The Pre-Match Preamble - Gameweek 38 Opinion
16 December 2017 1623 comments
Mark Mark
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We all need luck over the course of a Fantasy season.

It doesn’t matter how much football we watch, how much data take in or the tools we have at our disposal, without luck as an extra and vital ingredient, our seasons may never make the jumps from average to good to greatness.

And when we experience luck, I believe we should acknowledge and respect it.

Fortune certainly smiled on me in Gameweek 17.

First, the injuries to Ben Mee and Stephen Ward set up my Burnley pair – Nick Pope and James Tarkowski – as unlikely defensive differentials.

I would have gladly just taken Mee’s absence, but when Ward limped off prior to half-time, I realised that the evening and the Gameweek was turning my way.

That was followed by Andreas Christensen’s withdrawal at Huddersfield.

As he trudged off to a wave a chatter on the site thankful that his clean sheet was locked in, I never really considered that this would come into play; that Chelsea would then concede late.

But my good fortune may have started before a ball was even kicked in midweek.

It’s not often that early transfers can pay off by rewarding us with more than a price rise, but my itchy transfer finger may have just worked in my favour.

With two free transfers available, I opted to use both on Sunday evening. Looking back, I’m not really sure why I felt so compelled to act early and, at the time, I felt it may just have been an error.

Swooping for Charlie Austin and Jonjoe Kenny, I had no real drive to act on Sunday. Both players were likely to rise, but not for another 24-hours.

Then Monday brought news of Alvaro Morata’s absence and, looking back, had I kept my two free transfers in the bank, I surely would have considered moving him out.

Like many managers, it would likely have been Roberto Firmino drafted in, either leaving me with funds sloshing around in my bank, or driving me into another unplanned upgrade elsewhere.

As it is, my unexplained Sunday evening transfers locked this option out and almost forced me to retain Morata. It saved me from hours of deliberation but may also lead to an even more prosperous chain of events.

I’ve no idea how this will pan out. Morata may just be benched today, Firmino could run riot at Bournemouth.

But I feel far more comfortable not having to hope for Antonio Conte to bench his striker, while relying on Jurgen Klopp to calm his own rotation policy.

It means I will now bank my latest transfer. It’s a cautious approach but sensible in light of the midweek events.

I have to acknowledge that luck was on my side this time but anticipate that things might just turn against me. My squad looks settled, so making a “vanity” transfers may just be tempting fate.

So I’ll sit tight and wait to see if Morata starts and scores to compound the events of my blessed Gameweek 17.

If I have welcomed luck into my virtual dressing room, I probably don’t need a transfer: I’ve already made my most crucial signing of the season.

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

  1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    And our time is ruuunnnnniing ooouuuuuuttt.

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Wow, worst top of page post ever 😆

    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Still time for more questions

    3. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Muse?

      1. Sponge-worthy
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        Amuseing

      2. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        Indeed!

    4. Naboo
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Awful band. Nearly as bad as Queen

      1. Sponge-worthy
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        You don't talk about Queen.

  2. Numb
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Just hit the Wildcard button. Any tips. Be quick please.

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Lol

    2. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Make sure you don't transfer Salah out and in again as you'll lose the £

    3. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Abort mission

  3. CloudSky
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Salah, I believe.

  4. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Rooney or vardy till GW22

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      lol

    2. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Roon

  5. GOTHAM City F.C.
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Good Luck everyone!

  6. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    PENS DOWN!

    1. dark91
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Nope. Couple more seconds

    2. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      in a minute. 😀

    3. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Premature

  7. Prøfeßör …
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    The dog has chosen Kane.

  8. A.T
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Who will score the most points from now until the end of the season?

    1. A.T
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Quick please

      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        Too late. Delete your team.

        1. A.T
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 13 days ago

          What all of them?

    2. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Mark

      1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        Godfather.

    3. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Salah

      1. GOTHAM City F.C.
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        +1

    4. Goat
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Salah

    5. A.T
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Thanks all

  9. Woy_is_back
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Mo Salah (C)!!!!!!!!

  10. CL4PTRAP
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Brilliant read. Cheers Mark

  11. AC Tomasso
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Is Ward gonna start? Should I play Mariapaa instead?

  12. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Nobody make the 'pens down' comment please.

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Pencils down

  13. abk
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    lockdown

  14. arndff_
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Benched Ogbonna. Played Niasse. 🙁

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Good move

      1. arndff_
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        Hope so...

    2. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      good imo.
      good luck mate

      1. arndff_
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        Thanks! Fingers crossed, you too! 😉

    3. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Me too

    4. Naboo
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Correct decision. Me too

  15. HALFSPACE
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Kaku captain over Salah, capped Kaku over kane midweek too

    Safest and lowest risk

  16. Siggy in the Middle
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Did (C)outinho to Hazarf captain at the last minute. I'm gonna regret this aren't I?

    1. arndff_
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Think not, 'cause Coutinho MUST make a double digit performance -- he let me down twice. 🙂

  17. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Chickened out.

    Hazard Captain.

    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Boo. 😉

      1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        Sorry mate, as a fellow Hammers fan, i have let you down

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 13 days ago

          😆

    2. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      🙂

    3. Prøfeßör …
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Ah man, after all that Kane talk.

      FYI, I stuck with Hazard but still.

    4. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Straya!

      1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        Feck yeah!

  18. Siggy in the Middle
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Pens down.

  19. The Royal Robin
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Good luck all. I can see a few players being rested this week so queue the stress.

  20. DR0GBA
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Yess Chilwell starts 🙂

  21. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Huh? Why can't I refresh the FPL site?

    1. arndff_
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Go back there after ~1h. 😉

  22. Mika-eel
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Game updating. Kane captain it is then:cool:

    Someone hold me.

  23. Fred54
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Speroni in goal.

    ...

    Schmeichel, Simpson, Morgan (c), Maguire, Chilwell, Iborra, Ndidi, Mahrez, Albrighton, Gray, Vardy.

    1. dark91
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      I like how you listed the Crystal Palace lineup 😀
      But RLC and Zaha are still relevant for many 😉

    2. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Oka fail.

    3. GreenArrows
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Okazaki benched!!! Yes!!

  24. FlockofSeagulls
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Coutinho (C).

    No going back now. Good luck to me.

    1. Luton_Fan
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Did the same despite having salah and haz. God help us

    2. Strangelove
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Same boat... *throws life jacket away*

  25. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Pens down! 😉 😆

  26. Optimus.
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    carrier pigeon sent

  27. The Overthinker
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    There will be a lot of meltdowns

    Good luck everyone

    1. Optimus.
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Same as every gw then

    2. Arteta
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Classic FPL weekend then

  28. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    stick a fork in me, im done

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Fork handles?

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        Four candles. For luck. 😉

  29. HALFSPACE
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    SIMPSONNNNNNNN

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Scored already?

      1. Siggy in the Middle
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 13 days ago

        I'm training. That counts for some points right?

        1. Siggy in the Middle
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 13 days ago

          In*

  30. Chucky
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 13 days ago

    Simpson starts

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 13 days ago

      Was he a doubt?