The Pre-Match Preamble - Gameweek 38 Opinion
10 September 2016 1920 comments
Mark Mark
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Spiderman (or was it Spiderm4tt?) once said – “with great power comes great responsibility”.

That definitely chimes for any Fantasy Premier League manager with a Wildcard active.

The seemingly endless possibilities in front of us is dazzling and confusing but the burden is almost too much.

The gut wrenching feeling when a Wildcard is played and is perceived as “wasted” is an emotion that lingers in memory.

When it hits, we look for anything, any crumb of comfort that will help us justify decisions in order to ensure we leap a pit of despair.

Initially, the excitement and the sheer relief granted by the opportunity to refresh our squad mask these doubts.

It’s only now, hours before committing our decisions, that the doubts creep towards us. That we remember, with dread, how it feels when a Wildcard backfires.

In previous seasons I have likened it to a supermarket dash. That analogy still rings true.

You speed through, giggling at the choice and freedom you have been granted. Only to look back when the opportunity is gone and immediately begin to wonder what has been missed, what opening has been passed up.

For me, the pressure has been intensified. I’ll be sharing the fallout from my Wildcard with a bigger audience than ever. Revealing my errors and forcing myself to justify decisions and back-peddling.

Already that’s having an impact. I’m perhaps putting too much stock in bandwagons like Raheem Sterling – afraid that I’m missing the obvious, I’m backing these players for fear I’ll be exposed.

I’ve seen posts this morning questioning those still debating Wildcard decisions.

But I’m firmly in that camp.

Such is the power of the Wildcard, no decision can ever be finalised, even at this late stage.

We give ourselves the chance to deliberate every position right to the end. It stands to reason that we will keep doing that – we will keep replaying and rebalancing player vs player scenarios until the bell tolls.

It’s a tortuous process that absorbs us but one of the key pleasures of playing this game, particularly when we can share the agony on these pages.

I’ve enjoyed reading through the deliberation over the international break. I’m still reading now, adding your opinions to my own in order to finish this process once and for all.

There’s an expectation from myself and others that I’ll overcome my mediocre start to the season and a successful Wildcard is likely key to that.

My spider senses are tingling – I’m not sure I’m up to bearing all this responsibility.

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

  1. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    A) Snoddy & Lukaku
    B) Santi & Defoe

    1. Jönny
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      A for me..

    2. BB-8
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      A

    3. johnbarnes
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Both are not very appealing, but I'd go w/ A

    4. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      a

    5. Grumpy Camel
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      A

    6. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      A

    7. Ginola14
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      a

    8. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Easy. A.

  2. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Quick reminder – bumper edition of Deadline Bingo this week – ‘Wildcard Special’ 😎

    Loads of prizes, freebies, goodie bags, sherbet dips, net curtains, FT’s, WC’s etc to be won……

  3. 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Sanchez starts on the bench.
    https://twitter.com/AFCAMDEN/status/774533639400980481

    AFCAMDEN very reliable in the past.

    1. 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Perez and Mustafi also making full debuts.

    2. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Out you go, Alexis.

    3. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Özil!

    4. creaky24
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      After the whole "madness" thing i wouldn't call him reliable

      1. 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        That is transfer news - very different to the information he provides on starting xi.

    5. 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Don't wanna blow my own trumpet but this is probably hulk-worthy for the sake of Sanchez captainers.

    6. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      What about Giroud.Will he start?

      1. 1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        AFCamden has said it is a very attacking lineup. Sanchez on the bench and Perez starting, difficult to say.

    7. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      lol

      1. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Is it true Bemba?

    8. F4L
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      how reliable?

  4. Tronity
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    A) McAuley (doubled with Foster)
    B) Kone

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      A. Kone is good, but West brom know how to keep a clean sheet and are going for set pieces.

  5. Frasmac
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Should I start with Dawson (Bou A) or Shaw (city H)? Cheers

    1. Frasmac
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Already have DDG

    2. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Dawson ... Just. West brom kept more clean sheets away from home last season.

      1. Frasmac
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers that's the way I'm leaning

  6. Batshuayi Crazy
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Want to change Williams to Baines on WC.

    Best 4.9m (or less) defender to allow the above? Have West Brom coverage already.

    1. Dark_Mata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Can I ask why? I've back and forth'd on that all week

      1. Batshuayi Crazy
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        For all the set pieces, 0.5m seems more than worth it. Seems like there will be a lot more pennos this year too.

        Annoyingly 0.1 off most of the defenders I want. Any thoughts on cheaper options?

  7. Dark_Mata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Is baines going to out score BAP man Williams?

    1. Swanny18
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Only if he assists/scores

      1. Dark_Mata
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        But with this management that looks likely

    2. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I'm struggling to work out if he's worth the extra 0.5 so I'll likely keep williams

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

    Which option?
    A) Heaton, Collins, Baines
    B) Foster, Masuaku, Williams

    1. Dark_Mata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Tough one. I'm on A but indecisive

    2. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      A

    3. Swanny18
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Heaton > Foster
      Baines > Williams
      Collins > Masuaku but Collins not nailed

    4. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      B

  9. Wheato182
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Which Arsenal defender to put in other than Bellerin? Also unsure whether to play McAuley or Valencia (Foster in goal)

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Kosc
      Valencia

    2. HurriKane
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      cech ? id go for valencia.

    3. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I like the new one they signed. Has a goal threat apparently

    4. Wheato182
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Cheers guys

  10. Test Eagles
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    1) Payet & Stuani
    2) Antonio & Defoe

    1. HurriKane
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      2

  11. HurriKane
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    If you have Evans go for Heaton over Foster ?

    1. JAC THE CAT
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

  12. FootballFanatic365
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    WC ... thoughts 1 itb

    Foster

    Valencia Bellerín Baines

    Sterling Sánchez Hazard Barkley

    Benteke Lukaku Negredo

    Pickford Capoue Amat McAuley

    1. Dark_Mata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Nice isn't it. Until Ibra scores 3. But that back 3 will score big. I've tried to get bellerin but can't justify it

      1. FootballFanatic365
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        how to get ibra ... gawwwd!!!

        1. Disco Pat
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Footballfanatic365
          Sell Bellerin for Shaw/Williams...free up 1-1.5
          Downgrade benteke to Valencia...save about 2 million and covers Everton attack...and then change lukaku to ibra
          Good luck today

  13. Swanny18
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    How nailed or are these defenders?

    Amat (SWA)
    Love (SUN)
    Cameron (STK)
    Collins (WHM)

    Thanks

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      95%
      0%
      0%
      80%

  14. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Please Help
    A) Pieters
    Or
    B) Stones

    1. Dark_Mata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      B

    2. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      A. Stoke's fixtures are about to turn good.

    3. kalmoffit
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Stones

  15. El Patron
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    What about Kun->Giroud, Townsend->Payet
    Only fear is going without Sanchez and Ozil.

    1. Ginola14
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      giroud isn't nailed

      1. El Patron
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        ouchh :/
        Ozil and some other attacker then.

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      The fear is there but I went giroud.

      1. Ginola14
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        I went ozil and lukaku

  16. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Sheeeet......Sanchez >Ozil?

    1. Ginola14
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      do it

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      If on wc

  17. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Ditching foster for Adrian
    Looking to ditch Evans as well
    Who does Pieters have as competition?
    Some great fixtures coming up especially at home to weaker teams

  18. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    What a great post by Mark. Perfect way to usher out the tedious international break. He's a bit of a legend, that Mark

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

      Hi Daniel.

  19. johnbarnes
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Bench one:
    A) Shaw
    B) Stones
    C) Friend

    1. FootballGeorge
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      b

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      B

  20. FDMS All Starz
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Start one:

    soare(mid a)
    Stones(utd a)
    Amat(Che h)

    1. Ginola14
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      a

    2. FootballGeorge
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      a

  21. HP.
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Long to Deeney? Can't afford anyone more expensive.

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Nah

  22. Perthite
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Am I the only one who hasn't transferred Aguero out?

    1. Ginola14
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      do bears s*&t in the woods?

  23. ☻ Jon Snow ☻
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Final WC team:

    Adrian (Jaku)
    Walker, Williams, Evans, Shaw (Love)
    Hazard, Antonio, Sanchez, Lamela (Capoue)
    Lukaku, Negredo, Grey

    Plenty of cash for Aguero back.

  24. The Tinkerman
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Rushed into A&E with my girfriend this morning, now sat waiting with no wifi and one bar of signal to complete my wildcard.

    Panic stations.

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      no wifi but you made this post?

      1. Eskimooo
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        One bar of signal ....

        1. The Tinkerman
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Yeah it's intermittent. The mobile app shows me just a single column of empty players when I try to do transfers and won't let me add anyone. Useless. Mobile site is working now though.

    2. Dark_Mata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Hope she's ok mate

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        She is 🙂 thanks

    3. George Sillett
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Good to see you have your priorities right then ...........

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Ive done everything I can for her, now sat waiting for an X-ray...

  25. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    non sanchez owners doing their best 🙄

    1. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Afcamden has been right before?

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        it's twitter...alot of people say alot of things though

        I don't know about his lineups but he predicted some sort of madness for the transfers

        we will see

        1. Davido989
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          I see. To be fair, team news and transfers are very very very different

          1. 1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            ^

    2. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Please talk Bemba

    3. 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I own Sanchez, are you a Sanchez owner in denial?

  26. Mclean as a Whistle
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Grey Captain.
    Thoughts?

  27. Sergeant Garcia
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Januzaj, Chadli or Lanzini?

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Lanzini

  28. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Who should I start this GW
    1) Pieters
    Or
    2) Stones

  29. FootballFanatic365
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    ibra RED card (anyone?)

    1. andymck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Erm no?

  30. Trading Bear
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    A] Bellerin and Lanzini

    B] Koscienly and Antonio

    1. andymck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      B