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. trygvewiese
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    A) Sterling->Cazorla (on pens)
    B) Sterling->Ozil

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

      B for me

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

    Set for a dull day - just realised I have only one person playing and he's my keeper!

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

    Correct line up?

    Sherwood (Pearson)

    Mourinho Pellegrini LVG Wenger (Rodgers)

    Koeman Pochettino Monk (Allardyce, Martinez)

    Ramsey Dyche Bruce

    (GKs=escape relegation, D=Champions League and one looking in, MF=6/7/8, 9 & 10 on bench, Strikers=relegated)

  4. Van Klinkert Delarosa
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Would you do Guzan to Panti for free, or save?

    1. whitters_2014
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      its a good transfer for 2 weeks and its free so probably

  5. whitters_2014
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    guys sorry, terry or rose ? terry more potential but he is the only player in my team my rival has. 🙂

    1. Van Klinkert Delarosa
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Terry for me. But made sure you do a proper lineup for you subs (just in case).

  6. FPL Daniel
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Last minute panic transfer:

    Sterling out Ozil in for a hit.

    Yes or No?

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

      May as well. How else will you catch the machine?

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

      yes

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

      Hmmmmm.... Yes

    4. Snapes on a Plane
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

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

      aren't you starting for team australia?

    6. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

  7. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Planning to bring in Sanchez (for Hendo) and Giroud (for Kun), for DGW. I will only have 0.1 left in the Bank. Should I

    A, Make tranfers tonight
    B, Wait until Arsenal have played on Monday, and take a hit (-4) for (PVA - Craig Dawson) if nessessary.

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

    Play schmeicel or pantilimon ? have schlupp starting

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

      Im playing schlupp and schmeichel

  9. Kloppelganger
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    A quick poll please?

    A: Haz, Fab & Sterling >> Alexis, Ozil & Santi (-4)

    B: Haz & Sterling >> Alexis & Ozil (means bench Cout, play Albri and Fab)

    P.S. I'm 27 behind in my ML

    1. FPL Emu
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Dont bench cout over fab. Choose b

      1. Kloppelganger
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B, now
      Fab (or cout) to Santi for DGW

      1. Kloppelganger
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

  10. FPL Emu
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Would you rather keep Sterling or Henderson for the Chelsea match? Know Sterling's furher up, but he is horribly off form and Henderson has set pieces

    1. Fantasy Football Engineer
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Struggling with this myself, don't see Chelsea giving away a penalty though

    2. Kloppelganger
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Rather Sterling personally

  11. Golden Oldies
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Good to go WC team?

    Given

    Kolorov McShane Vlaar

    Sanchez Cazorla Silva Hazzard

    Aguero Benteke Kane

    Subs - Pantilimon Wasilwilly Larsson PVA

  12. Robbens Diving Instructor
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Start myhill or kelvin davis?

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

      M

  13. Penang Sandman
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    guys thoughts please. play two out of these,

    Skrtel,Sterling(che) Nugent(SOU)

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

      The attackers

    2. whitters_2014
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      b and c

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

    Guys, quick poll,

    A) Sterling->Cazorla (on pens)
    B) Sterling->Ozil

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

      B

    2. # Young Gun SEAMUS #
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Ozil off course caz will play deep no flamini thats why

    3. Eha069
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A, Caz. 1 goal on pen + 2 assists and 4 BAPS during DGW, FTW.

  15. Chinu
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Need to pick one midfielder out of these:

    A) Chadli
    B) Lennon
    C) Mirallas
    D) Siggy
    E) Mane
    F) any other mid below 7.5 m

    Thanks!

    1. Golden Oldies
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      get Larsson/Gomez for next week?

    2. Yes Don
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      C

  16. luckyflames1897
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    please help. 0nly 40 points ahead in ML,

    Current team

    mignolet bench - pants
    terry bellerin shcluupp bench -hutton/clyne
    fabregas hendo sanchez silva bench -cambiasso
    aguero benteke kane

    would you change anything for this week? all replies greatly received.

    1. whitters_2014
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      looks good captaining safe?

    2. luckyflames1897
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Forgot to say Aguero Captain Vice Benteke

  17. Gregor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    What's the consensus on the whole Cazorla/Ozil conundrum then?

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

      Flip a coin

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

      caz on pens

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

      no consensus

    4. whitters_2014
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      defo not a consensus, ozil is more consistent at home and plays further forward, but caz is on pens.

    5. Arvin-ation
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      There is no consensus

    6. Chrissy Waddle - 2023/24
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Easy. Ozil all day.

      He has set pieces, number 10 role, nailed on

      Cazorla playing deep and relying more on pens

  18. Arvin-ation
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Worth ditching Courtois for Adrian to get Kolarov and Cazorla for Coutinho + Moreno?

    Have Terry. Just ditching Terry--->Kolarov and then Cout-->Caz could work, but Terry looks set to play the full season, whilst Courtois does not.

    Cheers 🙂

  19. # Young Gun SEAMUS #
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Hazard to Sanchez

    Fab to Ozil

    Sterling to Silva

    is it ok ??

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

    Play Hendo or Dawson?

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

      Dawson

  21. Ribus
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Fab or Sterling out?

    Ozil or Santi or Silva in? (have Sanchez)

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

      Sterling to Ozil.

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

      Sterling -> Ozil

  22. Chrissy Waddle - 2023/24
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Real dilemma this morning....

    A. Get changed, warm up, and hit the weights...

    B. Cup of tea and a piece of cake, followed by a lazy few hours.

    1. Melvin Udall
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Both mate. Weights first then enjoy the cake. Have your cake and eat it.

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

      Steady on Yaya

  23. adammc
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    5.9 mid any thoughts ?

  24. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Chelsea or Villa a better bet for a clean sheet?

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

      che

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

        Villa

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

      Chelsea

  25. UKG
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Sanchez or Aguero for the armband, chasing 20 point gap and rival doesnt have Sanchez and will captain Aguero. Risk vs Reward? - Will want to captain Sanchez next week also though...and would go Aguero normally......arrgghhhh

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

      Sanchez

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

      sanchez only 2 double digit scores in last 13 games

    3. whitters_2014
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I would go aggy.... sanchez may be differential enough this week.

  26. LE GOD(C)-AMERICAN DYCHO-(1…
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Please let Rambo be fit for Monday!!! Clearly no updates on him right?

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

      bit early innit

  27. Heydudes13
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    What's up with Ramsey?

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

      where u been

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

      What's up with you?

    3. Chrissy Waddle - 2023/24
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      He's a tw@t. You're talking about Gordon, right?

  28. Gaz Downright
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Any news on Ramsey at all? Considering a hit for Ramsey → Sanchez

    1. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      woah, I arrived right on Ramsey time

    2. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'll take that as a "no, I got no fking clue either..."

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

    Play Heaton or Pants?

  30. Zizou
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Schmeichel
    schlupp skrtel terry
    haz sanchez fab bolasie
    aguero (c) vardy giroud
    pants, hendo, toby, duff

    Good to go