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

    Story has it Ozil is on his way home he was picturedsaying goodbye to Arsenal fan

    http://my.xfinity.com/blogs/tv/files/2011/02/ET_300x300.jpg

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

      That's not an Arsenal fan - that's a Newcastle goalkeeper (Elliot...)

  2. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Redmond and Francis aren't the worst auto subs around. I could still score some points.

    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    This was likely to be a Theo fixture - away from home, big pitch. He will probably need a hattrick though to be fair, to keep his place. Stoke at home is such a Giroud fixture!

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

      West Brom at home was such a Giroud fixture! Didn't stop Walcott scoring a hat-trick.

        • 10 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        As in the last game of the season?

        That was pre-contract-signing. Irrelevant.

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

          Lol pre-contract signing! Giroud was playing awful people read into the contract situation way too much.

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

            How could you possibly read into the contract situation too much...?

            think about it...it was the total theme; Wenger rightfully didn´t think he deserved that level (I still don´t think he does). And the point was in a NBA contract year kind of way he pulls goals out of his ass...despite being riddled with bad habits on the pitch.

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

              I think people saying that the only reason Walcott started at the end of the season was the contract situation are wrong.
              Not saying Walcott is lazy or a better striker than Giroud but Wenger wouldn't have started Walcott for purely contract reasons.

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

          Exactly...Theo lazier than anyone on the squad.

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

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

            Pre-contract signing talk is BS

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

              read above...he has improved..only scored goals, and it didn´t prove a point on his worthiness to play above others...clearly.

  3. Jay Jay Okocha
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    This is going to be hilarious. We all know what's coming

  4. Konig Luther
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    that's why you should have kept Walcott 😉 /s

  5. applebonkers
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    hopefully ozil will be available at 8.3 after the international break. still remember his 3 or 4 assist debut home to stoke.

    although there was a slight warning with the training pic absense heart goes out to his owners, exactly the same happened to me for their away game v newcastle last season, saw the training pics but refused to believe there was anything to them

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

      Your prayers are helpful at this difficult time.

    2. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I saw a training pic with Ozil there.

        • 10 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        ^ this. he's pretty distinctive!

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

    Ozil to score a goal and an assist against Stoke and troll everyone

  7. Nickofoz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Sanchez central then?

      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      No.

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

      I assumed Ramsey?

        • 10 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Coq
        Rambo Caz
        Ox Theo Alexis

        ... imo. 🙂

      1. Van Klinkert Delarosa
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Hi Lucy, any news on Tadic?

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

      I reckon him and ox the wide men

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

      nah

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

        I think he is better there than Theo but it only matters what Wenger thinks

    4. 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      4-1-4-1

    5. RubeRx
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      hope so

    6. Van Klinkert Delarosa
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Ramsey.

      He's been banging around to play central.

  8. andy85wsm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    I refreshed my team at 11:45 and could still see it. Any Ozil owners able to make a swap?

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

      Tried for Theo. Failed. Wildcarding this week so thought why not

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

        Yes I managed to do Payet and Ozil swap from bench

  9. johnbarnes
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    oh not Ozil...my subs are Wanyama, Wardinho and Oxford...feck!

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

      No Boydinho?

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

        oh how I wish he were again on my bench, what a king, single-handedly got me in the top 5k last season.

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

    If dele ALLI can nail down a place, he could be a real option for 5.0.

    Also reckon son will be the best Spurs coverage option.

    1. *sigh*
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      On watch list (shhhh!)

  11. 50 Shades Oshea
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    the huth coming in for ozil...

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

      not too bad really!

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

        Not too bad but still unlucky being an owner

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

          sure, but these things happen, just have to laugh sometimes!

        2. 50 Shades Oshea
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          ye this, also had mertz...

      2. 50 Shades Oshea
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        ye i think i am quite lucky, was having a headache in starting francs over huth... so hopefully huth goal from a set piece... think the gunners could hurt none arsenal owners though today, 1 nil win to the toone, would be great...

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

    Nooooooo Giroud 🙁 🙁

  13. AIRMILES
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Excited about activating my wildcard this week.

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

      almost there! 🙂

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

        and GO!

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

      Me too

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

      CANT FFFFFFF WAIT

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

    Can see an arsenal destruction today with all that pace. Wally Sanchez Ox Rambo

    4-1 Arsenal heard it here first

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

      Ramsey is fast now?

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

        yeah

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

        quite quick actually yeah

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

          so fast he incorrectly gets called offside.

    2. Hairy Potter
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Could happen. Given Newcastle can't defend crosses, I can't believe that Giroud has been dropped.

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

    Walcott in as UFPL captain.

  16. Van Klinkert Delarosa
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Out of topic.

    Draft league - play Tadic or Williams, currently on Tadic.

  17. chrisdale98
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Just woken up to find Koscielny starting. I played o'shea cos everyone said he was ruled out! If he cleanies and scores I will jump off a bridge

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

      Should of just played. He starts if fit

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

      you could hve just played kosc and if he was ruled out youd have got oshea automatically off bench

    3. Jay_
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Will probably work out in your favour anyway

      • Puyol Pants Up
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Chill.

      • Konig Luther
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        why not play him anyway? if he wouldn't start, you would have autosubs

      • DeathScoop
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        We love you. Life is good. Don't do it.

      • Sid07
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Did kosc to kolarov for hit, kosc didn't fall and now starting

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

      George Boyd to save us.

    5. Cheltnamshire LaLaLa
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Big news is kosc back. Much better chance of cleanie for bellerin. Walcott is an irelevance now

      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Put Darmian on the bench, and Muniesa in my starting XI.

      At 11:44. Living dangerously.

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

        Sounds sensible.

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

        Darmian is a waste at this point. better off with a Pool defender me thinks.

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

        Good choice imo.

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

        Unfortunately Darren Fletcher is due a brace or two. Condolences.

          • 10 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          😆

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

        I am doing the exact same (not at last minute though), Stoke have the better odds, good move.

      6. Puyol Pants Up
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        I switched my bench order around at 11:44. Now that's living dangerously 😉

          • 10 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Holy moly.

        • 10 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks all... but I now have double Stoke defence! 😯 😉

    6. andy85wsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Back up

    7. Super Frank8
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Updated

    8. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      UFPL

      Start Wilson or Shaqiri ?

      Captain Kun or Wally ?

      1. Cheltnamshire LaLaLa
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Wilson and kun

    9. FISSH
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Who has Walcott still haha

      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Whats happened to Ozil? Training injury?

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

      Mitrovic will bang one header in today.

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

        Ok thanks.

      2. GREENDREAMS11
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        yeah, fancy him to score myself. decent odds on ags

        dont Theo though, fgs. 11/2 with some bookies although i have gone 41/10 x 3. 😉

        1. GREENDREAMS11
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          done Theo FGS.

    11. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Kos keeping Coates safely on my bench 😀

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

      just realised I have triple stoke on my wc! 😛

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

        same, triple MC and Stoke

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

          brilliant value TBF

    13. Your Mum's Athletic
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      updated yeah

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

        Multiple people said this.