[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. Captain Robert Hatch
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    4 poitn hit for malouda->walcott a not so terrible idea? seems like malouda will now be a rotation nightmare

    in a monthly H2H and missed the week 2 pseudo wild card due to Holiday

    thanks

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

    Mad to bring in Mata instead of Silva?

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    1. O Fenomeno
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      What's mad is not doing it.

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

        Orly. Are all the cool kids doing it?

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        1. O Fenomeno
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 9 months ago

          Pretty much, that or Walcott.

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

        Mind over Mata

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

          Ooooo, inspirational.

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

            Long, Juan, Silva

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    2. It's 1879...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Not especially mad. Granted, he only had 20odd minutes the other week, but he ticked a lot of the boxes in that time.

      City have much better fixtures though, if that helps...

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

      After the United game, yes.

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

    which option is better:

    1. nasri-nani-petrov-walcott

    or

    2. silva-young-brunt-arteta

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    1. It's 1879...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      2nd

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    2. O Fenomeno
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      1

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    3. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      2

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

    Given
    Senderos Bosingwa Kompany
    Silva Walcott(v) Jarvis Sinclair
    Dzeko Suarez Rooney(c)

    Bench: Vorm Moses Brown Simpson

    Transfers made (Walcott and Dzeko in).
    Looks good, no?

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

    Who to captain, Silva or Dzeko?

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    1. It's 1879...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Dzeko, but only just. End product is more important for bonus this year, so the striker gets the nod...

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

    should i bring in swp for larrson

    also who do you think I should swap bent for? Rooney or rvp?

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

      According to the crystal ball, rvp.

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  7. Esalman
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Will Dzeko go up by 0.2 tonight?

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    1. the axolotl
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      can't go up more than 0.1 in 1 night, or at least they couldn't before.

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

        it is crazy. he is showing a 231% increase in NTI on fiso.

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        1. Piggs Boson
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 9 months ago

          I think he was over a hundred last night, he should have rose then. Hopefully he'll rise by 0.2 to make up for my jarvis->brunt transfer!

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        2. the axolotl
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 9 months ago

          i think fpl bent their own rules with price rises due to all the crap at the start. and they've been rising quicker than normal these last 2 weeks. i think its gone back to normal for dzeko tho as he risen 3 times this gameweek. he'll still go up 0.1 tonight though, i'd say.

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

    Which pair do you prefer...

    Jarvis and Cleverley or

    Brunt and Anderson?

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  9. The Wizard of Ozil
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Whiche looks best to make money fot RVP?

    A) Yaya out Tarrabt in
    B) Sinclair out Dyer in
    C) Lampard out Young/Nasri in
    D) Bent out Dzeko in

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

      c

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

      A

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    3. the axolotl
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      a, b and d look like good options. dont think yaya will be up to much till de jong gets back and takes over his deep boring role

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      1. The Wizard of Ozil
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        yea im thinking (A) cheers lads

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

      trying to get him in myself but still finding it hard to drop Torres (trying to prove his initial selection was right!!)

      Yaya, downing, sinclair, moses, sess
      suarez, bent, torres

      thinking maybe downing, sess --> walcott, brunt

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

      c

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

    Little bit of different choice:

    a) Arteta, SWP and RVP
    or
    b) Walcott, Adam, Agbon

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    1. The Wizard of Ozil
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      a)

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

        Is there something I am missing with Agbon?
        No talk at all and a cheap 3rd option I thought

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        1. Mole
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 17 Years
          14 years, 9 months ago

          yep, considering him

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        2. The Wizard of Ozil
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 9 months ago

          i have bent so not looking at him, alotho on his day Agbon is good and not a bad 3rd striker to have,

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

            Just think RVP and SWP will out score Walcott and Agbon this week. Am I on my own?

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  11. 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

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

      Depends on your keepers but I think A/C/E are the better options

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

        Given and Vorm are my keepers

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  12. Mole
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Krul (Vorm)
    Bos Kompany DeLaet (Ward Simpson)
    Walcott Taarabt Silva Jarvis (Dyer)
    RVP(C) Rooney AN OTHER

    Like this team. Have 8.2m to spend on striker. Thinking agbon?

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

    Andy Pandy's nearly there...

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

      Well done Andy. I saw he was pondering over captaining RVP and transfering in arteta there in one of the brakes

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  14. SOM.... This is Fellaini�…
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Liverpool boy Alberto Aquilani on an assist so far in his game against Lazio. Klose has scored for Lazio. 2-2

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  15. fleabag
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    How come Dzeko didnt go up?

    Will there be a price rise tonight?

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  16. It's 1879...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    What do you folks reckon...

    Arteta and AngelRangel ... OR ... Dempsey and Neil Taylor ??

    All advice & thoughts much appreciated.

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  17. O Fenomeno
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Woodgate or Enrique to start?

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

      I think both teams will concede.

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      1. O Fenomeno
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        So any of them really, probably go with Woodgate he hasn't got a start for me yet. Wouldn't want him to lose match fitness.

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

          I think they'll both be even enough. I've got Enrique in my team right now but I'm not sure whether to bench him or not.

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  18. SöundLight 30
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    I put my Champions League team together last night and when finished, realized I included no EPL players. I think I'm still reeling from all the fits and starts from this FPL season/game that I unintentionally went for something completely new.

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    1. O Fenomeno
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Mind blowing.

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

    aston villa are 13/8 draw no bet vs everton very good considering everton have only won one of de last 11 meetings and bent loves gooison money back certain thoughts plz thanks

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    1. It's 1879...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      No Arteta either. Benitez used to say that if you want to stop Everton playing you stop Arteta. Better still, no Arteta could leave Eve up a rather pungent creek.

      Good bet.

      There's also good value in backing Newcastle to win at QPR or - and yes, you're reading this correctly - Wigan to draw at City. Not an unfathomable result, and at circa 5-1 not to be sniffed at...

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      1. O Fenomeno
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        Wigan to get a draw off City is probably the worst bet to take this weekend.

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

        villa will win and wigan wont get a result in manchester

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

    lads ive 3.5 in the bank i have roo/dzeko/suarez

    with the doubts would it be mad to bring in rvp for dzeko for 4 point hit and captain him?

    id probably be doing that tranfer next week

    yes/no?

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    1. SöundLight 30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Why not bring RVP in for Suarez?

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

        i know what your saying but id find it hard to rid of him even giving his fixtures

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

        we liverpool fans love suarez 😛

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

          exactly very biased

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

            i can't imagine my team without suarez i have dzeko and rvp but still i want suarez to captain the team it's dumb and i know it but still 😛

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            1. SöundLight 30
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              14 years, 9 months ago

              Hey, at least you recognize your bias and stand by your team. Good for you.

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  21. teddy.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Hennessey Mignolet
    Baines Kompany Bosingwa Enrique Simpson
    Young Ramsey N'Zogbia Sinclair Taarabt
    Suarez Dzeko Holt

    Bench, captain & vice captain?

    Obviously I have my own opinion! But I don't want to contaminate yours...

    For what it's worth I have 2.5 in the bank and no free transfers.

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

      Bench Sinclair, Enrique and Simpson. Captain Dzeko, vc Young

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

        Cheers RD, old buddy. Pretty much what I was thinking. You don't reckon Simpson could get any points at either end vs QPR?

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

    i hav 2 free transfers and am kinda stuck dis is my team btw

    vorm/ruddy

    senderos/brown/bosingwa/young/enrique

    sinclair/lamps/silva/ramsey/surman

    saha/rooney/suarez

    i cant decide wit saha as he is playing wigan in a week cheers

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    1. SöundLight 30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Saha could drop again in value and doesn't look like a good long term option, I would cut my losses and bring in another striker, Maybe Agbon if finances are tight.

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  23. CFCTom
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Outnumbered is now sh*t. It was good when the kids were young and cute, now they're older and annoying and boring.

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    1. O Fenomeno
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Pedophile.

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

      It's always been abysmal. You thought it was good when you were young and cute perhaps

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  24. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    Front 7 of

    Arteta-Dyer-Bale-Dempsey
    RVP-Rooney-Dzeko

    Or

    Young-Brunt-NZog-Dempsey
    RVP-Suarez-Dzeko

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

      First one Tommy.

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      1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        You basing it on the fact I have Rooney in it tho?

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

          That, & the 2nd one has Nzog.

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          1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 9 months ago

            Cool, cheers bud

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

          I would be. Other team looks better bar Rooney.

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

    Gabbidon or Hall?

    Any QPR fans who is most likely to start week by week.

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  26. Boss Hogg
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    2 questions guys:

    1. Silva, Young, or Arteta for captain?
    2. Play De Laat, S Taylor or Enrique (pick one)

    Cheers!

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

      Silva (c). Play de Laet

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  27. Bullet Tooth Toney
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    About to finalise my post wildcard team and need to decide between...

    Vorm Krul Nasri Holt

    OR

    Shwarzer Ruddy Brunt Dzeko

    I already have Silva. The first gives me absolutely perfect rotation over the next 6 weeks, but the second has Dzeko!

    Any thoughts gents?

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

      First one.

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      1. Bullet Tooth Toney
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks, any particular reason?

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

      1st one.

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    3. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      How about Hennessey/Mignolet in goals? Bootiful!

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

    Given
    Baines Kompany Enrique Simpson
    Silva Walcott Moses
    Rooney (c) Suarez Dzeko
    Subs: Vorm Dyer Brown Surman

    Happy with that, and didn't use my WC or take hits.

    Looking good enough chaps? Had trouble picking subs though

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

      not sure id want 3 very cheap mids

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

        Not any mids I want at the moment...have a bit to upgrade to Brunt/Cabaye if they show some form

        Also felt the need for 3 big picks up top and Baines in defence

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

      Looks good. Shame Moses has done f*ck all so far. Git.

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

        Cheers. And yes I know...watched Wigan's first few games and he's been getting involved
        Just hasn't translated into points yet!

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

          He's been more or less guaranteeing at least 2 points a week which is all you can really ask for from a 5.0 player.

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

      C or E.

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  30. Mole
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    14 years, 9 months ago

    best midfielder ca. 6m?

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    1. O Fenomeno
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 9 months ago

      Cabaye.

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

      i like cabaye and petrov (the latter may need benching a couple of times in the next few weeks but then he's good to go)

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