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. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Capoue (whm) or Stones (mun) first sub?

    Thanks

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

      Capoue for me

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

    Sanchez (c)> Ibra (c)> Sanchez (c)
    Any more changes needed?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I just did Sanchez (c) > Hazard (c) > Sanchez (c) haha

  3. Ayew Holding Mee Cork
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    My final WC team. Good luck everyone!

    Heaton
    Baines Valencia Friend
    Ozil Hazard(C) Sterling Antonio
    Lukaku Defoe Ibra

    Sub: Pickford, Evans, Capoue, Amat

  4. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    ALEXIS

    ZLATAN

    EDEN

    If Alexis starts that's my preference! Best player in the league behind Kun for me

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Why are you shouting?

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      COS I'M AFRAID!!! Hah

  5. Torres76
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone buying Payet? Will he play this gameweek?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      25k transfers in.

  6. Syd.
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Does anyone know anything about fantasy football?

    I need a bit of advice

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

      not sure you have come to the right place

    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      No on here. Have you tried Brazzers?

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

      You've come to the wrong place

  7. Chaps Before Baps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Start which one?

    A)Capoue
    B) Diomande
    C) Stones

    1. Le _ Professeur
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      B

  8. Mr. Recruiter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Currently have Giroud up front, bit of a differential.

    Any chance he doesnt start?

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

      There's always a chance Giroud doesn't start in my opinion

    2. Le _ Professeur
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      He probably will 🙂

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

      Thanks, now I'm panicking!

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

    No gundogan

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

      No surprise

  10. Doar1986
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Who would you captain

    A. Hazard
    B. Costa
    C. Sanchez
    D. Lukaku

    Thinking Costa as Hazard is away from home?

  11. SweeSwee
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Hazard away from home
    Sanchez maybe benched
    Might just captain Firminho

    1. James H
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Thinking the same!

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

      I'm tempted by Cazorla tbh....why not

  12. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Play Stones (mun) or Kone (EVE)?

    Really struggling to choose.

  13. LE GOD(C)-AMERICAN DYCHO-(1…
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    On WC

    A - Sanchez and Cazorla

    Or

    B - Ozil and Mane

    1. Prison Mike
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      B

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

      B

  14. FearGorm
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Status of Lamela - likely to play or not?

    Away past couple of days so not up to date on rumours of him being dropped?

  15. Coffee
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    I'm on WC and have Sanchez, but considering downgrading to Ozil to free up cash and upgrade defence a bit.... sanity check please...

    1. CERVELO
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I've done that

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

      ofc

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

      Gone Ozil & Mane rather than previously having Sanchez & Antonio

  16. CERVELO
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Which of these 3

    1) Baines
    2) Valencia
    3) McAuley
    4) Collins
    5) Amat

  17. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Gray(C)

    might as well

    1. Ghost86
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I see a gray hatrick

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

    Last call for captain poll, HAZARD OR LUKAKU

  19. Hobolicious
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Norwegian PL commentator saying there is a rumour Zlatan is injured and that Lingard and Mkhitaryan starts. This place would go mental, haha.

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

      more likely Mkhitaryan is injured imo

    2. Defcons are for Kinnear
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      0-0 confirmed

  20. Bushido
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Bains to outscore Lukaku?

  21. 404_FC
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    this maybe help ?

    cs odd

    ars, bou 1.3
    liv 1.375
    mid 1.4
    tot 1.45
    whm 1.5
    bur, che, eve 1.625
    mun, hul 1.875
    cpa 2.1
    wba 2.4

    GL

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

    Is Robson Kanu nailed?

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

      He's not fit and also he is crap

  23. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Crikey...I didn't expect that.

    Little lad brought in Costa and Vardy....Mmmmm....

  24. For Fuchs Sake
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Start Souare or Kone?

  25. RuudVanNistelrooney
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Giroud or Lukaku

  26. Rolls-Royce
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Guys, Any truth in these Sanchez rumors? Mahrez-> Sanchez for -4 looks dumb now.

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      What rumours?

      1. Rolls-Royce
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        rumors that he has not travelled.., not in starting XI...

        1. Nabs Kebabs
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          I'd hope he hasn't travelled anywhere

        2. Count of Monte Hristo
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          No need to travel, Arsenal are at home

  27. goran
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Heaton or de Gea for this GW?

    1. Bushido
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Heaton

  28. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    West ham team out. Wont post it as its not official but lanzini and antonio are in it

    1. Chrissy Waddle - 2025/26
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      404 Official Team Not Found.

    2. Bushido
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Are you sure??

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

      Are you trolling?

      1. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        No

    4. Le _ Professeur
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Zaza ?

      1. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Starts

    5. QPR expects... glory!
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Collins?

      1. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Starts

  29. Chrissy Waddle - 2025/26
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Playing AOA chip.

    7 out of 8 of my attackers are playing away.

    No home comforts for me this week. 😕

  30. KISSES
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Love that volley game on Soccer AM!