Opinion

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 33

Keep it to low tones, but a late-season surge might be on.

This time last year I was all about consolidation to grind a route into the top 100 (and ultimately failing), but risks are still on the agenda now.

It’s akin to my 2014/115 campaign which, famously featured the “Waitrose hat-trick” from Sadio Mane, powering me to a dramatic final sprint to accompany my pots of organic hummus.

It’s impossible to reach those heights, but I can claw back some places in a few mini-leagues and perhaps still reclaim my top five status in the Hall of Fame. I’d file that under “a successful season”.

My differentials have to go on delivering. They need to take inspiration from Marko Arnautovic. In fact, Arnautovic needs to repeat last weekend’s heroics and I need to conjure a soft Southampton penalty or a Harry Maguire deflection off his sizeable backside.

I’ve already enough in place to keep the momentum going, but I need to resist any rash moves in an attempt to force it.

There’s certainly been plenty of temptation.

The combination of Harry Kane’s return and Mohamed Salah’s likely absence from today’s teamsheet is a seductive mix.

Believe me, I’ve all explored the options, checked all possible routes to welcoming Kane back a week ahead of schedule.

If I had the extra 0.1 required to do Salah to Son Heung-min and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Kane, then I would have committed.

As it is, I’m putting faith in Charlie Austin to replace the Egyptian, and in Aubameyang to keep pace with the Kane captains.

Belatedly Son arrives today, offering some cover of Spurs’ potential at Stoke as the Henrikh Mkhitaryan experiment is officially classified as a failure. His injury is unfortunate, but I can hardly bleat when Arnautovic has covered over the cracks so effectively.

Funds permitting, I might have opted for Dele Alli.

I have some concerns that Son will miss starts, but he should still get minutes in each of the seven matches, and with Spurs likely to emphasise attack to help Kane’s passage to the Golden Boot, Son is capable of confirming his status as the most explosive and consistent Spurs midfielder.

Salah’s a far bigger dilemma, and by holding him for now, I’m giving myself much-needed thinking time.

If I could move him without a hit, again it’s likely I would have reached for the button. But I want to see how Tuesday evening unfolds and how that impacts the landscape.

Salah dodging is a dangerous past-time, but one which dangles some intriguing possibilities.

Many high-rank managers will likely be mirroring my low-risk policy of last season; they won’t welcome the option for the chasing pack to roll the dice.

But in my end of season dash, the Salah exit is the equivalent the final kick – it’s going to empty the tank so it’s all about timing.

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

1,845 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    last call before chaos:

    current WC draft:

    DDG
    Mustafi Morgan Christensen Kiko
    Salah Willian Mahrez Alli
    Kane Aubameyang (c)

    Hennessey Barnes Mili Lowton

    0.8 ITB (for Auba >> Lukaku next week)

    No FH so had to build a team full of DGW34 players, a good amount of GW35 players and a team adaptable for DGW37...

    Does this look good to go??

    Thanks

    1. Johan Queef
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Yeah I rate that a lot. This is where I wish I'd built more TV as I can't get near to that!

    2. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Couldn't stretch funds for auba->luk next week but I think Morata might be a viable alternative

    3. Red Rock
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I like it, the defence is different

  2. WVA
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Firmino Salah and Robertson on my bench!

    Lukaku not dropping last night prevents me doing Firmino > Lukaku.

    Could do Salah > Sanchez?

    1. grumpyman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Lukaku could still drop tonight. Spurs mid or save till tomorrow.

      1. Homer21
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        He'll more than likely not drop tonight as people getting him in for DGW 34

      2. JustPark
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Nice try lol

    2. Bubbles1985
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I think I've decided to wait for mid week games and then go Salah > Sanchez too

  3. fridge
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    On WC with FH35

    Ryan
    Christensen. Vert. Morgan
    Mahrez. Erik. Willian. Ibe
    Kane. Aub. Barnes

    De Gea. Lingard. Tark. Lowton

    Would you swap Erik, Ibe, Tark for Son, Gross, Masuaka ?

  4. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    salah to hazard and TC?

    1. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      oops priced out, bullet dodged

      1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Hahahaha

  5. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    PLZ help here, which WC team ?
    https://imgur.com/a/uXP1V

    1. willl
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Write the comparisons out, less effort to reply.

      1. Nightf0x
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Ryan
        Morgan lowotn christensen
        Mahrez salah wilain
        Auba barnes kane

        The rest of the team which ?
        A) ddg mustafi verto lingard Lcook
        B) loris smaling simspon son king
        C) ddg triper simpson son king
        D) ddg morgan dunk(or hoorn/tarko/arnold) son king

        1. willl
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          D

          1. Nightf0x
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 11 months ago

            Edit d) with chilwel as morgan is already in team

  6. ignis88
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Who to start this week?

    Choose 2:

    A) Tomkins (BOU)
    B) Milli (BOU)
    C) Gudmundsson (WAT)
    D) Smalling (CITY)
    E) Kiko (burn)

    De Gea - Hennessy in goal

  7. klavan
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Auba or Kane Captain?

    1. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      K

    2. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I've gone Auba but both will get a brace

      1. Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Crystal ball?

  8. pug_chops
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Last minute WC decision
    A) Morgan
    B) Chilwell

    1. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      A

    2. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      A

      1. pug_chops
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks. This is for DGW so thinking security of starts

    3. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      A

    4. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Morgan Freeman

  9. TheTinman
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Lloris
    Alonso Dunk Lowton
    Mahrez Son Willian JLingz
    Lukaku Auba Vardy

    Ryan Morgan Gudmundsun Stephen's

    G2g??

    1. fiveyears
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Morgan over Lowton for me, 50-50 call though

      1. TheTinman
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Toon fan

    2. Sandy Ravage
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Gtg. Think Newcastle could get a score draw at Leicester. Howay The Lads!

  10. zizoo10
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    on WC, g2g?

    Ryan
    Christensen • Vert • Morgan
    Son • Alli • Mahrez • Willian
    Auba • Vardy • Barnes

    DDG - Ibe - Lowton - Tark

    1. The Cherry Picker
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Gtg

    2. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      yes

  11. The Cherry Picker
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Captain Alli or Son?

    1. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Alli if you must

    2. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Son

    3. The Cherry Picker
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Really? Why

  12. Maarrrr17
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Salah + Albrighton orrrrrr Lingard + erikson

    1. The Cherry Picker
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      B

    2. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Lingard one

    3. TheTinman
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      JLingz brah

    4. grumpyman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      B

    5. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      B easy

  13. Shrimpy
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    GTG?

    Ryan
    Mustafi, Morgan, Lowton
    Hazard, Mahrez, Son, Willian
    Auba (c), Vardy, Barnes

    DDG, Gudmundsson, Smalling, Stephens

    1. The Cherry Picker
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Gtg

    2. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Yeah good luck. Spot on

  14. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    A) Lingard - Chilwell - Hennessy

    Or

    B) Ibe - Christensen - Ryan

    (Will play both the defender and the GK this week, and play all 3 next week)

    1. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      B

    2. The Cherry Picker
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      B

  15. Homer21
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    WC finalised, TV plummets from 106.0 to 104.4, but needs must!

    1. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Yes

    2. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Doesn't matter towards end

    3. Sandy Ravage
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      You'll probably be up to 105.0 by next weekend if you brought in the right players on your wildcard

  16. UnitedFan
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Who first on the bench?

    A) Lowton (wat)

    B) Fernandez (wba)

    1. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      B

    2. ignis88
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Who are staring ahead of Lowton?

  17. MGD
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    I wont sell Salah,
    nanananana
    I don\t have Mane.
    Nanananana-na
    And i've sold Firminioooo

  18. _Gunner
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Who is a better pick on WC?

    A- Morgan ( have Chilwell)
    B- Tarkowski ( have Lowton)

    1. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      A if you don’t want any other attacking lei

      1. Richd
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Personally I maxed 3 Leicester and 3 Burnley. Value town.

    2. The Cherry Picker
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Tark

  19. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 11 months ago

    Who is more likely to keep a cleansheet?

    A)Leicester
    B) Burnley

    1. The Cherry Picker
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Lei

    2. MTPockets
        5 years, 11 months ago

        a

      • Richd
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Lei by a distance

      • klavan
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        a

      • MGD
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        2.5 on Leicester and 5 on Burnley.

        So bookies think Leicester

      • Tshelby
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks all

    3. Göönër W&eum…
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      I'm going Ryan over deGea, I also have Dunk.

      Double BHA defense pr Morgan?

      1. Richd
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Double Brighton. Huddersfield Aden impotent

        1. Göönër W&eum…
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Cheers mate

      2. true_Jerry
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        debating the same, might play Morgan tho

        1. Göönër W&eum…
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          If I was playing DDG I'd play Morgan, but as I am playing Ryan and expecting a clean sheet, Dunk makes sense, I think!

    4. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      Play:

      a) Kiko
      b) Lowton (got Barnes if thats matter)

      1. The Cherry Picker
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Kiko

      2. Richd
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        A

    5. zizoo10
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 11 months ago

      wait why is everyone starting ryan over ddg? utd to park the bus and succeed no?

      1. MTPockets
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Fixtures & clean sheet odds

        • Richd
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Huddersfield can’t get hard

      2. Shrimpy
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Did Pep say he is playing his best squad?

        1. The Cherry Picker
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Rotation heavy

      3. MaRooney 5
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        On WC

        Lennon or Lingard?
        Will Jesse start next 3 games?

        1. The Cherry Picker
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Lin, probs not but he’s still best option

      4. The Yorkshire Pirlo
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Aubameyang captain. Mahrez vice.
        Barnes auto sub for Salah.

        G2G?

        Ryan
        Lowton, Morgan, Alonso
        Willian, Son, Groß, Mahrez, Salah
        Aubameyang, Lukaku

        DDG, Barnes, Valencia, VDH

        1. The Cherry Picker
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 11 months ago

          Yeah, gtg

      5. Klaren
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Is there a leaked Liverpool line-up?

      6. itisrw
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Pope
        Davies Mustafi Azpilacueta Van Dijk
        Mahrez Son Willian
        Vardy Kane Auba

        Elliot
        Phil Jones
        Carroll
        McArthur

        Who to captain?!?!

      7. FPL Emu
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Chances of Christensen playing both DGW fixtures you think guys?

        Thinking of switching for Aurier in a draft league

      8. Dannyb
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Rp
        gtg?
        Ddg (Ryan)
        Alonso Christensen Dunk (Tark Morgan)
        Sanchez Mahrez(c) Willian Gro€ (Gudm)
        Lukaku Auba Barnes

      9. HD7
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 11 months ago

        Subs: De Gea, Tark, Gudm, Baily

        Should I start Salah or play one of my bench players?