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. Gregor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Isn't PVA on loan from Chelsea?

    1. Arrow Marked Drogba
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      No sold him for 1.5 mill in the long run is a bargain for sunderland!!

      1. Gregor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Fo sho.

    2. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Probably, everyone else is.....

  2. Arrow Marked Drogba
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Arsene Wenger you useless poes

    1. Kerz
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      S Africans are so distinctive...

  3. Piggs Boson
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Sold Giroud.
    Kept Sanchez
    Kept Bellerin.
    Bought Walcott.

    http://gifsoup.com/view1/1883898/matrix-bullet-dodge-o.gif

    1. Sánchez
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Hats off to you

      1. Just A Hat
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        🙂

    2. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Congrats ! 🙂

      I sold Giroud and kept Hazard, so happy as well

    3. Nobodinho
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Same 😀

    4. Vardy Gras PBFC
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Rival went Hazard to Siggy.

      I went Giroud to Ulloa, kept Ozil and Sanchez and Hazard.

      Can I borrow that gif please?

  4. Baby Bubu
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Any (C) Hazard around? Hands up please.

    1. Scoredelario
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      tumbleweed

    2. Floyd the Barber
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      0/ Yup.

      Gambled with Aguero as VC, Kane and Morgan as first subs.

      ..of course didn't factor in Kos and Giroud not starting.

  5. seanie3
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    So with no kos or giroud starting for me, need a big score from Kane argue to and hazard as nearest rival has benteke, lukaku and walcott

  6. RubeRx
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    I can still change my captain in ESPN.

    Cap Yaya, Alexis or Gomis?

    1. Reedy
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I'd have said Gomis before team news but with Siggy out, maybe Yaya.

  7. Penang Sandman
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Jack sparrow (C) next week then

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      FTW

  8. Captain Shirokov
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Newcastle not for sale apparently.

    1. whitters_2014
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      aww :(, I guess ill have to buy my friend something else for christmas

  9. BantamPhil
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Charlie Adam captainers unite!!

    1. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Some huge cojones there.

    2. Mull
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      😯

    3. Joga Bonito®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      On your own there mate.

    4. Reedy
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Very nice - good luck!

    5. Bartowski
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Half high five for vice captainers

  10. seanie3
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Should have got rid of giroud for benteke, hope arsenal need a goal and bring him on for the last 30 mins and he does the business

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      He will.

    2. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      A Puncheon?

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Might get a YC for that....

  11. BigDaveSaves
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Sold Ramsey for Silva and kept Hazard 😀

  12. Somalion
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Ashley, to be fair, accepts full blame for all that has happened.

    Won't sell the club regardless of what happens, not until he wins something.

    Not sure if his promises of better investment are believable.

    1. Captain Shirokov
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Came across fairly genuine there but I'm still not sold.

      1. Somalion
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Same here, really difficult to judge.

  13. JayBomb
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    There was always the fear of Haz making a 5min appearance. Well done those that started him. I have him 1st sub D'oh

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      You don't bench Hazard.
      Well, you do.

  14. how now brown cow
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Could drogba be on pens? Desperate hazard seller.....

    1. Scoredelario
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Yes. Haz will win them though haha

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      No.

    3. whitters_2014
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      depends how sentimental haz feels.

      1. how now brown cow
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Penalty taking must be bad for sore gnashers.

  15. Sánchez
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Someone stole my username. I was Sanchez for years.
    Changed in to S4nche2 as part of the whole 42 thing.
    Just went to change it back and its taken now.
    Ive had to add a full stop to my name.
    Wjo is this thief? Show yourself fake Sanchez.

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Unlucky.

    2. whitters_2014
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      at least now it is grammatically correct

    3. Scoredelario
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I heard a guy started playing for villa with the same name too, cheeky so'n'so

    4. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      It's not another imposter,for some reason I can't go back to "Optimus" either without a full stop

      1. Somalion
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Some cunning genius has taken these names to sell them back.

        That'll be £100 quid, ta.

    5. Big Sum
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Ι was Sanchez . for years.
      Changed in to S4nche2. as part of the whole 42 thing.
      Just went to change it back and its taken now.
      You thief

      1. whitters_2014
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        I was big sum -_-

    6. Reedy
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      You could spell it Sánchez? Apparently this Salvador did/does 🙂

    7. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Happened to a few of the England lads as well

    8. Dr. Agabuse
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      À it

  16. drughi
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone in here playing fpl next season ?

    1. whitters_2014
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      no no one sorry.

      1. drughi
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        thought so

    2. Nickofoz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      ...

    3. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      i think you will not find anyone here

    4. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I doubt that

    5. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Nah. Rubbish game

    6. Scoredelario
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Try a different forum mate

    7. whitters_2014
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      hot topic this? haha

    8. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      What's that?

    9. Captain Shirokov
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Lolwut

    10. Venom Snake
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      No I only play every second season as it takes me a full year to finalise my week 1 team

  17. Punty
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    My girlfriend is a doctor and her parents are dentists and she highly doubt Hazard can play a full game.. some hope for us sellers! She might just say it to comfort me though

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      He can play a full game.

    2. Venom Snake
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      And your a bum on fantasy football?!

      1. Punty
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Pretty much

        1. whitters_2014
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          @drughi... found one!

    3. Donkey_Sanctuary
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Does she know any dentists she can get more accurate info from?

      1. Donkey_Sanctuary
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Her parents clearly....should have read your post properly

    4. Wild Rover
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Lol, hope they never treat me

    5. Shifty
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Some other dentist said there's no way he plays.

      I guess being a supposed expert in your field means jackshite in dentistry.

    6. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      In med myself and my dad is a doctor, very surprised he's playing at all tbh.

      1. Punty
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah the infection was the big worry for her, but there's different degrees of infections I guess

        1. Somalion
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Aye, just so surprised when he has no reason to play.

      2. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        You are in med ? . Playing operation with your dad again ?

        1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          😉 .

          1. Somalion
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 5 months ago

            😉

            Sure what else would I be doing?? 😀

            1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
              • 14 Years
              9 years, 5 months ago

              🙂 . I'm off I am going to do the Match of the Day challenge . Best of luck today mate

  18. Danstoke82
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Damn 2 out of my 3 Arsenal players benched. Over to u Tekkers, Aguero, sanchez

  19. Heels_Over_Head
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Having just listened to Ashley interviewed...

    I feel really bad for Newcastle fans.

    - Said he won't sell the club until it "wins something"

    - Said they have better financial resources now to "make their own luck"

    1. Punty
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Maybe if they win Championship

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Classes finishing 4th as winning something. 😀

      1. Daniel Exeter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        So do Arsenal usually 😉

      2. Heels_Over_Head
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        That's the Wenger Cup 😉

      3. Tex
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        I think he should. Finishing fourth is harder than winning the Cups

        1. Count of Monte Hristo
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          The history books don't care who finished 4th. Fans and players want to win silverware

    3. Captain Shirokov
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      What's so bad about the second part?

      1. Heels_Over_Head
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        he hasn't been very "lucky" since arriving at the club other than selling Caroll for more than he was worth

    4. Daniel Exeter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Newcastle fans expect WAY too much

      1. Heels_Over_Head
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        why shouldn't they expect more?

        look at Man City

  20. Captain Shirokov
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Gr8 rant from Souness

  21. U-jin King™
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    crazy that they had PVA and Bertrand

    1. U-jin King™
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      reply fail, Chelsea

  22. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    £10 on Aguero, Lukaku, Benteke, Ulloa and Walcott to score anytime for £400 return

    I want goals!

    1. Donkey_Sanctuary
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      For those that don't understand betting this means you bet £10 and get nothing back

  23. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    knew haz would troll us all.......... oh well

    1. Venom Snake
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Us?

  24. Captain Shirokov
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    What's fantasy football?

    1. whitters_2014
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I can tell you what it's not, it's not a duck.

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        It's a witch.

  25. Bartowski
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Kind of wish I brought in Cisse now

  26. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Epic - you get Cisse?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I certainly did. Ok a man of my word.

      What moves did you make in the end?

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        I'm a man of my word...

      2. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Bottled it and went Pants > Kasper 😆

        Wish I had Cisse, will be great......

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Slightly dullard move for the final week 😀

          1. Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 5 months ago

            Totally 😛

            GL with Cisse......

  27. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Mio TV has a 10 game split screen : cool:

    1. Shifty
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Hope they play audio from all 10 games at once for u!

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Like being at every ground 😮

    2. Venom Snake
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      #migraine

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        This after just 2mins 😆

  28. Punty
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Good luck everyone.. think I'll try stay off FFS in fair of "lol @ hazard sellers!"

    1. Punty
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      fear..

  29. Shearer & Sutton
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    I sold Giroud and kept Hazard and Sanchez. 10/11 start. Only Ramsey fail. He play about 25-30min. So 1 point for Ramsey. 🙁

  30. Bartowski
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    #pardewout