Members

Versus – Mata, Hazard, Sterling and Ramsey

There may be under a week left under the 2014/15 season gets underway but for many Fantasy managers, the midfield dilemma is yet to be resolved. In the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, in particular, the player price list has handed us numerous options to consider for our five-man midfields, with ten players coming in at 9.0 or over:

In this, our latest article for members, we take a look at four of the main contenders – Eden Hazard, Aaron Ramsey, Juan Mata and Raheem Sterling – currently on Fantasy radars.

Sterling has netted in two of his last four appearances and, after notching nine times last term, is backed by many to step up for Liverpool after Luis Suarez’ departure. Ramsey’s 10 goals and nine assists in just 23 appearances last season has catapulted the Welshman into the premium bracket at 9.0, with his strike in yesterday’s Community Shield handing us a timely reminder of his talents. Mata (9.0) has been one of Louis van Gaal’s star performers in the role in “the hole” in a new 3-4-1-2 formation, whilst the 10.0-priced Hazard, despite only returning to pre-season action last week, sits in 22% of squads ahead of fixtures against promoted pair Burnley and Leicester in his first two fixtures.

Casting an eye back to last season, then, we delve into the data and compare their respective displays. First up, we assess each player’s creativity and distribution.

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

6,408 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Less than 100 hours to go...........

    No idea who will be my defensive 7. 😕

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    1. ADucksBehind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      A Chelsea, A MUtd, 2 Rotating 4.5's, Wisdom

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      1. elkunaguero
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        that's only 5

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    2. Nabs Kebabs
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      im pretty set myself..i think 😆

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    3. HVT
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      I nearly have it now.

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    4. BigManBakar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      I only know about my front 3 😀

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  2. kalmoffit
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Any reason why Adrian is being ignored. I heard that West Ham owners want a change of style.
    Is that it?

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  3. Nabs Kebabs
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    A) Sturridge and Arnie

    B) Dzeko and Fabregas

    thinking long term A but B is better for the first few weeks

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    1. kalmoffit
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      A

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    2. BigManBakar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      A

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  4. ADucksBehind
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone want to rent a room in South Surrey?

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    1. Bobby_Baggio
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Wow bet thats expensive

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      1. ADucksBehind
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        350

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  5. Venom Snake
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Okay last question I need settled before I take a long break from FFS!

    Coloccini - vAanholt - Mariappa - Ferdinand.

    Should I drop one for Chester? Or keep as is and shut it off?!

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    1. Bobby_Baggio
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      I personally don't like newcastle defense so i would do colo > chester

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    2. TINO TINO GIVE US A WAVE
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      I agree with BEP.....we have never been solid at the back so i would drop colo.

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  6. Sting
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Spurs defence GW1...

    Naughton Kaboul Vertonghen Davies

    ?

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    1. Bobby_Baggio
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Highly likely in my eyes

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  7. TINO TINO GIVE US A WAVE
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    BEST £4.5m OPTION FOR MIDFIELD AND DEFENCE??

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  8. Proggy
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Pick an option?

    A: Mariappa & 0.5 in bank
    B: Ward

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    1. kalmoffit
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      If you have .5m get Ward.

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    2. TINO TINO GIVE US A WAVE
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      marippa aint nailed on so i go with B although a heard something yesterday regarding ward's fitness / injury. keep an eye on that one!

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      1. Proggy
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Ward isn't injured - it was just basic FFS trolling. 😉

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  9. Messi & fabregas
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Mata OR Giroud + why?

    Mata feeds RVP + Rooney

    Giroud is fed by all of Arsenal's midfield and is 90.5 cheaper

    thoughts please?

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    1. Sting
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      With Champs League playoff games Giroud isn't assured of 90m

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      1. Messi & fabregas
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        sanogo + campell might deputize for the champ league "easy" fixtures

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  10. Jarvis
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Jovetic or Dzeko, based purely on the time they will be given in GW1?

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    1. TINO TINO GIVE US A WAVE
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      probably dzeko.

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    2. kalmoffit
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Dzeko

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  11. Darren Caskey
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Alejandro Faurlin nailed on? Played 68 minutes in their last friendly.

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  12. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Edin Dzeko - has been in my team for a long time, but I'm not totally convinced why...

    1) Short pre-season and has scored/assisted 0 goals (I believe)

    2) Potential rotation risk with Jovetic/Aguero after GW1

    My decision comes down to:

    a) 4.0, Mata & Bojan
    b) JEvans, 4.5 & Dzeko

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Why is Mata so expendable?

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      1. Jinswick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        He's not really - struggling to decide which mids to go with though.

        Hazard is locked
        Ramsey & Eriksen are close to being locked
        Siggy looks great value

        Will either have to go super uber cheap in defence and get Mata over Siggy, or lose Dzeko for Bojan

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        1. Messi & fabregas
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 9 months ago

          same boat as u, same thoughts

          ubber defense is doomed but that feeling of majestic front 8...

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        2. Billy Gilmore
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 9 months ago

          I would have Mata over every other mid in the game.

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        3. Nabs Kebabs
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 9 months ago

          mata should be locked before any of them

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    2. Messi & fabregas
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Exactly my dilemma

      I am thinking of trying both, start with Mata as better fixtures and then switch to Dzeko / Giroud

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    3. Heydudes13
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      What we say won't help you decide.

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  13. Albert Cole
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    QPR's defense - who will start?

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    1. TINO TINO GIVE US A WAVE
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      caulker.....ferdinand.....isla......unsure who will play LB although i heard that arry will be playing 3 CB's.

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      1. goneill79
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Isn't it more likely to be

        Rio Caulker Dunne/Hill

        Isla Traore

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        1. Irish Madridista ⭐
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 9 months ago

          Yes, this.

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  14. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Will steven Fletcher play as the lone striker for Sunderland?

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    1. TINO TINO GIVE US A WAVE
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      yes if wickham leaves for west ham but i can see wickham being their no 1.

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    2. ADucksBehind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Nope Wickham

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    3. Heydudes13
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      No, will partner Connor Wickham upfront.

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  15. Bambi
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    is anyone concerned of costa's disciplinary record?

    42 yellows in 144 games for Madrid - could hinder his bonus potential and will surely be suspended some points during the season?

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    1. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      the solution - fabregas or hazard

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    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      I'll transfer him out if he's suspended.

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      1. Billy Gilmore
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        😯

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        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 9 months ago

          I know. It's crazy but it might work.

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          1. Billy Gilmore
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 9 months ago

            You rebel, you.

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    3. Proggy
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      😯

      ...I didn't know that.

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    4. XhakaCan
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Yes, and that he could get injured. I'd have to go Costa to Sturridge, which isn't too bad 🙂

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    5. Heydudes13
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      You really are Bambi ya wuss.

      RVP and Rooney aren't exactly no stranger to a yellow card.

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    6. elkunaguero
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      7 yellows last year in 35 games... Rooney had 8 yellow last season...

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  16. Moe Milan
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Is Isla an option?

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    1. Sting
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Yea why not

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    2. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      I believe you can select him in your team, so yes 😉

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      1. Moe Milan
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Yes If that is the benchmark 😀

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    3. andyinasia
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      His record is bugger all goals and bugger all assists. Not for me, Clive.

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  17. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    thinking about a new tactic now for the start of the season...

    Basically i always try and start with a balanced team (with nice mixture of mid price defenders etc) - then ALWAYS find it impossible not to knee-jerk to any big hitting midfielders/strikers that start well. Invariably that leads to me d'grading my defense until i have 4/5 under 4.5m!

    SO...how about starting the season massively unbalanced!? Would leave me with 5 bigg-ish hitters in MF and 2 big strikers. I'd then have room to swap among those that start well, while leaving defenders alone.

    Assuming i manage to build team value over the first 2 months, i can then start to look at better defenders?

    Front 7 would potentially be:

    Ramsey Sanchez Fabregas Mata Eriksen
    Rooney Costa

    Thoughts?

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    1. Sting
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Would like to see Sterling and Hazard instead of Sanchez and Fab

      Otherwise looks good

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    2. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Good tactic I think. Why not, go for it.

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    3. TINO TINO GIVE US A WAVE
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      swap sanchez for sterling and use the £2.0m to upgrade defence!

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    4. danishdynamite
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Cheapo's who get gametime, never mind CS / assists / goals will rise just as much, probably more, than a top (and highly owned) player who scores a brace

      If it's TV you're after, then there are better ways of going about it IMHO

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  18. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    @Missing Link

    You've got mail.

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    1. The Missing Link
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Will take a look now

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  19. preseasonblues
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Silva & 8.5m forward

    or

    Siggy & Sturridge

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    1. TINO TINO GIVE US A WAVE
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      silva and 8.5.not entirely sure how sturridge will start without luis. i would prob go with either adebeyor or bony up top with silva

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    2. Proggy
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Siggy & Sturridge for me.

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    3. BigManBakar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      The latter

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      1. preseasonblues
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        cheers guys, think I'm probably going siggy and sturridge - none of the 8.5s appealing enough and no sturridge scares me. Alternative could be Yaya and someone cheap, but will wait to see how he starts the season and then make a move.

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  20. Patty_6000
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Which will be better for the start of the season- 1st 4-5 GWs?

    a) Lamela and Jovetic
    b) Hendo and D Costa?

    Thanks,

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    1. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      a) has more upside.
      b) safer assurance of gametime.

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    2. BigManBakar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      B

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    3. andyinasia
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      B for fixtures - Chelsea as flat track bullies

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  21. Albert Cole
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    4.5 midfielders. I think Faurlin might be worth it. Who else do we have?

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    1. KLOPPTOMANIA
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Marney

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  22. danishdynamite
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    So it's come down to this: bench one from

    Bojan
    Snodgrass

    ???

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    1. Proggy
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Snodgrass.

      However, I'm a Snodgrass owner and I'm playing him.

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    2. TINO TINO GIVE US A WAVE
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      defo play bojan for gw1!!!

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    3. BigManBakar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Snod

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    4. ttownstokie
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Having made the difficult decision to dump Sanchez and yaya I now have this which I'm now pretty decided on.What do you reckon?

      DDG/MYHILL
      LUIS-,WILSON-,BRUCE-,TAYLOR (SWANS)-,MOORE
      HAZARD-,RAMSEY,-STERLING,-MATA,-IRELAND
      ROONEY-,COSTA, -JUTKIEVWICZ

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    5. danishdynamite
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      thx fellas

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  23. SPorting
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    HOWDO CHUMPS!

    I've unpacked my suitcase, I've washed my balls and I've got Barton in my team.

    Let's do this shit!

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    1. HVT
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Why do you need to wash your balls to come on here!

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  24. KLOPPTOMANIA
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Coutinho or Eriksen?

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    1. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Eriksen

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    2. Moe Milan
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Eriksen for now

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    3. BigManBakar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Eriks

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  25. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone else going this cheap in defence?

    4.5, 4.0
    4.5, 4.5, 4.5, 4.0, 4.0

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    1. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      madness

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    2. goneill79
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah just .5 more for my keeper & 1 5.0 defender.

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    3. Mata-Is-The-Juan
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Close-ish
      4.5, 4.0
      4.0, 5.0, 4.0, 4.5, 5.5

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    4. BigManBakar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Madness

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    5. Deano
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      5.0 4.0
      5.0 4.5 4.0 4.0 4.0

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    6. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Who are your 4.5's?

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  26. T1P
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Anybody know if there is a FFS fantasy iTeam mini league?

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    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      On the homepage if there is.

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      1. T1P
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        Na there isn't one there. Anyway I can get in touch with a moderator to get one added?

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        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 9 months ago

          Probably jonty

          Jonty@fantasyfootballscout.co.uk

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  27. OLEgend
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    degea (myhill)

    azpi debuchy B.davies (trippier) (bruce)

    mata yayatoure eriksen siggy (el ahmadi)

    rooney bojan costa

    suggestions pls?? Heard Trippier is a good wing back. Any other suggestions for 5?

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    1. T1P
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Trippier will be good but don't think Burnley will be that great defensively. I'd rather have Caulker or C Davies for 5.0m

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      1. OLEgend
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        But can we expect a clean sheet points from caulker or davies?? who have better chance foe getting points for assists?

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  28. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Next question, will steven fletcher at least start for Sunderland?

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    1. colakim3
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Will most likely start up front with Wickham on the flank in 4-3-3

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    2. BigManBakar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Should do, with Wickham on the wing

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    3. Heydudes13
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      Did you not just read my answer to you?

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      1. Nice to Finally Michu
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        I did but I was still uncertain as Sunderland dont yoy usually play two strikers in their one forward formation

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  29. ADucksBehind
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Price check:

    GK's: 9
    Def: 24
    Mid: 42.5
    Att: 24.5

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      9
      23.5
      37.5
      29.5

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    2. XhakaCan
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      9
      24
      37.5
      29.5

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    3. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      GK: 9
      DEF: 27.5
      MID: 37
      FWD: 26.5

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    4. goneill79
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      9
      22.5
      36
      32.5

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      1. andyinasia
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        fluffy midfield:

        GK 9.5
        DEF 26
        MID 32
        FWD 32.5

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    5. robbo1337
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      GK: 9
      DEF: 24.5
      MID: 38.5
      ATT: 26.5

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  30. Yome
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 9 months ago

    Is Foster going to get the nod ahead of Boruc? Saints have great fixtures after LFC.

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    1. HVT
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      I don't think they paid 10m for him to be a bench warmer Yome.

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      1. Yome
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 9 months ago

        But Boruc did well last season. I am tempted to get him instead of Bego

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    2. andyinasia
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      FoRRRRRRRRster !!!

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    3. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 9 months ago

      No, Foster should get the nod ahead of Myhill 😉

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