Say What

Say What?

Say What? goes big on Spurs this week, with Dele Alli to the fore, the middle and the back.

There’s also Zlatan on a certain someone who’s been grinding his gears, Wenger’s unlikely saviour and Claude Puel trying to marry off his daughter.

For all this – and a fair bit more – please read on.

Alli Spot-On For Pochettino

It’s not exactly a bad time to be a Spurs fan at the moment, and it’s an even better one to be a Dele Alli owner.

While we might not be legion just yet, 27.6% of us have him in our teams because (with apologies), like a renal extraction surgeon, he consistently delivers.

Since Gameweek 17, the England man has hit 11 goals, chucked in a couple of assists and seen his ownership rise by nearly a million.

Among midfielders, only Eden Hazard is now in more teams, but they could very well swap places by the end of this final, and utterly dreary, international break of the season.

The fact that Alli appears to be on penalty duties in the absence of Harry Kane sweetens the deal further.

He took, and scored, his first ever professional spot-kick in the win over Southampton, with Mauricio Pochettino revealing a strangely ‘whatever, brilliant!’ approach to the issue of who would be the designated taker.

“For me it’s OK. It’s good that we have players who want to take the responsibility to shoot the penalty. Fantastic. With no Harry Kane everyone can take the penalty – no problem.”

Alli himself took full advantage of his manager’s attitude.

“As soon as I realised H (Harry Kane) wasn’t on the pitch I saw it as an opportunity to get another goal so I grabbed the ball! We didn’t really speak before the game about who might take it so it was first come, first served. I was confident to take it and the boys let me have it but more importantly, we got the win.”

More than 90,000 Fantasy Premier League managers were not quite so overjoyed by Alli’s ball-grabbing antics – they’d brought Heung-Min Son into their sides because a) they correctly predicted he would lead the line in Kane’s absence and b) they incorrectly predicted he would take the penalties in Kane’s absence.

At least they can take some comfort from a) post-match Pochettino praise for their man and b) erm, see a).

“I think it was good. He had some chances to score and showed some great movement behind the defensive line. He worked well with Dele and Christian (Eriksen) and I am very pleased with his performance.”

As for the massive 1,742 managers who took a punt on Vincent Janssen doing both (the first) a) and b) above, even they got (the second) a) and b) boost from Pochettino.

If that makes any sense.

“He will now have the possibility to play more and be more involved. Today he showed great, great energy when he came on.”

Son’s owners do have a week of worry ahead – the midfielder is far, far away playing for South Korea in two World Cup qualifiers tonight and on Tuesday, so will return on the decidedly tired side for next Saturday’s trip to Burnley.

That could just open the door a smidge for Janssen, which could, in turn, raise doubts as to Alli’s penalty duties – the Dutchman, after all, is a specialist from the spot.

However, with the current mood Pochettino is in regarding Dele, he’ll probably let his star man take the penalties, pick the team and demand up to 90% of the Argentinian’s salary for good measure.

“It is all possible with him. In the box he looks like a striker because he is more than clever, he has made his mark. Outside the box playing like a midfielder, I saw him at 17 years old playing at Milton Keynes as a holding midfielder against Manchester United. And I don’t know, always he can surprise me, maybe one day he can play as a goalkeeper or as a full-back or centre-back.”

At least Pochettino didn’t mention Alli as a potential wing-back, because the 1.2% of managers invested in the cut-price delights of Ben Davies (4.7) have been rewarded with three clean sheets from the last five starts by the Welsh defender.

Once the international break finally takes the hint and buggers off, Spurs have three matches in a week – Burnley and Swansea away and Watford at White Hart Lane.

Danny Rose could well be back from injury at some point in that spell, so Davies is counting his regular-start blessings in the meantime.

“It’s hard work but it’s great and I certainly can’t complain. With every match that’s going by it’s another 90 minutes under my belt so it’s great, especially when we’re winning games like this.”

Investing in Spurs assets for the rest of the season in a no-brainer. After that, they have only Arsenal and Man United of the big boys still to face – and both of those fixtures will be at home – and a double Gameweek involving Leicester to factor in as well.

Buying Davies looks short-term, choosing between Son and Janssen carries an element of risk, but Alli looks to be a keeper from now until the season ends.

Not, you know, literally a keeper as in Hugo Lloris.

Although with Pochettino so loved-up with Dele at the moment, let’s not rule that out completely.

Zlatan’s Personal Pep Talk

While Spurs wait for news of when their double Gameweek might be, Man United are already preparing for one of theirs – a Gameweek 34 involving trips to Burnley and then Man City.

United’s run-in is not of a particularly kindly persuasion as they’ll also have to face Spurs and Arsenal away and play Chelsea at Old Trafford.

But those doubles (they still await a re-arranged date with Southampton) will keep their players on our radars, and one of them will most definitely be Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Swede has one match left on the naughty step before becoming available again for Gameweek 31’s visit of Everton.

His pre-ban form was patchy, with just one goal and an assist in five starts, but he won’t be lacking for motivation once he returns – and in particular for that trip across town to the Etihad.

“I learned a lot at Barcelona, both on and off the pitch. I learned that in football any situation can change in just 24 hours. The problem wasn’t with me, it was with him [Guardiola] and he never came to terms with it. I don’t know what his problem was with me. First he called me every day to get me and from one day to the next I didn’t play anymore.”

There are plenty of United assets worth perusing at the moment.

In defence, there’s Antonio Valencia, who has three clean sheets, two assists and a goal from his last five starts. And midfielder Juan Mata has been solid in his last four matches, with two goals and an assist.

But a fired-up Zlatan?

“When I play against his team, it’s something that motivates me, it gives me adrenaline. It is normal, after what’s happened. I’m using it as something positive, not negative. But it is something always in the back of my mind.”

He might have lost nearly 800,000 managers in recent weeks, but his Pep talk should inspire us all.

Wenger’s Theological Musings

Another team with doubles yet to come is Arsenal.

We’ve known for a long time that the Gunners are dodgy in the air and, after the unedifying spectacle of rival pro and anti-Wenger planes flying over The Hawthorns last weekend, the same can now be said of their supporters.

But that’s not stopped the beleaguered coach from praising Theo Walcott to the skies.

“He has become more of a complete player, more efficient. He does better in the tactical part of his game and works hard defensively and offensively. He has been less injured as well, that helps.”

A glance at Walcott’s recent league record doesn’t really back up Wenger’s words – since returning from injury in Gameweek 23, he’s managed no goals and just as many assists.

So what’s to love about him?

“ “He has turned up in big games as well, he can score goals in big games. He showed that against Bayern, he scored the goal and I think it was a penalty on him, which shows he can influence games.”

Fair enough, he was Arsenal’s best player in their 5-1 home loss to Munich, although that’s kind of like being hailed Britain’s least-hated estate agent. Or the third most-feared Kray twin.

But if we take Wenger at his word, then maybe we should turn our thoughts to Theo.

Arsenal still have 11 matches to play, and if they are to repeat history once again and make the Champions League spots, every one of them will be a big game.

They also have two double Gameweeks to come, involving Sunderland and Southampton, and if Alexis Sanchez can’t shake off his ankle injury (or take his eyes off the door marked ‘Exit’), then Walcott is a cheap (7.3) and considerably less popular (4.2%) alternative.

Arsenal’s form has been of the straight-to-landfill variety, with four defeats in their last five league matches.

Maybe Walcott, from the wing, can help them rise again.

Take Some Praise (And My Daughter)

Continuing our double Gameweek theme, we come to Southampton, who still have home fixtures with Arsenal and United to re-arrange.

Then again, they also have Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool to face before season’s end. Throw in their inconsistency – losing to Swansea and West Ham before scoring four times in both of their next two away matches – allied with a groin injury to man-of-the-moment Manolo Gabbiadini, and banking on the Saints looks to be of the high-risk merchant/casino variety.

But one player is starting to put forward a decent case for investment – new England man James Ward-Prowse.

He’s available for just 5.0, is owned by only 0.4% and has two goals, an assist and five bonus points to his name over the last five fixtures.

He’s also been a virtual ever-present in the side since Gameweek 13, which is not surprising when you listen to his manager, Claude Puel.

“I think he is fantastic. I looked at an interview when he was 10 or 11 and he was in the same spirit as he is now. It’s easy to train James and he has made the progress because he listens and importantly he wants to progress. He is the prototype for the academy. It is not just about making professional footballers but also developing men.”

The Frenchman even revealed his, ‘ow do you English say ‘banter’?’ side when Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond got their England call-ups.

“I told them the news by calling them into the office saying ‘I had a problem with their attitudes in the training session and to know their opinion as to why’. After I said: ‘I don’t understand why you’ve been called up to England, but OK’.”

This is all very lovely. And so is Puel’s daughter, Charlene. If you don’t believe me, go here.

Why is that relevant?

Because of what Puel said about JWP next:

“He is the ideal son-in-law.”

Blimey. That’s one way to guarantee you’ll always get in the side. Unless, you know, James starts channelling his inner John Terry.

But we all love a good wedding. I’d like to see the well-spoken Walcott as best man, Wayne Rooney keeping up the spirits among some of the older guests and Joey Barton orchestrating the traditional wedding reception tear-up.

And while we’re waiting for that, keep Ward-Prowse in your thoughts, if not close to your heart, for the weeks ahead.

Beautiful Big Sam Blanks

We can only hope that Rachael, daughter of Sam Allardyce, has her mother’s looks.

At least her dad’s team is now winning ugly – Palace have taken maximum points from their last three matches and kept clean sheets in all of them.

Defender James Tomkins has been talking up his manager’s work as a result.

“In recent weeks the boss has taken us to one side on the training ground, both as a defensive unit but also as a team group, to work on our shape with a massive emphasis being on clean sheets, something which he has always been known for, wherever he has managed.”

As well as that improvement in form, another plus for the Eagles is their double Gameweek 34.

The negative is that it will involve Liverpool away and Spurs at Selhurst Park.

In fact, Palace’s run-in is the stuff of nightmares.

They’ve got Leicester, Burnley and Hull at home, but they’d better be winning those if they want to avoid relegation because the rest of their fixtures involve trips to Chelsea, Southampton and both Manchester clubs and a visit from Arsenal.

What can be guaranteed, by the looks of it, is that Allardyce’s men are no longer push-overs. And they have a simple plan to execute, according to Tomkins.

“It is not just about the back four and the keeper but also those working from the front, sitting in when needed and then breaking out in numbers on counter attacks when the opportunity comes about in games.”

Tomkins has started every match since Gameweek 19 and, at 4.9, is a well-priced way into such a well-organised unit.

Allardyce, famously, has never managed a team relegated from the top flight. If he is to continue that run, the likes of Tomkins will be why.

Buying into Big Sam’s defence looks risky, but could turn out surprisingly beautiful.

The I-Pulis

We end on another beautiful thing…

West Brom’s last eight matches are just soooo Tony Pulis – won four, lost two, drawn two. It’s the stuff of mid-table comfort, well-drilled units and a shouty man in a tracksuit and baseball cap.

And it’s also a lot to do with the Baggies’ in no-way secret weapon – their exemplary set-plays – as the shouty man himself was happy to explain following the win over Arsenal.

“We do it differently against zonal than man-for-man. They have five or six players across the six yard box and they have two players who try and block your runners. So if you get away from one of the blocks, you are running at a standing object. You’ve got someone with a standing jump against a person with a running jump. I’ll bet my bottom dollar the person with the running jump will score.”

The player to benefit from Arsenal zoning out at the weekend was Craig Dawson, who scored twice on his way to a bumper 17-point haul.

His fellow defender Gareth McAuley, meanwhile, has been a major beneficiary of West Brom’s dead-ball prowess all season long – his six goals have prompted 32.3% of us to buy him in. Among defenders, only Tottenham’s Kyle Walker is owned by more FPL managers.

The problem for us now is that West Brom have a Gameweek 34 blank while their scheduled opponents, Man City, play in the FA Cup semi-finals.

That will tempt many of us to cut and run, ignoring the fact that McAuley and co will have a double Gameweek further down the line to boost a reasonable run-in which involves tough tests against Man United, Liverpool and Chelsea that are somewhat offset by matches with Watford, Southampton, Burnley and Swansea.

With 12 goals scored between McAuley, Dawson and Chris Brunt this season, benching Baggies’ defenders for the Gameweek 34 no-show might well be the wiser option.

Don’t believe me? Well, West Brom also have technology on their side, as Dawson explained.

“Every detail is covered in training. Away from that the gaffer gives us lots of videos of the opposition and makes sure we can study those in the week. We have an app.”

Yep. An app.

No news on its name, but ‘Plants versus Zombies’ seems strangely apt when considering Arsenal’s defending at The Hawthorns, ‘Farm Heroes Saga’ covers Pulis’ more agricultural leanings and ‘Grindr (Out The Results)’…maybe football isn’t quite ready for that one yet.

1,485 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Kun Tozser
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    Different crowd:

    Who's going to come out best here?

    GW / 31, 33, 35, 36
    Coleman: mun , BUR, CHE, swa
    Fuchs: SUN, cpl, wba , WAT
    Cedric: CPL , MCI, HUL, liv
    Pieters: bur, HUL, WHM, bou

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      No idea, but from that list Pieters and Fuch rotate well as a third defender

    2. Tossed & Blown in MY
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      1. Fuchs
      2. Pieters
      3. Cedric
      4. Coleman

      1. dark91
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        I agree

    3. ANON.
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Tough one, maybe Fuchs

    4. dark91
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Fuchs if you are only looking to select 1

    5. Legomane
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      What about 30 32 34?

      1. Kun Tozser
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        Alonso, Walker, Valencia

        1. Legomane
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 7 days ago

          Just play those three, or are you going 442?

          1. Kun Tozser
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 7 days ago

            Valencia not so great in these fixtures EVE, CHE, ars

    6. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      I think it's time to end the Coleman love on a high personally

      Fuchs or Cedric for me

    7. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Fuchs.

  2. ANON.
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    Pickford
    Alonso, Holebas, Mawson
    Sanchez, Mane, Eriksen, King
    Lukaku, Carroll, Llorente

    Heaton, Coleman, Fletcher, Evans
    1FT, 5.2m ITB

    A. Evans to Valencia (doesn't leave enough cash for Carroll/Llorente to Ibra)
    B. Coleman to Valencia
    C. Carroll/Llorente to Vardy/Costa
    D. Save

    Leaning towards saving then bringing in Ibra next week

    1. suddenorgan
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      where would Holebas -> Valencia leave you in terms of cash? I'm a bit worried that he's lost his place

      1. ANON.
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        So am I but willing to give him this week just in case. Similar to A in terms of cash

    2. Lone Wolf
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      not A as upgrading Carroll/Llorente to Ibra is very good idea.
      C if it allows you to get Ibra next week. otherwise D

      1. ANON.
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        Could do C then move Vardy/Costa to Ibra at some point. Just think it might be a waste of a transfer bringing in Vardy/Costa for 1 or 2 weeks only, especially when Carroll/Llorente have good fixtures this week

        1. Lone Wolf
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 7 days ago

          Vardy is nice captain punt this GW but save is good option too. You have nice team. Save.

          1. ANON.
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 7 days ago

            Yeah that's the main problem I have, no standout captain for this week. At the moment I'm on Sanchez

            1. Lone Wolf
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 7 days ago

              not easy choice than but I would hold

  3. Lone Wolf
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    No Spurs cover

    Lanzini > Alli ?

    1. ANON.
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Nothing better to do with a free transfer with Lanzini v Hull?

      1. Lone Wolf
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        no Spurs worries me.
        Llorente > Vardy is other option but it makes no Spurs for me later.
        Llorente, Fletcher > Barnes, Alli -4 and change to 3-5-2 is possible too but not sure about it.

        1. ANON.
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 7 days ago

          Saving sounds good to me, then look at options next week to bring in Alli or Kane (if he's fit)

    2. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      I might wait a week, all things being equal. Lanzini has a slightly easier fixture.

    3. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      I still prefer Eriksen

      but yeah

  4. Scoredelario
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    Re Ruthgate. It has been made public that his wife is in a 20 quid cash league and doing well. It should be added that another of his "relatives" is in an 80 quid high rollers cash league. Considering he has stated ,

    "I would never enter my own team in a cash league (and never have) for the precise reason that I want to play it for OR and only for OR, no compromises,"

    Yet has openly admitted in another forum that this is his team, I find it quite a clear confession that he is cheating. I am in that league too and although neither of us is likely to cash, (60 and 40 points off currently) one thing is for sure... I won't be joining it again next year without assurance that Ruth, his/ her husband/ wife, or any of his/ her other various relatives and / or pets, will NOT be involved.

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      I feel a bit sorry for the league admins involved - I imagine they just said "yeah, whatever" to the requests without thinking through the consequences which, to be fair, are unprecedented.

      Hopefully they and others continue to run the cash leagues and aren't discouraged by these events, and I'm sure the rules will be tightened up for next season if they do continue.

      1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        He should be refunded his money this year and booted out, pretty simple to resolve really and only fair to the others

        1. Scoredelario
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 7 days ago

          Doesn't really work because he paid 100 quid and now he isn't likely to cash it's actually in his favour to refund. Needed to be done immediately really because whatever is done now is affected by hindsight

          1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 7 days ago

            Ok, haven't analyzed the leagues...

            If he ends up in a prize spot then refund his entry fee only and give the winners to the next placed

            1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
              • 12 Years
              7 years, 7 days ago

              Winnings*

      2. Hibbo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        It is going to lead to three things (a) admins not running the league due to hassle, (b) running competitions without Ruth, or (c) losing other punters.

        To be honest he should come on at the end of the season and give me a breakdown of his accumulated profit / loss. Going by all the team profiles I have seen he is getting chinned in a fair few leagues and losing money.

        I'd just like to do a comparison with my own profit / loss for the season just to see how I compare.

    2. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      is this a bad time to bring up my cat is a fantasy football guru...

      1. Dreams
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        Are you talking about jac the cat?

    3. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      I want my money back from last year 😆

      Agree with everything stated

    4. Pep says
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      I may be in for a lot of backlash here but I really don't see what all the fuss is about.

      You have no proof of his involvement in any of these teams. You don't know him or his wife or his family. You probably don't personally know anyone else in the league you're talking about either.

      You entered a league with random opponents who all have an equal chance of winning. That's the gamble and the risk involved.

      All these arguments against Ruth are merely assumptive.

      Innocent until proven guilty!

      1. Scoredelario
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        As said, he mentioned it in another forum

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 days ago

          No further questions your honour 🙂

    5. Scoredelario
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      PS I won't mention who is league admin because I don't think he's done anything wrong so wouldn't like to tarnish hi a name. Better if nobody else does either

    6. A.T
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      I'm locking this thread now. From FFS perspective we don't want this subject dominating the forum as it has. A solution has already been found. If you are a member of AZ's cash league you can email him here to voice any concerns you might have.
      http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2017/03/21/this-much-we-know-gameweek-29-5/?hc_page=1#hc_comment_15272965

      Otherwise please refrain from bringing this argument here. I'd suggest contacting the admin of the £80 league, whoever that is, privately.
      Thanks.

    7. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Setting RuthGate to one side (I think there is a bigger issue in Money Leagues than just him and he is being singled out a bit now imv), a family with 3 teams separately registered to 3 different family members is compliant with the FPL rules, but then having one member of the family effectively running the 3 teams and using 2 of them in money leagues whilst protecting the third team as the 'blue ribboned' OR team is bending the rules to breaking point.

      Probably many people do this (check any teams' history - a short 2 year history with top 2 top 10,000 finishes suggests a bit of skullduggery) and whilst it is compliant it is perhaps not in the spirit of the game ? If a league specifies that this is or is not allowed then people can make a choice whether to join or not?

  5. The Hindu Monkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    Fernandez home to Boro or Baines away to Pool this week?

    Can only play one

    1. ANON.
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Fernandez

    2. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Fernandez, Boro struggle to score at the best if times

      1. The Hindu Monkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        Yeah I'm on him

        just hate benching Baines

        but other option is Josh King so inclined to play all out attack with the form he's in

        1. Rhinos
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 7 days ago

          you have to play fernandez. Boro the bluntest tool in the league right now

    3. drughi
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Baines=Nbnc

  6. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    Would you save here or take a hit somewhere?

    Pickford.
    Alonso, Robertson, Walker.
    Mane, Cout, Alli, Siggy.
    Lukaku, Llorente, Costa.

    Heaton, Brunt, Funes Mori*, Whelan.
    2.3m, 0ft.

    1. ANON.
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      save

    2. The Hindu Monkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      save

      double pool isn't ideal, but Bournemouth soon...

  7. Dreams
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    For a few seconds my heart was in my mouth. I posted a reply to the post where Jonty had locked the replies. Thank God it didn't get posted. What an idiot I am.

  8. Christophe Savage
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    Excellent ariticle!

  9. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    1FT, 0.9 ITB, save?

    Valdes - Jakupovic

    Coleman - Daid Luiz - McAuley - Holebas - Naughton

    Mane - Sigurdsson - Pedro - Snodgrass - de Roon

    Aguero - Lukaku - Defoe

    1. Dreams
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Mcauley/ Coleman to Valencia.

      1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        McAuley of the two

  10. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    I've been to the London Zoo once. Way back in 1996. All the tourists were taking pics of the pretty gorilla. Suddenly everyone started running and screaming.

    The gorilla had this ugly yellow diarrhea running out of him. He was wiping his bum with his hand and licking his fingers.

    True story.

    1. Dreams
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Yuck. Why do you share things like this? I'll not manage your team anymore.

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Glad I'm eating my breakfast

    3. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Monkeys throw poo at people they don't like...

    4. Rhinos
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      this where the yellow flag idea came from?

  11. La vida FPL
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    Any news on Baines, Antonio or Gabbiadini? Will any be back for GWK 30??

    1. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      What happened to Baines?

      1. Rhinos
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        injured in the 3.40 at catterick

    2. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Not aware of anything wrong with Baines.

      Believe Antonio is 3-4 weeks.

      Not sure on Gabb, 2-3 weeks??

  12. Dreams
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    People who are unable to decide between Alli and Eriksen are requested to contact The Hindu monkey for a memorable reply.

    1. Ziro
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      what is the reply?

      1. Dreams
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        You deserve a massive shock in the groin.

  13. AK ⭐
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    Too many locks today. 😮

  14. ScotDougie
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    Ruthgate ! Get over it people sick of hearing it glad to read Timbo reply above

    1. Eden Hazardous
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      In b4 the thread gets locked 😎

    2. Rhinos
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      best way to get over it is not to post about it

    3. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Don't even know what it is

    4. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      You're sick of hearing about it, so you start a discussion about it. Priceless!

    5. AK ⭐
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Threadlock coming in

    6. Numb
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Lock thread

  15. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    Is Yoshida a decent option?

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      I'm locking this thread now. Please see T&C's.

      1. Eden Hazardous
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        Reply fail?

      2. Rhinos
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        yoshida's wife may be worth a punt, just as good but less owned

      3. Dreams
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        Ban.

      4. AK ⭐
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        Where's Optimus when you need him?

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Probably. But not much CS potential.

    3. AK ⭐
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Yup.

    4. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Best you can get at that price

  16. Egyptian Giza
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    Please add some points
    certain inevitable things in life:
    1. Boro to score away from home.
    2. Boro to score at home.
    3. Holebas YC
    what else?

    1. Dreams
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Burnley winning away from home.
      Arsenal winning the title.
      Ramos not scoring headers.
      Griezmann coming to United.

      1. Dreams
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        Add not to the first two.

        1. Eden Hazardous
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 days ago

          And not "not" in the 3rd one 😉

          1. Dreams
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 7 days ago

            Haha.

    1. Dreams
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Could anyone explain it to me in short?

      1. Eden Hazardous
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        Tl;dr

        1. Dreams
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 7 days ago

          ??

          1. Eden Hazardous
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 7 days ago

            too long didn't read

      2. Rhinos
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        tl, dr; dont annoy ruth

    2. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS

      You hereby acknowledge that you have no rights.

      1. AK ⭐
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        😆

  17. drughi
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    Snodgrass to get a start against former club ?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      More likely to get a bench appearance since he is good enough for that only 😮

    1. Rhinos
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      😆

    2. Dreams
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Can I reply here?

      1. Dreams
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        Oh yes I can.

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 7 days ago

          Not anymore

          1. Dreams
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 7 days ago

            Yes I can.

            1. Holmes
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 7 days ago

              Enjoy 😛

      1. Eden Hazardous
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        Jonty and the other mods be like^

    3. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Hahha 😆

    4. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      😆

    5. Ziro
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      this is tremendous!

  18. PL players playing FPL, conflict of interest?
    Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    I've said this before and I'll say it again.

    As FPL becomes more & more popular, I can see a genuine conflict of interest with PL footballers continuing to play the game in the future. Of course currently cash leagues are still relatively small (and completely insignificant compared to a footballers salary), however there will come a time when a cash league/OR rank (1st) is up for grabs on the final day of the season, and could be decided by 1pt (a YC for example).

    So what if some youth player (or minimum salary) is playing and could win a cash league if he gets a YC or manages to get someone booked, for just one small example. I appreciate professional sportsman in the US have been playing their fantasy games for years, but I predict a conflict of interest case in the next ten years involving an PL players FPL team.

    As per Timbo's request, please stay on topic - PL players playing FPL, conflict of interest?

    1. Dreams
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      We had this discussion the other day and I provided a stupid opinion. But IMO that would amount to match fixing by the players. Changing the results of the match for other benefits. There should be strict rules to prevent people from taking undue advantage by creating strict rules regarding that.

      1. pompeyfan
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        it's only a game, players have a lot more important things to worry about. Of course they wouldn't fix things for the benefit of fantasy football.

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 7 days ago

          That is actually the issue. Many don't have more important things to worry about. With the money they have and support teams around them, many have next to nothing to worry about. That's when they get in trouble, farting around with un-important things.

          I call John Terry to the witness stand.

      2. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        Yup, meant to say this......it will be exactly the same as match fixing. Hence why players aren't allowed to bet on games they are involved in.

        But they are allowed to be involved in, and are actively encouraged and touted by FPL, to have an FPL team, including themselves and players from their team and opponents that GW.

        Go figure.

        1. Dreams
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 7 days ago

          But I think fa rules prevent players from gambling on the matches they play in. So it should be okay.

          1. Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 7 days ago

            Are you telling me the Stoke City players league isn't a cash league? :wink;

            1. michudagawd
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 7 days ago

              😉

    2. pompeyfan
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      i don't really see it being a problem. Generally it seems that PL players are in their own club leagues so probably play for a bit of fun, but even if they did put in £10k each, they would only be taking money off each other,

      It seems that PL players are pretty clued up on rules around gambling now (for the most part), so I doubt they'd get involved in general cash leagues. Just not worth the risk.

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        Agreed, in the vast majority of instances there will be no issues for sure.

        But there is bound to be a case at some point, just a matter of time.

        Footballers are getting better regards gambling, but still many aren't.

        I call Joey Barton to the witness stand.

    3. Rhinos
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      its already happened, you think Valdes didnt have Valencia in his team

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        Bingo.

      2. Somalion
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        He didn't but his wife did

    4. Niemi
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      I really can't see it. Youth players and players on "minimum salary" still have a massive income.

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        Footballers still gamble at every level.

    5. Rover
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Perhaps force PL players to put themselves in their team, effectively giving them only 10 other players (11 in the case of guys who are not starting); that then requires them to perform well to benefit on both fronts.

    6. Pasqualinho
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      I'm more concerned with the folks at Opta making snap decisions on things like the Lukaku shoelace goal in order to benefit their teams than anything else, to be honest.

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        Agreed, this is also a concern/conflict of interest.

        Also worth noting that it's not just the relatively prize-free/minimum FPL at stake. There are games out there dealing in big money (and will increase), Draft Kings, PlayOn etc.

        Opta lads could be coining it in......with the odd change in a pass/tackle etc stat

    7. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      I think you might be right Jafooli we could see case some day where a player is in trouble some day over his involvement in fpl

      I know players do play the fpl but lets hope none of them take it as serious as we do or have money leagues
      If there was money involved i am sure it would be in breach of the FAs conflict of interest rules for sure

      1. Mark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        "I know players do play the fpl but lets hope none of them take it as serious as we do"

        I dunno about that. I've been surprised so far.

    8. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Very interesting topic. I know that we're trying to get more Prem players on the FPL show, with Crouch perhaps appearing next week.

      While there is no cash involved, I don't believe there is an issue.

      Clearly players can put wagers on leagues behind the scenes but then, similarly, they can do that linked to any event on the pitch eg: a tenner to the first player to get booked etc. You can't stop it and it's not directly linked to the game - eg: there's no mechanic in the game to facilitate money being exchanged.

      Obviously Prem players playing cash related games would be a huge no-no but, as it stands, I don't see it being an issue with FPL.

      I'd be interested in getting their views on it, though because it's become obvious that more Prem players play it and some very seriously, too. Curtis Davies really surprised me, sounds like Hull are hardcore players.

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        The Opta line Pasq raises above is also of significance.

        I'm certainly not trying to make a big thing of it, never do, but there is always someone willing to bend the rules to get an unfair advantage, in every aspect of life.

        Maybe not FPL, but some of the big roller games - Sky, Telegraph, Sun, Draft Kings etc?

    9. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      What if Abby Clancy joins a cash league?

      1. Mark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        There was talk of me going to do a 1 on 1 surgery with Crouch. I was mulling over the idea of an indecent proposal involving a date with Abby and a place in the top 100.

        1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 7 days ago

          "1 on 1 surgery with crouch"

          Sounds kinky

        2. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 7 days ago

          😮 😛

          You'll be on Strictly Come Dancing next Mark.

          1. Mark
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 17 Years
            7 years, 7 days ago

            That's got me thinking on my favoured partner. That's half the day gone already.

            1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
              • 12 Years
              7 years, 7 days ago

              For some Eason I have an image of Albert Steptoe now in my head

              https://goo.gl/images/CaE8f6

              1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
                • 12 Years
                7 years, 7 days ago

                Reason*

              2. Mark
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 17 Years
                7 years, 6 days ago

                Quality. That really is "old school".

        3. djpete
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 6 days ago

          Brilliant!

    10. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      We've already seen a Prem game (West Ham I think) where the ball was kicked off the pitch virtually direct from kick off. I have no doubt at all that was directly related to some sort of throw ins market.

      This sort of thing is not going to get scrutinised in the same way as match fixing does - but it's still wrong.

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        Yeah maybe not FPL (but I still stand by my point that we will have an FPL related case at some point), but big money fantasy games are open for abuse.

    11. VS10_
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 days ago

      I did jokingly think about this when I saw Hull-league leader Curtis Davies on the FPL show before facing Everton saying that he might have to transfer Lukaku out. Then Elabdellaoui passed the ball to Lukaku in the end for his second goal. Maybe he had an agreement with Robertson (2nd in the league acc. to Davies) to mix it up a bit. 😉

    12. Qubit
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 6 days ago

      Yes i have thought the same, particularly watching some of the interviews on FPL show it occurred to me it may well become an issue in the future.

    13. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 6 days ago

      Totes.

    14. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 days ago

      Admit it Jafooli, you only want to stop footballers playing so you can improve your ranking. 😉

    15. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 6 days ago

      Well, they players could also be playing by 2 or 3 different teams using email id of their family or relatives..

    16. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 6 days ago

      As per jockeys, aren't professional sportsmen from other sports prohibited from gambling on themselves or their sport?

      Betting has been around for a long time and there are now all sorts of footballing bets e.g. first throw in.

      It is very hard to see how FF could ever be tainted by this dilemna.

    17. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 6 days ago

      I remember Mick Harford making a comment in a post match interview that he didn't mind Les Ferdinand scoring against Wimbledon as he had him in his fantasy team. No one picked him up on it, but then again they were probably too scared to annoy him.

  19. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    We need Breadbin back

    1. Hibbo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      We have Breadly now.

      Fryer of all the cold rice in the land.

  20. Dreams
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    I am able to see a mass exodus of people from here today.

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      ?

      1. Dreams
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        Getting banned for provocative comments.

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 days ago

          I haven't seen any provocative comments

          1. Dreams
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 7 days ago

            Things were going a bit out of control. I think now it's back to normal.

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Keep up at the back.

      We left ages ago.

      1. Dreams
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        Haha. Where are you all?

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 7 days ago

          Heaven.

          1. Dreams
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 7 days ago

            I'll meet you there after gwk 38.

            1. Eden Hazardous
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 7 days ago

              It is not you who decides....

              1. Dreams
                • 7 Years
                7 years, 7 days ago

                Okay.

    3. Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      I'm going to take a break - not too difficult as half of the posts are locked anyway

      1. Somalion
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        I'll lock you.

    4. Egyptian Giza
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      are there any terms and conditions newly implemented?

  21. makaveli123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    Aguero played 57 minutes for Argentina last night. Valencia and Sanchez played the full 90 minutes. Firmino and Coutinho got about 85 minutes each. No reports about injuries.

    1. Phil Dagger ⭐
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Plus Sanchez Flag removed 🙂

  22. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    This site has become really slow recently.

    1. Eden Hazardous
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Yep , been very slow for me since yest

    2. Dreams
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Yes it has. Takes too much time to load.

    3. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Interesting. I think I know what it could be - we've removed some ads but left some code behind. Let me fix and I'll come back to you in an hour when the change has propagated across the servers.

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        Nice one Mark.

        1. Mark
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 17 Years
          7 years, 7 days ago

          Try now, seems snappier. Was never dead slow for me but I can see it's quicker now so might be a big difference for you.

    4. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      I blame violent video games and fluoride in the water

    5. Fergies fledgling
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      International break

    6. Ziro
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Too many locks among the posts here. 😉

  23. EL_FENOMENO
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    Alli + Eriksen
    or
    Mane + Pedro
    or
    Pedro + Eriksen/Alli

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Alli and Eriksen

  24. Stats Don\'t Lie
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    Baines, coutinho, llorente > bertrand, alli, negredo (-4)?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      First 2 for free... Llorente to Negredo later on

    2. Pirlø's Pen
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      I like it mate. Would you be playing Negredo or benching?

  25. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    Don't forget to enter the FPC if you have 15+ pages of posting history http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2017/03/21/ffscout-frequent-posters-cup-ii/ 😎 Approx 50 signed up so far 🙂

    1. Eden Hazardous
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      7 days left to get 6 more pages ....

      1. The Head-Ake
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        Jarv, how exactly does this work? Is this on the App itself or how else is it managed?

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 days ago

          Updates will be done on the FFS article, and there will be a website with the full scores, standings etc - last years website...... http://tyroreports.wixsite.com/ffsfpc

      2. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        You were averaging 7 a day this time last year 🙂

        1. Eden Hazardous
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 7 days ago

          😎

    2. Ziro
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Is there a list of who have qualified already?

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 7 days ago

        Everyone who has replied on the article who hasn't acknowledged/been told they don't have enough posts yet is in - when I set up the new website this weekend I'll add a more user-friendly list 🙂

  26. Chris_White
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    Reports suggest Eden Hazard has responded well to treatment and the #BEL star is expected to be fit for the clash with Man City. #MCFC

  27. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    How long is D.Rose out for?
    Is B.Davies nailed then?
    Need up to 5.0 DEF and he's staring at me...

    1. Fergies fledgling
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Back soon apparently...

    2. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Tell him to stop of it makes you uncomfortable

  28. Fergies fledgling
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 7 days ago

    Slightly off topic.

    Football Manager 2017 is half price on Steam at the moment.

    Heard mixed reviews. Worth getting or not?

    1. Ziro
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 7 days ago

      Don't go there if you value your life. 😉