[sbu_large_image] Opinion
7 April 2018 1845 comments
Mark Mark
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Keep it to low tones, but a late-season surge might be on.

This time last year I was all about consolidation to grind a route into the top 100 (and ultimately failing), but risks are still on the agenda now.

It’s akin to my 2014/115 campaign which, famously featured the “Waitrose hat-trick” from Sadio Mane, powering me to a dramatic final sprint to accompany my pots of organic hummus.

It’s impossible to reach those heights, but I can claw back some places in a few mini-leagues and perhaps still reclaim my top five status in the Hall of Fame. I’d file that under “a successful season”.

My differentials have to go on delivering. They need to take inspiration from Marko Arnautovic. In fact, Arnautovic needs to repeat last weekend’s heroics and I need to conjure a soft Southampton penalty or a Harry Maguire deflection off his sizeable backside.

I’ve already enough in place to keep the momentum going, but I need to resist any rash moves in an attempt to force it.

There’s certainly been plenty of temptation.

The combination of Harry Kane’s return and Mohamed Salah’s likely absence from today’s teamsheet is a seductive mix.

Believe me, I’ve all explored the options, checked all possible routes to welcoming Kane back a week ahead of schedule.

If I had the extra 0.1 required to do Salah to Son Heung-min and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Kane, then I would have committed.

As it is, I’m putting faith in Charlie Austin to replace the Egyptian, and in Aubameyang to keep pace with the Kane captains.

Belatedly Son arrives today, offering some cover of Spurs’ potential at Stoke as the Henrikh Mkhitaryan experiment is officially classified as a failure. His injury is unfortunate, but I can hardly bleat when Arnautovic has covered over the cracks so effectively.

Funds permitting, I might have opted for Dele Alli.

I have some concerns that Son will miss starts, but he should still get minutes in each of the seven matches, and with Spurs likely to emphasise attack to help Kane’s passage to the Golden Boot, Son is capable of confirming his status as the most explosive and consistent Spurs midfielder.

Salah’s a far bigger dilemma, and by holding him for now, I’m giving myself much-needed thinking time.

If I could move him without a hit, again it’s likely I would have reached for the button. But I want to see how Tuesday evening unfolds and how that impacts the landscape.

Salah dodging is a dangerous past-time, but one which dangles some intriguing possibilities.

Many high-rank managers will likely be mirroring my low-risk policy of last season; they won’t welcome the option for the chasing pack to roll the dice.

But in my end of season dash, the Salah exit is the equivalent the final kick – it’s going to empty the tank so it’s all about timing.

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

  1. SoccerBoi69
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Bench G2G?

    Barnes(wat) Dawson(SWA) VVD(eve)

  2. subhojit123
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Anyone thinking captaining Kane over aubameyang?

    1. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Only most people.

      1. Richd
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Haha

    2. Richd
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Ironically. Kane is the differential.

    3. Bubbles1985
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Aubameyang and Mahrez for me...

  3. real ale madrid
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    GRRRR

    Got Salah 9.3 and now 10.6, if he goes i can't see him coming back in???
    Also have Firmino

    Planning Kane next week with what will be 2FT
    Do i just do it now??

    Salah > ??
    Firm > Kane

    Y Or N only have 10 min to decide

    1. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      I got him at 9.0 and I got rid.

    2. HNI
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Salah to alli is best for now

      1. HNI
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        I did it. Just look at alli previous points!

    3. real ale madrid
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Salah > 7.4. already have Son, Willian, Gros, Mahrez.

  4. Torres76
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Wildcard choice

    1. Gross
    2. Lindgard

    Cheers

    1. Jebiga
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      2

    2. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      1

    3. Volley127
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      2

    4. HNI
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      1
      Lingard maybe rested before fa semi

    5. Coled Brew
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Good luck getting Lindgard.

  5. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    1. Kane (C)
    2. Auba (C)

    GO!

    1. Jebiga
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      2

    2. Richd
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      1

    3. Duffy Dunk
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      2!

    4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Aubergine

    5. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      2

  6. JHolmes
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Son+Auba or Alli+Morata, leaning towards the latter for differential...

  7. No Pirlo No Party
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Eriksen or Alli?

    1. HNI
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Alli has more touches in penalty box and more explosive. Eriksen more consistent

  8. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Final WC decision, please help!

    A) Dunk + Lingard + Auba/Lukaku

    B) Vert + Hazard + Barnes

    C) Alonso + Eriksen + Barnes (trippel Spurs attack)

    1. Volley127
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      A

  9. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Best use of FT:

    A. Firmino > Vardy
    B. Kenny > Lowton
    C. Salah > Alexis
    D. Hold

    1. FPL ElasticO
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      C

    2. Bubbles1985
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      A

    3. justmatt
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      A

    4. Volley127
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      A

    5. Salarrivederci
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      A

    6. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Thanks folks, might have to bite he bullet and do it. Watch Firmino get 30 points in his next 3 GW’s

    7. Krafty Werks
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      A...did same yesterday.

  10. FPL ElasticO
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Who to start with ?? Need some suggestions....

    A. DDG
    B. Ryan also have Dunk

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      A

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      A, given you've got Dunk

    3. MFC86
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Ryan better chance of CS

  11. AdamJ91
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Play 1 from;

    A) Gross
    B) Simpson
    C) Dummett

  12. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    IS FIRMINO STARTING OR NOT

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

      No

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        THANKS, IS THIS GUARANTEED?

    2. Bobby_Baggio
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Nooooo

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        HOW DO YOU KNOW?

    3. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Not if the leaked team is correct

      1. Legohair
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        What leaked team?!?!?

        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 1 day ago

          Karius, Clyne, Van Dijk, Lovren, Klavan, Milner, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Mané, Ings, Solanke

          1. Legohair
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 1 day ago

            Thanks,im benching salah

        2. HNI
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 1 day ago

          Anfield express leaks team corrctly for a year now. No firm salah robertson

        3. Salarrivederci
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 1 day ago

          Liverpool leaked team: Karius, Clyne, Lovren, VvD, Klavan, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Milner, Mane, Ings, Solanke.

          I am on the bench next to Snoop Dog and that judge from X-factor

      2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        VERY TEMPTED TO DO BOBBY > VARDY

        1. Legohair
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 1 day ago

          Do it.i did

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 16 Years
            8 years, 1 day ago

            Just did it - see you on the other side with 17 extra points 🙂

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

          TURN OFF CAPS DIXIMUS

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 16 Years
            8 years, 1 day ago

            Well there’s no need to shout

  13. Jebiga
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    play chridtensen or morgan ?

    have alonso and monreal already

  14. Fatty Interim
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Captain

    a) Son
    b) Gros
    c) Vards

    Thank you gentlemen

    1. Krafty Werks
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      A

  15. beetlejuice
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 day ago

    Firmino not expected to play?

    1. MTPockets
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Not start, apparently.

    2. MGD
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Alli have 3 games next 2 GW, Salah 1 (probably).

      Then Freehit

      Seems the best choice is Salah -> Alli!

      1. justmatt
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Depends on your bench really, I have Gross to come in for a Salah no show.

        Then it's potentially Salah vs BOU against Alli who has City. If Salah plays he could easily outscore Alli's DGW.

        1. MGD
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 1 day ago

          I have Barnes.

          MY ML chaser will leave Salah and play barnes.

          So should i keep?

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

            Ship then. my jammy ml rival has got Kdb with no logic. Just watch Kdb get a hatty.

    3. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      10minute Captain poll GO!!!

      A) Kane
      B) Son
      C) Mahrez
      D) Aubameyang
      E) Someone else

      1. Pigsinblankets
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        D

      2. Les Bleus
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        S

        1. Les Bleus
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 1 day ago

          A*

      3. HNI
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        D

      4. Krafty Werks
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        D

    4. Pigsinblankets
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Bottomed

      Finishing touches on the WC:

      Ryan DDG
      Alonso Vert Mustafi Chilwell Lowton
      Mahrez Willian Son Gross Lingard
      Kane Auba Barnes

      Have enough ITB for Auba to Lukaku next week and hopefully Salah back in 38.

      G2G or swap Son and Mustafi for Alli and Kiko?

    5. Torres76
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Here’s my WC defence

      Ryan | De Gaea
      Mustafi | Christiansen | Chilwell | Lowton | ??

      Thinking of Dunk for the last place? Anyone else i could consider?

      Cheers lads

      1. Ha.
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Morgan and Tark for doublenup

    6. Your Mum's Athletic
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Son or Mahrez captain? Fancy punting on Son but nt sure if he starts....

      1. OldBenKenobi
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Mahrez

      2. Les Bleus
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Why wouldn’t Son start?

        1. Your Mum's Athletic
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 1 day ago

          Lamela and Moura.....

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

        Mahrez of the 2

      4. HNI
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Your mums Son

    7. OldBenKenobi
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Otamendi > Spurs def for a hit?

    8. SheBangsTheDrums
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Help me out lads!

      A) Gudmonsson to Ibe (FT)

      B) Save FT

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

      Captain Auba or Kane? 😀

      1. Ha.
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Auba

      2. OldBenKenobi
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Kane

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

          I think I will. That way, he might repay me for the hit. 😉

          1. Dirty Harry
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 1 day ago

            Thats my thinking.

      3. Duffy Dunk
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Auba

      4. notlob legin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        I've got both and currently on Kane

      5. HNI
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Arnie!!! hammers gonna hammer chel

    10. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Andy King or Mili on WC?

      1. Jebiga
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        1

        1. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 1 day ago

          What does this mean?

          1. Jebiga
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 1 day ago

            king

    11. Tomas Brolin ate all Depays
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      DdG/ryan
      Dunk/lowton

      Too risky to play double Brighton ?

    12. Genji3lade
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Chillwell nailed for both games in DGW? Worth going Morgan instead?

      1. Jebiga
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        morgan

      2. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Morgan

      3. tisza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        i'd still take 1 Chilwell game over 2 Morgan.
        Leicester CSs pretty elusive but Chilwell offers attacking potential.

    13. manutd99
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Whose people's captain

      A) Kane
      b) Auba

      1. Les Bleus
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        A

    14. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      A. Vertonghen Christensen Willian Barnes

      B. Morgan Tarkowski Alli Austin

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

        b

    15. Valar(Keith)
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Ryan Lowton Ibe and Mustafi look good for a bench boost GW 34? Seems so much easier planning a BB now instead of GW 37(where il have Kenedy and Dummett as two of my bench spots)

      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        On WC and debating whether to go for Ryan, Lowton, Ibe and Bench Boost next week.. or go for Fabianski, Dummett, Kenedy and BB in GW 37

      2. AgentRed
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        I'd go for the Ryan, Lowton, Ibe, Mustafi option (it's what I'm doing)

    16. The Overthinker
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 day ago

      Albrighton or firmino who should I start?

      1. HNI
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 1 day ago

        Firmino but risk getting him from liv bench