Opinion
3 December 2016 4777 comments
Mark Mark
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And so the power shifts once again.

I can barely remember witnessing such upheaval: where we’ve had to re-consider where our big-money is spent and switch our sights, not only due to form, but simply availability.

We started the season coveting Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Then Diego Costa emerged, followed swiftly by Eden Hazard as Chelsea blossomed. Now Harry Kane, with seven goals in five, becomes a priority.

While these players battle for recognition in our squads, Sergio Aguero was considered by most as a mainstay: a factor that required little consideration.

That theory wavered back in Gameweek 3 but today’s events may have changed it for good.

Aguero had not served a suspension until this season. Now he is set to miss at least seven weeks of this campaign before the turn of the year. Few, if any, could have anticipated that.

Hours after the bombshell at the Etihad, Alexis Sanchez then provided his own explosion.

We always knew the dangers: deployed up front by Arsene Wenger, he has always been part of the heavy-hitter debate.

But, with heads turned by Chelsea’s faultless form and the promise from Eden Hazard, some, including this Fantasy manager, chose to lose Sanchez’ special talent, keeping Aguero locked into our attacks.

Now, with the City striker being ejected from squads throughout the land, the sacrifices required to gain the likes of Hazard, Costa and Marcos Alonso – all so alluring with Chelsea’s form and fixtures – no longer apply.

When I showed Sanchez the exit ahead of Gameweek 12, opting to sell Aguero was something I pondered, but quickly dismissed.

Today’s events punished that particular decision. They also force us re-examine the established thinking.

We are so set on Aguero. His place is so cemented in Fantasy Football folkore, the prospect of progressing through a season, or even a period of Gameweeks without him almost seems unthinkable.

But while a saintly Costa is scoring goals and avoiding the booking that will see him serve a one-match ban, we’ve seen Aguero inexplicably become an unreliable hothead.

We can’t begin to fathom how those roles have been reversed. We can only react to what we’ve now been dealt.

While those without Sanchez are denied the convenience of carrying out a like-for-like swap for Aguero, even with the cost of an additional transfer, it will likely prove a popular route.

Acquiring Sanchez no longer comes packaged with such sacrifice now that Aguero is out of the equation, his millions available to us.

In Gameweek 4 we formed plans to sell a suspended Aguero and bring him back two weeks later. This time around the landscape may have changed.

As of today, it seems likely that few will be forgoing Sanchez for Aguero should that decision ever arise again.

Although it’s almost folly to make such predictions in a season that refuses to allow us to settle in our thinking.

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

4,777 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 17 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Last Man Standing Update

    Safety score = 36
    Top score = 120(-8)
    LMS average = 60.64

    3 games + autosubs to go.

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I'm surviving with the -28, TM! 🙂

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Too easy.

        1. ★Kuntheman★
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Sanchez(c) was a life saver

    2. Swan - Villa Proud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I hate GW12 😉

      1. Henryyy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        +1

    3. Jay_
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers. Was worried all week after a -16. Cruised through in the end.

    4. Monkey Hanger
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Reading the posts on here didn't ghink I had a prayer with 43pts and three to play, including captain.

  2. Lone Wolf FPL
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Rank 2.000 🙂

  3. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Will sanchez rise tonight?

    1. For Fuchs Sake
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Nope

    2. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Definitely.

  4. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    EVERYONE NEEDS TO BREATHE, AND RELEX.

    .........BREATHE

    .........RELAX.

    1. BabyB
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I find panicking more entertaining.

      1. BabyB
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Good week aw?

        1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Small red dropped 4k places and it's going to get worse with only Firmino left to play

        2. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Yourself ?

    2. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      OMG I accidentally did Costa > Aguero.

      AGRGRHH!!!!

    3. walkman666
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Breathe, relax?! Dude, I am a middle-aged psychologist, and I definitely prescribe total panic ...okay, and then a long distraction with loved one's and different entertainment. Lalalalalala

  5. For Fuchs Sake
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Kun to Costa and Walcott to Sanchez -4??

    1. thunder_mike
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I did exactly the same!

  6. Jay_
    9 years, 8 months ago

    -----------------Pickford---------------------
    --------Alonso Cedric Holebas----------
    Sanchez Hazard Firmino Sigurdsson
    ----------Costa Kane Anichibe------------
    ----------------------------------------------------
    Subs: Foster DeRoon Amat Pieters.

    FT used (Aguero > Costa). 3.0m ITB

    A) Leave it
    B) Anichibe > Defoe -4 (exact cash)
    C) Anichibe > Austin-4
    D) Something else?

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Definitely A

  7. Fowler23
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    It really feels like madness to transfer in a player flagged and on 4 yellows

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Then don't, i'll enjoy another week of his pts.

    2. King Klopp
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      He is scorijg points on gone a while without a yellow

    3. Toure The Route
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Not when he is the best striker in the league with those fixtures .

  8. Tomas Brolin ate all Depays
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Aguero and Deeney for Costa and Kane -4 or keep Deeney one more week ?

    1. Toure The Route
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Proabably a -4
      You ll lose a fair bit of price of Kane and Aguero the more you delay .

  9. Swan - Villa Proud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Back to 12K in OR with 2 to play. That'll do

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      well done

  10. Lone Wolf FPL
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    choose one:

    a) morgan to alonso for -4
    b) walcott to hazard for -4

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. John Nerdelbaum
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      a

      although surely b has more upside

  11. Patty
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Costa or Kane?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Nothing between them. Both have their pros and cons.

    2. For Fuchs Sake
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Kane, on pens and less YCs

  12. Lawrø
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    In two gameweeks I've gone from 103,250th --> 9,264th 😀

    Now that's got to be worth an unsubtle brag! 😎

    1. BabyB
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Congrats.

    2. Epic Fail
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Leading your MLs too?

      1. Lawrø
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Only a couple although I'm almost top of a money H2H league which is quite exciting 😀

    3. Nabs Kebabs
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      massive

    4. the axolotl
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      fair play, that's some nice motoring up thru the ranks

    5. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Bravo!

    6. Buck The Trent
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      congrats

    7. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      nice one lawro amazing rise

    8. PÍE
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Good going sir!

      1. Lawrø
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks everyone 😀

  13. Scratch
    • 17 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Right then

    1. Aguero & Gundogan -> Iheanacho & Sanchez
    or
    2. Aguero & Walcott -> Costa & Sanchez

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Tricky that, but I think Gundogan out is the priority if you're starting him every week. Arsenal have Stoke at home next.

    2. Pino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      1

  14. Twisted Saltergater
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    For those without Kane and Costa, which are you getting first to replace Aguero? Tempted by Costa due to fixture (WBA) then take a -4 to get Kane next week. But then there's price rises to worry about.

    1. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      For the price reason I'm getting both.

      Also is the worse happens and Costa is booked at least I can sell him for A N other and already have Kane in place.

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Seems daft to lose Austin before a nice home fixture so I think I'll just get the one of them for now. Am leaning towards Kane for the Hull and Burnley home fixtures.

    2. Nabs Kebabs
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      If you were gonna captain Costa..I would say yes but since Sanchez will likely be the one we all go for with the armband, I think you should just get Kane now.

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        I think you're right, Nabs. I have Hazard and Alonso so perhaps less essential to get Costa right now.

        Shame, I was so close to doing Aguero > Kane (-4) this morning!

  15. For Fuchs Sake
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Kun to Bentekke and Walcott to Sanchez?

  16. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    firmino hattrick tomorrow and liverpool CS too much to ask for

    1. Epic Fail
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      No, you can ask.

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        😀

  17. Golden Venture
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Surely Moyes will save Defoe for the easier games over Christmas?

    Swa (A) - Start
    Che (H) - Sub on
    Wat (H) - Start
    Man utd (A) - start / sub on
    Bur (A) - start
    Liv (H) - sub on

    1. Epic Fail
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      He'll start them all I would have thought.

    2. Karan_G14
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      If he starts saving Defoe who will save Sunderland from getting relegated?

      1. Golden Venture
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        just thought wouldn't have much chance against chelsea united liverpool and maybe rather focus on easier games?

        1. Golden Venture
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          wouldnt expect returns from those games anyway.
          CHeers

    3. DF
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      such bolloc*s

  18. Karan_G14
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Which one these has a higher chance of keeping a clean sheet next week?

    A) Lovren (WHU)

    B) Mustafi (STK)

    Can't decide who to remove for Alonso?

    Appreciate your thoughts!

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Lovren

      1. Karan_G14
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Lovren has a higher chance of keeping a CS?

        1. Cok3y5murf
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Yes, imo. But will be wise to see how Liverpool do tomorrow first.

  19. niko mate
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    89 points and a huge climb, but no players left.

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Nicely done. Hazard, Sanchez, Kane and Costa? Or some decent defenders?

      1. niko mate
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        these four, plus Grant and Alonso

  20. The 12th Man
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Best replacement for Fuchs 4.7m or under?
    I have Chambers
    Thanks

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Evans?

  21. DameCorp
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Kun to Kane done.

    Lukaku to Costa for a hit? Or just leave it

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I think the hit is worth it with the price rises alone.

    2. Chris_White
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Do it.

  22. Je suis le chat
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Alexis 46 points was a higher/equal score than my whole team for 5 of the 14 gameweeks sofar. I'm doing poorly. Need to learn to pick the great players and never sell them.

  23. Dr Kenneth Noisewater
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    How to spend all this lovely Agüero money while drunk on Sanchez captain surplus points.

    A) Kane / Hazard / Fletcher (-8) - creating the template front 7
    B) Kane + Karius (-4) - haven't had a playing goalkeeper for 2 weeks due to Heaton + Jaku...
    C) Kane / Alonso / Cedric (-8) - increases chances of clean sheets over coming weeks
    D) Kane / Eriksen / Alonso (-8) - my hunch & juicy stuff.

    1. Scotty B
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Lol I have similar problem below if you would care to assist?
      In your case I'd probably go with your hunch & D

  24. MTPockets
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Why is Allen on 0% target?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Red card protection.

      1. MTPockets
        9 years, 8 months ago

        returning from yellows suspension? Didn't realise that happens.

  25. Patty
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Is Eriksen a good alternative to Kane?

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Yes, I think Alli is too.

    2. Nabs Kebabs
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      not really comparable imo..I have both. Kane is a solid (c) option but I would never really captain Eriksen. All comes down to if you need the extra captain option or not.

  26. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Any news on the Costa injury? Or was it nothing?

    1. John Nerdelbaum
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      conte quote - very tired

      'he expects and hopes that he will recover for next week' which seems slightly odd

      im getting him in

      1. Garfield1001
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks

    2. John Nerdelbaum
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      great grav - used to love garfield

    3. n-doggg
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Pretty sure just cramp

  27. Pino
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    36p and 2 players left 🙁

    1. King Klopp
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      35 and 2 left

    2. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      If those 2 players came out with Sanchez and Eriksen-esque hauls you wouldn't complain 😉

  28. King Klopp
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    I think that Costa is lucky he got subbed off before the fight, if he was on he might have seen yellow

  29. Stats Don\'t Lie
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    This is why I don't own kun. The money I save can be used to match his hauls with different playyers, and on his bad weeks my rank gains are huge.

    1. Epic Fail
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Luckily my other players didn't match his haul this week.

    2. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      TBH I would just sit on the money.

  30. PvA
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    200k rank jump

    *hands in air celebration emoji*