Preamble

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 21

None of the decisions I’m making these days are easy ones. How I crave a cruel injury or a four-match ban to signpost my next transfer. Instead, each every Gameweek appears to turf me out at a crossroad and asks me to choose a route to walk. The thing is, having taken the low road in such spectacular style last time out, I’m low on confidence.

While I was happy enough to blame myself for the decision to bench Harry Kane in Gameweek 20. I’ve since decided to blame Brendan Rodgers.

It was his failure to sign a striker which lead to the tactical tweak that pushed Raheem Sterling up front. Which in turn meant I had my head turned by his out-of-position potential. Which meant I arrived at the decision to sell George Boyd. Which meant I suddenly had to choose between my third striker and my fifth midfielder every Gameweek. Which led me to choose Gylfi Sigurdsson over Kane.

There you go. It’s all down to Rodgers. There was no error of judgment on my part that led me to that chain of events – Rodgers just needed to sign a proper striker in the first place and we’d have all been fine.

Rodgers now appears to be mocking me. All the Twitter talk is that he’s handed Sterling an extended break in Jamaica, meaning that his twinkling feet won’t be featuring at the Stadium of Light today. That would mean that Sterling would have returned me 18 points over the four matches since I made the fateful trade: Boyd would only have to turn up at Turf Moor against QPR to match that. The last I heard, Boyd wasn’t in Jamaica taking selfies.

So perhaps I should rid myself of Sterling and kill off Brendan’s opportunity to apply salt to my wounds? Today’s transfer is, inevitably, far from straightforward.

I had planned to ship Andy Carroll for Danny Ings but my mind keeps flicking to the form of Carroll towering over the Swansea defence like a Dad at a One Direction concert.

He always seems to bully them into submission – in his last three encounters with the Welsh side’s defence he’s scored three goals and earned two assists. Admittedly, all those points have arrived in East London, so the case to switch to Ings still has some weight but it also has the potential to be another regrettable transfer to send my Saturday mood spiraling.

Maybe I should just reserve my transfers, bank it for next Gameweek when perhaps the return of Sergio Aguero will hand me the most obvious switch of all.

The trouble is, I’m still suffering the effects of the Kane disappointment. I’m aware that I wasted that coup; that thousands have used their transfer this week to grab Kane. I can’t help thinking that I need to use my trade this week to attempt to seek out an alternative differential.

I hope you’re happy, Brendan.

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

2,145 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Every Dog Has Its Day
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Just got an offer from Coventry Uni for Computer Science 🙂

    Still waiting on four other uni's.

    1. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Top of the page post 😆

    2. Demí
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Congrats, every dog does indeed have it's day =)

      1. Chris_White
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        🙁

      2. Every Dog Has Its Day
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks Demi 😀

    3. Mull
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Nice one.

      1. Every Dog Has Its Day
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        🙂

    4. Positive TY 🙂
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      😯

    5. Klopp's Kids
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Congrats! So many nice Universities out there. Which other 4 did you apply too?

      1. Every Dog Has Its Day
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Kings College, City, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 🙂

        1. AIRMILES
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          KCL's falling apart. Don't go there.

          1. Every Dog Has Its Day
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 5 months ago

            😯

            It's been recommended by many people including my teachers.

            1. AIRMILES
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 5 months ago

              its only been falling apart in the last year. i used to work there and know a number of people who work there. i think the next few years will be rocky. a fine university, but id advise you stay away for now.

              1. AIRMILES
                • 12 Years
                9 years, 5 months ago

                In the event you see this post, it might be worth you reading the following article. It hasn't impacted on Computer Science yet, but there's a lot of resentment of the senior management team at KCL atm: http://www.theguardian.com/science/occams-corner/2014/jul/09/kings-college-london-scientist-purge-strike

    6. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      So every dog DOES have its day...

    7. AIRMILES
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Take lots of condoms

      1. Klopp's Kids
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        And alcohol

      2. Leaf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        He said 'computer science'

        Clearly won't need condoms 🙂

        Well done mate

        1. Demí
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          Zing

    8. Scoredelario
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Congratulations. My degree was partly computer science. Enjoyed it.

    9. nevertrustbony
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Well done! I hope for your sake coventry get a couple of promotions 🙂

      1. Every Dog Has Its Day
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Indeed. I would definitely try and get tickets for Coventry vs Chelsea.

    10. Raul Madrid - That\'s …
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Well done mate! Good luck with the other offers too, unless that was your first choice and you don't need them.

      1. Every Dog Has Its Day
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        That was my 4th choice. Hoping I get into Kings College.

        1. Raul Madrid - That\'s …
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          I hope you do, all the best.

  2. Scoredelario
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Seriously, is Brendan Rodgers the new Harry Redknapp? Waste a load of money but still act as arrogant as possible?

    1. goneill79
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Dead man talking!

  3. Gimli son of Gloin
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    PP cup match is my Hazard (c) vs his Kane (c).
    I support Tottenham. Gonna be an awkward game to watch..

  4. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    I decided to play Chadli ahead of Siggy in the end. Hope it turns out okay 🙁

    1. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Sorry, but I bought him this week. Blank incoming.

    2. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Siggy brace incomming

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

        Damn you

    3. Positive TY 🙂
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      should play both

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

        Not possible

    4. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      One reason why I did not bring him in is because he will blank. (I have a crystal ball)

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

        I'll kick you in the crystal balls in a minute. 😉

        1. Every Dog Has Its Day
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 5 months ago

          😆

  5. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Borini probably hates Rodgers. Benches him half the year and makes him play against the Sunderland fans who love him.

  6. Dosh
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    So after mulling so much over who to bench, Siggy or Downing, Sterling is not playing today at all! Blessing in disguise i hope

  7. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Is Aquilani on the bench?

    1. Saniul
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Alonso is.

  8. Ser Football 42
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    eriksen, fab and kane or chadli, haz and benteke which gets more points?

  9. Punty
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Thousands have lost electricity already in my area.. and a plane flipped 90 degrees sideways with the wing points straight to the ground while trying to land earlier but didn't crash.. wind-gusts up to 90 knots, praying for my internet and electricity to stay alive for the Liverpool-game!

  10. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Sunderland have beaten Liverpool just once in their last 10 Barclays Premier League meetings. That victory came courtesy of a bizarre goal, scored by Nicklas Bendtner after a Fraizer Campbell shot hit the post twice in between deflecting off Pepe Reina’s head. I’ll wager the former Liverpool goalkeeper won’t care a jot should he never set foot on Wearside ever again.

    1. VougieDipond
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Darren Bent 1-0 with the beach ball is still one of the great moments in PL history

      1. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Defo

    2. Arse Craic
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Sunderland beach ball goal was my favourite victory vs Liverpool

  11. Balitelivision
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    RMWCT

    Had to do this this morning. 0.0 in the bank but WC activated so more changes may be required through the week with potential injuries etc, but happy with it as it stands:

    Krul (Elliot)
    Wisdom Terry Clyne (PvA) (Naylor)
    Sanchez Hazard Fabregas AdM (Boyd)
    Kane Aguero Austin

  12. Leaf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Come on Sterling

    Oh

    Come on Boyd

  13. Scoredelario
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Who are you scared of not owning this week? For me it's Silva and Siggy.

    1. Leaf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Costa massively

    2. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      ADM and Cazorla

    3. Dangerous Donkeys
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Foster in goal 😉

    4. VougieDipond
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      the clowns I got rid of with my WC they will all do well now

      1. Scoredelario
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Indeed I got rid of the two I mentioned!

    5. Positive TY 🙂
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Cattermole

    6. mipola
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Costa.

    7. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Fabregas. But I have Costa Haz and Terry.

    8. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Sanchez

    9. Dosh
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Costa and ADM

  14. 50 Shades Oshea
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    ok guys

    A) sanchez and austin/ings

    B) ramsey/ozil and giroud

    cheers

    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Jesus, wait and see how this weekend goes

      1. 50 Shades Oshea
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        i have a, just deciding to play wildcard or not...

  15. davies
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    I really hope Baird plays...

  16. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Aguero leading the way in transfers in already.
    He ll rise soon enough Id say..

    Aguero/Boyd- Austin/ Sterling

    Yes or No..

  17. Voodoo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Seven of my players could go up in price tonight!

    Anyone else noticed how the percentages keep jumping on fplstatistics?

    1. Voodoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      One minute is 103% then it's back down to 99 then up again.

  18. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    So after going on about benching Silva and playing Boyd for some reason Silva is playing in my team.
    Quite annoyed as I really feel Boyd has done well.

  19. Steevo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Marks out of 10 for this back 7:

    Terry - Debuchy - Jones
    ADM - Haz - Fab - Sanchez

  20. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone else considering Wildcarding now rather than next GW due to price rises?

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Nope. This season more than ever, cash is not a problem at all

      1. Hasselbaink Forever - Defoe…
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 5 months ago

        Not considering it purely for the cash, more that I wouldnt be able to afford the squad I had been planning.

  21. Caine & Co.
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    you think azpi got his rest during christmas and is nailed on for the rest of the season. or gonna get rested still sometimes?

  22. Ser Football 42
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    A)eriksen, fab, silv and kane or
    B) chadli, haz, Ox, benteke

    which gets more points?

  23. Chris_White
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Aguero rising tonight...people getting him in today if he gets a cameo?

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

      yup

    2. The Nuttman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Probably, if he does anything the price rises will get you too quickly otherwise.

    3. Billy Gilmore
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I doubt he'll rise tonight. I don't think the price rise sites will be able to cope with the sheer number of WC transfers he'll be getting.

  24. Scoredelario
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    If you're worrying about transfers and wildcard now, you should just quit fpl!

    Sit down, get a beer, and watch football. 🙂

    1. Kevin Twine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      This.

    2. Positive TY 🙂
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      no, why should i listen to you

  25. mranonymous
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Rate this WC team please.

    Foster Myhill

    Azpil Debuchy PvA Alder Duff

    Sanchez Hazard DiM Siggy Boyd

    Aguero Costa Kane

    1. The Nuttman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Drop Debuchy and it's a 10 from me.

  26. The Nuttman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Only one in my ML top 10 playing Boydinho, it should be a good week.

  27. Tim Canterbury
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Nice a simple this week, just need a decent score from Hazard. Cup opponent doesn't have him and rival didn't cap him. Common son!!

  28. Hank Scorpio
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    How much do you think waiting until GW 24 will cost you in terms of missed price rises on the currently most wanted players?

    Is there a case for just getting it done now and potentially saving 0.7 or whatever in the team you may want?

  29. World XI
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 5 months ago

    Accidentally left Foster on the bench for Guzan. Point difference prediction between them?

    1. Syd.
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      I think both will concede

    2. Gimli son of Gloin
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 5 months ago

      Both could get 6.. Both could concede.
      50/50 whether it was the right choice