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. Always (C)ane
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Rvp or Sturridge?
    Already have mata suarez

    Open Controls
    1. Torres76
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Sturridge - great fixtures and no cancelled gameweek

      Open Controls
      1. Leelas legs 11
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        +1

        Open Controls
    2. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      RVP. So what if he has a blank? He has a DGW after.

      Open Controls
  2. Evs
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    A lovely preamble mark, I've avoided Dzeko and gone for JRod. Whoops !

    Open Controls
    1. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Same.

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

      Had him for ages !
      Suarez , jrod , Ned
      🙂

      Open Controls
    3. Billy Ketsu
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      I'm very tempted too. J.Rod tore Fulham to bits in the reverse game earlier this year, bagging a goal and an assist, and after seeing what AJ did to them a couple of weeks ago it's clear they can't deal with pace.

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

    Is Coleman definitely out?

    Just wondering if I should start him and make Ward first DF on the bench or just play Ward.

    Open Controls
    1. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      I believe Martinez confirmed it

      Open Controls
  4. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    News for Gabbidon?

    Open Controls
  5. Liastro ⭐️
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    On wildcard....

    Mannone Adrian
    XXXXX XXXXX Ward Chambers Bruce
    Silva Hazard Mata Lallana Puncheon
    Suarez XXXXX Sturridge

    19.6m left...please fill the gaps! Thanks!

    Open Controls
    1. PGR
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Adebayor, Azpi and Kosc

      Open Controls
    2. Torres76
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Azpi, ade, merta

      Open Controls
  6. FACUPARSE
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Play Marshall or Mannone????

    Open Controls
    1. Parm
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Marshall

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

      Marshall (h) to Nirwich - no brainer

      Open Controls
      1. FACUPARSE
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Newcastle with no Cabaye and Remy

        Playing both Ameobi's instead

        Open Controls
        1. HVT
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          It's a derby - trust me they will score.

          Open Controls
          1. FACUPARSE
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            0-3 Sunderland in same fixture last season

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

      marshall

      Open Controls
  7. thunder_mike
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Play?

    A) Marshall
    B) Mannone

    Open Controls
    1. PGR
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Marshmellow

      Open Controls
    2. FACUPARSE
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Snap

      I want to go Marshall but would mean doubling up on them 🙁

      Open Controls
      1. thunder_mike
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Yep me too, having to play Burner with Coleman out and not wanting to play Ward.

        Open Controls
  8. Parm
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Good to go folks?

    http://i.imgur.com/ETIjvQ9.png

    Open Controls
    1. Godfather Bandit 42
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Lovely

      Open Controls
  9. palalmas
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

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

    Open Controls
    1. hossuck
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      collins

      Open Controls
  10. Thomass
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Might bench Silva…

    Open Controls
    1. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Lol.

      Open Controls
      1. Thomass
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        I wanna play Jonjo

        Open Controls
    2. Parm
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Drinking from an early age is bad for you Tom.

      Open Controls
      1. Thomass
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        But I'm a swan is I want to play Shelveyy

        Open Controls
        1. Breadbin
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Are you from Swansea?

          Open Controls
          1. Thomass
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Yes

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

              🙂

              Open Controls
    3. Pringle
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      For who if I might ask?

      Open Controls
      1. Thomass
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Jonjooooo

        Open Controls
        1. Pringle
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Do not

          Open Controls
  11. The EJJ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Is Aguero -> Negredo worth a 4 pt hit this week? Or should I just bench Aguero and rely on SAS?

    Open Controls
    1. Torres76
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Adebayor instead of Ageuro

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

      I took a hit to get 12.1 out of my team.

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

      definitely worth a hit, though I'd put a few others ahead of negredo. Tekkers, dzeko, ade... in no particular order (I went with Ade, for what its worth)

      Open Controls
    4. RabMac
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      If you see a striker who will score 4 points today and has nice fixtures then you should make the transfer. Not sure I would do Negredo though as there is uncertainty who will play from City and they have Chelsea this GW.

      Open Controls
  12. Torres76
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Which of the following players should I drop this week

    Lalaana - away to Fulham
    YaYa - home to Chelsea
    Hazard - away to city
    Eriksen - away to Hull
    Mata

    Adebayor - away to hull
    Sturrudge - away to west brom
    Suarez - away to west brom

    I am thinking drop hazard to bench. Who should I drop please?

    Thank you all

    Open Controls
    1. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Lallana, rubbish away from home.

      Open Controls
    2. citizen_kane
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Mata.

      Open Controls
  13. QPR expects... glory!
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Last two times I had terrible fixtures amongst my defenders and a conviction on a transfer for a hit I decided against paying pts.

    The players I would have transferred in both got clean sheets (one scored!) and BAP's whilst those I stick with got 1 or 0 pts.

    This week I have to play Azpi & Ward as I've no bench (Chester & Coleman) and have a good feeling about bringing in Jonny Evans for a hit.

    Waste of 4 pts or third time plucky gets lucky?

    Open Controls
  14. Ozils Twin
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Lost on a previous page:

    Should I bench oscar or januzaj this week?

    Open Controls
    1. Pringle
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Januzaj

      Open Controls
    2. Demelbrush
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      jan. by miles IMO. Chelsea could score you know...

      Open Controls
      1. Ozils Twin
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Indeed, city can't defend and no doubt oscar will remember how to score this week!

        Open Controls
  15. Evs
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Excited.

    WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALEEEEES 🙂 !!!!!!!!

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

      Can't even beat Australia. 😆

      Open Controls
      1. Thomass
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        We beat you's down under! Remember in July…

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

          With the help of other nations. 😀

          Open Controls
          1. Thomass
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Technically most of the players were welsh! Sam leading from the front

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

              Most isn't Wales. Last encounter is more important. Move along. 🙂

              Open Controls
      2. Evs
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Don't keep on TM 🙂 !!!

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

      I'm nervous as hell. lol

      Played my WC this week and made major changes to a team that was consistently performing well, without being outstanding. Just hoping I have not messed up my team :S

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

    Always my fav article

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

    Hahah, love it.

    Open Controls
    1. stilicho
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Yep, very tidy line.

      Open Controls
  17. JayBomb
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    For next week

    A Yaya & Decko
    Or
    B Erikson & Negrado

    ????

    Open Controls
    1. Pringle
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      A

      Open Controls
  18. Demelbrush
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Any idea what palace's defence will look like now dann has arrived?

    Open Controls
  19. Colin Hendry
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Right guys I really need some help with this do I need to change anyone?

    Marshall

    Koscielny Collins Shaw
    Cazorla Yaya Hazard Lallana Mata
    Suarez(c) Adebayor

    Adrian Azpilicueta Ward Naismith

    Open Controls
    1. Leelas legs 11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Good to go imo

      Open Controls
  20. Pringle
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Rate my eleven? 1-10

    Mannone
    Kosc Kolarov Evans
    Cazorla Mata Hazard Johnson
    Suarez(c) Sturridge Bony

    Open Controls
  21. BOSH
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Mark should rename it the Pre shambles

    Open Controls
  22. tw
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    any suggestions for improvement of my wc team?

    boruc mannone
    coleman kos shaw ward fabio
    hazard mata silva AJ sterling
    suarez sturridge ade
    .4 in the bank

    Open Controls
    1. tw
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      or dzeko over ade?

      Open Controls
      1. Thomass
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Ade

        Open Controls
    2. Thomass
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      FBio to Flanno.
      Check you mail

      Open Controls
      1. tw
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        who's flanno?

        you got your point across with the first email.... the next ones were unnecessary

        Open Controls
        1. Thomass
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Meaning an Flanagan

          Open Controls
  23. PGR
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Start Colback or take a hit to bring in Rooney for Aguero?

    Open Controls
  24. pleccy
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    WC choice - Chambers or Yoshida??

    Can't decide!!!

    Open Controls
  25. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Come on Jrod lad. Bring home the points!

    Open Controls
  26. Master Kane
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Morning Guys,

    Probably been asked multiple times - so sorry:

    What are peoples thoughts on RVP starting/playing today?

    Open Controls
  27. r0scr0w
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Please vote on the below guys:

    A. Lallana & Rooney

    B. Mata & Sturridge

    Already have silva, eriksen, hazard, no one, Suarez, dzeko

    Open Controls
    1. tw
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      mata and sturridge

      Open Controls
      1. Master Kane
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        yep - mata & sturridge

        Open Controls
  28. SMOOTH
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Is it worth a -4 to bring in dzeko for aguero or should I just start januzaj and have no bench.

    Probably makes sense to not take a hit as it's unlikely that dzeko will out score janu by 4 but just a bit worried with having no bench and janu and kolarov in my starting 11

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

    wc finalised 😀

    Adrian (Mannone)

    Evans, MOlsson, Shaw (Azpi, Ward)

    Mata, Yaya, Hazard, Noone (Punch)

    Suarez, RvP, Tekkers

    Open Controls
    1. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Nice team

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

    Last decision, Bruce or Ward to play?

    Open Controls