[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. MFC86
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    So I wrongly thought if I used WC my free transfer carries over to the next week. DOH!!

  2. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Hazard or Sanchez if you just took one for game week 36?

    1. Gooner97
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Sanchez

    2. funnyoldgame
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Hazard on form

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

        ahh gw 36 (thought 37). Sanchez because of double

    3. MFC86
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Hazard

      1. Gudjohnsen
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Don't have the luxury of a wild card. First season in fantasy and will learn from my mistake. Shouldn't I wait until monday to sign Sanchez because he could always get injured or sent of in the north London derby?

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

          Yes hold.

          Only reason to do it now is if you can't afford him with price changes.

          Building TV isn't important anymore.

  3. SuperMario
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    So we are all activating the WC now.....? About to start messing, so excited...

  4. Fillet-o-fish
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Costa, Eriksen, Blind ==> Gabbi, Sanchez, Monreal
    -8 hit!
    Yay or Nay?

    1. Golden Oldies
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      NO sure at all.....costa, eriksen and blind all have DGW in 37

    2. mojoindojo
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      No!

  5. Gooner97
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Walker to Vert to save money, too kneejerk?

    1. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Nah, Trippier might get a start or two

      1. Gooner97
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Walker also faling in price tonite

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

      Yes. Less chance of rotation

    3. KUNingas
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      On WC I would

      1. Gooner97
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        WC active yes

    4. Reuser
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Just common sense.

  6. Merlin the Wraith
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Holey-Moley! WC & don't recognise much of my side.. Welcome strangers.. who are you again?

  7. Chris_White
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you bench out of Baines(swa), Brunt(bur) and Valencia(ars)?

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Brunt

  8. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Only Bertie, Gabbi and King today. Feels a bit meh 😐

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

      Similar. Save the torture for tomorrow. Consider it a day off

  9. Feloh
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    we all think sterling starts, isn't that the case here???

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      No. I've benched him.so yeah he'll probably start and score.

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

    I benched Sanchez.

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

      Are you going to take responsibility if it fails or blame someone, who advised you to do it again?

    2. borat
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      me too

    3. Chucky
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      23 pointer inc

    4. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Bench him next week too 😛

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

    McAuley started by 18.6% of the top 10k... You know whats coming 😆

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

      My def is shocking this GW. Had Gibson over McAuley for ages, then swapped late.

  12. KJT123
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Will FFS ever revert to forum-type comments? It's a right mess at the moment.

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

      Would be better for sure but this site has been very successful it's too big a risk

  13. Fillet-o-fish
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Costa, Eriksen, Blind ==> Gabbi, Sanchez, Monreal
    -8 hit!
    Yay or Nay??

  14. TJ_777
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Ibra is the most captained player

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      differential

    2. Feloh
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      cue is in the VC don't be misled

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

    Rob Holding anyone?

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

      Gab is safer

  16. The 12th Man
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    How's this looking?
    Cech,Cabalero
    Gabriel,Alonso,Yoshida,Stephens,Blind
    Sanchez,Hazard,Erikson,Sane,King
    Kane,Gabbiadini,Anichebe

    1. MTPockets
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Anichebe's a wasted spot imo.

        1. The 12th Man
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Benched until BB in 37

    2. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      David Moyes looks like he's aged 30 since being at Sunderland.

      1. jia you
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        He looks a broken man! He needs to call it a day I think and retire semi-gracefully!

    3. tm245
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      32% of top 10k bought Gabbiadini this week.

      Captains
      Kane TOT 23.8
      Aguero MCI 14.6
      Benteke CRY 14.4
      Gabbiadini 14.1
      Hazard CHE 4.5

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        They can't all be wrong.
        can they?

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

          Happened last GW. ; )

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

          All can be wrong one time.

        3. tm245
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Probably Negredo to Gabbi straight swaps!

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

        Got 4 out of 5. Benteke can kiss it. Hell be back to his garbage self soon

        1. tm245
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          4/5, but Benteke instead of Aguero.

    4. borat
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I benched sanchez and captained josh king. Am i crazy

      1. MFC86
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Nope!

    5. Feloh
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      who is the most captained player this gw?

      1. jia you
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Ibra!

    6. AceKn1ght
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      13 different captains in my work mini-league of 16 people! Going to be very interesting!

      1. jia you
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        That really sums it up, this should be a very interesting week!

        1. AceKn1ght
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Looking forward to it- hopefully Gabbi will do me proud

    7. jia you
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Hehehe, Most Captained: Ibrahimovic.
      Ghost ships to the left of us, ghost ships to the right...

      1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        It's a shame they all prob have good vice captains.

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

          Mostly dead teams I reckon.

          Can't be that many serious teams left still owning Ibra.

    8. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Honeyman Loves Ndongs Gooch

      1. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        He Defoe likes Holding his Willy too.

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

      I captained Coutinho to be different

      Hoping it pays off

      1. Gudjohnsen
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Me too and am already regretting it but I am a Pool fan so maybe that doesn't count.

    10. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Oh pieters.....

      Only got king to cheer on....

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

      Just realized I could finally activate my WC 😎

      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I'm saving mine for gw2 next season 😀

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

          😛

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

          Ditto 😎

    12. Rolls-Royce
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Likelihood of Pieters coming on for Stoke?

    13. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      An early gabby goal would be most welcome.

      1. Gudjohnsen
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Would be good but I didn't have the balls to captain him.

    14. Gudjohnsen
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Zaha, Lukaku to Sanchez, Anichebe for -4? Feel I need Sanchez desperately for the rest of the season.

    15. tm245
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      More from SmartyPants, the greatest site on earth.

      Top 10k: Nobody with an EO over 100, so you can root for all your players to score well, unless it is ML or a rivalry.

      Lukaku 68.3
      Kane 67.7
      Alli 65.3
      King 56
      Benteke 49.3
      Gabbiadini 48.8
      Hazard 48.4
      Sanchez 40.6
      Zaha 40.5
      Aguero 40.2