[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. Gooner97
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Sterlin to Mahrez?

    1. Jimbo-Jones
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      If you have any other city players for long run, yeah why not. Good diff.

    2. Mordor F.C.
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      nah

  2. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    On WC. Should I keep Christensen to free up funds or upgrade to Azpi or Alonso for extra points potential?

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

      Depends what you do with the funds.

      1. Jet5605
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        ITB for now in case I need to make a change later. So which of the three would you get?

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

    Start 4

    A) Kane
    B) Niasse
    C) Gross
    D) Mariappa
    E) Tarkowski
    F) Alex-Trent
    G) Klavan

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

      ADEF

    2. Mordor F.C.
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      acef

  4. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Flappy
    Christensen Azpi Jones
    Richarlison Salah Sterling (h)azard
    Kane DCL Vardy

    RLC Kiko Daniels

    She look gtg?

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

      Gtg

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

      Exact same bench gtg

  5. Jimbo-Jones
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Play
    1. DCL (SWA)
    2. Mee (bha)

    Captain
    A. Morata (SOU)
    B. Salah (bou)

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

      1A

    2. The Albatross
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Both 50/50 imo. Toss a coin

  6. 07bullit
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    GroB (BUR) or DCL (SWA) this week? Thanks in advance!

    1. Jimbo-Jones
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Gross

    2. The Albatross
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I'm playing Groß

      1. 07bullit
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks guys, think I will stick with him too then.

  7. alexisdgreat
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Help! If Long doesn't play, I only have 2 playing defenders... Is it madness to do moreno > janmaaat and begovic > adrian for -8?

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

      Madness

    2. Jimbo-Jones
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Yes that’s madness. At a push do Moreno -> Masuaku/Ogbonna but taking a hit for a defender isn’t often a good idea.

    3. FotnikPL
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Janmaat may be short term option, wouldn't take -4 to bring him in.

  8. Mordor F.C.
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Tom C and Morata --> Hazard and DCL -4. Captain on Haz. Yes or no?

    1. FC nelo
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      If you need to play DCL/Carroll, yes. Otherwise no.

  9. R Whites
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Who to start?

    A. Austin (Chelsea away)
    B. Mee (Brighton away)
    C. Mariappa (hudd home)

    1. Mordor F.C.
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      -mee

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

      A

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

      I’m going with C

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

      B

  10. toystory2wasok
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    bench 1
    a) choupo-moting
    b) gross
    c) DCL

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

      A on current form

  11. Jebiga
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Im confused little bit, Kane will probably not score, and Niasse if play can score hatty.
    Is it smart to start Niasse over Kane, or should i play safe ?

    1. Reuser
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Surely you play both if you think Niasse can do well?

    2. Dreaming of glory
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      City don't keep many cs

    3. 07bullit
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Personally, I would definitely start Kane. City aren’t the strongest in defence and Spurs may do better against a team attacking them. And there’s more chance Niasse gets a 1 pt cameo than a hat trick

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

        thanks, kane it is

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

      If you’re willing to bench Kane you shouldn’t even own him.

  12. camarozz
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    HELP!!
    Capt

    A)Salah (BOU)
    B) Hazard (SOU) BURNT ME LASY WK!!!!
    C) Rooney (SWA)

    Also play Duffy or Mee?

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

      hazard 😉

    2. Mordor F.C.
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      haz

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

      A). Or C), if your balls are swinging free ...

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

      Last*

    5. Kane Toads
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Haz and Duffs

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

      Hazard

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

    Good luck, all - this is me:

    GW 18:

    Adrián
    Otamendi, Christensen, Duffy
    Hazard, Salah(vc), Sterling, Young
    Kane(c), Firmino, Rashford

    Ryan; Gomez, Trippier, Stephens … 0, 0.4 ITB, TV: 103.1, SV: 101.7

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

      Good luck!

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

        🙂

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

      Kane, realy ?
      I brought Silva for that game 🙂

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

        And good luck !

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

        Yep! 🙂

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

      Kane captain woohoo.
      Any particular reason?

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

        My tables. 🙂

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

          Cheers doos.
          Good luck !!

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

            Thanks. 🙂

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

      Nice captain choice! i've had the Captain on Kane all week too!

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

        Ha! 😀

    5. LÖrKingMuch
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Good luck! Keeping the faith with Kane I see. I chickened out and casually captained Salah. Almost Soave/Merlot time 😉

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

    Play 2 of these 4 :

    1) Niasse
    2) Mee
    3) Ogbonna
    4) Duffy

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

      4,3,2,1 in that order

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

    Kiko to Masuaku for free?

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

      Yes

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

      Rest of defense?

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

      Wait for next week masu can get injured

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

        If u want tu bench masu

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

    You can find sunshine in the rain .....

  17. Gooner97
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Play 1

    A) Walker (TOT)
    B) Gross (BUR)
    C) Simpson (CRY)

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

      A

  18. zizoo10
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    1.2itb should i save FT?

    Pope
    Jones • Bavies • Bellerin
    Salah • Coutinho • Haz • RLC
    Kane • Vardy • DCL

    Krul - Tarroll - Naughton - Mbemba

  19. John wick
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Hazard or salah for captains...

    Leaning towards salah......man in form...bou are awful defence compared to saints.....
    Any strong reasons to captain hazard

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

      You must’ve missed the midweek game...

    2. 07bullit
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Salah probably at risk of getting a rest, that would be a worry for me.

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

    What is everyone’s OR target this year?

    My aim is to beat my PB last year which was 82K, currently 199K so in with a chance at the moment. Christmas will be key

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

      You'll be fine.

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

      #1 in the world. Not sure why you'd aim for anything less.

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

        This.

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

        Called being realistic?

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

      Top 100 and I'd be very happy

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

        100k!!!

        Not 100

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

      1st

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

    Rank from 1 to 4 (1 being highest) in terms of likeliness of a cleansheet

    1) Everton
    2) Burnley
    3) Leicester
    4) Chelsea

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

      4213

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

      1)Everton
      2) Burnley/chelsea
      3) Leicester

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

      4123

    4. Reuser
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Probably 1, 4, 2, 3?

      Chelsea and Burnley probably close.

  22. zizoo10
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    vardy (C) anyone?

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

      I wouldn't but he has some potential.

    2. Balls of Steel
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Yes, brilliant pick this week he's due

  23. Fantasyamateur
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Who to captain this GW?! Options are Kane, Agüero, Firmino and Salah.. As of now on Firmino due to risk of game time for Salah and Agüero..

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

      May as well just go with the captain poll if you want group thought.

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

      Salah

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

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

    Really drawn to Kun, but is that a mistake?

    1. ==rvn10==
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Good record against spurs! But Southampton were awful midweek.

    2. Balls of Steel
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I'm also putting armband on Kun think he'll really be up for this game as city go for 16th win

  25. Garlana
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone else on coutinho captain here?

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

      Nope

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

      Risky. Good luck though.

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

    this is my 120points line up
    GK: Pickford
    DEF: Jones Smalling Christensen
    MID: Salah Richarlison Coutinho Hazard(C) Mahrez
    FWD: Rooney Lacazette

    who can beat my line up???

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

      I can't see that team getting any more than 110 points max, sorry.

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

      Famous last words! 24 pointer incoming 😉

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

      70 points tops

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

    Can't settle on captain choice this week at all...
    1) Coutinho
    2) Salah
    3) Kane
    4) Mahrez

    Currently on Couts but tempted by Mahrez

  28. Dynamic Duos
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Vardy or Rooney?

  29. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Play one:

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

    Thanks

  30. b91jh
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Captain:
    A) mahrez vs cry
    B) salah vs bou

    Thoughts?

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

      Similar issue.... Mahrez should do something but Liverpool could explode