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30 August 2011 1441 comments
Mark Mark
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Newcastle have this evening confirmed the capture of Italian international left-back Davide Santon from Inter for an undisclosed fee.

The 20 year-old arrives at St James’ Park on a five-year deal and has immediately been handed the Magpies’ number three shirt.

For Fantasy Managers, that should immediately ring alarm bells. Santon’s arrival presents a significant threat to Ryan Taylor’s position at left-back having seen the former Wigan man establish himself as an early season favourite.

Taylor scored the winning goal in the North East derby win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in Gameweek two and, with 12% ownership (280,000+ owners) in the Fantasy Premier League game, had enjoyed a 0.2 price increase from his initial 4.0 valuation.

Those who were tempted by Taylor’s early season form may have hoped that their man would be set for a sustained run in the starting lineup. Indeed, following his winner at Sunderland, Alan Pardew had suggested that it would be difficult to dislodge Taylor from his starting berth..

“We are trying to bring a left-back in and he is going to have to be a good one to take Ryan out of the team”

But the reality is that Taylor is a right-footed player filling in at left-back – a real short term prospect. Santon, despite being equipped to play either side of defence, has been bought to replace Jose Enrique and Taylor now faces the prospect of dropping to the bench, unless Pardew can find a role in midfield for the set-piece specialist, or consider dropping established starter Danny Simpson on the right.

Santon could now be set to make his debut for the Magpies in what promises to be a tempestuous affair as Newcastle travel to face QPR and Joey Barton on Monday September 12. The new Italian recruit could, theoretically, be facing Barton one-on-one in that fixture – a factor that may convince Pardew to give Santon more time to settle, persevering with Taylor for one more run-out.

One possible knock-on from Taylor’s relegation to the bench, French midfielder Youha Cabaye, who has made an encouraging start to his career at St James’, could now be set for a more prominent role at set-pieces and in particular, direct free-kicks.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

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

    I wish I wildcarded to get prices rises but too late now. Have .5 in the bank and a free - any advice?

    Hilario Vorm
    Enrique Bosingwa Kompany Senderos Simpson
    Silva Taarbt Sess Sinclair Reo-coker
    Rooney Torres Bent

    I was thinking of going Torres to RVP but not sure where to get the extra .5 from maybe Sinclair to Petrov? Or Taarbt/Sess to Brunt?

    Thoughts?

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

      Sess to Brunt would be my pick

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

      You're going to have to do Hilario -> someone soon

      Backline seems fine
      Forwards, Torres needs to go - Bent, Suarez, Dzeko, Aguero, Gervinho offer up some options (Hernandez if you looking for a punt)
      Midfield - Reo-coker??? you could cheapen up a bit, Taarabt and Sess both need to go. Hunt/O'Hara could be nice differentials, Petrov when his fixtures clear up (although he's done fine so far), Sinclair, Walters are also cheaper options for those 6.5ers

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  2. Jake9
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    Is Mikel a good choice? Or should I keep Moses or trade to Barkley?

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

      Always depends on your risk profile.

      Barkley if you're looking to take a punt and catch up some points. Moses if you want cancel out everyone else that has him. Mikel isn't going to offer anything.

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

    Habsi , Given

    Baines Bosingwa Kompany Enrique Simpson

    Jarvis Silva Moses Sess Nzog

    Bent Jones Suarez

    Just swapped Torres > bent and left with 1 transfer.
    Should i swap nzog now since having 2 avl seems overkil or wait he performs for gw4 . Thoughts?

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  4. worst ever FPL player
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    Rooney is too cruel. Expensive, but everyone has him, which means 1 slot of the 3 forwards can be considered gone already.

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  5. ROBERTO MANKINI
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    Which is better:

    Option 1:
    A Young (10.1), Baines (8.0) and N Dyer (4.5)

    OR

    Option 2:
    Nasri (9.5), Adam (9.1), De Laet (4.0) +0.5 left over

    I have a feeling Baines is not gonna harvest enough points since he's not taking pens and all free kicks

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

      NO baines, but id rather have Walcott than adam, just for the fixtures. And get a solid 4,5 def like woodgate or ward.

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  6. TJ
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 7 months ago

    To all the english: how does it feel to live in a 3rd world country?
    Why dont you come over to NZ and work in pubs to earn some money?
    The minimum wage for over 16's here is NZ$13, thats £6.82. Compared to yours £3.64.
    No riots here either.

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