Preamble

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 9

Rarely have fortunes shifted so dramatically between Gameweeks.

Looking at my array of injury flags in midweek, sitting alongside my previous 103-point tally, the phrase “from the sublime to the ridiculous” seemed to fit rather well.

Sergio Aguero’s snapped hamstring was like the first domino: the butterfly flapping its wings that led to complete chaos. Things just won’t be the same without the City striker.

Just when I thought I could shut down the part of my brain dedicated to deciding the destination of the FPL captaincy, he’s forced me to wake it up again and torment it with a choice from an array of hot and cold midfielders.

To compound matters, with my five-man defence reduced to the pair of loose cannons that are Kurt Zouma and Micah Richards, I’ve actually had to turn to my chips for help.

I had hoped that I could park these decisions: safe in the knowledge that double Gameweeks were incoming, I’d reserved the thinking time for those little baubles until 2016.

Instead, I’ve had to put one in play and switch my team to “All out Attack” – not as a result of a crafty strategy, but out of pure desperation. I’m not sure that’s what the FPL boffins had in mind.

This morning I’m beckoning my boys out of the dressing room with the clear remit to score more goals than Zouma and Richards concede at the other end. There’s no guarantees.

With Eden Hazard my current captain and my entire defence on the pitch alongside him, today’s encounter is going to be an interesting and confusing affair for me.

In truth, that’s in keeping with what has been a surreal international break.

We watched while players fell one by one, as fifty shades of red developed in our squads and now we collectively go forward, praying that the points hits we’ve fired out into the ether come back with profit.

All of this followed a Gameweek 8 which seemed to have restored parity.

The majority of folk on our pages had cashed in on Sanchez and Aguero and, suddenly, the Fantasy Football Scout’s community were on top of the world. A week on, we’re all tipped into turmoil by the reverberating twang of Aguero’s hamstring.

From champagne and caviar, to hits and chips.

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

2,108 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Slam
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Cheeseoid owns BDavies down't he 😆
    1-0 Slamdog

    1. Root
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I thought he was going to win FPL this season. Maybe not then.

      1. Slam
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        It's a different story when you're up against him 😉

  2. The Chosen One...
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Studge not even on bench. Oh dear, another injury

    1. Spike ⚽️
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      That was a pretty good rumour then

  3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Davies dropped

    It was inevitable when rose got fit

    1. QPR expects... glory!
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Not necessarily. Rose didn't play in internationals, Bavies played twice for 180 mins. Watch this space on Thursday. If Rose plays again Bavies just rested

    2. Fanta sea
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Rose is guaranteed a mistake a game so there's still enough time for him to make a mistake which would allow Davies back in

  4. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Rose Bargain @ 5.2

    1. Stephen - Robot Daniels
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Any Spurs defender above 5m cannot be classed as a bargain.

      1. Manamongst
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        This.

      2. Rolls-Royce
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Not anymore

      3. Mata-Is-The-Juan
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        :LOL:

      4. Tomeister
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Best defense in league...

        1. Worzel Gummidge
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Not rue so stop sprouting this rubbish please. They have kept 3 clean sheets.

            1. Tomeister
              • 9 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              Least gOals conceded.... Rubbish indeed..
              Please do your research.

              1. Worzel Gummidge
                  8 years, 6 months ago

                  Again, not the best defence in the league. I have done my research. Teams have kept more clean sheets. Best defence FPL wise is not determined on goals conceded. It is how many clean sheets.

                  So what you meant to say is they are the team who has conceded least goals not the best defence. I have corrected it for you.

                  1. Worzel Gummidge
                      8 years, 6 months ago

                      I would prefer a defence that gets 6 clean sheets out of 10 but concede 10 goals in the remaining 4 than a team who loses 1-0 over 10 games with no clean sheets.

          • Spike ⚽️
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            prefer Toby

        2. Fanta sea
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Had a feeling that lallana would get gametime under Klopp. No surprise for me there.

          1. Jimmers
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            yeah with half the team injured

            1. Manamongst
              • 13 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              Thanks for mentioning the obvious caveat he chose to omit.

              1. Fanta sea
                • 8 Years
                8 years, 6 months ago

                No i just think with a full team, he'd go for Lallana purely on his work rate. We won't know till later though.

        3. Mid-Table Obscurity
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          which forward will score most today?

          1. Chris_White
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            jordan ayew

          2. Rolls-Royce
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Berahinoo

          3. Stephen - Robot Daniels
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Glen Murray

          4. In Like Flynn.
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Janmaat.

          5. Jigger & Pony
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Rudy Gestede

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

            Pelle

        4. @ocprodigy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          A lot of people took a hit to bring in Davies this gameweek. Wow.

          1. Arsenals Number 19. Santi C…
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            If so then they are playing the wrong game Rose was always first choice when fit

          2. Belalugozi78
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            I don't think a lot... he is owned only by 45k

            1. Belalugozi78
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              And I don't why would anybody consider cheap Tottenham defeder. It was clear that failure was going to happen

        5. Darth_Newdar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Davies being dropped after getting him in on a WC is annoying. Ah well, he's on my bench anyway, so it doesn't matter this week.

          1. trequartista
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Same. Really annoying to see a player dropped who you just got on a WC.

            But as pointed out above, Davies played 180 mins during the break whereas Rose was rested. So not fretting too much

            1. Darth_Newdar
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              It's a good point.

          2. Fanta sea
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Dw Rose will make a mistake as usual and it'll allow Davies back in.

          3. Manamongst
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Why would anyone buy him? He has absolutely no appeal...if you´re buying a bargain defender for Spurs then this might be the beginning of the end for you.

            1. Darth_Newdar
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              At £4.5, he represents good value, if he can nail down a starting role. Which is a big if, admittedly.

        6. Every Dog Has Its Day
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Aguero to Sturridge. (-4)

          Sturridge to Costa (-8)

          😎

          1. Fitzy.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            If only you'd stopped there... 😉

          2. Slam
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Aguero to Sturridge (-4)
            Sturridge to Kane (-8)

            Close enough.

          3. Rolls-Royce
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            -36 then?

            1. Every Dog Has Its Day
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              -32.

          4. Stephen - Robot Daniels
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Costa red card 11 minutes

        7. Dr Dream
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          No sympathy for Studge pickers....What on earth was you thinking?

          1. The Machine
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            +1

            1. Dr Dream
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              Studge and JEvans.....pffft....Dunno why anybody even looks at them.

          2. Hamstergod
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            The guy's made of glass

            1. Dr Dream
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              Shocking. He's spent his entire career injured apart from one season....and he was even injured a few times in that one.

              1. Hamstergod
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                8 years, 6 months ago

                exactly, I remember that even in his Chelsea times he showed promise but was injured almost every second match.

                1. Dr Dream
                  • 11 Years
                  8 years, 6 months ago

                  Both he and Evans simply can not cope with the physical side of footy. They need a new job.

                  1. Hamstergod
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 11 Years
                    8 years, 6 months ago

                    yeah, although Sturridge could probably work as a sub against non-physical teams.

            2. Rolls-Royce
              • 10 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              *clay

          3. Jax
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Was you thinking? Nice grammar there.

            1. Dr Dream
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              It's not an English exam...it's a footy site.

              1. Jax
                • 14 Years
                8 years, 6 months ago

                duh

            2. Fitzy.
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              Pull your head in clown.

            3. Rolls-Royce
              • 10 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              we're not here for grammar lessons.

              1. Jax
                • 14 Years
                8 years, 6 months ago

                Obviously all from England. Poor teaching.

                1. Rolls-Royce
                  • 10 Years
                  8 years, 6 months ago

                  😀

          4. Ziro Becomes One
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Aguero also in the same category.

            1. Dr Dream
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              At least he has enough games to perform between injuries....but agreed....

              I doubt he will play well into his thirties like some do.

        8. bodgejob
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Had Sturridge on WC, failed to change team in time to get Costa in. What a plonker

        9. ZTF
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Davies benched

          1. Fanta sea
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            He did play in the international break which could be a reason why Rose is playing instead.

          2. Manamongst
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            He´s not even a good FPL player...and for Spurs...? WTF were all those people thinking...FFS.

        10. Lizard Lips
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Anyone else benched Mahrez today?

          1. Chris_White
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Yes

          2. Hamstergod
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            yep, playing Vardy though

          3. FPL Puppy
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Yes, had to get Yaya in.

          4. Darth_Newdar
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Yes, Vardy playing though.

          5. Lizard Lips
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Not alone then! Were none of you tempted to play the AOA chip?

            1. Hamstergod
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              I was wildcarding, otherwise I would have done so

              1. Darth_Newdar
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                8 years, 6 months ago

                Same

          6. Spike ⚽️
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            yes - playing Hazard instead 😉

          7. Arteta
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            I did

            1. sylvanshine
              • 8 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              I did . Tinkerman's house of cards is falling down today.

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

            Why would people do this...

            Just bench Sako too...ll

        11. The Machine
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Maybe this will stop people from buying sturridge unless he proves his fitness with a long run, and by that i mean at least 2 month without injury

          Would say unlucky owners if this was any other player ( bar evans) but the punters knew the risks and they have got it wrong

          1. RoysCallerAnne
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            I got it right. Got him in, captained him Vs Villa, then sold him 😎

            1. Mílanista
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              Ha, nice one.

          2. Hyperion
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Thanks for the dressing down! I did know the risk, I fancied a punt. At least him to Lukaku next week is an easy transfer.

            1. Reedy
              • 13 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              Unlucky he looked a great option this week before the injury news broke

        12. El Patron
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Anyone else (C) De Bruyne?

          1. Arsenals Number 19. Santi C…
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            yes

          2. Hamstergod
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            o/

          3. FPL Puppy
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            o/

          4. Pariße
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Me

          5. ILOVEBAPS
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            No one

          6. Arteta
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            hell yeah!

          7. Manamongst
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Me.

        13. Arsenals Number 19. Santi C…
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Wow Studge not playing

        14. RoysCallerAnne
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          I actually sold Sturridge as part of my massive hit. Visionary.

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

            How big was the hit in the end ?

            1. RoysCallerAnne
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              -16 and AoA
              lol@me

            2. Every Dog Has Its Day
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              Nothing is bigger than mine 😉

              32.

              1. El Patron
                • 8 Years
                8 years, 6 months ago

                32 WTF!!!
                I did - 8

              2. Shifty
                • 10 Years
                8 years, 6 months ago

                its not cool to have a 32 point hit bro. theres no way to justify it.

                1. Manamongst
                  • 13 Years
                  8 years, 6 months ago

                  If used correctly with the right timing...maybe...but...you´re right...there is no justification...he probably could have done the same in 4 - 5 moves.

              3. DV8R
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                8 years, 6 months ago

                Thats what he said

          2. Fitzy.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            *Arsey

          3. Jimmers
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Always softens the blow of point hits

        15. fedolefan
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          This Davies/Rose situation might be another Kolorov/Clichy in the making. Best to avoid.

        16. Costa in Wengerland
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Rose will be injured in 13th minute

          1. Fanta sea
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            I'm thinking an own goal. Have that feeeling

          2. Manamongst
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Bitter Davies owner...

        17. thattreblefeeling
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Last Min armband change to Costa Come on you crazy Bas***d Score a Hatty! 😀

          1. Manamongst
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Cue the two yellows...

        18. Lizard Lips
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          I went with Bellerin over Bertrand. What swayed me is the fact I have Vardy and want him to score today. Feeling a bit foolish now. Can see this one costing me especially given Bertrands kind run of fixtures.

          1. Hyperion
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Cedric is the man to have.

        19. Chris_White
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Origi wagon starts here

          http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/bha.gif

          1. Jax
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            how Origi-nal

        20. money face bandwagon
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Pages of posts on b.davies..never know he is this popular here.

          Have a lol@b.davies owners

          1. Slam
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            That your email?

          2. Manamongst
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            A player no one should probably have in their side. Proves having decent pace is not enough...

        21. FISSH
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Glad I avoided glass legs

        22. FootballFanatic365
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          utter waste of a transfer

          gomez>davies

          1. JogaSemmedo
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Agree. Gomez > Bertrand should have been done.

        23. meerlight
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Liverpool Echo ‏@LivEchonews 49s49 seconds ago

          There's no truth in the fact that Sturridge is not in today's squad.

          1. Pasqualinho
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Can't wait for lockdown to be over so I can start work on next week's injuries.

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

          Graziano Capitano

          😎

          1. Francescoli
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            la bella vita!

          2. Jazz!
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Same 🙂

          3. Reedy
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Jealous 🙁

        25. Murph1
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Chadli to Sanchez before the games kick off? Help!

          1. Jax
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            bit late

            1. Arsenals Number 19. Santi C…
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              would have said yes but 10 mins too late

        26. Jax
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          everybody injured.

        27. LMFAO
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Hope my Zaba pick comes good.

          1. Manamongst
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Me too...had a feeling..!