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. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Got Giroud Kane and Aguero

    Is it worth getting Austin?

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

      No

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

      I think its not. But thats only my oppinion

    3. Ole Gunnar Kush
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      no

    4. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      No I have the same. Stick

  2. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    I know it's late, I just haven't had time 🙁 2FT 0.3itb WC intact:

    Myhill

    Ivan Naughton PVA

    Hazard Silva Eriksen Sanchez

    Aguero Austin (C) Kane

    Subs: Panti Boyd Toby Bellerin

    Thoughts?

    A) Panti > Davis
    B) Bellerin > Dawson
    C) Sanchez > Siggy/Fellaini
    D) Other

    1. Gooner97
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      B but maybe next GW

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      B is ultimate dull move and C a flair move. Think ill end up doing b!

    3. The Red Devil
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      dawson is suspended! rules out B

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

    Hey guys, need a lil help.
    Skrtel > who ?

    current Defence :
    Pantilimon
    Alderweireld Terry Naughton (Skrtel??)

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

      Jenkinson/creswell?

    2. HNI
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      mcauley

  4. Eh, just one more thing ...
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Captain Hazard or Kane today ... Has to be one of the two please? Miles ahead in mini league but would like to break the top 1000 this season if possible.

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

      Kane I think

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

      I think hazard but not too sure

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

    Last decision, need help.

    a) Kosc (Liverpool Home)

    b) Rose (Burnley Away)

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

    Alexis bring hatty for me today
    And Aguero please score hatty on monday...

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

      won't happen/aguero could happen

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

        are you nervous without alexis 😀

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

    I am finiding it so difficult to choose between Aguero & Kane! Someone persuade me to go for one over the other please!

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Lol at not owning Austin 😛

      Aguero

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

        I think QPR will score one goal max over the two games so not too worried about not owning Austin! We will see. Cheers for replies. Have it on Aguero alright

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

      toss up. I have a feeling this week all the Kun shots hitting the bar would go in.

  8. Gregor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Is the Leicester fan around?

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

      hope not.

  9. Eric Banternaaa
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Ozil 7/2 to Score anytime
    Siggy 6/4 to Score anytime

    Ozil > Siggy?

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

      Wouldn't base it on the odds myself. With Ozil's fixture list it might be worth doing though (assuming you already have Mane)

      1. Eric Banternaaa
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        Guzan
        Terry | Walker | Naughton
        Silva | Ozil | Hazard | Eriksen
        Aguero | Giroud | Kane

        Hamer | Bellerin | Boyd | Haidara

        0.3ITB 1FT

        GW 31 Ozil > Siggy
        GW 32 Bellerin > Toby
        GW 33 Guzan > GK
        GW 34 WC!

        Thoughts?

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

          Looks good - I still say Mane over Siggy though

  10. whitters_2014
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    anyone transferred in benteke or Austin and not armbanding them?

    1. HNI
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      lol

  11. jfxm
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Mane > Hazard

    or

    Ki > Silva

    My midfield is:

    Ki Eriksen Fabregas Sanchez Mane

    1. HNI
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      ki-->silva

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

    Boyd > Phillips for free then Play Phillips and Bench Mane

    Yay

    Nay

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

    Rate my Team telling me to bench Dawson at home to QPR this gw 😕

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Rightly so. Austin hatty

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

    Kane, Kun or Haz captain? Leaning to Haz now

    1. HNI
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Haz

  15. gers23
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Erikson to Silva?

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

      Yeah, I like that

    2. HNI
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      no

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

    Important news for 11.15 on a Saturday morning...
    Hayley McQueen does indeed have a cracking rack.

    That is all. Back to whatever you were doing.
    Thank you for your time

    1. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      2 trick pony
      CS material?

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

        Wouldn't expect to keep a clean sheet with her personally...

  17. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Start Clyne or PVA?

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      PVA

  18. HP.
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Who to bench????

    Fab (STO)
    Caz (LIV)
    Studge (ars)

  19. Zep
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Feck it...

    Aguero > Benteke (c)

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      It will end in tears

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

        😀

        Aguero hatty incoming

  20. whitters_2014
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    in other news anyone watching itv?

    "how long you known him"
    "since I first met him actually"

    gotta love jezza kyle

  21. In Like Flynn.
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Currently on Hazard for the captaincy.

    Should I opt for Austin as my only DGWer?

    Or waffle for the next 15 minutes to have an excuse whatever happens after I miss the deadline?

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

      Same situation. Think I'm going to stick with Haz, can't see any points at WBA for austin.

      1. In Like Flynn.
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        I think I'll go for the waffle option. 😉

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

      It gets to you, doesn't it? I only have Clark for the double and still found myself considering him...

      1. In Like Flynn.
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 2 months ago

        It sure does. What with Mou and his "He's tired" spanner in the works.

  22. Balitelivision
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Van Aanholt V NEW or Bellerin V LIV?

  23. Gideons Rolling Another One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Random in

  24. Uncle Gamst
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Berty eve or Baird QPR?

    Thanks

  25. Gideons Rolling Another One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Random one: play Eriksen or Zamora?

    1. Les Majesteux
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      Eriksen

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

      Zam it up

  26. For Fuchs Sake
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Is this the trickiest captain choice in recent memory?

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

      not really

  27. mojoindojo
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Play 3:

    Vert Fonte Bellerin Cissokho Naughton

    Thanks!

  28. Les Majesteux
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    C Rooney or Aguero?
    Cheers!

    1. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 2 months ago

      and you would have the moonpig near your squad?

  29. DIegoCosta19
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Rooney (C)

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

      could be a good diff

  30. Flying Assassins
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 2 months ago

    Play Panti or Ospina?