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

    Maguire -> Matip / Terry

    OR

    King -> Fabregas

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

      B. King is out

  2. Swanny18
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Any love for Siggy this week? Thinking of bringing him in for King.

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

      Might be worth it. Also consider Fabregas if you don't have Chelsea cover

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

        Willian?

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

      Of course. Low ownership, on all set pieces and against a WBA team who look to have given up.

    3. jg7u
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I am torn between Siggy and Fabregas, can't decide!

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

    Percentage chance of starting for :

    Hazard
    Pedro
    Fabregas

    ?

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

      15
      60
      85

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

        My guess would be
        40
        80
        60

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

    Really want Sturridge in, but it ruins my team and means Hazard out

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

      Do you think Staurridge will start today ?

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

        Yes, origi would drop out if firm fit

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

      Hazard won't kick a ball today m8...

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

      Sturridge haul incoming....(TC)

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

        Siggy / Lallana / Milner / Willian in for Hazard?
        Also have King and Albrighton who I don't want to play

  5. Sid07
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    1) 3-5-2
    Haz + king to fab + coutinho
    2) play AoA
    Haz + king + gabbi to fab + coutinho + giroud(-4)

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

      2 looks like more fun.
      I'd probably play safe with 1 as I don't like a end game hit you cannot make up in the next few matches.
      Good luck, both moves are good

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

    Gabby or Bailly as 1st sub?

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

      Bailly

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

    Gabi King to Anichebe Coutinho -4 ?
    Allows me to save Hazard and play 352

  8. Junior ⚽
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    King and Hazard to Coutinho and Fabregas -4?

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

      Sounds decent to me

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

    king to fabregas or sane??

    got pedro already

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

      I think sane to block my ML rival for me.... is fab nailed?

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

        likely to start IMO

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

      Sane is a good pick today.

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

    Lallana and wijnaldum
    Or
    Coutinho and Can?

    Thanks

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

      1)

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

        Cheers I'll come to you again for advice!!!

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

    Already done Haz > Coutinho. King to which up to 8.4 mid for a hit?

  12. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Lost on page 6

    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

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

    lol fpl account just tweeted josh king injury

    goodbye casuals getting screwed

    1. Junior ⚽
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      So annoying

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

      Was only a matter of time.

    3. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks to Mark... good letting everyone know

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

      Damn it!

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

      That' can also means people will take hits

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

    The King is dead long live ?

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

      Thanks for the top 1K stats on Kun mate.

    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Junior

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

    Block ML rival with Sane or punt on fab?

  16. michudagawd
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Repost

    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?

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

    Crazy to go double Stephens and Yoshi over monreal? Considering I'm going willy over Cech..

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

      Against Sunderland, Monreal was unlucky not to score - he was Alonosoesque.

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

        Josh king's out so I'm going 4 in def!

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

    Would you prefer Coutinho or Sturridge?

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

      Cout

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

      Sturridge.. Want to transfer him and Fabregas in for Gabbi and Haz

  19. BobBradleysOpportunity
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    start gabby or stephens...

    or take a hit for gabii-->vokes

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

    King not playing?

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BUWkNMmhktI/

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

      Nope he's injured.

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

        Solid fella telling everyone before kick off haha

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

          He probably knows he's very popular in FPL so thought he'd give everyone a heads-up.

    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Dial up?

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

      dude that comment is valid even if he is playing. i don't see the fuss.

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

        He says in the comments he is not playing

  21. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Costa more likely to start than Hazard, right?
    Potentially on pens?

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

      I would like to know that...Costa (C) differential

  22. Ryan Naysmith
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Oh my the king news is official. https://www.instagram.com/iamjoshuaking/?hl=en . He says he has a knock and isn't playing. Good luck.

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

      holy crap!!!!

  23. Reggie Nainggolan
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Which one out of Stephens and Yoshida to Bench? Or play both

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

      Both

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

    Pick 2 to start please

    Yoshida
    Kos
    Vertonghen
    Stephens

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

      Kos vert

  25. thunder_mike
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Yay Siggy get in my team

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

    Waaait a minute!
    What if Ben hacked Kings insta account to throw Uwais a curveball? Savage

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

    Replacements for King?
    A)Pedro
    B)Siggy
    C)Zaha
    D)Someone else

  28. Manani
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    origi, fabregas, sane

    who will score more?

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

    So King cancelled my AOA. Thanks mate

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

    please let king's instagram be hacked 😆

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

      Russians - must be.