The Pre-Match Preamble - Gameweek 38 Preamble
13 May 2012 2165 comments
Mark Mark
Share:

Our final day together with the 2011/12 season feels just a little odd. We should really welcome the fact that all ten fixtures will be played out at three o’clock this afternoon, but ironically, it jars to get a set of Premier League fixtures completed in one gulp. We’ll be eagerly stuffing our faces with no dessert to follow.

Perhaps my indifference is caused by my own anti-climax – it feels like I’m just seeing things out. My Fantasy season ends much like Man United’s – it would take an alignment of the gods for me to scrape further glory from what has been a pretty decent showing. I’ll take a gamble or two and hope for the best, but, for the second season running, most of my attention will be turned to the top of the Fantasy Premier League: that’s where a real tussle will be played out, where all the tension is.

Just five points separates the top three managers, with Scout League leader Gary McLean sitting in third. All three have made their transfers and will have presumably selected captains designed to give them a crucial differential. Now they just have to wait for the goals from three o’clock to decide their fate.

I can’t really get close to imagining how that must feel, few us will. The tangible prize may be far from glittering, but the title of FPL Champion, after 38 Gameweeks, is one that has surely stolen sleep and gatecrashed thoughts for weeks now. The tension these guys feel today, as every goal is announced, must surely be close to unbearable. The stuff marriage break-ups are made of.

Let wish Gary all the best for the day ahead and take a wander with the papers to calm the nerves.

Fortunately, there’s relatively little to unsettle us amongst the prospective teamsheets. Chelsea’s lineup remains shrouded in mystery, with no end of conjecture on how Roberto Di Matteo will approach the game with the Champions League final with Bayern looming large. The general consensus is on strength, with most of the press backing starts for Fernando Torres. Interestingly, however, both the Guardian and The Sun stand against this – both suggest that Romelu Lukaku will be handed the striker’s role, with the Sun even giving a start to Lucas Piazon, although the young Brazilian has in fact confirmed that he’ll be on the bench today.

While the gamble on Torres looks fairly safe, then, Juan Mata’s start seems less secure. Neither the Telegraph nor the Guardian opt for the Spaniard in their predicted lineups and the Sun also find no place for the impish playmaker.

In the Old Trafford camp, the Sun back yesterday’s story on Michael Carrick by omitting him from their predicted lineup. Tom Cleverley is drafted in to support Paul Scholes in the engine room as United look to spark an unlikely chain of events with three points at Sunderland. Carrick is safely in every other press lineup, with the Guardian the only paper to go for Nani on the flank – Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia are expected to retain their starts.

Leighton Baines’ return to the Everton lineup is one we’ve given a fair amount of oxygen to via last night’s Differentials from Big Dunc. The press seem to support our view that Baines will make his return – the Guardian, the Telegraph and the Sun restore Baines at left-back, with Sylvain Distin making way, or replacing Johnny Heitinga in central defence.

Baines could just be a differential to back then, with Torres, Carlos Tevez and even Andy Carroll ending the season on a potential high to edge into our last minute decision making.

When you stop to think, in many respects, we’ve almost come full circle in 38 weeks. We started the season wondering if Tevez, Torres and Carroll could provide heavyweight alternatives up front and, today, they might just do that. Outside of Man City, Victor Moses has commanded more transfers in than any other player – belatedly living up to the hype that burdened him all the way back in the opening Gameweek.

Tevez, Baines, Torres, Carroll, Moses – so many of those we had big hopes for on day one, have suddenly arrived late to the party, clutching cheap booze and looking to crash through the door. Baines has a decent mix tape, Moses is rattling on about successful dribbles and Carroll has a glimmer of a threat in his eye again. Are we really going to let these guys in? Shout if you see Carroll go upstairs.

Enjoy the final Gameweek.

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

  1. ReinaMan
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Pick 2 to play out of:

    Valencia
    Petrov
    P.Cisse

    Open Controls
    1. Podolskistan
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      petrov , Cisser

      Open Controls
    2. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      The last two

      Open Controls
    3. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Last 2.

      Open Controls
    4. Nickyboy
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      what they said

      Open Controls
    5. Just One More Thing
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Val & Cisse

      Open Controls
    6. blokeman
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Petrov and Pappiss.

      Open Controls
  2. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Kelly or Turner?

    Open Controls
    1. Just One More Thing
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Turner

      Open Controls
      1. Chris_White
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        +1

        Open Controls
  3. footy123
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Quick Poll - Best Midfielder to Captain ?

    Open Controls
    1. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      VDV

      Open Controls
    2. Podolskistan
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      pienar & ramires

      Open Controls
    3. MCH
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      VDV I would imagine he is the only one odds on to score with the bookies.

      Open Controls
  4. StevePeave
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Who would you bench if you had to, REALLY cant decide!!

    siggy
    pienaar
    VDV
    tony V
    petrov
    suarez
    rooney

    cheers guys

    Open Controls
    1. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      tony v

      Open Controls
    2. Lloyd Xmas
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Petrov

      Open Controls
    3. Jugsy
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Suarez

      Open Controls
    4. ludi
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Petrov

      Open Controls
      1. StevePeave
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        ahh man thought this might be a unanimous one, obv not! 🙁

        Open Controls
  5. Jugsy
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Vorm

    Terry Konscielny Kelly (Evans, Simpson)

    Valencia Bale Siggy Nasri (Pienaar)

    Aguero RVP Jelavic.

    Thoughts on this team? Taken me 8 points to get it to this point!

    Open Controls
    1. StevePeave
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      looks good 🙂 kun capt?

      Open Controls
  6. drughi
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    so i'm benching siggy ahead of ben arfa, silly right ?

    Open Controls
    1. StevePeave
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      siggy will get more than barfa i reckon

      Open Controls
      1. drughi
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        many here seem to believe so but i'm going with my gutfeeling

        Open Controls
    2. MCH
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Many people have suffered at the hands of a benched Siggy.

      Open Controls
  7. Nickyboy
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Rooney or RVP for a City striker worth it for a hit if it increases my differential with the guy I'm chasing? Am 9 points (will then be 13 behind)

    Open Controls
    1. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      not if you already have a few differentials with potential

      Open Controls
      1. Nickyboy
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        Differences between our teams as things stand:

        I have: Pienaar, Jelly, VDV, McAuley, Bogdan
        Him: Petrov, Valencia, Graham, Walker, Ruddy

        Open Controls
    2. Paul
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      yupp think so....

      Open Controls
  8. Magerost
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Repost.

      Vorm

      Turner,Terry,Simpson
      Bale,Moses,Dempsey,Siggy,Valencia
      Adebayor,RVP

      Krul,Ba,Evans,Cahill

      1 FT, 2.5 in bank.

      Dempsey -> VdV and Cahill -> Verm for a hit?
      Any other good defenders to get? overkill with 3 spurs?
      Open for all kind of tips :p

      Open Controls
    • Stern John Terry Wilson Pal…
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Just taken the craziest 4 point hit. Jelavic and Cisse ➡ Carroll (c) and Torres. AND I don't have City attacking coverage.

      Oh my life. I have nothing to lose and much to gain! (I hope ...)

      Open Controls
      1. Hate that rotation
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        I commend your lack of city coverage. Let's hope all the city players miss a load of chances and bottle it.

        Open Controls
        1. Tommy J
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          -1

          Open Controls
        2. Stern John Terry Wilson Pal…
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          +1!

          Open Controls
      2. MCH
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        I have no City attacker either. I hope we are high fiving over the internet in a couple of hours!!

        Open Controls
        1. Stern John Terry Wilson Pal…
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          You will be either way! Good luck 🙂

          Open Controls
    • Willis.
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Sessegnon out for Moses, Yaya, Ramires or Piazon (4 point hit)?!?!?! Answer me quickly!!!

      Open Controls
      1. Mickeyjohn
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        ramires!

        Open Controls
    • Open Controls
      1. Optimus.
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        clutch them straws 😉

        Open Controls
      2. stufail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        Won't matter if MCY score a few...

        Open Controls
    • Thatsnotcricket
        13 years, 7 months ago

        Best defender to bring in for Skrtel for a 4 point hit?

        Open Controls
        1. Chris_White
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Clichy

          Open Controls
          1. Thatsnotcricket
              13 years, 7 months ago

              Interesting choice thanks. Anyone got any other ideas?

              Open Controls
        2. alberto_gunners
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Leading by 17 points In mini league. Worth a 8 point hit on Simpson-kompany, dempsey-Moses and jelly-Kun?

          Moses because copying rival, kompany to get 3 defenders and Kun because rival does not have jelly and I suspect That he will Buy Kun (and maybe captaining him). Think my rival will gamble and take a 4 or 8 point hit- it is therefore I consider the hit. (not enough money to do only kompany and aguero)

          Open Controls
        3. unoaime
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          With Skrtel out injured, i'm gambling that Enrique might play.

          Any chance of knowing if Cech will start before the deadline? Otherwise it's Him > Hart for a 4 point hit.

          Open Controls
        4. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          I think my opponent may have brought in Ramires ... 🙁

          Open Controls
          1. Piggs Boson
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            I've captained him 🙂

            Open Controls
        5. boffster
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Petrov Valencia

          Open Controls
        6. ludi
          • 13 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Bogdan or Mignolet? Currently on Bogdan.

          Open Controls
        7. A.
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Skrtel is out, so should I play Verm/Caulker/Turner or take a hit for Clichy?

          Open Controls
          1. Beavis
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            Play those.

            Open Controls
          2. Optimus.
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            verm should already be starting for you

            Open Controls
          3. A.
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            Of course Verm's starting 😛

            I mean those are now my 3 defenders with Skrtel and Evans on the bench..

            I guess I'll have to hope Turner doesn't lose 12-0 😛

            Open Controls
          4. Hitman
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            Skrtl out?

            Open Controls
        8. UnitednationsXI
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Best Mid for upto 9 this week??????? Taking out Barfa for a hit

          PLZ HELP!!!!

          Open Controls
          1. Nickyboy
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            Siggy, Yaya, Ramires, Valencia? Walcott has chance of playing exactly 9m or Maxi even for one out of left field

            Open Controls
        9. United once again 😀
          • 13 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Play Ben Arfa or Dyer?

          Open Controls
        10. div
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Rate my team v his

          Mine

          Vorm
          Kompany, Verm, Enrique
          VDV, Valencia, Bale, Yaya
          RVP, Aguero, Cisse

          Mignolet, Siggy, Turner, Evans

          His

          Habsi
          Kompany, Jags, Naylor
          Silva, Valencia, Bale, Siggy
          RVP, Aguero, Jelavic

          Ruddy, McAuley, Johnson, Simpson.

          I’m 12pts behind and thinking of Vdv if you think my team is not as strong as his…

          Open Controls
          1. boffster
            • 16 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            Hers

            Open Controls
        11. boffster
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          C'mon SCOTLAND !!?&$?!!!!

          Open Controls
        12. Constructicons form Devasta…
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Anyone currently trying to apply for olympic tickets? My wait jumped from 15 mins to 6 mins and now up to 9 minutes....wtf?!

          Open Controls
        13. Pinoche
          • 13 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Anyone else without Kun captain this week ?

          Open Controls
          1. Sleep Talk
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            Jupp!

            Open Controls
          2. Tommy J
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            Yep, whilst I think(and hope) he will rip it up, I needed some differentials-boom or bust!

            Open Controls
          3. Stern John Terry Wilson Pal…
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            Without Kun altogether! 🙂

            Open Controls
          4. Hate that rotation
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            RVP!

            Open Controls
          5. Paul
            • 15 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            me thinking...

            Open Controls
          6. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            me , but i am well ahead in my ml

            Open Controls
          7. stufail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            I really, REALLY want to do Rooney > Kun for a hit...

            Open Controls
            1. Nickyboy
              • 14 Years
              13 years, 7 months ago

              me too, except maybe Tevez

              Open Controls
          8. Hitman
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            VDV ftw!

            Open Controls
          9. Shipstontrev
            • 16 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            Great rank Aatish. Are you playing Siggy this week?

            Open Controls
            1. Pinoche
              • 13 Years
              13 years, 7 months ago

              Yup.

              Open Controls
              1. Shipstontrev
                • 16 Years
                13 years, 7 months ago

                Thanks

                Open Controls
        14. Mumm-Ra
          • 13 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Hi Guys, a little help if poss. How does this look

          Bogdan (Reina)
          Bosingwa Kompany R Martin (Enrique, Rangel)
          Valencia Bale Pienaar Moses (Demps)
          Jelavic Suarez Ade

          I have 1 free sub and 700k in the bank
          This is the difference between 0 and £250 by winning my league!!

          Open Controls
        15. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          this team ok for today

          ruddy [howard]
          enrique boyce walker [bardsley] [evans]
          bale siggi valencia ben arfa [dempsey]
          rvp [c] roo cisse

          Open Controls
        16. Killitzer
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          4ph for terry, vdv and aguero.

          Team;
          Vorm
          Clichy, Hibbert, terry
          Siggy, vdv, bale, pienaar
          RVP, aguero, cisse

          Is vdv better move than yaya? Alternatively could bring in aguero for cisse, yaya and cheapie defender.

          Any thoughts?

          Open Controls
        17. Gonzola
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          front 3 - rooney, cisse, RVP

          should i get rid of rooney or cisse for aguero?

          then i also have dempsey so do i take a 4 point hit for moses/petrov?

          Please help!!! 😀

          Open Controls
        18. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          chasing 8 pt lead

          should I change my capt to vdv or should I just hope my differentials make up 8 pts? ( got about 5 differentials)

          Open Controls
          1. Chris_White
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            depends on what potential each differential has opposed to his players

            Open Controls
        19. Slumdog Mignolet
          • 13 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Bench one out of Maloney, Nani, and Siggy

          Open Controls