Opinion

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 35

Pregnant with huge expectation of our own making, Gameweek 34 cluttered our thinking and dominated our strategy.

To varying degrees, most of us emerged from Thursday’s final act content with the end results of a six-day points-fest.

But once totals were tallied and as we began to pick through the bones, the regrets and doubts started to mount. We almost had to stop for fear of further punishing revelations as we analysed deeper.

Hindsight – that wonderful weapon wielded by Saturday evening gloaters – certainly starts to nag at those who, like me, threw down their Bench Boost chip.

Through fresh eyes it’s clear that I had two prime Triple Captain candidates on offer in Aguero and Sanchez, but chose instead to recruit and back a cast of mediocrity from our bench.

My raggy doll lineup will now limp over the line for Gameweek 35, somewhat revived by a shot of quality as I sheepishly open the door for Harry Kane to return.

I openly admit that I was somewhat carried away with the Wildcard/Bench Boost scenario in a double Gameweek. It stacked up to provide a heightened level of excitement and anticipation that I found just too difficult to resist; new exotic forbidden fruit in a troubled season.

In the end, I’ve got enough out of the six days to convince myself that I “won”. I’ve enjoyed a significant rank hike, but it was perhaps a pyrrhic victory at best.

Urgent repairs are required and I look ahead to Gameweek 37’s fixtures bewildered as to how I can squeeze some worth from my remaining Triple Captain chip.

I’m worried that I’ve sold the soul of my squad for the promised treasures of Gameweek 34 and, as the final weekends go by, the real cost of that dramatic Wildcard surgery will reveal itself.

Harry Kane comes in this morning, partly as a Captain choice but also as a reassuring figure that represents the pedigree of my pre-Gameweek 33 lineup.

I can look on him in my forward line and keep my gaze locked, preventing it from wandering over to Mitrovic, or looking up and catching sight of Lanzini’s boyish grin.

A couple of weeks ago these figures prompted excitement and hope. Now they’re reminders of how easily I was seduced by the allure of an easy three-figure Gameweek. That cheap thrill may well prove costly.

I got what I wanted, now I want to forget: removing all the traces that act as reminders and hope that I get away with it.

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

1,990 Comments Post a Comment
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    I have literally no idea how my team is set up! I was still fiddling at 11:45! 😆

    I may even have Aguero as third sub as part of a failed benchw⚽nking. I thought I had three blanks, then realised only two...!

    Seriously.
    😯 😳

    1. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Justice for benchwanking

        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Yep! Serves me right. 😆

    2. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I put Kun as 3rd sub then I remembered that I only had two blankers in the XI. Dodged a bullet just before deadline.

    3. Shifty
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      holy.

    4. The Raging Bull
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      similar thing happened to me!!

      1. Fi_fpl addict
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Was going to put payet captain and lun as vice but bottled it before went with Kane . This wk an unknown

  1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    kdb and coutinho need to go

    so much rotation just not worth it

  2. RoysCallerAnne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Got rid of KDB last night.

    For Pedro 😆

    1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Semi win

      1. RoysCallerAnne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        If it turns into a full win the I will.be unbearable on here tonight

    2. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Pedro is so 3 GWs ago 😉

      1. Dušan Citizen
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        And this is so gay 😀

        1. Give The Todd Some Love
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          wut

      2. RoysCallerAnne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Yes your fantastic punt was in the back of my mind when I hit confirm 🙂

        1. Dušan Citizen
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          He was my punt also 😛

          1. Mílanista
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            But not your captain 😛

            1. Dušan Citizen
              • 10 Years
              8 years, 1 month ago

              Well done for that 🙂 No offence up there, just kidding.

              1. Mílanista
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                8 years, 1 month ago

                No worries

        2. Mílanista
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Reprising Pedro's role this week is Mane(c)

  3. Unbelievable Jeff!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    So glad I did KDB > Firmino. I got Coutinho as well with Townsend 1st sub so should be all good.

    1. Ally - Killie Til I Die
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Firm hat-trick on the way today

  4. Lizard Lips
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Damn KDB for scoring against PSG, if he hadn't would not have bought him in.

  5. Ayew Serious
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Uh oh. I just woke up.

    Think I captained Aguero or maybe not

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      You'll be lucky if you have.

  6. FFPro
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    KDBench

    what a crappy way to start the GW

    1. Az
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I'm down to ten already

      Fantastic

      1. FFPro
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Same here, I only kept him because of Pellegrini's comments and Nasri being ruled out

      2. Villan14
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        im down to 10 and going to get a 1point captain!

  7. n-doggg
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Downgrading KDB could enable

    Kun, Kane, studge

    Every cloud?

  8. TotalJustice
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    hope toure/silva gets injured and KDB comes on 😛

  9. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    So ... de Bruyne lets you all down again. 10.3

    Tsk. 😉

    Sorry, I know I should be more sympathetic, but I have taken a fair battering on this subject!!! 🙂

    1. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Who do you think is a suitable replacement? 😀

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Eriksen. But that is so last week. 😉

    2. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      He had to go for me. I had had enough

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Good man!

    3. BadgersBoys
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      🙂 At least I have Mitrovic yo come off the bench 🙁

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Good!

    4. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      He hasn't let us down yet 😉 *still hopeful*

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Reedy, there is hope, and then there's ...

        1. Reedy
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          ....more hope? 🙂 There's always hope!

          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            If you like. But Alexander Pope has a message for you. 😉

            1. Reedy
              • 13 Years
              8 years, 1 month ago

              😉

    5. Swan - Villa Proud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Shipped for Ali 😉

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Third best move, as it stands. 😀

    6. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Mane will still somehow score less for me

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        - but at least you have given it a go!

        1. Give The Todd Some Love
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          What were your transfers mate?

          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            Saved!!! 😎

            1. Give The Todd Some Love
              • 12 Years
              8 years, 1 month ago

              😯

    7. Diva
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Is Aguero your sole City man Doos?

      P.S. Thanks for visiting earlier - I actually have some words there too now! 😀

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Yup! Junked Hart at the last minute on my WC - for Gomes!

        Sadly, I still played Mignolet. 😀

        1. Diva
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Shame you couldn't bench boost at the same time!

          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            I am waiting for my 3 Arsenal against Citeh - and double game week keeper!!! 😀

  10. Optimus.
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Martial 1st sub if KdB stays on the bench so all is not lost

    1. Cojiro
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      lol

    2. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Haha

    3. kumast
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      UTD don't play.

      1. Hamilton's Academicals
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        All is lost

        1. Perthite
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          Alli is lost? Shouldn't matter - a bit of time before his game.

  11. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    could have got sturridge if i had downgraded kdb

    urgh

  12. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Aguero (c) across the board, silva and iheanacho in UFPL. Come on city!

  13. rivercityransom
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    i can't really back this up with stats, but isn't aguero less effective with another striker next to him?

  14. John t penguin
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    If DDG doesn't start will Robles automatically come off my bench

    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      How can DDG start - he is playing in the Cup - so yes

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      ...I will come on your bench if he does.

    3. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Lol

  15. Jigger & Pony
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    KdB such a waste of space in my team

    1. TSILIKAFENEIAKOS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      this.. and money

  16. Shifty
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    @ YMA

    I like you as a poster, and am hoping that post you wrote on page 4 about Studge Firmino wasnt a wind up.

    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I am going to stick with what I said I am 100 % positive he would not do that

      1. Your Mum's Athletic
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        i need to go back have a look

      2. BadgersBoys
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Who did you put the armband on Adam?

    2. Your Mum's Athletic
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      see below, I don't post fake lineups or anything like that, merely this is what I think it will be

      1. Shifty
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        i know mate, so was abit surprised and personally gave you benefit of doubt that it was your prediction. but it sounded shady to say the least... 🙂

        1. Your Mum's Athletic
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 1 month ago

          then i apologise

          1. Shifty
            • 10 Years
            8 years, 1 month ago

            no need to apologize to me haha, just wanted to clarify any doubt. never had a reason to distrust you and this doesnt change it.

  17. Diva
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Nice preamble Mark.

  18. Pacer.
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Who would bet against KdB coming on to pick up points.

    Seems early to be revelling in not owning such a devastating player

    1. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      My thoughts exactly

      1. Pacer.
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        look at their form without him. Stoke haven't been great at all, but anyone who has watched the way City's form plummeted without him in their team will know there's every chance he'll be on at 60 minutes.

        I love FPL but I'm really struggling with this place tbh. Just seems to be a stream of people feeling sorry for themselves, or people saying I told you so. And it so, so often never works out that way so it's just a cycle of people saying things there's no value in reading. Why don't people learn and be patient.

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I'm not convinced he'll even get off the bench.

      1. Boo Ya Ka Sha
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        not if City get a comfortable lead.

  19. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Just to clarify something, when i posted 'Sturridge, Firmino behind' - I didn't say that this is what the lineup is or I have a cleaning lady who is the source or anything like that jeez

    1. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      lol

      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      The Liverpool line-up is notorious for being leaked. Posting something like that is out of order, unless you're going to quantify it with a "I THINK it will be...".

      But to then not reply to the questions is just as bad as trolling, imo - in the circumstances, with it being Liverpool.

    2. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      I'm glad you explain yourself now after deadline

    3. Shifty
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      was just abit shady that's all given everyone was looking out for a leak 🙂 but no worries mate, no one died and hopefully no one made a transfer based on that.

      personally was just waiting for your reply to the replies 🙂

    4. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Heheh this site is unbelievable at times. I hope you are right though buddy

  20. tm370
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone have any info on leaked Liverpool team news?

    1. Boo Ya Ka Sha
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      doesn't matter anymore.

  21. A Defender's Nightmare
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Silva will be the 1st one who gets subbed off. Aguero will play around 70 mins. IMO.

  22. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    kane v kun there is no right or wrong shout both have different merits

    1. Yome
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Early kickoff captain curse, Kane all the way

      1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        kun v spurs a while back was am ko

  23. Yome
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    No reason to moan about KDB, it was obvious he would benched, the UCL semi final is on Tuesday...
    Glad I sold him

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      wasn't obvious when pelle said he will name a strong side

      1. Yome
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        KDB got rested before UCL ties, we were warmed

  24. I Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    How long does FPL usually take to update? Anxious to see what I'm up against.

    1. Cojiro
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      takes a while I think. 12.30 sometimes

    2. Your Mum's Athletic
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      usually 12:20ish i think

  25. BadgersBoys
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    So, did Berbs manage to leak the Pool team?

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Why would there be a leak this early for a 3PM kick off? Seriously.

      1. BadgersBoys
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        It's happened many times before.

      2. Reedy
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        It's been out the night before

      3. Forza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 1 month ago

        Earlier in the season they'd appear on the day before the match.

    2. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Not today. He's done it before though

  26. zizoo10
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    no kdb = on kun haul
    this is a fact of life
    not to mention kun's limited minutes
    fail imminent

    1. zizoo10
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      no kun haul*

  27. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    To all those questioning why people tried to make last minute changes with a deadline looming....well that's how we roll!

    1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      Once forward and twice backwards. That's how I roll

  28. Boo Ya Ka Sha
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Is Courtois finished with KDB's ex yet?

    1. ARKANOIIDE
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      its funny they all have the same "golddiggers" 🙂

    2. The Raging Bull
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 1 month ago

      why do you ask?!

  29. ARKANOIIDE
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 1 month ago

    Explain 1 thing to me - before the DGW Kun dropped in pirce - people were selling - now he is rising again - who sold him?