The Pre-Match Preamble - Gameweek 38 Opinion
30 April 2016 1256 comments
Mark Mark
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Let’s savour these moments.

With just under an hour to go before we start tapping F5 having sent our boys over the line, let us put things into perspective.

Few of us have found this season plain sailing. I actually think this is a campaign by which Fantasy Football managers will be judged for years to come.

We may want to wipe it from memory but our ability to cope with the unpredictable chicanery of 2015/16 has proved a rare test.

For all the anguish, we’ll be sorry to see the back of it. Whilst we have Euro 16 to scratch the itch, we’ll miss these Saturday’s toying with transfers and soon be hankering for the headaches that distract us from everyday tedium.

In a few weeks we will be shopping for a strimmer not Kevin Wimmer.

We will be dreading the weekend barbecue amongst “friends” who barely acknowledge the merits of the beautiful game, let alone a complex meta game layered over the top that involves imaginary teams and yards of statistics.

We will crave concerns over Jurgen Klopp’s rotation when you’re forced instead to indulge in small talk with relative strangers, who politely humour your unhealthy obsession with a token opening line – “what about Leicester, then, eh?”

They really don’t want to hear your thoughts on the likely price of Riyad Mahrez next season. They just want you to acknowledge their gesture and allow them to quickly jolt the conversation back to talk of their safari holiday and their plans for the kitchen extension.

Think on this when you’re next driven to quitting Fantasy Football by the non-appearance of Philippe Coutinho. We really can’t afford to do without such anxieties; we miss them when they’re not occupying our headspace or wrecking our mood.

Admittedly, it’s been tough. The tortuous trials we have put ourselves through have combined to create a season of discontent for Fantasy Football managers.

Now this nine-month tale of the unexpected looks set to conclude in remarkable fashion.

Leicester’s fairy tale could be completed on Sunday. Their incredible achievement will surely touch even non-football fans, offering our friends and associates handy ice-breakers when they’re forced to engage us in conversation over that half-cooked burger.

As you nod courteously at their failed attempts to bluff their way through a stilted football chat, think back at that time you missed out on Sergio Aguero’s points and realise that without that unique brand of agony, your life just wouldn’t be the same.

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

  1. Defcons are for Kinnear
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Don't finish FPL!

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      last game of season is on a Sunday so only 1 more Saturday pre-amble left 🙁

  2. Les Bleus
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Was ranked 80k before playing my WC and BB. After a green and a couple of red arrows, I'm 60k.

    Was hoping that the BB and WC would be worth more than 20k rank to be honest.

      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      It is what you make of it 🙂

      1. Les Bleus
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        😉

  3. pug_chops
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    I have Robles and Mignolet. Worth a minus 4 to get a gauranteed starter?

    1. Son of Rambo
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I would

      1. pug_chops
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks

    2. boombaba
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      That's tough ha ! I would for a dgw keeper

    3. Heels_Over_Head
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      meh.

      dunno

      maybe Mannone is worth it. can't see much in it for this week though

    4. Gizzachance
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      yeah get a dgwer like mannone more chance of getting your pts back

      1. pug_chops
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks all. Probably go Mannone then. As a Norwich fan I'll be happy if they concede anyway

  4. Son of Rambo
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    If you have Clyne and Firmino and Delaney is your only playing sub is it worth taking a hit to shift Gabriel or Alli?

    1. boombaba
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I would yea

    2. Gizzachance
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      ali yes, hes banned anyway so may as well get a player with games, maybe a dgwer

  5. boombaba
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    WC 36 thoughts ?

    De Gea Robles
    Cresswell Cathcart Smalling Azpil PVA
    Mahrez Payet Sanchez Fabregas Firminho
    Lukaku sturridge Carroll

    0.6 ITB

    Any changes needed ?

    1. Son of Rambo
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      looks set

    2. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Very similar to mine. I'm concerned about Carroll's minutes and chosing Pedro over Fab.. i think.

      Gomes, De Gea
      Azpil, PVA, Smalling, Cresswell, Kaboul
      Sánchez, Firmino, Payet, Lanzini, Pedro
      Sturridge, Defoe, Lukaku

      1. Eddie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Three Sunderland players in a WC!!!

  6. Burd Turglars
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Feel your pain Mark. Got friends visiting us this weekend and the bloke doesn't even follow football. Always be suspicious of men who don't follow football.

    1. Zombie
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Wisdom of ages

  7. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Last question i promise.

    a) Play Mesut this week and transfer to Pedro next week (or any other chelsea mid).
    b) Go all in and get Pedro this week.

    Currently on A.

    1. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      DDG
      Bellerin Cresswell PVA
      Ozil/Pedro Alexis(c) Payet Hazard
      Lukaku Studge Defoe

      Ruddy Lanzini Smalling Kirchoff

    2. I Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      A

    3. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      A as Ozil is gone 8 games without an assist so he surely due now

    4. Arteta
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      A 🙂

      1. Mistletoe
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        This! 😀

    5. ILOVEBAPS
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Get Pedro.

    6. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      AAA!!!

    7. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      definitely A

  8. Jay_
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Great preamble as usual, but in other news, huge rumours that COD4 is going to be remastered for PS4 and XboxOne as the next COD game this autumn. If this is true, I will be over the moon!

    • Suarezista
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Only for GW37 who do you think will get more points ?

      DDG: whm, nor
      Mannone: CHE, EVE

      1. Heels_Over_Head
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Mannone

    • Tommy J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Haz or Fab-what are the risks for the former(other than Form over the season). Will Haz play next 3 games do we think?

    • Jafooli
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I've gone Kane (c) - MNF 😎

      1. Slartibartfast
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Bold - good luck!

        1. Jafooli
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Should I return to Ozil?

          1. Slartibartfast
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 8 months ago

            I'm on Ozil, but not confident.

          2. Slartibartfast
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 8 months ago

            Wasn't confident in any of my choices this GW though: Kane, Aguero, Ozil

            Going with Ozil because he's home to Norwich. Could be a textbook form over fixtures mistake, though. We'll see! His stats have looked on the up recently, IMO.

      2. Lateriser 12
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Great choice.

        1. Jafooli
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          You sure LR.

          1. Lateriser 12
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 8 months ago

            I like it. I do.

      3. La Roja
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Good, hope it works out for u

        1. Jafooli
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          And you Rojo

          1. La Roja
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 8 months ago

            😀

            Positive

    • Ravager
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Darlow (Robles)
      Simpson Rose PVA Cresswell (Fosu)
      Payet Sanchez Mahrez (Alli, Coutinho)
      Aguero Kane Defoe

      GTG? Anything to take a -8 for? I don't mind. Have a healthy lead

    • Zombie
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      "They really don’t want to hear your thoughts on the likely price of Riyad Mahrez next season. They just want you to acknowledge their gesture and allow them to quickly jolt the conversation back to talk of their safari holiday and their plans for the kitchen extension."

      😆 😆

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

        Quite so. 😆

    • Weeb Kakashi
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Alli> Hazard (-4)??

      Have no one on the bench, incase Firmino doesnt start! Anyways i was going to do it next week for a hit! Should i do it this week?

      1. Heels_Over_Head
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        have fun, do it

    • Dušan Citizen
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      So sad to see Charlton in League 1. 🙁

      One of the most beautiful grounds in England, in my opinion. They were in PL when I've started watch English football and football at all.

      1. Jay_
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Just over the other side of the water (Thames) from me. My 2nd best London away day after Fulham.

      2. Gerci
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        A) Gabriel -> PVA
        B) Van Dijk -> PVA
        C) Van Dijk + Özil -> Kirchhoff + Sanchez (-4)

        De Gea (Darlow)
        Cresswell Simpson Clyne VVD Gabriel
        Payet Mahrez Iwobi Firmino Özil
        Agüero Sturridge Kane

        1FT 0.5 ITB

      3. FPL Mentor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        RMT

        Darlow
        Bellerin Cresswell PVA
        Sanchez(C) Payet Fabregas Lanzini
        Sturridge Lukaku Deeney

        (Mignolet, KDB, Otamendi, Sakho)

        Good to go?

      4. Kent girl
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Hello..

        Current defence: Bellerin / Sagna / Gabriel / Simpson / Clyne

        Have already made a transfer for -4. Playing AAO this week currently with Bellerin and potentially PVA?

        Is PVA worth it for -8 in the long run? If so who for?

        Thanks

        1. Heels_Over_Head
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          not sure you want to take -8 when you're trailing in 3rd place... unless the lads above did the same

      5. Andy1
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Play lanzini or coutinho?

        1. Les Bleus
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Lanzini.

        2. Gerci
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Lanzini

          Coutinho won't start

          1. goodday there mate
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 8 months ago

            you sure of that?

      6. KOLASINA(C)
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Start Rose or Coutinho?

      7. Dr8Ball
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Ighalo or Deeney? Paralysis from analysis!

        1. KOLASINA(C)
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Deeney, Ighalo has lost his mojo

          1. Dr8Ball
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 8 months ago

            Agreed, but the pain of having Deeney if Ighalo gets his 2015 mojo back!

        2. Heels_Over_Head
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Ighalo's father passed on Monday and he's postponed the funeral until the end of the season... make of that what you will

          (espn has the article if you want to check)

        3. Arteta
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Deeney

      8. Takedog1
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        kdb and cout for payet and townsend

        or

        kdb cout for hazard and payet

        1. Les Bleus
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          B definitely.

        2. boombaba
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          B

        3. FPLEL
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          B, but it's a hell of a lot more expensive.

      9. boombaba
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Play 3 out of

        Cresswell Cathcart Smalling Azpil PVA

        1. VS10_
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          CCP

          1. Heels_Over_Head
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 8 months ago

            this

        2. Jigger & Pony
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Cresswell Smalling PvA

        3. ILOVEBAPS
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          1st three

      10. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Last time I promise...for -4...best transfer?
        Mitrovic to
        A Deeney
        B Defoe
        C Carroll

        1. Heels_Over_Head
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          b

        2. Weeb Kakashi
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Jeeeeeerrrrrmaaaaaaainnnnnnnn

      11. FPL ElasticO
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Midfielder for 7.0m??? Quick Guys not much left

        1. VS10_
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Willian, Townsend, Lanzini

      12. Gizzachance
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        thoughts appreciated plz guys. play
        A lanzini
        B kdb
        cheers

      13. Weeb Kakashi
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Start

        A Firmino
        B Hazard

        1. Samwise the Brave
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          B

        2. VS10_
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Why did you get Haz in if you're not gonna start him?

      14. Rambo Motin
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        My WC team is finally sorted, hope to end the season with a bang! Good luck all 🙂

      15. Samwise the Brave
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Adrián or Mannone?
        Pedro or Fab?

      16. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Is it just me or is the fpl site not allowing us to look at peoples teams this week?

        1. Connor's Calling
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          2pm deadline. Weird

        2. Tommy J
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Just you