Opinion

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 7

For all the fuss surrounding my early Wildcard, I can’t help but think that it’s triggered a change in fortunes.

I talked myself out of moves for Paul Pogba, Sadio Mane and Sergio Aguero either back then, or in the weeks that followed.

So I’ve managed to slalom their red flags and, while I’m hardly travelling up the ranks at pace, I’ve at least remained on course without disruption.

I’m not counting Phil Jones.

Following last night’s revelation that he’s checked in at the team hotel – which I’m reliably informed indicates that he’s in the matchday squad – it appears that he’s available to Jose Mourinho.

Whether he plays is another matter, Jose clearly has an agenda here, most likely to plot Jones’ extraction from England’s internationals, or at least convince Gareth Southgate to curtail his minutes. We shall see how that unfolds but, for me, Jones looks set to start, meaning that I’ve avoided another potential absentee.

Others haven’t been so lucky.

And that’s what it is: pure misfortune that can administer cruel and damaging blows to our season.

Nobody could have foreseen the injury – now apparently long-term – for Paul Pogba. Sadio Mane’s high-kicking jinx were uncharted, and Thursday’s injury to Aguero is just plain freakish, an almost unbelievable chain of events.

When I woke yesterday morning, I struggled to fathom what was being reported back. I imagine Pep Guardiola felt much the same.

I’ve read and heard that Pep won’t expect an apology for Aguero’s decision to take himself to Amsterdam. That’s understandable: it was the player’s free time and, after all, relief at his safe return is the priority.

But it certainly didn’t come across that way in his press conference.

Defensive in the extreme, Pep’s mood was dour and stormy, his treatment of the press bordering on unreasonable. It was all kinds of uncomfortable.

Pep doesn’t have much of a poker face: it’s very clear when he feels events have gone against him, or he’s been crossed.

While Aguero’s accident was completely unforeseen, his manager appeared frustrated and ready to throw blame, he struck out with his responses as if he had been wronged not by the finger of fate, but by something more tangible.

It was a slip of the veil, another peak into his seemingly volatile personality and it did little to convince me to start investing my trust in Pep, no matter how many goals his team are capable of scoring.

But then perhaps I need to relax my own principles. Sometimes my likes and dislikes steer my decision making a little too much.

When a player delivers for me, winning my favour, I can become blinkered.

Harry Kane is a case in point. Just like Mauricio Pochettino, I think I’ve developed a man-crush on the Spurs goal machine.

After he lifted my spirits with a brace a West Ham, I have vividly imagined another big haul at Huddersfield and felt compelled to back him with my captaincy.

But, since last nights dabble into the cold hard numbers and, in particular, Crystal Palace’s obvious frailties, I’ve challenged that thinking and changed tact.

A frosty Pep reminded me that sometimes it’s best to keep the emotion in check and let head rule heart.

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

1,634 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    how long Is pogba out?

    1. Sánchez
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Unknown I think but looks like a while

    2. Guy Demel
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      A few months according to rumours, maybe even until Xmas.

  2. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    All the gw8 WCers, would you take Lukaku out if he scores today?
    11.9-12 would be a lot to pay to get him back

    1. Up the tics
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      definitely going to make me rethink

  3. SuperMario
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Gomes - Elliot
    Alonso - Otamendi - Cresswell - Ward - Naughton
    Silva - Salah - Richie - Chupo - RLC
    Kane - Morata - Vardy

    1. SuperMario
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      any use of a WC??

    2. Man Getting Hit By Football
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Keep WC, team looks ok. How many FTs?

  4. Salarrivederci
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Went Kane (C) > Lukaku. God protect me.

    1. Salarrivederci
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      But as a dane I know, that Lössl and Zanka can't stop Kane

  5. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Both my rivals have Lacazette and Morata. Next game week worth doing Lukaku and Salah out for Hazard De Jesus -4

  6. jimmy12
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone else with Kane(C)?
    Seems im the only one in my league, could be a good thing or a bad thing

    Hattrick please

  7. F4L
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    2 above me in my ML don't even own Kane or Lukaku. Huh

    1. Hot Fuzz
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      hey fulham how is it going?
      enjoy the game

      1. F4L
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        all good matey. Cheers, hoping for a Kane haul with a couple of Davies assists 😀

  8. Fanta sea
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Every team in my ML has captained Lukaku. A couple of them had Kane in their teams as well but chose Lukaku. I'm in a weird position since I'm a United supporter. I want united to win but Lukaku not to be involved? Weird feeling for sure.

  9. Sánchez
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    When does Zlatan return? Any indication?

  10. Rash
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Switched from Kane to kaku last minute hope I don't regret it

  11. Fanta sea
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Can we go a weekend without the usual "Lol @ ..."

    If Kane blanks then fair enough.
    If Kane scores a hattrick, let's not d*ck wag either.

  12. boc610
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    The Jermane Jenas drinking game.
    Anytime he says' literally' on bbc radio 5 live have a swig

    You'll be blotto within 15 mins

  13. Uncle Gamst
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Hudderfield unbeaten at home this season

  14. Sánchez
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Was all set for an easy h2h when i noticed rival done 5 transfers.
    He's only gone and hit the WC now sadly.
    I swear they're teaming up on me using chips whenever they play me

  15. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Kane is simply more explosive than Lukaku, always has been - which is what you need for your Captain

    1. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Agreed, but my take was that Palace were more likely to concede 3-4 goals than Huddersfield. Overestimated Huddersfield's resolve, obviously.

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Lukaku can still balance the books ...

        1. iamNwB
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Looking like Lukaku won't play due to a knock

    2. Unliklinho
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Disagree. I'd prefer to get bankable points from a captain, rather than 4 or less when explosive option blanks. This week I've got Kaku (c) and Kane (vc). We'll see what happens.

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        I have them both but will always back Kane playing away to the likes of Huddersfield, irrespective of Lukaku

  16. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Damn offside.

  17. Yippeekiyay Mertersacker
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    I have a completely unremarkable FPL history, so no reputation to lose here.

    I reckon MNC will thrash CHE - and no, I am not a MNC fan or a CHE hater.

    Why? Pep.

    I also think that while a MNU victory is likely, they are not going to find it easy, which is why I captained Kane over Kaku.

    Why? I just get the feeling CPL will want to keep it tight away from home, especially against MNU, and when better a time to finally raise your game; that Hodgson may have worked doubly hard to avoid the beatings of the past, MNU over confidence, and well, Kaku can't score in almost every game (can he?).

    These are just gut feelings without reference to any stats whatsoever (e.g. I don't know the history of Pep teams against Conte teams); but I really think there is not enough data so far to take stats as gospel at this stage.

    So see you in a days time when I have to eat my words!