[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. For Fuchs Sake
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    GTG?

    Willy
    Monreal Vert Alonso Stephens
    Cout Sanchez Erik King
    Jesus Kane Llorente

    Pickford Stephens Capoue Holgate

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

      King not playing today

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

      Double Stephens

      1. For Fuchs Sake
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Ooops, meant Stephens on the bench, but King not playing solves that.

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

    Best King replacement for max 10.3?

    Other starting mids are:

    Sanchez - Fabregas - Eriksen

    Ideally a differential.

    1. zizoo10
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      boyd OP

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

      Wiji?

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

    Ugh as if the official fpl twitter are telling everyone that King is out, there goes an advntage then.

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

      Good for non owners, more hits for others.

      I think he'll start though.

      1. He's said he's out injured

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

      Aaaaaaand flagged

    3. Sif
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A large amount of semi casuals are going to miss that 30mins from deadline.

    4. Casuals are mowing the grass, or eating their Sunday lunch, or spending time with their families - they're not pressing f5 on Twitter for random team news

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

    Who would u choose from-
    Pedro/Lallana/ Milner.

    Already own Hazard and no Pool players if that matters..

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

      lalana then

  5. Tshelby
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Jesus should start, right?

    1. My Name Is Pepu
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      110%

    2. PEP G
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      yeap

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

    Any team/player news today?

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

      King out

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

        Cheers Hooky...

  7. Speédy
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    lallana and siggy in

  8. Tibbs
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Costa> Kane (-4) or madness?

  9. My Name Is Pepu
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Chances of Pedro starting? Worth getting Lallana in for a hit? Or bench Pedro and Tom Carroll?

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

    Quick poll.
    A Hazard & Lallana
    B Cesc & Coutinho
    C Son & Coutinho
    D Pedro/Willian & Coutinho

    Thanks

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

      B

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

      B

  11. Rodgers's CHARACTER
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    A) get lovren for huth
    B) get zaha for King

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

      b

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

    Sane, Lukaku, Mirallas >>> Milner, Vardy, Siggy for -8?

  13. zizoo10
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    start

    A) Stephens (Yoshida on field already)
    B) Capoue

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

      b

  14. Sif
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    King was on my bench anyway 🙂

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

    Are all you King owners taking hits?

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

      No. Two Fts

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

        😎

        1. 😎

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

      I am. de Roon is my alternative ðŸ™

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

      i am coz i also own Anichebe

    4. walkman666
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Don't think so.

    5. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Stanislas owner here 😎

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

      2 ft

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

      no, already made 1 hit

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

    Midfielder less than 5.1?

    Options are Milijoveic (Palace penalty taker) or Stanislas.

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

      Stan

  17. Fowler23
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    A) Hazard to Coutinho
    B) Alli to Coutinho
    C) Gabbi to Vokes

  18. Kurtinho
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Start Luiz, Gabbi, or Stephens in place of King?

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

      luiz

  19. L'Aeroplanino
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Captain Kane or Sanchez???

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

      Sanchez

  20. Smurf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I may have no bench:

    Cedric / Kone / Anichebe

  21. 824545201
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Fabregas in for a hit instead of King or play Vertonghen?

    1. ASAP Rocky
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'd play Vert if I were you. I'm in the same spot, how about playing Carroll (H) WBA? Or taking a hit for Fabregas?

  22. ASAP Rocky
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Capt Kane or Sanchez?

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

      kane

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

    King out? Wtf.....

    1. AA33
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Serves you right 😉

  24. AA33
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Looks like this season just doesn't want to end like it haha 😀

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

    A. Hazard & Gabbiadini - > Fabregas & Sturridge

    B. King & Hazard - > Coutinho & Fabregas

    Any advice please?

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

      B

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

      Both decrnt.
      Cout more nailed that Studge.

  26. Ravager
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    A) Alli > Coutinho
    B) Gabbi + King > Crouch + Coutinho (-4)

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

    Play gabbiadini or Yoshida?

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

    King to Zaha (-4)
    AoA active
    or play stephens?

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

      stephens for me

  29. Alnair
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Got a big feeling about Willian, anyone know his chances of starting?

  30. Bored Bear
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Who plays up front instead of king?