634x258 Preamble
18 January 2014 1714 comments
Mark Mark
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I think thereโ€™s a danger I could run out of ideas. Seven green arrows in eight Gameweeks should indicate progress but, looking at the gap in the contributors league and the chasm between myself and Granville, it seems that my efforts have been little more than powder puff. I need to find a boost in a season which, to this point, has offered few opportunities for those looking to make up ground.

Much as I like the fella, Luis Suarez hasnโ€™t helped matters. Last weekend provided yet more evidence that itโ€™s almost suicidal to peel the armband from the Uruguayan’s bicep. The option to take a risk with the captaincy doesnโ€™t look a viable strategy for the straggling Fantasy manager. Iโ€™ve tried that route and, while Luis let me get away with it by drawing two blanks, even that gamble had little impact.

So where do I turn next? As Iโ€™ve mentioned, Granville doesnโ€™t have any apparent chinks in his armour. His squad looks settled, his budget far in advance of my own โ€“ย if anything the Wildcard will hand him further advantage. Iโ€™m faced with having to take some calculated risks but, such a decision also threatens to derail my run of green arrows and begs the question, when do you allow mini-league rivalries to influence your overall decision making?

A few weeks back I decided to don the blinkers, ignore the mini-league scenario and set about saving face. Iโ€™ve gradually climbed the ranks and so, naturally, I have to conclude that Iโ€™m on a gradual path of progress. It feels cosy and safe but, equally, I can’t help thinking that Granvilleโ€™s has his slippers on and is running the foamy bath of victory.

Should I continue to look at the bigger picture? Maybe if I continue to play safe and go with template signings โ€“ Mesut Ozil being my latest โ€“ I will ensure an ascent up the ranks and I may yet even avoid my lowest ever Fantasy Premier League finish. However, I canโ€™t help consider that, if I allow the Fantasy Sat Nav to keep me on this comfortable path, Granville has it won. I swear when it advised me to turn to Ozil there was a Manchester twang in its voice.

To this point Iโ€™ve been subdued with the risk taking. Iโ€™ve veered off to take an occasional hit, taken the Edin Dzeko detour โ€“ nothing too outlandish. Clearly, it’s had little effect.

My latest half-baked plan is to use my third forward slot in rotation โ€“ attempting to hit a Gameweek sweet spot and find some double-figure differentials. It will be hatched later today but, if this also fails to make an instant impression, Iโ€™m faced with having to decide to either stay on this path of safety and effectively concede or go for broke and risk inviting the red arrows.

Sooner or later the Sat Nav will tell me to turn to Ramsey. Iโ€™ve a feeling that, by then, my season will be at the crossroads.

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

  1. Gladde Aal
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Who would u rather have long term: Yaya or Silva?
    Assuming price not a factor...

    Suffering over this :\

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    1. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Silva.

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  2. Avon Barksdale
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Anybody captaining Negredo?

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    1. Gr3g
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Yes and pray for Suarez blank ๐Ÿ™‚

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  3. FAITHNOMORENO
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Ki (sun) or Eriksen this GW?

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    1. GTS
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      erik

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      1. FAITHNOMORENO
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        he's currently in.

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  4. Sean.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Worth getting OZIL (+Ki ) as a 3rd big hitter to go with
    Hazard,Silva and Januzaj instead of Lallana and Cabaye ?

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    1. masonwt
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      It's 50/50

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  5. Koflok
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Any bibs theory on Liveprool squad tonight?

    Will Sterling start?

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    1. Tim Canterbury
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Nope

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      1. Breadbin
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Seen the news? ๐Ÿ™

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        1. Koflok
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          What news

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          1. Tim Canterbury
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 11 months ago

            haha

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            1. Koflok
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 11 months ago

              damn ๐Ÿ˜€

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        2. Tim Canterbury
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          The badger cull? Yeah I know ๐Ÿ™

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    2. drughi
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Sterling or coutinho will be on the bench ? My guess is sterling

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      1. Billy Gilmore
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Lucas apparently

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        1. drughi
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          Ok lucas maybe isnt needed against a team like aston villa

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  6. M83
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Don't get Yaya, go for Silva. Do it!

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    1. Breadbin
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      You seem a little too pictureless to have this line of thinking.

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

        ๐Ÿ˜†

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  7. drughi
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Play M.Olsson or gabbidon ?

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    1. masonwt
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Gabbidon

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  8. Breadbin
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    So happy I didn't get Aguero! The points are mine, all mine!

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    1. Tim Canterbury
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Bookmarked

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      1. Breadbin
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        You make up stuff about Sterling yet tell people to ignore things made up about Aguero. Tool.

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        1. Tim Canterbury
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          ?

          When did I make up stuff about Sterling. If anyones a tool round here its you. Tool.

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          1. Breadbin
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 11 months ago

            Sorry for offending you Drizz.

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            1. Tim Canterbury
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 11 months ago

              ? You're a weirdo

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              1. M83
                • 12 Years
                11 years, 11 months ago

                That he is, Bows

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          2. Fitzy.
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 11 months ago

            You repeated the Oscar out rumour last week just before the deadline. And then said "oops" when you found out it wasn't true.

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    2. Colonel Shoe ่‚ๆฑ 
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      yep but i heard the break was pretty clean.....

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      1. Breadbin
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        I just mean I've got players that will score more points than him, nothing sinister.

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        1. M83
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          I'll be back to laugh at you when Aguero scores.

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  9. pezzerman
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    ok, 12 mins to go,,still no idea what to do with my activated wildcard..this is stressful

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  10. Nath88
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Bench Gabbidon(STOKE - HOME) or Erikson(SWANSEA - AWAY)?

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    1. mipola
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Bench gabbi

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  11. Sooda
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Bony or Welbeck

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    1. Sweetpea
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Bony

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    2. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      This week, Bony. Next week, Beck.

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      1. Sooda
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Hmmm

        Okies ๐Ÿ˜€

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  12. Sweetpea
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Lukaku falling rapidly.

    If he doesnt score this gw, might have to get rid...

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Before the derby? Mad.

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      1. Sweetpea
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        just concerned at the level of drop

        and am on WC

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        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          Fair enough. You have plenty of profit in him though. Points over value.

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      2. Cornelius
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        You just sold him?

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    2. Qubit
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      He probably will to keep his owners hanging on. (and also because I sold him this week)

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  13. karankachiefs
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    If you had the choice between hoping evans plays

    and taking a - 4 for evans --> kolarov.

    What would you do? (If evans doesn't play i have 10 men)

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    1. Sweetpea
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      play evans for sure

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      1. karankachiefs
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Even if i have 10 men if he doesn't play?

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        1. Sweetpea
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          No, in that case get Kolarov.

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  14. Lucky Luke
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Is wilshere a doubt?

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    1. The Rock
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Didn't train yesterday.

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    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Not officially but he missed training yesterday so there must be some doubt

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    3. rozzo
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      he was born a doubt lol he has a decent points per game if stopped being injured all the time

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  15. chedz9284
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Please help

    Negrado and wilshere
    Or
    Ozil and sturridge?

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    1. JayJ
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Wilshere and Sturridge

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      1. Wirtzle Gummidge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Wilshere didn't train.

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  16. Koflok
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Start Sterling or Gabbidon?

    Contradicting news on Sterling chances of starting..

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    1. Sweetpea
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      sterling but its a risk worth taking. Lucas will be dropped imo

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  17. GreennRed
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Stattos -

    Where can I find a breakdown of the first goalscorers in all PL games this season with times ?

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    1. Podge
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      You could do it yourself off BBC or somewhere, might find something in the racing post.

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      1. GreennRed
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers Podge.
        A bit hamstrung at work , can't check betting or betting related site.
        I'm gonna finally win that 100 euro Seanie Mac voucher on Off The Ball today ๐Ÿ˜‰

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  18. masonwt
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Start walker swa (a) or rat new (h)

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  19. SvenGoranErskine
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Olsson (nor) > Kolarov -4?

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    1. masonwt
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Noo

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  20. Mind över Mata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Captain this week?:

    A) Giroud
    B) Aguero

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    1. masonwt
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Suarez?

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      1. Mind över Mata
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Want a punt

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        1. Wirtzle Gummidge
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          Could be genius.

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    2. Sweetpea
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      gru

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

      Not the week to gamble imo.

      And i went Giroud last week

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  21. Leeds Lucky
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Whom to bench. Eriksen lallana or Ade.

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    1. JayJ
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Ade

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  22. isacki: full casual
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    About to do Burner > Kolarov.

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    1. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      only if it's for a hit ๐Ÿ˜‰

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  23. tw
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    TM - why do you think Lukaku for the next two?

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Old club & derby.
      Giroud is also a donkey.

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  24. McSwegan
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone going into this week with just Silva as Man City cover? Feeling like I'm staring down the barrel of a gun ๐Ÿ˜‰

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  25. Tozier
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Captaining ozil... Wish me luck.

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    1. El Berbossa - \\\"El b…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Stupidity

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  26. Blue Moon Rising
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Wildcarding between 23 and 24 isn't viable only a 3 day gap.

    I'm doing it between 22 and 23

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

      this was always my plan until the Rooney/Walcott/Cabaye etc injuries.

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  27. pundit of punts
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Any early team news? ๐Ÿ™‚

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Yes.

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    2. Tim Canterbury
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      No

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

      loads

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  28. ste2510
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    definitely play Lallana over gnabry

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  29. Mak_Gold
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Boruc,
      Coleman, Koscielny, Kolarov,
      Hazard, Silva, Eriksen, Ki,
      Suarez (C), Agüero (V), Giroud.

      Davis, Januzaj, Ward, Chester.

      WC team. All set? Subs order correct? Cheers.

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    • Ed
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Chester nailed on for Hull right?

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      1. GreennRed
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Like a beardy lad at Easter.

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