Podcast
25 November 2011 872 comments
Mark Mark
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Granville may have left for sunny shores, but while he’s sipping on his cocktails, pondering how to juggle his Man City strikers to ensure they miss out on points, I’ve laboured on without him.

I say laboured, what we have this week is possibly the first “grown up” podcast we’ve ever produced, as I chew the fat with an actual football expert, rather than my regular Mancunian pretender.

Renowned football writer, Jonathan Wilson, joined me for a chat, just a week after his latest work – the Brian Clough biography – “Nobody Ever Says Thank You” hit the shelves.

We inevitably talk Clough, discuss the theories behind the Premier League’s goal explosion, the plight of Wilson’s own beloved Sunderland and, of course, pick apart Jonathan’s own Fantasy Football team.

Wilson’s own labour of love – The Blizzard. – is also on the agenda. The quarterly magazine captures some of the best football writing around, delivering in-depth and leftfield articles, ignored by the mainstream football media.

Issue Three is due for release on December 1 in electronic form or print, with back issues available on a “pay what you want” model. You can find full details on the Blizzard’s site right here.

Get yourself a copy after listening in on the chat via this link.

Alternatively, our convenient little player below delivers your goods right into your browsers…

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

872 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Fernando Torres
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Will Torres start tomorrow ?

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  2. ralphypne
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Any Need to use my free transfer this week (could prob do with 2 next week)?

    Ruddy (Given)
    Jags Brown Warnock (Kompany, S.Taylor)
    Mata Bale Silva Pilkington (Moses)
    Suarez RVP(c) Bendtner

    Thoughts appreciated! Was contemplating Warnock > Smalling as a bit of a differential.

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    1. AIRMILES
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      I'd stick with that, though I'd probably play Kompany ahead of Jagielka.

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  3. AIRMILES
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Half your team dont play.

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  4. sheetil
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    bleh.... Ship out VDV for Bale, and maybe upgrade dyer/ramsey?

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  5. Waldaz
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Would you play McAuley ahead of Kompany?

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  6. shirtless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Giving Saurez one more week to prove his worth, then going to ship him out with two transfers next week and 2.3m in the bank. Q is who provides the better value now that Silva has risen 1.0m? Silva or Agureo?

    Got Cleverley to get rid off too, so can do Suarez+Cleverley to 6.5m striker+Silva, or just stick Aguero in for Saurez and replace Cleverley with a 5.7m mid...?

    Or can do Clev/Saurez/Tiote out for Silva/Morison/6.1m mid? And go 3-5-2 with Morison first sub, maybe with Drenthe as fifth mid?

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    1. Hazardous Liege '76
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Already shipped him out for Adebayour and now VDV a doubt again - can't decide whether to take a 4 point hit?!

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    2. unoaime
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      So you're getting rid of Suarez after he's played Chelsea and Man City? Getting rid of him now he's ful, QPR, avl, wig, BLA.

      I'm annoyed his price has dropped but if you've kept him this long, you may as well have him long-term imo.

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      1. shirtless
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        I fancied him to score against creaking Chelsea, and now fancy him to score against City, hence held off this week. But I have no City attackers, not selling Rooney/Bale/RVP so Saurez is my only source of funds. I could just do Clev>Toure and be back where I started the season bar Sinclair coming in for Taarabt lol 🙂 But everytime Silva rips someone apart it will annoy!!!

        Hmm have to give some thought...

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  7. Kingston
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Applebonkers, care to enlighten me on your transfer plans for this week?!

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    1. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      probably just do my usual transfer of goalscorer out, non-scorer in.

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      1. Kingston
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        Lets hope so mate, might make our cup h2h closer!

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    2. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      got your team bookmarked. adebayor the danger man, might have to buy him

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      1. Kingston
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        Don't worry about him, he's on my bench!

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  8. div
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    RMT please

    Vorm
    Gabbidon, ShawX, Jones
    Silva, VDV, Walters, Drenthe
    RVP(c), Adebayor, Augero

    Subs - Raylor, Enrique, Ferguson

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  9. vicvega1978
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    So, who thinks RVP will be rested this weekend?

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    1. Miro
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      I think he will start and get subbed off after 70-80 minutes.

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    2. sheetil
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      everybody....

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    3. Taribo West on a free
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Not I.

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      1. GoonerByron
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        I can't see Wenger resting him when we're relying on him to get us up the table... :-\

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    4. Kostja
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      More likely to be rested next week against WIgan

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  10. Miro
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    What to do with Rooney? Gonna wait till tommorow, but if he doesnt make it I want to get rid of him for sure.

    A) Rooney -> Yakubu/Klasnic, Drenthe -> Lampard
    B) Rooney -> Adebayor, Drenthe -> Walcott
    C) Rooney -> Adebayor
    D) Keep Rooney and hope he plays

    Thoughts appreciated.

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    1. Crouch Potato!
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      He's been declared fit hasn't he.

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      1. Miro
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        Really ? How did I miss it

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  11. Fernando Torres
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Torres+Vermaelen - 4 point hit to get aguero in next week

    Aguero+N.Taylor- 4 point hit this week to get rid of torres

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  12. grifster69
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Help please: 1 FT
    a)Ballotelli and Silva out for Lamps and Sturridge(4 point hit)
    b)Bosingwa and Ball out for Jones and Sturridge(4 point hit)
    C)one of the above trans(no hit)

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    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Bos > Jones is the only one worth it. Chelsea have a poor run after this week? Do you have Ade? Ballotelli > Ade?

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      1. grifster69
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        Have Ade and RVP think ill just get Jones in and hope that Mancini starts Ballot.

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    2. AIRMILES
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Don't get rid of Silva - that would be mental.
      Defo get rid of Bos.

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  13. Enrique
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Worst. Podcast. Ever.

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    1. alsybach
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      you do one then clever arse.............

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  14. zan
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Who should I play as 1st sub? Simpson, Barnett, Reo-Coker
    I have 2 free Transfers and If I trade out VDV I only get 10.1m
    please RMT and potential transfers - Thanks

    My team is

    Vorm (Krul)

    Kompany,Enrique,Williams
    Silva,VDV,Mata(vc),N.Dyer
    RVP(c),Aguero,Agb

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    1. sla9sa
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Trade VDV out get bailed and then upgrade agbon to Hernandez or Bellamy

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  15. Fernando Torres
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    RMT
    Vorm(Ruddy)
    BAE Brown Vermaelen (Enrique) (R.Taylor)
    Silva VDV Sessegnon Sinclair (Ferguson)
    Aguero RVP(C) Adebayor(vc)

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    1. Braamish
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Good team

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  16. Elniñorules
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    To all those thinking of startin Ruddy, beware....cos the Helgicopter is taking off 😀

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15802573.stm?

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    1. FPL Daniel
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      I might bring him for Aguero. I watched him and I liked him. Should I do it?

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      1. Elniñorules
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        Great minds think alike, Dan. Personally I've been waiting on this news. I'd probably wait for one more source to confirm his fitness. Then jump aboard the Helgicopter...the best champaigne in town is waiting for you 😀

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        1. FPL Daniel
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 25 days ago

          I like the fixtures too. Will save a lot of cash and I will bench him only for the liv game when I can easily play Dyer.

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      2. Manilaman
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        Aguero to Helguson is silly.

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        1. FPL Daniel
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 25 days ago

          Well I have 3 City players, fully expect for them to loose some points, not to score that many goals and with this fixtures I don't want to have 3 of them. I will save cash too for Baines, Ade and Bale. Fair enough as I see it. If I am motivated I could do Sturridge to Rooney next time

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          1. FPL Daniel
            • 16 Years
            14 years, 25 days ago

            Rest, rotation and CL game too

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          2. Elniñorules
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 25 days ago

            Precisely. So much spare cash. I'm aiming at this:

            Vorm Ruddy
            Caulker Brown Wilko Enrique Simpson
            VDV Silva Lamps Johnson Moses
            RVP Roo Helguson

            It feels awesome having 2 RVPs & 1 Rooney in your team 😀

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      3. Crouch Potato!
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        Only concern Barton out may have an impact. Gabbidon and Young also out.

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  17. cechmate
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Stupid VdV...think I'm going to hold off on getting Bale though. Don't think Spurs are as good without VdV.

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    1. Braamish
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Not sure mate. Bale will rise probably and may dominate WB

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      1. cechmate
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        Yeah, having nightmares about what he'll do to Reid. Crossing my fingers and hoping that without VdV to worry about West Brom will be able to double up on him.

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    2. Crouch Potato!
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Is he definitively out.

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  18. sheetil
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    who's taking pens at TOT when VDV is gone? Modric?

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    1. cechmate
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      I reckon so

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    2. Elniñorules
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Ade has a decent chance as well. We all know he was second to RVP at Arsenal.

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  19. Braamish
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Thinking about doing the following:

    1 Kompany > Brown & b Johnson > Bale 4 pt hit
    2. Saurez > Hernandez
    3. Dyer / Johnson > Walters / drenthe / Allen / eagles

    Here is my team:

    Vorm / habsi
    Kompany / jones / Evans / simpson / mcauley
    Vdv / silva / Ramsey / dyer / b Johnson
    Rvp / Saurez / sturridge

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  20. J.Mata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Thought about this team? Do you think I have atleast 11 players who get some game time this week?

    Westwood
    Jones / Evans / Brown
    VDV / Ramsey / Bale / Sess
    RVP / Aguero / Welbeck

    (Henessey, Wilkinson, BAE, Drenthe)

    I haven't done any transfers yet this week.

    Doubts:
    Jones -rotation
    Evans -dropped
    VDV -injury
    RVP -rest
    Welbeck injury

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    1. J.Mata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      I think i'm doing one of these options:

      1. Welbeck -> Yakubu
      2. VDV & Welbeck -> Lampard & Yakubu
      3. VDV & Welbeck -> Walcott & Adebayor

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  21. lazybones18
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Happy thanksgiving folks

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    1. Frazek
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Hand our tea back! 🙂

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  22. HomerJ
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Hey all, could u please RMT 4 this GW ,

    Vorm
    Brown – Jones – Richards
    VDV – Lampard – Silva -Pilkington
    RVP (c) – Adebayor – Agbon

    Subs: Dyer – R Taylor – Simpson

    Thoughts appreciated !!

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    1. lazybones18
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      lol @ your name...

      good team.. i wouldnt change anything

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  23. wimiw
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Should i use my free transfer on mata --> Bale/walcott or should i keep it for next week?

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    1. lazybones18
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      i would use it Now... not a big fan of Mata.. not worth his $$$

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    2. J.Mata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Save it!

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  24. Locarno
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Haven't captained RVP the past two weeks. Don't think I'll change that policy this time.

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    1. alsybach
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      why not? because that plan aint working to well...............

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  25. whoracle
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    "My name is Mark and... Granville's not here" HILARIOUS!!!! 😀

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    1. Pat Mustard
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Don't bother listening to it, it's no good

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      1. whoracle
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        rly?

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        1. Pat Mustard
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 25 days ago

          yup

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  26. Loooser
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Is the general consensus that Silva will be rested?

    And that VDV will not play?

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    1. Locarno
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      That would be brilliant. Silva rested, VDV injured, Rooney injured, Aguero rested... the list goes on.

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      1. @ImpressiveTackl
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        *covers ears* La la la la la, I can't hear you, lalalaaa

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        1. Team Hayemaker
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 25 days ago

          Silva was rested last week you muppet. He will play. Rooney will start and do nothing. Aguero will play. RVP will score a brace. VdV is probabaly out but if you have him start him and let the bench do the rest.

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      2. Loooser
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        On the other hand, better to be rested than to play 20 min a get 2 points
        (as happens with Silva regularely)

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        1. Team Hayemaker
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 25 days ago

          stop talking and go and do your nails.

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    2. jamsiep
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      If Silva is rested, I'll.........

      You name it.

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      1. FPL Daniel
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        You name it, you name it... Just in case ..

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    3. Ismail
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      is vdv out for sure?

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      1. Loooser
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        I think: Rooney will play, VDV not at all, Silva and Aguero will get half a game, RvP same. Previous GWs show us the logic - good thing is that RVP, Aguero, VDV can score even if playing 45 minutes.

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        1. Jonah
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 25 days ago

          Very rare that players get half a game in a competitive premier league match, but you have predicted that its going to happen to three of the biggest Fantasy prospects at once?

          Ok weirdo.

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          1. Loooser
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 25 days ago

            Weirdo, take a look at the history of these players..... do you seem that they played 12x90 mins.?

            But no one knows for sure..... we will see whose decisions would be more lucky. But you, you have the connection with the highest, prophet Jonah, maybe you could ask him for an advice for your friends 🙂

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      2. Team Hayemaker
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        probably

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      3. Cyril Figgis
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        He's probably maybe defintely got a chance of certainly being out. No one knows to be honest.

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    4. sla9sa
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      I have a feeling Silva might not play, Mancini has said that Silva finds I difficult to play back to back games, and Nasri looked sharp in the 1o minutes he played against Napoli. VDV might start he hamstring has always been an issue!

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      1. Loooser
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        For this GW luck will be also important: chances that these folks will play or not are 50%, we do not know for sure, it is tough deciding. It is mostly on our feeling whom to trust.... it will be tough.

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    5. Loooser
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      I benched Silva and play VDV.

      Either automatic substitution or .... disaster if VDV gets 2 and Silva scores and assists for 25 minutes on the pitch.

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      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        I'm playing both, if they don't play, well that's why you have a bench.

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        1. Loooser
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 25 days ago

          Sure.... but I am afraid that they will play 25 minutes and get 2 pt. It happened with them many times this season.

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  27. @ImpressiveTackl
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Eugh, I think I'm getting beat in the cup this week:

    Opponent:
    Given (Kenny)
    Kompany Jones Brown (Orr Simpson)
    Nani Silva Ramsey Sinclair (Moses)
    RVP Adebayor Bentdner

    My Team:
    Vorm (Foster)
    Baines Brown Wilkinson (Barnett Naylor)
    VDV Silva Walters Drenthe (Allen)
    RVP Aguero Bentdner

    Don't think there is much I could do about this with 1 FT. Maybe Aguero > Rooney(c) masterstroke?

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    1. AIRMILES
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Dude - you have the better team. If you don't win I'll be amazed.

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    2. Locarno
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      So...

      Given
      Kompany Jones
      Nani Ramsey Sinclair
      Aguero

      versus

      Vorm
      Baines Wilkinson
      VDV Walters Drenthe
      Aguero

      Presuming VDV plays, you're a huge chance.

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      1. Locarno
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        *Adebayor, obviously

        If Nani is benched (likely because I've got the idiot), I'd have money on your team.

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    3. Team Hayemaker
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Chances are yes but who knows. Ageuro brace and you laughing.

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  28. colin1201
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    who are people trading suarez for?
    which is better

    suarez to hernandez and ramsey to adam
    or
    ramsey to nani only

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    1. Braamish
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      1

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  29. lazybones18
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    I honestly hope RVP gets injured
    he is a no brainer captain and have made the Fantasy game boring

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    1. jamsiep
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      You know that you do have 14 other players?

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      1. Retro
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        I see you missed out on the cup on 61 too JP. The number 61 is going to haunt me for a while...

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        1. jamsiep
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 25 days ago

          Yeah, absolutely gutting.

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    2. Back on the horse
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      I don't have him.

      it makes it more exciting, like seeing if you can ride your bike along the curb

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    3. Silenzi's Dream Team
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      just saw a fake post removed - it stated that RVP was KK'd... which I believe was meant to say KO'd - poor job in trying to mislead...

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      1. Silenzi's Dream Team
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        it was on totalfpl

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    4. JC
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Bullshit comment

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    5. Djerbil
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      I will kick u if u say that: From Arsenal fan's Association

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    6. Crouch Potato!
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      You see to forget that he is still not in many teams. To buy him now is costly teams become weakened in other areas.Strange comment.

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      1. AIRMILES
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        I agree. I got him at 11.9 and am now very content that there are still people in my league who are yet to bring him in. And in fairness, I did miss the Rooney and Aguero bandwagons. At some point we will all have to decide whether to captain someone different. These are exciting times.

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    7. AIRMILES
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Also, more people till have Aguero, Rooney and Suarez.

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  30. iCon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Afternoon Gents,

    Here's my team for this week; have I got it right in terms of subs and am I right to save my transfer for next week?

    Vorm
    Brown Wilkinson Naylor
    Silva VDV Walters Bale Eagles
    RVP(C) Bendtner
    (Krul/Dzeko/Kompany/McAuley)

    Was considering Kompany and Dzeko to Baines and Yakubu for a 4 point hit, but now I reckon it's not worth it for this gameweek considering I can leave both out of the team without a massive weakness. Thoughts much appreciated......

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