Preamble

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 38

What a difference a year makes.

Just under twelve months ago I was lamenting my worst ever campaign in eight years of playing the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game. I’d limped over the line, recording a rank of 192,837 – a pretty miserable result for someone who sleeps with the fixture list etched onto the back of his eyelids.

While there was no obvious excuse, it’s fascinating to reflect on the lessons I’d identified back then. It’s even more enlightening to see if I’ve really learnt anything from those struggles, and whether that’s helped me turn things around.

React as quickly as possible to form players and don’t be shy to use hits.
The stubbornness which prompted the slow reaction to the form of Aaron Ramsey and Yaya Toure last season was well documented. This term I’ve been fortunate in that there have been no real equivalents.

I got on Harry Kane in Gameweek 15 and he scored 17 goals in the following 14 weeks. I guess I can take some credit for that. Other than Kane, it’s difficult to identify a bandwagon that got close to surprising us by maintaining form over a long spell. Charlie Austin is probably one I missed for a while – more on him in a moment.

It would have been interesting if, for some reason, I’d resisted Kane, missed the early goals and then allowed my stubborn nature to keep me from acquiring him. That might still be a weakness of mine – this season didn’t really test that too much, although the Austin situation hints that I’ve still got work to do.

As for hits, I’ve certainly used them sparingly, taking just three all season. I’ve no doubt that they can be effective and, as I wrote last weekend, coupling them with a banked transfer to make three changes will be a tactic I will definitely take into next season.

Apply that rule to bandwagaons and hunches alike – if there’s form, back it.
I have had more conviction with my hunches. I backed Sadio Mane the moment he arrived and, while it took me some weeks to acquire him, once he was in, he stayed in. We know how that worked out.

Similarly, I adopted his team-mate Dusan Tadic off the back of his impressive early season statistics and held him long enough to ride out that Gameweek 8 haul.

These were both major turning points in the season but behind all that, my conviction that Eden Hazard would eventually surpass Cesc Fabregas and faith in Branisalv Ivanovic, Diego Costa and early investment in Kane, meant that I ticked over.

I still bought Aleks Kolarov for one Gameweek – just as a Christmas treat.

Don’t beat yourself up about chasing points when signing form players you’ve missed.
For a few weeks, I thought I’d made the wrong decision on Fabregas but Hazard did, by Christmas, emerge as the better option.

I missed some opportunities but, in the main, I jumped on bandwagons around the right time and never really suffered from missing huge hauls.

Charlie Austin hurt me for a while – I was slow on that one, mainly because I felt that, eventually, he and QPR would be worked out. I was right to an extent, but I still missed out on some value hauls that would have probably benefited my season.

I’m not convinced I’ve learnt this lesson yet, then.

Don’t take unnecessary gambles with the captaincy in a bid to make ground.
I think this made an impact. The Gargatron tells me that I used just 10 different captains this time around, indicating that I’ve been more cautious.

For weeks I kept the armband with Diego Costa, lured in by his consistency. It hurt me on occasions and benefited me on others. Following his departure, I’ve largely turned to Sergio Aguero and Eden Hazard.

I think I’ve taken risks two or three times with the armband – it’s hard to say if that’s been a factor in the turnaround. Despite lacking the Luis Suarez option, I’ve been surprised that the captaincy has seemed to be a straightforward decision in the main. With Hazard around, it may well be even easier next season.

Sign dominant centre-backs who win headers
Sign full-backs if they have an outstanding statistic in their favour – normally, crosses or tackles.
These two combine and, in many ways, highlight how a subtle change in rules can change the FPL landscape.

For a good part of last season, I’d backed the attacking full-back over the dominant centre-back and was punished by the bonus system which clearly favoured the latter. I actually doubled on Southampton (Calum Chambers and Luke Shaw), only to eject that tactic when it was clear it was failing miserably.

A year on, the double Southampton full-back has undoubtedly been one of the key strategies when forming our defences. For a good portion of this season, having both Nathaniel Clyne and Ryan Bertrand proved a mini-league game changer.

Overall, the bonus point system was tweaked, raiding full-backs no longer suffered heavily from failed dribbles and, suddenly, there was bonus balance at the back.

I didn’t have to adjust my tactics – the FPL put things right on my behalf.

There’s the new lesson to consider: if there are rule changes for next season, don’t underestimate how they can influence our strategies – however subtle they appear to be.

Don’t be shy spending money on defenders if they also offer goal threat.
Defenders scored 104 goals last season, which has declined to 90 so far this term.

The Chelsea pairing of John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic have benefited most from their attacking menace at set-plays and, by owning the latter all season, I guess I put this one straight.

By prioritising full-backs last season, I turned my back on the points earned from set-piece threat. Given that Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines have declined in goal output this season, there’s good reason to say that this has been more important than ever.

Arguably I made the right choice. Ivanovic has had that threat at set-plays, whilst also being an attacking full-back providing crosses. With Terry ageing, the Serb will be one of the first names in my 2015/16 squad.

If you think a player is injury prone, he’s likely to eventually live up to that tag.
I need to remind myself of this one over the summer: my Diego Costa habit almost de-railed my season at one point. Eventually, the Chelsea man repaid my faith but, at several stages, I questioned whether I was making a fatal error by holding him too long. I got away with it. Just.

I’ll resist Costa next season. I certainly won’t touch Daniel Sturridge.

Of course, as I also stated this time last year, every season hands us a set of different challenges that will ultimately decide the fate of our campaigns.

Sometimes single transfers like Mane and Tadic can make a major difference, sometimes it’s having conviction in a player like Ivanovic or Hazard that tips the balance. Alongside this, we have to enjoy some fortune – the right injuries at the right time, penalty saves, points from the bench. These can all conspire for and against us and sometimes, they just fall in place.

I’m not sure how much of my season has been down to this luck over my own judgment. I do know that it’s followed on from my worst ever campaign and that, in some ways, that may have helped. Perhaps this will come as some comfort to those who look on this season’s rank and flinch.

While I’ve spent this morning reflecting on the story of my own campaign, much of my focus today will be on the very top of the FPL rankings. Once again, we’re blessed with seeing members of our community competing for the top prize.

Simon March, aka “Dufflinks”, looks well placed to seal the title as he seeks to protect a 34-point lead. The likes of Kev Gleave, Jack Wain, Jon Sumner, Stuart Greenacre and AbuBakar Siddiq give chase – all either members of the FFS Leagues, posters on our pages or both.

It’s this that makes me most proud and convinces me that 2014/15 has been a season to savour.

I’ll be pre-ambling your way again in August.

Good luck to all.

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

3,813 Comments Post a Comment
  1. sminkypinky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    I have a captaining dilemma. Help highly appreciated!

    Migs
    Kos Schlupp Kol
    Haz Theo Bolasie Mata Milner
    Costa Vardy

    Davies Bellerin Pelle Skrtel

    So who do I captain?

    1. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      No Kun 😯

      Vardy or Costa?

      1. UncleWoy
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 10 days ago

        I have Vardy, but would be tempted by Costa from those two.

        1. sminkypinky
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 10 days ago

          Not worried bout his fitness?

          1. UncleWoy
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 10 days ago

            True, but it's the last game of the season, it'll be a parade lap for them.

    2. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      Costa

    3. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      Costa

    4. Mull
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      Theo

      1. sminkypinky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 10 days ago

        I'm kinda leaning this way too. Leave with a bang! And vc?

        1. QPR expects... glory!
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 10 days ago

          Mata

          1. sminkypinky
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 10 days ago

            Thanks guys!

  2. Every Dog Has Its Day
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    Coutinho out for YYT or Silva or any other mid -4? (I have already taken a hit)

    1. Candidate
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      keep cout if you are chasing.

  3. Candidate
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    Quick poll:

    A. Ozil -> Silva
    B. Cazorla -> Silva

    thanks guys!

    1. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      B

    2. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      B

  4. UncleWoy
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    Morning all, please lend your brains. Should I play?:

    a) Skrtl
    b) Dawson

    Am leaning toward Skrtl.

    1. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      Def A

    2. Efan Ekoku Pops
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      I've got both and playing Skrtel. Although it usually backfires when I bench West Brom players...

      1. UncleWoy
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 10 days ago

        Cheers guys. Touch of pre-match nerves. Good luck.

    3. Hurricane
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      b

  5. Crouch Potato!
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    This whole place is going to go dental with the Hazard news!

    1. Mull
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      *sighs*
      😉

    2. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      I'll applaud the try but the execution..meh

    3. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      How are you feeling about next season, Crouchy?

    4. Tommy J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      Those with wisdom will have held on.

    5. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      😀

  6. Marty McFly
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    What's more important to people overall ranking of mini leagues? Head says to captain Aguero today and try to move up the rankings. I'm chasing down 20pts though and my heart is saying take a punt on Walcott for the armband. Any advise at all would be welcome!!!

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      I'm chasing a 23 point lead today so I'm going for Tekkers as captain instead of Aguero.

      I don't think I have enough differentials to captain Aguero and make up the points that way. As far as I see it the most realistic way I'm going to close that gap is by having a different captain who outscores Aguero.

    2. UncleWoy
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      It's always the satisfaction of mini leagues for me, so I've gone safe with the armband to (hopefully) cover my opponent. Walcott armband is a bit of a risk IMO.

  7. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    who will jose troll, the sellers or keepers

    either he starts or comes on as sub

  8. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    I can't believe I made my moves 1 minute before this news on Hazard came out. What are the chances?!!!

    1. Bobby_Baggio
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      Me too - did Haz > Mata. Oh well if its meant ot be its meant to be

    2. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      What news? And what were your moves?

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 10 days ago

        Haz trained yesterday

    3. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      ?

  9. Red Star Toro
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    Last one I guess:
    A) Caz, Kane -> Mata, Benteke (C)
    B) Hendo, Kane -> Bolasie/Punch/Young/Milner, Lukaku (C)

    chasing 19 points any help appreciated!

    1. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      B Young

      1. Red Star Toro
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 10 days ago

        is he sure to start?

        1. Every Dog Has Its Day
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 10 days ago

          Yes!

    2. Hurricane
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      B with Young

      1. Red Star Toro
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 10 days ago

        do you think he'll start?

  10. hillbillypete
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    selling Victor Moses on the final day just feels wrong...

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      Having Victor Moses until the last day is wrong.

  11. ILOVEBAPS
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    How long before lock out?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      30 mins

      1. ILOVEBAPS
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 10 days ago

        Thanks a bunch.

    2. Hurricane
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      30 minutes

  12. Hurricane
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    Kane to
    a) Gomis
    b) Ulloa
    c) Cisse
    for my FT?
    6.5 available
    Thanks in advance!

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      Keep him. He will score

      1. Hurricane
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 10 days ago

        Thanks for the reply!!
        What do you think i should do then? Here's my team

        1 FT, 0.9 ITB
        Migs
        Iva Kosc Cress
        Sanchez Silva Caz Grealish
        Aguero Benteke Kane
        Panti Albrighton Skrtel PvA

    2. Cesc, Drogs & Rock and …
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      B or C

      B if you're leading/holding; C if you're chasing.

      1. Hurricane
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 10 days ago

        Thanks for the reply!
        Trailing 1st place in my cash league by 1 pt. Think i should do b?

        1. Cesc, Drogs & Rock and …
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 10 days ago

          I think Kane should go. Obviously, he way score, but he's been in (relatively) poor form recently and EVE defence has improved over last month or so.

          1 point - that's very close. Almost not worth making a transfer to gain ground. Could you upgrade Grealish? Do you know if your leader has LEI attacker?

          1. Hurricane
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 10 days ago

            He had Albrighton and Vardy till last week and will play one of them atleast!

    3. Money Penny
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      b

      1. Hurricane
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 10 days ago

        Thanks for the reply!

  13. Norfolk&Chance
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    Cisse start would mean Perez or Riveleier is benched?? Not sure myself..

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

      don't know

      Riviere has "form"...

      1. QPR expects... glory!
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 10 days ago

        Yeah for 36 weeks he couldn't find the goal and when he did he kicked it in off his other leg!

        1. Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 10 days ago

          Would be against us too.

          QPR always guaranteed to help any footballer end his goalscoring drought.

  14. Cesc, Drogs & Rock and …
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    Morning, all. Last GW - such sadness 🙁 Been my first season playing FPL - really appreciated everyone's help.

    Looking to impose one last time. Thoughts on this:

    Mignolet

    Terry | Koscielny | Schlupp

    Mata | Sanchez | Hazard | Coutinho

    Benteke (V) | Aguero (C) | Vardy

    Pantilimon: Puncheon | Dawson | Bertrand

    Thanks!

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      GTG, good luck

      1. Cesc, Drogs & Rock and …
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 10 days ago

        Thanks!

    2. Hurricane
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      i would play Dawson. WBA always keep a cleansheet when you least expect them to.
      Maybe over Coutinho? or Vardy?

      1. Cesc, Drogs & Rock and …
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 10 days ago

        Do you think so? I know what you mean, but I feel he can't KEEP rinsing me.....

        Plus, I'm 65 and 100 points ahead in my two mini leagues, I don't need to gamble. I think LEI QPR could be a goalfest and I have a soft spot for Coutinho.

        Thanks 🙂

        1. Hurricane
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 10 days ago

          Go with your gut then. Nothing to lose.
          You think a hit for Kane and Sanchez to Mata and Lukaku is justified? Trailing by 1pt in my cash league. Thanks in advance!

  15. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    YYT or Mata?. Quick. And thanks

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      maybe keep hazard with the news?

    2. Dušan Citizen
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      I've got Yaya

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 10 days ago

        What Hazard news?

        1. Tommy J
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 10 days ago

          He trained yesterday-see post on previous page...evidently

  16. Cilly Bonnolly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    1. Play Van Aanholt away to Chelsea or Bertrand away to Everton
    2. Play Mané away to City or Boyd away to Villa

  17. JJO
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    Would love Hazards and Girouds braces today 🙂

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

      britches?

  18. Dušan Citizen
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    Vardy good captain option and differential?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      No

    2. The Nuttman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      Seems acceptable, one of many good punts.

  19. jdogg
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    Mata yaya silva or walcott?x

    1. 50 Shades Oshea
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      silva

  20. Vardy Gras PBFC
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    Balls to the breeze? Y or N

    Giroud, Kane, Dawson OUT
    Ulloa, Benteke, Kolarov IN (-4)

  21. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    Anybody gonna captain Hazard ?

    1. 50 Shades Oshea
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      could be a good shout as he will either start or not play imo

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

    Another great preamble.. I think my biggest lesson I'll bring in to next season is to not be scared to double up on defenders quikly when a team is looking to be on a solid defensive run..

    1. Cesc, Drogs & Rock and …
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      Yer, definitely.

      Although, I'll probably start with CHE, WBA, LEI/SOU (depending on fixtures).

      Picking up on form players has been my biggest weakness this year.

  23. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    Play Albright ahead of caz?

    1. 50 Shades Oshea
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      ye

  24. 50 Shades Oshea
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    need some advice? got 1ft and 14 ahead of rival, he has benteke and done 2fts, who also has a chels defender.

    its heating up
    ospina

    vlaar, moreno, schlupp

    Sanchez, silva, Hazard, Hendo

    Kun, kane, Giroud

    krul, walters, berty, PvA

    thinking these

    A) walters for bolaise

    B) haz out for mata

    c) haz and kane out for mata and benteke -4

    D) haz and kane out for young and costa -4

    thanks

  25. Money Penny
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    Am thinking of playing grealish and benching ozil... madness or genius?

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

      mad

  26. SenjorBob
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    CAPTAIN:
    A)Diego da Silva Costa
    B)Sergio Leonel "Kun" Agüero Del Castillo

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

      b

    2. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      BBBBBBB

      1. SenjorBob
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 10 days ago

        thanks guys

  27. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    Has Jose made a comment RE: Hazard

  28. FPL Bargain
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    Since Hazard trained yesterday will he play?

    1. Punty
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 10 days ago

      He trained yesterday? Fk me.. I sold him rival kept him

  29. johnny_
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    Milner or Yaya?

  30. SweeSwee
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 10 days ago

    Bench Hazard or Kane?