Watchlist

The Watchlist – Ian Harte

When Reading clinched promotion to the Premier League last season, Ian Harte was immediately pencilled in by many Fantasy managers as a cut-price defensive option for the following campaign. With set-pieces and spot-kicks in his locker, the veteran’s four goals and eight assists from 32 appearances last time out were indicative of his potential for the Royals but Nicky Shorey’s return to the Madejski quickly scuppered the best-laid plans.

Despite starting the opening three Gameweeks of the season, Harte was shifted to the bench in favour of Shorey after back-to-back hammerings at the hands of Chelsea and Tottenham prompted Brian McDermott into a defensive re-think. As the season progressed, Shorey looked nailed-on and, handed a share of free-kicks and corners, afforded us the Reading budget option Harte was supposed to have been.

Come Gameweek 18, though, McDermott’s tinkering brought Harte back into the equation. Having shipped nine goals in their previous two home games, the Reading boss shifted from a 4-4-2 to a 4-4-1-1 and this time it was Shorey’s turn to slip out the picture – a narrow 1-0 loss at City was followed by back-to-back clean sheets at the Madejski as McDermott’s decision to tighten up paid off handsomely.

Back on set-pieces once again, Harte also supplied an assist against Spurs and has averaged four points per game since his return to first-team action – with his appeal also supplemented by a 3.8 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) price tag, the left-back once again enters our thoughts ahead of a run of three crucial home games in the next four.

While the upcoming visit of Chelsea is likely to deter most, McDermott’s side then play host to Sunderland and Wigan in the following three in addition to a trip to Stoke. With three wins in their last four, including a couple of comeback triumphs against West Brom and Newcastle, Reading have suddenly found their form and shown a fighting spirit that has defied the many doubters who had already consigned them to next season’s Championship.

Now just a point from safety, these next few matches will be crucial to their hopes of survival and will be earmarked by McDermott as a definite source of points – the schedule is set to turn nasty around Gameweek 28, with trips to Everton, United and Arsenal highlighting the task at hand. Although Harte was omitted from Saturday’s 4-0 FA Cup win over Sheffield United – with Shorey returning to the side once again – like fellow Royals budget option, Alex Pearce, it’s thought that this was simply a cup rotation tactic in light of two league games within the next week.

Fantasy managers can sit back and watch for the teamsheet against Chelsea: should Harte be re-installed in the starting line-up for Wednesday’s clash, he could be primed to finally vindicate that collective show of faith he initially received last summer and looks a definite cut-price prospect for our backlines over the short-term, at the very least.

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3,956 Comments Post a Comment
  1. villian-ty
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Have 2 FT. 0.1 in bank

    Which option?
    A. Gibbs -> Nasty
    B. Ba -> Dzeko
    C. Ba -> Sturridge
    D. Michu -> De Guzan.
    E. Michu -> Puncheon, Ba -> Aguero

    Bego (Bunn)
    Gibbs Hughes Wisdom (Demel Clyne)
    Bale Michu Mata Walcott Felliani
    Rvp Ba (Ruiz)

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    1. King Henrik
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      keep michu and gibbs imo

      ba to Fletcher jus now and in 2 weeka bring in sturridge !

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  2. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    I'm pondering my WC midfield - WC to be activated after deadline tomorrow.

    Thoughts on Gerrard & Dempsey instead of Fellaini & Walcott.....trying to have a semi-differential team to pull me up the ranks from 50k to top 10k

    Michu, Gerrard, Mata, Silva, Dempsey
    Fletcher, Sturridge, RVP

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

      I have Dempsey - but I wouldn't do that.

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      1. ViperStripes
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        I actually made a note of your WC team when you posted your 2 options yesterday - 1st time I've made a note of a team!

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

          I'm flattered! 🙂 But seriously, I believe Silva to be poor value, while Mata appears to be losing form.

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          1. ViperStripes
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 2 months ago

            So Michu, Gerrard, Fellaini, Walcott, Dempsey you reckon?

            Silva's been steady points so far....Mata feels like a big risk

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

              That's what I believe - yes! Also - keep one eye on Chelski and 'Pool - trouble at t'Mill, I reckon.

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

    OK - would one of you kind souls explain to this stupid old git what all this DGW frenzy is about? 😀

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    1. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I'm with you - is there a DGW caused by FA Cup matches at weekend? And/Or a blank GW for a team?

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    2. New Ghost
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Potential LIV-SWA and ARS-EVE DGW.

      Don't know the details atm.

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      1. ViperStripes
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Does that mean there are blanks? When?

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        1. Siva Mohan
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          GW27 & GW29

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

            Why?

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

          BUT ... they all appear to have played 23 matches - or have the BBC got it wrong?

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          1. New Ghost
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 2 months ago

            It's only speculation at this point; just read it on the boards earlier. Not too fussed about the details right now.

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

              Blimey! 😆

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              1. Abd@
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                11 years, 2 months ago

                Seems like Arsenal's GW 29 is going to be postponed if Arsenal or Everton get to the quarter finals (according to the Arsenal site). Not sure about Liver though

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  4. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    When is SAF presser today?

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

      At the usual time.

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      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        ?

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

          Fergie time! 😉

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          1. Christina.
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 2 months ago

            *Throws coffee mug against wall.

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

              Sorrreee! 😆

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        2. HVT
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          Van

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  5. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Leagues Update

    FPL Open : 303 entered, 256 spots, 256th spot @ 100K.

    Elite 64 : 222 entered, 64 spots, 64th spot @ 1720th overall.

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    1. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Just joined the Open

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      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Need to pump some green arrows now.

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    2. ⭐ ABHISHEK - THE CURIOUS …
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Can you check i am in which Leagues of your;s ?

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      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        200 odd. Green arrows needed.

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      2. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        You are in both but might struggle to make either.

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        1. ⭐ ABHISHEK - THE CURIOUS …
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          🙁

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  6. New Ghost
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Random fact: The Swansea ballboy is the son of Swansea's largest shareholder.

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    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Random fact: Dolphins sleep with one eye open.

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      1. New Ghost
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Paranoid much?

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  7. olidooley
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Pick one:

    Rafael
    Nasty
    Azpil

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    1. New Ghost
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Nasty, City are tightening up again.

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      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Nasty and tight in one sentenced.

        Ban him!

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

          I dunno - sounds appealing to me ... 😉

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    2. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Nasty

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    3. southernpacific
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Raf for fixtures

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    4. Giggsy_11
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      zabaleta ! rather than nasty

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  8. mozza
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Narrowed it down to two options this week...

    1) Wilson/demel to Davies
    2) lambert to Pog, Ba to Aguero (-4)

    Leaning towards playing Ba and doing option 1. Which would you do?

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  9. ⭐ ABHISHEK - THE CURIOUS …
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Repost:

    Should i Wc this week ?

    My Team without WC:

    Jassk Begovic

    Demel Davies Gibbs Culler Bassong

    Mata Bale Fellaini Walcott Marvx

    Rvp Ba Sturridge

    Bank : 1.2 1 FT

    With WC this week :

    De Gea Ferdici

    Davies RMartin Zabaleta Demel Clyne

    Mata Bale Fellaini Walcott Marvx

    Ba Rvp Aguero

    Bank : 0.0

    Which one ?

    Or should i take WC next week ?

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

      I wouldn't.

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      1. ⭐ ABHISHEK - THE CURIOUS …
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Which Transfer should i do this week ?

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

          Bassong to Zabaleta?

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          1. ⭐ ABHISHEK - THE CURIOUS …
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 2 months ago

            Hmm can do .... Thanks.

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  10. Soundwave
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    good day to all! 🙂
    after 10 days of wc-ing, I (think) come up with the idea how should I use most of my def squad in the other part od season. So let's begin :
    Bego and Jaask are replaced with Migs and Federici. Reasons are pretty obvious - Bosnian GK is not doing his job well and IMO will be subbed with Sorensen for upcoming matches. Jaask is in same problem and last two matches are clear indicators why I decided to transfer him. New guys have perfect rotation till the very last gw, no money lost for their transfers and that is enough for me. In the 5 def line, I have opted for Nastasic / Wilkinson / Onuoha / Davies / R.Martin. Idea is to have Matija nailed down, and rotate these 4 when they play at home. Although QPR's upcomin matches are very difficult from fantasy prospects, I hope Harry and Cezar will manage to keep them in top rank of Engilish football with CS when I go for Onuoha. Wilks ane R.Martin are also budget options, while Davies is here since N.Taylor has been injured. I would really like to hear your thoughts on this, enjoy your working week and rack up 70+ pts for this gw 😉

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    1. ⭐ ABHISHEK - THE CURIOUS …
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      😯 Beauty absolute Beauty

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      1. Soundwave
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        thx, I saw your post and something tells me you will go with this gk rotation also 😀

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    2. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Wilkinson will need to be shifted to Wilson when he's back, but sound logic.

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      1. Soundwave
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Ok, that is not problem, cause I have 3.0 in bank for those situations.
        I'm now considering Zab over Matija, but since I gave up on Branislav, I wanted one Serb in my squad (who also has same name as me) 😀

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  11. mubin
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Who should I replace cazorla with this GW? In the bank=1.9mil.
    A. Bale
    B. Gerrard
    C. Others...
    Thank you. 🙂

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    1. Soundwave
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Silva seems to be back in form and is good diferential 🙂

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      1. mubin
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Agreed. 🙂 Not much Silva owners in my league too. 😉

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        1. Soundwave
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          Same here! Good luck to both of us in upcoming weeks 😉

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  12. Phaze 1
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Any chance that Sturridge doesn't rise today?

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Good chance he won't.

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  13. villian-ty
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Have 2 FT. 0.1 in bank

    Which option?
    A. Gibbs -> Nasty
    B. Ba -> Dzeko
    C. Ba -> Sturridge
    D. Michu -> De Guzan.
    E. Ba -> Fletcher
    F. Gibbs -> Davies, Ruiz -> Fletcher

    Bego (Bunn)
    Gibbs Hughes Wisdom (Demel Clyne)
    Bale Michu Mata Walcott Felliani
    Rvp Ba (Ruiz)

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  14. eagles4ever
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Which one? Gerrard, Silva or Bale. GO!

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    1. Soundwave
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Silva 🙂

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  15. King Henrik
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    I decided to go with sillva and Fletcher instaed of fellaini and dzeko

    did I make the right move ...?

    bego bunn

    gibbs zab davies demel shaw

    mata silva walcott michu punchoen

    Fletcher Ba Rvp .

    thank you

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    1. Soundwave
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I did the same, so it's +1 from me 🙂

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      1. King Henrik
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        pheww lol ! jus thought fellaini and dzeko or even sturridge would b too template

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        1. Soundwave
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          as I wrote on some post up, I think Silva is good diferential in upcoming two gws. If something happens to him (injury, no returns, etc), he can easily be swaped for Stiven G.
          As for fletcher, I honestly can't stand to look at him for more than 3 secs, but the true is that he found his form, has good run of upcoming fixtures and rotates well with marv and brunt, if you want to play 3-4-3 / 3-5-2 from gw to gw. And, can easily be transfered to Lambert or Sturridge 😉

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  16. VICTORIOUS SECRET! !
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    krul / mig
    harte / mariappa / davies / zabaleta / o'brien
    mata / gerrard / walcott / silva / marveaux
    rvp / fletcher / sturridge

    ANY PREFERABLE CHANGES????????????
    OR GOOD TO GO?

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  17. What Else
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Really?

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