Predictably, the punt on Aleks Kolarov burned me.
Iām now wondering if Manuel Pellegrini will stick another nail in that particular coffin by running the legs off Gael Clichy and leaving Kolarov on the timber at Carrow Road. Of course, it would serve me right.
Jonty and others will rightly point out that, by pinning hopes on an uncertain starter, Iām inviting such disappointment. But then they have to understand the motives behind such a move is an attempt to break the stranglehold held by those who stick to those who stick to the ārulesā and the season script so rigidly.
Last weekās Preamble set out my manifesto and the gamble on Kolarov epitomised it. Typically, with Yaya Toure picking up an injury and missing todayās early kick-off, both my Gameweek 29 moves look squandered and complete failures.
The script said go with Ashley Williams and Gylfi Sigurddson and, lo and behold, that would have proved profitable and had me sitting here now with 11 certain Gameweek 30 players and not the potential forĀ just nine. I deviated and paid the price.
So, one week on, my policy is under question already. Iām now forced to turn back to Sigurdsson to replace the stricken Toure and live in hope that both Kolarov and the fading Matt Targett turn up.
Just like the āno Agueroā stance before this, it looks like I have to take a step back and establish a firmer platform before I can contemplate another roll of the dice. I need to shelve my urge to take risks.
There are more exciting options than Sigurdsson open to me ā Josh King and Marko Arnautovic have been considered but Iām fearful that, should I wander from the expected path again, Iāll be dealt another cruel setback.
This season seems to dish out regular punishment for risk-takers, a fact that makes Andy Gās season all the more extraordinary.
A guest in this weekās ScoutCast, Andy has been fuelled by Leicesterās remarkable campaign but is a Fantasy manager determined to walk a tightrope, regularly rebuffing expected transfers to plough his own path.
His achievement provides me with some hope that outside-the-box thinking can still reap rewards, but my own remains testament to the fact that it has proved tough to find success when you surrenderĀ to a reckless rebellious streak.
