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Moneyball – Esteban Granero

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This is very likely the first and last time a former Real Madrid player graces the pages of the Moneyball series. Esteban Granero made an astonishing 31 appearances in the league in 2009-10 for Los Blancos, more than Guti, Rafael van der Vaart, Kaka and even Cristiano Ronaldo. The arrivals of Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil pushed Granero out of favour in future years, though he still managed to finish his time in Madrid with almost 100 appearances in three seasons before making his way to Loftus Road this season.

Despite that pedigree, his arrival in England barely registered on the transfer radar and he’s hardly captured the collective eye of Fantasy managers – Granero has just a 0.5% ownership in the Fantasy Premier League game, which has risen by just 10,000 or so transfers all year. Given that this is a Moneyball piece, though, we’re not going to settle on a player based on his CV: it’s when we delve into his statistics so far this term that Granero really catches the eye.

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

1,352 Comments Post a Comment
  1. @Bryan
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Feel so..odd...asking this. Takes Fantasy Football to a creepy level..but Berbatovs wifey/gf has a baby due very soon that he wants to have in Bulgeria...right?

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    1. roscola
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      uh oh

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    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Maternity leave coming up then 😐

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    3. cassanata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      he's not the real daddy

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    4. GoonerByron
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Way too creepy.

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      1. @Bryan
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        It really is.

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    5. Timon
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      bale fiasco? ? ?

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    6. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      yes and he is on standby to flyout at anytime

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    7. roscola
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Surely he won't be present? He'll be pacing up and down with a cigar

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    8. cassanata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Ohh and to take this to a whole new level is there any chance of getting Facer to do an article on Berbatov's wife?

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    9. Joga Bonito®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Uh ohhhh, not again. Bale upset me dearly when he did that.

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    10. Bedok
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Is ther a 'Baby Watch' list on FFS?

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    11. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      More importantly, does this mean his wife will be on his case to give up the fags???

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  2. Jaswarbrick
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Play:

    A) Noble
    B) Walters

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    1. GOB
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Walters as he will play as a second striker. difficult one as i feel there will be a penalty in this match.

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  3. Superdry7
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Rate my team!?

    Jussi (Foster)

    Reid, Ivanovic, Rafa (Ridgewell, Gorkss)

    Bale, Carzola, Michu, Pienaar (Sterling)

    Berb, RVP, Crouch

    ...couple of things...I don't like the fact I'm doubling up on west ham defence but see that as a better option. Thinking of taking a hit this week with Santi > Silva & Michu > Felliani...leaves me with 2 Everton midfielders but could lead to Pienaar out next week..

    Thoughs please 🙂

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    1. GOB
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      just fellaini, give Silva a week

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  4. Pilko's Pump Pants
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I've been holding off on bringing Suarez into my team... the plan was to do it next week for Tevez and ship out either Santi or Bale for Silva at the same time to keep City cover...

    Suarez rising and Tevez falling tonight will be a fat steamy dump all over that plan...

    Should i swallow my reservations and make the change this week instead? or go back to the drawing board and pray for a Suarez yellow card?

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    1. GOB
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I'm praying too. As a villa fan, we have got holes all over our defence at the minute. Tevez is the most rested City forward. Fair enough he isn't quite on form at the minute but there will be few better opportunities for Tevez than this week. I'd stick.

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      1. Pilko's Pump Pants
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        It feels like a make or break decision... and i'm still not sure which is the right move... a Suarez hat-trick would ruin me if everyone else in my ML brought him in... however well Tevez does against Villa i can see the goals being more evenly distributed...

        But Suarez could just as easily draw a blank and get yellow carded to boot... *sighs*

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        1. GOB
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          I have been burnt by Suarez before, he would have to force my hand with another big week I feel to get him in before this ban.

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  5. In Tommy We Trust
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Give it a month and this front three will not surprise you

    RVP, Giroud, Lukaku

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    1. Keane There Dunne That
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      It still would.

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    2. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      It's possible, but i'm not sure i can part with Berba

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      1. Keane There Dunne That
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Or ba for his fixtures

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        1. In Tommy We Trust
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          By GW15 Ba fixtures take a turn in the wrong direction.

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    3. Mr. Perfectionist
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Always wanted to bring lukaku in but I dont like the fact that he aint nailed on for 90 every match.

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      1. In Tommy We Trust
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Let's see if he starts after the Chelsea game. Clarke went to 4-4-2 last time out

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        1. Billy Gilmore
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          He can't...

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    4. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Berba over Lolkaku and that's my front three 😀

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      1. Soccaholic
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        +1

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      2. In Tommy We Trust
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Why can't we have four slots 😉

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  6. Home Run Baker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Fellaini and Michu yellows this w/e will provoke some discussion on here!

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  7. Keane There Dunne That
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Begovic.

    Baines. Demel. . Hangeland.

    Ramirez. Nolan. Pienaar. Cazorla

    Ba . RVP. Berbatov.

    Fedirici,Michu,cuellar,fabio.

    What do ye guys think ❓ ❓ did i bench the right players and who should I captain????

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    1. Keane There Dunne That
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Come on people!!!!

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  8. Krionos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Who would you trade for Silva this week.

    A. Hazard
    B. Michu

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    1. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Michu

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    2. GOB
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Michu

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  9. TheBabyfacedAssassin
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    2FT
    a) Cazorla and ridgewell to Silva and Cuellar
    b) Cazorla and B.Davies to Valencia and Cuellar

    Team linked. Cheers!

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    1. GOB
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      get fellaini in before those 2

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  10. China Mag
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Are we expecting santi to be back behind the striker this week, with Wilshere returning?

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

    After watching every goal RVP ever scored in his life. I've grasped two vital pieces of information:

    1. RVP has probably scored more goals against Blackburn than any other human being on the planet.
    2. RVP used to shoot penalties to the right of the goal always, then briefly switched to shooting to the left.

    Oh and

    3. Always captain RVP

    😎

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    1. Soccaholic
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      So in conclusion---> He actually scores when he wants 😛 ?

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    2. Hazmat
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Pah, where's the fun in that? And since you bought him he's been your best captain choice for 1 out of 6 gameweeks.

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

        Meh...he is amazing.

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  12. Soccaholic
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Repost bcz got stuck on the end of last page
    Bego
    Hangeland-Baines-Demel
    Fellaini-Bale-HBA(vc)-Hazard-Sterling
    RvP(c)-Berbatov
    subs: Fletcher-Cuellar-Fonte
    1) hows the subs order looking?
    2) leave sterling or play fletcher?
    3) which sounds more interesting HBA to Silva or Fletcher to Suarez/Giroud?
    Cheers mates!

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  13. Killitzer
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    aftrenoon all

    My team seems to be going from bad to worse at the moment as I tend to sell players just before they start scoring (Suarez, Berba).

    I've already brought in Berba but thinking of Michu----> Fellaini for a 4ph.

    Knowing my luck he will get a yellow and be suspended.

    Other question would be who to play in defence out of:

    Merte (H), Gorkss (H) o Caulker (A). I have Riise and Ivanovic at the moment.

    cheers

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  14. boro_faithful
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Captain Suarez or RVP?

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    1. Soccaholic
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      RvP Rvp and oh yeah Rvp 😉

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    2. boro_faithful
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Suarez against Wigan, with the sort of form he's in, is really tempting.

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      1. Keane There Dunne That
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Rvp against Norwich with the sort of form he's in, you have to.

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  15. Joga Bonito®
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Interesting... Although Shorey has only made 7 appearances, only Baines has created more chances from defence.

    Anybody think he's a decent cheapo alternative?

    So far no assists but stats would suggest that points will surely come.

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      yup, i am on that train next week

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      1. Joga Bonito®
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        I'm going for a crazy punt on Gorkss, Shorey partnership for their double GW 😉

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        1. JK - Cønt ⭐
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          now that is too crazy, especially as they have 2 away games.

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          1. Joga Bonito®
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Even if they get 4 points apiece, I'd be happy enough.

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  16. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Lost on last page. Sterling or peanut to start?

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    1. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Yep, my thoughts exactly

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    2. Joga Bonito®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Sterling, home to Wigan.

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  17. jaybommber
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Begovic
    Gallas Cole Demel
    Hazard Fellini Nolan Bafa
    RVP Tevez Berba
    Federici Sterling Maculy Barnett
    How am i looking?

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  18. Timmy Cahill Rules
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    How does this sound

    I rate Ba highly but 3 of their next 5 are tricky games where sunderland have nice fixtures and a DGW.

    Idea is get fletcher AFTER this GW and then sell him straight after DGW and gte Ba back.

    Good idea or madness ?

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  19. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    What do you think your front three will be in 5 weeks time?

    RVP Giroud Berbatov

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    1. TheBabyfacedAssassin
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      RVP, Ba, Berba

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    2. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      One step ahead of ya 😉

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    3. Soccaholic
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      (Y)
      VERY VERY nice 😀
      Looking to get the same after Fletcher's DGW!

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    4. FPL Touches
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      RVP Suarez Dzeko

      Dzeko will surely be given a start at some point in the next five?

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    5. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      yup that is my planned front 3 with Morrison in there for WBA's nice run as well.

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    6. Joga Bonito®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Same as it is at the moment:

      RVP Suarez Berbatov

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    7. roscola
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      That's quite possible. Or I might have decided that Aguero is necessary.

      RVP Aguero Kone/Lukaku/Benteke

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    8. cassanata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      RVP, Aguero and Suarez for me but plans never work out in FF

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  20. GloryF
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Bench for Michu or Iva?

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    1. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Possibility of iva being rested for cl?

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  21. @ImpressiveTackl
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Any news on Nelsen from the QPR presser? No mention of him in the tweets.

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    1. Crouch Potato!
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Fit to play, see below.

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  22. GoonerByron
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I'm backing a Sunderland clean sheet this weekend, Berba 2 pointer coming up!

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    1. @ImpressiveTackl
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I wouldn't mind that. Can't take anymore heartache after changing him to Ba last week.

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    2. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      If cattermole is not playing, I doubt Sunderland will keep a cleanie

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  23. FPL Touches
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    REPOST: Stuck at bottom of last page 🙁

    Could I please have a few opinions on my proposed transfers for this week?
    Should I do
    A) Cazorla & Tevez -> Silva & Suarez (4pt)
    OR
    B) Cazorla & Crouch -> Silva & Berba (4pt)
    OR
    C) Cazorla + Crouch -> Fellaini & Ba

    This one’s really doing my head in so feedback appreciated

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    1. Whoop-Whoop
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      (B) and captain Berba

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      1. FPL Touches
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        will mean I will have to get Giroud over Suarez following week..

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    2. Brightside
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Why is C not a 4 pt hit?

      Like the Cazorla to Silva move, as I am considering this myself.

      Gotta get Berba I think.

      Would not do a 4 pt hit for any of them.

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      1. FPL Touches
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        At this point, I am chasing, so I want to try and get as many as the inform players in as possible without taking an outrageous hit.I don't think -4pt is too much imo...(yes C is a 4pt)

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  24. seanie3
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Jussi (Begoci)
    Baines, Rafael, Shawcross (McCartney, tierney)
    Mata, Bale, Fellani, Sterling (Maloney)
    RVP (c), Berbatov (vc), Ba

    should I start McCartney instead of shawcross

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  25. Whoop-Whoop
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Need some help this week lads.

    Jaas (Green)

    Nelson Iva Figueroa Gallas Baines

    Santi Michu Lennon Fellaini Nasri

    Berbs(C) Defoe Suarez

    2 FT and WC still Available

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  26. Mind över Mata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Transferred Caz for Fellaini this week so now have 3 everton players (Baines, Fell and Pie)

    Baines and Fell are obviously starters but should I play Sterling or Pie as my forth mid?

    Gracias!

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    1. floydy_floyd
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Pie

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    2. Brightside
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Probably, just to spread the wealth. Guess it depends on if you think Everton are going to put Reading to the sword.

      In my opinion they'll score at least two, and Pienaar has just as much chance of an assist as Sterling does.

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  27. Crouch Potato!
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Repost re Qpr injuries update, reliable link this time. May get Fabio for Clyne soon. http://www.london24.com/sport/qpr/qpr_boss_provides_injury_update_ahead_of_southampton_clash_1_1696363

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      also an option for me.

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  28. floydy_floyd
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    HBA Bale Valencia Michu Guthrie
    RvP Berb Jelly

    1. HBA to Fellaini
    2. HBA to Silva

    Advantage of Silva is it’s a differential and another big hitter in midfield. Diasdvantage is if Fellaini smashes it and I don’t have him I’m screwed. Other side of the coin is he could get booked and get 1 point followed by a blank! Any thoughts?

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  29. China Mag
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I stupidly got in Kightly in the skysports game after last weeks article. Any chance he was just rested last week, and he will be straight back in? Can't really afford to carry real rotation threats in that game

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  30. GoonerByron
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Picking two out of Suarez, Giroud, Ba and Berba is so difficult! All have positives and not too many negatives...

    Gonna go Suarez, Ba I think... What would you guys do?

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I currently have Berba and Jelly. Plan to ship Jelly for Giroud in GW15

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    2. @ImpressiveTackl
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Suarez Berbs is the form choice.

      I personally would prefer Suarez Ba.

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