[sbu_large_image] Opinion
26 November 2016 1339 comments
Mark Mark
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Maybe it’s just me, but Pep is starting to wear a little thin.

I get all the bits about revolutionary, expansive football. The off-kilter formations and high pressing. At times, watching Manchester City play football it seems that Pep Guardiola has somehow changed the rules. I get it. It’s a good thing.

But for us Fantasy Football managers, Pep’s visionary methods are problematic.

I’d quite like to back City’s exciting and modern take on attacking football with a few of their players. Certainly Sergio Aguero, maybe even Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne or even John Stones.

But Pep is not our friend.

When Yaya Toure stroked home his brace at Crystal Palace, it would have been nice to have looked upon the Ivorian’s return as a gift: another legitimate midfield target to consider.

Instead, Pep immediately moved to douse those possibilities, rolling out the “R” word minutes after the final whistle to make it abundantly clear where we all stand.

This very morning a report hammers home the latest chilling chapter from Guardiola, featuring a quote that no Fantasy Football manager want’s to read…

“Everyone is droppable”

This is all kinds of bad.

With doubts currently swimming around our heads on Sergio Aguero’s minutes at Burnley, we do not need Pep reminding us of his ruthless approach to rotation.

I found yesterday’s comments on Aguero’s “foot problem” troubling.

Pep avoided stating that Aguero was injured, and yet went on to build a scenario which created doubt surrounding the availability of a key player.

Foolishly, I have been lured into trying to second guess his intentions.

I fail to see anything to be gained from this latest move.

Perhaps it’s just honesty – a policy of truth. Or perhaps, like Arsene Wenger and Theo Walcott’s toe, Pep is creating a scenario which legitimises limiting Aguero’s pitch time.

Sergio needs to play and score today, but with the Chelsea fixture beckoning and Pep sewing seeds, I wonder if he’ll be given the opportunity.

That would be the latest chapter in my turbulent affair with Pep.

Already betrayed on Stones and Sterling, should Guardiola curtail Aguero’s Turf Moor appearance, he’s in danger of forcing me into a bold and brave decision.

I don’t want that. I want an easy ride. I want Aguero to get his goal and provide me with a reason to keep him forever locked in my squad, sitting there as my captaincy comfort blanket.

Pep’s own dicey decision making with his rotating teamsheet could yet force us to follow suit – to take undesirable risks.

We don’t want everyone to be “droppable”. Certainly, we want and need Aguero to be untouched.

I was already toying with the idea of shunning the Argentine in a week’s time, now, thanks to Pep’s latest intervention, I’m teetering on the edge a week early.

This modern football, with its high energy pressing and data analysts warning of players in the red zone is rubbish.

Where’s the 4-4-2 and the “untouchables” when you need them?

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

1,339 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    No heaton

  2. Numb
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    KDB City coverage ftw

  3. Marquis-Cha-Cha
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Good night y'all. See you on the other side. (3:32AM)

  4. I Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Aguero starts and Heaton doesn't. Wish I changed captain.

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      I tried when i saw that post with seconds left. My hand spazzed out..fail

  5. NATSTER
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    No Heaton today. Oh..

  6. Rains of Castamere
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    With Aguero my only City player, seeing him start and NO Stones, KDB and Gundogan is the perfect result.

    1. Rains of Castamere
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      And no Heaton!

    2. faver
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      this

    3. Toure The Route
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Kdb has officially ruled himself out of being a big hitter if he gets benched even in away games , which is supposed to be his thing.
      Scout picks this week got it wrong I'm afraid . Off to a bad start .

  7. Chris_White
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Robinson 😆

    Aguero sellers are sh!tting themselves

    1. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      No kidding. No Heaton means I'm screwed.

  8. Flynny
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Where is Heaton??

  9. Richd
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    I have Kun and gundo.

    Glad I held. I even got called a 'bit of a Knob for having Gundo'

    Where is that mug with his Twitter avatar now?

    1. Richd
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      CAPOUE BENCH GOD

    2. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Gundo doesn't start you know

      1. Richd
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        I know. This means Capoue points incoming hard and fast.. again 😀

    3. JogaSemmedo
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      I did the same though I don't have Capoue off the bench! De Roon incoming.

      Did you captain Kun?

    4. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Gundogan isn't even in the 18

    5. MTPockets
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Same. I'll take that although Gundog not even on bench.

  10. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    So much for KDB being the only reliable starter.

    1. Toure The Route
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      This

  11. Toure The Route
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    I think people aren't noticing that KDB is benched .
    So much for that theory that he is cover for Kun.

    Pep is a rotation monster , not going Near city in December .

  12. Mull
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    KDB 🙁

  13. BB-8
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone else do last minute captain change to Kun?

    1. drughi
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Dont know if it went trough

      1. BB-8
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Same

    2. Pompel
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Tried to, but alas a few seconds too late. Hoping (C)outhino will still deliver the goods

    3. HonestBlatter
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Yep and regretting this early game (C) which has never ever worked for me

  14. Moose™
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Kun(c) !!!!

  15. Annie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Holebas off the bench for Stones 🙂

    1. Slartibartfast
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Amat here... hmm.

  16. some witty pun
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    So i own Aguero but isnt captaining him, do i want him to score?

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Yes mate.

    2. Kitman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      yes score, maybe not too much !

  17. Pinky and Brain
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Kept Kun, sold Gundogan - nice start!

  18. FrankieTheGent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Kdb!!!

  19. GinjaWhinja
    • 17 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    So glad I didn't go in on KDB.

  20. ChampChomp
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Kinda wish I captained him now

    1. Dušan Citizen
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Without Silva and KDB?

  21. Pochecinno
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    After the shambles of flagging Hazard, Coutinho and now Aguero, FPL/FFS should issue an apology and review their flagging policy.

    1. b✪mber
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      this kinda sounds fair

  22. The Mighty Hippo
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    That's it - I've had enough of Pep. KDB is way too expensive a player to be dumped onto the bench to accommodate Pep's tinkering and rotation philosophy. Grrrrr

  23. JogaSemmedo
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    So last minute decided not to do a double substitution for hit taking Kun and Gundogan out.

    Captain Kun go do the damage!

  24. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone else feel silly not captaining Kun now?

    1. Numb
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Nah

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      No. Liverpool attack at anfield is still good.

      1. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Went Firmino here

    3. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Not really, I wanted to but I don't want to be depressed after the first game of the GW

    4. BB-8
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Did it after seeing the lineups 😉

    5. Mull
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      No. I wasn't captaining him anyway.

    6. Sif
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Only have done If Heaton rumour was confirmed. Hindsight

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        This is true

    7. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Don't see city winning with that side

    8. Carcetti
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Nah, happy with Coutinho

    9. Jumping Jurgen
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Not as bad as if you'd taken him out for Giroud and -4pts...

  25. ★Kuntheman★
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    I'm pretty sure my brother captained KDB lol he was gloating about it a few hours ago

  26. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Aguero starts. Heaton is out

  27. Make United Great Again
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    No Heaton?! What happened

  28. Rains of Castamere
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Stones will be 4.8 by next Saturday.

    1. Robben Mee Blind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Think he's probably in a lot of dead Team so may not drop like a Stones! I was a late convert to GoT and only now appreciate your username 🙂

  29. Lecky Legs FC
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    MAN CITY TEAM NEWS

    Team to play Burnley: Bravo, Sagna, Otamendi, Kolarov, Clichy, Fernandinho, Fernando, Sterling, Toure, Nolito, Aguero.

    Subs: Zabaleta, Caballero, Jesus Navas, De Bruyne, Sane, Silva, Iheanacho.
    11:31
    BURNLEY TEAM NEWS

    Team to play Man City: Robinson, Lowton, Keane, Mee, Ward, Gudmundsson, Marney, Defour, Boyd, Hendrick, Vokes.

    Subs: Flanagan, Gray, Barnes, Kightly, Tarkowski, Pope, Arfield.

    1. Ziro
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      dialup?

  30. Malcolm Tucker for England …
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    so Pep and Gundo can suck my left nut.
    the right one is saved for klopp and cout

    1. GREENDREAMS11
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      lol, I know how you feel, KDB owner here