The Pre-Match Preamble - Gameweek 38 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.

  1. Ha.
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Play Yoshi

    Or Haz > Cout and King > Fabs (-4)

    1. Visionaries
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I'm doing those exact transfers

      1. tm370
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Cout and Fab

  2. Lovejoy
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Since King's not playing, Bench one of:

    - Albrighton
    - Kompany
    - Yoshida
    - Monreal?

  3. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Gabi King to Anichebe Coutinho -4 ??

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Than i van save Hazard Play 352

  4. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Is that definitely his instagram account yeah??

    1. Viper
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Yep. Verified with 47k followers

  5. Syd.
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Is King injured or is it just a Troll?

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      He said it...

    2. The Rock
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      He said it on his Instagram, looks like it's true.

  6. karvs155
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Please help, Play:
    A) ALbrighton (BOU)
    B) Gabbi (STK)

    1. Blame the Ref
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      A

  7. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Eriksen or Haz out for Coutinho?

    1. Ephurion
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I used to have this issue too
      Then King said he was injured 😀

      1. Hansel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Can't afford straight swap..

  8. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Hazard to King sellers, where you at ?

  9. Jonny HOW SON?
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Have to ask this 1 more time.
    I have my TC chip left. Who would you use it on? (have a 9 point deficit in my ML)

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Kane

      1. Visionaries
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        This

  10. BRONALDINHO
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Would you do Pedro to Lallana if chasing?

  11. michudagawd
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Caballero
    Yoshida PVA Alonso
    Sanchez Alli Sané Hazard
    Kane Benteke Jesus

    Randolph - Clayton Holgate Maguire*

    1 FT, 0.2 itb

    Does PVA + Sané ➡ Matip + Siggy for -4 look good?

  12. Feed tha Sheep
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    A. King > Milner
    B. Alli > Coutinho

  13. mcrayeps
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Haz + King to
    Cout +??
    A) Fabregas
    B) Pedro
    C) Son
    D) Siggy

  14. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Which keeper with this back 4..
    Alonso Mustafi Vert Yoshi

    Cech or Cab?

  15. Sz21
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Pedro or Lallana.. Who we reckon will score more?

  16. Here's Tom with the We…
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Haz and King to Sane and Siggy -4 or
    Gabbi to Vokes??

  17. Blame the Ref
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    King -> Fabregas / other?

    OR

    Maguire -> Terry / other?

  18. VS10_
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    That is a big relief for us idiots who have had to watch all those King points from the side for many weeks.

  19. HVT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Sell Alli or Hazard?

  20. jernej93
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Fabregas or Giroud for King?

  21. TooDifficuIt
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    which one would you do
    a) king > zaha
    b) hazard > cout

  22. Sid07
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    So king injured
    Cancel AOA??

    1. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Why when else you gonna use it?? Lol

    2. RÏɠBY
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      so he's really out?

      crapus i'm on AOA too!

      1. Here's Tom with the We…
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Why does it make a difference?!

  23. TheBusDriver
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Start Kosc or Bailly? Already have Monreal.

  24. Ghost86
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Final call chasing 25 points in ML

    A) Jesus to Sturridge(c) 4 differentials plus cap FT

    B) Hazard & Anichebe to Lalanna + Giroud 5 differentials -4 then chasing 29 points

  25. Cheltnamshire LaLaLa
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Any last minute team news apart from King?

  26. Geezer
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    A big thanks to the one who first reported the King news

    1. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      This

  27. RÏɠBY
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    is it worth getting Barnes out for a hit?
    1) Vokes
    2) Llorente
    3) leave it

  28. LakhaneeFC
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Considering King is out, Yoshida or Albrighton off the bench?

    Or is it worth taking a hit to get a midfielder in for King?

    Behind the ML leader by 6 points so very wary of hits at the moment! Help!

    1. Blame the Ref
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I would go with Yoshida from the bench.

      1. LakhaneeFC
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers!

        Yeah, think I'll stay off the hits wagon for this GW, Yoshida it is

  29. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Any ideas for improvement here? Haven't made my FT yet.

    Heaton
    Davies | Stephens | Mawson
    Sanchez | Alli | Sane | Mirallas
    Kane | Jesus | Lukaku

    Grant, Capoue, Francis, Barragan

  30. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Ogbonna set to start 1st game since January for #WHUFC today. Rice on the bench

    http://www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/fixtures-results/angelo-ogbonna-set-start-west-13067782