[sbu_large_image] Opinion
7 April 2018 1845 comments
Mark Mark
Share:

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. Davido989
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    Wow, imagine if Man City took up the Pogba offer in January. Their midfield would be:

    de Bruyne - Fernandinho - D.Silva

    1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      lol

    2. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      I loled

    3. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      😆

      That leaked lineup look likely BF?

      No Bobby?

    4. Bobby_Baggio
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

    5. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Loool Bf

    6. Zilla
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      still laughed at this lol

    7. Our Man Charlie
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      😆

    8. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      😀 that’s great

    9. Monklane
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Good

    10. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Ahahahaha

  2. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    RMWCT please

    DDG Hennessey

    Mustafi Vert Tarkowski Lowton Morgan

    Hazard Son Willian Mahrez Gross

    Kane Barnes Vardy

    Conisderations/Alternatives:

    a) Vert + Haz -> Alonso + Eriksen, but is triple spurs to much?
    b) Vert + Haz + Barnes -> 4.4 def + Lingard + Auba/Lukaku

    1. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      b) Can actually be Dunk + Lingard + Auba and enough in the bank for Auba -> Lukaku

  3. The Yorkshire Pirlo
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    Bench Salah or keep him in starting 11?

    1. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Keep, but depends who else you got

      1. The Yorkshire Pirlo
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 4 days ago

        Barnes would be first sub

    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Play him

    3. Desperately Seeking Dusan
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      I would keep. If he plays you’re laughing. If he’s injured he’s just not going to make the squad and the autosub comes in... I just don’t see a scenario where he comes on for the last 5 minutes or something. Doesn’t make sense. But I’d be kicking myself if he played from the start.

  4. Bubbles1985
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    Anyone gone Salah > Sanchez on WC this week instead of Lukaku for next week!?

    1. Our Man Charlie
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      yes and will get Lukaku in for the DGW too

  5. Lone Wolf FPL
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    Play 2

    a) Lowton
    b) Morgan
    c) Chilwell
    d) Kiko

    1. n-doggg
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      B and D

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      BC

    3. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      AB

  6. ThatsTheWeekendRuined
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    Any feedback on WC (FH also still available)

    Schmichael / Pope

    Christensen / Montreal / Davies / chilwell / lowton

    Mahrez / son / Ramsey / Lingard / William

    Kane / Barnes / Auba

    1.3m in bank for Auba to Lukaku next week

    1. makaveli123
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      I prefer Toronto to be honest

      1. Bleach †
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 4 days ago

        😆

  7. makaveli123
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    Play Mariappa or Lowton? Cheers

    1. n-doggg
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Lowton

      1. makaveli123
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 4 days ago

        Shieeeeeeet

  8. Chucky
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    need 100 points GW... shouldn't be a problem with my new team.... 😀

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Who’s in it Chucko?

      Any fuds?

      1. Chucky
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 4 days ago

        KIKO 😀 finally got him on my WC....

        1. Jafooli
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 4 days ago

          😮 😆

          Goal & baps today....

  9. Redranger
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    Captain Vardy or Son? Haven’t got Kane or Auba.

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Son

    2. pjomara
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Vardy, Son might only play 60 min

    3. Bobby_Baggio
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Son

  10. Buck The Trent
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    Anyone here playing DDG over Ryan ?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      You.

    2. Zebrahimović
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Going with Ryan

    3. UnitedFan
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Yes, but I also have Dunk.

    4. iCon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      o/

  11. Zebrahimović
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    Alreet, pulling my hair out over this!

    A) Ryan and Dunk
    or
    B)Ryan and Lowton
    or
    C)Ryan and Smalling

    1. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      A

  12. G-Whizz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    Decided late last night to resist the temptation too. With more info and 2 FTs can make a better decision...

    1. n-doggg
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Yep. That’s my plan. Also can make three transfers for just -4 so good place to be going into a DGW

      1. Zebrahimović
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 4 days ago

        Yeah feels good to have resisted. My knee was Elvis-ing last night.

      2. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 4 days ago

        This

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Sensible chap.

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 4 days ago

        Kind of you to say but it was a close call as the plan was always to have 2 FTs going into GW34 having WC in 32...

    3. GreenArrows
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      This!

    4. Mauricios Cappuccino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Im trying to resist, but its tempting me just now

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 4 days ago

        You just have to weigh it up on YOUR situation alone. Just because everyone else is doing it doesnt mean you have to...

  13. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    With all of the focus on Salah, I just know that Ryan will let us down and De Gea will save 5 penalties

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      As long as DDG concedes enough goals to bring his score back down to around 2.

    2. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      I'm totally prepared for Huddersfield to fluke one in the week I really can do without them scoring...

  14. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    Best defender for 4.4? Already have 3 Leicester

    1. ignis88
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Tomkins

    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Dummet 4.2

  15. thomashl
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    Play Lowton or Smalling?

    Ryan GK

    1. Zebrahimović
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Out of those two i'd probably go Smalling. Big bus today.

  16. n-doggg
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    Gtg? Bench in correct order?

    Ryan
    Alonso, Morgan, Mustafi
    Salah, Son, Willian, gross, Mahrez (vc)
    Aubameyang(c), Vardy

    Barnes, Lowton, dunk, DDG

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      I’m playing Dunk (HUD) and benching Morgan.

      1. n-doggg
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 4 days ago

        But have Ryan?

        1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 4 days ago

          Ah, yes. I have Pope. Regardless I think Brighton have a bigger chance of CS. Newcastle have some in form attackers.

    2. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      If I had 2 Brighton defenders is be playing them...

  17. ignis88
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    Gudmundsson or Kennedy ?

  18. OldBenKenobi
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    Which would you prefer from GW34 onwards

    Alonso VVD Bavies
    or
    Alonso Christensen Vertongen -4

    1. n-doggg
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      B

    2. GreenArrows
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      B

  19. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    It's a bit bizarre to replace Salah with Alli, but it's done!

    1. Zebrahimović
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Mo diggity.

    2. European Bob
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Pondering this, how does it feel after doing it?

  20. Chucky
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    Play Barnes,Kiko,Lennon or Tarkowski?

    1. Salarrivederci
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Barnes.

      1. Chucky
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 4 days ago

        Kiko too good to be on the bench?

    2. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Kiko got goals in him.....OOP and bap hungry....

      1. Chucky
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 4 days ago

        He's my Robbo replacement....I bought him for GW 34 and 35 😀

  21. #Swish41
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    Last WC slot guys, what do you reckon:

    A. Vardy, William, Dunk,

    B. Vardy, Lingard, Maguire

    C. Barnes, Son, Smalling

  22. Alan_T
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    Ramsey to be benched?

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Very likely

  23. Karan_G14
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    Start DDG or Ryan?
    (Starting Dunk)

    1. UnitedFan
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      DDG. I'm in the same boat.

    2. FPL_Hazards
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Same, DDG and Duffy

  24. zizoo10
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    On WC, best 5.1 mid?

    1. iCon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      JIbe maybe?

  25. drughi
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    Kane or Auba captain ?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Either

    2. Bleach †
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Kane imo.

  26. Johan Queef
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    Still deliberating my WC....should I stop being tempted to get rid of Salah? Got BB 34 and FH 35.

    Currently on:

    DDG / Ryan

    Chilwell, Morgan, Christensen, Lowton, Fernandez

    Salah, Son, Mahrez, Willian, Gudmonsson

    Kane, Auba (Kaku next week), Barnes

    Is it worth the downgrade to be able to upgrade elsewhere?

    1. Bubbles1985
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Same as me.

      I'm tempted to swap him for Sanchez and forget Lukaku next week...

      1. Johan Queef
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 4 days ago

        It's just terrifying getting rid of that man and I got him pre-season at 9 mil.

    2. Salarrivederci
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Why do you load up on Burnley if you are going to FH in 35? Brighton better fixtures as an example (and why injurd gudmundsson?)
      Why do you keep Salah if you are going to FH 35?

      Would def get rid of Salah. Could also result in Gros > Gudmundsson.

      1. Johan Queef
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 4 days ago

        These are the questions I'm asking. Burnley seem to have the best fixtures of the cheaper teams.

        I don't like Gros' away form which is why he's not in. Gud should be fit next week.

        Tempted to do Salah > Alli but still unsure.

        1. Salarrivederci
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 4 days ago

          Alright. Can you get Alli and get Valancia too?

          1. Johan Queef
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 4 days ago

            Not Valencia but could upgrade a cheapie to Smalling I think (I know not definitely nailed which is a bit off-putting)

  27. borat
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    Quick question
    Cap auba or kane.
    Play Barnes or tark

  28. Richd
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    Well that’s me done.

    So what’s everyone think of Kante for the double ?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Should be nailed for 4 points.

      1. Richd
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 4 days ago

        I’m hoping for 5

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      is this the quality type of posts reddit will be getting?

  29. Mika-eel
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    Hazard captain too risky?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      No

      1. Mika-eel
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 4 days ago

        Cheers mate. 190k OR and need to make some inroads.

    2. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Any other options?

  30. Cocky Spaniel Alves
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 4 days ago

    Lowton or Tark

    Which one to play and which one to bench?

    1. Richd
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Tark.

      The bias here will say Lowton as that’s who everyone owns.

      I have both and trust RMT.

      1. Cocky Spaniel Alves
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 4 days ago

        Cheers

        1. Richd
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 4 days ago

          Obviously it is very close. But Tark just edges it. Just.

    2. iCon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Not much in it; play Liston I suppose

    3. FPL Mentor
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 4 days ago

      Play Lowton. More attacking threat imo. Im playing Lowton and benching Tark

      1. Zladan
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 4 days ago

        Same