Feature

The Burning Question – Would Bale’s Departure Make Van Persie Essential?

Over the last few months of 2012/13, Gareth Bale’s series of explosive displays had finally afforded Fantasy managers a reliable captaincy alternative to the relentless Robin Van Persie. With a goal or assist in 11 of his final 14 league appearances, the Welshman thrived in a central role behind the lone forward in Andre Villas-Boas’ 4-2-3-1 formation and ended the campaign with 14 sets of double figure hauls, averaging 7.2 points per game in Fantasy Premier League (FPL).

Despite a hefty hike in price across the Fantasy games, Bale was a hugely popular pick when the Player Price Lists were released earlier this summer but with Real Madrid determined to prise him away from the Lane, his ownership has dropped dramatically with only a few days left until the season kicks off. Not only would his departure be a bitter blow to Villas-Boas’ plans for the season ahead, it would also hit Fantasy managers equally hard and leave Van Persie as the standout option in terms of reliability once more.

In our next Burning Question article, we ask a handful of contributors if the Dutchman will be impossible to ignore if Bale legs it to La Liga.

Applebonkers says….
I’m personally without Van Persie as it stands, due to fixture and form concerns more than an issue of price. So on that basis, no. Of course, the great appeal of Van Persie is his ability to score against anyone, but my argument is that a goal in each of the first three matches wouldn’t really hurt a non-owner as it costs 14.0 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) to acquire the United man.

Braces and hat-tricks are the ones which really punish non-owners, though I’m not sure he has the post-Real Madrid form to trump the opening schedule, with trips to Swansea and Liverpool and a home game versus Chelsea in the first three Gameweeks.

Here’s a stat: since RVP notched three times against Chelsea in 2011, 24 hat-tricks have been scored in the Premier League and only two have come against top half sides (Steven Gerrard v Everton and Romelu Lukaku v United). It’s playing the odds in my opinion, no one is fixture proof, simply various levels of fixture resilience. I have to admit, by Gameweek 4 I’d like him, though.

Andy says….
Coming from the Fantasy manager who went 31 of 38 gameweeks last season without Manchester United and Fantasy Football’s top scorer, and won the Scout Contributor’s league (I will brag while I still can!) in doing so, my answer to this question is probably pretty obvious. To me, the notion of the essential and must-have player is nothing but a fallacy. And that even includes Robin Van Persie.

The Dutch forward is arguably the best player currently plying his trade in the Premier League and will surely earn his crust for whichever Fantasy managers decide to hand over the mammoth price tag he has been handed across the Fantasy games. He’s safe, he’s secure, he’s prolific. He’s not essential though.

I’ve written many words in the past to support this claim but it boils down to the fact that I believe you can find alternative ways to spend your Fantasy budget to equal or greater effect. There’s more inherent “danger” involved in veering away from such Fantasy staples but it doesn’t mean you can’t succeed – a theory my 2012/13 season somehow managed to support.

Essentially, he’s not essential. But if there’s ever a good run of games where I think he’ll be the ideal captain choice, I’ll be the first to invest. Getting that armband choice right – or, more importantly, not getting it wrong when those around you get it right – is one aspect I do place a high priority on.

Tinkerman says…
Bale’s departure would certainly deprive us of an immense Fantasy talent and cause a huge rethink of strategy – especially for those whose draft squads currently rely on the Welshman’s explosive yet consistent returns for their weekly captaincy choice.

That said, I still don’t think Bale leaving necessarily makes Van Persie the only safe captaincy option from the start. Granted, we all know his capabilities but, with a wealth of premium midfielders offering high potential, there are plenty of ways to spend the extra budget you’d save by choosing to overlook the most expensive player in the game.

Managers avoiding Van Persie from the start would, however, leave themselves with a quandary should he prove to be the only reliable and consistent captaincy option after a few weeks. It would mean being forced into either spending points on transfer hits or activating the transfer wildcard early on. The option of initially avoiding Van Persie and bringing him in on a Gameweek 4 wildcard is one that has been discussed much on the boards – at this point, cheaper players who offer strong points potential will no doubt have emerged and will allow us to save money elsewhere in order to free up funds for the Dutchman. Since an early wildcard has proven to be a successful strategy for many managers in recent seasons, I think Bale leaving these shores wouldn’t make owning Van Persie from the start a must.

Ryan says….
The main argument for Van Persie’s essential status is that he would be a nailed-on captaincy option. As this is a new season, however, I am of the opinion that other strong armband candidates will appear as the campaign unfolds. The fact that RVP is so expensive almost compels you to captain him most weeks in order to justify his place in your side. This can act as a mental bias in one’s thought process and brings about a barrier which stops you captaining other potentially stronger options. I think it is best not to be shackled to the Dutchman and be more flexible in your armband picks.

Van Persie may not be ‘essential’ but for the conservative manager, his incredible consistency makes him a reliable captain that will still bring home regular points. It might take some time to identify exactly who the best alternative captains are – until that time, Van Persie is a safe option to get you started.

Mark says…
Essential is a big word. I wouldn’t quite go that far but, for my money, Bale’s seemingly imminent departure has undoubtedly raised Van Persie’s stock.

I was all set to overlook him and opt for the Spurs man but now the landscape has changed and suddenly I’m setting up with the Dutchman as the foundation for my team, with the rest of my selections dropping in around him.

The armband is a major concern. Yes, there will be weekly candidates who emerge but few, if any, can get close to the consistency we saw from Van Persie for long spells last season.

I’m well aware that I’ve clung to him like a security blanket and that my faith in Van Persie has cost me dear in the past but I much prefer the idea of starting the season with him and assessing what value is available elsewhere, rather than be forced to carry out major surgery ahead of Gameweek 4.

Of course the early wildcard is the solution but I want to have the choice, not be forced to play it because Van Persie has delivered a goal a game and is about to embark on a run of favourable fixtures.

The fact is, without Van Persie, I’m going into the season without any cover of the Champions’ attack. While Wayne Rooney flirted with the concept of offering an alternative last season, this time around that option looks unlikely. Unless Wilfred Zaha takes his opportunity or Shinji Kagawa cements the support role over Danny Welback, then it really is Van Persie or nothing.

While there are real concerns that David Moyes will struggle to inspire his team to the heights of previous campaigns, I see too much quality in the United lineup to risk overlooking them as an attacking force.

Essential? Not quite. Highly desirable and worth building your squad around? Right now, I really think so.

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

4,426 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Will benteke outscore ivan over the first 2 gameweek...?

    Che ars liv for benteke

    Vs

    Hull villa man utd

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    1. Tabone
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      i wouldnt think so, ive avoided benteke cos of that fixture. ivanovic on the other hand is a certainty to score well

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  2. J0E
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Sturridge and Lampard

    Or... Countinho and lukaku.

    This looks to be my final decision. Any thoughts?

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    1. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      *Coutinho

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      1. Tabone
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        coutinho lukaku for me

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      2. Giggsy11
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Cou>Lamps ,Studge>Lukaku

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    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Jeez. Dunno.

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        I think, the latter.

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    3. thetinkerman
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      That's a toughie!

      Studge over Coutinho (just)

      Lukaku over Lampard.

      I guess I would punt on Coutinho and Lukaku if I were you.

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      1. J0E
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        That's my current choice. They'll probably end up scoring broadly similar. Lampard allows me to get miralles in gwk 2... I guess lukaku allows for berb/ lambert as well.

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        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Lukaku allows for Aguero.

          😉

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

      I got B

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    5. ccc
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      2nd for safety, 1st could pay off if Lampard gets the minutes

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    6. Pinoche
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      I prefer B of those. Although I'm going for Gerrard instead of Coutinho.

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    7. @FuzzyWarbles
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      morning Jonty!

      Coutinho, Lukaku

      I think of all 4 names, Coutinho has the best bet to be a season keeper. i also think lukaku will get more minutes out of the DGW. My general philosophy is to go with steady midfielders in the hopes of limiting my transfers, whichI would rather use on in-form strikers.

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      1. J0E
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        I also really like coutinho as a fpl player, he scores, assists and should get bonus.

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

      S + L wins Jonty. Loads of goals and more security of starts (for Lamps).

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    9. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Almost the same dilemma (Oscar instead of Lamps). Went with the latter one.

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    10. FORCA INTER
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      sturridge and lampard

      i had cout and luk before nes about sturridge fitness but since he is fine i fancy him to outscore couthino

      never was fan of lukaku hype and people forgot how good lampard can be

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

      sturridge and oscar? 😕

      I'd probably go coutinho and lukaku regardless

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

      Sturridge and Oscar for me.

      I've got a lot of time for Sturridge. He plays with supreme confidence.

      I'd go for him and Lamps. Sturridge has to be a superior pick to Coutinho. And while Lukaku has a greater chance.than Lampard of getting a hattrick, even if he only comes on for half an hour of.the DGW... He also has a greater chance than Lampard of only coming on for half an hour of the DGW.

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

      Coutinho and Lukaku.

      Both more nailed on for the start of the season and both have a higher upside points potential, i reckon.

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

        *Lukaku more upside points potential than Lampard.

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  3. ccc
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    A. Lukaku
    B. Cole
    C. Ivanovic

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    1. Giggsy11
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      B

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

      A.

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    3. tw
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      A

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  4. Kevin Twine
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone see how Williams played last night?

    Safe shout for the 4.5mid?

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    1. GuyIncognito
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Mixed. Wales were noticeably lacking Ramsey and of course Bale.

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  5. Tabone
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    ive picked lukaku, but honestly...... i dont know

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  6. darrenm
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Thoughts:

    Mignolet / Harper
    Coleman / Mertesacker / Ward / Chester / Brayford
    Walcott / Lampard / Mirallas / Coutinho / R Morrison
    RVP / Lukaku / Dzeko

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    1. Giggsy11
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      One of the better RVP teams.

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      1. darrenm
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks - then do Lukaku to Lambert or Bony and have that RVP buffer to upgrade is anyone killing it and hes not...

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    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Pretty darn good for an RVP team

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  7. Giggsy11
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Dzeko Or Altidore/Bony?

    Other two are Benteke,Lukaku.

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

      I think Dzeko will be a great punt to start with.

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      1. Giggsy11
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks.

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    2. Tabone
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      dzeko

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  8. Shon
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Does anyone know if Mata will start for Chelsea?

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  9. Royale-with-Cheese
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Who would you recommend between Gerrard and Silva? Sturridge is already in my team and I don't have anyone from City in yet. I do, however, have a sneaky suspicion Gerrard is going do something special come Saturday.

    Damn, this is tough.

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  10. Scratch
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Trying to re-sort my Bale-less team and so many tough decisions...

    Sturridge or Soldado
    Which 2 from Dzeko, Lambert & Berbatov
    Lampard, Johnson and Thomas or Snodgrass, Cole and Tonev.

    This is doing my head in 🙂

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  11. Large Hardon Colluder
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    There must be a good team name based around Puncheon (punching) but all I can come up with is Barton needs Puncheon....lol.

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

      i've got one for you: Jason Puncheon, he went for a shit 😆

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    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      PuncheonShitOuttaHell

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

        😀

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    3. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      PuncheonJovetic

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    4. Dub
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Silva Medel Fer Crouch Puncheon

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

        😆

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

    What about this front 3? Chamahk RVP Benteke

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    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      This is why I don't like RVP right now. I just believe a front 3 of,say, Luk/Gir/Solidado will outscore a front 3 that includes the dirtbag cheepies/RVP.

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  13. FantasyFS007
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    What do you reckon...

    1. Walcott or Silva? Already have Hazard, Coutinho, Mirallas.

    2. And on average how many minutes will Hazard play? So much competition in that Chelsea attack...

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    1. Tabone
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      i have walcott and silva.. with the way walcott is playing.. and with man citys draw i cant see where u could go wrong..

      i think hazard is one of the few chelsea players without anyone really challenging his spot in the team

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    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      1. Walcott. Too explosive to be ignored if fit.

      2. No idea. But it's too risky not to own him, given his 34.6% pick.

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

        +1

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      2. Doctor X
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Agree with this. High ownership in a DGW vs easier opposition is worrysome

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    3. Hitman MHK
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      1. Walcott
      2. No idea

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    4. FantasyFS007
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Cheers - in which case no City coverage..do I need to address that?

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      1. Something Clever
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        City is a minefield of rotation worries. I have no City either and i'm fine with it for now. When the team looks settled i might invest.

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  14. Shon
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Repost: Does anyone please know if Mata will start for Chelsea?

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    1. GuyIncognito
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Sub vs Hull and start vs Villa imo. Chelsea need to give him minutes ahead of the Utd game.

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    2. Mojo Rojo
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Substitue against Hull City and will start against Villa.

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  15. Hitman MHK
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Lads, this place is going to go insane on the weekend. Therefore, I'm going to get this done with as it's probably be my final team. What do we think?
    Should I get rid of Kim and use the funds for Coleman/Toure?
    Appreciate it heaps

    Foster - Boruc
    Cole - Mertesacker - Turner - Chester - Brayford
    Hazard- Walcott - Coutinho- Mirallas - Kim
    Soldado - Giroud - Dzeko

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    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      I can't see you playing Kim as you only have 2 DGW.

      Downgrade.

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      1. Hitman MHK
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers Christina
        What about dropping Coutinho to HBA and Dzeko to Bentekkers? Sudden thought..

        At the moment though I dropped Cole to JT though so I've pocketed .5

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  16. FORCA INTER
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    my front 7 is set up

    question is my back line

    Ming , 4.0

    Terry , Kosh , Toure ,4.0 4,0

    that's 4 big hitters

    hopefully they will outscore template Turrner and Collins

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

      what's the plan for gw 3?

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      1. FORCA INTER
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        no plan at all

        will wait and see what happens

        only plan is lampard-HBA

        and then possibly another big hitter in gw3

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        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          lol

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    2. Tabone
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      i dont see terry really being worth it unless he plays both games.. do you think he will? i had terry and changed to zabaleta.. (save having to transfer him out)

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    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Too much liverpool

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      1. Hitman MHK
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Agreed, Coleman over Toure IMO

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  17. tw
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    which 4.0 cardiff defender(s) look most assured of playing?

    and does anyone have a link to evs comments yesterday on this subject?

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

      Turner is probably most assured but you want to be looking at Brayford. That's where the points lie.

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

        attacking threat with Brayford? how nailed on or not nailed on is he?

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    2. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Burner.

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    3. Doctor X
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Clubs captain Hudson looks like warming the bench then?

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    4. Javra
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/craig-bellamy-captain-cardiff-city-5721295

      Someone was kind enough to post this earlier.

      Brayford who everyone got all excited about is apparently not starting.

      Turner seems to be nailed on, but my dilemma is this John guy. He's also £4mil and supposed to start according to that article. Any Cardiff fans care to venture their thoughts on him? Will he keep his spot at LB?

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  18. Doctor X
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Im nowhere closer to deciding whether I wanna start with Benteke or not over Sturridge. I've got 3 Chelsea.

    PROS:
    - In form (preseason)
    - Focal point for Villa
    - DGW

    CONS:
    - Difficult DGW
    - (- 4) to take him out
    - Sturridge + 4 points vs STO looks much better?

    Thoughts?

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

      same dilemma I had. going benteke cuz I feel like gambling on the dgw. and I hope that stoke can put up a defensive performance like early/mid season last year

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      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Too many gambles on the starting block imo. You're hoping for Benteke to scor against 2 good defensive sides and Stoke to keep a cleanie under a new manager, against a motivated Rodgers' side. Play a bit safe if i were you.

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      2. Twelve years a slave
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Arsenal have a few weaknesses in defence to start the season. Benteke going to kill them

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        1. Doctor X
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Lots of factors to take into account then. Darn it.

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    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      1) Bentekke is not so good that he is worth his money.
      2) -4 guaranteed
      3) Distraction from a possible bandwagon, and price rise.

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      1. Doctor X
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Fair points.

        But he is quite good! Probably worth the look when Villas fixture ease up.

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Yep, definitely - or if his price eases slightly.

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    3. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Depends when you WC.

      Benteke might outscore Sturridge over the 3 fixtures he has over gw 1-2. Sell Benteke in gw 3 for Negredo/jovetic

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      1. Doctor X
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Don't plan to WC; It's either take a hit or not. Plan is

        - Lukaku (no matter how well he scores) to a City forward for GW 2.
        - Benteke to Sturridge (-4, if I start with Benteke)

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    4. big oak
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      it might be a good idea if ur planning a WC after GW2
      otherwise i dnt see the benefit of taking a hit that early in the season
      i am always worried about 2nd season syndrom and against stoke with huth and shawx, benteke do not have the physical advantage like against other teams

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      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Benteke is not playing stoke.

        😕

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    5. SC not pearls before swine
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      I'm still going to wait until Friday to see what Rodgers says about Sturridge. I still think that at best he plays 60 minutes in week 1, and even with the tough fixtures I'll take Benteke. Especially since I think Stoke will be pretty tough defensively, even with a new manager, it's not like their squad is all that different.

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      1. Doctor X
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Isn't Hughes the more attacking manager vs Pulis? Sure to be some holes in there. They're practically the same defence from last year with a little more attacking intent (Pieters).

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        1. SC not pearls before swine
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Yeah, it'd be hard to be a less attacking manager to Pulis. But my point is, I don't think they're suddenly going to leak a ton of goals because they have a more attacking minded manager. Hughes isn't going to scrub out that defensive Stoke DNA, at least at first IMO.

          Preseason results also sort of indicate that, never conceded more than 2, never scored more than 2.

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  19. Mojo Rojo
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Quick RMT /10 and the one change you would make.

    Mignolet
    Coleman - O'Shea - Martin Olsson
    Mirallas - Walcott - Silva - Hazard
    Soldado - Sturridge - Lukaku

    Boruc - Ravel Morrison - Brayford - Debuchy

    Cheers 🙂

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    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Cut Morrison loose.

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      1. Mojo Rojo
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        To who? Only have 4.5 to spend unless I downgrade someone.

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        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Anyone but Morrison. Westham have bought Downing.

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      2. Andy Unsocial
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        6/10
        Lots of changes needed at the back
        But I'd do Martin Olsson to M.Turner

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    2. QPR expects... glory!
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Get rid of Olsson. He's a back-up utility player, nothing more. Redmond will start on the LW ahead of him on Saturday. Garrido is the starting LB

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    3. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      O'Shea 😯

      Debuchy is a nice differential but i'm not sure he's the best priced defender at 5.0. Get rid of Morrison.

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  20. New Ghost
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Tina, still around?

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    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Jip

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      1. New Ghost
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Shoot me a quick e-mail at leofonseca6@yahoo.com. Thanks bud.

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        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Will do.

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          1. Christina.
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            done

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  21. CFC1990
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Hull F.C. players stats from last season:

    http://espnfc.com/team/squad/_/id/306/season/2012/league/eng.2/hull-city?cc=5739

    Here are how their top two midfielders compare with each other:

    Koren:

    Games Started: 37

    Used as sub: 3

    Goals: 9

    Assists: 5

    Brady:

    Games Started: 28

    Used as sub:

    Goals: 4

    Assists: 13

    Wad Brady injured last season?

    Koren did not do that well in the 2008/09 season.

    Therefore, would it be wise to go with Brady instead?

    He seems to have better stats.

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    1. FantaCity
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Yep, Brady played half a season

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  22. tw
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Doos still can't believe you're going for 4 west ham!! no wonder they're called Doosra Differentials 😀

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      I replied previous. 🙂

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    2. simon.knott86
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      how can you have 4 maximum is 3 from one team?

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        I got him before the transfer.

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  23. Podorsky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Morning fellas,

    Willshire looked good yesterday. Any Arsenal fans that can give some insight as to game time, points potential, competition and position. Thinking he might be a cheaper alternative to Wallcot.
    Thanks

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    1. big oak
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      not an arsenal fan but i can help
      arsenal play 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1
      in 4-3-3 he is one of the midfield 3, despite the fact that he is the most advanced one, he still has a striker and usually carz and walcott ahead of him

      in a 4-2-3-1 system, he is usually more conservative and negative in his approach

      its worth mentioning that wenger tried him in the hole in a 4-2-3-1 system and he ddnt exactly put the place on fire. so i guess i least at the start of the season and before injuries strike, he will be a central midfielder who makes forward runs and not an advanced midfielder playing in the hole

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

        Thanks Big Oak, that was usefull.

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  24. TJ
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    No such thing as a FPL must have? One word - Ronnie

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    1. DCFC87
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      I always had Henry and/or Pires in the invincible days of Wenger

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  25. QPR expects... glory!
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Morning DZ'ers. Any injuries in last nights friendlies?

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  26. FORCA INTER
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    lampard+sturridge reminds me at last year michu+petric

    i hope that couthino+Lukaku will do Graham+another gw1 flop

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    1. Doctor X
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      What's the verdict on Benteke FORCA? Going with or without?

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      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        See below Dr X

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  27. Tabone
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    join my leagues if you like.. just created them
    head to head : 788568-384077
    Classic : 788568-384325

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  28. Andy Unsocial
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Please Rate My Team out of 10:

    Mignolet
    Cole Koscielny Collins
    Hazard(c) Coutinho Mirallas Walcott
    Lukaku(vc) Dzeko Soldado

    Bench:Davis,Thomas,M.Turner,Clyne

    Also be free to suggest changes...

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    1. Tabone
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      very similar to mine except anelka instead of soldado/ zabaleta instead of cole/ and i got silva instead of thomas

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      1. Andy Unsocial
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Could anyone rate my team outta 10???

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  29. FantaCity
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Any thoughts on Nathan Redmond? Hughton seems keen to play him, I might put him in as a punt instead of Snodgrass

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    1. CFC1990
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      I reckon you should go for it.

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      1. FantaCity
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        cheers - bit of a gamble as I will need him GW3, but with Pilkington sidelined I think there's a fair chance!

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    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Keep an eye on Bradley Johnson ...

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      1. FantaCity
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        competition? Johnson is in the Scout team sheet it's true

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    3. big oak
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      snody is guaranteed starts, redmond might very well end up the season as 1st choice, but for now im waiting while keeping an eye on him

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      1. FantaCity
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        hmmmmm . . .you're right of course, but at only 5m I might take the gamble early on

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  30. Muffinz
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Seems like everybody plans to play Lukaku for the DGW and then trade him out for GW2/3.. Wouldn't this make his price drop pretty radically? Currently have him in my team, but really tempted to trade him out for Sturridge instead. Don't know if it's such a good idea though as that would mean downgrading Coleman to Ward (my other DEFs are Toure Murner Brayford Chester..so a little shaky). I also have Coutinho coverage, but I really feel like both could rack up very nice points this season.
    Also I wouldn't be able to get Sturridge in until GW3 at least (probably later) at which point Lukakus value would be pretty low I think. For the record I have Hazard and Cech for the DGW..
    Any thoughts please?

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