Preamble

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 32

So the gamble on the Wayne Rooney armband went slightly awry. Typically, Luis Suarez rained on my parade and punished my punt with another hat-trick on his way to a 25-point haul. To compound matters, Yaya Toure topped the Uruguayan, applying ample salt to my wounds as my rank drifted into further obscurity.

While this week’s ScoutCast was aptly titled – filled with moans and awkward attempts at justifying mistakes – I’ve only got myself to blame: dare to turn your back on this season’s limited number of true heavy-hitters and there’s every chance you’ll come out licking wounds. Quite simply, the supporting cast of Fantasy talent have failed to keep pace.

I’ve used this article before to focus on the midfield landscape and it’s pretty clear that this has hardly been resolved in recent weeks: Toure and Eden Hazard still dominate, with Adam Lallana occasionally flirting with double figures and Steven Gerrard exploiting set-pieces to join him.

Up front, however, the situation has become similarly settled – perhaps more so. The Liverpool strikers are currently monopolising our thinking and it’s likely that if you don’t own both Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, you’ve been forced to consider it very seriously or risk falling further adrift.

Again, the options are failing to run them close. Rooney, for all his efforts, is playing in a side devoid of confidence and lacking the fluidity to feed him the opportunity to rival the Merseyside hitmen. Romelu Lukaku, for his gradual grind towards a respectable goal tally, has lacked the potential to explode. Beyond that, we’re left looking at a cast of differentials, destined to fail in their attempts to outscore the Liverpool pair – Jay Rodriguez, Wilfried Bony, Olivier Giroud, Christian Benteke. I certainly hope that one of those names can emerge and genuinely turn in an end of season run. I won’t be alone.

Anyone looking above them in their mini-league will be wondering how they make up ground if, each time they differentiate their team from those above, they seem to slip further behind. From my experience last weekend, switching the captaincy from Suarez isn’t the answer.

So, inevitably, this can, again, come across as bitterness from a struggling Fantasy manager but my views on how the season has progressed are not totally tainted by my own plight. I had similar opinions on template teams last season on my way to a far more respectable rank.

For my money, it’s difficult to deny that injuries and United’s decline have exacerbated matters – we’ve been robbed of Theo Walcott, Michu, Robin van Persie and Sergio Aguero. Meanwhile Mesut Ozil has failed to live up to his billing and Santi Cazorla has struggled alongside him. This group of players could have been expected to offer viable alternatives to the current crop of names that dominate the ranks and offer mid-table Fantasy managers options. Without them, the season has settled into an all-too-familiar pattern of scoring, disrupted occasionally by the odd breakout performance from an unexpected source.

Regardless of rank and my ability to exploit how this season has developed, I’d be left hoping for a shake-up next term. Clearly the likes of Toure, Hazard and Liverpool’s “SAS” will enjoy price hikes going into the next campaign. Despite that, they’ll be established as hugely popular picks from the off. However, there will likely be another group of Fantasy managers who take a few risks – who back Van Persie, Walcott and Michu again in hope they can find the fitness and form to re-establish themselves as big factors in these games we play.

I really hope that the next campaign offers some reward for looking beyond this season’s big scorers. That’s not sour grapes, that’s just me craving more options when it comes to my Saturday morning decision-making.

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

1,304 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL_Liger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 days ago

    When i aguero likely to be fit?

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    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      As soon as you get a grav

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      1. FPL_Liger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 2 days ago

        Lol, i can't be arsed to go to the grav website

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        1. super zlatan
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 2 days ago

          It will change your life.

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  2. copps
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 days ago

    this moyes out plane flag flying over the stadium is so hilarious 😆 cant wait to see it!

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    1. Djerbil
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      Is Fergie on board??

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  3. r0nh
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 days ago

    My team looks strong for next week 😎

    A bit worried about this week though.

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    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      I'm 1 point ahead of you OR ranking, good luck mate

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      1. r0nh
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 2 days ago

        Cheers 🙂

        I hope you get 2 points less than me 😆

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        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 2 days ago

          I'll take that as long as you get 98 this week :grin;

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      2. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 2 days ago

        Mine, too. 🙂

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    2. Cevap
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      i'm worries for both 🙂

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      1. Cevap
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 2 days ago

        worried

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  4. Cevap
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 days ago

    2009/10 2312 15665
    2010/11 2147 3951
    2011/12 2148 17336
    2012/13 2197 13591

    points/rank for the last four years...fairly consistent on points the last 3! 🙂

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  5. Perchinho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 days ago

    Anyone got a link to the suspension tightrope?
    Are 9YC players like Gerrard on the brink of a 2 game ban for the rest of the season?

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    1. Cevap
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      yes, 2 game ban until April 13 i believe

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      1. Perchinho
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 2 days ago

        So just the next 3 GWs, then the threat of a 2 game ban disappears?

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        1. Spencer
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 2 days ago

          Yup. Needs to get past Man City.

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        2. Cevap
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 2 days ago

          not sure what happens with it...think it increases

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    2. Bootsy: Snoddy's Reven…
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      look > way

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      1. Perchinho
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 2 days ago

        Handy.

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    3. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      It's right there >>>>

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  6. Grounderz
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 days ago

    What? Evra out? Why?!

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    1. Djerbil
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      Trying out the Buttner mask

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      1. Grounderz
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 2 days ago

        So what happens if Buttner gets injured? And who's going to play left back against Bayern?

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        1. Big_Andy_GAWA
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 2 days ago

          Moyes himself.

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        2. r0nh
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 2 days ago

          To be fair, it hardly matters...

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          1. Grounderz
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            It matters as long as United is still in the UCL, regardless if our opponent is the best team in the world.

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          2. Leeroy Jenkyns
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 2 days ago

            He'll just make Raphi wear a Fabio jersey 😉

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    2. Bootsy: Snoddy's Reven…
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      C'mon guys seriously, Buttner was a sure thing - has to get match fit for Bayern

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      1. Grounderz
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 2 days ago

        I don't agree. He had his full game against West Ham and this should be utilised tactically and not physically.

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      2. Billy Gilmore
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 2 days ago

        Nonsense. Stupid to risk him getting injured when he's the only available LB in the squad

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      3. Manamongst
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 2 days ago

        Never agreed with that theory.

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    3. r0nh
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      Evra is gone in the summer.

      Testing out Butt for next season.

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      1. Grounderz
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 2 days ago

        Knowing Moyes, he will be chasing after Baines again or maybe look into the market for a new left back.

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    4. 4-4-who?
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      Motes WILL be sacked. Question is how soon...

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      1. FPL_Liger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 2 days ago

        I actually don't think they will, with the caveat that they will if he loses 6 of the next 8 , otherwise he stays and gets the transfer window

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        1. 4-4-who?
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 2 days ago

          To be fair he is where he normally is with Everton. 7th is all United should have expected thus season.

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      2. Djerbil
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 2 days ago

        Motes 😆

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        1. 4-4-who?
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 2 days ago

          iPad fail...

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    5. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      He's ruined Utd's season so now Moyes is trying to ruin a few peoples' FPL seasons too.

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      1. Grounderz
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 2 days ago

        Goddammit Moyes.

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      2. Manamongst
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 2 days ago

        Did we learn nothing about him from Barkley or even Royston Drenthe??

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    6. PKB
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      United testing their Butt out! 😀

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  7. 4-4-who?
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 days ago

    Let us reflect.

    Steven Gerard for 8.7M.

    How good is that....

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    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      Just my opinion, but I reckon his points tallies could well dry up. I am hoping so, anyway z;)

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      1. 4-4-who?
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 2 days ago

        157 points. He has already justified his price tag.

        I think there is more to come from captain fantastic as Liverpool push for this title.

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      2. mipola
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 2 days ago

        Thats what they said about yaya

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        1. 4-4-who?
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 2 days ago

          To be fair he only scored 31 points last GW

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    2. Jax
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      with 9 yellows pass.

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      1. 4-4-who?
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 2 days ago

        When does that risk go away?

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  8. Djerbil
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 days ago

    There's a Plane Coming

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    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      Really?

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      1. Djerbil
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 2 days ago

        to Old Trafford

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    2. r0nh
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      So am I

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    3. FACUPARSE
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      20+ years of bragging, one bad season and start hiring planes to humiliate their manager.

      Pure class

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  9. super zlatan
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 days ago

    Dgw players for gw34

    I will have:

    3 x city
    3 x Everton
    2 x Sunderland
    1 x palace

    Seem ok?

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  10. GlasgowFF
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 days ago

    Which teams have a blank in GW34?

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      Utd and Hull

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      1. GlasgowFF
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 2 days ago

        cheers.

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  11. Gaz Downright
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 days ago

    Benteke taka... will destroy that CB pairing

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  12. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 days ago

    Leicesters frenchy is a really good player

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    1. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      Lester Frenchy... I like it

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

    Everyone will just stop playing to admire the "Moyes Out" banner...

    Might have a natural, mid-game, moment of silence

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    1. 4-4-who?
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      The sacked one?

      The second best one?

      The clueless one?

      Others...?

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  14. Billy Ketsu
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 days ago

    Come on Villa!

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  15. r0nh
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 days ago

    BET NOW!!!!

    Give me your money!!

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  16. Vardy Gras PBFC
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 days ago

    So here's the A & B...

    A) Boruc, Baines, Ivanovic, Mutch, Lukaku + 33pts
    B) Adrian, Shaw, Cahill, Lallana, Dzeko

    Any chance of A being toppled by B this GW?

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

      highly unlikely

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      1. Vardy Gras PBFC
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 2 days ago

        Trying to ride out the next couple of GWs with 4 expensive DFs until after the next DGW, weakens my midfield quite a bit.

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    2. McSauce
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      Not a hope B will come close to A

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    3. BLACKSHEEP
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 days ago

      There will be about 33 Points separating it at the end.

      Unless baines or Ivanovic scores, then it will be more.

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  17. Spud1
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 days ago

    I have just come across this site, and have to say some great banter and comments about the game we love. Just listened to the southcast very surprised that some players still don't have Yaya etc etc. Lucky for me I have had yaya, hazard coleman ramsey and Lala from game week 1 SS bought in after ban and injuries.Had Aguero briefly also when he was fit these players provided huge points for us all during the 1st half of the season. probably stating the obvious but it is difficult to catch up but not impossible if you did not start with em. Anyway I hope you all have a good game week!
    Current team Monno
    Coleman Baines Terry
    Yaya Haz Gerry Lala
    SS and Willy Bony > (has been a good punt)
    Bench Hart chester chambers mutch
    2.3 in bank 2 trans for next week

    How many points u looking for? id be happy with 80ish trying to break into top 1k very difficult tho.

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

      "southcast" Get out, sir! We do not suffer mistakes in spelling and grammar here

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      1. Spud1
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 2 days ago

        Get out?? you own this do ya??? lol

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  18. megatronaldinho
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 days ago

    i've just come out the good side of a bad night where my own brother done called cops on my ass. explaining my shortcomings as being due to my insurmountable taste for tweed was not the best idea. but yo. shit worked. ish

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  19. Godfather Bandit 42
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 days ago

    oh dear....

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  20. Barryyuen
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 8 hours ago

    Been hovering the rank of 70k - 100k! Frustrating!

    Mannone
    Ivanovic Cahill Chester
    Hazard Yaya Silva Gerrard
    Saurez Sturridge Lukaku

    Boruc Distin Ward-Powrse Koscienly

    1 FT 0.8 ITB. What do you guys think my next move should be?

    Cheers guys! 🙂

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