The Pre-Match Preamble - Gameweek 38 Opinion
1 April 2017 1657 comments
Mark Mark
Share:

For all the noise surrounding double Gameweeks and chips, perhaps it’s weekends like this that really decide our season.

There’s no question that Gameweek 30 is a problem child. The usual methods just don’t apply. We have injuries and fatigue, the uncertainty of rotation ahead of a midweek programme and, on top of that, the fixtures conspire to reveal no obvious candidate for the captaincy.

It seems likely that we will see a sizeable split among the Fantasy Premier League managers – the armband is set to be thrown far and wide and, should one potential target break out with a haul, Gameweek 30 could be seismic.

I’m finding this troubling. While my decision making has been sound of late, it’s been founded on a wild, almost scatter gun approach to transfers – bring in 3-4 players and one has delivered big. For all its success, it’s not a particularly clever tactic and, to be honest, I’ve been riding my luck.

My natural instinct for Gameweek 30 is to regress back into the shell, hunker down and let it pass overhead. While some can say that this is a time to take risks, I see it from another perspective.

The β€œgamble” appears to be tied up in the armband – spending points on transfers alongside it seems somewhat unsound. I have to hope that, even if I get the captaincy wrong, I have the big scorers covered and can cushion the impact should one of them explode.

Maybe that helps make the key decision.

Those assets most capable of delivering double figure hauls are surely the most likely to create a sea change in Gameweek 30. Diego Costa, for all his consistency, has not demonstrated the output to wound his non-owners with a 20-point haul. Alexis Sanchez seems a more likely executioner.

Currently, that’s guiding my thoughts. I have Sanchez and, while I recognise City as a more than capable opponent, I also see a player with an insatiable hunger to impress – a talent that can override Arsenal’s current misery.

Gylfi Sigurdsson is my other contender. A different animal entirely; while he’s not as combustible as Sanchez, he has provided three double-digit returns at home and against β€œweaker” opponents. Middlesbrough fit that profile nicely.

Swansea City have to target three points and the visitors, under their new regime, have to start to show some ambition rather than revert to Aitor Karanka’s turgid tactics of the past. It will be edgy, but an early goal might open it up for Sigurdsson.

I’m pretty sure that he takes the corners, penalties free-kicks, announces the line-ups over the PA system and takes the nets down at the end of the day. Sigurdsson is Swansea – if there’s goals for Clement’s men, I surely have to get points from it.

Both Sanchez and Sigurdsson have delivered in seven of their last eight Gameweeks, which tells me that rewards are on the cards, regardless of where my dart lands at 11.29.

Owning both, along with the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Sergio Aguero, could just be vital to the damage limitation process.

It’s perhaps not one decision that will see my through Gameweek 30 intact; it’s all those previous moves that have helped me acquire a cast of heavy-hitters than can hopefully cover the weekend’s big scorer.

But if Liverpool go mad, I’m done for. The problem child will have thrown a vicious tantrum to wreck my weekend within the first few hours.

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

  1. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Just finished watching Gods Must be Crazy movie ... brilliant

    1. Jafooli
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Great film.....

    2. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      That title is crazy

    3. GreatCarragherReef
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I think ill be watching 'Mods must be crazy' in the next 30 mins with a deadline on april fools' day

  2. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Breaking: Lala, Tinkywinky and Dipsy all also starting for Everton.

    Po on the bench.

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

      Noddy (C) then?

      1. We Will Klopp you
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Yes if Current captain lala makes way for Noddy

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

      What? Is Sun Baby injured or just dropped then?

  3. Lizard Lips
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Llorente captain?

  4. Wimmer winner chicken dinne…
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    start carroll or walcott

  5. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Who to (C) ?

    A). Hazard

    B). Mane

    1. Dele
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Mane

  6. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Play King or Llorente? I hve siggy

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

      Llorente ... same dilemma for me

  7. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    It's the captains that I don't even own that I fear most.. Hazard, Sanchez, Vardy 😐

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      This.

    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      This

    3. Dele
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I have Sanchez and Vardy, completely stuck.

      Keep flicking between the two. I got Vardy in for a hit this week so tempted to stick it on him.

      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        I'd do that then
        More chance of him getting a haul than Sanchez imo

    4. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      You forget Heaton and Defoe

  8. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Thank Mark
    Keeping the armband on Siggy then
    Mane (vc)

  9. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Captaining Lukaku is brave without Coleman there to tirade down the right.

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Agreed
      Adjustment will take a while

  10. Frank Koscielny
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Played WC this week and need to sort out long term defence. Please advice

    A) Bavies - Fabio/Chambers - Cedric

    or

    B) Verthongen - Chambers - Yoshida?

    Cheers!

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Bavies is for 4 weeks. Vertonghen is for life. Or the end of the season

      1. Frank Koscielny
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers!

    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      B

      1. Frank Koscielny
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers!

  11. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    What forum is this

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      AA

      1. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        πŸ˜€ hic

        1. Ha.
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          8 hours clean 😎

    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      FFA

  12. Sahil Yadav
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Need funds for Barkley>Alli. Which one to go for:

    A) Costa to Vardy
    B) Baines to Davies
    C) Don't do it

  13. The Red Devil
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Start who-
    A-Olsson
    B-Mccauley

    Capain who-
    1-Siggy
    2-Lukaku
    3-Mane
    4-Alonso
    5-Valencia
    6-Aguero
    7-Alli

    Cheers

    1. _Gunner
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Olsson and a tough one Aguero/Mane for me.

    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      B4
      Utd are going to struggle and will be susceptible at set pieces now

  14. Lizard Lips
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Totally stuck on captaincy. Been on Mane, Siggy, Aguero and even Alonso, now considering Llorente. Help!!!!

    1. Dirty Leeds
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Mane

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

    Cap:
    A. Kun
    B. Lukaku
    C. Mane
    D. Siggy
    E. Alonso
    F. Costa

  16. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Captain siggy, kun or tadic?

  17. Allthepresidentsmen
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Jaku (heaton)
    Walker,Valencia,Mawson (Mcauley, Pieters)
    Sanchez,Alli,Mane,Siggy,lanzini
    Lukaku(c) llorente (4.5)

    Good to go ?

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

    Remy's owner must be gutted he can't play against his parent club today

  19. vandebeek
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Captain a) Alonso or b)Mane?

  20. F4L
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Any leaked Pool lineups?

  21. joersherman
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Baines > Davies (-4)? Would be playing Baines otherwise.

    1. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Play Baines and hope for a penalty

  22. Zareos
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Already brought in Valencia this week. Would you take a hit?

    A. Son to Alli;
    B. Save?

    1. vandebeek
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Save of course. You never know who will shine and Son as a striker...

  23. EDEN THE MAN
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Captain?

    Costa
    Siggy
    Sanchez
    Mane

  24. # Young Gun SEAMUS #
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    is lukaku out ???

    1. Aiden Mcgeady πŸ˜†
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Seamus concentrate on your own injury

  25. Giovanni Giorgio
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    The score predictions in the members area. What are those based on?

  26. jayzico
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    What has Mark said about Siggy that's making y'all captain him. Anyone got a link? Cheers

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Look up

    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      πŸ˜€

    3. Ha.
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      The article...

    4. Giovanni Giorgio
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Well I don't know what he said but he's kinda good isn't he. And Middlesbrough are not

    5. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Siggy be Due

  27. Herju
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Anynews about costa?

  28. GXNG
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Is nobody captaining Defoe v watford no?

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      maybe...not

    2. Aiden Mcgeady πŸ˜†
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      He scored in one of

      1. Aiden Mcgeady πŸ˜†
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        His last seven games

  29. Son of Rambo
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Baines, Coleman, Antonio and Aguero to Valencia, Davies, Sanchez and Vardy for a -8 about to be confirmed.

  30. F4L
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Panic Panic Panic