The Pre-Match Preamble - Gameweek 38 Preamble
23 January 2016 1911 comments
Mark Mark
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Sure enough, it didn’t take long for Sergio to punish my lack of faith.

I’m still not budging, though. Despite taking a good hiding during this week’s rather heated ScoutCast, I’ve got to stick to my guns. For now.

I still think there’s “another way” – that I shouldn’t feel compelled to gut my squad and shift it towards another template, just to cater for the Argentine’s undoubted talent.

I want to be able to field a three or even four-man defence I can believe in. I want to make transfers in midfield that can transform my Gameweek, not just plug a hole in my squad: another 4.5 defender acquired in the hope that he’ll shore up a cheap backline. I want to keep having choices that excite me just a little.

In fairness, the recent emergence of Charlie Daniels (4.6) and Matt Targett (3.8) have helped to facilitate those willing to sacrifice spreading funds in order to welcome Aguero.

I can see plenty of merit in this. In some ways I’m a little frustrated that these full-backs have timed their run onto the radar to coincide with Aguero’s return to prominence.

Even so, I’ve been there before – I’ve seen budget defenders come and go, briefly flirting with the possibility that you can scatter them amongst a cast of heavy hitters. They can often turn out to be “fools gold”, left to depreciate, week by week on the bench.

There’s also lots of talk of Aguero’s rise ahead of double Gameweeks. That’s fair enough, there’s little doubt that the “triple C” looks ready-made for the City striker’s bicep. There are all kinds of permutations surrounding double Gameweeks buzzing around our heads – I won’t go into them here.

However, we do know that should City overcome Everton in Wednesday’s Capital One Cup semi, Aguero will face a Gameweek 27 blank. Throw Kevin De Bruyne into that mix and suddenly you’ve got yourself two very expensive reserves. It will be interesting to see how squads adjust to that.

It seems unlikely that anyone will be selling City assets should they book that double Gameweek – but those who time their acquisitions prior to the two fixtures could avoid some damage and still gain the benefits.

It’s easy to forget that Double Gameweeks come coupled with a blank. Just as it’s easy to point out Aguero’s obvious potential for points, whilst ignoring or downplaying the compromises made to get there.

There’s no doubt that Aguero offers a degree of comfort – certain goal returns, spectacular hauls.

In contrast, I’m currently putting faith in a transient cast of mid-price midfield differentials and the theory that, eventually, investment in a strong defence and squad will balance things out.

It’s a gamble and probably a huge error but it’s definitely more “interesting”.

Perversely, I’m enjoying it while it lasts.

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

  1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    Bench one:

    A) Wijnaldum
    B) Payet
    C) Mahrez

    1. Tommy J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      Wijn

    2. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      C

    3. JurgenRocks
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      C

    4. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      Mahrez,

      • 12 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      C

    5. FPL Daniel
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      Don't bench Win

    6. Tommy J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      Don't fully understand logic based on Wijn's away form....

      Mahrez is just going through a bad patch and now has something to prove-he'll come good imo

  2. Bobby_Baggio
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    C

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      tl;dr

  3. JurgenRocks
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    Captain choice?

    Aguero or Lukaku?

    1. Tommy J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      Kun

    2. El Patron
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      Kaku

    3. Yome
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      Romelu

  4. GreatCarragherReef
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    2 free transfers...
    KDB,ighalo or simpson out?

    1. JurgenRocks
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      Ighalo

  5. snowman
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    baines for captain?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      Thought about it but enough of a differential as is.

    2. TeamSteam
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      Lol why would you ever wanna do that

  6. Arteta
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    Always some good infos on here: http://live.premierleague.com/#/

    1. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      VOTE: Is Sergio Aguero worth signing in FPL?

      Yes 71.16%
      No 28.84%

      Mark must be sweating already.

  7. El Patron
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    KDB to Mirallas or Firmino?

    1. El Patron
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      or Barkley

    2. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      Firmino

    3. Yome
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      keep him

      1. El Patron
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 17 days ago

        Don´t know, two away games coming up and he usually blanks then.

        1. Yome
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 17 days ago

          switch to sanchez maybe next week

  8. Zebrahimović
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    The Captain decision between Kun/Lukaku is doing my head in. On the one hand you have an in form Aguero but he's playing against a West Ham team whose defense were very impressive at shutting them out last time. Or an out of form Lukaku playing Swansea at Home...hmmm what to do?

    1. El Patron
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      Easy decision, Lukaku or you are an i***t 😉

    2. JurgenRocks
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      I've gone with Aguero

    3. Butcher
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      Lukaku is not out of form.

      1. Zebrahimović
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 17 days ago

        Maybe so but he hasn't had more that a 5 point week since last year.

        1. Butcher
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 17 days ago

          And faced Spurs City and then Chelsea.

          Give the lad a break.

    4. Yome
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      captain lukaku, why such a headache seriously

    5. Wardinator
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      I work with the tactic of "if in doubt, C Aguero"

    6. MoSalah Dosa
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      City's away form has been miserable too...but then they have a fit Aguero now. Aguero (C) for me.

  9. BennyDizzle
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    Payet, Alli or Fimino?

  10. Make United Great Again
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    Dele Alli's away record is great.

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      I wonder if Son starts. Spurs fans think Alli is tired on the forums

    2. Planet Jo
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      pace

  11. Magic Box
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    Play Ozil or Mahrez?

    Heart says Mahrez, head says Ozil.

    1. Yome
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      ozil

  12. snowman
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    butland or hennesy to start?

    1. kalmoffit
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      Gone for Hennessey. But who knows.

  13. NATSTER
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    Bench Alli and start these:

    Ozil - KDB - Mahrez - Payet (Alli)
    Kane - Kun - Lukaku

    Good to go?

    1. elkunaguero
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      my exact starting VII

      1. NATSTER
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 17 days ago

        Let's hope we pick them right.

    2. jackluhg
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      Currently got Mahrez on bench but not sure, same front 8 minus KDB for Barkley

  14. r0ry90
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    Myhill
    Walker Jags Simpson
    Payet Ozil Mahrez Alli
    Aguero Rooney Lukaku

    Subs: Arnautovic Johnson Smith

    Good to go?

  15. Nick12345
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    Who to bench????

    Evans — Daniels — Vertonghen — Bellerin — Targett,
    Arnautovic — Mahrez — Firmino — ozil — payet,
    Kane — Lukaku — Aguero

  16. InBetweenDreams
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    Good luck Mark 🙂

  17. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    Leicester-Stoke 0-0 written all over?

    1. Hypnos
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      1-0 Johnson surely?

      1. Trae44
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 17 days ago

        I shouldn't bench him if that's the case

      • 12 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      Imagine saying that six weeks ago! 😛

    2. TeamSteam
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      yes please

    3. Trae44
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      Yes or a 1-0 either way imo

  18. LeicesterA
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    Benching Mahrez today as a Leicester Fan :/

    1. Yome
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      i sold him

    2. Demí
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      win-win situation?

      1. LeicesterA
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 17 days ago

        I figured that. Playing Vardy though, he's been close for weeks now.

  19. HonestBlatter
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    Play Alli or Payet?

    1. Trae44
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      Both

    2. Demí
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      Both. Bench Ozil

      1. Messiah Hazard
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 17 days ago

        I benching Ozil too

  20. Planet Jo
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    Is Kolarov broken?

    1. Nick12345
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      yes

    2. TeamSteam
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      Never did look quite right

    3. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      He is out for a week

  21. Paddy Gooner
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    Bench Bellerin or Alli?

    1. Trae44
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      I'd play the attacker in these situations

      1. Paddy Gooner
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 17 days ago

        Thanks Trae. Hadn't looked at it that way.

  22. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    Anywhere obvious to use my transfer this week? Team at the moment for GW23 (BANK = £1.9m, 1 FTs):

    Butland
    Sagna Baines Moreno
    KDB Mahrez Payet Alli
    Aguero Lukaku Kane

    subs - Hennessey, Azpi, Richards, Westwood

    Mahrez/Alli out for a midfield punt maybe or roll over my FT?

    1. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      I'd save

    2. Amateur Pundit Zan
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      Save for sure

    3. adibo
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      your defence!

    4. InBetweenDreams
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      Nope, all good. Save it.

    5. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      Cheers boys

  23. adibo
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    i will keep this short. kun or kaku?

    1. adibo
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      for the armband ofcourse

  24. Chris_White
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    Quick check, haven't been here all week... all good?

    Hennessey
    Smalling Bellerin McAuley
    Silva Ozil Wijnaldum Mahrez
    Aguero(c) Lukaku Ighalo

    McCarthy Davis Johnson Williams

  25. Bobby_Baggio
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    Pick one from each please?

    Capt
    A) Lukaku
    B) Kun

    Start
    1) Cresswell
    2) Williams

    Thinking whoever the Capt is i'll do opposite for defender choice

    1. Denis Tueart on the wing
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      L

      &

      C

  26. jernej93
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    Best GK rotation? 🙂

  27. phuang
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    Should I play Butland or Rudd in goal?
    My defence are Aldeweireld, Fuchs and Daniels. Subs defenders are Bellerin and Ward.

  28. FPL Emu
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    Anyone think Mirallas will get a run in the team now? He was amazing against Chelsea and they have great fixtures. Trying to find a decent sub 8.0-mid

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      Wijnaldum or siggy

  29. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    Another reason not to (C) Aguero

    If he blanks, Mark will be relentlessley intolerable 😀 😀 😀

    1. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      Mark "LOL at Aguero owners"

      Jonty "Reported and comment removed"

      😀

  30. BOOM XHAKALACA
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 17 days ago

    Start Simpson or Bellerin?

    1. InBetweenDreams
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 17 days ago

      Bellerin.