The Pre-Match Preamble
Filed under: The Preamble - Posted by: Mark
One man dominates my thinking right now. He’s someone I trust implicitly. Someone who brought a smile to my face time after time when others failed me. Don’t get me wrong, he’s not infallible, he’s disappointed me, but rarely without redeeming himself spectacularly soon after. Now I’m about to put my emotions in his hands him again – it feels exciting and dangerous.
This is not fifty shades of grey. It’s all very black and white. Today you’re either backing Robin Van Persie or hoping he fails miserably and that “Torres” can be the safe word to save you from a beating.
United’s striker will shape the next 24-hours. For all the faith put in Swansea’s Michu, all the hype that Eden Hazard has built around himself with his sparkle so far. Everyone else will be forgotten, reduced to sums of Fantasy cash that perhaps could be transferred out in order to raise the funds to acquire Van Perise. If the Dutchman impresses – even hints that he’ll become the player who took our seasons by the scruff of the neck last term, then panic will likely ensue.
United face Fulham at Old Trafford today with Sir Alex Ferguson strongly hinting that his primary weapon will be loaded and tilted the way of Martin Jol’s defence. For Fantasy managers currently holding down the pause button on the idea of acquiring Van Persie, they’ll be hoping for a blank, for perhaps an hour of nice touches, smiles and the odd wayward shot with hands running through immaculately gelled hair in frustration.
Should the Roy of the Rovers script come into play with Van Persie finding the net once or twice, United’s looming fixtures against Southampton and Wigan will light up and surely force the hand of many. Or more likely, the wildcard.
Those clinging to the hope that they’ll get time, that Van Persie will be preserved and perhaps eased in at St Mary’s next weekend, to be rested over the international break, look set to be disappointed already. Today’s press are in no doubt that Van Persie starts.
Even the Independent, well known for striking out and opting for their own path, have Van Persie up with Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck relegated to the bench. That view is shared by all today’s papers – and by our predicted lineups. Van Persie will surely start, a year on from the 8-2 defeat he suffered with Arsenal on the same pitch.
Elsewhere amongst the press boys, there’s a split on Emmanuel Adebayor’s chances of being installed in Andre Villas-Boas’ lineup against West Brom – the Independent keep faith with Jermain Defoe, the Guardian back them up. Meanwhile, The Times choose to omit Rickie Lambert from their Southampton lineup, predicting an unchanged side from Nigel Adkins despite Lambert’s impact at City.
That’s perhaps the nearest we get to a shock, on a day that finds the media nicely aligned when it comes to the likely teamsheets.
It’s almost as if they called a truce. Sat down and agreed with Premier League bosses that, on day that that will see us nervously monitoring the progress of Van Persie, we could do without the noise and fuzz from the rest of the lineups.
So now we sit and wait. Watch for every update from Old Trafford and, depending what camp we’re in, wish for Van Persie to be involved or stand idle as a spectator.
It’s got a ring of déjà vu to it. Twelve months ago I knew exactly what camp I was in – I’m just about to press the button to join up again. I’m feeling vulnerable and slightly giddy. Nobody will hear me if I end up screaming “Torres”.
About The Author
“Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.”
Mark
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“I am happy with the way I’ve started, but on the other hand, I should have scored four or five more, so that’s something for me to work on.”
Robin Van Persie talks about his early form at United ahead of his first Manchester derby
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August 25 at 10:03 pm
Bowstring92 - Torino FC representing from Dublin says:
A spider the size of my fist just crawled towards me at full speed. Ran out of the room cringing and had to get the girlfriend to kill it with a mop. Arachnophobia is horrible
August 25 at 10:07 pm
The Parmtree- Nathaniel Clyne, FPL's answer to Gebre Selassie... says:
Crawled at Full Speed
August 25 at 10:49 pm
Doosra - "A Liberty is both Universal and Indivisible. Anything else is just an excuse for bad behaviour by the rich." - A Noble quote. says:
August 25 at 10:09 pm
Acquafresca;; Manager of Panathinaikos -ο Παναθηναϊκος με κέρδισε says:
Bonus are out.
August 25 at 10:14 pm
JKisthe1 - The return of Los Colchenoros says:
7 for me
Torres 3
Michu 2
Rafa 2
August 25 at 10:24 pm
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
7 for me too, same ones except Graham 2. Graham and Michu shared bonus!
August 25 at 10:24 pm
Acquafresca;; Manager of Panathinaikos -ο Παναθηναϊκος με κέρδισε says:
Which team will win:
A- 53pts with Tevez+Zab to play
B- 49pts with Tevez(C)+Lescott to play
August 25 at 10:25 pm
Acquafresca;; Manager of Panathinaikos -ο Παναθηναϊκος με κέρδισε says:
Must i hope for a Tevez blank to win this H2H?
August 25 at 10:25 pm
Dragonfly says:
Opos to eipes!
August 25 at 10:26 pm
Acquafresca;; Manager of Panathinaikos -ο Παναθηναϊκος με κέρδισε says:
RVP up to 74%… doing Torres->RVP now before the rise!
August 25 at 10:47 pm
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
Parmtree,
Marked the players in your team by numbers showing what priority they are to get out.
Mignolet(6), Jaaskelainen
Ivanovic (3) , Fabio, Clyne, Rafael, Hughes.
Lampard(2), Bale, Taarabt(5), Noble, Maloney;
Rooney(1), Torres (4), Tevez.
OK here goes. Sort out numbers 1, 2 & 3 this GW – your three Chelsea players. Since they will score zero this week an 8 point hit will still almost certainly make you a profit.
Rooney > RVP
Lampard > Kagawa
Ivanovic > Zabaleta
Done.
August 25 at 10:48 pm
Doosra - "A Liberty is both Universal and Indivisible. Anything else is just an excuse for bad behaviour by the rich." - A Noble quote. says:
I agree with all of this.
August 25 at 10:52 pm
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
Noice!! Took a leaf from your WC article with regards to being methodical…
August 25 at 10:53 pm
ChristIna says:
Sorry to be disappointing everyone…I might WC a week early.
August 25 at 10:55 pm
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
I’m not gonna lie the events of today have tempted me but I’m holding strong!
August 25 at 10:56 pm
Doosra - "A Liberty is both Universal and Indivisible. Anything else is just an excuse for bad behaviour by the rich." - A Noble quote. says:
I’m not going to. But I will have to get RVP this week. Bye, bye, Vermaelen.
August 25 at 10:56 pm
Sporting ABG says:
you never fail to disappoint me.
August 25 at 11:01 pm
Brian (Not the messiah) says:
Why WC? whats the problem?
August 25 at 11:04 pm
ChristIna says:
Lamps/Torres/cole/Nzog/Fabio/Clyne
No michu/hazard/tevez/swans def/pienaar
August 25 at 11:02 pm
Doosra - "A Liberty is both Universal and Indivisible. Anything else is just an excuse for bad behaviour by the rich." - A Noble quote. says:
As predicted.
August 25 at 11:09 pm
Brian (Not the messiah) says:
hmm…
August 25 at 11:12 pm
ChristIna says:
Jy sien die feit dat jy tevez het en nie vir aguero moes vekoop nie maak n verskil.
ek moet nou torres–>tevez doen en sit dan nog met lamps, wat eintlik michu moes wees en nzog wat hazard moet wees.
August 25 at 11:19 pm
Brian (Not the messiah) says:
as dit soe erg is dan miskien is dit beter om te WC.. gelukkig is die deadline op september 1
August 25 at 11:19 pm
Doosra - "A Liberty is both Universal and Indivisible. Anything else is just an excuse for bad behaviour by the rich." - A Noble quote. says:
You do know that Sporting can speak Dutch?
August 25 at 10:52 pm
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
Oh by the way ignore Mignolet (6). I forgot he only missed this GW, there’s nothing wrong with him.
The changes above will give you the following starting XI (4-4-2)
Jaaskelainen
Zabaleta Rafael Hughes Fabio/Clyne
Kagawa Bale Noble Maloney
RVP Tevez
August 25 at 10:54 pm
The Parmtree- Nathaniel Clyne, FPL's answer to Gebre Selassie... says:
I’ve just pulled the trigger on Lampard to Michu, so will look to do Rooney to RVP next followed by Ivan to Baines.
Then i’ll consider Torres/Taarabt out for an extra 4 pointer.
August 25 at 10:56 pm
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
Yeah that works too, Michu and Baines instead of Zab and Kagawa. Nice I think we have a solution…
August 25 at 10:59 pm
Brian (Not the messiah) says:
I thought I might find the cool crowd somewhere else!
so… A.Cole or Torres out to give me 11 decent players for gw3. or do I just play Britton?
August 25 at 11:00 pm
ChristIna says:
Nie lus om te Wc?
August 25 at 11:05 pm
Doosra - "A Liberty is both Universal and Indivisible. Anything else is just an excuse for bad behaviour by the rich." - A Noble quote. says:
Nee.
August 25 at 11:05 pm
Brian (Not the messiah) says:
planning the wildcard for next week.. I’d prefer the transfer window shut and to make sure I dont get caught by international injuries… I can just make 1 transfer and then have a decent 11 for gw3.. I don’t think theres too much wrong with my team
August 25 at 11:05 pm
Doosra - "A Liberty is both Universal and Indivisible. Anything else is just an excuse for bad behaviour by the rich." - A Noble quote. says:
http://uefacouncil.wordpress.c.....strategies
August 25 at 11:06 pm
Brian (Not the messiah) says:
yeah, I’ve seen it thanks!
August 25 at 11:00 pm
Doosra - "A Liberty is both Universal and Indivisible. Anything else is just an excuse for bad behaviour by the rich." - A Noble quote. says:
A Cole.
August 25 at 11:06 pm
Brian (Not the messiah) says:
yeah, I was thinking him as well, not sure which defender to bring in though, I already have 3 swans..
August 25 at 11:17 pm
Doosra - "A Liberty is both Universal and Indivisible. Anything else is just an excuse for bad behaviour by the rich." - A Noble quote. says:
Ridgewell. Obviously.
August 25 at 11:21 pm
Brian (Not the messiah) says:
errrr… I’m going to choose not to take this advice!
August 25 at 11:23 pm
Doosra - "A Liberty is both Universal and Indivisible. Anything else is just an excuse for bad behaviour by the rich." - A Noble quote. says:
August 25 at 11:00 pm
F5jason says:
guys quick question… how many subs can be used in a gw? all 4 (inlcuding GK)? i assumed only 3 could be used, but the rules dont state this?
August 25 at 11:27 pm
chinmusic says:
All four as long as you are left with a valid formation
August 25 at 11:10 pm
Sporting ABG says:
sorted.
GW3: Rooney + Ivan > RvP + Rafa (-4)
GW4: Ramires + Bale > Hazard + AJ (-4)
all set. two small hits to get me back on track and end up with:
DDG, Fed
Rafa, Hange, Zab, Demel, Clyne
Hazard, Pienaar, Cazorla, Johnson, Kaca
Tevez, Graham, RvP
the devil’s in the details and it’s all about forward planning….ahem.
August 25 at 11:20 pm
JKisthe1 - The return of Los Colchenoros says:
still an 8 pointer for me, VdV gone. Lamps, Ivan and Rooney all with no game next week, it’s easy to make it back and it sets my team up nicely
August 25 at 11:20 pm
Doosra - "A Liberty is both Universal and Indivisible. Anything else is just an excuse for bad behaviour by the rich." - A Noble quote. says:
Very nice.
August 25 at 11:17 pm
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
It’s official… since some being taken out aren’t playing next week, I have now included an 8 point hit in my options…
August 25 at 11:17 pm
Doosra - "A Liberty is both Universal and Indivisible. Anything else is just an excuse for bad behaviour by the rich." - A Noble quote. says:
I still believe you ought to grit your teeth.
August 25 at 11:19 pm
Sporting ABG says:
face it, it’s the most realistic option.
August 25 at 11:23 pm
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
Obviously my H2H is playing on my mind a bit here. It is against Bowstring though, and without sounding too French, I wonder if I should just get the hits out of the way against him…
August 25 at 11:23 pm
Doosra - "A Liberty is both Universal and Indivisible. Anything else is just an excuse for bad behaviour by the rich." - A Noble quote. says:
He may come again, next week!
August 25 at 11:28 pm
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
Er, you mean two matches in consecutive weeks in separate competitions?
August 25 at 11:31 pm
Doosra - "A Liberty is both Universal and Indivisible. Anything else is just an excuse for bad behaviour by the rich." - A Noble quote. says:
He had a very good first week …
August 25 at 11:21 pm
Doosra - "A Liberty is both Universal and Indivisible. Anything else is just an excuse for bad behaviour by the rich." - A Noble quote. says:
I am moderately chuffed with my situation.
August 25 at 11:24 pm
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
A rarity in FPL!
August 25 at 11:24 pm
Doosra - "A Liberty is both Universal and Indivisible. Anything else is just an excuse for bad behaviour by the rich." - A Noble quote. says:
If you had given me this before the of, I would have snapped your arm off!!!
August 25 at 11:24 pm
Doosra - "A Liberty is both Universal and Indivisible. Anything else is just an excuse for bad behaviour by the rich." - A Noble quote. says:
*off!
August 25 at 11:31 pm
Eunuch Jelly says:
I feel the same, but I think I am not in as good a long-term position as you. But I feel really lucky to be where I am.
August 25 at 11:25 pm
Rufige says:
When do the price changes reset? Am I right if Hazard rises maximum next week, you will need 10 million spare to buy him for GW4?
August 25 at 11:28 pm
Brian (Not the messiah) says:
yeah, could be 10mil by the end of this week
August 25 at 11:30 pm
Jonah says:
No chance in hell he’s going up to 10.0 without a game next week. Very misleading thing to say, as it sounds like you could be encouraging early transfers of a player whose probably only going to rise once more.
August 25 at 11:33 pm
Rufige says:
People are still transferring him in, I wouldnt be surprised. Panic buying maybe!
August 25 at 11:38 pm
Jonah says:
Well my advice to you is do not buy hazard tonight. You’ll see that you may get away without him going up until next Saturday night i.e. the next gameweek.
August 25 at 11:37 pm
Jonah says:
That is to say, he may not go up to 9.9 until then.
August 25 at 11:49 pm
Brian (Not the messiah) says:
umm, he asked whether Hazard could go up to 10 mil, the answer is he could. he did not ask whether he should buy Hazard based on this. I think you need to take a chill pill. The masses might only realise he doesn’t have a game after transferring him in and could very easily keep going up. In no way did I advise on whether it was a good idea to buy him or not.
August 26 at 12:17 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
Some people take this game far too seriously.
August 26 at 12:16 am
chinmusic says:
And most of them post on here
August 25 at 11:28 pm
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
Yeah. I’d wait for everyone to realize he’s not playing next week so that his price falls.
August 25 at 11:29 pm
Rufige says:
annoying i normally play a patient game, but the masses are making it impossible, hope they all lose interest soon.
August 25 at 11:30 pm
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
End of the day by doing daft stuff like this they help us win
August 25 at 11:30 pm
Eunuch Jelly says:
Oh more experienced ones! I know it is a bit cheeky for me to show up in your cool kids room, but I know where the good advice is to be found, and hope you will condescend to help. I have had a weird first two GWs with a lot of unlucky moves (Aguero, Rafa, and Marveau GW1), stupid moves (Aguero to Rooney, 5 DGWers, and R Bennet to start GW2), and a few good/lucky moves (keeping Rafa (on the bench), Lamps to Michu, Pienaar). I have somehow not completely crashed, and am not ready for a WC, but I have already done Rooney to RVP, and it is clear another move for a hit is required before GW3. Any suggestions? I am thinking Torres to Ba leaving me enough to get Hazard for GW4, or possibly Torres to Graham leaving me enough to turn someone worthless into Hazard. But not really ready to release Torres. Any thoughts?
August 25 at 11:33 pm
Doosra - "A Liberty is both Universal and Indivisible. Anything else is just an excuse for bad behaviour by the rich." - A Noble quote. says:
Yes. Ivanovic to Baines.
August 25 at 11:37 pm
Eunuch Jelly says:
That’s a good idea. I am perhaps a bit blinded by Ivan’s excellent form in GW1. You think he is expendable? If so that is the right move maybe (although it leaves me putting out a 5-3-2 GW3 which is perhaps why the
) 
August 25 at 11:32 pm
Matt - Manager of Reims, the best club in France (almost) says:
Wow just realised im on 51 points as opposed to 38 which I was on earlier. Thank you bonus points!
August 25 at 11:33 pm
Rufige says:
DDG Fed
Cole Lescott Clyne Demel Cuellar
Cazorla Bale Maloney Michu Noble
Torres Graham Tevez
2.8 million in bank, need to find 0.7 in total for Torres to Van Persie this week and Bale>Hazard the week after. Any suggestions who to downgrade this week?
August 25 at 11:33 pm
Eunuch Jelly says:
Cole to Rangel? That would do it, although Chelsea look a good side to have a def in.
August 25 at 11:38 pm
Rufige says:
looked better without Terry.
August 25 at 11:49 pm
Brian (Not the messiah) says:
has anyone been watching Kankles play? is his place assured? worth having him?
August 25 at 11:57 pm
JKisthe1 - The return of Los Colchenoros says:
Rob Green – My word he is bad
August 26 at 12:18 am
Casterly Rock Rovers says:
Lambert looked awesome on MOTD. Definitely going to consider him GW5+ (Villa lol)