Preamble

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 24

I’m partial to a flutter but I’m hardly a seasoned gambler. Even so, I’m aware of the concept of “chasing losses” – I also know that any experienced punter will tell you that it’s a mug’s game.

Until Tuesday night, I wasn’t really sure just how this applied to Fantasy Football. How, when desperation kicks in, your better judgement can go out the window as you ignore the obvious option and search out the long shot.

Let’s face it, handing Wilfred Bony my Gameweek 23 armband was a travesty. I can and will point to the logic behind the decision – I can talk about about the Ivorian’s form, of Fulham’s fragility. Even so, that doesn’t detract from the fact that, deep down, I knew that Luis Suarez would punish me.

As I mentioned in this week’s ScoutCast, I stood for a full thirty seconds at my front door at 7.28, key in hand, ready to burst back in and correct my madness. Foolishly, I chose to turn and head to Tesco. Those pizzas might have been buy one, get one free but they cost me dearly.

Such outlandish decision-making is in stark contrast to the methods employed by our own Jonty – a Fantasy manager who has profited from backing the favourite. Jonty has reveled in his “dullard” moniker and can point to an impressive ranking and a profitable Wildcard that has left even Hall of Fame legend, Evs, in his wake.

In Thursday’s ScoutCast I was asked what I’ve learned this season. Jonty’s campaign, coupled with my season-long failed quest to seek out effective differentials has taught me that my enthusiasm to look for the spectacular long ball, rather than settle for the sideways pass, has hurt me the most. I’m constantly trying to be Glenn Hoddle and Jonty, pulling off his best Ray Wilkins impression, is making me look silly.

I’d like to think I’ve learned a lesson but, only this week, I was fully contemplating tossing four points into the air and backing Robin van Persie at Stoke. There I was, listening to Granville spelling out the obvious move – Edin Dzeko in for the injured Sergio Aguero to keep the City cover – and I was plotting another foolish 60-yard “Hail Mary”.

While this may disappoint those who listened in, I think I’m going to have to rethink. I daren’t try another Hollywood pass for a while.

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

1,965 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Gooner97
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    is gabbidon fit?

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      should be, it was just a knock right? anyhow will be fit for next week when you really need him

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  2. SuperOsçarBaby
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    RMFebruaryWCT:

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

    Don't think its been posted yet.

    Handy little site

    http://live.premierleague.com/#/

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      never heard of it

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      1. Jax
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        first i've heard of it... #yawn

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    2. Nabs Kebabs
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      😯 dont think its been posted

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    3. Chu Young Ping Pong
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      been posted 10942908 times 😀

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    4. emperikal
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Only been posted about 25 times on the last page alone lol

      Very handy indeed though

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  4. Matt
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    So my dad played his wildcard this morning...well, at least he thought he did 😆

    -24

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    1. Mile Plankton - Myth and Ch…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      🙂

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    2. Absinthe Minded
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      AH nightmare!!

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

      haha! Same thing happened to one of the guys in my ML. -28

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    4. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      is your dad sinik

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    5. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      I did that once, back when I was a casual.

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  5. Judas
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Just seen that not a single one of my 11 rivals brought in Dzeko....

    Is this good or bad?

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    1. isacki: full casual
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Doesn't affect the points he's going to score at all. 😉

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    2. Xavi Iniesta
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      I dunno you tell me

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

      Probably bad. I got him in too at the last minute. Bound to end badly!

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    4. BuK II
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      I haven't seen many Dzeko's myself. I went Benteke, key rival went Giroud. Come on Pulis!

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    5. RabMac
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Will depend if their options out scores yours.

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    6. The ginger cafu
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      You'll know on Monday night

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  6. Qubit
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Can anyone link me to that live premierleague.com site? Ta

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    1. Jax
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      it's kinda hard too

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    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      not aware of such a site sorry mate

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  7. Xavi Iniesta
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    So, is Chiriches going to lose his place to Vertonghen today?

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  8. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Assuming all fit, which 2 defenders to bench next GW?

    Kosc (LIV (A))
    Dawson (EVE (H))
    Shaw (STK (H))
    Ward (WBA (H))
    Coleman (TOT (A))

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    1. Qubit
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Kos and Coleman

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    2. Jax
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      kosc coleman obviously

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    3. Nabs Kebabs
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Coleman and kosc

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    4. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      thanks all

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  9. In Like Flynn.
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Who loses their place to Reid when he's back for Wham?

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      collins?

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    2. d1sable
      • Has Moderation Rights
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Not even big Sam knows, depends how many errors Tomkins/Collins make today id imagine

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    3. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks guys.

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  10. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    I know. Its too early but I'm bored.

    Transfer for next gameweek?

    A) Silva to Yaya

    B) Ade to Dzeko

    C) Sagna to Chelsea defender

    Mannone
    Sagna-Kos-Yosh (Ward,Chester)
    Silva-Mata-Hazard-Lallana
    Ade-Rvp-Suarez

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

    Well this should be fun.

    Pick three to play from

    Kolarov (nor) Terry (NEW) Cahill (NEW) Yoshida (STK) Ward (WBA)

    Or should that be four?

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    1. Nabs Kebabs
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Terry Kolarov Ward

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      1. isacki: full casual
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Leaning that way myself. Slightly don't trust Southampton still especially against a physical side.

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        1. Nabs Kebabs
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          No point doubling, with all the options you have, obviously terry > cahill. Kolarov purely because of explosiveness (top of the table side aswell), Lovren out, CPL have pulis and WBA are no good

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          1. isacki: full casual
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Yeah, was also thinking along the lines of Terry > Cahill for goal threat and I trust CPL more than SOT. Still, WBA are very attacking now which could yield a goal. Their game against Villa featured some seriously un-West Brom like attacking.

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    2. Qubit
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Play 4: all except Kolarov

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      1. isacki: full casual
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        *flips table*

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        1. Qubit
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          actually the best way to look at it is to include your midfield into the equation and ask if your least preferred 4th defender is a better option than your 4 preferred mids.

          The answer might be no next week as most of the best midfield options have decent home fixtures.

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          1. isacki: full casual
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Have done that, can't bench any of Lallana or AJ. Heck, even Noone looks decent enough away, hitting awful-defending Swansea on the counterattack.

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  12. Comment removed. Please refer to our terms and conditions on posting comments.

    1. Chu Young Ping Pong
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      🙂

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    2. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Its not funny anymore. Will delete any spam from now on

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      1. Heydudes13
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        'Now on' guess TM was there to see this one...

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  13. Zombie
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    My cup rival - http://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/1954028/event-history/24/

    I don't stand a chance until Giroud & Sturridge trumps Dzeko & Jrod

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

    Id play Terry Cahill Yoshida and Ward

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    1. Qubit
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      reply fail to Isacki

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  15. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Hazard at 72% to drop!! ARE PPL WELL IN THE HEAD????

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    1. Zombie
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      In all fairness, he didn't score last week...that too against West Ham so only logical to drop him against CIty 😆

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      1. McSauce
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        silly he will be top at end of season1 Himself and yaya!

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    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Well he has a high ownership. If a few percent move him out that's 10's of thousands.

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      1. McSauce
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        fair point!

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  16. eljinj
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    it's a bit strange the Newcastle Sunderland derby isn't covered on sky or bt, not even a mention on focus yet...

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  17. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Bench one

    Evans (FUL)
    Azpi (NEW)
    Shaw (STK)
    Ward (WBA)

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    1. Qubit
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      or not

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    2. isacki: full casual
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Who's your 4th mid?

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      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Puncheon

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        1. isacki: full casual
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Ah...........

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  18. JoeJitzu +42
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    I know I'm reposting but there's science behind why I'm doing this...
    Really feel getting these three right is key to winning your leagues!!!

    Pick 3...... Long Term

    Fabio (1) Burner Hudson
    Dann Ward (2) Gabb Moxey
    Stones (1)
    Bruce McShane
    Flanagan (1)
    RBennett
    Chambers Yoshida (1)
    Collins

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    1. JoeJitzu +42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      *Picks ball up.... Walks home*

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      1. isacki: full casual
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        What do I do

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  19. Barry
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Bony better get a brace today 😀

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  20. Tommy J
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Schoolboy errors on my wildcard a couple of weeks ago-brought in Gibbs and Kolarov(rotation threats), then saw the team sheets before last gw and swapped Gibbs to Monreal-now a real chance he will be benched for Gibbs. Couldn't have foreseen injury to Chester but may only have one starting defender with Coleman still injured....

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  21. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    do you know germans call a mobile phone, a 'handy'

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    1. Heydudes13
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Yes is did.

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    2. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Yup I live in Germany (not a German though) and get tickled everytime locals ask me for my handy number... took me 6 months to actually realise that they are asking for my mobile number...

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    3. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Ah that's why I got slapped so much in Munich.

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  22. chilldoubt
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    My cup opponent appears to have taken a 28 point hit this week. Am going to really have a crap week to mess this round up 🙂

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    1. Saint Domingo
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Hahaha -28 fooking hell

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    2. Zombie
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Perhaps he forgot to activate the WC 😉

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  23. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Is Silva worth getting in for next 3 GWs if you have no MCY coverage in your team? Cant afford Yaya... Scared of Silva injuries...

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  24. isacki: full casual
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    I wish there was a site where you could follow the Premier League live... can't believe no-one's thought of that yet 🙁

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    1. emperikal
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      😆

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    2. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      🙄

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

      Business idea of the century

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  25. RabMac
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Was speaking to Pellegrini this morning and he was telling me how disappointed he was that he did not manage to sign Gary Caldwell before the window closed and said it may cost them the title.

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    1. isacki: full casual
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      He managed to keep Joleon Lescott - surely that's like a new signing?

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      1. RabMac
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Lescott was ready to go to West Ham but deal relied on them getting Caldwell.

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        1. isacki: full casual
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Eat your heart out Thiago Silva

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          1. RabMac
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            He was on the list but a good bit behind Caldwell.

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            1. isacki: full casual
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 3 months ago

              Just like how it would go in a foot race

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              1. RabMac
                • 10 Years
                10 years, 3 months ago

                You made me lol 😉

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  26. Hiphopopotamus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    I was on WC this week and wanted Adrian | Mannone.

    But I forgot to make the change, and went with Marshall | Mannone 🙁

    Please can someone tell me it wasn't such a bad mistake to make...?

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    1. Fitzy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Not a big deal mate, you would have got one more home game from the Adrian rotation (GW37) and saved 0.4, but other than that the Marshall rotation has great fixtures too.

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      1. Hiphopopotamus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks Fitzy, appreciated. It's the 0.4 that hurts the most 🙁

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  27. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    2 keepers playing at the same time

    Not been on a keeper rotation since GW3. Let's see how it goes.

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  28. Dr. Rog
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    RMT:

    M&M
    Kompany Kos Flanagan (Ward/Chester)
    Haz Silva Caz Lallana (Gnabry)
    Suarez Sturridge Negrado

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  29. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    So who's got the most at home next week? I have 9.
    It looks pretty promising this week and the next as all my away players this week have pretty easy opposition.

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    1. Nolan
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      2 lol

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      1. Nolan
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        weird thing is, that's including my bench.

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  30. Terrible Muriel
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    So, how is this Live thing different from just autorefreshing FPL page?

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