Preamble

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 4

I’m having humble pie for breakfast.

A thick crust and generous filling, it’s not my preferred Saturday morning bacon sarnie but I’m tucking it away hungrily, nonetheless.

Last season I realised that this was the secret: when Fantasy Football rubs your nose in your mistakes, you’ve got to own up.

After opening the door for a player to punish me post-Wildcard in last week’s Preamble, Callum Wilson duly obliged with an unexpected hat-trick and maximum bonus return.

I knew it was coming. The important thing now was to act accordingly.

Having sold on Wilson with the Wildcard, I could have shown the usual stubborn attitude and convinced myself that my plans remained valid. That I knew best.

According to Wildcard blueprint v23 I should have been bringing Matt Ritchie in for Marc Albrighton this morning, benching Troy Deeney for his likely spell of spectating at the Etihad but reserving him as my budget striker.

Instead, I had to admit the error, forgive Callum for embarrassing me and snap him up before his price rose back to 5.5.

That could be another mistake. Ritchie may take his turn to run riot and Deeney may even come good in weeks to come; I had to ignore those fears. I also had to banish concerns of the template team forming and drown out the nagging “chasing points” argument in my head.

When a 5.4 striker demonstrates the ability to score a hat-trick, you don’t hesitate and cling to a plan.

I’d fancied Wilson as a prospect from the get-go but those beliefs were abandoned amongst the noise of the Wildcard scramble. Despite the pain of witnessing last weekend’s points haul, I can justify going back for Wilson and swallow some pride.

Above all, I fear that, if Wilson notches against Leicester, we’re going to be looking at a relentless bandwagon over the break and that would make any future portion of humble pie a lot less palatable.

I can’t risk that. I need that whiff of fried rashers to help me wake from the inevitable international slumber.

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

1,914 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Saosin
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Play Francis (def) or Payet (mid)?

    1. Perthite
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Usually better to go with the mid if you are unsure.

      1. Jönny
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Exactly this...

  2. Jönny
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    "My favourite article of the week."

    1. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Copy paste.

  3. Vpan
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Depay + Gomis -> Pedro + Wilson for -4

    Is it worth it?

    1. MisterMaster
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      no

    2. MisterMaster
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      depay to pedro or just save

      1. Vpan
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Save for now and wait for the break. Hope it's not too late...

    3. DaddyPig
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Do it, it's a game, have some fun!

  4. Jay_
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Best article of the week

      1. Les Bleus
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        "Favorite"*

        1. Jay_
            8 years, 8 months ago

            * favourite

            1. Les Bleus
              • 12 Years
              8 years, 8 months ago

              American 😀

              1. Jay_
                  8 years, 8 months ago

                  🙂

        2. JMH
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Any news on Koscielny?

          1. The Machine
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            Should play

        3. Perthite
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Put Ruddy (away to South) or Schmeichel (away to Bourn) on the park?

          1. MisterMaster
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            schmeichel for sure

          2. Red Star Toro
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            I feel like Lei-Bou can be a very open game.

            1. Perthite
              • 13 Years
              8 years, 8 months ago

              Bourn do worry me at home.

        4. MisterMaster
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Aguero triple captain activated

          1. Breadbin
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            Lots of people with the same picture as you have done the same.

            1. Les Bleus
              • 12 Years
              8 years, 8 months ago

              😀

            2. Epic Fail
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              8 years, 8 months ago

              😀

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

          *Grabs Kleenex/Old sock*

          1. RubeRx
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            Whats the old sock for?

            1. Epic Fail
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              8 years, 8 months ago

              Ease and laziness.

          2. Mull
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            My sock shattered recently 🙁

        6. Snapes on a Plane
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Pelle>benteke for a hit?
          Should I go for it?

        7. Darwen
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Great article. Been guilty of this kind of stubbornness many times.

        8. Old
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Where is the #suspensiontightrope on FFS?

          1. Epic Fail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            Not up yet.

          2. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            You do realise having an Oldham username and a Wayne Rooney grav is sacrilege right. Oldham really don't like United, may I suggest the legend that is Andy Ritchie

        9. The Machine
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Butland

          Kolarov Gomez Richards

          Hazard pedro Yaya Mahrez

          Aguero Benteke Wilson

          Good week coming up, i hope

        10. Red Star Toro
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Should I pull the trigger for Kosc -> Kolarov?

          1. Meinhoff
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            yes

          2. Epic Fail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            If it's free.

          3. Wengeance
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            For free, yes.

        11. banskt
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Play Surman (LEI) or Payet (liv)?

        12. Every Dog Has Its Day
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          "I knew it was coming. The important thing now was to act accordingly."

          That's what she said... 🙂

          1. Epic Fail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            Who is she?

            1. Every Dog Has Its Day
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              8 years, 8 months ago

              Google: The equivalent phrase in North America is "that's what she said". Both phrases are examples of Wellerisms, a literal "turn" of a phrase, changing its meaning. The versatility of the phrase and its popularity lead some to consider it a cliché.

              1. banskt
                • 10 Years
                8 years, 8 months ago

                Google: a phrase used to turn a simple comment into a sexual joke
                simple: "its so hard!" .. "that's what she said"
                more complex: "every time i pull it out i almost break my back" .. "that's what she said"

            2. Malcolm Tucker for England …
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              8 years, 8 months ago

              His mam...

              1. Every Dog Has Its Day
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                8 years, 8 months ago

                Nah yours.

                1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  8 years, 8 months ago

                  Mine wouldn't say anything, her mouth is full.
                  And you owe her a tenner btw

                  1. Every Dog Has Its Day
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 9 Years
                    8 years, 8 months ago

                    No chill 😆

          2. Les Bleus
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            Mark's a he.

        13. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          WC defence is
          Kolorov Williams Gomez Saylor Richards

          Francis, nyom or high instead of Richards ??

        14. Pasqualinho
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          I've invested in Wilson - but I do it without much hope points-wise, and plenty of hope TV-wise. I only have to endure two or three weeks price rises before his spot probably goes to Diouf.

          1. Jönny
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            He's got the fixtures, and he's looked lively without scoring before last week. I've had him from the off and would like 2-3 more goals from him over the next 5-6 weeks, before hopefully selling him for a tidy profit.

            1. Pasqualinho
              • 14 Years
              8 years, 8 months ago

              i think that's best-case scenario Jonny - and I obviously wouldn't mind being wrong. I just can't see anyone else being quite as charitable as West Ham were last week.

          2. Francescoli
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            his stats don't lie tho

        15. Sweetpea
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Best depay replacement for next few weeks?

          9.4 to spend.

          Have Sanchez Silva Mahrez WW

          1. Meinhoff
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            Coutinho maybe

        16. Kragbaek
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          If you had to pick Nasri or Navas for the next 3 GWs, who'd it be?

          1. Epic Fail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            Someone else.

          2. Costa's Counsellor
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            Are you only allowed players that start with N?

            1. Kragbaek
              • 11 Years
              8 years, 8 months ago

              If that was the case, I'd just go for Noble.

              But seriously, I need a second opinion here 🙂

              Navas will (most likely) start, but Nasri offers a bigger threat IMO if he gets gametime.

              Which of the 2?

              1. Costa's Counsellor
                • 8 Years
                8 years, 8 months ago

                You'll find Navas really frustrating to own. Seems to create a lot but never score any points.

                If you can't squeeze yaya or silva in then I would honestly look elsewhere.

          3. Old
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            none.

        17. Jönny
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Last minute fiddling!

          Mignolet [McCarthy]
          Kolorov Gomez Francis [Morgan Muniesa]
          Silva (vc) Sanchez Shelvey Mahrez [Westwood]
          Aguero (c) Costa Wilson

          0.5 in the bank

          Do I upgrade Shelvey - Montero, or Ritchie, perhaps?

          Do I put my faith in Gomez retaining his start, or should I shift him for someone with less threat to his place?

          1. griff
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            How many FTs? Looks good to me, I'd stick

            1. Jönny
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              8 years, 8 months ago

              On a wildcard.

          2. Les Bleus
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            If Hazard goes mental, you're in trouble. But I guess you can't have them all.

            Looks good otherwise.

            1. Jönny
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              8 years, 8 months ago

              He is my main concern, but I'm hoping Costa plus Shelvey outscores Hazard plus anyone 5.6 or under.

        18. Eden Hazardous
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          TBF it was a tasty humble pie!

        19. griff
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Play Alderweireld, Richards or Francis?

          1. Needo22
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            RIchards. Although I dont think any of them will bag a clean sheet

        20. Tribecca
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          A.Silva + Sanchez+ Steven Taylor + Mc Carthy

          Or
          B.Silva + Ayew + Darmian +Gomes

        21. Red Star Toro
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Am I the only one with Gomis still in the team?

          1. Epic Fail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            Yeah.

        22. Raheem's perm
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Start Targett or Darmian. I'm tempted to start Targett as Utd surely won't keep a 4th clean sheet in a row?! Thoughts?

        23. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Is Depay out for Pedro worth -4?

          1. Sweetpea
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            Don't think so.

          2. Meinhoff
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            I'm wondering the same. Probably not

          3. Needo22
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            Nope

        24. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          A Callum Wilson special edition.

          Good call to buy him back imo, his price should rocket. And paying just 5.4m for him means he doesn't have to do much to be good value. A goal this week and that price will soar even more over the international break...

        25. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Keep hazard or bring in Pedro?
          On a WC so could upgrade defence a bit with extra 2m

        26. dagunnerz93
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          What do you guys think?

          Benteke and Ayew/Siggy
          or
          Gomis and Coutinho?

          1. Needo22
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            I have a feeling about Coutinho this week...

            ...so probably A.

        27. cheeky_ash
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Anyone with me in playing WC this week?

          1. cheeky_ash
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            I mean after 11:45