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. Exeter Gently
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    time for another installment of.....

    who do you fear not owning this gw?

    .....rooney

    1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Giroud for sure. And Rambo if he starts.

      Who has Rooney still?!?

      1. Rabbinton
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        My rival

      2. Exeter Gently
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        probably few, which is why he'd be a good punt this wk i think. or maybe berahino/ideye considering they play newcastle

    2. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Benteke

    3. FPLEL
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Giroud and Benteke.

    4. Rabbinton
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Silva

    5. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Sanchez

    6. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Benteke

    7. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Benteke

    8. Heels_Over_Head
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Kun, Silva, Austin

    9. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      No fear.

      1. Exeter Gently
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        😉

    10. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      For me this week it's more a case of did I captain the right man!

    11. davies
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Tekkers and Giroud

    12. Demí
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Danny Graham

      1. Jax
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        lol

        1. Demí
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 20 days ago

          Bookmark this

          1. Ryan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 20 days ago

            He will mess up Wickhams chances now as he'll be forced deep.

      2. Zombie
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        How nailed on is he, Demi?

    13. Mary
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      benteke

    14. Zombie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Giroud, Lukaku

    15. Stimps
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Yun

    16. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Benteke & Sanchez. Dear God..

    17. Norco
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Benteke and Giroud

    18. Jairzinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Aguero

    19. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Silva

    20. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Benteke, Silva, Giroud

  2. Quinny___
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    Anyone not captain Kun?

    1. Mary
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      some guy who lives across the road from my cousin's friend's neighbour

      1. Gregor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        LOL@that guy.

    2. beric
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Yeah I went giroud

    3. ktk_interista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Benteke!!! I have Kun though. If Benteke gets a brace and Kun does more I wouldn't mind much.

    4. Jairzinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Don't even own him. I went N'Doye.

  3. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    Sunderland starting with three strikers!! I've gone double Everton defence!!

    1. Mary
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      DEFOE

    2. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      One of them is Graham

    3. davies
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Three shite strikers isn't much better than one shite striker.

      1. Jax
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        sunderland might upset them...

  4. davies
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    Best midfielder up to 4.6?

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      albrighton, grealsih

    2. Mary
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      phillips

    3. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      I've gone Grealish.

    4. Red Devil Swede
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Colback

      1. Red Devil Swede
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        But he's 4.7..

        I have Grealish.

    5. Canadian Football
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Albrighton

    6. Ruth_NZ
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Phillips

  5. Canadian Football
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    Steven Fletcher will be the fpl dark horse until the end of the season.

    Bookmark it!

    1. Mary
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      shhh 😉 I'm bringing him in for dgw

      1. Canadian Football
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        If he comes off the bench today, I am getting him for sure.

        1. Jax
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 20 days ago

          injury prone. no way.

          1. Canadian Football
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 20 days ago

            Just has to patch himself together for 3 games

  6. Numb
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    Draft League with no auto subs. Which one to bench?

    A. Graham (starting)
    B. Remy
    C. Young

    Thanks.

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      oh dear

      i'd guess B

      need us both to get safe and out of relegation

      have semi-access to site now... but not full... need to find someone with a vpn

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        Thanks! It's a tough one

  7. mad_beer ✅
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    One Liverpool goal today is worth so much to me. Please let it happen!

    1. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Highly doubt it.

    2. davies
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      They'll have a job on.

    3. BlzE_94
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      well it's not going to happen because they don't even play today!

    4. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      100% will not happen.

    5. whitters_2014
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Same playing v 2 che defence.... Just nothing to do with sterling and hope this tomorrow

    6. mad_beer ✅
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Major post fail. I meant tomorrow.

      1. whitters_2014
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        Everyone knew but yeah I agree

  8. Rains of Castamere
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    Transfer history

    Date Out In GW ?
    08 May 23:03 Giroud Benteke 36
    08 May 23:03 Cazorla Grealish 36
    08 May 23:03 Taylor Jagielka 36

    :O

    1. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Madness

    2. Jax
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      you took out giroud before a DGW? moron.

      1. Jax
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        and cazorla?????

        1. Rains of Castamere
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 20 days ago

          Not me, my ML rival.

          Speechless.

          1. Norco
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 20 days ago

            wow... just why

      2. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        Not his history... oh, nearly forgot... Moron.

  9. LE GOD(C)-AMERICAN DYCHO-(1…
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    I have a bit of a benching problem in defence for the DGW

    Pants

    Bellerin(ManU,Sund)
    PVA(Lei, Ars)
    Ivan (WBA)
    Terry(WBA)
    Skrtel(CP)

    Pick 3 to play

    1. davies
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Bellerin and the Chelsea boys.

      1. Mr.Irwin
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        Wait and see if Chelsea go all out attack tomorrow. Could be worth only Ivan next week if they do

    2. SweeSwee
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      I have exactly the same defence.

      Playing the DGWers and Ivan

  10. whitters_2014
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    As an East Anglian ... And a follower of both sides I'm so psyched for this game

    1. Billy Ketsu
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Everton vs Sunderland? Why's that?

      1. whitters_2014
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        Haha. Old farm derby

        Norwich v Ipswich

        1. Billy Ketsu
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 20 days ago

          That makes more sense. Good luck!

          1. whitters_2014
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 20 days ago

            Thanks man

  11. John Smith
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    Did mark sell hazard?

      1. Mr.Irwin
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        Strange week to do a hit

      2. Ryan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        Took a hit and bought in 2 non DGWers. Interesting

        1. Mr.Irwin
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 20 days ago

          He really wants yo finish in the top hundred I guess. Might as well go for it. Now or never

  12. davies
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    An Everton win is priceless as a Leicester fan.

    1. ebow14
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      everton should win but can see sunderland putting up a good fight

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      To be fair, I don't think you'll need to worry about Sunderland's results. You'll be safe on your own merits.

      Fair play to you too. If only our overpaid underperformers played with as much fearlessness as yours did..........

  13. Exeter Gently
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    hoping i did the right thing benching sterling for albrighton. we shall see.

    1. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      I sold Sterling for Albrighton

      1. Exeter Gently
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        here's to us then

  14. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    Skrtel goal will make my day 🙂

    1. Jax
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      won't score today 100%

      1. Jebiga
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        my weekend 😀

        1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 20 days ago

          you jinxed it 😉

      2. whitters_2014
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        Might do on FIFA

    2. ktk_interista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Skrtel and Terry with a goal apiece 😉

  15. Super PVA - Small Spuds
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    Outstanding preamble Mark

  16. ebow14
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    Sun dream team weekly, only get points for motm, goals and clean sheets
    Good team? Cheers
    Hart
    Kosc Mert Coleman Chester
    Caz Adam Brady
    Benteke Aguero Lukaku

    1. ebow14
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Anyone?

    2. Quinny___
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      nah not really

      1. ebow14
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        Get rid of who then?

  17. No Luck
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    Double Newcastle defence today - my fantasy fate is in John Carver's expert hands...

    1. Jax
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      1-0 win

    2. Heels_Over_Head
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      no kidding?

        1. Jax
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 20 days ago

          krul isn't a defender but yeah you get the point

    3. SW6
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Do Newcastle even have 2 available defenders??

      1. No Luck
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        Krul and Ryan Taylor. Hoping for jammy free kick goal and assist from corner.

    4. Obi Wan Elokobi
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Gone for the opposite double West Brom.

      1. Jax
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        won't keep cs.

  18. ebow14
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    Is brady on pens for hull?

    1. Jax
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      probably

  19. ebow14
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    Best bets of clean sheets this week?

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      qpr

      about as serious as your brunt-a-thon, eh?

      1. ebow14
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        Heh? 🙂

          1. ebow14
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 20 days ago

            Now that's sad

          2. ebow14
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 20 days ago

            For some of them I was being serious anyways, newcastle have like almost all of thei rdefence missing have lost so many games

    2. SW6
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Man Utd if the price is right.

  20. Obi Wan Elokobi
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    Great save from Ruddy.

    1. Jax
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      ruddy hell

  21. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    already got 5 dgw'ers for net gw [giroud / sanchez / ospina / pva / gomez] should i go all out and do kane > defoe for a free?

    1. PGR
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Same dilemma for me. I think 5 is plenty though. Especially since Kane has Hull at home next week.

      1. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        yer was looking at that hull fixture just depends how they do this week.

        1. PGR
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 20 days ago

          Also Sunderland away at Chlesea last day of the season. Wouldn't want to play a Sunderland player for that game.

          1. Jax
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 20 days ago

            they beta them last season and will be going for it as they will probably need a good result

    2. Obi Wan Elokobi
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      I wouldn't advise it.

  22. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    Ipswich or Norwich?

    1. whitters_2014
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Norwich to win I think

    2. ralfb
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Norwich

    3. Jax
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      norwich won last 4 so ipswich.

    4. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Norwich

    5. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      norwich , want olsson + ruddy in my fpl team again

      1. Gooner97
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        Redmond!

        1. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 20 days ago

          yer had him aswell. and micheal turner's goals

          1. Gooner97
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 20 days ago

            Had him that day. I also had Whittaker's haul on the bench

            1. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 20 days ago

              remember whittaker was great at the start of the season when he was playing

  23. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    my opponent, sterling to coutinho ,for -4 lololol

    1. ralfb
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Might be a good move if coutinho scores

      1. Jax
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        duh.

      2. Jordan.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        seriously,pretty much got to score to break even and its Chelsea,come on mate...

    2. Obi Wan Elokobi
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      I so hope this works out.

  24. ralfb
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    Hope the leagues best manager waits another week before showing what he can do with my double wba defence 🙂

  25. Rabbinton
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    2, 3 & 4th in my ML have put in an arsenal def whilst I've gone for 2 mids and giroud. Would a hit to cover that be crazy?

    1. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Depending how Giroud looks Monday I might be taking out Bellerin for a hit to fund getting him 😯

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        At the moment Bellerin is probably more likely to score than Giroud.

      2. Rabbinton
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        Two of them went for bellerin and I can see him being rotated (hopefully)

  26. ralfb
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    Can i go into next gw without any sunderland players, or is there any must have one?

    1. Jax
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      gk

    2. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Whoever scores for them today will be essential and a must have for the dgw

      1. Jax
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        if they score

        1. Optimus.
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 20 days ago

          Gomez is going to score 2 goals every gw

          1. Jax
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 20 days ago

            ha

      2. ralfb
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        Lol

      3. SW6
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        This. I'm predicting Gomez.

    3. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      gomez ,penalty chances in 2 games and so easy to get in...

      1. ralfb
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        Thanks, good shout

        1. ralfb
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 20 days ago

          Might go then haz henderson to sanchez gomes

  27. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    Anyone know when the ownership stats update on FFF?

  28. Norco
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    Covered my rival with Sanchez and Ozil... though he still has Giroud over me. Hopefully Vardy can come to the party this week lol.

  29. Quinny___
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    Cazorla,Sanchez,Silva,Hazard,Kun,Benteke,Kane

    I literally have no differential in my team. Is that bad....

    1. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Caz maybe

      1. Quinny___
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        Im ahead in my mini league by 170 points and im sitting at 1400 overall. I probably need a differential to break into 3 digits

    2. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Yes..I have Murray 😎

    3. 11 Angry Men
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Great team though, not many people have Kun, Sanchez, Silva Benteke and Hazard. Most run out of money after 4!

  30. 11 Angry Men
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 20 days ago

    Can I ask a couple of questions that have always bothered me?

    Firstly - is the photo in the preamble header of Big Sam and Steve Bruce?
    Secondly - what are the green up arrows next to posts for?

    Keep on waiting for someone else to ask.....

    1. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      1) It seems that way but does it make sense? Not sure

      2) upvoting

      1. 11 Angry Men
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        Thanks, and thank you for not mocking my lack of knowledge!

    2. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 20 days ago

      Green Arrows are for upvoting , if you look in the top right corner of your post you have a number there, the more numbers a post has thee more popular it is. Generally it's a way to show good posts.

      As for the picture, can't help there, although I guess you are right.

      1. 11 Angry Men
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 20 days ago

        Thanks!

        Is this how a post becomes a hot topic? By getting upvoted?

        Or is that decided by the moderators?

        1. Hamstergod
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 20 days ago

          It's decided by moderators, but a lot of upvotes usually helps. Some get the upvotes after being changed to a hot topic, but in a lot of cases, they were upvoted before.

          Some people also use it to show that that particular response deserves more attention/is funny or just generally stands out for whatever other reason.

          1. 11 Angry Men
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 20 days ago

            Thanks, good to know...

            Good luck for the weekend!

            1. Hamstergod
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 20 days ago

              Thanks and same to you!

        2. Ryan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 20 days ago

          Moderators. But we do use upvotes as an indicator.

          You can also sort comments by 'Discussion rating' instead of date and then all the highest voted posts are at the top of the feed.

          1. 11 Angry Men
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 20 days ago

            Great thanks!