[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. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Mad to stick with kaku for now on my wc.? Enough money in the bank to swap out in 36 or 37

    1. Tansey
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Has a great fixture in 37 so not mad to hold

    2. Cookie Kid
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I am going to stick and swap to Jesus next week

    3. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Thank you.. just needed a sanity check. My brain in mashed. Be glad when deadline comes

    4. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      You won't want him for GW36 and beyond. Get rid.

  2. Moose™
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Daniels or Huth until end of season?

    1. Tansey
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Daniels IMO

    2. jimmy.floyd
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Dani

  3. FPL Maldini
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Any early Gabbiadini news?

    Looking like starting?

    1. Weasel51
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Why wouldnt he?

      1. FPL Maldini
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Austin?

    2. Donhush
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Pictured with the team so should start

  4. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    ¿Safest C pick in terms of ownership and possible returns?

    1. Gabi
    2. Kane
    3. Benteke

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      2

    2. Tansey
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Seems like many are captaining Benteke around here. Kane has an excellent record against Chelsea though so I think I'll go with him. Best options are 2 or 3

      1. La Vida Latte
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        *arsenal

        1. Tansey
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          yup sorry

    3. La Vida Latte
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Kane safest

  5. jimmy.floyd
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one
    Zaha
    Tadic
    Sanchez

    1. Tansey
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I think A

  6. davies
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Friend > Daniels or Clichy?

    Needed for this week only...

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Dani

  7. TheBusDriver
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Bench Rashford, Sanchez or Zaha?

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Rash

    2. Licious Lizard
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Why do you keep on asking on here, when you blame people who give you advice?

      Please follow up on your "threat" and quit the game next season.

  8. uberpwnage_23
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I'm playing Son over Sanchez...is that crazy?

    1. Tansey
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, Son might be dropped and get a cameo

  9. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    WC what would you change?

    Cabellero
    Alonso Bailly Yoshida
    Sanchez Hazard Alli Eriksen King
    Kane Gabbiadini

    Pickford Anichebe Maguire Holgate

    1. Tansey
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Alonso to a cheaper defender, and Anichebe to Afobe maybe

  10. Ten Season Wonder
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Who drops out of this side for Arnautovic?

    Henn
    Alonso - Valencia - PvA - Bavies
    Alexis - Dele - Zaha
    Kane(c) - Lukaku - Gabbii

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

      Zaha

  11. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    "If we can possibly find a secure starter in the United backline"

    Lol. One guy was played 7x90 mins in a row. Another has missed one league game since September 2015. Just because Valencia isn't nailed doesn't mean others aren't either.

    1. David Davros
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Point is surely that Valencia appeared to be nailed. Experience showed otherwise

      1. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Valencia is a full back. Full backs can't play every game.

        1. David Davros
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Seems an arbitrary distinction to me.

  12. Numb
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Who do you think will score most points this weekend only (WC after that)

    A. Lukaku (CHE) - probably play 90
    B. Jesus (mid) - but *may* start on bench

    Thanks.

    1. Ziro
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      thinking of a hit? I am thinking of the same!!

      1. Numb
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Assume for free. Straight shootout.

        1. Ziro
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Jesus then.

          1. Numb
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Thanks

  13. David Davros
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Bottomed... WC good to go?

    Willy Pickford
    Monreal Alonso Huth Gabriel Yoshida
    Hazard Sanchez Alli King JWP
    Kane Gabbi Jesus

    1. Numb
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Is Big Willy safe for the double?

      Could look at Albrighton instead of JWP but tough one

      Looks good

      1. David Davros
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        As a Leicester fan I'm not convinced Albrighton is safe. He was turd on Wednesday and I would expect Gray to get some minutes in the run in.

        Willy a risk I guess, can always swap out depending on news.

        Cheers

    2. Tansey
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Jesus so earl? Other than that looks good

      1. Tansey
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        early*

      2. David Davros
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Keen for Vardy instead, but to do that I have to downgrade elsewhere. Might just take the punt.

        Cheers for the reply

  14. The Red Devil
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    pick one mid & forward for just this GW
    Gabbi
    Benteke
    Sane
    Arnie
    Aguero
    Martial
    Have 20.7 to spend on the two

    TA!

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

      Gabbi & Arnie

  15. Arsène Around
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Captain dilemma

    King
    Gabbiadini
    Kaku
    Hazard
    Sanchez
    Eriksen

    Any guidance would be much appreciated!

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Gabbi from those

      1. Arsène Around
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers mush

  16. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Sanchez > Firmino -4 would be -8 in total madness?

  17. jamie1972
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Considering Hull have conceded 13 in their last 4 aways, and JWP is on deadballs, would you bench any of the following to play him?

    Hazard
    Sanchez
    Alli
    Sane

    If so, who?

    1. Only a Hazard of time
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Can potentially see Sane being rested/subbed off early

  18. Junior ⚽
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Wildcard in one hour!

    1. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yes.

    2. Tansey
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Finishing up mine at the moment!

  19. Ten Season Wonder
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    who to bench?

    B.Davies
    Alonso
    Valencia
    PvA
    Aleis
    Lukaku

  20. Differentiator
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Heaton or Guzan?

  21. Optimus.
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Updated!

    1. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      ???

      1. Optimus.
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        my grinder profile

        1. Fred54
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Heh.

  22. The Cloud
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Who do I bench zaha or king?

    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Zaha, he's been average lately.

      King is in scintillating form so you can't bench him.

      1. The Cloud
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        You're right, who do you think I should captain out of Kane, lukaku, benteke, Sanchez, eriksen, king and coutinho

  23. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Benteke or Gabbiadini for (c)?

    1. The Cloud
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'd go gabbiadini, more chance of a big haul and benteke may struggle against the other big Burnley defenders

    2. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Gabbi

    3. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Tekkers

    4. La Vida Latte
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Tekk

  24. tibollom
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    who should I bench out of this lot abd who would you captain?

    DDG
    Alonso Yoshida Huth (Vert, Gabriel)
    King Haz Sanchez ERiksen Tadic
    Gabbi Kane (Anichebe)

  25. KANTEnders
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Start sane or Jesus?

    1. Numb
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Ooh, tough. Jesus maybe. Just.

  26. Can’t beat em so&hell…
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I know the pages are turning fast, but I'd really love some help here...

    Should I stick with A or Wildcard this week to B?

    A) DDG/Pick
    Alonso/Walker/Pieters/ Robertson/ Holgate
    Sanchez/Alli/King/ Zaha/ Davies
    Aguero/ Lukaku/ Gab

    B) Willy/Pick
    Alonso/Yosh/ Gabriel/ Stephens/ Holgate
    Sanchez/Hazard/ King/ Alli/Sane
    Kane/ Gab/ Anichebe

  27. NATSTER
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    GK from now until season end.

    Cech or Callbalero ?

    1. blizzle
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I went Cab for the funds. Rated the CS potential similarly.

  28. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Can I go without any United player for the rest of the season even though they have two DGWs?

    1. Vinyl78LP
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      ...thats my plan - though they only have 1 dgw as I understand?

  29. zizoo10
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    anybody have sanchez, alli, eriksen, kane on field?

    1. Tansey
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Sanch Alli Kane here... Hazard too

  30. L9
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    currently on wc. would u keep couti for this gw and then transfer in sanchez? or stay with sanchez and save a transfer

    1. Tansey
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Keep Cout I reckon