Preamble

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 4

I’m having humble pie for breakfast.

A thick crust and generous filling, it’s not my preferred Saturday morning bacon sarnie but I’m tucking it away hungrily, nonetheless.

Last season I realised that this was the secret: when Fantasy Football rubs your nose in your mistakes, you’ve got to own up.

After opening the door for a player to punish me post-Wildcard in last week’s Preamble, Callum Wilson duly obliged with an unexpected hat-trick and maximum bonus return.

I knew it was coming. The important thing now was to act accordingly.

Having sold on Wilson with the Wildcard, I could have shown the usual stubborn attitude and convinced myself that my plans remained valid. That I knew best.

According to Wildcard blueprint v23 I should have been bringing Matt Ritchie in for Marc Albrighton this morning, benching Troy Deeney for his likely spell of spectating at the Etihad but reserving him as my budget striker.

Instead, I had to admit the error, forgive Callum for embarrassing me and snap him up before his price rose back to 5.5.

That could be another mistake. Ritchie may take his turn to run riot and Deeney may even come good in weeks to come; I had to ignore those fears. I also had to banish concerns of the template team forming and drown out the nagging “chasing points” argument in my head.

When a 5.4 striker demonstrates the ability to score a hat-trick, you don’t hesitate and cling to a plan.

I’d fancied Wilson as a prospect from the get-go but those beliefs were abandoned amongst the noise of the Wildcard scramble. Despite the pain of witnessing last weekend’s points haul, I can justify going back for Wilson and swallow some pride.

Above all, I fear that, if Wilson notches against Leicester, we’re going to be looking at a relentless bandwagon over the break and that would make any future portion of humble pie a lot less palatable.

I can’t risk that. I need that whiff of fried rashers to help me wake from the inevitable international slumber.

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

1,914 Comments Post a Comment
  1. 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Depay, Sterling and Walcott all going to troll me this weekend.

    1. FPLEL
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I really hope Depay does, I forgot to take him out for Pedro in the end...

  2. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    How much is Walcott at the moment?

    1. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      😀

    2. HVT
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Depay > Wally DONE!

      1. Sjaugen
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        85% troll my by latest calcs

  3. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    last week 4 point hit and 16 point profit,
    this wk ozil,sakho to sanchez,wilson -4,no ozil ,gd start...

  4. warchild
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    pls help here who to bench 1?

    gomis vs utd at home
    diouf vs wba at home
    mahrez vs bourne away
    chadli vs everton at home

    pl,,ty

    1. warchild
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      pls*

    2. Bibelnissen
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      You're late

      1. warchild
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        ya,,internet line problem,,haha

  5. JÆKS ⭐
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Who is playing in the hole now Ozil is injured?

    1. Kerz
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Cazorla.

      1. Hibbo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        How do you know that?

    2. 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Ramsey I guess?

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

        It's probably more of a 4-1-4-1 this week

    3. jimmythegent
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I think Ramsey. Excellent picture by the way.

    4. read
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Chamberlane

      1. Manamongst
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        That´s what I would do...

  6. HVT
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Remember this 7-3 result?
    http://m.bbc.com/sport/football/20823197

    1. Mull
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Yes. 👿

    2. DeathScoop
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      No.

  7. jimmythegent
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Time for Walcott to go mad when we have all sold him. Bet Arsene has him triple captain today!

    1. Gravless wonder
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      🙂 Wenger is playing his AOA chip with Walcott captain

    2. JÆKS ⭐
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Why did you steal my grav?

      1. jimmythegent
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Mine is slightly more zoomed in and I have the name
        to match the grav. I believe no copyright infringement has taken place.

        1. Manamongst
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Hahaha...doh!

    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Cech Bellerin Gabriel Kos Monreal Coq Caz Rambo Ox Sanchez Theo
    Subs: Ospina Debuchy Gibbs Chambers Arteta Campbell Giroud

    Krul Janmaat Mbemba Colo Haidara Anita Colback Sissoko Wijnaldum Thauvin Mitrovic
    Subs: Darlow, Saylor, Tiote, Oberaton, De Jong, Perez, Cisse

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

      Dial up?

    2. Park the bus
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      We know

  8. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    WC team.

    Myhill
    Kolarov - Gomez - Muniesa
    Sanchez - Silva - Pedro - Mahrez
    Aguero - Benteke - Wilson

    McCarthy - Westwood - Targett - Nyom

    Nothing in the bank.

    Time to turn my season around. 😀

    1. Seb Wassell
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Lovely.

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers.

    2. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Nice! so similar, i've Costa+ Chadli instead of Pedro + teke

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Contemplated that throughout the week.

        Son signing changed my mind and EL for Spurs as well.

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

      v.similar to me, but I've got Diouf + Hazard instead of Tekkers and Pedro

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

      nothing in the bank..even with good ole Targett?

      ok.

  9. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    I predict a 4-3. Both attacks look dangerous

  10. cricketmad787
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Ok great. So Coates on for Ozil

    1. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      You're back. How was the tantrum?

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

    Darren Fletcher please score a goal!

    1. Kerz
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Haha. I also have him in for Ozil.

      Please pull a Boydinho, Darren.

  12. Costa's Counsellor
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    I have 0.7ITB. What shall i do with Ozil?

    1. Seb Wassell
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Wait. He's got two weeks to get better.

      1. Seb Wassell
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        And when fit, he is 100% nailed on.

        1. Kerz
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Yeah. Stoke at home probably isn't the best time to sell. (unless you have no other issues, I guess).

    2. DeathScoop
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I would get rid. Even when he starts he gives the ball away cheaply.

  13. Hibbo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Walcott going to show everyone today that in FPL you have to show a bit of patience.

    1. The Machine
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      A bit?

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      We've got plenty points from the people we sold him for thank you 😀

    3. Tadic is the new Eriksen
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      not even a 20 point haul would be worth losing 0.5 of TV.

    4. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      and lose 0.4 in TV

    5. Hibbo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I'm joking you pack of tits.

    6. jimmythegent
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      If you have kept him you have the patience of a saint or a good bench!

    7. Manamongst
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Not feeling it...yeah if he´s bought into the whole working hard thing...but if he comes on as ¨Lazy Theo¨ you can forget about it.

      Has to play him at Striker...his utter lack of work-rate is impossible to hide otherwise...

  14. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    He'll score a few this week, prompt many buyers, then sit on the bench GW5.

    1. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      International injury, a strong gust of wind will hit him 😆

    2. 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Serious?

  15. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    I've a felling Ramsey will steal the limelight.

    1. Manamongst
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I do too

  16. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Total fpl must be down based on all these LOL @ "enter player name" posts.

    1. El Berbossa - \\\"El b…
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I take it you are an Ozil owner? XD

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        I'm not.

    2. Bibelnissen
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      This is so spot on I can't even

  17. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Nobody in the early game or the later game 🙁

    All at 3 'o clock here 😕

    1. HVT
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Only Sanchez here 🙂

    2. jimmythegent
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I only have Cech so I'm
      Not expecting much. If he can pull one out of the bag like the last game I'll be happy.

    3. Manamongst
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah you might come up shorter than Gary Coleman on that one...

  18. HVT
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Kolarov now Wally Fantasy football is back!
    Proper 🙂

    1. Hibbo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Big time.

  19. Kno
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    feeling slightly better about ozil -> pedro (-4) now

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Good move in despite Özil absence.

      1. Kno
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Had no idea he could be out either. Was there any news prior to the deadline?

        1. Manamongst
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Nothing...he hid it well, with CB injury scare drawing all the questions...

  20. Mr. O'Connell
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone quick enough to make a rage transfer when Ozil confirmed out? Anyone buy Theo?

  21. Would an idiot do that?
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Time to get Ozil out

    1. yer_ould1
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks for stealing my grav

  22. El Berbossa - \\\"El b…
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Hazard better explode

    1. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Stop wishing injury and death on players.

      1. Rolls-Royce
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        lol

        1. yer_ould1
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          lol

      2. El Berbossa - \\\"El b…
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        lol

        1. yer_ould1
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          lol

  23. GlamRock Chauffeurs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Bench Ayew or Redmond?

    1. Manamongst
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Redmond...I hope...

  24. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Payet off from the bench for Ozil.

    Blessing in disguise?

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

      I doubt it. Can't see WHM doing much against Liverpool. Would love to be wrong.

  25. OptimusBlack
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Giroud there is any chance for him to play sec half and scire 😥

    1. Manamongst
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Yes...like there´s always a chance that he will actually use his right foot...fortunately you chances are about 99% more likely to happen...than a right-foot swipe by Olivier.

  26. RVP fc
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Is Ozil injured?

  27. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Walcott is new Kolarov

    1. Manamongst
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      just stop it...you dishonor the left-footed talisman with such foolish talk.

  28. Kerz
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    The Ozil absence is karma. I was so smug when the GW1 lineups were revealed.

    At the 2.5mil mark at the start of GW4, I'm not exactly smug anymore.

  29. Root
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone here with the Walcott triple captain?

    1. Tadic is the new Eriksen
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      No

    2. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Someone earlier said they'd done that with Giroud.