[sbu_large_image] Opinion
30 April 2016 1256 comments
Mark Mark
Share:

Let’s savour these moments.

With just under an hour to go before we start tapping F5 having sent our boys over the line, let us put things into perspective.

Few of us have found this season plain sailing. I actually think this is a campaign by which Fantasy Football managers will be judged for years to come.

We may want to wipe it from memory but our ability to cope with the unpredictable chicanery of 2015/16 has proved a rare test.

For all the anguish, we’ll be sorry to see the back of it. Whilst we have Euro 16 to scratch the itch, we’ll miss these Saturday’s toying with transfers and soon be hankering for the headaches that distract us from everyday tedium.

In a few weeks we will be shopping for a strimmer not Kevin Wimmer.

We will be dreading the weekend barbecue amongst “friends” who barely acknowledge the merits of the beautiful game, let alone a complex meta game layered over the top that involves imaginary teams and yards of statistics.

We will crave concerns over Jurgen Klopp’s rotation when you’re forced instead to indulge in small talk with relative strangers, who politely humour your unhealthy obsession with a token opening line – “what about Leicester, then, eh?”

They really don’t want to hear your thoughts on the likely price of Riyad Mahrez next season. They just want you to acknowledge their gesture and allow them to quickly jolt the conversation back to talk of their safari holiday and their plans for the kitchen extension.

Think on this when you’re next driven to quitting Fantasy Football by the non-appearance of Philippe Coutinho. We really can’t afford to do without such anxieties; we miss them when they’re not occupying our headspace or wrecking our mood.

Admittedly, it’s been tough. The tortuous trials we have put ourselves through have combined to create a season of discontent for Fantasy Football managers.

Now this nine-month tale of the unexpected looks set to conclude in remarkable fashion.

Leicester’s fairy tale could be completed on Sunday. Their incredible achievement will surely touch even non-football fans, offering our friends and associates handy ice-breakers when they’re forced to engage us in conversation over that half-cooked burger.

As you nod courteously at their failed attempts to bluff their way through a stilted football chat, think back at that time you missed out on Sergio Aguero’s points and realise that without that unique brand of agony, your life just wouldn’t be the same.

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

  1. odannyboys
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    borini over defoe?

    1. And nothing else Mata'…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      statistics say yes

    2. Heels_Over_Head
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Defo

      1. odannyboys
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        pressed the button.

    3. Wings Fan
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Are these responses serious? 😯

      1. nonprophet
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        i know right, have they even seen defoe and borini.. defoe easy.. borini is just plain goofy, haha, bet borini gets a hatrick now, but no. on borini

  2. Tommy J
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Luk(c)

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      good luck

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      just NO

      1. Tommy J
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        I accept it's a big risk but he who dares......(fails?)

    3. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Form over fixtures but then again it's trollKaku

  3. Zombie
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Caroll or Defoe?

    The 2nd gives me Fab over Willian

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Defoe

    2. BB-8
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Car

    3. rab1982
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      same dilemma. swaying towards carroll based on his form being better than Defoe's and WBA's home form being worse than Stokes

      1. Zombie
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Stoke have conceded 14 in last 4 matches...14

        12 in last 3 😯

        There is nothing between them on fixtures - similar difficulty till season end, 2 home games, 2 away

          1. Zombie
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            Stoke and Wat are negatives? Cummon Doos. Your tables say otherwise - look at the number of recent chances and goals conceded by these two teams

          2. rab1982
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            I wish I understood what im looking at here?

            1. Zombie
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 11 months ago

              Big positive numbers - good fixtures

              Avoid teams with negatives

              1. rab1982
                • 14 Years
                9 years, 11 months ago

                much appreciated. so numbers say carroll..

  4. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Can't decide which 1 is best to start. Who would you pick?

    a) Fosu-Mensah (Leicester Home)

    b) Kaboul (Stoke Away)

    c) Clyne (Swansea Away)

    1. KOLASINA(C)
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      B

    2. Zombie
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      B

    3. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      clyne!

    4. Arteta
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Kaboul

    5. You've got red on you.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks all, Kaboul the winner!

  5. The Red Devil
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    It's here!

  6. Slartibartfast
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Great preamble, Mark!

    😆

  7. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Is Milner likely to start this week?

    Looking at Alli replacements for a hit, and want a DGWer. Best option for 7.4m and below?

    A) Milner
    B) Willian
    C) Barkley

    xxx, Sanchez, KDB, Cout, Lanzini
    Aguero, Kane, Carroll

    1. ed24
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Willian for me of those three.

    2. Arvin-ation
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Mahrez?

    3. Funkyav
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      imposible to know with Klopp

  8. BB-8
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Repost. Start one

    A. Lanzini
    B. KDB

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      A

    2. Arteta
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Lanzini

  9. Arvin-ation
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Who start?

    A) DDG (LEI)

    B) Gomes (AVL)

    Who to start, pick 4 please:

    A) Pedro
    B) Lanzini
    C) Cathcart
    D) Smalling
    E) PVA

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      B
      EABC

    2. Moosie the Staggie
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      B and bench D

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

      Start Gomes and bench Smalling.

    4. Arvin-ation
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks both. 🙂

      Was just worried about triple Hammers attack against West Brom. Is that a factor? Own Carroll up front.

  10. Djemba-Djemba
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone know if mitrovic is starting or on the bench?

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Rafa

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      hard to say.....think he unlikely to start

  11. FPL ElasticO
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Who to bench???

    a) Simpson
    b) Rose

    1. Moosie the Staggie
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Very tough.
      I would bench Rose just because Chelsea surely have more attacking threat than United

  12. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Best Preamble EVER!!! 😀

    1. Zombie
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Doooooooooooooossssssss...You sir, are a good person to answer this:

      Caroll or Defoe?

      The 2nd gives me Fab over Willian

        1. Zombie
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          So Willian+Carroll over Fab+Defoe?

          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            9 years, 11 months ago

            Well, how about Townsend instead? 🙂

            1. Zombie
              • 13 Years
              9 years, 11 months ago

              Nahh..Need a DGW 😉

    2. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      😀

  13. NATSTER
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Just 3 gameweeks and this one of the unpredictable season will be history.

    A very tiny hope to catch up a leader with 90 points gap, I guess.

    A: Play KDB and bench Lanzini
    B: Play Lanzini and bench KDB
    C: Take -4 .. KDB -> Fabregas and bench Lanzini

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      90 point gap?

      oy. Play KDB, more explosive upside and you need every point

    2. Tommy J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      I've got a 71 point gap(79 after my 8 point hit shortly). I still believe....but it will take some luck.

  14. Tommy J
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    The chips have definitely thrown me off course-the whole season thinking about wc followed by BB in the dgw and my team was destroyed 8 of my 15 not starting one of the games, Coleman injury 3 mins before the 60 in the first game. Subesquent rotations of City and Liverpool players, Clichy scoring me thre fat zeros. Sakho, then Alli getting banned after a 4 point hit for the latter. I will think long and hard about the wildcard trap in the future....love it...

    1. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      It was never the actual method, it was the actual execution. It all boiled down to the players you chose and the players you didn't and what happened afterwards.

  15. Gr3g
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Ok guys... I'm chasing 55 points and got TC left only.
    I'm looking to transfer out KDB for a hit and want to hear some options.
    My thinking on this was that with such a deficit it has to be for a player that is known for explosive returns, it's now or never I guess.
    I already have going to have Payet, Firminio, Sanchez, Lingard as mo other mids.
    Another thing, what is this talk about Migs being rested. I have him and Robles! Are people reading too much into Klopps comment?
    Thank you 🙂

    1. Only a Hazard of time
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Go all out and punt on Hazard/Fabregas? I'm in a similar position (50 behind with TC left)

      1. Gr3g
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        What about Eve mids, they don't get any love after last two failed DGWs. They don't have cup to worry about anymore tho

        1. Only a Hazard of time
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          I wouldn't go near Everton at all, unmotivated team lacking in spirit who have nothing to play for. Their manager is heavily under fire and their top scorer doesn't care anymore and wants out.

  16. niloh1
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Start pva or smalling

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      PVA

  17. Individual
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Great preamble 🙂

  18. foreverton
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Iwobi or Lanzini for this week?

    1. Tommy J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      This week-Iwobi

      1. foreverton
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers

    2. nkhoughton
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Iwobi

  19. Eddie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Who would you pick out of:

    1. Fabregas
    2. Pedro
    3. Willian

    Thanks

    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      1.

      ONLY.

      1. FPLEL
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Rotation risk too high for the others?

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 11 months ago

          No. Form.

    2. nkhoughton
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Pedro

  20. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Last time I go to one of Marks BBQ's....

  21. nkhoughton
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Transfer this week?

    A) Keep Welbeck
    B) get Deeney / Ighalo
    C) Carrol
    D) Defore

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      D or C

    2. Dušan Citizen
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      a

  22. Kevtheotter
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Quick one

    Darlow
    PVA Bellerin Gabriel
    Milner Sanchez Lanzini KDB
    Mitrovic Kun Kane

    Robles Coutinho Simpson Delaney -4

    A) Good to go
    B) Mitrovic --> Defoe
    C) Coutinho--> Payet

    Cheers lads

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      B

      1. Kevtheotter
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        -8 yea? I'm a Newcastle fan... Really doesn't help

  23. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Just sat and read the preamble with the wife, also a keen FPL player. Brilliant!
    Always the most eagerly awaited article, but this one was really good! Well done Mark.

  24. Only a Hazard of time
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    That was a beautifully worded article

    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      + 42. 🙂

  25. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    WILDCARDS STRESS ME OUT

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      enjoy it.... everyone who doesn't have it left is jealous

    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      I'm afraid it shows ... 🙂

      1. Lateriser 12
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 11 months ago

        Its like an exam.

    3. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Get Rojo and sit back and relax...

    4. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Wish I still had mine!

    5. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Make sure you watch MNF. You won't want Pedro 🙂

  26. foreverton
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Forster( MCI - H) or DDG (LEI - H)?

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      DDG

  27. semiconductor
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    repost (older post).. thanks heels over heads

    cresswell + lingard (or any cheap mid)
    or
    cathcart/lovern + lanzini (i got gomes)d

  28. ArsenalBankai
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    Bench Firmino or KDB??

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      Firmino, I think

  29. Eden Hazardous
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 11 months ago

    This was the best sentence of the article 🙂

    "We will crave concerns over Jurgen Klopp’s rotation when you’re forced instead to indulge in small talk with relative strangers, who politely humour your unhealthy obsession with a token opening line – “what about Leicester, then, eh?”"

    1. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 19 Years
      9 years, 11 months ago

      I've already had that off folk in the office several times in the last month. Normally just before they hit me with bad news or ask a favour. As I mention in the article, it's become the new "route in" for those engaging with known football obsessives.