[sbu_large_image] Opinion
3 March 2018 1564 comments
Mark Mark
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Distracted by the tendrils of a cold and with two toddlers to care for this morning, I make no apology for the curtailed Pre-amble, or indeed the typos that creep in.

In a week where we asked ourselves whether the season had become “dull”, I felt compelled to write more on the decision that, according to accepted thinking, is already made for us.

I should captain Mohamed Salah.

No thought is required. The numbers back it up, the logic is clear and to even entertain the idea of an alternative is an unnecessary and foolhardy risk.

But harking back to that Hot Topic, I do wonder if Salah is contributing to the malaise.

The captaincy is probably the most important decision we make. More than any single transfer, it should have the ability to make or break our Gameweek.

But Salah has not only killed the need to make a choice, he’s also reduced its impact.

I can see myself handing the Egyptian the armband for his evening clash with Newcastle, but I can’t envisage fist pumping the air in jubilation when he scores.

Instead, there might be a wry smile of relief, but how wide can it be?

My captain would have ensured that I’ve kept pace and not given up ground.

But I want my decision to be more than that, I want it to have real consequence should it prove “correct”.

Salah’s talent deserves to make him a difference maker, but he’s become anything but in Fantasy Football.

This all harks back to the floor and ceiling theory.

While this can be applied to Salah and Harry Kane, it can be extended further to our perception of our Gameweek as a whole.

Captaining Salah feels like we guarantee a high floor. Our minimum score is raised, and we protect our rank, ensuring that any drop should be minor.

By turning to an alternative, even when it is Kane with six goals in six Gameweeks, we’re risking that.

Instead, we are perhaps attempting to achieve a higher ceiling. Taking the chance that our captain can outscore Salah and help lift our Gameweek above the norm.

As Jonty pointed out in this week’s ScoutCast, the scale of that ceiling can depend on our degree of risk.

Is Kane really enough? To find a real differential do we not need to look to Sadio Mane or Eden Hazard?

There’s logic here, though that scenario really relies on both Salah and Kane failing as the majority captains, and that seems very unlikely.

That pair are extraordinary players. I suspect that the duel between them for the Golden Boot is very real, with both hell-bent on scoring as many goals as possible from here on in.

They almost deserve better than to have a million plus Fantasy managers hoping they fail. But that’s the scenario that has developed.

Captaining Salah offers me a modest prize and the inclination to cheer every Kane miss.

The reverse is not much better and ensures that I’ll spend my evening willing Salah to fail. But at least the jackpot just might be bigger.

Either way, I can’t help but wish I could just celebrate both.

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

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

    A) Mee -> Hegazi
    B) Otamendi -> Daniels
    C) Son -> ???

    I’m stuck. 2FT 0ITB

    1. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Then do Son > Shaqiri.

      Have a feeling Moura will start today.

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

        Got shaq and Walcott already

    2. Magic Hat
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Same here. Favour A. Feels wrong ditching Son at home to Hud with a reasonable chance of starting. Arnie the option otherwise

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

        Doing A I think

    3. Blame it on Traore
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Wouldn't do A. I'd like to think Burnley will get a clean sheet today.

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

    Bench one:

    A) Lingard
    B) Walcott
    C) Wilson

    1. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Wilson

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

      B

    3. ENZO SZN™
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Walcott

  3. Tomas Brolin ate all Depays
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    BEst budget goalkeeper for week 31 ? Hennessey ?

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

      Palace have signed a new GK.

      Depending on your budget (and Liverpool players) I'd go Karius > Pickford > Lössl

  4. 1zverGGadeM
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling

    1. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Japanese yen

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

        Did you know that "yen" is a 19th century mistranslation, and the currency is actually pronounced "en" in Japan?

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      any news on him from anyone?

      I heard he trained yesterday if thats any hope?

    3. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Silva

    4. 1zverGGadeM
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      If fit he is first choice mid for Pep surely

  5. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone else have their decisions influenced by the TV game?

    The prospect of watching Soccer Saturday waiting for Stelling to shout Kane's name doesn't excite me (plus the games when Kane has gone mad this season have generally been televised). Much more excited by the prospect of cheering captain Salah on without reservation in the late kickoff.

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah, if it's a close call then being on TV always helps!

  6. Paul Psychic Octopus
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    If Poch has any sense, then once Tottenham go 3 up, he should take Kane off and rest for Juve.

    Problem is, those three goals may well be all Kane's

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      These matches rarely go as expected. Could well be 0-0 at 70mins.

      1. Paul Psychic Octopus
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        That's why I'm captaining Salah

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

    Sterling, Ayew > Shaq, Vardy free?

    1. Magic Hat
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Yep

  8. Tomas Brolin ate all Depays
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Best budget defender for week 31 ?

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Jack Bauer.

  9. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Haven't seen Alex Pritchard play. Is he any good?

    1. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Shoots better than Salah 😉

      In all honesty, he looks a bit meh.

    2. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      He is good. But he's tiny.

    3. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Above average

    4. All de Gea
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      As a Town fan I finally have a decent option to bring in on merit. Defo improves attacking threat - will be my transfer in next week - looks good for 3 games or so until wildcard

    5. Bees4Lyf
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Was a gem at Brentford! average in the Prem.

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

    Is Van La Parra standing in for someone, or is playing continuously playing?

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

      Nailed.

  11. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Leading my ML by 11pts.

    would you captain Salah or Kane?

    Closest rival has both players too and will probably go Salah which I am on at present.

    thoughts?

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

      Salah is more consistent. Did you see how many shots Kane missed last week?

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        yep sure did

  12. SuperMario
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    0.7 bank and 1 FT

    Adrian (Elliot)
    Alonso - Mee - VVD (Fernandez - Kabasele)
    Salah (vc) - Shaqiri - Lingard - Hazard - Sterling
    Kane (c) - Wilson (Abraham)

    A. Hazard & Abraham --> Arnautovic & Firmino (-4)
    B. Sterling --> Mane
    C. Save.
    D. Other

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

      Last minute panic. Leaning towards Option A lads????

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

      You need Firmino. A looks good.

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

        Done

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

      Keep Hazard, I would swap Sterling for Sane

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

        Just done! I know next week fixtures is good but need Firm and Arnie looks solid for next 2 also

  13. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Play Ota and Alonso because of goal threat or Bauer and/or Kenny?

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

      Ota and Alonso.

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

    Team locked. No overthinking.

    Good luck Everyone !!

  15. Henning
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Play Pickford or Adrian

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

      Pickford.

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

        Thanx

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

    Aguero + Lingard -> Kane + Docoure 2FT

    1. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Only if you don't have 3x Liverpool yet

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

    Chances of Defoe starting ahead of Wilson today guys?

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Must be a fair chance I would think.

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

      Low.

    3. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Reasonable chance I would have thought. See how he goes and sub off after 65 mins

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

    Karius
    Marriappa - Mee - Chilwell
    Gudmsn - Salah - Rich - Sanchez - Shaq
    Kun - Kane (c)

    Fab - Wilson - Daniels - Duffy

    Gtg??

  19. Fishy-o
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Morning all

    Currently on

    De gea
    Ota bavies ward chilwell vdh
    Haz salah(C) sterling
    Kun firm

    Elliot gross Wilson cook

    0 itb, 1ft
    All chips left
    Worried about no spurs and Leicester attack

    Thinking of either ota, haz, sterling, wilson out

    Vardy, mahrez, erikson, arni, shaq in

    I wouldn't want to take more than 1 hit really

    1 point lead in ml and 2nd got kane, mahrez, vardy and he's only got bb chip left

    Should I keep ft, wild card or change 1 or 2?
    Really struggling this gw

    Thanks lads

    1. Fishy-o
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Also thinking of fb for gw31
      wc gw32/33
      Bb 34
      To 37

  20. JONALDINHO
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Who to sell: Sterling or Son?
    Son has great game this week and obviously his home form is amazing! However he is now a rotation risk.
    Sterling could miss this week but just scores more points.

    1. Wolfman180
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I'm keeping both for now and saving my transfer

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

        This

  21. Babyangus01
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Gross to Shaq this week with an eye on wk 31?

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Sure.

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

      I'd probably just save.

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

      Could do but I'd be hesitant of selling anyone playing against Arsenal at the moment. Maybe just wait until GW31.

      1. Babyangus01
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Ok, will save, cheers

  22. Superballzzz
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Play

    1 richardlson against West Brom

    2 sterling against Chelsea

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

      2

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

        If Sterling plays...

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

      1

  23. Stat Sloth
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Why are people selling Walcott? Has he been that poor?

    1. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I think it's mainly because Everton look absolutely shocking

      1. Stat Sloth
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Huh, will need to scout them IRL this weekend then.

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Yep

      1. Stat Sloth
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        TheDom1, you rock!

    3. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Both. Everton shocking and Walcott poor.

      But little point selling at this stage.

      1. Stat Sloth
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        I am not selling Walcott, was thinking of purchasing. But will look closer at EVE this weekend.

  24. Pi
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Lingard out Eriksen In (FT)
    Yay or Nay please

  25. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    have a feeling wilson won't start today, what a dreadful pick he has been

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

      defoe coming in either this week (unless wilson goes mental) or next. him and ibe will probably bring in a total of two points in 31 😆

  26. N00B
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Who to get for a punt: Baines or Coleman ?

  27. Kushal
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Play wilson or walcott ?

  28. Winks Club
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Is Mariappa a safe option for the next 3 GWs?

  29. Bobby_Baggio
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Quick (C) vote between these two please? Most votes wins

    A) Kane
    B) Salah

  30. FPL Maldini
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Remember guys, Liverpool play CLon Tuesday and Spurs on Wed

    Kane (c) locked in

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

      Liverpool are 5-0 up.

    2. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Expect Kane to be subbed at some point ready for Juve, and Liverpool to play all the first team today