[sbu_large_image] Preamble
13 August 2016 2824 comments
Mark Mark
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I’m not sure it has sunk in yet.

Two weeks ago I left a secure, well paid job producing videogames to dedicate my day-to-day existence to Fantasy Football. Now it matters more than ever.

Of course I’m incredibly blessed to be in that position. To be handed opportunities to write, speak and gesticulate on matters Fantasy Football for a living is something I’d wistfully dreamt about, but never quite believed would materialise.

But Fantasy Football just seems to be on a relentless and quickening path into the mainstream.

The big daily game providers from the US have arrived.

The Premier League are determined to keep the growth of their game accelerating across the world. Other games will react to keep pace. Radio and TV are catching on.

While it would be nice to hunker down and keep our little secret on the dark web, we have to accept that Fantasy Football is being brought to the masses.

I’m now utterly convinced it’s acceptable to open a conversation at family function with an enquiry on who got the assist for Callum Wilson’s goal. I think that’s now permitted and even appreciated by at least another three other people in the room.

However, soon we may not need those incredibly enlightening conversations.

Soon those assists, and perhaps even bonus points, will be fed to us along with the classifieds by an Alexander Gordon. Later today you’ll see that Fantasy Football has become part of the Saturday results service – another step I never thought I’d witness.

My role in spreading Fantasy Football to a wider audience has already been questioned and that’s understandable.

But I don’t think I can fight it. The growth of Fantasy Football either happens with or without us and it seemed I committed my involvement the moment I wrote that first blog post.

Since then, you’ve all played a huge part in getting me to this point. I’m really not sure how to thank you for that – for the support and loyalty you’ve shown (except perhaps by introducing a full desktop view for mobile users).

When things do finally settle and sink in, I’ll have more time to reflect.

For now all I know is that those 15 names on my screen are important to me. More important than ever before.

There’s new responsibility, new pressure and with it an even bigger sense of anticipation and excitement.

Enjoy the kick-off.

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

2,824 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Les Bleus
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    GW2 WC for everyone?

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      i would love that

    2. Les Bleus
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      From FPL that is

    3. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      Nah, would ruin all that preparation

    4. Goaldigger
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      Waste of WC. Not enough info at that stage

  2. Super Zlatan8
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    which is better?
    A - Eriksen, Siggy, Deulofoe
    or
    B - Lamela, Ayew, Barkley

    1. John Still Likes John Still
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      A

    2. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      B

  3. Kane Toads
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    I need some players to fill my (free) FPL H2H Leagues if anyone is interested:

    1601-3224
    1601-3303

    Cheers - Have a great GW1

  4. Teror
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    Pick one to bench:

    A. Friend

    B. Ramirez

    C. Stones

    1. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      A

    2. RomeluStormzy
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      Ramirez

    3. Dirty Harry
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      Thats tough... toss a coin for Friend or Stones

  5. Francescoli
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    A) Hazard and Eriksen
    B) Sanchez and Oscar/Ayew

  6. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    Thoughts on whether Kone will play today?

  7. foley_fd
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    None of you Valencia pickers worred about Fosu-Mensah?

    Personally think FM is a better player.

    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      It matters more what Mourinho thinks šŸ™‚

    2. Chrissy Waddle - 2025/26
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      Nope. Next.

      1. foley_fd
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 28 days ago

        Sound reasoning there.

        1. Chrissy Waddle - 2025/26
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 28 days ago

          I'm just really sure.

          Also I just upvoted your reply for some reason. GW1 craziness!

  8. Jimmers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    Hope no one left it till this morning to update their team

  9. Dirty Harry
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    Is Tadic and Redmond too much? If so, what do I do my mind is in a spin!

  10. RomeluStormzy
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    Think I'm done...

    Heaton (Foster)
    Shaw Stones Morgan (Williams Amat)
    Hazard Firmino Redmond Townsend (Capoue)
    Aguero Ibra Gray

    Couple of queries...

    1) Is Amat the best 4 mill?
    2) Is Redmond nailed on?

  11. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    How nailed on is Carroll? Thinking about going with him as my 6.5 in my otherwise West Ham free team.

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      Nailed at the start of the season at least but there is a lot of competition

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 28 days ago

        Indeed

  12. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    Just signed in....says team manager is Giggs Boson...oh well time to tinker.

    1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      just make sure you don't bugger up that grav

  13. Cantonas Demons
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    Please help !

    (A) Payet or (B) Hazard

    Cheers thank you

    1. Teror
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      B

  14. Chrissy Waddle - 2025/26
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    Gravless posters offering me league codes feels too much like to catch a predator.

    Go away, I don't want your sweeties!

    1. Odikostar
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      Hahaha

  15. Lizard Lips
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    Zlatan casually comes into my team for Vardy, let's be having you!!!

    1. Defcons are for Kinnear
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      No one can resist

    2. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      i just did the other way around lol

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 28 days ago

        Me too

        1. Henryyy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 28 days ago

          dude its kun vs sunderland

      2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 28 days ago

        And captained Vardy while at it

    3. DeathoftheParty
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      It's time for ZLATAN!

  16. MFPL
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    Good to go?
    Foster (Jakupovic)
    Valencia Stones Friend (Evans Amat)
    Hazard Firmino Redmond Alli (Capoue)
    Aguero Gray Vardy
    1m ITB

  17. Bob.
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    A) Mahrez Delf & Kane
    Or
    B) Firmino Alli & VArdy

    Cheers

  18. Nobodinho
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    Hazard or Sanchez?

    1. Podge
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      Haz

  19. James LeBron
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    Alli or Firmino

  20. CedricWJL
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    Alli or Eriksen?

    1. Qubit
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      Ive ended up with Alli. Hard to tell which is better, i think both should do well.

  21. thep025
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    Last minute change for me. Brought in Mahrez for Hazard this GW. PLan to go back to hazard for next week? right thinking?

    1. The Curse of Falcao
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      If Mahrez scores your gonna ditch him?

      1. thep025
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 28 days ago

        Hazard seems more tempting in the longer run..

        1. The Curse of Falcao
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 28 days ago

          Let's see.

  22. andy85wsm
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    Struggling to tell myself that not having Ibra is a good thing

    1. Defcons are for Kinnear
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      It isn't

    2. Ziro
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      It is.

      1. Ziro
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 28 days ago

        Something that personal cannot be left to Apple.

    3. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      I'm Hoping Martial covers some of his points

    4. The Curse of Falcao
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      You are a brave man, Zlatan is where the points are

  23. Venom Snake
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    Please.

    A. Mahrez, Lamela, Redmond
    B. Eriksen, Firmino, Ramirez

    1. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      I'm with A now, but admit that B looks good as well.

  24. Acquafresca
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    Which scores more?

    Ibra Tadic Delf/Townsend

    Vardy Alli Redmond

    1. Bob.
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      B

    2. Les Bleus
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      A

    3. Qubit
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      i dont honestly know. ive asked myself that. I think it might come down to townsend vs redmond and who can get starts and do well enough.

    4. Tatty Bojangles
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      B

    5. NorthernMan
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      B)

  25. HP.
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    Do you think KDB will start?

    1. kraftwerker
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      no

  26. woody3260
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    Oscar and Vardy

    Hazard and Gray

    1. Pinatta
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      yes, no, yes, thanks

    2. A-S-H
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      Going safe with B but would like A

  27. THE Wild Rover
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    Pogba still on over 11% ownership. Tee hee šŸ˜€

    1. Ziro
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      Those are just Bemba's Dead Team Challenge teams.

      1. Chrissy Waddle - 2025/26
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 28 days ago

        Shade.

    2. Chrissy Waddle - 2025/26
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      All those casual faces when the team is announced.

      But, but... he's the world's most expensive player!?!

  28. I am 42
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    those can't login can try mobile site

    it's really fast

  29. DoobNoob
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    lost on last page

    WHat are people doing with Williams? When is he expected to be ready to start?

  30. zee303
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 28 days ago

    Not too sure about the Gray hype, fixtures aren't looking too great.

    Any alternatives?

    1. Pinatta
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 28 days ago

      no, no alternatives, he's only striker in the league