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

    Mark must have a massive team value being the man behind FPL Twitter, ScoutCast, etc. He's a one man bandwagon!!

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

      He's in the "the empire business." (Breaking Bad)

  2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    gabriel or blind?

    1. Red or Dead
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Blind

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

        ... this week.

    2. Top 210 Club
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Gabsta

    3. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      blind

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

      Gab fo rme

    5. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Blind

    6. boredjames
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Blind i think more secure

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

      Gab. Just. Both risky but smaling Jones back soon

    8. ameenkw
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Gabs

    9. Over Midwicket
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Both

    10. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      thanks guys, it's not easy at all

      no matter what I am going to do the wrong thing

      1. Top 210 Club
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Extra game think gabsta safest. Arsenal easier games looking solid

    11. Big Mac 24
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      One week or WC? Blind one week Gabriel wc

  3. The Royal Robin
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Is anyone actually getting a reply?

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

      Yeah

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

      you are

      1. The Royal Robin
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Shame about the actual post I wanted a reply to 😉

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

      No.

    4. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      yes

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

    Caballero, Pickford
    Alonso, Bailly, Gabriel, Yoshida, Holgate
    Sanchez, Hazard, Alli, Eriksen, Fletcher
    Kane, Costa, Gabbi

    Which transfer should I make? On WC
    A. Costa + Fletcher --> Jesus + King
    B. Alli / Eriksen --> Sane
    C. Alli / Eriksen --> Coutinho
    D. A + B or C
    E. Any transfer recommadation?

    1. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      i like A

    2. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. Pariße
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      A

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

    I know the pages are turning fast, but I'd really 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

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

      HOLDDDDDDDDDD

    2. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Stick

    3. Bellybig
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      hold

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

      A, easy

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

      No reason to wildcard with that team.

  6. Over Midwicket
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Can anyone give me some feedback on my WC team please? Open to changes! Thanks 🙂

    Caballero. Pickford.
    Vertonghen. Blind. Daniels. Gabriel. Yoshida.
    Hazard. Özil. Eriksen. Sane. King.
    Kane. Costa. Gabbiadini.

    0.2ITB. Thanks!

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

      I wouldn't have ozil. Coutinho, Firmino and erisken all seem much better options. Even will have more to give till the end of the season and is very cheap

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

        even zaha*

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

      Don't like Daniels - no DGW, not on pens anymore, and Bournemouth don't get many clean sheets. Must be better options.

  7. Sánchez
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Rangers now closer in points to finishing bottom than they are to catching Celtic 😆

    1. korbendallas82
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      At least they are a football team now.

  8. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Think I'm going to bench Erkisen over Sanchez. I have Kane if Spurs turn up but no one else if Arsenal decide to show.

    Feel sick.

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      dn't do it, must be someone else

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

      DOC NO. NO NO NO.

    3. You've got red on you.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Sanchez, Sane, Eriksen, King, Haz

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        sane maybe? it's too hard

    4. Ronny Hotdog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'm thinking the same. Horrible feeling.

    5. Over Midwicket
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Please don't do that

    6. Big Mac 24
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      AOA?

      1. You've got red on you.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        used it 🙁

    7. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Sold Eriksen for Coutinho. Will become Sanchez next week. Have Alli and Kane and cash ML chaser only Alli

    8. You've got red on you.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I fear Sanchez exploding more than I fear Eriksen. Plus sours mid owenership is split between Alli and Eriksen so it will hit me less if Eriksen does do well. If Sanchez gets in the points...everyone has him.

    9. Top 210 Club
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Sane may get rest for jesus

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

      I decided to bet on Sanchez failing to show.

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

    Who do i captain, Benteke, Kane, Lukaku, Sanchez, Eriksen, Coutinho, King?

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

      Kane

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

    Kompany or Verthongen? I've not City cover this week but bringing in Jesus next week

    1. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      komp

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

      Kompany

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

    Repost
    how is josh king as cap choice ahead of kane , gabbi, tekkers

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

      Brave - I think its enough to play him. But if you are chasing ....

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

    Play
    H)eaton
    P)ickford

  13. Nesvy
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Captain choice?

    a/ Benteke
    b/ Gabbi

    1. You've got red on you.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      b

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

    Reply to one comment, two pages behind.

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

    Anyone else weirdly tempted by Mahrez? Decent fixtures and should play. Plus double gameweek potential as no other games for them in other competitions.

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

      If he wasn't so expensive.

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

        ...and if the DGW fixtures were better.

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

    which 3 will you bench?

    1) Alonso v eve
    2) Yoshida v HUL
    3) Huth v wba
    4) Eriksen v ARS
    5) Ozil v tot
    6) King v sun

  17. Bonus magnet
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    who to captain
    eriksen
    kane
    arnautovic
    tadic
    sterling
    benteke

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

      Kane

      1. Bonus magnet
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        cheers

  18. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Pick one to bench?
    Hazard, Alli, Coutinho, Sane, King, Kane, Jesus, Gabbi.

    1. AzzaroMax99
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Jesus

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

      Sane

  19. Positive vibes
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Vardy or Costa?

  20. _Gunner
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Kane or Gabbi for the armband?

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

      Kane (c) and Gabbi (vc) locked in for me, leading ML's so dont need to roll the dice.

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

    Alonso or verts?

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

      Alonso - more ways to get points.

  22. williamjames
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Hazard Firmino Sane Alli Zaha

    Kane Rashford Gabbiadini

    Who should i bench?

  23. Positive vibes
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Rashford or Gabriel Jesus? Thx.

    1. Ange Ball
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Rashford wil be rested I believe for Europa go De Jesus

      1. Positive vibes
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Thx. What about choose between Vardy or Costa?

  24. Give The Todd Some Love
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Assume this has been discussed a lot, but is anyone getting Holding?

    1. Top 210 Club
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      No mustafi may be close and holding didn't play last game

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

    I'm playing Gibson V Citeh. 😀

  26. Ange Ball
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I'm gonna just go for it this gw hope for the best.

    Please pick two.

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

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

      E and whoever

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

    RP.

    Who scores most this weekend ONLY

    Jesus or Lukaku

    1. Pirlø's Pen
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Jesus

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

    on my wc, worth dropping sanchez for kdb for this gw and get sanchez back next?

    ddg
    yoshida alonso huth
    king sanchez haz eriksen tadic
    gabbi kane anichebe

  29. DaveZubie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    1: Valencia (Gibson sub if he doesn't play)
    2: AoA DeRoon

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

    0-4 now 😛