Preamble

The Pre-match Preamble – Gameweek 19

With the majority of the press shelving their predicted lineups for today’s matches, our hunt for reassurance and validation amongst the papers is a futile one. Nonetheless, there are some nuggets of news, notably as a result of the words spilling from a cast of Premier League players, which could have some bearing on today’s teamsheets.

The Times were the first to break quotes from Wayne Rooney last night, as the United striker lamented (does Rooney lament?) his woeful output in the 1-1 draw at Swansea on Sunday. Nothing came off for the striker on the day and it was no surprise to see him withdrawn to jeers from the Liberty faithful with 12 minutes remaining.

Rooney has acknowledged his abject performance, whilst suggesting that he’s keen to get back on the pitch against Newcastle today to re-assert himself….

“I could feel it [was not going to be my day] on the pitch…Some days you have an off day I could feel that and I couldn’t complain at being substituted….I think the thing about football, and especially over the Christmas period, is that you have games and this game has gone for me and it is certainly not one I will remember, but I will relish the next one.”

The quotes and the story has been published by a number of new sources this morning, all hinting that Newcastle need to prepare themselves for Rooney’s backlash. An interesting assumption given that us Fantasy managers are braced for rotation up front in the United lineup. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side face West Brom at Old Trafford on Saturday, before travelling to Wigan on Tuesday; that’s followed by an FA Cup tie at West Ham on January 5. Presumably we’ll see Ferguson rotating for that Cup encounter, with his strongest side fielded at Wigan, having tasted defeat at the DW Stadium last term.

That will see rotation, either today against the Magpies or, more likely perhaps, against West Brom in three days time. We’re presuming that Rooney and Robin Van Persie will be benched for one of these two matches and it will be interesting to see if Ferguson opts for Rooney today, in order to give him the opportunity to rid himself of the demons from his showing in Wales. A first choice strike pairing may well be on show later today, then, with Danny Welbeck perhaps handed a wide role and then called in to action up front, along with Javier Hernandez, against West Brom on Saturday.

David Luiz’s new position in central midfield for Chelsea has generated some attention, not least because he also stroked home a superbly executed free-kick in the 8-0 demolition of Villa on Sunday. Today’s trip to Norwich will surely see Rafa Benitez rotate his resources once more, however, and Mikel’s availability after serving a three-match ban, certainly threaten’s Luiz’s chances of earning another start in midfield.

As Mikel points out, he will depart for the African Cup of Nations after Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge clash with QPR on January 2, giving him just a few matches to play out whilst he remains with the squad.

“After the Norwich match there are only two more games and I’ll be away again, as I think we have to meet up on January 4, and the manager said he wants to rotate the team and bring in fresh legs…I’ve been playing since he started, so it’s probably been good to have a week or two off to recover a little and get the legs going again, but it will be good to come back for the Norwich game.”

We could well see Mikel start at Norwich then and with Ramires and Frank Lampard impressing against Villa, it’s feasible that Luiz will find himself either benched, or shifted back to a centre-back role with Branislav Ivanovic back at full-back.

Jan Vertonghen’s position in the Spurs lineup is another contentious issue that has drawn headlines in this morning’s press. The Belgian has stated that, while he has enjoyed his tenancy at left-back, allowing him to lend his abilities to the Tottenham attack, he is pushing Andre Villas-Boas to restore him to a centre-back role…

“Yes (I’m frustrated), and the manager knows. But we needed some height in the team (against Stoke City) for the set plays and he knows I prefer centre-back, but that is enough for me. He respects me but tells me whenever I need to play left-back. I want to help the team….I love to attack and I love to go up front…It is a little more difficult than when you are playing centre-back. If you play the way that I want to play, I think my influence is better as a left-back. For the team, it is best that I play as a centre-back. I like to bring the ball out. You need to move the game quickly, and that is one of my qualities as well.”

Spurs travel to face Villa today, with Vertonghen’s compatriot, Christian Benteke, undoubtedly providing the main threat to their chances of three points. Vertonghen is quick to point out that he knows Benteke’s game only too well…

“Benteke is very good in the air and he can score. He will be a very tough player to play against…I know him quite well from Belgium, in the league and playing for the national team. It doesn’t surprise me that he has done well at Villa.”

A thinly veiled plee to Villas-Boas to let him play centre-back against Benteke, perhaps? That move would likely see Kyle Naughton drafted in at left-back with one of Michael Dawson, William Gallas or Steven Caulker given the slot alongside the Belgian in the centre. With Caulker and Dawson starting against Stoke, it would seem likely that we’ll see Gallas restored at Villa Park today.

Of course, this is all speculative stuff. There’s clearly logic we can apply to the evidence dug up by such reports and quotes but, as we saw with Roberto Mancini’s team-sheet against Reading, such logic can sometimes be worthless.

Edin Dzeko did not start against Brian McDermott’s side, City struggled to defend set-plays and Dzeko ended up coming on after the hour-mark. Presumably, we’ll see the Bosnian start at Sunderland today, only to be benched again at Norwich, even though Chris Hughton’s side and Sebastian Bassong in particular, have been a real threat from set-pieces of late. Go figure.

Of course, it’s not for me to tell Mancini how to pick his team but, like most of us, I’m quite happy to have a go and vent my anger when the logic falls short. Us Fantasy managers are always on the look out for a scrap of evidence to back our theories or justify our selections. It’s just so hugely frustrating when the decision makers that matter refuse to play along.

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

2,979 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL Daniel
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    I think instead of lineups we need a post who ie benched actually.

    Something like: Rooney, Nelsen, Shorey, Gorkss, Rafael, Ruiz.... etc.. Pls add to the list

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    1. Jax
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      ruiz only one on bench there. rest not in squads.

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    2. lilmessipran
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      rooney not even on the bench

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      1. Henry Hill
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Either is Nelsen

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    3. Parm
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Rooney, Nelsen, Shorey, Gorkss & Rafael didn't make the bench.

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    4. heartsattack
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Ashley Young not in squad.

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  2. Alonso The Great Midfielder
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    at least rooney will not come for last 10minutes....cmonnn bale (VC).....

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  3. Nopli
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Clyne comes in for Rooney. FFS 🙁 🙁

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      whyd you put him first on bench if you didnt want him as first sub then

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      1. Manani
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        I got cuellar, not because he is first in my bench, but the only one playing.

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  4. heartsattack
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    No Rooney 🙁 Dodged a bullet not getting Young in 🙂

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  5. hnmfm
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    So which match are you guise gonna watch from the first matches? do you usually watch your captain, or games with many of your players? or just the games that seem to be good games?

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    1. PGR
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      I watch the one with my captain!
      But then again I almost always captain RVP and I'm a United fan..

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  6. Blue-Ghosts
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    so whats going on with nastasic? bbc and various twitter scources have maicon starting instead

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    1. lilmessipran
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      no ,nasty starts with kompany kolo and zab

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  7. kimoo
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    ROONEY play next match ?????? or sell him

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    1. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      He'll play.

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      1. Jax
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        100% he'll play v west brom. RVP likely to be benched.

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    2. little_wizard123
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Way too early to say.

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    3. The King
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Depends on SAF's post-match interview. Hope he says he was resting him for the weekend. Good fixtures. Keep him IMO.

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    4. kimoo
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      ok thnx guysss

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  8. Sarnab
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    I have only 4 players in these 8 games starting at 15.00

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  9. Nopli
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Juan Mata makes his 50th Premier League appearance today – he has provided 20 assists & scored 12 goals . Not Bad 😉 . 13 goal coming up 🙂

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    1. ~SpartakMac
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Best player in the Prem so far this season, good luck to him :).

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  10. NATSTER
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Shorey and Gorkss not on bench.

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  11. andres
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Is nelsen on the bench?

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    1. Jax
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      no man.

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  12. Maxi_Mawoofingtons
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Gotta love this 🙂

    My cup competition has captained Hazard 😀 His vice is Santi Cazorla. Makes it easier for me to get to the next round 😀

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    1. Nopli
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      😆

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  13. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Confirmed delay of 15 mins at #QPR vs West Brom game.

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  14. Demí
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Looks like i've got Cuellar coming in for Nelsen. Not the worst of options, i don't expect them to get hammered.

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    1. FPL Daniel
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Thanks god u said Nelsen, not Nelson

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      1. little_wizard123
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        I know, how is it hard to spell it correctly!?

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    2. Jax
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      they'll concede more than if nelsen would have been playing.

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    3. embo76
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Me too Demi. No one else on bench though

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    4. ~SpartakMac
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Same here, 3 goals max from Citeh but I expect a tight 1-2.

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  15. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    So rvp will get a yellow on purpose and it wil be rooney welbeck vs wba

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    1. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      No need, the threshold increases after the next game.

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  16. Captain Shirokov
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Is Shorey starting?

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    1. Sean.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      not even on the bench

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    2. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      No

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  17. Owd Big 'Ed
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Nelsen only let down for me, but I have Cuellar to come in. Not a big problem as I think Sunderland will be tough to break down.

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  18. Just One More Thing
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Time to repair my defence me thinks - no Rafa & now no Nelsen; 10 playing for me this week.

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  19. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Nelsen not in the squad has to mean an injury.

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      All I know is I have 2 defenders ... 😐

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Have you still got the K dog?

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  20. Sean.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    no shorey cameo, havent got much hope for cuellar though 🙂

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    1. PGR
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      haha, same here! Cuellar coming in for me too! Although I dont really care if Sunderland get hammered as long as Aguero and Silva are involved

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    2. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      0-0 with Cuellar orchestrating a Sunderland defensive masterclass

      I WANT TO BELIEVE

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      1. Kagawa Fried Chicken
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Hope so mate. remember the Ji-Dong Won winner. Delightful

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      2. ~SpartakMac
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Or even better...

        79:38 Goal scored
        Goal - Carlos Cuellar - Sunderland 3 - 1 Manchester City
        Carlos Cuellar finds the back of the net with his second headed goal of the game from inside the six-yard box to the bottom right corner of the goal.

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  21. JUSTBLAZE
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    No Nelsen, no Rafa, no Shorey lol.

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    1. JUSTBLAZE
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      At least 0 is better than -4 points.

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      1. Maxi_Mawoofingtons
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        No Nelsen and Rafa for me too 🙂

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    2. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Same boat.

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      1. JUSTBLAZE
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Still, no points is better than losing them.

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    3. Billy Gilmore
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      lol same.

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  22. Beamer
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    So RVP might as well get Yellow Carded since he will be rested next week.

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  23. The Wizard of Ozil
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    why o why did i not do rooney -> Berba like i planned. down to 10 players already

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    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      same I will probably be down to nine Caulker is under constant threat of rotation

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  24. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Hughes best not come on so cameron plays for me

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  25. GlasgowFF
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Rooney will not like getting dropped. Toys out the pram time coming up.

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    1. heartsattack
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Nah. Fergie will rest RVP next.

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    2. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      He could be injured...no-one has suggested this yet

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  26. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Long

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  27. FPL Daniel
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Well if Popov continues he will be nice option for 4.5m. Attacking for solid unit, especially at home, meaning no benched pts

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  28. FPL Daniel
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Is WBA game delayed or postponed?

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    1. Henry Hill
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      delayed fifteen minutes

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  29. Blue-Ghosts
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    maicon starts! no nastasic! CONFIRMED

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    1. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Troll

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  30. Demí
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    ‏@IJTaylor81
    Ryan Nelsen misses out with flu #QPR

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    1. Henry Hill
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Big blow especially with Anton coming in for him

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    2. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Ryan you warrior, i needed you this week!!!

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      1. Henry Hill
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Sparky's best signing, why couldn't he get a game for Blackburn last season?

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