Preamble

The Pre-match Preamble – Gameweek 16

For some reason I’ve got it into my head that I always prosper at Christmas. That somehow my decision making, fuelled by sentimental movies and mince pies, clicks into groove and brings in a run of green arrows. I cling to it every year, point to it as a boom period that will see me push up the ranks.

In truth, there’s little or no proof to back up this theory. I seem to remember one season where I found festive fortune with a few armbands which suddenly transformed my campaign; ever since I’ve convinced myself that Christmas is “my time”.

I do wonder if there’s something in it, though – whether Christmas is a period that can suit a certain type of Fantasy manager. After all, with the quick-fire Gameweeks offering little time to ponder and procrastinate, it can favour those who go with their gut; those who ignore player prices and let instant decisions guide their transfer and armband strategies.

If a regular Gameweek is the equivalent of a striker having too much room and time with the goal gaping, the Christmas spell snaps like a centre-back pincer movement – Adams and Keown – breathing down our necks and giving us little option but to act on instinct.

That all means that, in football terms, I’m perhaps more Stephane Sessegnon than Sergio Aguero. Give me time to dwell on things and pick my spot and I’ll spoon it. Let’s face it, I’ve missed some sitters this season – Aaron Ramsey and Luis Suarez, to name just two. However, perhaps I’m now due a thirty-yard volley? An improbable, athletic scissor-kick from nowhere.

Ironically, Sessegnon’s manager has recently backed him for goals and, with bigger priorities elsewhere in my squad, I’ve also been forced to keep the faith. Maybe the Baggies man can still make my Christmas? Or perhaps I’m just heading for the inevitable – the indignity of buying myself a Ramsey and faking a grateful smile when he pops in yet another goal on Boxing Day.

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

1,957 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Plagued by indecision
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    All the Top 5 in my mini-league have captained Suarez. I have Lukaku and I'm 6th. Could be a big weekend if I am to continue my surge up the rankings (gone up 1.4m places in 10 weeks!)

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

      Fingers crossed its Lukakus week!! Definitely the right choice.

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  2. El Berbossa - \\\"El b…
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Going to go ahead and make a conservative prediction for the Everton vs Fulham Match.

    15-0

    Mirallas x 15

    Coleman 15 assists.

    Too conservative?

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Save your energy.

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    2. Jax
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      not at all. can see 18-1 imo

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      1. El Berbossa - \\\"El b…
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        I would take a coleman own goal amongst that i guess.

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    3. mutatedllama
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Why not Coleman x 15 with 15 Mirallas assists?

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    4. Scar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Why is everyone so hung up in this game really?

      I know Everton has a good schedule, but this hype has gone out of control. Fulham seems to gain some traction, and Everton may have many bad days...

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  3. Ghost Ship
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Gibbs injured?

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    1. Demí
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      No just given a rest

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      1. Ghost Ship
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Ta. Suppose verm can cover there.

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    2. Jax
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      monreal starts so obviously.

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      1. Jax
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        doubt h'es been rested against such a big team.

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        1. Demí
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          It's definitely a rest! He's on the bench. Monreal isn't exactly a bad replacement

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          1. Jax
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            oh fair enough didn't see the bench. 🙂

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          2. Demí
            • 13 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Well not on the bench, but yeah, it's a rest

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        2. big oak
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          yes he might
          first coz everybody needs rest in this run
          second better rest him when defensive solidity is required against a big team away
          montreal is better defensivly than gibbs

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      2. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Close.

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      3. Ghost Ship
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Not necessarily. Play nice.

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  5. rohan
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Silva and Aguero double up.

    Here's hoping for points galore

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  6. Laserface
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Imagine this place if Jelavic starts today !!

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    1. big oak
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      looool

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    2. LewanGOALski
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      hahaha, would love that 😀

      not a chance though :/

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    3. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Don't say that!

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    4. Jax
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      he won't.

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    5. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      lol!

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  7. Scratch
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    I really like Arsenal but I think today will mark the beginning of the end of their title hopes.

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  8. Declan
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    My ML leader put Oscar(C) 😯

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    1. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Hope he gets benched for Mata .

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    2. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Not the craziest call. Very likely to start and home vs Palace.

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      1. Declan
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Aye, could be genius

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  9. Plagued by indecision
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Did anyone watch Football Focus? Seems David Sullivan has a gold pistol in his office.

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  10. Flying Nugget
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Aguero captain and Ramsey on the bench. I fear my weekend may be ruined within 2 hours!

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  11. Ad4m
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    If bookies odds are anything to go by the Lukaku (c) is the way to go. 4/6 anytime goal on PP!

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  12. NEW POST
  13. Clintymints
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Lolguerofest 2013

    is about to kick off

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  14. Esalman
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Is "right here right now" official music of Man City?

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  15. big oak
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    This corresponding fixture last season was enriched by *that* Gervinho touch

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

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  16. SamH123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    This gameweek is gonna be the most exciting for a while

    A big score from your (c) this week will actually be worth quite a lot!

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  17. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Walcott looking very dangerous! D

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  18. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Always captain Kun at home... Why do I choose Remy ha

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  19. GoonerByron
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Theo 'Essential' Walcott

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