The Pre-Match Preamble - Gameweek 38 Preamble
1 December 2012 1337 comments
Mark Mark
Share:

This is a troublesome morning. It’s one of those mornings for Fantasy managers when you know you’re on the edge of making a decision that could make or break the day – one that, if it falls badly, will curse the weekend and hand you the task of picking yourself up off the floor for the next Gameweek.

Leighton Baines is a doubt and it’s a situation that causing me no end of consternation. With two transfers tucked under my arm, this Gameweek should have been in hand. However, hesitancy on Wednesday night (see the ScoutCast) deprived me of my decided transfers and meant that, with Baines a doubt, I’ve now dug myself into a scouser-shaped hole.

This morning’s press fail to provide answers. If anything, they confirm the worst. Only the Guardian finds a tentative spot for Baines in their Everton lineup at City, with the The Sun and The Independent drafting in Bryan Oviedo at left-back, while the rest opt for Sylvain Distin against his former club. In short then, the press have little hope that Baines will turn up at City.

There’s an obvious replacement and, in many ways, it’s a decision that requires little consideration. Jose Enrique is set to play another game pushed up in the final third to support Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling and he faces Southampton – a fixture that offers goals for Brendan Rodgers’ side and maybe even a clean sheet. When you look at Liverpool’s fixtures compared to Everton’s there’s even a case to extend Enrique’s stay over Baines for the coming weeks. Liverpool have three home games in four and, if Enrique can maintain his advanced starting role, he should rival even Baines for attacking threat.

The trouble, of course, is that Baines is a favourite player of mine – a designated season keeper who may have disappointed in recent weeks but who has shown potential almost every match to deliver strong attacking returns. Losing him now is a tough decision when, in the back of my mind, I just know that there will likely be obstacles to getting him back in a hurry.

At least there seems to be little concern over Enrique’s credentials. All the press lineups name him safely nestled next to Suarez in the Liverpool attacking trio; Andre Wisdom makes his return in The Sun, The Guardian and The Telegraph, with Stewart Downing making way. In our other three papers, it’s “as you were” for Liverpool, with Downing retaining his start at left-back at Wisdom’s expense on the bench.

Today’s other decisions are also calmed by the press lineups – Tevez is included in all but the Daily Mail’s prediction, Theo Walcott is listed in every one of our morning papers for Arsenal.

It’s left to Baines to cast a cloud over my morning, then. To leave me facing the prospect of losing one of my darlings and approach the Gameweek with three Liverpool attackers. How did it possibly come to this?

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

  1. Mindless Freak
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    So Wisdom defo not playing according to demi?

    Open Controls
    1. Demel
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      He hasn't commented on Liverpool yet.

      Open Controls
      1. Absinthe Minded
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        Last page

        Open Controls
      2. Mindless Freak
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        He said something about bib theory?

        Open Controls
        1. In Like Flynn.
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 1 month ago

          Seems to work.

          Open Controls
      3. Demel
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        Ray missed that comment. My fail.

        Open Controls
    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Yes. Not sure if on the bench.

      Open Controls
      1. Mindless Freak
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        So it is confirmed then or...?

        Open Controls
  2. corkdude30
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Drop michu for Walcott or carzola for -4 anyone.

    Open Controls
    1. bdwhite91
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Nope

      Open Controls
    2. Phoenix Wright
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      No. Not for -4. Michu will play as a striker.

      Open Controls
      1. corkdude30
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers guys best Luck

        Open Controls
  3. Doctor X
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    I knew I shouldn't get onto the Enrique wagon 😀

    Open Controls
    1. bdwhite91
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      I hope someone left (c) on Enrique lol

      Open Controls
      1. Doctor X
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        Let's not hope for bad luck unto others.. I'm very superstitious 😛

        Open Controls
        1. Mindless Freak
          • 13 Years
          13 years, 1 month ago

          What happened to enrique?

          Open Controls
          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            13 years, 1 month ago

            LB.

            Open Controls
            1. seanie3
              • 14 Years
              13 years, 1 month ago

              how do we know that? what's the source

              Open Controls
  4. Marty McFly
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    How many minutes do you reckon Tevez will get today?

    Open Controls
    1. bdwhite91
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      0-90

      Open Controls
      1. Marty McFly
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        What about injury time?

        Open Controls
  5. Phil Thompson's Nose
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Darn. Lucas back and Enrique drops back to defence.

    Open Controls
    1. Dial Square
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Lucas back means pool clean sheets - always look on the bright side

      Open Controls
      1. Phil Thompson's Nose
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        #like

        Open Controls
  6. Pinoche
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Bale to Shelvey for -8?

    Open Controls
    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      For sure.

      Open Controls
    2. Pap Le Cissier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah do it!! 😀

      Open Controls
    3. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Don't be bloody daft.

      Open Controls
      1. Pap Le Cissier
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        See my reply about the vino? 2007 Cuna Reserve.

        Open Controls
  7. Pap Le Cissier
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Id love to see the chelsea and arsenal lineups.so i know what to do.with Hazard and Giroud.

    But back to reality...

    Open Controls
    1. Le Limpar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Same here. Was set for Giroud(c). Annoying.

      Now it's:

      Silva
      Cazorla
      RVP

      Open Controls
      1. Pap Le Cissier
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        Can beat that mate Hernandez, Giroud, Enrique and Suarez for 8 a couple of days back. 🙁

        Open Controls
        1. Le Limpar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 1 month ago

          Good moves long-term if not today mate. Nae worries

          Open Controls
          1. Pap Le Cissier
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            13 years, 1 month ago

            Yeah, was just hoping it would refresh my dying season but expecting another red for this week

            Open Controls
  8. elkunaguero
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Demi, do you have the Chelsea lineup for 1245 kick off?

    Open Controls
    1. Demí
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      no

      Open Controls
    2. Pap Le Cissier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Wishful thinking! 😉

      Open Controls
  9. Blue-Ghosts
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    THE ENRIQUE BANDWAGON HAS BEEN CANCELLED!!!!!! cue a baines goal today 🙂

    Open Controls
    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      He's still a good option. Good CS potential, good fixtures.

      Open Controls
    2. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Why? I've got him for the CS potential, 3 good home games in 4. He'll still get forward aswell.

      Open Controls
    3. bdwhite91
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      If they're going to get one penalty, it will probably be against City. Only takes the slightest touch.

      Open Controls
    4. Blue-Ghosts
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      right lads ye bought enrique for the clean sheets??? doubt that now in all fairness, the clean sheets were just a bonus

      Open Controls
  10. @FPLStrategist
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Lads, mignolet in goals, so which 3 to start from the following 5.

    Enrique, Cuellar, Clyne, Nelsen, Huth

    Open Controls
    1. Blue-Ghosts
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      bench enrique

      Open Controls
    2. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Enrique Huth Nelsen

      Open Controls
    3. Ben Mee Over A Table
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Enrique, Cuellar, Nelsen

      Open Controls
  11. the axolotl
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    utd have scored 3 goals away from home 4 times already this season. rvp it is for me

    Open Controls
    1. the axolotl
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      and reading have conceded 3 at home twice already this season, though their defence has improved of late

      Open Controls
    2. Doctor X
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      That was with Valencia and our 4-4-1-1-

      Open Controls
  12. Lawrø
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    I'm going to the Reading vs Utd game today

    Should I captain RVP or Suarez?

    I shouldn't let going to a game in real life alter my decisions but it is!

    Open Controls
    1. Your Mum's Athletic
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      RVP if your going to the game, has to be!

      Open Controls
    2. bdwhite91
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Stick with RVP. Suarez is hit or miss

      Open Controls
  13. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Get in Gibbs or Nastasic? the one who gets in will play next two for sure. Help would be very appreciated.

    Open Controls
    1. elkunaguero
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Nastasic

      Open Controls
      1. Hansel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        but SWA, WBA must be better fixtures than EVE, UTD right?

        Open Controls
        1. Champy
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 1 month ago

          Gibbs more attacking less chance of a clean sheet. But given the fixtures Gibbs for me

          Open Controls
        2. bdwhite91
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 1 month ago

          City can keep a cleansheet in any match. Plus Nastasic is on the rise. He should make a good profit over the next few weeks.

          Open Controls
    2. Champy
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Gibbs

      Open Controls
    3. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Brought in Gibbs this week, more attacking and much better fixtures.

      Open Controls
  14. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Geoff Arsenal ‏@GeoffArsenal
    Theo Walcott is fit for selection tomorrow.

    This was tweeted yesterday but good news

    Open Controls
    1. Blue-Ghosts
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      wonder if walcott will get a start up front! rumours giroud will be rested

      Open Controls
  15. Pinoche
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Bench Michu or Fellaini.
    First to 5 wins.

    Open Controls
    1. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Michu

      Open Controls
    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      michu

      Open Controls
      1. Hansel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        michu

        Open Controls
    3. Indalo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Fellaini
      Fellaini
      Fellaini
      Fellaini
      Fellaini

      Open Controls
    4. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Neither, imo.

      Open Controls
    5. Big Col
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Michu

      Open Controls
  16. Smurf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Glad I kept with G.Johnson now 😀

    Open Controls
  17. Mumm-Ra
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Hi Peeps, (REPOST!)
    My head is banging and I am not sure if i should use one of my two FT or not. At the moment i’m starting with

    Schwarzer (Fed)

    Rafael Enrique Cuellar (Demel, Hangeland)

    Morrison Sterling (vc) Michu Fellaini (Johnson)

    RVP (c) Tevez Berbs

    Shall I just stick or bring someone in? Obviously Cuellar/Johnson are in position for the DGW…
    Any help would be appreciated by a man who spent far too much time and money last night on booze + lapdances and is now in the midst of a hangover of nuclear proportions………

    Open Controls
  18. A.D.D
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    is Demi in the press?

    Open Controls
    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      You didn't know?

      Open Controls
    2. Willis.
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      No.

      Open Controls
    3. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Demi IS the press.

      Open Controls
  19. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Baines gonna make us all pay today.... 🙁

    Open Controls
  20. Balotellitubbies
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Keep the Baines faih. Said the same about Michu last week, just an exciting player to have.

    Open Controls
    1. Balotellitubbies
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      *faith

      Open Controls
    2. Blue-Ghosts
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      exactly mate!

      Open Controls
  21. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Sell or keep Baines?

    Open Controls
    1. Blue-Ghosts
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      keeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep

      Open Controls
  22. Indalo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Apologies if it's a daft question but for example if Suarez got a yellow card today and was suspended for the next game would his price be able to drop of would it be protected?

    Open Controls
    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Drop.

      Open Controls
      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        I think.

        Open Controls
      2. Indalo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        ok thanks 🙂

        Open Controls
  23. Flying Assassins
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Is anyone captaining Tevez or is Everton's DEF too solid?

    Open Controls
  24. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Before panics starts check Ballo new tattoo

    http://www.ekipa.mk/Pictures/Photo/baloteli%20tatu.jpg

    He is gods punishment? LOL 😆

    Open Controls
  25. Gobigorgohome
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    I have a feeling Baines will score a pen today. Because I just sold him. Every player I sold score the following GW. 🙁

    Open Controls
  26. Sarnab
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Enrique to Baines for a hit ?? 😉

    Open Controls
  27. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    enrique to baines?

    Open Controls
    1. the axolotl
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      🙂

      Open Controls
  28. Demí
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    No Carroll for West Ham today

    Open Controls
  29. Blue Teets
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    3 Liverpool players this week...ugh.

    Open Controls
  30. Mílanista
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Demi, thanks for the Liverpool lineup. Really helps me out this week.

    Open Controls