[sbu_large_image] Scout Picks
19 August 2011 2455 comments
Paul Paul
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There’s something of a sense of deja vu about this Gameweek. Unlimited transfers, the chance to pick and choose your squad from scratch all over again-the “Rate My Team” posts are rampant this Friday afternoon.

As the site kicks into overdrive, then, we hope to bring you a little calm in the midst of all the mayhem with our “Scout Selection Committee Picks” ahead of this weekend’s fixtures.

Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly.

Michal Vorm had a sensational debut at Man City. The Swansea keeper recorded 12 saves in the 4-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium and still finished the game with a Fantasy Premier League (FPL) score of 3 for the Gameweek. A home clash with Wigan will see Brendan Rodgers’ side go on the attack but Vorm, priced at just 4.0, looks in the type of form to keep the Latics at bay.

A home game with QPR gives Leighton Baines the perfect platform to start his Fantasy season on the front foot. Last week’s 4-0 home hiding by Bolton will hardly have instilled confidence in Neil Warnock’s side and Baines’ raids down the left flank should see him feature prominently. Last season’s top-scoring FPL defender is a nailed-on choice in the picks.

Jose Bosingwa seems to have earned the confidence of new boss Andre Villas-Boas. His attacking threat from the back mirrors that of Ashley Cole on the opposite flank and, having been preferred to Branislav Ivanovic at the Britannia last weekend, seems set to continue in the right-back role. Cole offers more certainty but we’ve already went for a big-money defender in Baines- Bosingwa, at 5.5, fits the needs of your Fantasy budget a little better. You can perhaps look to last week’s pick, Alex, if you want to spend that little bit more.

Roger Johnson was immense at the back for Wolves in last week’s 2-1 win at Blackburn. Mick McCarthy’s defence looks a more compact unit with the new skipper marshalling the back-four and Johnson’s influence this weekend will be crucial, as Martin Jol brings his Fulham troops to Molineux fresh on the back of a 3-0 Europa Cup win over Dnipro.

Alex McLeish is hardly renowned for his attacking tendencies. While his teams can be frustrating viewing at times, Big Eck’s safety-first approach bodes well for the Fantasy manager. James Collins and the Aston Villa back line look a healthier proposition this time round and entertain Blackburn at Villa Park, with a clean sheet at Fulham in Gameweek 1 indicative of their potential.

Steve Bruce will approach this week’s home game with Newcastle in buoyant mood. A second-half fightback at Liverpool last week suggests Sunderland may that extra, competitive edge that was missing for much of last season. Stephane Sessegnon was inspirational in pre-season and, playing in the hole just behind Asamoah Gyan, could prove the difference for the Black Cats in the white-hot atmosphere of a Tyne-Wear derby.

Scott Sinclair squares up to Wigan in Swansea’s first Premier League match at the Liberty Stadium. The winger was top scorer for Brendan Rodgers’ side last term and although he’s stepping up in class this time round, in the main attacking threat for the Swans. Throw in the fact he’s on penalties and his selection looks a solid one.

Playing at the tip of the Norwich midfield diamond affords Wes Hoolahan plenty license to attack. The low-to-mid priced midfielder is already off the mark this season; he grabbed the equaliser at Wigan last week and with visitors Stoke sampling European action only last night, Norwich’s punishing fitness regime could take advantage of any tiredness in Tony Pulis’ side come Sunday afternoon.

Nani grabs the final slot in the midfield four with a Monday night home clash against Tottenham on the agenda. The clincher was a look back at the corresponding fixture last season; Man United won 2-0, with Nani grabbing a goal, an assist and bringing home the bonus for a fourteen point return. With this in mind, we just couldn’t overlook him.

If Andre Villas-Boas selects Fernando Torres over Didier Drogba for a bruising battle at the Britannia, will he drop him at home to West Brom? The popular train of thought suggests El Nino will be a starter against the Baggies and we’re not ones to disagree here. At Stoke, Torres looked sharper, livelier, hungrier than he ever has in a Chelsea shirt and Roy Hodgson’s side could be onto a hammering at Stamford Bridge this Saturday evening.

Darren Bent scores goals wherever he goes. One of the most consistent forwards in the Premier League over the last few seasons, Bent faces a Blackburn side beaten at home by Wolves last week. The two clubs met in the recent Barclays Asia Trophy during pre-season last month and Villa sneaked it one-nil. No need to asked who grabbed the only goal.

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  1. reply fail
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    I just wanted to share my final team; you can rate it but nothing is going to change anymore.

    Given (Ruddy)
    Bosingwa-Bardsley-Baines (Gabbidon, Simpson)
    N'Zogbia-Silva-Larsson-Sinclair-O'Hara
    Torres-Rooney (Holt)

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    1. halnone
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      nice team

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    2. Mr Smith
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      8.5/10

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    3. reply fail
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      Thank you guys

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  2. Mr Smith
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    A Cole & Sinclair

    Or

    Bosingwa & Dempsey

    ?

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    1. Rui
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      Cole and Sinclair

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      1. Mr Smith
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers, I'm trying my hardest to change it but I keep coming back to this combo.

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  3. Downtown
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    Torres or Rooney....I must have switched these 2 around 30 times already!!!!

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    1. Leysh
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      Rooney. But most will suggest Torres because just like every game before, he will score! 😉

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      1. Downtown
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 7 months ago

        SUCH a tough decision...he finally looked pretty good last week...and spurs are a much better side than WBA...

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        1. Fran
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 7 months ago

          Torres has better fixtures.

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    2. BinIvanovic
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      Rooney is a must;Dont understand all these hoopla around Torres just because he looked good in a game

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    3. Mr Smith
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      Both, go on you know you way to...

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    4. reply fail
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      Same here, I got both.

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  4. Milkman
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    Hey folks. Gone blank. Who's on pens for Newcastle?

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    1. mouldy_uk
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      Probably Ameobi

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      1. Milkman
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 7 months ago

        Cabaye!?

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  5. mouldy_uk
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    Not sure about Bent or Torres, can anyone convince me?

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    1. Downtown
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      Def go with Bent

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    2. Burton
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      I think Bent is going to get 13 goals this year, but a few of them may come in the coming month. Torres didn't impress me at the weekend, though I seem to be in the minority, and he does have easy opponents.

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  6. Viper
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    Lescott & Orr (and play 3-4-3, starting Moses)
    OR
    Kompany & Brown (and play 4-3-3, Starting Brown over Moses)

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    1. Dai Chicken Pie
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      if you don't play moses now when will you play him?

      I asked my self that question and ended up getting rid of him for tiote to free up cash

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      1. Viper
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 7 months ago

        fair point! I think i just will play him though, he was good last week

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  7. Tmel
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    Just after a quick a, b or c. Currently have Sinclair, Moses & Sess in mid, should I pair them with:

    A) Silva & Taarabt + 2.0 in the bank for upcoming GWs
    B) Silva & Dempsey
    C) Yaya & Nani

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    1. Vins25
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      d) Yaya & Young!

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      1. Tmel
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 7 months ago

        Or at that lol. Just edging Nani ahead of young though, you think Yaya & Nani/Young is the best bet?

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  8. _____JR_____
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    Hilario

    Cashley/Smalling/Robinson (Bolton)

    Young/Petrov/Sessegnon/Moses

    Suarez/Torres/Rooney

    Given/Jose Enrique/Simpson/Surman

    Wat ye think????

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    1. Downtown
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      Bolton have shocking fixtures

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      1. _____JR_____
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 7 months ago

        So get rid of Robinson and Petrov? For who???

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        1. Rui
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 7 months ago

          Robinson --> Brown (SUN). And Petrov --> Moses or Formica.

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          1. _____JR_____
            • 15 Years
            14 years, 7 months ago

            Have Moses already

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  9. trisonetwo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    is aguero set to start at the weekend?

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    1. Ole Gunnar Kush
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      only mancini knows the answer to that..

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  10. Fran
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    Tevez and Lampard are the BEST differentials this GW.

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    1. CFCTom
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      Surely Berbatov and Drogba are?

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      1. Fran
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 7 months ago

        They are not really set to play full game from the start.
        But you have a point.

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      2. Leysh
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 7 months ago

        I reckon an interview with Fergie and the MUFC site and he said a lot of the young lads will be starting tonight include Cleverley and Welbeck, so I wouldn't go for Berbs 🙂

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        1. Fran
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 7 months ago

          Would you go for Welbeck then?

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          1. Leysh
            • 15 Years
            14 years, 7 months ago

            Umm, it could come good. He tore up Barcelona in the pre season match a couple weeks ago, but I don't really know against Spurs. But Fergie said he will start, I can even link you the interview if you liked 😉

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            1. Fran
              • 16 Years
              14 years, 7 months ago

              Ok Thanks.
              Is anyone else here getting Welbeck?

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              1. Red-United
                • 15 Years
                14 years, 7 months ago

                Not just yet. Probably later on in the season if it looks like Fergie is serious about giving him a chance.

                In regards to Lampard, I have him captain but I worry he is not actually a cemented first team player as some people are thinking.

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                1. Fran
                  • 16 Years
                  14 years, 7 months ago

                  Lampard is an incredible differential. He's expensive and put people off buying him. Against weaker teams he's capable of scoring 4 goals. Is he still on penalties? It's a risk but if you pull it off you can tell all your friends to admire your team.

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  11. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    So is Bosingwa a certainty at RB for Chelsea this season? Because I have this feeling that he could be rotated after several games.

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    1. roytommy
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      just transfer him if in doubt later

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    2. CFCTom
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      No he isn't long term but is short term.

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  12. Locked&Bloated
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    Total transfers 31...i cant make my mind up!

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  13. Horlicks esq.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    Given / Vorm

    Bosingwa / Jagielka / Richards / Simpson / Enrique

    N'Zog / A.Johnson / Larsson / Brunt / Moses

    Aguero / Rooney / Suarez

    ITS BIG I KNOW. A.JOhnson is only danger....!?

    Thoughts. It looks sick tho.

    Trouble is the top three. !?

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  14. Rui
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    Evening. Team is currently:

    Given (Vorm)
    Kompany A.Cole Brown (De Laet, Simpson)
    N'zog Silva Sinclair Moses (Dyer)
    Suarez Rooney Torres

    Heart says go with the big 3 up front but head says there is no balance to that team. Was thinking,
    A)Rooney --> Saha & Sinclair --> Nani
    or
    B)Suarez --> Saha.

    Cheers.

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    1. Tracksuit Manager
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      i wish saha was injured, then you (and i) could pick up Beckford for peanuts and watch the points roll in.

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    2. johnnyone23
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      why is everyone going for vorm, surely only going to get about 3 clean sheets this season

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      1. Rui
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 7 months ago

        Swansea only conceded 11 goals at home last season, all be it in the championship. If Monday is anything to go by, then I'd rather have him than Ruddy.

        I'm not fussed about price (could opt for Cole --> Bosingwa). I was pretty much settled on my team until I saw Everton players in almost every RMT...

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  15. Horlicks esq.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    Ive put in adam johnson.

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    1. drinkup245
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      as have i

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      1. Ole Gunnar Kush
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 7 months ago

        risky

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        1. Tracksuit Manager
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 7 months ago

          very, likely to be sacrificed for aguero or tevez.

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          1. Ole Gunnar Kush
            • 15 Years
            14 years, 7 months ago

            Who to captain..

            Saha, Torres, Bent???

            Got it on Bent at the moment..

            Doing my head in!!

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            1. Tracksuit Manager
              • 14 Years
              14 years, 7 months ago

              hold. good choice.

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  16. blawrence95
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    Arteta

    good long term investment?
    injury prone?
    will he play regularly?

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    1. Bob.
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      No Yes No

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  17. roytommy
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    mancini not sure who to play tevez or aguero.
    not saying until tomorrow when most probably the server will be down again

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    1. Ole Gunnar Kush
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      link?

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        1. Fran
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 7 months ago

          LOL! Get them both as they will get some coverage.

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  18. DropPointsNotBombs
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    Whos gonna start up front for Everton?

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    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      saha

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    2. Ole Gunnar Kush
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      saha..i hope

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    3. CFCTom
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      Saha, Beckford, Anichebe, Gueye, in that order of preference imo. Don't know if they'll play 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 with Cahill in behind the sriker.

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      1. Ole Gunnar Kush
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 7 months ago

        There will be a lone striker imo

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        1. CFCTom
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 7 months ago

          Saha if fit it is then.

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  19. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    who would you captain from these players?

    a-bent
    b-torres
    c-baines

    by the way ive seen the captain poll but just wanted to know who you would take

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    1. Tracksuit Manager
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      a.

      funny because torres is my likely captain but i like bent this week.

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    2. Carlos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      bent

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  20. blawrence95
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    i take it bob you have no love for arteta lol

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  21. blawrence95
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    8.0m to spend on a midfielder thoughts?

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  22. sumatera
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    zog & 4.5

    or

    Hoohlahan & Sess

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  23. Grumpy Cat
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    What's the thoughts? Torn for who to choose as captain...
    Given
    Kompany - Hangeland - Jagielka
    Tiote - Young - Bale (V) - N'Zogbia
    Rooney (C) - Klasnic - Aguero

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  24. Fran
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    Enter the code above to join into the Fran league. It's quite competitive so be careful.

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    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      how many people in it?

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      1. Fran
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 7 months ago

        Enter and find out. It's was rated as one of the best leagues in the world last season.

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  25. Horlicks esq.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone seen any proof of starting line ups? At all!?

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  26. Rasping Drive
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    Got 7 of the Scout Picks.

    Just another RMT 🙂

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  27. Candidate
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    Guys did I miss something? Why noone is considering Tim Cahill?

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    1. Tracksuit Manager
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      not worth 9 mil, imo.

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      1. Heytch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 7 months ago

        disagree. Must have at home to QPR with a Blackburn trip next week.

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    2. kosmonaut
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      Gots him. Nice diff and easy to swap out if he doesn't deliever like last year.

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  28. Milkman
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    Most attacking AV defender? And what if I set a limit if £5m?

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  29. blawrence95
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    arteta or osman?

    will they both play regularly?

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    1. Candidate
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      I prefer Tim Cahill

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      1. Tracksuit Manager
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 7 months ago

        expensive taste 🙂

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  30. Cheggers
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    No Everton players in the scout picks but Nani is there?
    Ridiculous!

    My team is better -

    Hilario
    A Cole, Brown, Warnock
    Cahill, N'Zogbia, Sinclair, Moses
    Rooney, Torres (c), Suarez
    Subs - Vorm, Senderos, Brunt, Simpson

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    1. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 7 months ago

      Wouldn't expect anything else from you, ABU.

      Good team by the way.

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      1. Cheggers
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers! I love it

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      2. Horlicks esq.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 7 months ago

        No man city cover is just stupid son

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        1. Cheggers
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 7 months ago

          Baaaaaaa

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