Preamble

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 28

I’ve tried to fight it but it’s hard to deny that I’ve spent a lot of this season seeking out an explanation for my struggles. I’m heading for my worst ever Fantasy Premier League campaign and I’m not going to settle for that without finding a scapegoat. It can’t all be Edin Dzeko’s fault and it’s certainly not mine.

If you’ve read these ambling words before or, indeed, been unfortunate enough to listen to my nasal whines via the ScoutCast, you’ll know that my favourite target is the “midfield”. Not one midfielder, not a few – the whole damn lot of ’em.

The midfield has been broken this year. At the start of the campaign I decided to put emphasis on playing five across the middle, set my side up to accommodate the tactic and paid for it ever since.

Of course I’m overlooking one small detail: my reluctance to sign Yaya Toure and Aaron Ramsey and my stubborn refusal to admit my mistake. Having said that, my theory that the midfield has been a cruel master this term has some substance. Typically, I plundered the data to support my case.

Toure has almost been the exception to the rule. He currently sits on 13 goals having never previously suggested he could achieve such a strike rate. Having said that, four of those goals of come from direct free-kicks, and three more came via penalties with first-choice takers off the pitch. That’s another argument for another day, though.

My main point is that, aside from Eden Hazard sitting just one goal behind the Ivorian, no other midfielder has been able to keep pace. Quite simply, if you didn’t get on Toure early or swallowed pride and brought him in since, you’re left clinging to Hazard and cursing every goal that comes the City man’s way – via a dead-ball or otherwise.

Is this really different from last season? In a word, yes. On the eve of Gameweek 28 last term, we had Gareth Bale sitting on 15 goals along with Michu. More significantly, there were five other midfielders on double figures for goals at this stage. In a nutshell, then, there was a much larger spread of goals across the midfield area with several “heavy-hitters” to align with – not just a couple.

While Robin van Persie and Luis Suarez blazed a trail up front with 19 and 18 goals respectively, our midfields were a selection box of treats with the likes of Theo Walcott, Marounne Fellaini and Juan Mata all contributing goals and assists with regularity. This season the best we’ve currently got is Adam Lallana and the seemingly unappealing consistency of Steven Gerrard who appears to rumble on as a Fantasy asset – churning points but never really establishing himself back amongst the elite Fantasy midfielders.

Ironically, then, I’m thinking that, along with Yohan Cabaye’s departure and Michu’s failing legs, the injury to Aaron Ramsey was pretty much disastrous for my one-man campaign for midfield variety. The removal of these three players from our game, compounded further by injuries to Walcott and Mata’s inability to get a place in Jose Mourinho’s lineup, has killed the chance for diversity in this area of our squads.

Even now, it’s almost unthinkable to shed Toure and Hazard – unless of course you can afford to fetch the Ivorian back after City’s blanks. Elsewhere, you’re left to grab the skippers at St Mary’s and Anfield, whilst hoping that Adam Jonhnson can come back to form or that Kevin Nolan or Charlie Adam can continue to maintain matters. Charlie Adam. It’s got that bad.

The knock-on is that we’ve had the money for the heavyweights up front – that’s helped kill variety in that area of the pitch and, low and behold, we’re left waiting for Sergio Aguero to return so we can spend the cash we don’t need to invest elsewhere.

It’s all the midfield’s fault. All of them. They built the template. They made Dzeko miss those sitters. They’ve ruined my season. I’m blameless.

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

2,286 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FACUPARSE
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 29 days ago

    Martinez drops Mirallas. Hope they lose

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    1. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      Not me. I hope that Mirallas comes on at 2-0 down and scores a hat trick so they win 3-2

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      1. Woy of the Wovers
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 29 days ago

        I see that the pre-match dream world predictions have arrived.

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        1. thetinkerman
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 29 days ago

          😆

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      2. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 29 days ago

        Actually, no I don't, I have Baines

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    1. SuperOsçarBaby
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      story of my life

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    2. jas5sk - Youtube channel
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      What passes for models these days...

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    3. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      He's got a shoulder injury, needed the massage 😉

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    4. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      No class. Not drinking Crystal ... 😉

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      1. RabMac
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 29 days ago

        I thought you smoked that?

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  2. MJ6987
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 29 days ago

    If you've got Mirallas, isn't it best to go with someone who has a GW29 game and a DGW on the way?

    I.e. United, Palace

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    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      Not many options there though...

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      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 29 days ago

        Mata ?..mmm..hardly pulling any trees up..

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        1. Bubz
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 29 days ago

          Sadly I have both him and Mirallas already

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          1. Dr Dream
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 29 days ago

            Really don't like Mata as a long term pick Moyes has no clue where to play him and he just ends up looking like a fish out of water..Great player, bad signing.

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    2. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      Possibly. Dem fixtures though...

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    3. Tim Canterbury
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      I wouldn't use Palace' DGW as a reason to invest, it might be quite a few weeks off

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  3. Tim Canterbury
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 29 days ago

    Who has broken the most legs in the prem? Adam?

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      That's why I bought him this week

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    2. jas5sk - Youtube channel
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      Shawcross?

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 29 days ago

        *QI KLAXON*

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  4. tm245
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 29 days ago

    Do gws 28/29 feel like a giant dgw to anyone else?

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    1. Tim Canterbury
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      It is when your rivals obviously don't look ahead in the fixtures

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    2. Namtab Nomolos
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      Blink and you miss GW 29. If you get one game that's 0-0 and a shower of bonus points people seem like they'll be happy with 40pts.

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  5. Az
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 29 days ago

    Ready for you in the cup Tony Hibberts!

    Bring it ooooooon =)

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    1. Hibbo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      What's your side I've 9 men haha

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      1. Az
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 29 days ago

        Haha check my name dude, have chester out.... 🙁 sturridge (c) to your suarez!

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  6. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 29 days ago

    so is that it now, deflouflou and miralas rotation headaxhe 😕

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    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      Looks it. 🙁

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      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 29 days ago

        boooooooooooooourns

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    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      Deflouflou? Is Martinez playing a Poodle??? 😀

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      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 29 days ago

        i was thinkin Comte de Frou Frou from blackadder 😉

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 29 days ago

          😆

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  7. Parm
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 29 days ago

    I wonder how many times Ramsey will be mentioned during the Stoke vs Arsenal game?

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    1. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      ShawX first

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    2. Whitman2013
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      6

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  8. kaythevillain
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 29 days ago

    Mirallas officially enters the category of "Never Again!"

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    1. Home Run Baker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      With Kolarov *ducks*

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  9. JWF
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 29 days ago

    Playing 5 at the back this week... 4 of them away from home. Will end in tears.

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    1. RabMac
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      I need to do the same next GW 5-4-1 🙁

      Got 4-3-3 this GW

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  10. Venom Snake
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 29 days ago

    Which game should I watch

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    1. AIRMILES
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      Hmm, Stoke v Arsenal? Won't be many goals, but will be an interesting chess-like game... actually, scratch that, who wants to watch chess?

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      1. Venom Snake
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 29 days ago

        Thinking Chelsea and hoping oscar bags a hatty.

        #wishful thinking

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  11. Geordienufc1
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 29 days ago

    Feeling good for an upset in the cup Evs 😀

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  12. Whitman2013
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 29 days ago

    @DEMI

    CHESTER V NUNEATON TODAY @ 15:00

    So chester plays you dont have to quit posting

    #demidontquit

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      +42!

      #justicefordemi

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      1. Whitman2013
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 29 days ago

        lets get the #demistays bandwagon rolling!!

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    2. jas5sk - Youtube channel
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      😆 madness that harmless banter has come to this, but Moyes still has a job

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      1. Whitman2013
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 29 days ago

        #moyesoutdemiin!!

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  13. Tommytour
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 29 days ago

    Brought in Mirallas 😎

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    1. Tommytour
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      May sell him next week now haha

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    2. jas5sk - Youtube channel
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      Mirallas ---> Nolan for a hit after his 3-pointer last week.

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      1. jas5sk - Youtube channel
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 29 days ago

        He'll come off the bench and score 2

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  14. thetinkerman
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 29 days ago

    Mirallas.. grrrrrrrr

    Looks like I won't be holding him then!

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  15. Acquafresca
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 29 days ago

    Dammit started Chester over Noone.

    1 point cameo incoming 🙁

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      chester is key to my 31 plans so i hope he starts gw30

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    2. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      Yep, didn't see that one coming.

      Noones gonna score too 😛

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    3. Az
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 29 days ago

      definitely

      but noone will get 2 points so not a huge loss!

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  16. Ed
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 29 days ago

    C'mon Bruce, prove those doubters wrong!

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  17. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 29 days ago

    My main rival has 11 playing and me with 10 this week. But he took a -8 to do it and the 3 players that came in aren't playing next week. Advantage me I think.

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  18. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 29 days ago

    ades rise over the last 2 days 😯

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  19. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 29 days ago

    yaya hopefully around 9.7 by gw30 😀

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  20. Fantasy Football Friend!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 29 days ago

    Feeling a bit better about Chester being benched now 😀

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  21. Whitman2013
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 29 days ago

    chester has scored!!!! 1-0 v nuneton

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