[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
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Bench G2G?

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

  2. subhojit123
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone thinking captaining Kane over aubameyang?

    1. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Only most people.

      1. Richd
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        Haha

    2. Richd
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Ironically. Kane is the differential.

    3. Bubbles1985
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Aubameyang and Mahrez for me...

  3. real ale madrid
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 11 months 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
      7 years, 11 months ago

      I got him at 9.0 and I got rid.

    2. HNI
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Salah to alli is best for now

      1. HNI
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        I did it. Just look at alli previous points!

    3. real ale madrid
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

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

  4. Torres76
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Wildcard choice

    1. Gross
    2. Lindgard

    Cheers

    1. Jebiga
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      2

    2. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      1

    3. Volley127
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      2

    4. HNI
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      1
      Lingard maybe rested before fa semi

    5. Coled Brew
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Good luck getting Lindgard.

  5. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

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

    GO!

    1. Jebiga
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      2

    2. Richd
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      1

    3. Duffy Dunk
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      2!

    4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Aubergine

    5. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      2

  6. JHolmes
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

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

  7. No Pirlo No Party
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Eriksen or Alli?

    1. HNI
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

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

  8. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 11 months 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
      7 years, 11 months ago

      A

  9. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Best use of FT:

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

    1. FPL ElasticO
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      C

    2. Bubbles1985
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      A

    3. justmatt
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      A

    4. Volley127
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      A

    5. Salarrivederci
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      A

    6. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 11 months 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
      7 years, 11 months ago

      A...did same yesterday.

  10. FPL ElasticO
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

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

    A. DDG
    B. Ryan also have Dunk

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      A

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      A, given you've got Dunk

    3. MFC86
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Ryan better chance of CS

  11. AdamJ91
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Play 1 from;

    A) Gross
    B) Simpson
    C) Dummett

  12. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    IS FIRMINO STARTING OR NOT

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      No

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        THANKS, IS THIS GUARANTEED?

    2. Bobby_Baggio
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Nooooo

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        HOW DO YOU KNOW?

    3. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Not if the leaked team is correct

      1. Legohair
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        What leaked team?!?!?

        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 11 months ago

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

          1. Legohair
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 11 months ago

            Thanks,im benching salah

        2. HNI
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 11 months ago

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

        3. Salarrivederci
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 11 months 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
        7 years, 11 months ago

        VERY TEMPTED TO DO BOBBY > VARDY

        1. Legohair
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 11 months ago

          Do it.i did

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 16 Years
            7 years, 11 months ago

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

        2. lespaul
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 11 months ago

          TURN OFF CAPS DIXIMUS

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 16 Years
            7 years, 11 months ago

            Well there’s no need to shout

  13. Jebiga
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    play chridtensen or morgan ?

    have alonso and monreal already

  14. Fatty Interim
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Captain

    a) Son
    b) Gros
    c) Vards

    Thank you gentlemen

    1. Krafty Werks
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      A

  15. beetlejuice
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Firmino not expected to play?

    1. MTPockets
        7 years, 11 months ago

        Not start, apparently.

    2. MGD
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

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

      Then Freehit

      Seems the best choice is Salah -> Alli!

      1. justmatt
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 11 months 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
          7 years, 11 months 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
            7 years, 11 months 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
      7 years, 11 months ago

      10minute Captain poll GO!!!

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

      1. Pigsinblankets
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        D

      2. Les Bleus
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        S

        1. Les Bleus
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 11 months ago

          A*

      3. HNI
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        D

      4. Krafty Werks
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        D

    4. Pigsinblankets
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 11 months 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
      7 years, 11 months 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
        7 years, 11 months ago

        Morgan and Tark for doublenup

    6. Your Mum's Athletic
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

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

      1. OldBenKenobi
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        Mahrez

      2. Les Bleus
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        Why wouldn’t Son start?

        1. Your Mum's Athletic
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 11 months ago

          Lamela and Moura.....

      3. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        Mahrez of the 2

      4. HNI
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        Your mums Son

    7. OldBenKenobi
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Otamendi > Spurs def for a hit?

    8. SheBangsTheDrums
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Help me out lads!

      A) Gudmonsson to Ibe (FT)

      B) Save FT

    9. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Captain Auba or Kane? 😀

      1. Ha.
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        Auba

      2. OldBenKenobi
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        Kane

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 11 months ago

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

          1. Dirty Harry
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 11 months ago

            Thats my thinking.

      3. Duffy Dunk
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        Auba

      4. notlob legin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        I've got both and currently on Kane

      5. HNI
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        Arnie!!! hammers gonna hammer chel

    10. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Andy King or Mili on WC?

      1. Jebiga
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        1

        1. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 11 months ago

          What does this mean?

          1. Jebiga
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 11 months ago

            king

    11. Tomas Brolin ate all Depays
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      DdG/ryan
      Dunk/lowton

      Too risky to play double Brighton ?

    12. Genji3lade
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

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

      1. Jebiga
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        morgan

      2. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        Morgan

      3. tisza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

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

    13. manutd99
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Whose people's captain

      A) Kane
      b) Auba

      1. Les Bleus
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        A

    14. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      A. Vertonghen Christensen Willian Barnes

      B. Morgan Tarkowski Alli Austin

      1. Phil's Stamps
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        b

    15. Valar(Keith)
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 11 months 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
        7 years, 11 months 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
        7 years, 11 months ago

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

    16. The Overthinker
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Albrighton or firmino who should I start?

      1. HNI
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        Firmino but risk getting him from liv bench