The Pre-Match Preamble - Gameweek 38 Opinion
1 April 2017 1657 comments
Mark Mark
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For all the noise surrounding double Gameweeks and chips, perhaps it’s weekends like this that really decide our season.

There’s no question that Gameweek 30 is a problem child. The usual methods just don’t apply. We have injuries and fatigue, the uncertainty of rotation ahead of a midweek programme and, on top of that, the fixtures conspire to reveal no obvious candidate for the captaincy.

It seems likely that we will see a sizeable split among the Fantasy Premier League managers – the armband is set to be thrown far and wide and, should one potential target break out with a haul, Gameweek 30 could be seismic.

I’m finding this troubling. While my decision making has been sound of late, it’s been founded on a wild, almost scatter gun approach to transfers – bring in 3-4 players and one has delivered big. For all its success, it’s not a particularly clever tactic and, to be honest, I’ve been riding my luck.

My natural instinct for Gameweek 30 is to regress back into the shell, hunker down and let it pass overhead. While some can say that this is a time to take risks, I see it from another perspective.

The β€œgamble” appears to be tied up in the armband – spending points on transfers alongside it seems somewhat unsound. I have to hope that, even if I get the captaincy wrong, I have the big scorers covered and can cushion the impact should one of them explode.

Maybe that helps make the key decision.

Those assets most capable of delivering double figure hauls are surely the most likely to create a sea change in Gameweek 30. Diego Costa, for all his consistency, has not demonstrated the output to wound his non-owners with a 20-point haul. Alexis Sanchez seems a more likely executioner.

Currently, that’s guiding my thoughts. I have Sanchez and, while I recognise City as a more than capable opponent, I also see a player with an insatiable hunger to impress – a talent that can override Arsenal’s current misery.

Gylfi Sigurdsson is my other contender. A different animal entirely; while he’s not as combustible as Sanchez, he has provided three double-digit returns at home and against β€œweaker” opponents. Middlesbrough fit that profile nicely.

Swansea City have to target three points and the visitors, under their new regime, have to start to show some ambition rather than revert to Aitor Karanka’s turgid tactics of the past. It will be edgy, but an early goal might open it up for Sigurdsson.

I’m pretty sure that he takes the corners, penalties free-kicks, announces the line-ups over the PA system and takes the nets down at the end of the day. Sigurdsson is Swansea – if there’s goals for Clement’s men, I surely have to get points from it.

Both Sanchez and Sigurdsson have delivered in seven of their last eight Gameweeks, which tells me that rewards are on the cards, regardless of where my dart lands at 11.29.

Owning both, along with the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Sergio Aguero, could just be vital to the damage limitation process.

It’s perhaps not one decision that will see my through Gameweek 30 intact; it’s all those previous moves that have helped me acquire a cast of heavy-hitters than can hopefully cover the weekend’s big scorer.

But if Liverpool go mad, I’m done for. The problem child will have thrown a vicious tantrum to wreck my weekend within the first few hours.

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

  1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Are all non-Vardy owners captaining Siggy?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Aye, all of them.

      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Apart from me.

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

          And me

    2. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Didnt had Sigurdsson, so...

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

      Vardy owner here
      Captained Mane :/

    4. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Me

    5. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Hardest captaining game of the year

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

    #2 in the world has (C)arroll

  3. Differentiator
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Sold Baines. Very glad I did. Absolute penalty troll merchant.

    Cue Baines penalty goal

    1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Sold as well this week after many weeks of holding...

  4. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Hebknut just captained Carroll..inspired or is he suffering from the chasers dilemna

    1. Je suis le chat
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Bad move, Knut will slide down the rankings I fear.

  5. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Fixtures look a bit meh midweek

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

      All about Sanchez

    2. Lawrø
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I like them, my defence is boss... strikers are a bit of an issue

  6. FPLtfs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Uhoh, ML rival with Vardy (c) and I don't own him. Have to pray.

  7. Back on the horse
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    All sorts of captains peppering the mini-leagues.

    Should be an interesting week!

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

      Really exciting isn't it? πŸ˜€

      Gonna be great, so much variation in the captaincy...

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

        You could easily catch me in LAWR this week

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

    Who wins Cup tie?
    Me : Sanchez(C) Costa Aguero Mawson Pieters Brunt Jaku

    Him : Vardy(C) Llorente Mane Stones Baines Williams Heaton

    1. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Him.

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

        Why

  9. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Midweek fixtures look so good that I'm benching Costa haha

  10. Ziro
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Which page had the teamsheets?

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      You mean this
      https://anewpla.net/fpl/lineups/

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

        Nope, not opening for me ISP fecked.
        Which page on this article?

  11. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Cup rival has Vardy (c) Mahrez(vc)
    Come on Stoke!!

  12. Ayew Holding Mee Cork
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    siggy is not injured right?

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      We'll see

    2. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Siggy is fine

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

      No

  13. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Damn. Rival kept Costa and captained him. Brought in Mahrez and Deeney on a (-4) instead.

    1. Je suis le chat
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Clever guy. Deeney under the radar, despite goals.

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

        I was all set to bring Costa in and captain as well but his (-4) made me think he must have sold him.

    2. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Costa will struggle to get thru that wall

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

        I doubt it.

        1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          He better... just took the C off him

    3. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Let him reduce the gap slightly, not a fan of one sided war πŸ˜›

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

        His team name is "sick of winning"....That's like a red rag to a bull....

    4. big_cliff
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I was set on bringing in Deeney until he became a doubt yesterday. Good buy for the next 4-5 weeks

    5. nonprophet
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Sweeney should be good. He was sick over break and trained Monday

  14. Je suis le chat
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Cup opponent has Kun cap vs my Alonso cap, what was I thinking, lol.

  15. The Overthinker
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Time to think about gw31 πŸ˜€ and not regret choosing our captains

    Suggestions? 2FT? πŸ˜€

    Heaton (jaku)
    alonso(c)/Davies/Maguire (brunt, pieters)
    Firmino/mane/Alli/siggy(VC)(TarroLl)
    Costa/Lukaku /llorente.

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

      Come up with ideas and we'll help πŸ™‚

    2. Crow
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Depends how much itb

    3. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      So you have Alonso and not Kau as Captain?

      1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Kaku*

  16. The Overthinker
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Where are the captain percentage?

  17. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Who is this Calvert kid..Is he any good ?

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

      Scored last week iirc

    2. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      We'll see, but he had the look of a real player last GW.

  18. Les Bleus
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Well Lovren starting was a nice surprise. Next up is BOU too.

  19. Lawrø
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Aguero and Coutinho --> Ibra and Sanchez(-4) is a bit of a no brainer right?

    I take it the consensus is to wait on Ibra because of the rotation...

    1. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Ibra well rested. Don't think there will be much rotation with him imo.

    2. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I'm not sold on Ibra. Especially for a hit

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

        It would also be to fund Sanchez - can't fund it directly

    3. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Ibra played like 8 games in 20 odd days during December. I think he'll be starting most (if not all) games.

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

        This is what I feel too... but I don't like not going with the crowd πŸ˜†

  20. Captain Vantastic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Now to rip my team apart for Sanchez πŸ™

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

    Well done to the 166 who have transferred Costa out

  22. Crow
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Current team:

    Heaton (pickford)

    Alonso Valencia Baines (Brunt Love)

    Mane Siggy Eriksen Alli King

    Lukaku Costa (Carroll)

    WC

    Grant (Pickford)

    Alonso Valencia Bertrand Fuchs (Ake)

    Mane Alli Sanchez Eriksen (Woodburn)

    Vardy Ibra (Barnes)

    4-4-2 to get it the big hitters what do you guys think?

  23. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    My defence is a mess for GW31, is it worth taking a hit to bring in B.Davies or a United defender worth 5.2m or less (Rojo or Blind) for P.Jones or using AOA (Gray (STK)) ?

    Jak
    Alonso (MCI), Baines (mun), Mawson (TOTT)

    Foster, P.Jones, Amat on the bench

  24. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Games started by both Lovren and Lucas:
    P19
    W6
    D2
    L11
    Goals 22
    Conceded 34

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.........

    2. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      ttttt

    3. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I should have captained Kaku

  25. Zizou
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    My head to head this week.
    Me
    Heaton
    Baines olsson Alonso
    Siggy(c) Sanchez eriksen mane(vc) king
    Llorente Lukaku

    Opponent
    Jaku
    Baines Fernandez Loren
    Alli king Sanchez son
    Llorente(c) aguero(vc) Lukaku

    Close???

  26. PvA
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Captains

    Top 10K
    1 Costa CHE 23.8%
    2 Lukaku EVE 12.6%
    3 Vardy LEI 10.6%
    4 Sigurdsson SWA 9.7%
    5 Aguero MCI 6.3%

    1. barracuda
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Costa leading by such a margin? .. surprise but that..

    2. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Luka is so popular, didnt even consider him 😳

      Atleast didnt took him out

  27. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Ibra to play against Everton right ?

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      He's back from suspension.

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

    What was the qualifying score for the cup in the end?

    1. Pipermaru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      80 in open-to-all

      75 in FFS members

    2. Pipermaru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      With some OR restrictions πŸ™‚

  29. ScotDougie
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Link to this weeks cup please anyone

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Linked above

  30. Dreams
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Gw 32 captain Andy Carroll anyone?

    1. barracuda
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      No- never

    2. barracuda
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Spurs or City player