[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. UKG
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    There is a chance King's social media has been hacked of course...

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

      Russia/Trump

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

        First we will bring down America, then we're going after those fpl managers.

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

    A. Origi
    B. Fabregas
    C. Sane

    got cover for all 3 teams already, thoughts?

  3. Aladdin Sané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Coutinho or Sane captain? Chasing

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

    Pick two to play?

    - Monreal
    - Vertonghen
    - Stephens

    Rest of my team is all pretty much City/Chelsea/Spurs/Arsenal.

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

    Captain:

    Kane
    Sanchez
    Cout

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

      Kane, with the masses.

    2. Live Lad
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Sanchez

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

      same dilemma, Sanchez (TC) for me (leading)

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

        Yikes, I have TC too and you're making me question myself, dammit.

  6. Nabs Kebabs
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    "I'm not playing" from the horses mouth...

    FPL *Yellow flag, (75%)*

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

      Lol

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

      🙂

    3. Art Vandelay
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Was just about to post this. Laughable flagging again.

  7. Bobby
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Chances of gabi starting today!?

  8. Liastro ⭐️
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    WILL HAZARD START?!?!?!?!?

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

      Yes

      1. Jam0sh
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Bubz. Was going to do Alli -> Coutinho before King news broke out. Does it sound now sensible for you to do Hazard and King -> Coutinho and Fabregas for free. 2 FT's

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

    King to Zaha for a hit with AoA
    or stephens?
    TA

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

      Stephens

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

    Winaldum or lallana for Stephens (as playing player) on hit? Other non sane fabregas options Underground 7.9?

  11. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Thankfully have Stannis on my bench. Seems a reasonable King replacement...

    1. Jay_
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Thinking of getting him for a hit

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

      Mr. Baratheon would do reasonable as king indeed

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

    No Carroll, King....I can feel a song coming on...

    1. Bruno Bruno!!
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      no jesus next im taking jesus navas

    2. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      It's too late, baby

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

        😀

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

    Anyone else going with Sanchez captain?

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

      Yep

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

    WHATS THE INTELLIGENCE ON KING!!!

    1. VS10_
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      CAN YOU READ A FEW PAGES? OR SCOUT TWEETS?

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

        Caps are frowned upon on here

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

    Impossible to get replies here with how fast the board is going.

    A) Alli > Coutinho

    OR

    B) Gabbi + King > Crouch + Cout (-4) and go 3-5-2 with Albrighton?

  16. HappyMonday
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Is hazard def not going to play?

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

    Play Vertonghen (hul) or Yoshida (STO)? Already playing Stephens

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

      Vertonghen surely.

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

    Chances of Fab starting?

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

      high

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

    Please help:

    1.Alli-----Coutinho
    2.Tadic----Lallana

  20. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on the following for -4

    Alli to Son
    Gabbiadini to Giroud

  21. Davido989
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Hehe hacked King's instagram. Now for Alexis Sanchez.

    1. George Sillett
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Why not do Hazard and Kane whilst you're at it ? ☺

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

    Afternoon chaps,

    Been lurking for a while now debating this GW, causing me all sorts of headaches due to different factors.

    I'm chasing 17pts, my team is as follows:

    Cech - Pickford
    Monreal - Cahill - Yosh - Stephens - Holgate
    Sanchez - Eriksen - KDB - King - Capoue
    Kane - Jesus - Gabbi

    His team:
    Cab - Pickford
    Alonso - Kos - Vert - Stephens - Holgate
    Sanchez - Alli - Haz - King - Albrighton
    Jesus - Kane - Gabbi

    He has made 2 FT, one being Haz --> Cout, not sure about the 2nd as he has upgraded somebody by £2.1mil.

    Captain choice is obviously huge, as I think he will (C) Kane. Am I right to go Sanchez/Jesus to play catch up?

    A) Eriksen --> Cout
    B) KDB + Gabbi --> Fab + Sturridge (-4)
    C) Gabbi --> Vokes
    D) King --> ?

    .4 ITB

    Any help would be much appreciated.

  23. shapply
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Should I do it given King is injured?
    King, Gabba out
    Vokes, Sane in (-4)
    or play Stephens in King's place? I have Alonso, Kompany and Naughton

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

    King > Zaha or Can or other (6.1m)?

  25. Moose™
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Firmino good differential?

  26. Zizou
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Hazard or Eriksen to coutinho

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

    Son or fabregas?

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

    Keeping Hazard now..

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

      why

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

        He is due a goal against Sunderland ... after waiting for 4 years

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

    A)Cout
    B)Sanchez(-4)

  30. mr messi
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Play Mawson or Monreal? Already playing Holding as rival has him.