[sbu_large_image] Opinion
10 September 2016 1920 comments
Mark Mark
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Spiderman (or was it Spiderm4tt?) once said – “with great power comes great responsibility”.

That definitely chimes for any Fantasy Premier League manager with a Wildcard active.

The seemingly endless possibilities in front of us is dazzling and confusing but the burden is almost too much.

The gut wrenching feeling when a Wildcard is played and is perceived as “wasted” is an emotion that lingers in memory.

When it hits, we look for anything, any crumb of comfort that will help us justify decisions in order to ensure we leap a pit of despair.

Initially, the excitement and the sheer relief granted by the opportunity to refresh our squad mask these doubts.

It’s only now, hours before committing our decisions, that the doubts creep towards us. That we remember, with dread, how it feels when a Wildcard backfires.

In previous seasons I have likened it to a supermarket dash. That analogy still rings true.

You speed through, giggling at the choice and freedom you have been granted. Only to look back when the opportunity is gone and immediately begin to wonder what has been missed, what opening has been passed up.

For me, the pressure has been intensified. I’ll be sharing the fallout from my Wildcard with a bigger audience than ever. Revealing my errors and forcing myself to justify decisions and back-peddling.

Already that’s having an impact. I’m perhaps putting too much stock in bandwagons like Raheem Sterling – afraid that I’m missing the obvious, I’m backing these players for fear I’ll be exposed.

I’ve seen posts this morning questioning those still debating Wildcard decisions.

But I’m firmly in that camp.

Such is the power of the Wildcard, no decision can ever be finalised, even at this late stage.

We give ourselves the chance to deliberate every position right to the end. It stands to reason that we will keep doing that – we will keep replaying and rebalancing player vs player scenarios until the bell tolls.

It’s a tortuous process that absorbs us but one of the key pleasures of playing this game, particularly when we can share the agony on these pages.

I’ve enjoyed reading through the deliberation over the international break. I’m still reading now, adding your opinions to my own in order to finish this process once and for all.

There’s an expectation from myself and others that I’ll overcome my mediocre start to the season and a successful Wildcard is likely key to that.

My spider senses are tingling – I’m not sure I’m up to bearing all this responsibility.

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

1,920 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Soopaboonch'o'lad…
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    Tissues in the office

  2. Bushido
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    Valencia to score, I benched Shaw for Evans. So a clean sheet is no good for Utd.

    1. BB-8
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Costa is where the points are at

      1. BB-8
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 11 days ago

        Reply fail

  3. 24hrstudent
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    Stones 89th minute goal and clean sheet incoming - dropped to my bench so almost guaranteed he performs this week.

    1. AA33
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Haha

  4. AnotherBareBum
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    That team screams capt Zlatan. Bring it on Cant wait.

    1. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      I'm in the same boat.

  5. Norfolk&Chance
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    If Sanchez a no show - ive got Puncheon 1st sub. So its all gravy.

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Highly doubt he won't get minutes

  6. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    Pep on Sterling and Gundogan:

    "I think he [Sterling] can play as a striker if we need. If you need a striker for the crosses, no. If you need a striker to move between the lines - movements behind the back four - he can do that."

    "Ilkay is a player that when he is fit, he is quick with the ball, he can pass with one or two touches, he is so intelligent. He is an attacking central defender or midfielder on the ball, he can arrive in the second line in the box. He has a lot of personality. With penalties, he can shoot. He had a lot of injuries in the past."

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3782510/Pep-Guardiola-reveals-Raheem-Sterling-play-Manchester-City-s-striker-Sergio-Aguero-s-absence.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

  7. Jazz!
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    Mkhitaryan you beauty 😎 Got him in my WC team 😎

    1. TheBusDriver
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Nice punt.

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Nice one.

    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      great pick

    4. Rolls-Royce
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      points coming.

    5. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Not bad, I hope the risk pays off for you

    6. Ayew Serious
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      If you had longer to think about it you wouldn't have picked him

      1. Puntillimon
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 11 days ago

        Reading this comment with your name first gives it an extra edge

    7. dcarlito
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Brave, well done.

    8. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Thanks lads

  8. Defcons are for Kinnear
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    I had a dream yesterday that United won 6-2
    Nolito 2 goals
    Ibra 1 goal
    Rooney 4 assists

    1. Bushido
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Valencia 1 goal and an assist.

    2. Ayew Serious
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Mkhi five goals I presume

      1. Defcons are for Kinnear
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 11 days ago

        I checked on FPL and that's all I remember. My captain was Aguero which is when I woke up from the nightmare

        1. Ayew Serious
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 11 days ago

          😆

    3. threeputt
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      that would do me fine

    4. AnotherBareBum
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      4 own goals?

    5. AnotherBareBum
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      actually dreamed 2 nil Zlatan double

    6. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Did Brook win?

  9. Weeb Kakashi
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    Heaton Pickford
    Valencia Baines Masuaku Evans Amat
    Hazard Sanchez Payet Antonio Sterling
    Costa Defoe Diomande

    Fully Confident! Costa(C)

    1. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Agreed. My captain too

  10. El Patron
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    RMT

    DDG

    Valencia Friend Terry McCauley

    Payet Hazard(C) Barkley

    Vardy Giroud Gray

    Bench: Jaku, Kone, Redmond, Hojbjerg

    Should I have started Redmond?

    1. Bushido
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Nope

  11. TheBusDriver
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    Switched from Ibra (c) to Costa (c) at the last minute. Idk if it was confirmed though.

    1. Ayew Serious
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Bus driver should be on time

    2. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Good move

    3. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      You'll seriously regret that. Mark my words...

  12. CREAM
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    Rashford will come on for Lingard and score... you heard it here first 😉

  13. XLNC
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    2-2

    2x Zlatan
    Own goal Valencia
    Own Goal Shaw

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      I'd take that

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Why not have Valencia and Shaw get a red card each too

    3. Bushido
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      I need Valencia to perform and maybe Shaw if sanchez doesn't play 🙁

  14. PlayON
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    Killian here from PlayON,

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    View all games in our Games Lobby here:

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Spam.

      Reported.

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

        reported the report.

    2. Ayew Serious
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Killian
      Killi
      Kill
      Kill m
      Kill me

  15. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    i benched stones............0-0 locked in now

  16. George Sillett
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    Rumour going round OT Ibra is injured. Who made that crap up ?

    1. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Rashford

    2. Fitzy.
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Pep

    3. AnotherBareBum
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      I think Zlatan would need to be dead not to play v pep

    4. Ziro
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Apple coming up with ibra 2.0

    5. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      A rumour at Old Trafford? maybe they saw him wince in a warm up?

    6. Jimmy Boy
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      He's in the team, and wouldn't miss playing against Pep for anything

  17. CREAM
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    untied 3 - 2 city
    Ibra x2
    rashford

    sterling
    nolito

  18. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    Team Sweden - look on the bright side. You still have your WC.

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

      *Wild side

    2. Clump
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      🙂

    3. EmreCan Hustle
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      What's the dull side?

    4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      😆

  19. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    Fellaini to get first booking looks easy money

    1. Defcons are for Kinnear
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Rooney for diving

      1. Revival
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 11 days ago

        Well it is Clattenburg in the middle so Utd won't be getting any penalties then

  20. Mark-O
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    City 4231 or 433?

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

      11 men only.

    2. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      433

    3. Defcons are for Kinnear
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      4141 it seems

  21. ElDaddy
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    Lingard over Rashford? (Presuming Lingard plays on the left flank) Mou's got some balls.

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Agreed

  22. AnotherBareBum
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    POGBA the forgotten man

    1. Epic Fail
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Who?

  23. El Patron
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    Come on Giroud, hattrick. That low ownership 🙂

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Ozil's ownership is remarkably low too

      1. El Patron
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 11 days ago

        Yup, went Payet over Ozil. I´m afraid :/

  24. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    Updated

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

      cheers Jaf.. upvoted.

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 11 days ago

        Here to serve 😎

    2. Defcons are for Kinnear
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Thanks

  25. Nabs Kebabs
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    UPDATED

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

      cave paintings?

  26. Squires FC
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    Got a feeling this is the game where the casuals get to see what Mkhitaryan is all about. Such a classy player.

    1. George Sillett
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Most people know that - serious , football fan or less serious player.

  27. Johnny Drama
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/a/team/10038/event/4

    For you who don't believe me...

    Rip my FPL season

    1. Jasoooooooo
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Oh no..........

    2. Supersonic
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 11 days ago

      Disaster mate

  28. A Moon Shaped Pool
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    Nearly change this in the last min:
    Zaza > Benteke
    Barkley > Snoddy

  29. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    So...I went differential with Cazorla (c)!

    WC team is:
    Adrian Heaton
    Shaw Williams walker Pieters Amat
    Hazard Cazorla Antonio sterling capoue
    Ibra lukaku Defoe
    0.9itb

    Good, bad or otherwise?

  30. AnotherBareBum
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 11 days ago

    Beast mode United versus a fairy flower puff city