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Versus – Rooney and Lukaku

For the majority of Fantasy managers, the valid options for our three-man frontlines have lessened as the season has unfolded. Olivier Giroud and Daniel Sturridge were quick out the blocks but neither were able to maintain consistency and, as Sergio Aguero and the suspension-free Luis Suarez hit their stride, it’s a case of the South American duo plus one other when it comes to our forwards right now:

Suarez and Aguero are far from cheap but, as their prices continue to escalate in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, they’ve delivered time and again and more than justified the premium outlay required. The Liverpool forward has averaged an astonishing 11.4 points per game and, whilst Aguero’s eight points per game leaves him trailing in the Uruguayan’s wake, it’s an average that’s still head and shoulders above Robin van Persie’s 6.9 over 2012/13.

After delivering 241 points in his first year at Old Trafford, the Dutchman’s position as United’s top forward has been undermined by both injury and Wayne Rooney’s rise to form. As van Persie continues to battle toe and groin problems, Rooney has served up a series of consistent displays under his former Everton mentor, David Moyes. So far, he’s racked up eight goals, seven assists and 18 bonus points, drawing blanks in just three of his 13 appearances and averaging 7 points per game – a ratio bettered only by Suarez and Aguero. Furthermore, at 11.1 in FPL, he’s cheaper than both South Americans and, with games against Villa, West Ham, Hull, Norwich and Swansea in the next six, Rooney looks poised for further attacking returns. Indeed, this afternoon’s news that van Persie will be sidelined for a month after sustaining a thigh injury merely strengthens Rooney’s cause.

Over at his former club, though, Fantasy faith in Romelu Lukaku is building. Since arriving at Goodison in Gameweek 5, the big Belgian has bagged eight goals, three assist and 11 bonus points in 11 appearances. Lukaku has also been highly consistent this term and, registering just three blanks, has averaged 6.4 points per game under the guidance of Roberto Martinez – slightly fewer than Rooney but at a significantly cheaper price of 8.5. As Lukaku steels himself for a schedule rated the most appealing of any side in the next six Gameweeks by our season ticker (FUL, swa, SUN, SOT, sto, NOR), the bandwagon is in full effect – over 96,000 FPL managers have already acquired him this week, more than any other player in the game.

With a big decision to be made, then, we take a look at both players’ displays so far this term – for the purpose of our analysis, Lukaku’s stats are taken purely from his time at Everton, with a couple of late second-half sub appearances for parent club Chelsea discounted.

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1,117 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FISSH
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    RVP out for a month with thigh injury - PhysioRoom.

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  2. rozzo
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    What has happened to RVP this season? He always was a bit injury prone in his Arsenal days though. Do you think it's more a case of being unhappy at United rather than niggling constant week long injuries?

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    1. Red Viper
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      overtrained by Moyes' methods

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    2. Shankly Gates
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      He is an unhappy boy you could see that in the last games he played, but also injury prone... I was always amazed he had such a run under Fergie

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  3. Granville
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    RVP was obviously rushed back and now we have the oh so predictable setback. Mismanagement by Moyes but then again the squad is so under pressure because of lack of depth he needs to rely on a few sole players.

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    1. The Machine
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Player*

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      1. Granville
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        'Van Persie’s injuries have been the biggest single reason why Manchester United’s title defence has collapsed.'

        Well this is nonsense.

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        1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          aye thats terrible journalism.... have they been watchin the games

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          1. Azerbaijan Shopping Centre
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            Ah Ken Earley is alright

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        2. Henry Hill
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          What's the reason in your opinion, new manager hopelessly out of his depth?

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          1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
            • 13 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            poor defence and mid........last year alex managed to get by with an excellent attack despite defensive frailties, plus he was better at gee-ing the players up....... this year, it looks as it is, a poor team lackin motivation

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          2. HabitualLineSteppers
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            With Ferguson gone finally all and sundry realize that ..... the emperor has no clothes.

            The truly remarkable thing is that Utd didn't hit this blip sooner - a testament to Ferguson's management

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    2. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      tbf the biggest reason he was rushed back was rooney being a petulant arse and getting suspended, depth is one thing, discipline is another

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      1. Granville
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Rooney didn't get a booking till March or April last season. There's a lot more to it I think.

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    3. Stats King-@football2space
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Rooney, Kags or Chica , Roo shud be the combo for the next few games. If only the Wingers show some form. They hv been absolute absymal except Januzaj.

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      1. Granville
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Which is why he should look to play without wingers. It's just not working. It's just so hard when Carrick is missing, he knitted it all together.

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    4. r0binh0
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      The most concerning thing that Moyes has come out with in his time there was his admission that he was worrying about what people would have said had he taken RvP off after 70 mins vs Newc, as he'd wanted to. You can't manage in fear of what people think and now it's cost him.

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    5. Eboue
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Surely part of that blame therefore must go to medical staff not moyes - seems a bit unfair

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  4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    rvp 😯

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    1. Shankly Gates
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      rip rvp

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  5. FISSH
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    SO glad I got Rooney now. Pens, Free kicks, Corners.

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    1. Valar(Keith)
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      +1.. after Suarez and Aguero the only player in the game i'd want to own at the moment

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  6. Kings of Lyon ★
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Hernandez anyone? 😉

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    1. The Machine
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      RVP's injury only allows Moyes the oppurtunity to go back to his boring old 4-5-1

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      1. Kings of Lyon ★
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Alright, nani then? 😀

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        1. GTS
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          welbeck 😉

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          1. Stats King-@football2space
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            Young 😆

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            1. Shankly Gates
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 10 months ago

              better a swimmer

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  7. Pitch Invasion
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Swap out Zabaletta for Coleman? I don't have any everton defence.

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    1. thetinkerman
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      I'm not. I think City could keep a cleanie.

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  8. Ady87
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Sturridge ownership still higher than Rooney. Wonder how long that will last.

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    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      I know quite a few active players who still have Sturridge. Weird.

      I expect it will change quite a bit come the January wildcard.

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      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        This why i hate the Jan WC

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  9. Adnan Shah
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    RVP injury settles the debate of Rooney or Lukaku. Rooney will certainly outscore him handsomely now.

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    1. The Machine
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      This is nor true at all.

      You're only looking at a possible 10,12 points more till the new year imo that can be more than matched by a better mid/defence

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      1. Adnan Shah
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        I hope you are right Nate, i am Lukaku owner but can see big returns from Rooney.

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    2. rozzo
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      I still wouldnt touch rooney with a barge pole, the only player at united who looks capable of doing anything and he can't carry the whole team all season

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    3. Pasqualinho
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      I would always maintain Rooney is a far better prospect than Lukaku. Rooney + Sess versus Lukaku + Silva (as an example) is a little closer, however - and this should always be taken into account.

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  10. Shifty
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    So RVP confirmed out this weekend, does that strengthen the appeal of Rooney(c)?

    Is anyone who was wavering on Rooney vs someone else leaning toward Rooney(c) now?

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    1. Adnan Shah
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      If i have him in my team, i would have definitely captain him.

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    2. GTS
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      He would become essential i think.

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    3. KISSES
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      As much as it is tempting, I am staying with Lukaku. There will be weeks up and coming that will present an easier choice to put it on the ol' Roonster.

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  11. craggsy14
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Make a change this week or re-asses next week?

    Mignolet (Harper)
    Coleman Zabaleta Ivanovic (Dawson, Shaw)
    Toure Hazard Ramsey Barkley (Kasami)
    Lukaku (c) Suarez Remy

    1FT £1.4m ITB

    Ivanovic is going next week so could upgrade Barkely at same time then Get Howard week after??

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  12. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Meh. Non Rooney owner here. What to do....

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    1. Riddler
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Lost on last page...I think this just makes United weaker. Ok so Rooney will play up top & have pens (though won't necessarily score them, based on last season) - but United will definitely score less goals without those 2 linking up. Not sold on Kagawa (can see him possibly getting sold/ going out on loan in Jan)

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      1. Riddler
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        \o non-Rooney owner 😛

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      2. bantamdave
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Riddler, I have to agree to a lesser extent. United struggling to score goals. Just 8 at home this season. United bang out of form in the PL and Moyes and his team under massive pressure. Whilst, United are a great team, are they the team under SAF to fear as over the last decade?

        Will Rooney have to come back deeper like RVP did against Newcastle? If he is on more corners, free kicks, his potential for assists is increased but his job to score goals is lessened.

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  13. Valar(Keith)
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Any more press conference shockers left or can i do Gerrard to Silva?

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  14. Bubz
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    This RVP out thing is scuppering my Aguero (c) plans. Back to the drawing board.

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  15. r0binh0
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Hardest captain's choice ever!

    Hazard - small risk of rotation, general dislike of captaining a MF, superb fixture
    Lukaku - needs Everton to be on form, nice fixture, a beast but do I trust him?
    Rooney - no RVP is a +, on paper trickier fixture that the other two, seems to do something every week regardless of how well Utd play.

    Ugh

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      out of thos prob rooney or lukaku ....... coin toss?

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      1. r0binh0
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Being a Liverpool fan I have the added bonus that if Rooney fails, so probably do Utd. I'm still torn though, will be a last minute decision I think.

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    2. Shifty
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      The RVP news has just tipped it to Rooney's favour for me imo.

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    3. thetinkerman
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Rooney for me.

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  16. FPL Daniel
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Will my 11 start? I am worried about Hazard, JT potentially and Sess. Also there could come some surprise. Thoughts on this first 11 without bench basically. Can I survive?

    Mig
    Lovren JT Coleman
    Hazard Sess Rambo Whits
    Rooney (c) Kun (vc) Suarez
    bench: Ward Clyne Januzaj

    Thanks. 0;5 in the bank

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    1. Shifty
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      JT and Sess will definitely start imo.

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    2. Riddler
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Why you worried about Hazard - rotation?

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  17. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Any else think we'll be seeing another Rooney hissy fit in the next weeks as he tries to force through a move to Chelsea in the Jan window?

    Jose will be getting his stirring sticks ready.

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    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      I hope so. It will spice things up a bit.

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    2. GTS
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      I don't think so. He seems happy with United
      Plus he can't play CL football if he does leave this Jan.

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      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Yah fair point re CL, but I don't think he'll remain happy once it becomes reality there might not be UCL next season.

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    3. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      even if rooney wanted it moyes wouldnt allow it. can you imagine the uproar if a team in 9th then allowed their best available striker, arguably player, to go to chelsea!

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    4. Shifty
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      The seeds are being sowed. Talk on redcafe since last evening about Rooney's refusal to discuss an extension.

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  18. Tim Canterbury
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    News on RVP but no news on Evra?

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    1. Bubz
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      +1 would like to know this too. Did they even mention Evra?

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    2. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      evra and vidic news would be handy

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  19. The Machine
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    If you want Rooney

    Ship Aguero, not Lukaku

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    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      People are shipping Lukaku?

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    2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      yes everyone please do this......i would be very happy 😀

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    3. Valar(Keith)
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Or just get a triple everton defense and Rooney 🙂

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      1. The Machine
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Everton actually perform better at the back against the big teams

        And none of their next few opps are "big"

        😉

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  20. The Finnisher
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    About time there's a few members article's outside of the regular two (which are 2 of my favourites on the site)

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  21. mr messi
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Play Sess or take a hit to rid of Gerrard? Best replacement?

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  22. The Cisco Kid
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Just in case anyone has wondered what the injury to RVP reported this morning does to effect Rooney's numbers--particularly the goal threat, where he compared less favorably to Lukaku--here's what happens:

    In GW 12-14, when RVP was last absent, Rooney sported a cool 100% goal involvement.

    He averaged 6.7 penalty area touches, 4.0 goal attempts, 3.3 attempts in the box, 1.7 shots on target, 41.7% shot accuracy, 23.7 minutes per chance, and 25% goal conversion.

    In almost every goal threat category, Rooney improves drastically. I didn't compare the influence stats because, frankly, those threat stats tell me all I need to know. With RVP out for a month, I want Rooney in my side.

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    1. Valar(Keith)
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Thanks 😉

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    2. QPR expects... glory!
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Makes me delighted to be a Rooney owner 🙂

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  23. FBI Man
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Lampard to Gerrad this week

    Hopefully Haz and Lamps or top Pointers this xmas 😀

    Money saved

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  24. ab9
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    this rvp news screwed me. so whats the verdict? Rooney or Lukaku?

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    1. Coaly
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      it makes little difference

      still lukaku for me assuming you have suarez and aguero

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    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      You still have RvP, should have a statue named after you.

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  25. Coaly
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Redmond or Oviedo?

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    1. QPR expects... glory!
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Redmond

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  26. FBI Man
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Ment Gerrad to Lampard got in Lampard lol

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  27. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    a) Ramsey and Benteke --------------> Amalfitano and Rooney

    b) Terry and Benteke --------------> Gabidon and Rooney

    c) Terry/Ramsey and Benteke --------------------> ?????? 4.6m def or ?????5m mid and Rooney

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    1. HabitualLineSteppers
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      B.

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  28. elkunaguero
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone selling Arsenal defenders ahead of MCY and CHE?

    I need to get rid of Dawson or Mertesacker to buy Distin...

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  29. cylus11 ( Manager) - Russia…
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    RMT guys

    Gazzinga
    Walker, Mcauley, Coleman
    Ramsey, Oscar, Hazard, Ravel
    Rooney (c), Remy, Suarez
    subs: Guzan, Brady, Mert, Zab

    Does the subs look right. Should i play Guzan over Gaz and Zab/ Mert over Mcauley?

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  30. The Finnisher
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Ha, I am sick of those god damn auto-play videos on the bloody FPL page!

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