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. SuperMario
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Coleman or Kolarov on a WC ???? had coleman since the start

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Coleman.

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    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      He'll be back next week. But don't play him. His home fixtures are so sweet. Kolarov is too dodgy.

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      1. SuperMario
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        sorted thanks lads

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  2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    please start kolarov, thanks

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    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      he will

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    1. jas5sk - Youtube channel
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Tran knows his stuff

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  3. Darsh
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Shaw or Fonte?

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    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      shaw cheaper bombs forward more

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    2. tw
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      fonte - less injury prone

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    3. The Albatross
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      fonte gets more bonus & occassional goal

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  4. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Eriksen + Giroud

    or

    Adebayor and Cazorla?

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    1. The Glory Hunters
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Similar dilemma, going with Eriksen and Giroud.

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  5. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Less than 10 minutes...

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  6. Football Matas
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    First time post....used my WC for some differentials
    RMT?

    Marshall - Mannone
    Sagna - Ward - Caulker (Bertrand - Bardsley)
    Hazard - Mata - Barfa - Zaha - AJ
    van Persie (c) - Suarez (Berahino)

    Switching Marshall/Caulker for Mannone/Bardsley combos, long time owner of Hazard and Suarez (so low SV)
    Anything missing? Any improvements? Cheers all

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    1. don parcheesi
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Welcome.

      Marshall at 4.7 is too expensive. I'd go Adrian. Bardsley is also going to be bench fodder (in FPL terms, not real life) for a few weeks given their miserable stretch, so I'd turn him into Yoshida, because I really like Southampton's run. Free's up some cash to do with it what you will (like maybe Berahino to Jrod)

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    2. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      You need to upgrade that defence and I wouldn't bother with Bardsley atm. I'll be looking to ship after Hull.

      I would skip RVP next week not this one.

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  7. The Glory Hunters
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Last decision?

    Eriksen & Giroud

    Or

    Dzecko & Cazorla

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    1. Clay Davis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Dzeko and Cazorla - Caz is having more shots than anyone in midfield over last 6 weeks.

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  8. 4-4-who?
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Vlaar Bardsley Terry

    Pick 2 from 3

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      B & T

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    2. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Ugh. Terry, Bardsley for slightly more goal threat

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  9. SvenGoranErskine
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    A) Cahill
    B) Bruce?
    Ftw

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    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      cahill

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  10. fantasyfanatic2016
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Boruc, (Davis)
    Koscieny, Cahill, Coleman, Evans, Flanagan
    Mata, Hazard, Silva, Eriksen, Gnabry,
    Suarez, Struridge, Eriksen

    Any thoughts/improvements? Thanks

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    1. spartannn
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Eriksen your striker?

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  11. Wilberto
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    My final WC team.. Ready to go?

    Adrian (Mannone)
    Evans - Koscielny - Fabio (Yoshida, Coleman)
    Mata - Mirallas (C) - Hazard - Lallana (Ward-Prowse)
    Dzeko - Suarez - Sturridge

    1.8 in the bank

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    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Captain kevin...

      Ballsy

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    2. GREENDREAMS11
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Not bad at all, I've got the same front line as I mentioned earlier and upcoming fixtures look good, Dzeko will lose gametime sometime in the near future but easily changed, Ballsy captain choice this week but good luck with it. Overall, not a bad effort but I would maybe look to change Ward Prowse but you wont want him playing anyway. I have Sterling in there myself.

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  12. Qubit
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Urrrgh, honestly the more i look at this weeks fixtures i dont like them. Low scoring gwk i reckon, we havent had one of THOSE afternoons for a while.

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    1. Pinoche
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      And to make things worse I've taken a hit!

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      1. Qubit
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Yeh, im still mulling over whether to -4 in Dzeko! (probably not worth it to be honest)

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        1. Pinoche
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Aye, but it will benefit me in the long run cuz Aguero has a blank in gw28.

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      2. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        But so many have taken a - 4 this week . Wd think

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  13. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Play

    Azpi (mci) or MOlsson (car)

    Puncheon (ars) or Noone (NOR)

    Defender v attacker sounds bad

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    1. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      azpi noone

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    2. Mile Plankton - Myth and Ch…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      MOlsson and Noone i think.

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    3. FPL Touches
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      M Olsson

      Stuck myself, currently thinking Noone as he has the better fixture, but Puncheon's form can't be disregarded

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  14. Mile Plankton - Myth and Ch…
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Luka -> Ade done. I now regret not taking hit to get RVP and Dzekson.

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  15. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    On wc, Coleman (5.8) or cahill?

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Cahill.

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  16. aussie
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    How many mins untill deadline? ??

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      less than 8

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      1. SuperOsçarBaby
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        *7

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    2. jas5sk - Youtube channel
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      10 mins 8 mins ago

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  17. FPL Touches
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Sorry chaps, repost

    Please PLAY 2 out of:

    Ward, Azpi, Bruce, Chambers

    Thanks 🙂

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    1. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      chambers, azpi

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  18. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Giroud or Sturridge?

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    1. Pinoche
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Sturridge long term

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    2. SnowPea
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Sturridge

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

      Get someone bad, your my cup opponent. 🙂

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  19. Blue Lion
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Guys quick. Play Kolarov or Azpi?

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    1. d1sable
      • Has Moderation Rights
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Kolarov, easy.

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    2. Mr Smith
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Neither

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    3. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Lolarov no brainer

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    4. tw
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      kolarov

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    5. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Kolarov.

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  20. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Suarez or RVP captain?

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    1. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      rvp

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    2. FPL Touches
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Ive been boring and gone for Suarez - RVP gametime not yet certain

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  21. Mr Smith
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Chances of the following playing this weekend:

    A. Chester
    B. Coleman

    ??

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    1. Pinoche
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      0. Both have been ruled out

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      1. Mr Smith
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        😥

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    2. d1sable
      • Has Moderation Rights
      10 years, 3 months ago

      zero for both

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    3. tw
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      both are 0% i'm pretty sure

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  22. drughi
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    play vlaar or yoshida ?

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    1. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      yoshida

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    2. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      yosh

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    3. d1sable
      • Has Moderation Rights
      10 years, 3 months ago

      yosh

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    4. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Yoshi's Giants

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  23. RabMac
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    How many RVP owners are like me and are nervous that Moyes will bench/sub him?

    Out of my whole team, he is the one I am worried about most, especially because of his price tag.

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  24. Tom Player
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Pick one to bench out of:

    Gerrard, Mirallas, Hazard, ki sung yeung, Mata
    Suarez, Rodriguez, Negredo

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    1. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      ki

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    2. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Suarez.

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    3. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Ki

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  25. Dial Square
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Parr, Chambers, Bruce, Baker, Mcshane? Battle of the 3.9 defenders.

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  26. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Howay the lads! 🙂

    Adrián
    Davies, Baines, Mertesacker
    Hazard, Cazorla(c), Mata, Johnson
    Van Persie(vc), Sturridge, Adebayor

    Subs: Marshall; Puncheon, Bertrand, Ward ... -4

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    1. FAITHNOMORENO
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      checked johnson's fixtures last night.what a hell.no way he continues firing V all those big clubs.

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  27. GlasgowFF
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Playing for a Liverpool blank so all these people can stop it with the "Suarez doesn't count so it is not doubling up" nonsense.

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    1. RabMac
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      If that FF stands for Follow Follow, I won't tell you what I am praying for. 😉

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  28. OptimusBlack
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Chester > Fabio for - 4

    Or play Ward

    sorry guys can u reply

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    1. RabMac
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Play ward as they are capable of a CS even against Arsenal.

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      1. OptimusBlack
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Merci dude

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        1. RabMac
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          No problem mate and good luck this week. 😉

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  29. Seamy
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    The important question... Is everyone's fantasy Rugby team set? 😛

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    1. RabMac
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      No one cares about guys who enjoy sticking their head up other guys arses and smelling their bawsac.

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