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. fickle
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Lukaku benched? Naisse!

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Nyesse

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

        Very naiisee

  2. Jazz!
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Townsend © starts, on the bright side.

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

    Start Lukaku over Milner, no brainer they said.

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Lukaku will get a brace.

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

        Hes not playing

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

      Milner likely wont play either, it was the right move

    3. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      The person with no brain is Martinez

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

    FULL 3PM KICK OFF SQUADS

    Everton v Bournemouth

    Everton XI: Howard, Baines, Stones, Pennington, Besic, Gibson, McCarthy, Cleverley, Barkley, Lennon, Niasse
    Everton subs: Joel, Hibbert, Oviedo, Lukaku, Mirallas, Osman, Dowell

    Bournemouth XI: Boruc, Francis, Elphick, cook, Daniels, Ritchie, Surman, Arter, Pugh, King, Wilson
    Bournemouth subs: Federici, Wiggins, O'Kane, Gosling, Stanislas, Grabban, Afobe

    Newcastle v Crystal Palace

    Newcastle XI: Darlow, Dummett, Lascelles, Mbemba, Anita, Sissoko, Colback, Tiote, Townsend, Wijnaldum, Cisse
    Newcastle subs: Woodman, Taylor, Mbabu, Shelvey, de Jong, Perez, Mitrovic

    Crystal Palace XI: Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare; Jedinak (c), Cabaye; Puncheon, McArthur, Bolasie; Wickham
    Crystal Palace subs: McCarthy, Mariappa, Kelly, Ledley, Sako, Gayle, Adebayor

    Stoke v Sunderland

    Stoke XI: Haugaard, Pieters, Shawcross, Cameron, Bardsley, Imbula, Whelan, Arnautovic, Adam, Shaqiri, Crouch
    Stoke subs: Bachmann, Muniesa, Joselu, Diouf, walters, Wollscheid, Bojan

    Sunderland XI: Mannone, Yedlin, van Aanholt, Kaboul, Kone, Kirchhoff, Cattermole, M’Vila, Borini, Khazri, Defoe
    Sunderland subs: Pickford, Jones, Larsson, Rodwell, N’Doye, O’Shea, Watmore

    Watford v Aston Villa

    Watford XI: Gomes (GK); Paredes, Cathcart, Britos, Anya; Abdi, Suarez, Watson, Jurado; Deeney (c), Ighalo
    Watford subs: Pantilimon (GK), Nyom, Prödl, Ake, Guedioura, Berghuis, Amrabat.

    Aston Villa XI: Bunn, Hutton, Toner, Clark, Lescott, Cissokho, Bacuna, Westwood, Gana, Ayew, Gestede
    Aston Villa subs: Guzan, Richards, Sinclair, Veretout, Sanchez, Gil, Grealish

    West Brom v West Ham

    West Brom XI: Foster; Olsson, Yacob, Evans, Gardner, McClean, McAuley, Fletcher, Dawson, Rondon, Leko
    West Brom subs: Myhill; Chester, Lambert, Berahino, Sessegnon, Sandro, Roberts

    West Ham XI: Adrian, Antonio, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Kouyate, Noble (c), Sakho, Lanzini, Payet, Carroll
    West Ham subs: Randolph (GK), Tomkins, Collins, Moses, Byram, Emenike, Oxford

    1. Ayew Serious
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Dial up?

      1. @ocprodigy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        IE

      2. Fitzy.
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        It's hilarious when people say this - no, seriously...

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

        Just not as sad as you

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

      Thanks. I feel for those with Lukaku. What a crapper. 🙁

      1. @ocprodigy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        I'm one of them. Just hoping he stays off. Ruined DGW plans though.

  5. how now brown cow
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Made so many late transfers in my wildcard, i genuinely am not sure who i have ended up with (luk avoided though). Not going to check till 5pm to add to suspense.

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

    So far so good 3/3 players starting... Come on Defoe 🙂

  7. 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Antonio at RB?

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

      Looks it

    2. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah

  8. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Lukaku coming off the bench and scoring a hat-trick. Fact.

  9. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Remember folks, Lukaku is the world's best sub.

  10. Spindoctor15
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    LOOOOOOOOL @LUKAKU OWNERS

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH

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

      Don't be that guy

    2. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      LOG OUT

      1. Forza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        That was supposed to be the link to the log out button.

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

      10 words I'm not aloud to say just came in my head

    4. Fitzy.
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Lol @ Linkless Loudmouths

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

    Sakho and Carroll for West Ham 😮

    Goals ahoy

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

    1st time i decide to have capitan punt this season and what happens.....stupid lukaku benched

  13. Marcin the Pole
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    I was gutted when Mané got benched last week. He came on and scored. Don't give up yet.

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

    Lol @ me

    Should have stayed online for 5 mins more! Damn!

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

      Wait, people knew about this?

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

        About Niasse starting? Yes, reported about 5 mins before deadline

      2. Hanked
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        Yep, Ben Dinnery tweeted that Lukaku was not starting

  15. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Lukaku double hatty in dgw confirmed

  16. Bolivian Seaman
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Wilson for bournemouth is back

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

      Hell score against this Everton side

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

    King and Wilson could score big at Goodison now!

  18. Zizoulicious
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    I'm not a Lukaku owner, but I can't understand why he isn't playing!?

    1. Jazz!
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Cos he's crap

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

        But he was MOTM last week.... For United 😛

        But still that was just a one off game

    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      He has been crap.

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

        Guess so recently. Is niasse any better?

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

        yet he wants to move to a club competing in the champions league

  19. The Mandalorian
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Lukaku on the bench, Gabriel starts for Arsenal, it has to be!

  20. GreenWindmill
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Lol at my unwarranted loyalty to Lukaku

    1. 8ball
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      this. both my rivals have Studge. Wanted to switch but this fixture looked so good.

  21. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    lukaku benched lol
    trolls on!

  22. Jonjo Shall_We? (Flowers - …
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    After ages of deciding for everton asset i went Barkley over Lukaku
    Glad 🙂
    He's next on pens
    Barkley owner assemble o/

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

    OptaJoe ‏@OptaJoe · 2m2 minutes ago

    1999 - West Brom's Jonathan Leko will become the first player born in 1999 to start a @premierleague game. Party.

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

      Now I really starting to feel old

    2. how now brown cow
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      I've got pants older than that.

    3. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      When a 2000 baby comes along it's time to leave earth

  24. Pacer.
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Ritchie first on my bench. Feeling pretty weak for not bringing him in for Firmino or Coutinho. Good chance for some differential points right there

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Are you old?

      1. Pacer.
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 8 months ago

        what is old

  25. The Mandalorian
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Naisse starts because Lukaku is leaving in the summer just like Howard who also starts.

  26. andy85wsm
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Lukaku...

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

      Trollaku

    2. mad_beer ✅
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Never trust him to do what you want.

  27. SouthCoastSaint
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Big hugs for Trollkaku owners

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

      + 42.

  28. Fergietime
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    I usually dont do stupid transfers but when I do=
    13:59 Aguero out for Lukaku -4
    14:00 Lukaku benched #GreatCraic

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      Fergietime!

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

    At least I got the West Ham line-up right. What a relief. 🙂

    1. mad_beer ✅
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 8 months ago

      What was your FT this week and captain?

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

        Simpson to Cathcart

        Sán(c)hez.

        1. mad_beer ✅
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 8 months ago

          Nice. Watford defenders are too risky to me. Lots of rotation. I did Gabriel to PvA (I know, Sunderland)

          San(C)hez here too! 🙂

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

            Go us!!! 😀

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

      Got Cresswell and Carrol both for a hit a piece 😛

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

        Well, good luck!!! 🙂

  30. Trae44
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 8 months ago

    Transferred out Aguero for Lukaku today, good start to the weekend

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

      Did the exact same. Absolutely fuming.

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

      Me three