Preamble

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 9

Rarely have fortunes shifted so dramatically between Gameweeks.

Looking at my array of injury flags in midweek, sitting alongside my previous 103-point tally, the phrase “from the sublime to the ridiculous” seemed to fit rather well.

Sergio Aguero’s snapped hamstring was like the first domino: the butterfly flapping its wings that led to complete chaos. Things just won’t be the same without the City striker.

Just when I thought I could shut down the part of my brain dedicated to deciding the destination of the FPL captaincy, he’s forced me to wake it up again and torment it with a choice from an array of hot and cold midfielders.

To compound matters, with my five-man defence reduced to the pair of loose cannons that are Kurt Zouma and Micah Richards, I’ve actually had to turn to my chips for help.

I had hoped that I could park these decisions: safe in the knowledge that double Gameweeks were incoming, I’d reserved the thinking time for those little baubles until 2016.

Instead, I’ve had to put one in play and switch my team to “All out Attack” – not as a result of a crafty strategy, but out of pure desperation. I’m not sure that’s what the FPL boffins had in mind.

This morning I’m beckoning my boys out of the dressing room with the clear remit to score more goals than Zouma and Richards concede at the other end. There’s no guarantees.

With Eden Hazard my current captain and my entire defence on the pitch alongside him, today’s encounter is going to be an interesting and confusing affair for me.

In truth, that’s in keeping with what has been a surreal international break.

We watched while players fell one by one, as fifty shades of red developed in our squads and now we collectively go forward, praying that the points hits we’ve fired out into the ether come back with profit.

All of this followed a Gameweek 8 which seemed to have restored parity.

The majority of folk on our pages had cashed in on Sanchez and Aguero and, suddenly, the Fantasy Football Scout’s community were on top of the world. A week on, we’re all tipped into turmoil by the reverberating twang of Aguero’s hamstring.

From champagne and caviar, to hits and chips.

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

2,108 Comments Post a Comment
  1. KLOPPTOMANIA
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Hope my -12 is rewarded with Van Dijk and Kompany goals and clean sheets. Some chance

  2. Hawk Eye
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Chiped my AOA this GW...

  3. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Captains?

    Pelle(c) here.

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Pelle

    2. Francescoli
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      same here

    3. Hawk Eye
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      KdB

    4. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Hazard

    5. KLOPPTOMANIA
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Kdb

    6. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Ditto.

    7. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Payet

    8. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      'Azarrrrrrd

    9. Sailboats
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Pelle

    10. QueefParkRangers
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Pelle

    11. bigwig
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Wally

    12. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Costa

    13. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Diego. Pulled the armband off Gomis who for some reason I had a good feeling about . . .

    14. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      KDB

    15. Belalugozi78
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Costa. 7 minutes before deadline. The most nervous move in my FPL career

    16. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Pelle

    17. Slam
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Sanchez

    18. Woy
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Costa all week

    19. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      KDB

    20. toerag
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      kdb apparently, thought i switched to pelle but i was very very drunk

    21. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      KDB

    22. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Eden hazard.one goal one assist three bonus and clean sheet point.28 points

  4. Every Dog Has Its Day
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Klopp "Daniel, I think [knee injury] it's not too serious. He had contact with Ibe in training and there is a little bit of swelling." #LFC

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Mr. Glass. Because he breaks like glass

    2. Francescoli
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      he is also "glad and satisfied with Origi in this position"

    3. KLOPPTOMANIA
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Whilst I wont 'Danlol' I think he was a particularly optimistic pick.

    4. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      He swells on contact with another player 😯

    5. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      "Had contact" = "Said hi"

  5. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Kind of regretting not having the balls to stick with Gomis(c) on MNF already

  6. Jay10
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    James PearceVerified account ‏@JamesPearceEcho 12m12 minutes ago
    Sturridge, Benteke, Firmino, Henderson, Flanagan, Ings, Gomez, Lovren and Rossiter - that's a crippling list of absentees for #LFC

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Tough luck for Liverpool but Klopp doesn't see it as an excuse

      1. Jay10
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah,he said we have strikers,Jerome Sinclair can play there.

  7. KOLASINA(C)
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Last but not least, it's beautiful how everyone helps each other despite the fact we are all rivals.

    1. GREENDREAMS11
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      i know, i think you should captain darren fletcher next week in the Manchester derby mate, ive got a feeling he is due.

  8. CABAYE4
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Next GW looks like a tough one. I've got 8 away players in my starting 11.

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah it will be tough. One reason I took an extra hit this week.

    2. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah i've just checked out my line up. Tough week

      1. CABAYE4
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        It'll probs end up as a high scorer now!

  9. Jazz!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Yes I did join you on the Monreal transfer

    @Every Dog Has Its Day

    1. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      🙂

  10. Cornholi0
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Updating when?

    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Already updated

  11. Quinny___
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    -12 this week and I brought in Sturridge. This year has been dreadful

  12. Every Dog Has Its Day
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    UPDATED

  13. Valar(Keith)
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    For anyone still worried i did a quick scan of the Chelsea forums/twitter and all the Chelsea sources for news that i've bookmarked over the years..
    That guy was indeed just WUMMING. Nothing to worry about

    1. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      What was your final WC team Valar?

      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Fabianski
        Bertrand Dawson Janmaat
        Hazard(c) Sanchez Kdb Yaya Mane
        Pelle Vardy

        Hennessey Ighalo Moreno Simpson

        Could not resist Hazard 🙁 .. Wally and Lukaku got sacrificed

        1. pundit of punts
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Nice.

          Trollcot and Flukaku may come back to haunt you though. 😀

          1. Valar(Keith)
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            Fully expecting them too 🙂 .. owning both would mean benching one of those guys every week so it should work out ok in the long run cause i'd have lost a lot of hair 🙂 .. Hows your team looking? Captain?

  14. Francescoli
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Predicting something special from Kane today.

    1. Jax
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      not scoring an own goal would be a bonus

    1. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Same captain as me 🙂

      1. Every Dog Has Its Day
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        I expect big things from the man.

    2. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      You did that for -32. WOW. Did you forget to press WC? 😉 You are going to be sweating like a blind lesbian in a fish mongers this weekend.

      1. Every Dog Has Its Day
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Used my WC already.

        1. Forever In Our Shadow
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Ouch. Good luck. I thought my -12 was big but that is a bold statement of intent. I hope it comes off for you long term.

          1. Every Dog Has Its Day
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            Cheers. 🙂

    3. KOLASINA(C)
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Good luck.

      1. Every Dog Has Its Day
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks Mate.

    4. Numb
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      -32

      P.S. I work with someone called Nikhill. How weird is that???

      1. Every Dog Has Its Day
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Does he play FPL? 🙂

        1. Numb
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          I dunno. Do you live in London?

  15. fedolefan
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    5 guys in my mini league of 7 captained KDB and I don't own him.

    1. FootballGeorge
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Lucky you he will do well but I think Pelle and Costa will out score him, I would at least own KDB.

  16. Forever In Our Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Saw someone post Hazard on the bench and the post is removed by the mods. Good work guys !!

    1. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah. It was bull.

    2. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Yup.. Scaremongering is all it was

  17. Shifty
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Did Doosra really get Sturridge? After buying Aguero for -4?

    1. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      He didn't.

      1. Shifty
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        phew. would be absolutely gutted.

    2. Jax
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      karma

    3. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Nope.

    4. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I imagine he was sensible and held off on the aguero transfer until this morning

  18. Every Dog Has Its Day
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    (C)osta is my only stand-out captaincy option next week.

    1. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I'm thinking Mahrez. Will go Costa if he shines today

    2. The Light Knight
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Stephen Fletcher is where it's at

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        This.

    3. Tadic is the new Eriksen
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      San(c)hez

    4. Slartibartfast
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Butland

    5. Gr3g
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      One week late!

  19. FootballGeorge
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Quick question : I accidently played Kolorov (not going to play) and left Hoolahan 1st sub , darmian is my second sub, does that mean dramian will get subbed in or am I stuck with 0 points because Hoolahan can't replace A defender? Thanks

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Darmian will come in

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Darmian will get auto subbed.

    3. Tadic is the new Eriksen
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Darm will come in 🙂

    4. Quinny___
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      If you are playing 3 at the back and kolarov doesnt play it will bring in your next inline defender which is darmian for you

      1. FootballGeorge
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        I am playing 3 atb, thanks for your reply!

    5. FootballGeorge
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Phew ! Thanks everyone 🙂

    6. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      It will auto move to darmian. 3 defenders minimum. If you played more, hoolahoop will autosub

      1. FootballGeorge
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Yes ok so if I played 4 atb with Kolorov 4th defender a midfielder (1st sub) could come in ? Interesting

    7. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      As long as you're only playing 3 at the back, darmian will come in

      1. FootballGeorge
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Yes I am , thanks !

  20. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Is that Milner pushed higher up the pitch for Pool?

    1. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Oooh....16 pts in his last two after moving up for BR.

    2. Tadic is the new Eriksen
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I'm thinking he could be a great option if Mahrez keeps getting reduced minutes

    3. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Right wing

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Lovely.

  21. Realdeal14
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Hazard armband for me
    wbu guys?

    1. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Hazard

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah same as

  22. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Chin up. Feck the injuries. Lets do this. #klopptime

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      This will be a good first test for him

  23. Jazz!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Argh, goalkeeper benching headache for next week. Will have to either play Myhill (nor) or Butland (WAT). Myhill would mean double up with Evans in defence

    1. Tadic is the new Eriksen
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Butland

      Home team, Watford have scored fewest goals of any team in the league

    2. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Butland...

    3. FootballGeorge
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Butland , Norwich have more attacking threat

      1. Jax
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        How is this a headache? Butland obviously.

    4. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks guys

  24. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    So Bavies turned out to be a disappointment. Almost got him in on WC.

    1. Tadic is the new Eriksen
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Got three playing defs without taking a hit and an absolutely cracking front 8

      Great team

    2. Sharkytect
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      He knows what he's doing

    3. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      he plays like a boss...he will finish sub 5k easily again...very wise player imo...

      1. Tadic is the new Eriksen
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah, this is a great team, not sure what the 'Eh' comment is referring to

        1. Every Dog Has Its Day
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Kolarov and the other red flag....

          1. Tadic is the new Eriksen
            • 11 Years
            8 years, 8 months ago

            Autosub?

    4. drughi
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      That guy is skilled, KDB to go nuts then

  25. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    One thing about Klopp is immediately clear - players in their best positions. Emre Can in CM and James Milner RM. Origi CF. No wingback BS.

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Milner won't be happy. The only reason he went to Pool is cos he was promised a CM role.

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Yep. But he is awful there 😛

    2. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I'm quite warming to him. Quite a character.

    3. FootballGeorge
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Yes I agree , looks like a great manager for Liverpool

    4. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Sakho at centre back too .

  26. foreverton
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Cut about Studge not starting but I didn't take a hit and got Redmond coming off the bench....looking moderate atm

  27. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    ...............Mignolet
    Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno
    .............Can, Lucas
    .....Milner, Coutinho, Lallana
    ..................Origi

    Moreno and Clyne will probably provide most of the width. Lots of fight in that team.