[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. ooooo
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Gray starts!!!

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Puel always trusts in youth. Look at his Nice team a few years ago.

  2. Sandy Ravage
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Who is a highest priority transfer for the next few gameweeks:
    A - DDG
    B - Sterling (have Silva & Otamendi)
    C - Jones

    1. ooooo
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      DDG

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

    Ward, Zaha and Kane > Mousakka, Silva and Aguero -8

    Hazard (C)

  4. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Leicester City Vs Crystal Palace
    Schmeichel, Simpson, Chilwell, Morgan, Maguire, Iborra, Ndidi, Mahrez, Albrighton, Gray, Vardy
    Subs: Hamer, Fuchs, Dragovic, King, Iheanacho, Okazaki, Ulloa

    Speroni, Schlupp, Tomkins, Kelly, Dann, Cabaye, Loftus-Cheek, Townsend, McArthur, Benteke, Zaha
    Subs: Hennessey, van Aanholt, Souaré, Riedewald, Chung-yong, Sako, Wan-Bissaka

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

      You held this back on purpose didn't you? I know you had this info 3 minutes ago. Selfish.

      1. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        🙂

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

      New okazaki owners, get used to this.

      I transferred him out for Niasse 5 gws ago due to his constant benching even after scoring.

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

        Don't you now just have more constant benching?

        1. seewhyaxe
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          I made to Niasse before Big Sam was hired so.... Didn't know he would get benched now

    3. jia you
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Hmmm Chilwell beginning to look nailed!

      1. La Gazzetta
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Looking decent Value

    4. La Gazzetta
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I'm loving Chilwell at the moment. His points could be a decent differential. Might be the miracle I need.

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

    Went captain Salah in the end
    Anyone with me?

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

      Plenty

  6. Holy See
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Best of luck y'all, may your points be plentiful, your transfers wise, and your luck abundant!

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

      No one likes a suck up. 😉

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

      Amen.

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

    RLC to score a brace and everyone praying someone in their team is benched.

    1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Lol

    2. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Possible. Hopefully Robertson for me if that happens

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

      Hope so, benched DCL for him. Also due to the fact I have Fabianski and think Swansea will shut up shop in a very tight game.

    4. jia you
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Last sub for me, where he deserves to be 🙂

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

      No chance

  8. drughi
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Maguireeee

  9. Sandy Ravage
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Gray starts!

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

    Firmino (C)

    First real gamble of the season. You’ve got to go with your instincts sometimes.

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

      same,

    2. jia you
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      My instinct would be to sleep in rather than go to work most mornings, but I don't do it, I go to work and life is better 😉

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

      Could work nicely

  11. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Lol at okazaki owners?

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

      is there any ?

      1. Shultan
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        He went up in price so yeah

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

        130k new ones

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

          woah

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Lol at you you f’n pelican

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

      Get a life Bemba.

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

        None of us on here have one of those. 😀

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

      Oh, missed that 🙂

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

      Not noice!

    6. Pipermaru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Number 11 OR is laughing at us 😛

  12. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Lol, no Okazaki

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

    Hazard (c) and feeling confident

    1. johnnys balloons
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      You better be making some assists for Laca today

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

    Went Cout and Rooney > Richarlison and Morata on WC. Hope that works out for me 🙂

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

      Might not this week, but I’m sure it will over time

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

      Good moves

  15. IRBOX ⚽
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Lacazette captain!

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

      Brave

    2. johnnys balloons
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Same

    3. jia you
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      tears end in that's going 😉

  16. Shultan
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Okazaki benched!

  17. Essrick
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Gone with this and saved my FT to do a mini WC next week to bring in Silva for Choupo. Only because Duffy has a good fixture mind.

    Fabs
    Kola Ota Duffy
    Haz (c) Salah (vc) Richarlison Choupo RLC
    Kane Firmino

    Elliot Ward DCL Daniels

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

    I believe Salah (C) is a better option than Hazard this week. Just didn't have the balls to captain Salah because of rotation fear

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

      Same

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

      Don't see it. Think he'll play his 60-70 still

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

      5 days off next week. Plenty of rest.

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

        Doesn't matter if his hamstring needs some rest now

  19. Thiga
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    That's harsh from Puel. Brimming with confidence and in fine form. Gets benched

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

    Tough choice between Salah and City mids for captain next week

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

    lolzaki

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

    Ndidi starts!

  23. DJDave1979
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Why on EARTH would you drop Okazaki?

    I really don't understand a decision like that.

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

      Pretty poor imo. Guy must be gutted.

      1. DJDave1979
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        It must be pretty disheartening for him as a professional. I didn't draft him into any of my teams because I saw that this might happen but, sheesh, poor guy.

  24. Shultan
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Bad start for the differential picks!
    No okazaki

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

      Two late goals.

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

    Come on Vardy lad!

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

    Harsh on the Okazaki pickers

  27. La Roja
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Has anyone actually bought Okazaki?

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

      130k people's knees jerked into orbit

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

    What does okazaki have to do to keep his place.

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

      Get a transfer to Rotherham.

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

      Play away every week.

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

    So my midfield of

    Hazard Salah Sterling Gray will be decent now?

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

      Yes, confirmed.

  30. Je suis le chat
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    I'll be getting a shoe in the head for telling my better half to get Okazaki. She's suspicious I'm sabotaging her team!

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

      Well you are, aren't you? Does her shoe have a long heel? 😀

      1. Je suis le chat
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Thankfully she wears flats. Silly casual suggestion by me.