Preamble

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 18

After a day of ill-advised excess, it feels uncomfortable to put my Boxing Day mood in the hands of a bunch of twenty-something millionaires and their tinkering managers, no doubt currently toying with teamsheets.

Sitting here this morning, considerably slowed and bloated by the previous day’s intake, I’m looking around my Fantasy dressing room and wondering just how many of my squad will have kept their discipline; how many have it them to perform today. Andy Carroll has me worried.

Having brought him in ahead of Charlie Austin with disastrous effects last week, I could always show him the door. There are clear options: Christian Benteke, Olivier Giroud even the regression back to Wilfried Bony.

Such a move is further down my list of priorities, however. I’ve got over five million in the bank and I’m keen to invest that in midfield to beef up the bench. While, at the back, I’ve got Yun laid up and Kyle Bartley about to embark on a 10-week Liam Moore impression.

Carroll might have to stay and get the opportunity to put the frighteners on the Chelsea, Arsenal and West Brom defences over the next three, then. Besides, having made his own special happy Christmas announcement, I’m sure he’s bursting to get the opportunity to perform a cheeky custom goal celebration – that might just have been enough to keep him off the sauce.

Let’s face it, we’ve all got a midfield minefield to navigate today. Eden Hazard is still uncertain to start with Jose giving us nothing to go on and there’s understandable talk of Alexis Sanchez being rested. If I neglect this area, there’s every chance I’ll be short with Georgie Boyd given a run-out. George does his bit but, with Granville now just a couple of points behind, I’ve got to take action.

I’ve not made the final decision as yet – that’s partly due to yesterday’s fizzy wine diet, and partly because I’ve got to consider keeping my cards closer to my chest. Granville and Austin teamed up nicely to make it a contest, now I’ve got to find my “game face”.

I’m not sure what that looks like: I’m hoping it’s a disheveled, unshaven, middle-aged man with bloodshot eyes; otherwise I’m in trouble.

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

1,213 Comments Post a Comment
  1. team77
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Who to captain?

    - Silva
    - Austin
    - Sanchez

    1. Judeksi
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Silva

  2. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Tempted to just gave and go Yaya (c).

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Ok

    2. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I'm gaving

    3. The ghost of a Pug's g…
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Like it

    4. mouldy_uk
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      o/

    5. HVT
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Nailed for 90 + pens/fks.

    6. Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Not crazy at all

  3. Blue Gaffer
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Lost on prior page:

    Yay or Nay?

    Sanchez & Yun------>Cazorla & Zabaleta with Cazorla------>Sterling next week

    2FTs £0.0 in bank

    Heaton (Gilks)
    Wisdom, Yun, Bartley, S Taylor, Wasilewski
    Hazard, Yaya, Sanchez, Downing, Boyd
    RVP (c), Costa, Benteke

    1. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      do it but not sure on santi-> sterling next week

  4. The Finnisher
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Wouldn't be at all surprised if 8 of my players didnt start. 😎

    1. Lateriser 12
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Merry christmas and happy new year homie

      1. The Finnisher
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Right back at you man

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Gru (c)?

      Or crazy?

      1. Evs
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Good.

        1. Lateriser 12
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Let me influence your decision once this year Tina. Do it. Blame me.

          1. Christina.
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 5 months ago

            😕

            1. Lateriser 12
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 5 months ago

              DO> IT>

        2. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Better then Haz/Yaya/Sanchez?

        3. Connor's Calling
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          who's your *C* EVS? (and Happy Xmas)

          1. Christina.
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 5 months ago

            Rvp I think he said

      2. The Finnisher
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Go for it, I would if I had him.

        Then again, I'm going Falcao, so you're probably asking the crazy one!

  5. AriseSirGiggsy
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Costa is the safest captain choice. Just lack of double figure returns is bothersome
    But these doubts over Sanchez, Hazard and Bony restricts my options

    Are Fabregas or Benteke realistic captain options??

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah

    2. Ballz
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Bony doubts??

  6. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    REPOST

    who to captain ?

    guzan
    azpi, zaba, hutton
    hazard, sanchez, yaya, silva
    austin, bony, costa

    sub: elliot, boyd, saylor, yun

    curently on yaya c, costa vc

  7. Mak_Gold
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Pantilimon,
      Baines, Clyne, N. Taylor,
      Hazard (C), Sanchez, Silva (V), Downing,
      Costa, Rooney, Austin.

      Subs: Krul, Boyd, Chambers, Wisdom.

      Good to go? Or make Costa vice-captain? Cheers.

    • rocrocodile
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I've never been so back and fort with the armband as today. But now I'm done:

      Hazard (C)
      Giroud (VC)

      1. Willis.
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        GIROUUUDDD

    • hitch
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Rooney to Giround for free?

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        No

      2. bazrah99
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Giroud, LVG says Rooney will continue in midfield.

    • TonyVilliers
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Anyone gone Silva on Cpt? It would appear not lol

    • CelticBhoy1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Is anyone captaining Sanchez???

      1. TonyVilliers
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        I was thinking of it, but didn't, because he's been pushed wide again with Giroud and Cazorla back and I suspect he will be limited to assists.

      2. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Nobody.

      3. Yome
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Yes I am and proud of it

      4. Miro
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        o/

    • FPL Notebook (John)
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Eriksen -> Silva

      Or save my FT for some potential surgery next week?

      1. TonyVilliers
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Save

      2. Woy of the Wovers
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Save.

      3. FPL Notebook (John)
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Thought so. Thank you.

    • megatronaldinho
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      i was thinkin i'd cap bony all week but i just noticed that he only has 1 double digit score all season so there's a good chance that if i fail with someone else it shouldn't cost me all that much

      1. megatronaldinho
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Alexis. i choose you

    • Mr Sarcastic
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Giroud or Caz on penalties?

      1. Ludo
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        I still think its Giroud, most likely.

        1. Mr Sarcastic
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Hmmm maybe I switch captainancy for him then....atm sanchez.

    • Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Start:

      A. Nasri
      B. Siggy

      1. TonyVilliers
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        A

    • vanillabear
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Is fabregas c a good choice?

      Over rvp, bony, sanchez, haz?

      1. Hansel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        I would prefer all the others prior to fabs

    • NATSTER
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Bench: Downing, Yun, Moore with only 0.1m ITB

      Only Downing is likely to get game time and I have both Sanchez and Hazard who might be rested.

      A: Go with this team. Save FT.

      B: Moore -> Wasilewski .... just to get one more player?

    • Blue Moon Rising
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Everyone bricking it and going for Bony?

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        No.

    • svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Captain?

      A) Sanchez
      B) Bony
      C) Silva

      1. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Does RMT take resting and pitch minutes into account?

        1. thepuntmaster
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          i think so

      2. copps
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        ive gone for bony

    • Ice
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      So fed up with people saying Sanchez is in poor form.....he has three assists and a goal in his last four. Please actually take time to make your own mind up on a matter rather than just be a sheep and repeat other people's opinions.....

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        I shall follow your advice.

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          🙂

      2. TonyVilliers
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        It's not about form, it's about him being moved out wide since Cazorla and Giroud returned.

        1. CelticBhoy1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Even still. They are home to QPR who have conceded most in the league.

        2. Ice
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Oh I know that it's not about form and that he's been moved but so many people are saying "Sanchez's poor form" which is irritating when he's actually still don't quite well.

      3. Yome
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Agree and he is due a big haul!

      4. CelticBhoy1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        This is what Im thinking. Thought he was v unlucky not to score last match. Had lots of chances.

    • Dr. Agabuse
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Convince me of Vlaar Touré Hutton or anyone else for up to 4,7m and good for the next 5 Werks Plesse!!

      1. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        That was the exact 3 I was contemplating Dr A. With rotation & possible fitness issues I went with Hutton.

    • Rafinho
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      http://screenshooter.net/100627121/yrrqgud

      Have I got bench order right?

    • chrisdale98
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Have clichy in defence and Mirallas in midfield on bench. Is clichy likely to be rested cos if he is I will transfer them both out for someone who is guaranteed a starting spot. Thanks

      1. TonyVilliers
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        I hope not. Clichy was rested last week.

    • Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Bench Chambers or Taylor? Currently benched Chambers

    • Paul Psychic Octopus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      In other words, who to bench:

      A. Nasri
      B. Siggy
      C. Kane

    • Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I can see RvP, Wazza, ADM, and that Colombian bloke we signed in the summer all getting hat-tricks today.

      1. tw
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        I can see Moore starting and scoring a brace 😉

    • Elijah's Wood
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Costa, Isgrove = Giroud, Bolasie?

    • tw
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Currently on Ollie (c)
      do I switch to Eden or stick?

      1. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Ollie?

    • copps
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      even if it is snowing in swansea its not like its going to be that much on day 1 that they cant play

    • Every Dog Has Its Day
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Swansea game cancelled wtf? Where is all this info coming from?