[sbu_large_image] Opinion
24 February 2018 1151 comments
Mark Mark
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It comes to something when captaining Harry Kane is seen as a gamble.

We spent weeks justifying his existence in our squads on the basis that he would be our permanent skipper, and successive hat-tricks against the backdrop of the original #Kanexit movement convinced us that we’d never looked back.

But even the most proven and big-scoring assets struggle to convince when compared with the relentless tide of points produced by Mohamed Salah.

The Egyptian has now split the Fantasy Football community, as each Gameweek the debate reopens on if and when we can afford to overlook him with the armband.

Kane will always provide the tempting alternative, but with his record of a goal or an assist in 16 of 18 Gameweek appearances, the logic clearly points to Salah.

Twelve double-figure returns to Kane’s eight also diffuses the “explosive” argument.

However, arguably Kane’s “ceiling” of points remains the higher. The devastation of his away day performances at Leicester City and Hull last season still linger. He defines the term “heavy-hitter”: while Salah’s blows are unrelenting, if Kane hits, more often than not, he hits hard.

At this point, turning to Kane is not denying Salah’s status as the go-to option, it’s merely playing the mechanics of the game. When an established path is laid, there is always the opportunity to take a detour.

Salah is the sat nav, Kane the hand-drawn short-cut on the back of the beer mat. At various points over the final 11 Gameweeks, local knowledge will win out.

Gameweek 28 might just be one of those, with the case for the Spurs striker firming up in the last 24-hours.

His opponent Crystal Palace are deep in the midst of an injury crisis, with Roy Hodgson set to turn to Damien Delaney and James Tomkins to silence the Premier League’s most feared striker.

With this in mind, Fantasy managers are acquiring Christian Eriksen in midfield, seemingly backing him for points, but playing down Kane’s potential to outscore Salah.

That said, I still don’t know if I have that kahunas to take that route again. I’ve probably already done enough to separate my line-up from those around me.

My plan was clear some days ago, but doubts surrounding Raheem Sterling’s fitness prompted a reappraisal.

Nursing a muscular injury, believed to be hamstring related, Sterling was omitted from Monday’s shock FA Cup defeat at Wigan by Pep Guardiola.

Clearly, that was designed to prepare the winger for Sunday’s Wembley Final so you have to imagine that every step will be taken to get Sterling on the pitch.

If that proves the case, there is every chance that Guardiola will then take him out of the firing line come Thursday’s league re-match with the Gunners.

With Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane fit and Bernardo Silva now settled and proven, he no longer needs to flog his first choice XI.

Should United drop more points to Chelsea on Sunday, I imagine even Pep will consider compromising at the Emirates with City’s own home clash with the champions to come just three days later.

There were just too many possibilities swirling with Sterling, and while profit has been lost, by the time I reconsider Sterling with the Wildcard, his price may have dropped considerably.

Even then, given the likely rotation to come in the late season from Guardiola, I’m not certain I’ll be back for Sterling.

He served me well and got me 26 points as my captain back in Gameweek 19.

But then, I even captained Salah once.

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

1,151 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Jay_
    8 years, 4 months ago

    *Home Stretch League*

    Last chance to join, 309-1268274

    Vital part of the season. So many different strategies available. See who comes out on top. 

    Scoring starts this week. Will be interesting to see what strategy the eventual winner used and what week they played their chips (if any).

    Code to join: 309-1268274

    * Sorry if frequently posting this has annoyed the regulars, this will be the last time. Over 200 in so far, the more the merrier!

    1. EMERGING STAR
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Joined

    2. Positive vibes
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks for organizing the league.

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

      joined, nice one!

    4. doy
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Joined too, cheers.

    5. Jay_
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Welcome aboard all. Over 300 in now. Good luck 🙂

      1. william prunier
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        In

  2. corderz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Any help with my team would be greatly appreciated

    Pope | Elliot
    Alonso | Jones | Gomez | Fernandez | Holgate
    Hazard | Salah | Sterling | Lingard | Allen
    Kane | Vardy | J.Ayew

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      How many transfers? How much in the bank?

      1. corderz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        1 FT
        0.3 ITB

        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Jones to Dawson for me.

          1. corderz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 4 months ago

            That is exactly what i'm doing!

            1. FPL Virgin
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              8 years, 4 months ago

              Haha, great minds!

    2. Sedemuda
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Jones to VVD

  3. NATSTER
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    So, have you sold Sterling ?

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Nope. Decided against it.

      1. NATSTER
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        it looks like interesting option

  4. FDMS All Starz
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Will son and Lingard start? Or should I take a hit to bring in someone in?

  5. Lumberjack
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    A - Jones to VVD
    B - Jones/ Sterling to VVD/ Siggy
    C - Jones/ Sterling to Daniels/ Mane

    2 FT

    Cheers

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      B is tempting for a bit of a diff. but C probably the most sensible.

      1. Lumberjack
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah Siggy coming good I think...maybe C though. Thanks

  6. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    It's good to have your preamble back, Mark. Two weeks is too long.

  7. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Wonder who mark has got in for sterling then?

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Mane?

    2. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Mahrez

    3. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Think mahrez as his remaining itb is low

    4. doy
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      TV went down 1.1m wow big moves it appears!

      1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Easy he has shipped sterling to mahrez. Maybe be mane

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

    Oh god, did my first 8 point hit of the season in the early hours:

    Otamendi -> VVD
    Choupo Moting -> Mahrez
    Sterling -> Eriksen
    Aguero -> Firmino

    Opinions on whether you think this will pay off in next 3 weeks?

    Thanks

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      They all look sound.

    2. Not again Shirley
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Well if it makes you feel any better I have taken -12 getting rid of all Man City plus jones for Kane VVD deulefeu and eriksen. Risky but as they say ... he who dares wins.

    3. Bobby_Baggio
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Nice good luck

    4. Positive vibes
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Good luck!

  9. Phil's Stamps
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Bench one:
    1. Niasse
    2. Willian
    3. Shaqiri

    1. Mooster©️
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      1

  10. Mooster©️
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Play Mee, Ibe or Otamendi?

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Mee

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Ibe

  11. andy85wsm
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Good read as always!

    Sat here considering, Sterling, Jones or Crouch out for a hit!

    Not sure Ibe starts, Sterling potentially misses out, Crouch rubbish, Jones injured.

    Sterling to Walcott tempts me

    1. Theres mo limit
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Siggy?

      1. andy85wsm
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        May double on him and Walcott eventually but probably go Walcott first

    2. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      I'd upgrade Jones or Crouch, Andy. Your bench is weak and couldn't cope with a few surprises in the line ups.

    3. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      I think its better to wait and find out whether siggy becomes a better asset than wally

      1. Theres mo limit
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        early bird carches the worm

    4. *Reformed-Character*
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      That is a ridiculous idea ....

      Everton away from home are truly woeful, you have a lot of value in sterling why would you do that ?

  12. ChildishFirmino and Lallana…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    What's the news on sterling? Is he gonna play?

    1. doy
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Looks doubtful for tomorrow and probably 50:50 for Thurs?

    2. Hustlers United
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Same question...

  13. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Repost.

    Hey guys, should I do Otamendi to Hegazi or Aguero to Firmino to fund Pogba to Mane? I have 2 FTs.

    Cheers

    1. Bobby_Baggio
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Ota

    2. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Bobby all day

  14. Bobby_Baggio
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Which transfers guys? 2FT and 1.2m ITB. 

    Fabianski
    Jones - Ota - Alonso
    Lingard - Salah - Sterling - Walcott
    Kane - Firmino

    Speroni - Dunk - Tomkins - Quaner

    A) Alonso + Lingard > VVD + Mahrez?
    B) Jones > VVD (save FT)
    C) Sterling > Eriksen or Mahrez
    D) Anything else

    1. Alex_thekid
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      B and C

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Will lose alot of value on selling sterling, still do it?

  15. Luton_Fan
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Probably a strange question but which to captain?

    A. Salah
    B. Kane

    ???

    1. Bobby_Baggio
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Kane for me

    2. Theres mo limit
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      strange and original

    3. Make United Great Again
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Salah

    4. Hustlers United
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Kane

  16. Yozzer
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Don't agree with this regarding sterling. Playing him in final and drop rest him Thursday. Other way round if anything

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      final is the bigger game though?

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Pep has talked about the importance of winning trophies. Yeah, he might risk Sterling on Sunday.

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

        He's not going to risk an hammy. Playing on it could put him out for months. Them 4 days extra could be vital.

        If he's fit he's fit. He won't play if not 100% how can he

    2. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 19 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      If he's fit, he surely plays on Sunday. He's not going to be rested in a Wembley final for a Thursday league game.

      So it depends on how close he is.

      Could go either way, but uncertainty is there. Anyone who figures on Sunday will be at risk on Thursday now Pep's injuries have cleared.

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Risky move Mark. Look at Arsenal's defensive stats over the last 4/6 and they are right at the bottom of the table.

        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          *Over the last 4/6 home games.

      2. Pieterke30
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        So, who are you caltaining Mark?

      3. AYEW KI-EDEN MEE
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        You opted for Mané/Mahrez in for Sterling Mark?

      4. Yozzer
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        If he's fit I think he plays both to be fair. Looking ar city's fixtures they are awful. If pep can get a couple of wins vs the big boys then he can relax. Honestly belive he will want to put the strongest team out possible until he's secured it.

        My reason for saying that is because if there is the smallest doubt then for me he's more chance of coming back Thursday

  17. Sean.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Did Mark keep Hazard ?

    1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Yup

  18. HD7
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Did Ota to VVD for this GW...

    I know Aguero to Firmino for -4 isnt good but...
    If Kun starts for the final, shouldnt we expect Jesus to start on Thursday?

  19. beetlejuice
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    1 FT

    A-) Son > Mane
    B-) Sterling > Mane
    C-) Keep FT

    Thanks!

    1. Dosh
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      B

  20. HD7
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Aguero to Firmino or Sterling to Mane?

    1. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      I'd do both

  21. Efe Ambrose
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Start Chilwell or Dunk?

  22. Fantasyamateur
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Foster
    Hegazi - Dijk - Mee
    Salah - Sterling - Lingard - Shaqiri
    Kane - Agüero - Firmino

    Bench: Elliot, Otamendi, Carroll, Ogbonna.

    1FT, 0.3M ITB.

    A: Lingard to Deulofeu/Stanislas/Ibe/Richarlison. (Who and why?)
    B: Lingard and Otamendi to Walcott and Schindler (-4 and bench Schindler)

    Really struggling with this one.. Not convinced by any of the alternatives to be honest. Though away fixtures for Everton. Watford have Liverpool away in 31.. Big question mark with the game time of Stanislas and Ibe..

    1. soup natsi
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Aguero, Lingard to Wilson, Mane

      1. soup natsi
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        You got VvD too. Mahrez perhaps, or Vardy, Siggy.

  23. Cocky Spaniel Alves
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Mahrez or Eriksen?

    Got Kane and Son.

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Mahrez

  24. Doctor X
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Play Son or Sterling chaps??

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      I'd go Son.

  25. Lexi2014
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Sterling, yay or nah?

  26. machickenz
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Bench one

    A) Fernandez
    B) J.Ayew

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      A

  27. Dr Van Nostrand
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Reckon it's worth Aguero to Kane for a hit?

    1. machickenz
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      I pondered for awhile for the same trade. I ended up doing it. I can't wait that long to see whether Aguero hits the ground running or not since its so many days away plus with the difficult fixture. Yes he's in the form of his life but least you know that Kane will bring returns if you take Aguero out for a hit for him

    2. Phil's Stamps
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      If you're going to keep him for a while, then yes.

    3. Dosh
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      I did it!

    4. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Yes plan on keeping. Cheers guys

  28. Delph & Safety
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Is Jonty going for Wilson or Niasse?

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      I think he's targeting another double pivot player who may or may not get a penalty.

      1. Delph & Safety
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Wouldn’t rule it out.

  29. Bobby_Baggio
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Best defender 4.9m or below please?

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Dawson. Definitely.

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks

      2. *Reformed-Character*
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        hegazi. Definitely

      3. Bobby_Baggio
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks gonna do Lingard > Mahrez and Ota > Dawson for free

    2. Punty McPuntface
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Mee

  30. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    As the article above says guys. Captain Kane.

    1. Yozzer
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Sounds like Mark gone Salah to me

    2. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Will he have the minerals thou?

      1. Yozzer
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Imo it's a total 50 50. Either could pay off

        1. Phil's Stamps
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Completely agree, 50:50. Salah is at home, but they have a bit of a jinx with West Ham. If I had both (only got Mo), I'd probably go Kane for a diff because I'm chasing in a H2H minleague and none of my rivals have Kane. But if it was purely a points consideration, Salah.