Opinion

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 34

I’ve rarely been so downbeat about a double Gameweek.

Each season we seek them out. Like searching for the local derby in the fixture list, we anticipate them and look to relish every minute of exctitement they can deliver. These are the times we cherish as Fantasy Football managers; friends and family just don’t understand.

But this Gameweek 34 has never really convinced me.

Even before Thursday’s events, the allure of uncertain Manchester United assets, backed the unmagnificent Middlesbrough and Palace candidates, always struggled to appeal.

In midweek our one protagonist bowed out – the single asset who seemed most likely to break the double-digit barrier was cruelly removed from the equation.

It’s almost as if Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s knee buckled under the weight of our double Gameweek expectation.

Without our leading man, it’s now left to uncovincing understudies Christian Benteke and Alvaro Negredo to keep our show on the road. Confidence has taken a knock, but it seems we simply must pin our hopes somwehere.

We’ve seen it all before: previously, 70,000 of us based our double Gameweek prospects on a certain Stephane Sessegnon, such is our willingness to seek out that one big return.

Splintered over six days, the agony and anxiety of Gameweek 34 is set to be strung out and prolonged. We could easily end up heading into Wednesday praying for a Middlesbrough clean sheet and cheering every Ben Gibson clearance. If ever you needed to build a case on how Fantasy Football can warp your view of the beautiful game, there it is right there.

But this is perhaps part of the appeal of double Gameweeks. We spend the season steadily building around in-form assets, working towards any template that arises, then these end of season events arrive to shake things up and promote unlikely heroes.

The words Negredo and Triple Captain were never meant to sit within the same sentence. Just as Carroll and Triple Captain jarred twelve months ago.

But no matter how much we attempt to anticipate and strategise, somehow it seems these double Gameweeks creep up on us, forcing us down the most unexpected avenues.

Benteke and Negredo now have the opportunity to carve their names in Fantasy Football folklore over the course of the next seven days.

Clearly, Zlatan, for all his bravado, titles and winners medals, just couldn’t handle that kind of pressure. Sessegnon set the bar too high.

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

2,083 Comments Post a Comment
  1. T444
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    I have no sympathy for the forgot to press cancel behaviour. You had a week

    1. T444
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      Sweet top of the page. I'm going to give this another go:

      De Roon, De Roon, De Roon is on fire, we don't need negredo, he's a 2 or 3 point clown!

    2. Sess!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      This

  2. LeicesterA
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    The one week Foster doesn't have a game, Butland returns 🙁 No GK this week 🙁

  3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    @martinolsson3 misses out today with a minor hamstring injury.

    1. TLF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      Pleased I took a hit for PVA now !

  4. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    New Grants time was up so I sold him on Sunday night 😎

    For Valdes 😀

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      *Knew 🙄

    2. LeicesterA
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      Ha!

    3. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      😆

  5. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    So which team your captain is in ?

    A) Lukaku or Kane.

    B) Tekkers or Negredo

    1. GreenArrows
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      B

    2. Bunk Moreland
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      B

    3. FirminoIsBetterThanYou
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      A

    4. T444
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      C De Gea

      1. mchugho
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 24 days ago

        Brave boy. Don't think he'll keep a CS against City.

    5. Oven Glover
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      B

    6. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      B

    7. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      A. Kaku

    8. Lav
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      A

    9. Evasivo
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      Å

  6. Jigger & Pony
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    No Olsson... was between him and De Roon. Played AOA.

    1. Mark-O
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      Wasted chip

      1. Licious Lizard
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 24 days ago

        ?

      2. Jigger & Pony
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 24 days ago

        Came in handy this GW

      3. HazardAGuess
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 24 days ago

        It's a useless chip anyway. Used it well.

        1. Donkey_Sanctuary
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 24 days ago

          Using something which is useless 🙂

  7. Moose™
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    I really want Siggy to punish me this week.

    Benching him for the more popular King, seems not right.

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      He will punish!

      1. Moose™
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 24 days ago

        Glad to be proved wrong. Go Siggy.

    2. vectorman
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      Glad you wrote that second line... Phew 😛

      King could do serious damage this week which is precisely why I got him back in.. Dunno why I got rid in the first place

  8. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    Let's go, Guzan!

  9. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    22th April - Negredo Day!

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      5 defenders! Doesn't look promising.

      1. Deano
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 24 days ago

        Have you ever actually played?

    2. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      This

    3. JÆKS ⭐
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      Because it will be so great, they decided to celebrate Negredo day again on April 26!

  10. VS10_
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    Gibson with freedom to join the attack whenever he wants 😎

    1. Deano
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      From a back three?

  11. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    Should've captained Chambers! hoping for a Kaku hatty 😀

  12. Deano
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    Friend and Downing on the wings. Plenty of Al service!

  13. For Fuchs Sake
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    Best time to WC is next week right? Only BB and AOA on top of WC left, no TC

    1. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      Best time to WC was this week imo.

    2. Mouldmaster
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      Think so - get it in right after the deadline 🙂

  14. Individual
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    Barragan. 2 assists and a goal plus clean sheet. Bookmark it.

    1. GreenArrows
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      This!

      1. Matamatics
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 24 days ago

        Haha probably

    2. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      Lol

      1. Individual
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 24 days ago

        Soz, 3 assists 😉

    3. Geri-hatricks
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      Benched him for Alonso lol

      Thought he would be benched for sure. Didn't take into account they'd go 5 at the back haha

      1. Individual
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 24 days ago

        He was RWB last time out, just thought he performed so terribly he wouldn't start

  15. Butlanding
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    I will let Siggy make a goal on my goal this time

  16. L9
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    good time for activating wildcard?

    1. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      best time in fact

  17. Dele
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    Negredo

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      The main man. Stop putting pressure on him plz.

  18. Matamatics
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    Gibson captain ftw! Wish me luck

    1. GreenArrows
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      Maverick!

    2. Individual
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      Maverick

  19. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    The cool kids sold Grant for Hennessy

    1. Differentiator
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      *Guzan

    2. LoneWolfFPL
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      no CS for Henn so not so cool imo

  20. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    There's been two different Boro lineups posted; one with Chambers in a 541 and the other without in a 4411.

    Which is it?!? 😀

    1. T444
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      Chambers got injured.

      They say it was shock from seeing his name on the teamsheet

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 24 days ago

        😆

    2. Ibracadabra
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      official Boro account has Chambers.

    3. UnitedFan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      Chambers is playing

  21. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    Bernardo two cameos to block a HoleBAPs haul 🙁

  22. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    Who shall i replace negredo with? 😀

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      Jesus

    2. dhamphiir
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      Gabbiadini

  23. Mark-O
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    Robles owner without an active 2nd gk will cry in despair

    1. DR0GBA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      My rival has this 😀

    2. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      Deserved to be dropped after last game and his gumby penalty gift

  24. SirStevieG
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    My goalkeepers are Grant and Robles HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

    1. Mark-O
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      Most unluckiest person ever

  25. Dirty Harry
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    Feel like I should have captained Lukaku now grrr

    1. HazardAGuess
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      What even is that West Ham squad, eh? You never know though, the Hammers may set up just to defend.

  26. Ibracadabra
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    Looks like Boro are in a 3-5-2 with Gibson, Chambers and Ayala all starting centrally and Barragan/Friend wide men. Have they played in this formation before? Don't watch them regularly. Wonder what it will mean for their prospects.

    Maybe Friend could be the surprise performer of the GW if he picks up a clean sheet + attacking return like assist from his advanced wide position?

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      It means Negredo will score a double hatrick

    2. Mark-O
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      Doubt they will keep a cs against Bou since Howe said earlier until they are mathematically safe they won't give up

    3. NATSTER
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      Downing should be on the wing. I'm not sure how they will play.

  27. Ravager
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    That moment when you normally struggle to sleep but this time you actually slept past a late deadline lol. Can't remember who my armband was on last honestly...ah well

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      All week to sort it?

      1. Ravager
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 24 days ago

        Oh yeah. Should be sorted but I was tinkering *a lot* honestly...so it's a blur on who I ended up on.

      2. Meltens
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 24 days ago

        Yeah I don't really get theese posts, surely you can find a couple of minutes during the week to make an informed decision? Then if you've got the time on saturday, google the name of your captain pre-deadline to make sure he's not dead.

  28. Ninja Škrtel
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    LUKAKU(C) UNITE!!!

    1. Mark-O
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      With Adrian back I am slightly pessimistic but didn't captain him 😆

  29. Bene_the_horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    Iv triple captained Negredo.....Time to go hard or go home yeah????

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      Time to go hard in the pub and fall home!

      1. Bene_the_horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 24 days ago

        With a new born baby I can only wish of that option ;-)!

    2. Badgevilla
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      Or hide behind the couch maybe?

    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      Fancy a shag?

      1. Bene_the_horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 24 days ago

        There is only room for one Horse in the village! I

    4. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 24 days ago

      Can't do much worse than Aguero in his DGW

      1. Badgevilla
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 24 days ago

        4 Pts is worse

        1. Badgevilla
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 24 days ago

          6 I mean

        2. Bene_the_horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 24 days ago

          Probably but it will be fun trying!!

  30. Individual
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 24 days ago

    Tekkers © untie 😉