[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. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Zaha or Stanislas?

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

      Stan

    2. AF90
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Zaha

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

      Yo dawg looks like we have ourselves a free thinker.

      Stan.

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

      Stan

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

    King to Lallana for a hit? Or play gabi????

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

      Lallana

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

      Gabbi

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

      Play King

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

        King dead

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

    Quick
    Mahrez or Siggy?

  4. AF90
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Walker & King -> Matip & Fabregas -4?

    Or bench King, play Gabbi?

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

      Do it

    2. Blame the Ref
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Do it

  5. stat
    9 years, 1 month ago

    My front 8 are:

    Sane / Coutinho / Sanchez / Alli / Eriksen

    Vokes / Kane / Jesus

    A - Bench Sane vs wat
    B - Bench Alli vs hul
    C - Bench Eriksen vs hul
    D - Bench Vokes vs WHU

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

      Vokes: he's budget for a reason.

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

    Play

    1) 3-5-2
    Haz + king to fab + coutinho

    2) play AoA
    Haz + king + gabbi to fab + coutinho + giroud(-4)

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

    Milner still on pens?

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

      Should be.

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

      Should be

      1. RED PILL
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Syd Do u think King is fake news ?

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

      He's chasing the Golden Boot ain't he?

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

    Anyone fancying Rodriguez for Southampton today?

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

      Yes - for King now. But also Milner

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

      Too many options mate, look elsewhere.

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

    Which one would give more points?

    A. Costa + Voke + Zaha
    B. Kane + Ayew + Ndidi

  10. Blame the Ref
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Love this last-minute drama around King - this is what FPL is about.

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

      Like someone said on IG he's a legend for letting us know

  11. Blue Gaffer
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    1. Alli----Coutinho
    2. Tadic & Gabbiadini----Coutinho & Barnes -4?

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

    Glad that I hold on my 2 FT!

    Haz/ King to Couts/Sane to have this:

    Sanchez Coutinho Eriksen Pedro Sane
    Jesus Kane(c)

    Done and dusted?

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

    Is fabregas nailed today? Seems if you're leading it's safe to go for Sane or siggy

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

    Why does everyone getting rid of King??? MADNESS!!!

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

      he is not playing

    2. The ginger cafu
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      His Instagram post suggests he's not playing

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

    King is not going to play, damn, and I already made a hit. Who to play:
    A/ Stephens
    B/ Holding (got Cech)

    1. muc1999
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A

  16. Guy Demel
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    King will start.

    Players don't reveal things like this unless s been announced by the club or in a presser.

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

      Wow

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

        Normally I'd agree. Neither team has anything to play for though

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

      I'm out of the loop. What's happened?

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

    whats the chances of Alli Eriksen and Son all starting?

    1. super zlatan
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I think they all will start.

    2. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'd say about 40%

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

      Decent. Spurs are great.

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

      80%

  18. DARE
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you Captain?

    Alli - Son - Eriksen - Sanchez - Coutinho

    Jesus

    ?

    Please!!!! 🙂

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

    Hearing Robert Snodgrass replaces Calleri today for #WHUFC as well, Ayew up front on his own #BURWHU

    https://twitter.com/Sam_InkersoleTM/status/866269342610149377

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

      King to Ayew then

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

    Play which one:

    1. Yoshi
    2. Stephens

    My rival has Stephens

  21. HD7
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Hi 🙂

    Leader is within 3 points (small matter he has the bench boost but I I will give my best)

    My team: after Hazard to Coutinho

    Cech
    Alonso Kompany Yoshi Stephens
    Sanchez Coutinho Ali King
    Kane Jesus

    Subs: Pickford Gabbi Albrighton Smith

    Leader Team: (It shows he made 2 transfers, probably Coutinho and Kane for Hazard and Kaku to try to block me.

    Cech
    Stephens Mawson Holding
    Sanchez Hazard Ali Sane Eriksen
    Jesus Kaku

    Subs: Jaku Barnes Tarkowski Smith

    Wondering if it is profitable to make Gabbi to Giroud for -4 and play 3-4-3 wit Guroud and Yoshi to have differentials again ?

    Your suggestions in order to complete an epic win ?

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

    Just got on, what's this about King?

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

      Not playing today.

    2. Tomlette Greggs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      his latest instagram post suggests might not play today. injury.

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

    Hi.

    A) King + Koscielny -> Coutinho + Ake
    B) King + Hazard -> Coutinho + Fabregas

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

      A

  24. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Stick with Hazard or do hazard >> siggy?

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

    King 44216 transfers in this week

    1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      70000 out in last 5 mins

  26. Lawrø
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Which do you prefer? 🙂

    A) Gabbiadini(STO)

    B) Gibbs(EVE)

    C) Giroud(EVE)(-4)

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

      C

  27. bel24
    • 17 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Ozil , Sane or Eriksen out for Coutino? FT

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

      Ozil imo

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

    They've informed the masses...

    @OfficialFPL:
    Got Josh King? Might be time to think again... He says on his Instagram account he's out: https://www.instagram.com/p/BUWkNMmhktI

  29. wagner is king
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    is giroud gonna play?

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

      I dare not check his Insta, might make me question my sexuality.

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

    Hazard & King - > Coutinho & Fabregas? No hit

    Benching Gabbiadini & starting Albrighton

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

      go for it