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. ZTF
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    Right, I captained Silva. Anyone else not captain Kun? Who did you captain then?

    1. Seb Wassell
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Fair play, but I'm not sure about that one.

    2. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Costa

    3. Captain Peacock
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Sanchez

    4. BendingFCs
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Big Call, Aguero could have had a hatrick in the first 20mins in both of his last two games.

      Worth the gamble though.

  2. pompeyfan
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    Wow, glad i took ozil out instead of depay for silva.

    Someone mentioned him missing training, that decided it. Thanks whoever that was!

    1. Whazza
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Yw

    2. HVT
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Nice one Pf!

  3. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    Payet off the bench quickly done

  4. HVT
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    Those on WC, you getting Wally?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Essential now.

    2. UCL Fantasy
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      ha!

    3. Jacques The Lad
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      lololololol

    4. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      They can't, it's finished.

    5. Manamongst
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      F&%k NO!!!

      Are you crazy?

  5. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    Minor knee injury. What do we reckon, 3 or 4months?

    1. Jacques The Lad
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      not even close

    2. Scar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      who?

  6. UCL Fantasy
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    Locked in!

    Myhill
    Kolarov Shaw Muniesa
    Sanchez (vc) Silva Payet Mahrez
    Aguero (c) Gomis Diouf

    McCarthy Westwood Huth Ogbonna

    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Nice team good luck Andy

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Very nice. I have quite similar.

      Myhill
      Kolarov Gomez Muniesa
      Sanchez Yaya Mahrez Ayew
      Aguero Costa(C) Wilson

      McCarthy Westwood Darmian Williams

      1. Francescoli
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 25 days ago

        heavy hitting bench GB

    3. HVT
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Welcome to the Club Andy btw!
      You wanna join a draft btw?

      1. UCL Fantasy
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 25 days ago

        Another draft! Not sure I have it in me.....

        When is it and what's the rules etc?

        1. HVT
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 25 days ago

          Monday, Fantrax mostly regulars-not to worry if your in a few already.

    4. Francescoli
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      looks solid andy

  7. Vatroslav
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    Guess what transfer I did? Walcott to Ozil. And now this. FML!

    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      So unlucky mate.

    2. Bungle Machine
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Auch!

    3. Jax
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      lol

  8. Bungle Machine
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    Kun tripple C, do this!

    1. Beautiful Game
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Good luck

      1. Bungle Machine
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 25 days ago

        Thank you very much!

    2. Tadic is the new Eriksen
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      gotta respect that, good luck

      1. Bungle Machine
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 25 days ago

        Tyty

  9. Dynamic Duos
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    Did it held out, Sanchez (c)

    1. Captain Peacock
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Me too. Fingers crossed!

  10. Optimus.
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    Lol @ Utd

    1. Beautiful Game
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Lol @ Pool?

      1. Optimus.
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 25 days ago

        Wrong forum mate

        1. Breadbin
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 25 days ago

          YNWA TBH X

  11. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    Feck, Walcott will troll all of us

    1. Manamongst
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Yep...12:45 game too mate... Sanchez and Ox´s day

  12. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    I quickly swaped Payet and Ozil from my bench in time, phew

    1. Kerz
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Ozil isn't in the squad.

      1. FPL Maldini
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 25 days ago

        Yes I brought Payet in from bench

        1. Tadic is the new Eriksen
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 25 days ago

          he'dhave been put in automatically anyway

  13. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    Walcott hattrick. Sanchez blank.

    1. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      ?

    2. Captain Peacock
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Why, does Sanchez fail when Walcott plays?

    3. Manamongst
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      child please...Ox will score before Theo...

  14. footballoholic
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    On Darmian v Richards, the way I see it is if I can't play Richards this week, I might as well not have him. And if he can't keep a CS at home to sunderland, I'll take him out.

    1. Jacques The Lad
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Would be reluctant to bench a 5.5 defender, you don't play 4.5s on their own individual merit but who's got the best fixture out of all your 4.5s so its not really a valid argument

    2. Slartibartfast
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Same reasoning here - Darmian + Williams benched, Muniesa + Richards playing.

  15. The Machine
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    Updating?!?!?

    Feck, unable to make the final WC changes. Wc wasted 🙁 🙁

    1. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Change your man, you're no machine.

      1. The Machine
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 25 days ago

        Name*

        1. Breadbin
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 25 days ago

          Manhood.

    2. ZTF
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Oh crap... 🙁

  16. FPL Daniel
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    Ha @ Demi. I told him Wally will start he was too stubborn to admit. In the past he was flair and brave regarding lineups. Being FFS mod destroyed his mojo 🙁 . Sadly.

    P. S. Will post the link of source

    1. The Machine
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      DANIEL FTW!!

    2. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Can't wait.

    3. Seb Wassell
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Don't be that guy.

    4. Fitzy.
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      He has more respect on here than you.

      1. The Machine
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 25 days ago

        He also has many upvotes

        1. Fitzy.
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 25 days ago

          Obviously he's not the only clown around these parts.

    5. Mr. Greedy
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Would you have been so quick with a 'I was wrong' post if Giroud had started?

      1. Manamongst
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 25 days ago

        Hell Naw...

    6. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Humble as always.

    7. Redhulkster
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Lmao

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 25 days ago

        Thanks all for the upvotes

        1. Jax
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 25 days ago

          bellend.

  17. Saniul
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    Ramsey in the hole? Could be a haul from him, I reckon.

    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Cazorla, I'm sure. Ramsey is appalling as a 10.

      1. Manamongst
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 25 days ago

        Did you see Ramsey paired with Coquelin dude? He is worse in the pivot...And when by chance have you ever watched Ramsey playing the 10 consistently enough to make that statement. We know he sucks out on the wing...

  18. Scotch Jock
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    Can everyone else see gravs?

    1. AIRMILES
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      yes

  19. ZTF
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    The game is gone.

  20. Valar(Keith)
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    Merte and Ozil to Kolarov and Sanchez already looks good for -4 🙂 .. Now to wait and see if Sakho to Benteke works out.. could well be the first time a major hit has ever worked for me 🙂

    1. Kerz
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      I did Sakho > Wilson and Mane > Yaya for -4 early.

      Stuck with Mertesacker and Ozil now. Horrid luck!

  21. sminkypinky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    Que Wenger confirming donkey with an "international" injury!

  22. S.Kuqi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    Lineups?

  23. Hibbo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    Here comes the hattrick everyone thought they were getting in GW1.

  24. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    Q Wallcot hatrick

    1. Manamongst
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      NO.

  25. The Desi Messi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    Was looking forward to the Arsenal game with Ozil playing. Ruined my whole mood for the day!

  26. dareo18
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    I keep leaving it late and now I'm gonna pay for it
    Unable to do sakho to wilson and game is already updating!!! Arrrrrrggggggghhhhhhh

  27. Optimus.
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    It's short term but Wally into the Sky game is a tempter

  28. El Berbossa - \\\"El b…
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    "Vardy>Wilson for a hit?
    Yay or nay?
    (I also own mahrez and have no bourenmoth cover)"

    "No Bournemouth Cover"

    Lol. yes we are talking Barcelona essential here.

  29. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    Oh bugger. I was set on playing bench boost chip and didn't realise you have to confirm team to set it.

    Fail.

    1. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Might be a blessing in disguise

      1. denial
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 25 days ago

        Could be. I think there's going to be lots of benched points this week.

    2. footballoholic
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      Lucky

    3. Tadic is the new Eriksen
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 25 days ago

      you got away with it

  30. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 25 days ago

    Feck off Theo.