[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. Gorbitz
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Any views on the injury risks of Mustafi highly appreciated!

    1. George James
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      What’s this????

    2. naturallydavid
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Ive brought him in so hoping no issues

    3. Numb
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Less than Phil Jones or Wilshere

  2. naturallydavid
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Great article

  3. Olee
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    GTG?

    Pope
    Alonso-Otamendi-Mustafi
    Salah-Sane-Sterling-Richarlison-RLC
    Kane(C)-Morata

    Elliot-Mee-Naughton-Niasse

    Good luck all! 😀

    1. Stimps
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Wow, same front 7 and captain as me, lets do this!

    2. yakirh
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      You have a great team!
      Good luck mate

    3. Runaway
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Very good to go, liked your team, good luck

    4. XabiAlonso
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Nice team gl

  4. Tatty Bojangles
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    a) Daniels and Otamendi?

    or

    b) Mustafi and Christensen?

    1. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      A

    2. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      A

    3. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      A

    4. XabiAlonso
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      B

  5. GuillermoDickero
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Is mustafi nailed on in the arsenal team? The 3 at the back is working and he seems to be one of their best CBs

  6. Legohair
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Captain Kane or Morata?
    Is there any risk that batshuay starts?Kane did score four last year against leicester if im right?

    1. slamdunk
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Kane did but that was last year.

    2. _nod
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      I'm currently on Morata, but getting more and more tempted by switching it to Kane.

    3. Runaway
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Yes, in a match that only Kane has something to play for.

      1. Pieterke30
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        You mean ‘had’, last season?

        This is important man

        1. Runaway
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Yes, I meant “had”, last season GW37 match

        2. Legohair
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Yes sorry my english,im finnish

      2. Runaway
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        I would still captain Kane over Morata though

    4. XabiAlonso
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      I think Kane is goin going to score loads of goals tonight

  7. sminkypinky
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Possibly for one week only, do I get Francis or Mee (double up with Ward)?

    1. Runaway
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      If for one week, Francis. Spread the risk. I expect 1-0, 0-0 or 0-1 from that match

      1. sminkypinky
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Probably wise that! Cheers man!

  8. LewanGOALski
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Pope
    Alonso - Otamendi - Mustafi - Daniels
    Salah - Sterling - Richarlison
    Kane (c) - Morata (vc) - Vardy

    Elliot - RLC - Choupo - Mbemba

    1 FT
    bank: 0.4

    A) G2G and just save FT
    B) Vardy ➡ someone (C.Wilson comes my mind first)
    C) Mbemba ➡ 4.4 DEF

    Which? 😉

    1. sminkypinky
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      C to francis?

    2. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      A

    3. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      I'd be playing Choupo too.

  9. Vlad Tepes
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    So what did Conte really say, Will Hazard/Morata be rotated? Should I give Kane or Kolasinac the (C) just to be sure they really play?

    Cheers

  10. Somnus84
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Start 1:

    A) Mee
    B) RLC

    1. COLLIN QUANER
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      A

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

      RLC

    3. Runaway
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      A

    4. Vlad Tepes
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      B) Burnley have not been good away. Dont think they will get a cleanie.

  11. Bobadoba
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Play Diouf or Duffy?

    1. Runaway
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Duffy

      1. Bobadoba
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        OK thanks

  12. b✪mber
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    That was a good joke by bemba - booo mods... BOOO

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

      What was the joke?

    2. Sánchez
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      What did he say? 🙂

    3. b✪mber
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Wrote (on Virg post on page 2) that Marks jar of regrets would include the date Virg signed on here - made me ROFL and +1.

  13. Numb
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Play...

    A. Speroni at Brighton
    Or
    B. Elliott at WBA

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      B

  14. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Play RLC or Choupo?

    1. Klip Klopp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      same problem, going Choupo

    2. Numb
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      RLC

    3. Manani
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      best forward under 9m?

  15. Harmonica1967
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Start Richarlison or an extra defender? Have Dunk and Francis

    1. Klip Klopp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      my dilemma, but going to go Richarlson i think

    2. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      richarlison in form

  16. Manani
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    jesus, silva, vardy who to get rid first??

    2FT with .7m in bank

    1. TallestJohn
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Silva and Vardy, good options available if you upgrade either.

  17. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Captain
    A Kane
    B Morata

    Bench
    C Mee or
    D RLC

    1. Somnus84
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      I had the same issue and just switched from BD to AC....

    2. TheRealDog
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      On BC atm

  18. The Royal Robin
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    A) Monreal + Richarlison
    B) Kola + Gross

    1. 404_FC
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      b for now

    2. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      B for fixtures atm but A long term.

  19. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Final decision to make; do I take Abraham out for a striker up to 6.6m for a -4?

    Could be:
    - Murray
    - DCL
    - Wilson

    Thanks

    1. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Or just leave it as Abraham?

    2. The Royal Robin
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Abraham or Wilson

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks, Wilson for a -4?

    3. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Not worth a hit

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers, maybe I should just start RLC instead

  20. jackhammer1
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Start mee or RLC?

    1. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Tough one, I'd start RLC, just

    2. 404_FC
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      rlc

    3. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      RLC. I always go with the more attacking player.

  21. Prison Mike
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Christiansen nailed on? Or will Luiz take his spot?

    1. Arctic monkeys
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Luiz' injured

      1. Prison Mike
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Alright cheers

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

      Luiz ruled out

    3. Creedey
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Christensen*

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

    Good article mark but u mention the calls gone wrong but not the decision to avoid sterling to sane after stating u regretted getting him over sane. U win some u lose some

  23. jimmy.floyd
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    De Gea
    Azpi Duffy Kola Daniels
    Salah Gross Sane
    Wilson Kane Morata (c)

    Elliot Richarlison Ward Carroll

    GTG?

  24. Arctic monkeys
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    When Mark says his partner, je is referring to Jules, right ?

  25. Lyonnais
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Dunk or Femenia until the new year?
    Don't need them every game, just part of the rotation.

    1. Cocky Spaniel Alves
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Had exactly the same dilemma and went for Kiko.

    2. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Coin flip

    3. the snazzy viking
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Zeegelaar

    4. Lyonnais
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      thanks all!

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

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

    Epic.

  27. Cocky Spaniel Alves
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Play RLC and bench Moreno, right?

    1. Creedey
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      yes

    2. We Will Klopp you
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

  28. Creedey
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Is it mental to captain Jesus? I'm just thinking Soton is shit and he'll start!

    1. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Nope but it is a gamble.

      1. Creedey
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        cheers

  29. FPL Nut
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Do I sub Wilson and put in ward ?

  30. Orange Roughy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Jones to Otamendi, or roll the transfer? Dann and Dunk on the bench.

    Happy for Dann to come in, if he's going to play.