The Pre-Match Preamble - Gameweek 38 Opinion
30 April 2016 1256 comments
Mark Mark
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Let’s savour these moments.

With just under an hour to go before we start tapping F5 having sent our boys over the line, let us put things into perspective.

Few of us have found this season plain sailing. I actually think this is a campaign by which Fantasy Football managers will be judged for years to come.

We may want to wipe it from memory but our ability to cope with the unpredictable chicanery of 2015/16 has proved a rare test.

For all the anguish, we’ll be sorry to see the back of it. Whilst we have Euro 16 to scratch the itch, we’ll miss these Saturday’s toying with transfers and soon be hankering for the headaches that distract us from everyday tedium.

In a few weeks we will be shopping for a strimmer not Kevin Wimmer.

We will be dreading the weekend barbecue amongst β€œfriends” who barely acknowledge the merits of the beautiful game, let alone a complex meta game layered over the top that involves imaginary teams and yards of statistics.

We will crave concerns over Jurgen Klopp’s rotation when you’re forced instead to indulge in small talk with relative strangers, who politely humour your unhealthy obsession with a token opening line – β€œwhat about Leicester, then, eh?”

They really don’t want to hear your thoughts on the likely price of Riyad Mahrez next season. They just want you to acknowledge their gesture and allow them to quickly jolt the conversation back to talk of their safari holiday and their plans for the kitchen extension.

Think on this when you’re next driven to quitting Fantasy Football by the non-appearance of Philippe Coutinho. We really can’t afford to do without such anxieties; we miss them when they’re not occupying our headspace or wrecking our mood.

Admittedly, it’s been tough. The tortuous trials we have put ourselves through have combined to create a season of discontent for Fantasy Football managers.

Now this nine-month tale of the unexpected looks set to conclude in remarkable fashion.

Leicester’s fairy tale could be completed on Sunday. Their incredible achievement will surely touch even non-football fans, offering our friends and associates handy ice-breakers when they’re forced to engage us in conversation over that half-cooked burger.

As you nod courteously at their failed attempts to bluff their way through a stilted football chat, think back at that time you missed out on Sergio Aguero’s points and realise that without that unique brand of agony, your life just wouldn’t be the same.

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

  1. The Red Devil
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    ooh, go time!

  2. Slam
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    So I could have got rid of Lukaku GW35 for any other striker, but no... he had BOU(H) next πŸ™

  3. BDMC5
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Omg I just brought in lukkaku right before deadline after ages of deciding. I can't believe it

    1. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      😯

    2. spartannn
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Same. Did Sturridge -> Lukaku. Didn't even get to upgrade defence for the money I saved πŸ˜€

    3. Numb
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      You missed the thing about Niasse starting then?

      1. Hurricane Gilbert
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Where did that rumour come form? Totally missed it

    4. semiconductor
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      same

      1. BDMC5
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        I thought he'd play with lukkaku

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

    hope i dont get punished for selling ozil for sanchez (C).
    my transfers decisions been awful lately.
    sold vardy- he scored 2 goals then got him back & got banned
    sold kane- scored 2 goals, back for WB did nothing

  5. Slam
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    OH WAIT, we have a bench this time. πŸ˜€

    1. Hyperion
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Mine is Moreno, Coutinho and Alli so not much of one!

  6. Marcin the Pole
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    It's over. Thanks for all the help on my WC. Now it's over to the lads to deliver.

  7. Cristi@no R7
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    I got in Gabriel, Milner, Sturridge at last on WC out of nowhere

  8. john mensah
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Wow, I triple captained Lukaku.

    1. Andy1
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Lol

    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      VC?

      1. john mensah
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Sanchez but Lukaku will probably come on.

    3. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      vice?

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

    I was so close to getting Lukaku. Went Deeney instead. Big phew

    1. Cristi@no R7
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I went for Sturridge instead

    2. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      same here with lukaku lol

    3. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Hi5 rca

  10. Shirokov(c)
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Howard????
    FFS

    1. Fred54
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Where you been man?

      1. Shirokov(c)
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        This was expected?

        1. Cristi@no R7
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Oh yeah.!

    2. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      You've not been on here much last 24 hours......

      1. Shirokov(c)
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Nope, god damn.

  11. Kevtheotter
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    All 3 of my transfers in start.
    All 3 of my transfers out don't

    1. Andy1
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Winning so far

  12. tm245
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Wijnaldum first on my bench.

  13. Numb
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    No Lukaku as we suspected.

    1. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I just said that we would regret not taking him in lol.

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

        They said Niasse was starting and Lukaku's been awful

  14. Syd.
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    2 out of 2

    πŸ™‚

    PS..... Lukaku is now officially the biggest Troll in FPL History

  15. DGWjegy
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    FU martinez ,i really hate you

    1. Cristi@no R7
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Hate him till they sack him.

  16. Mickey Tyrion™
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Go on DEENEY LAD!

    1. OLEgend
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Hattrick pls

  17. Forza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Lukaku out...

    Well, that All Out Attack chip really is useless.

    1. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Earlier in the season it would have been gold dust. Lots of Iggy and Mahrez points left on the bench

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

    Ooh Lanzini starts - good news.

  19. Clumsy Sakho
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Stoke
    29Haugaard
    2Bardsley
    20Cameron
    17Shawcross
    3Pieters
    6Whelan
    21Imbula
    22Shaqiri
    16Adam
    10Arnautovic
    25Crouch

    Substitutes
    5Muniesa
    11Joselu
    18Diouf
    19Walters
    26Wollscheid
    27Krkic

    Sunderland
    25Mannone
    24Yedlin
    23Koné
    15Kaboul
    3van Aanholt
    27Kirchhoff
    9Borini
    6Cattermole
    21M'Vila
    22 Khazri
    18 Defoe

    Substitutes
    2Jones
    7Larsson
    8Rodwell
    10N'Doye
    13Pickford
    16O'Shea
    41Watmore
    Referee:
    Craig Pawson
    TEAM NEWS

  20. The Mandalorian
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Lukaku not happy at Everton

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

    who is Leko?

    1. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Young winger I think. Looked very bright in his cameo against Man City.

  22. Tommy J
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Can't believe it just brought in Lukaku and captained him-there was no indication of rotation. This is just the final nail in the coffin over last few weeks-everything I have tried has failed, for no obvious reason.....

    1. Whazza
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      He'll score off the bench mate

  23. EmreCan Hustle
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Did Mitro to Lukaku....ended up in the same place πŸ™

  24. FAITHNOMORENO
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    callum willson starts for cherries.
    what a hero.

    1. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Superb πŸ™‚

      Good to see him back

      1. Hurricane Gilbert
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Great

      2. FAITHNOMORENO
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        cherries staying in epl is one of the best things to happen this season.
        willson could be gold both for them and fpl managers next time around.

  25. Marcin the Pole
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Thank God I didn't bring Kaku in. The troll strikes again.

  26. Syd.
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Hahaha

    Hamilton's Engine has packed in again πŸ™‚

  27. Slam
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Chances Lukaku stays on the bench?

  28. FudgyBadger
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    FKK! Darlow it is xD

  29. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    http://lineups.fpl.im

    Everton : Howard, Besic, Baines, Gibson, Stones, Pennington, Lennon, McCarthy, Niasse, Barkley, Cleverley,
    [Subs] : Robles, Hibbert, Oviedo, Lukaku, Mirallas, Osman, Dowell,

    Bournemouth : Boruc, Francis, Daniels, Surman, Elphick, Cook, Arter, Pugh, King, Wilson, Ritchie,
    [Subs] : Gosling, Stanislas, Afobe, Federici, Grabban, Wiggins, O'Kane,

    Newcastle United : Darlow, Anita, Dummett, Colback, Mbemba, Lascelles, Townsend, Tioté, Cissé, Sissoko, Wijnaldum,
    [Subs] : de Jong, Shelvey, Ayoze Pérez, Taylor, Woodman, Mbabu, Mitrovic,

    Crystal Palace : Hennessey, Ward, Souaré, Cabaye, Dann, Delaney, McArthur, Jedinak, Wickham, Bolasie, Puncheon,
    [Subs] : Mariappa, McCarthy, Gayle, Adebayor, Sako, Ledley, Kelly,

    Stoke City : Haugaard, Bardsley, Pieters, Imbula, Cameron, Shawcross, Shaqiri, Whelan, Crouch, Adam, Arnautovic,
    [Subs] : Muniesa, Joselu, Diouf, Walters, Wollscheid, Bojan, Bachmann,

    Sunderland : Mannone, Yedlin, van Aanholt, Kirchhoff, Koné, Kaboul, Borini, Cattermole, Defoe, M'Vila, Khazri,
    [Subs] : Jones, Larsson, Rodwell, N'Doye, Pickford, O'Shea, Watmore,

    Watford : Gomes, Paredes, Anya, Suárez, Cathcart, Britos, Abdi, Watson, Ighalo, Deeney, Jurado,
    [Subs] : Nyom, Prödl, Amrabat, Aké, Guédioura, Pantilimon, Berghuis,

    Aston Villa : Bunn, Hutton, Cissokho, Gueye, Clark, Lescott, Westwood, Toner, Gestede, Bacuna, Ayew,
    [Subs] : Guzan, Richards, Sinclair, Veretout, Sánchez, Carles Gil, Grealish,

    West Bromwich Albion : Foster, Dawson, Evans, Fletcher, McAuley, Olsson, Leko, Yacob, Rondón, Gardner, McClean,
    [Subs] : Chester, Myhill, Lambert, Berahino, Sessegnon, Sandro, Roberts,

    West Ham United : Adrián, Antonio, Cresswell, Kouyaté, Reid, Ogbonna, Noble, Lanzini, Carroll, Sakho, Payet,
    [Subs] : Randolph, Tomkins, Collins, Moses, Byram, Emenike, Oxford,

    1. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Beat me =[

      1. Your Mum's Athletic
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        wasnt even trying as well πŸ˜‰

  30. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    So.. why did a lot of you buy Lukaku? I really don't understand the thought process here

    1. Hurricane Gilbert
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Pure fixture over form move. And Lukaku still has great potential. Was very close.

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

      They didn't know the lineups...