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

    Hazard sellers unite!

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

      o/

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

      For pedro 🙁

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

      he's gonna rip you apart

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

      o/
      Fabs in better form

    5. Pirlø's Pen
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Sold for KDB last week

    6. jason_ni
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Hazard Hattie please.. repay the faith!

    7. the snazzy viking
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Cout

    8. MTPockets
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Holding out until King news. I'm such a d1ck.

      • _Gunner
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        o/

      • HashAttack
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        o/ - Haz+Stephens > Cout+Azpi .... more than happy

    9. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Studge C. GO ON SON.

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

        Studge or Son?

    10. AA33
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Aguero to troll us all with a hat-trick today? 🙁

        1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Hopefully

      • denial
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        No King, no Gibbs, Gabbi benched. Looking at 10 players if Gabbi doesn't show.

        1. makaveli123
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          He'll show. 10 minutes and a yellow card

          1. Halftime
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            And a missed penalty

      • Bouncebackability
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Damn Cahill is going to get 1pt isn't he. Terry coming off after 88mins is absolutely nailed.

        1. Digital-Real
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          sympathy start handed to Terry. Don't worry Chelsea won't keep a clean sheet.

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

          Yep.. sure thing, bloody held him as well. Was gonna move him out with king to bring in Coutinho, hopefully cout blanks!

      • Bezzer
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        No king. No gabi.

      • Digital-Real
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Remember, Terry starts, so say goodbye to a Chelsea cleansheet.

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

        Wanted Cout so dithced Haz and Zaha for Fabs and Cout.

        Haz and Zaha to get a brace each.

      • Tshelby
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Any chance that Cahill will come in?

        1. Bouncebackability
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          I think its nailed on. Terry coming off and passing the armband over.

      • Bubz
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        38th page in GW38

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

          #iwazere

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

        Which game is everyone going to watch?

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

          Reds at anfield come on Sturridge

      • President Giggs
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Would be bricking it right now if i'd dropped Hazard this week

        1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          i'm not

          whatever will be will be

        2. Sterling is £11Mill..…
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Why? Hazard has done fck all recently. Hazard > cout was a no brainer imo

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

          that's what everyone said last week.

        4. The Big Fella
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Like me

      • F4L
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        So no-one was rested 😐

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

          gabbi,jaku

        2. AA33
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Only Pedro and Cahill 🙁

            1. Digital-Real
              • 8 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              🙁

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

            Giroud

        3. The Big Fella
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Well, I did my transfers yesterday so I hadn't seen King was out. Stephens to come in for him though. All my other players are playing. I got rid of Hazard for KDB and I am hoping that doesn't come back to haunt me

          1. Creedey
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            KDB brace incoming!

        4. Caleb's Kitties
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Glad for now that i held on to hazard and alli

        5. Son of Rambo
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Am I the only one who got J.Rod...

        6. GreatCarragherReef
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          'I'll just leave King in and get Gabbi off the bench instead of taking a hit'- damn you gabbi you useless lump

          1. matiakez
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            This.

          2. KLOPPS GLASSES
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            The most useless of all lumps 🙁

        7. Individual
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Brady starts!

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

          Van Aanholt in for a big score today...

        9. mad_beer ✅
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          That United lineup.

        10. FPL ZB
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Glad i took a four point hit ten mins ago to get in Pedro..

        11. The ginger cafu
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Ah annoying that I put Austin last on my bench

        12. The Overthinker
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Cahill out already on aoa
          One man down.

          Rest everyone started
          Glad i opted of Willian instead of Pedro

        13. Jayv807
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          So Cahill is going to come on for Terry with 10 mins to go so I get 1pt right?

          1. Digital-Real
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            let's hope Terry picks up a red card in the first 20 mins, would be great ending to his Chelsea career. 😉

        14. Viper
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          I changed my captain at 14.00 exactly and I'm pretty sure the change went through.

          Went from Sanchez -> Kane

          1. Halftime
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            I went from Kane to Costa

        15. KLOPPS GLASSES
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          King not named and gabbi starts on the bench 🙁

        16. Deano
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Kun haul incoming!

        17. The Polymath
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Hazard too be subbed early?

          1. GuillermoDickero
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            I think so yeah

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

            that would be just lovely. cmon couts

        18. Garlana
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Cahill has close to ruined me, 2 minute cameo for 1pt incoming ....

        19. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Gabbiadini cappers where you at lads?