The ScoutCast – Episode Ninety Four – Resumption
Filed under: Fantasy Football Podcast - Posted by: Mark
Back for 2013, fully refreshed, slightly rusty and balancing the same chips on our shoulders, Granville are I make a return to the podcast studio.
The New Year presents my beleaguered co-host with a 51-point gap to bridge as I spent Christmas “ho-ho-ing” about three midfield hat-tricks, leaving Granville to roll out one mighty miffed in this week’s episode.
Elsewhere, we pick at the double Gameweek buffet, eagerly scoffing on the Chelsea canapés whilst wondering if Rafa has hidden something nasty in the vol-a-vents. We rinse that down with the latest transfers in and out in “all aboard”, preview all the weekend fixtures and carry out the latest emergency surgery on the ailing ScoutCast team.
Normal service is resumed via this link or you can pour this straight into your ears via the player below…
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“Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.”
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Scout Picks
For Gameweek 38
- Boruc
- Zabaleta
- Vertonghen
- Johnson
- Walcott
- Michu
- Coutinho
- Bale
- van Persie
- Carroll
- Sturridge
- Rangel
- Nolan
- Rodriguez
Recent Comments
Next Six Ticker
The Watchlist
Goalkeepers
| Player | Club | Factors | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Change | Hart | MCI | B, Vs |
| Up | Cech | CHE | B, Vs |
| Up | Robles | WIG | C, Vs, £ |
| No Change | Lloris | TOT | C, Vs |
| No Change | Foster | WBA | C, Vs |
| No Change | Vorm | SWA | C, Vs |
| No Change | Mignolet | SUN | B, Vs |
| No Change | De Gea | MUN | A |
| Up | Boruc | SOT | B, Vs, £ |
| No Change | Jääskeläinen | WHM | A |
| No Change | Begovic | STO | C |
| No Change | Howard | EVE | A |
Defenders
| Player | Club | Factors | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Change | Kompany | MCI | B, Vs, Rest |
| No Change | Vertonghen | TOT | A, Vs, Rest |
| Up | Luiz | CHE | A, Vs, Rest |
| No Change | Baines | EVE | A |
| Up | Boyce | WIG | C, Vs, OoP |
| Down | Bassong | NOR | B, Vs |
| Up | McAuley | WBA | C, Vs |
| Down | Johnson | LIV | B |
| Up | Jones | MUN | A |
| No Change | Sagna | ARS | B |
| Up | Huth | STO | C |
| No Change | Cuéllar | SUN | B, Vs, £ |
| No Change | Rangel | SWA | C, Vs |
| Up | Clyne | SOT | B, Vs, £ |
Midfielders
| Player | Club | Factors | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up | Bale | TOT | A, Vs |
| No Change | Mata | CHE | C, Vs, Rest |
| Up | Walcott | ARS | C, OoP |
| Up | Hazard | CHE | B, Vs, Rest, Inj |
| Up | Maloney | WIG | B, Vs, £ |
| No Change | Y Touré | MCI | B, Vs |
| No Change | Silva | MCI | B, Vs, Inj |
| No Change | Fellaini | EVE | C |
| No Change | Coutinho | LIV | B |
| Up | Morrison | WBA | C, Vs |
| Down | Cazorla | ARS | C |
| No Change | Snodgrass | NOR | B |
| Up | Kagawa | MUN | B, Rest |
| Up | Walters | STO | B |
| Down | Lallana | SOT | C, Vs |
| Down | Sissoko | NEW | C |
Forwards
| Player | Club | Factors | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up | Tevez | MCI | A, Vs, Rest |
| Up | Koné | WIG | B, Vs, £ |
| Down | van Persie | MUN | A, Vs |
| Up | Sturridge | LIV | B |
| Up | Lukaku | WBA | B, Vs, Rest |
| Up | Benteke | AVL | A |
| Down | Aguero | MCI | B, Vs, Inj |
| Up | Rodriguez | SOT | A, Vs, £ |
| Up | Defoe | TOT | B, Vs, Rest |
| Down | Lambert | SOT | C, Vs |
| Down | Rooney | MUN | C |
| Up | Carroll | WHM | A, VsX |
| Up | Ba | CHE | C, Vs, Rest |
| Down | Berbatov | FUL | C |
| Up | Cissé | NEW | B |
| Down | Remy | QPR | B |
Selection Factors
| A, B, C | Current Form |
|---|---|
| Vs | Favourable Fixtures |
| VsX | Unfavourable Fixtures |
| Rest | Rotation Risk |
| Inj | Injured/Returning from Injury |
| OoP | Out of Position |
| £ | Potential Bargain |
| Sus | Suspended/Near Suspension |
“We have dynamic players with good movement, so if he can link with them fine. He can play a bit higher because his timing getting into the box is very good.”
Rafa Benitez talks up the role that Frank Lampard can play in his Chelsea revolution
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January 11 at 8:33 am
oxido_76 says:
Hi guys ! This is my team (not in WC) :
Bego (McCarthy)
Cuellar – Evans – Olsson – Nelsen – Gibbs
Sterling – Mata – Walcott – Taraabt – Snograss
RVP – Suarez – Berba
1 FT and 2,9 M in bank.
I think to do :
Olsson and Sterling for Azpi and Fella for a hit ? Would let me with 0,0 in Bank
Any better move ? thanks for advice
January 11 at 8:33 am
Dilley says:
Been holding out before wc, still not sure and have just over 24hrs to decide, goddamn Ba has thrown a spanner in the works! Please someone tell me to chill out!
Migs (Begovic)
Azpil, GJ, Bassong, (Shawcross, Davies)
Mata (c) Bale, Walcott, Puncheon,(Michu)
RvP, Suarez, Ruiz.
Did have Michu in and Walcott sub but now Giroud is out…..
January 11 at 8:36 am
HVT says:
Dilley chilley
January 11 at 8:36 am
I Like Small Butts & I Can Lie says:
I have Sterling Michu Mata Fellaini Bale / Berba RVP Ba
and even I’m struggling to convince myself not to WC.
I’m thinking Michu > Mata(c) for a hit, but Michu will then cost .3/.4 more to get back in.
With your front 7 I’d stick and use the WC ready for GW24 or 25.
January 11 at 8:38 am
I Like Small Butts & I Can Lie says:
Got Walcott not Mata
January 11 at 8:39 am
Dilley says:
I know, wildcards are supposed to be fun…..just more headaches
January 11 at 8:35 am
Acquafresca says:
As we near the deadline…
Ba or Mata (C)?
January 11 at 8:36 am
YOUNG and ARROGANT says:
gone for ba myself.
did you see his cameo against swansea? Pretty impressive
January 11 at 8:37 am
Acquafresca says:
His dive? Yeah, pretty impressive indeed
January 11 at 8:38 am
Santiagounreal says:
Was not a dive by any stretch of the imagination. That ref is the guy who sent off Cole and Gibson recently…been having a shocker
January 11 at 8:40 am
YOUNG and ARROGANT says:
+billions^billions
January 11 at 8:42 am
Dogba says:
Yeah, that yellow for simulation was harsh.
January 11 at 8:43 am
Acquafresca says:
He attempted to win a penalty though misleading actions, falling when there was no contact whatsoever. Twas a dive, just a very bad one.
January 11 at 8:46 am
just jerk it says:
what a moron
January 11 at 8:46 am
Santiagounreal says:
No contact? He ran into the keeper because he was running to get the ball. It wasn’t misleading at all.
January 11 at 8:50 am
Acquafresca says:
He could of stayed on his feet is what I’m saying. We’ve seen the same yellow be given to Bale time after time this season. Yes, its stupid, but the refs are trying to take a stand against simulation.
In my opinion, Ba was trying to draw the foul (penalty) through falling where there was little to no contact. He knew what he was doing.
January 11 at 8:55 am
Santiagounreal says:
Doesn’t mean he dived. He was being opportunistic by racing to get the ball and he actually got there before Tremmel so he had every reason to go for it. I don’t think he could have kept his balance running into Tremmel like that.
Also, it’s ‘could have’ not ‘could of’
January 11 at 8:44 am
JT - Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult. says:
too true
January 11 at 8:39 am
YOUNG and ARROGANT says:
So what? was unlucky not to score.
I’m assuring you he’s gonna score more than mata. Wanna have a bet on that?
January 11 at 8:41 am
Pasqualinho says:
Wasn’t really a dive. Not a penalty but certainly not a booking. I don’t know why some refs feel compelled to give either a penalty or a booking – they should be encouraged to give nothing unless they are totally sure one way or the other.
January 11 at 8:42 am
Santiagounreal says:
+1
It’s a sorry state of affairs…Ba gets a touch on the ball then runs into the keeper…he can’t get out of the way. I agree, not a penalty or a yellow. Just a goal kick.
January 11 at 8:36 am
HVT says:
Ba looks more fun
January 11 at 8:37 am
I Like Small Butts & I Can Lie says:
Ba will start 1 game from the bench + Mata has been rested recently so more likely to play both, I reckon.
Therefore I think Mata will get more minutes to do more.
January 11 at 8:37 am
Dogba says:
Leaning towards Ba at the moment just for explosive potential and ownership, but that changes between Haz/Mata/Ba/Luiz every 10 minutes or so.
January 11 at 8:38 am
Dilley says:
Mata will get more game time imo.
January 11 at 8:46 am
Nick2ooo says:
Lambert?
January 11 at 8:49 am
Nick says:
Ba.
January 11 at 8:53 am
Gopher: good FPL season so far! says:
Mata
January 11 at 8:55 am
heartsattack says:
Ba.
January 11 at 8:36 am
Krisbee says:
who woukd you prefer this week?
berbatov, dzeko or lambert? will br swapped for Suarez next week!
January 11 at 8:37 am
Acquafresca says:
lambert i think.
January 11 at 8:43 am
Pasqualinho says:
I’m toying with Lambert this week, but swap to Suarez next week for -4. Not sure that Lambert will out score Suarez by 4, though – in which case I may as well bringing Suarez now.
January 11 at 8:41 am
Fernando Bubbles - No, I will not rate your team. Do go away. says:
Lambert because he will be the highest scorer this GW.
January 11 at 8:37 am
asdfasdf says:
play this and save wc:
Jaask
Cuellar, Gibbs, Rafael
Bale, Mata, Silva, Sterling
RVP, Ba, Berba
Subs: Bego. Taarabt, demel, Davies
..or WC this:
Bego, Jaask
Gibbs, Rafael, Demel, davies, Shaw
Bale, mata, Fellaini, Noble, walcott
RVP, Ba, Berba
? Cheers
January 11 at 8:37 am
ManTree(v2!) or just JAY! says:
Save wc
January 11 at 8:39 am
JUNITED says:
save WC. Your team is already good.
Berba vs Wigan
Ba DGW
Cuellar plays at home
Mata DGW
January 11 at 8:41 am
asdfasdf says:
Sound logic, but Cuellar is doubt (hamstring on FPL). Any news?
January 11 at 8:38 am
JUNITED says:
My 5 defenders:
Ivanovic/Luiz – Rafael – Cameron – Davies – Demel
and then next week Ivanovic/Luiz to Gibbs.
Is that a good idea or just wasting my FT??
January 11 at 8:40 am
JUNITED says:
Repost
January 11 at 8:49 am
BLUE BLOODED GORKHALI-BLUE IS THE COLOR !!! says:
I thought People write REPOST just to avoid duplicate comments!
January 11 at 9:05 am
JUNITED says:
LOL
January 11 at 8:41 am
the Penman says:
Gibbs!
January 11 at 8:42 am
asdfasdf says:
Sounds good IMO
January 11 at 8:49 am
BLUE BLOODED GORKHALI-BLUE IS THE COLOR !!! says:
Good One!
January 11 at 8:52 am
Gimli son of Gloin says:
nope.. good idea.
January 11 at 8:41 am
Snake Juice - West Bromwich Gunner Baggies says:
I think giving Ba the armband will be more fun. Hmmm…
January 11 at 8:42 am
Dogba says:
DEFINITELY more fun, but slightly more risky.
January 11 at 8:42 am
YOUNG and ARROGANT says:
thats the way to go
January 11 at 8:43 am
Fernando Bubbles - No, I will not rate your team. Do go away. says:
Even more fun: Puncheon(c).
January 11 at 8:44 am
Dogba says:
That would be fun! More realistically though, Lambert (c) is a good punt, same with Hazard (c).
January 11 at 8:44 am
Berbilly Gilmore says:
‘Azar ftw.
Btw I kept that buggu. You may come to regret that moment of extremism
January 11 at 8:53 am
Snake Juice - West Bromwich Gunner Baggies says:
Looking forward to it.
January 11 at 8:44 am
frankiefernandez says:
It’s all about Gibbs (C)
January 11 at 8:46 am
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
Don’t Throw it All Away.
January 11 at 8:47 am
Dogba says:
My love for you, nananaa, don’t throw it all away.
January 11 at 8:48 am
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
How can you mend a Broken Heart?
January 11 at 8:52 am
Dogba says:
I like Bee Gees a lot, but I actually haven’t heard this one. Wish I brought my headphones to work today.
January 11 at 8:49 am
Yellowish says:
Ramirez
January 11 at 8:49 am
Yellowish says:
(C)
January 11 at 8:42 am
Ferris Bueller's Rotation Risk says:
Morning all! Before the utter madness starts today, have a WC issue nagging at me – appreciate your thoughts.
Which option would you take over the next 2 DGWs;
A) being able to play Turnbull, Puncheon, Noble and Collins
B) being able to play Azpi and Punch – this though leaves me with a ‘dead’ £3.9m keeper
Option B is pretty near my long-term WC plan, with just a couple of tweaks needed, but option A gives the obvious chance for DGW scores (though relatively small with the players noted). I already have Mata, Ba, Walcott, Gibbs, Demel…
January 11 at 8:43 am
Dogba says:
A A A! Cech won’t be back until Arsenal at the very earliest from what I gather.
January 11 at 8:46 am
Dogba says:
Oh, sorry, read that a little too quickly. If you’re on WC I’d go for B) Turnbull is just as good as a dead 3.9 after a GW or two.
January 11 at 8:44 am
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
Turnbull is a dead duck, so you might as well do B). Although I wouldn’t do that myself.
January 11 at 8:48 am
Ferris Bueller's Rotation Risk says:
Mornin Doos – your reservations down to the ‘dead’ keeper element? Are you thinking Migs/Fed combination?
With Bego as my main keeper I’d rather have a 3.9m benchwarmer and transfer Bego to Migs at any point needed. Bunn seems a non-starter as Ruddy’s due back in a month…
January 11 at 8:51 am
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
You will NEVER transfer a goalkeeper in the thick of it. You are kidding yourself. Sort it out now.
January 11 at 8:54 am
Ferris Bueller's Rotation Risk says:
Fair point…well made! Thinking back to last season, you’re dead right. Is the Migs/Fed rotation as good as it gets? I’ll take a look at that later…
January 11 at 8:56 am
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
I believe it is.
January 11 at 8:45 am
neitherland team 2000 says:
A
January 11 at 8:47 am
JT - Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult. says:
Im hoping the pressers clear up a few issues first. Would say wait for them too.
but A if nothing unexpected is announced.
January 11 at 8:48 am
Dogba says:
Same here, but I don’t expect much. Was hoping the Swansea game would clear up a few issues, just made me more confused.
January 11 at 8:48 am
Eunuch Jelly says:
I’m not sure the Turnbull situation is at all clear at the moment. I would wait until the pressers at least before deciding, but if Turnbull looks solid I’d go with A.
January 11 at 8:52 am
Ferris Bueller's Rotation Risk says:
Mornin Eunuch. I remember from earlier in the week that our WC plans were looking similar. Who you going for?
Option A above would give me
Bego T’bull
Demel Gibbs Collins Davies Distin
Bale Walcott Michu Mata Punch
RVP Ba Berbs
Option B is T’bull > Rudd, Collins > Azpi (plus £0 in the bank so no Punch>Noble next GW)
As you say, pressers will hopefully give us something to work with…
January 11 at 8:56 am
Eunuch Jelly says:
My doubts about Turnbull has led me to favour this:
Bunn (Chesney)
Baines, Luiz, Shaw (Demel, Davies)
Mata, Michu, Bale, Walcott (Noble)
RVP, Ba, Lambert
Luiz and Ba to Suarez and Gibbs for GW23
Doos has warned me of the folly of thinking I will get Bego in later but I am looking to squeeze what I can out of these DGWs. Looks like we both decided Fellaini was the one we could stand to be without.
January 11 at 9:07 am
Ferris Bueller's Rotation Risk says:
Fellaini had to fall! I’m thinking he can come in for Walcott at a later stage based only on their respective form.
Nice team you have there. Chesney/Bunn is an interesting combo I hadn’t considered. Got Bego at £4.6m, so I’m loathe to lose him, but Ches does allow me to put out more DGW players. I’m having to go Distin, no cash for Baines, but couldn’t miss Everton’s great fixtures.
January 11 at 8:43 am
*Spaniel Alves* says:
Someone convince me that Ruiz as a 3rd striker is not a bad move.
In other words, Bale and Ruiz will score me more points than Suarez and Puncheon.
January 11 at 8:44 am
TorresMagic™ - Join the "2nd Wildcard League - code 2412-1547". Millionaire Club qualifying starts GW22. Other codes in link. says:
It’s more like Bale vs Suarez as you might not play the other two.
January 11 at 8:49 am
*Spaniel Alves* says:
Well in effect it does come down to that. And looking at the fixtures and the signing of Sturridge etc. I’m leaning heavily towards Bale.
This way I will miss out on Puncheon’s DGW though.
January 11 at 8:50 am
TorresMagic™ - Join the "2nd Wildcard League - code 2412-1547". Millionaire Club qualifying starts GW22. Other codes in link. says:
Can you get Lambert instead?
January 11 at 8:59 am
*Spaniel Alves* says:
Can’t really unless I downgrade Luiz to Azpi. Not sure I want to do that, anyway.
January 11 at 9:02 am
TorresMagic™ - Join the "2nd Wildcard League - code 2412-1547". Millionaire Club qualifying starts GW22. Other codes in link. says:
Forget about Puncheon. Simple.
January 11 at 8:46 am
neitherland team 2000 says:
i ‘d rather have 3 front than Bale and Ruiz
January 11 at 9:13 am
It's The Kompany That Matas says:
Suarez averages 6.36 points per 90 minutes
Puncheon averages 4.6 points per 90 minutes
Total of 10.97 over 90 minutes
Ruiz averages 5.84 points per 90 minutes
Bale averages 6.68 points per 90 minutes
Total of 12.53 over 90 minutes
January 11 at 8:44 am
neitherland team 2000 says:
Who u captaining Lads ?!!
January 11 at 8:47 am
ATHLETICO TIMBO. Top 10,000 any season 2nd Wildcard league 16771-553963 says:
Apparently everyone has copied my plan of bringing in Chelsea players and captaining Ba.
January 11 at 8:50 am
ATHLETICO TIMBO. Top 10,000 any season 2nd Wildcard league 16771-553963 says:
Apart from aatish but he’ll change his mind by tomorrow !
January 11 at 8:52 am
neitherland team 2000 says:
January 11 at 8:53 am
ATHLETICO TIMBO. Top 10,000 any season 2nd Wildcard league 16771-553963 says:
It’s nothing to be ashamed of. They’ve been doing it alll season with Rvp.
January 11 at 8:48 am
Aatish says:
Juan.
January 11 at 8:46 am
Ace Ventura says:
Should i transfer Torres > Ba ? Free?
January 11 at 8:46 am
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
I don’t know. Should you?
January 11 at 8:47 am
YOUNG and ARROGANT says:
do it. ba 2 goals and 1 assist this gameweek. Bookmark this. Thank me later
January 11 at 9:02 am
photek says:
That’s the same thing i was thinking, bin Torres for Ba?!!
Torres is more likely to start but Ba looks it better form… it’s just will he get the playing time?
January 11 at 8:48 am
Nick says:
You should, indeed.
January 11 at 8:48 am
JT - Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult. says:
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix....._popup.jpg
have a peek, go on.
January 11 at 8:49 am
Santiagounreal says:
January 11 at 8:51 am
JT - Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult. says:
Notice even Sturridge above him, unbelievable.
January 11 at 8:51 am
YOUNG and ARROGANT says:
unreal, how do you do those emoticons?
pretty shit with computers n stuff like that
January 11 at 8:52 am
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
You will figure it out. I have every confidence.
January 11 at 8:55 am
YOUNG and ARROGANT says:
wish everyone had such confidence in me
January 11 at 8:57 am
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
It might be your nickname …
That’s : – ) without the spaces …
January 11 at 8:53 am
Santiagounreal says:
http://codex.wordpress.org/Using_Smilies
January 11 at 8:55 am
YOUNG and ARROGANT says:
thanks a lot man
January 11 at 8:52 am
Santiagounreal says:
This is an interesting stats table…thanks for the link
January 11 at 8:53 am
Fernando Bubbles - No, I will not rate your team. Do go away. says:
Stats can be so misleading…
January 11 at 8:47 am
Mainevent says:
A) Luiz and Lampard
vs
B) Mata, Azp
January 11 at 8:48 am
ATHLETICO TIMBO. Top 10,000 any season 2nd Wildcard league 16771-553963 says:
B
January 11 at 8:55 am
Nick says:
B
January 11 at 8:47 am
Mikei says:
Keep Berba or change with Ba for this DGW?
January 11 at 8:50 am
RamaJama says:
Would change with Ba this DGW if for free.
January 11 at 8:50 am
JT - Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult. says:
Ba currently on 3rd highest ownership, and rising (849,622)
Berba for the differential.
January 11 at 8:50 am
asdfasdf says:
For a hit? keep
January 11 at 8:49 am
scored says:
I find it interesting that people make confident predictions regarding the Chelsea lineup.
People say” x will start because y, then he’ll be benched next week because z,” etc.
Anyone who has followed rafa’s time at liverpool (when he changed the team 99 games in a row) will realise that trying to second guess rafa benitez is bloody impossible!!!
I have mata, hazard and luiz. I will be crossing my fingers and praying for the best. hazard will be straight out after the dgw, and i’ll still be keeping the very same fingers firmly crossed until I get the chance to ship out the other two chelsea players!
January 11 at 8:53 am
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
Quite. I have restricted myself to Ba only, on the grounds that he is a new toy …
January 11 at 8:54 am
YOUNG and ARROGANT says:
what you say is quite true. But rafa is under huge pressure now. some chelsea fans even saying that they won’t be turning up for matches until he’s sacked. So am pretty sure mata will start both. Though he’s likely to get subbed off early if they score a couple of goals early, which i see against southampton
January 11 at 8:55 am
Dogba says:
He’s very stubborn though, he doesn’t seem like the guy to respond to threats like that. I still think there’s a good chance Mata will start both this GW, but he’ll continue to rotate long-term.
January 11 at 8:56 am
YOUNG and ARROGANT says:
quite possibly
January 11 at 8:54 am
Pap Le Cissier says:
Nice post!
January 11 at 8:54 am
BLUE BLOODED GORKHALI-BLUE IS THE COLOR !!! says:
He can’t rest Mata & Ba if he’s learnt his lesson.
January 11 at 8:55 am
Pasqualinho says:
Absolutely. The best we can do is make an educated guess and hope we get lucky.
January 11 at 8:58 am
Beach Boy Bob says:
He doesn’t exactly have a big squad to work with here.
January 11 at 9:01 am
Jonny says:
Rafa is really into the amount of ground covered by players in a game. His whole thing is their fitness levels and how much they can run around. This is part of why he sometimes makes odd looking decisions about who to bench. You can try and second guess him on the basis of who has look tired etc but you don’t know what’s gone on in training. Don’t try and apply any logic, basically, because Rafa often makes counter-intuitive decisions.
January 11 at 9:48 am
Porky says:
I think everyone is at equal risk. So really you just pick who has highest ceiling to score in the DGW
Interesting that when Oscar has played under RB he has started at CAM 3/4 times in the PL, and Mata has been rested those games.
Moses does change things, but I get the impression that RB does not really like starting the 3 amigos together.
January 11 at 8:49 am
RamaJama says:
Do we think Mata will play both matches destpite of playing the FA cup and C him for DGW, or will Ba get the same field time?
January 11 at 8:52 am
Pap Le Cissier says:
See the post above this one!
January 11 at 8:53 am
Fernando Bubbles - No, I will not rate your team. Do go away. says:
Just a stab in the dark, but I think neither will start both games.
January 11 at 8:54 am
Dogba says:
It’s just a guessing game, but I think Mata will start both, Ba will start versus Stoke and get a cameo versus Southampton OR start together with Torres (less likely).
January 11 at 8:50 am
cylus11 says:
Should i captain Mata or Lampard.
My WC team is
Turnbull
Rmartin, Harte, Naughton
Mata, Lampard, Walcott, Bale, Fellani
RVP, Lambert
Subs : Jask, Suarez, Gibbs, Demel
January 11 at 8:54 am
ATHLETICO TIMBO. Top 10,000 any season 2nd Wildcard league 16771-553963 says:
Mata
January 11 at 9:01 am
heartsattack says:
Lampard could be inspired or an utter disaster. I`d play safe’ish with Mata.
January 11 at 8:53 am
Complete Lack of Pies says:
Morning all
Am I right to have Walcott on my bench here?
Mignolet
Luiz, Harte, Evra
Bale, Hazard, Mata, Ramirez
Suarez, Ruiz, Lambert
Bench: Bunn, Walcott, Gibbs, Demel
January 11 at 8:54 am
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
I think so. All or nothing, eh?
January 11 at 8:59 am
Complete Lack of Pies says:
Haha, pretty much
Cheers.
January 11 at 8:54 am
I Like Small Butts & I Can Lie says:
Do you think Michu > Mata(c) is worth it for a hit?
The thing is, if I bring Michu back in WC it’ll cost me about .3 more.
January 11 at 8:56 am
ATHLETICO TIMBO. Top 10,000 any season 2nd Wildcard league 16771-553963 says:
No
January 11 at 8:54 am
Nick says:
Cameron -> Azpil worth it fr a -4?
(would be playing Demel otherwise.)
January 11 at 8:58 am
Dogba says:
Don’t think so, Azpil could be the one to get rested if Terry comes back.
January 11 at 9:01 am
Nick says:
You reckon? I think Cahill is more likely to get a rest, imo. Azpil has been solid of recent.
January 11 at 8:55 am
Snake Juice - West Bromwich Gunner Baggies says:
8) 80
Nailed it.
January 11 at 8:56 am
Snake Juice - West Bromwich Gunner Baggies says:
Maybe not.
January 11 at 8:57 am
Berbilly Gilmore says:
January 11 at 8:58 am
Berbilly Gilmore says:
January 11 at 8:57 am
Sporting ABG says:
oh dear.
January 11 at 8:58 am
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
What a glorious grav!
January 11 at 8:58 am
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
8 – ) without spaces …
January 11 at 8:59 am
Snake Juice - West Bromwich Gunner Baggies says:
Too long. Decided not to bother.
January 11 at 9:00 am
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
How long has this been going on … ?
January 11 at 8:57 am
Berbilly Gilmore says:
January 11 at 8:57 am
Nitin Nagaraja says:
January 11 at 8:59 am
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
Hahaha! You guys are something else! Nitin – thanks for the info yesterday …
January 11 at 9:00 am
Nitin Nagaraja says:
No problem, Doos!
January 11 at 9:00 am
Berbilly Gilmore says:
Info?
January 11 at 9:02 am
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
The tom-toms were speaking yesterday afternoon …
January 11 at 9:03 am
Nitin Nagaraja says:
Soton keeper situation.
January 11 at 9:05 am
Berbilly Gilmore says:
Oh, never mind. Not interested myself…
January 11 at 8:59 am
Beach Boy Bob says:
January 11 at 8:56 am
Beach Boy Bob says:
Lambert, Berbatov or Benteke?
January 11 at 9:00 am
Ragin Cajun says:
Lambert and Berbatov
January 11 at 9:00 am
Beach Boy Bob says:
Pick one for this GW
January 11 at 9:12 am
Ragin Cajun says:
They will score similarly this gameweek I believe but Lambert just edges it for the double gameweek as that is a guaranteed 4 points and 8 as captain without any attacking returns.
January 11 at 9:47 am
andylowery says:
captain?! haha
January 11 at 8:58 am
scored says:
Am I the only one who doesn’t mind that refs have made a few errors regarding diving?
I think that even though there are a few unnecessary yellow cards as a result, the overall impact it will have is that players will know that diving is NOT tolerated, and as such it will reduce. I think it is a conscious decision made at some kind of referees’ meeting. I guess the decision was that in times of uncertainty, when you think it was probably a dive but not sure – give the yellow. You are uncertain so you have to edge in one direction – why always take the ‘safe’ option of giving nothing?
Also I think some of these yellows were warranted when it has been argued they weren’t. For example even when there is contact, it doesn’t mean there was enough for the player to fall over. Bale even said as much in his post match interview: “I got contact so it’s not a dive”… Even the word I ‘got’ contact implies that he was ready for the contact and as such he fell over – because he could, not because he had no choice. Not because he received enough force to fall over, but because he felt he could manipulate the situation on the basis of ‘getting’ contact. It is still a dive imo.
End of rant!
January 11 at 8:59 am
Berbilly Gilmore says:
The Bale ones pissed me off, as he missed RDG
January 11 at 9:01 am
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
Yes.
January 11 at 9:01 am
JT - Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult. says:
I would rather that they gives pens for shirt tugging in the box…
They should prioritize that first.
January 11 at 9:02 am
Beach Boy Bob says:
Torres’ sending off against United was ridiculous though.
January 11 at 9:02 am
YOUNG and ARROGANT says:
easy to say when you are not a player. Think from their point of view. I play a lot of street football. Sometimes against older and much tougher guys. Last week took a pretty bad tackle. can’t still walk properly. the thing was i knew he was going to put his leg. but i still went with it. now when i think about it, i should have probaby dived
January 11 at 9:05 am
Wessex Warrior says:
How do you know he’s not a player?
January 11 at 9:07 am
YOUNG and ARROGANT says:
doesn’t talk like one
January 11 at 9:17 am
Wessex Warrior says:
you sound like a complete K***
January 11 at 9:09 am
scored says:
True but then what about thinking from a defender’s point of view when he doesn’t touch a player and concedes a penalty?
Main problem is there will always be uncertainty.
In your case could you have avoided it without falling over? I have played at a low level and quite often I’vemped over a flying leg and then carried on going haha (usually realising I no longer have possession. O of the ball!)
January 11 at 9:12 am
YOUNG and ARROGANT says:
i could have. but i just don’t play that way man
January 11 at 9:07 am
Jonny says:
There’s so much bleating in the press about diving that it’s inevitable refs will start brandishing yellow left right and centre. But they still miss blatant dives anyway, and sometimes incorrectly label a foul a dive. Basically some refs are better than others, end of story.
January 11 at 9:10 am
YOUNG and ARROGANT says:
ya thats the fact: some refs are better than others. Nothing else.
But it sucks to see that a couple of bad decisions can kill the life of a referee. next thing they know they are crucified by their media.
January 11 at 9:09 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
Diving is officially termed “simulation” for a reason – anything which is simulated is a dive. The referee has to judge whether the player was simulating. As Neville points out this is fairly commonplace behaviour because sometimes legitimate fouls are missed because the player stays on their feet. The solution then IMO is not to choose between going hard or soft on divers but by making better decisions by using video technology like virtually every other major sport with a brain. Instant replay punishments for divers and foulers could then be handed out with greater confidence and in the same way confidence in the sport would increase.
I’ve got no time left for our dinosaur like authorities who are really purist about never using video aids.
January 11 at 9:16 am
Jonny says:
Don’t think you can use video technology for diving, even when you see an incident several times over it isn’t always cut and dry. You cant use video technology to prove someone’s intention.
January 11 at 9:23 am
isacki - losing makes winning sweeter says:
I can recall numerous diving incidents even on match of the day which conclusively showed player motion independent of contact, ie. Simulation. I also don’t understand why something should be rejected if it is an improvement, because it is not perfect. If it’s inconclusive just go with the referees call as we do now. American football copes absolute fine with subjective rules going to video umpire. I don’t understand why we have to suffer with human eyes operating at their absolute limits just because no magic truth teller will ever exist.
January 11 at 9:29 am
GreenWindmill says:
The biggest stumbling block for me is that unlike other sports which make use of video technology (cricket, american football, rugby, tennis, etc.) football doesn’t necessarily have a natural break in play at the point at which you’d want to refer to the replays. The solution may be to stop play and if your team has a 3 on 1 counter attack on the cards then that’s just tough but it seems unsatisfactory somehow. You’re right though, imperfections shouldn’t prevent improvements.
January 11 at 9:30 am
Santiagounreal says:
American football is a stop/start game that allows for these sort of reviews of incidents. I don’t think you can use video technology to judge simulation. It’s an impossible task as it’s highly subjective. Whereas a ball being over the line is something different and referees can be helped with technology for this. But simulation? No way…you’d be stopping the game for a debate.
January 11 at 9:23 am
the Penman says:
It’s annoying me because it seems referees are applying a false dilemma – “if it’s not a penalty, he must have dived”. There’s a third option which seems to be overlooked – there was contact, and the attacker has been knocked over, but it was a fair physical challenge. Not a dive; not a foul. It’s called a contact sport…
January 11 at 8:58 am
Krisbee says:
Which combo do you prefer:
Federici and Cameron
Begovic and Harte
Mignolet and Harte/Wilson
January 11 at 9:00 am
Snake Juice - West Bromwich Gunner Baggies says:
Mig and Wilson (when Wilson’s back of course).
January 11 at 9:01 am
saram_ says:
2
January 11 at 9:02 am
Berbilly Gilmore says:
Bego and Wilson
January 11 at 9:03 am
Doosra - The Noble Order of Extreme Valour- FFS UEFA EPL- Season 1 Award says:
Mignolet, Federici and Wilson …
January 11 at 8:59 am
saram_ says:
Wildcard option for better or worse..
Mignolet (Szcesney)
Shaw, Luiz, Harte. (Demel, Gibbs)
Mata, Fellaini, Walcott, Ramirez, ( Snodgrass)
RvP, Ba, Ruiz
0.1 in the account.
Would really appreciate feedback on this one!
Had Berbatov, Puncheon, McCarthy but changed to Ramirez, Snodgrass n Ruiz.
January 11 at 9:00 am
Beach Boy Bob says:
Would you rather have Clyne for this GW or Demel for next GW?
January 11 at 9:01 am
Snake Juice - West Bromwich Gunner Baggies says:
Demel for 22 and 23 tbh
January 11 at 9:01 am
dileno says:
Demel!!
January 11 at 9:01 am
dileno says:
Anyone reckon Kilgallon (Sunderland defence) is a good bet until Cuellar is back?
January 11 at 9:02 am
Snake Juice - West Bromwich Gunner Baggies says:
Sunderland signed a new defender, Kader Mangane.
January 11 at 9:02 am
Berbilly Gilmore says:
Another one?
January 11 at 9:03 am
Snake Juice - West Bromwich Gunner Baggies says:
The guy from Bursaspor is a DM.
January 11 at 9:06 am
Berbilly Gilmore says:
But he plays CB as well.
January 11 at 9:10 am
Santiagounreal says:
We did? News to me! Thanks for the info
January 11 at 9:07 am
dileno says:
But that should actually be a good sign as Rose wouldn’t play defender then?
January 11 at 9:02 am
jimlad says:
Good Morning folks!! On my WC loading up on DGW players and here is my team. What do you think?
Jaask Mignolet
Giibs Luiz Demel Clyne Martin
Mata Michu Bale Puncheon Noble
Ba RVP Lambert.
Will bring in Walcott or Caz next week for Mata with my freebie then do another WC after to sort it out.
Marks out of 10? Any suggestions?
January 11 at 9:02 am
Connor's Calling says:
The way I see Ba’s playing time over the next 2 weeks:
Stoke (Sat): 90mins
Southampton (Weds): 20mins
Arsenal (Sun): 60mins
Swansea (Weds): 70mins
What are everyone else’s thoughts?
January 11 at 9:03 am
I Like Small Butts & I Can Lie says:
I can see a Ba > Torres swap in the Stoke game… maybe with 15 minutes to go.
January 11 at 9:03 am
Beach Boy Bob says:
I think he will play 27 minutes against Southampton. Don’t you?
January 11 at 9:04 am
YOUNG and ARROGANT says:
not going to get 90 maybe 70-75 against stoke
January 11 at 9:05 am
JT - Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult. says:
Depending on how Torres plays early doors in the 2nd game at home to Soton will force Rafa’s hand, the crowd were baying for blood by the time he finally took Torres off vs Swansea.
I personally hope he plays them both in the 2nd one from the start, they are at home and will need to take the initiative.
January 11 at 9:11 am
photek says:
i’d be happy if Demba did get 90 against Stoke
January 11 at 9:03 am
Bobsyauncle says:
Anyone else having trouble with the FPL site?
January 11 at 9:04 am
I Like Small Butts & I Can Lie says:
Yeah it won’t let me do Michu > Mata without a hit
January 11 at 9:09 am
Snake Juice - West Bromwich Gunner Baggies says:
+78
January 11 at 9:04 am
Beach Boy Bob says:
Yeah. They put 3 extra zeroes at the end of my overall rank.
January 11 at 9:04 am
roganyosh says:
Which wc team and if neither what changes?
1)
chez rudd
baines harte luiz mariappa demel
hazard walcott fellaini michu guthrie
rvp ba jelly
2) chez bunn
azp harte luiz demel clark
walcott bale fellaini michu guthrie
rvp ba jelly