[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. Tansey
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    How many 'total transfers' did you make then? 58 here

    1. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      46

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

      47

    3. Sp0rting
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      This week?

      Jesus!!

    4. mipola
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      43

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

      74

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

      er 81 😐

      1. Duffy Dunk
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        95!
        Transfers page looks like wildcarding

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

        Snap

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

      62

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

      53

    9. enrico.palazzo
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      41

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

      59

    11. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      59

    12. Digital-Real
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      55

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

        48

    13. tajulariff
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      60

    14. Jayv807
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      84

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

      135 transfers .. ended with 114.1M

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

      115

    17. DOG GOD IT - KEANE 16
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      51

    18. Arteta
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      55

    19. PÍE
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      49

      I wonder if there's anyway to calculate what the optimum is? (probably too many variables)

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

        Every hit can be beneficial ... the trick is picking the right players - 2 or 3 every week should definitely be profitable

  2. Sánchez
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    The Celts finish the league season 38 played, 0 defeats. 😎

    Cup final win next week to wrap up the treble and to go unbeaten all season in all 3 domestic competitions.

    Has this ever been done anywhere else?

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

      They should be allowed to play in the PL..

      1. diesel001
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Agree.

      2. Sánchez
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        This

        At first we'd struggle but the sponsorship money etc would kick in and we'd get better

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

          And the SPL would be competitive again. Probably Aberdeen would be best team with Hearts challenging 🙂

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

        They can apply to start at the bottom of non- league and try to work their way up.

        Opposition won't be much different so they should be fine.

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

          Tell Man City that.

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

            Okay I'll tell Man City that Celtic can apply to start in non-league and work their way up to the PL.

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

      They've been good but the opposition is absolute dross.

      1. Digital-Real
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Opposition is probably League One level.

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

      We're also undefeated in two games versus Man City this season.

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

        Aye. But they're poor opposition 😉

  3. Old Wulfrunian
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I thought King+Jesus->Coutinho+Liorente but found it a wrong decision.Did I do well?

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

    Giggs Boson about?

    I've got you in Doosra's H2H thing, we've got loads of different players, should be good 🙂

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

    What do you want most for today?

    For me it's a Sanchez flop.

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

      And just generally goals galore elsewhere

    2. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Jesus to blank

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

        Yes please

    3. Sp0rting
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I want world peace

      And a 100pt GW

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

        I think the latter may bring about the former

    4. Perthite
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Kane (tc) hat-trick

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

      KDB haul

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

        *Coutinho 😉

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

      Hazard to keep his moof shout!

    7. tajulariff
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Vokes hatrick

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

      Hazard , Sanchez , KDB , Alli , Costa and Jesus to run riot.

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

    I feel sorry for someone in my ML who has used his BB on Jakupovic, Mawson, Valencia & de Roon.

    Must've forgotten to play it last week...

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

      Oh and he has King, so that's basically 0 points.

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

    Overall top 100 captains:
    Kane 63 (3 TC)
    Sanchez 14 (3 TC)
    Coutinho 11
    Costa 5
    Jesus 3
    Aguero, Hazard, Ozil & Sturridge 1

    All of the top 4 have captained Kane.

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

      As well as 6 TCs, 4 AOAs and 3 BBs have also been played.

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

        The highest-placed TC is ranked 37th (Kane,, the highest BB is ranked 26th (Caballero/Vertonghen/Albrighton/Matip)

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

      why didnt 4th 3rd and 2nd captain someone different to try and catch up?

      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        They didn't know it wouldn't be different.

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

          yea but Kane was the obvious choice

          1. Epic Fail
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Wasn't much between him and Sanchez to be fair.

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

      OR #108 has Lallana TC

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

    I suppose cahill getting 1 pt is better than nothing... keeping positive

  9. Hect.OR 98th
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Overall leader took a hit. Gap still 2 points. Same captain for both. Going to be tight.

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

    If Sanchez beat Kane this week, I'm done. 🙁

    PS/ Leading in a classig league by 53pts.
    PS2/ Playing H2H final vs. a rival who captained Sanchez.

  11. FP El Wonky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Game UPDATED, go stalk your enemies

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

    Playing Gabbiadini feels horrible. I nearly started Stephens ahead of him. Felt he would be benched. Hopefully he stays there but seems unlikely.

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

    Will SSN be able to show all the goals as they go in?

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

      Theoretically, I think, no broadcast restrictions.

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

        But they won't because SSN is free!

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

          It isn't anymore

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

            Actually, they only have the live rights to certain games, so they probably can;t.

    2. Sp0rting
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      They're only goals IF they go in

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

    When I tried to transfer:
    "This game has now finished. Thanks for your interest and come back in July for next season's game."

    🙁

    1. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      🙁

  15. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Forget Hazard, Gabbi is the villain of the season. 100%. No doubt.

    Trolled me right to the very end.

    1. Teahupo'o
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Agreed.

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

      For me the villains are Brunt, Leicester/Saints defence, Stanislas and Philips.

    3. Dirty Harry
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      100% b.stard

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

      Cattermole has been a massive let down.☺

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

    I correctly predicted just what my rivals did.

    1. Sp0rting
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      He beat you?

    2. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      But they may still beat you

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

        Very true, but GW37 missed deadline would be the reason for that

  17. La Roja
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    OR 7 Billy Ketsu captained Costa

    Go on lad

  18. Give The Todd Some Love
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I know no one cares but my league is disgustingly close between the top three and we've all got completely different teams and different captains.

    Behind the sofa time.

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

      Nobody will care but I'm in the same boat. Are you 3 points behind the leader by any chance ?

  19. Luton_Fan
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    TC Kane. who with me?

  20. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    TM has sold Eriksen. Bang goes the mods and cons league 🙁

    Mark has taken a hit for Sane and Coutinho.

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

      TM hasn't had Eriksen for a while

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

        D'oh.

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

        The moves I wanted to do until the King news

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

      I made the same moves Mark has, so he is bang in trouble! He has Alli playing but I have trumped him with Gabbiadini haha!

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

    Ronka saving his transfer for next season

  22. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Why the hell did I do Pedro in instead of Fabregas... panic at its finest.

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

      May pay off yet

    2. MTPockets
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Made sense at the time.

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

    Feeling like a boss....

    Sent the wife on her own to the garden centre after she announced we needed to go for a new pot...

    Brave....

    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I am definitely up for that league next year, if you do it, Wakey. 😀

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

        Brill. Just brill.

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Good stuff. 🙂

    2. Uncle Gamst
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      lol, no woman no cry here 😉

    3. Robben Mee Blind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Pot luck!

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

    Who wins FPL?

    Uwais: Hennessey, Vertonghen, Monreal, Clichy, Lallana, Fabregas, Coutinho.

    Ben: 2 + Cech, BDavies, Stephens, Sane, King(Stanislas), Eriksen, Costa.

    1. Robben Mee Blind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Uwais but his hit could prove costly

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

      Ben

  25. Teahupo'o
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Leading ML by 4 points. Everything comes down to:

    Good guy: Willy Alonso Yoshida Daniels Coutinho Kane(tc)
    Bad hombre: Cech Vertonghen Kompany Stephens Sturridge Kane(c)

  26. Tim Canterbury
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Erm I think Ville gave up...?? :/

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

      Didn't hear about the rule change? He saved so he has 2ft for next season.

  27. SheBangsTheDrums
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Late to the party - what happened to King?

    1. Teahupo'o
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Instagram post saying he's out.

    2. HVT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Slight injury mate.

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

    This it folks.

    38 grueling gameweeks. We have fought, made love, squabbled, kissed and made up, cried, laughed, some have even been neurotic to the very end, but what a compelling season and for many, including myself, this gameweek has the power to make or break our season goals.

    Hope your seasons finish well, and if not, remember it is only a game and hopefully we all have the greatest gift of all, rude health, and be back here to roll the dice for next season. God speed amigos!

    1. Tim Canterbury
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      _

  29. The Hobbit
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Which game are u going to watch? 🙂

  30. HVT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    As long as Alli matches Hazard I don't mind...