[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. Joyce1998
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    should I play yoshida over king?

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      No king but yoshida first on bench

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

    I knew I should have kept Hazard and sold King...

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

      Well if you knew that it wasnt your finest moment.

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

      probably better then my Townsend to King

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

    King > Moses for a hit?

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

      No way

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

      Depends who's coming on for King

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

        JWP

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

    Which is better:

    A) Kos -> Matip
    King -> Lallana

    B) King -> Lallana
    Alli -> Coutinho

    Both -4

  5. Darth
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    help please peeps

    King to Sane worth a hit? I have coutinho. Gabbiadini to play if I dont replace King.,

    or I will use the force.....

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

      Yes

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

      Dont hit in the last week. Sane HAS to score to even break even.. Just play a bench fodder

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

        That assumes Gabbi plays at all.

    3. Spab
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I would take the hit in that situation. Probably.

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

        thanks all

  6. F4L
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Alli to start?

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

      Probs

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

      Of course

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

    King > Pedro or Fabregas for -4?

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

      Fab

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

        Fab

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

      Pedro

  8. dogtanion
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Are Zaha owners playing him?

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

      probablt gonna ditch for Fabs
      last minute transfer

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

    I want to, I want to, Oh Yeah

  10. The Overthinker
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Any news on firmino?

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

    Coooooostaaaaa C ?

    1. AA33
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Sensible. Captain Kane if you have him.

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

    What's this King news that people are referencing? Can't find the detail... thanks

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

      his twitter i think

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

      He dead

    3. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      His instagram account

    4. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      See the Scout Tweets

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

      If you have him, sell him or bench

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

      He posted on his instagram that he has a small injury and won't play

    7. DailyFootballPl
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      His insta, confirmed not playing

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

      From his instagram profile, he said he won't play today.

    9. dwain100
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yellow flagged on the fantasy league site.

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

      He posted something on his instagram saying good luck to the boys today

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

      Thanks all, quick transfer so

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

    Stani or Lallana for -4? no liverpool coverage

    thanks

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

      same situation

  14. D0GS B0110XS FC
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    who do i bring off the bench first for king
    a - lingard
    b - monreal

    thanks

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

    Bottomed -

    Quick help needed.

    Hazard to >>

    a) Coutinho
    b) KDB.

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

      I'd stick with Hazard. If you're set on a move, KDB

    2. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Cout

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

    King > Milner for -4?

    Or play stephens.

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Play Stephens

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

        Cheers

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

    Did you know that Michael Knight's real name in the series was Michael Long?

    1. Tatty Bojangles
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      This changes everything.

  18. AA33
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Why is King yellow flagged? He should be red flagged. The player himself has said that he is not playing.

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

      He's not a reliable source

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

        This

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

      He could be lying. Red flag = 100 % confirmed out

    3. Lizard Lips
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Don't think the powers that be have seen it yet.

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

    Double up on Arsenal defence or play Mawson?

  20. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Why is everyone selling King?

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

      injured

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

      Confirmed won't play.

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

      Injured

    4. bring_on _the_fantasy
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Can't you read??

      1. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Mug

  21. ZeBestee
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    i just don't trust Puel. Gabbi might not even start

  22. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    A) Alli
    B) Cout -4

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      Don't take a hit

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

    sane or fabregas?

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Sane I think

    2. Lizard Lips
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      See below. I am gone Sane.

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

        thanks did it

        1. Lizard Lips
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Hopefully it comes off. I would rather Son out of everyone but far from certain he starts. This one could easily backfire but feels like the right play.

  24. Lizard Lips
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Those who are going King to Coutinho and need to downgrade Hazard and are thinking out of Siggy, Pedro, Fabregas, Son, Sane. I advise going Sane, City got everything to play for and Sane has looked very good recently. He's the one for me. Son, Cesc and Pedro might not get as many minutes.

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

      thanks good point

  25. Tricky FC
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    will costa be in starting line up?

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

      Must be

  26. woody3260
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Just got Ake to come for the bench - that enough??

  27. GOTHAM City F.C.
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Would Matic my first sub be better off than taking a hit to transfer King?

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

      Yes

  28. toystory2wasok
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    it's always bugged me that FPL's 1hr deadline is the same as when teams are announced. why not just have it half-an hour before kick off? or 1.5 hrs before, if they don't want use to know the teams before.

    as it is it's just a huge panic up till the last minute, which must hammer their servers more.

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

      Yeah it makes no sense, all other fantasy sites do it right to kick off. Biggest thing that needs changing.

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

    Giroud starting today?

  30. Bunk Moreland
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Who scores most,

    A PVA (mun u21s) or
    B Lovren (MID)?