634x258 Preamble
18 January 2014 1714 comments
Mark Mark
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I think thereโ€™s a danger I could run out of ideas. Seven green arrows in eight Gameweeks should indicate progress but, looking at the gap in the contributors league and the chasm between myself and Granville, it seems that my efforts have been little more than powder puff. I need to find a boost in a season which, to this point, has offered few opportunities for those looking to make up ground.

Much as I like the fella, Luis Suarez hasnโ€™t helped matters. Last weekend provided yet more evidence that itโ€™s almost suicidal to peel the armband from the Uruguayan’s bicep. The option to take a risk with the captaincy doesnโ€™t look a viable strategy for the straggling Fantasy manager. Iโ€™ve tried that route and, while Luis let me get away with it by drawing two blanks, even that gamble had little impact.

So where do I turn next? As Iโ€™ve mentioned, Granville doesnโ€™t have any apparent chinks in his armour. His squad looks settled, his budget far in advance of my own โ€“ย if anything the Wildcard will hand him further advantage. Iโ€™m faced with having to take some calculated risks but, such a decision also threatens to derail my run of green arrows and begs the question, when do you allow mini-league rivalries to influence your overall decision making?

A few weeks back I decided to don the blinkers, ignore the mini-league scenario and set about saving face. Iโ€™ve gradually climbed the ranks and so, naturally, I have to conclude that Iโ€™m on a gradual path of progress. It feels cosy and safe but, equally, I can’t help thinking that Granvilleโ€™s has his slippers on and is running the foamy bath of victory.

Should I continue to look at the bigger picture? Maybe if I continue to play safe and go with template signings โ€“ Mesut Ozil being my latest โ€“ I will ensure an ascent up the ranks and I may yet even avoid my lowest ever Fantasy Premier League finish. However, I canโ€™t help consider that, if I allow the Fantasy Sat Nav to keep me on this comfortable path, Granville has it won. I swear when it advised me to turn to Ozil there was a Manchester twang in its voice.

To this point Iโ€™ve been subdued with the risk taking. Iโ€™ve veered off to take an occasional hit, taken the Edin Dzeko detour โ€“ nothing too outlandish. Clearly, it’s had little effect.

My latest half-baked plan is to use my third forward slot in rotation โ€“ attempting to hit a Gameweek sweet spot and find some double-figure differentials. It will be hatched later today but, if this also fails to make an instant impression, Iโ€™m faced with having to decide to either stay on this path of safety and effectively concede or go for broke and risk inviting the red arrows.

Sooner or later the Sat Nav will tell me to turn to Ramsey. Iโ€™ve a feeling that, by then, my season will be at the crossroads.

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

  1. simosalminen
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Bench Boruc or Mannone?

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    1. Sooda
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Boruc

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  2. Sooda
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Got WC active... front line of Aguero, Suarez and Bony with 1 Mill in the bank... What do you guys think...

    Gonna get Wellbeck for Bony next GW

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  3. Seamy
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Out of interest, how many 70+ point GW's has every had so far this year?

    Currnetly on 10 here

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    1. Seamy
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      * Currently

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    2. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      11

      I had a run of 9 in 10 GWs!!

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      1. Seamy
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Nice ๐Ÿ˜‰

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    3. Sarnab
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      just 4

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    4. Mumm-Ra
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      What's 70 points ๐Ÿ™‚

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    5. rdpx
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      You might get a better response if you ask this when the game isn't being updated...!

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  4. SMOOTH
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Eriksen or cabaye

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  5. ZakAFC_
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Kolarov in for a -4?

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    1. andres
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      No

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  6. The Rock
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    I'm panicking, help!!

    Wilshere and Aguero or
    Lallana and Negredo?

    Speroni
    Coleman, Kos, Kolarov
    Hazard, Silva, Lallana Ki
    Suarez, Giroud, Negredo
    Marshall, Ward, Januzaj, Chester

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    1. Sooda
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      A
      A
      A
      Wilsh and Kun

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  7. Heydudes13
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    I have trouble checking the same time each GW, please can multiple posters post the amount of time left minute by minute. Thanks.

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Less than a minute..

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  8. isacki: full casual
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Bannan or clyne 1st sub?

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  9. Sarnab
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    I want a Cabaye goal today,.,, C'mon Cabayeeeeee

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    1. Mojo Rojo
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      ^THIS!

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  10. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Phil Bardsley & Joel ward... I would like these two to harvest 2 goals, 2 cleansheets, and 6 baps between them today.... #believe

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  11. Mojo Rojo
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    PENCILS DOWN!!!

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      1 second out ๐Ÿ˜•

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  12. zaahid786
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Too much confusion, go with your gut and not what everyone says and you will do well. Watch what advise u take, too much is no good.

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  13. SuperOsçarBaby
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Deadline!

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  14. Tim Canterbury
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    This was a very dangerous week to WC. Yaya Silva & Ozil all blanked

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  15. rozzo
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    So is Aguero really out? Ready to swap him out for Hooper if he is....

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      No and you are too late anyway

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    2. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Not now you won't.

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    3. Colonel Shoe ่‚ๆฑ 
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      he is not out....and deadlines gone

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    4. mipola
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Agureos out????!?@!?

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    5. rozzo
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      was supposed to be a joke but I am evidently not very funny lol

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      1. KOKAK
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        yellow card to you!

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    6. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Auero would score double figures today even if he was left out of the match squad entirely. He's THAT good.

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  16. Snooze ya lose
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    No more tinkering now!

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  17. Bolivian Seaman
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    come on puncheon! ๐Ÿ™‚

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    1. Chris_Fàbregas #DOOS…
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      I doubt if he'd like that..

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      1. Sooda
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        HA

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  18. Ed
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Arsenal, City & Liverpool today - exciting day ahead!

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  19. elkunaguero
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    11 starting players with Home games this GW + 3 bench players with Home games this GW

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    1. Valar(Keith)
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      would not want t ohave your team over the next 2 then

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      1. elkunaguero
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        the big guns in attack and midfield can deliver either way

        half my defense will be playing home

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  20. Alton E.
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone went with Carroll?

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    1. garbage1
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Me ๐Ÿ™‚

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  21. r0nh
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    I have never been so confident of getting a green arrow ๐Ÿ˜Ž

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    1. Podge
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Lallana hat trick to start the day off would be nice

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      1. r0nh
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        -1 ๐Ÿ‘ฟ

        I want a 1-1 draw i that game & every player booked!!

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        1. Breadbin
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          How about 11-11, 1 own goal for all players.

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          1. r0nh
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 11 months ago

            Id love it!!!

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    2. DonTheSpecialOne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      GL

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  22. Lrf
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    GL everybody!

    Happy with my XI this week (WC):

    Mannone
    Kos Kolarov Coleman
    Hazard Silva Eriksen Ozil
    Suarez(c) Aguero(v) Sturridge

    NVM my bench ๐Ÿ˜‰

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  23. The Rock
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Well, i left it too late haha. Was trying to press confirm to bring in Wilshere and Aguero for Lallana and Negredo. I'm regretting leaving it so late.. hopefully Wilsh and Aguero start on the bench!

    First time i have ever let me transfer go down to the wire. At least it was an experience ๐Ÿ™‚

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    1. MARVELLUS
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      This week, having Lall/Neg might actually be better.

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  24. Tibidabo
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    SHOW ME SOME LOVE CAPTAIN KOLAROV!

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  25. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Thanks to TheSportsGuys comments I was able to do Hazard->Ozil before the deadline! http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2014/01/18/the-pre-match-preamble-gameweek-22-2/?hc_page=10#hc_comment_6578316

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    1. swedishbrazilian
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      lol

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  26. The Shadow
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Cherry popped - first time ever Kolarov owner!

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    1. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Ditto

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    2. GlasgowFF
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Me too.

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    3. Tricknova
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Snap. Question is 10 pointer or dropped?

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  27. S.Kuqi
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Sunderland- Soton 0-1 and Lallana not involveld would be worst possible start for today.

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    1. sedgster1213
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      sunderland big win, johnson hat-rick!

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      1. Shipstontrev
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        They can't play Fulham every week you know!

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    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Agree

      However Sunderland 0-3 Southampton (Lallana hat trick, 2 pen saves for Mannone from Lambert) would be a great start ๐Ÿ™‚

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  28. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    So, to WC or not to WC? That is the question.

    If I don't it's going to be a boring 10 days

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    1. SvenGoranErskine
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Watch the price rises after MOTD first

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    2. An Púca
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      same as that...and the GW after is short

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  29. Mr Smith
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Worth a -4 to bring in Aguero for Lukaku? Pretty set otherwise.

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    1. The Assassin-Faced BabyDave
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      snooze you lose

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    2. sedgster1213
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      if he starts...

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      1. Schürrle Class
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Was bringing in Giroud for Lukaku a good idea yesterday?

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    3. Schürrle Class
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      I brought in Giroud for Lukaku

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  30. Parm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Team Check ๐Ÿ˜‰

    de Gea;
    Kosc, Kolarov, Gabby;
    Ozil, Silva, Hazard, Sterling;
    Suarez(c), Aguero, Ade.

    Rudd; Whitts, Rosenior, Burner.

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    1. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Deeesunt

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      1. Chris_White
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Migs
        Coleman Kos Kolarov
        Ozil Haz Lallana Sterling
        Suarez(C) Negredo Giroud

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        1. Parm
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          Not too bad yourself ๐Ÿ˜‰

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        2. Mr Smith
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          Still got Migs? WC must be in tact so i guess you can correct.

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          1. Chris_White
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 11 months ago

            Yup

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    2. Mr Smith
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Nice, i've gone with:

      Shezz
      Kos, Kolarov, Coleman
      Hazard, Silva, Lallana, Eriksen
      Suarez(c), Aguero, Giroud

      Subs: Davies, Clyne, Chester, Januzaj

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      1. Parm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Solid.

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      2. Schürrle Class
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Looks good. Mine is

        Mannone
        Coleman Ward Koscielny
        Eriksen Hazard Silva Özil
        Suarez Giroud Adebayor

        Subs: Clyne Pozuelo Burner

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    3. SuperOsçarBaby
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      M
      W - C - B
      S - Ö - L - O
      S(c) - R - G

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    4. Lrf
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Mannone
      Kolarov Kos Coleman
      Haz Silva Eriksen Ozil
      Suarez(c) Aguero Sturridge

      Best of luck!

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      1. Parm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        And to you too. Looks like you have all bases covered...

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        1. Lrf
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          Except my bench ๐Ÿ˜‰

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    5. Alaric
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Nice, I went with:

      Boruc

      Kosc Kolarov Goalman

      Haz Silva Ozil Cabaye

      SAS

      3.9, Januzaj, Chester, Ward

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    6. Mile Plankton - Myth and Ch…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Speroni
      Bardsley/Sagna/GJ
      Silva/Haz/Lallana/Cabaye
      Suarez(c)/Luka/Giroud

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