Opinion

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 37

The Triple Captain chip is a curse.

When I actually fire it off at 11.45 I’ll do so with such trepidation, knowing that if it fails as miserably as I fear, it could catapult me into a spiral of frustration.

It’s all very well for the gloaters who slapped it down on Sergio Aguero or Alexis Sanchez back in Gameweek 34 but, for the rest of us poor souls, we now face a tortuous and fearful week ahead.

Taking a risk with the captaincy is bad enough in any given Gameweek. When that gamble is ramped up a notch by the potential of triple points this becomes a nightmare scenario.

A bad captain has wrecked my weekend in the past. That ill-advised faith in Harry Kane at the Lane, that missed opportunity as Sanchez or Aguero run riot. Damaging stuff.

Now the potential misery could be escalated to a new level: the Triple Captain is threatening to drag a big black cloud over the weekend sunshine and render me a charmless, monosyllabic monster.

My ability to operate as a basic human being over the next three of four days hangs on the performances of Jermain Defoe, or Andy Carroll or maybe even Eden Hazard.

I almost feel I should offer an advance warning.

Perhaps I should just sit my life partner down, Google some West Ham images and explain that the big guy with the ridiculous ponytail is about to cause me a great deal of irrational pain and misery over the next few days.

I’d expect her to frown. To ponder and ask searching questions.

One of those questions might even be – “but you could have put it on Aguero or Sanchez in Gameweek 34, why did you play your Bench Boost instead?”.

At which point, I’d stand, kiss my children and go and pack my bags. It would be the only answer I have left.

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

1,862 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ziro Becomes One
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    Payet(ccc) ftw

    1. Elijah's Wood
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      Hazard(c)

    2. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      hazard tc

  2. DeadStarComing
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    So If I don't think Clyne or Milner will play twice is it worth a -4 each to swap them out for someone more likely?

    1. Lionel Ronaldo
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      Yes. Currently debating between Hazard or Firmino (latter may not play both, but potential his higher than Milner).

    2. KickIt
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      Nah, ride the wave

  3. LaLaLand
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    hovering just outside top 1000

    did Simpson KDB Kane TFM > PVA Hazard Defoe Ivan for -12

    DDG (Robles)
    PVA Cresswell Ivanovic (Kos Gabriel)
    Hazard Payet (TC) Lanzini Willian (Sanchez)
    Aguero Lukaku Defoe

  4. kbaptiste
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    Mignolet, Robles
    Smalling, Cresswell, Simpson, Rose, PVA,
    Hazard, Sanchez, Townsend, Mahrez, Payet,
    Defore, Caroll, Aguero

    Based on the fixtures between GW37 and 38, do you think i should play my BB now or the last week?

    If i dont play it, my bench would be Simpson, Sanchez, Rose.

    If I wait till GW 38, i make 1 change and bring in De Gea for Robles and activate it and get everyone on the last day

    Please help - this move could make or break my season

    1. liiusions
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      Definitely this week, no question

  5. Sean.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    A; Kane,LANZINI, Fosu-Mensah >Carroll,Hazard,CRESSWELL
    (play Sanchez)
    B; Kane, IWOBI,Fosu-Mensah,> Carroll,Hazard,PVA
    ( play Lanzini,bench Sanchez)

  6. Lyonnais
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    Simpson ---> Cresswell -4 worth it?

    1. Sean.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      go for it

      1. Lyonnais
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 2 days ago

        Really?! I'm already on -8. But Cresswell is so tempting 😀

        1. Sean.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 2 days ago

          didnt realise you were -8, taken as a one off though its a good transfer

          1. Lyonnais
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 2 days ago

            ok, cheers!

    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    Don't worry Mark, some of us put TC on Lukaku in gw33 and you can't do worse than that!

    1. Ziro Becomes One
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      My commiserations to all those who did this.
      I expect the same when Payet fails inevitably. 🙂

    2. Elijah's Wood
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      Cant believe i wasted it on that oaf

    3. Pipermaru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      What about putting it on Hazard in GW9, he played 7 minutes 😛

        • 10 Years
        8 years, 2 days ago

        Wow you win. Lose even. You definitely lost this one 😛

        1. Pipermaru
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 2 days ago

          Haha it wasn't me fortunately, my ML rival did this, yet I'm behind him 31 points still, lucky son of a gun. Got so many autosubs coming into squad with 10-15 pts throughout whole season that I cannot count

  7. Slartibartfast
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    Would you..?

    1. Kane
    2. Aguero
    3. Play both, don't buy Hazard for -4

    1. Slartibartfast
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      Bench Kane or Aguero 😳

  8. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    Sanchez to Hazard for a -8?

    1. Slartibartfast
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      Who'd drop to your bench?

      1. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 2 days ago

        Lamela Simpson Bellerin

        1. Slartibartfast
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 2 days ago

          Don't think I'd take the extra hit tbh. Lamela might be a better option than Sanchez this GW, but it's a tough call.

          1. Gooner97
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 2 days ago

            Cheers

    2. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      not worth a -8.

      1. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 2 days ago

        Ta

  9. Lecky Legs FC
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    Andy Carroll Triple Captainers assemble o/

    1. James101
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      Sadly lukaku stole my soul on this one.

    2. James101
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      I am double captaining him though...

      1. Lecky Legs FC
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 days ago

        Good luck nonetheless

        1. James101
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 2 days ago

          Cheers

          We may all need it

          But where there's an absence of luck, beer still remains.

          1. Lecky Legs FC
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 2 days ago

            All that matters in the end is the bevy 😉

    3. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      What's the first hymn?

      1. Lecky Legs FC
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 days ago

        "On the first day of DGW Andy Carroll gave to me 1 hatrick against the Swansea"

    4. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      Standing proud

      1. Lecky Legs FC
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 days ago

        Is right mate best of luck to us

  10. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    Mark, don't worry too much and start enjoying and backing your player.

    Watch the points flow after.

  11. James101
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    Help? Azpil leading the race so far!!

    A. Simpson (current team)
    B. Valencia -4
    C. Darmian -4
    D. Azpil -4
    E. Baines -4
    F. Rojo -4

    Have 3 WHam already.

    £6.1m budget

    Also have Smalling PVA Bellerin Kosc

    1. James101
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      Man U rotation is killing me

  12. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    Play one of bellerin/otamendi or get PVA for a hit?

    cheers

  13. karvs155
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    Am I REAADYY TO GOO?

    Migs**
    Smalling** PVA** Simpson
    Coutinho** Firmino** Payet** (C) Mahrez
    Carroll** Rashford** Aggy

    Robles**, sanchez, bellerin, gab

  14. Raheem's perm
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    Need a 3rd defender (can't be West Ham) to play with PVA & Smalling. Kaboul or Martin or anyone else?

    1. karvs155
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      Valencia? Cathcart?

    2. LaLaLand
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      Ivan

  15. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    Holding onto Sturridge this week has been a tough ask.

    Romelu, Diego, Troy or French Tony keep calling. Can I resist the hit for a secure starter?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      Yes

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 days ago

        Thanks. Damn you Jürgen!

    2. Fantasyfootballer
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      I'm selling

  16. Elijah's Wood
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    Im 17 points behind 1st, 9 points from 2nd, and 90 points clear from 4th in ML. I suspect my rivals will get Cresswell in, is it worth taking a -8 (already on -4 = as are my rivals) to cover?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      No

      1. Elijah's Wood
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 days ago

        Thanks Epic, been at the back of my mind all week

  17. The EJJ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    Great preamble as always 🙂

    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      The mood of the article generally resembles our own feelings. It's probably the best article of the week.

  18. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    Coutinho > Fabregas for -4?

    1. Slartibartfast
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      Nah

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

      No

    3. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      Nope

      1. Ha.
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 days ago

        Pretty unanimous - thanks guys

  19. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    Mignolet (Darlow)
    Clyne Smalling Cresswell (Bellerin, Simpson)
    Sanchez Willian Payet Milner (Lamela)
    Carroll Aguero Martial

    Pick a transfer for a -8

    A) Clyne to PVA
    B) Milner to Townsend
    C) Martial to Defoe
    D) Sanchez to Hazard
    E) Don't take -8

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      E

      None of the transfers will easily get you 8 points, let alone additional points

      1. skipry
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 days ago

        D Hazard's on form

  20. Scotty B
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    Payet or Carroll captain?

    1. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      Payet

    2. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      Carroll

  21. Baron Saturday
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    Which sexy choice: Townsend or Brady...?

    1. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      Brady.

    2. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      Townsend

    3. Baron Saturday
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      Still no idea, but cheers for the input guys

    4. Eye of the Schweinsteiger
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      Brady

  22. Lizard Lips
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    (a) Gabriel to Smalling -4 (allows Coutinho to Ozil)
    (b) Simpson to Smalling -4 (allows Coutinho to Mane)
    (c) Simpson to PVA -4 (allows Coutinho to KDB)
    (d) Play Simpson

    1. Lizard Lips
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      (e) Simpson/Gabriel to Valencia (allows Coutinho to KDB)

  23. Ziro Becomes One
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    Daniel son, you know which ponytail to get. Get going.

  24. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    Play one of bellerin/otamendi or get PVA for a hit?

    whatsay?

  25. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    Jaysus I really want to win my MLs. 800 euro at stake. This is driving me crazy.

  26. Carcetti
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    Simpson for Smalling (-8)

    Yay or Nay?

  27. Evs
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    Stating the obvious but I think we can forget United, LFC and Palace assets in GW38 !

    1. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      Why? United could be playing for 4th.

      1. Ziro Becomes One
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 days ago

        If City wins, next to no chance. Won't catch Arsenal Villa38. Won't catch City SwanseawithoutSiggyWilliams38

        1. Lateriser 12
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 2 days ago

          If Arsenal win/draw, every chance.

          1. Ziro Becomes One
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 2 days ago

            Am guessing your boss fancies a trophy. Will rest players.

    2. @FPLMason
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      Def!

    3. Lizard Lips
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      Even defenders? Looking at bringing in Smalling over PVA!

  28. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    Do you think Mignolet will start both matches? Would you start Darlow(avl)?

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      Play Migs..no one knows. I've done same

  29. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 days ago

    Odd players that you have that might be DGW heroes?

    Lukaku
    Fabregas
    Lanzini
    Kirchoff

    1. Rabbinton
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 days ago

      Lennon