The Pre-Match Preamble - Gameweek 38 Opinion
21 May 2017 3279 comments
Mark Mark
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The final day is such a bittersweet experience.

The anticipation and excitement can go off the scale on days like this but, equally, we know that an almighty comedown looms once the whistle has blown and the final set of bonus points drop in.

For all the frustrations that Fantasy Football can inflict, in a matter of hours, we will be lamenting the end of another season and already chattering in anticipation of the next, as we begin the process of burning time till August.

Today has so much in store. At the very top of the FPL we could well be treated to one of the most thrilling finales in memory.

While we’ve witnessed tense conclusions to the season before – most notably Tom Fenley’s one-point victory in 2013/14 – I can’t recall us heading into Gameweek 38 with just two points separating the top two managers.

Many of us are experienced Fantasy managers, and, at various times we’ve doubtless flirted with the upper reaches of the FPL rankings. But we can only imagine how it must feel this morning to ponder the decisions that could make or break an entire season. No pressure.

My best wishes to go out to Uwais Ahmed and Ben Crabtree at the very top – and to the chasing pack that gives chase.

Closer to home, I’m dealing with my own agonising choices.

I’m in reach of a top 100 finish – just five points adrift. But now I must decide on what it will take to carry me over the line, while at the same time hold off Torres Magic who continues to breathe down my neck in the Mods and Contributors league.

Since nudging into the top 500, I’ve calmed my aggressive transfer policy and, in the main, it’s worked.

Slowly but surely I’ve cautiously edged up the rankings to be close to my target, but now I’m wondering if there’s merit in ending the season with one last hurrah.

I’ve felt subdued in recent weeks. It’s felt like my fire has gone out and that I’m simply plodding over the line without any degree of flair.

But today’s heady mix of sunshine, tension and ten concurrent fixtures may just tempt my maverick tendencies. I might just commit to a hit and see if I can’t find a more spectacular route over the line.

Regardless of the outcome and the inevitable feeling of flatness when the final ball is kicked, I will look back on this season with much fondness.

We’ve all be tested and challenged, and I can’t recall a campaign that has demanded more “management”. We’ve rarely been able to settle on our squads: Harry Kane aside, at one time or another, the merits of each and every heavy-hitter has been questioned. There’s been no “fire and forget” options, no essential bargains that offered us a lengthy shelf life.

While luck – rough or smooth – has played its part, I believe the experienced and studied Fantasy managers have had the opportunities to prevail, but we’ve had to work to call this season a success.

For me, that’s how it should be. Looking back, I can’t help but think that Messrs Vardy, Mahrez and Alli were too easy on us last season; it felt more satisfying this time around.

Now we can look ahead. Prepare for new names. Make lists, study numbers and swear that we will never repeat this season’s mistakes.

Only one thing is certain – I’ll be back here with the flame burning once again. I hope to see you too.

Enjoy the day.

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

  1. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    OMGGGGGG

  2. Arsène Around
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Sanchez or Kane TC ???

    1. AA33
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Kane

    2. TooDifficuIt
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      chelsea dressing room
      https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DAWe6xsXsAEnQjQ.jpg

      1. Ziro
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Need a more hi-res pic. !!

      2. dmcqt
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Can you interpret the starting players from that?

        1. HazardAGuess
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          No. There's more than 11 shirts.

      3. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Can anyone see Fabs name there?

        1. HazardAGuess
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Yes, but we can't tell who is starting and who's on the bench.

      4. George Sillett
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        That's really useful

      5. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Shameful and arrogant boasting - the equivalent of "1000 points, any good?" posts on here.

    3. Robben Mee Blind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Think I'm just going to rely on autosubs to cover King- no one appealing enough for a hit in that price bracket

    4. DavidSilva
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Just found out king news, already on a -4 with gabbi or benalouane to come in, do i make it -8 ?

    5. Tricky FC
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      will costa start?

    6. JoshyC
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Surely some team sheets out by now

      1. VS10_
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Is this your first week of playing?

      2. BobBradleysOpportunity
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        do they usually come out 67 minutes before kick off?

    7. nicecat
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      me 1st: kane, sanchez, jesus
      2nd (-17): kane, alli, costa

      any advice on who to captain?

      1. Radiolasvegas
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Kane

    8. UKG
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Gabbi or Yoshida first sub (Playing King...)

    9. F4L
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Alli or Cout?

      1. Ha.
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Cout

    10. Ed
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Play Yoshida or Siggy (-4 for King)?

      Already playing Stephens.

    11. TheBusDriver
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      A) Alli + Vokes

      or

      B) Coutinho + Koscielny

      1. Here's Tom with the We…
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        A

    12. La Roja
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      PPAANIIIICCC

      1. Tansey
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        for what

    13. The Tinkerman
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Do we know anything about whether Hazard starts or not?

      1. MITRO'S ON FIRE
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        No - just speculation. He's a differential among this subset

    14. FPL Maldini
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Choose one!

      a) Zaha

      b) Lanzini

      1. Rodgers's CHARACTER
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        a

      2. Boglander
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Zaha

    15. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      My gut is screaming that Febregas won't start at me 🙁

      1. Here's Tom with the We…
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        He will

    16. Mark-O
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Leaked LFC lineup?

    17. Aladdin Sané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Play one:

      A) B. Davies
      B) Monreal
      C) Yoshida

    18. Rodgers's CHARACTER
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      A) Zaha for King
      B) Lovren for Huth

    19. andymck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Stephens first sub or take a hit for King > Fab?

      1. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Sub

      2. Unsuccessful
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        I'm doing this now

    20. Bruno Bruno!!
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Hazard will start just spoke to JT himself

      1. Ha.
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Really?!

      2. _Make
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Unlucky

      3. French Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        rofl

    21. smix
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Playing Stephens in place of King then .. Not worth getting Stan for a hit and have 0 ITB

      1. BobBradleysOpportunity
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        yeah I'm doing same, taking 4 away from any replacement's score is hard to justify

    22. Neto
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Any news on Chelsea starting XI?

    23. Denis Tueart on the wing
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      King hoax would be funny

    24. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Chelsea dressing room. Are these guys starting? I see Luiz Ake Michy Chalobah

      https://twitter.com/101greatgoals/status/866275343199612929

      1. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Fabs or Haz?

      2. Numb
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        That's the bench I reckon

      3. MITRO'S ON FIRE
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        You can see Pedro's shirt up... Suggests he'll start

        1. MITRO'S ON FIRE
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Forget that. Its just a "17" for Champions

    25. Feloh
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      king to albrighton

    26. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Looks like double Saints defence again for me with King probably out. Worked pretty well the last couple of GWs.

    27. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Hazard to Cout
      Or
      Sane to Lallana??

    28. Sid07
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      1) start gibbs or stephens
      2) play Aoa start gabbi

    29. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Does anyone want to hear more about the history of ropes?