[sbu_large_image] Opinion
28 November 2017 1923 comments
Mark Mark
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There are such fine margins between success and failure, and often, while we fret over Wildcards and captaincies, it is the seemingly inconsequential decisions that cost us.

My Gameweek 13, while more than satisfactory, could well have been bordering on epic had I just considered two decisions more carefully.

Both seemed totally justified at the time.

Firstly, the swap of Kyle Naughton to welcome back Nicolas Otamendi to my dressing room seemed sound enough.

I didn’t write off Swansea’s chances of a clean sheet against Bournemouth, but having previously witnessed the Cherries win 4-0 over Huddersfield; I expected Callum Wilson and company to breach the struggling Swans. More to the point, I banked on more from Otamendi who chested the ball into the Man City net to create an unexpected nine-point swing in Naughton’s favour.

Then there was that decision to start Tammy Abraham.

I thought I’d read this situation perfectly. If the striker had any chance of figuring against the Cherries, he’d start. It made perfect sense. Why, when Abraham could not play against Chelsea in Gameweek 14, would Paul Clement use him from the bench? These were desperate times, after all.

Only Clement knows the full story. All I know is that Abraham saw six minutes of action, almost won a penalty but robbed me of a belated goal from Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

I could have been 15 points better off, in a Gameweek where my score was already considered more than a little bit handy.

These “trivial” little decisions soon add up and, eventually, I believe they can do far more damage than a badly timed Wildcard or a misplaced armband. We fret over the big dilemmas and yet it’s these frivolous little choices that undo us. Bit by bit, they unravel the careful stitches of our painstaking Gameweek research.

I’ve started writing all these “mishaps” down. I jot them on pieces of paper, fold them up and then put them in a jar. A jar of regret and agony, something to pore over when the season is done, and I’m considering what might have been.

I fear that one day my partner will find this jar.

“It’s my jar of regret”, I will explain.

She will peer inside expecting to see scribbles on how I should have taken that gap year or learned to play the guitar.

Instead, she’ll find mentions of Kyle Naughton and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

I’ll sit her down take her through the stats, but I don’t think it will help.

Thanks to Fantasy Football, she probably has her own jar with my name in it.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

  1. I Have No Idea What I'…
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    I took a -4 for Eriksen & Jones > Hazard and Mustafi. I'll find out shortly, but do you think it was worth it?

    1. Homer21
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Definitely

    2. Red Dagger ✪
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Yup.

    3. ramunas
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Eriksen to Hazard was sound, but it depends if you had another defender who could have played or if you didn't have 3 playing defenders without Jones/Mustafi? I considered Jones -> Mustafi for a hit, but ended up starting Kiko. I'll prob get 2pts from Kiko, which means you need Mustafi to get a CS just to get back to a zero 'net points' position in which case it's best just doing that transfer next GW

  2. Dr. DOOM
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Is Richarlison worth getting in for nedt GW?

    1. The Hobbit
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      wait a couple gw

  3. Delph & Safety
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Already regretting hazard captain. Oh well, points is points and I need Kane to do well.
    Just, not that well.

    1. Regin
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      in the last minute i changed to morata thinking that hazard could be rested. i brought in both of them on 2fts.

  4. SuperMane Returns
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Hazard Cappers Unite o/

    1. Art Vandelay
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      \o/

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      O/

    3. the snazzy viking
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      o/

    4. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      \o/

    5. Fred54
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Think so. Changed to Hazard on deadline and it let me save it.

    6. Homer21
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      \O/

  5. Dušan Citizen
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Why noone captained Salah?

    1. Bruces Kebabs
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      I did

      1. Yellin' in my Ear
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Me too

    2. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Some misplacex speculation he could be rested?

    3. ooooo
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Risky, he could get rested. Salah and Bobby had their turn.

    4. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      VC to C upon Haz news

    5. Volley127
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      I did

  6. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone captain Kane?

    1. HD7
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Yesss :)))

    2. Yozzer
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

  7. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    That Palace attack could mold into something very good

    1. Homer21
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Here's hoping

  8. Monkey Hanger
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Two out of two. So far.

    Another four in the 8pm ko's. Come on!

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

    Fuchsake

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      You don't like rice wine ?

  10. El_Shaw
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Suttner essential?

  11. makaveli123
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Good to see Lamela back in the squad

  12. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Come on Murray!

  13. mrwinner
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    How long to update lads?

    1. ooooo
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      30mins

    2. the snazzy viking
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Takes about 30 mins, so quarter past

  14. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    It were proper Boh I tell thee

  15. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Who held their nerve and captained Hazard? I know I did

    1. foley200
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Ditto

    2. Tatty Bojangles
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah, more fun than Kane

    3. ooooo
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Don't think he will get rested?

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Can’t see it personally, maybe subbed 70ish mins but he plays when fit imo

        1. ooooo
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          Hopefully

    4. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Me

    5. Pierce34
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Lol, I didn't even hold my nerve to vice-captain him! Switched VC to Jesus at the last minute 😆

    6. Reiger
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Yep

    7. Delph & Safety
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      I did.

      Already regretting it and it’s a strange feeling going with more riskier captain picks.

    8. Ron_Swanson
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Yep

    9. Homer21
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Yep

    10. Yozzer
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Swansea parked bus away worried me too much.

  16. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Bavies 🙂

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Benched?

  17. Sims
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Need gross and richarlison fails

    1. Bleach †
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Gross won't 🙂

      1. Sims
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah his fails are are 5 points these days

        1. Red Dagger ✪
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          Yup 5 points for no goals, no assists and not even keeping a clean sheet = season keeper!

    2. SuperMane Returns
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      This for Grolsh, but not This for Richa

    3. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Richarlison may be benched

      1. La Roja
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Lol

  18. SuperMane Returns
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Richarlison brace please 🙂

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Hat-trick

    2. Arteta
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      This would be absolutely amazing 🙂

  19. Butcher
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Kane (c) better not let us cappers down today

  20. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Da(m)nn Speroni

  21. mrwinner
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    my brudda Aznee

  22. HD7
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Captain Harry Club Assemble!!!

  23. DonTheSpecialOne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Bye Dann

  24. Delph & Safety
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Hennessey 4.3 starts.

    1. Sims
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      I remember starting him for his 9 points vs pool

  25. SilkySkills
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    No Jones, no clean sheet

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      De Gea says otherwise

      1. SilkySkills
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Transferred Dea gea out for Courtois - bad games coming up

    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      As long as it's Richarlison who upsets the Utd fans

    3. Somalion
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Except for 3 days ago.

      1. SilkySkills
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Starting now

  26. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Hands up Haz Captainers unite o/

    1. b✪mber
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      o/

    2. L S P
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      \o/

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Hands are up.

    4. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      😡 Aye Aye

    5. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      o/

    6. Dream Killers 2.0
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Here.

    7. SuperMane Returns
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      \o/H\o/A\o/Z\o/A\o/R\o/D\o/

    8. Homer21
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      \O/

    9. Deli Alli OxenFree!
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Dreams of Eden rarely come true, and it can be Hazardous playing in that kind of Fantasy... Some of u will (C) this error; while others will wonder how they could’ve gotten Morata their armband choice!

  27. Zilla42
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    HA! Game updating! Was switching armband between Kane and Morata so much -- right up to the deadline -- that I don't know who I (c)ed ultimately. . . . am just waiting to see . . . .

  28. SuperMane Returns
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Those BT pre match game ads are the cheesiest things ever....

  29. Pacer.
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Is there any possibility the moderators can stop the constant lying about who does and doesn't start matches?

    I come here before kick off to sort through the latest information, rumours, weigh up choices and so on. But now I find I have to keep double checking things with other sources because there's so much deliberately misleading stuff. So really what's the point in coming here, because it's doing the opposite of serving its purpose

    1. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      How’s this moderators fault?

      1. Ron_Swanson
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Who said it was their fault?

        1. La Roja
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          Misread the first part. Still mods cannot do much about it really

    2. Ron_Swanson
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      2 week suspension I reckon

    3. SilkySkills
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      your team sucks now

    4. Ini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Do not listen to anyone that does not have a verified source.

  30. pakornk
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Regret the C on Morata now... hope Kane doesnt score a hattrick.

    1. Homer21
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Oh you know it's coming.....

    2. SilkySkills
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Probably won't start

    3. Deli Alli OxenFree!
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Why?...based on lineups or just cause Spurs play first?...I always seem to favor the potential captain who has the match closest to the end of the GW (if i’m 50/50 and can’t make a decision)... always like having the ‘Captain in Hand’, especially if rest of my team blanks!..