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Preamble August 8

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 1

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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 Scrambling around like a desperate Harry Redknapp, searching for his outdated little black book on Transfer deadline day.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. Epic Fail
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Mods deleting legit teamsheets so that they can use the information themselves 😀

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

    PEN s Down

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

    Davies starts ahead of Rose.
    Only unexpected selection in the two teams.

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  4. Manamongst
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Good luck all!

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  5. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    When does the coverage on BT sport start?

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    1. FPL Notebook (John)
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      12.

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

        cheers

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  6. AIRMILES
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    hmm, still open

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    1. AIRMILES
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      and gone

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  7. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    #mufc XI: Romero; Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Shaw; Carrick, Memphis, Schneiderlin; Mata, Rooney, Young.

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    1. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      #mufc subs: Johnstone, Valencia, McNair, Schweinsteiger, Herrera, Pereira, Chicharito.

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

        Weak ass subs bench.

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    2. Fifa las vegas
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      😎

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    3. Brian (Not the Messiah)
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      panicked when I didn't see depay. tried to transfer out. too late. looked again.... MEMPHIS!

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  8. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Not so bold prediction at all - highest scoring player this gw - the man himself - citizen k - Alexander the Great.

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

    PENS DOWN

    Good luck everyone!

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  10. moz_1983
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Romero starting? United will concede eight today.

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    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Da fck should you know like?

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

    No Herrera 🙁

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

    spurs defence is just shocking on paper

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  13. Nice1Cyrille
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    BOOM!

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  14. Fiona B
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    So it begins ....

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  15. Mauro Boselli
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    breakfast eaten. right....time to start tinkering

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  16. Mull
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    “Do you like Phil Collins? I’ve been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn’t understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where, uh, Phil Collins’ presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group’s undisputed masterpiece. It’s an epicmeditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Christy, take off your robe. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. Sabrina, remove your dress. In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Sabrina, why don’t you, uh, dance a little. Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as, uh, anything I’ve heard in rock… Phil Collins’ solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and, uh, Against All Odds… But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. This is Sussudio, a great, great song, a personal favorite."

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

      One of my favourite films - fantastic

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    2. SweeSwee
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Go back to hand egg Patrick

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    3. moz_1983
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      I'm just going to return some videotapes.

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    4. ice-cold aubameyang
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      American psycho!

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    5. isacki: full casual
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Do you like Huey Lewis and the News?

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    6. Shmadz - Le Saux Solid Crew
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      The Gabriel era is the stand out for me.

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  17. Valar(Keith)
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Well that was fun while it lasted...

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  18. Tinydancer
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Rooney check. Could really do with no surprises in lineups today

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

    Young scored all the goals today, becomes essential.

    Dropped next week.

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  20. Shrimp On The Barb
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Kolarov (c) i feel dirty.

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    1. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Let's be dirty together.

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    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Proud owner, but not (c).

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  21. ⚛Aeneas⚛
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Here we go!

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  22. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Hooray the new season is here, lock in those teams 😀

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  23. Pablitto
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    GOOOD LUCK TO ALL LADS!!!

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    1. cheeky_ash
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      Sexist

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  24. Velocity
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Panic

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  25. Captain Haddock
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    UPDATING

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  26. sminkypinky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Best of luck to each and every one and an enjoyable season!!

    Come oooon!!!

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  27. #WinterIsNotComing
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Times-up

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  28. mental
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    last second switch from cazorla to ramsey

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

    Locked in.

    Schmeichel - Hennessey
    Cedric - Williams - Morgan - Coates - Francis
    Wal(c)ott - Fabregas - Mane - Mahrez - Surman
    Aguero - Rooney - Benteke

    Good luck all.

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    1. Parm
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 10 months ago

      http://i.imgur.com/E1BUPwi.png

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  30. Gregor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 10 months ago

    Thank Christ.

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