[sbu_large_image] Podcast
14 October 2010 602 comments
Granville Granville
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That’s 40 down, just 255 to go before we beat that “Last of the Summer Wine” episode target. We’re only 7 behind on jokes though – the 213 mentions of wrinkled stockings only count once.

Fresh from the international break, Mark and I leave Andy and Akers behind to sneak back into the studio, only to find that someone has pilfered out podcasting furniture. Improvising with some handy white goods, the show goes on to bring you the usual array of regulars that inludes another “Miffed” from my good self, a bandwagon round-up in “All Aboard” and of course the “Weekend Preview” in which we desperately try to snuggle up to Mark Lawrenson high up on the pundit prediction fence.

Help yourself to this aural treat via this link and explore the other 39 episodes right here.

Alternatively you can stream the goodness direct using the player below.

Editors NoteThis podcast mentions both Man City’s Kolarov and Arsenal’s Fabregas before we got today’s news. Sadly we failed to find our crystal ball and our time machine was on the blink.

Granville I\'ve got the blood of poets and lovers in my veins. Follow them on Twitter

602 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Lanley Staurel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    Eh?

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  2. The Gambler.
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    COOL!

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  3. mr messi
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    Oh so nearly first

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    1. jamsiep
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      No one remember a runner up, and you weren't even that. 😉

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  4. The Gambler.
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    guys do i leave this defence, or make a change..........no money in bank!!

    L Young
    Konchesky*
    Alex*
    Stam
    Alcaraz*

    3 doubtful, one vs Chelsea and one that doesnt start!!

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      I'd get one definite starter in, probably for Konchesky.. Jones?

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      1. The Gambler.
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 4 months ago

        Stam > Williamson?

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      2. The Gambler.
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 4 months ago

        that what you did?

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      3. Lanley Staurel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        15 years, 4 months ago

        No. Konchesky is due to play but Alex is very doubtful.

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        1. The Gambler.
          • 16 Years
          15 years, 4 months ago

          konchesky "should" play, alex def out

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          1. Lanley Staurel
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            15 years, 4 months ago

            That as well.

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    2. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      Alcarez > Gohouri would give you spare 0.4m

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  5. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    Oh what to do now, stupidly believed the Fab tweets and brought him in for Gerrard! I am loathe to take a points hit, as did loads last season, but none so far this one. Will my team do with Fabs on the bench?/

    Hart/(Foster)
    ACole/Jones/Williamson/ShawX
    Malouda/AJohnson/Bale/Nolan
    Carroll/Drogba

    subs in order
    Fabs/Odemingie/Konchesky

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    1. The Gambler.
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      why did you do it early? no need!!!!!!!!!!!

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      1. Egg noodle
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 4 months ago

        i like reading such absolutely useless comments like this ^^ xD

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      2. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        15 years, 4 months ago

        Ah, another master of hindsight!

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      3. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 4 months ago

        I assumed there would be a lot of Gerrard to Fabs madness and due to Fabs statements that it was a definite starter.
        Oh well maybe Arsene is pulling a fast one?!

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  6. Ronny17
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    is dann > mummy sensible give i have foster GK?

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    1. The Gambler.
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      I would say so.

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      1. thehodge
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 4 months ago

        Yep

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  7. Merlinho
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    So...O'Shea in for Alex me thinks.

    I was planning Fab in for Gerrard but now scratch that, the question is do I bring in Nani for him instead for a 4 pointer?

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    1. The Gambler.
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      then another 4 pointer to get fabs in for GW9 or GW10?

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    2. Damo.
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      O'shea seems to be a bit of a doubt this weekend man

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      1. jamsiep
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 4 months ago

        Really? As in an injury doubt? Or do people just think that Rafael may get a start instead?

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        1. AP
          • 16 Years
          15 years, 4 months ago

          Hah stop hoping, he's fine.

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          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            15 years, 4 months ago

            Have you pulled the trigger already? 😯

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            1. AP
              • 16 Years
              15 years, 4 months ago

              I've made a transfer yeah, but it's not O'Shea or Fabregas related...

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        2. Damo.
          • 16 Years
          15 years, 4 months ago

          Ah no just think he might be a doubt to start so might not be worth the transfer.

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        3. The Gambler.
          • 16 Years
          15 years, 4 months ago

          havent seen anything on oshea injury anyway

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        4. Granville
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          15 years, 4 months ago

          Something has got to give with Evra returning.

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        5. Ibracadabra
          • 16 Years
          15 years, 4 months ago

          Oshea should start. Bursaspor are worse than WBA so Rafael will get that game on Wednesday at Old Trafford.

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          1. AP
            • 16 Years
            15 years, 4 months ago

            +1

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      2. Merlinho
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 4 months ago

        Any other suggestions on a solution to Alex?

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  8. BONZ
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    suppose those that wold carded are fortunate - they can simply replace and keep the £s in the vank for Fab - but those who saved up and done early - well be gutted.

    Fair play Gooners having a ruff time of it so far this season with injuries - rumour has is Wenger looking for a big name signing soon - another Physio!!

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  9. Samurai Scooby
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    Dudes, who would you play between bale and davies? really struggling with this decision. Don't feel comfortable with bale on the bench, but then davies is at home. Suggestions greatly appreciated, thanks.

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    1. The Gambler.
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      1 transfer already?

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      1. Samurai Scooby
        • 15 Years
        15 years, 4 months ago

        Ye, harper out and krul in. Did it to avoid the price drop.

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        1. Egg noodle
          • 16 Years
          15 years, 4 months ago

          argh i completely missed on his pricedrop. was too complacent that krul wasnt gona go up, forgot to check if harper was going down lol

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    2. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      Bale, so when VDV does crap you can gloat

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    3. Lew
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      Bale x4million.

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  10. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    My propsed wildcard defence is:
    Foster (Gilks)
    O'Shea, (Gohouri), Elmo, Jara, (Simpson)

    Spare 0.3m in the bank.

    Considering Boateng instead of O'Shea

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    1. thehodge
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      It looks very frail but i cant say much with a defence of:
      Hahnemann Foster
      Mummy Sahwx Boateng Enrique Jones

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      1. ViperStripes
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 4 months ago

        Gilks is there to make some money, already made 0.1 and when goes to 4.2 will sell.

        Elmo and Jara are scoring well
        Simpson could be a bargain
        Gohouri has good stats per Aerial duels article
        O'Shea is best defender I can afford

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        1. HuttonDressedasLahm
          • 16 Years
          15 years, 4 months ago

          Surely with the benefit of a wildcard you would have three home defenders this weekend?!

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  11. The relentless pursuit of p…
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    Who would you play this weekend, Albrighton or Givet?

    Was thinking Givet(and hope for clean sheet) but then I read this:
    http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/10/10/14/SOCCER_Villa_Albrighton.html

    and now Im not so sure...

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    1. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      Albrighton: "Every player in that (Chelsea) team is a world class player..."

      Do you reckon he's heard of Obi-Wank Mikel?

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      1. Damo.
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 4 months ago

        Granville forgot to say it the last time you were on. Gorgeous picture in your Ryder Cup gravatar. Can you give me ur opinion on something there man (or anyone else who has young kids) My daughter is 1.5 now and she's just tearing around. Now, my girlfriend wants to get one of those harness thingys for her but I think there like a lead and a bit degrading for poor Belle but she argues that considering Belle just wants to be out of the buggy all the time now is it not just as degrading to have her strapped in constantly.

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      2. jamsiep
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 4 months ago

        While Mikel may not be a 'world class player', he definitely been one of our best players this season...

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    2. Samurai Scooby
      • 15 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      Givet. BB at home to any1, barring maybe chelsea, is a really good chance of a cleanie.

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      1. The relentless pursuit of p…
        • 15 Years
        15 years, 4 months ago

        I was thinking that, but then they have only had the one cleanie this season... are they due another or...

        Bah! Im going with Givet! 🙂

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  12. Laser314
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    Yes - the podcast returns!

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    1. The Gambler.
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      where?

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  13. treely123
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    on wildcard so who to get in forfab
    can just get him in next week anyway
    was thinking milner

    midfield now:

    vdv. nani. mal. adam. ?

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    1. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      Nasri

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  14. m165
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    I have Alex and Sagna out. Sagna is predicted out for longer on FPL, and the next drop would probably see me start losing money, so I think he must go first!

    Defenders I'm thinking of:
    1) Elmohamady
    2) Samba / Jones - Fixtures not brilliant
    3) Williamson - Would mean 3 Newcastle, but I'd get rid of Nolan probably!
    4) Faye / Shawcross

    Any opinions? Cheers!

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    1. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      Elmo

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  15. Samurai Scooby
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    Am leaning more towards bale. Some menitoned him being due a rest, and with inter around the corner, and two full international games just played it may be this weekend. Thoughts? rubbish, or plausible? It's whats got me second guessing playing him over davies.

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    1. Samurai Scooby
      • 15 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      F-ing hate it when the reply function doesn't work. Sorry.

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  16. BONZ
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    Any news on Elmohamady....i heard a whisper he may be missing due to international - that was back last week but not heard a peep since? Any news...

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    1. Bigo1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      He is only a doubt vs Villa (Egypt play a friendly that week end)

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  17. NLB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    Sorry for the repost, but about to pull the trigger (not going to be around before deadline)
    Foster Krul
    Alex Konchesky Hughes Shawcross Jara
    Gerrard Malouda Bale Davies Barton
    Drogba Tevez Carroll
    1.2 in the bank

    GW8: Alex, Bale => Elmo, Nani (first 4 pt hit…)

    Anyone want to reinforce/oppose my transfers?
    Cheers guys

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    1. Noon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      why not just do Gerrard to Nani, no hit?

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      1. NLB
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 4 months ago

        I think Elmo is a season keeper, and I don't want to have to play Jara. Also I'll have to take a hit anyway to get Nani in with enough funds for Fabregas later, so may as well do it now.
        I'm hoping Gerrard will play well with it being a derby and all

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  18. Goose
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    Apart from the merits of making money in the internatinal break I'm glad I didn't play my WC now as it seems to make more sense to play it in GW 10.

    If I'd played it this week I would have had to leave money for Fabs plus now I can give Bale two more weeks (potentially at LM) see if thinks pick up with Liverpool so I can decide on Konchesky plus I can make a decision on Cleverley Davies and Gohouri.

    Now I don't no what to do tho this week with 2 frees:

    Jaas Foster
    A.Cole Konchesky Samba Gohouri Jara
    Malouda Davies Nani Bale Cleverley
    Drogba Carroll Torres

    2 mil in the bank.

    Any suggestions?

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    1. BONZ
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      tevez for torres
      elmo for gohouri

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      1. Goose
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 4 months ago

        Actually not a bad option, cheers for the suggestion.

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  19. NeatBourbon
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    Hahnemann
    K. Toure, O’Shea, P.Jones
    Nani(C) Malouda, Bale, S.Davies
    Tevez, Drogba, Carroll

    Foster, Barton, Shawcross, Jara
    3.3M in bank, no free transfer left

    Two Questions: Correct line-up? Any transfer worth -4 points? Money was for Fabs

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  20. Samurai Scooby
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    Haha unlucky. Ye he was 80 off % for a couple of days i think, so i did the transfer just in case. Apparently on TFP players seem to drop anytime after exceeding about 70 or 80 %.

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    1. Samurai Scooby
      • 15 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      Ah fok, again. Every 2nd post refuses to actualy reply. Sorry if It's bothering anybody.

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  21. Syd.
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    Gary Glitter has sped off to Chile, only place where you can slide a minor up and down your shaft and get applauded for it

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    1. Marknlard
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      That joke is trying so hard it's dripping in sweat.

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      1. Goose
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 4 months ago

        But funny so who cares! 🙂

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  22. Bobadoba
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    Who is more atacking between Adam and Petrov? Need one of them.

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  23. PFOR
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    "This podcast mentions both Man City’s Kolarov and Arsenal’s Fabregas before we got today’s news."

    What happened to Kolarov?

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    1. Lew
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      I have the same question. Kolarov?!?!

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        1. PFOR
          • 15 Years
          15 years, 4 months ago

          Shame I was looking forward to getting him in.

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          1. ViperStripes
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            15 years, 4 months ago

            Me too...think he'll be a bargain and bandwagon when he's back

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    2. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 19 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      All in Injuries and Bans and Team News linked in the top menu.

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  24. Tanglebrain
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    Lastest on Jags??

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    1. Hughes the Daddy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      Think Fabs situation is a bit of a cruel but necessary fantasy lesson for those that brought him in. It was always going to be doubtful that he played despite what peeped into the press and to bring him in against Birmingham (a tough team to break down) then away to Man C is in my opinion pretty daft.

      This only being my first full fantasy season last year i quickly learned: don't just do a big transfer cause loads of people are posting it's "essential". Put your brain into gear and think it through for yourself first. Anyone who did would have been planning to wait till GW10.

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      1. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 4 months ago

        Agreed. Good post.

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        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          15 years, 4 months ago

          No it isn't, it's yet another king of hindsight post! And I don't like being told I didn't have my brain in gear by some one 105K places below me in the league.

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          1. Hughes the Daddy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            15 years, 4 months ago

            not hindsight mate, i saw it coming a mile away. take it like a man.

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            1. The Bandit
              • 15 Years
              15 years, 4 months ago

              Good for you, pity you didn't share the info with us earlier.

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              1. Goose
                • 16 Years
                15 years, 4 months ago

                Wild, u better hope u finish somewhere near where u r now the amount of times u throw about how high your ranked! It's early days yet! 😉

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              2. Hughes the Daddy
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 16 Years
                15 years, 4 months ago

                just my opinion. if you deem it not valid cause i'm below you currently in the standings then so be it. not the way i look at things and tbh a pretty cheap dig but i'll stop talking to you now and let you get on with seeking out the opinions of those above (and wiser than) you - of which i'm sure there are many.

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                1. The Bandit
                  • 15 Years
                  15 years, 4 months ago

                  Of course you are entitled to your opinion and I do not rate peoples opinion by their ranking, many a good suggestion is made by people who for many reasons have yet to kickstart their season. I don't however like being told I didn't have my brain in gear because I made a decision based on good info that Fab will start (he may well yet) by someone with great hindsight.

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      2. ViperStripes
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 4 months ago

        People jumped in because "only" 11.8 he'll rocket once back in full play

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        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          15 years, 4 months ago

          +1, and because we made a judgement based on Fabs own tweet. Don't rule him out yet either!

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          1. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            15 years, 4 months ago

            Yeah, that would be funny if he played after all.

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  25. Gylfi Sigurdsson < That&…
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    Is anyone considering benching/transfering MALOUDA this week?

    Possible reasons why:
    *Low scoring in away matches (except Wigan away where he scored +9)
    *Possible rotation risk inbetween champ league matches
    *The possible returns of Lamps & Fabregas vs City next week
    *Owned by over 40% of fantasy managers, in need of differenial?

    What are your thoughts on these factors

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    1. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      Not even vaguely considering it

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    2. Oliver Reed
      • 15 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      kalou is out so hes a guaranteed starter so no. But am considering swapping him for vdv in the next few weeks to free up some cash. Will see if he starts to get rotated first though...

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      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 4 months ago

        No Kalou, No Benayoun=no rotation

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      2. Gylfi Sigurdsson < That&…
        • 15 Years
        15 years, 4 months ago

        Yes Malouda is certain to start this week but when kalou is fit and having an impact from the bench, he will get his chance to shine in starting XI.

        With Malouda rested for champ league match.

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  26. andy85wsm
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    Theres a reason hes owned by 40%

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    1. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      reply to general

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      1. Gylfi Sigurdsson < That&…
        • 15 Years
        15 years, 4 months ago

        Malouda has had a good season so far but with many managers using wildcards over international breaks, they are considering selling malouda to bring in fabregas in near future. The reasons being many managers wouldn't captain malouda over drogba every week and financial constraints means they can't have both malouda, fabregas & drogba in same team.

        40178 managers has transfered malouda this gamewk.

        In response to your comment, is there a reason why bale is selected by 47% of fantasy managers when he has averaged 2pts in last 5 games?

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  27. Twelve years a slave
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    The first international break was the best time to use wildcard. So many players did double rises , this break has been very poor for money grabers

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    1. The Gambler.
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      there were only 2 or 3 in fact

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    2. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      NTI's today have been much higher, so expect tomorrow's to be even higher and Saturday mornings huge.

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  28. Khal Drogba
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    anyone know how you burn the scout cast on to a cd? it keeps just going to windows media player and won't let me burn it cos of burn rights or something!

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    1. Holy See
      • 15 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      Click play, click 'i', click download, save. 'Should be' that simple 😉

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      1. Khal Drogba
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 4 months ago

        Its not though! just brings it to windows media!

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        1. Holy See
          • 15 Years
          15 years, 4 months ago

          Try it now. Downloaded it. Not that I'd be listening to that rubbish 😉 😉 JOKE!

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  29. Oliver Reed
    • 15 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    are any of you lot planning on having fabs and lamps?

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    1. Just One More Thing
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      Fabs but no Lamps again this season - it cost me a few points choosing Fat Frank over Malouda early doors.

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    2. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      Surely that would compromise most teams, unlikely to be able to get many other double digit players in, e.g. Drogba, Tevez

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      1. Oliver Reed
        • 15 Years
        15 years, 4 months ago

        it is do'able, if thats a word...

        foster/carson
        Dann kolorov konchesky perch foley
        fabs lamps adam ethers nzog
        tevez drogba odemwingie...

        for me it would mean..

        nani>adam
        malouda>lamps
        jones>kolorov

        and maybe dann> mummy as well...

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        1. In Like Flynn.
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          15 years, 4 months ago

          Looks potentially brilliant O.R. but it's all a bit eggs and baskets for my nervous temperament. 🙂

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  30. StormYouDown
    • 16 Years
    15 years, 4 months ago

    For my keepers I currenlty have Foster and Hahne...

    any advice on which other keepers rotate well for the up and coming fixtures?

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    1. Oliver Reed
      • 15 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      Budget Goalkeeper Combos


      I have been carrying out a little fixture analysis to try and find out who is going to be this years Hart/Sorensen combination and I think I may have cracked it, well, at least a few options worth considering. I have devised a way to put a numerical figure on how well each team works together, I call this the Rotation Rating. So if you have a minute or two to read this article then you may find some of it useful!

      Rotation Rating Explained


      When rotating players it is important that when they have a tricky fixture a certain week there is a backup player to come in who has a much more favourable match that could bring in a decent points haul, this much is obvious, but putting it into a comparable numerical figure is slightly more difficult.

      The basis of the Rotation Rating was to give each fixture a Fixture Rating from 1 to 5 (1 - Very Easy, 2 - Easy, 3 - 50/50, 4 - Hard, 5 - Very Hard), using this it would be possible to pinpoint which two teams fixtures alternate best with one another to find the best budget keeper combo for the 2010/11 season.

      To start with I cut to one side all the difficult fixtures of rating 4 or 5 (ie. matches that you would want to rotate your player) for a certain team, lets say Team A, for the whole season and placed them alongside all the other teams in the league to check how they well matched against them for those specific gameweeks. If they correlated well, then these would be mostly easy fixtures (ie rated 1 or 2), if they didn't then they would more 4 or 5 rated fixtures. Using this principle I took an average of each teams Fixture Ratings during the gameweek's in which Team A have difficult fixtures to see which have the easiest run of games. The teams that came out with the lowest values are that of which have the most consistent run of favourable fixtures throughout the season and therefore best candidates to rotate your player from Team A with.

      A rough figure that came out being a good 'fixture rating' value was around 2.5 , meaning somewhere in between Easy and a 50/50 was the average value of the other team whilst Team A was having a hard or very game that gameweek and therefore an obvious option to rotate.

      Budget Keepers Combo's: The Candidates


      Below is a list of goalkeeping combinations that have been found to rotate well together and are 9.5m or below in value. Each pairing will be compared with the following statistics for the season:


      Cost - combined cost for both goalkeepers
      Rotation rating - value calculated from method above
      Home and Away rotations - number of games where Team A has a home game whilst Team B is playing away, or visca versa
      Fixture Clashes - number of problematic gameweeks where both teams play a hard or very hard (rated 4 or 5 for difficulty) at the same time
      Clean Sheets - clean sheet statistics for the 2009/2010 season



      Foster & Hahnemann
      Cost: £9m
      Rotation Rating: 2.65
      Home & Away Rotations: 34
      Fixture Clashes: 4
      Clean Sheets: 11 + 8

      As long as both Birmingham and Wolves avoid the dreaded second season syndrome this duo should be a winning partnership. Birmingham showed many impressive defensive displays last season and will hope to build on that with former England number one Ben Foster in goal. Wolves only managed 32 goals last season, the least in the league, but ensured a second year in the Premiership with several vital defensive shut outs.

      Foster & Harper
      Cost: £9m
      Rotation Rating: 2.66
      Home & Away Rotations: 26
      Fixture Clashes: 3
      Clean Sheets:11 + 22(CH)

      Foster could also be paired with Newcastle’s Steve Harper who kept a clean sheet virtually every other game in the Championship as they strolled back into the Premier League after a year away. If Newcastle turn St. James’ Park into a mini-fortress they could well be a good alternative pairing if Wolves fail to provide the goods.

      Green & Gilks
      Cost: £9m
      Rotation Rating: 2.25
      Home & Away Rotations: 32
      Fixture Clashes: 0
      Clean Sheets:11 + 16(CH)

      If you are brave enough to trust Blackpool’s defence (or Rob Green for that matter) then with a bit of luck this could well be a good pairing. Clean sheets may not be a regular occurrence but the saves points will come in and with their fixtures rotating almost perfectly they could well be worth a shot.

      Sorensen & Jaaskelainen
      Cost: £9.5m
      Rotation Rating: 2.69
      Home & Away Rotations: 30
      Fixture Clashes: 4
      Clean Sheets:14 + 5

      Stoke are renowned for their negative defensive style of play and are reliable sources of clean sheets, they notched up a total of 14 last season which was the 5th highest in the league. Bolton will be hoping to improve defensively this season, they only managed 5 clean sheets but these were all under Coyle after he became manager after the sacking of Gary Megson just before the New Year, which could be a good sign for the season ahead.

      Schwarzer & Robinson
      Cost: £9.5m
      Rotation Rating: 2.44
      Home & Away Rotations: 20
      Fixture Clashes: 3
      Clean Sheets: 12 + 13

      Fulham and Blackburn kept an impressive 25 clean sheets between them last season and with both Schwarzer and Robinson both being experienced goalkeepers playing for established Premiership sides, this pairing could be a stable option to rotate. Although their fixtures rotate well they do only alternate home and away in 20 of the 38 matches in the season.

      Schwarzer & Gordon
      Cost: £9.5m
      Rotation Rating: 2.59
      Home & Away Rotations: 30
      Fixture Clashes: 4
      Clean Sheets: 12 + 7

      Fulham also rotate well with Sunderland throughout the season, with 30/38 fixtures alternating between home and away and a good rotation rating of 2.59. Gordon will be sidelined for the first month or two of the season so Schwarzer could also be paired with his backup Simon Mignolet, who is £0.5m cheaper.

      Also:

      Foster & Jaaskelinen
      Cost: £9m
      Rotation Rating: 3.29
      Home & Away Rotations: 26
      Fixture Clashes: 8
      Clean Sheets: 11 + 5

      This pairing has been a popular choice over the last few weeks while people tinker with their team up until the gameweek 1 deadline, so I thought I’d give the Birmingham/Bolton pairing an analysis as well.

      The teams fixtures pair up quite well for the early part of the season but there are several fixture clashes across the season which will leave you in a bit of trouble in the hunt for clean sheet points. For instance gameweeks 20-21 have tricky fixture pairings of (BIR v mun & CHE v bol - GW20) and (BIR v ars & LIV v bol - GW21). This pairing has such a high rotation rating as fixture clashes like this happen 8 times over the season where they both have a hard fixture at the same time (rated 4 or 5). This is more than the pairings suggested above and therefore the reasoning behind why I haven't recommended it as an option.


      However these combinations are obviously not foolproof, if the team your chosen goalkeeper comes from ends up struggling this season then their output is going to naturally be less than that of a successful team. The fixture analysis is more of a conclusion of which fixture pairings have the best potential, choosing your goalkeeping combo is down to you!

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      1. DickFranDyke
        • 16 Years
        15 years, 4 months ago

        Good post apart from you are missing 2 budget keepers who are very viable options and probably better than those pairings and cheaper.

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    2. Oliver Reed
      • 15 Years
      15 years, 4 months ago

      although it doesnt actually tell you which ones are best for each fixture!...

      i wrote that myself 😉

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      1. In Like Flynn.
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        15 years, 4 months ago

        WOW! O.R that's an amazing bit of work good for a 2.2 at least. 🙂

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