Scout Notes

This Much We Know – FA Cup Weekend

A Belgian dropping deep, a Frenchman in bloom, a scrapping Spaniard, an Englishman restrained and a rotating Royals roster occupy our Monday lunchtime thoughts as a result of the weekend’s Cup events…

Marouane Fellaini’s role is suddenly a concern…
With Nikica Jelavic struggling for goals, you would have thought that David Moyes would opt to keep the Belgian up top to maintain his brand of havoc but, it seems, there are changes afoot at Goodison. The form of Victor Anichebe and the brief return to fitness of Kevin Miralles has suddenly see Fellaini dropped back to a deeper central midfield role to help fill the void left by Darron Gibson’s absence. With Phil Neville required at right-back in light of injuries to Tony Hibbert and Seamus Coleman, that could continue for Everton’s next two home fixtures – against West Brom and Villa – matches that looked set to be profitable for the 8-goal marauding midfielder. Johnny Heintinga’s winner at Bolton could yet see him rewarded with a recall and that might just shift Neville back to midfield to unleash Fellaini on the Baggies but with form also a slight concern, the Belgian’s stock is looking more vulnerable. A seventh booking of the season hardly helped his cause, either.

Oliver Giroud is looking a prospect….
His first strike at the Amex Stadium on Saturday demonstrated the calm confidence of a striker in bloom; his touch and finish for the second underlined it further. Giroud has struck four goals in his last couple of appearances and suddenly a potential Fantasy target is emerging. While Theo Walcott continues to look a near-on essential midfield purchase, Giroud has the form to overshadow the recent emergence of Lukas Podolski and put himself in the shop window as a 7.8 option in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game. Giroud looks certain to be given a run at the Liverpool defence on Wednesday – return in that one and interest in the Frenchman will pick up pace.

Spot-kicks are up for grabs at Old Trafford…
With Rooney on the pitch, it was left to the silver fox, Ryan Giggs, to fire home United’s opener against Fulham from the spot. The Welshman is unlikely to be present to convert such opportunities for the visit of Southampton in midweek: the presumption is that Robin Van Persie will now be free to bolster his season goal tally from this point on with penalty kicks. It remains to be seen if Sir Alex is true to his word and hands duties back to Rooney but, without the opportunity to score from the spot and with Rooney continuing to be used behind Van Persie and even in midfield or out wide, we could now see the points gap between United’s two heavy-hitting forwards widen further.

Reading’s second string are an annoyance…
With Premier League survival the priority, Brian McDermott mixed his lineup for the visit of Sheffield United, only to see his second string put in a superb shift in the 4-0 win. This is badly timed for Fantasy managers who were beginning to gain confidence in the likes of Jimmy Kebe, Pavel Pogrebnyak and Ian Harte as budget options across the positions off the back of consecutive league wins. All three were omitted from Saturday’s lineup and may now face a battle to reinstate themselves for the visit of Chelsea on Wednesday. Certainly McDermott gained confidence in his squad as a result of Saturday’s cup showing, dabbling with a 4-4-2 once again having stuck with a successful 4-5-1 in recent matches – that will only promote the idea that he can afford to rotate in various positions for the crucial run-in. Do we not like that.

Torres still has some fight in him…
A sweetly struck equaliser kept Chelsea’s FA Cup ambitions alive and offered a reminder that Fernando Torres is not going to relinquish the role of Chelsea first choice striker without a fight. Demba Ba’s introduction from the bench provided a spark for Rafa’s men at Griffin Park but the sight of the Senegal striker handed a role on the left flank will have caused some concern for Fantasy managers and Ba alike. It would seem likely that Torres will be rested to make way for Ba’s start at Reading on Wednesday but, with a weekend trip to Newcastle and the replay with Brentford to follow, the doubts over Rafa’s selection up front will continue: should Torres find form, it will only cloud the issue further.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

1,685 Comments Post a Comment
  1. thetinkerman
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    I've not heard much talk of it, but I'm looking at Sunderland and Reading's rotation and it's not half bad!

    A lot are going for Mignolet in net and playing him most/every week but the following combination is quite good I think:

    Szczesney (or DDG for those who fancy a punt on him keeping his place)

    1 expensive defender, West Ham / Stoke rotation, Sunderland / Reading rotation

    That comes in cheaper than popular combinations including Mignolet/Begovic in net and 2 expensive defenders with 3 cheapos rotating for one spot.

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    1. Brutus619
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Would like to do this (I'm getting DDG, Cuellar and Pearce for sure and probably Wilson later but I don't want to lose Davies :/ )

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      1. thetinkerman
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        I think you can swap Cuellar for Davies and it works (with the exception of a couple of bad gameweeks)

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        1. Brutus619
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Cheers. Actually would be willing to lose Davies since his bargain value doesn't do much if it is detrimental to my defensive rotation!

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    2. AK ⭐
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      That's how I went when the season started. I had Baines, Ridgewell, Cuellar, Clyne and Hughes. Though I think that top teams will defend better now. And there's just too good value in some defenders, Gibbs, Azpilicueta, JEvans.

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      1. thetinkerman
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        I tend to agree, but I was planning on going with 2 expensive defenders (including Gibbs) but this allows me to keep Arsenal coverage (with Szczesney) and have the option of upgrading one of my £4-5m defenders to someone like Nasty, Azpi or Evans

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        1. AK ⭐
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          I wouldn't mind doing what you're thinking of. Just not my style now though, I'm in fact, looking to load up heavy on defense.

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    3. Gooders
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      I may go Zaba, Cuellar, Harte, Demel, Davies (to Wilson when fit).

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  2. Sarri-ball
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Thats Wildcard nearly sorted few Options be great.

    A) Lennon and Aguero, 5.5 defender

    B) Bale and Sturridge 6.5 defender

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    1. Blue-Ghosts
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      B

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    2. Mojo Rojo
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      B

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  3. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Fellaini or AJ?

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  4. Koflok
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Really fancy getting Bertrand in as a punt, but having this benching headache now

    Zaba Dawson Wilkin/Cameron Bertrand.

    Who to bench out of those 3?

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  5. AK ⭐
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone else having an expensive backline? I am thinking of going Evra, Baines and Gibbs.

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    1. Carden
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      I'm going Evra Zab + 3 cheapies atm. I would have to downgrade one of power five or downgrade suarez to Sturridge to afford Baines

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  6. GoonerByron
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Giroud or Fletcher?

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

      😀

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      1. AK ⭐
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        +1 😉

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        1. WorldCupDanB
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Agreed

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      2. GoonerByron
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Which I knew what this meant 😀

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        1. Chu Young Ping Pong
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          He's in love with Giroud, the 3rd worst striker that ever played for Arsenal.

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

            So you're not allowed to have a left-field favorite?

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            1. Chu Young Ping Pong
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 9 months ago

              You are, but you amuse me.

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

                I get why it is amusing. Really, i know i go overboard. Intentionally so.

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

                  My idea of fun.

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                2. Chu Young Ping Pong
                  • 12 Years
                  11 years, 9 months ago

                  fair enough 😀

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          2. GoonerByron
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            3rd worst striker... I've never heard something so crazy in my life.

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  7. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Last draft, just RMT, my team for tomotow's eve WC

    Begovic (Bunn)
    Nastasic, Rafael, Davies (Bertrand, Clyne)
    Mata, Michu, Bale, Silva, Walcott
    Van Persie, Suarez (Pogrebnyak)

    0.1 in the bank, enough for Wilson > Bertrand when he start to play again

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    1. Sarri-ball
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Really like that team. Must have a good Value. Is Nastasic fit? Are you planning 3-5-2 everyweek? Thots on my team

      Bego/Bunn
      Harte,Demel,Davies,Rafael,Nastasic
      Mata,Wallcott,Bale,Michu,Fellani
      Rvp,Fletcher,Sturridge

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  8. Deano
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Dawson & Puncheon

    Or

    Sagna & Guthrie

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    1. Buck The Trent
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      A

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

      A

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  9. Atwood
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Drafting my wildcard. Thoughts?

    GK - Mignolet, Cerny
    DF - Cameron, Davies, Azpi, Demel, Barnett
    MF - Walcott, Guthrie, Bale, Mata, Michu
    FW - Van Persie, Suarez, Pogrebnyak

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    1. Blue-Ghosts
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Play pog every week??

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      1. Atwood
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Nah, I'll probably gonna go for 3-5-2

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    2. Jebiga
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      like it, but azpi game time makes me to change my WC team 🙂

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      1. Atwood
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        I've just looked at your team above. Got the same dilemna, can't decide between Nasty and Azpi...

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        1. Jebiga
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Nasty is safe bet for game time, dont know anymore for CS...

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          1. COW
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            Nasty out - Inflamed knee liagaments?

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  10. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Those looking at an uber Cheap defence, this is a great post by In Tommy We Trust.

    http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2013/01/02/winter-wildcard-strategies/comment-page-8/#comment-4776923

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

      Great!!

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    2. AK ⭐
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Fab post there. I remember being there when this was posted.

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

    aguero for the arm band or will QPR park the bus?

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

      RVP

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

      Even if they park the bus...

      93+ "AGUERO, AGUERO, AGUUUUEEEEROOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

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      1. AK ⭐
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        ''United's game is over, so is Bolton's game at Stoke, QPR are safe, but they don't know it yet.. Balotelli.. AGUERROOOOO!''

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        1. Doolittle
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Gives me chills, and I'm an Evertonian. Just a great sporting moment (unless you're a United fan...)

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      2. Lord Flashheart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        🙂

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  12. DonTheSpecialOne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    1:50 PM
    Twitterdan_bu @dan_bu
    Holtby to Spurs this week all but signed. Reported fee of €1.75m. #THFC #S04

    tancredipalmeri @tancredipalmeri
    Well, if Balotelli comes, save the date: february 24th, Inter-Milan. Mamma mia.

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  13. Dealbert
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Rafael/Bale/Sturridge or Clyne/Kagawa/Aguero for the next two GWs?

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    1. Buck The Trent
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      A

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  14. Demí
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    @LivEchoEFC
    #efc have signed Dutch international "CENTRAL" midfielder Leroy Fer for 10m Euros - story to come

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    1. AK ⭐
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Haven't heard about him much..

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

        Great pace! I think?

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

      Interesting this. Anyone know about this guy?

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    3. GoonerByron
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Fellaini off then? :O

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      1. Demí
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Think it's just because they're stretched in that area. Doubt Fellaini will leave till the Summer, if at all.

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    4. Koflok
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Seems like a defensive type of player

      "Cor Pot, coach of the Netherlands U21, compared Fer with Patrick Vieira."

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      1. Alan The Llama
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        His wiki page also says,
        "Fer got various nicknames. In his youth he got nicknamed De Uitsmijter (The Bouncer) by Feyenoord youth coach because he once knocked out them teams physioJean-Paul van Gastel. Other nicknames include the butcher of Bakersfield after he attacked a crowd of people whilst flying an apachi gun ship".

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    5. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Amazing on FM. 😀

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  15. Waldaz
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    @jose3enrique3
    Training with the team today after 4 weeks working hard. Can't wait to play again

    Could be an option if the double is actually on.

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    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah, going to swap between Zaba/Enrigue/Evans me thinks.

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    2. Chu Young Ping Pong
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      There is no DGW.

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    3. Billy Gilmore
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Meh, I'd rather GJ.

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  16. Mojo Rojo
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Who to bench this Gameweek?
    Begovic / Federici
    Gibbs / Zabaleta / Rafael / Fabio / Clyne
    Lennon / Walcott / Silva / Mata / Fellaini
    Fletcher / Sturridge / Ba

    Cheers for your help

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  17. bbewekim
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Bale out? Ill get 9.7m for bale if i sell him so it frees up cash.. hes been my worst scoring midfield player for a few weeks.

    A > Walcott
    B > Santi Caz
    C > Silva

    i currently have no city cover

    Michu, Fellaini, Mata, Bale, Noble.
    RVP Suarez Ruiz

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    1. Mojo Rojo
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      A

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  18. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Was there a SAF presser today?

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

      Nope. Nothing today. Think it might be tomm. or later today. Sorry.

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  19. In Tommy We Trust
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Cheers for all the advice lads. Took some on board. How does this look?

    Rudd / Begovic
    Davies / Bertrand / Zabaleta / Turner / Mariappa
    Walcott / Bale / Fellaini / Michu / Puncheon
    Aguero / Sturridge / Van Persie

    FT, £0.1m in the bank.

    Still with the Bertrand to Wilson transfer

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    1. AK ⭐
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      So much more better now. Mata over Bale for me though.

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    2. rvp786
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      looks much better. gives you 3 dgwkrs if its on too.

      your only worry now is Mata or Bale.

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    3. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      I like it Tommy. Pearce over Mariappa.

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    4. In Tommy We Trust
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Cheers all. That's what I'm running with.

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  20. Koflok
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Villas-Boas on Defoe's injury - "We'll have him back for the Norwich game."

    Yeah aborting Dempsey bandwaggon.

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  21. DonTheSpecialOne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Michel Bastos expected to undergo a medical at Schalke today. 18-month loan deal + option to sign him permanently in 2013 or 2014.

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    1. Chu Young Ping Pong
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Gonna get him in my team then....

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      1. JUNITED
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        +1

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

        😕

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  22. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    A: Enrique and Wilkinson

    or

    B: Rafael and Wilson

    ?

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  23. JUNITED
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Fellaini or Silva or Bale or Gerrard?

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    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Two of those.

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      1. JUNITED
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Which one?

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

          *two

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          1. JUNITED
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            thanks

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        2. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          I said two.

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          1. JUNITED
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            Oh i see

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

      Bale + Silva

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  24. Eeggs
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    anyone be kind enough to give me the lowdown on the potential DGW?
    who/when/why?
    cheers.

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  25. Skor Hattricksson
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Which WC players do you like more?
    A - Team of Punts: Evra, Baines, Gerrard, Fletcher
    B - Team of Safe Bets: Zabaleta, Gibbs, Michu, Aguero

    I have low TV and both options leave me with 0.0 in the bank

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

      B for me.

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  26. Tadic is the new Eriksen
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    At the moment, I am going for Jelavic + AJ over Fellaini + Fletcher.... Can anybody talk me out of this madness?

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

      Moyes has spoken about possibly dropping Jelly.

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      1. Tadic is the new Eriksen
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        thanks, that did the trick

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    2. bbewekim
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      I saw Jelavic play against cheltenham... get him gone... more chance with a fulham striker hah.

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  27. DonTheSpecialOne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    2:07 PM
    TwitterWBAFCofficial @WBAFCofficial
    Albion have turned down a second, improved offer from QPR for striker Peter Odemwingie #wba Full story: http://bit.ly/VJoBq2

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  28. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Nasty... 😯

    Knee ligaments? Oh dear...new WC draft

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    1. Tadic is the new Eriksen
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      :/

      lescott?

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      1. Tadic is the new Eriksen
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        In fact, this must cast real shadows over the city defence, i mean they are gonna be without 3 of their first choice center halves over the next few matches o_O

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        1. Chu Young Ping Pong
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Suarez (c)

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          1. Tadic is the new Eriksen
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            against lescott and rekik (whoever that is), why not?

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    2. Absinthe Minded
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Clichy

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  29. JUNITED
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    A) Silva + Ba

    Or

    B) Fellaini + Aguero

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    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      One of those.

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      1. JUNITED
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        hahahahahaha

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    2. Old Man
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      If you could guarantee Ba's place every week then A, else B. Difficult choice.

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  30. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Would you take any of Sess/Larsson/AJ over Fellaini this week, and if so, which one?

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    1. JUNITED
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Give Fellaini another chance

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    2. Tadic is the new Eriksen
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Im wildcarding in AJ, quality player

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