[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. GaMBa
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    My Wildcard team to GW18. Any thoughts?

    De Gea (Elliot)

    Christensen - Kolasniac - Jones ( Ward, Kenny)
    Mahrez - Zaha - Salah - De Bruyne - Hazard(C)
    Firmino - RCL ( Quaner)

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      who stole all your money?

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

      At least let the first game kick off.

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

        Surprising he has patience to hold on to that WC for this long.

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

      Is this your second account Dingo?

  2. Prison Mike
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Did a last minute Kane out transfer hoping it pays off!

    1. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Lacazette?

      1. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        ...and(c)?.....I nearly did....

        1. Prison Mike
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Alexis Sanchez baby!

          1. Dr Dream
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah. Good.

            Just because you so.d Kane it doesn't mean you can't get him back. Perfectly good gamble you've taken there. Good luck.

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

      Kane to who?

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

      Good fixture for him today tbh. Good luck

    4. F4L
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      tut tut. Kane to get haul today

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

      hope it backfires

      1. Prison Mike
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers pal 🙂

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

      you've got a no from like 80% of people you asked here didnt you.. i've done the same lol@us

      1. Prison Mike
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah don't be a sheep when you can be a GOAT :')

    7. Mooster©️
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I planned the same, but chickened out..

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

      Did that too! Also I put C on Alexis, good luck son!

  3. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Off topic.

    "I've booked a holiday so can you pick me up from Manchester Airport at 10.00 PM Christmas Eve please Dad"

    WTF !!!

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

      "No"

      1. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        I can hardly believe the cheeky sod would ask....

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

      At least the roads will be quiet 🙂

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

      Your Dad is Santa Claus?

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

        I know somebody who thinks his Dad is Santa

        His Mum told him that his dad only empties his sack once a year

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

          😀

    4. Oven Glover
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Merry Christmas

    5. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Dads Taxis are the best

      Enjoy a sober evening 😉

      1. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Seems so. He's going to Poland of all places...

        Why?

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

          I'm going to Poland next year, it's beautiful.

          1. Dr Dream
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 2 months ago

            Must be. He's been before.

  4. Over Midwicket
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Could REALLY do with a Chelsea clean sheet today. Christ..

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

      Need azpi 15 pointer or shipping him

      1. Over Midwicket
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Same, pretty much.

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

        Yessssss!

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

    Benteke starts.

    Leicester clean sheet confirmed.

    1. Differential C (Mark)
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Tbf he was brilliant with Villa, a monster in fron of goal.
      What a fall he's taken since then

      1. DOG GOD IT - KEANE 15
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        He had a serious injury 2-3 years back I think? And has never been the same

        1. Sepp Blattered
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          15 goals in PL last season?

          What are you talking about..

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

        Was very good in a few period of games last season. This year it's been tragic.

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

      Leicester never keep clean sheets

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

        Benteke never scores goals so should be an intriguing match.

        1. Simon Says...
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Zaha explosion then.

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

    Come on Speroni CS

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

      He'll get one. I sold him.

    2. Lurkalot
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      no plz

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

    updating

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

      What is to update

      You know your team

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

    Updated

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

      the game is being says yoda

      1. Over Midwicket
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Sigh

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

      Nope

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

      Ban

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

    Feed the world, let them know it's Christmas time

    1. DOG GOD IT - KEANE 15
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      There's no need to be afraid!

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

        Fear is a choice, don't choose it

        1. DOG GOD IT - KEANE 15
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Didn't know this line was in the lyrics 🙂

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

    If Salah starts then I am certain of a brace atleast

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

      Were you certain of a West Brom blank?

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

        Yes, did not captain him that gw 😛

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

      Nothing is certain. But you will have a better chance than of a Iwobi brace.

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

      Genius. Now nobody knows will he or won't he

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

      'Thats why i'm here' lol.

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

      So that's a definitive yes for me

    4. TOBY1
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Looking very very likely!

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

    Took Kane out

    Kane to Rooney
    RLC to D.Silva (-4)

    only problem im not sure if D.silva will be in my starting 11 as he was on bench and i tried to swap him in but not sire if it prossesed

    1. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      You’ll find out in a minute or two.

      1. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Or right now actually.

    2. @fpl_phenom
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      thats a horrendous mistake if so... silva is in red hot form at the moment

  12. The special 5
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Game is updating

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

      Which game?

      1. The special 5
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Fpl

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

          Ok, thanks

  13. lespaul
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Come on guys its probably time this week we all dealt with mbemba

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

      2nd WC will sort that out

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

      "we all"? :p

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

      did mbemba>mariappa, very sexy transfer

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

        Nice possible 0.2 swing

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

      too true! only just resolved it myself

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

      Yeah, 2fts and I'm giving Azpi last chance to get more than 2 pathetic points

    6. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Sold him this week.....finally

      CS and 3 baps incoming

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

    Zaha sounds like he struggles to read in this Sky Sports segment

  15. Chris_White
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    I captained Vardy.

    In other words, expect a yellow card and a missed penalty.

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

    Hands up if you'll score over 70 this gameweek?

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

      Mee

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

      o\

    3. @fpl_phenom
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      0/

    4. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Well my combined total of last 2gws is 52 so hoping yes to make up for a recent 1m rank drop!

    5. Captain Haddock
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      _0_

  17. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Was planning to (c) Richarlison after hearing of how crap HUD are away, and then read how WAT are crap at home....
    Should be interesting to watch.

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

      I thought about it to. Bit too risky right now.

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

    UPDATED

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

      Nope

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

        😛

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

    And we're back.

  20. Abusive_Sgt_Daelrhos
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Alexis (C) locked! Jesus am I scared!

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Ive got la(c)a, hope he starts!

      1. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        He will.

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

      You'll be fine

  21. fusen
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    http://anewpla.net/fpl/league/live.php games updated

    1. Oven Glover
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Semi updated. Next rounds fixtures missing again. Cheers

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

    Hennessey, Gross, Kane, RLC > DDG, Richarlison, Bony, Silva

    Jay Egersdorff's -12

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

      Interesting

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

      RIP

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

      Wow, Bony is very punty.

      Respect - all or nothing.

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

      Could work. Feels a bit kneejerk though. But this guy is a FPL master.

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

    Upus Datus

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

    So..... who's everyone captaining next gw? 😆

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

      Salad

    2. KEN YA DIG IT
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Kane

    3. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Sterling

  25. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Just saw my team, forgot to take armband off KdB
    Well, another red arrow, then.

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

    Ville and Mark have captained Hazard.

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

      Well done on beating FPL Virgin to post this.

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

        🙂

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

    I won't do either until Monday but what do you prefer?

    1) Alonso + Zaha > Otamendi + Hazard -4
    2) Moreno > Otamendi 1FT

  28. kennethrhcp
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Game week 19 fixtures showing up as 18 for anyone else on fpl?

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

      Yup

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

      Yep. They've just been updated.

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

      Yes, and could change my team just a minute ago..

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

      Ah cheers lads... I'm an eager beaver 🙂

  29. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    I went Haz and everyone else in my ML went with Salah(c). Have mercy Salah!