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. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Wow Mark what have gotten into you. Putting those horns on maximum I am not going Kun and suddenly this?? You had better fantasy days imo. #Uncorrectable

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

      How's your season going?

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Nothing special but I am strong finisher

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

          TMI

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

          That's what he said

  2. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Smalling goal, clean sheet & bonus

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

      Ighalo goal, cathcart cleanie. 40/1.

  3. JoeJitzu +42
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Rojo 1 minute cameo in coming!

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

    anyone chatted shitt to vardy today?

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

      I banged his missus if that counts.

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

          Same finger I used. 😮

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

            NO I DIDN'T WANT TO HEAR THAT

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

            Lol

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

        was she an epic fail?

  5. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Rojo owners shouldn't be surprised

    1. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Exactly.

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

      This plenty of warnings flying about

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

    Have to hand it to the dullard ones here for great advice. I was just a confirmation click away from Rojo and got DdG instead because of timely advice here. Thanks to those of you.

    Dullardistheway#

  7. FantaCity
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Nice poem, Mr Mark Scoutmaster

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Upvoted

      1. FantaCity
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Have one yourself, kind sir 🙂

  8. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Rojo benched. Moreno comes in.

    Migs + Moreno now against City. 0-0 I hope.

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

      Oh dear.

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

        Oh well, maybe someone else also got Rojo's

    2. juggos
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      not likely. rojo will come on for a cameo

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

    This game has 0-0 written all over it. Think I'll watch Coronation Street instead.

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

      I hope so. DDG and Cathcart.

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

      Happy to own Nyom and DDG right now.

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

    To be fair, didn't expect it to last that long 😛

  11. JoeJitzu +42
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Need Watford 10-1 and LVG to learn never to bench Rojo again!
    (Rojo scores consolation in last minute!)

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

      10 Ighalo goals?

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

        Yes please

      2. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        No chance!!

        9 maybe

      3. JoeJitzu +42
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        5 Smalling OGs and DDG 5 OGs......

        Surely it's not a lot to ask?!

  12. PlayON FPL games
    PlayON
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Killian here from PlayON,

    45 minutes left to enter today's Daily Fantasy Premier League games - you can view all the below games in our lobby at:

    https://playon.co/#/enter-games

    Weekly: Gameweek 13
    Matches: 10
    Team Picking Deadline: Sat 12.45
    Guaranteed Pots: £1,000 (£5 entry), £250 (£50), £200 (£20), £100 (£1)
    Free Entry Game: £100

    Daily: Sat 21st Nov
    Matches: 7
    Team Picking Deadline: Sat 15.00
    Guaranteed Pot: £250 (£5)
    Free Entry Game: £25

    Daily: Sun 22nd Nov
    Matches: 1
    Team Picking Deadline: Sun 13.30
    Guaranteed Pot: £250 (£5)
    Free Entry Game: £25

    Daily: Mon 23rd Nov
    Matches: 1
    Team Picking Deadline: Mon 20.00
    Guaranteed Pot: £250 (£5)
    Free Entry Game: £25

    Enter before 12.45 at:

    https://playon.co/#/enter-games

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

      Thanks Demi....

      1. Rolls-Royce
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        ^^^This guy is too much 😆

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

      Hi Killian xcx

    3. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      How much commission do you get to post these?

      1. PlayON
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Hi Berbinho,

        I am the founder of PlayON so I don't get any commission - just trying to build awareness of the service we offer

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

          😎

          Don't mind me, do your thing.

    4. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Is killian your real name?

      1. PlayON
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Hi Internal,
        Yes it is.
        Is Internal yours?

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

          Of course it is

    5. Sweetpea
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Never been interested in this I'm afraid.

      Would be interested in betting on my own fpl team though. Ever looked into getting licence from fpl to make this happen?

      1. PlayON
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        We are looking at enabling people to import their FPL teams into PlayON - would that make things easier?

    6. Mr. Grv
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Did you get membership free Killian?

      1. PlayON
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Hi Mr. Grv,
        No I didn't I paid for membership like everyone else.
        We do have a relationship with Fantasy Football Scout covering articles and some banner ads as you can see on the homepage

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

    I did Darmian > Rojo last gameweek 😐

    It looks like Rojo > Blind will be my transfer this gameweek

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

      Blind following the Blind....

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

        I approve of this joke. It is funny.

    2. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Brought in Phil Jones when he had just played 2/3 full matches. Benched for 2 weeks.

      Sold for Smalling last night. Phil Jones plays. 😉

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

        😀

        Couple weeks back I did Kolarov > Zabaleta > Kolarov 🙁 Wasting transfers ftw 🙂

        1. Somalion
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 5 months ago

          Its great fun really 😀 Gives all those no hopers a chance to catch up 😎

    3. juggos
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Blind is classified as a mid. Only reason people aren't jumping on him. DDG or smalling the safe choices but as a rojo owner, i'm not worried

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

    Bravo Mark

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

      *Jafooli

    2. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Did he go Kunway after all?

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

    UFPL question

    Would you play Ighalo or Benteke?

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

      B

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

        Thnks Fail

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

      Benteke not starting according to Damienlfc

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

        In that case, A. 😀

  16. d1sable
    • Has Moderation Rights
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Surprised Ake has been dropped. Thought he was doing ok tbh

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

      Life.

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

      I called it in fairness

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

      Yeah that's a bit of a surprise.. Let's see how Britos plays

    4. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      I.am surprised too. I thought his attacking would be needed against utd. There manager looks like he is going for the 0:0

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

      yep. he absolutely loves anya's prfoessionalism and jurado was his signing so there is some logic but it's a surprise.
      as for holebas, yeesh. gone in january if he can

  17. 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 or Bellerin.

    I'm worried about Darmian's game time, and he doesnt offer the potentially destructive attacking returns Kolarov does, even if he is also a bench risk.

    I'd love some advice - surely someone plays the Sun game or can given an opinion?

    1. d1sable
      • Has Moderation Rights
      8 years, 5 months ago

      I would keep Kolarov from those two

      Darmain - > Bellerin would be my move

  18. FISSH
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    who to pick just for this week?

    Herrera, Depay or Mata

    1. juggos
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      If you still have time I'd say depay. Isn't he playing up front?

      1. FISSH
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        its for Mondogoal, have up until it starts. Yea think he is.

        1. juggos
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 5 months ago

          That's a tough on then. Is price an issue? I'm not familiar with Mondo. Mata on pens but depay in a position he could thrive. I'd punt on depay for one wk

  19. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    I see it now. It's Kun way or the highway 🙂 😆 😛

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

      How long did it take you to think that one up?

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

      kun all the way. im probaby going to get hm before the CL game too to avoid price rises but its a huge risk

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

        😆

  20. Crouching Tiger
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Aguero(c) and Lingard in my lineup. Come on my differentials!

  21. fickle
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Darmian can't even make that weak lineup...

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

      best right back in the league they said, can't get games over Young they never said

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

        Matt Darmian

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

          Darmian Albarn

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

    if aguero wasnt back in the mix i'd have done mane to depay. so might be thanking aguero in 2 hours

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      That would have been bad call.imo

    2. Sweetpea
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Creating trouble for yourself there with Xmas looming.

      But I like your thinking.

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

    Updated.

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Finally. Goes checks _______ (fill in the blanks) team 😉

    2. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers

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

    Updated 😎

  25. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    You can tell from the warm up that Depay and Mata hate each other

  26. Kaizer
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Ah, the beautiful feeling of two available transfers. 🙂

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

      Yep. Aguero coming in for no hits

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

        🙂

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

    Ah I'm getting spammed by FFX. I'm constantly getting Watford United lineups every second!

    1. HNI
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Hey Jazz, please help me out below...Its your lineup I dint take seriously that costed me potential 5pts :/

  28. HNI
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Did i do the right thing to not react on unofficial Mautd Rojo news and not substitute him for Souare??

    I mean its really killing my conscience...please tell me did I do right thing??

    I was reminded of Mahrez debacle some faced because of wrong posting and thus held my guns...now regretting Rojo will give me a 1pointer from bench and CPL keep cleansheet 🙁

    Help needed!

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

      In hindsight, you did the wrong thing.

      1. HNI
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        That hardly helps 🙁

    2. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      Best thing to do is ignore any line ups before deadline except liverpool ones posted a day before

      1. HNI
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Why liverpools ones are true??

        Is it posted on official account or fans twitter handle?

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

          They are leaked 24 hrs before their game. Been very reliable bar 1 week.

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

      Fplunited and Damienlfc provide early lineups for United and Pool.

      Ignore every one except them IMO. Just hope Rojo doesn't come on

      1. HNI
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Ohh so FPLunited always post lineups early?? And are they right at their predictions??

  29. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Hot topic.

    Mark didn't go Kun after all. Went the Kaneway 😉

  30. Parm
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 5 months ago

    Rojo has just returned from South America(probably later than the rest of the squad), crucial UCL game midweek, you'd be lying if you weren't expecting a rest for him in this one.

    1. HNI
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 5 months ago

      You think he wont be called from bench?
      I mean I looked at lineup and saw Jones as RB and looks like more likely only he will be subbed from defence in this match...What do you think??

      1. HNI
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 5 months ago

        Jones Subbed for Darmian as both RB