Preamble

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 13

It’s been a long time since I last woke on Saturday morning with a transfer in hand.

This season I’ve mainly been prodded and prompted to fire off my trade well before now – inspired by some ill-judged knee jerk philosophy or manic mission to avoid a price drop.

It almost never happened.

Last night I was dangerously close to committing a cardinal Fantasy Football sin. Fuelled by three pints of artisan ale (it really doesn’t take much these days), I was wavering, finger poised over an Aguero points hit.

This morning, fuzzy headed and forced into a premature woken state by a bouncing toddler, the near miss has stirred me to ponder the drives and merits behind our transfers over the week.

Presumably still under the influence, it also inspired this little verse…

 

Saturday night’s transfer is never done,
Sunday morning’s transfer missed naught point one,
Monday’s transfer is driven by spite
Tuesday’s transfer by a goal Monday night
Wednesday’s transfer catches the price rise
Thursday transfer falls for Jose’s lies
But the transfer made on team news day
Is researched and wise in every way
Unless you were drunk and bought Jeffrey Schlupp

 

Sorry Jeffrey, I just can’t let it lie: I’m still reeling from Gameweek 12’s incident.

Much as I try to usher the Schlupp transfer to the back of my lengthening queue of season misdemeanours, it keeps edging it’s way back to the front to remind me that, had I banked my transfer last time out, I’d now be set up to welcome Sergio to my hangover party.

As it is, my Schlupp slip in Gamweek 12 makes this morning all the more uncomfortable. I’m now one of an army of Fantasy managers wondering whether there’s ever a wrong time to buy Aguero.

I’d promised myself that I wouldn’t just scramble back to the Argentine and slap the armband on him. Plus, I’m genuinely troubled by a points hit and City’s fixtures.

I’ve also got options. The switch from Graziano Pelle to Captain Kane would really pin my colours firmly to the mast. It would scream to the world that I can do without Aguero. That I’m made of sterner stuff, with maverick blood coursing through my veins.

However, I need to remember that I’ve actually got three pints of ale coursing through my veins, and that Sergio can gobble up a points hit with a casual flick of a boot.

I’ve still got just under an hour to conjure some sobered-up inspiration.

In the meantime, I’m seriously considering a re-write of my little poem. Right now Sunday night transfers seem like the way forward.

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

1,883 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Glad I dodged that Rojo pick....only just though.

    1. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Same here. Picked up DDG instead.

      1. KOLASINA(C)
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Same. 😀

    2. Hyperion
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Hoping it's just due to internationals and he'll be back next week.

  2. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Ironically our cover for Alexis is on loan to West Brom

  3. Bootsy: Snoddy's Reven…
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Darmian....in tears....

    1. King Kav. QC at law
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Perspective please.

  4. El Patron
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Hope Aguero blanks because I wont be getting him in until next gw

    1. Alittude
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      i wont get him til next week but hope he does well, i want him in good form for next week

      1. El Patron
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        I want him in good form too.......when he´s in my squad 😉

        1. Alittude
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 5 months ago

          ahh alberto el patron i see

  5. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    To all those who posted line ups which weren't confirmed.

    Please make a point that the line ups are from a 3rd party, and that they are a guideline. They may well be right, but posting a line up which isn't confirmed 5 minutes before the deadline is unfair, especially if you make it look like its the real deal.

    1. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Then they cry if it's true. :rolleyes:

  6. Zizoulicious
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    no Rojo.. Don't say I didn't warn you 😉

    No ake either?

    1. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Ake surprised me

  7. Ayew Serious
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Ighalo will score against that defence

    1. t4thomas
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      THIS!

    2. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      on my bench that mon

  8. Art Vandelay
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    I fear a cameo for Rojo too - United bench is awful.

  9. Hyperion
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Chat s*** get banged

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Source?

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Lemon Party

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 5 months ago

          Link?

          1. Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 5 months ago

            Check your favorites.....

            1. Epic Fail
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              8 years, 5 months ago

              Touche 😀

              1. Jafooli
                • 12 Years
                8 years, 5 months ago

                😉 😛

  10. Trigg ⭐️
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Yes, didn't bottle it!

    Aguero (C)

    1. t4thomas
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      BOLD.

  11. Eden Hazardous
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Please Rojo stay on the bench for the whole match

    1. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      See above. Fear a cameo. Word up!

  12. Optimus.
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Swapped Rojo out for Evans last minute...This has

    Evans(-1) vs Rojo(1 point cameo) written all over it 😀

    1. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      And before you ask Oxford was my other choice 😀

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Definitely keep Oxford for the boat race, sure he'll start and not long now...

        1. Optimus.
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 5 months ago

          Way ahead of you 😎

  13. AK ⭐
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Feck off LvG you w@nker

  14. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    "Wenger: Alexis needs a rest"
    * 9 days later *
    "Wenger: I can't rest Alexis"

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

      he cant. when ramsey and ox are back he can

      1. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Must be music to Alexis's ears

  15. t4thomas
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Watford 1 - 0 Manchester United

    Ighalo 82 (Deeney Assist)

    1. KOLASINA(C)
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Who are you kidding.

      1. t4thomas
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Why not>

  16. Gianfranco Zola
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Last time I'm getting a LB this season. First Gomez, then Bavies now Rojo 🙁

    Oh who am I kidding, I'll bring in Moreno and Rose next week

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

      same as me but I brought in Gomez to replace Shaw injury 🙁

  17. trequartista
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Not going near the United defense now. Only Smalling/DDG safe

    *dejected Rojo buyer and bench booster*

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

    fearing a darmian cameo off the bench, damn

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Hopefully.

  19. GreenWindmill
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Bah, knew I faced rotation with Rojo but it still hurts when it happens.

  20. 7shadesofsmoke
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Why do i still have Payet?

    1. Eden Azzzar
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Preparing in advance for when he comes back

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

    left kane as captain. BUT...

    song back worries me.
    adrian being a penalty saving beast (see same fixture last season) worries me.
    west ham always doing the opposite to what you expect this season worries me.
    son insted of lamela worries me. son is as greedy as andy reid at a buffet

    1. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      True. Come on Kane!

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks for that 😐

    3. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Song wont start

    4. Fitzy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Cue Adrian saving a Kane penalty... 😉

    5. Worzel Gummidge
        8 years, 5 months ago

        The Kane love bamboozles me.

      • Every Dog Has Its Day
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Bloody hell - I was about to switch to Alexis but stuck with Kane.

    6. Puyol Pants Up
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      DDG 😎

    7. Numb
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Leaked Liverpool line up = hullked hot topic

      Leaked United line up = BAN

      #abu

      1. Puyol Pants Up
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Liverpool line ups gets leaked DAYS before not minutes. Gives people time to assess.

      2. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        It's because the Liverpool line up would be posted earlier than right before the deadline, so everyone knows it isn't confirmed.

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

      Whittaker to Moreno for a hit was probably a bad move as they are away to City but I could have only have fielded 2 defenders otherwise. Sound ok?

      1. Joga Bonito®
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Long term it's good too. Fair decision.

    9. SirStevieG
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Why has Rojo been dropped??? Why change a defence that's been performing so well. Van Gaal is an idiot playing Jones and putting Blind at LB.

      1. Mark-O
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Rojo returned late without sufficient training I presume.

      2. VS10_
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Travelling back from South America.

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

        just wondering whether LVG thought Blind might struggle to much with Deeney & Ighalo physicality.

    10. Your Mum's Athletic
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      I love getting the team news out but does it really matter if it gets deleted, you'll find the news on Twitter yourself and it will be 100% posted on the scout tweets on the front page, football is back, everyone should rejoice!

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2126FlMzT4

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        True that.

      2. Bootsy: Snoddy's Reven…
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        The party runs through the new year!!!

    11. Texas Pete
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      So Kun is back...

      Wh wuld be your piority though, al being equal (i.e no injuries etc.) The bang in form Kane or the potentially explosive Kun??

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        I brought in Kun.

    12. Mark-O
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Memphis leading the line. The end is near. 🙁

      I rather Darmian to play and Young on the left flank.

      Philosophy is so tough.

      MU fan here.

      1. Bootsy: Snoddy's Reven…
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Utd fan here...much prefer Darmian with Young left flank

        1. Mark-O
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 5 months ago

          Mata - Herrera/Lingard - Memphis/Young
          Wilson

          Is it so difficult to understand that, Louis?

    13. Diva
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Premier League, Schwemier League. The FIFFSA 5-a-side World Cup is where the real fun will be this weekend. Banter hard, Banter often. 🙂
      http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2015/11/18/fiffsa-5-a-side-world-cup-qualifying-week-1/

      1. Ziro Becomes One
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        This^^^^^^

    14. tm370
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Guys - any advice would be appreciated.

      For long term in the Sun game, do I opt for Darmian or Kolarov? I'm going to take one out for Blind.