Technical Area

Technical Area – Taarabt the Main Man for Harry

According to Harry Redknapp, it seems a strop in the Gameweek 16 clash with Wigan could be the turning point in Adel Taarabt’s 2012/13 campaign. While the Moroccan took unkindly to being subbed off during the draw against Roberto Martinez’s outfit, it afforded his new boss the chance to sit Taarabt down and, following an inspired piece of man-management, saw the playmaker lead QPR to their first win of the season with a 2-1 win over Fulham last weekend.

“He can be a bit of a nut at times but his heart’s in the right place. I had a good chat with him after I took him off [against Aston Villa] last week. He wasn’t in the best of moods and he didn’t behave in the best of ways. But I had him in my office on Monday morning and had a good heart-to-heart chat with him and he’s responded to that. I said to him, ‘don’t throw your arms up when you lose the ball, don’t stand with your hands on your head. Just get after the ball if you lose it, otherwise everyone sees you have made a mistake. He’s temperamental, he is the way he is, but he’s an amazing talent.”

With an arm around his shoulder, Taarabt was eased into a central role for Saturday’s London derby as Redknapp tinkered with his attacking options for the visit of Martin Jol’s side. As the maps below highlight, against Wigan (left), the Moroccan mainly received the ball on the right, whereas a weekend license to wander saw him crop up all across the attacking third, affording Taarabt the chance to influence matters from wherever he deemed fit.

Taarabt Wigan
Taarabt Fulham

Looking at Taarabt’s display against Fulham in comparison to his previous performances over the course of the season, it’s clear he’s stepped up another level. While his minutes per touch (1.1 to 1.2) and passed received in the final third (15 to 15.7) were almost identical, the Moroccan was afforded more time and space to affect matters further up the pitch – he had 44 touches in the final third, up considerably from an average 29.3 across his opening 16 Gameweeks.

Mins/TchTchs Final 3rdPass Rcvd Final 3rdDribblesSucc DribblesTchs Pen BoxShotsShots in BoxShot Acc
Taarabt GW 171.144157527042.9%
Taarabt GW 1-161.229.315.75.22.82.73.71.231.8%

Clearly, Redknapp’s words of wisdom seem to have bolstered Tarrabt’s confidence. He attempted seven dribbles against the Cottagers – up on his average of 5.2 – and more significantly, five were successful in the 2-1 win, almost double his previous average of 2.8.

Taarabt’s penchant for a long-range effort also seemed to move up a notch, too. Although he had just two touches in the penalty box last Saturday, he still managed seven attempts on goal; all from outside the area. Again, this was nearly twice his previous average of 3.7 and, filled with self-belief, his accuracy leapt from 31.8% to 42.9% – a clear indication that Redknapp’s words seem to have emboldened the Moroccan. Post-match, the player admitted the new man in charge has made all the difference:

“He is a peerless motivator. You believe you are the best player in the world when he talks to you. Before matches he is very strong. When you go on the pitch you fear nothing. At the end of the match against Fulham, he came to me to say, ‘I told you that you were as good as Berbatov’.”

Season So Far

While a Fantasy Premier League (FPL) haul of 51 points hints at a distinctly underwhelming campaign so far, Taarabt’s Opta stats indicate just how consistent his displays have been. Mark Hughes’ summer of spending may have left the R’s squad bloated and continually prone to rotation but Redknapp already seems to recognise the key to his side’s quest for survival is the man he sold to the Loftus Road outfit back in 2010:

“He can do things that nobody else can do. No one can do what he can do. He’s amazing. He nutmegs people and he goes past two or three and they’re hanging on to him but they can’t get the ball off him. But I never wanted to let him go at Tottenham, I was scared to let him go. I always felt he had a value even if he wasn’t starting. He can be a top, top player. He’s got ability like not many people you’ve ever seen in your life. He’s like Di Canio, who I thought was a fantastic player, one of the all-time greats at West Ham. This boy is the same.”

Creativity
Analysing midfielders who have started at least half of their respective sides’ games so far, Taarabt is fourth in our top five for “Minutes per Chance Created” this season. Only three players – David Silva, Juan Mata and Chris Brunt -have provided a key passes at a quicker rate than Taarabt’s average of 31.7 minutes. The QPR playmaker exceeds the rate of more established Fantasy favourites such as Santi Cazorla (33.5), Gareth Bale (40.1) and Eden Hazard (42.6), yet despite creating a total of 35 goalscoring opportunities for team mates – the sixth highest midfielder – has picked up just two assists.

Mins/ Chance CreatedTotal Chances CreatedAssists
David Silva26.6423
Juan Mata30.8366
Chris Brunt31.2252
Adel Taarabt31.7352
Samir Nasri32.2303

A cause for further optimism can be found in the display of Djibril Cisse against the Cottagers. Having been benched in the previous game, the Frenchman returned to the lone forward role and, while he failed to score, his performance suggests Redknapp’s words have boosted his confidence. Cisse fired eight shots last weekend and managed an attempt on goal with each of his five touches in the box against Fulham – he had previously mustered 21 efforts in the box from 38 touches and is clearly getting his shots away quicker. With Taarabt creating chances aplenty behind him, Cisse could be set for an upturn in fortunes, having found the net just twice this term.

Goal Threat
Once again, by reducing the midfield contenders to those who have started at least half their respective sides’ games, Taarabt is again amongst the most impressive when it comes to threatening the opposition goal. Indeed, he is the only midfielder to feature in the top five for both categories – a clear sign of his Fantasy potential and indicative of the type of talent Redknapp has on his hands.

Mins/ ShotTotal ShotsShots in BoxShots On TargetGoals
Adel Taarabt21.75114174
Gareth Bale24.25325256
Santi Cazorla26.75922227
Marouane Fellaini27.75142208
Jason Puncheon30.23521133

Over his 1109 minutes played so far, Taarabt has averaged an attempt on goal every 21.7 minutes – superior to any other midfield regular, with north London duo Gareth Bale and Santi Cazorla tucked in behind on 24.2 and 26.7 minutes respectively. What’s obvious, though, is his penchant for long-range efforts. While Taarabt has equalled Marouane Fellaini in terms of overall attempts, with 51 apiece, only 14 of his efforts have come from inside the penalty area – compare that to the Everton man’s 42 and it’s clear the Moroccan’s attempts have been more speculative in the main.

Nevertheless, Taarabt has managed only three efforts on target less than Fellaini, highlighting his greater accuracy – indeed, only Bale (25), Cazorla (22) and Michu (21) have registered more shots on target from midfield than Taarabt. When you consider the lofty company the Moroccan keeps across the key attacking statistics, his failure to produce the Fantasy returns is highly frustrating.

With Marouane Fellaini’s three-match ban forcing Fantasy to reassess their midfield options ahead of the weekend deadline, Taarabt has picked up plenty new ownership over the last few days. A kind FPL price tag of 5.6 has persuaded more than 28,000 to draft in the Moroccan, despite the fact he sits on four yellows – a booking in any of his next three will earn him an automatic one-match ban.

Even if he avoids the referee’s wrath, his upcoming African Cup of Nations duties means Taarabt will only be available for the next four (new, WBA, LIV, che) before he heads off to represent his country, though QPR could attempt to seek special dispensation to keep him for the Gameweek 22 showdown with former club Spurs. If he continues in the same vein as last weekend, though, Taarabt’s short-term acquisition could well be worthwhile over the festive period, with a 3% FPL ownership highlighting his differential appeal.

*The Technical Area is put together using the statistics and maps available in our members area. For access to such data and tools on every player, team and match of the 2012/13 season, and for exclusive members articles like this, click here for details.

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2,567 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Red-United
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Good point.

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

    triffic taarabt, top top

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

      Sad fact...

      Taarabt going to the ACON will confirm QPR's relegation.

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      1. Declan
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Agreed. Unless 'Arry brings in a couple of decent players.

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  3. Red-United
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Best City defensive cover other than Hart & Kompany?

    I'm guessing Zab?

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    1. GYM JUNKIE
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      nas

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      1. Red-United
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        I guess its a toss up between Zab and Nas...I haven't watched enough of City this year to decide who is the better pick however.

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        1. King Eric, in America
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          Accepting rotation, I think Zabs. He's just been so forward-minded lately.

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  4. GYM JUNKIE
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    can this guy play 90 mins a game first.

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  5. Declan
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Dear Paul,

    Please stop highlighting Taarabts potential.

    Many Thanks

    Taarabt owners 3.1%

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    1. Red-United
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      You're welcome to him 🙂

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      1. Declan
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        He'll outscore Sterling imo.

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    2. Joga Bonito®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Agreed I've had him for a few weeks.

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  6. Parm
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    This.

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  7. Portuguese&Proud
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Taarabt... get in 😆

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  8. GYM JUNKIE
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    agree

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  9. Declan
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Rate this lot please?

    Foster
    Rafael JE Clyne
    Silva Puncheon Cazorla Taarabt
    Suarez Torres(C) RVP

    Jussi Shawx Cuellar KEA

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    1. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      #9/10 😉

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    2. Portuguese&Proud
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      the team is looking good, but i'm not convinved by that cpt choice... (could easily be wrong)

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  10. Mull
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Great article by the way but what worries me is that he has too many inaccurate shots from outside of the box which will ruin his bonus chances and plays for the 2nd worst club in the division which should reduce the number of chances he gets. Still he will be a great differential though once he returns from ACON.

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  11. r0nh
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    I have nothing to say, but I just want to make people aware that I know there is a new article.

    It seems to be the done thing around these parts.

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  12. King Eric, in America
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    A deconstructionist 'First' ... well played.

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  13. Romani
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Just joined this Forum so please forgive for not addressing the point.
    I just have a question. How do I affix photo to my comments (from technically incomptetent viewpoint)
    Thanks.

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    1. GYM JUNKIE
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      gravatar.com

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    2. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Welcome...dont' worry, it's normally a new guy's second or third post.

      There's an FAQ here...

      http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/fantasy-football-faq-and-glossary/

      It's all in there if you scroll down...

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    3. King Eric, in America
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Welcome, from one footy technophobe to another.

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  14. Portuguese&Proud
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    can you please RMT? cheers
    Jaask
    Sagna, J.Enrique, Davies
    Taarabt, Bale, Mata, Michu
    Tevez, RVP, Suarez

    Bego, Snodgrass, Cameron, Shorey

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  15. kimoo
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    it's all about suarez ? i wish i could sell him for torres or ageuro this week but i my heart said keeping him

    hat-trik v.s fulham coming

    anybody agree

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    1. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      I think he will come good yeah. Fulham are slow at the back.

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    2. Pat Mustard
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Me too. It's annoying. Just foolish to swap before this game.

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  16. Lawrø
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    I'm going to have a stab at it: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Garcia, Toure, Sinclair, Silva, Aguero, Dzeko

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    1. Jernau M Gurgeh
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      shouldn't you be more interested in the WestHam line up?? 😉

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    2. King Eric, in America
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      And what's the thinking behind leaving my little Carlito out?

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      1. Lawrø
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        I think they'll play Dzeko upfront to help with defending the set pieces and I think and hope Aguero will play behind him in the same way he's been playing behind Tevez at times this season, Tevez could play behind Dzeko I just think City will need to win and Aguero is more used to the role 🙂

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

          To help with defending the set pieces? Even if they concede a free kick City will still win!

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

            Yeah, I agree with this. There is no need to be thinking defensively against a team this poor. Against Everton it was done because of Fellaini but who do Reading have that is going to bully anyone? Jason Roberts? Please... 🙂

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            1. Lawrø
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 3 months ago

              Jay Tabb. 😉

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          2. Lawrø
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 3 months ago

            Mancini's Italian 😀 He'll want to cover up all possible avenues for Attack 😉

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        2. King Eric, in America
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          I hope you're entirely uninformed. 😉

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    3. Red-United
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      No Nas? Bloody rotation, I have no idea who to buy when it comes to City...

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      1. Lawrø
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        It's only my prediction, he could still easily play, I just think he may be rested and they will want to give Lescott a run out especially as Reading's most potent form of attack is set pieces.

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    4. r0nh
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      No Kompany, Sinclair or Aguero either.

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    5. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Dzeko doesnt score when playing from the start and Aguero is out of form and played more games than Tevez lately which means Dzeko and Aguero will definitely be playing on Saturday.

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      1. Lawrø
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        I would argue Aguero is in great form based on his last game, form isn't just based on FPL points, he did only score one goal but showed blistering pace and a sharpness I hadn't seen from him in a while, and I'd say Dzeko is the most nailed on striker to start this game for City, you have to become in form again at some point.

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  17. Chris_White
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    I have to make my transfers tonight, cannot decide between Clichy and Nastasic. I like Clichy better as an FPL prospect but he is more prone to rotation, I suppose. Still, he is clearly their favoured LB and will miss one game (if that, even) over Christmas...

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    1. Louis
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      I've got the same problem. People keep advising me to go with Zaba though. I really can't make my mind up.

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  18. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    bench sess or puncheon?

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    1. kimoo
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      sess

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  19. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Please rate my team. 3m in bank.

    Surfer Rosa :

    Foster
    Cuellar, Sagna, Vidic
    Mata, Silva, Michu, Taarabt
    Long, Rooney, Aguero

    Begovic, Sterling, Clark, Morrison

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    1. Joga Bonito®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Very nice. id upgrade long soon though unless he starts scoring again.

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      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers. Plan to upgrade Morrison/Cuellar first, hoping Shane will rattle the net regularly or get a rake of assists over the festive season 🙂

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        1. Joga Bonito®
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          If not there are still similarly priced strikers. benteke is the man of the moment.

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          1. GreennRed
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 3 months ago

            Yeah, but his moment might be brief.

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    2. King Eric, in America
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Don't care for Long, but I guess that's the price you pay for your defense. Pretty solid team. Aguero (C)?

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      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah and Silva vice.

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  20. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    So after lots of thought I did fellaini + sess > silva + tarabt for a hit...fingers crossed.

    Begovic (mannone)
    Enrique rafael demel
    Michu caz silva sterling
    Rvp berb suarez(c)

    Bench: tarabt cueller demel

    Good to go?? Somehow resisted the temptation to do berbs > tevez.

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    1. Joga Bonito®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Seems like a sensible swap.

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    2. Pat Mustard
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Bring in Taarabt for a hit then bench him? I don't get it.

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      1. Joga Bonito®
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        He had to do them together for the funds. Id play taarabt over berb though.

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

    I've been on too many tube trains recently. Recognise every single one of those quotes.

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  22. The butts
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    What do ya think?

    Schwarzer
    Davies Clyne Demel
    Cazorla Mata Silva Michu
    Defoe RvP Tevez

    Bunn Clark Shorey Sterling

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  23. Liastro ⭐️
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Could I have a RMT please? Next week ill do Hughes -> Sagna (FT)

    Foster

    Jose Enrique - Hughes - Clyne

    Mata - Silva (C) - Walcott - Michu

    RVP (VC) - Suarez - Berbatov

    Subs: Begovic - Sterling - Davies - Gorkss

    Thanks!

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    1. GYM JUNKIE
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      10/10

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    2. King Eric, in America
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      You're picking up Sagna in time for his blank?

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      1. Liastro ⭐️
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        I meant the week after sorry 😉

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        1. King Eric, in America
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          Cheers - Just checking 🙂

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  24. Tallahassee
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Giroud to Torres for a hit. Yes/no ?

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    1. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

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    2. samcro
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      YES!

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      1. samcro
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        (I did the same)

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        1. Tallahassee
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          Thanks!

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    3. JT's Dog
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Seen it booked it fu*ked off.

        Awaiting giroud to start and score loads now

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    4. Alonso14
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      So who do people think are the top 5 strikers this week.

      Aguero
      Torres
      Rooney
      RVP
      Defoe
      Tevez
      Suarez
      Ba

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      1. samcro
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Torres RVP Suarez

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        1. Joga Bonito®
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          I hope so 😀

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          1. samcro
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 3 months ago

            Me too.

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      2. Alonso14
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        or top 3 even!

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      3. Lawrø
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Dzeko, Berbatov, Cisse 😉

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        1. Lawrø
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          But seriously, RVP, Aguero, Suarez

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

        Aguero/Tevez, Suarez and Ba

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      5. United13
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Ba, Holt, RVP

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    5. Sithlord007
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Evening,

      Question.

      I have Walters of stoke and Johnson of Norwich in midfield. Would you swap for Ramries, chelsea and Garcia, Man City? Or not?

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      1. Absinthe Minded
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Not for me

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      2. Lawrø
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        No, why put two DM's in your team?

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        1. Sithlord007
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          Dms?

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    6. oxido_76
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Hi guys !

      Fella > Mata or Bale for long term ?

      Giroud > defoe or torres for a hit ?

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    7. The butts
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      saurez and berbs

      or

      tevez and defoe

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      1. Hansel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        tev + defoe

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    8. kimoo
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      breaking news : yaya toure wins the best african player ( playing out side africa )

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    9. isacki: full casual
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Girlfriend's team (which to her credit she actually manages, although she often ends up getting differentials I'm interested in but am too scared to get yet) has taarabt. Taarabt was instrumental in her beating me for the third gameweek out of five...

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      1. Dynamic
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Link to team?

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        1. Open Controls