The Pre-Match Preamble - Gameweek 38 Preamble
8 December 2012 2470 comments
Mark Mark
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The double Gameweek is a seductive force. Even though the dubious charms of Reading and Sunderland take on the appearance of men in drag, a flash of Stephane Sessegnon stocking top and Fantasy managers are agog. We’re fascinated with what may lie underneath, the potential of a points avalanche draws us in. The fear of course, is that we’ll go in for the clinch only to be, repelled by a whiff of Old Spice and roughed up by Steven Fletcher’s stubble.

I’m trying to show restraint. In the main, I’m not gambling too much by taking a punt on Sessegnon in my midfield, with Adam Federici relied upon to flap his way to some save points in nets. For just one moment, I contemplated the points hit for that extra defender: flashbacks of Captain America returns came forth but then, I have to remember, we’re not treated to the quality of Clint Dempsey this time around. While Dempsey famously twice repaid the double Gameweek faith while at Fulham, the cast on offer amongst the Reading and Sunderland squads looks to offer scant potential by comparison.

Over investment can also leave you lumbered. Like meeting that couple on holiday: you chat to them innocently to fill the awkward silence for a week, then they insist on keeping in touch once your back amongst your “real friends”; you just can’t shake ‘em. I can’t stand the idea of taking Seb Larsson to next weekend’s trip to Old Trafford: I’ll tell him I’m not on Facebook.

It’s a tricky scenario; you feel you have to subscribe to it, you have to buy a ticket or two but investing points and hopes and dreams that depend on Craig Gardner pot-shots seems wild. Perhaps even desperate.

This morning’s papers at least offer some reassurance to those who are “double dependent”. Steven Fletcher is backed to start in all but one of our the predicted lineups, with the Sun handing a start to Connor Wickham, with Fletcher apparently undergoing painkilling injections to get him on the pitch against Chelsea.

Personally, I’m not so sure and worry that we’ll get an ineffective hour out of the Scot against Chelsea, only for him to be a doubt for the midweek clash with Reading. If Martin O’Neill is to be believed and Fletcher is undergoing injections, his chances of playing 270 minutes in the space of seven days seems remote. O’Neill will want him against Reading to help put some distance between the two sides in the table – will he risk flogging him against Chelsea? The press seem to think so.

Elsewhere this morning, the papers seem totally absorbed with the Manchester derby clash. While we’re all hoping for a Sunday feast, the neutral may well be short changed. This fixture has returned four goals in the last five outings – with a 0-0 and four 1-0 wins. History points to a close encounter and I’m expecting Sir Alex to turn up with Rooney camped in a five-man midfield that includes the protection of Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick, with Paul Scholes’ wise head orchestrating matters.

Much depends on City. Bizarrely, Edin Dzeko’s selection looks to be key: his size could ruffle the United feathers and that might see Ferguson opt for Chris Smalling at right-back. The papers look certain that Carlos Tevez will start up front with Sergio Augero but I’m leaning towards Dzeko. Certainly, if we see Tevez start with his compatriot, I’m expecting a congested midfield, plenty of huff and puff and probably a scrappy set-piece goal between the teams.

Interestingly, The Times are backing Nemanja Vidic to start and I’ve got an inkling that they could be on to something. Ferguson looked sheepish when discussing the Serb’s fitness and, having watched his back four buckle under Reading’s crossed balls, I wonder if he’s pulled out the stops to get Vidic ready. Again, much will depend on whether Ferguson feels that Dzeko will be a presence for City.

Another point of interest, Vidic’s compatriot, Matija Nastasic, is backed for a start in every lineup this morning, as is David Silva, who, according to the Daily Mail late last night, is 100% fit.

There’s little conjecture to be found elsewhere, leaving us content that this could be a weekend with few teamsheet surprises. We certainly need some stability to allow us to dream of double Gameweek profits. I certainly need calm. I’m trying to shake the image of Stephane Sessegnon gyrating on my lap, slowly sliding my Fantasy armband over his stumpy muscled leg like a fancy garter, whilst Steven Fletcher grins in the corner with his Robert Smith lippie.

Double Gameweeks are that scary.

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

  1. Bungle Machine
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Come on Adam! Kill 'em all!

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  2. nadman89
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    so guys what do you think is a good total team value now , mine is 106.0 , opinions?

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    1. Willis.
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Utterly shite.

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      1. Grumpy Camel
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        107.4. Doing my rank (500k) no help tho
        Hopefully the WC will help

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      2. Elniñorules
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        Wallace...your grav 🙄

        Thought Mark made his point to you!

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    2. Soccer Brah
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      108.2m

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  3. Wayne Enterprises
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Suarez > Defoe/Berbatov?

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    1. Pen_Pal
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      I have Defoe in. I'd keep Suarez one more week if I were you though

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      1. Wayne Enterprises
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        ive been looking at it all morning, may just stick and hope it pays off next week!!

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  4. Absinthe Minded
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    capt back on Michu from Fellaini..............

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  5. Ed
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling to Sess for 4 points?

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    1. Dark_Knight_braces
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Do it

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  6. super zlatan
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Morning lads

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  7. RedNev
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Play Demel or Sterling?

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    1. Alonso The Great Midfielder
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      demel....

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    2. Kevin Twine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Demel

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  8. MICHELIN
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    All set?

    Szczesny
    Cuellar Enrique Gorkss
    McAnuff (vc) Bale Taarabt Santi
    Fletcher (c) RVP Tevez
    SUBS: Begovic Sterling Demel Rafael

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    1. Thatsnotcricket
        13 years, 1 month ago

        Same captain, fingers crossed lad.

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    2. Blue Moon Rising
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Michu or Fellaini

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      1. Dark_Knight_braces
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        Fellaini

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      2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        michu

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      3. Kevin Twine
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        Michu.

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    3. Holy See
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Final checks now ladies.

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    4. gunnerboy
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      3-1 to Arsenal, Giroud hattrick 🙂

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    5. Soggysock
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Quickie guys, 2 free trannys. Bale and Suarez out, Michu and Fletcher in? Would you go for a different attacking option, I thought Defoe but might just bring him in with Bale in a week or two?

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      1. Hubert
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        just Bale > Michu

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    6. Pen_Pal
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Anyone with Fellaini for Captain??

      He's the form player of the league...

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    7. snowman
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      mcanuff or michu for captain...............?

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    8. gunnerboy
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Don't put it on Michu, he will get a yellow card and can see 0-0...

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    9. The One That Got Away
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Monday night football : Berba & Hughes B-)

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      1. Paul
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        it's B|

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    10. MICHELIN
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      In which order would you have Demel and Rafael on the bench?

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      1. Grumpy Camel
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        Demel first. Cleanie I reckon

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        1. MICHELIN
          • 13 Years
          13 years, 1 month ago

          Cheers. That is what I ended up with.

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    11. SirStevieG
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      NO MORE TIME

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    12. The Dom-Bastic scale
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      PUT YOUR PENCILS DOWN

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      1. mgrea
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        I read this wrong...

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      2. Holy See
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        😯

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    13. Champy
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      There's still time...............Oops

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    14. FPL Daniel
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      panicccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc

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      1. guillermo
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        lern to spel haf witt

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    15. Holy See
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Put your pencils down please.

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    16. Alonso The Great Midfielder
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      times up!!!!!!please put down your mouse and keep silence

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    17. The One That Got Away
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Boooooooooooooooooom , Game Update

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    18. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      So who is everyone getting rid of Sess for next week then 🙂

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      1. Grumpy Camel
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        Haha. Mata.

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    19. super zlatan
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      :-). I can't wait for a huge score this gw

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    20. MICHELIN
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Updating..

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      1. MICHELIN
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        Best of luck.

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        1. chocolove
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 1 month ago

          goodluck fletcher(C)!

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    21. Studgie G
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      i got RVP (c) who else i'm just wondering how much differential this week ?

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      1. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        i went with him

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