Preamble December 21

The Pre-match Preamble – Gameweek 17

This is a time for family and feasting. A time to indulge those you love and the treats and temptations around us. For Fantasy managers, however, Christmas offers us a tortuous programme that clashes with such merriment and has us break etiquette and risk the wrath of loved ones. We embrace the fixture frenzy that Christmas brings – it’s all that family and friends nonsense that gets in the way.

Every year I’m amazed by the numbers. While I’m reliably informed that, by January, the typical Fantasy Football player base has dropped off by 50%, on our pages we see no such trend. The Christmas spell is a boom period.

It leads me to ponder that, if Fantasy Football is a drug for the enthusiastic “hardcore” player, then the Christmas period is a pure and relentless hit that renders us giddy with the possibilities and often exhausts us with its outcomes. This is no time to shelve our lineups and pursue the expected Christmas agenda – our time is dictated by deadlines, kick-off times and the live television schedule. We need our fix and it’s never been so plentiful.

And yet, I know full well I will have to make concessions. I know that, come Boxing Day, my excited expectations for my teams will have to be hushed amongst company, limited to a smuggled mobile phone under the dinner table and improbably frequent toilet breaks that will have loved ones concerned about the condition of my bladder.

It’s a painful experience (not the bladder) to maintain the threads of conversation over dinner when the mind is drifting to the chances of Marko Arnautovic notching for Stoke. It’s unnatural, unnecessary and against all that Christmas stands for. And yet, for myself and doubtless other Fantasy managers, it’s become the norm.

Hands up, then. The normal service will be interrupted. Pulls and responsibilities, the magic of seeing my near two-year-old experience all that Christmas brings will distract me and those who help me to fuel your own obsession at this time. But I’ll sneak and cajole, win brownie points and trade them for time to be amongst you. Enjoy the festivities.

1,617 Comments Post a Comment

Wild Rover
10 years, 5 months ago
Bottled it, Suarez it is 🙁
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1. Declan
  10 years, 5 months ago
  same, quite boring isn't it.
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2. copps
  10 years, 5 months ago
  its too risky not to
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3. FACUPARSE
  10 years, 5 months ago
  Same was on Rooney till this phantom injury
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4. Colonel Shoe 肝池
  10 years, 5 months ago
  boooourns 😉
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5. Revival
  10 years, 5 months ago
  Not Sess under a new manager then 🙂
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Declan
10 years, 5 months ago
Rooney ➡ Remy -4?

He's scored 2 against the other 2 prompted teams this season, clutching?
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1. Valar(Keith)
  10 years, 5 months ago
  People startin Palace defenders(me included, maybe) expecting a CS 🙂
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  1. Valar(Keith)
    10 years, 5 months ago
    and no... dont sell Rooney
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2. FACUPARSE
  10 years, 5 months ago
  Sell Rooney, good idea...
  
  He will probably score a hatty today
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3. Declan
  10 years, 5 months ago
  *promoted
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4. Chris_White
  10 years, 5 months ago
  No, no, no.
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  1. Declan
    10 years, 5 months ago
    🙂
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FACUPARSE
10 years, 5 months ago
Is anyone actually daring to captain anyone but Suarez??
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1. jas5sk - Youtube channel
  10 years, 5 months ago
  Locked in on Negredo, but I'm a fool who has (c) Suarez twice despite owning him from the ban ended.
  
  Suarez ownership makes my soul sad
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FPL Emu
10 years, 5 months ago
How has Koscielny back for boxing day become conventional wisdom?
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1. teddy.
  10 years, 5 months ago
  Sounds rather optimistic to me!
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2. Beavis
  10 years, 5 months ago
  L'Equipe reported it and then Wenger said for the Chelsea game "Koscielny is out for the Chelsea, 80-90% he's out".
  
  That would suggest it's not too bad if he still has a slight chance for Monday.
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Peggi
10 years, 5 months ago
any chance of Rooney news in the last couple of hours? 🙂
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1. Thatsnotcricket
  10 years, 5 months ago
  Someone posted a link last night from BBC radio that said he was out for a couple of weeks.
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2. The Albatross
  10 years, 5 months ago
  someone mentioned earlier than he didn't stay in the team hotel, though i don't know how reliable the source is
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Drip Doctor
10 years, 5 months ago
Start Mertesacker or Jagielka? (Already have Coleman, currently starting Mertesacker.)
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1. Crouch Potato!
  10 years, 5 months ago
  Find it strange when people double up on defence, then start playing only one of them.
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  1. Drip Doctor
    10 years, 5 months ago
    I doubled up last week for ther upcoming fixtures:
    
    Last week - FUL(H)
    
    To come - SUN(H), SOT(H), stk(A), NOR(H)
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    1. teddy.
      10 years, 5 months ago
      Yeah, so play Jags!
      
      Arsene might want us to tighten up after the city game, but I suspect it's going to be another open, attacking fixture.
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      1. Drip Doctor
        10 years, 5 months ago
        I'm not sure. I think it will be tight. Also, Swansea always seem to score at home. Mertesacker carries greater goal threat.
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  2. Bauerhaus 24
    10 years, 5 months ago
    eggs in baskets and all that. i agree though, i'd start jagielka
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ShadyGooner
10 years, 5 months ago
Stuck at bottom o last page

Ozil to Walcott or Rooney to Negredo or should i save the transfer?
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1. Jafooli
  10 years, 5 months ago
  Who's first sub? If you have one then....
  
  Save, I think.
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  1. ShadyGooner
    10 years, 5 months ago
    Amalfitano
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    1. ShadyGooner
      10 years, 5 months ago
      Not having any mann city cover is what making me think to neg
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      1. Jafooli
        10 years, 5 months ago
        Go with gut, best I can do....
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Jafooli
10 years, 5 months ago
Sorry but 'if' Rooney didn't travel today, then I suspect there's more to this than a knock or niggle.

Rooney > Chelsea for -8pts?
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1. Beavis
  10 years, 5 months ago
  I wouldn't read much into it.
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2. Chris_White
  10 years, 5 months ago
  Source?
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  1. Jafooli
    10 years, 5 months ago
    Someone saying something on previous post.
    
    I'm say 'if' and only 'if'...........
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    1. Chris_White
      10 years, 5 months ago
      'Someone saying something'
      
      Ah, the oh so reliable statement.
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      1. Jafooli
        10 years, 5 months ago
        Hence the 'if', I'm not making any statement on whether he travelled or not, but more with regards what it might mean if he didn't 😉
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3. FACUPARSE
  10 years, 5 months ago
  Where did you hear this??
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4. NATSTER
  10 years, 5 months ago
  Why to travel? He can drive there, can't he ?
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  1. Jafooli
    10 years, 5 months ago
    Something about team hotel where they stay.
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Beavis
10 years, 5 months ago
Apparently (I say apparently because the source is Goal.com) Suarez's new contract does have a release clause but it's for non-English clubs. Around the 60-70m mark.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892/transfer-zone/2013/12/21/4494533/revealed-suarez-deal-includes-buy-out-clause-for-non-english?ICID=HP_BN_1
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1. copps
  10 years, 5 months ago
  he's worth more than that i reckon. cant imagine real NOT wanting to pay that amount for a player like him
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Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
10 years, 5 months ago
Morning all.

" and improbably frequent toilet breaks"

🙂 Love it
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Louis
10 years, 5 months ago
Does this defence need a hit?
Howard 4,0
Terry Kos Williams Ward Burner
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Chucky
10 years, 5 months ago
Play Rooney or RavMo?

Help 🙂
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1. Tabone
  10 years, 5 months ago
  Roo with rav mo first sub... probs wont play but might aswell.
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2. Chris_White
  10 years, 5 months ago
  You know the answer.
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3. Valar(Keith)
  10 years, 5 months ago
  Play Rooney and wait for Ravel to come off the bench.. a 0/90 minute scenario here man. i prefer 20 mins of Rooney over 90 mins of Ravel either way 🙂
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4. jas5sk - Youtube channel
  10 years, 5 months ago
  I'm playing Rooney in hopes that he doesn't show up, and Ravmo comes off my bench to replace him
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5. Chucky
  10 years, 5 months ago
  thanks all
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Tabone
10 years, 5 months ago
Goodluck lads.
4 to play out of

Howard gazzinga
Terry jagielka chester dawson williams.

Currently on
Gazz
Terry jags chester.

Chamge anything?
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megatronaldinho
10 years, 5 months ago
hello and\or hey or whatever? is that wrong? is wrong still a thing? can't really imagine it is. i'm blind though yo. by which i mean i'm like not totally, or altogether. i misplaced my tweed. also a lie . a tree sits onside a rushing brook. or. like. yea. why not? i can't actually see
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Goaldigger
10 years, 5 months ago
I'm doing it. I think.

Rooney to Welbeck. -4

Enough money over to do Bannan to Walcott mext week and get a super front 8 with rotationalitis looming.

Anyone with me?
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1. Tabone
  10 years, 5 months ago
  I wouldnt pick welbeck.. better punts at that price... j rod?
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  1. Goaldigger
    10 years, 5 months ago
    Welbeck pretty nailed though isnt he? And will lead the line in absensce of the big two.
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    1. Tabone
      10 years, 5 months ago
      Yeah true.. I just dont think his got much goals in him.. amd as soon as rvo or rooney is back he is a risk to be left on the bench.. I could be wrong tho!
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2. Demel
  10 years, 5 months ago
  I am also thinking I will make that trade today for a hit.
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SpinyNorman [*_*]
10 years, 5 months ago
Should I..

a) Zab > Evra for a hit?
or b) Play Burner?
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1. SpinyNorman [*_*]
  10 years, 5 months ago
  Or Zab > Kompany?
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Shakshuka
10 years, 5 months ago
Start Panti or Foster? thx
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1. TorresMagic™
  10 years, 5 months ago
  Panti, chances are you have no keeper though.
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  1. Shakshuka
    10 years, 5 months ago
    Yeah I know... But not gonna take a hit anyways. Thanks tho.
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    1. Beavis
      10 years, 5 months ago
      I'd take a hit tbh.
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2. Mr. Perfectionist
  10 years, 5 months ago
  Foster
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JT's Dog
10 years, 5 months ago
Forgot this is the period when everyone is in panic mode and conversations don't exist
Will see you all in an hour
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1. Tabone
  10 years, 5 months ago
  +1
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Mr. Perfectionist
10 years, 5 months ago
Play 1 of the following:-

A) Mertesacker
B) Williams
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Valar(Keith)
10 years, 5 months ago
To start
A) Terry
B) Gabbidon

Thanks.. will get a consensus and move along 🙂
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1. Mr. Perfectionist
  10 years, 5 months ago
  Terry for me. Have a feeling he will score. And also believe Newc will score against Palace
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2. Beavis
  10 years, 5 months ago
  I think both will concede tbh. If you are hoping for a CS, then odds clearly favour Gabbidon although 5/2 is still pretty awful. If you are convinced neither will get a CS, then go with Terry. I was gonna bring Ward in this week but went for Brown even though it leaves me very tight on next week's transfers.
  
  I'd go Terry.
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Optimus.
10 years, 5 months ago
Saw this link posted on Redcafe,don't shoot the messenger 🙂

https://twitter.com/steryder74
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1. Chris_White
  10 years, 5 months ago
  Sigh. -8 it is.
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2. Jafooli
  10 years, 5 months ago
  😯
  
  cat meet pigeons and enjoy your day 😮
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Spoonerism
10 years, 5 months ago
More Clyne ideas please. Best defender 4.6m or under?

A) Keep though fixtures not great
B) Clyne to Badsley
C) Clyne to Wilson
D) Clyne to AV defender
E) Clyne to Ward
F) Clyne to someone else.
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1. Mr. Perfectionist
  10 years, 5 months ago
  B)
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t4thomas
10 years, 5 months ago
Is de guzman to sterling worth a -4?
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1. r0binh0
  10 years, 5 months ago
  no. sterling's next two fixtures can't justify that.
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megatronaldinho
10 years, 5 months ago
found my monocle. and by extension, my tweed. so... i guess, like quit looking. i suppose
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1. Ryan
  10 years, 5 months ago
  What is a monocle and a tweed?
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Syd.
10 years, 5 months ago
I think the Cardiff players will really be up for the todays game which could throw a spanner into the works for Suarez...
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1. Spoonerism
  10 years, 5 months ago
  If it was away, perhaps. Expecting at least 3 for Liverpool I'm afraid.
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SpinyNorman [*_*]
10 years, 5 months ago
Which is best? 🙂

a) Zab > Kompany (-4)
b) Zab > Evra (-4)
c) Play Burner (liverpool away)
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1. HurriKane
  10 years, 5 months ago
  b
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2. Deulo10
  10 years, 5 months ago
  Evra
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  1. SpinyNorman [*_*]
    10 years, 5 months ago
    Cheers fellas
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Voodoo
10 years, 5 months ago
@physioroom: Any decision regarding #Rooney will be left until the very last moment, bench at best IMO - could easily miss out today. We will update ASAP --- oh sh1t
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jonnytaylor86
10 years, 5 months ago
As Negredo is +350% on Total FPL does that mean he will go up 0.3 tomorrow morning?
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1. TorresMagic™
  10 years, 5 months ago
  0.1
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FACUPARSE
10 years, 5 months ago
So what's going to be the shock result this weekend??

Fulham 1 City 1
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1. Syd.
  10 years, 5 months ago
  Abi winning Strictly
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2. SW6
  10 years, 5 months ago
  *Fulham 2 -1 City 😉
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3. Chucky
  10 years, 5 months ago
  Arsenal 1 - Chelsea 6
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  1. jas5sk - Youtube channel
    10 years, 5 months ago
    Where would Chelsea find 6 goals from?
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4. Round and Round
  10 years, 5 months ago
  Swansea 1-1 Everton
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Kerrazy
10 years, 5 months ago
(C)Gardner
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