Scout Reports

Scout Report – Kostas Mitroglou

In what proved to be a hectic last few days of the January transfer window, Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen bolstered his side’s ailing attack by acquiring the prolific Kostas Mitroglou from Greek outfit Olympiakos. The 25-year-old arrives at Craven Cottage on a four-and-a-half year contract, with the Londoners shelling out a club record £11m fee for his services:

Mitroglou joins fellow new arrivals Lewis Holtby, Johnny Heitinga, Larnell Cole and Ryan Tunnicliffe as Meulensteen adds to the Cottagers’ ranks in his bid to steer the club to safety. Speaking to the Fulham official website upon completion of the deal, the new frontman went on to say:

“I’m very happy that I’m here in the Premier League, and especially with Fulham which is a major club in the league. I’m here because I want to fulfil the club’s targets and I want to help the club achieve their goals. I was really flattered that they wanted me so badly and I’m really happy to be here. I’m really happy that I will work with René Meulensteen. I know that he has a lot of experience in football. He explained to me how he works and I am really looking forward to working with him. I also spoke to Giorgos [Karagounis] before I came here and he told me only the best things about Fulham.”

The History

Having moved to Germany as a youngster, Mitroglou excelled in the youth ranks at MSV Duisburg and Borussia Monchengladbach before returning to his native country in 2007 to sign for Olympiakos. The six-foot-two forward struggled to make a real impression in his first few season at the club, though – Mitroglou was mainly a peripheral figure, producing 12 goals and seven assists over 55 games in four-and-a-half seasons before a loan move to Panionios in January 2011 afforded him the chance to flourish, with eight goals and an assist from 11 appearances in the Greek top-flight.

In spite of his scoring exploits, Mitroglou was loaned out once again the following season. This time around, he spent the entire campaign with Atromitos and, after notching 16 times in 28 appearances, was voted the Greek Footballer of the Year for 2011/12.

The following season, Mitroglou was retained by his parent club and racked up 11 goals and four assists from 25 league matches – all the more impressive given that 15 of those appearances arrived as a substitute. This term, finally installed as the main man up top, Mitroglou ran riot and notched 14 times in just 12 league games – he also fired a hat-trick against Anderlecht in the Champions League, taking his career tally to nine goals and two assists in 21 appearances in the competition. On the international stage, he’s returned 21 goals and a pair of assists in 49 matches for Greece, scoring three times in the recent World Cup play-off win over Romania, which ensured his nation’s passage to this summer’s tournament in Brazil.

The Prospects

There’s no doubt the Greek’s acquisition is a real coup for the Cottagers, with many European clubs – including Arsenal – previously linked with a move for his services. Whilst he’s expectedly strong in the air for his height, he’s more than just a typical target man – the 25-year-old is fast, agile and possesses a strong work ethic, with a rasping shot making him more than capable from set-piece scenarios outside the area.

With Dimitar Berbatov and Bryan Ruiz both leaving on loan deals until the end of the season, there’s no question Mitroglou will be Meulensteen’s lone striker. Bearing in mind that Darren Bent has netted twice and Steve Sidwell is the club’s top scorer with five league goals to his name, Fulham are in desperate need for a proven marksman to boost their survival bid.

Setting you back 6.5 in Fantasy Premier League (8.0 in the Sky Sports game and 3.0 in the Sun Dream Team), Mitroglou has been favourably priced across the Fantasy games, in spite of his recent scoring endeavours. Whilst cost and game time are on his side, Fulham’s form and fixtures are very much against the Greek. Mitroglou looks poised to make his debut this weekend after his registration arrived too late to allow him to play against Southampton last Saturday – the downside is he rolls up to Old Trafford on Sunday and also has showdowns with Liverpool and Chelsea in the next four Gameweeks.

Last night’s FA Cup defeat at the hands of Sheffield United took Meulensteen’s record to nine losses in 15 matches in charge – the type of form that will surely persuade Fantasy managers to steer well clear of their assets. With the likes of Jay Rodriguez available for a similar price ahead of Southampton’s kind upcoming schedule, Mitroglou will need to adapt to his new surroundings immediately in order to turn our attentions his way but, with Everton and City also on his agenda in the next eight, it seems wise to afford him the time to settle and perhaps reconsider him around the Gameweek 33 mark, when the schedule smiles a little kinder.

Further Reference

Kostas Mitroglou Wikipedia

Kostas Mitroglou Statistics

Kostas Mitroglou YouTube

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

882 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Art Vandelay
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Who will Pelli go with this week - Kol or Clichy?

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      kol today, clichy midweek

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      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        *saturday

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    2. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Kol is Pelli's homeboy..

      Clichy to play away at Norwich imo

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    3. Reacher
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I think Kol, Norwich have no lightning quick wingers

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    4. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Kol I hope.

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  2. Hibbo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    What's up with your man Thomas's?

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    1. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      30 year old who pretends to be 13, terrible grammar, easily riled, doesn't understand jokes...

      In short, everything is up with him.

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  3. Dots321
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    A) Evans to 2nd Chelsea defender (have Ivan)
    B) Eriksen to Lallana
    C) Save FT

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    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A or C

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      1. Dots321
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        A it is then cheers

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        1. Woy of the Wovers
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Amazing how thoughts converge as the week grows old.

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  4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Gervinho 3-2 😯

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  5. Reacher
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Re-post fellas

    Saints defender or Chelsea def for the next few gameweeks?

    If Chelsea Azpil or Cahill?!

    Cheers

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    1. reshardo
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Any Chelsea defender at the mo

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      1. Reacher
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah leaning towards Cahill but having no Saints defenders is hurting me in my mini league

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  6. Tribecca
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Advise please!
    Sagna to
    A. Cahill (leave no $0 ITB)
    B. Azi (leave $0.5 ITB)

    I am taking a -4 for this therefore Cahill might give me bonus but having $0 IT makes it hard to trade next week.

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    1. Reacher
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      For a hit Cahill, more chance of a goal

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  7. RespectTheBlues
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Hi Everyone
    Can anyone rate my team

    Mannone (McGregor)

    Ward / Coleman / Kolarov / Fonte (Sagna)

    Hazard(c) / Yaya / Lallana / Mata (Assaidi)

    Suarez(vc) / Negredo (Chamagh)

    0.2£ Bank 0 FT

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    1. RespectTheBlues
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Anyone?

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    2. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Strong defence and mid, dodgy striker force, though sometimes Suarez is all you need (except everyone has him).
      Worth the gamble to have something a bit different, I hope you get success from it.

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  8. reshardo
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Would anyone do this for a 4 point hit

    Caz to silva
    Giroud to negredo/djecko

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    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Caz > Yaya maybe.

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    2. Reacher
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Dzeko yes in my opinion

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  9. Absinthe 42
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Evening DZ.

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  10. Dots321
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Whos more nailed Cahill or Azpil?

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    1. reshardo
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Cahill

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    2. Absinthe 42
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I think Azpil just. But not much between them, and Cahill will get more pts.

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  11. saata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    What do you think about Glenn Murray?

    Last year he notched 30 goals for Crystal Palace in Championship and now is back to training..

    Probably a viable option for a cheap striker in a 3-5-2 formation?

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    1. Absinthe 42
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Monitor. It will be hard for him to do much now.

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      1. saata
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        He's surely on my radar..

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    2. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Could be a good bench third striker if you're playing the old Power Five in midfield. I'd give him a week or two to see.

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      1. saata
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Exactly.. Problem is that CPL hardly found any attacking form this season, but this could be because Murray was injured till now..

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        1. saata
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Maybe

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        2. In Like Flynn.
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          He was their main force last year. I'm certainly watching to see.

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  12. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Best CHE defender to get?

    A Ivan
    B azpi
    C Cahill

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    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Ivan if you can afford.

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    2. saata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Cahill

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  13. Absinthe 42
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Question - Man City or bust?

    The events of recent weeks have stripped some teams of Man City attacking assets. Aguero is gone, and many dropped Silva for Mata.

    For teams with no coverage, heading into this run of three great league games, should someone be brought in for a hit?

    Which players do you think can cover the minus 4 in the next three GWs, given the threat of cup rotation?

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    1. Spoonerism
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      It's a great question. Am very aware of my lack of City assets after doing the Silva to Mata move.

      I'm choosing between Silva, Navas and Negredo to sort this out. Can I say for sure that one of them will play all the league games? Nope. We just don't know.

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    2. Spoonerism
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      P.S. I can do it without the hit. I'd probably stick for one more week and do it for free rather than take a -4. Unless you're thinking of captaining them.

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      1. Absinthe 42
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Which only gives you two weeks. When you need to remove him it's two transfers for two weeks.

        Yaya is the one that bothers me. My two chasing ML rivals have him, I don't. On pens and City on the rebound after Monday night scares me.

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  14. Dots321
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Who will score more?

    Lallana (STK) + Coleman (tot)
    or
    Eriksen (EVE) + Cahill (NEW)

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    1. Dots321
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      This week only

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      1. Schürrle Class
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Lallana and Coleman definitely

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    2. Guy Demel's SH
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Eriksen & Cahill

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    3. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A should see you through the next 7-8 GWs comfortably.

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  15. ...---...
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    D-zrow appeals to me as a player who's Christmases will one day all come at once, you know a bit like the golfing bishop in Caddyshack. Instead of knocking people unconscious in the stands as per usual, everything will uncannily come together and he'll bulge the opposition net four or five times much his and everyone else's total and utter amazement. He's been so wayward recently that I can only assume this phenomena is very, very imminent and has a really good chance of occurring at Carrow Road this coming Saturday afternoon.

    D-zrow (c). Believe!

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    1. GREENDREAMS11
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Lol Like the D-ZROW You could be right, it's not like he isn't finding the space.

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  16. RespectTheBlues
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Hi Everyone
    Can anyone rate my team please

    Mannone (McGregor)

    Ward / Coleman / Kolarov / Fonte (Sagna)

    Hazard(c) / Yaya / Lallana / Mata (Assaidi)

    Suarez(vc) / Negredo (Chamagh)

    0.2£ Bank 0 FT

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    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Answered above RTB, just took me a while.

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    2. saata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Nice 4-4-2.
      You're good to go..

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    3. Spoonerism
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      That's a lot of cash invested in your defence. I'd want one less big hitter and an upgrade to Assaidi or Chamakh in the next one or two games…

      Unless you've been scoring well, then ignore that.

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      1. RespectTheBlues
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I am thinking to downgrade Coleman to Azpiliqueta and Upgrade Chamagh to Rodriguez or Assaidi to someone more decent.

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      2. RespectTheBlues
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        And is Hazard good choice for captain?

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  17. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Think I have made a decision;

    This week it is Mata (c) over Yaya, Hazard, and Suarez.

    Reason:

    He has assisted in both games for United since joining.
    Is likely to do the same against a weak Fulham side with Rooney and RVP ahead of him.
    Could even possibly score his first goal for United
    Time for United to start playing if they want to get up to 4th
    Why not?

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    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Tempted to do the same.

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    2. saata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Do you really think Mata will score more than those other 3?
      You could always find reasons if you want..

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      1. FF Dirtbag
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Don't think I want Yaya being away. Hazard hasn't been providing points. And Suarez is amazing no doubt but he is against a difficult arsenal defence who are trying their hardest to be champions.

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        1. saata
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          I agree Yaya is not a captancy option, but both Hazard and Suarez are better options than Mata IMO.
          - Mata hasn't score till now this season. He's still to prove as FPL asset over other same priced midfielders like Cazorla and Silva. This could be his week, but it's not like he has hit some form (assist per match is not enough to captain him IMO)
          - Hazard on the other hand has second-high total score and is looking like he does what he wants lately with the oposition's defenders
          - Suarez is safe choice. You know he'll be involved if Liverpool scores. Arsenal have great defending record, but most of their clean sheets are at home. Liverpool on the other hand are pretty clinical at Anfield..

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  18. reeceon
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    A) Ben Arfa > Mirallas?
    B) Save FT?

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    1. Spoonerism
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Ben Arfa too erratic in FPL. So I'm a definite A!

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    2. Parm
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A, Ben Arfa flatters but never delivers.

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      1. In Like Flynn.
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        This ^^^^

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        1. reeceon
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Done

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  19. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    No golf tomorrow , fecking course closed,in fact on the 7th you could go in a boat from tee to green,england is sinking ,is there anybody out there??

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    1. Spoonerism
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Glug glug glug

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    2. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Golf course closed in February shocker!!!

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      1. Jordan.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Fair point well made Woy,but jeez it aint stopped raining for weeks,must be a good time to be in charge of a reservoir bet they've had to do feck all for months.....

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        1. In Like Flynn.
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          They'll increase our bills to get rid of too much water. 😉

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  20. reeceon
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Please help with my captain/vice choice 🙂

    A) Suarez
    B) Yaya
    C) AJ
    D) Sturridge
    E) Lallana

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    1. Schürrle Class
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Suarez and Sturridge

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    2. Parm
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Captain Yaya

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    3. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A.C

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  21. chrisjdgrady
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Screw it I did Eriksen to Lallana earlier. Been wanting him for a while now. Any city player worth taking a hit for?

    Boruc
    Ward Kos Coleman
    Mata Cazorla Hazard(c) Lallana
    Bony Benteke Suarez

    Davis Noone Bruce Olsson

    Figure I might as well give Bony another week since he's at home, new manager and all that.

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    1. Schürrle Class
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Surprising?

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      1. Parm
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Nope, just shows how predictable we are under Moyes.

        Pass the ball to the wing, cross it in.

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        1. In Like Flynn.
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          No RVP or Rooney for weeks hasn't helped him tbf. I still think Utd can make top 4. Only needs one of the top four to have a bad run.

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    2. reeceon
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      interesting but not very useful without the scale used for the colours

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  22. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Is Yoshida nailed on? Are there better £4.6 and under defenders? I am wary as I have Boruc and Mannone and I will start Bouc for the majority of the next 4 or 5 GWs as Mannone has a horrible run. Not sure I want to double up with Soton defenders too often

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    1. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Flanagan

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  23. saata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    All this talk about Suarez not being a good captancy option this week, because Arsenal defense is tight make no sense..

    - Arsenal have only 3 clean sheets away this season - against CPL, CAR and NEW.
    - Liverpool on the other hand score goals on Anfield for fun..

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    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Have only conceded more than 1 goal three times all season.

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      1. saata
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Haven't look at the results that way..
        Who are you captaining Flynn?

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        1. In Like Flynn.
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          For the first time in ten weeks I still don't know Saata. I may bottle it and go Suarez in the end anyway. But with not much confidence of a big score.

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          1. saata
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            I'm exactly on the same boat, but I think I will stick with Suarez. I think a lot of people will switch the armband this week and me captaining Suarez may come good 🙂

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  24. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Worth a 4 pt hit?:
    Jrod and Eriksen -> RvP(C) + Puncheon/Adam

    Already have Sturridge and Suarez

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  25. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    NEW POST

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  26. plft
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Any word on Evans? I may just hold him if he's expected to be fit next GW..

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    1. Baron Saturday
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I'm thinking of doing the same. I was hoping to know before Azpi rises, but might just do Kosc to Azpi anyway and wait on Evans.

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  27. Absinthe 42
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone thinking about Mitroglou.

    I was informed today by someone close to the game, that he was as big a player as they'd seen and all he's done since he arrived was eat!

    Made me laugh.

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  28. The Enlightener
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    This was him on the flight to England. http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lt7e77m02c1qiunvpo1_500.gif

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    1. Absinthe 42
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      He's a presence for sure!

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