[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. Chicken-Mandy
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    yoshida ok to come off the bench for king?
    or do i need to -4

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

      If your replacement can outscore Yoshida by 4pts, then go for it

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

      I'm in the same position but so close my league that I'm uncertain.

    3. The Rock
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yoshida is perfect, good chance of cleanie.

      1. Chicken-Mandy
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Im torn now
        fabregas/lallana and sturridge
        or
        fabregas/lallana/sane and coutinho?

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

      Yes mate, don't take a hit.

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

    Best king replacement

    A...siggy

    B...william ( will he start?)

    Thanks

    1. Chicken-Mandy
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      fabregas/lallana/sane

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

    A)Ozil + Alli > Sanchez + lallana(-4)
    B)Hazard + alli > Coutinho + KDB(-4)

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

      B

  4. Sponge-worthy
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    What is this with king? Whas happening?

    1. Sponge-worthy
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Damn.. Well gabbi first on bench.

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

    King Gabbiadini > Stanislas Sturridge

    Transfers done.

    If King starts and scores....not sure if I will be able to recover from it.

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

      Would have got albrighton myself but decent enough moves.

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

        already have Albrighton. AOA time.

  6. Pierce34
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Well, looks like I'm playing Gabbiadini after all 😀

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

    Will King become public enemy no. 1 on here if he's just trolling?

    1. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      No he's still my hero of the season

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

    scenes if king's instagram was hacked

    1. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'm keeping just in case..

    2. Railwayman
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Good one 😀

  9. Sz21
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Yoshida, Stephens, Bailly..

    Who would u leave out?

    King injury is causing me to make a late change of plan.
    Pedro is in. Was going to get Matip.

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

    Pick one duo

    1. Giroud + Coutinho
    2. Son + Sturridge

    Cheers all

    Ps a massive good luck

    1. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      2

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

    King to zaha for a hit or have stephens come off the bench & ruin my AoA?

  12. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I have the worst timing ever:

    Any ideas for improvement here? Haven't made my FT yet.

    Heaton
    Davies | Stephens | Mawson
    Sanchez | Alli | Sane | Mirallas
    Kane | Jesus | Lukaku

    Grant, Capoue, Francis, Barragan

  13. Legomane
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone want to talk me out of A?
    Leaves my SOU boys as backup on the bench.
    69 ahead in ML (he does have BB), current rank 1.6k, doubt I can sneak top 1k now 🙁
    Cheers

    A. Hazard Holgate > Coutinho Azpilicueta (-4)
    B. Holgate > Terry
    C. Sané > Coutinho

    Cech
    Alonso(v) Kompany Stephens
    Sanchez Hazard Eriksen Sané King
    Kane(c) Jesus

    (Pickford Yoshida Holgate Anichebe)

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

      Might want to get rid of King

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

        What's up with king?

  14. The Man Pastore
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    King --> ?

    A) Fab
    B) Pedro
    C) Willian
    D) Lallana
    E) Wijnaldum

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

      King > King 🙂

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

        I actually tried an auto pick on FPL earlier for this, it kept putting King back in!

    2. Manani
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      i'd say A among them

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

    Bring in Sturridge or Coutinho?

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I thought you had done Fabs and Studge already?

  16. deppman007
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Alli -> Lalana
    King -> Cout -4?

  17. Bill Car
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Pedro or Fabregas?

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

      I'm thinking PEdro better chance of starting, but Fabregas better form. So Pedro just

  18. Lallana_
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    First sub with King out?

    Yoshida, Stephens or Gabbiadini?

  19. Totti
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    after joshua injury plz need your help
    A) play albrighton and get cesc instead of him and bench gabbiadini ( -4 )

    B) play gabbidini and get cesc instead of him and bench albrighton ( -4 )

    C) get sturridge and cesc for minus 8 and bench albrighton

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

    Hazard and King > Coutinho and Fabregas for a hit?

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

      yes

  21. Geoff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    King > Milner. Maverick

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Thinking the same actually. Or Jay Rodriguez

      1. Geoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Moses is the other one

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

    I'm sure people will continue to ask, but here is King's Instagram comment for visibility: http://imgur.com/a/rLVvu

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

    King > who for 6.5? Milner? .2 short of Lollana.

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

      Milner is ok. Albrighton?

    2. gbpearce - AMERICAN DYCHO
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Zaha?

  24. Ninja Škrtel
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Kane or Sanchez or Kane or Sanchez?!?!?!

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

      C Kane or Sanchez

  25. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Is Lallana & Fab a good combo for King & Eriksen?

  26. MTPockets
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Decide to keep Hazard, then King injury forces a hit. Brilliant.

  27. karvs155
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Quick, 1st bench:
    A) Gabbi (STK)
    B) Clichy (wat)

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

    Do you reckon Mr Greedy Son will be benched to ensure Kane gets the Golden Boot?

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

      No

    2. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      No.

  29. Duffy Dunk
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I'll start King just in case, but who should be 1st sub between Barnes and Yoshida?

    1. karvs155
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Barnes imo

  30. Darbs
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    A) Coutinho & Carroll
    B) Wijnaldum & Lingard