The Pre-Match Preamble - Gameweek 38 Preamble
23 January 2016 1911 comments
Mark Mark
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Sure enough, it didn’t take long for Sergio to punish my lack of faith.

I’m still not budging, though. Despite taking a good hiding during this week’s rather heated ScoutCast, I’ve got to stick to my guns. For now.

I still think there’s “another way” – that I shouldn’t feel compelled to gut my squad and shift it towards another template, just to cater for the Argentine’s undoubted talent.

I want to be able to field a three or even four-man defence I can believe in. I want to make transfers in midfield that can transform my Gameweek, not just plug a hole in my squad: another 4.5 defender acquired in the hope that he’ll shore up a cheap backline. I want to keep having choices that excite me just a little.

In fairness, the recent emergence of Charlie Daniels (4.6) and Matt Targett (3.8) have helped to facilitate those willing to sacrifice spreading funds in order to welcome Aguero.

I can see plenty of merit in this. In some ways I’m a little frustrated that these full-backs have timed their run onto the radar to coincide with Aguero’s return to prominence.

Even so, I’ve been there before – I’ve seen budget defenders come and go, briefly flirting with the possibility that you can scatter them amongst a cast of heavy hitters. They can often turn out to be “fools gold”, left to depreciate, week by week on the bench.

There’s also lots of talk of Aguero’s rise ahead of double Gameweeks. That’s fair enough, there’s little doubt that the “triple C” looks ready-made for the City striker’s bicep. There are all kinds of permutations surrounding double Gameweeks buzzing around our heads – I won’t go into them here.

However, we do know that should City overcome Everton in Wednesday’s Capital One Cup semi, Aguero will face a Gameweek 27 blank. Throw Kevin De Bruyne into that mix and suddenly you’ve got yourself two very expensive reserves. It will be interesting to see how squads adjust to that.

It seems unlikely that anyone will be selling City assets should they book that double Gameweek – but those who time their acquisitions prior to the two fixtures could avoid some damage and still gain the benefits.

It’s easy to forget that Double Gameweeks come coupled with a blank. Just as it’s easy to point out Aguero’s obvious potential for points, whilst ignoring or downplaying the compromises made to get there.

There’s no doubt that Aguero offers a degree of comfort – certain goal returns, spectacular hauls.

In contrast, I’m currently putting faith in a transient cast of mid-price midfield differentials and the theory that, eventually, investment in a strong defence and squad will balance things out.

It’s a gamble and probably a huge error but it’s definitely more “interesting”.

Perversely, I’m enjoying it while it lasts.

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

  1. Tommy J
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Ivan to Baines?

  2. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Good luck all, gonna be a cracker....

  3. Bare bones
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Good luck everyone. But not too much

  4. DameCorp
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Start one?

    A) Bellerin
    B) Simpson

    1. Tommy J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Bell

    2. Black Panther
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      A

  5. DJ2
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Giroud or Kane?

    1. Tommy J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      kane

    2. DameCorp
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Kane

  6. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    5 year old son picked Barkley captain.

    He has a cracking record too.

    1. Tommy J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      LP?

    2. MagicMessi
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      was just thinking about it !!! great differential tho

  7. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Another haul from Aguero and he could be 13.5m next GW? 😮

    1. Eden Hazardous
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Shots fired.......at Mark

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 16 days ago

        😉

  8. snowman
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    who to bench?

    1.bellerin
    2.dawson
    3.moreno

    1. Tommy J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Moreno

  9. elkunaguero
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    which mid are you benching Mark?

  10. FPL Amateur
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    KDB to
    A) Payet
    B) Barkley (Payet in next week for free)
    C) Firmino (Payet in next week for a hit)
    D) save

    1. #WinterIsNotComing
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Save

  11. asquishypotato
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    10 points from Aguero Kane and Lukaku.

    Then everyone is happy.

  12. Chucky
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Ighalo(C)ers Group Huddle 😎 😉

  13. Guy Demel's SH
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Something else for Aguero captainers to consider...West Ham are unbeaten at home since August.

    1. Zebrahimović
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      True and remember their defensive display when they played each other at the Etihad. I don't think Aguero was playing that day though.

      1. Guy Demel's SH
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 16 days ago

        He was playing, I was there! He set up KDB.

        They should've scored at least 3 that day!

    2. Tommy J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      And don't concede more than one since then at home.

      Only thing is they haven't played Man City yet(Liv/WBA/Stoke/Eve/Che/Nor)-apart from Eve these have all struggled with their attack during these periods so not sure if too much can be read in to it.

      1. Guy Demel's SH
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 16 days ago

        Fair point, although they also played Southampton who had just put four past Arsenal.

        1. Tommy J
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 16 days ago

          At home-Sou have been poor away.

  14. Eden Hazardous
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Good luck Mark 😉

  15. Zebrahimović
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Shall i leave KDB on the bench to make way for Alli?

  16. Arteta
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Does anyone think Antonio will get more than 2 points against City?

    1. Guy Demel's SH
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      I do.

      1. Arteta
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 16 days ago

        Would you play him and bench Mahrez?

        1. Guy Demel's SH
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 16 days ago

          No, think Mahrez has a better chance of getting higher points than Antonio.

        2. Stats Don\'t Lie
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 16 days ago

          Yes

  17. GuillermoDickero
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    I got rid of mahrez and it help this week. Praying it doesn't backfire!

    1. #WinterIsNotComing
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      I hope it does. 😉

    2. Zebrahimović
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Me too, good luck brother.

      1. GuillermoDickero
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 16 days ago

        Cheers pal

  18. Zero
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Put the in preferential order:

    A) Bellerin vs Che
    B) Nyom vs Newc
    C) Williams vs Eve

    Rockin' BCA at the moment...

  19. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Bench who?
    Ozil KDB Alli Mahrez Payet
    Vardy Aguero Kane

    1. #WinterIsNotComing
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Payet.

    2. Sánchez
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Alli for me

      1. denial
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 16 days ago

        I'm going KDB. Look at Alli's away record

        1. Make United Great Again
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 16 days ago

          Yeo wouldn't bench Alli away from home.

    3. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      I'm on Alli.

    4. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Mahrez

    5. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Thanks guys

  20. #WinterIsNotComing
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Finally went with this.

    DDG
    Alderweireld, Bellerin, Moreno
    Alli, Ozil, Mahrez, KDB
    Ighalo, Lukaku, Captain Kane

    Payet on bench. 🙂

    Good luck to everyone, may the odds be ever in your favour.

    1. HammersFan
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Im benching payet to and im a hammers supporter. Goalless draw or a slim win for city in my opinion

  21. Steve McCroskey
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Start Bellerin or Moreno?

    1. Mata-Is-The-Juan
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Want to say Moreno but Mignoloet in goal hardly inspires confidence. Plus, Arsenal have looked good with Cech[defensively] and Bellerin has delivered on his attacking potential when compared to Moreno. I'd go with the Arsenal fullback.

      1. TeamSteam
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 16 days ago

        Delivered on his attacking potential with a whole assist extra. Point well made.

  22. Licky
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Firmino (C) Watch it backfire spectacularly. 😎

  23. Sánchez
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Who would you bench?

    Silva Payet Ozil Barkley Firmino
    Vardy Igalo Kane

    Currently on Silva but worries me.
    Scout picks midfield is my midfield though

  24. Syd.
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Kane (C) ??

    Palace have been hopeless of late

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      They will improve today I think.

  25. Gianfranco Zola
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Bench two:

    Simpson(STK) Toby(cry) Bellerin(CHE) Dawson(AVL) Dann(TOT)

    Thanks

    1. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Bellerin and Dann

  26. dd dd
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    2FT, please RMT, not sure what to do:

    Gomes
    Alderweireld Dawson Simpson
    Alli Yaya Touré Özil Mahrez
    Kane Agüero Lukaku

    Hennessey, Stanislas, Bellerín, Ward

  27. Plagued by indecision
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Save the transfer? Play Billy Jones or Shawcross? Captain Aguero or Lukaku??

    Some of the many questions I need answering...

    Schmeichel
    Bellerin / B.Jones / Dier
    Stanislas / KDB / Mahrez / Payet
    Aguero / Lukaku (c) / Giroud

    Bench: Hennessey / ShawX / Surman / VVD

  28. Gianfranco Zola
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Play Payet(MCI) or Stanislas(sun)?

    1. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Payet without doubt

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Payet

  29. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Wouldn't it be great if aguero got another haul.

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      I can see an 8pter. Goal + 2baps

  30. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    I could bench aguero and kdb and still put out a decent team

    1. TeamSteam
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      I could stab myself in my thigh and survive it. Doesnt mean its a good idea.

    2. Tommy J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      I could stab myself and aarrrgghh