[sbu_large_image] Opinion
21 May 2017 3279 comments
Mark Mark
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The final day is such a bittersweet experience.

The anticipation and excitement can go off the scale on days like this but, equally, we know that an almighty comedown looms once the whistle has blown and the final set of bonus points drop in.

For all the frustrations that Fantasy Football can inflict, in a matter of hours, we will be lamenting the end of another season and already chattering in anticipation of the next, as we begin the process of burning time till August.

Today has so much in store. At the very top of the FPL we could well be treated to one of the most thrilling finales in memory.

While we’ve witnessed tense conclusions to the season before – most notably Tom Fenley’s one-point victory in 2013/14 – I can’t recall us heading into Gameweek 38 with just two points separating the top two managers.

Many of us are experienced Fantasy managers, and, at various times we’ve doubtless flirted with the upper reaches of the FPL rankings. But we can only imagine how it must feel this morning to ponder the decisions that could make or break an entire season. No pressure.

My best wishes to go out to Uwais Ahmed and Ben Crabtree at the very top – and to the chasing pack that gives chase.

Closer to home, I’m dealing with my own agonising choices.

I’m in reach of a top 100 finish – just five points adrift. But now I must decide on what it will take to carry me over the line, while at the same time hold off Torres Magic who continues to breathe down my neck in the Mods and Contributors league.

Since nudging into the top 500, I’ve calmed my aggressive transfer policy and, in the main, it’s worked.

Slowly but surely I’ve cautiously edged up the rankings to be close to my target, but now I’m wondering if there’s merit in ending the season with one last hurrah.

I’ve felt subdued in recent weeks. It’s felt like my fire has gone out and that I’m simply plodding over the line without any degree of flair.

But today’s heady mix of sunshine, tension and ten concurrent fixtures may just tempt my maverick tendencies. I might just commit to a hit and see if I can’t find a more spectacular route over the line.

Regardless of the outcome and the inevitable feeling of flatness when the final ball is kicked, I will look back on this season with much fondness.

We’ve all be tested and challenged, and I can’t recall a campaign that has demanded more “management”. We’ve rarely been able to settle on our squads: Harry Kane aside, at one time or another, the merits of each and every heavy-hitter has been questioned. There’s been no “fire and forget” options, no essential bargains that offered us a lengthy shelf life.

While luck – rough or smooth – has played its part, I believe the experienced and studied Fantasy managers have had the opportunities to prevail, but we’ve had to work to call this season a success.

For me, that’s how it should be. Looking back, I can’t help but think that Messrs Vardy, Mahrez and Alli were too easy on us last season; it felt more satisfying this time around.

Now we can look ahead. Prepare for new names. Make lists, study numbers and swear that we will never repeat this season’s mistakes.

Only one thing is certain – I’ll be back here with the flame burning once again. I hope to see you too.

Enjoy the day.

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

3,279 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Baked baines
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I'm scared

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

    Good luck all!!

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

    Final preamble.

    My one last question is..

    Pedro or Fabregas?

    Rival who trails by 32 points has Pedro

    1. Our Tiny Windows
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Fab should do better

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

      PEdro better chance of starting imho

    3. MTPockets
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Pedro

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

    Imagine selling Hazard before SUN.

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

      Feels great

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

        liberating ... bye Hazard, hello Azpi

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

      He was the first name on my WC in GW36 and sold him straightaway for GW37.

      Did alright out of it!

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

      Don't have to.

  5. Cooper123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Gabbiandi to Giroud for a hit?

    Got a 10 point lead.

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

      Sounds interesting.

    2. Our Tiny Windows
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

    3. timski8000
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      No. Just no.

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

    The last hooray. Good luck all !!!

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

    A) Jesus to kane (C) for -4?
    B) Yoshida to Kane (C) -8. have alli and eriksen (change of formation)
    C) Stay put without Kane

  8. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Might Captain Alli *Shock faced Emoji*

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

      Don't do it

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Aye haha 🙂

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

    The Final Day

    Good luck to everyone

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

      You too Syd!

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

    My deadline is fast approaching, got to hit road soon to attend Auntie's 50th Birthday party.

    Team locked and loaded a lot earlier than I would have done. Hopefully there won't be too many pre deadline leaks on important team news.

    Good luck!

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

    Any leaks

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

      Spilled some tea earlier, does that count

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

        Ouch

    2. Mark-O
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Water pipe is leaking

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

        yes but the doctor says it happens to all men

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

    my favourite article....

  13. Torres76
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Pick one duo

    1. Giroud + Coutinho
    2. Son + Sturridge

    Cheers all 🙂

    1. S.Agueroooooo
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      1

  14. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Hazard is due a goal against Sunderland... been waiting for 4 years

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

      Probably ain't starting m8

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

    HELP MEEE

  16. Shultan
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    For those of us feeling nervous about our MLs just imagine how the top 2 feel right now!

  17. Niemi
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Seems like Josh King won't play based on his last instagram picture.

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

      ?

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

      ??

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

        wtf ðŸ™

      2. MTPockets
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Oh dear

    3. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Interesting 🙂

  18. Evs
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    My favourite article 😉

    1. Hahaha!

  19. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Which captain do you think closes a 16point lead on top 100? Or not possible?

    Mignolet
    Kompany Monreal Koscielny
    Alli Coutinho Sanchez Sane Zaha
    Kane Jesus
    (Jakupovic, Stephens, Gabbiadini, Chambers)

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

      Zaha

  20. Our Tiny Windows
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I've sacraficed Jesus for Aguero and there's nothing any of you can do about it.

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

      To which God?

  21. Shifty
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    REGARDLESS OF RANKS, GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF FFS TONIGHT.

    MAY THE POINTS BE EVER IN OUR FAVOUR (especially Kane captainers)

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      😀

  22. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Nice one Mark, good luck

    1. Mark-O
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers hehe

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

    Playing Montreal so going with Willy over Cech to spread the risk I think..

    Anyone else got the same guys?

    1. MITRO'S ON FIRE
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yep. Going Cech and Monreal though

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

    any leaked lineups ? need to know if hazard going to play

  25. EDEN THE MAN
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Final Question for the season.

    Which one.

    (K)ane
    San(c)hez

    Cheers and good luck

  26. Malcolm Tucker for England …
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    My favouritest article in the whole wide world eeeeeever..

  27. Sid07
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Wally Pickford
    Alonso Stephens yoshida gibbs holgate
    Sanchz haz alli sane king
    Jesus Kane gabbidani

    Q1 play AoA??
    Q2 what to do with 2 fts

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

      1 Bench Gabbi
      2 I don't know. What players are you interested in?

      1. Sid07
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        1) Giroud + coutinho
        2) sturidge + fab

  28. Deulofail
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I'm all set, but need a captain. Who has the highest 'points ceiling', if such a thing exists. (Anyone but Eriksen and Cech)

    Cech
    Alonso Cahill Azpi
    KDB Sane Coutinho Eriksen Albrighton
    Vardy Sturridge

    Pickford | Stephens, Yoshida, Anichebe

  29. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    GL ALL, let's go out with a BANG!

  30. Ghost86
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Final call please help chasing 25 points in ML

    A) Jesus to Sturridge(c) 4 differentials plus cap FT

    B) Hazard & Anichebe to Lalanna + Giroud 5 differentials -4 then chasing 29 points

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

      Or Llorente + Coutinho