Preamble

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 24

I’m partial to a flutter but I’m hardly a seasoned gambler. Even so, I’m aware of the concept of “chasing losses” – I also know that any experienced punter will tell you that it’s a mug’s game.

Until Tuesday night, I wasn’t really sure just how this applied to Fantasy Football. How, when desperation kicks in, your better judgement can go out the window as you ignore the obvious option and search out the long shot.

Let’s face it, handing Wilfred Bony my Gameweek 23 armband was a travesty. I can and will point to the logic behind the decision – I can talk about about the Ivorian’s form, of Fulham’s fragility. Even so, that doesn’t detract from the fact that, deep down, I knew that Luis Suarez would punish me.

As I mentioned in this week’s ScoutCast, I stood for a full thirty seconds at my front door at 7.28, key in hand, ready to burst back in and correct my madness. Foolishly, I chose to turn and head to Tesco. Those pizzas might have been buy one, get one free but they cost me dearly.

Such outlandish decision-making is in stark contrast to the methods employed by our own Jonty – a Fantasy manager who has profited from backing the favourite. Jonty has reveled in his “dullard” moniker and can point to an impressive ranking and a profitable Wildcard that has left even Hall of Fame legend, Evs, in his wake.

In Thursday’s ScoutCast I was asked what I’ve learned this season. Jonty’s campaign, coupled with my season-long failed quest to seek out effective differentials has taught me that my enthusiasm to look for the spectacular long ball, rather than settle for the sideways pass, has hurt me the most. I’m constantly trying to be Glenn Hoddle and Jonty, pulling off his best Ray Wilkins impression, is making me look silly.

I’d like to think I’ve learned a lesson but, only this week, I was fully contemplating tossing four points into the air and backing Robin van Persie at Stoke. There I was, listening to Granville spelling out the obvious move – Edin Dzeko in for the injured Sergio Aguero to keep the City cover – and I was plotting another foolish 60-yard “Hail Mary”.

While this may disappoint those who listened in, I think I’m going to have to rethink. I daren’t try another Hollywood pass for a while.

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

1,965 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Bridge
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Advice appreciated!

    A) Aguero -> Rooney (-4)
    B) Start Noone (leaving no subs)

    Cheers!

    Open Controls
    1. mipola
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      B

      Open Controls
    2. Messi & fabregas
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      B

      Open Controls
    3. Alonso The Great Midfielder
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      A. why hold on for player that out for a month??

      Open Controls
      1. Bridge
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks. I'm not doubting the transfer, just the timing (and the hit!)

        Open Controls
    4. Mile Plankton - Myth and Ch…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      B

      Open Controls
    5. AppleDunk
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I am doing B

      Open Controls
    6. Bridge
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks all...looks pretty conclusive..although I was hoping for A! 😀

      Open Controls
  2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Thanks, let the games begin 😀

    Open Controls
  3. Alonso The Great Midfielder
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    wc post testing....

    mannone(ardian)

    terry-falnagan-koscielny(ward-yoshida)

    hazard-johnson-toure-eriksen(puncheon)

    Sturdige-suartez-giroud

    1.3m balance...is it good to go??

    Open Controls
  4. enrico.palazzo
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    RVP captain!

    Open Controls
  5. Gaz Downright
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    There's uncertainty how many minutes Rooney and RVP will last this weekend, but Nani's out for another month with a hamstring injury, so there are some good news for United fans as well.

    Open Controls
    1. Parm
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Both should start, RVP will probably come off the earliest though.

      Open Controls
      1. Gaz Downright
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        woosh

        Open Controls
  6. Andy1
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Best defender under 4.4?

    A. Flanagan
    B. Vlaar
    C. Olsson
    D. Bruce

    Or play ward?

    Open Controls
    1. TheOneAndOnly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Flanagan is the best value, buuuut Vlaar suits better as he has good games next week and the blank on GW28

      Open Controls
    2. Alonso The Great Midfielder
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      i go for flano

      Open Controls
  7. Parm
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    3rd striker spot.

    Sturridge vs Benteke vs Giroud

    Which one?

    Open Controls
    1. Messi & fabregas
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      sturridge

      Open Controls
    2. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Benteke

      Open Controls
    3. RedNev
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Sturridge

      Open Controls
    4. Thomass
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Gru

      Open Controls
    5. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Sturridge

      Open Controls
    6. HVT
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Dzeko.

      Open Controls
    7. GHB
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Sturridge

      Open Controls
  8. TheOneAndOnly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    RMWCT

    Boruc (Price)

    Sagna, Evans, Collins (Chambers, Vlaar)

    Yaya, Hazard, Mirallas, Lallana (El Ahmedi/Gnabry)

    Suarez, RVP, Giroud

    Giroud>Negredo next week... all look set to go??

    Open Controls
  9. Chris_White
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Oscar or Noone this week?

    Open Controls
    1. Messi & fabregas
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      noone

      Open Controls
      1. gloryhornetboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        I have same dilemma & I've gone Noone so watch Oscar go ballistic if this season is anything to go by!!!!
        Zaha may threaten noones place but I'm trying not to think abt that!!

        Open Controls
    2. Demelbrush
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      doesn't zaha mean noone will lose his place?

      Open Controls
      1. Chris_White
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Not straight away imo. Noone has been Cardiffs best player since OGS arrived...

        Open Controls
  10. drughi
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    predictions for newcastle-sunderland

    i'll go first 2-2

    Open Controls
    1. Bridge
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I bet on 2-1 Sunderland and 2-2. Fancy Ben Arfa to score.

      Open Controls
  11. Messi & fabregas
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    A) Play Flannagan

    or

    B) -4 to get J.Rod and play him ?

    thanks

    Open Controls
  12. Thomass
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Can't fit a bech as Seamus and Chester are out. Thinking of Chester to Stones. Thoughts?? It's for -8. Ward has Arsenal and will get a point

    Open Controls
    1. Messi & fabregas
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      flanagan instead nailed on
      stones will be benched next week

      Open Controls
      1. Andy1
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Is he nailed on?

        Open Controls
        1. Messi & fabregas
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          of course

          Open Controls
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      No Thomass - just no. 😉

      Open Controls
      1. Thomass
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Why?!?!

        Open Controls
        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          Stones out next week. Villa will score.

          Open Controls
          1. Thomass
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 2 months ago

            Ok Flanno then?

            Open Controls
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          because it's -8 for a player who will be back on the bench soon.

          Open Controls
    2. mipola
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Play ward.

      Open Controls
      1. Thomass
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Serious away to Arsenal

        Open Controls
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Is there a way to search for a user?

    I'm looking for a previous post by that 'Demel' chappy.....

    Open Controls
    1. Parm
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/profiles/jesus-navas-our-lord/

      Replace your name with his.

      Open Controls
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        cheers mate - just got to try and remember his name. 🙂

        Open Controls
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        he's in the hot topics! 😀

        Open Controls
  13. Demelbrush
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    please give opinions on WC team

    boruc price
    kosch evans bruce dann yosheida
    mirallas erikson much mata hazard
    rvp adebayor suarez

    Open Controls
  14. Doar1986
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Who do I captain

    Cazorla
    RVP
    Suarez
    Mata

    Thanks

    Open Controls
    1. Messi & fabregas
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      rvp or suarez

      Open Controls
  15. palalmas
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Is Fabio ready for the Norwich match? I have £4,1M for a defender and allready have Palace cover.

    Open Controls
    1. Phillips
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I've got him in for it. If not, then their fixtures after still make him worthwhile I think. Particularly with uncertainty over the Palace defence/Ward midfield now.

      Open Controls
    2. TheOneAndOnly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      yeh, how are people sure?

      Open Controls
  16. RafaMC
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    GK Question

    Play Marshall or Boruc this week ??

    Open Controls
  17. Gilbo88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Morning lads, need some help with my injury-ravaged team. Kun, Wilshere, Coleman & Hudson all out (did have Chester too but got rid on my FT before his price fell). What to do?

    A. Aguero out for Dzeko, Rooney, Giroud, etc (-4)
    B. Aguero & Wilshere to RVP & Noone, Barkely, etc (-8)

    Open Controls
  18. RedNev
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Play Mannone or Boruc?

    Open Controls
    1. Champy
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Same decision, going with Boruc.

      Open Controls
    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Boruc by a country mile, the derby is always mental.
      You really need to sort out your goalkeeper rotation out asap.

      Open Controls
  19. Hamstergod
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Repost (Lost at the end of the previous article)

    My final WC team

    Mignolet, Mannone

    Mertesacker, Terry, Coleman, Fonte, Ward

    Yaya, Mata, ERiksen, Lallana, Barkley

    Suarez, Benteke, Giroud.

    0.8 in the bank

    good to go?

    Open Controls
    1. elkunaguero
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      needs more City, try and get Negredo up front

      Open Controls
      1. Hamstergod
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks!

        They do have a tight congestion of fixtures.

        Am thinking Giroud -> Dzeko post this game week.

        So far I've managed the whole season only with Yaya Toure and it worked.

        Open Controls
  20. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Hands up who currently has a cup of tea, and maybe a bacon sarnie, I bet Think Nothing does.

    Open Controls
    1. Jax
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Doesn't make sense

      Open Controls
    2. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I had Salami Milano on Toast. Is that close enough?

      Open Controls
      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Absolutely not.

        Open Controls
  21. Phillips
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    This WC Team ready to go?

    Adrian | Mannone
    Kos | Azpi | Evans | Fabio | Chambers
    Eriksen | Silva | Yaya | Mata | Gnabry
    Dzeko | Sturridge | Suarez

    0.7m

    Open Controls
    1. Messi & fabregas
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      yes good team maybe lallana for eriksen and williams for fabio as swansea have ok schedule

      Open Controls
  22. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Thank you Mark. Always the best article of the week for me.

    Open Controls
  23. Ozils Twin
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Bench oscar or januzaj?

    Open Controls
  24. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Which of the the derbies will cough up most goals this weekend?
    Need to pick Speroni or mannone.

    Open Controls
  25. Kavali
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Play Sterling or Januzaj?

    Open Controls
  26. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Love the Pre-ambles . 🙂

    Open Controls
  27. J0E
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Talk about setting me up for a bad Gameweek. 😉 Evs will return to punish me this weekend.

    Open Controls
  28. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    "Those pizzas might have been buy one, get one free but they cost me dearly." HAHA!

    Open Controls
    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I want to know the topping?

      Open Controls
    2. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      To be any good they need to be Tesco Finest.

      Open Controls
      1. Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Truer words have never been spoken

        Open Controls
  29. SuperMario
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    For the chep midfield spot on a wildcard, who would you fancy, with 4 bigger hitting midfielders...

    Currently on Noone. Is he a better pick than Mutch??

    Open Controls
    1. TheOneAndOnly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      El Ahmadi 4.2 has Norwich at hoe GW28

      Open Controls