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

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. Breadbin
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    You tw@t Rafa. Just had to say that, not sure why.

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

      Don't think a reason is necessary ๐Ÿ˜‰

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

      It was a delayed reaction to him benching Mata last week. I'll find a reason this week, Chelsea scoring should annoy me enough.

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

    I kept the faith with Mata. Please score.

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

      I was in your shoes recently with Tevez, Mata and Baines. Needless to say it didn't work out but it's sweet when players being sold in their hoardes deliver when you keep faith. As a Mata - Bale man this week, good luck, remember the rest of us... 5 points will do for you.

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

    my rival took an 8 pt hit to bring in suarez, enrique and cazorla, suddenly i am feeling much more confident

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

      Caz hattrick ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Open Controls
  4. Milner4eva
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    ANyone think at some point they should just delete some of the ghost ship teams after a few months if they are inactive and like really far behind? or maybe just not take them into account for the most captained/vice captained and averge points stats? just a thought

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

      a ghost ship team was winning the overall league at this time of season a couple of years ago

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

        I'm not that surprised. The overall dreamteam was affordable at the start of season, with the right captain it would be right up there with 0 transfers. A million dead teams, someone is bound to pick the wheat from the chaff.

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

        Yeh that was crazy. I followed the team it finish well outside the top million in the end!

        Open Controls
  5. TheKingThierry
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Has anyone considered the possibility of Sterling being rested !

    He has played every game almost and not just 60/70 mins but the full 90 and looked fatigued on Wednesday.

    There's isn't a shortage of players for his position too with suso and assaidi (played well vs spurs) coming in.

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

      he's in demi's line up

      Open Controls
  6. GREENDREAMS11
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    £10 on Podolski to score the gunners 1st goal today, returns £65 seemed too good a deal not to.

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

    OFFICIAL
    Chelsea subs: Turnbull, Ferreira, Bertrand, Romeu, Marin, Oscar, Piazon

    Open Controls
  8. OPTA FPL
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Demel starts again, glad to see all my 15 players are starting players again

    Open Controls
  9. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    If anyone is on twitter, follow me @MattKearney92. I only set it up recently

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

      Done

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

      Just looked at your account... would help if you said something now and then! ๐Ÿ™„

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

    Diame not starting! :O

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

      (not an FPL problem, but a West Ham fan problem!

      Open Controls
  11. The Chosen One...
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Is it confirmed that Giroud is not playing?

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

      reports say rested

      Open Controls
      1. The Chosen One...
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        So does that mean he's not even on the bench?

        Open Controls
  12. @FuzzyWarbles
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    mata and demel in my squad, here's hoping i get something out of this match.

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

      Kept Mata myself, as got him at 8.9 just couldn't sell him! Hazard gone for Bale so could work out well!

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

    Cech, G.Johnson, Terry, Carvalho, Del Horno, Makélélé, Lampard, Cole, Robben, Duff, Drogba.

    No Crespo

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

      Feck Zola(C) FAIL!

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

      Yes, Del Horno starts.

      Open Controls
    3. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Shevchenko benched....again ๐Ÿ™„

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

      Subs: Cudicini, Gallas, Essien, Geremi, Duff, Guðjohnsen, SWP, Crespo.

      Open Controls
      1. Bøwstring The Carp
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        Crap, Shevchenko not even on the bench ๐Ÿ™ I give up

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

        No Duff is starting, see above. could it be Mutu? on bench?

        Open Controls
    5. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Kezman?

      Open Controls
  14. Spencer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Rivals are still doubling up on Stoke defence.

    Come on West Brom!

    Billy Jones goal would be great.

    Open Controls
    1. Super John McGinn-
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      +1

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

    Mark SOLD Baines.

    Open Controls
    1. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Me too ๐Ÿ™‚

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

      me 2

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

      Enrique LB ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Open Controls
      1. QPR expects... glory!
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        6 pts is better than 1. Which is what Baines will get today

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

          Are you willing to lay 100/1 on Baines getting any score other than 1?

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

            ...

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

      ๐Ÿ˜ฏ

      Open Controls
  16. Van Dal
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    Who to captain next week lads?

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

      Berbs the word

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

      A Sunderland player.

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

      Fletcher or Sessegnon? ( I dont have either at the moment)

      Open Controls
  17. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    im putting money on a mata goal to ease any pain

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

      Skybet gave me a free mystery £5 the miserable bast.....s. so its all punted on the Pod, just thought with Giroud out he could be a good shout.

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

      I don't understand this logic.

      Open Controls
      1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 1 month ago

        What problems are you having?

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

        Giving money to a betting company to make you feel better about something a footballer does, or being happy with lack of points the other way round. He could get 3 assists and 0 goals to make you very unhappy anyway.

        Open Controls
        1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 1 month ago

          Well I'd happily pay £2 for Mata to keep quiet. Alternatively, £8 would be decent enough recompense for the annoyance of a Mata goal after I've just subbed him out. Not rocket science dude

          Open Controls
          1. rvp786
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 1 month ago

            last of the big spenderssss

            Open Controls
            1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
              • 15 Years
              13 years, 1 month ago

              ๐Ÿ˜Ž

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

    Thank God i own both Mata and Hazard ๐Ÿ™‚

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

      gud luck...gonna need it

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

      1-0 WHU

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

      0-0

      Open Controls
  19. Bullet Tooth Bony
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    In the lead with 0 points so far. Catch up!

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

    Lulz, my rival went for Silva (c) over Suarez. Silva could get some good points though. This should be interesting

    Open Controls
  21. Valar(Keith)
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 1 month ago

    18.9 million for a mid and a striker and 2 Free transfers.. Heaven

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

    Please let Giroud start

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

      ... playing as well as he did in France.

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

      He is your captain?

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

        Nope

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

    Last GW me and a rival had an identical back three - Baines, Rafael, Cuellar. This week we only have Cuellar in common. He shipped Rafa for Enrique, I shipped Baines (oops) for Garrido. This will be interesting...

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

    Sterling(C) FTWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

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

      ๐Ÿ™„ Again?

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

      Are you going to constantly repost your captain every week?

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

    Expected point haul

    Begovic
    Rafael - Enrique (C) - Azpilicueta
    Bale - Silva - Michu - Sterling
    RVP - Suarez - Berbatov.

    Open Controls
    1. Cheggers
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      poor captain choice will hinder your week

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

      3
      6 4 2
      2 5 1 7
      6 6 6

      excluding bonus

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

      enrique(C)....gutsy!
      did you know that he's lb and not 3rd forward?

      Open Controls
    4. The EJJ
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      2
      6, 12, 2
      7, 2, 2, 6
      9, 13, 6

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

    It's All ManUtd™ ‏@iaManUtd
    Gossip: Luis Nani is wanted by Paris Saint-Germain to replace their Brazilian player Nene. [The Sun] #MUFC

    hey psg, splash 35m and nani is yours ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Open Controls
    1. Cheggers
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      they will get him cheap and he will be a hit over there.

      Not playing regularly the last few years has killed him at United.

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

        He was pretty good till Fergie splashed the cash on Young.

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

      Oh yes ๐Ÿ˜€

      Open Controls
    3. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      I think Nani should go, he has been very poor lately. United could make a nice bit of money from him too

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

        yes, PSG is the customer. Get 25-30m and let him go

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

      Few years?...

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

      Do they still trade in Turkish Lire?

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

    Unless Hazard does something spectacular, he's leaving for Theo next week.

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

      I sold this week, dropping like a stone! 0.3 loss ๐Ÿ™

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

    Berbatov captain next week ๐Ÿ™‚ Fellaini vice

    Open Controls
    1. Long Live King Eric
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 1 month ago

      Vice Versa for me!

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

    OK well clean it up a bit and post it. The point is still valid.

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

    ML leader just spent -4 on Bego ๐Ÿ™‚

    Open Controls