Preamble

The Pre-match Preamble – Gameweek 13

I’m not too good at keeping secrets. Those of you who allow me assault your ears via the ScoutCast will know that I’m currently adopting a media blackout when it comes to my Fantasy Premier League lineup.

While that’s proved fun for a while, it makes bearing my soul in this article on a Saturday morning rather tricky. With an hour to go, then, it’s time to disperse the fog of war and reveal all. Not least because I’m panicking that I’ve made another error in a season seemingly littered with them.

I’ve sold Wayne Rooney.

There it is – it’s out there. Stuck out in a paragraph all on its own it looks just as scary as I thought it would. Let’s try to fix that…

I’ve bought Sergio Aguero and Luis Suarez.

There. I feel slightly better.

Are my fears totally banished, though? Far from it. I slept restlessly in my bed last night, with Granville’s Mancunian drawl haunting my thoughts – he was adamant that selling Rooney was an error. Once again, I may soon have to admit that he’s right. That’s becoming a habit.

There was clearly an element of knee-jerk involved in my decision. I’d just seen Aguero and Suarez hit double figures again and, while Rooney did the business for me at Cardiff, in the long-term, I just don’t see him keeping pace with the South American pair, or indeed wearing my armband with the same degree of comfort.

Admittedly, David Moyes’ recent claims that a rest for Rooney was imminent played their part. As does Robin van Persie’s inevitable return to the team and the scoresheet. Then there’s Rooney’s likely suspension before the New Year. Can he possibly go seven, maybe eight domestic matches without another yellow? I very much doubt it.

Even so, while all these factors had me reach for the eject button, I know full well that December could see United step up, which will surely mean further returns for Rooney. Equally, I’m slightly concerned that the form of Suarez and Aguero may not be maintained, certainly not at their current improbable rate of goals and Fantasy returns.

I can probably accept some regression from Suarez and Aguero. I could probably stand to watch Rooney rack up more goals. However, I’m not sure I could face Granville if my four point hit and Rooney rejection plays into his hands and has him ride off into the mini-league distance.

A few weeks ago I declared that I’d start “playing” Fantasy Football again. A few weeks, points hits and several skin-of-my-teeth decisions later, I’m kind of craving the safe existence of my early season. Sure, perhaps I was doomed to failure, but I’m pretty sure I wasn’t destined to crash and burn quite so spectacularly.

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

2,232 Comments Post a Comment
  1. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    My mid is great for abbreviation

    Barkely = Rarkley

    Brady = Rrady

    Sessegnon = erm... Sessegnon

    Ramsey = Aamsey

    Oscar = erm... Oscar

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    1. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      So not that great then.

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  2. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Total FPL scout predictions has Rudd on their starting line up...

    Sigh

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    1. LOCO ABREU
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      do you know how it works?is the most selected players that people choose to do their dream team.

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      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        snap

        didnt know that actually

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      2. MCH
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        No its the ESBO prediction he is on about.

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      3. MCH
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Wait Rudd or Ruddy? Team I am looking at on there is Ruddy in goal. It does have Theo and Mirallas though!

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  3. Billy Gilmore
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    1/4 players starting today 😎

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    1. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      2/5 😎

      Making big contributions to our beach soccer teams here.

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    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      2/4 😎

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    3. Mull
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      4/5
      Suck it bitches!

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    4. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      5/7 +1/1 from the bench. Boom!

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    5. Derailed Bandwagon
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      3/4 for me

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    6. Gimli son of Gloin
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      1/2..

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    7. tm245
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      3 out of 5. Big day tomorrow.

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  4. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Lets face it, Marks opinion wont be worth anything till his kid leaves home and he gets his peace back. So only another 18 years to go then.

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    1. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Boarding school ftw

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Good Idea.

        Mark time to get to work on this, its the only hope you have

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    2. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Mark sounded like he had lost the plot on last week's scoutcast, trying to justify why he used transfers to get GJ and Nasri instead of Suarez and Aguero.

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      1. OShaughnessy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        I must say the Scoutcast has taken on a different tone listening to the inner workings of a player from the bottom half. *coughtMarkcough

        Accutally helping though, I'm just doing the opposite of whatever Mark says this season... 😉

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      2. Derailed Bandwagon
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Not sure about his decision on bringing in kasami this week either...

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      3. Mark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        To be fair, I kept Giroud, Sturridge and Rooney - they all scored..while Hazard, Johnson and Nasri got me 19 points.

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        1. Just A Hat
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 4 months ago

          Mark is taking it from all sides today

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        2. GREENDREAMS11
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 4 months ago

          Have to say I thought your adopting a media blackout comment was class. 🙂

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      4. Just A Hat
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        hahaha

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  5. Tabone
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Just 13 minutes.. just want a game to start already!

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  6. SW6
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    What games are people going to watch? Has to be WHam vs Fulham for me, although i don't think I'm going to enjoy it.

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  7. Fin
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Who do people think Walcott will replace?

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    1. Demí
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Wilshere

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      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        +1

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    2. Mull
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Whoever plays on the right.

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    3. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      He may not replace anybody..he might just be sharing game time with the rest of the squad. It's not like they need to rely upon him as much as last year...Arsenal mids > United mids...maybe...

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  8. goneill79
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    If Ramsey blanks today is it time to get rid?

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    1. sy
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Not for me, got him at 5.5m and he was unlucky last week hit the post, still getting into positions to score so he is a keeper for me.

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      1. Azerbaijan Shopping Centre
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Granted you will have lost value but its not much use when he's playing that deep.

        A bit early to ship out but I wouldnt keep him just because you got him for a bargain

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  9. Twelve years a slave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Why are ppeople complaining about benchings?

    Net two game weeks there will be lots of rotations. Thats why took out Chester and Snod. Need a full squad

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

      We want to play with our first choice XIs though don't we. Rotation is inevitable but why would we like it?

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  10. SW6
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    I think I'd rather have 20mins from Ravel than 90 from Brady

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  11. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Coleman and Ramsey? - check

    Barkley? - nope

    Oh well

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvSlSYpYtZA

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

    Think its time to get rid of Mirallas. Had him since GW 1 and has Man U and Arsenal next. Any ideas for a replacement? 8.9 to spend and i have Rambo and Oscar already

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    1. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Don't make the switch yet - he's going up in price tonight 😉

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  13. United13
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Jeff was quite funny there on SSNews when saying 'Barry is injured but is in Everton's Midfield'...team sheet news..fail.

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  14. New Article Posted
  15. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    6 out of 6 playing, as should be.....

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  16. Jax
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    anyone have noble?

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  17. Proggy
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Good luck everyone!!

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  18. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Go Time!

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  19. Goonerittah
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Time to get sessegnon out?

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    1. Pasqualinho
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      If you like. I'm looking at getting him in after the Man City game - but it might be Amalfi or, heaven forbid, Brunt instead.

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  20. starbows
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone still staying loyal to RVP and waiting until he comes back, or is is time to cut the losses?

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