The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 28

We wanted and expected so much more. But then, perhaps we should have expected this season’s arch villain to conspire against, crushing our dreams of a three-figure haul.

It’s almost as if Pep Guardiola is so determined to scupper our seasons, he’s content to ruin his own quest for glory to achieve that aim.

While I was clearly a fool to even to attempt to second guess his intentions, I was genuinely surprised that Pep would risk shelving both David Silva and Raheem Sterling against Stoke City.

In doing so, he interrupted the established flow of his potent attack, robbed Sergio Aguero of two of his most assured supplies of ammunition and ensured that our points hits and Triple Captain chip were dealt in vain.

But we have little time to salve those wounds: the merciless Gameweek 28 is upon us in just over an hour.

My aim was to breeze past this particular hazard, taking the points war chest gained from City’s double Gameweek and spending to fix up my depleted XI.

Without the big City haul, I guess I should be more mindful, but, typically this season, I’m determined to stay on the front foot.

I look on Gameweek 28 much the same as the City double. It’s almost a lottery; a scenario that will draw hits from those Fantasy managers with the thrill-seeking gene.

Like the City situation, the more that is spent, the more “tickets” are bought, thus increasing the chances of “winning” at the cost of 4 points a throw.

The gamblers among us were stung on Wednesday but should we really force us to change our strategy going into the Gameweek 28 scenario?

I’m not about to be reckless, but I look on this as an opportunity to make multiple transfers that can improve my squad, not only for this shortened weekend, but for the Gameweeks beyond.

It’s almost impossible to predict what will present itself at the next turn but, I look ahead and see active players this weekend that can serve me over the next two to three fixtures.

If I can clear out some red flag victims to bring them in, I’m increasing my options, perhaps at the cost of just 2 points should my signings turn out and avoid a points penalty.

That effectively means that my targets need only get me 2,4,6,8 or 10 points back; I just have to weigh up whether the players acquired can achieve it.

Hits for players that will be cast aside after this weekend can certainly prove nonsensical, particularly if they replace valued assets in our squads.

But with Victor Anichebe still crowding my dressing room with his wounded tree-trunk thighs and Calum Chambers sitting in the corner with his foot up, I have an obvious opportunity to ship them out for the cost of just two points apiece.

So I’m buying tickets again, refusing to allow Pep to change my course.

For the thrill seekers among us, who are playing the game this season for the opportunities to chase big rewards, we will surely take this chance to gamble on a payout.

Like Jonty once said, hits are “a bit moreish” – once you experience the danger excitement, you start to crave the buzz each and every Gameweek.

Maybe I shouldn’t be following Jonty’s lead this of all seasons, but I have the taste now. The first one is free, but that’s never enough.