[sbu_large_image] Spot the Differential
4 November 2011 1787 comments
Big Dunc Big Dunc
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Playing three expensive strikers has been a popular strategy for many Fantasy managers this season, but being forced to look at Victor Moses’ name in their squads week after week has forced many to reassess.

The incredible form of Robin Van Persie has made the Dutchman almost undroppable, but Sergio Aguero, Wayne Rooney and Luis Suarez are all stuttering in terms of potential going forwards. Playing with two budget strikers opens up the potential for a big midfield of consistent performers, especially when you consider the recent form of budget options such as Demba Ba.

With this in mind we’re focusing on strikers this week and specifically, those who can bring you the greatest value over the coming weeks. Our first two options are particularly interesting as they effectively come as a pair- Blackburn and Bolton’s fixtures rotate very well over the coming weeks meaning you can choose to play one of the two each week and be guaranteed a decent fixture.

Yakubu
Steve Kean has taken a lot of stick in recent weeks, but you can’t argue that Blackburn haven’t been fun to watch. They’ve scored three or more times on five separate occasions this term including four against Newcastle (in the Carling Cup) and Arsenal, and this weekend’s match against Chelsea offers the potential of another high scoring game.

Despite their terrible defensive record, there is still plenty of value available amongst the attacking options. Junior Hoilett is a viable alternative, but Yakubu –owned by a mere 0.5% of Fantasy managers- offers the greatest goal threat and is 0.5 cheaper at just 5.5. With penalty duties apparently falling to the Nigerian after scoring from the spot in the Carling Cup last week, Yakubu presents an excellent differential option over the coming weeks.

David Ngog
The summer signing from Liverpool has started Bolton’s last four league games, ousting even Kevin Davies from the first XI when Owen Coyle has preferred a lone striker system. Ngog has only scored once but has managed more attempts on goal over the last four gameweeks than the likes of Sergio Aguero. In terms of creating goalscoring chances, he’s third-top forward since gameweek seven, behind Bobby Zamora and Luis Suarez – clearly, there’s plenty potential to pick up the points.

As with Blackburn, Bolton have been terrible at the back but show enough promise going forwards to make their attacking options worthy of consideration. Priced at 5.4, Ngog looks secure for gametime right now, whether in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 and with a favourable run of fixtures that includes (STO wba EVE tot ALV), the 0.3% owned Trotters forward may prove to be a handy differential over the next few matches.

Andy Carroll
Writing about Andy Carroll as a differential feels odd. Starting the season at 10.0, his price has plummeted to 9.2 after a slow start to the new campaign and as a result, he now sits at just 2.1% Fantasy ownership.

Playing in the shadow of Luis Suarez hardly helps either but over the last four gameweeks, the £35m man is starting to hint at his possible Fantasy potential. Carroll has scored in each of his last two starts and has picked up the maximum bonus points both times, too, outscoring Suarez from gameweek 7-10 by a single point despite far less game time (191 min versus 350 min).

With Suarez owned by 34.7% of Fantasy managers in comparison, the level to which Carroll has been overlooked is particularly significant. Granted, he’s hardly been Liverpool’s most impressive performer but Carroll recently admitted he’s been building up his fitness in training and the hours of hard work finally seem as though they are paying off.

This weekend’s home game with Swansea offers him a chance to continue his recent good form and although Liverpool than square up to Chelsea and Man City, games against QPR, Wigan and Blackburn hint at a prosperous December.

Big Dunc If you're going to get sent off, make sure its for something worthwhile... Follow them on Twitter

  1. sahota
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    First!!!

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  2. RossNUFC
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    Third

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    1. sahota
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      Lol

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  3. Demí
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    RVP or Aguero captain?

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    1. sahota
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      RVP

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    2. Mid-Table Obscurity
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      flick a coin i reckon, either (hopefully both) could go nuts

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    3. Arsenals Number 10
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      im going ageuro less people will captain himand qpr have so many injuries

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    4. DarPaC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      RVP is the safe option I'd say

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    5. Hitman
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      I have the same question going round in my head! might play it safe this week and go for RVP.
      Just not convinced Arsenal will steam roller WBA like so many think.

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    6. Oldman Unathletic
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      Leaning towards Aguero, WBA aren't exactly a pushover (as chelsea and man utd found out earlier on this season).

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      1. GREENDREAMS11
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 5 months ago

        agree there lads. West Brom will park the bus and might give Arsenal a headache or two.

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        1. Oldman Unathletic
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 5 months ago

          I've captained rvp (suarez vc) on the basis of scorching form but am definately not counting on another hat-trick. If I had aguero I would be very tempted to captain him.

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  4. applebonkers
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    fancy carroll for a goal. don't trust the yak

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    1. teto
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      He'll score

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    2. Oldman Unathletic
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      If carroll can rediscover his form (which is a possibility given his recent returns) then 10-15 goals this season is likely imo.

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  5. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    interesting differentials there

    is it worth doing cleverly to eagles or kompany to jones for 4 pt hit?

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    1. cechmate
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      Don't think so

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      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 5 months ago

        what if there is a risk you might not have 11 players playing?

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        1. Mid-Table Obscurity
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 5 months ago

          i just did kompany to jones but not for a hit

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        2. Tommytour
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 5 months ago

          Can you do Cleverly > Ramsey, Bos > Evans?

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          1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
            • 15 Years
            14 years, 5 months ago

            it would be for 8 points if I did

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            1. Tommytour
              • 15 Years
              14 years, 5 months ago

              No way! Bos > Wilkinson?

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  6. Syd.
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    Is Bosingwa still suspended?

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      no, he was suspended for carling cup game. he played last week v arsenal

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    2. ...---...
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      I do like an old chestnut!

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  7. Jack Tatum
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    Carroll has been building up his fitness in training. What a little trooper. Now he just needs to work on his first touch

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

    vorm or ruddy stuck this week

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  9. Morrissey1986
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    If only you could have 4 strikers like the scout picks 🙂

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    1. Declan
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      Good point, well made.

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  10. DarPaC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    OK, so choice of 2 transfers before tomorrow.

    Given (Vorm)

    S Taylor - Enrique - Ward (Kompany DeLaet)

    VDV - Silva - Johnson (Moses, Dyer)

    RVP - Aguero - Suarez

    Ward to Evans or De Laet to Wilkinson......or keep my free transfer.

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    1. living the dream
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      Would have to be de laet to wilkinson. Pointless taking ward out in his easiest fixture for the season

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  11. Timmy Cahill Rules
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    Junior is a far better pick than the yak who isnt event a nailed on starter.

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    1. Oldman Unathletic
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      Hoilett looks to be a great outside pick if he continues his recent form.

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  12. sahota
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    Al-Habsi (Vorm)
    Simpson Enrique Bosingwa (2.Jagielka 3.Kompany)
    Ramsey Murphy VDV(V) Silva (1.Dyer)
    Sturridge RVP(C) Balotelli

    1 free transfer and 1.5 in the bank.

    Was thinking of sticking this week because the only transfer that I would want to do is Balotelli out but I want Rooney. So, was thinking to make 3 transfers next week (Balo, Sturridge, Bos > Roon, Best, Wilkinson) for a 4pt hit.

    Does that sound like a good idea or are there other transfers that I should be worrying about for this week?

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    1. Rougie
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      Would have though Morison or Graham better options than Best. After this week has three awful fixtures in a row.

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      1. sahota
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 5 months ago

        Oops, I was meant to say Graham. Originally was going with Best but Graham is on form

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      2. Tommytour
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 5 months ago

        Bos > Evans, Balo > Hernandez this week?

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        1. sahota
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 5 months ago

          Doesn't sound too bad actually. But if I had Hernandez and Rooney picked up on form again then I would be kicking myself. I'm considering what SHIPSTONREV said below. Thoughts?

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          1. Tommytour
            • 15 Years
            14 years, 5 months ago

            No Dzeko is way more of a rotation risk and worse fixtures!

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            1. sahota
              • 15 Years
              14 years, 5 months ago

              Wow you've got a point. I don't know how many times I've changed my decision this week! I think I'm now going to go with Hernandez because of the fixtures and not many people have him

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        2. Oldman Unathletic
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 5 months ago

          This week yes, long-term no due to well founded concerns over rotation.

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    2. Shipstontrev
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      What about Balo to Dzeko?

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      1. sahota
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 5 months ago

        So I would have Dzeko over Rooney?

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        1. Shipstontrev
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 5 months ago

          yep, and cash to boot.

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          1. sahota
            • 15 Years
            14 years, 5 months ago

            Sounds good, I think I might go with it

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  13. Tommytour
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    Im hoping another Rooney 2 pointer, so everyone above me in minileague gets rid for me to get in as a differential!

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    1. cechmate
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      Me too. Dropping a bit in price would be nice too 🙂

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  14. Rougie
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    My defence is Enrique, Simpson, Bosingwa (De Laet, Kompany).

    Worried that bosingwa won't play and I don't have a full team. Is it worth taking a four point hit from Bosingwa to Jones or De Laet to Wilkinson? Jones would play and is a better option than Bosingwa in the long term. Wilkinson would be on the bench in case Bosingwa doesn't play and then would be in for the next 2 GWs (I probably need my free transfer next week for my midfield).

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    1. Shipstontrev
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      Bos to Jones sounds good to me.

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  15. my left paw
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    No captains poll tis week??

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    1. Tommytour
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      Not needed!

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  16. JCrosbie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    krul (vorm)

    boswinga n.taylor simpson (kompany, gabbidon)

    silva nani b.johnson ramsey (dyer)

    v.persie (c) suarez aguero

    bring in vdv?

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  17. dcondon007
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    lads, my team is in dire straits. please please please, help me…

    given, (ruddy),
    naylor, bosingwa, simpson, (tate), (kompany),
    walters, vdv, silva, sinclair, (moses),
    adebayor, sturridge, rvp

    so many problems. have got away with having tate so far but looks like this week i may pay for it. with kompany suspended, can i really afford to go into this gw with naylor against liverpool? also, any suggestions for the front 8?

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    1. DarPaC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      any free transfers?

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    2. sahota
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      Free transfers? Money in the bank?

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    3. dcondon007
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      just the one freebie, may be prepared to take a four point hit if its absolutely necessary

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      1. sahota
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 5 months ago

        Moses > Sessegnon if you can afford it and then bench Sinclair. More people have Sinclair than Sessegnon so it could pay off

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      2. DarPaC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 5 months ago

        certainly not worth taking a hit. You can't guarantee the defender you bring in for Naylor will keep a clean sheet so even if Liverpool score 4 Naylor ends up on zero points (replacement might only score 2). Kompany will be back for you by GW12 when Norwich have MU and then fixtures get better.

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        1. dcondon007
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 5 months ago

          not so worried about naylor, will keep him regardless. was thinking of maybe going tate > jevans and then benching naylor? alternatively there's the option of sinclair > nani, or ade > hernandez... or of course i could just keep the extra freebie for after the international break?

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  18. Arsenals Number 10
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    Beat this

    Ruddy

    hutton /enrique / simpson

    ramsey / silva / nani / m petrov

    rvp (vc)/ ageuro (c) / ade

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    1. living the dream
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      Given

      Enrique/Ward/Simpson

      VDV/Nani/M Petrov/Mata

      RVP (c)/Suarez (vc)/Sturridge

      Fixtures are amazing for my team this gw but awful for the next.

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    2. Menly
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      You have a pretty knockout team mate, though Ruddy and MPetrov could be improved, but stilll miles better than mine!

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  19. Browndog
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    im thinking bosi>olsson and boltons petrov>wallcott for a 4 pt hit
    any opinions?

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  20. my left paw
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    Rvp 100%????

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  21. The Pep Revolution
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    Hernandez and Evans or Dzeko and Jones?

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    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      Hernandez and someone else.

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  22. Syd.
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    So we have a Yak, a Goat & a Donkey as this weeks differentials 😆

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    1. Morrissey1986
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      Ngog Greatest Of All Time?

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  23. Henry Hill
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    Wow Robin Van Persie 61% in captain poll, never seen such a unanimous decision. Hope he doesn't disappoint now!

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  24. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    Look at my team. I can afford Sturridge out, Suarez in for free. No brainer, or worth keeping Sturridge since they're playing Blackburn?

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    1. GREENDREAMS11
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      keep sturridge this week. ok suarez has swansea but then 2 tough games after that. Then see how sturridge goes, save the transfer and do the changes next week if necessary. Blackburn also short at the back just now

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      1. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 5 months ago

        I've been planning to do no transfers this week so I'll have two for the following gameweek. I'm bored right now and I'm itching to tinker!

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        1. GREENDREAMS11
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 5 months ago

          Just say No or Talk to Frank

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      2. Oldman Unathletic
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 5 months ago

        Agree

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    2. Demí
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      Kepe Sturridge imo

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      1. Demí
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 5 months ago

        *keep

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  25. Dr Bronner
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    what do we reckon of ben arfas chances of starting/playing this weekend?

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    1. Oldman Unathletic
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      Possibility, not nailed on tho.

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  26. Crouch Potato!
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    Evenin my fellow footie nuts, my almost textbook friday night, pizza,cold stella, the Royle family,ruined by to words INACTIVE TEAMS!

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  27. PFOR
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone watching Derren Brown on Channel 4? Incredible stuff.

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  28. Menly
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    Wait a sec how come Murphy is doubtful with a Knee Injury now? He was fine an hour ago!

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  29. Ian Davis
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    Balotelli to Hernandez worth a 4 point hit?

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    1. sahota
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      Atm that's looking like my free transfer

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  30. Dr Bronner
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    I just don't see the point of sturridge out, he had one off game and everyone is cutting him loose. I think he'll score this weekend.

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    1. GREENDREAMS11
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      eggsackery. could get a good points haul this weekend

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    2. Oldman Unathletic
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      I think its just a general lack of patience from players unreasonably expecting a budget striker to return points every game. I believe he will reward my faith in him over the season as long as he retains a regular spot in chelsea's frontline.

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      1. GREENDREAMS11
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 5 months ago

        the thing is he had a couple of great opportunities last weekend, 1 offside, fluffed another and delayed a pass to torres. On a good day that could easily have been 2 goals and an assist, that could have been a healthy haul, Nobody would have been putting him down then, he would have been a cert in everyones eyes.

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        1. Oldman Unathletic
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 5 months ago

          Agree. Over the course of the season every player is guilty of this. In general he is still way in credit and can only get better with more games under his belt.

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