Opinion

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 12

So we’ve finally seen the back of the international breaks.

That will come as relief, no doubt, to every Fantasy Football manager who dread such interruptions as windows for mundane Garden Centre visits, spent wistfully glancing at the latest scores from League Two.

Now only the FA Cup can disrupt the flow, granting us a free weekend early in 2018.

I suspect we may well be thankful for that particular interlude. Indeed, looking ahead to the schedule in front of us, we should be careful what we wish for.

From now until the next “break”, we will play out 11 Gameweeks. That’s the equivalent of our season progress so far, but spanning a period of just 46 days.

Stop and consider that for a moment. It seems both ridiculous and unfeasible.

I can’t recall such a tortuous schedule. While each Gameweek will blend seamlessly into another, creating an exciting helter-skelter period of our campaign, we surely have to question what this relentless procession of matches and decisions will do to our squads and sanity.

Injury doubts and suspensions will collide head-on, with Phil Jones’ current situation perhaps a stark reminder of what’s to come.

This is not a time to harbour delicate flowers, however vital they appear to our cause. Players like Jones who are nursed from week to week, managed and protected by their medical staff, should perhaps be marked as an endangered species.

We need to look at each member of our squad and question if they possess the resolve to get through this test.

Jones aside, I’m certainly looking at Eden Hazard and wondering just how many kicks and tumbles he can sustain in the space of seven days and still make it out onto the pitch. He seems almost guaranteed to be yellow flagged for Christmas.

Alongside this, we have to consider how our Premier League counterparts will approach matters. They will surely be tracking their squads, monitoring red zones and managing minutes.

The persistent anxiety created by Pep Guardiola’s teamsheet will almost be lost in a tide of uncertainty from all camps, as every manager undergoes an examination of their resources and shuffles the pack.

We can prepare by attempting to recruit the “untouchables”; those players considered so crucial to their respective sides that they appear almost “guaranteed” maximum pitch time.

Though no player, perhaps not even first-choice goalkeepers, will likely escape this spell without losing minutes.

Progressing with Kevin Long in our dressing room looks folly, while we can retain Tom Carroll, but have to be content to field him.

We’re going to need a bench that can help us weather the impending storm. And ideally, it needs to be stocked with players that are not only active, but who also promise points.

Fantasy Football will demand our full attention. We face six weeks of scouring team news, analysing selection trends and collating any clues that are dangled.

So leave the decorations in the loft. Prepare partners now and explain to the kids that Christmas is off. At least until you’ve figured out what to do with Chancel Mbemba.

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

1,665 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ignis88
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Play Stones or Choupo-Moting?

    1. ChelseaGuy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Choupo

    2. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Stones

    3. stamboy
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Chopo-Moto I would say as I think City could concede so bigger upside with Choppo

    4. ignis88
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Split decision then overall. Gonna go with choupo as atacking players always nice to play!

  2. Konig Luther
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Buy Francis or Tarkowski?

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      It amazes me people are in this position 10 mins before deadline having had 2 weeks to sort the squad out.

      1. Fanta sea
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        yup

      2. Konig Luther
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        unfortunately 1 week and half is waiting for international games end

    2. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Tarkowski

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Both .

    4. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Tarkowski though of those 2

    5. Akeem
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Tarkowski

    6. stamboy
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      depends on who your other defenders are and gk

      1. Wizard of Ozil
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        I got rid of Kiko Femenia for Tarkowski to sit next to Mee.
        Usual tinkering when I could probably keep the transfer.
        Knowing my luck it will be
        Swansea 1-0 Burnley.

  3. ChelseaGuy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone capping Kun!?

    1. stamboy
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      nope

  4. Count_cooler
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    A) Sterling to Pogba
    B) save

    Team:

    Elliot (foster)
    Alonso Vert naughton kiko (mbemba)
    Silva salah sterling (choupa)
    kane aguero abraham

    1. ChelseaGuy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Save

    2. Mick J
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Save! I’d rather have Sterling than Pogba this week.

      1. Count_cooler
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers lads!

    3. ignis88
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Playing naughton ahead of Choupo??

      1. Count_cooler
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Yes good point, wrote my team down in a hurry, will start.

        Will Sterling start?

        1. ignis88
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          According to Pep he’s fit

  5. stamboy
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    panicking now...... bench 2 of ChopoMoto, Moreno, Alizcupeta, Callum Wilson, Lowton

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Choupo and Wilson

    2. Mick J
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Lawton

    3. SH
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      choupo moreno

    4. stamboy
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      interesting I also thought Choppo and Moreno/Lawton as I think Huddersfield might concede a couple and hoping Wilson is the benefactor. Also great differential

  6. ooooo
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Play Abraham over Jones? Dont want to risk 1 pointer.

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      No

    2. Fitzy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      You think an injured Jones will be brought on as a sub? 😕

  7. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Had to take my first hit of the season (and -8), (C) Lukaku, Salah, Daniels, Dunk please do the business!

  8. Weilong7
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Play Mee over Davies or Yoshida? please advice
    Replacement for Wood (Burnley)? should i go Murray or Abraham? if not T.Carroll can come off bench too

    De gea (Elliot)
    Bavies yoshida mee stones 3.8
    Ritchie Ramsey silva salah Carroll
    Kane lkk wood

    Thanks

    1. 003
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Mee Stones Bavies

      Abraham or murray i would choose looming towards the future. Whom do you expect to benefit from the most and the longest

    2. beetlejuice
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I reckon both Davies and Yoshida will not start.

  9. 003
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Abraham away at BUR

    Or

    Choupo-Moting away at BHA

    1. BenjaminEJones
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Tammy

    2. ChelseaGuy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Abe

  10. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    salah c ftw

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Clearly someone doesn't give a crap about the most transfered in curse.

      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        nah, i can fail on my own terms 😉

  11. Pat Bonner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Switched to sane captain!

    1. Mick J
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Quite like it, hope Pep has him as well!

    2. aborg
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I did the same 🙂 Trying not to look back and change my mind again.
      I have Kun and Kane too but I feel Sane might do the job.

  12. FredrikH
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Any Aguero capts on here?

    1. Mick J
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Don’t you think Agüero will be on the bench?

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Vc and no he won't be on bench

  13. RealSocialDads
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Is there much point starting Jones just in case?

    1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I am

  14. Uncle Gamst
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Leave Jones in side just in case he plays and RLC first on bench?

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

  15. Fanta sea
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone know Ben Davies's mum? Ask her if Davies will start the derby.

    You've got 8 mins for that reply

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Why did you put an S after the apostrophe?

      1. Fanta sea
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        True. My mistake.

        1. Reedy
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Don't apologise, it's correct

      2. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        You are supposed to with pronouns

      3. Reedy
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Because Davies ends in an S

  16. tarantino2005
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    do you guys think it is worth taking 3 hits (-12) for the following
    out: davies, vardy, silva or cout
    in: moreno, kane, zaha

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      No

  17. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Kane or Firmino captain folks?

    1. jackhammer1
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Kane

    2. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Anyone but Firm

    3. Akeem
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Kane

  18. ddande
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Start Maguire or Gomez?

    1. @FPL_liverbird (liverpoolfa…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      no brainer... Gomez

    2. Gobigorgohome
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Daniels or Dann???

      1. Gobigorgohome
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Fail

    3. tarantino2005
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      gomez

    4. ddande
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Cheers, will he start though?

  19. ryacoo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    In draft, would you sell Mawson or Francis for Rojo?

  20. Snapes on a Plane
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Play Dunk or Chuppo-moting?

  21. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Two quick questions.

    A) should I keep Jones??

    B) play Mahrez(city) or Duffy (Stoke)

    1. jackhammer1
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Yes and Mahrez

    2. RealSocialDads
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Mahrez, keep Jones for now

    3. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      1) NO.

      B) Mahrez.

  22. jackhammer1
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Start RLC or DLC?

    1. ChelseaGuy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      RLC I guess

    2. 003
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Whos dlc? Dcl maybe?

      1. jackhammer1
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Haha I've lost my head. DCL indeed

  23. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Best Bournemouth defender to get in? Francis or Daniels?

    1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Daniels

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Daniels

    3. liiusions
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Daniels

  24. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Who to captain.

    Kane
    Marata
    Salah
    Kun

    Pls help

    1. RealSocialDads
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I'm on Morata, tempted by Kane though

    2. Carcetti
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I'm on Kane, temped by Morata though

    3. Mick J
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      I’m on Morata, tempted by Salah though

  25. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    JESus to Kane for free?

    Yes or no

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Yea

      1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Ta

    2. Paulio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Hell yes

  26. dhamphiir
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Any change on WC team?
    DDG, Elliot
    Azpi, Otamendi, Jones, Duffy, Mee
    Salah, Sane, Richarlison, Groß, Surman
    Kane, Morata, Abraham

  27. liiusions
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Head says Kane captain but heart says Kun...

  28. DeeDub
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Best quality weekly article Mark. Taking about non-playing subs, is anyone transferring out the like of Krul??

  29. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone else decided they're going to play Ben Mee every week now?

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Not sure they’re that good. Arsenal will score next week. Who’s your captain Nomar?

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        Kane.

        1. Pat Bonner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 4 months ago

          Good luck

      2. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 4 months ago

        My defence is

        DDG, Elliott
        Mee, Azpi, Daniels, Moreno and Duffy.

        Tempted to get Trippier as I Have 1.6m ITb and last few mins of WC

  30. MrMajeika
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    starting back 3 trippier mee Moreno (hegazi Jones )
    do I
    A) keep trippier if he doesn't start will prob only get 1pt for hegazi

    B) trippier to stones for -4 but will i make up the points difference?

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      A

    2. Lets jump straight into it.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 4 months ago

      Keep, trippier assist incoming