The Pre-Match Preamble - Gameweek 38 Preamble
1 December 2012 1337 comments
Mark Mark
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This is a troublesome morning. Itโ€™s one of those mornings for Fantasy managers when you know youโ€™re on the edge of making a decision that could make or break the day โ€“ 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 itโ€™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, Iโ€™ve now dug myself into a scouser-shaped hole.

This morningโ€™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.

Thereโ€™s an obvious replacement and, in many ways, itโ€™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 โ€“ a fixture that offers goals for Brendan Rodgersโ€™ side and maybe even a clean sheet. When you look at Liverpoolโ€™s fixtures compared to Evertonโ€™s thereโ€™s even a case to extend Enriqueโ€™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 โ€“ 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 Enriqueโ€™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, itโ€™s โ€œas you wereโ€ for Liverpool, with Downing retaining his start at left-back at Wisdomโ€™s expense on the bench.

Todayโ€™s other decisions are also calmed by the press lineups โ€“ Tevez is included in all but the Daily Mailโ€™s prediction, Theo Walcott is listed in every one of our morning papers for Arsenal.

Itโ€™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. Marty McFly
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Who to bench:

    1) Mata (whu)
    2) Sess (nor)
    3) Tevez (EVE)

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    1. HappyAnkit
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Sess/

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    2. Park the bus
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      You know the answer. Ridiculous

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

        Not really.

        Sess has outscored Tevez for the past 2 weeks and Mata for the past 3.
        Sess will play 90 minutes. Tevez might not play.
        Sunderland will have more shots than Chelsea.

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    3. gerrard08
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      sess

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    4. Sammy
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Sess

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  2. pompeyfan
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    How come people know the liverpool line up so early?

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    1. Hubert
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      psychic

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    2. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      It usually is released early.

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    3. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      People can't keep a secret

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    4. reply fail
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      You want to get the dirt out as soon as possible ๐Ÿ˜‰

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  3. Blue Teets
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    3 Liverpool players..... I feel dirty.

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    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      You should do.

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  4. UKG
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Play Cameron or Nelsen, Bego in goal

    Cheers

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

      nelsen

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  5. RafaMC
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Walcott in for Hazard worth a 4pt hit ??????

    Walcott potential to be explosive V Hazard playing under Defensive Rafa

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    1. RafaMC
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      anyone ??

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

        did it for a free myself, wouldn't be sure for -4 though

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

        not for a hit mate

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  6. HappyAnkit
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Benching Rafael in place of Garrido

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    1. Madness

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    2. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Why???

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      1. HappyAnkit
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        Norwich more chance of CS?

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

          you think so?

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  7. ididnt
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Last minute blind panic.

    Play Michu or sterling? Already playing enrique. Thanks

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Michu

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

      Miguel Perez Cuesta

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  8. โญ Bemba_Da โญ
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Play cuellar or baines? Feel like cuellar more chance of cs?

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    1. HappyAnkit
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Baines

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

      If I had Baines I wouldn't decide if I'm playing him on the likelihood of him getting a CS

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  9. Is tebez likely to start today?

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

      Does God exist?

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      1. Qubit
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        No, but Tevez will start.

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      2. Eddie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        Are bears Catholic?

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        1. GREENDREAMS11
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 1 month ago

          Does the Pope shit in the woods?

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

    enrique out baines in worth a 4 point hit? hahahaha

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

      As a Baines owner who doesn't have Enrique, I say there is no need for these kind of posts.

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

    Boaz Myhill never had a CS in Premier League History...

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    1. Pinoche
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Stoke are toothless at the mo.

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    2. HappyAnkit
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      He will have it today

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  12. Evs
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    I think that' LFC lineup increase their chances of a clean sheet.

    I am quite happy with that as an Enrique owner.

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    1. Bad Pen
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      There's also every chance of Enrique being pushed up the pitch when substitutions are made.

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    2. Podge
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      He'll still get forward anyway

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    3. cylus11 ( Manager) - Russia…
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Will you captain Enrique now that hes listed as 3rd foward + Clean sheet potential.

      My other options are Bale and Suarez. Leaning towards Bale at the moment.

      Any thoughts

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      1. Evs
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        No, way 3rd rule of fpl...

        NEVER captain a defender.

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

      I'd forgo the three shots on target for a CS.

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  13. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    This place is demented sometimes. How is Enrique a fail when he is under 6 million, plays in a fairly strong def, has good fixtures coming up, and is home to Southampton today? The fail is dropping Baines, not getting Enrique.

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

      Right on.

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  14. Dial Square
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    The silver lining in the Enrique news, assuming Demi is right, is that with Lucas back Liverpool might start getting clean sheets. ๐Ÿ™‚

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    1. Podge
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      2 out of last 3

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  15. 12th Man
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Mata ---> Walcott or Santi?

    Not sure if Walcott will play today?

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

      Gervinho and Walcott both playing together hasn't ever worked yet really (because they cough up the ball so much) - but it sounds like that might be happening today.

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    2. Mickeyjohn
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      walcott has alot more potential to score until january WC so go with him!

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      1. 12th Man
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks guys. Walcott it is ๐Ÿ™‚

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

    Should I play Giroud (rumoured for a rest. But if he comes on its cos he's needed to score a goal)
    Or Ramirez - starting, but at Anfield

    ?

    Thanks

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    1. Smakies
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      i'm playing giroud

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    2. โญ Bemba_Da โญ
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      where are these rumours, any source?

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    3. Pinoche
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Giroud IMO.

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

      Ta

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    5. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      You don't even know if Giroud isn't starting or Ramirez is, so just play Giroud imo.

      He was rumoured to be missing a while ago and he played.

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

        True, but having watched him the last games you can tell he badly needs a rest. Nothing left to give, just sticking his leg out at stuff. Sort of hope he does get a rest. But anyway... starting him.

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  17. YingYang
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Took a chance bringing in Theo (already have santi). Pay your money take your chance ๐Ÿ˜‰ Goodluck for this GW gentlemen. Yes I'll need it ๐Ÿ™‚

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  18. SirStevieG
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Start Routledge or Puncheon?

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

    Can someone tell me if Wisdom is 200% out, had him 2 weeks hasn't started both. Damn.

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

      Yes.

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  20. gerrard08
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    morrison vs fellaini

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    1. Phoenix Wright
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      I'm playing Morrison (WBA)

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  21. Mumm-Ra
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Tutt, it seems i'm being blanked more times on here this morning than i was out on the pull last night.
    ๐Ÿ™

    Where's that rope.......

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

      Is wisdom out? Answer that and i'll not blank you ๐Ÿ˜›

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

        After going to the game on Wednesday and seeing how bobbins Downing actually is, I'll be amazed if Rodgers doesn't shuffle his left backs around. So there is a good chance

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  22. Low-Life
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Giroud to be rested?

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

      I'd die.

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      1. Low-Life
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        I just bought him this morning ๐Ÿ™‚

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  23. Sarnab
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Play Michu or Fletcher??

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    1. gerrard08
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      50-50

      choooose

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    2. RafaMC
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      michu

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    3. The Light Knight
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Fletcher

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  24. That's Groß
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    STaylor > Nastasic for a four point hit?

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    1. RafaMC
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      yes

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    2. gerrard08
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      worth imo

      city defense solidest

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

      no way

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    4. Demel
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      No. I have been wondering that. Just bring him in for free this evening.

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  25. mufc802
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Should I play Jaask at home against Chelsea or Mignolet away against Norwich?

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    1. jonnybhoy
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      I think chelsea will score so id go for mignolet

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  26. Tribecca
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Any news on Crouch???

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

    enrique owners on their knees praying for 6 points today

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  28. jonnybhoy
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling or fellaini someone help??

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  29. Studgie G
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Why would Enrique Bandwagon end. He'll either play lb or lwf does it really matter when Lucas is back teams will have trouble breaking Liverpool down so he'll get cleanies anyway.

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  30. tim
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    RVP or Suarez (C) ?!?

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    1. filobiz
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      LUIS

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