Preamble

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 29

“You can’t have all the good players, all the time”

Few quotes from this week’s ScoutCast resonated more than that nugget. Simon March, currently the world’s top Fantasy Premier League manager, spoke a lot of sense over the course of our hour together but that comment was the one that hit home.

So often on a Saturday morning there’s a player or two that terrifies me. This week it’s Olivier Giroud – someone I greedily discarded in the pursuit of double Gameweek assets.

While shedding Giroud allowed me to make a profit (just) in Gameweek 28, I’m in no doubt that this weekend he could claw those points back with interest, while Messrs Eriksen and Austin serve up blanks. I fear this and yet I am too faint hearted to act on it.

I’ll need to spend points if I want to re-introduce Giroud’s Gallic good-looks back into my virtual dressing room. I really can’t see a crippled West Ham defence preventing Giroud from rolling out another smouldering goal celebration and yet I’m still hesitant to back that hunch to the tune of a miserly four points.

Then again, the Gameweek would almost be incomplete without setting up such a scenario.

It’s almost essential that I give myself the possibility of squeezing into my Captain Hindsight costume: to be able to curse my lack of conviction and inform anyone who will listen that I was “this close” to making that move that would have reaped in the points.

These are the scenarios that keep Granville miffed, that feed those “what might have been” stories that we’ll roll out at the end of the season when we’re looking back on our rank. So, while my reluctance to reclaim Giroud may amount to an epic fail, I’ll still gain the opportunity to gripe about it later. I really can’t lose.

For now, I can comfort myself that Mr March didn’t get where he is today chasing unfounded hunches.

The world’s number one has spent the season sitting on his hands – reserving transfers and avoiding hits. I know for a fact that Giroud will pop into his head before he flips his laptop lid shut tight on this Gameweek deadline but I doubt very much he’d act on it for a first points hit of the season.

Have some of the best players, some of the time and rely on George Boyd to save the day. It shouldn’t really work but Simon says it does and, looking at the rankings, who am I to question it?

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

1,463 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ser Football 42
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Palace subs?

    1. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Asked no-one 😉

    2. Dušan Citizen
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Hennesey, Mariappa, Souare, Hangeland, Ameobi, Sanogo, Gayle

  2. jernej93
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    This QPR can't defend .. Good luck to all Puncheon captains ! 🙂

    1. Dušan Citizen
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Where are u from?

  3. Chris_White
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on these moves for next week

    Cazorla -> Coutinho
    Ozil -> Silva

    1. davies
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Do you have Sanchez/Giroud?

      1. Chris_White
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Sanchez

        1. davies
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Yay to both.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Cazorla to Coutinho YES
      Ozil to Silva NO

      1. Chris_White
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers

  4. Mílanista
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Hutton wasn't joking, he actually has captained Schlupp.

    1. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      😯

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Its just a game

      1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Reported

  5. mipola
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Rival has Puncheon(c). Sh1tting myself 🙁

  6. @FuzzyWarbles
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    In a league with unlimited weekly FTs and the deadline isnt til 5 minutes before 1st kickoff.

    I own Jelavic. I could drop a weak player and pick up Murray to play instead.

    Who do you is a better chance to score?

    Cheers

    1. @FuzzyWarbles
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Concise question, posed in a manner that required a mere one-word reply.

      Cheers

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

        Mornin' Fuzzy, see below

      2. Holy See
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        😛 Jelavic for me.

        1. @FuzzyWarbles
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          cheers

    2. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Barnes or Sakho?

      1. @FuzzyWarbles
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        ouch. neither matchup is promising so I would have to lean toward who the better talent is and I feel its Sakho.

  7. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    if Sterling keeps playing hardball on his contract, while Arsenal keep playing hardball with Walcott, then Liverpool could do worse than bringing in an unsettled Theo

    1. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Absolutely, stumbling block will be wages.

      Though, with Danny's injury problems, they may look to avoid relying on another injury prone player.

      1. Billy Gilmore
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Don't worry, we have nearly as many attacking mids as Arsenal do

        1. Somalion
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          True enough, what's one more? 😉

          1. Billy Gilmore
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            At least he can play up front when Sturridge gets injured. At least until he gets injured himself 😉

            1. Somalion
              • 14 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              I hate him as a striker, much like Raheem he needs to run at players to be at his best!

              What do you make of the Sterling shenanigans? I think Pool should stand very firm now.

              1. Billy Gilmore
                • 11 Years
                9 years, 1 month ago

                Dunno, haven't really been following it.

                1. Somalion
                  • 14 Years
                  9 years, 1 month ago

                  I just hear drips and drabs of it, sounds like he wants more dollah bills.

      2. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        not just the wages. apparently wenger isn't sure about Walcott's work off the ball being up to scratch with their new tactical plan.

        1. Somalion
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Aye, which I can understand and I think that work rate is needed at Pool as well. I like Wally, but I have a feeling that he doesn't take well to not being the hero and I'm always reluctant for clubs to sign players like that.

          1. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            I see what you mean but BR could integrate Walcott into his pressing game, I think. Whereas Wenger increasingly wants speedy players that can dribble past a player to start a counter-attack. Note how he keeps mentioning Theo's direct running style. first mentioned in Arseblog but telegraph ran it last night

            http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/11471671/Arsenal-news-Theo-Walcott-finds-himself-fighting-for-his-Gunners-future.html

            1. Somalion
              • 14 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              He is very useful in a pressing situation and he's very dangerous. But I think BR demands a lot of work off the ball as well, an issue Theo is struggling with at Arsenal apparently.

              Though I must add, a cruciate injury like his really can take a hell of a long time to be back from properly, even when training and playing, so there may be truth in Wenger protecting him.

    2. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Walcott not good enough on or off the ball for Rodgers.

      1. Somalion
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        This is my issue, I think he'd have to work harder at Pool as well so he may not find life any easier at all (or be that effective for them).

        1. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          is there not a difference between running around up top in a high press at Liverpool and sitting back tracking runs and filling spaces - which is increasingly looking the way at Arsenal?

          1. Somalion
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            There is a difference but if he's to fill in the role of Sterling I believe he needs to be doing more than just running up top as part of the high press. Another issue being, I really don't think he's great centrally so he'll have to be on the wing, which creates other headaches for Pool.

            He'd be a good signing for most teams, but currently I think he looks like an improvement on Navas for City.

            1. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              Yeah fair enough, I was thinking of him up top with Sturridge at Liverpool as a partnership. Two 9 and a halfs as BR says. But yeah, he's never looked convincing centrally.

              1. Somalion
                • 14 Years
                9 years, 1 month ago

                It is interesting, certainly would add a lot of pace which they like. If he could convert him into that type of player, they might be able to make that work.

                1. Somalion
                  • 14 Years
                  9 years, 1 month ago

                  I like your thinking on that I have to say.

      2. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Rodgers would be able to work on that with him though, no? I'm not a fan of him as a personality, but have to say, he is a decent modern coach

      3. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Wally would be perfect for Chelsea imo

  8. Somalion
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Jeez, my team for next week looks feckin class. Disaster incoming.

    1. Sunny 😎
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yup, saving my FT

      1. Somalion
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Have 2 FTs so will probably need to do some housekeeping, not too shabby though, can finally ditch Baird.

    2. davies
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Likewise.

      Naughton (avl) on my bench. 😯

      1. Somalion
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Same 😯

        1. davies
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Who you playing instead?

          1. Somalion
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Currently have Clyne (Burnley), Wolly (Palace) and Kosc (newcastle) as my starting 3. Possible that Naughton comes in for one of them, will have to see how Villa do this week if their attacking form is improving...

            1. davies
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              Yep. Think he'll stay on my bench. Playing Terry (hul), Kosc (new) and Clyne (BUR).

              1. Somalion
                • 14 Years
                9 years, 1 month ago

                Right decision imo.

  9. davies
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Austin out if he blanks?

    1. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Not with EVE coming up

    2. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Wait and see.

    3. Dušan Citizen
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Might get Kramaric

    4. Kerz
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Depends.

  10. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Next GW looks high-scoring 🙂

    1. AIRMILES
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      certainly does

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Low scoring GW incoming 😀

    3. Kerz
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Indeed! 🙂

  11. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Taarabt Phillips and Wright-Phillips all playing off Austin.

    Looks more attacking from QPR...lets hope this is good news for Charlie.

  12. Heydudes13
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Hi. Anyone captain Aguero here?

    1. mipola
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      No. You're all alone.

    2. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Nobody.

  13. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Off out and no internet connection.

    Will return no doubt to lots of posts making fun of QPR.

    1. Mull
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Lol @ Taarabt

    2. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      You never know, Palace may have more of a rough time than we anticipate.

      1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        The only way I can see that happening is if Taarabt gets his head out of his ass or starts kicking people . Either is possible tbf

        1. Somalion
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Well there you go, practically guaranteed 😉

          1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            😆

  14. Mull
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Could they pick a worse early kick off...

    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      It's got the player that's going to be your downfall in it 😉

      1. Mull
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Lol. Wait until the Hull game 😉

    2. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Got to show all the teams a set amount of times unfortunately, might as well show them playing each other.

    3. The Chosen One...
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Not really, Goal fest written all over it

  15. Dušan Citizen
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Last few updates were much faster. Cmoon

    1. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Updated 😆

      1. Dušan Citizen
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Dirty liar 🙁

        1. Dušan Citizen
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          U made to give u upvote and check FPL 🙁

          1. Dušan Citizen
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Oh, it's update now 😀

          2. Forza
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            It updated at 11.58, you must be refreshing the 'updating' page.

            1. Dušan Citizen
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              Yeah..poor me

  16. Dušan Citizen
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I think I will watch Leicester-Hull on the internet. No better matches at that time. Arsenal on TV.

  17. Scotty B
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Hazard captain here....gamble or good choice?

    1. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Both!

    2. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Great choice.

    3. Sunny 😎
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Gamble

  18. A guy
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    My rival benched Austin over Eriksen and Sigurdsson...interesting

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

      The second bottle of vodka is always a bad idea.

      1. A guy
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        haha true 🙂

  19. davies
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Boyd > Mahrez likely to be my transfer. How interesting.

    1. Richd
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Makes sense though

      1. davies
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Certainly.

    2. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Sends shivers down the spine

      1. davies
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Nothing better to do with 2 FT's.

    3. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      No games have happened yet.

      1. davies
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks for that.

    4. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I guess mine will be Wollscheid and Bellerin to Ivan and Terry 😀

      1. davies
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Ooo. I like.

    5. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I might go for Boyd to Cork.

      1. davies
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Why not Mahrez?

  20. Sunny 😎
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Captains for next week?

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Kun.

    2. davies
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Hazard.

      City will play 2 up front against Pulis. They won't steam roll them.

      1. Sunny 😎
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Between Kane and Hazard for me

        1. davies
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          We always do well at Spurs. Beat them in the cup.

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Studge

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Next week? Kane maybe

      2. Sunny 😎
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Gerrard will score the winning penalty

    4. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      SugarKane

  21. Judas
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    WOW.

    Next weeks captain decision will be a nightmare.

    Kane (LEI), Aguero/Silva (WBA), Hazard (hul), Sanchez (new)

    1. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Aguero, unless Leicester look awful defensively today.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Thats same story for every week 😉

    3. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Kane easy

  22. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I can never log on for ages after an update still say updating.

    I have logged out back in everything!!!

    1. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      So refreshing the updating page then.

    2. Richd
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Are you French ?

  23. Dušan Citizen
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Damn. It will be hard to decide between Aguero, Kane, Hazard, Silva and Sterling captain for next GW.

    Also don't know should I start Austin (EVE) or Moses (CRY).

    1. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      10 league games and two CL games to happen before this becomes a decision.

  24. Jawain - 9th overall 2014/2…
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    World number two captains Ozil.

    World number 4 captains Austin.

    Bold.

    1. Sunny 😎
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      This could be the week number 1 goes out of reach then

      1. Jawain - 9th overall 2014/2…
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Could be indeed. I have Aguero captain with the would number 1 so hoping for a haul!

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          But he's just going with the odds - he doesn't need to go against the grain. Let's hope it's a good choice.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Smart.

      1. Jawain - 9th overall 2014/2…
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        We will see...

  25. darko
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Million $ question - Does Wisdom have a chance of starting today?

    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Not realistically, no.

      1. darko
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

  26. Hyperion
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Did anyone else have an error on the FPL site when trying to make transfers just before the deadline? Tried to do Eriksen -> Ozil about 3 minutes before but couldn't. 🙁

    1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      God

    2. Dots321
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Probably just crashed with the amount of people making transfers approaching the deadline

      1. Hyperion
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah probably, it was some sort of authentication error but I was definitely logged in. Should've got up earlier!

  27. Barryyuen
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Panti or Lloris next week?

    1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'm going with Lloris a couple of games starting next week, but I have Foster instead of Pants

  28. Kerz
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    World number one has a 30 point leader and his WC intact. Strong position with 10 weeks left!

    1. Kerz
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      *lead

    2. Jawain - 9th overall 2014/2…
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'm coming for him

  29. boogle
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    So with 2fts this week and team looking good, what should I be trying to do in prep for upcoming DGW? Getting Costa in to join Aguero and Kane? Or a second Chelsea defender to join Terry? How nailed is Zouma?

  30. Ser Football 42
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Would you rather have sterling or Sturridge?

    1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Money no object, Sturridge. Since money is an issue I would go with Sterling

      1. Ser Football 42
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Sterling is cheaper that's why I'm leaning towards hin