Opinion

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 34

I’ve rarely been so downbeat about a double Gameweek.

Each season we seek them out. Like searching for the local derby in the fixture list, we anticipate them and look to relish every minute of exctitement they can deliver. These are the times we cherish as Fantasy Football managers; friends and family just don’t understand.

But this Gameweek 34 has never really convinced me.

Even before Thursday’s events, the allure of uncertain Manchester United assets, backed the unmagnificent Middlesbrough and Palace candidates, always struggled to appeal.

In midweek our one protagonist bowed out – the single asset who seemed most likely to break the double-digit barrier was cruelly removed from the equation.

It’s almost as if Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s knee buckled under the weight of our double Gameweek expectation.

Without our leading man, it’s now left to uncovincing understudies Christian Benteke and Alvaro Negredo to keep our show on the road. Confidence has taken a knock, but it seems we simply must pin our hopes somwehere.

We’ve seen it all before: previously, 70,000 of us based our double Gameweek prospects on a certain Stephane Sessegnon, such is our willingness to seek out that one big return.

Splintered over six days, the agony and anxiety of Gameweek 34 is set to be strung out and prolonged. We could easily end up heading into Wednesday praying for a Middlesbrough clean sheet and cheering every Ben Gibson clearance. If ever you needed to build a case on how Fantasy Football can warp your view of the beautiful game, there it is right there.

But this is perhaps part of the appeal of double Gameweeks. We spend the season steadily building around in-form assets, working towards any template that arises, then these end of season events arrive to shake things up and promote unlikely heroes.

The words Negredo and Triple Captain were never meant to sit within the same sentence. Just as Carroll and Triple Captain jarred twelve months ago.

But no matter how much we attempt to anticipate and strategise, somehow it seems these double Gameweeks creep up on us, forcing us down the most unexpected avenues.

Benteke and Negredo now have the opportunity to carve their names in Fantasy Football folklore over the course of the next seven days.

Clearly, Zlatan, for all his bravado, titles and winners medals, just couldn’t handle that kind of pressure. Sessegnon set the bar too high.

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

2,083 Comments Post a Comment
  1. LC1
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Who get more points?
    Negredo(c)
    Rashford (TC)

    1. Captain Vantastic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Hang on lemme look into the future

      1. LC1
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Great joke .. ha ha ha.. ha

        1. Rojo's Modern Life
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Ask a stupid question, get a...

    2. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      x3

    3. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Negredo...Rashford will prob only play 1 game

    4. d3bug
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Usually the one you don't own

      1. LC1
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        That's how it always goes!

    5. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Rashy. 2 + 6

    6. My Name Is Pepu
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Goalgredooo

  2. Forza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    I looked on YouTube to see if Negredo's done anything good against Sunderland... this was the first result. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xuk3Kp9vKz4

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      How's the state of the pitch

    2. the snazzy viking
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      lololo

    3. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      And this was the fourth. 😆 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99dMOAlUCZ4

      1. mcrayeps
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Fail C incoming

    4. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      😆

  3. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Is Allen starting?

    1. Kuqi Monster
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Yes

  4. Rainer
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    The Rashford trap caught a big load this GW 😛

    1. maditass
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      We all fell into it so hard and bad.............

    2. My Name Is Pepu
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Massive two pointer incoming for his owners

  5. HD7
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    OMG - the leader in my Money league has captained... Barragan...
    Second one is C Negredo like me but is -16 and Im third with my team WC and ready to have 14 DGW in 37..with some changes.... Really start to believe I can overthrow them!!!
    (60 pts behind them) 🙂

    1. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      F@@k me pink. Looks like there's a few bungs going around at the top there.

    2. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Good jesus

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        TBH with the luck that they ve had wont be surprised id Barragan has two Clean sheets and bonuses and Kaku and Aguero and Hull defenders have more points than DGW players 😀

  6. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Almost everyone captained negredo.

    Second most captained player is benteke.

    Gonna hide behind the sofa without dgw captain !!

    1. vectorman
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Get a sneaky feeling you'll be just fine.. It's us who should be hiding 😀

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Dont overthink 😛

  7. Only a Hazard of time
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 6 months ago

    Watching BOU-MID isn't normal behaviour. Don't do FPL.

    1. MTPockets
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Just say no.

    2. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      Both ML rivals bought in Herrera with ML leader having 6 DGW players for -16 over two weeks. He's benched King. Can't see it paying off.

    3. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 6 months ago

      What's that ownership website called again?

      1. Rainer
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        https://fpldiscovery.wordpress.com/

        Not updated yet.

      2. MTPockets
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Pogba caps?
          https://fpldiscovery.wordpress.com/

          1. Team Cruel
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            That's what I'm looking for. Think I'm the only one in the world who TC'd him 😀

        • Team Cruel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Cheers guys

      3. Ravager
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Funny thing is, regardless of what Negredo does, gonna be offloading him for Gabbi next week.

        1. djenzio
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          at home to a leaky City defence though?

          1. Ravager
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            City haven't actually been that leaky in the past few weeks in my opinion. Not as bad as before anyway.

            Gabbi's home to Hull and I plan on having him for the run-in

        2. suddenorgan
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          I've wanted Gabbiadini in my team for so long it's going to feel so right

          1. HD7
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            yep

          2. Ravager
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Yup. Don't mind if he gets something against Chelsea. Get his scoring boots warm

      4. JÆKS ⭐
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Because many are wildcarding this week or next week, will there be an article about it?

        1. Kuqi Monster
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Of course

      5. djenzio
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Can't wait to see Puncheon smash one in

      6. Jakarta
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Wow my rival has really gone for it and taken a -16 to get the entire suite of DGW options in. Negredo Benteke Rashford front line hah!

        1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Those bagging Negredo captain option need to chill. He plays two bad defenses over 120 mins. He's scored two in the last three. Great option.

          1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Post fail. Sorry

          2. djenzio
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            true but for -16 it's DGW madness

          3. HD7
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Lets hope you are right, 12pts from matchhed doubled to 24 will be ok?

        2. Feloh
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          might pay off

          1. Jakarta
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Might want do. I'm a little but excited for him.

      7. Jakarta
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        When does it show in the league score the hits deducted? Are they deducted as soon as the game updates or at the end of the GW?

        1. Coaly
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          After first points update (a couple of hours after last game finishes today)

        2. suddenorgan
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          when it updates, the score shown doesn't include hits.. get the betterFPL extension if you're on chrome and then you can see easily

      8. TheTinman
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Really want a Palace goal v Spurs

      9. Coaly
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Rank these four players for the run-in (GW35 onwards)

        1. Coutinho
        2. Firmino
        3. King
        4. Siggy

        1. My Name Is Pepu
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          King & Siggy, don't even rate the other two trolls especially Coutinho.

      10. HD7
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        So I decided to start King instead of Alli ( I have Kane up front and spread the risk) Come on Joshua Mr King make me proud! 🙂

        1. My Name Is Pepu
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          He will surely, Alli might be rested against Palace.

        2. suddenorgan
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          great option, looked dangerous last week

      11. Rainer
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        FPL Discovery - Updated!

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          What about http://www.ownershiptactics.com ?

          1. Rainer
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Yep, working for me too...

        2. suddenorgan
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          30.9% of top 10k with Negredo

      12. My Name Is Pepu
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Listening for months that Barragan isn't nailed, and he starts yet again 🙂

      13. Waynoo
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        as if people have "rivals"

      14. the snazzy viking
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Steve Agnew with his new snazzy red, white and blue tie.

      15. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Armband headache next week

        1. HD7
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Benteke or Gabi maybe... but lets see

        2. Here's Tom with the We…
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Think I'm going Kane

      16. Moose™
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Lads, roughly who wins this week?

        A) My team: (8 points ahead in ML)

        DDG

        Valencia Gibson Robertson

        Sanchez Alli King Zaha(vc)

        Kane Lukaku Negredo(c)

        Sub: Pickford Siggy Baines Fernandez

        B) ML rival team: (Benchboost played)

        DDG Boruc

        McAuley Baines Azpi Clyne Daniels

        Coutinho Alli Hazard DeRoon King

        Rashford(c) Benteke(vc) Lukaku

        1. My Name Is Pepu
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          You got this one IMO, your rival has timed his bench boost abruptly, won't get much out of it.

          1. Moose™
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            I always underestimate this guy, but he is a good player and have lots of good luck.

            Luckily he used all of his chips with remaining fixtures. I still have my WC, BB, TC. I got this?

            1. My Name Is Pepu
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 6 months ago

              Absolutely, you're in the front seat. He has just hurried his BB chip in a bid to overtake you.

      17. JustPark
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Can't wait to have Siggy brace this week. Any captain-er here?

        1. Moose™
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          For the first time, I benched him.

          1. JustPark
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Oh my..

      18. Ógie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Christian Benteke only 10% captained in the top 10k 🙂

        1. Fitzy.
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Glad to contribute... 😉

      19. MarkoSD
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Yeeessss wc activated 🙂 🙂 long time waiting 🙂
        foster pickford
        monreal yoshi kone holebas nyom
        alli alexis 5.1m sane king
        kane jesus gabbiadini

        thoughts?

        1. Annie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Too early for Jesus

        2. HD7
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Jesus isnt playing yet and... you get him...brave one

          1. MarkoSD
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            I'll get him for 37, benteke till then

      20. Rainer
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Kaku - 84.5% ownership & 11% captaincy in Top 10k.

        Damage!

        1. Fitzy.
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Ibra only 0.4% off being top captain pick overall... 😆

          1. Rainer
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            Bench-wonkery 😉

        2. Hibbo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Hows that damage?

      21. d3bug
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Bournemouth conecede a lot in headers
        Be happy negredo owners

      22. Arteta
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Mark captained Tekkers. Love it! Jammy bonus points confirmed 😎

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Sweet and a couple of assist added buckshee.......

        2. Rainer
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Could be his breakthrough week!

      23. Rojo's Modern Life
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 6 months ago

        Some very tasteless comments in this article. Ibra's knee 'Almost buckled under pressure of dgw expectation?' Oof. Some juvenile-tier stuff. Have some respect.

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          This site is full of immature idiots making stupid comments.

          1. vectorman
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            This is true but I suppose you have to take into account peoples ages and that some like to see the funny/fun side of this game too.. We don't want to take it too seriously if we can help it

            1. Fitzy.
              • 12 Years
              7 years, 6 months ago

              I don't think Jafooli was talking about the article...

          2. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 6 months ago

            What ? since when ?

        2. Hibbo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Poor enough preamble for me.

        3. Piggs Boson
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 6 months ago

          Don't be so sensitive, it was a good metaphor.