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Moneyball – Romelu Lukaku

Handed a debut last week, our new Moneyball series returns to scan the lower end of the Fantasy markets, identifying players with the numbers to suggest they could well emerge as an unlikely force for this week and the foreseeable future. West Brom’s Romelu Lukaku is a considerable unit who, to this point, has been kept straining at the leash. Even so, with a start at home to struggling Reading on the cards tomorrow, the time looks right for the big Belgian prospect…

Chris Glover Creator of the plfantasy blog, providing a stats focused approach to fantasy football. Exiled to Canada but still prefer my sports played on grass rather than ice. Follow them on Twitter

1,200 Comments Post a Comment
  1. What Else
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    Pole ?

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    1. What Else
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Pole position !

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  2. unoaime
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    So, do i need to transfer Friedel out or can i do Lescott > Baines and Graham > Berbatov?

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    1. What Else
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      both !

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      1. unoaime
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Makes no sense. 😛

        I have 2FT but not sure if i can do them both if Friedels not gonna start.

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        1. What Else
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Friedel will start this weekend. Believe me.

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        2. Doctor X
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Lloris started their Europa League game. So Freidel could get the nod this weekend.

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  3. Les Bleus
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 7 months ago

    What to do with DDG? Ohhhh what to do..?

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    1. What Else
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Just get Butnet or Rafael as MU coverage and you're sorted

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      1. ColeHole
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Buttnet will score!

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      2. JT's Dog
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Is raf not injured?

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      3. branub
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        he shld play this week i reckon .. but u nv know with SAF

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      4. What Else
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        I sold him a looooooong time ago.

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    2. The EJJ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Graham - Berbatov worth a 4pt hit?

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      1. unoaime
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Nah. I'm not 100% sure even on a FT. Graham could easily score against Everton.

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        1. What Else
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          He's injured ! Graham's not playing dude

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      2. What Else
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Yes. Graham's out, Berba's on fire, done deal.

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        1. unoaime
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Grahams out? I haven't been on a few days, but what's that all about?

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            1. pjomara
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 7 months ago

              "Ashley Williams (ankle), Leon Britton (illness), Jonathan de Guzman and Danny Graham (both ankle) are carrying knocks but should be available."

              Not exactly saying he's injured, now is it?

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          1. La Vida Latte
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            He has a nock, uncertain if he will start. Check the tweets today.

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      3. Shots on Target
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Yes, worth it. Berba will pay that 4pt back very quickly.

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    3. nazrijack
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      1) cazorla>HBA(c), Graham>Defoe
      2) Cazorla>morrison, Graham>Ba(c)

      Which one is the best option?

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      1. What Else
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        No 1

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      2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        hmm not sure i like this cazorla out for a couple then bring him back

        but 2.

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      3. Doctor X
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Are we sure that Ba is going to play down the middle? If so then B. Else A

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        1. nazrijack
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          are we sure Ba will playing? if so i would tempting to do 2 & captaining Ba!

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      4. La Vida Latte
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Why Cazorla out?
        I think 1 and 2 are just as good...

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        1. nazrijack
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          cazorla out to free up cash to replace graham.In term of captaincy..who u favour between HBA & Ba?

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    4. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Captains ?

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      1. What Else
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Berba

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      2. Test Eagles
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Ba

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      3. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        swappin between tevez and torres

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      4. La Vida Latte
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        I am om Hazard, but thinking about Baines, with almost everyone in the Swansea defence out...

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      5. emperikal
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Bale or Ben Arfa

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        1. Feed tha Sheep
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Thinking of v p think he will run riot against liverpool

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    5. Doctor X
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      On the contrary to everyone getting Berbatov, I'm going to take a sidestep and consider getting Ba in.
      Maybe Berbatov is the man to change Fulhams sad travels away from home, but Ba is as worthy a candidate in a Newcastle side that has full capacity to perform away from home.

      Fixtures also side with Mr. Demba Ba. (NOR, rdg) compared to Berba's (wig, MCY). In short, I think Ba will outscore Berbatov over the next 2 weeks, after which I will trade him for Berbatov. This brings me to two questions (I'm still deciding what I'm going to do):

      Is Kagawa + Graham > Pienaar + Ba (-4) worth the points hit?

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      1. Doctor X
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Second question: What are Ba's chances of starting day after?

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        1. What Else
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          What are the chances of us knowing ...

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          1. som3awy
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            What are the chances of Ba outscoring RVP?

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      2. Lord Flashheart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        do it.

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    6. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      bench pienaar (swa) or Michu (EVE) or santi (mci)?

      other players are morison(RDG), hazard(STK), tevez(ARS), ba(NOR) and lambert(AVL) up front (and foster, baines, mcually, vert in the back)

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      1. som3awy
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Sanit or Morison.

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      2. La Vida Latte
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        I think pienaar can have a good week concidering the Swansea defence are all injured or suspended...

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    7. Pez99
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Probably already been asked but is there a Scoutcast this week ?

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      1. som3awy
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Don't think so.

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        1. Pez99
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Is it because Mark and Granville has such a shite week last week ? lol

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          1. som3awy
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            Hahaha 😀 I think someone on here said that Granville is visiting his parents or something like that!

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      2. Fabtastic
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Granville is away on holidays...didn't you listen to the last Scoutcast?

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    8. Henry Hill
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Anyone know if Adam Johnson is fit this weekend?

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      1. som3awy
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Nope.

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      2. Hate that rotation
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        It doesn't look likely

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        1. Henry Hill
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          F uck sake

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    9. Fabtastic
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Best 5.0-5.5m defender? S.Taylor? McAuley? Gallas? Have Foster in goals.

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      1. Lord Flashheart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        mcually for next 3 games, Saylor next 10 games.

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    10. NATSTER
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Captain?

      A: Ben Arfa
      B: Hazard
      C: Tevez

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      1. gedda
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        A for me. Don't have Hazard though.

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      2. Doctor X
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Ben Arfa

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      3. heco87
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        a) for me but b) is probably the more logical choice.

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        1. NATSTER
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          How logical? Since he tops the poll?

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    11. Jönny
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 7 months ago

      Damn, would like to read this article.... should've shelled out for membership I suppose.

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      1. JT's Dog
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Still can

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        • Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Still worth it. How much would you pa to subscribe to Chris' blog?

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          1. Jönny
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            I was a member last season... to be honest, didn't use the stats that much. Quite enjoyed the articles, and the customizable season ticker was probably the most useful thing. It's tempting, I'm just so broke, £15 seems a lot right now!

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            1. Ginkapo FPL
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 7 months ago

              hehe fair enough. The stats are SO SO SO much better and are more user friendly this year though.

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        • gedda
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Got it for cheaps before season kicked off, they are rolling out some great article series and "the brief" which is emailed every week is a great little feature. I recommend joining to be honest!

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      2. The Mousa is Loosa
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Bale (C) worth a shout at home to an injury plagued QPR?

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        1. frankiefernandez
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          That's what I'm doing... so probably not 🙂

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          1. The Mousa is Loosa
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            Haha that's assuring!

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        2. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          yes

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      3. Gimli son of Gloin
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Foster,
        Hughes, Demel, Rangel (Clynne, Cuellar)
        Toure(C), Cazorla, Hazard, Michu, (Sterling)
        RVP, Tevez, Berbatov

        Correct sub order? etc

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        1. fredwestham
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          What is your sub order?

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      4. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Me and Chris Glover are tight.

        Lukaku

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        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Well I put a heart at the end of that

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          1. blue cheese
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

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            1. Ginkapo FPL
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 7 months ago

              😀

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            2. In Like Flynn.
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 7 months ago

              How is that done Nitin? It's gone from the top already.

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              1. Ginkapo FPL
                • 12 Years
                11 years, 7 months ago

                Hes copied it from somewhere else I think. It looked like that at the top too.

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              2. blue cheese
                • 12 Years
                11 years, 7 months ago

                Yeah, copy-paste. I think alt + 3 works too ♥

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        2. In Like Flynn.
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Shouldn't have started drinking so early.

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      5. In Like Flynn.
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Sky Sport was here and gone PDQ.

        Any Blackburn fans here atm? Lurking before the game? I have a team question.

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      6. Gimli son of Gloin
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Foster,
        Hughes, Demel, Rangel (Clynne, Cuellar)
        Toure(C), Cazorla, Hazard, Michu, (Sterling)
        RVP, Tevez, Berbatov

        Correct sub order?

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        1. som3awy
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          You've got Hazard, Berb, Tevez, RVP and you're captaining Toure?!?!?!?!

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      7. gedda
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Another good read, thanks team.
        I just got Morrison in for attacking WBA cover, however,I am keeping an eye on Lukaku. He has already scored in Europa League for his former club and is looking a real beast in front of goal, great player for the Prem!

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      8. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Why no West Ham and Spurs press conferences

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        1. HuttonDressedasLahm
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Sorry, West Ham was yesterday!

          But where is Spurs?? I want to know about Adebayor!

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      9. therealgreek
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        best defender for 4.8m or less?

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        1. emperikal
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Clark / Hughes / Naughton / Davies

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        2. Doctor X
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Aaron Hughes. Guy Demel. Ben Davies. Car Jenkinson.

          Take your pick.

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        3. therealgreek
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          thanks chaps. i like the look of naughton short-term.

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      10. emperikal
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Pick one to play:

        1) Hughes
        2) Clark
        3) Davies

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        1. som3awy
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Clark

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        2. heco87
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          1) .. don't think it'll make much difference though ... looking at 1s and 2s there I think.

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

        A or B?

        A) Pog > Defoe
        Kompany > Nauhgton (or other 4.8m defender)

        B) Pog > Podolski
        Kompany > Nelsen (or other 3.9m defender)

        Help please?! Thanks

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        1. heco87
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          I wouldn't do either of them if it's for a hit

          If pushed, b) with Gorkss.

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          1. heco87
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            Scrap that, a) but with Clark / Lowton

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        2. emperikal
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          A

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      12. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        We all know that the Toon are good at providing us with prolifient cheap strikers, but does anyone remember Odemwingie exploding onto the scene? Lukaku is next

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        1. heco87
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Yes I remember keeping on benching him through his prolific run. Ouch.

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          1. Ginkapo FPL
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            Ouch, I enjoyed shouting his name back at MOTD too much to bench him.

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        2. Doctor X
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          I even captained Odem a couple of times 2 seasons ago. Brilliant VFM.

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        3. ColeHole
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          He's the cream of the 6.5's.

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        4. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Profligate? Proficient? Proliferating? I am spoilt for choice!!! 😆

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          1. Ginkapo FPL
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            I knew something was wrong when I typed it but couldnt place it 🙁

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          2. Ginkapo FPL
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            Profiterolling

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            1. In Like Flynn.
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 7 months ago

              😆 Thats the one.

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              1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                11 years, 7 months ago

                I like a nice profiterole ... piece of cake! 😀

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                1. JK - Cønt ⭐
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 12 Years
                  11 years, 7 months ago

                  mmmm, profiteroles

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        5. Jönny
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Stop it! I'm trying to be sensible and bring Lambert in instead. Lukaku is pretty, pretty, pretty tempting though.

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      13. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        hows my team looking for tomorrow?

        foster

        demel – saylor – rangel

        michu – caz – haz – pienaar

        rvp – tevez – berbatov

        begovic – maloney – hangeland – cuellar

        still really uncertain who to [c] i currently have it on hazard with berbs vice but i am not 100% on hazard

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        1. Kevin Twine
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Very nice, but I'm sure you know this already..
          I'd captain Hazard personally...

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          1. Ricky - it doesn\'t ta…
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            cheers . not fully convinced by chelsea to captain him

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            1. I taught Ashley Young how t…
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 7 months ago

              If you captain Hazard and he fails, it will be a very long Sunday

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      14. Rowley Birkin
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Would you make any changes to this team?

        Foster (Begovic)

        Baines Demel Hughes (Cuellar Gorkks)

        Michu Hazard Cazorla Pienaar (Taylor)

        Fletcher RVP Tevez

        Thanks for the feedback.

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        1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          not this week, looks good

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      15. Phoenix Wright
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        I'll get around 100 points less because Luke Wright didn't score 1 more run. Ran out of overs.
        But well played by him. Hope he takes a hat-trick now.

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        1. blue cheese
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Same here! 🙁

          75 points for one more run. But I had him atleast. Favorite for MOTM too now..

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          1. Phoenix Wright
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            Yeah. I had him as captain. But great batting after the first over's setback.

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      16. In Like Flynn.
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Lukaku had a cameo appearance for Chelsea when they came to Brighton for a lesson preseason.
        He looked extremely useful even in that brief time.

        The trouble is unless he is guaranteed over an hour in the vast majority of games he's just another rotation risk and the top teams give us more than enough headaches on that front.

        So not for me atm, though I sure if he gets a bit of a run he'll earn that permanent place.

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        1. ColeHole
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          Along with Lambert, he seems the pick of the under 7's and will be a viable 3rd forward once he has settled into the team. He's been on my watchlist since the loan move, though that's been more through affection than any expectation of points.

          It'll be fun to actually play him when the time is right.

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          1. In Like Flynn.
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            I've been hoping he'd get in BEFORE anyone noticed him. Oh well, he will be great at some time.
            Even asked questions of the Brighton defence. 😉

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      17. Pinatta
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        Anyone else considering trading RvP > Rooney to get the 1.5 ?

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        1. Phoenix Wright
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          No. but I dont have RVP to begin with.

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      18. Parm
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 7 months ago

        How's she lookin?

        JussiJ
        Baines, Rafael, Davies.
        Hazard(vc), Michu, Pienaar, Maloney.
        RVP (c), Tevez, Berba.

        Subs: Mignolet; Noble, Hughes, Clyne.

        0FT's, £3.5m in the bank.

        Correct subs and (C)?

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        1. blue cheese
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          No love for Clyne at home to Villa?

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          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            I love Fox, personally ... 😀

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            1. Ginkapo FPL
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 7 months ago

              I love Lamp

              I would play Hughes over Davies personally whilst Chico is out. Though thats 50/50 anyway.

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          2. Parm
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            Nope, Saints can't defend.

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        2. In Like Flynn.
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 7 months ago

          I think there is better than Maloney and Noble, but who knows. We don't all want the same team, would make the game even more pointless than it is now. 😉

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          1. Parm
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 7 months ago

            I'm getting rid of Noble soon! I promise! 😀

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