Fantasy Football Diary – GWs 5-8
Much has happened since we last met, unfortunately most of the newsworthy stuff has not been FPL related and as a word of warning, life has turned a bit rubbish, truth be told. I’ll try not to depress you or indeed look for sympathy! FPL has been very dull in comparison though a decent green arrow in GW8 will hopefully give some momentum to my season.
Game-week 5
The move to the UK becomes ever closer and the lead up to GW5 is highlighted by two pieces of good news in one day – can’t remember the last time that happened. Firstly the in-laws left and then later that day we received confirmation that William has been given a place at the village school. Happy days, a huge weight off our minds, maybe things will now begin to improve.
I am going to hold my transfer this week – those who know me (FPL-wise) best appreciate what a rare occurrence this is. But my mind is not really FPL focused at present so will just plug away with what I have.
GW5 is dull, continuing the trend which has lasted all season. I cannot break into the top 200k as hard as I try.
I score 59pts which is fine given the average is 47 – with Mendy injured, Wan-Bissaka comes off my bench and his 9pts are most welcome.
I keep thinking I should be selling Josh King as somehow Callum Wilson keeps outscoring him but the time never feels right and sure enough he chips in with 11pts vs Leicester. Salah fails again, while Hazard bangs in a hatty vs Cardiff. Hmmmm.
This weekend is our last as a family in Monaco and is tinged with sadness. We’ll miss it here, life is good, safe, the sun shines, we can walk to the beach and enjoy a great view of the port from our apartment.
Game-week 6
GW6 for me takes place in Bath. We have flown back though I will have to return to Monaco to finish clearing the apartment and drive the car back.
A quick word of warning. My father-in-law is a miserable, cantankerous b@stard who loves an argument about anything. He and my Mrs clash spectacularly.
Day 2 at the in-laws. Massive barney between Mrs and Mr Cantankerous, or for short….. ooops better not go there.
This is going to be a challenging time until we can get ourselves on our feet and out of here. He hates football, he hates TV (doesn’t have Sky), he hates toys around and screaming kids. Uh oh.
Back to FPL and Hazard’s hatty has convinced me I should be owning him. I’ve actually thought that for 2/3 GWs but have failed to act, annoyingly. Salah has been sold. With 2fts I can replace Mendy and opted for Walker over Trippier, given as much deliberation as I was afforded.
Basically even being on the mobile is criticised in this house. I live on my mobile. Cue pending explosion.
I fly back to Nice on the Saturday afternoon of GW6 and captain Hazard as he is playing West Ham on the Sunday so should get to watch it. He blanks. Salah scores vs Saints. Oooops!
Despite playing 4-3-3 and all my defenders recording clean sheets, my score of 55 is only slightly better than average and I slip back to 246k. I am stuck in a range I cannot seem to break out of.
If I thought that was a problem, then I had no inkling of how bad things were about to get as I entered what what would turn out to be the worst week of my life to date.
Game-week 7
I would describe myself as a pretty relaxed chap but I started having genuine panic attacks as I realised how much had to be done between now and my exit from the flat in 3 days time.
We are storing the majority of our stuff in our friend’s wine cellar which they have kindly offered us. Their villa is 90mins away. I have hired a Europcar van for Tuesday and a mate is helping me.
We take over a van full and quickly realise another trip is required. Jeez –
how much stuff have we got? Quick lesson here everyone – don’t hoard stuff you don’t need!
Anyhow, to cut a long story short, my mate has to go back to his kids so I’m left alone to fill up the van again, drive another hour and a half to our friends (who are not there), unload all the stuff into their cellar and drive back. By the time I’m ready to hit the road it’s 4.30am….but the van won’t start. FFS. Seriously, I could cry. And I never cry. The last time I shed a small tear was when Darren Clarke won The Open. The van ain’t starting, I don’t know the address of where I am in the middle of nowhere. I let myself back in, sit on the spare bed and wonder what else can go wrong. After messaging our friends to ask for their address, I fall asleep out of pure exhaustion.
It turns out the van was in ‘safety lockdown mode’. Easily solvable when you know how. Finally arrive back in Monaco at 10.30am – the van is back late, I can’t park outside the apartment, which means I can’t load the car up for tomorrow’s drive back to the UK. Could cry again. But don’t.
That same day I got a phone call from my boss, who breaks the news that my job in the UK isn’t happening as Compliance have decided it can’t happen. Tw@ts. Like they even understand what they have decided. Oh this just gets better.
Then another mate comes over to help me finish off in the apartment and pack the car up. We quickly establish I have too much stuff for the car. Will this nightmare ever end.
We end up taking a carload to work and leaving it in a spare room and then, heartbreakingly I’m forced to dump a load of stuff in the bins. Kids toys and books, clothes, cots, golf clubs etc.
Worst day ever.
Am sorry to go on but I can’t pretend I thought once about FPL these last few days. I’ve had probably 10hrs sleep in 3 nights and have a drive up to Le Havre tomorrow. Not great preparation.
I do get a few hours kip at my mates place before starting the drive back.
I can honestly say I loved the drive through France. No more packing or throwing away, no more brown tape or bubble wrap, no more panic attacks. Just me and the stereo and some nice scenery for the majority of the journey.
I get to Le Havre port some 12.5hrs later, check in, find my cabin, demolish some fish and chips and a mini bottle of vin rouge and actually for the first time in days look at my team.
I’m so screwed up I buy back Richarlison for Kante. Yeah I know I promised I’d never have him back but the fixtures and ownership swayed me. He does have Fulham at home this week……
Lose my signal out at sea which is probably a good thing and treat my body and mind to 9hrs solid kip. Bliss.
I remember to wish everyone (Init) ‘good luck’ for the GW.
He blanked. Home to Fulham, he blanked. Everton scored 3, he blanked. There are no words.
The GW follows a familiar pattern, solidish, but far from spectacular. 61pts vs an average of 51. I move up to 206k but still cannot break into the top 200k.
On the positive side, Patricio is proving a good purchase, Hazard scored and Salah didn’t and Walker kept another CS.
Game-week 8
To Kane or not to Kane is the question on many a FPL lip. If you hadn’t realised, I’m not a fan. I don’t particularly rate him as a footballer but can acknowledge his record. To me he’s an excellent Premier League striker, no more.
I don’t really want to buy him, yet all I hear is that he’s a ‘must’ this week at home to Cardiff. But I want Kun for GW9 onwards so do I really want to hit for Kane only to sell him straight back? No. But he’s a ‘must’? Sod it, I’ll sell Pogba and get Lucas Moura so I’ll have some Spurs coverage for the inevitable slaughter of the Welshies.
I also strongly consider buying Arnie or Mitro for Zaha but resist. I may get Mitro next week though ‘cos Fulham play Cardiff and have a decent mini-run of matches.
Everyone it seems has Kane and is captaining him. This could and likely will go horribly wrong.
I am captaining Hazard away to Southampton.
Early kick off this week and I’m expecting to go into Saturday with a deficit but Arnie blanks at Brighton and gets booked.
The Saturday 3pm matches sees Richarlison open the scoring. Never doubted you pal. Spurs score early but its Dier not Kane. Phew. We get to half time and Kane hasn’t scored.
Bullet dodged big time as Kane blanks. And gets a yellow. Get in!!
A Josh King brace (yep I still own him) and another bonus point CS from Patricio leaves me handily placed on 34 with 6 players still to play on Sunday.
Get in Hazard!! My captain opens the scoring and adds a late assist for a 28pt Capo haul. Clean sheets from Alonso, Robertson and Walker again see me score 84pts.
With Kun & Kane scoring just a point each, Hazard captainers really make hay this week. Just what I needed.
Better be lucky than good, as the saying goes.
Weekly rank-wise its by far my best GW of the season. I’ve smashed through the 200k barrier at last and have climbed to 77,996.
I could moan and whinge about the in-laws but I’m too exhausted and frankly, for the first time in what seems like forever, am going to bed happy until I remember I forgot to wish everyone (Init) ‘good luck’! Oooops. Am off the Christmas card list again!
Enjoy the international break, catch up soon xx
Thanks for reading Fantasy Football Diary – Game-weeks 5-8. This article was written by Cookie
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Guys, what are your views on Kane? Should we stick with him now that we’ve brought him in? Salah’s fixtures are great till GW16. Is there a rotation risk for the latter?
I’d rather have Salah than Kane – the fixtures are too good.
Thanks Cookie. Would you do Kane+ Maddison –> Salah+ Murray for a hit??
Hmmmm is that your only way of getting Liverpool coverage?
Cookie, I can do Vardy to Firmino but falling short with 0.1m. Hopefully Firmino shall drop within IB period and them a straight swap could be done?
Constantine, I’d prefer Mane or Salah, if i’m honest.
Show me your team, mate.
Here we go Cookie..
Constantine, i won’t ask how you’ve ended up with no Liverpool after using your WC!
Think you have to hit mate…..
Your above suggestion is ok.
Pretty in blue!
I have to agree with Cookie here, Liverpool next two Hudds and Cardiff and Fulham after Arsenal is just too good, you have to have some red in there as well 
I think drop. Not a punishment or knee-jerk thing. Spurs aren’t in the greatest nick and key players are missing. And as mentioned by others, Liverpool’s fixtures (and City’s, to a certain extent) mean you’ll want their players more.
Hey Kralin. Agreed. But, don’t you think that Eriksen and Dembele shall be back after the IB? I saw your other comment on Firmino. Do you think he’s worth bringing in? Bad form lately. The goals he’s scored this season also don’t inspire confidence!!!
Well, re Firmino it’s as a Liverpool attacking player in a sequence of highly winnable games. I’m wildcarding so haven’t decided yet. Mane and Salah also in the mix, obviously.
No idea about Spurs’ injury list. I should have also said: their fixtures aren’t brill either.
Adding spice to the mix. How about Kane+Maddison to Firmino+Mane? Have Vardy and no other Pool cover.
OK.
Hello big pal.
Heart was going out to you all the way through reading that.
Strip it right the way back to you, the missus and kids all being OK and you just move on from there one problem at a time.
Great to see you back bud. X
Evening GP,
You’re right, as long as the 5
of us are ok, nothing else matters really.
Just need to sort some work and get the hell out of here. Nothing worse than being with 2 aggressive drinkers.
Come to Scotland then 😉
When I typed that the thought occurred to me that you’d relate well to it!!
I was sitting on 16 points (with 7 guaranteed from the bench) on Saturday night.
Ended up with 71 points by Sunday night thanks to Captain Hazard (goal, assist, clean sheet and 3 bonus points), Alonso (clean sheet), Ederson (clean sheet and 1 bonus point) & Walker (clean sheet).
Green arrow with an overall ranking of 76,475 which is nice going into a two week break.
Now top of my mini league and moved up to 27th place in the FF247 Regulars League.
Great read Cookie although gutted to read about your mishaps.
You have certainly done more with your life than most people who stay in the same area that they grew up in (ahem like me).
Great life experience living in Monaco.
As long as family are healthy and you are all together is all that really matters.
Look after what is important in life.
Hello everyone. I hope this Mozilla screen shot is included of my team. Have got 0.7 ITB, and am at my wit’s end on what to do – I probably just need confirmation that under the current team, I really need to settle down for a couple of weeks, to see how it performs and not change willy-nilly. I can’t see a way to get in more Pool or City players without upending the whole apple-cart, so maybe I should see how it all goes over the next 2-3 weeks? It’s a pretty good team, so maybe I should just be happy – people are all talking about getting Salah back in now, as well as Kun vs Kane debate swinging in Sergio’s favour (for the moment!), so will just take it easy for a while. (Nice article in The Guardian this morning entitled, The Age of Envy: How to be happy when everyone else’s life looks perfect. Very FPL pertinent too!)
Ah these IBs are a time of much idleness and introspective thought aren’t they? As they say ‘idle hands are the devil’s playthings’ – and this is greatly pertinent when speaking of FPL. As granny used to say ‘Leave it alone or it will fall off’ – obviously in reference to our raiding of the low-hanging fruit on her apricot tree in season…and nothing else!
Well anyway, all help and advice would be greatly appreciated!
Sorry I seem to either sollicit advice or send in flippant comments – I don’t feel I have acquired the level of FPL or PL expertise, to even pretend to give advice to others yet. Am still learning, but the time shall come…ah those idle hands!
“Envy is wanting to destroy what someone else has. Not just wanting it for yourself, but wanting other people not to have it.”
(quote from the abovementioned article) Sound familiar???
That’s it from ‘Thought for the day”. Ha ha ha!
@AJW
I scrolled down expecting to see a horror show but your team is really strong.
You have City Liverpool and Chelsea at the back with both Doherty and Jonny there too. I don’t think you can do better than than. Then the heavy hitters of Salah Hazard and Kun. Again you can’t do better. Mid priced Fraser Maddison and Arnie. Again brilliant. The only improvement I can suggest is Richarlison.
Relax enjoy the sunshine.
Wait until the end of the IB then see if any of those players are injured.
Thanks Horse – I’m really chuffed! After having read the article I mentioned, I understood a bit more clearly what motivates us to think that ‘the grass is always greener on the other side’. It’s pretty obvious, but it’s a pretty good read. See you round and thanks for the comments.
Always good to hear from you, AJW.
Just chip in and give some advice. I wouldn’t worry about being under-qualified. It all helps managers as they ponder the pros and cons. Even if you prefer x to y because they lasted 17 moves with Magnus Carlsen (I was hoping that the TAA v Magnus game would touch on fantasy football, as Magnus plays fantasy pretty well, too).
And certainly from a personal perspective it all helps. RMT fatigue can set in sometimes so the more people offering help the better.
I agree with Horse, your team looks solid. Patience is the key to success a lot of the time in this game, knowing when to relax and avoid jumping from the previous ganeweeks ‘next big thing’ and when to move ahead of the curve! I’ll let you know when I crack it!! Haha
I think your team looks well set up, use the next 2 ganeweeks to assess Salah, have a rough idea of your expectations from him and a plan in place if he does not meet those expectations. Decide in your head which players are ‘locks’, that is players who you know in all likelihood will come good ( your Alonso’s) and will perform over the season as a whole. Then work around the fringes of your team, I.e. with a solid starting 11 look to improve your bench players, look at players like Wan B and decide if given his fixtures it time to move him on etc.
All in all, relax, don’t overthink things, it’s amazing how many times you would be better off making no moves even when the pull feels necessary.
Oh and have fun! It’s a game, and never be afraid to share your views and advice, no reason why your view is any less helpful than anyone else’s, we’re all here to help each other any way we can!
AJW, wise words above from both Horse & Rosco – should tell you everything you need to know re your team, which looks very strong assuming no IB injuries.
Thanks fellows! Words of wisdom indeed – and ones that I will be very much heeding. Sorry didn’t get straight back to you, but had to leave for work just after you’d commented and am just back now.
Very much appreciated!
See you all round!
One for Rosco, Milburn and other Toonies
Galatians 6:7-9
Or Joselu…