Preamble

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 7

I’m so worried about my Wildcard flopping, I decided to leave the country.

These words are typed from a balcony on Spain, on the coast of Andalucia. Such surrounds really should provide ample distraction from any Fantasy Football concerns: I should be relaxed and fully engaged in holiday mode on my own “international break”. My concerns should be limited to the layers of factor-40 on my two-year-old red-headed son and the fact that the resort have given us a faulty coffee machine. You know, real first world stuff.

Instead, I’m contemplating Nacer Chadli’s consistency and whether it’s a week too early to be calling on the luxury item that is Leighton Baines. While I’m working to convince my family otherwise, deep down I know that my Wilcard will ensure that, mentally, the weekend is a write-off.

As soon as a ball is kicked back home, my mind will be wandering off: at lunchtime, while I’ll be sat in the sun watching leathery German tourists wrestle with the locally crafted Paella, my head will be under grey clouds at the Walkers Stadium, where pasty Midlanders chomp on Balti Pies. This weekend I’ll be dividing my time between these two very different worlds – I won’t really be joining my family until Monday, at the earliest. Even then, my Wildcard probably dictates just what kind of a mood I’ll be in for the week that remains: there’s a lot at stake in the next two days.

My ability to enjoy this sunny haven will probably rely on Messr’s Chadli and Baines, among others. They’ll decide if I can park my Fantasy line-up until wheels hit the Gatwick tarmac on Friday, or if the frustrations of a wasted Wildcard will have me turning to “what might have been” and points hits strategies to repair the damage.

I can’t help but beat myself up about this ridiculous scenario: I should be capable of taking a holiday. I have to wonder what would take the place of this “nonsense” in my head if Fantasy Football wasn’t part of my “life”. Then I realise that it would probably be that broken coffee machine. That makes me feel better.

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

3,070 Comments Post a Comment
  1. @ocprodigy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    So I had to choose between dropping Chester or Pieters from my team for this GW. Guess which one I transferred out?

    1. Djerbil
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Chester

    2. Mulder
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Chester?

    3. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Pieters obv.

    4. Kerz
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      The one who isn't playing today. Hard luck mate.

      1. Woy of the Wovers
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Why is that hard luck?

        1. Kerz
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          Because it seemed more likely Pieters would win back his place than Chester.

          1. Woy of the Wovers
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 7 months ago

            You might want to re-read.

          2. @ocprodigy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 7 months ago

            This exactly. 4 gameweeks in the wilderness and he suddenly pops back...

    5. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Well done to those who guessed Chester. So frustrating, he looked out of the side long term and Pieters hasn't done anything wrong to get dropped. 🙁

      1. djenzio
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        I played in with the chance he could start but knowing if he didnt start he wouldnt play at all unless someone got injured.....had Colo on first sub so delighted I don't need him

        1. @ocprodigy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          My only other defender would have been Hutton, didn't fancy him vs a potential City mauling. Bad times.

      2. NIGHTHIKER - I Kane, I Shaw…
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        My brother kept the faith in Chester, despite me telling him to get rid he was adamant he would come back... and now he has.

        1. @ocprodigy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          It makes sense given their lack of ability to keep a clean sheet but that's horrid.

  2. Djerbil
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Newcastle drop both their New Frenchies

    1. Mulder
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      roflcopter

      1. Woy of the Wovers
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Now you're just making up nonsense words.

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Both?

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Reviere and Cabella.

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          Rivière is crap. I'm surprised at Cabella.

          1. EmreCan Hustle
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 7 months ago

            Yeah, and Obertan makes no sense.

    3. Jax
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      riviere isn't french

      1. Jax
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        wait never mind

  3. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Well done those who called Balo benching!!!

    1. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      The Times?

  4. LOCO ABREU
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Where is Albrighton this days?

    1. Parm
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Licking the mould from in between Martin O'Neill's toes.

    2. NIGHTHIKER - I Kane, I Shaw…
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Albrighton is last season's Jerome Thomas..

  5. kalmoffit
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Chester back and AJ dropped

  6. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    FECK OFF CHESTER

    1. Fitzy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Calm down.

    2. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Nice enough little city, what's your problem with it?

      1. Mull
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        🙂

    3. djenzio
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      why? quality player and Hull have been awful at the back since he was dropped

  7. Top 210 Club
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    No Di Maria in the squad today 🙁

    1. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Silly.

      1. Top 210 Club
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        😛

    2. Arvin-ation
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      ?!

    3. Warning Hazard ahead
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Go away

    4. teachmunna
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      there should be a 3 strike rule for nonsense like this. 3rd time, your account is deleted.

  8. Tim Canterbury
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    So Rodgers thinks Balo is crap then

    1. Jax
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      about time...

  9. Licky
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Rodgers still playing Skrtel and an out of form Coutinho, I'd say Suso would love a chance.

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Sakho injured

    2. Top 210 Club
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Suso had surgery yesterday..

    3. Punty
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Sakho and Suso injured

      1. OPTA FPL
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        lol

      2. Licky
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Suso injured? I knew about Sakho but I'd still prefer Kolo TBH, at least he's solid when on form.

        1. Mull
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          He's never on form though.

          1. Licky
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 7 months ago

            Not when he's constantly covering Skrtel's mistakes, it's all in the defensive coaching IMO, it's non-existent.

          2. OPTA FPL
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 7 months ago

            😮

        2. Punty
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 7 months ago

          Y out for 2 months, surgery

          1. Licky
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 7 months ago

            Shame, good player and deserves a chance in a run of players.

    4. Mulder
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      He's on loan

      1. Licky
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        No he's not.

  10. Beavis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Ulloa on pens...

    1. Demí
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Vardy on pen assists

      1. Arvin-ation
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        😎

    2. Mulder
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Leicester have never gotten a penalty at home vs Burnley

      1. VougieDipond
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        due then

    3. Kerz
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Damn, you're right.

    4. Chelskimagi
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      He ll miss

  11. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Liverpool gone for England WC midfield 😯

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      *attack

    2. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      nil nil then

    3. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Funny,

  12. Djerbil
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Moore on pens (hopefully)

  13. MagicMessi
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Whos ur captain ? any other than Costa ? Sterling here O.o

    1. Warning Hazard ahead
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Sigggggggggggggggggggggggggggggy! 8)

      1. Warning Hazard ahead
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        😎

      2. MagicMessi
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        vice cptn !

    2. suarrr
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Agueroooo

    3. Declan
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Falcao

    4. VougieDipond
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      I would be worried with that lineup with Sterling (C)

      1. djenzio
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        depends on if Lallana plays wide....

    5. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Siggy

    6. Spencer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Siggy for me too. Surprised there's so many of us.

      1. In Like Flynn.
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        My £ ML littered with Siggy and Ulloa Captains.

    7. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Siggy. Cue 2 pointer

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Not at home against NUFC and with Bony back.

    8. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Sterling. Nervous.

      1. MagicMessi
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        yea dont know what to expect from LiV

    9. Chelskimagi
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Van Persie

  14. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Ulloa off at 59min for Nugent hopefully

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      😮

    2. Mulder
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Locked in bathroom before kickoff

      1. OPTA FPL
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        😮

    3. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      with a YC

  15. Demí
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Was it already the consensus that Ulloa was more nailed than Nugent before today or both nailed?

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      neither
      one with better form will play, everything can change after 1 game

    2. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Don't really follow LEI but was under the impression that they were both nailed

    3. Kudo Warrior
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Ulloa was more nailed on, purely based on form. Was the opposite before he hit all those goals in tbh.

    4. Demí
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Cheers guys.

      Ulloa hattrick today 🙂

  16. Ronny Sandstone
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    With Pieters dropped again, is getting Chambers in too risky with his yellow cards?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      No, it's only 1 game when it finally happens.

    2. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      nope. 1 game ban for a 4,5M def is nothing (you have replacement), it's only serious for your striker

  17. FortunesAlwaysHiding
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    First free trade transfer for my draft side this week....Lampard in. Shame on you Arvin, tut, tut!

    1. Arvin-ation
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      😀

  18. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Obertan over Cabella? Someone want to explain that to me?

    1. Mull
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Pardew wants to leave them laughing.

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        I'm laughing already. Could be a masterstroke though 😀

    2. NIGHTHIKER - I Kane, I Shaw…
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      If he gets a run in the team we could have a top bargain bucket mid.

    3. Honeybadger
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Obe had a great off the bench game, however, Cabella has been one of Newcastle's best so far, don't get it...

  19. Nickofoz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Does that mean Sterling may play as a forward with Lambert?

    Or just CAM still?

  20. Top Drawer Jeff
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Out of respect for Evs ....No lol @ Bruce owners !!!

    1. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Thank You. 🙂

      1. Top Drawer Jeff
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Your Welcome ...we are all in this together ...we have all being there 🙂

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      I warned him against him pre-season...

      1. Evs
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        You did, and I was right for one week 😉

  21. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Good call on Balo Wakey, he's been my worst transfer, I feel like a complete novice.

  22. davies
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Balotelli was dropped due to not applauding the fans midweek - I suspect. Teaching him a lesson.

    1. Mulder
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Has it ever worked teaching him a lesson?

    2. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Or because he's crap.

      1. FortunesAlwaysHiding
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        One of the most seriously overrated players ever I fancy.

      2. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        *and

  23. Mulder
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    lol @ Rooney owners

    1. Mull
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      😀

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Hope you cleaned your shoes ?

      1. Mulder
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        😆

  24. Think Tank
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Have just 2 playing today.

    Lots of 'coulda, woulda, shoulda' coming up.

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Lol - yep

  25. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    0-0 at the Liberty would be epic

    1. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Siggy 3 bonus points

      1. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        +3

    2. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Strongly disagree.

    3. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Not for me. Siggy(c)

    4. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Would love to see that.

    5. Licky
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      I doubled up with Siggy and Dyer before the inevitable Tadic in, please no! 😉

  26. KnightSlayer
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    A wildcard has Unlimited Transfers
    I have to scroll for a while when looking at my Transfer history.

    What is the most changes you made when you did a Wildcard ?

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      About 10 a day

    2. RabMac
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Less this season than I did last. 😉

  27. tm245
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Bench one of Azpilicueta Ward Clyne, please.

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      what?

      1. tm245
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Different game so lineups are not locked yet.

    2. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Ward

    3. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Ward

      1. Think Tank
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 7 months ago

        Err...Ward, perhaps?!

    4. tm245
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Cheers, all. I have Ward on the bench as well.

  28. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone else Rooney (c), Ramsey (vc) 😎

    Feeling confident this week.....

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Ouch!

  29. Venom Snake
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    My main man chester returns! Now keep a CS!

  30. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 7 months ago

    No Costa today!

    1. Jax
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      ah no have him (c)... 😉

    2. Little Lukin
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      Spot on

    3. RabMac
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 7 months ago

      No Ivanovic or Fabregas today either. 🙁