[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.

1,923 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. mrwinner
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    RLC the most essential 4.5 midfield FPL player ever?

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      If you're playing 3-4-3, yes

      1. Respect My Authoritah
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        And I guess any formation with 3 strikers

      2. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Can't see why he couldn't play in 3-5-2

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

      Shh!

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

      I don’t have him

    4. Sims
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      McLean in 2011 or something or James brunt in 2008

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

        Chris brunt *

    5. GreennRed
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Harry Kane was close to that price.

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

      George Boyd

    7. Lets jump straight into it.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Even if you bench him, he plays and always has points.

      Well done Woy.

  2. The Fed
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Kane hattie incoming

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

      Eh...... no

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

    is hazard likely to be rested tmrw against the Swans? Conte has hinted so. Seeing this, in the last minute I changed my captain to Morata. B'coz Morata was rested for the Qarabag game, he is more likely to start against Swansea I reckon.

    1. Dr. DOOM
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I did the same

    2. Leaf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Conte said a few weeks back that Morata can’t do 3 games in a week

      Hazard nearly played every minute a couple of seasons back

      I think it’s far far more likely Morata is benched than Hazard

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

      Both are better when both play.

  4. pakornk
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Is RLC really that good?

    1. mrwinner
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      for his price yes

    2. Podge
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      100 pts a game

      1. The Farke Side Gallery
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        lie

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

      The bees knees a.k.a MagicBeanz

  5. el polako
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    I can see Watford winning tonight. Don't bookmark it, not after clairvoyant glory here just putting it out there.

    1. Gianluca Busio's Hair …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      bold!

    2. Garlana
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Yeh best chance they will have to beat utd, their team are playing well, utd looked a bit meh in the weekend and no phil jones.

      1. Krionos
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        While Jones has been good so far, I think a club like Man United can handle that loss for a few games... Christ almighty...

    3. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I see Leicester beating Spurs 1-0, so I'll hide it under your post.

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

      Bookmarked 🙂

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

      I agree. It’s in my acca!

  6. ILOVEBAPS
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Benteke starts. There goes RLC

    1. mrwinner
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      RLC playing just behind the front 2. Great position for him still.

      1. Respect My Authoritah
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Probably behind Benteke. Zaha and Townsend wide

  7. JustPark
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Last second captain change from Morata to Kane.
    Come on, Harry!

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

      Tbh I'm not even sure if I actually made it in time.

      1. Zilla42
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Same here. Was switching back and forth. Have no clue. It's either Kane or Morata.

  8. Monkey Hanger
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone take 7pts, doubled to 14pts, for their captain?

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

      As an average, yes

    2. Podge
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Yeh that’s fine

    3. Garlana
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Anything but a blank will do nowadays after the amount of Kane blanks I've had.

    4. GreenArrows
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Yes...always

    5. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      No, given the favourable fixtures the big hitters have I demand more

      1. KOLASINA(C)
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        You must be consistently disappointed then.

    6. The Farke Side Gallery
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      every week? yes. eggs is eggs and points is points

      1. Monkey Hanger
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        One week only deal.

    7. Ode
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      That's my best captain score this season.

  9. Dr. DOOM
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    So everyone taking the TC drop right?

    1. Sánchez
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Thinking I'll punt to RLC for his rise tonight

    2. KOLASINA(C)
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Transferring him out for RLC after Palace game.

      1. Dr. DOOM
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Too bad i already have RLC

  10. We Will Klopp you
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Can't wait for my Bong and Winks points

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Always lovely to hit the bong and take 40 winks

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

      Hello WWKY. YNWA.

      1. We Will Klopp you
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Hello RD, YNWA. How's it going?

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

    If anyone knows of @thegradecricketer on twitter they will understand why I find this article so hilarious.

  12. Qaiss
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Haven't had a brace from my captain yet. Hopefully Kane changes that tonight

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

    Chances of Lukaku being benched in favour of Ibra ?
    Mhki to start instead of Mata ?

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

      A chance, pretty bad body language recently

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

      Mkhi didn't even make bench!

  14. twoplustwo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Impossible to own a Spuds full back

    Better off with Vert if you must

    1. RubberDucky
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Aren't Spuds a type of vert?

  15. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    A lot of people asking about my transfer this week.

    I can exclusively reveal it was ................... Hegazi.

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

      Out rather than in I guess

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        In. 😯

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

      But you had Hazard before it was cool Virg

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        #TrendSetter

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

      A lot of people 😆

    4. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Why would they be asking that?

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        High profile member of the site.

        1. Gnu
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 17 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          You're effing deluded.
          Seriously deluded.

        2. DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          High opinion of yourself you mean.

        3. willl
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          lol

    5. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      No they weren't.
      They were asking you to do something completely different I believe.
      😉

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

      Why would you keep Silva?

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Far too patient for my own good.

    7. Licious Lizard
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      For the last time, you are not a part of the FFS team........

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        What about "Unofficially"?

  16. JogaSemmedo
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Had planned Bavies to Christensen for this weekend. With Silva dropping though tonight and having already lost 0.1 on him already makes sense to do Silva to Sane? Bavies surely plays on the weekend now.

    1. MTPockets
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Silva again? He just dropped

      1. JogaSemmedo
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Yep unfortunately!

        1. MTPockets
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Thats annoying

    2. Klip Klopp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Why "surely" Bavies plays?

      1. JogaSemmedo
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Spurs wing back rotation. He's out tonight so assume him and Trippier return on the weekend. So I could hold on for one more week.

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Is Silva definitely dropping ? That's nuts ! I m definitely keeping him in that case

    4. Krionos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I still don't understand why people keep selling players just because they are dropping in price...

      If you own a stock that is dropping in price, but you know through fundamental analysis that the company will make you rich over time, you stick right?

      So the question should really be, do you think Silva is a good option for points or not in the coming gameweeks?

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

        I don’t think people selling them due to their price. It may just influence their decision for some players who may not be performing

      2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Silva will be able to feast on the banquet that WHU will provide this Saturday !!!!..........and I am a WHU fan.

        1. JogaSemmedo
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Hopefully Sane will get the Turkey leg!

      3. JogaSemmedo
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Should have added I've had Sane in mind for Silva as greater all round points scorer. So it's not purely the price drop that's forcing me to do the move but has just brought it up the agenda.

  17. LIARS POKER
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Worth doing Surman -> RLC tonight (0.2 cheaper and prefer RLC) or wait until after tomorrow nights games and lose 0.1?

    1. Lets jump straight into it.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Wait

  18. The Big Fella
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Speroni benched again. This does not bode well and I can't afford another keeper.

    1. Podge
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Oops

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

      May take a hit so

    3. mad_beer ✅
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I have him as well. Just rolling with Elliot. Hopefully you have a playing keeper.

  19. KOLASINA(C)
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Are people sure here that Christensen is absolutely nailed on? Rudiger lurkin'

    1. COLLIN QUANER
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Nope but I'm still taking the risk with him

    2. Bleach †
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      No one ever said that, wth? 😀

  20. GreenArrows
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Silva dropping again...FML

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

      Got him at 8.2, once went up to 8.6

      whatever happened to David

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

        Yeah I got him at 8.2 as well....its frustrating

  21. Oven Glover
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Zlatan benched! OMG

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

    Zeegelaar starts 😎

    1. Lets jump straight into it.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Keep an eye

  23. EmreCan Hustle
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Should have done Davies to Monreal(hit) after all.

  24. RubberDucky
    8 years, 8 months ago

    People who captained Kane all rejoicing.

    I didn't I stuck it on Moratatata.

    But have a thought for those who couldn't even get him in.

    Moment of silence please ........

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

    Watford Vs Manchester United
    Gomes, Prödl, Kabasele, Mariappa, Zeegelaar, Cleverley, Femenía, Doucouré, Gray, Richarlison, Hughes
    Subs: Karnezis, Wagué, Janmaat, Capoue, Pereyra, Carrillo, Deeney

    de Gea, Lindelöf, Rojo, Smalling, Valencia, Pogba, Young, Matic, Lukaku, Martial, Lingard
    Subs: Romero, Darmian, Herrera, Mata, McTominay, Ibrahimovic, Rashford

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

    Lukaku at RW? Martial ST!

    1. KOLASINA(C)
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      what

  27. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Just switched (C) from Morata to Kane, what's wrong with meeee I never risk

  28. Oven Glover
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Good news for Richarlison owners. Lindelöf starts.

  29. Old Wulfrunian
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Elliot!

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

    RAFA WOT U PLAYIN AT?