Matchday Surgery

The Saturday Surgery

While Gameweek 35 looks, on paper, to be an ordinary ten-match affair, with another set of double fixtures looming, Fantasy managers will already be using transfers to prep their squads in advance.

They’ll be much debate on how much to commit one week early and whether strong single Gameweek assets should be neglected in favour of those treated to two matches in Gameweek 36.

Our Matchday Surgery chatroom is now open for those looking for some real-time reaction to their musings and dilemmas.

There is, of course, plenty to take in about the site. Details on our Scout Pick selections this week can be found here, while Paul outlined three explosive differentials who could not only fill the void left by Luis Suarez, but potentially help make up ground on mini-league rivals. The team news has been collected and collated, together with our thoughts on the likely weekend lineups. Finally, there’s the ScoutCast, where Granville and I review the week gone by and give our views on the where the profits will lie for the Gameweek ahead.

That should keep you occupied if you’re furiously catching up this morning. The chatroom will morph into the Dugout Discussion in time for the early kick-off at the Etihad. Sadly, due to family commitments this morning, the usual Pre-match Preamble has had to drop from my schedule today. This will return next week when normal service is resumed.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

2,053 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pinoche
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    No Preamble 😯

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    1. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      Not today, Mark on baby duties.

      Where's his priorities init. Tut, tut... 😆 !

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    2. adams_6
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      WHAT??? I NEED A PREAMBLE!!!

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  2. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    So whose not captaining Bale. If so, who?

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    1. cuterandy
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      JAI MATA DI

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    2. Out4GoodBehavior
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      rvp

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    3. Benzemabob
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      Me- Tev. In form striker playing at home.

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    4. To go with the Hart or the …
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      Remy...

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    5. MCH
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      Tevez. Straight up better option imo.

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      1. Tibidabo
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 12 months ago

        How's that?

        Only one thing needs to be said to prove your statement false:

        - Not guaranteed to start -

        kkthx.

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        1. MCH
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 12 months ago

          No player is guaranteed to start.

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          1. Anders
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 12 months ago

            Well, err, when fit, Bale is about as nailed on as you get. Tevez on the other hand is not due to wacky rotation.

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      2. Plagued by indecision
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 12 months ago

        i hope you're right. i think you've swayed me after our chat yesterday.

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        1. applemanthai
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 12 months ago

          shiiiiite militiamen....

          Captain has been on Bale but starting to waiver...

          I never waiver!

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        2. MCH
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 12 months ago

          I've had a bad run of captain picks lately it can't continue!

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    6. adams_6
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      Baines In Flat out catch up mode. Need Bale to break that ankle really(!)

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  3. Valar(Keith)
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    thinking of starting Rafael and Maloney over my initial Dawson and Michu.. cant see wigan not scoring and rafa could get some attackin points at least. not that crazy right?

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    1. Threppence
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      I'm playing Maloney over Michu at the moment, but have to play both Rafael and Dawson with my defence. Rafael's scored at the Emirates before though and I expect Wigan to score so if I had to choose..

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  4. Tim Canterbury
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    Any PlayOn tips? Picking a team

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    1. Tibidabo
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      Autopick!

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    2. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      Nani is cheap

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  5. Mr. Perfectionist
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    Awaiting the Preamble! 🙄

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      No preamble this week.

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      1. Mr. Perfectionist
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 12 months ago

        Damn. This GW already has signs of failing :-s

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  6. I Am Nobody
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    Who to bench?
    A)Michu
    B)Berbatov

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    1. Mary
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      think im gonna go for berba but mainly cos i have baines

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    2. MCH
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      coin flip imo. nothing between them really. I am going Berba no idea why.

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    3. applemanthai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      im playing both......

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  7. To go with the Hart or the …
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    Mark got a baby girl or guy?

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    1. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      He created a beast.

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    2. SuperOsçarBaby
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      guy demel

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  8. jaco
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    Who to bench? Sissoko or Michu?

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    1. Mary
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      tough one probably sossoko since michu is a bit fixture proof

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      1. applemanthai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 12 months ago

        Sissoko to bench

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  9. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    Have Bunn.
    Worth doing Fab ➡ Hart for -4 ??
    Or just play Bunn?

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    1. Pap Le Cissier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      Play bunn

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      1. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 12 months ago

        Controversial.

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        1. Pap Le Cissier
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 12 months ago

          😉

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    2. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      I would take the hit

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  10. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    Bench Rafael, Enrique or Clyne? Cheers

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  11. Mary
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    defoe could be a nice differential today

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    1. Pap Le Cissier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      True. I was eyeing up Ha as well but thought it was a bit much

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  12. NATSTER
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    Who to play?

    A: Enrique (new)
    B: Rafael (ars))

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    1. Demí
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      Enrique

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      1. NATSTER
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 12 months ago

        Think so. Thanks Demi.

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      2. r0nh
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 12 months ago

        12 point hit today I see 🙁

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        1. Demí
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 12 months ago

          Hold me. 🙁

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    2. Mary
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      enrique

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  13. r0nh
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    Over 200,000 have got in Tevez this week.

    He wont even start 😆

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    1. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      ?

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    2. Plagued by indecision
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      are you just making this up?

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

      id love if he didnt start, its been a while since ive feared a player as much

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    4. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      Your 65,000 in the world nobody cares what you think.

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      1. Lateriser 12
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 12 months ago

        He's made some good predictions though with regards to start/bench time.

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        1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 12 months ago

          In fairness even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

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      2. mason419
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 12 months ago

        You're*

        And you're 53k. Hardly setting the world alight either

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        1. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 12 months ago

          Nice link

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        2. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 12 months ago

          I did not say I was good at fantasy football. My point was that Rohn is making ridiculous predictions for someone who is in a mediocre position

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          1. si
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 12 months ago

            I predict Tevez will be benched too 🙂 *clutching*

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      3. Plagued by indecision
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 12 months ago

        ouch

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      4. r0nh
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 12 months ago

        You are currently 7 points ahead of me...

        😆

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        1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 12 months ago

          But I'm not making stupid predictions

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          1. r0nh
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 12 months ago

            Perhaps, but u are making stupid comments.

            Predicting that Tevez wont start is not a stupid prediction...

            Just cause u are a miserable bastard, dont take your miserable mood out on me.

            Call childline, they may help u

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            1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
              • 13 Years
              10 years, 12 months ago

              Well done you provoked me making into a stupid comment mission accomplished Rohn.

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              1. r0nh
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 12 months ago

                It wasnt very hard, you make a lot of them all by yourself

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      5. JPeg
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 12 months ago

        I like to take advice from those who can spell.

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    5. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      It is a lottery from now till the end of the season whether he starts each game. The argument is, that if he does (or even comes off the bench) the rewards could be big, given the fixtures. A lot depends how "up for it" City are as a whole now. Tevez will be but what about the mercenaries?

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    6. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      No reaction on last post, Ronh? 😉

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      1. r0nh
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 12 months ago

        Well, I posted it after the new article...

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        1. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 12 months ago

          May I recommend this book, Ronh?
          http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/009177909X

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          1. r0nh
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 12 months ago

            😆

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    7. Goaldigger
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      He will. According to my sources he'll score too.

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  14. Tibidabo
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    Pick one to bench:

    A) Anichubby
    B) Koné

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    1. SuperOsçarBaby
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      c

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  15. That's Groß
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    Fellaini > Bale (-4)

    Is it worth it?

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    1. Mary
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      i wouldnt make that transfer anyway but it could work out

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      1. Pap Le Cissier
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 12 months ago

        Cheers for the reply earlier as well mate

        Captain afro ahoy!

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        1. Mary
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 12 months ago

          not a bad shout at all 🙂

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    2. Pap Le Cissier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      Haha! I posed exactly the same question on the last article!

      Please gents, bit of feedback here!

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      1. Mary
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 12 months ago

        well i think if your gonna captain bale then yes it probably is worth it but otherwise id save the 4 points and make the transfer next week

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    3. Champ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      No

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  16. Pap Le Cissier
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    Tempted with Guthrie over Michu

    Am I insane?

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    1. Tibidabo
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      Yes.

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    2. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      Yes.

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

      Yes.

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    4. SuperOsçarBaby
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      no

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    5. Pap Le Cissier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      Goo goo dududbaba!

      Nothing to see here!

      😀

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  17. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    Who to start?

    a) Evans or Davies
    b) Michu or Lukaku

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  18. In Like Flynn.
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    @ Jonty or Doosra or anyone playing Metro.

    I'm having trouble with my captaincy. The mighty Cazorla or ????????????????????????

    Give us a tip.

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  19. alang
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    Omg breaking http://www.sportinglife.com/tevez-may-or-may-not-start/

    Tevez may or may not start!!!

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    1. Elniñorules
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      damn

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    2. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      FML

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  20. PB-THE-VET
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    Play bunn or ddg? Orno diff?

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  21. Threppence
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    Bench Maloney or Michu?
    Captain Mata, Bale or RVP?

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    1. Mary
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      maloney
      bale

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  22. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    Mignolet
    Zabaleta Wilson Rafael
    Michu Hazard Mata Fellaini Osman
    RVP Benteke
    (Flappy, Berba, Davies, Demel)

    Going to go Fellaini > Bale, which additional transfer to make in order to afford it?

    a) Osman > Maloney (means playing 3-5-2 in the DGW; 5 DGW mids but 2 SGW strikers – Berb & RVP)
    b) Rafael > Dawson

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    1. Threppence
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      Osman > Maloney on the basis that I’d rather have Rafael and Maloney over Osman and Dawson.

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    2. Tmel
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      Thanls. Other option is RVP, Osman & Fellaini > Tevez, Silva & Bale. What do you reckon? Feels wrong taking out RVP after a hattrick

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      1. Threppence
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 12 months ago

        Depends what your situation is. With only four gameweeks remaining it might be worth getting rid of RVP and going for broke in GW36 if you're chasing, if you're leading though I wouldn't want to get rid of him, particularly if everybody else has him.

        I think Maloney and Bale in for Osman and Fellaini is generally a good move. Would be nice to have a DGW striker but it's probably not worth the 4pt hit and getting rid of RVP in the process to do so.

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  23. Tin of Directors
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    Morning all.
    Madness to captain Kone.
    ML done and dusted but overall 6,333 so top 10k is aim.
    Silly when I have RVP?

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  24. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    1) play Maloney or berbs?
    2) if neither, can do berbs >> benteke or Lukaku (-4)

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    1. Mary
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      1 berbs

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  25. elkunaguero
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    How nailed on is Dawson?

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    1. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      Like Jesus

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      1. Met Eish
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 12 months ago

        wow Lmao!

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        1. Sᴄʜᴜ̈RRʟᴇ ⓝ
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 12 months ago

          😉

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  26. wycombewanderers
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    Any big accas going today?

    i have a 10 fold myself:

    City, Everton, Stoke, Saints, Tottenham, Chelsea, Blackburn, Wolves, Brentford, AFC Wimbledon.

    over 400/1

    The big 25p

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    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      if your bookie allows you to cash that inplay looks good

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    2. Tibidabo
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      I've got a few:

      Biggest is 13k/1!

      Wish me luck!

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  27. UKG
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    Bale, Tevez or Felliani (c) 40pt lead at top of my ML. Most don't have Bale.

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    1. Tibidabo
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      Fellaini

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  28. Threppence
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    Osman > Maloney on the basis that I'd rather have Rafael and Maloney over Osman and Dawson.

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    1. Threppence
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      Reply fail.

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      1. Tmel
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 12 months ago

        Ta. Other option is RVP, Osman & Fellaini > Tevez, Silva & Bale. What do you reckon? Feels wrong taking out RVP after a hattrick

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  29. SuperOsçarBaby
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    I hope Aguero and Dzeko start.

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    1. wycombewanderers
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 12 months ago

      +1

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      1. Tibidabo
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 12 months ago

        +99

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  30. Met Eish
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 12 months ago

    Michu over Maloney this GW.

    I know this has been asked about a million times on here, but im ahead in my mini league by 28 points and my competitor has Michu as well and will prob start him.

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