December
08

Matchday Six of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) Fantasy Game brought the group stages to a close with an almighty crash. What follows are our talking points as sixteen sides progressed, eight dropped into the Europa League, while the rest packed their suitcases and said their goodbyes for another season…

Barcelona’s kids are a first team in their own right

Pep Guardiola already knew that his side were not only through to the knockout stages but had guaranteed themselves top spot in their group. As a result, the manager afforded himself the opportunity to rest most of his first team ahead of an all-important El Clasico in Madrid this week.

Alan Hansen famously once said “you don’t win anything with kids” but, if the recent crop to have come through La Masia are anything to go by, then the result at the Nou Camp was just the first of a generation of potential results as Barcelona were comfortable 4-0 victors over BATE Borisov.

World Cup winner Pedro was the man of experience leading from the front; he grabbed 2 goals while recent breakthrough Isaac Cuenca set up a pair and won a penalty himself. All this before mentioning Thiago pulling the strings in midfield, as well as fellow European Under 21 Championship winner Martin Montoya keeping a clean sheet and notching a goal, too.

All that and an abundance of young talent on the field around them. There must be something in the water in Barcelona.

Group G belies expectations for one last time

Heading into the final round of the group stages we knew only one thing for certain and that was Shakhtar Donetsk were the only of the sides in the group with nothing left to play for.

The results (FC Porto 0-0 Zenit and APOEL 0-2 Shakhtar) went against all expectations. Porto pushed and pushed for the goal they needed but just weren’t able to breach the opposition back-four, with 21 recovered balls for Lombaerts indicative of the almighty defensive effort that Zenit produced.

FC APOEL can perhaps be accused of being caught napping after becoming the first Cypriot side to qualify for the Champions League stages last Matchday but, even with Luiz Adriano and Yevhen Seleznyov scoring against them, they find themselves top of the group and sailing right through until February.

Channel five just won the footballing lottery

Goals from David Silva and Yaya Toure helped Manchester City record a comfortable 2-0 victory over a second string Bayern Munich side, as Roberto Mancini’s side tried valiantly to keep their debut Champions League dream alive. Their fate was rather out of their own hands, however, and a 2-0 victory away at Villarreal for Napoli ended the Citizens’ hopes of advancing. As twitter behemoth OptaJoe pointed out, City were unfortunate to be the first side in four years to reach double points and not qualify for the knockout stages.

The big shock of the night involved their rivals from across the city. Manchester United traveled to FC Basel knowing they needed just a draw to make the knockout stages but with Nemanja Vidic stretched off in the first half, Fergie’s side succumbed to a 2-1 defeat that will reverberate around Europe.

United have gone from Champions League finalists to being knocked out of the group stages by a (wholly deserving) Swiss side in the space of six short months. They were outplayed and outwitted by Basel and, despite a late Phil Jones goal inspiring a potential late comeback, they ultimately fell short. Just two victories, both against Romanian outfit Otelul Galati, were all that United were able to muster across a disparate campaign. The Europa League is a wholly unexpected and stark reality for a club of this size but the results on the table haven’t been good enough to argue against it being anything other than fair. If not entirely shocking.

With Birmingham and Spurs all but set to depart the Europa League, the powers that be over at Channel 5 will be popping champagne knowing that Manchester United and Manchester City will be their replacements in waiting in their live fixture schedule.

The French contingent don’t give up and surrender easily

Lyon headed into Tuesday night knowing that they had a monumental uphill struggle on their hands. The French side needed to beat Dinamo Zagreb as well as hoping Real Madrid’s “second string” would beat Ajax at the Amsterdam Arena. They also needed a difference of at least seven goals to come from these results.

At the half-way stage of their trip to Croatia, Jose Mourinho’s men had done much of their part as Jose Callejon and Gonzalo Higuiain put Madrid two goals to the good (in a game which ended 0-3 with a late second Callejon strike), Lyon were drawing 1-1 and looked on all counts to fall that little bit short. Three quick goals after half-time and all of a sudden Lyon supercharged their way into the knockout stages in what eventually turned out to be a 7-1 away victory, with Bafetimbi Gomis grabbing himself the quickest hat-trick in Champions League history as part of a four goal haul.

Stunning stuff. Accusations of some strange goings on have already started to creep up from those who dare stick their heads above the parapet.

The previous night their compatriots Marseille showed similar spirit to recover an unlikely victory from the jaws of defeat and live to fight another day in the Champions League. Travelling to Dortmund, the Jekyll and Hyde side of France knew that a victory at the German champions would guarantee them a place in the impending draw.

Eight-four minutes in and 2-1 down, all money would have been on Olympiakos (cruising to victory over Arsenal) nabbing the second spot in Group F. Instead, two late goals from Andre Ayew and substitute Mathieu saw Didier Deschamps’ side snatch a sensational last-gasp victory. The last sixteen now beckons for both sides.

Getting knocked out could be the best thing to happen to some sides

It was, in fact, Ligue 1 champions Lille who failed to follow the national pattern as they stumbled in the easiest of the three fixtures the trio of French sides faced in the final Matchday. A win at home to Trabzonspor would have seen Rudi Garcia’s team join Marseille and Lyon in the knockout stages but, sadly, it was not to be.

Instead, a lacklustre 0-0 draw saw Joe Cole and co not only out of the Champions League but out of Europe entirely, as CSKA’s victory away at Inter saw them push Lille down into fourth place in their group.

While no-one in the region of Lille will be celebrating last night’s results, the simple fact remains that they now have the extra time needed in their attempt to defend the Ligue 1 title over their main challengers of the Qatari rich outfit at PSG. Similar thoughts will be ringing around the heads of fans of the aforementioned Borussia Dortmund. The reigning German champions, by virtue of coming last in Group F, will now spend their midweeks in spring trying to keep Bayern Munich’s hands off the Bundesliga title for a second season running.

One could even argue that the potentially lackadaisical approach we may see in the Europa League this next year could afford both Manchester United and City even more leeway over their rivals in the fight for the 2011/12 Premier League title. Though there is without any doubt this end result was not on any master plan for either Roberto Mancini or Sir Alex Ferguson.

Congratulations to Bayern Munich, Napoli, Inter Milan, CSKA Moscow, Benfica, FC Basel, Real Madrid, Lyon, Chelsea, Bayer Leverkusen, Arsenal, Marseilles, FC APOEL, Zenit St. Petersburg, Barcelona and AC Milan. We’ll be back in the new year to plot all the way through the group stages and onto the final where one of these sixteen sides will be crowned European Champions.

About The Author

“Under my tutelage you will grow from boys into men. From men into gladiators. And from Gladiators into Swansons.”

Andy @ffscout_andy

> See all posts by this author

564 Responses to “Champions League – Matchday Six- This Much We Know”

  1. December 8 at 1:15 pm

    WOLVERiNE says:

    Thinking of getting Evans in this week after the vidic Injury.. Evans will definitely take Vidics place..
    Will be my only United defensive cover and a total bargain at 4.4 ???
    What do you guys think ??

    REPOST

    • 3 replies
     
    1. December 8 at 1:16 pm

      Duffman91 says:

      It’s more likely Smalling and Ferdinand will be centre backs IMO.

      • 1 reply
       
      1. December 8 at 1:17 pm

        Mac says:

        And Jones at right back with Fletcher coming into midfield?

        • 1 reply
         
        1. December 8 at 1:19 pm

          Duffman91 says:

          Yeah Fletcher/Carrick

          • 0 replies
           
    2. December 8 at 1:18 pm

      Hard Van Toulouse says:

      I suppose it makes sense but I don’t trust utd at mo need to see some good results soon.

      • 0 replies
       
    3. December 8 at 1:37 pm

      isacki says:

      Evans is more of a rival to Ferdinand isn’t he? And Ferdinand was chosen over him earlier in the season surprising a few. Don’t be surprised again!
      Jones nailed on to play now? Can’t imagine him leaving after two goals in two games and defending alright. At least the two goals weren’t really to do with him were they?

      • 0 replies
       
  2. December 8 at 1:15 pm

    Duffman91 says:

    Does anyone know if Keiran Richardson played up front for Sunderland at the weekend?

    • 1 reply
     
    1. December 8 at 1:16 pm

      Mac says:

      Opposite, he played left-back.

      • 1 reply
       
      1. December 8 at 1:18 pm

        Duffman91 says:

        Urgh, there is really no one to get for around 6.0…

        • 1 reply
         
        1. December 8 at 1:25 pm

          Alonso14 says:

          BRUNT

          • 1 reply
           
          1. December 8 at 1:27 pm

            Duffman91 says:

            Already have him!

            • 0 replies
             
  3. December 8 at 1:15 pm

    Gargamel says:

    Still can’t believe that Rooney miss

    • 1 reply
     
    1. December 8 at 1:16 pm

      Now back to me says:

      Amazing that he is still classed as one of the worlds best despite going through all these dry spells.

      • 1 reply
       
      1. December 8 at 1:21 pm

        SONIC BOOM!!! says:

        Only by the english media and manu to be fair!

        • 3 replies
         
        1. December 8 at 1:23 pm

          jamsiep says:

          Indeed.

          • 0 replies
           
        2. December 8 at 1:26 pm

          Now back to me says:

          And EA. 90 rating on Fifa… yeah ok.

          • 1 reply
           
          1. December 8 at 1:46 pm

            Moe says:

            thats what u get for being fifas poster boy,just look ay kakas rating also

            • 0 replies
             
        3. December 8 at 1:59 pm

          isacki says:

          Judging by how obsessed our cheerleaders are with boasting about Rooney being one of the best in the world, endless propaganda about the PL being not just the most exciting league but also the best in the world (all I ask is look at which leagues are exporting players to which… LMAO) and a belief England could win stuff until it got too embarrassing against Germany… I’d say we win at one thing: insecurity.

          • 0 replies
           
  4. December 8 at 1:15 pm

    Crouch Potato says:

    I don’t know what you paid for Walters, but he is very close to a rise, maybe tonight.

    • 1 reply
     
    1. December 8 at 1:15 pm

      Crouch Potato says:

      Reply to King Cabbage.

      • 1 reply
       
      1. December 8 at 1:27 pm

        sounak says:

        i will be very happy with that..there must be noobs buying him before a match with red-hot Spurs..

        • 0 replies
         
  5. December 8 at 1:16 pm

    passthebiscuits says:

    Does anyone thing Drenthe will be back this week? Not sure if I should ship him out when i only have 6.2 to play with , maybe a swap for Eagles?

    • 1 reply
     
    1. December 8 at 1:18 pm

      HarveysDadsBarmyArmy says:

      I’m keeping him with the next 5 GW’s in mind.

      • 0 replies
       
  6. December 8 at 1:16 pm

    Hard Van Toulouse says:

    With his g/f or on his own spud ?

    • 1 reply
     
    1. December 8 at 1:21 pm

      Crouch Potato says:

      Not sure he has a girlfriend. As a stoke player you have to be hard though!

      • 1 reply
       
      1. December 8 at 1:42 pm

        Hard Van Toulouse says:

        She’s gorg spud , he’s a hard man no doubt, he does get the odd rise though .

        • 0 replies
         
  7. December 8 at 1:16 pm

    Cowshed (Lee Clarks Barmy Army!!!!!) says:

    Well, im still punching without RVP, probably to my detriment but it worked ok last week so going to plod on without him.

    Vorm
    McAuley, Brown, Enrique, Jones
    Mata, Silva, Nani (c), Bale
    Aguero, Ba

    • 2 replies
     
    1. December 8 at 1:18 pm

      Podge says:

      Seriously considering captaining Aguero against that chelsea defense. 4th leakiest home team in the league.

      • 2 replies
       
      1. December 8 at 1:20 pm

        Cowshed (Lee Clarks Barmy Army!!!!!) says:

        Yep, i see your point, my captain isnt a done deal yet.

        • 0 replies
         
      2. December 8 at 1:30 pm

        HarveysDadsBarmyArmy says:

        I’m about to take him out for Rooney, captaining him over RvP. Madness?

        • 0 replies
         
    2. December 8 at 1:20 pm

      Hard Van Toulouse says:

      Get on the van man !

      • 1 reply
       
      1. December 8 at 1:25 pm

        Cowshed (Lee Clarks Barmy Army!!!!!) says:

        Just feel like ive missed the boat, mind you, i thought that last week! Just gonna upgrade to Sturridge in a couple of weeks and go with Aguero, Sturridge and Helguson. To be fair Helguson has been a gem for me over the last 6 weeks.

        • 0 replies
         
  8. December 8 at 1:19 pm

    Rambo says:

    Hey. Unable to access fpl so having to get bro to do my moves this week…
    2FT
    Vorm
    brown walker naylor
    vdv silva ramsey larson
    rooney rvp ade
    subs given dyer simp wilk

    thinking, vdv to bale as i see vdv not getting back in and given to cerny(Is he the best gk cheapy?? How much is the villa sub?) to bank 2+mil. As i have rooney and with the uncertainty at utd unsure whether to go for nani too in for vdv instead of the bang in form bale… Its a risk coz the look v low on confidence Plus if i bank 2+mil i can upgrade my poor defense… Thoughts most welcome, or other suggestions…thx

    • 1 reply
     
    1. December 8 at 1:26 pm

      Podge says:

      Guzan is the Villa sub and 4.4

      • 0 replies
       
  9. December 8 at 1:20 pm

    SONIC BOOM!!! says:

    RVP and Bale will rise again tonight.

    Man I wish i could have signe bale for 8m but already had 3 spuds as hoped their DGW would have come earlier.

    • 3 replies
     
    1. December 8 at 1:23 pm

      Funkyav says:

      got him at 7.9!!

      • 0 replies
       
    2. December 8 at 1:28 pm

      unoaime says:

      Hoping to get him at 8.9 on Saturday.

      • 0 replies
       
    3. December 8 at 1:48 pm

      Moe says:

      i had him from the beginning of the season

      • 0 replies
       
  10. December 8 at 1:23 pm

    jamsiep says:

    Liverpool have only conceded more than once in one PL game this season – the Tottenham game where they went down to ten men early on.

    Quite surprising, that.

    • 4 replies
     
    1. December 8 at 1:24 pm

      jamsiep says:

      MIght consider one of their defenders as an alternative to United’s. More security in their players, and the fixtures are just as good.

      • 1 reply
       
      1. December 8 at 1:30 pm

        Goose says:

        Im seriously looking at a certain Dane who literally didnt give Zamora a look in on Monday (not that, that is too difficult anyway)

        • 1 reply
         
        1. December 8 at 1:33 pm

          jamsiep says:

          As am I. I love a bit of Dan.

          • 2 replies
           
          1. December 8 at 1:34 pm

            Goose says:

            Also id quite like him for my final group game against AB. Would be awesome if he scored the points to knock him out ;-)

            • 0 replies
             
          2. December 8 at 1:36 pm

            Goose says:

            U no he will crack in a 20 yarder sooner or later (or get injured)

            Skrtel might be a slightly better bet in terms of injurys and he does grab the odd goal, but if Carra comes back into the side it will be Skrtel back on the bench.

            Their is a call from certain places for Agger at DM, but i sure wouldnt wanna take him out of our back 4 at the moment.

            • 1 reply
             
            1. December 8 at 1:39 pm

              jamsiep says:

              Just looked, and he’s only actually scored 3 league goals for Liverpool. Thought it would be more than that.

              • 1 reply
               
              1. December 8 at 1:40 pm

                Goose says:

                Yeah noticed that, Skrtel has 1 more in about the same number of games.

                • 0 replies
                 
    2. December 8 at 1:25 pm

      Podge says:

      Reckon that might change now with Lucas out

      • 2 replies
       
      1. December 8 at 1:30 pm

        Funkyav says:

        ^^this

        • 1 reply
         
        1. December 8 at 1:31 pm

          Goose says:

          Probably, although we were nailed on for a cleanie on Monday before Reina’s error. Agger & Skrtel won everything at the back, the only “danger” if u can call it that, was from Dempsey 20 wayward, long range shots.

          • 0 replies
           
      2. December 8 at 1:31 pm

        jamsiep says:

        Fair enough.

        • 0 replies
         
    3. December 8 at 1:27 pm

      Mac says:

      They’ve also conceded the fewest shots against in the league this year.
      Going away to Wigan and this Villa side are practically as good as home fixtures for CS’s.

      • 0 replies
       
    4. December 8 at 1:32 pm

      jamsiep says:

      Just seen that tosey posted exactly the same stat on the previous page.

      • 1 reply
       
      1. December 8 at 1:34 pm

        seaunicorn says:

        if Suarez just stopped his antics and started scoring goals, KOP wud have won some more games..

        • 0 replies
         
  11. December 8 at 1:24 pm

    Gargamel says:

    So, got no appreciation for the Ferdinand idea. Are you lot more interested in a piece of Smalling then? He’s cheaper and his only competition, Jones, might have to play CM and CB instead.

    Or do we think he risks being axed after allowing Frei to score the 2-0 goal yesterday? I imagine SAF won’t be too pleased with that.

    • 6 replies
     
    1. December 8 at 1:26 pm

      jamsiep says:

      That’s my concern with Smalling, he may be dropped after that horrendous piece of defending yesterday.

      Although, I’d imagine Jones will fill in at centre back for Vidic. He’s the most natural replacement surely?

      • 1 reply
       
      1. December 8 at 1:29 pm

        Gargamel says:

        Yeah Jones looks like a great great prospect to me now. Would make him a priority if I didn’t have him already, but I’m looking at adding another one.

        CT below says the twins are back soon, that’s a bit of a spanner. If they were out longer I’d almost certainly go for Smalling as Jones will be needed elsewhere. Hmmmmmm.

        • 0 replies
         
    2. December 8 at 1:28 pm

      Now back to me says:

      Too hard to call, the twins should be back after this weekend aswell. Smalling is the kind of player to come on in the last 5 minutes if he doesn’t start. At least with Evans, you know that is unlikely.

      • 1 reply
       
      1. December 8 at 1:29 pm

        Gargamel says:

        Don’t like the sound of that, thought the twins were out for longer. If he’s dropped for them it’s still likely that he’ll be back next game of course, as they can’t finish a game ever, ever.

        • 0 replies
         
    3. December 8 at 1:29 pm

      Fratboy - Espanyol! says:

      Someone said further up its likely we’ll play:

      Evra Ferdinand smalling Jones

      But it is possible it could be:

      Evra Ferdinand/Evans smalling/Evans jones/smalling

      With the possibility jones could be in midfield.

      Answer:

      None, without vidic we concede.

      • 2 replies
       
      1. December 8 at 1:32 pm

        Mac says:

        In the 8 games Vidic missed this year you kept 3 clean sheets against Norwich, Spurs and Bolton.
        The other 5 games you didn’t keep clean sheets against were Arsenal, Chelsea, Stoke, Liverpool and City.

        The fixtures coming up don’t look like those where you didn’t keep clean sheets to me.

        • 1 reply
         
        1. December 8 at 1:39 pm

          Fratboy - Espanyol! says:

          Still a bit down from last night :(

          • 0 replies
           
      2. December 8 at 1:32 pm

        Gargamel says:

        Hah!

        Thing is I don’t think you will though, I think United will go on another run of small victories and try to strengthen in January or at least wait for more confidence and less turbulence.

        Not particularly pleased with all these options though, because I won’t be getting Evans again and Evra is a bit pricey

        Ferdinand should be safe though, he’s in both your lineups?

        • 1 reply
         
        1. December 8 at 1:40 pm

          Fratboy - Espanyol! says:

          Yeah I think Ferdinand should be fine, he had a good game last night(ish)

          • 0 replies
           
    4. December 8 at 1:31 pm

      Crouch Potato says:

      So many players he could wield the axe at, think he’ll be more irate at the collective performance, than individual errors.

      • 0 replies
       
    5. December 8 at 1:36 pm

      Goose says:

      My thinking is Fergie might be cautious over Ferdy in terms of his general fitness and injuries. I cant see him playing every game over Xmas.

      Id only go for one of Smalling, Jones or Evra personally.

      • 0 replies
       
    6. December 8 at 1:44 pm

      theotherguy says:

      I have no idea what SAF will do so on that basis I Evans would be my choice as for a 4.4 Ud defender a rotation risk is fine for me.

      • 0 replies
       
  12. December 8 at 1:26 pm

    alfast1c says:

    Team linked, got 2 free transfers and 2.3m in bank.

    A) VDV > Bale + 1 transfer
    B) Walters + Suarez > Nani + Ba
    C) Suarez > Rooney/Aguero/Ba + 1 trasnfer
    D) Something else?

    • 5 replies
     
    1. December 8 at 1:27 pm

      Forest4Life says:

      A

      • 0 replies
       
    2. December 8 at 1:31 pm

      liamhennessy says:

      Downgrade Suarez for Welbeck or Sturridge, upgrade Simpson for a grade 1 def (Verm, Jones etc.). VdV might well be worth perservering with, as he’ll be back pretty soon imo.

      • 1 reply
       
      1. December 8 at 1:44 pm

        alfast1c says:

        i dont like to invest in getting grade 1 def, cause simspon, BAE and enrique is enough. Plus i have brown and wilkinson, so nice rotations.
        iam really in a dilemma, would like to keep VDV, maybe upgreade Moses and bench walters?

        • 1 reply
         
        1. December 8 at 1:53 pm

          liamhennessy says:

          Yeah I got rid of Walters this week. I was thinking Mata, but I went nani for the fixtures (and he looks to be going on a purple patch soon. I hope). I also got rid of Sturridge, but that was to get in the yak so I cdould afford Nani. Oh, I also got in Verm.

          8 point hit ;)

          I’m feeling twitchy about Ade – he may go soon.

          • 0 replies
           
    3. December 8 at 1:32 pm

      Podge says:

      Suarez to Ba and Wilkinson to Verm ?

      • 0 replies
       
    4. December 8 at 1:35 pm

      alfast1c says:

      Iam kinda leaning to B. I think Nani and Ba will get me much more pts than suarez and walters in the next 3 gws. Plus i can return walters in 3 weeks. Iam sick of waiting Suarez to score and Walters did enough.
      For A, think VDV will play this gw and when he plays bale is shit.

      • 0 replies
       
    5. December 8 at 1:37 pm

      theotherguy says:

      Probably A for me too. Next week could consider Brown > Verm and Suarez > Ba?

      • 0 replies
       
  13. December 8 at 1:27 pm

    King Cabbage says:

    Daughter: Dad I’m a lesbian. Dad: Ok that’s cool. 2nd daughter: I’m also a lesbian.

    Dad: Christ, doesn’t anyone in this family love c*ck? Son: I do!

    • 5 replies
     
    1. December 8 at 1:28 pm

      Forest4Life says:

      LOL

      • 0 replies
       
    2. December 8 at 1:29 pm

      Now back to me says:

      :lol:

      • 0 replies
       
      • 0 replies
       
    3. December 8 at 1:56 pm

      everyday, i'm shuffling .. natt says:

      :lol:

      • 0 replies
       
    4. December 8 at 2:20 pm

      isacki says:

      LOOOOOL

      • 0 replies
       
  14. December 8 at 1:28 pm

    Damo says:

    Don’t ya just love hearing a song on the radio that you’ve kinda forgotten about and haven’t listened to in ages http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....38;ob=av2e

    • 1 reply
     
    1. December 8 at 1:36 pm

      jamsiep says:

      Great song, hadn’t listened to it in ages either.

      • 0 replies
       
  15. December 8 at 1:29 pm

    Keith says:

    Ok.. i’ve calmed down and considerin transfer options.. got a team where i can play all 13 of my outfield players this week so considerin using my 2 free luxury transfers to set me up for the near future.. Considerin gettin Gower and Lennon in for Pilkington and Sessegnon.. i favor lennon to do pretty ok against stoke with his pace and i want him next week anyway and wont be able to afford if he rises.. team would then be
    Vorm Krul
    Baines Jones Richards Enrique (Mcauley)
    Silva Bale Walters Lennon (Gower)
    Rvp Ade Sturridge

    Will give me a strong lineup for christmas time and until GW 23 when i play my wildcard.. free transfers.. go ahead and do them? is gower a sure starter? seems to be but i may be misinformed

    • 1 reply
     
    1. December 8 at 1:45 pm

      liamhennessy says:

      Why not do Romeu instead of Gower for that price? Swans defence is good but I’m not convinced by the rest of them yet.

      • 0 replies
       
  16. December 8 at 1:32 pm

    Holy See says:

    Santos – Enrique, Jones, Vermaelen, Another? Leaning toward Enrique currently.

    • 3 replies
     
    1. December 8 at 1:33 pm

      Keith says:

      Jones i’d say.. nailed on atm

      • 0 replies
       
    2. December 8 at 1:37 pm

      King Cabbage says:

      Liverpool without Lucas will be weaker defensively = few clean sheets.

      I had Enrique in mind but think I’ll leave it be now.

      • 0 replies
       
    3. December 8 at 1:37 pm

      theotherguy says:

      Verm for me. Maybe wait another week to see what Liverpool’s defence is like as Lucas omission could mean less cs.

      • 0 replies
       
  17. December 8 at 1:35 pm

    Keith says:

    anyone here owns cerny? is he a safe bet till gw 23 or so? is murphy a threat to him? and is kenny gonna return anytime soon?

    • 2 replies
     
    1. December 8 at 1:33 pm

      ChristIna says:

      Jafalad owns him.

      • 0 replies
       
    2. December 8 at 1:36 pm

      Mac says:

      I won him, Kenny and Murphy are both out til the new year so go ahead and purchase him.

      • 1 reply
       
      1. December 8 at 1:37 pm

        Keith says:

        new year is just 4 gameweeks away.. wanted him as vorm backup till mid to end of jan

        • 0 replies
         
  18. December 8 at 1:36 pm

    Holy See says:

    New Post

    • 0 replies
     
  19. December 8 at 1:39 pm

    sharpyparpy says:

    Current Team

    Vorm
    Enrique, Jones, Simpson (S Taylor, Rangel)
    Bale, Walcott, Silva, O’Hara (Moses)
    RVP, Aguero, BA

    Considering

    a) Aguero > Yakubu, O’Hara>Mata, STaylor> Richards
    b) Aguero >Yakubu, O’Hara > YaYA, STaylor > Vermalen

    Think I have to sell Aguero to sort out my injury hit defence. 8 pt hit but sorts me out for Christmas run?

    What do you think?

    • 1 reply
     
    1. December 8 at 1:43 pm

      charliec1903 says:

      Just aguero>yak. No need to waste points when you don’t need to make the transfers.Save them for next GW. Plus swap moses for Ohara ;)

      • 1 reply
       
      1. December 8 at 3:10 pm

        sharpyparpy says:

        Thanks

        • 0 replies
         
  20. December 8 at 1:42 pm

    Now back to me says:

    No irregular betting patterns last night…

    • 0 replies
     
  21. December 8 at 1:43 pm

    gers23 says:

    what r ppls thoughts on having players playing up against each other? for example i have sturridge/kompany.do u think u r better off pickin a winner and benchin the other? or hope 4 a 5 each game lol.heres my team

    Westwood(Rudd)

    Kompany/Vermalaen/Enrique(Simpson,Wilkinson)

    Silva/VDV/Dyer/Walters(Formica)

    RVP/Aguero/Sturridge

    • 2 replies
     
    1. December 8 at 1:49 pm

      theotherguy says:

      I think it’s fine to have players against each other. For me its all about who’s on the bench – if you think both Kompany and Sturridge will outscore Simpson/Wilko/Formica then I would play them both.

      • 0 replies
       
    2. December 8 at 1:53 pm

      Canadian Football says:

      I dont play a forward against at defender. It is like betting against yourself. The exception of course would be Baines on a 2 game week.

      Fwd vs Fwd or Mid i will do if faced with the situation and hope for lots of goals.

      • 1 reply
       
      1. December 8 at 1:57 pm

        thetinkerman says:

        Nonesene!

        For example, if I have Jones playing, O’Hara playing at Old Trafford and I Graham playing at home then yeah I’d bench O’Hara.

        However, just because two or more of your players are facing eachother it doesn’t mean you should automatically bench one. With an attacking defender for example both could theoretically both score well. It depends who you are benching a player for.

        The nature of FPL means that your players will face each other at some point.

        • 1 reply
         
        1. December 8 at 2:13 pm

          isacki says:

          Depends on the specifics but:

          Fwd v fwd: okay.
          Mid v mid: okay so long it is not a mismatch.
          Def v def: not okay as 0-0 is rare and I’ll have one dud at least, worse yet if a defender is attacking
          Fwd v mid: okay.
          Fwd v def: almost always avoid.
          Mid v def: avoid.

          Treat GKs basically the same as defs except when they’re up against an attack that can’t finish in which case save points come into play.

          • 1 reply
           
          1. December 8 at 10:24 pm

            jkisthe1 says:

            so in other words anyone who has Henessey, make sure you start him.

            • 0 replies
             
  22. December 8 at 1:43 pm

    emperikal says:

    Good afternoon y’all. After an upsetting CL evening last night its time to swich into EPL mode. I’m having a tricky time sorting out my line-up and substitute order. Anyone care to have a look?

    GK: Vorm

    DEF: Jones – Enrique – Tierney – Brown

    MF: Nani (vc) – Silva – VDV

    FWD: Adebayor – RVP (C) – Ba

    BENCH: Krul – Gower – Drenthe – Jagielka

    Should I play Gower/Drenthe ahead of Tierney maybe or stick to the 4-3-3?

    • 0 replies
     
  23. December 8 at 1:57 pm

    Keith says:

    Baines + Lennon + Sessegnon
    OR
    Richards + Mata + Pilkington

    • 2 replies
     
    1. December 8 at 1:57 pm

      Keith says:

      till winter wildcard

      • 1 reply
       
      1. December 8 at 2:00 pm

        Moe says:

        sessegnon is weak,baines is expensive

        • 0 replies
         
    2. December 8 at 1:59 pm

      charliec1903 says:

      Baines etc.

      • 1 reply
       
      1. December 8 at 2:02 pm

        Keith says:

        thanks.. posted in the old post accidentally and dint expect replies:)

        • 0 replies
         
  24. December 8 at 1:59 pm

    danwestwood says:

    Any advice on my team?

    Krul (Al-Habsi)

    Verm | BAE | Enrique (Taylor R, Simpson)
    Silva | Bale | Walters | Pilkington | Allen
    RVP | Aguero | Morison

    1.4 in the bank, can see obvious places to improve but nothing really affordable? Would really appreciate some help

    • 0 replies
     
  25. December 8 at 10:21 pm

    Shakhtar Senseless says:

    Also, United forums are agreeing this will be the team used this weekend:

    Lindegaard

    Jones Ferdinand Smalling Evra

    Valencia Fletcher Carrick Nani

    Welbeck Rooney

    • 0 replies
     
  26. December 8 at 10:21 pm

    Shakhtar Senseless says:

    Who has bought Welbeck?

    • 0 replies
     
  27. December 9 at 2:00 am

    Diversant says:

    Schwarzer
    Jones Vermaelen Walker + Williams + Jose Enrique
    Silva , Bale, Mata, Sinclair + Eagles
    Helguson , RVP, Agbonlahor

    ELSE
    Schwarzer
    Jones Vermaelen Walker , Williams + Jose Enrique
    Silva , Bale, Mata + Sinclair + Eagles
    Helguson , RVP, Agbonlahor

    • 0 replies
     

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