[sbu_large_image] Injuries

Ben Arfa to Miss First Two Games of Season

26 July 2011 359 comments
Paul Paul
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Reports this afternoon indicate Hatim Ben Arfa will miss the opening two games of the season for Newcastle United.

The Frenchman flew home from the club’s US tour last week following a robust challenge in a game against Sporting Kansas City and looks to have suffered ankle ligament damage on his left leg- the same one broken by Nigel de Jong in Ben Arfa’s fourth game in a Newcastle shirt last season.

Having visited a specialist in Paris this week, Ben Arfa’s news has come as some relief; club insiders were braced for the worst and a three month spell on the sidelines was even thought possible.

The news means Ben Arfa will miss out on the season opener at home to Arsenal and the gameweek 2 match away to rivals Sunderland- coming in at 5.5 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) he was of particular interest to Fantasy managers, with a place behind the front man in a 4-5-1 formation being mooted early on.

Whether this propels new signing Yohan Cabaye (6.0) into Alan Pardew’s thinking as a more attack-minded midfielder remains to be seen, though Joey Barton (6.0) would offers more security at present. With neither player allowed a visa for the club’s US tour, a friendly against Leeds on the 31st of July should see them line up in the Newcastle first-team as Pardew ramps up his preparation ahead of the big kick-off.

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359 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. LMNO
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    anyone considering Fabregas, should he stay at Arsenal?

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    1. FUNNY_OLD_GAME
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      not sure his heart will be in it though. may have to watch and see.

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  2. The Stock
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    West Ham potentially ruining what could be THE budget striker option of the new season in Shane Long. Just Rude.

    Grant Holt = this year's Odemwingie.

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    1. The Stock
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      *in that I expected him to move to the PL

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    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      😛 Eat your heart out! 😉 Grant Holt, fat overweight striker ... all yours ...

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      1. The Stock
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 8 months ago

        He'll eat anyone's heart out by the size of him.... 😉

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 8 months ago

          True dat. 😆

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    3. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      i saw a tweet saying 8mil for shlong. seems a bit excessive

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      1. The Stock
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 8 months ago

        6m up front plus add ons could take it up to that I read.

        Very excessive.

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 8 months ago

          Too much for our miserly owners too ... surely?

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      2. njfsdkffslkf
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 8 months ago

        Bang on the money. Vastly experienced for his age. He played in premier league as a teenager and got nice few goals off the bench as a sub.

        Also has become experienced at International level.

        6mil plus add ons seems about right.

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 8 months ago

          Well, let me hope that we get him, then! 🙂

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          1. The Stock
            • 15 Years
            14 years, 8 months ago

            Have you got the bunce?

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  3. Robert Jarni
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    Please RMT

    Given/Al-Habsi

    Kompany, Samba, Hughes, Jagielka, Simpson

    VDV, Sinclair, Downing, Barton, McCarthy (Wig)

    Rooney, Ba, Bent

    Not sure about having 3 newcastle players and with Jags and McCarthy linked with moves to Arsenal this would change.

    Any thoughts/alternatives appreciated

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    1. 4toon31
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      Good forward line. I think liverpool players are a risk at the moment just until we know what is happening there, i wanted Henderson but I'm not sure he will start with liverpool having, Maxi,Downing,Gerrard,Kuyt,Meireles,Adam and Aquilani. Barton got his act together last year. Good choice for a fairly cheap player. The rest is fairly strong apart from Jagielka, I'd change him to Samba or Cahill.

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      1. Robert Jarni
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers, second guessing the lpool midfield looks tricky but i think Downing offers something different to the rest, KD might not see it that way though. Already have Samba in the team, Jags possibly a better option if he gets a move to Arsenal although they aren't exactly renowned for clean sheets either.

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  4. T_phipps
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone know who Sunderlands first choice GK will be for the first game of the season?

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    1. Keep Calm and Sessegnon
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      I'm not sure even Steve Bruce knows (as the cliche goes). Gordon will either be injured or sold. Either way i doubt it'll be him. No way of knowing between Mignolet and Westwood as they appear to be sharing the friendlies

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  5. Lordjim
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    First post of the season....can I go through the anguish that the 2010/11 season brought. You bet.....

    So trying to avoid the Fat Frank Halcyon Days Syndrome that everyone got into last year, I don't see Nani, Adam, Nasri or even Odem featuring in many teams. pourquoi mon amis...

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    1. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      Nani - rotation risk
      Adam - overpriced, less likely to pick up baps at Liverpool under the new rating system
      Nasri - doubts about whether he'll stay at Arsenal, if he goes to citeh roation risk.
      Odem - 1st 2 fixtures are MUN, che

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  6. 4toon31
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    This year is so much of a challenge that I challenge someone to come up with the best team that includes: Hart,Vermaelen,A.Cole,Hangeland,Yaya Toure, Bale and Van Persie. Someone help please?

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    1. FUNNY_OLD_GAME
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      in other words "could someone pease complete my team" lol.

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      1. 4toon31
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 8 months ago

        Pretty much, Stuggled day and night. No combo works. I can't find the right balance with so many players going up in value this year. I've tried using percentage rates, everything you could think of but nothing works. Why is it so hard?

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        1. @ImpressiveTackl
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 8 months ago

          Too much in the backline for a start.

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    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      I should beaver away at it yourself, if I were you ...

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    3. FUNNY_OLD_GAME
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      you always fill in who you want and then auto-complete for a punt 🙂

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      1. FUNNY_OLD_GAME
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 8 months ago

        *could

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        1. 4toon31
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 8 months ago

          How about Hart Ruddy

          Vermaelan,A.cole,Hangeland,Simpson,Wilkinson

          Bale,Yaya Toure,N'Zogbia,Henderson,Delap

          Van Persie,Jones,K Davies.

          Any improvements?

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          1. Robert Jarni
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 8 months ago

            How about...

            Wilkinson - Samba
            Henderson - Barton
            Delap - L Dyer
            Jones - Holt
            K Davies - Zamora

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  7. FUNNY_OLD_GAME
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    just read that scout tweet about bruce 'hinting what his back four will be' - he does no such thing in the article! there are still a number of players in contention for places

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    1. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      he kind of does

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  8. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    If Bolton didn't have such ghastly fixtures, the arrival of Chris Eagles would surely cause a stir, not to mention EA speculation. Indeed, I am surprised our closet Trotter Chairman has not already been on it! 😀

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      Well this started something, didn't it? 😆

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  9. King Nil Miss ✩
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    Sorry for another RMT but I need to know if this is too bold:

    Al-Habsi - Given

    Baines - A.Cole - Kompany - Gorkss - Simpson

    N´Zogbia - Lampard - Moses - De Jong - Taraabt

    Rooney - Zamora - Holt

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    1. p.pete
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      I'd question the value of De Jong, I think Lampard offers poor return for price, but if he scores heavily he's probably least likely to be rotated at Chelsea - I'm impressed otherwise!

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  10. @ImpressiveTackl
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    What Sunderland defender is the most nailed on starter?

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    1. p.pete
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      O'Shea once he's fit - if rumours of club captain are true.

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    2. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      just seen u post this and thought i'd reply here so you dont think im patching you. I've not seen any pre-season, but bardsleys is a good shout imo, attacking wing back and not afraid to shoot from distance.

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      1. Keep Calm and Sessegnon
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 8 months ago

        Bardlsey scored against York in pre season. I can't see him being dropped; possibly even up there with O'shea for nailed on starters. He revealed he'd been working on his shooting in training and it really showed. I expect 3 or 4 goals next year from him.

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        1. Kings of Lyon ★
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 8 months ago

          I didnt know that, but i followed him last seaon as he's a scotland international and he impressed me from an FF point of view

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    3. Keep Calm and Sessegnon
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      Probably O'Shea.

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  11. p.pete
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on:
    Olsson + Suarez
    v
    Vermaelen + Odemwinge
    Aside from WB having bad first fixtures - they do improve!

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  12. murtaep
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    1 Everyone seems to have picked Kompany, is there not a high risk that he will be rotated like last season?

    2. Rise is playing on the wing pre-season if he continues to play on the wing for Fulham, for 6million surely he is better value?

    Your thoughts?

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    1. Keep Calm and Sessegnon
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      1.Check again, he was never rotated.

      2. I have both anyway

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  13. halnone
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    We should have started with 105m.

    100m is not enough for a good team.

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    1. 4toon31
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      Agreed.

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    2. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      why not 200m then we can get anyone wewant :/

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      1. Gavin - Gers in turmoil!!!
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 8 months ago

        Alright m8, you going tonight?????

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        1. Kings of Lyon ★
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 8 months ago

          how you doing bud 😀 im in vancouver right so bed for me, hopefully il wake before kick off, i heard we were awful at the weekend is it as bad aas ive read?

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  14. stevebfc
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    RMT please,

    Given, Begovic

    A Cole, Kompany, Collins. Foley, Simpson

    Silva, Lampard, Barton, Sinclair, Hoolahan

    Holt, Gyan, Carroll

    Based on fixtures of first few weeks, might look to bring in RVP and or rooney strikeforce is a bit weak.

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  15. 4toon31
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    How about Hart Ruddy

    Vermaelan,A.cole,Hangeland,Simpson,Wilkinson

    Bale,Yaya Toure,N’Zogbia,Henderson,Delap

    Van Persie,Jones,K Davies.

    Any improvements or suggestions?

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  16. King Nil Miss ✩
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    Come on Aguero sign that sh!t!!!

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  17. T_phipps
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    4.5m for a midfielder. Any ideas?

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    1. Gavin - Gers in turmoil!!!
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      I've gone for Tiote but also had a look at gardener

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      1. Keep Calm and Sessegnon
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 8 months ago

        Don't understand the point of having Tiote in your team. Good player but useless fantasy wise. Instead you may as well go for Kieron Dyer. At least has the possibility of attacking points if he's required.

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        1. T_phipps
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 8 months ago

          He's not on the list yet is he? Can't find him.

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          1. Keep Calm and Sessegnon
            • 16 Years
            14 years, 8 months ago

            Yeah, he's in there. 4.5, Swansea.

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            1. Keep Calm and Sessegnon
              • 16 Years
              14 years, 8 months ago

              Ahh haha that's Nathan Dyer. Thought Kieron had moved to Swansea. nevermind then.

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    2. Tommyg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      I'm sure derby will sell you anyone for that!

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  18. njfsdkffslkf
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    Random thinking on Lampard.

    - Scored alot lower (PPI and points) than Malouda last year but was injured for a long time. Still managed to finish 32nd overall just behind VDV.

    - A fresh fit full season would have seen him well into the top players re that PPI .

    - Given his age now and injury free preseason if he is going to fire its more likely now at the start of the season before fatigue and many games catches up with his older body.

    - His fixtures over this early period (Week 2 -3 ) would indicate a good chance of hitting some form.

    - When he came back last year after his injury and was fit he hit the ground running. Comes across as the type of player who works alot on his fitness (dont laugh) who will prob hit the ground running if he is fit. Like he did for that late season run last year.

    - His set pieces give some re assurance even if he does nothing in normal play.

    - Only has 3% ownership so nice differential.

    Im coming around to the idea of getting him early doors. A swap of him plus 3rd striker to RVP and cheap mid week 4 is a nice move to make imo as Chelsea only have Swansea (h) of next 7 or so which are easy.

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    1. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      v logical, and im doing vdv > lamps gw2 🙂

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      1. njfsdkffslkf
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 8 months ago

        Kuyt > Lamps for me.

        Then moving Rooney or Lamps & Another out week 4 for RVP.

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  19. Bunji
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    Given - Ruddy
    Kompany - A.Cole - Hughes - Orr - Simpson
    Lampard - Silva - Barton - Moses - Dyer
    RVP - Suarez - Holt

    What do you reckon?

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    1. Jack1980
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      like it - dunno holt- no man u?

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    2. Ayoob
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      Fare.

      here is my 'tentative':

      Habsi-Ruddy
      Kompany-Orr-Johnson R-Taylor-Simpson
      Lampard-Silva-Taarabt-Albrighton-Dyer
      Rooney-Suarez-Zamora

      and 1m in the bank!

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  20. Jack1980
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    Afternoon same as everyone else? major f*ck ups?

    given/ al habsi
    cole/bardsley/komp (simpson/orr)
    yaya/lamps/mccarthy/barton (Dyer)
    roo/bent/a. johnson

    help appreciated

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    1. Ayoob
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      yaya will play deeper this season - rotation risk.
      a. johnson is odd
      bardsley difficult fixtures
      get a cheaper sub-keeper

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      1. Jack1980
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 8 months ago

        cheers bud - lovin' ur mid/strik

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  21. Squerly4568
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    what shall i have for dinner tonight?

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      A chicken breast, 1/2 a chilli and a garlic clove wrapped in streaky bacon, with champ and runner beans on the side?

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    2. Soop
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      Steak and chips, and a nice ale.

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  22. T_phipps
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    4m defender. Bradley Orr (QPR) or Danny Simpson (Newcastle)?

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    1. Scroobius Mac
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      Simpson.

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  23. Scroobius Mac
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    Hmm quick tinker around which is better between:
    A) Taarabt, N Zogs, RVP
    B) O'Hara, VDV, Bent

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    1. T_phipps
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      A

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  24. Soop
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    Wilkinson for Stoke and Simpson fro Newcastle are both 4.0m and got a lot of time last season.

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    1. Jonah
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      Yep, so much so that I'm thinking of a defence which consists of Baines and Kompany, with Simpson, Wilkinson and another 4.0 defender rotating to take up the final space.

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      1. Soop
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah, me too... I just popped those too in, and then Dyer for Sinclair, and I suddenly have 2.5m free. That could be handy. That makes (IMO) the only weak link in my first team Moses.

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        1. Jonah
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 8 months ago

          A QPR 4.0 looked the best to rotate in with Stoke and Newcastle to me.

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          1. Soop
            • 16 Years
            14 years, 8 months ago

            Well... TBH, I have Bardsley, Kompany and Cashley, who I'll probably leave in.

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  25. Tommyg
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    Ok last attempt to make people think twice about Lampard:

    1) VB likes a 4-3-3 formation. Guess where Lampard will be playing. You guessed it in the middle 3 most likely lying deep or out wide. Of cause generally speaking this means he'll be the gey that's passes to the guy who gets the assists for the guy who scores the goals.

    2) VB is trying Lampard in different positions pre season (which let's face it is the only real indication to what this coming season will be like). You just don't do that if you think that lamps is your creative force in the team. You build the team round him which is not happening. This is also an oxidation that the manager feels that he has better options for where Lampard would like to play.

    3) VB is still trying to sign modric. Again not a move of confidence if you think you already have your creative midfielder for the season.

    4) I hate to break it too you but the lamps of two seasons ago has got older. The guy is 33. You got to be going some in the prem to still be playing at 34.

    5) Hes £12 mil. Are you nuts! You could buy a quality striker and a quality midfielder for that.

    I completely reserve the right to do a complete u turn on my opinions when lamps starts knocking in wonder shots from 40 yards and getting hatricks. Although he won't, but he might. And I reserve the right to mock those who dared to doubt super Frank at a later date.

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  26. Loktai
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone else "seriously" considering starting with Rafael.

    I am, and here is why:

    With the departure of Evans and Brown, there does not appear to be any strong competition at right back for him.

    Vidic and Ferdinand will be first choice in the middle, with Smalling and Jones and Evans providing cover in case of another season full of injuries. His only REAL competition will be his brother, Fabio.

    Rafael chalked up double the amount of game time than his brother last season.

    Against Seattle pre season Rafael was given a full game at right back, with Fabio taking over for Evra.

    Against Chicago Fabio started at right back, but was replaced at half time. Rafael then replaced smalling at right back on 75 minutes, and managed to score.

    I don't have the starting team sheet against new england, but Rafael also got an assist playing on the right there.

    At just 5.5 for a top 4 defender - it might be a gamble to see if he plays however this can easily be justified considering if he does start consistently his price is sure to rise - being there first will pay off big time. If he doesn't play.. it's only 5.5m can easily be subbed for a regular starter of the same price without too much drama.

    Anyone else with me?

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    1. Soop
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah, very much considering him. I might wait and keep a close eye on his price.

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    2. Tommyg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      I completely agree.

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  27. Loktai
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    Here is the latest iteration of my team with the aforementioned Rafael in there:

    Given

    Kompany, Ivanovic, Rafael, Cahill (bol)

    Barton, VDV, N'Zogbia, Cahill (eve)

    Rodallega, RVP

    Subs - Mingolet, Olsson, Dyer, Holt

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    1. Loktai
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 8 months ago

      Also have 1.0m in the bank for Transfers.

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  28. 4toon31
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    Who's the best defender for 6.5 million? Hangeland?

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  29. 4toon31
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    Hart Rudd

    Vermaelen Hangeland Huth Simpson Wilkinson

    Bale N’zogbia Yaya Toure Maxi Rodriguez Barton

    Van Persie K Davies Jones

    Any suggestions for improvements?

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  30. embo76
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 8 months ago

    why o why is there all love for G Holt??? He is crap. I am a forest fan and he was awful for us. He may have been abel to score a few last year but Premier League. I dont think so. Please come back if he does and torment me but I just cant see it.

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