Pre-Season

Friendlies Round-Up – Wednesday

Iago Aspas is amongst the goals again as Liverpool register a sixth straight summer victory. Jose Mourinho is without David Luiz and Juan Mata as Chelsea taste defeat at the hands of Real Madrid, Adam Johnson fires Sunderland to a narrow win, Pablo Hernandez and Jonjo Shelvey are out of Swansea’s trip to Malmo this evening, while Stephen Quinn may miss Hull’s opener at Chelsea with a hamstring problem:

Valerenga 1 Liverpool 4
The Reds maintained their 100% pre-season record with an easy win in Norway last night. Brendan Rodgers made nine changes from the side that started in the weekend win over Olympiakos – with only Joe Allen and Iago Aspas retaining their places – and the latter once again impressed; his shot rebounded off the bar, allowing Luis Alberto to open the scoring, before the former Celta Vigo man fired home the second to notch his fourth goal in six appearances. The Reds boss utilised the depth of his squad by making 10 changes at the break, allowing Martin Kelly and Raheem Sterling the opportunity to further extend the visitors’ lead.

After the game, Aspas was once again the subject of his manager’s praise. With a superb opening schedule ahead, investment in Liverpool’s attacking assets looks a viable tactic and while Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge have earned plenty owners across the Fantasy games – despite the latter failing to feature over the summer so far – Aspas could prove a cheaper differential option if his current form continues. Certainly, his manager has been thoroughly impressed:

“I thought he was excellent again tonight, When you watch him, his movement is outstanding. If you look at the movement for the second goal, he made his first run when Stewart Downing had the ball. The line was blocked for him and he made a double movement to come in again. Obviously he was there to finish. He’s a goalscorer, that’s the reason we brought him in. It was a lovely chip that hit the crossbar [for Alberto’s goal] and it eventually came out, and we got a goal from that as well. He’s a really exciting player and in and around the box he can make things happen. He works his socks off as well. He’s done very well over the course of pre-season.”

FC Midtjylland 0 Sunderland 1
The Black Cats continued their impressive pre-season with a narrow win away to the Danish league leaders last night. Paolo Di Canio made three changes from the side that played Man City in the recent Barclays Asia Trophy match, with Kieran Westwood getting the nod in goal ahead of Vito Mannone, while Carlos Cuellar and Valentin Roberge were drafted into the back-four as Craig Gardner and Wes Brown dropped out. Further up the field, Sunderland are beginning to look settled in terms of selection –Adam Johnson and Emanuel Giaccherini were again fielded on the flanks, with Stephane Sessegnon tucking in behind Jozy Altidore in light of Steven Fletcher’s ongoing ankle injury. Johnson grabbed the match-winner (his first of the summer) thanks to an Altidore assist in a match that saw Di Canio make six changes as the second period progressed, with new boys El Hadji Ba, David Moberg Karlsson and Modibo Diakite amongst those introduced from the bench.

Despite the victory, Di Canio was far from happy with the performance. Alluding to the display of one of the club’s “French speaking players”, which was believed to be an under-par Stephane Sessegnon, the Italian admitted:

“I was disappointed with the attitude. The attitude is crucial. We can talk about tactics during the season or technical mistakes that can be improved by practice, but the attitude is the thing you don’t know. Some of my players are new, so I don’t know. I would not be arrogant enough to think I can discover their attitude in two hours of playing, but it can change for whatever reason. Yesterday was a big opportunity for all the players to show we are ready to start the season strong, but some of them failed to complete the mission. I have to make sure they change their mentality otherwise we will have a problem.”

Di Canio also explained the absence of Wes Brown and Jo Dong-won, who both failed to travel for the match. The Black Cats boss revealed the former is set to be a key figure in his plans for the campaign ahead:

“Wes had a little problem and we decided not to risk him on the day. He has had a very good pre-season, which was a surprise for everyone, even him. We didn’t want to risk him because he’s an important player now. On the day of the game he was running again. And today he can train harder because I want him to be available as soon as possible. It’s good for us that we have a player of his ability in our squad, and it is important to us that we have him able to play for us next season. As for Ji, he has been out for a few days, but we expect him to be back in training in the next few days. So at this moment in time, we do not have any real worries about either of them.”

Chelsea 1 Real Madrid 3
The Blues tasted defeat for the first time this summer as Jose Mourinho was downed by his former employers. Chelsea lined up in a 4-3-3 formation with Frank Lampard making his first appearance of the summer alongside Ramires and Marco Van Ginkel in midfield, while up top, Oscar and Eden Hazard flanked Romelu Lukaku. In defence, Branislav Ivanovic and Ashley Cole were handed the full-back roles, with John Terry partnering Gary Cahill at centre-half in front of Petr Cech. Lukaku teed up Ramires for Chelsea’s only goal before making way for Fernando Torres in one of six second-half changes, with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Andre Schurrle and Victor Moses also emerging from the bench.

David Luiz missed out with a minor hamstring problem, while Juan Mata was also omitted from the matchday squad – after the match, Mourinho gave an update on their fitness ahead of Saturday’s final friendly of pre-season:

“I don’t know if David Luiz and Mata will be back for Roma, they have some small problems, Mata a new one and David Luiz a problem he had in the past, a muscular injury he had before the Champions League final. They are working with the physios in Washington instead of travelling here. We’ll see if they can join the team and play a little against Roma.”

In Other News
Jonjo Shelvey and Pablo Hernandez have both been omitted from Swansea’s Europa League trip to Malmo this evening. The Swans travel to Sweden with a 4-0 first-leg advantage as they look to clinch a place in the group stages and with plenty of midfield additions over the summer, Michael Laudrup is expected to make some alterations to his starting XI, with Nathan Dyer and Jonathan de Guzman set to benefit from the duo’s absence. With their Gameweek 1 home clash against United just over a week away now, the Swans boss played down concerns over the pair’s fitness and expects them to be ready in time to face David Moyes’ side at the Liberty:

“We have a couple of players not here. We didn’t want to risk Pablo because we are talking about a muscle injury. He’s already training, but we will wait and he will train today and tomorrow and with the squad on Friday. The players are off for the weekend and hopefully he will be 100 per cent for Monday. Jonjo is sick – yesterday he had a fever. We spoke to the doctor last night and we agreed to see how he was this morning to see if he was better but he is worse, so that is why he has not travelled.”

Hull are sweating on the fitness of Stephen Quinn after the midfielder picked up a hamstring problem in the club’s friendly loss to Eintracht Braunschweig. Steve Bruce revealed yesterday the Tigers are awaiting scan results, with Quinn now rated doubtful for the Gameweek 1 trip to Stamford Bridge:

“It looks a bad one on first impressions so I wouldn’t have thought he’ll be fit for Chelsea, which is the big blow. Up until now we’d had a few knocks and a few strains but nothing that will keep anyone out for long, so it’s a big blow to lose Quinny. He got his foot caught and pulled his hamstring. We’ll not know the severity of it until we get home but he feels it just walking. That’s obviously a worry but I really can’t say how long it will be until we scan it.”

Having missed only four of 46 matches last term, Quinn’s security of starts – allied with three goals and six assists in 2012/13 – had offered Fantasy managers a reliable route into the cut-price bracket across the Fantasy games. One of the very few relatively appealing 4.5 priced midfielders in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), his potential absence lessens the number of budget options and perhaps furthers the prospects of Palace’s Jerome Thomas as a cheap fifth midfielder for those looking to pay under 5.0.

Tim Krul believes he is firmly on course to make Newcastle’s opener at City on Monday August 19. After undergoing a shoulder operation towards the end of the previous campaign, the Dutchman has built up his fitness and made his first appearance of the summer on Tuesday evening against Glasgow Rangers. Krul was given 45 minutes by Alan Pardew but insists he is ready for the season kick-off:

“I’ve had a great couple of weeks training with all of the lads. It has been all about getting the confidence of making a few good saves again. You can train when you’ve been injured, but the best test is always to get back out there, and train again. I’ve just been focusing on the game and making saves. I’ve been training hard to get back in time. “Everything has worked to plan so far. The schedule I’ve had with the physios has worked well. It’s been spot on. They kept me back at one stage because the training was going well, but it’s all about the new season now.”

While Krul is confident of his availability, Pardew was a little more tentative when discussing his keeper’s fitness after the Dutchman missed 14 matches of the 2012/13 with a number of injuries. Given how crucial he is to the Newcastle cause, it seems likely that Krul will get the nod for the Etihad clash, with another 11 days left to step up his fitness:

“Looking at Tim, he’s been out for a long time. He is one of the best keepers in the world, so we want him up to speed. That means we have to be careful. We must make sure that he returns properly, and is fully fit for the season.”

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1,868 Comments Post a Comment
  1. CostaCoffee
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    3-5-2 or 3-4-3 ?

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    1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Different from one week to the next. I have 2 mids and a forward in a 3 way rotation so it'll depend on the fixtures (picking 2 of the 3 each week).

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

      Personally I find 3-4-3 is best, problem with a lot of strikers is you never know when their goals will come so hard to rotate them and get it right

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      1. Lucky Luke
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        name the 3 boss

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

      3 when WBA at home, 2 when away.

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

      3-5-2 for me this season which is a change from my usual tactic. There is just too much value in the midfield for me this season and I am thinking 5 primes to start the season.

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

    First time post 🙂

    Mig (Davis)
    Barnes, Mert, Baker (Brayford, Garrido)
    Hazzard, Mirallas, Coutinho, Paulinho (Colback)
    RVP, Anelka, Lukaku

    Any thoughts??

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

      Anelka & Lukaku are both punts but with RVP I suppose you need that

      Midfield looks good but not a fan of Colback (personal preference)

      Don't know much about brayford and garrido - mert is in my team, think he's safe bet

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    2. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      No to Baker.
      Who is Barnes?

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

    Can't wait for the Bony and Mochu partnership next season! 😀

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

      Ya i'll be tasty

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

        it'll *

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

      Get them both in from GW1 - be brave!

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

        Already for Bony

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

    Anelka or Hooper

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    1. Jck-Jns
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Hooper is my punt, 🙂

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  5. MIDDLEMAN
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    OK got £12.5m for 2 DF, 1 MF.

    If I go with consensus and get Collins in, leaves me with two 4.0 defenders and a 4.5 mid...

    Are Thomas, McNaughton and Parr the best of the promoted sides?

    Here's my team for reference:

    Migs (Davis)

    Cole Toure Collins (_4.0_ _4.0_)

    Haz Wally Silva Snoddy (_4.5_)

    RVP Lukaku Anelka

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

      I think the general consensus is Brayford as the best at 4.0m as McNaughton is not nailed and Cardiff should be the best team. Parr/Chester seem to be the next best two options.

      Midfield is a total lottery depending on your priorities for your sub but Thomas/Quinn/Morrison/Barkley/Pozuelo/Lucas/Pennant (my fave if I was having a 4.5m) have all been touted for one reason and another.

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      1. Lucky Luke
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        What sort of minutes game time can we expect from the 4.5m midfielders quoted above?

        Thomas nailed on. Quinn injured. Not sure of the others.

        What do you know about pennants chances?

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  6. roscola
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Already having Coutinho, should I have Sturridge or Soldado?

    Soldado
    + his goalscoring record, Spurs' potential midfield creativity feeding him, GW1 opposition
    - lack of prem experience, laziness and lack of assists = low bonus, Spurs' underwhelming pre-season team performances

    Sturridge
    + his goalscoring record *in the prem*, fixtures, whole team with the wind in their sails from pre-season campaign
    - returning from injury, perennial fitness issues

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

      Soldado

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      1. roscola
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Any pithy little rationale for that?

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    2. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Sturridge by a mile IMO, even with Couts. Wait and let Soldado find his feet.

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      1. roscola
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        That is my instinct but I'm intrigued by Soldado

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    3. rm9
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Sturridge flopped at City and at Chelsea, what makes you think he won't do the same at Liverpool?

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      1. Baines on Toast...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        this would only make sense if he hadn't already started, and been extremely good for, liverpool.

        I'd also dispute him being a flop at chelsea in his final season.

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        1. rm9
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          Pool only had Borini last season and he struggled with injuries as far as I remember, now with Aspas who is a real quality player I'm not entirely sure he'll still be nailed on when Suarez comes back. I think Aspas can easily outperform him in the first few weeks to take the spot from him.

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      2. Mr. Greedy
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Bit harsh. Didn't get much of a chance at City and had to play on the wing at Chelsea. He did well on loan to Bolton and at the end of last season with Liverpool.

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      3. roscola
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        11 goals and 5 assists in half a season tells me that if given time on the pitch (which he wasn't at either City or Chelsea) he succeeds. His loan at Bolton was hugely productive too, despite it being Bolton.

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    4. Mr. Greedy
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I'm worried about Spurs. Without Bale they looked a bit rubbish last year and they've also lost Dempsey.

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

        he's not gone yet. I don't think he will

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    5. Sarnab
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Soldado

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    6. getfunky
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      my only concern about sturridge is those niggly injuries he keeps getting, last season he was bang on form but he spent half hte time on my bench cos of them, not sure i can afford to have a 9m player in & out of the team like that again in the same way i wouldnt pick a Man City AM for rotation reasons

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      1. roscola
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        I had the same experience with him but it was worth it in the end for the points. But I don't know if I want to go through that again.

        Cheers.

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

          yeah it's a tough one, i think later in the season once you've formed your team with good cheaper options it's not so bad as you're confident in your back ups but at the start when everything's up in the air it's just too much of a risk for me

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

      Struddige (and Coutinho) for me. Both options have enticing opening fixtures but I think the attacking potential of Liverpool is a lot more settled than Spurs although I see goals in both players so I don't think you can go drastically wrong either way.

      I am expecting to see Sturridge start against Celtic at the weekend as word from the camp is that his fitness is a lot further ahead than they thought it would be. Which will make us all be able to breath a lot easier for the start of the season.

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      1. roscola
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks man. My instinct is for Sturridge for the reasons you say.

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

          Any time mate. Suarez is going and even if by some miracle he stays Sturridge will stay as the main man up front and I can see him being the 2nd highest points scoring striker this year. Good luck 🙂

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          1. roscola
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 2 months ago

            Good luck to you too, we'll need it 🙂

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

              Fantasy football is a lot like poker......sure the best players will always rise to the top over time but much of the time it is better to be lucky than good and luck is what at the end of the season separates the winners from the also rans.

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

                Like every game based on probability.. 🙂

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

                  Yeah but no such thing as the nuts pre-flop and so luck will always be the deciding factor 🙂

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

                    What about having Rosicky the GW he scored a brace last season? What's the probability around that..

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  7. penguinsofdeath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Aspas or Berbatov...??

    Thinking more specifically about the first 4-5 weeks, currently have Lukaku / Lambert / Berba but tempted by Aspas pre-season form, the extra 0.5 it would give me and the first game being STO instead of sun

    Also, Lukaku is a one week punt, likely that I'll want to change for week 2. If I go with Aspas that gives me enough cash to change Lukaku to Soldado

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    1. rm9
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Pool won't score many GW2-4

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

        Can you see Fulham banging them in it that time though?

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

        I'll take that bet 🙂

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    2. LMNO
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      how about Carroll

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

        got Nolan

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

    Let's just face it folks.

    We're all just pissing in the wind at the moment so why not just chill and wait till a week Friday when we here the press conferences - eh?

    🙂

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    1. roscola
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      For some reason, I enjoy pissing in the wind 😉

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      1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        As long as the wind is not against you.

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    2. Jck-Jns
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      🙂

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    3. Malkmus
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Oh absolutely, but where on earth is the fun in that !?! God knows what we'd all be doing without these never-ending discussions about who the best midfielder is for 4.5m ?

      The answer is Pozuelo by the way...

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      1. djjew13
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        morrison

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    4. Jernau M Gurgeh
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      *hear ?

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

        thank-you

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        1. Jernau M Gurgeh
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          you're very welcome 🙂

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    5. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      That would require common sense and to not be addicted though.

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    6. Deano
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Sure beats pissing INTO the wind?

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    7. adams_6
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      What are you doing on here then? 😉

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  9. Mak_Gold
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Luiz or Ivanovic?

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

        Ivanovic for me... I get the feeling Mourinho likes him and the advantage of being able to play CB or RB gives him more chance of games in my opinion

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

          Ivano for me too. More by a process of accumulated group-think responses but it is as valid as anything at the moment

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

          this ^

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

        Ivanovic

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      3. Mr. Greedy
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        There seem to be some fitness concerns with Luiz, hasn't featured much preseason. Or maybe it's a smokescreen coz he's off to Barca.

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    • Otis Kay
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Anelka... yes or no?

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      1. Declan-
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        I won't be getting him but he is probably the best sub 6m option

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

        NO

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      3. saata
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        I can't see him hammering PL team like he hammers Cork!

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

        Oh yeah! He's got nothing to lose...

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    • CostaCoffee
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Is Anelka worth a punt 5.5 and looks good in pre-season

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      1. Kevin Twine
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah, I reckon so.

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      2. rm9
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        He struggled in China, and the Premier League might be a bit more demanding...

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        1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          He was playing in midfield in China in fairness to him.

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      3. Sarnab
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Ofcourse 5.5m is a bargain

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      4. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        It's a punt, innit.

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      5. TexanRed
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Not for me as I don't see too many escape routes from it and I don't wouldn't want a striker slot and 5.5m on my bench. Long will start the vast majority and so although I won't be taking the punts on Dzeko and Lukaku I can see the massive pay off in those and I can't in Anelka myself.

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    • Jimjam
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Getting close to a template I'm happy with. One final question:

      Mignolet, Davis
      Collins, Murner, Clyne, Amorebieta, Brayford
      Hazard, Walcott, Snodgrass, Thomas, ???
      RVP, ???, ???

      A. Coutinho, Soldado, Rodriguez
      B. Mirallas, Sturridge, Lukaku

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      1. rm9
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Easy A

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      2. Arfa chance
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        BBBBB

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      3. Sarnab
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        B

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      4. adams_6
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        B

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      5. TexanRed
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        B for me

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    • chambers
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Coleman or Toure?
      Don't have Mignolet...

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      1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Toure atm.

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      2. rm9
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Toure I guess, Coleman might not be oop but then again Toure might not start.

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

        coleman

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

        TOURE - I am not buying Martinez starting 3-4-3 and Toure is a dead cert for anyone who has been watching Liverpool pre-season.

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    • Billy Gilmore
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      What on earth are you lot still doin' 'ere? 😉

      http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2013/08/08/sky-sports-formation-analysis/

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    • CostaCoffee
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Anyone have Arteta as ARSNL midfield coverage
      2.5/3m less than Wally and Santi and has penaltys in the bag

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      1. Captain Shirokov
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Not much else going for him though apart from penos.

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

      Any changes required??

      Boruc
      Mertesacker Dawson Cole
      Silva Mirallas Walcott Hazard Coutinho
      Benteke,Lukaku.

      Subs:Davis,Parr,Brayford,Gayle.

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      1. Jrot94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        This is very similar to my team, TOTALLY agree with your 5 MFs and trying to understand why more aren't doing the same (I know Texasred is with me).

        I personally like Giroud better than Benteke, Lescott over Mert and am staying away from Tottenham altogether until they prove they won't be hungover post Bale (I've gone Collins which gives me a bit more money to get a second goalie)

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    • teej
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      RMT please lads :3

      Mign (Marshall)

      Cole,VC / Coleman / Riether (Brayford / Parr)

      Hazard,C / Walcott / Silva / Michu / Mirallas

      Soldado / Anelka (JRod)

      GW2. Cole > Merte. £1m to bandwagon

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    • DCFC87
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Is it just me or do certain sides offer virtually no percieved value anywhere in the team as an example I can't justify anyone from Newcastle at their prices because I don't see them as particularly strong at the back and the attacking threat of HBA (too hit and miss and injury cert) and Ciise at 8.5 seems steep for someone who didn't exactly set the league alight last season. Stoke are another one - they can't normally score to save their lives so you'd look at the back 4 and keeper but with Hughes going in you just don't fancy them at the back either. In terms of Value for money I like the look of most of Soton going forwards and at the back and Weimann/Agbonlahor at their prices are tempting a few GW's down the line in what is an attacking Villa side

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    • Del Monte
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I prefer my sky team to my fpl team

      I'm worried

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    • LMNO
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Quick assumption...

      If Fellaini will be playing in a DM role at United this year the will that mean that Carrick will play a more creative role?

      Carrick - 6.0

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      1. RVP IS Essential
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        No, Fellaini would play in a more advanced role (similar to what he did for Moyes last year) before Carrick was pushed up into a more advanced role. Carrick is a great distributor but isn't much of an attacker.

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

      A OR B?

      A: Zabaleta + Michu + Agbonlahor
      B: Mertesacker + Mirallas + Benteke

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

        B

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      2. McSauce
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        B

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    • micol1873
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Locking it down unless there is any last minute transfer shockers !

      Boruc (Davis)
      Collins, Ivanovic, Mertesacker (Chester, Brayford)
      Coutinho, Hazard (c) , Walcott, Kim (Colback)
      Lambert, Van Persie, Lukaku (vc)

      (unless any of you guys have any other suggetsions of course :-))

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    • @FuzzyWarbles
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Mannone or Westwood for the #1? I thought Mannone had the inside track but Westwood got the nod yesterday. Anyone got the scoop on the situation there?

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    • jam
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      The 'old' me would've picked 3 Chelsea players to start with, then spend 8-12 trabsfer pts rebuilding my team in time for GW3 (wildcard already spent around 4.45pm 17th Aug)

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    • alanrevell
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      RMT please - first post for ages ...

      Mignolet, (Davis)

      Zabaleta, Azpi, Mert, (Brayford, Whitaker)

      Navas, Walcott, Hazard, De Bruyne (Fellaini - esp. if at Man U)

      Anelka, Dzeko, (Aspas)

      1.5m in bank e.g. to upgrade De Bruyne, if DGW fail

      Thoughts?

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      1. FPL Daniel
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Me not like KDB. Che fan here

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

        that is one punty front 3

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    • ITS ALL GONE WRONG
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Please RMT

      Mannone, Boruc

      Clichy, Toure, Coleman, (Shaw), (Yanga-Mbiwa)

      Mirallas, Coutinho, Hazard, Silva, (Thomas)

      Lukaku, Soldado, Dzeko

      1.5 in bank

      or

      clichy --> dawson
      coutinho --> walcott
      dzeko --> sturridge
      0.5m in bank

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      1. Jrot94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Trying to elicit a discussion, but another team where I like the 352 better

        I would prefer Walcott/Gayle for Thomas/Dzeko(and 1.5)

        rest of my team is similar (although I prefer Giroud to Soldado out of the gate) and I have some different defenders, but all of those are viable

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        1. ITS ALL GONE WRONG
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          not so sure about the 3-5-2 because theres no flexibility in attack.

          dzeko is a punt but i could just straight swap him to sturridge or stick with him until gw4 and swap for benteke

          soldado does have a very nice gw1 plus hes more talented than giroud so i trust him to score more than giroud

          which defenders do you have

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    • SuperOsçarBaby
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Sessegnon is not happy at Sunderland and he wants to leave. like Bale 😯

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      1. FPL Daniel
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        He is streaky player, that's it. He plays when he wants. Than he is on a streak 😛

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    • FPL Daniel
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Well actually Cech isn't that bad choice for the double. Saves you a transfer in GW3 too.

      Mig + Cashley = 12m
      Cech + Toure = 11,5m

      Hmmmm......

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    • commonsns
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Giaccherini or Nolan? Both have favourable starting fixtures so who do you think is likely to score more over the first 3 GWs?

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      1. FPL Daniel
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        I like NOllan fixtures better. Let me check SAFC fixtures

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        1. In Tommy We Trust
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          Hi mate. Are you joining all things RVP?

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

          FUL [H], SOU [A], CRY [A]

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      2. SuperOsçarBaby
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        don't pick giaccherini yet

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

          How come?

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    • JELLYFISH
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Thoughts on Manonne now that he was dropped last night? People still confident he will be first choice?

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