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Preamble December 21

The Pre-match Preamble – Gameweek 17

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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.

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

1,617 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Evans
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Do I ship Rooney out for lukaku ?

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      @physioroom 3m

      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

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      1. Evans
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks demba

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    2. Elwood
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Yes.

      Think I am doing Rooney for Negrdo 🙁 Already have Lukaku

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      1. reeceon
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Are you taking a hit for that transfer? I'm on the verge of doing it now haha =p

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    3. reeceon
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      I was thinking the same but for Negredo, but the value lost to transfer back would be a killer, especially lukaku on such good form you would lose £0.5

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    4. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      If he's out, you should keep for next week.

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  2. reeceon
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Last minute sub changes - Moxey in for Mertesacker? Can't see an arsenal clean sheet happening?

    Mignolet (McGregor)

    Coleman - Mertesacker - McAuley (Moxey - Vlaar)

    Ramsey - Yaya (v) - Mirallas - El Ahmadi (R Morrison)

    Lukaku - Rooney - Suarez (c)

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  3. Bad Seed
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Where was Welbeck in that tweet for the Utd squad?

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    1. jas5sk - Youtube channel
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Him and Hernandez were the last 2 names

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    2. Elwood
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      'That' tweet was posted yesterday and Rooney was being assessed today so I wouldn't take it as gospal.

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    3. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Hernandez and Welbeck were in a separate tweet due to lack of characters

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      1. Bauerhaus 24
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        thats harsh, i think there're very nice blokes

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    4. Bad Seed
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      cheers - if demi says it seems legit, i'm worried

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  4. Chris_White
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Ravelinho or Negredo(-4)?

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  5. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    start Clyne (TOT) or Murner (sun) ?

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  6. Blue Moon Rising
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Rooney to Negrado for a hit?

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    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Thinking the same....

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  7. megatronaldinho
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    so like yeah. i found both my glasses and my tweed. only now missing perspective. and empathy. but whatever. i'll be stoned off my tree in a.... now

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    1. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      What are you smoking?

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      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Rough shag...

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    2. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      😛

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  8. Beavis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    I would only get rid of Rooney if we had news of him being out next GW as well. If it's only this one then I can survive.

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  9. Tasty Jerk
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Come on the Palace! We want Chamakh for good - http://metro.co.uk/2013/12/18/crystal-palace-fan-re-makes-take-that-song-as-tribute-to-marouane-chamakh-4235127/

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  10. Tim Canterbury
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    They are all second choice penalty takers who may well be on pens this weekend. Assuming Gerrard, Arteta, Baines, Lampard, & Aguero don't play

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    1. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Lampard will play, think Arteta will as well though as an Ozil owner I hope not.

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  11. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Bleaker by the minute 😯

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  12. Scottys Army
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    tempted to ship rooney tbh

    isnt a long term player for me anyway

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  13. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    PhysioRoom.com Ltd ‏@physioroom 21m

    @marktomlins1989 #Clyne & #Rooney late fitness test. 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

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    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Shit. NOthing concrete. So my fingers are itchy.

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    2. Jax
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      yeah you posted this above.

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    3. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      In that case people should hold. If he's a possibility to play now he should certainly play soon enough.

      I'm keeping and starting.

      Sub if he does not play. Simple.

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    4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      sorry i included clyne bit

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    5. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Well done, Bemba. Thanks. 🙂

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  14. SpinyNorman [*_*]
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    LEROY FER(C)

    Bring it on.

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    1. Bauerhaus 24
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      yeah… good luck with that...

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  15. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Play Terry or Lukaku and "- 4"?

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  16. Optimus.
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    @Demi

    In that linked i posted he only lists 17 players though..Should it not be a squad of 18?

    https://twitter.com/steryder74

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    1. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      This.. spot left for the late fitness test etc 😉

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    2. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Maybe as Physioroom say, Rooney is touch and go and will be assessed last minute.

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

      Surely it's Rafeal that is missing in error??

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      1. Optimus.
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Him or Rooney you would think

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    4. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Who is Dave?

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      1. Optimus.
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        De Gea

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    5. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      i think rafa is missin

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    6. Demí
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Lol i don't know any more. Maybe we've only got 6 subs

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    7. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Back peddling faster than Flintoff in a pedalo 😛

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    8. Axle11
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      this one is intriguing. but no Rafael?

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  17. NATSTER
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    NATSTER | THE SHÜFFLIN…
    RavMo or Distin for first sub?

    Howard in goal. Just Rooney a doubt.

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  18. Zinedine Kilbane
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    With zab and rooney out, have had to alter my wildcard team, not happy with it but 1.7m spare to make changes in future transfers;

    De Gea (Speroni)

    Evra, coleman, Olsson, Bardsley, chester

    Walcott, Silva, ki, ramsey, januzaj

    Negredo, Suarez, Lukaku

    should I upgrade chester or januzaj or save the money? any quick opinions appreciated

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    1. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      No Chelsea

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  19. Ace Ventura
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    What 3 defenders should I start?

    Ward / Coleman / Chester / Flanagan / Fonte

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    1. Mr. Perfectionist
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Coleman, Flanagan, Ward

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    2. big oak
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      ward coleman flana

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    3. Zinedine Kilbane
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      bad fixtures, only one id want is hazard and would profer silza or walcott

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  20. big oak
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    what i don't like about this season?
    its the first time that i pick a Vice Captain as exotic as sessegnon, and that's only because rooney is a doubt

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    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      😯

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    2. Axle11
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      i play Moxey as my vice lol as everyone know who to captain, but finally changed it.

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  21. Scottys Army
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    suarez and remy my other strikers

    what striker is worth a punt for christmas games ?

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    1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Barbaric is tempting me. His stats have been very good the past couple of games.

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      1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        *Berbatov

        Autocorrect...

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    2. Axle11
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Hooper?

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  22. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    I'm still optimistic! Rooney to start!

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    1. Denis Tueart on the wing
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Don't like the idea that he is not with the squad !!!!!

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      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Squad smaud. He will play!

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        1. Denis Tueart on the wing
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 5 months ago

          I am keeping him and hoping too. cos he's the lad 😉

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  23. Valar(Keith)
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Redmond off the bench for Rooney.. hey ho.. that's why we got benches(though mine took a -8 to repair 🙁 )

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  24. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    panic at the disco

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    1. Evans
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Haha

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  25. Blue Lion
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Manchester United will hand a late fitnesstest to Wayne Rooney ahead of their home date with West Ham after sitting out the game mid week

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    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Where you read this? Reliable source above saying he ain't in the squad...

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  26. King Henrik
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Howard
    Gj Coleman Mertezaker
    Yaya Ramsey Hazard Cabaye
    Suarez Rooney Lukaku

    Gaz Chester Morrison Whittaker

    All set ? ..

    ?/10

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    1. JasonV
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Arsenal are hitting a low point so having a defender is risky now especially against Chelsea!! Definite crap points there.

      Put in Whittaker as Norwich can secure an easy clean sheet against Sunderland or maybe even Morrison...

      Other than that I am no expert 😛 Your midfield is 10/10.

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      1. King Henrik
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        thanks jason .. appreciate it mate .. i just went with merts instead of whittaker because i benched merts last week and he scored lol .. so lets see what happens this weekl ..but ur right i should of rally play a norwich defender

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  27. Mile Plankton - Myth and Ch…
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Rooney doubtfull. Ravel or Dawson first sub?

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    1. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Rav

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    2. Evans
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Or play them ahead of Rooney

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  28. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    From those links posted about utd team line ups do we think Rafeal is out too then???

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  29. JasonV
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Myhill
    Evra Fonte Jagielka
    Whittingham YayaToure Oscar Ramsey
    Remy Suarez Lukaku

    Bench: Sessegnon McAuley Davies

    I made a transfer already for Evra... do I need to make a point hit for more changes?!

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  30. Aurora
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    So who is keeping Rooney for the Christmas schedule?

    And who is knee jerking Rooney out for Lukaku or Negredo?

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    1. Evans
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      That is the question

      I don't think he will start today, but can we afford to keep him in our squads over Xmas period ?

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