Preamble

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 36

This has been a week of tough decisions.

You won’t be surprised to know, however, that despite being charged to make a choice that would contribute to the selection of my Government, my most troublesome dilemma has been my Fantasy line-up.

While I successfully pencilled a cross and popped my vote into a ballot box without any real degree of anxiety, I know that my final decision this morning will be riddled with doubt and concern for what is to follow.

I can choose the wrong Government, but God help those around me if I sell Eden Hazard and he scores.

Even now, I’m not clear on what route to take. Like so many other Fantasy managers, I find myself at the mercy of Jose’s whims and Chelsea’s motivation. They return from the beach, stinking of Factor 10, to compete for pride against a Liverpool outfit somehow still within reach of a Champions League spot. I’m struggling to recall a more uncertain scenario.

Having decided a week ago that it would be Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho for the chop, suddenly things have been turned on their head by United’s stuttering run of defeats and the Chelsea unknowns.

Liverpool have to score at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea just have to put on a show for their supporters. Just how that’s going to transpire in terms of results and Fantasy points is anyone’s guess.

Most of us will have had somewhere between four and six players in that contest going into today’s deadline. We now have to deal with those players and make trades that will earn us profit, all against a backdrop of such confusion.

I’m fearful about the prospect of swapping out Hazard. Troubled about spending four points just to acquire Arsenal assets that will likely be rotated over the next three Gameweeks. Apprehensive that any investment in Sunderland will be fruitless.

As a 43-year-old family man, I should find time to consider what Thursday’s result will mean for my country and my loved ones.

I’ll promise to do that once I’ve decided if Jack Wilshere’s worth a punt.

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

1,163 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Two sunderland players in my XI 😀

  2. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    The FPL site that said Solanke would start, he's source: chelsea fans posted it 😆

  3. Costa in Wengerland
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Lol i read Coward and Holeman instead of U know. 😛

  4. Dušan Citizen
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I had a dream that Coleman will have 2 assists today. 😯

    1. Ziro Becomes One
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Chill. Just a dream. 😆

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I had a dream about licking bald men's heads and stroking rusty spoons.

      1. Your Mum's Athletic
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        The truth is, there is no spoon

        1. Camp No No
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          So, what he was stroking was... 😯

          1. Your Mum's Athletic
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            giggity

      2. A.T
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        What happened next? 😀

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          A dragon sat on my back and I flew him around a mountain made of cloud.

          1. Camp No No
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            And then... don't tell, you were stuck in a closet with Vanna White?

          2. A.T
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            a bald Welsh man will score today. Shelvey would be my guess.

      3. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Was this man purple?

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Don't be silly

      4. Camp No No
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        So, let's make you an appointment for psychiatrist.

    3. Costa in Wengerland
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Jagielka 2 goals ?

      1. Dušan Citizen
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Nope, sorry 😀

    4. noMoreInternationalBreaks
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      i had a dream a while ago where i saw gerrard had scored on teletext. so i put a fiver on him for fg. he scored first and second and i got double the odds ha ha think he was 13/2 so i got 13/1

      1. Dušan Citizen
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I one had a dream about Kun scoring against Spurs (last season I think, not sure) and I captained him and he had like 2 goals or so.

        1. money face bandwagon
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Haha u dont have to dream that to happen

        2. Quinny___
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          I onve dreamed messi would score and.... he did 😉

  5. Blue Moon Rising
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Lost at end of last page:

    A) Benteke and Cazorla

    Or

    B) Aguero and Siggy

    1. mipola
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Punty
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B of course.. Aguero + anyone is better than any other combination you can come up with

      1. Sly Fly
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Aguero + My Mum versus Natalie Portman and Miranda Kerr 🙂

        1. Ziro Becomes One
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          ????

          1. Camp No No
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            It's like, which would you rather have. I know what my choice would be. Regardless of what his mum looks like.

        2. Camp No No
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Throwing your mum under the bus like that is so deeply immoral that I give you plus 1 for that.

  6. Camp No No
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Oh damn! 0 of my Everton and Sunderland players starting!

    1. Ziro Becomes One
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      which ones did you get?

      1. Camp No No
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        None of them. 😀 Sorry for the lousy pun.

        1. Ziro Becomes One
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Wont reply next time to any of your posts/ 🙂

          1. Camp No No
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            I guess that's fair play.

    2. Camp No No
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Or how I should put is that I have 0 starters in that match.

      As I have no players from either of these teams. 🙂 Waiting for the good teams to start playing.

      1. Pariße
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Knew it 🙂

  7. drughi
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    panti and pva on bench cue goal less draw

    1. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      lukaku pens is asking for a panti save, still started kasper though

      1. Pariße
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Yes please. It's about time I my GK gets a penalty save.

    2. Norco
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      This is the last time im going rotating keepers. Had one keeper until January WC which was great and no stress. Got two keepers on WC and been painful since

    3. Sleep Talk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Bound to end in tears, I started Krul over Panti, Newcastle need to step up their defence for me today..

  8. Heels_Over_Head
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Guess it's not a good day for shirt #11

    Mirallas and AJ, both with #11, on the bench

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      😯 breaking news

      1. Heels_Over_Head
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        broken

  9. Sleep Talk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I just don't hope my dream of Chris Brunt scoring five goals today comes true, Newcastle can't surely be that dire? On the other hand, it is Chris Brunt, who can really stop him?

  10. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Benteke hat-trick 28/1 worth a quid

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      that's a lot of beer for a quid

      1. Your Mum's Athletic
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        lots of beer if you've put a fiver on it 😉

    2. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      WHU cleanie

    3. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      West Ham are solid and BFS said they will focus on defence since they aren't scoring goals. Can see it being a 0-2 goal game..

    4. stephenl15
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      My captain

    5. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

    6. Jax
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      benteke won't do as well as last week. bookmark this.

      1. Hanked
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Hardly a bold statement, he scored a brace last week.

    7. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Nice

      1. Rains of Castamere
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Tekkers fail this week and then SOT (A) next week. Think his purple patch has gone.

        1. Jax
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          has burnley (h) last gameweek.

        2. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          🙂 ok

    8. Your Mum's Athletic
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Cue W.Ham cleanie yes, who do they have to man-mark Benteke?

  11. Game of Stones
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Did Skrtel & Kane -> Morgan & Benteke (-8) last night.

    What have I done....?

    1. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      haha imagine doing this in december.

    2. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Skrtel & Kane -> Morgan & Benteke (-8)

    3. Spike ⚽️
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Blown it 😉

    4. TheCurseOfRaheem
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Oh dear...

    5. Norco
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Not too bad really. Set you up for GW38 as well.

    6. Punty
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Wow.. Wouldn't have done it for free..

    7. Game of Stones
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Hopefully it pays off, felt like having some fun. Have a 100 point lead in my ML 😀

    8. Camp No No
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A FPL suicide?

  12. Daniel Exeter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    On a stag do in Newcastle this weekend. John Carver just led the entire Newcastle squad on a walk around Quayside. That's management at its finest.

    All fairness, was quite good to see them all walking around, saying hello, etc.

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      fascinating

      genuinely riveted by this team

      good luck to them

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

      the'll win today. bookmark this.

    3. A.T
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      He should've taken them down the Bigg Market last night. 😉

    4. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      But there is rarely anyone hanging around at the quayside to interact with!

      1. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        You kidding Gink?

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          At this time!

          Quayside is next to the blinking eye right?

          1. Gnu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            😯

  13. Rabbinton
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    What ml lead would you feel is safe after this gw? 40? 50?

    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      75

      1. Rabbinton
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Seems high, but that would be nice

    2. Norco
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      50

    3. Your Mum's Athletic
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I clawed back a 109 point deficit at this stage last season so anything is possible

    4. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Depends on the players. My rival is 30pts clear, but only has 1 DGW player with no chance of getting Sanchez without a hit, I have 5 already.

    5. Rabbinton
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I won't start counting my chickens yet

  14. Rains of Castamere
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    What time roughly does the game finish updating?

    1. Red Devil Swede
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Roughly just before 1 PM

      1. Red Devil Swede
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        That's 12 GMT

  15. beric
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I did fab and sterling to Gomez and Sanchez with gru(c) and no Silva. I'm screwed, good luck to the rest of you

    1. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Good luck mate.

  16. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I may bench Hazard next week. Cambiasso -> Gomez and Henderson -> 6.0m punt

  17. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Reading this preamble has me worried about selling Sterling & Cout. But at the same time, Terry & Ivan don't care about putting on a show - they care about stopping the oppositiona at all costs.

  18. Sleep Talk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Game is updated! Time to set that DGW lineup. 😀

  19. BigManBakar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Updated.

  20. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    ========================================
    ========================================
    ========= 😎 FPL UPDATED 😎 ==============
    ========================================
    ========================================

    1. Ziro Becomes One
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      How long did you wait with this one? 🙂

      1. Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Almost 10 minutes 😀

    2. Demí
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      9 seconds too late!

  21. stephenl15
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    updated

  22. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Today is a sad day for number 9's around the world..

    Kone and Fletcher are both on the bench 🙁

  23. Punty
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Very high amount of weird transfers and hit this week... end of season panic?

    1. FPLEL
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      If not now, when?

  24. Blue Moon Rising
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Downing or Siggy for the rest of the season?

    1. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Downing is horrible, Siggy hs bad fixtures. I advise you to look elsewhere.

  25. Ziro Becomes One
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I did Henderson to Sanchez. Just know that Henderson is going to score a pen. Am hoping Sanchez justifies himself to me over the next week's games. 🙁

  26. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    6 DGW players 😯

    1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Who?

      1. Your Mum's Athletic
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Panti PVA Gomez Koscielny Sanchez Giroud

        1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          ooo nice

      2. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Him I guess

        1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          lol yeah i guessed that much

  27. Game of Stones
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    In addition to: Did Skrtel & Kane -> Morgan & Benteke (-8) last night.

    Just saw that my rival did Kane -> Benteke (-4) as well 😀

    1. money face bandwagon
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Mean u are 4pts worse off

      1. Game of Stones
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Not bad when I had a 100 point lead before this week.

    2. Ruth_NZ
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      You are both nuts. But you are doubly nuts. 😀

      1. Game of Stones
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Haha 😛

  28. Rains of Castamere
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Cripes. My ML rival has done a -8 to bring in Grealish, Jagielka and Benteke (c) with no Arsenal or Sunderland players in their squad.

    I'm Kun (c) with Sanchez, Bellerin, Giroud, Vardy differentials. Come on Gooners.

  29. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Gru hatty would be insane 😀

    1. Game of Stones
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Indeed it would!

    2. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      He's not explosive

    3. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Can see it as well 🙁

  30. Numb
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Draft League with no auto subs. Which one to bench?

    A. Graham (starting)
    B. Remy
    C. Young

    Thanks