[sbu_large_image] Preamble

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 1

13 August 2016 2824 comments
Mark Mark
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Iā€™m not sure it has sunk in yet.

Two weeks ago I left a secure, well paid job producing videogames to dedicate my day-to-day existence to Fantasy Football. Now it matters more than ever.

Of course Iā€™m incredibly blessed to be in that position. To be handed opportunities to write, speak and gesticulate on matters Fantasy Football for a living is something Iā€™d wistfully dreamt about, but never quite believed would materialise.

But Fantasy Football just seems to be on a relentless and quickening path into the mainstream.

The big daily game providers from the US have arrived.

The Premier League are determined to keep the growth of their game accelerating across the world. Other games will react to keep pace. Radio and TV are catching on.

While it would be nice to hunker down and keep our little secret on the dark web, we have to accept that Fantasy Football is being brought to the masses.

Iā€™m now utterly convinced it’s acceptable to open a conversation at family function with an enquiry on who got the assist for Callum Wilsonā€™s goal. I think thatā€™s now permitted and even appreciated by at least another three other people in the room.

However, soon we may not need those incredibly enlightening conversations.

Soon those assists, and perhaps even bonus points, will be fed to us along with the classifieds by an Alexander Gordon. Later today youā€™ll see that Fantasy Football has become part of the Saturday results service ā€“ another step I never thought Iā€™d witness.

My role in spreading Fantasy Football to a wider audience has already been questioned and thatā€™s understandable.

But I donā€™t think I can fight it. The growth of Fantasy Football either happens with or without us and it seemed I committed my involvement the moment I wrote that first blog post.

Since then, youā€™ve all played a huge part in getting me to this point. Iā€™m really not sure how to thank you for that – for the support and loyalty youā€™ve shown (except perhaps by introducing a full desktop view for mobile users).

When things do finally settle and sink in, Iā€™ll have more time to reflect.

For now all I know is that those 15 names on my screen are important to me. More important than ever before.

Thereā€™s new responsibility, new pressure and with it an even bigger sense of anticipation and excitement.

Enjoy the kick-off.

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

2,824 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. James LeBron
    10 years, 2 months ago

    This is probably coming to the near end on finalizing my team

    Heaton - (Jakupovic)
    Valencia - Stones - Friend (Evans - Smith)
    Hazard - Mahrez - Firmino - Redmond (Capoue)
    Aguero - Vardy - Negredo

    Thoughts on my team?

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    1. Kryten
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Your suppose to have grey like the rest of the community šŸ˜

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    2. Francescoli
      10 years, 2 months ago

      not sold on Negredo. Smith not likely to play (Daniels is in front of him). Try Amat or Kingsley

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      1. FISSH
        10 years, 2 months ago

        why not?

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        1. Francescoli
          10 years, 2 months ago

          Boro will be sitting back. Negredo doesn't have the legs to get onto long balls.

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        2. RVP fc
          10 years, 2 months ago

          Personally prefer Foster to Heaton. Maybe Vardy and Mahrez is overkill as I would like to have spurs coverage. Good team overall

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    3. Le _ Professeur
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Good to go bro ... would be bad luck though if Negredo doesn't start .. Rhodes might start ahead of him .. they both did very well in pre-season šŸ™‚

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  2. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Good luck all.
    Don't forget to enter LMS with over 2500 entered already.

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  3. Joshes Giants
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Final decision please:
    A) Walcott and Valencia
    B) Alli and Kone

    Thanks

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    1. Le _ Professeur
      10 years, 2 months ago

      A for me šŸ™‚

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  4. dhamphiir
    10 years, 2 months ago

    GTG?
    Heaton
    Valencia, Van Dijk, Friend
    Hazard, Tadic, Firmino, Bojan
    Aguero, Vardy, Gray
    Bench: Foster, Pieters, Capoue, Amat
    ITB = £1.0m

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  5. Mull
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Good luck everyone. This is probably what I'm sticking on.

    Foster
    Terry, Stones, Pieters
    Hazard, Firmino, Sterling, Redmond
    Aguero(c), Kane(vc), Carroll

    Subs: Mannone, Amat, De Roon, Friend

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    1. A.T
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Sterling. You saucy devil.

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      1. Mull
        10 years, 2 months ago

        He'll be gone by 7pm šŸ™‚

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    2. Francescoli
      10 years, 2 months ago

      nice. maybe kingsley over de roon?

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    3. NATSTER
      10 years, 2 months ago

      de Roon. Is he nailed on?

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      1. Mull
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Can't see Boro paying £12m for a squad player.

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    4. Chrissy Waddle - 2025/26
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Sterling. So out there it might just work. Good luck.

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  6. FPL Daniel
    10 years, 2 months ago

    There isn't anything better then doing what you love, paying your bills. You can always go back to video games if needed.

    Good luck Mark, good luck to everyone

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    1. Jazz!
      10 years, 2 months ago

      šŸ™‚

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    2. Davido989
      10 years, 2 months ago

      JUHU

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    3. FantaCity
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Knew you wouldn't be able to resist opening day ... best of luck to you too, Daniel

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    4. S.Kuqi
      10 years, 2 months ago

      How is your team shaping up šŸ˜‰

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    5. Kryten
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Crazy how you worked on both this long

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    6. Francescoli
      10 years, 2 months ago

      you're back!

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    7. Ayew Serious
      10 years, 2 months ago

      juhu

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  7. Francescoli
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Heaton
    Stones / Morgan / Valencia
    Tadic / Sanchez / Firmino / Redmond
    Aguero / Vardy / Gray

    Foster; Friend, Capoue, Amat

    G2G?

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  8. NATSTER
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Suggestion for 4.0 DF please.

    Not Amat though.

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    1. Ha.
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Love

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      1. NATSTER
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Likely to play?

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      2. Malcolm Tucker for England …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        10 years, 2 months ago

        hate

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    2. Thomas Magnum
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Lenihan

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    3. SHOOTER MCGINN
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Any random pick will do IMO. Not going to play anyway

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      1. NATSTER
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Oh.. That's bad.

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    4. Francescoli
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Kingsley?

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  9. Pariße
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Best 4.0m defender and I'm done?

    A) Brad Smith (does he start?)
    B) Amat (starts GW1, then not anymore)

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    1. Critical Observer
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Why wouldn't Amat start after the first week, seeing how he is comfortably their best CB? Geez.

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  10. FPL Maldini
    10 years, 2 months ago

    % chance that Delefeu will start?

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    1. Bubz
      10 years, 2 months ago

      100

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    2. Pariße
      10 years, 2 months ago

      He will start

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  11. Venom Snake
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Repost for a quick vote

    A. Mahrez + Lamela
    B. Eriksen + Firmino

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    1. Tommytour
      10 years, 2 months ago

      A

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    2. NATSTER
      10 years, 2 months ago

      A

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  12. DAV087
    10 years, 2 months ago

    A) Ibra Vardy Alli
    B) Costa Sanchez Mahrez

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    1. Ha.
      10 years, 2 months ago

      A

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  13. MFPL
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Which team to pick?

    A) Foster (Jakupovic)
    Valencia Stones Friend (Evans Amat)
    Hazard Firmino Redmond Alli (Capoue)
    Aguero Gray Vardy
    1m ITB

    B) Foster (Jakupovic)
    Valencia Stones Terry (Friend Amat)
    Hazard Firmino Redmond Alli Mahrez
    Aguero Gray (Diomande)

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  14. Ninjaa
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Any changes needed or let this roll? Starting work in 10mins

    De Gea jaku
    stones kone mccauley friend amat
    Hazard Mahrez lamela redmond capoue
    Ibrahimovic Aguero gray

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    1. FPL Daniel
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Lovely. Lamela could be decent punt

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    2. pokern1nja09
      10 years, 2 months ago

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      1. pokern1nja09
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Funnily enough similar to mine

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    3. NATSTER
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Oh.. Just 3 differences to mine.

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  15. Corrine M
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Is having Williams in my squad madness until fit?

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    1. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 years, 2 months ago

      No, you will want him anyway so saves a FT

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      1. RVP fc
        10 years, 2 months ago

        I Agree with the Above

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  16. FPL Daniel
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Stay strong Daniel, who cares that Stones is a bargain, Kun could be your captain, Ibra and Hazard are smiling too in your hipotethical team šŸ™ šŸ˜›

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    1. Jafooli
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Auto-complete ftw.....

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    2. Sp0rting
      10 years, 2 months ago

      BOOOOHOOOOO!

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  17. Dr Dream
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Good preamble. I've wrote before that one day soon fantasy football will be as wedded to real life football as gambling is wedded to horse racing.

    They'll become one and the same thing.

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    1. FPL Daniel
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I think it won't be that great. Maybe will live up to NFL fantasy in the States.

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  18. Mark-O
    10 years, 2 months ago

    A. Valencia (bou)
    B. Kingsley (bur)
    C. Friend (STO)
    D. Fuchs (hul)
    E. Stones (SUN)

    Choose three to play!

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    1. LewanGOALski
      10 years, 2 months ago

      ADE

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      1. FPL Daniel
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Ade still plays? Wow

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  19. ValterPereira
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Could use some inputs here:

    A) Morgan, Souaré, Tadic
    B) Fuchs, Dann, Redmond

    Any tips are welcome!

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  20. LewanGOALski
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Can I live without Stones?

    Baines / Shaw / VVD / Friend / Amat

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    1. Corrine M
      10 years, 2 months ago

      How about azpi and Williams instead of baines and vvd?

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    2. All de Gea
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Yes of course. What you want is attacking threat + bonus points not just clean sheet potential. Stick.

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  21. President John F. Keninnsie
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Good luck to my fellow Oscar and Costa owners. Juuuuhuuuuuuu

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    1. Tommytour
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Just gone Oscar Juuuuuuuhuuuuuuu

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    2. Goodnight Kiwi
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Good luck Inns!

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      1. Chief Break-Everything
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Ah jeez. Can't log in, and can't quite remember who I went with at the last tinker.

        However, after last year and the hazard saga... Maybe that's a good thing!

        Good luck everyone

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  22. Tommytour
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Nice knowing we have a WC to fall back on

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    1. Christina.
      10 years, 2 months ago

      x

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      1. Tommytour
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Good luck x

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  23. Boss Hogg
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Fuchs or Baines or Terry?

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  24. CrouchDown
    10 years, 2 months ago

    too risky to go with Foster and Evans? Should I get friend instead?

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    1. andymck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah just get Friend, no need to take risks like that in GW1.

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      1. RVP fc
        10 years, 2 months ago

        I have both but Friend too. If you think I
        Evans will outscore friend get him.

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  25. Chrissy Waddle - 2025/26
    10 years, 2 months ago

    FosteraFriend

    Better than my current team name - Lady Yaya..?

    It's an important question people!!

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    1. Christina.
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I Love Mee BoydFriend.

      You can have it.

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      1. Chrissy Waddle - 2025/26
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Consider it nicked.

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      2. Chrissy Waddle - 2025/26
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Actually..... IbeFuchMeeBoydFriend

        I just supersized it. Name changed.

        Sniggers.

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  26. Ruth_NZ
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Can't log in to FPL. Anyone else?

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    1. Davido989
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah, just leave it for a few mins it'll log in

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    2. ONSIDE 9
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Same here, if will stop me tinkering, thankfully

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    3. ā€‹
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Many, many people Harambe. Desktop site is working better than mobile app but still patchy at best.

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  27. S.Kuqi
    10 years, 2 months ago

    I want my free wildcard!

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    1. Qubit
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Im in and just made a transfer ok

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  28. S.Agueroooooo
    10 years, 2 months ago

    if you have cover for gw1 would you rather williams over stones given the fixtures?

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  29. KingGriffin
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Zlatan or Kane final call

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    1. Ha.
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Vardy

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  30. PlayPercentage
    10 years, 2 months ago

    As others have stated earlier...
    Man City are playing away at Steau Bucharest in a CL qualifier.
    Could be reduced game time for Aguero vs. a Moyes defence.

    And this is more or less the same City team that underperformed last season.

    Maybe an alternative captain for some?

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    1. Gaffa914
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Na it's aguero vs Sunderland at the end of the day

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