Opinion

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 35

Pregnant with huge expectation of our own making, Gameweek 34 cluttered our thinking and dominated our strategy.

To varying degrees, most of us emerged from Thursday’s final act content with the end results of a six-day points-fest.

But once totals were tallied and as we began to pick through the bones, the regrets and doubts started to mount. We almost had to stop for fear of further punishing revelations as we analysed deeper.

Hindsight – that wonderful weapon wielded by Saturday evening gloaters – certainly starts to nag at those who, like me, threw down their Bench Boost chip.

Through fresh eyes it’s clear that I had two prime Triple Captain candidates on offer in Aguero and Sanchez, but chose instead to recruit and back a cast of mediocrity from our bench.

My raggy doll lineup will now limp over the line for Gameweek 35, somewhat revived by a shot of quality as I sheepishly open the door for Harry Kane to return.

I openly admit that I was somewhat carried away with the Wildcard/Bench Boost scenario in a double Gameweek. It stacked up to provide a heightened level of excitement and anticipation that I found just too difficult to resist; new exotic forbidden fruit in a troubled season.

In the end, I’ve got enough out of the six days to convince myself that I “won”. I’ve enjoyed a significant rank hike, but it was perhaps a pyrrhic victory at best.

Urgent repairs are required and I look ahead to Gameweek 37’s fixtures bewildered as to how I can squeeze some worth from my remaining Triple Captain chip.

I’m worried that I’ve sold the soul of my squad for the promised treasures of Gameweek 34 and, as the final weekends go by, the real cost of that dramatic Wildcard surgery will reveal itself.

Harry Kane comes in this morning, partly as a Captain choice but also as a reassuring figure that represents the pedigree of my pre-Gameweek 33 lineup.

I can look on him in my forward line and keep my gaze locked, preventing it from wandering over to Mitrovic, or looking up and catching sight of Lanzini’s boyish grin.

A couple of weeks ago these figures prompted excitement and hope. Now they’re reminders of how easily I was seduced by the allure of an easy three-figure Gameweek. That cheap thrill may well prove costly.

I got what I wanted, now I want to forget: removing all the traces that act as reminders and hope that I get away with it.

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

1,990 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Les Bleus
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Kane 45% and Kun 42% captaincy in the top 10k.

    https://fpldiscovery.wordpress.com/

  2. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    I don't think that Liverpool lineup is correct

    http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/218058-lucas-i-have-to-forget-my-rafa-gratitude-for-90-minutes

    This suggests that Lucas will start, and he is not in any of the rumoured lineups.

    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Good man.

  3. tm245
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    SmartyPants is updated:

    https://fpldiscovery.wordpress.com/2016/04/23/1516-gw35-team-selection-and-stats/#more-5552

    Kane and Aguero neck in neck for captaincy and EO.

    1. Jøssy ⭐
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      If they're neck-in-neck for GW points, I'll take that too.

      A brace each please... 😀

  4. Jazz!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Mignolet Clyne Toure Sakho Moreno Allen Stewart Lallana Ibe Ojo Firmino

    I can write a Liverpool XI too, you know ...

    1. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Lol, no Alonso or Torres, get outta here.

    2. Cheeseoid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      On one of them I would like to not have 2 players absent.

      1. Jøssy ⭐
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        Mignolet Clyne Sakho Sakho Moreno Milner Allen Firmino Lallana Sturridge Sturridge

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

    Im 1st in ALL my MLs besides 1 - FantasyFootballScout - 2,468

    Whats your rank guys? We have here anyone from the top?

    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Don't hide your light under a bushel. 😉

      1. ARKANOIIDE
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        I dont get it. English is not my native 😛

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 11 months ago

          Nope. You are not a native of England, clearly ... 😀

          Boasting is frowned upon. 😉

    2. Psychos got ya number
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      9th OR here 🙂 mix of Kane and Kun armbands above me

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        😯

        No 1 might be screwed...

        1. Psychos got ya number
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 11 months ago

          Yeah saw that. Here's hoping. Good luck everyone!

      2. ARKANOIIDE
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        Whoah, Good job 🙂 Win it!

  6. Slam
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Looks like I will be hiding behind my couch on Monday

    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      *Jaw's Theme Tune*

    2. Cheeseoid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Me too.

  7. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Will KDB get some minutes

  8. zizoo10
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    i desperately need Clyne, Sakho & Gabriel to start.

    Should i just give up on hope and face the music?

    1. ZLATAN'S PONYTAIL
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Hang tight Zizoo. wait for official line ups 🙂

  9. Ayew Serious
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Aguero EO?

  10. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    No 1 overall:

    http://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/1236102/event-history/35/

    Might not have a (c) this week.

    lol

    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Studge will play. 🙂

      1. ARKANOIIDE
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        I hope so!

      2. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        No 1 overall must know what he's doing...didn't even use his first WC.

        😕

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 11 months ago

          Well, he clearly doesn't.

          Pricks quite a few balloons around here. 🙂

  11. ARKANOIIDE
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Get your sofas ready non Kun (C), 5mins

    1. ADucksBehind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      I'm there!

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Cash league rival doesn't have him C so don't care

  12. The Gambler.
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    For those asking on previous page, the LFC team that I posted was from the same source that had the lineup for Bournemouth about 3 hours early

    1. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Bloody Sakho

  13. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Chips in hand, a nice drink alongside!
    Can't wait for a city player to score a brace, A brace by otamendi, two headers from two set pieces!

  14. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Aguerooooo!!!

    1. ARKANOIIDE
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Too early, wait a sec.

      1. The Mandalorian
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        Just reving up the Aguero engine 🙂

  15. Vincent Adultman
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Finally cracked the top and then managed to leave Kane on the bench instead of captaining him. Ffs always press confirm team! At least the armband is on Kun but please Gabriel be on the bench and don't you dare come on for a cameo

    1. ZLATAN'S PONYTAIL
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      use the phone app...
      dont have to worry about the confirm bit. Pacey Borini and Defoe makes me think Gabriel could start..I hope he does.

  16. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Stoke have an excellent record against City, lately they not conceeded more than 5 goals in a game

  17. d1sable
    • Has Moderation Rights
    7 years, 11 months ago

    great...

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36120459

    get out my fpl team!

  18. ZaZaZu
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Sakho out, for doping violation!!

  19. Trotter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Sakho fails doping test

  20. MoFish
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Sakes Sakho!

  21. supperspout
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    Sahko should have his points revoked for last week. If not any honourable player who had him should force through 5 hits

    1. Tansey
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Uhh no thanks I'll keep those 15

  22. harvard
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 11 months ago

    please I'm having trouble accessing hot topics on my opera mini with this new site...its frustrating

    1. vickyz r3d d3vil$ !!!
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 11 months ago

      Use chrome man..opera is data saver..

      1. harvard
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 11 months ago

        but i used to access it on the previous site, even the watchlist bar was easily accesible. is there no remedy as opera mini saves me a lot of stress