The Pre-Match Preamble - Gameweek 38 Preamble
15 August 2015 1192 comments
Mark Mark
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After ten seasons of Fantasy Premier League management, I’d presumed I’d experienced almost every awkward scenario.

Tomorrow, however, I’ll be willing Theo Walcott to cut through the Crystal Palace defence having shown him the door just 24 hours earlier.

It’s a bizarre and uncomfortable situation, created by this season’s disjointed beginnings.

Us Fantasy managers begun the campaign without a full set of clubs. We’ve been chipping away with the irons, having left our trusted big-hitting set of woods in the garage.

The gradual introduction of Sergio Aguero and Alexis Sanchez – obvious contenders for the top-scoring FPL player this term – may not be so gradual.

Both entered stage left in Gameweek 1 and both are expected to feature in the lead cast this weekend. Should they arrive and steal the show, there will be frenzied transfer activity beyond anything we’ve seen to this point.

Most visitors to our pages are well aware of their impending arrival.

The clamour to ship out Walcott in order to preserve a measly 0.1 is not the result of careless knee-jerk; it’s a necessary step to prepare our squads for the inclusion of more consistent heavy-hitters. For true armband candidates.

Sadly, it’s clear to this point that we can’t place Wayne Rooney in that bracket.

When it comes to form, Wayne wears his heart on his sleeve: he’s either driving forward, showing hunger for goals with every touch or wandering aimlessly, showing hunger for Greggs with every misplaced pass. Rooney’s performance at Villa Park last night clearly resembled the latter.

Without a goal on his travels since November, Rooney has confirmed that he’s simply keeping the seat warm for Aguero; his 10.5 will surely be up-scaled as soon as squad shuffles allow the acquisition of the Argentine.

Or maybe Harry Kane will blitz the Stoke defence and change our plans? Maybe Christian Benteke will spark on his home debut and force a rethink?

Such uncertainties are inevitable at this stage in the campaign, although it’s safe to say that Aguero and Sanchez, along with Eden Hazard, are as close as we get to sure bets.

With Arsenal and Chelsea stalling on day one and Rooney currently resembling a Sunday League regular, we should forgive ourselves for seeking out sure bets.

I’ll be back for you later, Theo.

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

  1. Wouter
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Weren't there some J Rod owners on here? Harsh on them

    1. kalmoffit
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      You won't find them now

    2. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      He made it to my watchlist

  2. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    4 goals in 24 league games for Lukaku. Remember when people rated him? What a time to be alive that was.

    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Careful, Ruth_NZ will sprout some stuff about goals vs Young Boys being relevant.

    2. kalmoffit
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      You've killed the Soton clean sheet.

      1. Drip Doctor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        I couldn't give two turtle shits about that.

        1. Chrissy Waddle - 2025/26
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 4 months ago

          Turtle shits... the worse kind. You sir, have been burned.

      2. Christian Fox der zorn gott…
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        *Yoshida

  3. The Raging Bull
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Pelle (c)ptainers turn next šŸ˜‰

  4. S.Kuqi
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    So Yoshi cheapest route to Soton defence or did they sign this Dick guy?

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Caulker building fitness

  5. Licky
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Long is useless, why is he starting over JRod??

    1. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Cause he scored.

    2. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Long is actually a decent player

      1. Licky
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Nah, he works hard and runs around a lot, technically though he is lacking.

        1. Rasping Drive
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 4 months ago

          Super in the air

    3. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      What a crap comment.

    4. Odikostar
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      cuz hes good

  6. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    No Targett

    1. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Eh?

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

      he is playing.. martina has been written down in the starting lineup and the bench on the previous page šŸ™‚

    3. Yome
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      He starts

    4. Numb
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      He'll get some minutes.

  7. Woy
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Mane (C)
    Come on saints!

    1. Redhulkster
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Me toooo xD

  8. @ocprodigy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Triple Southampton all in play.
    Targett & Rodriguez owners I feel for

    1. Woy
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Targetts playing

    2. Wouter
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Isn't Targett playing?

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      I have no sympathy for Targett owners.

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

      Targett is playing..

    5. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Targett isn't playing.

      1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        ?

      2. Konig Luther
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        who is playing instead? Martina? he is on bench too

  9. Amateur Pundit Zan
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone know the Southampton line up? šŸ˜‰

  10. indiangunner
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    KONE STARTING - everton fb page

  11. Sánchez
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Wait. Last page demi said targett starts.
    Liads had martina. Who starts?

    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Targett.

      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        @SouthamptonFC: TEAMSHEET: One change for #SaintsFC against #EFC this afternoon as @ShaneLong7 comes in for @JayRodriguez9. http://t.co/BhLP0ypVCH

    2. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Martina

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

        lol @ EveryDogHasItsDay

    3. Woy
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Targett

    4. Sánchez
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Shoulda known demi would be right

  12. Yome
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Mirallas, Delofeu, Osman on the bench

  13. Nabs Kebabs
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Was hoping to lol @ Cedric owners

    1. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      lol

    2. OPTA FPL
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      dont worry, will lose CS and get YC today
      I have Targett too

    3. Wouter
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      You can lol at us when he gets taken off at half time with a yc

  14. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Mane(c), let's go!

  15. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    good trolling from Demi šŸ˜‰

  16. Ginkapo FPL
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Only one change.... Martina on bench and first team.

    Targett plays you plonkers. Demi is right

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Now apologise

    2. Numb
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Phew. šŸ™‚

      Cheers Gink

    3. Mull
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      They did copy it right from Soton's twitter though.

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        And? I dont see why they cant proofread just because Southampton made the mistake first.

        1. Mull
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 4 months ago

          What? Martina starting wouldn't be that shocking.

          1. Ginkapo FPL
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 4 months ago

            It would after a twitter post stating that there was only one change and it wasnt Targett... Basic comprehension.

            1. Mull
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              10 years, 4 months ago

              That makes sense. I didn't know they posted a picture first.

    4. Obi Wan Elokobi
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      When isn't he right. I don't even check other people's posts for teams if he's around.

      1. Roberto Baggio
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Demi rulez

  17. Nabs Kebabs
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    So is it Martina or Targett starting?....

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

      Targett is starting

  18. Scoredelario
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Did demi get the lineup wrong? That's impossible!

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

      the guys who were trying to beat him to the punch had martina on the bench and starting šŸ˜†

      1. Scoredelario
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Phew. I have Targett haha

    2. cogs
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      no

  19. mbrucie
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Cheers to Saints twitter team for giving me a heart attack that Targett wasn't playing.

  20. FrankieTheGent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    I had Rooney, depay and Gestede yesterday.

    I think I broke the wildcard button!

  21. money face bandwagon
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Lol@

    Fill in the blank

    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Lol@ Money Face Bandwagon

  22. 1966 was a great year for E…
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Targett starts according to official Saints twitter feed.

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      trust DEMI!

  23. @ocprodigy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Target is not starting, Martina is.

    1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Why is he on the bench?

    2. OPTA FPL
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      šŸ™„

    3. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Never mind - Targett is. Saints posted wrong alongside Sky Sports.

      1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Hahahahaha

      2. Beavis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Saints was correct the whole time.

        1. @ocprodigy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 4 months ago

          I copy and pasted from their timeline on the previous page, they posted wrong initially. Now corrected.

          1. Jax
            • 16 Years
            10 years, 4 months ago

            Just let Demi post them.

    4. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Erm, no.

    5. Demí
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      But your lineup had Martina m8

    6. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Ban.

  24. The Machine
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    TARGETT STARTS

    Official soton twitter page

    1. The Machine
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      From*

  25. Van Klinkert Delarosa
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    United is not worthy, even the preamble article comes after their match.

    1. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      The Rooney summary amused me.

      1. Van Klinkert Delarosa
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Mine?

  26. Coldplay
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Targett plays. The twitter account posted it wrong and has now reposted the lineup with Targett

    1. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah, this. Demi knew better than the Saints Twitter account, wow.

      1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        The first tweet that official account made was correct

        1. Demí
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 4 months ago

          Yeah, this. I know Saints and Everton always post a picture before tweeting it in words. So i typed it out in 5 seconds

  27. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Targett plays, go back to your cave trolls

    1. Scoredelario
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Think it was a genuine mistake this time
      Or maybe someone at sfc was trolling haha

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

      this.. they had already starting their Lols @ Targett owners. should be lols at guys who missed out on 4.0 starting defender at saints for their easy run of first 4 fixtures with Bertie out šŸ™‚

      1. Fitzy.
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        You tell 'em mate! šŸ™‚

  28. mbrucie
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    TEAMSHEET: One change for #SaintsFC against #EFC this afternoon as @ShaneLong7 comes in for @JayRodriguez9.

    Targett is starting...

  29. FrankieTheGent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    long instead of jrod.

    Southampton
    22 Stekelenburg
    02 Soares
    03 Yoshida
    06 Fonte
    33 Targett
    08 Davis
    12 Wanyama
    11 Tadic
    07 Long
    10 Mané
    19 Pellè
    Substitutes
    09 Rodriguez
    14 Romeu
    15 Martina
    16 Ward-Prowse
    18 Reed
    20 Juanmi
    25 Gazzaniga

    Everton
    24 Howard
    23 Coleman
    05 Stones
    06 Jagielka
    32 Galloway
    16 McCarthy
    18 Barry
    09 Koné
    20 Barkley
    15 Cleverley
    10 Lukaku
    Substitutes
    01 Robles
    11 Mirallas
    14 Naismith
    17 Besic
    19 Deulofeu
    21 Osman
    27 Browning
    Ref: Michael Oliver

    1. Obi Wan Elokobi
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Horrible waste of space. Leave it to the pros.

      1. Jax
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Posted already. Why do it like this?

  30. Heydudes13
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    WC'd and got on the slightly unexpected Mignolet and Kone rises.

    šŸ˜Ž

    1. Zombie
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Is Kone nailed or something?

    2. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      You have Kone?!

      1. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Dont know why I fell for this

    3. Root
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      0.0m profit. yay