The Pre-Match Preamble - Gameweek 38 Opinion
1 April 2017 1657 comments
Mark Mark
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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. For Fuchs Sake
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    GTG?

    Pickford
    Holebas Olsson Valencia
    Eriksen Mane King Siggy
    Kaku Llorente Kun (c)

    Grant Capoue Pieters McAuley

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

      McAuley 1st sub
      Siggy(c)

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

      Yep

  2. 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, all out this week

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

      Good luck, looks okay to me...

    2. Dasher0303
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Nice moves

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

      No
      Selling Aguero to get Sanchez could hugely backfire

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

      Coleman and Antonio
      To
      Davies and Mahrez?
      Play Baines on pens

  3. ChadW98
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Who to bench?
    A.) Sterling
    B.) Llorente
    C.) King

    1. Dasher0303
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      C

  4. Dasher0303
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    What should I do:

    A) Play Baines (other defenders are Cahill, Valencia, Brunt, Chambers p

    B) Baines/Brunt to T.Davies for a hit this week

    I think B is a good option since Spurs chances for clean sheet are quite high and their fixtures are great, and rose probably is coming till near end of April.

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

      Play Baines
      Always a chance of a pen in a Derby

      1. Dasher0303
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Lukaku on pens now because of golden boot tho?

  5. bring_on _the_fantasy
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    is Son likely to start today?

    1. Dasher0303
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

    2. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 18 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      I think it's 70-30. Janssen was a doubt which could seal it.

  6. Numb
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    f those leaks re the Everton team are true, Liverpool could really fill their boots today!

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      10 men behind ball?

      We know liverpool don't cope well with that

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

        This

  7. Davido989
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    @Tony_Scott11 Everton set to name six players aged 23 or under in the starting line up in today's Merseyside derby.

    I think I'm going Mane captain. I assume that a Holgate Davies CalvertLewin Barkley and 2 others?

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

      Pennington

      1. Davido989
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers WR. Think I've got to go Mane or Bobby F captain. And either enjoy today and suffer depression.

    2. Numb
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Pennington

      Not sure on the other

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

        Oh, Lukaku

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

      Lukaku

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

      Lukaku is one though

    5. Lawrø
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Pennington?!?

      1. Mark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 18 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah, talk is that he's in the back three with wing-backs.

        1. Junior ⚽
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Would you captain Mane Mark if you owned him?

        2. Numb
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Wouldn't he be wing back?

        3. Lawrø
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 8 months ago

          Behind the sofa for you then Mark! πŸ˜€

          Everton to park the bus with youngsters...

    6. justmatt
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Lookman?

      1. Davido989
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Good about actually.

  8. Jebiga
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    so lukaku it is. hes in great form

  9. Tomas Brolin ate all Depays
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Buy tadic or alli ?

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

      I prefer Alli... form decent fixtures... better team. Tadic flatters to deceive

    2. Barmak
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Alli, no contest!

  10. 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

    Thanks

    1. JayBomb
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      ? tough choice this week go with form and gut

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

    (C)outinho then?

    1. BadgersBoys
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Actually debating it now

    2. Moose™
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Merseyside derby game should have lots of goals right?

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

        Nope - bus parking imminent

  12. Junior ⚽
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    good luck getting a reply

    1. BadgersBoys
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Yep

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

      Could happen, tho?!

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

    So who will miss the sitters for Pool now with Lallana out?

  14. Dasher0303
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Sanchez or Costa for captain??

    1. Jayv807
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Sanchez for me

  15. JayBomb
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Captain

    A Costa
    B Kun
    C Tadic
    D Lukaku
    E Mane
    F Siggy

    Thanks for help

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

    Given I don't have a wildcard left, is Ben Davies too much of a short term punt?

    I've got Jones and Brunt stinking up my defence (Valencia/Baines/Alonso the other 3)

    1. Dasher0303
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      No he will play until gw35 and can get attacking returns, plus he's very cheap. I am getting him and don't have a wildcard left

      1. Will
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers Dasher-looked at those fixtures again, and I agree.

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

      Davies will be good for 4-5 games, but you will need to transfer him when Rose returns.

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

    Play McAuley, Maguire OR get Davies for a -4?

  18. BALOOO
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    OK quick, who are you folk going with (C)? Still undecided, just woke up need to sort it out!

  19. WE GO FOR IT
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Pick one to start:
    A. Davies
    B. Cedric

    Pick one to bench:
    1. King
    2. Lanzini
    3. Deeney

    1. Dasher0303
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      A1

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks!

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

    I want Bobby F now

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

      Me too πŸ™

  21. Oggle22
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    G2G:
    Jakupovic
    Alonso Walker Yoshida
    Sanch Alli Siggy Mane Barkley
    Lukaku Llorente

    Cech Lovren Pieter's Crouch

    Who to Captain and not convinced with Barkley any suggestions?
    1) Pedro
    2) Tadic
    3) Keep?

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Just go with your gut with captaincy. And keep Barkley

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

    Coutinho ➑ Bobby F for a hit?

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      No way

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

      good god no

    3. WE GO FOR IT
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      no

    4. BadgersBoys
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      You had hom on captain a minute ago. Are you bipolar?

    5. Lawrø
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Step away from FPL

  23. Make United Great Again
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Heaton
    Alonso Walker Valencia
    Siggy Mane Redmond Alli
    Aguero(C) Lukaku(VC) Costa

    G2G?

    1. Les Majesteux
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah, but Aguero C is a little risky

  24. raymonds
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    What is the Costa latest update?

  25. The Overthinker
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Aboard the Panic Station

  26. Les Majesteux
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    Not sure who to play. I also have Son. I think he will start up front and wont risk benching him. And i have Siggy and Llorente.

    So who would u play out of:

    A - Walker - Alonso - Davies

    B - Walker - Alonso - Olsson

    Reply
    0

  27. liiusions
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    ''perhaps it’s weekends like this that really decide our season.''

    Mark used his WC confirmed

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

      No chance. He's not daft.

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

    Haha, Mark starts a Siggy capt wagon only for it to be quickly replaced by a Mané wagon πŸ˜€

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      All aboard the Aguero wagon.

  29. FootballFanatic365
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 8 months ago

    GTG?

    foster//valdezvalencia alonso walker // mowson mcauly

    king sanchez Siggy Mane // son

    vardy Lukaku(c) llorente

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

    Start King or Llorente? Help Please πŸ˜€

    1. Ninja Škrtel
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 8 months ago

      Llorente of course...