Opinion

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 27

Inactivity always leaves me feeling uneasy. No matter how favourable the assessment of my squad at the time, the decision to sit on my hands and “let things be” never comes easy.

It’s even more difficult ahead of today’s deadline. There are obvious blemishes to address, but the landscape created by the FA fifth round and Gameweek 31 promotes a stoic patient approach.

I’ve looked long and hard, but weighing up the percentages, I still can’t convince myself to use a transfer.

Nicolas Otamendi probably has a 50% chance of starting, Ogbonna has roughly 30% (being kind) of providing some points as his replacement from the bench. My proposed transfer – Virgil van Dijk in for the City defender – could beat them both, though he has a 98% chance of making a calamitous error with the boos of the St Mary’s faithful ringing in his ears.

It’s the value of the potential short-term gain, versus the value of more information on form, injuries and, crucially, Gameweek 31. As the latest subscriber to the Gameweek 35 Free Hit, it just doesn’t seem worth it.

The accepted thinking is to attempt to navigate through the impact of the FA Cup fifth round, but use the results and information prior to Gameweek 28 to guide transfers. Having two free trades at this point looks advisable and possibly a key advantage.

The theory is that there is enough opportunity in this tactic to set up an “acceptable” line-up for what remains of Gameweek 31.

As soon as the new chip arrived in our armoury, it was presumed that we’d deploy it for the diminished FA Cup Quarter-Final weekend.

But the ability to use the Wildcard – most likely in Gameweek 32 – to load up early on the teams confirmed to have double Gameweeks to come, could prove powerful.

In addition, the benefits of fielding a full XI in Gameweek 31 may yet be minimal, certainly compared with the impact of having to navigate out of Gameweek 35 – when the semi-final blanks will occur – with assets for double Gameweek 37 still intact.

For all the planning we devise at this point, there are still so many unknowns that could rip up our theories.

But one thing is certain; we need all this planning to pay off.

The strategies above, while seemingly sound, are far from straightforward to explain or execute. Because of that, we will try to convince ourselves that, as studied and meticulous Fantasy managers, this is a time when our efforts pay off.

We look forward to this part of the season, presuming that we can make up ground or stretch our lead over the Gameweeks that remain.

But perhaps this remains a dangerous assumption.

If I do stick with the Gameweek 35 Free Hit, I’ll be fascinated to look back and assess just how much of an advantage was gained.

If ever we needed a stark reminder that our tactics can sometimes be counter-productive, then Fusen’s latest analysis tool provides it.

Revealing our points tallies had we taken our hands off the wheel and made no transfers, it shows that I am just 11 points better off having made nine changes since Gameweek 20.

On that basis, I could have spared you a lot of Saturday morning wittering and myself hours of anguish and anxiety.

Maybe I should start being more relaxed about doing nothing.

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

1,342 Comments Post a Comment
  1. palace ash
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Last decision. Who to play?

    A) Milivojevic (eve)
    *Penalties and Free kicks
    *Everton off back of big defeat
    -Who's gonna win the set pieces with Zaha out?

    B) J Ayew (BUR)
    *Good form.
    *Swansea a different team until new manager.
    -Burnley likely to keep a clean sheet at home.
    .

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Tough call... maybe Ayew... as Milo unlikely to get consecutive returns

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Unlikely based on what?

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          His price tag

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      But yes Ayew excellent form Swansea no tark

  2. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Tough captaincy choice this week

    1. palace ash
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Kun for me

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Kun!

  3. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Comeon.
    Cap Salah or Kane?

    1. palace ash
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Salah

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Kun

    3. Jacket Potato
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Salah

  4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Some massive potential bandwagons could take off this weekend:

    - VVD due a goal + CS
    - Mkhi, any type of attacking return & he'll double rise again
    - Theo - same as Mkhi

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Will be on all 3 regardless next week unless injury

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Have all 3 hoping all you said is true lol. Might even jump on the Kun(c)

  5. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Captain choice so easy this week. I'm gonna have a massive green arrow.

    See you all from the top

    1. palace ash
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Kun

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        This

      2. Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        No

        1. palace ash
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Yes

  6. Weasel51
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    A) Kiko >> Fernandez
    B) Lingard + Kiko >> McCarthur + Van Dijk (-4)

  7. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    With the late return, should I play Lingard or Mahrez?

    1. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Tough. Mahrez but he might start from bench

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Can't see Mahrez doing much after throwing the toys out of the pram

    3. palace ash
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      J Lins

    4. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks lads

    5. Swans4life
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Ling

  8. n-doggg
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Play one:

    A. Kenny (CRY)
    B. Zanka (BOU)
    C. Duffy (stk)

    Captain:

    X. Kane (ARS)
    Y. Salah (sou)
    Z. Aguero (LEI)

    1. palace ash
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      C

      Z

    2. Swans4life
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      C y

  9. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    From gw28 onwards, which combo do you prefer:

    A: Son + Mkhi + Deu/Richarlison
    B: Son + Ramsey + Walcott
    C: Pogba + Ramsey + Walcott
    D: Mkhi + 7.3m mid + Walcott

    1. Whats the Mata?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      A/B

    2. palace ash
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      B

    3. Tired and weary
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      A with Deu, tempted by exactly that myself

    4. UnitednationsXI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      thanks gents, helps me alot to plan this weeks transfers

  10. CAPTAIN CRESPO
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Stuck guys-

    A.Son > Deulofeu
    B. Son > Walcott
    C. Save transfer

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      C

    2. palace ash
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      C

    3. Tired and weary
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      C - Son is prolific at home and the NLD is often full of goals

    4. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      C

  11. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Less than one hour till deadline, less than two hours to kickoff. Best time of the week, where the optimism of what lies ahead has not yet been smashed to pieces by the FPL Gods 🙂

    1. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I am second rank this gw.. the other guy claimed first rank..

  12. Chenku╰☆╮
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    We should be starting a new league.. who is top from this week on.. who wants to create one?

  13. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Who is mark capping?

    1. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Captains marks captain free bonus

  14. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Zanka, RLC and son to mariappa, duelofue and Walcott -4?

    1. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Keep son imo

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks, worried about sons minutes going forwards though

        1. Chenku╰☆╮
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Understand but take him out next gw.. this could be a high scoring game

    2. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I would hold on to Zanka personally with good fixtures and unlikely to blank

    3. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      just do cheek to Milo

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Can't afford

  15. nonprophet
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Hey people. What should I do. My team is good to go. Have 2ft and want to use one this week in my bench players
    Courtois
    Alonso Jones smalling Duffy oggy
    Salah sterling ibe pogba romue
    Kane kun Ayew
    Who should I replace Duffy with is the question. Don't want to waste a transfer... Thinking about blank in 31. Stoke, watford, liverpool, everton defender for 4.7 or under. Preferably as cheap as possible. Could also get Charlie daniels too.. Any suggestions appreciated as always

  16. Art Vandelay
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Might be irrelevant if Ota is benched, but Play Mee or Mawson?

    Cheers

    1. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Mawson

    2. nonprophet
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Mawson

  17. whatsgoingon
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Degea
    Otamendi Jones alonso mee
    Salah(c) Lingard Sterling Walcott
    Firmino Kane

    Elliot. Niasse Duffy Rlc

    1FT
    1)GTG, save FT?
    2) bench order ok?
    3) should I start niasse?

    1. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      would start him over Mee yes

  18. The Hindu Monkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Final decision. Bench two!

    Daniels
    Otamendi
    Lingard
    Milo

    1. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Daniels and Milo

    2. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Milo lingard

      1. The Hindu Monkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        why Lingard? Milo is set I think.

        1. Chenku╰☆╮
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Have a feeling lingard might be benched..

          1. The Hindu Monkey
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            slight agree. mass owned in my league so a big risk.

    3. Squashed
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Lingard Milo

    4. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Daniels, Lingard/Mili

    5. Swans4life
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Daniels milo

    6. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Lingard and Milo possibly

  19. Fresh_From_Desh
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Sergio Aguero has scored in each of his last six games at the Etihad in all competitions, netting 10 goals in that run. He’s never previously scored in seven consecutive home games for Manchester City.

    Should I captain him or play it safe with Salah?

    Kane is an option as well!

    Last hurrah for Kun this week!

    1. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Kane. highest ceiling this week

      1. Fresh_From_Desh
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        That arsenal back line is leaky as well!

        Tough one this week

  20. AusBest11
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Albrighton to Shaqiri for free or save?

    Jones Alonso Otamendi (ogbonna long)

    De Bruyne sterling Salah ibe (Albrighton)

    Vardy Kane Ayew.

  21. Manamongst
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Am I crazy for captaining Hazard or should I get rid of him altogether??

    1. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      If you're chasing it's a great punt

    2. Manamongst
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Schmeichel
      Daniels, Laporte, VVD
      Sterling, Hazard(C), Salah(V), Deulofeu
      Aubameyang, Firminio, Wilson

      Foster Stanislas, Holgate Mbemba

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      The crazy thing would be to get rid

      1. Manamongst
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        cheers. They are in such dire form, and I´ve been waiting for him (Hazard) to troll me (Captainsy-wise) again, like all season, so obviously I have been hesitant to get rid.

  22. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Slippery when wet.

    1. FlockofSeagulls
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      You got to be Joving?

  23. stamboy
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    TTA Saints away or Naughton (burn H)

  24. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Which one to play?

    A) Depoitre and hope he’ll eigther play or not in squad/unused sub
    B) Milivojevic

  25. Sjurberge
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Walcott in for Pogba? 1 FT

    1. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      What? No.

  26. Qubit
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Play Lingard or Niasse - actually leaning towards Niasse! Anyone care to disuade me?......

    1. Siggy Azalea
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Think lingards due a goal! Have gone for him this week

  27. stamboy
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Will Ota play?

  28. Swans4life
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Coleman worth a punt ?

  29. Siggy Azalea
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Moring all, G2G?

    Pickford
    Francis - Mawson - Azpi
    Son - Salah (c) - Lingard - Sterling
    Aguero(v) - Sturridge - Firmino

    Elliot - Ogbonna - Young - Lascelles

  30. tisza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Gotta choice of Kun, Kane, Salah or Hazard.
    Been on Kun all week - home form 7 in last 4.home games.

    I know Salah seems popular on here with people protecting rank etc. but pretty sure Kane will be most popular choice in game overall and Salah probably only 3rd most popular in top 10k.

    Isn't Salah's EO gets "distorted" because of his huge ownership. Only takes a few captainers take him over a 100%. But his average captaincy over last 5 GWs around 15-20% of top 10k. So say around 1800 teams.

    Kane ownership about 66% top 10k. Average captaincy last 5 GWs around 50% of those so 3300 teams. So surely Kane haul punishes more sides than Salah can?