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. EmreCan Hustle
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    No Mata 😯

    1. stilicho
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Old school

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

    Gray(C) locked in ahhhhh!

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

      Same here, and AOA with Capoue 😀 Good luck

    2. Puyol Pants Up
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      sameeee

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

    who bottled and took out Sanchez at 11.29 then?

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

      11:28 for me.

    2. Lebowski85
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I did the opposite. I subbed him in at 11:29 & made him Captain.

    3. flipthebuzzard
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      11.29.50

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

      Nope. Stuck with it, almost went Mikhi

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

      I kept the pants on

    6. Supersonic
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      1129 me.. Took the c off him

    7. Twiggy SRFC
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Sorry, I think I'm missing something - why would you take out Sanchez??

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

      I didn't. Did you?

    9. Jimmy Boy
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      not me

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

    IBRA is My C

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

    Bravoooooooooooooooooooooooo

    Iheanachoooooooooooooooooooo

    Fernandinhoooooooooooooooooo

    Nolitooooooooooooooooooooooo

  6. Lebowski85
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Team to play Manchester City: De Gea, Valencia, Bailly, Blind, Shaw, Fellaini, Pogba, Mkhitaryan, Rooney, Lingard, Ibrahimovic

    Subs: Romero, Smalling, Herrera, Mata, Schneiderlin, Martial, Rashford

  7. HNI
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Illenacho Wonder Goal!!!!

  8. Bullet Eder
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Congratulations Kelechi punters!

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Cue one pointer.

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

    Lol, Ibra starting

  10. Give The Todd Some Love
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Mkitaryan will be in my team soon

  11. iCon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    No Mata!

    1. Arse Craic
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Transfer window is closed...he's now on the bench!

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

    the last 5 minutes on here felt like a quicky

    thks guys.
    x

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

      I recommend you visit the clinic. Sorry.

    2. Bootsy: Snoddy's Reven…
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Ciggie?

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

        *puff puff

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

      Disturbing.

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

    Despite the shocking morning, 3 hours in hospital and counting, managed to only make one mistake on WC, Paul Robinson is my deputy to Foster...

  14. Jebiga
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Good luck guys !
    All the best

  15. Johnny Drama
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    1 PM was the deadline on my phone?????

    1. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Get a new phone?????

    2. Johnny Drama
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I didn't lock my WC in and had -40?!?

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

        link?

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

          This.

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

        Yeah right

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

      😆

  16. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Martial rested I guess?

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

    Phew...sold Martial this week for Ozil, knew after the last match he was going to get dropped.

  18. Ziro
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Micky Targaeryan bandwagon starts today..............

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

      this, with any kind of positive performance his price drops give the misconception he's worthwhile now.

  19. Dušan Citizen
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    I went for Costa and Sterling at the end. 🙁

    1. Dušan Citizen
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Badly wanted Nolito

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

        maybe not this week but nolito is going to be a star at city in the next 2-3 weeks

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

          had him since the start, been real lucky as he almost got ditched but had others to take precedence at the time

  20. pundit of punts
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Kellechiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!

  21. Dr. Rog
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    With balls this big, it hurts to sit down

    Antonio (c)

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

      I don't think it takes big balls to captain someone you think will be your highest scorer. I do that every GW.

    2. Arse Craic
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      haha. Good luck!

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

      Lukaku here. LOL

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

        Me too! All the Sanchez rumours I bottles it and made lukaku c last minute.. Fingers crossed for ya pal!

    4. Bootsy: Snoddy's Reven…
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      An elephant would be proud

  22. Milner4eva
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Double united defence locked in!

    GL all

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

    City lineup too attacking?

    1. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Guardiola

  24. FISSH
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Sanchez isn't out is he??

    1. Cantonas Demons
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      You can not be serious !

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

    I called that line up yesterday for United with Rashord instead of Lingard.

    I really don't understand that one at all....unless Rashford has a knock.

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

      Against tired legs

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

    well done those who went mikhy on wc

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

      well done for what... picking someone who plays today?

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

    Kolorov against attackers.... funny.

  28. Ziro
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Jaf??

    The game is being updated.

    The game is currently being updated.

    Please try again later when the updated scores / teams will be available.

  29. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Haha.. Why would anyone wake up at 1125 with a stinking hangover and the urge to rush and switch captain from Sanchez to Pogba? 😀 😳

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

      The best captain choices are made this way, for example I have gone with Zaza.....

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

      Some of those morning urges cannot be denied.

    3. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Delete your team

  30. Dušan Citizen
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Nolito will score today. Mark my words.

    1. Lecky Legs FC
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      This ^ got him in WC squad

    2. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Sold him on WC, regretting it

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

      Nolito won't score today. Mark my words.

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

      3.33/1 anytime, 9/1 first. Just FYI.