assist Baines

I can think of another word beginning with c to describe Baines after the number of times he stung me last season.

2 Chelsea defenders? Seems a waste especially if Alex is fit.

Too much money in defence for my tastes. Downgrade the 1 or 2 defenders you don't intend to play and upgrade at least one of your mids and one of your forwards.

Also, neither Luiz or Ivanovic are nailed on starters at the moment. It might become clear before the season starts, but at the moment, it's not. Alex and Boswinga may feature.

the points you made for each position are exactly in line with mine.

Keepers identical, but that appears to be a "given" for most.

two big everyweek def, i have komapany as well, going baines over cole

have vdv taarabt and sinclair-no chelsea

i have one forward worth 10 mil and it will be either suarez or carroll.

I definitely think flexibility is key early on but you are going to want some (more) Chelsea players in fairly soon. Can maybe make do with just Cole for GW1 and then swap out Rodalllega?

I don't see any issues with any of the individual picks but 5m is too much to leave in the bank. You could replace a player at a mid table team with a star player at a top club which, selection depending, should get you more points. You can also then sell said star player to get the flexibility back.

ditch vidic, too much cash in defence. spend it on upgrading mulumbu

Barkley assist*

did i mention baines was class? if arteta is hurt to start the season i dont see how you can afford to keep him off your squad. Im invested either way.

the VDV hatred returns.

i will say it again,

when VDV is in form and fresh he is a FREAK

FIXTURES SCHMIXTURES!!!

you know what, that might be my new team name

I seem to remeber he scored against Everton at the lane last season but i take your point, their start is tough..... like

I wont be here tomorrow... fancy reserving a spot for me? 🙂

Are you going to do better this season Fran?

If i'm getting Baines, i won't be getting beckford.

I've seen one or two RMTs with him included alright, and to be fair, not a bad shout at all.

Ben Arfa, Hoolahan, a WBA midfielder (Dorrans/Tchoyi) or a Wigan midfielder (Moses/Watson) seem to be the most popular choices - there aren't many others to be fair.

ben arfa

If his injury isn't serious then Ben Arfa stands out at 5.5m. Tchoi is 5.5 and would be a gamble that could pay off if he gets regular playing time in an advanced position, which has been suggested. Some people have talked about Hoolahan at 5.5 though I know nothing about him. Moses at 5 is risky but Wigan have a good start to the season.

Shawcross has terrible opening fixtures. Tchoyi not nailed on to start (so I've been told).

Van Der Vaart has a tasty body but Lampard's boyish good looks do it for me everytime.

Probably best buy for mid/forward city players... not 100% clear but he should be back for day 1 of the season.

Only reliable offensive player on the team with the best first 4 fixtures. And he takes pens and set pieces for said team.

That...and he was FAR from gash last year. When healthy, he scored well.

Good fixtures and a nailed on starter, can you say that for any of the expensive strikers?

True, he did pick up a nasty gash but when he finally got over his injury it didn't take him long to recapture his goalscoring form and have a superb final few months of the season.

That should have read 55 last year

With Bent establishing, it's would be hard to justify more than 6.5 for Agbonlahor considering Zamora , Odemingue would be easier picks..

but I hear your thinking

Yes, don't panic. Just wait until closer to kick off. Your team will no doubt look completely different by then anyway.

Reading it like this. I'm not a huge fan.

How many games will you give Torres and Rooney misfiring....
I'd be happier trusting Robin and Darren

Could you consider Van De Vaart for silva ?

Albrighton could be a damp squib...with Sess or Taraabt starting strong....

I would drop Orr and spend that extra .5 on Clint Hill and play him the first 6 games.

Defense looks alright, perhaps needs one more midrange value player.

Not convinced by that midfield at all. Nasri will either move, or his heart won't be in it. Silva doesn't entice me as a fantasy prospect for the value, Ben Arfa is a crock and may take some time to settle this season. Albrighton is a tad overvalued and his returns will probably dimish if/when n'zog join.

Torres will need to convince me he's returned to form before I even think about going near him. I'd rather have Hernandez over Rooney for less value and probably more goals.

Pederson on a hunch? Of all the 6.5 mids hes not in my top 5. I did have him last year for his mini run.

Rafael isn't nailed on, rotation risk there with his twin. Skrtl seems a strange choice for 6 doesn't offer a huge goal threat, and Liverpool defence isn't outstanding.

Dempsey is probably overvalued this season and isn't likely to be played in such an advanced position under Jol. There are better options for 6.5 than Pedersen I believe (Sessegnon, Taarabt). Quite like the rest though. Tchoyi may be a slightly better shout for West Brom mid.

I'd stick with RVP over Suarez tbh, and perhaps Odemwinge over Gyan which frees up another .5, saying that Gyan is still a nice pick.

Good idea to lay it on Betfair then. 😉

He's actually -5...

Try not to lose any sleep over it. Rest assured your team will look very different in three weeks time.

Lucas, you better not be shite this season. I'm counting on you.

make it worse and throw Silva in the mix