The Pre-Match Preamble - Gameweek 38 Preamble
19 March 2016 1790 comments
Mark Mark
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Tuesday afternoon was like a feeding frenzy, as the Premier League finally let us off the leash to feast on the carcass of the inevitable fixture pile-up.

I can’t quite remember such anticipation for a fixture announcement – such enthusiasm for an opportunity to exploit a crowded calendar and turn it into beautiful FPL points.

Of course, it’s all fuelled by the fact that most of us have been handed a huge advantage.

As I first mentioned back in my previous rant discussion on the subject, the “Chips”, not least the flexibility with the second Wildcard, has set up the most bizarre end-of-season scenario.

Hordes of baffled FPL managers will log in on Sunday April 17 and wonder why their overall and mini-league rank has fallen through the floor. They’ll have no choice but to sit and wave through a procession of FPL managers, fully prepared for Gameweek 34 and well versed in how to exploit it.

While we doubtless deserve some credit for our foresight, it’s almost like we’ve been gifted this opportunity; the Premier League and FA have even combined to hand us the chance to collect our thoughts.

The forthcoming international break is perfectly placed for us to assess our budget, mock up Gameweek 33 Wildcard squads and have our plans well and truly defined. It’s all so perfect but it just feels dirty.

Spare a thought for Ryan Grzegowski. There he is, top of the FPL rankings but, presumably, fully aware that his chances of withstanding the incoming Gameweek 34 storm are slim to none. He’s sitting on a temporary throne, watching this huge twister of FPL managers slowly approach, destined to blow him away.

His friends and family will be completely baffled. No doubt enthused by his current rank and surely confused as to why Ryan is so downbeat.

I almost want to be there to help him explain to them that it’s because he played his second Wildcard back in Gameweek 21 in order to bring in Sergio Aguero (who duly blanked against Everton). And how he frittered his Bench Boost chip back in Gameweek 11, earning just ten points from his four subs.

Now, because of those two ill-fated judgement calls, he’s set to be overwhelmed by those who watched and waited for Gameweek 34 to arrive. He’s consistently outscored all comers to claim the top spot but will now be powerless to avoid relinquishing it when Gameweek 34 has its wicked way with our seasons.

Maybe I’m being too charitable. Maybe I just need to sit back, rub my hands with glee and thank the Fantasy gods for this perfect opportunity to bask in the greenest of green arrows. No doubt I’ll come around to that way of thinking as I press the button on my Gameweek 33 Wildcard.

However, for Ryan’s sake and for all the others who have spent their Chips with cheery frivolity, I kind of hope that the Gameweek 34 twister is not quite as devastating as we all expect.

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

  1. TheEgyptianKing
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Need some help on who to bench 😛

    Butland
    Simpson- Alder- Williams
    Mahrez - Siggy - Payet - Sanchez - Firmino
    Aguero - Kane

    Hennessey -- Vardy - Wimmer- Daniels

    i) Wimmer or Simpson?
    ii) Play vardy over who? or bench him

    1. Trigg ⭐️
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Simpson and I'd benc Vardy there.

      1. Trigg ⭐️
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Play Wimmer, I meant.

  2. Trigg ⭐️
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Who to bench?

    Alli or Vardy?

    Don't wanna bench Silva ...

    1. Ten Season Wonder
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Vardy

    2. Punter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Argh I'm in the same boat, leaning to benching Vardy

    3. Garfield1001
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Same dilemma but I also have Willian.. Would you bench Willian?

      1. Trigg ⭐️
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Again, very close. Sorry!

    • 12 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    I find it really strange that we have an article dedicated to feeling sorry for someone who will quite clearly finish above the majority of us.... including you Mark! 😉

    😕 😆

    1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Does anyone really feel sorry for anyone they don't even know?

    2. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Marks looking at it from other peoples perspectives. It is a bit rough to lose a lead like that so suddenly, and he will drop a few hundred places at least over the coming weeks.

      1. Ayew Serious
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        You're just jealous that you're not the best Ryan

      2. Ryan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        I guess its also from a game perspective. Is it right for the person at the top to have a lead built up over time to be completely decimated in one foul swoop.

        1. Rhinos
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 9 months ago

          he wouldnt be top if hadnt used chips though

          1. Ryan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 9 months ago

            Chips did nothing for him. Its the fact he's none the wiser I guess. Only those of us in the know can properly exploit the situation.

          • 12 Years
          9 years, 9 months ago

          If he hadn't used his chips, perhaps he wouldn't be top, even though he used them ineffectively.

          1. Ryan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 9 months ago

            He'd still be top 10

        2. P-daddy
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 9 months ago

          But anyone in the know has utilised the dgws for years to their advantage, it's part of playing a game that comes with experience. I don't doubt that the new chips actually give an even larger advantage to those who can hold off using them but surely the minds that introduced them to the game had to have foreseen this outcome.

          1. Ryan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 9 months ago

            Add in a BB and a TC and the DGW is that much more devastating. Work a WC around it and its a full blown fire storm. Maybe its a bit much eh?

            1. P-daddy
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 9 months ago

              It will create a gap but I'm saying they must have realised the possible outcomes before introducing them, were they trying to gain many new players or was it an attempt to keep it interesting for those of us playing it for years? Not making all newbies aware of FFS would actually have more of a negative effect on their playing ability than introducing the new chips....

              1. Ryan
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 14 Years
                9 years, 9 months ago

                I believe it was to keep the less serious player more interested for longer, with 'new toys'. It is an innocent idea on the surface but has a sinister side for those of us who know how to really exploit this scenario to our benefit. Most players don't spend anywhere near as much time on this game as us. I kind of think that creating a larger gap between the 'casual' and the serious FPL manager is a step in the wrong direction.

                1. P-daddy
                  • 12 Years
                  9 years, 9 months ago

                  I totally get where you're coming from but surely it was fairly shortsightedness to not foresee the potential outcome.

                  To be honest I've been trailing my leagues this year to some absolute newcomers who's random captain choices/transfers have usurped all my planning and strategy, Ive even got a slight lead over one of last year's top 10 finishers and I've been hanging on for the coming weeks to try and get some payback for the hours I put into the game.

                  Given the way this year has gone we can look at the top 10,000 and even though they will get taken over given how many have already used their chips they were up there and will come back next year wanting to climb to greater heights and this is a good thing.

      3. GENERATION X
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        if he is a decent player he will know the chip stagger is going to unwind. hard to be no1 without some basic knowledge

        1. Ryan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 9 months ago

          The fact is he won't be number 1 for much longer. Its impossible to stay there with such a disadvantage

          1. GENERATION X
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 9 months ago

            i was no2 this time last season but without kun v qpr so i know the feeling

    3. Rhinos
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      what i dont like bout the chips is gonna pile past people in my leagues who just play to show their footy knowledge not fpl knowledge, feels a bit hollow

      1. Ryan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Yep, I totally get that.

  3. Backup Dancer
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Janmaat or Fuchs?

    1. Backup Dancer
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      To play

    2. jiGGidyJ1
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Fuchs

    3. Odikostar
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Fuchs

    4. Arteta
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Fuchs

  4. Punter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Has to be Alli? Tough spot

    1. Trigg ⭐️
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah .. cheers!

  5. The Tinkerman
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Literally just flipped a coin to decide (C) between Kane and Siggy. Chance has given me Kane.

    1. Ten Season Wonder
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      I've been on Siggy all week, just switched it to Kane.

      Good luck mate

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        This captain choice has been one of the hardest all season. I'm still not totally happy about ruling out Mahrez and Aguero for it either.

        1. Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 9 months ago

          Kane and be done with it.

  6. GuillermoDickero
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Do we think Palace and West Ham will score today?

    1. Ten Season Wonder
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      6-5

    2. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      ive wagered on palace scoring

    3. The Tinkerman
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Palace, no. But I am biased.

    4. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Yes both will

    5. Arteta
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Palace no, West Ham yes

  7. Gerci
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    One last time:

    Kompany replacement:

    A)Dawson
    B) Clyne
    C)Lovren
    D) Sakho
    E) Funes Mori

    1. Gerci
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      F) Janmaat

    2. La vida FPL
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Long term B, short term A

    3. Messi man
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Sakho

      1. Gerci
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Why Sakho over Clyne?

    4. Odikostar
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Long term sakho short term dawson

    5. The Tinkerman
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      B

    6. RoyaleBlue
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      I went with Mori (Bit replaced ward). Bit punty but oh well

  8. jimmybob
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Bench 1:

    Ozil (eve)
    Mahrez (cpl)
    Lukaku (ARS)
    Payet (che)
    Kun (MUN)
    Kane (BOU)
    Siggy (AVL)
    Alli (BOU)

    1. Saint & Reevesy
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Tough, I'd say payet.

  9. Messi man
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Bench Ali or Firmino?

    1. jiGGidyJ1
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      I'm benching Alli

      1. Messi man
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers jiggidyj1

      2. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        You've covered spurs to a point, bourn on form

  10. James101
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Crazy to bench Alli?

    But who else?

    Thanks!!

    J.

    Fabianski

    Van Dijk. Dier. Simpson.

    Mahrez. Sigurdsson(vc ). Ozil. Firmino.

    Aguero. Lukaku. Kane(c)

    Bench: Alli. Dann. Kompany. Forster

  11. Johnny 8
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Which two to go alongside Toby?
    VVD
    Huth
    Janmaat
    Ward

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Huth /Janmaat

      1. Johnny 8
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers. You're a gent and confirmed my gut feeling.

    2. Arteta
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Huth and Janmaat

      1. Johnny 8
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks Ozil

  12. BENOIT
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Wil Sturridge start?

    1. jiGGidyJ1
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Yes, I'd think so

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Start yes but wiil be hauled off at about 60 minutes

  13. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    play Ozil or Payet?

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      help pls 🙂

      1. Johnny 8
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Ozil for me, Everton not tight at the back at home

    2. Chippo, Hadji, Aloisi.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Payet

      1. the dom 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        thanks benched Ali now too!

  14. Ayew Serious
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    PANIC

    1. Sponge-worthy
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Pjanic?

  15. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Test dart 😉

  16. The Wise Owl
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Feel like taking a punt on Bolasie..

    1. TheEgyptianKing
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      oooooooh? To many other good midfielders right now like Payet/siggy/alli so you'll have to take a risk

  17. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Bench one

    A. Ozil
    B. Arnie
    C. Vardy

    1. tets mcgee (Ha La Land)
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      easy b

  18. juicewagz
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    G2G? All out attack

    Hart,

    Huth, Williams

    Eriksen, Siggy, Firmino, Mahrez, Alli

    Kane (C), Aguero, Vardy

    Bench: Hennessey, Azpi, Van Dijk, Wollscheid.

  19. TheEgyptianKing
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    May i ask what happened to granville this year? Hes had a shockerrrr

  20. Samwise the Brave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    is dawson fit?

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      I'm playing him anyway, helps to have VVD first sub

    2. Funkyav
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      i like his hair, so yes

    3. Reedy
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      No news but I'm starting him and hoping.

      1. Reedy
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        *nothing concrete. Cheers though AW!

  21. ladsofbunch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    What to do? This is my current 11

    Butland
    Williams, Alder, Ivan
    Payet, Siggy (c), Mahrez, Silva, Alli
    Lukaku, Aguero

    Henne, Vardy, Huth, Bertrand

    Want Vardy and Huth on the pitch, but don't see who to take out.

  22. sinik
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    last question, bench Payet Ozil or Vardy?

    on Payet now..think it could hurt me

    1. jiGGidyJ1
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Put Vardy on your bench if you have Mahrez

    2. Odikostar
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Payet. Chelsea wont let in too many

      1. jiGGidyJ1
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        They have all season, so why wouldn't they now?

      2. sinik
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        2 cleansheets for Chelsea since early January though

    3. Bootsy: Snoddy's Reven…
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Ozil

  23. La vida FPL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Whoever I bench this weekend I'm going to be watching the football behind the sofa afraid to find out who scored

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      enjoy the trip to DFS this weekend

  24. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Bench Silva or Willian?

  25. Iinvin
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Bench one:

    A) Silva
    B) Alli
    C) Vardy

  26. oghash
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Nice preamble as per

    1. KingNidge
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      +1

  27. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Best Preamble ever! Love it!

    I spare no thought for Ryan Grzegowski and hope the GW34 avalance deluges all who wasted their 2nd wildcards and bench boost chips already.

    Rotten, ain't I!

  28. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Bench order: Bellerin or Wolscheid first?

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Wolly

  29. Studgie G
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Payet Ozil Mahrez Alli Wijnaldum
    Vardy Aguero Kane

    I want to bring in Siggy for Alli... who would you bench out of that lot, I'm thinking Mahrez or Vardy?

    repost

    1. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Vardy

      1. Studgie G
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        cheers