Preamble

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 1

I sometimes wonder if this is a young man’s game.

If, at my stage in life, my wits and abilities are dulled to the extent that I’ll be found out. Scrambling around like a desperate Harry Redknapp, searching for his outdated little black book on Transfer deadline day.

I’ve only got myself to blame. I’ve turned Fantasy Football into something far more than a hobby or a mild distraction.

I eat, sleep and breathe Fantasy Football at times and yet, as I grow older and my responsibilities weigh down on me, I wonder if I can continue to carry the “burden” and hold my own.

A fiancé. Two children. A day job. A dog. Two cats and a Columbo habit.

It’s a lot to take on and, at times, I’m limited to tinkering in my head whilst emptying the dishwasher, contemplating the merits of Branislav Ivanovic whilst taking the bins out. Something has got to give.

I thought long and hard on this whilst watching Columbo and tweaking my FPL lineup at 1am.

As my family lay restless upstairs – my four-week-old daughter clamped to my sleep-starved partner for a ninth feed, I sat in my own discomfort in the lounge, wondering if I’d done the right thing overlooking Eden Hazard.

At some point I’ll have to reassess my priorities. Some Saturday mornings I may not be about to deliver on my pre-amble promise.

However, the fact is, Fantasy Football has become a big part of my life and my family and the crumpled detective have had to learn to live with it.

Two hundred thousand Fantasy managers visited these pages in the last 24 hours. Last night Simon March, the current FPL champion, gave advice to Alan Shearer on his Fantasy line-up live on the radio.

Something’s happening.

Fantasy Football isn’t going anywhere. In fact, with every passing season it seems destined to keep a new army of people up beyond 1am contemplating their budget midfielder.

After enjoying my best ever campaign, I doubt I’ll hit those heights again. I may make mistakes, I may even miss a trick whilst out gallivanting with my toddler. I will have to make sacrifices.

But I’m not going anywhere. As new blood get gripped by this Fantasy Football thing, I need to stick around and be part of it.

We’re all part of it. Whatever commitment we can afford to spend, let’s have a good time doing it.

Enjoy the season.

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

3,470 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Which one is better ?

    A Ozil (have Wally), Coates, Francis
    B Chadli or Lens, Merte, Cedric

  2. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Any chance in hell that I will get a RMT today??

    Schmeichel

    Ivan - Kosc - Cedric

    Hazard - Sterling - Depay - Walcott

    Sakho - Rooney - Deeney

    Bench: Schwarzer - Huth - Saylor - Wanyama

    1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      not much, no

      1. You've got red on you.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        What I thought. Guess I should just go with it then

        1. Jax
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          team is grand

    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Previous post. 7/10

      1. You've got red on you.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        I'll take it 🙂

  3. Luis Suarez Ate My Homework
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    RMT?

    Myhill (Hennessey)

    Azpil Huth Mert

    Hazard Mane Walcott Sterling

    Lukaku Rooney Wilson

    Subs: Cedric Wanyama Baker

    1. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Lukaku will start ?

      1. Luis Suarez Ate My Homework
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Is he injured?

        1. _Gunner
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 10 months ago

          he is a doubt
          got a hamstring injury in the preseason

          1. Luis Suarez Ate My Homework
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 10 months ago

            Who to switch out to? I have .5 ITB - easy swap to Lukaku or is there someone else I should upgrade in my team and downgrade Lukaku?

            Hennessey Myhill

            Azpil Mert Huth Cedric Baker

            Hazard Mane Walcott Sterling Wanyama

            Rooney Lukaku Wilson

            1. Luis Suarez Ate My Homework
              • 12 Years
              8 years, 10 months ago

              Rather easy swap to Benteke?

              1. _Gunner
                • 9 Years
                8 years, 10 months ago

                easy swap to benteke instead of watching lukaku benched or miss the entire game

            2. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 10 months ago

              I think he may start/ opinion mind.

  4. bodsc
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    A) Ramsey & Benteke

    B) Hendo & Kane

    Have Ozil.

    ?

    1. Thunder Warrior
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      A

  5. Stephen - Robot Daniels
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    A) Mane + Wilson + 0.5
    Or
    B) Pelle + Ritchie

    1. Tmel
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      A

  6. heylo
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    GW1 Start
    a) Deeney
    b) Huth

  7. HVT
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Best 4.0 def?
    A-Saylor
    B-Targett
    C-Oxford
    D-Burke
    E-Other?

    1. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Saylor for now ?

    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      D).

  8. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Really need to log out now and stop switching Haz and Fab around, gonna be safe/dullard and Hazard it out, even though he's the first name out if he blanks.

  9. Djemba-Djemba
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    any 4.0 defenders that are likely to start?

    1. You've got red on you.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      all of them

      1. Djemba-Djemba
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        best advice I've ever received on this site

  10. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Worth having Wilson for just this GW and keeping 1.0 to make him Sakho next week? Or just play Sinclair (bou) and bench Sakho?

  11. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Ivanovic > Columbo?

  12. James LeBron
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Ruddy (Rudd)

    Azpilicueta - Mertesaker - Cedric - O'Shea (Richards)

    Hazard - Walcott - Mane (Jedinak - Bentelab)

    Rooney - Kane - Sakho

    With 1.5m left

    OR

    Ruddy (Rudd)

    Azpilicueta - Mertesaker - Cedric - (O'Shea - Richards)

    Hazard - Walcott - Mane - Ritchie (Bentelab)

    Rooney - Kane - Sakho

    With 0.5 Left

  13. Boothy
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Bolasie + Gomez?

    or

    Hendo + Targett?

    Also, is Bolasie the best 6.5 mid or is their better?

  14. jayzico
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Apart from shagging a bird from Leeds last month in Turkey, this last hour has been the best hour this year.

    Good luck all. We will all be literally miles apart from each other come Tuesday morning. 😀

    1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Ha! Best of luck mate 🙂

      1. jayzico
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        You too superD!

    2. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      😆

      Good luck Jayzico...

      1. jayzico
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        You too Jafooli dude!

    3. CrouchDown
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Incredibly disturbing post

  15. RUUD!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Whats the best keeper combo at 9.0 or 9.5. Already have Leicester Swansea defenders so not them

    1. Braydos
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Rutland

    2. Luis Suarez Ate My Homework
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Myhill Hennessey

    3. Belsunz
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Rutland

  16. Evs
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Best of luck Guv'nor !

  17. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Hooray! Well said, Mark! Good luck, mate. 🙂

  18. MY DJ NAME IS PIMP CURRY
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Is Gradel going to start? I've taken a HUGE punt and made him captain

    1. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      What a waste of points

  19. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Benteke or Pelle

    THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

    1. RafaMC
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Tekkers

  20. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Great preamble Mark 🙂

  21. #WinterIsNotComing
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Fabianski, Schmeichel
    Clyne, O'Shea, Mert, Targett, Cedric
    Depay, Cazorla, Ox, Fab, Sterling
    Pelle, Benteke, Wilson

    Though I have picked this XI and going with it but Still kind of thinking to bring Siggy in... but don't know who to replace then :/ ?

  22. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    thanks for pre-amble, nice way to kick it all off

    1. Mr. Greedy
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Mark is such a good writer.

  23. BON
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    The launch of the 2015/16 FPL season has been the least exciting that I can ever remember.

    Gameweek 1 hasn't even started and everyone's teams are virtually the same.

    This is due to the fact that 3 of the most expensive players (Aguero, Costa and Sanchez) are early doubts and it has made the selection process much more easier than it should have been.

  24. RafaMC
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Cazorla

    or

    Ozil

    instead of Depay.

    I already have Rooney

    ?????

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Ozil

  25. Stats Don\'t Lie
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Ok final question, Captain:

    A)Rooney
    B)Walcott
    C)Mane

    Must say I'm slightly put off by roo's early kick off

    1. zuzuViking
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Rooney is fired up (and these days not TOO fired up), ready to prove his worth, great track record against spurs, spurs are a bit tired, and has not sorted out their defence.

      Walcott and Mane is a bit risky

  26. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    200,000 people visited in 24 hours?!

    Wow, congrats Mark and co.

  27. zuzuViking
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Play Cedric or Francis?

  28. Somalion
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Are Hazard and Kun more deserving of the captain's armband than others?

    [Note: None of these include suspension or injuries]

    Last Seasons:
    Aguero 11 blanks
    Hazard 16 blanks

    Other options as examples:
    Fabregas 15 blanks
    Kane 16 blanks
    Sanchez 20 blanks
    Costa 10 blanks
    Rooney 20 blanks (as expected)
    Sterling 22 blanks
    Silva 17 blanks

    Times these players scored more than just a goal or assist (indicating they're capable of a massive captaincy haul)
    Aguero: 8 times
    Hazard: 2 times

    Other options
    Fabregas: 3 times
    Kane: 6 times
    Sanchez: 8 times
    Costa: 4 times
    Roo: 3 times
    Sterling: 2 times
    Silva: 6 times

    Conclusion: This is just a snapshot of course, and bonus points would change some opinion no doubt, but from this I'd think Aguero is definitely a cut above, however perhaps Hazard is not so deserving of the reputation. He had joint worst results for matches he scored more than a goal or assist in (twice, same as Sterling, who we all know was having a rough one last season), and his number of blanks are comparable to other players.

    Data from transfermarkt, possible one or two assists have gone amiss but should be quite accurate.

    1. heylo
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Great post

      1. Somalion
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers 🙂

    2. Eden Hazardous
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      A lot of times Hazard scored just one goal but got 10 points tho...

      1. Somalion
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        Yes, as I said bps will change opinion. But if you're captaining a player, at least from my perspective, I want them capable of scoring two goals or grabbing a goal and assist or even two assists (which no doubt will lead to bonus points as well).

    3. Mr. Greedy
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      So many people saying Kun won't start, not sure I have the balls to captain him. (Even though I think he will start).

      1. Somalion
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 10 months ago

        I think it is reasonable not to risk it this week tbh. I don't even own him at the moment 😯

  29. Thunder Warrior
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Cazorla and Kosc or Merte and Walcott?

    1. MY DJ NAME IS PIMP CURRY
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Mert and Wally without a doubt

  30. PHILRUDD
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    A) sterling & Defoe
    B) Kane & Sinclair

    Any advice appreciated

    1. Thunder Warrior
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      B