[sbu_large_image] Opinion
17 September 2016 1329 comments
Mark Mark
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This season just won’t allow us to settle.

From one Gameweek to another, our priorities are shifting with our plans forced back to the drawing board by new doubts and concerns.

The last campaign was testing but for a whole different reason.

It delivered the unexpected and some, including myself, took time to adjust to that being the norm.

We were found out by Leicester’s ascent, and it punished those who were slow to seize on the value offered by Dele Alli and Harry Kane.

Equally, when Eden Hazard flopped, and Mesut Ozil engaged his long grind of assists, some like myself, were taken by surprise.

But once you latched on to those trends, you could almost rest easy.

It felt like there were five, maybe six or seven slots in our team safely designated, leaving us to concentrate on managing the peripheral players around them according to form and fixture.

So far, this season is very different.

It feels like the stabilisers are off and, wobbling along from Gameweek to Gameweeek, we have to re-learn the real skill involved in Fantasy Football.

I don’t think we can yet bank on a set of consistent points scorers. Sergio Aguero aside, all bets are off elsewhere in our squad.

Eden Hazard has swung from near essential to disposable in a fortnight; even Zlatan Ibrahimovic will come under pressure should he blank on Sunday.

There is no comfort zone.

Each 0.1 feels precious, each transfer a significant opportunity to swap one midfield heavy hitter for another.

Loyalty and faith in players can pay off but the temptation to be fickle and act swiftly feels greater than ever.

In this week’s ScoutCast I discussed this very subject – the fact that I believe there’s a viable tactic in swapping heavy-hitters week to week, rather than settle them in and trade mid-price and budget assets.

Phillipe Coutinho, Riyad Mahrez, and Eden Hazard have already shown that we can expect runs of blanks and, usually, we’re quite happy to absorb them.

But with so much of our funds tied up in attack, can we afford to accept it? Can we expect to make up the shortfall for their failings by trading with sub 7.5 assets?

I suspect this season demands unparalleled flexibility, pushing us to explore the idea of trading big name midfielders in and out on a weekly basis, absorbing the price losses but attempting to exploit short-term form and fixtures.

It feels like we’ve been able to trundle for the last few seasons, relying heavily on a solid spine and making transfer decisions that influence our Gameweek tally, without threatening to make or break it.

But this feels different – this feels like there are constant risks and rewards to consider.

There’s a thrill to it – there is more excitement and expectation, but it also feels precarious and dangerous.

Like the day the stabilisers came off, I’m taking things steady but aware that, if I move too slowly, I may just come a cropper.

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

1,329 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. red devil 7
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    john stoned

  2. Lecky Legs FC
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Agudo Doran as (C) who's with me? 🙂

    1. Grand Thibauto
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Very nice differential

      1. Lecky Legs FC
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks mate hope he comes off

    2. PvA
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Too mainstream

      1. Lecky Legs FC
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Any everyone picking Ibra isn't?

    3. Camp No No
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Feels quite desperate to put your hopes on Duran Duran.

  3. Costa in Wengerland
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    What a Goal Pablo Hernandez

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

      #trollopeout

  4. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Just Great!! 2 players even not starting in the 3pm games for me.

  5. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone else take a punt on Iheanacho?

    1. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      (c)

      1. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Wow! Come on Nacho!

    2. thunder_mike
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Me, not captaining him though.

    3. Ryan Naysmith
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      yuppp

    4. faver
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      yup

    5. lasmons
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      He is my captain!

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        He should have been mine if "domestic negotiation" hadn't caused me to miss the cut off and mess up my WC. Lallana (c) and Baines benched!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    6. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      o/

    7. Swan - Villa Proud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Yep C

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

    And now antonio is playing RB.

    Im out man.

    My premature WC has officially gone down the drain.

    Stones benched too. Ffs.

    One of those modes where i feel to put my team on auto pilot

    1. SirStevieG
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      He's not playing RB FFS

  7. Top 210 Club
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Do people not read the news? Xhacka has an injury ffs

    1. dogtanion
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Is he? Why is he on the bench then?

  8. Parm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Cazorla starts again after 90 minutes in 4 days last week, Xhaka benched again. I don't get it.

    1. djenzio
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Cazorla is Arsenal's best player imo

    2. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      See above you lol

      1. Parm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Why is he on the bench if he's injured, then?

    3. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Look up!

    4. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      *2 x 90 minutes

    5. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Players can be rested midweek in league cup, no need to rest anyone today.

  9. FDMS All Starz
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Why is Aguero not starting????

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
      9 years, 10 months ago

      He is, right back

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Ban

  10. @persecuted_by_mods
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Is Antonio right back or not? Why is everyone saying different things

    1. djenzio
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      he won't be played there anymore hence the love for him at the price

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
        9 years, 10 months ago

        No, I mean why are some people saying he's playing at right back today while others are saying he's right wing

    2. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Have a look yourself. Unbelievable

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
        9 years, 10 months ago

        I did look, now I want to know why people are saying different things in case I missed something. Comprende?

        1. TheSteel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 10 months ago

          Sheep

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
            9 years, 10 months ago

            I guess so

  11. Kaneyonero
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Nolito brace incoming 🙂

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Agudo Duran

    2. Lecky Legs FC
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      This ^

  12. Sif
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    No Kasper and Burnley change formation. Playing Capoue over Gray going to bite me.

  13. Dacra
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    I have 3 West Ham starting. Feels so wrong.

  14. SirStevieG
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Nordtveit is named at RB and Antonio on wing. People are either blind or gullible.

    1. Supersonic
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Or they aren't looking at previous comments it's rediculous

    2. World XI
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Nordtveit at CB with 2 others.

      Antonio WB

  15. Worzel Gummidge
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Stones benched. Hello McAuley. I need a goal from you as also want Antonio and Zaza to score.

    Pass on the message.

    1. djenzio
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Aguero is playing CB instead of him 😉

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

      I have Collins, Antonio, Zaza and foster in this game. Can't end well!

  16. Coaly
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Firm Deeney or Cout Ighalo?

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      former

    2. Jasoooooooo
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Firm + Deeney

  17. Grand Thibauto
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Mods spam hulk every posts saying Antonio is not RB. Nordtveit is.

    1. Fitzy.
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Looking for a hulk huh? 😉

      1. Grand Thibauto
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Not really. Annoying to see people panicking about the same thing. I just flagged three posts above me.

  18. Pedram
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Someone sticky this.

    Antonio is not playing at RB.

    1. World XI
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Correct. Right Wing Back

  19. GENERATION X
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    gambled on sterling thinking he gets an hour plus and sane gets whats left plus swansea in league cup game. however i well recall what nolito did off bench v stoke too

  20. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    OUCH!!!!

    Felt confident going into this week.

    I have Firmino, Stones and Schmeichel

    Bench is Jaku, Pieters, Grey and Friend!

    1. Grand Thibauto
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Very good bench

      1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Serious?

    2. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Come on Grey hat-trick!!!

    3. EmreCan Hustle
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Pieter's gray friend, that's just wrong.

      1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Lol

  21. Chucky
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    My wishlist for today 🙂
    Payet and Sterling Brace
    Sanchez Hattie
    Diomande assist
    Jaku peno save

    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Thats a weak wishlist. I wish for 5 and goals and 5 assists from every single player i have.

  22. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Stones camio? Would LOVE that

    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Wouldn't be surprised tbh

    2. Grand Thibauto
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Would rather die

    3. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      or even a cameo from him will do.

      1. TheSteel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Haha dammit

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

      Die Die Die

  23. Kanye West Ham
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Best replacement for Stones...? Is Lovren nailed now?

    1. Dacra
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah nailed, but unlikely to get any clean sheets!

    2. Fowler23
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Lovren should be nailed. Injured last week.

    3. FDMS All Starz
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Go cheap, you will need all the money you can get this season

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

      He's always been nailed, just injured last week

  24. King_Kunta
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    no clouds in my stones
    let wilshere smoke and score
    and we'll never be worth apart
    may be only on loan
    but your still be my captain

  25. Camp No No
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Holes nailed on though?

    1. Camp No No
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      *Holebas! Thanks, autocorrect!

    2. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Not as nailed as Gravel

  26. SW6
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    No early kick-off, just 2 players in the 3pm games.. zzzzzzz

  27. Swan - Villa Proud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Just saw CIty lineup. Never been happier to ditch John Stones on WC

  28. Sánchez
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    I want to kick Pep inthe Stones

  29. tafrère
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    My defense is a complete mess :

    Funes Mori replaced by Williams, already lost value.
    Souare car crash, will soon be losing value.
    And now Stones benched.

    I have 2 defenders alive (Valencia and Evans), damn!

  30. HVT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Wow,someone's gonna get burnt!