Preamble

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 10

Up until Theo Walcott’s twang, I had made my decision: I was happy sitting still.

Frustrated at being restricted to ineffective one-step transfers, my policy now is to play to bank my Gamweek 10 move, allowing me to feel better about making three changes and tossing away four points, perhaps even next weekend.

I always like to cushion the blow of spending points – having that extra free transfer is just reassuring – it seems far easier to recoup the loss when you have three new players to rely on.

With Sergio Aguero’s form and pitch time causing consternation, it just feels prudent to book myself in for some imminent minor surgery. If the City striker keeps stuttering, I’m going to need several moves to get the most from that 13 million.

The multiple transfers are just one of the reasons why I’m reluctant to sell up – the fact that Aguero is the best goalscorer in the Premier League also kind of prays on my mind. But I’m preparing myself for a painful separation procedure.

I’ve got modest expectations of Aguero today. I can see Manchester City limping to a draw at the Hawthorns and offering me two-point returns from both the Argentinian and Raheem Sterling. I’m even wheeling out Gareth McAuley to prove my point, admittedly more by necessity than design.

Instead, I’m giving myself the uneasy scenario of pinning all my hopes on the early televised kick-off.

With skipper Alexis Sanchez, the wounded Walcott and the starved Jermain Defoe all in action from 12.30, my Gameweek could spiral into mediocrity and minor disaster in the first couple of hours.

It’s a depressing thought that, if it ends in a gaggle of two-point returns, I’ll need to rouse myself and focus on Fantasy Football for the rest of the day, keeping my table-flipping frustration at bay and mustering smiles and stilted conversation with those around me.

There’s a lot at stake here, Alexis.

I’m tempted to avoid it, by trusting in Romelu Lukaku to maintain his improbable record against West Ham, but Sanchez just stands out as the optimum skipper.

This will be me keeping faith in the Chilean – the third consecutive Gameweek I’ve thrown him the armband. In my world, that counts for something – that tells me that he’s due a big return. He owes me.

I’ve also toyed with Defoe to Troy Deeney, convinced that the Sunderland striker will be comfortably outgunned, but I’ve set my heart on having two transfers ahead of the break.

With Walcott potentially missing out – perhaps inexplicably protected for Arsenal’s trip to Bulgaria – I’m faced with the prospect of relying on Etienne Capoue. A player I’d written off, reserved for a later transfer when I’d eventually cash in the handy profit he’s made me.

Again, there’s an obvious trade to Joe Allen, but I’m going to resist the allure of the mulleted Welshman.

I’m going to sit on my hands. There’s no touching while Capoue and Sanchez buddy up to treat me to a two-point lapdance, leaving me to pull fake grins for the rest of the day.

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

1,520 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Carcetti
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    Play

    A) Stanislas

    B)Capoue

    1. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      A

  2. JaydenLFC87
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    Who to Captain out of Sanchez or Firmino ??

    1. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      S

  3. BigAsGiroud_
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    Start Rondon or Capoue??

    1. Shultan
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      Rondon

    2. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      Rondon

  4. Shultan
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    If theo didn't train yerterday surely that means he's out?

  5. Malcolm Tucker for England …
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    Rumours that Kevin Campbell won't start for Arsenal today.
    Also Frank McAvennie not travelled with West Ham

    1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      Puts armband back on Perry Groves

      1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 14 days ago

        i'm sticking with Pat Van Den Hauwe

        1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
          • 13 Years
          8 years, 14 days ago

          Good choice

        2. Clayton_3
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 14 days ago

          Bound to get his 5th yellow... I'm going with Blackmore!

    2. Rhinos
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      Luckily I've got Geoff Hurst 1st sub

  6. Jack Irish
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    Very tempted to bring in Alli or Matta for a 3 week punt for Wally..... hmmmm Shall i go for it?

    1. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      I'm doing just that with Mata. Burnley and Swansea are the type of games Mou will start him in.

      Not the sort of move I could really advise though. The risks are there.

  7. Belsunz
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    'Any news on Walcott?' said no one ever.

  8. Syd.
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    Who will start between the sticks for Hull??

    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      Walcott

      1. FPL Footy Show Pod
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 14 days ago

        Jesus

      2. Syd.
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 14 days ago

        Will he get save points since he isn't classified as a keeper

    2. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      Jakushall

    3. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      Whoever wants their confidence battered.

    4. Swan - Villa Proud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      I find it funny that the only justification the article gives to Marshall being first choice is his contract, not his play. Hoping Jaku starts

    5. THAT'S LIFE
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      im starting jaku he was awesome midweek

  9. FPL Footy Show Pod
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    Jesus isn't responding to my tablets I'm sending him

    So it's over to you - the people

    Captain

    Lukaku
    Deeney
    Sanchez

    Fastest finger first (no pins)
    Please vote now

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      Sanchez

    2. El-Kloppico
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      Lucky luke

    3. Heavy Data
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      Lukaku for me

  10. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    Sterling or Walcott > Coutinho
    Or
    save FT means Capoue comes on if Wally doesn't play?

    1. Wild Rover
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      Save

  11. ☻ Jon Snow ☻
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    Start Stanislas or Allen?

    1. ♤TeddyBear♤
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      Stans.

      He will either start or no feature atol

    2. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      Stan

  12. NATSTER
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    Help. To buy please.

    A: Deeney
    B: Wilson

    Wilson for a bit long term, right ? Deeney (HUL) does temp me.

    1. 12BeatFC
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      wilson. still have a good fixture this week and will save you long term

    2. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      A

    3. NATSTER
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      Headache.

  13. Mr-Inbetween
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    Any chance we'll get team sheets before the 11:30 deadline?

    1. jurgenklopp.8
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      11:29

    2. Belsunz
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      now that is a variant to 'Any news on Walcott?' I like. 🙂

    3. Woy of the Wovers
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      Probably a few dodgy ones.

  14. Mickey Tyrion™
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    Bench 1:

    Capoue
    Redmond
    Walcott

    1. 12BeatFC
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      walcott

    2. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      Capoue

  15. Fergietime
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    FPL site seems to be down

    1. Fergietime
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      never mind, fine now

      1. Sess!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 14 days ago

        Good story

    2. jurgenklopp.8
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      hahaha

    3. makaveli123
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      Working just fine

  16. SpiderHands
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    Who to bench?

    A. Holebas
    B. Stones
    C. Koscielny
    D. Redmond
    E. Defoe

    1. SpiderHands
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      (bench one)

    2. 12BeatFC
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      defoe

  17. goriuanx
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    Theo Walcott not training and then playing is like not doing your homework but still going to school. Theo (C)*

    *even though i don't own him

    1. walkman666
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      What does this mean? Speak clearly.

  18. dhamphiir
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    Whom to captain?
    A. Lukaku
    B. Mane
    C. Firmino
    D. Sanchez

    1. Unbowed Unbent N'Golo
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      Any of those

    2. Sailboats
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      A

  19. EDEN THE MAN
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    Play Smith or Williams

    1. Dazzler365
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      I'm going smith,have both

  20. FPL Footy Show Pod
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    Anyone know who this Walcott character is?

    Is he a type of animal?

  21. voodoochile333
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    I can't believe I'm gonna drop firmino (pal} but having Arnotovic and Allan (swan) in the last home game is 2 tempting

    1. EDEN THE MAN
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      Ucrazy

    2. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      ballsy

  22. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    looks like wally not in the squad,not seen coming off the bus

    1. Rhinos
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      Has anyone checked the loo?

    2. THAT'S LIFE
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      its a fixture pointless to risk him in

    3. Slartibartfast
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      CapoueTime

    4. Clump
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      Hope the bus driver doesn't quit.

      1. John Nerdelbaum
        • 12 Years
        8 years, 14 days ago

        he quits every week

    5. Twisted Saltergater
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      Looks like he definitely didn't travel.

      Not a bad game to start Capoue for!

  23. Joyce1998
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    G2G?

    De Gea
    pieters,williams,valencia
    allen,mane,sanchez(C),sterling
    austin,kun,lukaku

    jakupovic, capoue, mcauley, amat

  24. MoSalah Dosa
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    Whats the news on KdB, Fit to play ?

    1. 12BeatFC
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      will play 60mins i reckon. Barca midweek

      1. MoSalah Dosa
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 14 days ago

        thanks

  25. Danno - Emre Canada
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    Haha love today's preamble, great stuff. A stripper from Blackpool once asked a friend of mine where he was from, he replied London, she told him "to sit on his hands"
    All the best for this GW

  26. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    Most used word this week
    Walcott.

  27. Shack
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    Redmond or Chadli go get in? Might just be short term

    1. 12BeatFC
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      redmond

    2. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      red

    3. Swan - Villa Proud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      Redmond

  28. Dasher0303
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    Sanchez or Lukaku captain?????

  29. Scholes Balls
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    I have a real captain dilemma, would love your input:
    A) Aguero
    B) Lukaku
    C) Costa
    D) Sanchez

    1. 12BeatFC
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      sanchez or lukaku

  30. Karan14
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 14 days ago

    Choose:

    A) Alli
    B) Erikssen

    Appreciate your thoughts!

    1. 12BeatFC
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      alli

    2. Zander
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 14 days ago

      Alli