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Members July 24

The Numbers Game – Manchester United

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Our summer series of members’ articles, offering an in-depth team-by-team analysis of the previous campaign, continues with Manchester United.

To get things up and running, we’ll look at the performance levels on a team level and attempt to spot trends or improvements.

We then delve into the player data, analysing the key individuals as we scour for early targets ahead of the new season.

Replacing Louis van Gaal as manager last May, Jose Mourinho could only manage a sixth-place finish in his first year in charge at Old Trafford.

This was, in part, due to the club’s successful march to Europa League success as Mourinho rotated his side towards the latter stages of the league season.

Despite adding big-name buys such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in attack, the Red Devils netted just 54 times – up five on 2015/16 and only eighth best in the top-flight.

Meanwhile, a total of 69 points was just three more than their haul from Van Gaal’s final year at the helm.

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

4,008 Comments Post a Comment
  1. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Are Fantasy Football Scout going to be organising promotion and relegation FPL draft league's this season, likely they did with FC Dugout last season ?

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    1. MichysFlow
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      interested as well

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  2. Snus80
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Avoid Spurs players? Not playing at the Lane will have an impact + Kane has never scored in August.

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    1. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Nope. Trippier looks like one of the bargains. Alli always a threat. And because Kane doesn't always start well doesn't mean he's not going to knock in 5 in 5.

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      1. Lebowski85
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        He has also not had a single summer off since breaking through.

        He's gonna be fresh.....and hungry

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        1. Limbo
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah. Newcastle away *looks* like a Kane fixture.

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          1. Piggs Boson
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            I've no idea how strong Rafa's Newcastle will be...

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      2. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Or 5 in 1, if he continues his end of season form 😆

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    2. BobB
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Bit harsh....was injured and out last Aug and two years earlier he hadn't broken through

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    3. kalmoffit
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      lf you believe the never scored in August stat will last beyond August, yes, avoid.

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      1. Snus80
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Not playing at the Lane then? Spurs was unplayable there?

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  3. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    If Riedewald is 4.5 then he goes straight into my team for Suttner

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    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Is he nailed?

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      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Not 100%

        He's only 20.

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        1. FPL ZB
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          I'd imagine so, seems to be the Sakho signing. De Boer definitely rates him.

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    2. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Same with me.

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  4. Transferred Out
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Any issues other than going without Kane?

    4-4-2

    Foster
    Alonso Trippier Bertrand Daniels
    Alli Coutinho Sane Willian
    Lukaku Morata

    Bench:
    (Elliot) (Carroll) (Hunemeier) (Quaner)

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    1. Lebowski85
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Seems great. I wouldn't have Morata but I understand why he's in.

      Love the defence....that's a lineup for the season

      Personally I have Salah over Coutinho, but let's be honest.....nobody knows who'll do better. I'm going by pre season and Salah record in Italy.

      Tip top though

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      1. Transferred Out
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks for the reply, would you be inclined to go with Jesus over Morata and downgrade Sane?

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        1. Lebowski85
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Hard to say. I'm concerned about Sane being nailed. He's certainly gold but I can smell the frustration already.

          If you did that, you might aswell go for Ramsey or Zaha and bring in Aguero.

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    2. Puncheon Guly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I like it. Only real weakness is your third striker. I know there's a lot of talk about strong defences but I can't see it lasting so worth considering how you'll recover that. Or make room for a 6.5 striker.

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  5. milanista10
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Lost on last page:

    For the people who joined the H2H draft -

    - Don't forget that it starts in approximately 10 mins.
    - Please share your team name on here - as it would be easier to identify who is who.

    Milanista10 = ~{Milanista10}~
    Goredz = la french

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    1. milanista10
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I hope all of you guys are on, we start in 3 minutes 🙂

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  6. Karan14
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on this draft?

    Forster
    Trippier / Bertrand / Dawson
    Kdb / Willian / Zaha / Ramsey
    Kane / Lukaku / Austin

    Elliot / Carroll / Mee / Dunk

    If it doesn't seem like Austin is nailed I'll shift to Gayle.

    Appreciate your thoughts!

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    1. DD
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I quite like it. Personally I would like to have some Utd cover at the back so would consider downgrading Mee/Dunk to a 4.0 defender and upgrading Forster to DDG. You already have Bertrand to cover the Saints backline.

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    2. RichRover
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Thoughts on Gray from Burnley?

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      1. DD
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        I dont like Burnley attackers with their start to season. The first 8 gw's they play Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs and Everton away. There are better options than Gray in Austin/Gayle

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        1. RichRover
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          If Austin starts he's the man with those fixtures, I agree

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  7. Kingtekkerz
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Foster
    Trippier Daniels Cedric
    KDB Willian Zaha Redmond
    Kane Lukaku Firmino

    Bench: Elliot RLC Mee Hunemeier

    What do you think?

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    1. chr12345
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I would downgrade Firmino and upgrade Zaha/ Redmond

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  8. Limbo
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Just checked B365 and I had Rafa Cabrerra Bello EW for £5. Thought I'd punted on Rahm. Get in. (also had Speith :))

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  9. MichysFlow
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone doing a draft tonight, or wants to do one?

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  10. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts??

    Hart
    Cedric Trippier Daniels
    Alli Ramsay Willian Coutinho
    Austin Lukaku Kane

    Elliott, RLC, Rangel, Mee

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    1. chr12345
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Pretty good

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

      It looks reasonably strong. I aren't a fan of Austin, I'd go Gray at that price, though who knows.

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      1. Snus80
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        No city players? Premier league winners

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    3. Alchim1sT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      No City Cover and Hart are points to rethink ... there are better keeper avaiable. I prefer a decent rotation pair of 4,5s to a one keeper solution, especially with Hart and not the likes of de Gea, Courtois, Cech oder Lloris 😉 Rangel should be swapped, due to his high ownership we might drop if he doesnt start (and yes he is an enabler)

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  11. kalmoffit
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Has Hernandez played before as main striker?

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      It would appear that he is part of a two:

      https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/36/Show/Germany-Bayer-Leverkusen

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      1. greghammer95
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Just having a little look at this. More away goals than at home... 3 away games to begin the season...

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          The REASON for that, is that we were DIRE at home, and DROPPED about 200 points on our normal home rating ... 🙁

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          1. Limbo
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            You think stadium was/is main reason?

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          2. greghammer95
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            I was only looking at Hernandez' stats from the link!

            We were terrible last season, too many heavy defeats. BUT the season before being better than normal was half our downfall, expectations were too high.

            Hoping we can do better this year but I can't see it. Not a football stadium and I'm annoyingly jealous of Spurs and their new FOOTBALL stadium.

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  12. chr12345
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    A rare Sanchez team. Bench is weak and no Kane but surely the only way to get in Sanchez?

    Foster
    Cedric, Trippier, Luiz, Ake
    Sanchez, Eriksen, Willian
    Lukaku, Jesus, Austin

    Myhill, Rosenior, Carroll, Cork.

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    1. PinoCollada
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I'm very tempted by Austin - when's fit and playing he will score. Main issue is the question marks over both of those things.

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  13. MichysFlow
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    How do you add an account profile picture

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    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Head on over to http://www.gravatar.com and register for an account (make sure you register with the same email as the one you are registered with here). Choose an image, and this will be associated with all of your comments on site.

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    2. J T
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      This

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  14. greghammer95
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone here remember the days of Hart at Birmingham. Hoping for that again this year at West Ham. Easy points.

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I think I do. They went down, didn't they?

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      1. greghammer95
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Purely from a fantasy perspective, knew I should've added this bit 😀

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          🙂

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    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I think a keeper's save pts depend more on the way the team sets up defensively, rather than the skill of the keeper, though that does play a part.

      I'd imagine teams that defend deep and encourage long shots would result in their keeper making a higher percentage of saves, than a higher line.

      Need to look into this...

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      1. Pasqualinho
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        I'm sure there's something to this. Shots conceded outside the box could be a good indicator.

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        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah, at one stage it seemed like every Sunderland keeper, no matter who it was, became a save pt magnet.

          Liverpool seemed to think it was because Mignolet was a good keeper, but apparently not.

          Burnley defend deep too right? Heaton was the highest scoring keeper last season at 4.5m.

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      2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        http://members.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/my-stats-tables/view/1867/

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        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Is there a "saves-outside the box" stat you could add? 🙂

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          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            See below.

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            1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              6 years, 9 months ago

              Refresh. Works for Pickford, but not for Heaton.

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              1. Piggs Boson
                • 12 Years
                6 years, 9 months ago

                38% of Pickford's saves were from outside the box.
                30% of Heaton's were outside the box.

                Heaton had less saves overall though, and was only ahead of Pickford because of 6 more CSs and a penalty save.

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                1. Piggs Boson
                  • 12 Years
                  6 years, 9 months ago

                  That's only over the last 6 GWs actually. The whole season makes much more sense.

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                2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  6 years, 9 months ago

                  But about 30% of everybody else's saves were outside the box. Apart from Courtois ... 😉

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        2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Up to a point, Lord Copper ...

          http://members.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/my-stats-tables/view/2283/

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  15. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    If Sanchez goes, I hope it's before GW1. Otherwise a lot of teams will be wildcarding.

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    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Either way, it would also be to the detriment of a lot of draft team.

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      1. BobB
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Thing is if he went to City their other mids would be seriously devalued

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    2. Pasqualinho
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      A lot of teams will be wildcarding regardless.

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  16. greghammer95
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Benteke (Or 8.0m Striker), Kane & Phillips

    OR

    JRod, Eriksen & Lacazette. (+0.5m in the bank)

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

      Tekkers and co

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  17. only2
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    What are ppls thoughs on firmino now that hes listed as a forward?

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

      less attractive

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    2. Az
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      currently in my team. His position is very secure and 11 goals 11 assists is a good return. Think he's a strong option and allows a 3-4-3 if you're not keen on a 3-5-2.

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    3. FPL ZB
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Not as central to his teams goals as Defoe or Benteke

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      1. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah.

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  18. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Best 2 x £4.5 defenders to rotate together??

    Foster / Elliot
    Trippier / Daniels / Cedric / xxx / xxx

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    1. MichysFlow
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      IMO, Dunk and Zanka

      By rotating them they will have a home fixture each week an Jorgensen (Zanka) i reckon will do well

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    2. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Mee and Lascelles/Lejeune/Yedlin

      Don't know if they rotate well but have decent games to start the season in the first 6-7 GWs

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  19. sumatera
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Do you think Mkhitaryan will be nailed on this season? Preseason looking strong and was prominent at end of last season

    Worth the punt or other 8.0 better options more nailed?

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    1. JoBro
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      looks fairly nailed I'd say

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    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      If he keeps up this form he should be. Wasn't too great against Madrid, but was awesome in the previous games.

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  20. JoBro
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Please RMT, any issues???

    Foster
    Trippier / Cedric / Daniels
    Alli / Redmond / Salah / Ritchie
    Lukaku / Morata / Lacazette

    Elliot / Rangel / RLC / Mariappa

    Any thoughts much appreciated

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    1. FotnikPL
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Don't like the idea of two 4.0 non playing DEFs in 3-4-3. Especially with Cedric may not be ready for GW1. You should sacrifice one of Daniels/Cedric to 4.5 and upgrade your 4.0 defender to create well rotating pair.

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  21. PinoCollada
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Struggling here. Playing a 3-4-3 in both scenarios.

    A) Defoe & RLC
    B) Austin/Deeney/Gayle & Phillips

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  22. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Van Dijk to Chelsea slashed to 2/1

    That would be a turn-up

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    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      why do they need him? really strange

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      1. FPL ZB
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Azpilicueta Rudiger Luiz Van Dijk Alonso

        Would be useful

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        1. Pieterke30
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          If they want to shit on their new captain, it is...

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  23. greghammer95
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    I've got a problem and it involves Harry Kane.

    So I'm 50/50 on whether I want him in my team, if I get rid of him it means I'll cover spurs with Alli or Eriksen BUT that leaves me still able to get a striker for 11.0m. Trouble is, there's nobody I want around that price, Laca, Morata unproven in the prem, then Jesus will he get the minutes. I think I want to find the .5m and go for Aguero, but same problem as Jesus....

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    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I'm starting with Aguero, Kane and Lukaku and hoping to bag a midfield bargain or two. The thought of not owning them scares me and they can easily be downgraded if required

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      1. Pieterke30
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Kane Lukaku and jesus for me, same reasoning and 1.0 cheaper

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      2. greghammer95
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Interesting stuff, why is Aguero scary? 9% ownership at the moment? This is shaping up to be the year for premium forwards for sure, if Sanchez leaves the prem then Hazard at £10.5m is most expensive. You've then got Lacazette, Morata, Jesus on top of the three you've mentioned.

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        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          I've never not owned a fit Aguero and would be gutted if I left him out and he smashed it

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  24. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    please tell me its fine so i can stop this tinkering....

    Foster, Hart
    Kolasinac, Trippier, Bertrand, PVA, dunk
    Coutinho, Ramsey, Zaha, ritchie, carroll
    Kane, Lukaku, Austin

    this will be changing between 4-3-3 and 3-4-3 formations

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    1. FPL ZB
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      no City cover is very very brave

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      1. Lord Flashheart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        expensive, rotation risk, i gave up

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  25. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Would you prefer:

    a) Sane and Defoe
    b) Austin and KDB

    I've been on a) for a while, but starting to lean towards b) based off preseason

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    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      B

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    2. Serendipity
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      b) Austin and KDB

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    3. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      B if nailedm which is not sure at all at this point

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  26. Cash Mané
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    How much importance to people place on growing your team value quickly in the game?
    Is it significantly beneficial to do so, and if so, whats a decent figure to get it to?
    Lastly, what are the best strategies to do so?
    Cheers!

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    1. TokyoRisingSun
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Early wildcard + early transfers to jump on fast rising bandwagons. You can pick up a lot of value quickly. However not recommended if you're aiming for the top ranks. Had around 108m in value last season and final rank was around 19k.

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  27. The Man Pastore
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Is this team any good :

    Foster Elliot
    Alonso Trippier Francis Dunk 4.0
    Alli Sane Willian Phillips TCarroll
    Kane Lukaku Austin

    Is it too much spending in defense?

    Thanks

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  28. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Who do we need from City?

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  29. TokyoRisingSun
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Gents, Alonso or Trippier?

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    1. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I guess it depends what you do with the 1.5m if you go with Trippier

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  30. dashdriver
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Never been a fan of other formations than 3-4-3, with the occational 3-5-2 when the 5th mid have a favourable fixture. Been experimenting a bit with formations lately, and must say this 4-4-2 does come out pretty decent:

    Foster
    Luiz / Trippier / Bertrand / Daniels
    Alli / Coutinho / Willian / Zaha
    Kane / Lukaku

    4.0 / 4.0 / 4.5 / 4.5

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