[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. Jigger & Pony
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    A. KdB
    B. Sturridge -4

    Which one?

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

      A

    2. timski8000
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A by a distance.

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

    Why hasn't King been flagged yet? Does Mark own him?

  3. Syd.
    • 17 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Took Aberdeen -1 goal

    They are 5-0 up at HT

    1. Jet5605
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      They have a brilliant young manager in Derek McInnes who would do well at a good Championship club.

  4. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Captain Costa or Sanchez?

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

      Sanch

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

    I wish King had kept his mouth shut until 2:01pm tbh

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

      Haha

    2. AA33
      9 years, 1 month ago

      THIS!!!

  6. The Man Pastore
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Hazard + King --> Coutinho + Fab for -4pts makes sense?

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

      I'm defo considering it

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

      Yes

    3. walkman666
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I could do that, but will take yoshida off bench instead to go along with kompany, Alonso, and Monreal. Money pairs off for a change....maybe.

  7. Sess!
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    So glad I waited on moves. Annoyingly can't do alli & king > cout & fab so looks like ditching haz after all

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

      Same situation here - 0.4 off Eriksemn + King -> Pedro/fab + Cout. THat's fpl for you

    2. walkman666
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Who is your first bench sub? I also can't do those moves without losing haz, so will start yoshida as my attacking sub is anichebe.

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

      No no no... why King won't play? ;(

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

    Bottomed. The King news is what makes FFS great. Proper info sharing.

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

    Gabi King to Anichebe Coutinho -4 ???

  10. BlzE_94
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Which 6.1M mid can i replace King with please?

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

    Just checked Hazards istagram

    He said 'Bollox, now I've got to take a hit to get replace King' 🙁

    1. Jay_
      9 years, 1 month ago

      😀

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

      Lol

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

      😆

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

      Legend!

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

      🙂

  12. deppman007
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Is this King news genuine?

    1. Our Tiny Windows
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

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

      looks like it...

      He said on his account good luck to the boys and followed it up by saying he is injured and wont play..

      He could hardly be trolling?

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

    So Jesus and Hazard to Aguero (C) and Lallana to boost my 248 OR.

    A. Crazy

    B. Brave

    1. Our Tiny Windows
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A and B!

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

    Pedro likely amount of mins today?

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

      88

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

        really???
        straight in then I think

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

          He's certainly due a haul with his stats if he can start hitting the target!

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

    tadic >> siggy/fab (-4)??

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

      fab

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

        hit worth it?

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

      no other chelsea cover....alternatively, i should cancel my planned costa >> kane move.

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

    king + haz - fab + couts????

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

      Thinking the same.

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

    Josh King just posted on his Instagram.."Good luck to the boys today! Finish off the season strong with 3 points".\

    King out ?

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

      He confirms an injury in the comments

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

        Viper. Your thoughts about Hazard and King -> Coutinho and Fabregas for free?

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

      He later said he has a small injury so yes.

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

      Bit late

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

      Read the comments

    5. Deano
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Josh who?

  18. Viper
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    A. Hazard & Gabbiadini - > Fabregas & Sturridge

    B. King & Hazard - > Coutinho & Fabregas. Play Albrighton over Gabbiadini

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

      I'd say B

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

    Quickie

    A) Fabregas
    B) Pedro
    C) Willian
    D) Other 8.1 mid not Sane

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

      I'm wondering this too. The consensus seems to be for Cesc but Son could be a sly one

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

    I'm slightly annoyed this got out early as I'd done King > Coutinho already!

    Nevertheless, still informed my mates...

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

    Start Kosc or Bailly?? Already have Monreal.

  22. noquarternt
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Stanislas' time for redemption.

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

    King Gabbi > Stanislas Sturridge...2 FT, 0.0 in bank.

    Gulpz - thoughts?

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

      Cant really backfire, so go for it

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

        cheers holmes...really is a roll in the dice. Having just enough funds making me really consider it.

  24. Sponge-worthy
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Kane? Sanchez? Kane? Sanchez? Kane? Sanchez? Kane? Sanchez? Kane? Sanchez? Kane? Sanchez?

  25. Rash
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    king to coutinho or llanana -4?

  26. Geoff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I know no one cares about my team but take a look?

    Caballero
    Alonso Monreal Yoshida
    Sanchez Hazard Erisksen Sane King
    Kane Jesus

    Cech, Stephens Anichebe Holgate

    With King and Hazard risks should i do

    1. Holgate > Naughton (for bench)
    2. Anichebe > Crouch/Barnes (for bench)
    3. Hazard > Cout

    Big cheers in advance

    1. Pierce34
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I think Hazard to Coutinho and get Stephens off the bench for King.

    2. Kane Toads
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I did Haz > Couts. Your team looks good.

      1. Geoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        King > Milner

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

      1 FT? I'd consider Hazard and King -> Cout and Fabregas with two freebies. I think that's what I'll do myself

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

    A lot going with Fab for king!!!
    Will Fab even start?!?

    1. Kane Toads
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Why is king not starting? Rotation risk?

  28. Buck The Trent
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Hazard, King to Sane, Coutinho for -4 ? Yay or nay ?

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

      Yay

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

    King to

    A) Lallana
    B) Pedro

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

      A if you're a gambler. I like Lallana, but maybe Pedro is safer