[sbu_large_image] Opinion
29 April 2017 2051 comments
Mark Mark
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Another double Gameweek and another example of how our quest for the spectacular can backfire.

The majority of the chatter seven days ago surrounded the “potential” of strikers Benteke, Rashford and Negredo, backed by investment in Zaha in midfield.

And yet, while three of that four failed miserably, it was again a steady goalkeeper and a defender – David De Gea and Daley Blind – who provided the bigger hauls.

We saw the same just weeks earlier.

We moved mountains to invest in Sergio Aguero and Manchester City’s exciting wingers in Gameweek 27, only for Pep Guardiola’s attack to be frustrated by Stoke City, as Lee Grant and Erik Pieters top scored with 13 and 14 points.

It seems we can’t help ourselves. When a double Gameweek rumbles into view, our priority is to aim big – go for the Hail Mary.

We become dazzled by the potential for three digits and to find it; we covet a collection of attacking options which may just provide the “mother load” of returns.

Pinning the tail on that particular unicorn is a thankless task. This time it was Benteke, but with a cast of mediocre imposters, it turned out that our Gameweek 34 investment was better spent on the reliability of Manchester United’s defence.

With just seven days to go before we again plunge into a Double Gameweek scenario, I find myself wandering into the same trap.

My Wildcard line-up is currently constructed around retaining Alexis Sanchez and acquiring Eden Hazard alongside my three Spurs attackers.

I’m making changes at the back, but the idea of sacrificing an expensive attacker in order to bolster the defence hasn’t really been considered.

Sanchez and Hazard could well deliver big over their Gameweek 37 fixtures, but, arguably, it’s far easier to isolate defenders and keepers who will safely edge into double figures.

Willy Cabellero, Laurent Koscielny, Marcus Alonso, Jan Vertonghen – these are all assured assets who could and perhaps should produce 10+ hauls and, if we can possibly find a secure starter in the United and City backline, they provide additional names for that list.

I’m one of many settling on two knock-off Southampton centre-backs, alongside a cast of budget single Gameweek assets.

Fearful of missing out on a key attacker, I’m obsessed with chasing expensive targets who could well be destined to follow Negredo and Zaha down a 4-point cul-de-sac.

Double Gameweeks dangle the spectacular but often allow the steady and unfashionable to prevail.

Maybe I need to show some restraint, so in a bid to wean myself off “Hollywood moves”, I’m bringing in Martin Kelly today. Transfers don’t come more unspectacular than that.

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

  1. pundit of punts
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Team for the gw -

    DDG
    Bailly Davies
    Sanchez Hazard Alli Arnautovic Zaha
    Kane Lukaku Benteke

    Jakupovic Gibson Amat Lenihan

    Playing AOA. GTG?

    WC in 45 mind or so. 🙂

    1. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Nice team mate

  2. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Sane subbed at 79mins vs Utd, to save his strong legs vs Middlesbrough 😎

    1. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      ...or for Pep to get a look at Kun and Jesus playing together?

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Or this 😛

        1. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          I would certainly appreciate that, last minute WC change from Sane+Anichebe to Albrighton+Jesus

    2. red devil 7
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Or because he was in Bailly's pocket.

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Stealing his cash 😎

  3. Ange Ball
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Pick two it will give you good game week.

    A) Arnie
    B) Gabbiadini
    C) De Jesus
    D) Rooney
    E) King

    1. weaver93
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      B E

  4. The Royal Robin
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Should I take a -4 or not?

    A) Son > King
    B) Brunt > Yoshida
    C) Hold

    1. L9
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      A

  5. jackhammer1
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Pickford
    Fuchs valencia stephens
    Alli Erikson Sanchez ZAHA Sane
    Kane benteke (c)

    Anything worth a hit to get Hazard or maybe cout in?

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

      Nope

    2. jackhammer1
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Or king...

  6. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Why are Celtic playing friendlies during the league season?

    1. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Ahhh, I love the smell of pishtalk in the afternoon.

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        😆

    2. dhamphiir
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Because they have already won the league

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

    GTG here?

    Henn
    Alonso Bailly Yoshi
    Hazard Alli Eriksen King
    Kane(c) Lukaku Gabbi(vc)

    Pick Zaha Holgate Monreal

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah

    2. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      All good very similar to mine.

  8. Ginola14
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    -4 zaha to debruyne?

    1. bombayblues
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Yes

    2. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      No

  9. Junior ⚽
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Start
    A) Heaton (cry)
    B) Pickford (BOU)

    1. Athletic Nasherbo
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Pickford

  10. Gideons Rolling Another One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Play Pickford or Jaku?

  11. itwaswritten
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Whatever happens, I hope there is a lot of goals. Not here for a boring 0-0, 1-0, 2-0 week.

  12. Batshuayi Crazy
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Might play my WC team this week. Who gets more points this week only?

    A) Jaku + Eriksen + Zaha + Lukaku
    B) Willy + Hazard + Sane + Gabbi

  13. pls
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    bailly or blind

    which one for rest of the season thanks

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

      blind. he's fresh. bailly will be rested soon imo

  14. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    A) Bench Zaha or Townsend
    B) Play AOA, bench Alonso

  15. AA33
      8 years, 10 months ago

      SON TO SANE FOR A HIT??? 🙁 😉

      1. L9
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        maybe he ll not start. consider king for this week

        1. AA33
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Already have him

        2. The Hindu Monkey
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          nah

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

          who would you play if Son no show?

          1. AA33
              8 years, 10 months ago

              Alonso

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

                so no

        4. Orion
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Gabriel and Vert looks ok till the end of the season?

          1. The Hindu Monkey
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            yes

            1. Orion
              • 15 Years
              8 years, 10 months ago

              cheers mate, good luck!

        5. The Hindu Monkey
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Wildcard team good to go. 2m in bank for upgrading ready for 37 if required as well

          Cabellero
          Alonso Yoshida Blind
          Sanchez Hazard King Eriksen Countino
          Kane (c) Gabbiadini

          Pickford Anichebe Stephens Gabriel

          good to go?

          1. THFC4LIFE
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Very nice

          2. Venom Snake
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Anichebe?

            1. The Hindu Monkey
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 10 months ago

              enabler

              there to get 4 points in 37 only!

          3. CAPTAIN CRESPO
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            I prefer your WC to mine, which is annoying >:(

          4. sminkypinky
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Preference but maybe Sane in for Cout.

        6. ★Kuntheman★
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          Anyone captaining King? Seems to have the best fixture in my team.

          1. AA33
              8 years, 10 months ago

              o/

            • 824545201
              • 9 Years
              8 years, 10 months ago

              Much better option than Gabbi imo.

          2. The Red Devil
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            siggy to sane/martial/arnie for a (-4)?

            1 week punt, WC next week
            TA!

            1. Stats Don\'t Lie
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 10 months ago

              Arnie

            2. sminkypinky
              • 14 Years
              8 years, 10 months ago

              Sane imo

          3. Fernando Torres
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Pickford
            Valencia Yoshi Bailly
            Sanchez Zaha Eriksen Alli
            Kane (C) Lukaku Gabbi (vc)

            Subs: Heaton, Sterling, Holgate, Robertson

          4. AYLD28
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            What combo gets more points:

            Playing Zaha over Eriksen?

            Captaining King or Kane?

            Chasing mini league by 80. Rival has Eriksen and Kane. Will prob captain Kane

            1. THFC4LIFE
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              8 years, 10 months ago

              Capitan King

          5. Moose™
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Pick one to bench:

            A. Yoshi

            B. Kelly

            C. Vert

            1. Ginola14
              • 14 Years
              8 years, 10 months ago

              kelly

          6. thewhitepele
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Repost, really need some votes here!

            Pickford
            Mawson Davies Bailly
            Alli Zaha Siggy Coutinho
            Kane Lukaku Aguero

            Boruc, De Roon, Lovren, Amat
            1FT, 1.4m ITB
            A) Boruc --> Caballero
            B) Siggy -->Sane/King
            C) Lovren --> Kolarov & bench Davies
            D) Something else?

          7. sminkypinky
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Just did a final switch.
            Huth to Gabriel. Sensible? Or another rotation risk?

          8. KUNingas
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Play one
            A) Pickford (BOU)
            B) Grant (WHU)

            1. sminkypinky
              • 14 Years
              8 years, 10 months ago

              B won't play

          9. Venom Snake
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Arnautovic(c)

            Hold me.

            1. drughi
              • 16 Years
              8 years, 10 months ago

              I like it

          10. Tmel
            • 15 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Captain Kane, King or Tekkers?

          11. drughi
            • 16 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Sanchez>KDB for a hit ? think city will beat boro with 3/4- 0

          12. SBCFIFA
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Worth getting Aguero?? Or will Jesus be the striker??
            Maybe I could even get both? Thoughts?

          13. Delhidynamo
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            One last WC team assessment

            Cab Pick
            Luiz Blind Gabriel Stephens Kelly
            Haz Eriksen Sane Cout King
            Gabbi Benteke Kane

            Funds enough to do Benteke and Cout to Sanchez and Jesus next week. Sounds good?