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. Hyperion
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Last minute captaincy change from Hazard to Austin. Regretting it already.

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      🙂

    2. For Fuchs Sake
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Hardest captain choice I've seen, no regrets, it was impossible to pick!

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

        That's the noise I've been making since the deadline 😆

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

      I did the same thing on kane to tekkers -_-

  2. Lizard Lips
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    is sturridge not playing?

    1. Lizard Lips
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      on bench? i got him in 🙁

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

        injury prone. why would you.

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

      If sterling's up front, then that would be the expectation.

      1. Lizard Lips
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        on the bench for a 20 min cameo or do i at least get my first sub playing?!?!

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

          As an Arsenal fan, so I may be biased, but I'm expecting Liverpool to need goals going into the final 20 mins. So yep, I'd say sub.

    3. Lizard Lips
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      no one knows, ppl just know sterling is starting, studge could be on the wing like he used to for suarez at times.

  3. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Jelavic is injured and Hull have only won 3 points without him 😯

  4. Optimus.
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    No Eriksen today supposedly..

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

      On my bench anyway

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

        erm...plays sunday

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

      Don't tell me, no Kane either?

    3. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Confirmed

    4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      or kane or spurs

    5. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      You and your traps!

      1. The Machine
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Its always banter when the regulars do it

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

          See below

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

          So true Nate

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

        Post deadline so no issue

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

          This...I'm no Alonso13 😉

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

      Sorry you lost your credibility a long time ago #don'tfeedthetrolls 😉

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

        Now now there are always fresh faces 😉

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

          😆

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

      Got a link Optimus? I have to choose for my other games.

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

          😆 Thanks Demi.

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

        Sorry INF only messing with some heads..I forget the likes of ye are in the Iron Man thing..

  5. HP.
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Benched studge

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

      Started him..hope he starts..or comes on and scores..anything!

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

      Benched Sanch

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

    In the Roma Vs Napoli game right now..the stadium looks Empty...what has happened to Italian Football? 😯

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Where have you been for the last 20 years?

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

        India.. 😛

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

      match fixing

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

        It still happens?

    3. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Probably too busy stabbing each other in the bum

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

        😆

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

        😀

  7. OptimusBlack
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Guys Bench Mane and get Matthew Phillips (Boyd > Matthew Phillips ) for this GW ??

    Yaay

    Naay

    1. For Fuchs Sake
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Too late!

  8. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Morning all. I just woke up, hope I don't let the team down.

    1. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      mornig

  9. Gooner Kebab
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Looks like Ive lost 0.3 today, Kun to Tekkers + alexis drop !

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Gained that amount here.

      1. Gooner Kebab
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        nice work

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

      I like your picture.

  10. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    @OptaJoe 21s22 seconds ago

    5 - Liverpool v Arsenal has seen more hat-tricks than any other fixture in Premier League history (5). Tip.

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

      can you name them?

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

        Fowler
        Henry
        Suarez

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

          Suarez? erm no.

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

        That Arsenal flop - can't remember his name.

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

          arshavin

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

          Arshavin

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

      Cazorla hat trick 🙂

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

        fowler x 2
        henry
        arshavin (4)
        crouch

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

          Arse shavings

          How could I forget that one

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

      Sturridge and Ozil hattrick! would be awesome!

    4. CHANCING PUNT
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Fowler, Henry, Crouch

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

        Crouch 😆

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

          yeah it happened. 4-1

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

      Julio baptista

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

        was in league cup that one.

  11. Optimus.
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I have no DGW players 😮

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Same, unless Hazard gets rested.

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

      not really the best DGW anyway

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

      Me Too

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

        😆 😆

    4. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      a boring tuesday night for you then.

    5. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Hopefully we'll have the last laugh when we can actually field some players for GW 33.

    6. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      what happened to '-8 optimus' ...... youve changed man

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

        😀

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

      Stop boasting 😉

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

        😆

  12. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Rise your hands Austin captainers. o/

    He'll make us proud this GW.

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

      o/

      pls charlie

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

      doubt it.

    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      o/
      Meant to change to Kane though.

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

        You got lucky then

  13. Konig Luther
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Time to some people realize that Timezone changed last week

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

      Yes, but it didn't in Thailand, which is where I am. So it's all been a bit weird.

    2. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Do they mention it on the home page when you are logged in? I'm pretty sure I've seen messages in the past.

      Of course most people who follow European football would have known about timezone changes, unless you are new to it!

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

    Last minute Kun > Rooney (c)...

    Here goes nothing...

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      For GW 32?

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

        Nope, for this week...

        1. Fred54
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Uh okay, just checking you did it in time.

          Not a bad move either, Rooney loves scoring against my team, Villa.

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

      Good choice

      2-1 Palace on Monday

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

        this won't happen.

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

          Bookmarked

    3. 20LEGEND
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Did the exact same move for a 4 point hit!

  15. Lizard Lips
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    DONT PANIC STURRIDGE OWNERS

    Sturridge is probably playing on the wing behind sterling like he used to for suarez at times

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

    dreading this week

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

      Yep, I feel it's going to shaft me a bit. Up against the top team in my public h2h, and just not thrilled with my team. I suspect a red arrow.

      However, if Arsenal beat Liverpool, I won't really give much of a hoot about Fantasy.

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

        haha couldn't agree more!!!

  17. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Captain poll 😯

  18. A-VB
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Was the deadline one hour earlier today ?
    Or is the FPL side having any technical failure ?

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

      clocks went forward an hour in England. (last sunday)

      1. A-VB
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I see..
        I didn't knew the DST shift date sadly.. 😛

        Never mind, I already did my transfer and set my captain. Thankfully. 🙂

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

      Deadline is published as local time UK

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

    Confirmed #LFC team v @Arsenal: Mignolet, Can, Toure, Sakho, Allen, Lucas, Moreno, Henderson, Coutinho, Markovic, Sterling

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

      Confirmed #LFC subs v @Arsenal: Jones, Johnson, Lovren, Sturridge, Manquillo, Borini, Brannagan

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

      Toure = goals conceded

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

        Wow! Lovren behind Toure as well now!

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

          Think he has a knock

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

            He's on the bench

    3. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      come on you red men!!

  20. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Confirmed #LFC team v @Arsenal: Mignolet, Can, Toure, Sakho, Allen, Lucas, Moreno, Henderson, Coutinho, Markovic, Sterling

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Kolo 😆

  21. Lizard Lips
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    STURRIDGE IS OUT

    Mignolet, Can, Toure, Sakho, Allen, Lucas, Moreno, Henderson, Coutinho, Markovic, Sterling

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Bench

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

      we knew that already

      1. Lizard Lips
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        NO one knew that

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

          erm it was said 10 mins ago.

          1. Lizard Lips
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            no it wasn't. people said sterling up front, meaning sturridge could be either side of him, he isn't. not one person said sturridge wasn't starting,

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

              ok so i imagined it then. ok thanks!

  22. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Confirmed #LFC subs v @Arsenal: Jones, Johnson, Lovren, Sturridge, Manquillo, Borini, Brannagan

  23. Beaker
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Arsenal team to play Liverpool: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud #AFCvLFC
    44 retweets 4 favorites
    Reply Retweet44 Favorite4
    More

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

      #Arsenal subs: Macey, Gibbs, Gabriel, Flamini, Rosicky, Walcott, Welbeck #AFCvLFC

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

        no scz :O

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

      Good. We should win this today.

  24. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    #Arsenal team to play Liverpool: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud #AFCvLFC

  25. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Lol at Sturridge owners.....

    Both of them

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

      Benched him !

    2. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Lol Sterling owners, who left him on bench

  26. Wouter
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Go on Santi make me proud

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

      took him out for siggy

  27. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Please concede Arsenal

    Bellerin third sub

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

    Play Panti or Ospina ?

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

      20 mins too late mate

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Whichever one is currently in your line up 😉

  29. Gooner Kebab
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    when will the LoL start on DGW owners? (so i'd stay away)

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Any lolling will be a bit premature unless they get a red card

  30. PGR
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Sir Chesney injured or no longer second choice?

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

      Rib injury