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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. BOOM XHAKALACA
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Zabaleta, Graham -> Ridgewell, Defoe worth 4 point hit?

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    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I'm keeping Zab for one more week, I'd advise you to do the same.

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      1. BOOM XHAKALACA
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Don't have enough dosh to just do Graham -> Defoe

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  2. futbolnotsoccer
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Midfield is: Michu Yaya Hazard Cazorla Pienaar

    I need to get rid of one, since I can't play my sweet forwards without benching one of those each week. Who would you drop? I'm thinking Yaya, but Pienaar is also close to axing...

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    1. emperikal
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I'm guessing you probably have Tevez so Yaya. I'd hold on to Pienaar

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      1. futbolnotsoccer
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Good call. I don't know who to replace him with and I'd like to get someone relatively cheap...thinking Kaca? I do have Tevez...and Aguero. And defoe (once I get rid of RVP...) 😉 if I got Kaca in I could free up funds to bring Baines in too, someone I really want atm.

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        1. emperikal
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Aguero and Tevez? Then definitely Yaya! Kaca or Sterling are good options on the cheap end of things

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    2. ColeHole
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Your def must be all sorts of wrong.

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      1. futbolnotsoccer
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        I like it. But you're right, it could be better. I'm not a fan of expensive defense anyways....jaask got me 8 points last week 😉

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      2. ColeHole
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Just seen your team. Vaz Te, shurley.

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    3. gedda
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I would get rid of Cazorla as for 2 GWs and then buy him back for either of the other 4 when the fixture list starts favoring him again, by then Michu & Pienaar will both have tougher fixtures and your decision will hopefully be easier.

      /g

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      1. 4vets
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Would you sell Tevez or Hazard if they had two tricky matches?

        If not, why sell Caz now?

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    4. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Find the one most likely for rotation FNS. It's no good I have no idea, except Yaya is as nailed on as nailed on can get.

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    5. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Lol 24 point hit last week...good luck!!!

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  3. snowman
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    any ideas on who to get in for zaba....fulham defender or maybe jags/distin???

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  4. Garcks
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    On a WC, current front line is Tevez, Ba, Poldi with money in bank for Kun.

    Tempted to put Lukaka in for Tevez this week. Could pay off?

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    1. gedda
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      If you are upgrading to Agüero anyway then yeah, but its a very risky punt!

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      1. Garcks
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Yep, planning Kun next GW and will have 2 ft's

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        1. 4vets
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          You will have 1ft

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          1. Garcks
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            Oh, will I? Poo. Still tempted though. Tevez won't score more than 1 against Steve Boulds defence, if he plays!

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  5. wikidwhite
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    How am I looking guys?

    Jaas
    Demel - Gallas - Ivan
    Kacan - Hazard - Michu - Cozorla
    Tevez (Vc) - V.P - Ba (C)

    Subs: Bego - Dyer - Rangel - Cuellar

    Am I playing the right 11? Cheers

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    1. Pap Le Cissier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Dyer over Kac? Not sold on Ba C though

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  6. Croco
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    I hope LOLkaku will be established in the starting XI

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    1. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      another LOLarov 😆

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  7. andres
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Foster fed
    Ivan cuellar a.williams clyne demel
    Santi hazard michu mcclean guthrie
    Graham rvp tevez

    1.5

    Graham, williams and cuellar are doubts, unlikely to play. Already used my free transfer to do ddg to foster

    A wc
    B graham to lambert or ther within budget (for a hit)
    C play 3-5-2 with clyne and guthrie with no bench…

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    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Lambert, good fixtures most set pieces do it today just in case of price change.

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      1. Pap Le Cissier
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        B

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      2. andres
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Could be his moment actually.. I am thinking even (c)...would that be too much?

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        1. Pap Le Cissier
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Personally I wouldnt, but could be a hell of a payoff. My housemate put it on berba last weekend, need I say more...

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          1. andres
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            Also considering berba for that spot, however, the away fixtures somehow put me off...

            Other captain options seem to be rvp, hazard (current pick)

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  8. director
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Lads the QPR defence is in the ribbons. That plus some very healthy underlying stats, plus the amount of shots conceded by Qpr in the box makes me think Bale is the man for the armband this week.

    Other potential candidates are HBA, RVP, and Tevez. Norwich have tightened up since the opening day mauling so dont expect a hatfull of goals at St. James.

    Im a United supporter but Liverpool are going be seriously fired up for this one. Wasnt impressed by RVP during the week either, and thought a RVP in flying form would have grabbed that peno and buried it.

    Tevez I am tempted by though. City will surely want a reaction, and looking at his underling stats he has been heavily involved in City's play this year. Nobody keeps City scoreless at home, so not convinced at all that Arsenal will be able to keep Tevez and co at bay.

    Thoughts?

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    1. Tatty Bojangles
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Berbatov

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      1. director
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Sorry I meant they are my 4 captain options. So Berba doesn't come into it

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    2. beric
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I would probably go for Bale out of those

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  9. I taught Ashley Young how t…
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    What is everyone's team value added with what is in the bank? Mine is 104.3.

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    1. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      103.6

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      1. I taught Ashley Young how t…
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Btw Leif, I'm sticking with RvP. Against, a bottom 4 side he should be on fire.

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    2. Kevin Twine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Blimey, that's the most I've seen on here so far.
      Mine's 103.4 (no WC played though.)

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      1. I taught Ashley Young how t…
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Yeh I played my WC prematurely so advantage you!

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    3. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Boring...

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      1. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        You're boring.

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    4. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      About a million less. Though only about 101.2 NTV

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    5. beric
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      102.7

      You showoff

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      1. I taught Ashley Young how t…
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Hahah I honestly thought i was in the low-end because on the status page the most valuable teams are 106.1

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  10. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    What happened to throwing coins on the pitch?

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/video/2012/sep/20/footballer-finds-grenade-on-pitch

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    1. ColeHole
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      The digital economy changed everything...

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  11. Mr. Greedy
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Who should I bench out of Santi, Pienaar (also have Baines, who's playing) and Maloney?

    At the moment I've got Pienaar on the bench as I like the look of Maloney v FUL and Cazorla could do well against a leaky Man City.

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    1. La Vida Latte
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I say Maloney

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      1. Cooper123
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        +1

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  12. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    1) Play Clyne or Zabaleta this week?

    2) Captain: Bale, Tevez or RVP?

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    1. Hiphopopotamus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Tough questions.

      Clyne & Bale.

      But i reckon you'll get all manner of combo's - hard to call.

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    2. beric
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Clyne and Bale, I'm benching Zab and playing Clyne myself.

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  13. Cooper123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    This week: bring in

    A) Cazorla

    or

    B) Ben Arfa?

    Ben Arfa's next couple look considerably better but I'll be wanting Santi in the long term.

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    1. Hiphopopotamus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Bring in Benny for now but swap to Santi when you get the chance long-term.

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  14. Kanus hat trick
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Confirmation of Man Utd 'keeper rotation:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/27453474@N02/6764765751/in/photostream/

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    1. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      lol..

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  15. Sweetpea
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Boyce or Ridgewell???

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    1. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Bazookas !

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      1. blue cheese
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        😀

        Ridgewell, btw.

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      2. Hiphopopotamus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        I love bazooka's. The tit version just edges the bubblegum one for me. You?

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  16. Thick Of It
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    The Afghans are a lot worse at cricket than I imagined, currently 26 for 8 after 9 overs

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    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      They play Polo. Only been doing cricket recently.

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      1. Thick Of It
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Still better than Scotland I guess

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  17. Son is Rising
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Thinking of taking out Tevez for Ba, giving me the funds to do Cuellar > Baines next week. Thinking Tevez might not score as heavily with Aguero being back and with possible rotation around champions league.

    Current team is

    Jaask Beg

    Cole Cuellar Santon Ridgewell Jenkinson

    Barfa Pienaar Haz Guthrie Michu

    Berb Tevez RVP

    Only problem is the drama surrounding Ba at the moment but surely he can't be benched again after Mondays performance?

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    1. Son is Rising
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      link is wrong should be fixed now!

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  18. Les Bleus
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Start Lampard at home to Stoke or Peanut away to Swansea?

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    1. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      jesus christ

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    2. halnone
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Why do you even own Lamps if you have to ask that question?

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      1. Hiphopopotamus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        I actually think it's a viable conumdrum. The answer should be fatty but Stoke put the bejeebies up people. Peanut could easily be a better pick.

        Flip a coint time i'd say.

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      2. Baines on Toast...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        not starting the chelsea penalty taker at home to stoke's lumbering defence would be mental.

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  19. Hiphopopotamus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    If you could pick any 2 defenders to accompany Bainesy long-term who'd they be? Money no issue.

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    1. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Verm and Kompany

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  20. paddy2345
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    tevez captain 😉

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  21. Jönny
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Interesting that the team news section doesn't give Lukaku a start, but he still gets a Moneyball recommendation.... any Baggies fans out there??

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    1. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I don't think he will start, I'd say Brunt will come in for Odemwingie who usually plays on the left, and Brunt would be the ideal replacement if Clarke sticks with Fortune and Long.

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  22. Kanus hat trick
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Torres almost guaranteed 90 mins with Sturridge injured and a nice home game you'd think. Should get a goal and/or assist this week

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    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      He's my captain

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      1. Kanus hat trick
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Mine atm too

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    2. Hiphopopotamus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      On a wc - thinking of having him for 3 games. I love Torres but the gods are jizzing on him so i'm not sure. Current selection is Lambert/Fletch/Berbs

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    3. Jax
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      should...it is torres though.

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  23. Paul
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    @Nitin u thr in fb???

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    1. blue cheese
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      No. Urgent? I'll come online later? I'm on my phone atm.

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      1. Paul
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        k...ping me...

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  24. halnone
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Dont usually ask for much advice on here, but...

    Is this worth a 4pt hit?

    Adebayor > Ba
    N'zogs > Ben arfa

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    1. King Nemanja
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Hell yeah!!

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    2. beric
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I wouldn't

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    3. Misery likes Kompany
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      i would

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  25. Oldman Unathletic
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    evening lads, hows everyone? - how do u rate the chances of lambert/nolan this w/e?

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    1. King Nemanja
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Both very good, Id expect at least one goal between them

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      1. Oldman Unathletic
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        ta

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  26. King Nemanja
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    An easy question for experts like yourselves, for the next three weeks only..

    A) Ba and Nelson
    B) Defoe and Davies
    C) Berb and Clark

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    1. Misery likes Kompany
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      berb and clark for me.

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      1. King Nemanja
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Fulham's away form is what is making me doubt that move, and the home game is against City

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    2. SC not pearls before swine
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      The one with Demba Baaaaa

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      1. King Nemanja
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        That's the one I'm favoring currently

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  27. Paul
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    guys whats the deal with WBA strikers????
    none of them seem to have played the entirety of a game???
    With Odem out surely Long will get game time now right????

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    1. SC not pearls before swine
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      It may not matter. Odemwingie was playing out on the wing. Long runs around like a mad man for 60-70 minutes and then Lukaku comes in. I don't think anybody knows what they'll do formation/personnel wise

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  28. Misery likes Kompany
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    should i upgrade yaya to hazard for a hit and then captain hazard?
    getting alarmed that i don't have him or rvp.
    your help please!....

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  29. jguti14
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Any West Ham fans...

    What is the deal with Mccartney?

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  30. Croco
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Why no armband for Michu?

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    1. McDog
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      He's able to swim now.

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