[sbu_large_image] Opinion
21 May 2017 3279 comments
Mark Mark
Share:

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

    What do you like to claim that fourth CL spot, Arsenal or Pool? Asking all neutrals here, not the fans of one or other.

    I personally support arsenal here solely for Sanchez. He is a superstar of PL and as long as Wenger didint deserve to play in CL, Sanchez have to play there. I know many will say that he will play in CL for chelsea or bayern, but have a feeling that he could stay if arsenal progress today.

    Anyway, I guess that all in all Pool will win today and Sanchez scores 2/3 goals that means nothing. 🙁

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

      Liverpool hopefully.

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

      I'd like Arsenal to clinch it just because it would be amusing that it means Liverpool or Man City choked.

    3. T444
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      West ham supporter here.

      I think Liverpool have it in the bag. But I will truly relish them blowing it against Middlesbrough if they do

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

      If I wasn't a Pool supporter I'd regrettably say City. Bar Sanchez, Ox, Ramsey a lot of Arsenal players didn't try hard enough for their manager. Wenger made mistakes but no excuses for players not trying.

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

      he was my favourite till he faked a ball to his face
      not a fan of that $hit

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

      Liverpool deserve it more (Arsenal fan). Arsenal always have injuries, but Liverpool have had to get here without Mane for too many games, which is like Arsenal without Sanchez. Liverpool have managed to ingraine their style throughout the first team, and having Studge on the bench is testiment to their football first - ego later policy.

  2. T444
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    King not playing. Matic is my first sub

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

      Why you ever had Matic is confusing

      1. T444
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Cheap 5th mid from wildcard.

      2. T444
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I hope he gets a hat trick

    2. zelio78
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      He's a sneaky differential. Wouldn't shock me if he finds himself on the scoresheet.

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

        He's not playing though

  3. TheTinman
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Eriksen looking fresh

  4. FPLzebub
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Both my ML rivals have Sanchez (C) no Kane. I have Kane (C) no Sanchez. Just 9 pts between the 3 of us with me trailing. It comes down to this.

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

      Im with you. Harry goes int Hurricane mode Sanchez stays quiet and we can celebrate 🙂

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

        Hopefully

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

    @JayRodriguez9
    Gutted not to be involved today after a good week. All the best to the lads today

    Puel proving what a WUM he is again. Horrible man management.

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

      JayRod is done there

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

        *Puel

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

        Something has been going on for weeks. Either a new gaffer, or a lot of changes in the squad.

  6. HurriKane
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Why didn't we get Zaha or Benteke when we were informed they will be facing United reserves by mourinho ?

    Can see united given a hammering 😉

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

      Utd defence is solid though? Why not Tuanzebe as a punt?

    2. T444
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Aren't United giving a first start to a player they signed when he was 9 years old today

    3. The Iron Tulip
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'm a Utd fan and stuck Tekkers straight in!

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

    Coutinho given some pills before the game.

    1. T444
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Disco biscuits for the party after

  8. JÆKS ⭐
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Wow all rivals ahead of my have Stephens from their bench for King and Yoshida already playing. Need a Stoke goal then since I only have Yoshida!

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

    Coutinho takes a couple of pills before the game 🙁

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

      Drugs test asap...

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

      NZT?

    3. HurriKane
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      steroids ?

    4. JustPark
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      As long he bags a hatrick, it doesn't matter.

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

    It is the final of the Frequent Posters Cup today between Dingo. (FPL ID 98397) and Karan14 (FPL ID 1206209).

    The winner will get their membership paid for next season (or an equivalent).

    http://tyroreports.wixsite.com/ffsfpc2017

    Situation is, after cancellings out:

    Dingo = 4pts + Cech, Matip, Stephens, Sane, Hazard, Sturridge x2
    Karan = Willy, Alonso, Daniels, Eriksen, Coutinho, Kane, Giroud (Holgate if Giroud doesn't come on)

    Best of luck to both of them!

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

      Karan beat me, so best of luck to him! 🙂

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

        Ditto

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

      Close to call. Karan gets my £1 bet. GL to both

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

    Got to be SSN today hasn't it ?

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

      Reply fail to whoever asked which game to watch...

  12. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Coutinho headache

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

    Coutinho taking pills. Not 100 %?

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

      Triple captain oh dear

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

    Top scorer today?

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

      Alonso

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

        JWP.

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

      PVA has chance at a nice score

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

        Seconding this. OOP up-front, on the wing vs. the kiddies.

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

      Ramsay

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

      Eriksen

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

      Sanchez

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

    was really looking forward to picking Fulham players next year 😐 🙁

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

      :'((((((((

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

      You'll still get to pick Cairney and Sess mate chin up

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

        arghh, if they leave......

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

    Coutinho drugging up

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

      Juicer......

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

    Guess I am not the only one that brought in King?

    Last weeks have had some unreal amount of unluckiness with Afobe, Anichebe and King all getting injured after I bring them in.

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

      No luck involved there. You're just stupid

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

        How so?

        Afobe was my differential punt versus King when they were both delivering. With Afobe getting injured the game after I got him in I was struggling to find a replacement for him going into the DGW, and had to go for something cheap to manage to get in Jesus for Gabbiadini, so Anichebe was the only one that seemed to be sure of 2x90 minutes (was just hoping for 4 points). Anichebe getting injured within 30ish minutes was hard to foresee.

        Getting in King today seemed to be a smart choice considering his form and how badly Leicester look defensively.

        Quite harsh statement to call me stupid. Out of curiosity, what is your rank, and average rank throughout your FPL history with a statement like that towards me?

      2. Point-one short
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Harsh

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

    RMNST

    Heaton, 4.0
    Milner, Kolasinac, Alonso, Amat, Amat
    KDB, Mane, Albrighton, Coutinho, Sanchez
    Kane, Jesus, Amat

  19. barracuda
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I feel like a winner already, who is with me 🙂

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

      No 🙁

  20. TheTinman
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Philly C is tripping

  21. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    First goal will be scored by _________ ?

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

      Zaha

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

      Kun

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

      Lallana

    4. TheTinman
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Albrighton

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

        Firm

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

      Sturridge

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

      O'Shea

    7. HurriKane
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      LLorente

    8. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Kane

    9. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      jt

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

      Sturridge

    11. WE ARE RANGERS
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Costa

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

      Sturridge

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

      Pickford

    14. zelio78
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Conte

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

      Lukaku... Two CS gone.

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

    I owned John Stones gw1 to gw36.
    Longest I've ever owned one player.
    Regretted if after 2 weeks but just kept not selling cause of price and who he played for

    Has anyone owned someone all 38 weeks?

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

      You've got to be kidding me

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

        Nope 😀

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

      Capoue

  23. Les Bleus
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Hazard sold by 30% of those in the top 10k, and started by only 23%. At home to the worst team in the league, c'mon Hazard, punish them all!!

    1. zelio78
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      He punished me last week

  24. 824545201
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Good luck everybody! I love you!

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

      I love you too 824545201. Please return my calls.....

      1. 824545201
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        You need to let go man.

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

      Yuck.

  25. matiakez
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Annoyed I didn't do Lallana in for a hit now mustafi is no show

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

    Jordan Pickford

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

    Wish I had Zaha....

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

    Did a quick Gabbi to Giroud before the end... now I see so many other alternatives like Benteke or Llorente but oh well... He may still get a goal in the second half I guess 🙂

  29. zizoo10
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    $1000 if:

    Spurs win
    Palace win
    City/Pool games both U2.5 goals (feeling a goal/close up shop)

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

    My gut feeling was to get Rooney in for Gabbi (-4). Was scared of not seeing him in any pre-match drafts.
    I hope he does not get his due brace.