[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. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    And our time is ruuunnnnniing ooouuuuuuttt.

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Wow, worst top of page post ever 😆

    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Still time for more questions

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

      Muse?

      1. Sponge-worthy
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Amuseing

      2. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Indeed!

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

      Awful band. Nearly as bad as Queen

      1. Sponge-worthy
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        You don't talk about Queen.

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

    Just hit the Wildcard button. Any tips. Be quick please.

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

      Lol

    2. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Make sure you don't transfer Salah out and in again as you'll lose the £

    3. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Abort mission

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

    Salah, I believe.

  4. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Rooney or vardy till GW22

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      lol

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

      Roon

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

    Good Luck everyone!

  6. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    PENS DOWN!

    1. dark91
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Nope. Couple more seconds

    2. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      in a minute. 😀

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

      Premature

  7. Prøfeßör …
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    The dog has chosen Kane.

  8. A.T
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Who will score the most points from now until the end of the season?

    1. A.T
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Quick please

      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Too late. Delete your team.

        1. A.T
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          What all of them?

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

      Mark

      1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Godfather.

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

      Salah

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

        +1

    4. Goat
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Salah

    5. A.T
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks all

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

    Mo Salah (C)!!!!!!!!

  10. CL4PTRAP
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Brilliant read. Cheers Mark

  11. AC Tomasso
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Is Ward gonna start? Should I play Mariapaa instead?

  12. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Nobody make the 'pens down' comment please.

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Pencils down

  13. abk
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    lockdown

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

    Benched Ogbonna. Played Niasse. 🙁

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Good move

      1. arndff_
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Hope so...

    2. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      good imo.
      good luck mate

      1. arndff_
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks! Fingers crossed, you too! 😉

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

      Me too

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

      Correct decision. Me too

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

    Kaku captain over Salah, capped Kaku over kane midweek too

    Safest and lowest risk

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

    Did (C)outinho to Hazarf captain at the last minute. I'm gonna regret this aren't I?

    1. arndff_
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Think not, 'cause Coutinho MUST make a double digit performance -- he let me down twice. 🙂

  17. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Chickened out.

    Hazard Captain.

    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Boo. 😉

      1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Sorry mate, as a fellow Hammers fan, i have let you down

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          😆

    2. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      🙂

    3. Prøfeßör …
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Ah man, after all that Kane talk.

      FYI, I stuck with Hazard but still.

    4. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Straya!

      1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Feck yeah!

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

    Pens down.

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

    Good luck all. I can see a few players being rested this week so queue the stress.

  20. DR0GBA
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Yess Chilwell starts 🙂

  21. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Huh? Why can't I refresh the FPL site?

    1. arndff_
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Go back there after ~1h. 😉

  22. Mika-eel
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Game updating. Kane captain it is then:cool:

    Someone hold me.

  23. Fred54
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Speroni in goal.

    ...

    Schmeichel, Simpson, Morgan (c), Maguire, Chilwell, Iborra, Ndidi, Mahrez, Albrighton, Gray, Vardy.

    1. dark91
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I like how you listed the Crystal Palace lineup 😀
      But RLC and Zaha are still relevant for many 😉

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

      Oka fail.

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

      Okazaki benched!!! Yes!!

  24. FlockofSeagulls
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Coutinho (C).

    No going back now. Good luck to me.

    1. Luton_Fan
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Did the same despite having salah and haz. God help us

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

      Same boat... *throws life jacket away*

  25. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Pens down! 😉 😆

  26. Optimus.
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    carrier pigeon sent

  27. The Overthinker
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    There will be a lot of meltdowns

    Good luck everyone

    1. Optimus.
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Same as every gw then

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

      Classic FPL weekend then

  28. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    stick a fork in me, im done

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Fork handles?

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Four candles. For luck. 😉

  29. HALFSPACE
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    SIMPSONNNNNNNN

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Scored already?

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

        I'm training. That counts for some points right?

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

          In*

  30. Chucky
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Simpson starts

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

      Was he a doubt?