[sbu_large_image] Opinion
16 December 2017 1623 comments
Mark Mark
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We all need luck over the course of a Fantasy season.

It doesn’t matter how much football we watch, how much data take in or the tools we have at our disposal, without luck as an extra and vital ingredient, our seasons may never make the jumps from average to good to greatness.

And when we experience luck, I believe we should acknowledge and respect it.

Fortune certainly smiled on me in Gameweek 17.

First, the injuries to Ben Mee and Stephen Ward set up my Burnley pair – Nick Pope and James Tarkowski – as unlikely defensive differentials.

I would have gladly just taken Mee’s absence, but when Ward limped off prior to half-time, I realised that the evening and the Gameweek was turning my way.

That was followed by Andreas Christensen’s withdrawal at Huddersfield.

As he trudged off to a wave a chatter on the site thankful that his clean sheet was locked in, I never really considered that this would come into play; that Chelsea would then concede late.

But my good fortune may have started before a ball was even kicked in midweek.

It’s not often that early transfers can pay off by rewarding us with more than a price rise, but my itchy transfer finger may have just worked in my favour.

With two free transfers available, I opted to use both on Sunday evening. Looking back, I’m not really sure why I felt so compelled to act early and, at the time, I felt it may just have been an error.

Swooping for Charlie Austin and Jonjoe Kenny, I had no real drive to act on Sunday. Both players were likely to rise, but not for another 24-hours.

Then Monday brought news of Alvaro Morata’s absence and, looking back, had I kept my two free transfers in the bank, I surely would have considered moving him out.

Like many managers, it would likely have been Roberto Firmino drafted in, either leaving me with funds sloshing around in my bank, or driving me into another unplanned upgrade elsewhere.

As it is, my unexplained Sunday evening transfers locked this option out and almost forced me to retain Morata. It saved me from hours of deliberation but may also lead to an even more prosperous chain of events.

I’ve no idea how this will pan out. Morata may just be benched today, Firmino could run riot at Bournemouth.

But I feel far more comfortable not having to hope for Antonio Conte to bench his striker, while relying on Jurgen Klopp to calm his own rotation policy.

It means I will now bank my latest transfer. It’s a cautious approach but sensible in light of the midweek events.

I have to acknowledge that luck was on my side this time but anticipate that things might just turn against me. My squad looks settled, so making a “vanity” transfers may just be tempting fate.

So I’ll sit tight and wait to see if Morata starts and scores to compound the events of my blessed Gameweek 17.

If I have welcomed luck into my virtual dressing room, I probably don’t need a transfer: I’ve already made my most crucial signing of the season.

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

  1. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Play one:

    Daniels (LIV)
    RLC (lei)
    Niasse (SWA)

    Thanks!!!

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

      I'd take a punt on Niasse

  2. Lionac
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Would it be crazy to captain Kolasinac over Hazard?

    Would you rather play Niasse or Otamendi?

    1. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Over Hazard? Yes that's crazy even for me...

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

        Was thinking of making differtinal 🙂

        Will stick to Haz. Just hope I won't be banging my head when Kola keep clean sheet and adds one or two assist to than 🙂

  3. Blue Gaffer
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Kane and Benteke to Vardy and Lacazette yes or no?

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      No

    2. Stockport Hatter
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      No

    3. ==rvn10==
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Yes!

      1. ==rvn10==
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Even for a hit

  4. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Those with Niasse - are you starting or benching him?

    1. arndff_
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Don't know, mate...

      Is it right to bench Ogbonna and play Niasse instead?

      1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Tough one. Ogbonna the lower variance choice.

      2. Naboo
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        That's what I'm doing.

    2. Siggy in the Middle
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Benching

    3. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Benching over Duffy, RLC and Gomez 😮

      1. GOTHAM City F.C.
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        playing* and benching Duffy, RLC and Gomez!

  5. Harmonica1967
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Play:

    A). Surman
    B). Gross
    C). Dunk

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. jg7u
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      B

  6. mash
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Bench 2 from these four:

    A) Ward
    B) Duffy
    C)Gross
    D) Mariappa

    Currently benching A and B.

    Good luck for the GW everyone!

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      AC

  7. FISSH
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Quite a test this captain stuff. I pick wrong every single week

    1. rnrd
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Tell us who is tour captain this week then

      1. FISSH
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Currently haz.

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

      Toss a coin

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

      I always miss Kane captain points so go for him.

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

    On WC. Get Lacazette or Morata?

    1. Siggy in the Middle
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Moratatat

    2. Joga Bonito®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Morata

    3. The Chief
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Morata

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

      Toss a coin

    5. ==rvn10==
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Laca imo

    6. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Morata

    7. Stockport Hatter
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Morata

  9. Snapes on a Plane
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Start Otamendi or Kenny

    1. Johno99
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Kenny

    2. Stockport Hatter
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Both

    3. Touré De Force
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Dude...if you need to ask that you should quit

      1. jg7u
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        I don't agree with this, it is not as easy of a decision as you make it to be.

  10. Johno99
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    2 FT

    Daniels and Zaha to Richarlison and Kabasele for next few weeks?

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

      Yep

  11. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Rooney or Lacazette captain?

    1. COLLIN QUANER
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      If you own Laca surely this is the perfect week to put the armband on him

    2. Stockport Hatter
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Rooney

  12. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Play Otamendi or Simpson?

  13. Siggy in the Middle
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    I'm currently captaining Coutinho despite owning Salah, Hazard and Morata. Good move and clever punt or just stupidity when I have other more consistent options?

    Bottomed last page.

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      should do well

    2. Joga Bonito®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      The way I see it is that’s a Coutinho is a rotation risk whereas Hazard is pretty much a guaranteed starter. Hazard would be my choice.

    3. KP02
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Thinking maybe this or Kola

  14. SuperMario
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Bench in order???

    Fabianski
    Alonso - Otamendi - Mee - Kabasele
    Salah - Hazard (c) - Richarlison - Coutinho (VC)
    Kane - DCL

    Elliot - Abraham - Wimmer - RLC

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

      No City mids?!!
      Good team ftw

      1. SuperMario
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Nope. The rotation fears turned me off. May get Silva or Sterling soon tho.

  15. Who Ate All Depays?
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Play Niasse or RLC?

    1. Je suis le chat
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Rlc.

  16. arndff_
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    RP Is it right to bench Ogbonna and play Niasse instead?

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

    Please post your team sheet rumours here.

    No sources or links required.

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Sterling benched.

    2. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      A popular captain is not even starting.

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

        OMG really?

      2. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Reported!

  18. Prison Mike
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    It all comes down to this... Who scores more in the next 4 games:

    A) Sanchez (-4) - NEW, LIV, cry, wba

    B) Kane - mci, bur, SOT, *blank*

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

      A, by some margin

      1. Prison Mike
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        That's what I'm thinking... KAne & RLC -> Sanchez & 5.6 striker

    2. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Sanchez. IF you captain him today.

      1. Prison Mike
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Better captain than haz?

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

          That's what I've done. I'm not saying it's the right thing to do though!

        2. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 3 months ago

          I would say ... if you're going to make such a bold move, you have to jump in with both feet and captain Sanchez.

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

      A

    4. Je suis le chat
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Hold Harry esp for dgw.

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

      A i hope
      Ive done Kane+RLC to Austin+Sanchez(C)

  19. EDEN THE MAN
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    2ft available any suggestions ?

    0.1ItB

    Adrian-Elliot
    Azpi-Otamendi-Gomez-Mee-Naughton
    Haz-Salah-Silva-Rucharlison-Rlc
    Kane-Morata-Quaner

    Cheers

    1. Jebiga
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      azpi to crhistensen

    2. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Kane RLC out, DLC and Mahrez or a top mid in.

  20. Jaga
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Captain Hazard or Salah???

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

      Haz

    2. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Haz of those

    3. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Hazard.

      Salah more at risk to rotation.

    4. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Haz is my pick and I have both and Morata

    5. Stockport Hatter
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Haz

  21. Jebiga
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    play gomez or daniels ?

    1. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Gomez

  22. Legomané
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    1. Aguero(c)
    2. Hazard(c)

    Really drawn to Kun, but is that a mistake?

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      If you’re drawn to him, go with him

      1. Legomané
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers bud

    2. kysersosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      It would be a differential. In your ML if your chasing go Kun.

  23. Bathman315
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Played wildcard had to get rid of some of my defence, G2G? 15,000 overall looking to move higher without being stupid

    De Gea

    Mee Kola Kenny

    Sterling Hazard (c) Lingard Coutinho

    Kane calvert Lewin Okazaki

    (Pope, Son, Mariappa, Chilwell)

    1.1 ITB looking to bring pogba back in soon

  24. KP02
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Captain?

    A) Kola
    B) Salah

  25. The Royal Robin
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Would you say I have the (C) on the right man?

    Pope
    Kabasele Maguire Christensen Alonso
    Salah (C) Sterling Richarlison
    Firmino (V) Kane DCL

    Foster Zaha Moreno Carroll

    1. Back on the horse
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      sure, if you don't think Salah is due a rest.

      1. The Royal Robin
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        Who else could I (C)?

  26. Chris_White
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Would you do Ward & Elliot -> Ogbonna & Gomes?

    Other keeper is Speroni (who isn't nailed) and I just have three playing defenders...

    1. Jebiga
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      make sense

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

      For free? Sure

      1. Chris_White
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 3 months ago

        -4...

  27. Jones Town
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Play Niasse (SWA) or Austin (che) ?

    1. Siggy in the Middle
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Austin

  28. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Play one:

    Daniels (LIV)
    RLC (lei)
    Niasse (SWA)

    Opinions appreciated!!!

    1. Siggy in the Middle
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      RLC

  29. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Right benching order?

    Pope
    Otamendi, Christensen, Mee
    Hazard (c), Silva, Salah, Coutinho, Richarlison
    Kane, Niasse

    Subs: Elliot, Austin, Ogbonna, Naughton

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

  30. XABI 15
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 3 months ago

    Which one to play - DCL, gross or Abraham

    Thanks