[sbu_large_image] Opinion
10 March 2018 1237 comments
Mark Mark
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This season will go down as one of my most unremarkable of an 11-campaign Fantasy Premier League career.

Ironically, it has been my own ambition and arrogance that has inflicted the damage and prompted frustration.

Slow and steady could have given me the opportunity to creep into the top 10,000 several Gameweeks ago. Instead, once I’d hit the top 20,000 off the back of a triumphant run of green arrows, I tried to ride the momentum.

I reached for the stars and overstretched.

A couple of transfer errors along with a captain policy that has seen me overlook Salah during his dominant spell (Gameweeks 25-29), have ensured a gradual decline.

But it’s not too late to rescue a credible achievement from the Gameweeks that remain. This, after all, is a period where planning and study can translate to a real advantage.

The revelation that 40% of those managers above me are without the Free Hit chip is also sobering. Clearly, there is the opportunity for me to close ground, aim for the top 10,000 and see what can be achieved.

But perhaps I should learn my lesson and forgo such a target.

I believe the real problem with my season lies with the fact that I’ve forgotten how my best ranks have been achieved.

Having threatened the top 100 twice in three seasons, an unhealthy self-belief and arrogance has crept in.

I’ve convinced myself that I can find the decisions to inspire another similar campaign when actually, I should have just revisited the methods that achieved those finishes.

Granville’s rise up the ranks to go 15 points above me is perhaps the biggest wake-up call. It’s a reminder that, back in the day, my season was built around our duel.

I was never pre-occupied with rank, the top 10,000 and certainly not the top 100. Those targets seemed unachievable and, as a result, ambition to hit them never influenced my decisions.

A high-rank was a by-product of our mini-league tussle. I’d achieve it almost by accident by simply pursuing the prize that really mattered – beating Granville.

Somewhere along the line I lost sight of that, and perhaps a desire and pressure to try a live up to increased expectations took over.

Over the remaining Gameweeks, I will relax that ambition. Granville will become my new target, and in attempting to close that gap, I’ll hopefully be content with how my season ends.

Then come 2018/19, I’ll make efforts to remain humble and, in doing so, perhaps end up touching those stars without trying.

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

1,237 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Salah Fingers
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Gtg? Bench order correct?

    Pickford
    Mee - Schindler - Maguire
    Lingard - Sterling - Salah - Walcott - shaqiri
    Kane - Firmino

    Elliot - Quanar - VVD - Jones

    1. Old Wulfrunian
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      gtg

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

      Wouldn't be too confident with that defence but gtg

  2. Old Wulfrunian
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Should i start Dawson or Shaqiri?

    1. Akeem
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Shaq

    2. Mike-Kovic
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Shaqiri

    3. Old Wulfrunian
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      cheers

  3. Mike-Kovic
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    pick 1 to bench

    1. Doucore (ARS)
    2. Shaqiri (MCI)
    3. J. Ayew (HUD)

    Thanks

    1. Sponge-worthy
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      1

    2. Old Wulfrunian
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      2

    3. Akeem
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      1

  4. Akeem
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Start VVD or OX?

    1. Mike-Kovic
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      vvd

    2. JohnnyMagrinho
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Ox in my opinion. Both will start but as I personally don't think there will be any clean sheets, I think Ox is more likely to be involved in a goal.

      If you think it could be 0-0 or fancy Liverpool scoring from a set piece (lol) then go for VVD.

  5. JohnnyMagrinho
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Draft Question:

    First to come off the bench out of:

    1) VVD
    2) Lingard
    3) Trent

    I'm leaning more towards Lingard as I don't think there will be any clean sheets and he's more likely to be involved in a goal than VVD.

    Any thoughts would be appreciated.

  6. Gooner97
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Sterling to OX or Walcott/Siggy?

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Not ox. I’d go Walcott

      1. Gooner97
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Do you think Sterling has a chance to play this GW?

        1. Pat Bonner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          Has a chance but would say unlikely given it’s a hamstring injury

  7. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Start JRod or do Delufueo > Gross and start him?

  8. John Colby (C)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Morning all.
    Do you think Sterling will start against Stoke or should I sell?

    1. My Name Is Prince
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      No one knows, it's as 50/50 as they come me thinks... Pep said he will make the decision on sunday, still a few trainings left...

      1. Collie01
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        I think Pep said he would make a decision on Sunday about whether he would be involved or not, which I took as to mean he might not even make the squad. Could be wrong though.

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      I would sell

    3. My Name Is Prince
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      I just decided I will sell based on he will probably just come off the bench even if he's fit...

    4. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      in the form they are in now, Silva and Sané i doubt he start if he gets to the squad that is. selling depends on which player yuo get from bench if he doesn´t turn up

  9. My Name Is Prince
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Bottomed in both the last page and in my ML... Van La Parra or Pritchard for the next two?

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Pritchard

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

      Van La Parra on penos...

      1. My Name Is Prince
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Really? That's good to hear!

      2. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        No he’s not. Mooy is

        1. mcrayeps
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 4 months ago

          this

      3. potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Mooy is back now. So he's off pens

  10. RESULT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    2 ft
    A. Get Willian for lingard
    B. VLP in for lingard

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Depends on team for 31. A looks better this week

      1. RESULT
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Only have salah vvd mili Quaner for gw31

  11. Genji3lade
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Captain?
    A.) Eriksen
    B.) Aguero

    1. El-Kloppico
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      B easily

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      B

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

    Walcott in for Sterling -4?

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

    G2G?

    De Gea
    VVD Vert Alonso Ogbona
    Siggy Shaq Salah Mahrez
    Firmino Kane(C)

    Subs: Elliot, Wilson, Obiang, Mbemba

  14. davies
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Correct bench order?

    1) Mili (che)
    2) Daniels (TOT)
    3) Mariappa (ars)

    1. Junior âš½
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

  15. Junior âš½
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Bench

    A) Wilson (TOT)
    B) VVD (MUN)
    C) Ogbonna (BUR)

  16. Hazardous1983
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Bench lingard orrr shaqiri

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Shaq

  17. Sicaholic
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    VVD or Ogbonna? or sell either one for coleman/ schindler? i already have lossl

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      I’d get Coleman if for free

  18. Fantasy Gold
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Mee > Schindler for free.

    Yay or nay?

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Depends how you’re set up for 31. Would maybe save and get an extra mid or forward next week

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

      Nah. Burnley are way better than Huddersfield.

  19. Bad Stoob
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    What is the concensus on when is the best week to use their free hit?

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      35

  20. WE GO FOR IT
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Ogbonna sure to start?

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Looks like it as trained all week after being ill and they shipped 4 goals without him

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers! 🙂

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

    Lossl
    Hegazi - VVD - Otamendi - Aurier
    Salah - Eriksen - Ibe - KDB(c) - Sterling
    Firmino

    De Gea - Dunk - Obafemi - McBurnie

    1. George James
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      would never bench DDG to be honest. Nice cap differential though Diesel

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

        Gambling on Liverpool. Own three of them so hope they deliver. Expect Liverpool to score so 3pts probably the best DDG can achieve

  22. CRO KLOPP
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    DDG
    Alonso VVD Ogbonna
    Salah Mahrez Son Shaqiri Lingard
    Kane Firmino
    Elliot Wilson Duffy Kenny
    2 ft 1.0 itb

    A) DDG and Lingard to Loosl and Wally
    B) Wilson and Lingard to Mounie and Wally
    Something else?

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

      B out of those

  23. Collie01
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Play Chilwell or Schindler?

  24. Mr_Barbs
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Van la parra or glen murray?

  25. Bald Eagle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Sterling to?

    A Sane
    B Mahrez

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Don’t you need a GW31 player?

      1. Bald Eagle
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Have 7 already and will get 9 with my 2FTs next week.

    2. Mike-Kovic
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Sane

    3. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      B

  26. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Keep Sterling or not?

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Depends on team and how set up for 31 but I like Walcott this week if I don’t have him

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        * you don’t have him!

      2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 4 months ago

        Got a feeling that Everton next two games will be very good !!!!......

  27. Guy Demel
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Brining in Pritchard to bulk out your team in a blank GW when you need security whos flagged and has a history of limited minutes seems a bit of a gamble imo.

  28. TLF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    Mawson to Coleman for a hit to give me an extra playing defender next week ?

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

    One to buy please.

    A) Ibe -> Walcott
    B) Ibe -> Ramsey
    C) Ibe -> Willian
    D) Iwobi -> Mkhitayan

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      A

  30. james 101
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 4 months ago

    GTG / Set up right?

    Pickford.
    Alonso. Bavies. Azpil.
    Salah. Sterling. Willian. Walcott. Son.

    Kane. Firmino.

    (Elliot. TAA. Ogbonna. Quaner.)

    1. james 101
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 months ago

      Cap'n. Kane.
      VC. Son.