Preamble

The Pre-match Preamble – Gameweek 31

There’s nothing like the exhilaration of a double Gameweek to wake us from the slumber of an international break.

Sadly, Gameweek 31 looks far from exhilarating.

For the second time in the matter of weeks, we’re destined to root through Chris Ramsey’s QPR squad like grappling grannies at a jumble sale, desperately trying to find something of value other than the chipped china teapot that is Charlie Austin.

Seeking cheap thrills, we’re even eyeing up Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke and Gabby Agbonlahor like tickets in the tom-bola. If we’re lucky, our numbers might come up and we’ll get to claim some lavender bath salts. Such is the scale of the double Gameweek prize that awaits us.

We all know that the potential is limited, particularly with a blank looming but we’re internationally broken: craving Fantasy Football excitement from any possible source, however unlikely.

We don’t want to return to our squads and save our transfers. We don’t want to bring in Kyle Naughton. We’re looking for something that can relight the fire and, if we’re not careful, we can make careless errors trying to find it.

I’m fighting the urge and pondering the most subdued and ineffectual of all transfers – swapping my goalkeeper, albeit for Brad Guzan, a double Gameweek asset.

I’d love to gamble on Benteke and slap the armband on his bicep, but I know all too well that this compulsion is fuelled by a fortnight of inactivity. I know that international football can be just as damaging to my Fantasy thinking as it is the weary legs of my players.

On that note, an article this week revealed that Arsene Wenger’s Gunners haven’t won a single match following internationals this season. Interestingly, the same article highlighted that QPR have suffered most from such breaks. They’ve been consigned to three straight defeats, scoring just two goals in the process.

Suddenly I’m reconsidering that china teapot.

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

1,305 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Is Matt Phillips with his dgw a silly pick ahead of Alexis?
    Already have cazorla playing though

    1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Oh dear, could've been in a less embarrassing spot...

    2. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I think Arsenal will score well against a Skrteless Liverpool. I am happy enough going in with Caz and Giroud.

      1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Hmm. Second question then..caz or Sanchez?

        1. Art Vandelay
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Caz, but I would say that... Set pieces swings it for me. Fancy a pen today.

    3. Grumpy Camel
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      no. would play alexis before caz though

      1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Out of interest why would you? Set pieces and pens is tempting, but if Sanchez is pushed centrally he could be a monster. Any ideas where he'll play?

  2. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Courtois
    Terry, Kompany, PVA
    Hazard, Alexis, Eriksen, Silva
    Aguero(vc), Kane(c), Giroud

    sub: Hammer, Bellerin, Haidara, Albrighton
    1 FT
    0 in the bank

    what to do ?

    1. Haidara to Baird and play Baird instead of PVA
    2. after kick off today: Haidara and Bellerin out for Baird and Alderweireld for free ?
    3. Any suggestion please ! 🙂

    1. Grumpy Camel
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      save it

      1. Jebiga
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        cheers

  3. cklessa
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Who would you bench out of sig, kun and eriksen? Crazy benching aguero? I suppose if I'm not going to play him against palace I might as well sell him all together

    1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I sold for Charles 😯

  4. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Guys,
    Walters to fellaini or Sinclair? Would mean I'd bench Eriksen

  5. andres
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Tekkers was heavily involved in internationals?

    1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      He's always heavy..

      1. andres
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Played both games?

        Considering giroud to tekke (c)..

  6. darko
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Play Downing or ADM?

  7. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Excellent preamble that Mark!

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      As almost always!

  8. banskt
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Well, my bench will have Krul, Mane, Moreno and McShane. Might have to regret after the gameweek. But just to check if everything is sane:

    Pantillimon
    Terry, Clyne, Rose
    Hazard, Eriksen, Silva, Sinclair
    Benteke (C), Aguero(VC), Kane

  9. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone else with kun (c) ?

    1. ChuckN
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      yep me

    2. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      o/

    3. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      o/

    4. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Gave up on him and pulled trigger to Austin after his last shite storm of a performance

    5. Bob.
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah

    6. Mahesh_Kumar
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Me

  10. ChuckN
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Who to bench?

    A) Mane
    B) Downing
    C) Eriksen

    1. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Mane, although I will be playing him.

    2. banskt
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      You got to play Downing. Leaves Mane and Eriksen, same as me. I went with Eriksen. Couldn't find any particular reason but went with public vote, lol.

  11. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Last decision...

    a) Kosc (Liverpool Home)

    b) Rose (Burnley Away)

    1. MndGms
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      A

  12. sho
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Which is better option?

    A) Scott Sinclair

    or

    B) Matthew Phillips

    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      B because both are crap options and one is cheaper

  13. FootballFanatic365
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    play

    MANE or KSY?

    1. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Mane

    2. MndGms
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      KSY??

      1. Forza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Ki

        1. MndGms
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          Mane then

      2. FootballFanatic365
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        ki sung yeung

  14. Ferris Bueller
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Who for the armband?
    A Costa
    B Kane
    C Kun

    Been on A all week...

    1. MndGms
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      B

    2. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      B

    3. WestHam14
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Costa everyday of the week, Harry won't net many against a solid Burnley backline.

    4. ralphypne
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I'm going A. I don't believe a word Mourinho says!

  15. Sid07
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Who wil score more points this gw
    1) myhill + sanchz
    2) panti + silva

  16. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    a) Eriksen > Mata
    b) Eriksen > Fellaini
    c) Eriksen > Siggy
    d) Save

    1. Jebiga
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      save

    2. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I am seeing a lot of Eirksen > ? post, which tells me the arch troll could score well.

      1. Pasqualinho
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        He faces stiff competition for that accolade this week from a certain Mr. Aguero.

  17. MndGms
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Play one:

    PVA Schlupp Moreno

  18. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    what to do ?

    1. Haidara to Baird and play Baird instead of PVA
    2. after kick off today: Haidara and Bellerin out for Baird and Alderweireld for free ?
    3. Any suggestion please ! 🙂

    1. MndGms
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      1 since it willl be for free as well

  19. #Swish41
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Lads,

    Rose
    Berty
    Hutton
    Naughton
    Wolly

    Need 3 - is Hutton, Berty, Naughton the right 3?? Cheers

    1. Chinu
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Yep

      1. #Swish41
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers

  20. Scotty B
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Who is best captain choice this week?

    1. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Absolutely no idea. Feeling punty here, so Silva(c)

      1. 8ball
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        just asked the same 🙂

        Leaning towards Kane. Wanted to go Hazza but Mou was talking about fatigue.

        Anybody choosing Aguero?

        1. Reedy
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 2 months ago

          I was, but someone posted earlier about Bony probably starting after his goal and how he could detract from Kun's performance...Silva should be in the points either way.

          It's probably madness though. I wouldn't be risking it if my rank was better

    2. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Rooney

    3. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Kane.

    4. Smakies
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Kane

  21. 8ball
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Who is your captain this week?

    1. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Agüeroooooo

  22. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Ok last call.

    Giroud ➡ Benteke(c)/Austin(c) for -4? Would captain Aguero otherwise.

    In simpler terms-

    A. Benteke(c)/Austin(c)

    or

    B. Aguero+Giroud+4 points

    1. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I have eventually decided to stick with b

    2. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      I wouldn't for a hit.

  23. WestHam14
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    My team look good? http://gyazo.com/37ddf7f3a1fac14f95776549a6faa5a9

  24. BennyDizzle
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    looking for opinions this week

    zouma,bellerin->caulker,taylor?

  25. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Oh boy, today is Alexis day 😀

    1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      *Alex's

      Is the ox fit?

  26. AFC49
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    What to do?

    Panti (Krul)
    Terry, Clyne, Bellerin (PVA, Dawson)
    Sanchez, Cazorla, Hazard, Silva (Boyd)
    Aguero, Kane, Austin

    2FT, 0 ITB

    1. Chinu
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Krul to Myhill

  27. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Am I lined up correctly? Play Pva, Kos or Fonte?

    Currently playing Kos but I had it on Fonte all week

    1. 8ball
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Fonte.

      I get a feeling it will be a score draw at The Emirates.

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      The team would be handy :

      My hill
      Ivan, Terry, Kos
      Hazard, Silva, Manè, Eriksen
      Aguero, Austin(c), Kane

      Krul, Fonte, Pva, Cork

  28. sui
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    What's the latest on Bellerin? Will he be on the bench again?

  29. FISSH
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Stuck on Kane or Aguero. tough call

  30. CHANCING PUNT
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Good to go?

    Myhill (Gilks)
    Koscielny - Terry - Naughton (PvA - Dawson)
    Eriksen - Mane - Cazorla - Hazard (Boyd)
    Aguero(c) - Kane - Giroud