There were less than 24 hours from the end of gameweek 32 and the start of gameweek 33 as this hectic season nears its end. The close proximity of the games would catch many out, but I was up against Khurram (K). He was ‘Mr FPL’, a man who was always plotting well in advance for his next opponent and he never missed a deadline. Getting a win here was going to be tough, he was in the top 4 after being relentless in the last few months and I definitely needed some luck to overcome him.
With the League Cup final taking place between Manchester City and Tottenham, it was another ‘blank‘ gameweek in FPL. You can ask anyone blank gameweeks are the most stressful, unless you have been strategically selecting from earlier on with the week in mind, you almost have to take a points hit. With my squad looking anaemic in regards to active players for the week; I made there transfers meaning I lost eight points. Firstly, Spurs’ Heung-min Son and Harry Kane went out for Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jamie Vardy. Sigurdsson is a set piece threat and somehow despite having over 100 points this season he is only owned by just over 2%, so I thought why not. Understandably at £6.8m maybe some players think that they can get someone slightly cheaper to do a job for them. I try to resist having two players from the same team up front, but had to get Vardy in after he scored at home to West Brom. Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho are working well together, so on this occasion I to give it a try. The last transfer after long consideration was to bring in Lewis Dunk. Again, I try to stray from doubling up at the back as I had already decided to have Brighton‘s Robert Sanchez in goal, but Sheffield United do not score many so I thought I was on to something here. When the deadline passed K made two transfers meaning a 4-point hit. He also sold Kane for Vardy, as well as bringing in Mo Salah for Son. The Salah transfer had me fuming as he was my captain this week. Khurram made Iheanacho his captain.
The Emirates Stadium oversaw the start to the week as Arsenal played Everton. The game was yet another largely dull affair involving the Gunners and was settled by a ridiculous own goal by Bernd Leno. Jay Leno would have done better at gathering Richarlison's poor cross to be honest. Sigurdsson almost got me what I needed with a first half free-kick that struck the crossbar, 'damn', Richarlison also had a weak attempt when it probably would have made more sense to leave the ball for Sigurdsson. One match in and I was already frustrated as I contemplated putting in Lucas Digne in defence when I was with Rian (Milito) before the deadline but obviously I did not go through with it.
Liverpool started Saturday's proceedings at home to Newcastle. I was on my way back from the #FootyOnTop radio show watching the game on the train when Salah gave the Reds an early lead. However if you thought the floodgates were going to open then you were sadly mistaken, as Liverpool missed numerous chances. Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota were all guilty and to be honest Liverpool were lucky not be caught out at the back themselves with their high line. Liverpool were punished in injury time for their wastefulness, Andy Robertson had been on course for maximum bonus points until substitute Joe Willock scored to make it 1-1. Khurram had somehow survived just one goal from my captain. I had thought Salah was not on for any bonus points when the game finished, but when I checked later on after being prompted by my opponent he got two bonus points. I was surprised, imagine how many he would have got if he had taken his other chances, 'smh!'. Salah was the most captained man this gameweek, so many were left a little frustrated, but he did do the minimum requirement by scoring.
Next up was West Ham and Chelsea. Neither of us had any Chelsea players, but we both had Jesse Ellis Lingard. The man has been on fire, but despite coming close twice he could not find the net as Chelsea won 1-0 through a Timo Werner goal. A lot hinged on the late game as Sheffield United hosted Brighton, and I had my Seagulls double at the back. Graham Potter's men had not conceded in their last two games and they were playing the lowest scorers in the league so trust them to make an unforced error to give the Blades a 1-0 win, 'FPL Life'. Thus far two of my transfers had only accumulated five points. At Saturday's end I led 23-12, but 7 of my men had played whereas only 5 of K's had played.
Sunday began with Wolves against Burnley. Again none of us had anyone playing in this one but I have to salute Chris Wood for his hat-trick as he bagged a whopping 20 points. Leeds and Manchester United were next to kick off and with Robin Koch fit again I had no idea whether or not Pascal Struijk would definitely start or not. He did however and the game finished goalless meaning of course a blank for Bruno Fernandes which left me brimming from ear to ear. Getting clean sheet points when you least expect it is just brilliant. Struijk looked to be on for two bonus points also, but then whereas a late change helped on Saturday with the Liverpool game, it did not here as he eventually went out of the bonus points altogether. Sunday's climax came at Villa Park as the Derby took place between Aston Villa and West Brom. I desperately needed a goal from West Brom as Khurram had doubled up on Villa players at the back. Villa took the lead with an early penalty only for the Baggies to level with a penalty of their own, 'yes!'. West Brom went ahead through an own goal but a last gasp goal from Keinan Davis got Villa a point. As Ollie Watkins was the last Villa man to touch the ball despite it hitting a West Brom man after, he got the cheapest 'fantasy' assist I've seen since Bruno Fernandes' one against Fulham a few months ago. It was a form of retribution for Watkins who had a chance saved earlier on when through on goal. With only one game left I now led 34-19, if Iheanacho or 'Nacho with Salsa Dip' as K labelled him got three goal contributions then I was in big trouble.
So it was down to Leicester v Crystal Palace on Monday. Palace took the lead through Wilfried Zaha. Zaha is only owned by 8.5% and I had completely overlooked him as I had been expecting an emphatic win for the Foxes. Leicester levelled with a great finish from Timothy Castagne which was assisted by Iheanacho, and then a rocket strike from the Nigerian gave them the lead late on. I messaged Khurram to say 'this is getting tight, if Kelechi scores again then you have won', he replied 'WTF' as he had already conceded defeat he had no interest in watching the game. Iheanacho then raced through and could have shot himself but he unselfishly tried to set up Tielemens who shot wide. So I edged victory by just three points 45-42, but man it was too close for comfort. There was 'no dip' in Iheanacho's form but it just was not enough for Khurram. And this was all despite my three transfers only getting seven points combined.
I now have only lost 1 out of the last 10 contests in the head-to-head Justice League, but still reman in 7th place, this is 7 points outside the money positions that come with finishing in the top 4. With only 5 games left it is very unlikely I can make it, but a strong run from me nonetheless. I top one traditional league, as well as being second in two leagues and third in 3 and 4th in two more. In gameweek 34 I play the defending champion Andrew, so there really is no let up.
@DubulDee
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