[sbu_large_image] Preamble
19 March 2016 1790 comments
Mark Mark
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Tuesday afternoon was like a feeding frenzy, as the Premier League finally let us off the leash to feast on the carcass of the inevitable fixture pile-up.

I can’t quite remember such anticipation for a fixture announcement – such enthusiasm for an opportunity to exploit a crowded calendar and turn it into beautiful FPL points.

Of course, it’s all fuelled by the fact that most of us have been handed a huge advantage.

As I first mentioned back in my previous rant discussion on the subject, the “Chips”, not least the flexibility with the second Wildcard, has set up the most bizarre end-of-season scenario.

Hordes of baffled FPL managers will log in on Sunday April 17 and wonder why their overall and mini-league rank has fallen through the floor. They’ll have no choice but to sit and wave through a procession of FPL managers, fully prepared for Gameweek 34 and well versed in how to exploit it.

While we doubtless deserve some credit for our foresight, it’s almost like we’ve been gifted this opportunity; the Premier League and FA have even combined to hand us the chance to collect our thoughts.

The forthcoming international break is perfectly placed for us to assess our budget, mock up Gameweek 33 Wildcard squads and have our plans well and truly defined. It’s all so perfect but it just feels dirty.

Spare a thought for Ryan Grzegowski. There he is, top of the FPL rankings but, presumably, fully aware that his chances of withstanding the incoming Gameweek 34 storm are slim to none. He’s sitting on a temporary throne, watching this huge twister of FPL managers slowly approach, destined to blow him away.

His friends and family will be completely baffled. No doubt enthused by his current rank and surely confused as to why Ryan is so downbeat.

I almost want to be there to help him explain to them that it’s because he played his second Wildcard back in Gameweek 21 in order to bring in Sergio Aguero (who duly blanked against Everton). And how he frittered his Bench Boost chip back in Gameweek 11, earning just ten points from his four subs.

Now, because of those two ill-fated judgement calls, he’s set to be overwhelmed by those who watched and waited for Gameweek 34 to arrive. He’s consistently outscored all comers to claim the top spot but will now be powerless to avoid relinquishing it when Gameweek 34 has its wicked way with our seasons.

Maybe I’m being too charitable. Maybe I just need to sit back, rub my hands with glee and thank the Fantasy gods for this perfect opportunity to bask in the greenest of green arrows. No doubt I’ll come around to that way of thinking as I press the button on my Gameweek 33 Wildcard.

However, for Ryan’s sake and for all the others who have spent their Chips with cheery frivolity, I kind of hope that the Gameweek 34 twister is not quite as devastating as we all expect.

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

  1. Elijah's Wood
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    Baines back

  2. Stephen - Robot Daniels
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    I feel I've made a series of critical errors

  3. The Red Devil
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    lol, i don't know if my

    vardy to lukaku went through 😀

  4. Les Bleus
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    Delofeu benched and Baines starts for Everton.

  5. BadgersBoys
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    Good luck all

    1. Sponge-worthy
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      That's what she said.

    2. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      Good luck Badger

  6. Chicken-Mandy
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    Kane captain confirmed but I really wanted to do siggy 🙁

    1. BadgersBoys
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      You'll be fine

  7. Arteta
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    Ospina, Bellerin, Koscielny, Gabriel, Monreal, Coq, Elneny, Iwobi, Ozil, Alexis, Welbeck

    1. Arteta
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      Subs: Macey, Gibbs, Per, Chamers, Joel, Theo, Giroud

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      Yes this is the team I wanted to see

    3. Saniul
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      Can someone tell me why Campbell does not get a chance? Has had a much better season than Iwobi and Alexis combined.

      1. Odikostar
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 23 days ago

        Agreed. I don't fancy Arsenal to win this now

      2. Arteta
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 23 days ago

        He was this year's Coquelin for me. No one expected him to do well but he did. He didn't start brilliantly but after some games he really became the important part of the team. I feel sorry for him. Such a hard worker.

    4. Ziro Becomes One
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      Campbell?? Why on bench? 🙁

    5. Reedy
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      Elneny! Got him in my scout picks (no idea why though)

  8. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    2 FT for the International break and then wildcard in GW33.

    Sorted.

    1. 1zverGGademN
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      same plan here .. Good Luck!

  9. Saniul
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    Kun (C) let's go! 😀

    1. Backup Dancer
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      Good luck mate. Wish I had the cajones to do that.

    2. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      this is the week that i will decrease the difference between you and me

    3. Ziro Becomes One
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      o/

    4. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      Nice one same here... Best of luck

  10. Gooner97
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    Iwobiii

  11. Les Bleus
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    Iwobi and Welbeck start for Arsenal.

  12. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    Benched vardy.

    Please someone, any one, pls tell me i did the right thing

    1. King H
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      Biggest mistake ever

    2. Odikostar
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      He'll get a 13 pointer mark my words

    3. Wardinator
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      I benched Vardy, stats say it was a good move so at least you can justify your decision in hindsight

  13. Cilly Bonnolly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    Well I benched Vardy. Not sure how I feel about it.

  14. Eden Hazardous
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    Everton: Joel, Baines, Funes Mori, Jagielka (c), Coleman, McCarthy, Bešić, Cleverley, Lennon, Barkley, Lukaku.

    1. Eden Hazardous
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      Everton subs: Howard, Stones, Kone, Niasse, Deulofeu, Osman, Galloway.

  15. Grounderz
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    Everton FC News ‏@LivEchoEFC 23s24 seconds ago
    #EFC team to play Arsenal: Joel, Coleman, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Baines, Besic, McCarthy, Lennon, Barkley, Cleverley, Lukaku

  16. Barcelinda
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    FIMI cap..... done

  17. King H
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    GRoo benched

  18. Costa's Counsellor
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    HOUSE

  19. Les Bleus
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    Everton: Joel, Baines, Funes Mori, Jagielka (c), Coleman, McCarthy, Bešić, Cleverley, Lennon, Barkley, Lukaku. #EFCvAFC

  20. Ayew Serious
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    Siggy(C)

    1. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      Same! Good luck to the both of us!

    2. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      Me too!

    3. Lecky Legs FC
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      Likewise best of luck to us all.

  21. Gregor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    Gabriel is making himself quite interesting.

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      and Welbeck.

    2. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      mert is finished

  22. Dynamic Duos
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    Well I took a risk, Eriksen (c) and Siggy (vc)

    1. Backup Dancer
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      Feast of famine.

      1. Backup Dancer
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 23 days ago

        or*

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      Nice.

    3. Rolls-Royce
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      Well i did the opposite

  23. Arctic monkeys
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    Lets go to glory, Sigurdsson

  24. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    The game is being updated.

    The game is currently being updated. Please try again later when the updated scores / teams will be available.

    Gutted 🙁

    1. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      Calm down Daniel

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 23 days ago

        😛

    2. Ziro Becomes One
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      This gag never fails.

      Where is Daniel with his version?

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 23 days ago

        Mine is meant to be a parody 😀

        Weekend ruinnnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeed jjuhhhhuuuuu

    3. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      Seemed to come quicker than usual. Was hoping I might have time to check on Traore before next GW.

  25. BigManBakar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    Gabriel becoming a decent GW 34 option then...

    1. Ayew Serious
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      With games clustered rotation is likely

      1. Ziro Becomes One
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 23 days ago

        Not in CB.

  26. Suarezista
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    Who is on penalties for Arsenal with this lineup?

    1. King H
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      Cech

  27. Ange Ball
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    Oki that's that then lads goof luck to all.

    I was thinking Rondon and Dawson in for minus 4 this week for Vardy and kompany. Ended up doing Mitrovic and Rose in -4 my rival also took the hit.

  28. King H
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    Gylfi now's your time to shine my son. Make a brother proud.

  29. tm245
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    Sorry but the smugness of looking at the top ranked player in FPL and speculating how ignorant he is smacks of the same kind of elitism that Leicester City have been facing for the past few months.

    What if his plan was to play Catch Me If You Can? It's working pretty well for Leicester.

    If only my Arsenal had some chips left...

    1. BabyB
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 23 days ago

      +1

  30. Coled Brew
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 23 days ago

    GW33 will need two Scout picks: one just for that GW and one for the GW plus WCers.