Suspensions

The Suspension Tightrope – Samba

To the cynical viewer, the glut of yellow cards this weekend will have had Christmas shopping and midweek cup tie written all over them, in ten-foot-high neon lettering, while the solitary red card smacks a little of both.

The weekend’s sending off, in the second half of Spurs’ Sunday humiliation at home to Liverpool, looked harsh from my already uncomfortable seat in the White Hart Lane stands. A high boot from Paulinho, connecting with Luis Suárez’s chest in an effort to reclaim a bouncing ball in midfield, incurred the wrath of referee Jonathan Moss, who was well within his rights to brandish red. The Brazilian is set to serve a three-match ban and will miss the Capital One Cup tie against West Ham in midweek, in addition to Gameweek 17 and 18 showdowns with Southampton and West Brom.

Also missing midweek cup action through suspension will be Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic and Spurs captain Michael Dawson. Their timely fifth yellow cards will now clear both to play through the busy Christmas league schedule without the threat of missing action. Is it too much to ask that their form will improve with the monkeys off their backs? Fans of their clubs and Fantasy managers alike will certainly hope so.

If that wasn’t enough, two more players also moved their quota of yellows past the ban threshold in Sunday action, as both Gabby Agbonlahor and Angel Rangel slipped from the tightrope. The duo picked up cautions against Manchester United and Norwich respectively and, having been knocked out of the Capital One Cup, they will serve these bans in Gameweek 17 instead – Villa, without a goal in their last two games, travel to Stoke, while Swansea face a rampant Everton.

Playing the long game in the build-up to the busy Christmas schedule, and maybe planning some time with the family through an enforced rest, there are no fewer than eight new faces donning their plimsolls and digging out their balancing sticks for Gameweek 17.

The Saturday fixtures saw fourth yellow cards for Michael Essien (in just his fourth domestic start of the season) and for Marouane Chamakh at Stamford Bridge, meanwhile at St James’ Park, bookings for Cheick Tioté and Morgan Schneiderlin meant they also clambered onto the Tightrope. Phillippe Senderos and the fit-again David Silva complete the Saturday sextet, with the latter’s caution perhaps sounding a note of caution to those looking to cover Sergio Agüero’s injury with the scheming Spaniard.

Sunday filled the final two places from the weekend, with José Cañas and Kyle Walker threatening to enforce additional rotation upon their managers as they await the draw for the next round of the squad-sapping Europa League.

Finally to close out the suspension shake-up, we have a number of players returning to the fold having served out their sequestration last weekend. Fabian Delph, Chico Flores, James McCarthy, Yohan Cabaye and Jonathan Walters are all now ready to take their places once again this week.

Anorak Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana. Follow them on Twitter

1,708 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TheBabyfacedAssassin
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    1FT. 0.9M. Paulinho and Aguero to Negredo and Hazard (-4) good transfers?

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    1. TheBabyfacedAssassin
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Krul
      Coleman, Flanno, Chicol Evans
      Ozil, Redmond, Barkley, Januzaj
      Roon, Suarez
      subs: B.Turner. Out: Aguero, Paulinho and Foster.

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      1. tm245
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Huge upgrade at mf - you can shift back and forth between 3-4-3 and 4-3-3 more easily with hazard and Ozil as your midfield constants.

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  2. tm245
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Of the over 100k who have shipped out Aguero (plus 14k who apparently had nothing better to do than ship Giroud) the likely distribution is pretty split -- 49k Rooney, 35k Suarez, 34k Negredo...Lukaku is well behind at 11k with the weekend goal darlings following behind in the low thousands. Will be interesting to see who gets more of the Aguero spots, Rooney or Negredo.

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    1. Hibbo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Getting Lukaku means a better midfield upgrade.

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    2. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      The bulk are shipping for Rooney and Negredo. Suarez is only for those late arrivals who trusted Sergio as a credible differential.

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  3. Sheffield Rules
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Welbeck or Berbatov?

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    1. Robe Wan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Neither

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      1. Breadbin
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Don't answer then.

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        1. Robe Wan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Trying to help him out

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          1. Breadbin
            • 13 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            He narrowed down his search, who are we to judge?

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            1. Robe Wan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 3 months ago

              Ha the people on the discussion?

              🙂

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    2. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Danny boy. Fancy him to do well as central striker while RVP is out.

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      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        assuming he starts, Kagawa still apparently. Could see Kagawa behind Rooney v West Ham

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        1. Breadbin
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Why wouldn't he start? He scored twice.

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          1. JK - Cønt ⭐
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            He may well start, just putting out there. With so many games close together, bound to be some rotation, so in our attack no one bar Rooney is 100% nailed

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    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      stay away

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  4. tetters
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Nasri or Silva?

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    1. Sting
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Silva

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    2. Yome
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Nasri

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  5. Robe Wan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Had a terrible day at work lads, anyone cheer me up by telling me if I should do Barkley to Walcott -4?

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    1. Sting
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      I'm doing Ravel to Walcott for -4 so yea why not. Go for it.

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      1. Robe Wan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Yolo

        Cheers soccy

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    2. Robe Wan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      It's a long termer

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    3. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah I would

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      1. Robe Wan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers bubzzzz

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  6. Messi & fabregas
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Silva VS Walcott

    With silva just one yellow card from suspension, would u bring him in or theo? i am leaning towards theo becuase of the yellow card issue

    (i think silva will get his yellow vs liverpool as he will be rested anyway vs palace at home?)

    thoughts?

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      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Theo's average position. Awesome - http://talksport.com/football/premier-league/match/2013-12-14/manchester-city-v-arsenal

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      1. Sean.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        that might swing the arguement for me 🙂

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    1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      +1

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

      Toughie.

      Wally has more fixture congestion

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  7. Optimus.
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Evening..

    Apart from the CC is there any reason not to do the boring Aguero > Rooney transfer tonight?

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    1. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      All valid points..Cheers all

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  8. rohan
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    I'm getting Rafael in this week for Terry

    Super little differential with less than 1% ownership 😎

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      I can't afford Rafa

      Evans for me, only 1.4% there

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      1. rohan
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Rafael looked great didn't he last week? United not keeping CS and I'm looking at his attacking threats. You reckon Smalling would be preferred to him? Moyes is a little unpredictable

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        1. JK - Cønt ⭐
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          No Rafa is first choice, he's out only natural in that position. I'd get him if I could afford it. Evans has decent goal threat too. Could pay off handsomely. Him being back has somewhat stunted Evra's potential as much less is now going down that side.

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          1. rohan
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            I was initially tempted by Jones and the whole OOP saga. But I think Rafael and Evans provide more value than Jones.
            The only concern would be CB's getting more baps than Full backs this season

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    2. Robe Wan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Wrong move IMO Rohan. United defence no better than Chelsea and terry is back to scoring ways

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      1. rohan
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Hmm.. But I fancied United keeping a cleanie against Villa though. I reckon they could shore things up at the back for the next 2. Plus Rafael has a threat going forward which Terry doesn't. Could go wrong but I hope it's worth a shot

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        1. Robe Wan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Go with your gut dude

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        2. The Enlightener
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          I picked up Rafael. Been tippin' him the last two days. Hopefully, not too much, though. Why tell the world of my secret move. It's out of the bag now, I guess.

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          1. rohan
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Most on here will not be touching the United defence anyway. Even if they do, they'd want Evra or Evans, I reckon 🙂

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    3. Sting
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Nice find 😀

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  9. Richd
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    My fave 'pairs' .

    ARSENAL - Ozil and Walcott
    MAN CITY - Silva and Negredo.
    EVERTON - Coleman and Lukaku

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      ramsey is almost essential at his price

      Yaya and silva for me for city

      everton is right

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      1. Woy of the Wovers
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Agree on Ramsey and Everton. Think he's right on Negredo. Like Benteke but plays for city.

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  10. andres
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Lets try again, has anyone here transfered in gary hooper?

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    1. GlasgowFF
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      No, ex Celtic.

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      1. Robe Wan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        🙂

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    2. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Soon to be

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      1. Woy of the Wovers
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Soon to be Gary Hooper? Scary!

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    3. BobB
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Yes - Hooper in for Aguero, Silva for Brady

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  11. AWOL-Ekotto
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    I really want to bring Silva to my team, but with 4 yellows i am hesitant, should i "gamble" or bring in Yaya instead?

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    1. Hurri Kane 42
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Yaya Toure Nono Silva ....

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    2. Richd
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Silva has a league cup game tommorow, but price about to rise.

      He's worth the risk imo .

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    3. Messi & fabregas
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      my thoughts in the post above

      i think i am going with theo, better fixtures as well after the chelsea match plus someone will definately have for my january wildcard team

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    4. Yome
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      I wouldn't risk bringing in Silva

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    5. Mash Potato
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Silva better value, Yaya on penalties makes the decision closer IMO

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  12. GlasgowFF
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Hope Spurs go further down the toilet now. Can't stand this short term mentality that dominates football.

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    1. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Like Rangers?

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      1. GlasgowFF
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        We never went down because of short shortsightedness. Bad financial decisions

        WATP GSTQ RTID

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        1. Breadbin
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Isn't that the epitomy of shortsightedness?

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          1. GlasgowFF
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            It was not a conscious decision though. The people running the club were under the impression that their handling of their tax affairs was perfectly above board. This was backed up by two courts in Scotland but by the time that happened the bank had squeezed the club so hard we had to go into admin.

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            1. GlasgowFF
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 3 months ago

              Anyway we currently have the best record in British football.

              The real invincibles.

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              1. GlasgowFF
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 3 months ago

                Clamped a dullian.

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

      They should have remained firm behind the manager after they got pumped 5-0 at home by a one man team.

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      1. GlasgowFF
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Sometimes that happens, I remember Rodgers taking a few beating early on and look at him now.

        Fergie as well.

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  13. Alejo - CFC
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Play

    A- Terry (Ars)
    B- Ravel (Mnu)
    C- Barkley (Swa)

    ??

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  14. Breadbin
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Choc ice or Cornetto?

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    1. GlasgowFF
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Choc Ice all the way.

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    2. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Choc ice

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    3. Parm
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Ashley Cole.

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    4. Rafabio
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Choc ice

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    5. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Thanks guys, will consider.

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  15. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    I wanted to say that watching the Liverpool game with my sound fixed on my headphones gave me goosebumps. Not just Suarez. but the team performance in general. The youngsters really stepped up into the plate with (c) Marvo missing.

    I particularly loved the crisp passing and passion for getting into positions that foxed the hardened opposition. Great running. great work rate and a great passionate team performance.

    Thoroughly deserved victory. Glorious.

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    1. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Watch us lose 0-1 to Cardiff next 🙂

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      1. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        :):

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    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      It was almost perfection, clean sheet, 5 away goals but still our finishing can improve, it could have been 9.
      Also, it's step up to the plate. 😉

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      1. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Brilliant. :):

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    3. Sting
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Was the best performance of the season. The pressing, passing, movement.

      I was assured by my friends that Spurs would 'dominate' the midfield with their 'power' trio.
      Coutinho would be bullied they said. How wrong they were.

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      1. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Best game I've seen too. Really enjoyed it.

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      2. Mash Potato
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        How did Coutinho play? I bemched him for this week?

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        1. The Enlightener
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          He was pretty poor, in my opinion. Trippin' all over himself at times, literally. I'm not sold on him for that price.

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          1. The Enlightener
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Think he's trying too hard, or something. He could well have a good gameweek against Cardiff though, so guess he wouldn't be the worst guy to have in your team.

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          2. Woy of the Wovers
            • 13 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            He was marked by the midfield that weren't covering the FBs. Decoy.

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  16. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    A) Rooney + Nasri

    B) Negredo + Walcott

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    1. GlasgowFF
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      B by a mile

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    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      rooney and walcott. downgrade somewhere else

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      1. Sting
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Even at the expense of an additional 4pt hit ?

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        1. Mash Potato
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          -8pts in total no.

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        2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          not sure about that. To be honest i'd rather have walcott and rooney if you can do the transfers over a couple of weeks

          Another hit, probably not so go negredo and walcott. Should fare you ok just make sure you have a bench

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    3. Robe Wan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      BBBBBBBBBBBB

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  17. EoinM
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Who Will score better in the next 5 weeks
    A) Lukaku
    B) Negredo
    ta

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    1. Yome
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Lukaku, City will play Liverpool

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  18. Deulo10
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    I'm probably doing Aguero to Negredo for free. Should I also do Williams to Zabaleta/Rafael (or any other def) for -4?

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  19. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    For all those transferring in Rooney now, can I ask why you didn't have hime before? Was it because you deemed other players more explosive or something?

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    1. Sting
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      He got suspended so I sold him for Lukaku.

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    2. GlasgowFF
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      I had him then moved to Aguero cos he was on four yellows, next game he got fook all and got booked.

      Got him back now mind.

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    3. Ellipsis
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      had the SAS and lukaku from day 1, Lukaku became Giroud when Mourinho barely used him, Sturridge became lukaku when injured and Giroud became Aguero about a month ago. So in my mind who I had (Suarez, Aguero, Lukaku) was the best combo for the money, now I have to get rid of Kun and Rooney presently seems the best bet and the money is obviously available now.

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  20. BigManBakar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Just about to make my transfers.Would you rather have:

    A) Roo + Wally + Williamson
    B) Roo + Silva + Williamson
    C) Neg + Wally + Zaba
    D) Neg + Silva + Zaba

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  21. wedgec
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Thinking of doing a reverse Manc-Scouse flip: Barkley & Aguero > Silva & Lukaku for -4.

    Will leave me:

    Silva Redmond Hazard Ozil Ravel
    Rooney Suarez Lukaku

    Yay or Nay?

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    1. wedgec
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      FFS The last post before a new article - I'm moving it!

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  22. New Article Posted
  23. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Aguero + Brady + Koscielny ----> Negredo + Walcott + Evans/Ward (-8)

    Worth it?

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  24. Alejo - CFC
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    A) Walcott
    B) Silva
    C) Yaya

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  25. Call Me Old Fashioned
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Taking a -4 and using Aguero transfer money to improve my mid.

    So which mid to lose -

    Whittingham
    Sess
    Ravel

    Thinking I gotta get rid of Sess really..

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Sess for me. Whitts has set-pieces in his locker (and plays, which is more than can be said for Brady) and Ravel is about West Ham's best threat right now. Sess is notoriously unrelibale and frustrating, and we don't know who the new manager will be, and what this means.

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

        Jarvis.

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  26. Ribus
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Best nailed on defender

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    1. Ribus
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      under 4.5?

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  27. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Negredo r Lukaku 4 Aguero? Have Rooney & Suarez.

    Lukaku & Silva 4 Aguero & Fer for a -4 hit r leave Silva & get Zabeleta 4 Ivanovic for a -4 hit. Conscious of Silva having 4 yellows.

    Rest of team:
    Mignolet
    Coleman, Ivan, Whitt, (Moxley, Clyne)
    Ramsey, Hazard, Barkley, Fer (Colback)

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  28. A Defender's Nightmare
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Morning 🙂

    Mignolet
    Terry ¤ Coleman ¤ Flanagan
    Hazard ¤ Walcott ¤ Mirallas ¤ Morrison
    Suarez (C) ¤ Rooney ¤ Lukaku

    Vlaar ¤ Whittingham ¤ Turner

    0 FT & 3m itb.

    Anything worth -4?

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  29. FACUPARSE
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Ivan and Cabaye out for Whittaker and Walcott??

    Ivan was always leaving my team and wally would improve my midfield

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