[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. Lisboa 1967
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Play : DDG or Fabianski ?

    1. Homer21
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Tough call but DDG for me

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

      DDG - I think this is a week where he will score big. Hoping for 18 points - CS, pen save, 9 saves, 3 baps in a 1-0 bus parking from Jose. Pep head butting Jose at he end & getting a 2 season touchline ban.

  2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Pages are flyyyyyying

  3. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Lukaku on -189.
    Will that reset after the deadline? I need him to drop.

    1. Jairzinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      no, doesn't reset after deadlines i don't think

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers.

    2. Kun Tozser
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Yes some realignment

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

      I need him to too

    4. Zladan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      I think Kaku will be the most transferred in today. This, along with WC xfer realignment, will mean he will not fall tonight.

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

    WC team all set

    Ryan DDG
    Christiansen Morgan Mustafi Chilwell Lowton
    Mahrez Willian Son Alli Lingard
    Kane Auba Barnes

    2.4m leftover

    Good 2 go??

  5. Jairzinho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Transfers out (this week so far):
    Midfielders
    Salah: 278,450
    Mkhitaryan: 196,923
    Shaqiri: 77,346
    Stanislas: 62,837

    Forwards
    Firmino: 198,929
    Lukaku: 140,182
    Agüero: 135,340
    Wilson: 67,649
    Jordan Ayew: 60,403

    1. Evasivo
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Excellent

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

    A. Chilwell or
    B. Christensen (have Alonso)

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

    @JohnMerro1 claims Liverpool XI:

    Mignolet
    Clyne
    Masterson
    Lovren
    Moreno
    Gini
    Henderson
    Woodburn
    Solanke
    Ings
    Firmino

  8. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    On bench, would you put Kenedy or Lowton first? Big chance of one coming on

  9. FDMS All Starz
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Cork and Smalling/Monreal

    Or

    Ibe and Christensen (also have Alonso)

  10. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Just sold Auba for Kane...

    1. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      lol

    2. Sailboats
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      mad imo

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

      Would be good transfer if it was in 10 minutes time :-p

    4. Kun Tozser
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Hope it wasn’t for a hit

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

    Site is on fire!

  12. Waynoo
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Pens down ladies

  13. Jairzinho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    So glad I sold Salah!

    1. Evil Genius
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Oh dear

    2. Fresh_From_Desh
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Just done it it myself!

      Go Auba, Vardy and Kane (C)!

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

      Will END in tears the next gws

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

        Nah. He'll have a playing player instead this week, then a dgw player, then FH salah in. And a dgw again in 37

      2. Sylas
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        We can buy him back, can't we? 🙄

        1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 11 months ago

          if you have the cash.....some bought at 9

    4. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      😀

    5. Kun Tozser
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      How come? What’s your thinking?

  14. Chucky
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Kiko TC locked..

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

      Fellow Kiko owner...!!

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

    WC locked in

    Ryan
    Alonso Mustafi Vertonghen
    Mahrez Willian Son Gross
    Kane Auba (c) Barnes

    Ddg Morgan Lowton Lingard

    Good luck everyone!

  16. willl
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Leak was right.

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

    Firmino bench, no salah

  18. Patch
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Bloody hell Salah pooh la la

  19. Ninja Škrtel
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    salah OUT

  20. Jairzinho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Liverpool team:
    Karius, Clyne, Van Dijk, Lovren, Klavan, Milner, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Mané, Ings, Solanke.

    1. Fresh_From_Desh
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Robertson noooooo!

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

    LOUD NOISES

  22. KingOllie
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Listen.
    People here are sheep. So afraid to make their own decisions. Many kept firmino on WC and are now wasting a FT to remove him.
    Do not make the same mistake with salah.
    Be greedy when others are fearful. Klopp will prioritise champs league, salah will remain an injury/rotation concern for weeks, playing less games than other good options. If you have free hit for 35 think now about your actions. In 5 mins itl be too late

    Edit. It is now too late

    1. Homer21
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Lol

    2. FPLEL
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      This was my thought process and I feel good about it now that there certainly won't be even a cameo this week.

      1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        Most people have a strong bench. Salah misses a game... so what? He missed one earlier in the season. He’s massively owned so everybody is in the same boat.

    3. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      How do you conclude Salah is an injury concern “for weeks”? If Liverpool were in a race for top 4 he’d be playing today. He had a minor injury and the City game is more important.

  23. Homer21
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    And breathe........

  24. Chucky
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    lol@ Salah and Booby keepers

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      LOL at non Salah owners next week 😀

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

        Lol at them when they have sanchez or hazard or alli x2?

        1. Desperately Seeking Dusan
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 11 months ago

          Wow... Hazard, Sanchez and Alli? They’ve been great this season. Not. I’m taking as a former owner of all three. Haz twice.

      2. Desperately Seeking Dusan
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        This

    2. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      I've kept them both and waiting use my lol in GW35.

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

        When everyone else gets them on FH?

        1. The Polymath
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 11 months ago

          Some of us aint so lucky and have already used the chip

  25. Total Foot 5
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    1 min until xi signs peace treaty with trump on china us tariffs

  26. Zilla
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Salah not in squad.

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

    LIVERPOOL ARE PLAYING EVERTON SOON

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

    Kane or AUaba Captain?

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Kane as he has 2 fixtures

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

    Lloris
    Simpson - Otamendi - Moses
    Sanchez - Alli - Eriksen - Gros
    Vardy - Wood - Aubameyang (C)

    100 points inc