[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. Scoring freely
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Scenes already with Kings post..........

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      That post is a definite hint

      1. Cheltnamshire LaLaLa
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        ok spill the beans

    2. Dušan Citizen
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      WHAT POST?

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

          Is it him confirming that he is out?

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

      Him answering "iamjoshuakingGot a small injury so not playin

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

    Pick 2 to start:

    - Monreal
    - Vertonghen
    - Stephens

    ...bearing in mind my team is very Spurs/City/Chelsea/Arsenal heavy.

  3. French Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Will those who sold Hazard regret it?

    1. The Rock
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Or maybe it will be those who held on to him who may come to regret it?

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

    Got a gut wrenching feeling that Kompany won't start 😮

  5. Orion
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Should I play Blind or Lovren ?

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Lovren & its not that Im a Reds fan either!

    2. Weilong7
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Lovren

    3. Kun Tozser
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Thought Lovren was a doubt?

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

    Captain

    1. Sanchez
    2. Kane

    I am leading the ML and me and the second guy have Kane. I have Sanchez but he does not

    Thanks

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

      Kane

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

      Cap Kane to cover. I am in the same predicament. have a feeling Sanchez could go nuts today, but Kane will grab at least one.

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

        Cheers boys

  7. Garlana
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Who should be first on my bench, Stephens or tcarroll?

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

      Stephens would be my pick.

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

        Ta

  8. ★Kuntheman★
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Do we think that Giroud can outscore Gabbiadini by four points?

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

      If he starts then absolutely

      1. Team Zissou
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        It's the if that bothers me

    2. And nothing else Mata'…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Sure

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

    1) Alli -> Coutinho / Fabregas for -4?
    2) Cech or Caballero to start?

  10. 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) Something else?

    Any help would be much appreciated.

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

      (C) if you want to catch up should be Sanchez if he's going for Kane.

      I would only do C out of those, so long as it's not for a hit.

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

        Cheers mate.

  11. Sahil Yadav
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Transfer out Gabbi or king?

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

      King

  12. Kun Tozser
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Last call ...

    1. Dawson + Alli
    2. Azpi + Gini Wijnaldum
    3. Matip + Firmino or Coutinho

  13. Baked baines
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    One final time.

    Willy

    Alonso Holding Stephens

    Hazard Sanchez Alli king

    Jesus Costa Kane (c)

    Cech Yoshi Capoue Holgate

    1m itb 1FT

    Is the starting team correct?!
    Or shall I change Hazard to Coutinho?!

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

    Is this King instagram post reliable? Someone bottomed just posted it and it is worrying me.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BUWkNMmhktI/?hl=en

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

      Yes

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

      so he won't play today??
      ooops what a blow!

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

      He answered "Got a small injury so not playin

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

      well, it's him, so you'd think he'd know...

  15. FPL Maldini
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Any reliable line up rumours?

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

      King may not be involved in today's match.

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

    1) play
    A) yoshida
    B) stephens

    2) who to captin
    A) Sanchez
    B) Kane
    C) Coutinho

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

    Play one

    1. Holding - home to Everton
    2. Vert - away to Hull

    Thanks All

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

    Thinking a sneaky Josh King to Pedro or Lallana move..

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

      why sell king

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

        OMG Bemba is out of the loop.

  19. And nothing else Mata'…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    That Josh King Instagram post scared the bejesus outta me.
    https://www.instagram.com/p/BUWkNMmhktI/?taken-by=iamjoshuaking

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

    Why would you post a black and white picture wishing your teammates good luck if you are going to play the game yourself?

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

      This! King to Fab it is

  21. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    King and Costa
    To
    Stan and Kane
    Thoughts?

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

    Hello guys. Last hurrah of the season. Which one would be your move:

    Mignolet
    Alonso, Vertonghen, Yoshida
    Hazard, Sanchez, Alli, King
    Costa, Kane, Jesus

    subs: Pickford, Stephens, T.Carroll, Maguire --- 1 FT, 0.0 ITB

    A) Hazard -> Coutinho
    B) Alli -> Coutinho

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

    Hazard > Willian/Pedro/Fabregas to free cash for Sturridge

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

    F off King you b*st*rd go Fuch yourself

    1. makaveli123
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      No thanks

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

    Pointless being on here right now. This is when how we don't post on the article topic is shown to be as silly as it is. Can't get the info you need

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

      The best thing about the site for me is interaction with others. Opinions and information sharing. Impossible at this hour though haha

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

    Best tactic (2FT)?
    A) Differential: Hazard, Gabbiadini ➡ Fabregas, Sturridge
    B) Differential: Hazard, Gabriel ➡ Coutinho, Matip
    C) Blocking my rival: Hazard, Stones ➡ KDB, Naughton
    D) Blocking my rival: Hazard, Gabbiadini ➡ Milner/Can, Costa

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

    I have never owned King this season. Lol at me

    1. makaveli123
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Still got a good rank though 😉

  28. Shifty
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    King owners, if leading...don't sweat. No one would have sold him this week.

    If chasing....I'm glad i'm not in your situation......

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

    what's with this king insta post???

  30. Baked baines
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Nooooooooooooo

    King has small injury. Not playing!!!

    1. And nothing else Mata'…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Source?