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

    Updatedddddddddddddd juhuuuuuuuuuuuu

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

    UPDATED

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Too slow 😛

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

        same time 😉

  3. Davido989
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Updated

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      slow 😉

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

    Aguero will blank

  5. Pedram
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Pens up

    1. Venom Snake
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      😆

  6. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    I've a feeling it might be all about Mitrovic this week on the transfers page. We'll see.

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

      15 shots last week. Could be right.

      As long as all of his goals are assisted by Wij i dont care 🙂

      1. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 16 days ago

        Some very good fixtures coming up in a couple of weeks. I might grab him and bench him ready for them.

        1. FPL Daniel
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 16 days ago

          I prefer Win. No place for New striker for me

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

          cant see the very good upcoming fixtures anyway plus there is plenty of more value attackers around tho

  7. KingOllie
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Updait

  8. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Wishlist for this GW. Myhill 10pter

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

      +1

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

      This

    3. InBetweenDreams
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      They are playing villa so it's unlikely. 6 points i reckon

  9. Akeem
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Celebrity PL lookalike quiz continued:

    noone guessed Celebrity lookalike #42:

    http://cdn.breitbart.com/mediaserver/Breitbart/Big-Hollywood/2014/12/12/7789549.jpg

    Celebrity lookalike #43:

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CPevNSWUEAAnjRA.jpg

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

      Wes Morgan

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

        not Morgan 🙂

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

          Oh

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

            Can I get a plastic bag please

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

              I stand by my earlier statement.

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

                You stand by your "should I order my bench subs 4.2 value over 4.1 value?". Yawwwnnn. We want insight and observation from real football fans who watch their team week in, week out. Not some muppet seeking small time bragging rights. Sorry

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

                  Sorry, you've got the wrong person. Yawn.

    2. The Raging Bull
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Baines

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

        not Baines

    3. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      42 Andy Reid?

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

        not Reid

    4. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Andy Dick.

    5. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      42 Vdv???

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

        not VDV

    6. Bobbydhino - ⚒ Saint Slav…
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Joe Allen

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

        not Joe Allen

    7. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Any clue?

  10. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    * checks Jonty's team *

  11. Give The Todd Some Love
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    De kock slapping England around

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

    Guy at the top of my ML captained Aguero. 5 points ahead of me. I went with Lukaku but own both :/

    1. megatronaldinho
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Grass green outside. Sky still blue

  13. KingOllie
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Wow next week looks like a high scoring one. My teams fixtures

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

      Guaranteed 20 point gw

  14. Rolls-Royce
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    2FTs finally, 😎

    1. Studgie G
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      same

  15. Epic Fail
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    More people want to be the first to say "updated" than people wanting to be the first to post the lineups.

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

    Barry assist added...

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

      Lol

  17. Ayew Serious
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    6 players shared with ffs cup opponent including Kun(c)

  18. Alittude
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Craic Dawson to rip a nutter

  19. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    32 pts in hits this season. Is it too much? How much others have?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      It's too much if it made you get less points than you would have done without.

    2. Veggente85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      8

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

      8

    4. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Pffft...amateur....72 pts.

    5. Volley127
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      It's much more to do with what you do with your hits, within reason of course. 32 imo is certainly fine. I'm on 36 now having just checked.

  20. Art Vandelay
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    All my rivals went Lukaku. Go Sergio!

    1. Pedram
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Lukaku is the casual choice

      1. Art Vandelay
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 16 days ago

        Perhaps, but...

  21. Randy_Marsh
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    My rival has captained Martial?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      I don't know.

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

        😆

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

      Ron Bergundy?

    3. Bobbydhino - ⚒ Saint Slav…
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Mine captained Kane

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

    Good luck to everyone

    May the odds be ever in your favour but a lil'less than me 😉

  23. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Is it good week to play a WC? We have plenty of time to play it and we will know the blanks and possibly the doubles before the next gw starts

    1. ☆Khaz
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      If your team is a mess, maybe. But i'm saving it for gw30/33+

  24. Leaf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Team set for next week , and looking quite nice if I do say so myself

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

      Although it needs an Ozil to Sanchez

  25. Art Vandelay
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Benching decision even harder next GW 😆

  26. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Phew. Aguero (c)

  27. Flintstone
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Just done a Grav. Do I need to log out of ffscout?

    1. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Should update in a few minutes

    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      No.

  28. Les Bleus
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    There are no PL games for 10 days 🙁

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

      There's one in half an hour

  29. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 16 days ago

    Ohhhh Jonty goes with Aguero (C) 😯

    Me: DDG, Dawson, Alderweireld, Vardy, Lukaku (C)

    Jonty: Butland, Fuchs, Ivanovic, Kane, Aguero (C)

    * We both own Aguero and Lukaku

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

      It will be close...

    2. Demí
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Cup tie?

      1. Bøwstring The Carp
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 16 days ago

        Yup 🙂 nervously excited

    3. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      I am now up for Jonty . Sorry Bows it's not personal it's just fantasy football 😎

      1. Bøwstring The Carp
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 16 days ago

        😀 one thing's for sure, at least one of Mark or Jonty will have the last laugh this week 😀

    4. KingOllie
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 16 days ago

      Cmon Kaku