Preamble

The Pre-match Preamble – Gameweek 31

There’s nothing like the exhilaration of a double Gameweek to wake us from the slumber of an international break.

Sadly, Gameweek 31 looks far from exhilarating.

For the second time in the matter of weeks, we’re destined to root through Chris Ramsey’s QPR squad like grappling grannies at a jumble sale, desperately trying to find something of value other than the chipped china teapot that is Charlie Austin.

Seeking cheap thrills, we’re even eyeing up Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke and Gabby Agbonlahor like tickets in the tom-bola. If we’re lucky, our numbers might come up and we’ll get to claim some lavender bath salts. Such is the scale of the double Gameweek prize that awaits us.

We all know that the potential is limited, particularly with a blank looming but we’re internationally broken: craving Fantasy Football excitement from any possible source, however unlikely.

We don’t want to return to our squads and save our transfers. We don’t want to bring in Kyle Naughton. We’re looking for something that can relight the fire and, if we’re not careful, we can make careless errors trying to find it.

I’m fighting the urge and pondering the most subdued and ineffectual of all transfers – swapping my goalkeeper, albeit for Brad Guzan, a double Gameweek asset.

I’d love to gamble on Benteke and slap the armband on his bicep, but I know all too well that this compulsion is fuelled by a fortnight of inactivity. I know that international football can be just as damaging to my Fantasy thinking as it is the weary legs of my players.

On that note, an article this week revealed that Arsene Wenger’s Gunners haven’t won a single match following internationals this season. Interestingly, the same article highlighted that QPR have suffered most from such breaks. They’ve been consigned to three straight defeats, scoring just two goals in the process.

Suddenly I’m reconsidering that china teapot.

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

1,305 Comments Post a Comment
  1. QPR expects... glory!
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Aguero on MNF? C material surely?!

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

      Austin on Tuesday now night football. Whats your point.?

      1. QPR expects... glory!
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Kun's record on MNF is amazing

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

          Is there such a thing as a player plays better on a Monday. ? Seems all a bit too superstitious to me. The curse of the early kickoff etc but only reason I see it is that if your weekend has been rubbish then Aguero playing Monday offers a glimmer of hope. Same can be said for Austin playing Tuesday and has 180 mins to score

          1. QPR expects... glory!
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            There's also the fact that he's had two extra days rest after the international break, only played 75 minutes last week, only travelled to the east coast of the USA rather than to South America, scored and is far too good to continue his scoring drought in the Premier League.

            Besides, how often is it that a guy heavily transferred out then kicks all his former owners in the nads that GW? 😆

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

              This is true. I wasnt being an ass by asking but looking for a more detailed reason for your thinking and yep its all there. I might change it to him after all . There's a inclination there all week but you sealed it. Cheers

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

    I'm swaying that way

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

      Reply fail

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

      Oo err

    3. QPR expects... glory!
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      5 goals in 3 games after the international break this season as well.

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

        Yup. I'm with you 😎

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

    Rival is 30 pts ahead. He's going Hazard © and doesn't have Aguero. Shall I go Kun ©?

    1. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      yes -punt it,haz "tired "+should get subbed?

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

        Perhaps so. Thanks

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

        haz will prove u he aint tired

        trust me, he is pissed getting sub

  4. jonesy_in_the_laundry_room
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Start Coutinho or Eriksen? (have Kane and Rose, no other Liverpool)

  5. mouldy_uk
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Drop one

    Eriksen
    Ozil
    Phillps dgw

    Thanks

    1. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      wiz of oz-who knows which ars and which liv will turn up?

  6. whitters_2014
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    guys should I start cout or silva? rival has silva and I am chasing a 46 pt lead.
    or should I switch either to any other mid in the game for a -4

    1. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      not the day to not play silva if you have him..

    2. Grumpy Camel
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      silva, clearly

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

    So what is the general consensus on Di Maria starting or not today?

  8. Phaze 1
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    So Aguero --> Austin for free is a no? I have no DWG players which seems like a bad idea imo.

  9. el flacooo
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    hey mate, do you think sturridge will star today? should i keep him or moove him for benteke?
    cheers

  10. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Start Kos or Clyne? Both will probably concede.

  11. HellasLEAF
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Why so overwhelming Kane over Austin C, Austin has the double..

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

      so..

    2. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Both are good choices but quaranteed 8p for Charlie swing it to his favor.

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

        Not necessarily.,....

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

      Kane has much more ownership.

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

        QPR are rubbish away. 2 away games you'd expect 2 defeats.

  12. Art Vandelay
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I am quite fond of this article. It might even be my favourite.

  13. Essrick
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Start Schlupp or Clyne?

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

    1) play ERIKSEN or SANCHEZ? Already playing Kane
    2) play PVA or ROSE?
    3) AUSTIN or TEKKERS for captaincy?

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

    Pantilimon (Juko)
    Naughton -Ivanovic - Clyne (Schlupp, Wollscheid)
    SIlva - Mane - Hazard - Siggy (Walters)
    Giroud - Aguero - Kane

    G2G???

  16. Bapilot747
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Guzan or Myhill?

  17. el flacooo
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    please can you just inform me on sturridge chance of starting i didn t follow the news this week!

    1. Godot - Fashanu Zealand
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I think he's got to start

  18. Zizou
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Austin or benteke (c)

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

      chaz

  19. ThatAsianGuy17
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    crazy to bench aguero for siggy
    my midfield is
    hazard cazorla erikson mata

    1. Donblaster
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

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

      Step away from the keyboard. Put Aguero in your XI and log out.

  20. Moin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    That China Pot is useless...

  21. HVT
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I'll try again!
    Play :
    A - Bellerin (LIV)
    B - Toby (eve)
    Thanks

    1. Donblaster
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

      B...A might not even start

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

        Ta, think he will get this one tho Moin.
        Debbie back next week tho the cup game must be considered too.

    3. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

      B

  22. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Kun, Kane, Giroud or Haz captain?

  23. Donblaster
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Krul
    Terry Rose Yun
    Silva Sanchez Hazard Eriksen
    Austin (c) Aguero Kane

    Puncheon, Toby, Wolly

    Save FT?

  24. Essrick
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Who do I leave out? Silva, Cazorla, Eriksen, Hazard, Phillips DGW

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

      Cazorla or Eriksen

    2. Jones Town
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Eriksen for me

    3. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Phillips.

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

    Any ideas?

    Myhill (Forster)
    Terry Rose PVA (Wolly, Bellerin)
    Ozil Silva Eriksen Mane
    Aguero Rooney Kane

    Cheers 🙂

    0.8 ITB

    1. Jones Town
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Captain Rooney? 🙂

  26. Jones Town
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Think I'm going to do Eriksen out. Who for though?!

    Sanchez - Cazorla - Hazard - Eriksen - Walters

    Got 9.6 to spend. Fellaini? Mata? ADM?! Philips? Siggy?

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Would prefer to lose Sanchez to silva

      1. Jones Town
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I'm chasing two rivals who both have Silva, so I'm looking for differentials! I know that's the obvious choice though

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

      Siggy/Fellani

      1. Jones Town
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Ta

  27. Cesc, Drogs & Rock and …
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I just did Rate My Team, and does anyone know why Sterling was predicted 2.96 points and Puncheon 2.98 but the latter was assigned b1......?

    1. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      RMT thinks there is a decent chance that Sterling won't play. 2.96 + %chance of plying * points if plays.

      1. Art Vandelay
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        2.96 = %chance of plying * points if plays.

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

    Good to go?

    Guzan
    Demichelis/Bertrand/Zouma
    Ozil/Silva/Hazard/Eriksen
    Kane/Aguero/Austin (C)

    Have 1FT and 0.8ITB

  29. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Start Koscielny or Fonte?

    1. Cesc, Drogs & Rock and …
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Fonte.

  30. banskt
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Lost on last post, so poll again:

    1) Benteke or Austin?

    2) Fellaini or Sinclair or Sigurdsson? [First two has terrible fixtures from next weeks]