Preamble

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 36

This has been a week of tough decisions.

You won’t be surprised to know, however, that despite being charged to make a choice that would contribute to the selection of my Government, my most troublesome dilemma has been my Fantasy line-up.

While I successfully pencilled a cross and popped my vote into a ballot box without any real degree of anxiety, I know that my final decision this morning will be riddled with doubt and concern for what is to follow.

I can choose the wrong Government, but God help those around me if I sell Eden Hazard and he scores.

Even now, I’m not clear on what route to take. Like so many other Fantasy managers, I find myself at the mercy of Jose’s whims and Chelsea’s motivation. They return from the beach, stinking of Factor 10, to compete for pride against a Liverpool outfit somehow still within reach of a Champions League spot. I’m struggling to recall a more uncertain scenario.

Having decided a week ago that it would be Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho for the chop, suddenly things have been turned on their head by United’s stuttering run of defeats and the Chelsea unknowns.

Liverpool have to score at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea just have to put on a show for their supporters. Just how that’s going to transpire in terms of results and Fantasy points is anyone’s guess.

Most of us will have had somewhere between four and six players in that contest going into today’s deadline. We now have to deal with those players and make trades that will earn us profit, all against a backdrop of such confusion.

I’m fearful about the prospect of swapping out Hazard. Troubled about spending four points just to acquire Arsenal assets that will likely be rotated over the next three Gameweeks. Apprehensive that any investment in Sunderland will be fruitless.

As a 43-year-old family man, I should find time to consider what Thursday’s result will mean for my country and my loved ones.

I’ll promise to do that once I’ve decided if Jack Wilshere’s worth a punt.

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

1,163 Comments Post a Comment
  1. adammc
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    Play 2 please.
    A ) Ivan
    B ) C.Dawson
    C ) Toby
    D ) Wasi
    Thanks

    1. Bastien
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      AD

    2. 11 Angry Men
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      AB!!

  2. Arvin-ation
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    Worth ditching Courtois for Adrian to get Kolarov and Cazorla for Coutinho + Moreno?

    Have Terry. Just ditching Terry--->Kolarov and then Cout-->Caz could work, but Terry looks set to play the full season, whilst Courtois does not.

    Cheers 🙂

    Haven;t made transfers yet!!

    1. A Defender's Nightmare
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      Panti.

    2. Wiz
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      Not for a hit

  3. trygvewiese
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    Please help!

    A) Sterling->Ozil
    B) Cazorla (on pens)

    1. adammc
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      B

    2. Cristi@no R7
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      B

    3. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      A

  4. Kevin Twine
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    Play Skrtel, Duff or PVA?

    1. Suarezista
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      I would like to this as well.

      1. Suarezista
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 22 days ago

        Playing Skrtel now btw.

    2. adammc
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      Skrtel

    3. RedNev
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      Same dilemma, went with Skrtel.

    4. Wiz
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      PVA

    5. Nemanja Vidic
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      Duff 4 me

    6. Kevin Twine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      That was unanimous then 🙂

      I think I'm gonna stick with Skrtel. They'll all probably concede, so may as well Just go for the more attacking one.

  5. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    Why do some many here have 42 after their username, is this the latest trend for those wanting to seem cool or trendy? Sheep42!

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      was when Doosra went ill in the hospital

      he has a habit of putting +42 (instead of +1) referencing Hithchiker's Guide to The Galaxy

      'twas/is a sign of support for his recovery

    2. whitters_2014
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      for doos yeah ... we probs take it out now, now he is on the mend!

    3. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      Yep., you get your insult before waiting for a reply to question.
      I'll put tw@t on mine in your honour. 😉

      1. Every Dog Has Its Day
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 22 days ago

        +42

      2. Jordan.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 22 days ago

        hear,hear...

      3. 11 Angry Men
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 22 days ago

        This....

        I did not put 42 on my name as am new this year and do not know Doosra, but was touched to see so many others did. Great community!

        1. The Mandalorian
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 22 days ago

          It's bandwagon metality you see a lot of this stuff on the internet, it's quite distasteful.

          1. Gnu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 22 days ago

            I think it's you who is distasteful.

          2. Kevin Twine
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 22 days ago

            What a clown.

    4. 11 Angry Men
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      Wow, trendy? Not a word I have heard since I was 12...

    5. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      -42

    6. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      Many of the 42 users didnt even leave a message on the article about Doorsa which shows a lack of integrity. Have some self respect people, it's not cool. People deserve to be supported with intergrity and honesty.

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 22 days ago

        Oh dear. Shovel?

        1. whitters_2014
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 22 days ago

          some people (like me) read the article and the many many comments and did not know what to say, Doos is a great guy, those who lurk or post regularly know that, so if they wanted to show support they could. This was not about debating whether to bring in tekkers for a hit, it was about a community supporting one of its greatest members....

          1. whitters_2014
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 22 days ago

            also, any sane normal human being who hears a person is not well, will wish them a happy healthy speedy recovery and if that is bad then most everyone is guilty....

            1. The Mandalorian
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 22 days ago

              It's not well wishing it's trying to look trendy have some self respect.

              1. whitters_2014
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 22 days ago

                why don't you ask Doos how he felt about it?

                self respect means respecting yourself, but it does not mean disrespecting others

              2. Camp No No
                • 10 Years
                9 years, 22 days ago

                Sorry but you're wrong in this case. Like him or not, he's a kind of integral part of this community and at least for the deadzoners it seemed pretty normal to wish him to get well. Doesn't mean we have to post cheesy comments under some article that we might not even be aware of. Maybe there were many for whom this was just "well, why not joining that", but generally, the +42 thing formed as a communal way to show that we wish him well, and when he sees or hears such a mass expression of sympathy, he might actually sense some sympathy from us, which, you know, probably won't hurt him when he's ill.

                1. 11 Angry Men
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 9 Years
                  9 years, 22 days ago

                  Really well put.

      2. Ziro Becomes One
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 22 days ago

        ??
        I had 42 in my name but did not leave a message as I did not know him. Yet I supported the intentions of the people around here by keeping 42. I guess I did no wrong.

      3. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 22 days ago

        I was looking for Doosra's post thanking everybody to link but you know what, you're not worth the effort. Wasted too much time on your trolling already.

    7. A.T
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      How to make friends and influence people by Slippin Jimmy.

      1. The Mandalorian
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 22 days ago

        Sometime's saying whats right isnt popular, at least I have the balls to speak up about things, it's easy to follow the crowd.

        1. A.T
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 22 days ago

          Is it really necessary to speak up at all though Jimmy? Probably not.

          1. Mr.Irwin
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 22 days ago

            This. Plenty of thing's in the world that you could make a fuss about, but this is certainly not one of them.

        2. whitters_2014
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 22 days ago

          what you are saying, is in affect, we should never respect or support one another, and we should have a personal relationship with someone to care, so what about holidays such as remembrance sunday? anyway you have just made yourself look a fool.

  6. Gonefishing
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    chasing a lead - Kane C mad punt?

    1. v12w12
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      Go for it

    2. Cristi@no R7
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      good choice imo.

    3. whitters_2014
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      "a lead"? its pretty mad if you are 30 or less behind but more yeah take the punt

      1. Gonefishing
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 22 days ago

        80 lol

        thank guys -punt taken

        1. whitters_2014
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 22 days ago

          good luck man!

  7. RedNev
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    Play Schmeichel (SOU H) or Myhill (NEW A) ?

    1. Kurt Zouma
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      Schmeichel

  8. Kurt Zouma
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    Rate in order: Wasilewski (SOT), Cambiasso (SOT), Henderson (che)

  9. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    Start Heno or Boyd
    Start (plus sub order) Craig Dawson,Clyne or Hutton

  10. JaydenLFC87
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    Points prediction from the below please???

    Aguero

    Benteke

    Sanchez

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      2, 6, 15

    2. Henrzd
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      10
      2
      6

  11. hagop
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    last minute panic mode on:

    play Skrtel or Rose?

    1. JaydenLFC87
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      Rose

  12. flippetyflop
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    Play 2 please:

    Hutton
    ALderweireld
    Morgan

    1. Kurt Zouma
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      The latter two. If Hutton starts these days then 1 and 3.

    2. hagop
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      hutton&morgan

  13. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    Am benching Dawson and Clyne this week, needs must.

    1. JÆKS ⭐
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      Who are you playing instead then?

      1. Revival
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 22 days ago

        Huth and McShane 😀

        1. JÆKS ⭐
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 22 days ago

          Only 2 defenders? 😀 I also benched Dawson but just because I alreay have Myhill, so I decided to play Clyne as 'cover'

  14. Camp No No
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    @Demi: your last minute thoughts on Hazard? How much will he play, will Chelsea take the end seriously?

    1. JÆKS ⭐
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      Didn't they win 8-0 last time they won the title? (not that I expect the same now)

      1. Camp No No
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 22 days ago

        Different manager. Completely different.

    2. Demí
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      Dunno, it's anyone's guess. Think he'll start this week, then on the bench vs wba depending on their relegation situation, and then start again the final game.

      1. whitters_2014
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 22 days ago

        great minds 😉

        1. Demí
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 22 days ago

          fools seldom differ 😉

          1. whitters_2014
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 22 days ago

            haha yeah maybe more accurate

    3. whitters_2014
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      he will play v liv, benched v wba, play v sun for me... and I know I am not demi 😀

      1. Camp No No
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 22 days ago

        You know, Demi has here special authority, because he's the guy the real managers ask about their starting lineups. Always knows them before they do. It's only because FPL transfers are closed so much before the lineups are settled that we don't always get that information in time.

  15. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    Good luck to everyone ! 😉

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      + 1

    2. whitters_2014
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      good luck to pal

    3. Camp No No
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      No, seriously, we all wish good luck to ourselves and tough luck for all the others. Let's be honest about it.

      1. TuttiFrutti
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 22 days ago

        I wish that everyone does well, but that I do it even better. Wooow, I'm such a wonderful person.

  16. Cristi@no R7
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    Benteke or kane Captain?

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      Tekkers

    2. RedNev
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      Benteke

    3. Cristi@no R7
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      Cheers & all d best

  17. VRP
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    Good to go?

    Davis
    Terry - Bellerin - McShane
    Hazard - Sanchez - Silva - Coutinho
    Aguero - Giroud - Kane

    (Alrighton - Schlupp - Duff)

    1. Sol
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      Yes

  18. Van Klinkert Delarosa
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    Last minute thought on Guzan? Will he play?

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      doubtful

      1. Van Klinkert Delarosa
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 22 days ago

        Thanks, thought he was just drop

    2. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      No

      1. Van Klinkert Delarosa
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 22 days ago

        Thanks.

  19. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    Should I risk a Ramsey cameo or start coutinho and bench Ramsey?

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      play ramsey

    2. Wiz
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      Start Ramsey

    3. Kurt Zouma
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      I'm starting Ramsey.

    4. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      Cheers all

  20. Kurt Zouma
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    Henderson or Wasi? I have Schmeichel

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      hendo

    2. HonestBlatter
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      Double up Foxes! 100% clean sheet coming

    3. Cristi@no R7
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      H

    4. Wiz
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      Hendo

  21. JaydenLFC87
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    Play sterling or Gomez? ?

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      gomez

    2. Sol Campbell
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      Sterling!

  22. Arvin-ation
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    Ozil or Cazorla? 😀

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      ozil

    2. Cristi@no R7
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      Caz

    3. JÆKS ⭐
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      Andy and some other guy posted some stats about both yesterday. I'm not going for any of them but Cazorla came out as the better pick with shots on target etc. Andy still went with Ozil though...

  23. Every Dog Has Its Day
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    Aguero (C)

    Good-Luck all!

    1. whitters_2014
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      except those who haven't captained or played him? haha. good luck also pal!

  24. Penang Sandman
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    good luck have fun !

  25. Boss Hogg
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    Just Villa and Leicester players for me today (4).
    Least I've had on a Saturday all season I think.

  26. Spectre_
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    Cap Sanch or Benteke?

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      1 minute.. you decide, quick

    2. r4ndomduh
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      BENTEKE GO M8

  27. Heels_Over_Head
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    1 minute

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      For what?

      1. Pennywise
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 22 days ago

        Updating...

        I've gone balls out with Benteke (C)

        Bring it on

      2. Heels_Over_Head
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 22 days ago

        lock down of FPL to update

  28. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    form tables not really helping my cap choice

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      form is out the window, 3 games left

  29. Sandstorm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    Aaarrghhhh! I bench Coutinho and play Albrighton and Vardy instead...

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      yes

      1. Sandstorm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 22 days ago

        Coutinho has been one of my favorite players ever since he joined Liverpool and I always hope him to do well.

  30. Snapes on a Plane
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 22 days ago

    Augero or Sanchez(C)?

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 22 days ago

      1 minute, decide