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

    How long does it usually take to update the teams?

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

      30mins

    2. Zombie
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      20-25 minutes

      What's the hurry, what's done is done 😉

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

        he wants to take out sturridge

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

          🙂

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

            eyo mate, how u doing? long time!

    3. Numb
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      20-30 mins

    4. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      a minute longer than most people's patience

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

        Yep I just hit the refresh button.

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

    When you find out you need to be in Newcastle when you have a ticket to the derby next weekend.... :'(

    ^ Bottomed, and I want sympathy.

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

      You'll love it, just don't wear a top.

  3. Forza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    At least Liverpool have some game changers on the bench if Origi doesn't deliver.

    Bogdan, Toure, Allen, Ibe, Sinclair, Teixeira, and Randall...

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

      hmmm

    2. Wouter
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      What's up with Firmino? Injured?

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

        must be

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

        Yep

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

    Who broke Bavies? He's played every minute up to now hasn't he?

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

      Rose is fit

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

        He was fit before as well (until recently)

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

          Could be as mentioned below, tactical or simply Rose is match-fit rather then just fit.

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

      This place and one bandwagon.

    3. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      It might be tactical. Rose offers something Davies doesnt offensively

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

        He swears? 🙂

    4. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      There's always going to be rotation between those 2. Really shouldn't come as a surprise.

  5. Valar(Keith)
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    One of those weeks i'm as excited about not owning a player as i am owning a player.. Something thrilling about watching the likes of Payet/Mahrez in the hopes of them failing 😆 .. played my WC and took out 12 players so i got a lot of exes i want burnt 🙂

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

      You took out Payet??? Mahrez I can just about understand after being benched (although that may be a one-off) but Payet???

      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Yup.. Regression imminent especially with the fixtures. only 5 spots in midfield and he was taking up my Yaya spot

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

          OK bold move though

          1. Valar(Keith)
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            I know.. bloody nervous about it 🙂

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

              WC here too. Took out Mahrez. Nervous.

              1. Forever In Our Shadow
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                8 years, 6 months ago

                Me too but for -12 to Hazard !!

        2. Rasping Drive
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Payet is immune to tough fixtures

  6. Kuqi Monster
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    went for hennessey on my WC, will he stay no.1 at palace or do you think speroni will come in?

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

      Have you got Bavies as well? If so, Speroni will probably come in.

      1. Kuqi Monster
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Haha indeed I do...

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

          Disaster time

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

      For 3.9M, Surely you paired him up with another playing GK ?

      1. Kuqi Monster
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        I did, just asking...

    3. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Speroni will eventually but this GW I don't know

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

    pool to win

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

      Speroni is first choice, when fit.

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

        Woah, pardon me sir 😀

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

      Lol

  8. KUN+10
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    KDB - Sanchez - Haz capi??

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

      Wherever the armband last was, sorry.

  9. Trigg ⭐️
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Bavies bullet dodged, then.

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

    Off to make the shortest away trip of the season down the road to the Etihad.

    Feeling like there could be an upset on the cards and still think that Francis can bring in some points this afternoon!

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Penalty save from Boruc and I'm beaming 😉

  11. Sharkytect
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    I feel like Sturridge's absence will be the difference. Feeling more confident in my Ben Davies pick all of a sudden

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

      He's not playing...

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

        Hahaha, I spoke way too soon! Ben Davies out next gameweek, then!

    2. Wouter
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      😆

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

      You know Davies is on the bench right?

    4. Ayew Serious
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      😀

  12. drughi
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Aguero>sturridge>pelle was my transfers this week lol

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

      Think of those people who transferred in aguero at the start of the gameweek!

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

        I was laughing at them, karma I guess

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        😆

  13. Forever In Our Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    lol Sturridge hands his sick note in again.

  14. KOLASINA(C)
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Good luck everyone, let's survive this cruel gameweek...

    1. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Amen! BOL mate 🙂

  15. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    I reckon Pool are going to surprise a lot of people today.

    Klopp is a fantastic man-motivator.

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

      I think a lot of people are expecting them to suddenly be amazing, that's the impression I've got? Spurs are the ones who could surprise, they've hardly been mentioned because of the Klopp factor.

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Don't underestimate player psychology!

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

      I reckon Spurs will win 10-0 and Klopp will resign out of sheer shame. Liverpool will have to get John Carver in due to nobody else wanting the job at such short notice.

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

      I hope you're right.

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

      Need a Spurs cleanie so I don't mind him doing his surprising after this GW.

    5. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Some task turning Origi into a goalscorer with words alone 😕

      I reckon a 1-1 draw would suit Liverpool and Klopp for his first game in the circumstances

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

      Can he make a silk purse out of a a pig's ear though?

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

      Klopp is the single reason Dortmund were a disaster last year , so lets see him in action here.

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

    So here's my WC team:

    Hennessey, Myhill
    Bellerin, Cedric, Alder, Nyom, Francis
    Sanchez, KDB, Mane, Payet, Mahrez
    Sturridge, Pelle, Ighalo

    Starting to think I took a few too many risks...next thing Myhill and Hennessey will both get dropped 😆

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

      Take Sturridge out

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

        Sturridge to Lukaku for next week 🙂

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

      Its decent. Only real risk was Sturridge. Might be more rotation this week because of internationals

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

        Yeah Mane and Mahrez are a worry, hopefully they'll play.

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

    RIP Howard Kendall. Very good manager, served the blue half well.

    An Everton win would be fitting today.

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

      Can't see them winning. Man u 2-1

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Well said. Had a few drinks with him once. Very sociable man!

  18. davysteen
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Sturridge needs a career change..imagine getting all that money though for doing nothing most weeks

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

      Wayne Bridge took up golf

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

      World's best paid malingerer

  19. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Klopp seems nervous. So am I klopp.

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

      With that squad anyone would be.

  20. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Davies on a WC!! Fail 🙁

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

      Be back next game I would think

    2. Puzzle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Thankfully avoided it. It's a risk you can allow yourself on a WC, would have been a great option if nailed.

  21. Forever In Our Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    I love this game and ive played it hard this week so I'm not going home. Bullet one dodged with Sturridge. Problem is I have many more to come 😉

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      not going home? where are you now

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

    ML leader went -4 for Westwood to Mane and benched Mahrez. Crazy or inspired?

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

      Not crazy, yet to be seen whether inspired

    2. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      inspired if his defence is fine

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

      Gut.

      In theory quite logical move, though may be expensive

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

      Risky. Could work

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

    Updated

  24. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Ibe injured Sturridge in training. Nothing serious -klopp

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

      Good. Only out for 6 weeks then

  25. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Shut up Harry. You dont have a clue

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

    I'm fully prepared for AoA chip fail. Post international break. There'll be a few more line-up shocks methinks.

  27. Valar(Keith)
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    So that "rumors" guy was just WUMMING i assume? never smoke without fire and talk like that usually ruins my saturdays(All i think about is the teamsheet until released)

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

      i think there was just some stupid talksport predicted line ups article that put Hazard on the bench - just their opinion. No justification.

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

    dusting off the cocktail shaker. making a few sidecars. sitting back and enjoying the action. i love saturdays.

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

      😎

      Just cooked a curry, currently enjoying it with a bottle of beer

      Gotta love weekends

  29. Jonjo Shall_We? (Flowers - …
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    1st match of the day
    Liverpool reserves vs Tottenham Hotspurs