Digest

The Digest – Gameweek 14

Tottenham’s on-song Welshman continues to bedazzle top-flight defences. City’s backline proves miserly once more as we approach the festive season, while worries snowball over Rafa Benitez’s tactics as Chelsea’s attacking midfield assets take a tumble…

The Player

Last night’s display against Liverpool had it all from Gareth Bale. A goal, an assist, a yellow card and one of the most bizarre own goals you’re likely to see, courtesy of Aaron Lennon’s panicked goal line clearance rebounding off the Welshman’s face straight into Hugo Lloris’ net. While the own goal garnered the attention, Bale’s 10 point haul saw him climb to the top of the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) standings for midfielders, with 83 points accrued.

With goals in each of his last three, the Welshman has now taken his tally to six in 14 matches, only four less than his tally for the previous campaign. While many of the popular midfield big-hitters are starting to stumble or struggle for a semblance of consistency, Bale goes from strength to strength and is looking impossible to ignore right now. He also seems to be handed the majority of free-kicks, furthering his increasingly appealing potential – a fact that Andre Villas-Boas spoke of post-match:

“Players learn through what they see. With Ronaldo we saw that you can almost hit under the ball and it gains an effect where it drops and changes direction. He (Bale) has the power to do that. He keeps on practising this technique and we are pleased to have it. He is more free, getting more of the ball, the team is creating conditions for him to appear more. He is enjoying himself on the pitch. His physical freshness, his motivation towards playing, what he does offensively and defensively. He takes over the whole of the left wing. He helps the full-back so much. It’s never-ending. His pace, it’s electric.”

With Spurs keen to involve Bale as much as possible in the final third, the upcoming fixture list only serves to cement his place in our Fantasy thinking. Trips to Fulham and Everton will hold little fear for would-be investors, given both sides’ recent poor defensive form, while Bale’s following six fixtures (SWA, STO, avl, sun, RDG, qpr) have the potential for points aplenty. Already, the bandwagon is rolling after last night’s display and with rest or rotation highly unlikely to blight his season, Fantasy managers are now pondering who to sacrifice in order to secure Bale’s place in their side for this weekend’s trip to the Cottage.

The Team

Another game, another clean sheet for the champions as City ultimately saw off a valiant Wigan 2-0 at the DW. Having conceded in seven of their opening right fixtures, Roberto Mancini’s side looked anything but secure at the back in the early part of the season but the defensive solidity that produced a total of 35 clean sheets over the previous two campaigns is apparent once again.

Mancini’s men have now conceded just a single goal in their last six matches – a run that has coincided with a regular role in the heart of defence for Matija Nastasic alongside Vincent Kompany. Joleon Lescott now seems to be firmly behind the summer signing in the pecking order for starts, with City assistant boss David Platt recently admitting Nastasic’s “exceptional” form has made it an easy decision to omit the former Everton man from the City starting XI. With full-back rotation still kicking in – Mancini played Pablo Zabaleta on the left of defence last night, for instance – Nastasic appears secure at the back right now and with a FPL price tag of just 5.5, looks exceptional value.

Champions League football is now off the agenda and depending on results in next week’s final round of group matches, City may also find themselves out of the Europa League, too. Bearing in mind they are already out of the Capital One Cup, Mancini looks set to focus fully on his side’s attempts to regain the title, with his flourishing backline providing the basis to grind out results when necessary. Once again last night, Mancini’s rest and rotation policy up top proved hugely frustrating – it may well be that Fantasy investment at the back could be the way forward when assessing City, though whether Nastasic can rival Vincent Kompany for security of starts is still perhaps debatable.

The Talking Point

Rafa Benitez’s arrival at the Bridge has hardly proven popular with Chelsea supporters and just two matches into his tenure, he’s quickly turning Fantasy managers against him, too. While the Blues early-season form had started to diminish under Roberto Di Matteo, they were at least still managing to find the net – something they have yet to achieve after 180 minutes under their new manager.

The goalless Gameweek 13 home clash against City can perhaps be excused given the champions’ outstanding defensive form but last night’s derby with Fulham offered Benitez the chance to get three points under his belt. Visitors Fulham had, after all, conceded in all of their previous seven away games and have shipped 16 goals on their travels – the second worst away defence in the league. A victory in the derby over Martin Jol’s side would have appeased the home support to some extent but Benitez instead decided to drop Juan Mata, arguably their most consistent player over the past couple of months, as the Blues ground out another goalless stalemate.

With trips to West Ham and Sunderland in addition to a blank Gameweek 17 on their agenda, many have already decided enough is enough and have shipped out Mata and Eden Hazard in significant numbers this week. While Benitez’s installation may now see our targets turn to the Chelsea backline instead, the stats are a real worry for owners of the midfield duo – the London outfit have just three shots on target in two games since Di Matteo’s departure. With a change in tactics supplemented by his penchant for rotation, the former Liverpool boss has instantly raised real fears over the Fantasy potential of two big-hitters amongst our midfield options – with the likes of Arsenal and Spurs set for kind upcoming schedules, the exodus could pick up in pace, as Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale provide us with in-form premium alternatives in flourishing form.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

1,402 Comments Post a Comment
  1. r0nh
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Anybody fancy a game of strip poker??

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    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Sure. Skype name?

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      1. r0nh
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        It is just my full name, big boy 😉

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  2. AK ⭐
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Quick question.
    Baines according to FISO needs about 11k transfers out to fall, he's flagged and this doesn't affect this right? I mean FISO have taken te flag into account, yeah?

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    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      yeah

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    2. AK ⭐
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      And another one, Fellaini won't rise tonight right?

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      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        no

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    3. rdpx
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      i think the price can still rise/fall is they are flagged.

      The protection kicks in the minute the flag goes back to normal, as long as it has been at least two days flagged. Less than two days flagged = no price protection.

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      1. AK ⭐
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        So that means Fellaini and Walcott won't rise at all this week then?

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        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          first year?

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          1. AK ⭐
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 4 months ago

            Yeah..

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  3. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    I'm still not sure about Enrique...it's a calculated risk obviously but there's a whiff of Gervinho about this bandwagon!

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    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Agreed.

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      1. Krionos
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        I agree, but it hasn't unravelled just yet, and against SOT? He could have a massive score this week...

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    2. Philman
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      But how much did we say think that Sterling would be rested at 17 years old. It's not like Enrique has played every game this season and is burnt out.

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

      Gervinho did well for me,

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      1. rdpx
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Now there's a small club.

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  4. Paul
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    okay this is doing my head in!!!!

    Enrique or Ridgewell or Nastasic????

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    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Enrique >= Nastastic > Ridgewell imo

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      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        SOT sways it in Enrique's favour.

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        1. No1Joker
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          SOT, whm, AST gives it a +1

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    2. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I don't fancy Nastasic's next 2 fixtures for CS so it's between the other two.

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    3. Paul
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      cheers all....

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

    Silva Cazorla Michu Fellani Sterling
    Suarez Aguero Long
    Drop 1 for me.

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    1. heartsattack
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Long

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  6. Ayling Buyers Club
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Haha, what a legend.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ick7UVIT-7w

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    1. rdpx
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      "in my day there was no time to go on twitter"

      classic

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  7. MCH
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Ba seems to have a load of shots every week. I haven't seen much of Newcastle is he getting unlucky or just taking pot shots from anywhere?

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    1. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Bit of both. He got the assist yesterday from a pot shot. And his last assist was the same. As long as he keeps shooting, goals will come. He's the only chance Newcastle have of winning games so they need to get it to him more than ever right now.

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      1. MCH
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Just trying to weigh up Ba>Suarez for a hit this week and (c) Suarez or just bring him in for free next week.

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  8. Pau
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Who to bench from these lot for this gameweek?

    A) Sterling

    B) Fletcher

    C) Berbatov

    D) Michu

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    1. MICHELIN
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      D

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      1. MICHELIN
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Close call between D and B though.

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    2. MCH
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Michu just from Fletcher no way it should be either of the other two.

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    3. Geoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      a

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  9. Silent Alarm
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Fiso has Walcott as no buys or sales today?

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    1. Screaming Midget
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      He's protected as was flagged. Flag removed = protected and no price changes.

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      1. AK ⭐
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        They won't rise at all this week then?

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    2. SC not pearls before swine
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Protection after the red flag I think. Same with Fellaini.

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      1. Silent Alarm
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Ah course. Cheers

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        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          Where this lads came from? Red flag and no changes? so untrue

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  10. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    People looking for Baines replacements: http://members.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/my-stats-tables/view/46/

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    1. AK ⭐
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Not a member, care to tell who it is? 😀

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      1. Crouchy
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        well 1 is defo Enrique.

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      2. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Figueroa 😉

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    2. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Is it Baines? 🙄

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      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        If he wasn't injured, yes 🙂

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      2. Paul
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        you too...

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    3. Paul
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      GB help me on my question above plz....

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    4. MCH
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Amazing how far ahead Baines is in terms of chances created.

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      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        A league of his own, extraordinary!

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        1. MCH
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          Really is.

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      2. McDog
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Who's been wasting all those chances, Jelavic I assume? 😆

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    5. Philman
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      It needs to be compared to number of appearences imo.

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      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers, i'll put that in. I try not to overwhelm with too many stats 🙂

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      2. MICHELIN
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Would add value for sure. Or per minutes played.

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        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          There is no stat for that i'm afraid...

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      3. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        That actually helped my point, thanks 😀

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        1. r0binh0
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          Johnson > enrique imo. Liverpool have great fixtures over the next 8 weeks and i think you can expect Johnson to play all of them. Enrique i think will get 6 max and perhaps only half of those will be OOP given how poor Downing was at LB, particularly with Borini potentially back soon.

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          1. r0binh0
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 4 months ago

            And indeed with Enrique questionable defensively, Rodgers may prefer Wisdom and Johnson as FBs when trying alternative LAMs (eg Assaidi, Borini, even Downing). So Enrique may well play fewer than 6 games. for 5.9 i think you need a guaranteed starter to justify the outlay, OOP or not, Particularly given how few goals we're scoring.

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            1. Piggs Boson
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 4 months ago

              I agree. Cheers Robinho, i just bought in Johnson, and you are making me much better about it 😀

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  11. michaelington
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Is it nearly Scoutcast time?

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  12. SMOOTH
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    whats up with walcott on fiso and totalfpl

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    1. Krionos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      price protected

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    2. Red Devil Swede
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Protected from price changes because he's got a flag on the FPL site

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  13. ccc
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    I have 2 FT & 1.2m in the bank. I bought Mata @ 8.9m, so I am hesitant to sell him. Any tips? Thanks.

    Bego/Jaask
    Rafael/Shawcross/Cameron/McCartney/Gorkss
    Mata/Silva/Cazorla/Fellaini/Sterling
    RVP/Ba/Berb

    A. Cazorla > Walcott
    B. Cazorla > Bale
    C. Gorkss > ?

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    1. heartsattack
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Cazorla to Bale

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    2. Geoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      mata > bale

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    3. Darth
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      mata to bale, for sure

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  14. tahoe don
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Baines & Tevez ----> Enrique & Suarez for a 4 pt hit?

    Already have Sterling

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    1. MCH
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Looks to be a common consideration. I think it depends on if you would captain Suarez or not and if you can do Tevez>Suarez on its own.

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    2. Screaming Midget
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I'd keep Tevez - you do have Sterling for a bit of a cushion.

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    3. afcblegend
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I did to Suarez and Nastasic instead, City looking reaaaaaaaal tough right about now.

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  15. Screaming Midget
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Anybody else been on here the best part of the day?

    All for 2 bloody transfers! 😀

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  16. The Pep Revolution
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Tevez and Baines to Suarez and Nastasic for a 4 point hit yes or no?

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    1. tahoe don
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      sounds like my question .... good replies just above

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      1. The Pep Revolution
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks. I went with it anyway. Tevez and Baines are too expensive not to perform.

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  17. bdwhite91
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    So happy one of my rivals ditched Bale a few weeks ago, he's my other rivals favorite player though, so I'm sure he'll be a season keeper to him. They also ditched RVP and I increased my lead so much after all the bonus 😀

    51 points is meh. I could have played Mignolet, but I still got some green arrows.

    How did you guys do?

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    1. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      64

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    2. Portuguese&Proud
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      after all it was a nice week

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    3. tahoe don
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      57 not enough to improve much after 2 bad weeks

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  18. Lao Tzu
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Evening lads,

    Fletcher & Baines out ------------> Suarez & Nelson in for a hit

    or

    Hazard out for anyone, no hit

    Cheers

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    1. MICHELIN
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Hazard out

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      1. b3- bish bash bosh
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        And bale in

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  19. Joga Bonito®
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    I've just done something based mainly on money and I'm already regretting it. It involves Mata and Sessegnon and a 4 point loss. I reckon you could work it out.

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    1. Screaming Midget
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I wouldn't have taken Sess out. DGW coming so 2 bites at the cherry to register some decent points

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      1. Joga Bonito®
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        hmmm

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  20. Chu Young Ping Pong
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    I dont understand. SO will Baines fall in price when he reaches the target NTI?

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    1. No1Joker
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      yes, and the tickers gone and Walcott is price protected.

      If you haven't already done Baines to Enrique and Mata/Haz to Walcott or Bale then pull the trigger.
      (Can't tell if its worth a hit or not yet - opinion seems divided.)

      Thats pretty much it for the last 2 hours

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      1. No1Joker
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Oopps forgot Tevez to Suarez too.

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      2. Geoff
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        +1

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  21. Snooze ya lose
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Where's the ticker gone?

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    1. Bubbles
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Bug apparently. It'll be back.

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  22. b3- bish bash bosh
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Bench
    Fletcher ( nor)
    Or
    Lallana (liv)

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    1. MICHELIN
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Lallana by miles

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  23. RUUD!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Is it just me that can't see the next 6 ticker?

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    1. Playing A Blinder
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Not working for anyone right now.

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  24. Geoff
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    is benching sterling a bad idea? im scared to bench michu instead

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    1. Pau
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      same dilemma. both players can score points

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  25. McDog
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Do you reckon Suarez can break the RVP/Tevez monopoly on most captained and vice captained this week?

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    1. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Nah

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  26. Playing A Blinder
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    I really regret not taking a hit after the first game to bring in Michu. Could've even used my WC then.

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    1. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Don't need to...go for Hernandez instead, he earns more points than Michu...

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  27. Hi I'm Jose
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Hi all,

    Why people keep saying that CL match of Arsenal is so important on Tuesday?? and so that Walcott may not appear this weekend??

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    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      See below - i'm pondering similar

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  28. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    I'm only in one mini league...just me and my lads and suits us fine, great fun on a matchday,,,,What's the normal sort of number for mini leagues ?

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    1. tahoe don
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      20 in two of mine , 5 in the family ML

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  29. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Whats the chances of walcott being rested this weekend? Podoloski, gervino, chamakh, arshavin & AOXC all could bein with a shout of rotating into the side given only 3 days between games? Im trying to work out whether o do sess>theo... Dont have any arsenal coverage at the min!

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    1. @theTinkermen
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Thats only a problem for people looking to get him in.

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    2. heartsattack
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Wenger would have to be mad to rest him so yes he'll be rested.

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  30. andres
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Ladies & gents, here goes:

    Bego rudy
    Baines rafael simpson (gorks cuellar)
    Mata bale sterling fellaini (puncheon)
    Rvp suarez berba

    0 in the bank, 1FT

    A mata to walcott
    B baines to jose enrique
    C both, -4

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    1. b3- bish bash bosh
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Both

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    2. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      A

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    3. afcblegend
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Any reason you'd rather have Walcott over Cazorla?

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    4. tahoe don
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I'd consider both

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