eagles
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Baines

  7. @ocprodigy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Scout Picks Challenge
    http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/12493909

  8. ☻ Jon Snow ☻
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Who to bench:

    Ozil
    KDB
    Alli
    Mahrez

    AoA not available 🙂

    1. edfiasco
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Alli

  9. jernej93
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Toby worth extra money over Dier? 🙂

    1. jernej93
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      I bought Toby for 5.7 🙂

  10. Randy_Marsh
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Is Baines on Penalty's?

    1. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      no third choice now

    2. Sailboats
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      no

    3. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      No

    4. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Lukaku

    5. drughi
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Nope

    6. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Lukaku. And Mirallas been known to snatch the ball away to take the pen himself

  11. The Hindu Monkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    please help

    bench one of

    kevin, mahrez, silva, payet, ozil

    lukaku, kane, igalo

    has to be payer doesn't it?

    thanks?

    1. KingOllie
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Mahrez

  12. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    The ultimate question.

    Is it scon or sc-own?

    1. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      scon today, gone tomorrow…

      just like my ff season

    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      B

    3. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Scon.

    4. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      sc-own .

    5. KingOllie
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Scum

    6. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      scon if you're a Northerner. Scown if you're posh.

      Graham Le Saux pronounces it 'scown' and I bet Robbie Savage says 'scon'

  13. Ole Gunnar Kush
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Please Pick two?

    A) Mahrez
    B) Payet
    C) Alli

    ??

    1. Brazooka
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Mahrez and Alli

    2. Pariße
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      A and B

      1. Ole Gunnar Kush
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        cheers, sticking with Mahrez and Alli

  14. Lizard Lips
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Been on Lukaku all week but sense Swanseas awful defence has suddenly started working.

    1. Springbank
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      He should score

  15. Test Eagles
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    No one keen on a Giroud shout? Chelsea shipping goals for fun and Arsenal pushing for a top spot... have a funny feeling this could be his week ahead of Aguero and Lukaku

  16. 1966 was a great year for E…
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    I'm one of about 35% of teams, presumably most of whom are dead, not to own Mahrez now 😕

    1. Yome
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      same, i sold him. will probably hide behind the sofa later

      1. 1966 was a great year for E…
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Team value dropped like a motherfunster.

    2. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Big couch ?

      1. 1966 was a great year for E…
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        You saying I've got a fat arse?

    3. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Some people still have Vardy AND Mahrez

  17. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Sandro loving life

  18. tabby98
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    start willian or alli?

    1. Brazooka
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Alli here.. Willian's on 1st bench

  19. Johoenim
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Will Myhill or Foster play for WBA this and the coming weeks?

  20. MagicMessi
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    who is the differential this week ?? i guess Barkley and Ighalo

    1. Sailboats
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Adam Johnson

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Rooney and Mirallas could do well.

    3. Brazooka
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      maybe Giroud

    4. gribude
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Lens

      1. gribude
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        but no cojones here 🙂

    5. Yome
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Wijnaldum

      1. Brazooka
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        he's nailed

    6. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      PVA

  21. Devils Hunter
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Got lost from the last post guys...

    Need some suggestions ...

    Who to bench and who to captain ...

    Hennessy , Butland

    Wollscheid,Souare ,Simpson,Targett,Ryan Bennett

    Özil,Mahrez,Yaya Touré,Payet,Alli

    Lukaku,Kane,Aguero

    1. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      bit late now

  22. ElDaddy
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    PLAY MAHREZ OR KDB?!!

    1. Brazooka
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Mahrez

    2. adidasOriginals
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      mahrez

  23. 50pipsDaily
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Play Moreno or Simpson?

    1. Brazooka
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Simpson

  24. Porkchops Johnson
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Ighalo->Aguero -4 or wait until next GW?

    1. Ravager
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      This is what I've been wondering lol..I'm due to save but scared to not having Kun

    2. Brazooka
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      just wait..

    3. Porkchops Johnson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Think I'll wait, but really not sure:p

  25. adidasOriginals
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    I'm starting Alli and benching KDB. Madness?

  26. LeicesterA
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Argh, going to play Butland over Schmeichel. Have Vardy playing so going for a 'covering my bases' option over 'all out option'

  27. Test Eagles
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Lampard or Gerard for (c)

    1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Gotta be Suarez against Norwich

      1. Test Eagles
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Boom... great call!

        Good to see ya Dunny, been ages mate

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Frank. 5 goals incoming

    3. ElDaddy
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Suarez. He has Norwich!

    4. TheFootballHub
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      lamps

  28. Ravager
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Quick fire. Who would you captain

    A)Ighalo
    B) Lukaku
    C) Kane

    1. gribude
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      KUN (Lukaku...:-))

    2. Springbank
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Lukaku

      1. Ravager
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks for the replies guys

  29. Lizard Lips
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Ozil (c). Left field.

  30. Norfolk&Chance
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Play Dier or Daniels?

    1. Pariße
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Dier