Members

Versus – Mata, Hazard, Sterling and Ramsey

There may be under a week left under the 2014/15 season gets underway but for many Fantasy managers, the midfield dilemma is yet to be resolved. In the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, in particular, the player price list has handed us numerous options to consider for our five-man midfields, with ten players coming in at 9.0 or over:

In this, our latest article for members, we take a look at four of the main contenders – Eden Hazard, Aaron Ramsey, Juan Mata and Raheem Sterling – currently on Fantasy radars.

Sterling has netted in two of his last four appearances and, after notching nine times last term, is backed by many to step up for Liverpool after Luis Suarez’ departure. Ramsey’s 10 goals and nine assists in just 23 appearances last season has catapulted the Welshman into the premium bracket at 9.0, with his strike in yesterday’s Community Shield handing us a timely reminder of his talents. Mata (9.0) has been one of Louis van Gaal’s star performers in the role in “the hole” in a new 3-4-1-2 formation, whilst the 10.0-priced Hazard, despite only returning to pre-season action last week, sits in 22% of squads ahead of fixtures against promoted pair Burnley and Leicester in his first two fixtures.

Casting an eye back to last season, then, we delve into the data and compare their respective displays. First up, we assess each player’s creativity and distribution.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

6,408 Comments Post a Comment
  1. @ocprodigy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Really nice article from my skim, well argued!

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    1. dribbler
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      sir paulos always delivers!!!

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  2. super zlatan
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Evening lads x

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  3. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    For those who missed it, I made a post on what players should be priced at, and which are best value here:

    http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2014/08/11/scout-report-mauricio-isla/?hc_page=1#hc_comment_7828832

    The first spreadsheet isn't brilliant for accuracy, but outlines the few best options, where as the other one is best for close comparisons and is just better on the whole.

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    1. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      If you don't want to read it all the spreadsheet is here:

      https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dTd0jWbl5tOOCqfCmuRIR3vcFZ-EkagR_1eLAtV2TPg/edit?usp=sharing

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

      It's really not that simple as points and price.

      Surely points per 90mins is more accurate?

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      1. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Not even close. Players like Jovetic and Shurrle would have warped totals.

        This takes into account the lack of starts.

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  4. Buck The Trent
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    I have all four

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    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I have 3.

      And hendo instead of sterling.

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    2. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      me too

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    3. CarelessGenius©
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Same here.....this year is the year of the Att mid.

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    4. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Can only fit in two, because of the Beast 😛

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      1. CarelessGenius©
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Drogba's injured.......;)

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        1. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          Ya^2 😉

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  5. Djerbil
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    have 3/4

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    1. The Mighty One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Same here. I've been wavering on Mata for a couple weeks...no longer...As of yesterday I'm keeping him. His score was good last year in a weird shaken up year. With stability this year he should be solid, and after 8 weeks we can reassess. Good luck.

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

    All 4 ftw

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    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Get jealous non-members. 😛

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    1. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      They're all jelly of my interactive members VORP table 😎

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        • 11 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        who what where? 🙂

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        1. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          Article has been submitted, hopefully will be published soon.

          Look in the members section at the tables for the link to the BETA chart 😉

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

        Link please?

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        1. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          I have made an article about it which has been submitted. It describes it all in detail, as it is quite confusing. This is the link to the members table which contains the link:

          http://members.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/my-stats-tables/view/5839/

          More features will be added to the table soon, and results will be refined.

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

            Cheers. Will have a look soon and it's relevance.

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            1. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              It's only BETA right now, as the only points values that were used were members projections, some of which are outdated, Yoshida for example, as you can see he is far above the rest for DEFs but now his game time will be limited due to their new CB.

              I hope to add more sheets, features, and projections in the future, before the deadline.

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    2. Mr_Partridge
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Some don't need it

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      1. Wings Fan
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        I might get membership one day, but I don't feel the compulsion to dive into the previous year's stats and over-analyse every obscure detail. FPL is meant to be fun after all

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        1. Wild Rover
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          This. I'm a member but I hardly ever read these, sometimes just skip to the conclusion 🙂

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          1. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 2 months ago

            I bought membership last season and never used it. Not once.

            This season I renewed mainly for the projections to use in my tables (see above)

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  7. asquishypotato
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Hazard and Giroud, with the spare cash being used elsewhere

    Or

    Ramsey and Costa

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    1. Wings Fan
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Ramsey and Costa

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

        It's what I have currently, but Hazard is so appealing.

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        1. Wings Fan
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          Face facts, you can't have every big hitter at this point of the season!

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

            You can try to start with! I experimented by butchering my defence to get a front 7 of

            Cesc, Mata, Ramsey, Lamela,
            Rooney, Costa, Jovetic.

            That's a fair amount of strong players.

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            1. Wings Fan
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              But even with that, you'll still fear not having Sturridge, Sanchez, Sterling, Hazard, Yaya...

              Just get the best balance you can 🙂

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  8. super zlatan
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Think I'm happy with my team.

    Can I just check with the community that van Aanholt is glued on?

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    1. Wings Fan
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      PVA is glued, but I think he's got a minor injury

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      1. super zlatan
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Likely to keep him out for the weekend?

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        1. Wings Fan
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          No idea I'm afraid, not sure if he's been assessed yet. If he has I haven't seen any info released

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          1. super zlatan
            • 13 Years
            10 years, 2 months ago

            Cheers. Will monitor. Can always switch him to Chester if he is injured?

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  9. thes7s
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Got Ramsey,Sterling and Hazard couldn't fit Mata in 🙁

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    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Mata is gona go mental on Saturday.

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      1. thes7s
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        I could go Sterling et Nasri or Mata et Coutinho

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        1. super zlatan
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          The latter

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          1. thes7s
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 2 months ago

            but I'm afraid I'll end up with no Man City cover

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            1. super zlatan
              • 13 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Can't u fit dzeko in?

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              1. thes7s
                • 10 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                I could if I have 110m hahah, Nasri is on corners and with Mangala, Kompany, Dzeko and Toure aerial threat I'd be punting on Nasri esp. if he carried on where he left last season + Nasri didn't feature in WC, fresh legs.

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                1. super zlatan
                  • 13 Years
                  10 years, 2 months ago

                  Decent argument for keeping nasri.
                  And he could also be a nice differential.

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                  1. thes7s
                    • 10 Years
                    10 years, 2 months ago

                    FPL needs Zlatan, he'll get 100% ownership no matter how much he'd cost.

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                    1. super zlatan
                      • 13 Years
                      10 years, 2 months ago

                      U are right about that.
                      I am zlatan.
                      I am the best.
                      😉

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                      1. thes7s
                        • 10 Years
                        10 years, 2 months ago

                        He would have been in Arsenal but Zlatan doesn't do auditions. What a lad!!

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            2. Wings Fan
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 2 months ago

              Ignore cover, let's face it, whoever you get in now will probably only be a placeholder for Aguero!

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              1. thes7s
                • 10 Years
                10 years, 2 months ago

                Naah he's an injury magnet, gave me migraines last season.

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    2. copps
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      mata is my first choice is midfield

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

      Mata is one of two players (the other Rooney) that is guaranteed in my team.

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      1. Wings Fan
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        This

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  10. waltzingmatildas
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Nice article, thanks. Think I'll be going with hazard (possibly fabregas), ramsey and mata.

    Is Bojan an option in order to be able to afford it?!

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    1. copps
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      im considering having bojan as a non-rotator. bit risky but his fixtures are:
      AVL, hul, city, LEI, qpr, NEW, sun, SWA

      would open up a load of value elsewhere

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  11. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    3/4 missing Sterling

    More annoying missing Eriksen

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    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      What's your midfield looking like JK?

      Fancy comparing?

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      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Mata, Haz, Ramsey, Siggy, Marney

        would also like some City cover but I haven't got spare funds to upgrade Austin, so it's Costa or Dzeko

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        1. super zlatan
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          Same midfield as me only I have hendo instead of Siggy.

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    2. Sweetpea
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      eriksen may not be the spurs best milf choice this year

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

    so mata haz rambo sterling for no originality or faith in the new boys 😉

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    1. kalmoffit
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Sure, wait to see what the new boys can do.

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  13. Ginkapo FPL
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Spreadsheet fixture ticker. Aka safe for work?

    RMT

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

    Would like to see Yaya compared here too, anyone?

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    1. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I will be submitting an article about Yaya soon

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    2. Demí
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Not for me. Think he operates in a totally different way. He's not an attacker. Half his goals from set pieces too.

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  15. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Start Siggy in 3-4-3 or Wisdom in a 4-3-3 ❓

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    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Siggy

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      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        even with Evans?

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        1. Count of Monte Hristo
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          Maybe Andre then, pray for that CS 😉

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    2. Heydudes13
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      You know I didn't even bother to see who Wisdom was playing until this post, has a bloody strong fixture as it so happens! 😀

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      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Indeed, but I'm also playing PvA so I'd need a 0-0.

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        1. Heydudes13
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          I would play Wisdom over PvA.

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

        He does. 🙂

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    3. Snikii
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      i was just about to ask that lol i think i feel like wisdom, is it to risky

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    4. kalmoffit
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I think Sunderland will score. Siggurdsson

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    5. MagnetBPS
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Siggy

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  16. FF Dirtbag
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    How does this team look?

    Speroni Myhill
    Evans Pieters Mariappa Naylor Wisdom
    Mata Ramsey Fabregas Siggy Davis
    Rooney Costa Dzeko

    Main question: is the defence good enough?

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    1. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Our dedicated RMT thread is the best place for team advice http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2014/08/11/rate-3/

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  17. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Your favourite?

    a) Forster + Green

    b) Speroni + Green

    c) Krul + Foster

    d) Krul + Elliott

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      e) Bego and 4.0

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    2. FANTASY KING
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      CA

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      1. FANTASY KING
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        I just meant C

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

      F) Begovic and Green

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      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Forster and Green is MUCH better rotation IMO

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        1. TOKAMAK
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          what happened to julio cesar, i thought qpr recalled him

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    4. Waterwheel Inc.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I'm personally unconvinced about West Brom, but C sure looks good on the ticker and RMT.

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

      B if Speroni is a certain starter if not for the same funds you could have DDG+4m?

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

        im sticking by spereeni

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

    A) Evans, Sterling Costa

    OR

    B) Chester, Eriksen, Sturridge

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    1. Waterwheel Inc.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I like A. Don't feel Sturridge is worth the price.

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    2. The Iron Tulip
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      A, easily.

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

      A

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  19. Waterwheel Inc.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Bah. Had Ramsey, Mata and Sterliing . . . Now I want Hazard too. So . . . Help? Please?

    Costa & 5m mid

    or

    Hazard & Bojan

    Or potentially another option involving Fabregas? On Costa and JWP at the moment, definitely leaves a more flexible looking team than with another big mid.

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    1. Coach Taylor
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I went for Hazard & Bojan personally

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      1. Waterwheel Inc.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers. Bojan certainly makes more appeal than any 5m mid, but in a really stupid way I think I should avoid Bojan because I'll be tempted to try and be clever and bench a far bigger player for him when I get a bad feeling about a fixture.

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        1. Coach Taylor
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          If you're thinking that way, I guess Weimann would happily sit on your bench!

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  20. Piggs Boson
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Great article. Some of those numbers are quite surprising...

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    1. Heydudes13
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      You tease. 😉

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

    Hmmm. Interesting. Thanks, Paul.

    It appears that I have the right two! 😀

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    1. Heydudes13
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Ah, cheers mate! 😀

      Sterling eh...

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

        🙂 ... and Ramsey. S & M, as it were. 😉

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        1. JK - Cønt ⭐
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 2 months ago

          and no Chelsea attack?

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    2. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Ramsey + Mata 😎

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

        If you like. 🙂

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  22. DanM8
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Please help 4 big hitting midfielders but weaker defence, or more balanced....

    DDG Myhill
    Caulker Ward
    Fabregas Ramsey Boyd Eriksen
    Rooney Costa Bojan

    Cahill Lovern Debuchy Sigurdsson

    OR Aspi/Luis Wisdom Chambers Mata

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    1. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      Our dedicated RMT thread is the best place for team advice http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2014/08/11/rate-3/

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  23. The Iron Tulip
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Which 1 -

    A) Fabs and Sterling
    B) Hazard and Hendo

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    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      I have b.
      But a looks nice

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

      b

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

      A

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    4. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      A

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    5. Waterwheel Inc.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      A. The gulf between Sterling and Hendo will be far greater than Haz and Fab imo.

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      1. Pizarro World
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        I would just like to say thank you for not only answering the question, but also providing a reason why. I wish more people would follow your lead.

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  24. rocrocodile
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    To me, these numbers scream out for a Hazard/Mata/Costa/Rooney combo. I think they (along with Ramsey) are all pretty much nailed on for me now.

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    1. Mouldmaster
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 2 months ago

      You think Hazard is nailed on for week 1? I'm worried Mou gives him the last 30 mins.

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  25. super zlatan
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    @jk.

    Why don't u have hendo for gw1 then trade in Siggy for gw2?

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  26. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    was all set on no mata, now I am thinking of getting him back.....so difficult

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  27. Leaf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    This part of the season is mad

    Walk to the shop ...come up with new plan . Get home to check I can afford it

    ...and it's always 0.5 to expensive 🙂

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

      i always come out of here with a different team....... like walkin into b&q for a bag of nails and comin out with tungsten tipped screws, a pressure washer and car deodoriser

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      1. Leaf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 2 months ago

        🙂 , that's listening to the 'experts' on the information counter

        Who have never nailed anything

        ...analogy

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  28. Coach Taylor
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    Hey guys, I'm currently having this argument with myself regarding my team. Currently have:
    Krul/Guzan
    Debuchy/Ward/Van Aanhalt/Wisdom/Hutton
    Sanchez/Hazard/Mata/Eriksen/Siggy
    Rooney/Dzeko/Bojan

    I was considering changing Eriksen to Sterling and changing Dzeko to Ade. That would leave me with no City cover and would have to try find an extra 0.5 for Sterling. Would it be worth it?

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  29. SGTMacaroni
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 2 months ago

    What a fantastic article - top notch writing paul

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