634x258 Preamble
18 January 2014 1714 comments
Mark Mark
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I think there’s a danger I could run out of ideas. Seven green arrows in eight Gameweeks should indicate progress but, looking at the gap in the contributors league and the chasm between myself and Granville, it seems that my efforts have been little more than powder puff. I need to find a boost in a season which, to this point, has offered few opportunities for those looking to make up ground.

Much as I like the fella, Luis Suarez hasn’t helped matters. Last weekend provided yet more evidence that it’s almost suicidal to peel the armband from the Uruguayan’s bicep. The option to take a risk with the captaincy doesn’t look a viable strategy for the straggling Fantasy manager. I’ve tried that route and, while Luis let me get away with it by drawing two blanks, even that gamble had little impact.

So where do I turn next? As I’ve mentioned, Granville doesn’t have any apparent chinks in his armour. His squad looks settled, his budget far in advance of my own – if anything the Wildcard will hand him further advantage. I’m faced with having to take some calculated risks but, such a decision also threatens to derail my run of green arrows and begs the question, when do you allow mini-league rivalries to influence your overall decision making?

A few weeks back I decided to don the blinkers, ignore the mini-league scenario and set about saving face. I’ve gradually climbed the ranks and so, naturally, I have to conclude that I’m on a gradual path of progress. It feels cosy and safe but, equally, I can’t help thinking that Granville’s has his slippers on and is running the foamy bath of victory.

Should I continue to look at the bigger picture? Maybe if I continue to play safe and go with template signings – Mesut Ozil being my latest – I will ensure an ascent up the ranks and I may yet even avoid my lowest ever Fantasy Premier League finish. However, I can’t help consider that, if I allow the Fantasy Sat Nav to keep me on this comfortable path, Granville has it won. I swear when it advised me to turn to Ozil there was a Manchester twang in its voice.

To this point I’ve been subdued with the risk taking. I’ve veered off to take an occasional hit, taken the Edin Dzeko detour – nothing too outlandish. Clearly, it’s had little effect.

My latest half-baked plan is to use my third forward slot in rotation – attempting to hit a Gameweek sweet spot and find some double-figure differentials. It will be hatched later today but, if this also fails to make an instant impression, I’m faced with having to decide to either stay on this path of safety and effectively concede or go for broke and risk inviting the red arrows.

Sooner or later the Sat Nav will tell me to turn to Ramsey. I’ve a feeling that, by then, my season will be at the crossroads.

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

  1. Jake Donahue
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Aguero rose then...

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    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Chelsea flower show already?

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      1. Jake Donahue
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        With this weather it could be

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  2. Scottys Army
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Luks ownership is sinking like the titantic

    i like it as an owner

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    1. Clean Bandit
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      music to my ears that (owner)

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    2. 4-4-who?
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Luka always scores at the Hawthorns...

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  3. President John F. Keninnsie
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Off to bed, good luck all πŸ™‚

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    1. GTS
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Good luck Innsie!

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  4. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    I Love the Preamble!!!

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  5. Jake Donahue
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Mark, I only look at ML tables and dont look at the teams until the final 1/4 of the season. Focus on getting the best team possible and you should climb the overall standings and ML success will come on the back of that

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  6. David Brains - OH NO!
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Final WC decision.... Wilshere or Cabaye?

    Have Giroud upfront, but no Ozil, cheers

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    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Cabaye

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  7. SuperOsçarBaby
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Play 2

    A- Brown ..SOU
    B- Chiriches ..swa
    C- Ward ..STK

    Thanks

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    1. Tricky
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Brown + Ward I'd say. Swans will score at home

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    2. Hyperion
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      A + C

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  8. Keep calm and hoof me the b…
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    These preamble posts are one of my favourites on the site. Thanks Mark

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  9. isacki: full casual
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Tell me before I read the preamble: is Mark feeling pessimistic? πŸ˜‰

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    1. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      He's obsessed with Granville. That is the problem.

      He should just climb the ranks to a decent finish and forget about others.

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      1. Pocky
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Agreed. I never even look at what my rivals are doing, I just do what is right for me...and usually end up beating them πŸ˜€ Looking for differentials all the time is only going to lead the your opponents advantage widening.

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      2. Fitzy.
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Exactly right Gandalf. You'd think reading these pre-ambles throughout the season that Granville has never beaten Mark before and it's the end of the world - but looking at both their histories, Granville has indeed finished in front on a couple of occasions, so I don't get the focus on beating him rather than getting as high an overall rank as he can.

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    2. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      He's ALWAYS pessimistic.

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  10. Cilly Bonnolly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Good to go?

    Mannone
    Koscielny, Ward, Coleman
    Lallana, Ozil, Hazard, Eriksen
    Rodriguez, Aguero (v), Suarez (c)

    Subs: Whittaker, Chester, Ramsey

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    1. Pinoche
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Don't like the double Soton attack..

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      1. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        I know, it's a concern. I'm thinking of getting rid of Rodriguez but I don't see many options in that price range.

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        1. Pinoche
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          They are up against Arsenal next though. Maybe downgrade Ozil and get Giroud in for Jay?

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  11. In Like Flynn.
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Ahhh the preamble!

    Tinker,tinker,tinker, tinker, tinker.

    Don't disturb. Wildcard.

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  12. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Wildcard finished? Check
    Coverage for all televised games? Check
    Captain on Suarez? Check
    Right players benched and right order? Check

    And relax... 😎

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    1. Pinoche
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Goodluck WR

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      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        You too mate πŸ™‚

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    2. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      You lucky, lucky *******

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    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Let's see it, WR! πŸ˜€

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      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Mannone // Adrian
        Baines // Kolarov // Bardsley // Clyne // Chester
        Gerrard // Hazard // Eriksen // Navas // Januzaj
        Aguero // Suarez // Giroud

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        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          Very nice. I'm going with the same keeper rotation!

          Really like Cazorla but I know Ramsey will offer better value when he returns so think I'm going to go Gerrard too.

          Good luck!

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          1. The Bandit
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 11 months ago

            Cheers, and to you πŸ™‚

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    4. Pasqualinho
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Gone punty on your WC, WR? Mine has zero differentials. It is so dull I can't help but be excited by it.

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      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        ^^ decided against double rotation in the end

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        1. Pasqualinho
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          I have gone with what I said I would do - Sot/Sun GKs and 1 Sot defender.

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          1. The Bandit
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 11 months ago

            Like my team?

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            1. Pasqualinho
              • 16 Years
              11 years, 11 months ago

              Can't find much wrong. Midfield is interesting because it's reasonably non-template - but Hazard is a must. Only 7 the same as mine so at least one of us will do ok.

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              1. The Bandit
                • 15 Years
                11 years, 11 months ago

                Let's hope we both do πŸ™‚

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    5. AK ⭐
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Lovely team WR. Not template and still very decent. Good luck. πŸ™‚

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  13. Plagued by indecision
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Lost on the last article...

    Wildcard button being pressed after the deadline.Got one last headache for this gameweek, which is how to set up by defence. Any thoughts appreciated.

    Szczesny
    Chester / Clyne / Coleman (Evra?)
    Oscar / Ki / Ozil / Lallana
    Negredo / Suarez(C) / Lukaku

    Subs: Januzaj / Evra / Baker

    Thanks for your help!

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  14. OptimusBlack
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Whic is better for WC ?

    A- Mannone & Cabaye

    B- Davis & Lallana

    Other GK is Boruc

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    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      A defo, for me. I'd do Mannone + Adrian over Mannone + Boruc though.

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  15. nadman89
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Guys my forward line is suarez negredo aguero , who would u captain , whos the wisest option because villa > cardiff

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    1. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Suarez. Feel lucky you have the city attackers. I have neither.

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  16. Twisted Saltergater
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    a) Gerrard - AVL, EVE, wba

    b) Cazorla - FUL, sou, CRY

    Final WC decision! Ramsey in when fit.

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    1. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Boruc or Adrián or Speroni to Rotate with Mannone ?

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      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Adrian.

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  17. The_Colonel
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Is Adrian now number one at West Ham?

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Well he was last week and got a cs so that will do me for now πŸ™‚

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    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      I think he plays today but he's not long term as jussi will come back eventually

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      1. The_Colonel
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        This is my concern. If I get him an Mannone, by the time I need him he may well be on the bench again. Tempted to just go Mannone and 3.9

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      2. Billy Gilmore
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        I think he was brought in as Jussi's replacement, as he is quite old now...This may not be the end of the rotation, but I think the scales will tip more and more in Adrian's favour as time goes on.

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  18. Jake Donahue
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Clyne or Bardsley to start today?

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Bardsley defo

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    2. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      When in doubt the home player imo JD.

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    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Ouch. Has to be Bardsley as he's at home.

      Try rotating Bardsley with a Cardiff defender... works well.

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    4. Jake Donahue
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks lads,

      Just concerned alot have boruc so wanted to make sure i covered that base

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  19. In Like Flynn.
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    I like the idea of a nailed on 6.2mil Arsenal mid on form, but realistically, how long before he breaks himself again?

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      He may have already done so πŸ™‚

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    2. theotherguy
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      What makes you think he's nailed on? Ramsey and Arteta back next game week. If the are in the middle he will be competing in right with Ox, Gnabri and Rocisky

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    3. CABAYE4
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Is he nailed on though?

      With Ramsey, Rosicky and Arteta back soon, not to mention Ox and Gnabry providing something a bit different, surely he could be forced out the side on occasion?

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  20. theotherguy
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Last minute switch from Lallana to Navas on WC. Any reason I shouldn't? No other player tempts me for less than 8.4

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  21. MJ6987
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    No Scoutcast, but this is the next best thing. Scoutcast without the Granny.

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  22. HVT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Heading to Stamford bridge for the game lads !
    - won't be around much in case anyone's looking for me
    πŸ˜‰

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    1. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Have a good time. Hope you get the right result!

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Hehe, how times change πŸ™‚

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    2. HVT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Brilliant pity the horse doesn't post as much ,
      Where you get the link Gb ?

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      1. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        I googled for "Smarty Pants fantasy football scout" trying to find a post so I could see if he's been banned. This page popped up πŸ™‚

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    3. GTS
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      and the fact that Demi said it was a very strong team then. 😯

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  23. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Should I play eriksen (swa) or sterling (AVL) ?
    Will sterling even start??

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  24. avfcaidan10
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Kos + Zab or Mert + Kolarov?

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  25. GSP.
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Tinkering the WC:
    Neg + Erikson
    Aug + 5m mid (Routledge)

    Fonte or Shaw?

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  26. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    1) start distin or coutinho? coutinho might make a late sub apperance
    2) distin >> kolorav (-4)?
    3) lukaku >> negredo/aguero (-4)?

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  27. Mind över Mata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Currently have a Hudson / Ward rotation but a bit worried about Hudson's playing time

    Don't suppose there is a better 3.9 to pair him with?

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    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      I'm going with Declan John.

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  28. Breadbin
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Any good hot topics where people make predictions with their players scoring lots of points?

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    1. r0nh
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Anything less than 70 points this week is a massive failure

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    2. Pasqualinho
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Not from me. All I have is a picture of a badger wearing a hat.

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  29. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Wildcarding next GW, is this team good to go this week?

    Howard
    Mert, Ward, Zabaleta
    Cabaye, Gerrard, Özil, Sterling
    Aguero, Giroud (VC), Suarez (c)

    Lewis, Evra, Chester, JWP

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