[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. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    OMGGGGGG

  2. Arsène Around
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Sanchez or Kane TC ???

    1. AA33
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Kane

  3. TooDifficuIt
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    chelsea dressing room
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DAWe6xsXsAEnQjQ.jpg

    1. Ziro
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Need a more hi-res pic. !!

    2. dmcqt
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Can you interpret the starting players from that?

      1. HazardAGuess
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        No. There's more than 11 shirts.

    3. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Can anyone see Fabs name there?

      1. HazardAGuess
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Yes, but we can't tell who is starting and who's on the bench.

    4. George Sillett
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      That's really useful

    5. Rogue Todd
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Shameful and arrogant boasting - the equivalent of "1000 points, any good?" posts on here.

  4. Robben Mee Blind
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Think I'm just going to rely on autosubs to cover King- no one appealing enough for a hit in that price bracket

  5. DavidSilva
    • 17 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Just found out king news, already on a -4 with gabbi or benalouane to come in, do i make it -8 ?

  6. Tricky FC
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    will costa start?

  7. JoshyC
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Surely some team sheets out by now

    1. VS10_
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Is this your first week of playing?

    2. BobBradleysOpportunity
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      do they usually come out 67 minutes before kick off?

  8. nicecat
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    me 1st: kane, sanchez, jesus
    2nd (-17): kane, alli, costa

    any advice on who to captain?

    1. Radiolasvegas
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Kane

  9. UKG
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Gabbi or Yoshida first sub (Playing King...)

  10. F4L
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Alli or Cout?

    1. Ha.
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Cout

  11. Ed
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Play Yoshida or Siggy (-4 for King)?

    Already playing Stephens.

  12. TheBusDriver
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    A) Alli + Vokes

    or

    B) Coutinho + Koscielny

    1. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      A

  13. La Roja
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    PPAANIIIICCC

    1. Tansey
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      for what

  14. The Tinkerman
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Do we know anything about whether Hazard starts or not?

    1. MITRO'S ON FIRE
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      No - just speculation. He's a differential among this subset

  15. FPL Maldini
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Choose one!

    a) Zaha

    b) Lanzini

    1. Rodgers's CHARACTER
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      a

    2. Boglander
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Zaha

  16. Bubz
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    My gut is screaming that Febregas won't start at me 🙁

    1. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      He will

  17. Mark-O
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Leaked LFC lineup?

  18. Aladdin Sané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Play one:

    A) B. Davies
    B) Monreal
    C) Yoshida

  19. Rodgers's CHARACTER
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    A) Zaha for King
    B) Lovren for Huth

  20. andymck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Stephens first sub or take a hit for King > Fab?

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Sub

    2. Unsuccessful
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      I'm doing this now

  21. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Hazard will start just spoke to JT himself

    1. Ha.
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Really?!

    2. _Make
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Unlucky

    3. French Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      rofl

  22. smix
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Playing Stephens in place of King then .. Not worth getting Stan for a hit and have 0 ITB

    1. BobBradleysOpportunity
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      yeah I'm doing same, taking 4 away from any replacement's score is hard to justify

  23. Neto
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Any news on Chelsea starting XI?

  24. Denis Tueart on the wing
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    King hoax would be funny

  25. Davido989
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Chelsea dressing room. Are these guys starting? I see Luiz Ake Michy Chalobah

    https://twitter.com/101greatgoals/status/866275343199612929

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      Fabs or Haz?

    2. Numb
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      That's the bench I reckon

    3. MITRO'S ON FIRE
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 3 months ago

      You can see Pedro's shirt up... Suggests he'll start

      1. MITRO'S ON FIRE
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 3 months ago

        Forget that. Its just a "17" for Champions

  26. Feloh
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    king to albrighton

  27. 1966 was a great year for E…
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Looks like double Saints defence again for me with King probably out. Worked pretty well the last couple of GWs.

  28. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Hazard to Cout
    Or
    Sane to Lallana??

  29. Sid07
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    1) start gibbs or stephens
    2) play Aoa start gabbi

  30. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 3 months ago

    Does anyone want to hear more about the history of ropes?