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

    Come on Nolito be my differential

  2. makaveli70
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    I think that Rashford will shin

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

    Which respective wings are lingard and Mkhitaryan playing on?

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

      Lin left, id imagine

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

      They aren't....

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

    Ozil (c)
    Anybody else?

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

    So, I did 32 transfers to catch the prices rices during the national break. How do I play the wildcard before gameweek 4 starts?

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

      Course you did.

    2. Teddy Brewski
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Lol

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

      terrible gag but did giggle

    4. La Vida Latte
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      My rival actually did this one year...

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

      lol

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

    No Hart, Kompany, Aguero, Zabaleta or Yaya today for city...times are a changing indeed

  7. AnotherBareBum
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Heaton (Pickford)
    Bains,Valencia,Galloway(Friend,Amat)
    Haz,Ozil,Payet,Lallana,(Fletcher)
    Defoe,Ibra,Benteke

    on WC what you think peeps

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

      so scared

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

    Plenty of pace in that United team!

  9. Qaiss
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Just been told Alexis not starting. Not confirmed 100% but we'll see at 2pm

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

      didn't you say he would 100% start?

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

        I did but theres been a change. I can't say 100% though. Wait and see, people are saying different things.

        1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Why are folk having a go. I've got sanchez and I don't want to hear this but he's obviously passing on info not to troll but to let us know what he's heard.

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

            You basically know as little about it as the rest of us.

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

              I have sanchez and would have taken him out. Why would I go round telling people he's starting and pick him myself too? I would have taken him out if I was trolling.

            2. Qaiss
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 4 months ago

              Lets just wait and see. Start or no start, he can make an impact. Im annoyed too seeing as I was told he was starting so I picked him.

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

      I've been told he is starting.

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

        I've been told he's starting and he's not.

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

          Must be true if you've been told that then, but how 😮

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

            I hope he does start. Lets wait and see. Ive also been told he is and he isn't as well.

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

      First of many trolling posts 🙂

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

        I have Sanchez mate

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

          Good for you mate. So Wenger was on the blower to you? 😉

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

    Who your cappers?

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

      Left it on Sanchez.

    2. Teddy Brewski
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Haz. Was Sanchez but the uncertainty put me off

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

      Eden

    4. Sponge-worthy
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Lukaku!!

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

      Antonio on the FPL App

      Hazard on the FPL site

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

        😀

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

      Lukakaka .. 😆

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

      Mesut.

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

      Mane ! 🙂

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

      Alexis. Just got him in, have to go hard or go home.

    10. thunder_mike
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Haz

    11. squits
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Hazard. Looked at Costa but scared of a red card!

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

      Lukaku! Bottled it last minute and took it off Sanchez

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

    Martial was the problem I had all week, decided to stick unfortunately.......now I need a no show or a late goal as a sub

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

      I got rid, he was terrible last time against Hull, no surprise he got dropped, being subbed on 59 minutes last time out was enough for me

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

    Ive got a stinking cold 🙁

  13. Vinyl78LP
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Bugger, found the team at 11.28 - FPL then rejected my Martial OUT change.

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

    11:28 Sanchez, Antonio, Iheanacho, McAuley, Capoue to Ozil, Lanzini, Lukaku, Evans, Meyler

    *saw Iheanacho starts*

    11:29 Ozil, Lanzini, Lukaku to Sanchez, Antonio, Iheanacho. Couldn't afford McAuley and Capoue back so lost 0.2.

    11:30 Game updated. I don't know who my captain is?

    😎

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

      hahhaahh

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

      Brilliant

  15. TheBusDriver
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    I knew as soon as the transfer window shut he would drop Mata

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

      I know

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

      Sad little man

  16. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    man how funny was big train 😆

  17. faver
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    GL lads!
    Wish you high scores!

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

    Mkhitaryan and Lingard starts...

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

      Mata and Martial dropped. Spells a big change in tactics for Mourinho

  19. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Would have had Mkhi over Martial but not Lingaard over Mata, suggests counter attack with some serious pace from Maureen team today

    1. SW6
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Rooney will do his best to slow down all counter attacks no doubt.

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

      Would you not have had just Mikhi over Mata then. Martial is probably our quickest attacker

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

      Early season big game. Mou always plays tight, no loss is 1st priority.

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

    Well done those who picked a Hammer def. CS locked in.....

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

      ?

  21. Arceus
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Rashford to score the winner again in injury time. 1-0

  22. Sandy Ravage
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Valencia, Ibra & Sterling. Predicting 2-1 to Man U, hoping for an Ibra brace with Valencia & Sterling assist to get the GW off to a good start.

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

    Thought the deadline was at 1 pm, didn't activate my WC.
    -40 points

    I'm cryint

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

      why did you do that anyway?

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

        Logged in to activate it but it was to late

    2. Your Mum's Athletic
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      only have yourself to blame if this is true

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

      Damn! Feel sorry for ya.

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

      Still no link...

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

        this.

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

      Why did you not activate the Wildcard 2 weeks ago? Have you ever seen a 1pm deadline for FPL before!

    6. dcarlito
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Proof?

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

      Your need for attention needs addressing.

      You're not crying.

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

    rashford to start the europa league game with ibra rested then?

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

      Rashford will start all midweek games this season

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

      This was always going to happen.

  25. AnotherBareBum
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Jesse go on son

  26. Captain Vantastic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    How long does the new update takes?

  27. KP02
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone else have that horrible feeling that they made a poor last minute change....

    Got Ozil and Lukaku for Sanchez and Iheanacho......

    Hope it doesn't come back to bite me!

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

    Costa (C). Lets do this!

  29. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    These teams stink of a 0-0 imo

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

      Maureen parking the bus

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

      Both teams are pretty exciting

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

      With Jesse and Mik in the team?

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

    City bench please?

    1. AA33
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Caballero, Zabaleta, Fernando, Sane, Clichy, Navas, A.Garcia