The Pre-Match Preamble - Gameweek 38 Opinion
15 April 2017 1582 comments
Mark Mark
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Looking back on last week’s Preamble is like stumbling on an old email from a departed ex – “Can you bring home milk? Will you be on the bloody laptop all night again?” – that kind of thing.

I read over the entry with a heavy heart, pondering what might have been in that “sliding doors moment”.

It’s all hugely frustrating. Having put myself in a position to challenge for a top 100 rank, I need to find a balance between holding some strong differentials, while covering the mass-owned damage dealers. Sadly, last weekend, I got that balance all wrong.

Ushering Son Heung-min out of my squad was never going to be an easy decision. As he swapped places with Dele Alli, the latter’s cheeky smile and 13 goals in 15 Gameweeks was re-assuring, but I was aware of the South Korean’s ability to deliver big.

Watching Spurs dismantle Watford was a bittersweet experience.

There was relief that the two sides had stuck to the script and that, after some early resistance, Walter Mazzarri delivered on his promise and rolled over to the Spurs tide.

However, watching Son accumulate his 19-points while my captain Christian Eriksen weaved pretty, but ultimately pointless patterns, was excruciating.

It took me back to that evening with Alexis Sanchez back in Gameweek 14 – as he tore up West Ham’s “defence” and then gloated about his 23-points by taking post-match selfies with the ball-boys.

I recall that incident very well: the excited eight-year-olds beamed gleefully as the Chilean joined them for some spontaneous Instagram action. Meanwhile, a distraught 45-year-old desperately fought back the urge to flip the table, while wondering how he could possibly function as a human being for the rest of the week.

At least on this occasion, I managed to scrape together a respectable tally, limiting my red arrow to a minor blip. All thanks to Andy Carroll.

His performance last weekend was a season highlight.

The way he sat, biting his fingernails as West Ham held on to their 1-0 lead over Swansea City was glorious to watch. As he sat back and ran his fingers through his locks, not even offering the slightest indication that he’d warm-up, let alone enter the action – filled me with joy.

Andy stayed on the London Stadium timber. Josh King came off my bench. Nine points later, my frustrations over Son were somewhat quelled.

As an indication of my gratitude and affection, big Andy will be following Son out of the door – carefully, so as to not tweak that troublesome groin muscle. He’ll be sold to make way the prolific force that is Christian Benteke.

A wound-up Geordie up against an abject Mackems defence, or a misfiring Belgian who has scored in just one home game all season, facing a resurgent champions. I’m playing Fantasy Football roulette with my Easter Sunday.

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

  1. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    #THFC: Lloris (C), Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies, Dier, Dembele, Son, Eriksen, Dele, Kane. #COYS

    1. Evasivo
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks Diesel!

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

    2 FTs. Vardy and Alonso to Kane and Sakho, yay or nay?

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Why sakho. He can't play vs pool

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

        Thanks for that heads up. Looking at either Aanholt/Ward or Davies?

        1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Wouldn't go near OVA yet. Sam managed to sort their defence and schlupp playing well. No guarantees he will get his spot back..he not the best defensively

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

            Thanks.

        2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          I like Davies.. Can't see a cs for palace vs pool or spurs

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

    Can't wait for "it was so obvious to captain _________" posts 😆

    1. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Sanchez

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

      I changed my captain from ________ to ______ on Saturday

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Agree, Sanchez

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

      Mark has a tendency to use that phrase on every episode of the cast. 'We all knew he was the right choice' etc 😛

    5. nkhoughton
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      It was obvious to captain Crouch

      Conversation over

    6. Individual
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Every week that, or
      - lol @ x owners/captainers
      - I was literally inches from bringing in [random player who has scored noone would ever buy] as a punt

  4. Valar(Keith)
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    With Manutd's priority being Europa is anyone looking at ignoring Ibrahimovic for the double? I know it's a week away but the transfers I make this week are going.to affect the transfers I need to make next week.. ie ibra

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

      I am

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

        Yup. Planning to go with Valencia Gibson Zaha and Benteke.. and only cause I'm stuck with Valencia

    2. Top 210 Club
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Ibra never rested, Jose said will keep trying for 4th yest

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

      Ibra will play full minutes. He doesn't run that much, he has just had a three match suspension and a two week international break so he is well rested. Ignoring him means you're missing out on 8 appearance points (12 if TC) and that's without even considering his attacking potential. In the reverse fixtures vs City and Burnley he should easily have had a brace in both games.

    4. Tomcooper9
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I'm considering it as don't want to take out Lukaku or Kane - but if a dilemma...

      1. Tomcooper9
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        *of

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

    Has Harry's head fallen off yet

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

    Ville Ronke mate are you really going without Kane? Or have you wildcarded?

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

      Can't get him in without a hit = not getting him

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

      Have no idea what he's upto to. Hows he doing ?

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

        15k. Surprisingly good considering his outdated and conservative approach to the game.

  7. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    What is the chat on Andy Carroll? Is he fit or is Bilic keeping things on the lowdown?

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

    Welcome to Tekkers family, Mark!

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

    A) aguero
    B) Sanchez
    C) rom

    Which captain please guys? Currently alexis due to expected upturn in form; is due???

    Help!

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

      Aaaagguerrrroooooo

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      B or C

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

      C

  10. Junior âš½
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Gl all

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

    Wert getting Landzeeney?

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

      Och aye.

  12. Mino
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Get rid of siggy, son, Barkley or king for zaha?? I'm all over the place this week.

    1. rnrd
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      barkley

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

    Bottomed on last page. For those looking at Middlesborough defence, Ben Dinnery just tweeted:

    Agnew confirms: "Every single player is fit and champing at the bit to be involved." #UTB

    Fabio / Friend / Husband / Chambers / Ramirez

    1. bring_on _the_fantasy
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Is Gibson nailed?

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

        Ofcourse. The only nailed defender

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Chambers could be great during the double! Very Good player I think

      1. MTPockets
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Indeed.

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

        Chambers won't play against parent club

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

      Play King or A.Carroll?

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

        Carrrolllllll

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

      *Lanzini

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

        Reply fail, to an auto correct fail.

        Fail.

    5. The Chief
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Morning everyone, I've been battered in the last few weeks owning Valencia, Walker, Siggy, Sanchez and Llorente.

      Any suggestions here:

      Pickford (Foster)
      Walker / Bavies / Valencia (Holebas / Amat)
      Sanchez / Alli / Coutinho / Siggy (Clayton)
      Aguero / Lukaku / Llorente

      2fts, TC, WC, BB & AOA all to be used

      Llorente, Sanchez & Walker > Kane, Zaha & Gibson?

      1. Rhodes your boat
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Wouldn't take out sanchez

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          This

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

        Yep. Looks giod

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

          Giod is another form of good. Meaning awesome

    6. F4L
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      How does this team look?

      Picky Heaton

      Alonso Rojo Holgate Pieters Fabio

      Eriksen Alli Zaha Haz King

      Kane Kaku Tekkers?

    7. Ninjaa
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Play Azpi or McCauley?

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

        McAuley

        Liverpool are useless at defending set pieces

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

      Troy Deeney

      This weeks top points scorer 😉

      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        you spelt Arnautovic wrong

        1. diesel001
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Shaqiri

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

        madness I thought until I saw Swansea lost all their last 5 away games

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

      Zaha to Lanzini worth it as a differential

      1. Dedalus1
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        No

    10. Dedalus1
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Play:

      A) Vardy
      B) King

    11. Skogen89
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Vardy --> Kane for minus 4?

      I have alli and davies from spurs allready

      1. Sting in the Tail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        I did exactly that. Scared Vardy might be rested

    12. Cantonascollar7
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Pick two from the following:

      A) Baines
      B) Alonso
      C) Valencia

      Cheers

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

        A, b

      2. TheRealDog
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        A B

        1. Cantonascollar7
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Cheers guys!

    13. Mumble Pie
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Townsend ... anyone with any info ??

      1. Hect.OR 98th
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Andy or Andros?

    14. FIRMINOLOOKGOAL
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Pick one to play?

      A. Yoshida
      B. Alonso
      C. Valencia

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

        Alonso

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

      Andy Carroll with 2 goals and max bonus this weekend then!

    16. liiusions
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Feeling a Kyle Naughton 15 pointer today. Do me proud son, I'm sure I'm the only person on here with him

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

        You spelled Martin Olsson wrong but still ... good luck!

    17. mayofc2000
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Pls help here.

      Is it worth taking a hit to bring in Zaha for De Roon. This will mean benching Joshua King today.

      (a) Yes
      (b) No

    18. Rhodes your boat
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Sanchez to explode this week after 2 captain fails

      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        keep telling yourself that

    19. F4L
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Anyone think Son might be benched?