[sbu_large_image] Scout Picks
9 September 2011 934 comments
Paul Paul
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After a fortnight of waiting, we’re finally back in the game. We’ve knocked our heads together to come up with our next “Scout Selection Committee” picks and as you’ll see, we’re backing the Gunners to bounce back big-time.

The threat of rotation at Man City has played a major part in the selection and resulted in a last-minute change of heart. Edin Dzeko was nailed-on but there’s a niggling doubt over his game time this weekend; with Mario Balotelli suspended for European matters in midweek, there’s a chance – however small- Roberto Mancini could rest the Bosnian and play the temperamental Italian and as a result, we’ve reluctantly omitted him. After much deliberation, then, here’s the picks for Gameweek 4:


Arsenal may have been hit for eight in their last match of the campaign, but what better way to come back to domestic action than to face the only side yet to find the net this season? With that in mind, the Gunners goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny finds his way into our Fantasy thinking. While Brendan Rodgers’ side have seen plenty possession, their lack of any cutting edge is proving costly and an Emirates showdown make the young Pole a solid option.

Fully recovered from a leg injury described by his manager as “serious” only a fortnight ago, John Arne-Riise takes his place in the Scout Picks after a remarkably quick recovery. The left-back squares up to Blackburn at home and with Steve Kean’s side struggling for any semblance of form, Riise’s rampaging left flank runs looked primed to cause plenty trouble for an out-of-sorts Rovers.

Today’s news from Man City that Kolo Toure is still a couple of weeks away from match fitness should cement Joleon Lescott’s place in the starting XI for at least another Gameweek or two. With Roberto Mancini keen to rotate, Vincent Kompany seems the best long-term option but for the immediate future, Lescott’s greater goal threat makes him a viable option for the home game with Wigan.

Hamstring scare now over, Leighton Baines makes his way into this week’s Scout Picks. Everton entertain Aston Villa at Goodison Park and with the left-back on set-pieces and penalties in light of Mikel Arteta’s departure, his selection is a no-brainer.

Ritchie De Laet looks a good budget pick this weekend. A home game with below-par West Brom offers the on-loan centre half a chance to replicate his previous performance at Carrow Road- De Laet scored and picked up all 3 Bonus Points in the 1-1 draw with Stoke.

As mentioned in our recent Watchlist piece, Theo Walcott has grabbed three goals in four starts for Arsenal so far this season. Arsene Wenger will be looking for a response from his team after the 8-2 hammering at Old Trafford and an Emirates showdown with Swansea looks like affording the Gunners the perfect chance to respond.

As mentioned above, the threat of rotation hanging over Man City has played a major part in our selections. With Samir Nasri’s hand injury perhaps placing a question mark over his availability, we’ve opted for the security of David Silva. The little Spaniard has sparkled in every game so far this season and the home game with Wigan should ensure that continues.

Clint Dempsey has been playing up front of late for Fulham, with Bobby Zamora out injured. Dempsey’s eye for goal seen him grab the Cottagers’ goal at Newcastle in Gameweek 3 and he’s also found the net a couple of times in Europe already. The arrival of Bryan Ruiz may threaten his role in the front two, but Dempsey has found the net regardless of where he plays; a Craven Cottage showdown with Blackburn offers him a chance to continue his goalscoring ways.

The influx of new players may have caught the headlines, but Adel Taarabt is still the main man at QPR. Though Joey Barton is likely to take his fair share of corners, the Moroccan should still be on free-kicks and spot-kick duties and with Newcastle arriving at Loftus Road, Taarabt will be looking to steal the spotlight from Barton and take centre stage.

Wayne Rooney is just impossible to ignore right now. The Man United forward is in the form of his life and with the champions up against a Bolton side that have conceded three goals in each of their last two games, Rooney looks in the mood to put Owen Coyle’s side to the sword.

Robin Van Persie ensured he comes into tomorrow’s game against Swansea with a four-goal haul for Holland against hapless San Marino in the recent Euro 2012 qualifiers. Brendan Rodgers’ side were hammered 4-0 by Man City in their only away trop of the season and the Gunners are odds-on favourites to dish out the same sort of treatment. Goals look high on the agenda and the Dutchman will surely feature strongly.

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934 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. IceMan DB
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Who to play out of D.Fox, Simpson, Brown?

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    1. SmokeyH
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Simpson

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    2. NLB
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Simpson

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  2. Shatner's Bassoon
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Which pair gents…

    A)Jarvis and Cleverley or

    B)Brunt and Anderson?

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    1. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      b

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      1. Shatner's Bassoon
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks.

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        1. applebonkers
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 9 months ago

          it's very 50-50 though. ideally it would be jarvis and anderson

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          1. Shatner's Bassoon
            • 15 Years
            14 years, 9 months ago

            Mmm...could do that. Food for thought, thanks again.

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  3. EverReady
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Starting Dilemnas..?

    Barkley (Villa, Home)

    OR

    Brunt (Norwich, Away)

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    1. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Brunt

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  4. andres
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    here is another one:

    1. nasri-nani-petrov

    2. silva-adam-brunt

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  5. MikeyMitz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Just swapped out Dzeko for Bendtner. On paper, probably the dumbest transfer of all time. But I really really think Dzeko will be benched, and Chelsea will struggle to keep Sundy out at the Stadium of Light. I think Bendtner may surprise ppl at Sunderland

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    1. Holy See
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Not just 'on paper' possibly 😉 Does seem very fruit'n'nutty, good luck ya loon!

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    2. Optimus.
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      was that for a 4 point hit?

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      1. MikeyMitz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        Haha, no I had already wildcarded Dzeko in, I actually made a .1 profit from getting him then getting rid- wahoooo! If Bendtner scores this weekend, you guys can give me an e-high5

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  6. BT31 - WE ARE ALL TINKERMEN…
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    thoughts please

    Krul(Vorm)
    Enrique Bosingwa DeLaet(RTaylor)(Ward)
    Nasri Young Arteta Jarvis(Dyer)
    Suarez Dzeko(C) Rooney(VC)

    Had RTaylor on before the scout picks and totalfpl so went with delaet. Is Jarvis fit to play?

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  7. Van Dal
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    A) Rvp and petrov

    B) walcott and suarez

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    1. Fillo_
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      A..

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    2. NLB
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      B

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  8. Fishy
    • 17 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    if you could go for 1 or 2 players this week (as i might play my wildcard next week) who would the be?

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    1. NLB
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      RVP + Walcott

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  9. RmS
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    A) RVP and Rooney

    or

    B) Tevez and Torres ??

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    1. jimmythegent
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      A by a million miles

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      1. RmS
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        I know. Thats why I'm having B my friend.

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  10. Eversio88
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    RVP & Roonpig & Brunt VS RVP & Dzeko & Mata

    FIGHT

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    1. Fillo_
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      RVP, ROOOOOONEY, BRUNT.. Easy one!

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  11. Fillo_
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Dzeko or Adebayour? 75% sure that dzeko will be rested tomorrow, and i really dont like players that not is a safe in the line up..

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    1. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      What makes you 75% sure?

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      1. jguti14
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        yea where'd u get that ridiculousness!!

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      2. MikeyMitz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        I think it's more like 79.7% sure

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      3. Fillo_
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        because its a champions league on wedensday vs napoli, and they have many good players that havent played much yet.. think we will see Johnsen - Tevez - Balotelli up front this week.. anyway dzeko is a rotationrisk with Aguero, Tevez, Balotelli fighting for the places..

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        1. Rasping Drive
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 9 months ago

          I would say Dzeko will be first choice this season with Aguero, Tevez will play occasionally and Balotelli hardly at all. To me it doesn't make sense to drop the man in form, esp. as it's taken Dzeko a long time to get there.

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          1. Fillo_
            • 16 Years
            14 years, 9 months ago

            we will see tomorrow.. its just what I think is going to happen 😉

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    2. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      if you have doubts over dzeko then it has to be adebayor. he actually scored in this fixture last season.

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    3. Ibracadabra
      • 17 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      75%? Aguero just spent 15-20 hours on a trip to Bangladesh. Balotelli did play well for Italy mid-week and Dzeko did get 2 tough games for Bosnia but how can Dzeko be dropped? If only Tevez had moved in the transfer window...

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    4. AP
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Out of Aguero and Dzeko - Aguero has more chance of getting rested. Aguero has had to travel further and has a ready made replacement in Tevez.

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      1. Fillo_
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        Think we will se both on the bench.. Johnsen - Tevez - Balotelli maybe up front?

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        1. AP
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah, certainly possible.

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    5. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      LOLLLLLLLLLLL aguero just travelled half way around the world for a friendly. If anyone is getting rested it's him.

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  12. jayzico
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    rvp. shrek. suarez (just think about his goals in copa) see ya dzeko

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  13. Adam
    • 17 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Kompany is now the official Man City captain, not Tevez.

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    1. AP
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Quality.

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  14. jguti14
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    given vorm
    bosi baines de laet simpson ward
    lamps silva walcott brunt moses
    suarez deko graham

    bench? captain?

    cheer!

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  15. Genghis
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Options for sub 6.0 Striker?

    Best, smith(QPR), a johnson???

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    1. Sleep Talk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Smith will get limited playing time as he usually doesn't play as QPR's primary striker, but more as a winger. And with SWP and Barton in the picture, Smith won't play as much..

      I would go for Holt. Considering his price, fixtures and form, I believe he is the man to stick with. 😉

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      1. Genghis
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        cheers

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  16. Moves Like Agger
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    best 9.8 mid??
    I have silva no chelsea coverage
    Mata maybe???

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    1. Genghis
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Mata worth a punt me thinks...

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    2. NLB
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      I've gone Walcott (9.0)

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  17. Gunnersaurus Rex
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    yes or no

    saha out adeybayor in

    l young out simpson in
    thanks

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    1. Sleep Talk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Since neither Saha or L.Young will play much this weekend I think it's worth the hit.

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  18. Bod
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    What time are we expecting price rises tonight? On wildcard and don't know whether to set my team up tonight or tomorrow, start work at 5am so if the rises don't come til 6ish like they have sometimes this year then I might swell do it tonight

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    1. Kostja
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Usually the rises happen at 7 or smthng in the morning, I for one am wayting for it because im shipping Dzeko out.

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      1. Fillo_
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        good to know that anyone else is transfer dzeko out.. who are u transfer in?

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  19. jimmythegent
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Gabbidon or Hall?

    Barkley or Moses?

    Cheers guys

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    1. Real Champion
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Gabbidon + Moses.

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      1. jimmythegent
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        thanks robin

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    2. Ibracadabra
      • 17 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      For 4M I'd do Lopez of Wigan before Gabbidon or Hall as long as you will be benching almost every week...

      Barkley or Moses has to be Moses if it's a 5th midfielder. If it's a 4th midfielder and you already have Dyer as 5th, then don't expect much production from your 4th midfield slot. 🙂

      Risk/reward for Barkley is OK has he was good in wk 1 vs QPR but poor in wk2 vs Blackburn. Which one shows up this week?

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      1. jimmythegent
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        cheers mate

        yeh im going to have a poo 4th and 5th midfield spot for a couple of weeks until one of roon or rvp drop form.

        might go moses as he looks lively, barkley is too risky your right

        is lopez a sure starter for wigan?

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    3. Moves Like Agger
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      I think Moses will come good soon he has been playing well so far just very unlucky
      don't know about the others

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  20. Ninjaa
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    going 433 this week, current front 6 are

    n'zogbia silva walcott
    rooney dzeko saha

    1 freebie done, should i take a hit to transfer anyone in/out?

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  21. Real Champion
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Best 5.5 million defender?

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    1. Demí
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Smalling

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    2. Ibracadabra
      • 17 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      This week ONLY - Gibbs... Longer term Smalling

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      1. Shakey
        • 17 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        Could be argued that he'd be a better long term bet too.

        I'd regard him as more likely to hold down a first team place than Smalling (fitness provided)

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      2. applebonkers
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        +1. surprised gibbs wasn't in the scout picks over szczesny

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  22. v12w12
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone think Baines is worth 8.0? Think Hangeland is better option to save 1.5? Thoughts?

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    1. Viper
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Baines may not be worth 8.0 but Hangeland is not worth 6.5 either..

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  23. ReinaMan
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Best defender for 4.6 or less?
    A) De Laet
    B) Ward
    C) S.Taylor
    D) Figueroa
    E) Brown

    Given and Vorm are my keepers.

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    1. Real Champion
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Ward by a mile.

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      1. Jake9
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        Ward

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  24. Fishy
    • 17 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    if you could go for 1 or 2 players this week as a punt (as i might play my wildcard next week) who would the be?

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    1. llamaZA
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Saha/Sturridge

      And I'm asking for the gamblers out there to pick one if they could?

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  25. Gunnersaurus Rex
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Ramsey captain hav i gone mad no just taking a big risk 😉

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  26. Jake9
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Mata or A Young
    And
    Arteta or Walcott

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    1. Genghis
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Mata = differential and Walcott in good form?

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    2. Jake9
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Forgot to add already have Rooney

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      1. v12w12
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        Mata and Arteta then.

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    3. v12w12
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Young and Arteta.

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  27. Zinedine
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Given
    Simpson Hughes Kompany
    Moses Young Nani Taarabt Sinclair
    Rooney(c) Suarez

    Any opinions? no transfers and saving wildcard.

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    1. v12w12
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Get rid of Nani or Young for Nasri or Silva........

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      1. Zinedine
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        Maby next week, i know my eggs are in one basket but i don't want the points deduction or to use my wildcard so late

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    2. Spoiler
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      surely nani for walcott?

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      1. Zinedine
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        hmm i dno so many people getting walcott (for a reason obviously), i'm waiting on Arteta and adebayor seeing if they are worth getting in

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      2. v12w12
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah, or Nani for Walcott or Arteta and save the cash

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  28. Optimus.
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    so who here reckons dzeko will start tomorrow?

    im a dzeko owner but reckon it will be a sub appearance

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      What's the point of bringing him on as a sub?

      he will start and 1% chance he doesn't then he won't come on.

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  29. IceMan DB
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Who to Captain- Dzeko, Sliva or Walcott? Currently my armband's on Dzeko but not too sure if he's going to play the 90 mins so i'm a but confused.

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    1. IceMan DB
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      bit*

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  30. Spoiler
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Given | Vorm
    Kompany | Boswingwa | De Leat | Simpson | Ward
    Young | Walcott | Silva | Brunt | Dyer
    Agbonlahor | Rooney | Suarez

    been trying to get rvp and rooney together but ruins my team.

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