[sbu_large_image] Scout Notes
4 December 2011 1185 comments
Paul Paul
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The Yak gets well and truly fed at Ewood Park, with a four goal binge against travel-sick Swansea. Gareth Bale produces yet again, while Thomas Vermaelen’s eye for goal continues to reap reward.

Yakubu
A one man demolition job in the win over Swansea saw the Yak take his season’s tally to 9 with all 4 of Blackburn’s goals at Ewood Park. Selected as our cheap striker option in the Scout Picks, Yakubu continued the form that saw him highlighted in our Budget Forwards article for members article at the beginning of November. Steve Kean’s side may be struggling for points but the Nigerian is having no issues in finding the net and with home clashes against West Brom and Bolton in the next three gameweeks, the prospect for more returns looks promising.

Juan Mata
The Spaniard produced yet another assist in yesterday’s win at Newcastle. It’s fair to say that Mata has adapted quicker to the Premier League than David Silva in his first season- Silva returned 4 goals and 9 assists in his debut campaign last time round, while Mata has already bagged 3 goals and 7 assists in his twelve appearances for Chelsea to date.

Micah Richards
The right-back vindicated his Scout Pick selection with yet another assist in City’s home romp over Norwich. City, once again, failed to record a clean sheet- that’s seven games in a row now they have conceded but Richards has now produced 6 assists this term- only David Silva and Juan Mata have managed more.

Steve Morison
His Etihad goal proved nothing more than a mere consolation for the Canaries but it underlined Morison’s recent consistency. Norwich may have won just once in their last five games but Morison has found the net in four of those fixtures, netting against the likes of Arsenal as well as Man City, and continues to look a bargain buy at just 5.0.

Heidar Helguson
Yet another cut-price option producing the goods right now, Helguson’s opener in QPR’s home draw with West Brom was his sixth goal in the last seven games. Installed up front against Blackburn back in gameweek eight, he continues to prove a crucial figure for Neil Warnock’s side- having scored against both Man City and Chelsea in that run, his chances of netting in the next two games (liv, MUN) are perhaps not as slim as previously imagined.

Joey Barton
Having missed last week’s trip to Norwich through suspension, his return to the QPR first-team saw Barton continue an impressive run of form. His assist in the 1-1 Loftus Road stalemate was Barton’s third in successive matches, with his creativity becoming increasingly potent as the gameweeks go by.

Gareth Bale
With Rafael Van der Vaart earning no more than a late sub appearance and Emmanuel Adebayor failing to fire, Bale continued his sensational attacking form. The Welshman grabbed a goal and assist and was also boosted by Spurs’ clean sheet- his last five games have produced 4 goals and 5 assists. Given his first eight games returned a single goal, the turnaround in Bale’s season has been extraordinary as Harry Redknapp’s side continue to rack up the wins.

Thomas Vermaelen
The Belgian is quickly becoming the scourge of Fantasy managers who’ve chosen to captain Robin Van Persie over the last few gameweeks. Vermaelen’s return to the Arsenal first-team continues to catch the eye- a goal, assist and clean sheet at Wigan yesterday gives him a strong chance of stealing the maximum bonus from under Van Persie’s nose. Vermaelen has returned 3 bonus points in two of the previous three games and has now scored 3 goals in his last four fixtures.

Robin Van Persie
Last week’s blank against Fulham proved nothing more to be a temporary blip as the Gunners skipper returned to form against Wigan. Another goal, supplemented by a couple of assists, means he’s scored 14 goals and produced 5 assists already this term- almost on a par of his 18 and 7 he picked up last season respectively. Granted, the first half of the previous campaign was blighted by injury but if the Dutchman can stay fit, breaching the 30 goal mark seems a realistic tally.

Phil Jones
The former Blackburn man may have missed last week’s game with Newcastle but returned for the trip to Villa Park, with Sir Alex Ferguson handing him a central midfield role in yesterday evening’s clash. Jones grabbed the game’s only goal and a clean sheet- he looks a strong contender for the maximum bonus, too. His versatility was demonstrated halfway through the second half, as Fergie’s decision to bring Ryan Giggs on allowed Jones to slip back to centre half, with Rio Ferdinand making way. While the forwards struggle to find the net, United’s defence have produced 4 clean sheets in five games and the next five games looks likely to offer further chance of returns from the back.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

  1. adams_6
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    I did have my next few transfers lined up. Then Taylor is out for the season and Chico for a month and Lampard experiment looks in tatters AND Given twangs a hammy. I love the way this game kiks you in the balls just when you think you're getting there!
    Currently thinking Lamps back to Nani and Taylor out for Vermaelen.....
    This is for my first hit of the season, I hate them!

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    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Is Taylor out for the season!?!

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        Stevie is having sergury today, but it looks like he will be out for the season

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        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 3 months ago

          have a feeling this is what Vermaelen did last year

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          1. Royal5
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 3 months ago

            Ouch.. Major blow for Newcastle. Won't get as many CS from now on imo.

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  2. 1966 was a great year for E…
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    What do you call a reindeer with no eyes and no legs having sex?

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    1. Anorak
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      This comment breaks the terms and conditions of the site and has therefore been removed.

      😉

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    2. Hay Number 2
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      A sicko? 😉

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      1. 1966 was a great year for E…
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        I tried sado-masochistic, necrophiliac bestialty last night. It was like flogging a dead horse...

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        1. Hay Number 2
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 3 months ago

          Ha ha....the things we do after a couple of pints 😉

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    3. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      screwdolf

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    4. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Lost in Wales?

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        I am sorry to all the Welsh reading this

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    5. Dynamo Chicken
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      I have still no idea, fecker

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  3. hillbillypete
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Major defensive probs having Given, Saylor, and Woodgate 🙁

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  4. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    What are people thoughts on Barfa? ..And why did he go off at half time vs. Chelsea?

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    1. A.
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      He's not a bad shout, but Pardew took him off as a tactical change as Chelsea were on top and he wanted to get Newcastle back in the game a bit more, for his price he's still decent

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      1. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        Ok. Thanks.

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  5. The Spudgunner
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Newcastle Defender Steven Taylor is likely to miss the rest of the season as he prepares to undergo surgery on his injured Achilles tendon.

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    1. Anorak
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      I was thinking of a newcastle defender now their fixtures are easing, but this news (and the injury to Coloccini) is making me think otherwise.

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      1. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        So.. How will they rearrange the defence with Colo and S.Taylor gone..?

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        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 3 months ago

          raylor, simpson, perch/wilkinson, santon

          wilkinson is injured too apparently

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        2. Anorak
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 3 months ago

          Not sure that Coloccini is out. He may still be back for next week.

          In which case it's simply Perch for STaylor.

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  6. Mull
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Transfers for the next two weeks.

    GW15: Hernandez and Drenthe to Bale and Welbeck
    GW16: Santos to 7.0m defender.

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  7. TigerGaz
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Current team is

    Westwood/Ruddy
    Kompany/Enrique/Simpson/Monk/Assou Ekotto
    VDV/Nani/Walters/Larsson/Dyer
    RVP/Aguero/Sturridge

    Originally planned Aguero to Hernandez, but ofc he's injured now...

    Anybody i need rid of? Kompany>Jones/Richards or is that a sideways move? Wouldn't mind Bale/Adebayor but it would need to be a 4 point hit, can't get enough of Spurs atm.

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  8. jamsiep
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Strongly considering doubling up on the Arsenal defence. Outrageous.

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  9. Well you know, Triffic
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    I'm going to call it: Stoke will beat Everton.

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    1. Screaming Midget
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      So long as Walters scores.

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      1. Shipstontrev
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        +19

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  10. sackenfox
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    any new zealanders on here?

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    1. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Are you about to make a hideously racist a joke about them 😀

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      1. sackenfox
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        depends how many are around and how big they are...

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      2. sackenfox
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        but i was just casually going to mention how the aussies 2nd string bowling attack made them feel like little girls who'd just seen their first male genitals- surprised, bewildered, and wishing they had one like that.

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        1. thobe230
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 3 months ago

          Yeh, I'm a little embarrased about that, least not living in NZ at the moment so not as bad

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          1. sackenfox
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 3 months ago

            😀

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  11. ★A-O-Chamberlain★ COYG …
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    A) Richards & Walcott
    or
    B) 5.2 defender & VDV

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    1. mouldy_uk
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      A

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  12. jamsiep
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Bets for today:

    Everton -1 @ 21/10
    Bily anytime @ 15/2

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    1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Everton -1 i like. Looking at win to nil as well

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      1. jamsiep
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        Got very lucky last night, put money on Soldado anytime for Valencia - without looking at the the line-ups, he was on the bench.

        It was 1-1 after about 78 minutes, he came on and scored with his first touch. 8)

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  13. Here We Go Again
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    any news on Drenthe guys?

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  14. Bsal
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    given al habsi
    p jones richards enrique rtaylor brown
    bale silva walcott walters pilkington
    ba adebayor rvp

    suggestions 1 ft0.5 m in the bank

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    1. d452
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Given --> Krul

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      1. Hay Number 2
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        exciting 😉

        But to be fair......it's the right call

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      2. Bsal
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        given to krul and richards to vermalean(cant rely on richards to keep assisting without cs...7 in a row without cs)

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  15. Rasping Drive
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Dr. Socrates RIP. A legend among footballers.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkq4fVKzibY&feature=related

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    1. Bsal
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      rip

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    2. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Class

      I like this backheel:

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZxvYy5-ekI#t=23s

      and this dummy:

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZxvYy5-ekI#t=4m55s - the way he casually glances over his shoulder to watch the goal fly in, smooooooth!

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  16. Hay Number 2
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Pimp my super 8:

    I currently have....

    VDV Ramsey Silva Dyer Walters
    Sturridge Adebayor RVP

    3.1 in the bank, what to do?

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    1. Shipstontrev
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Dyer to Larsson?

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      1. Hay Number 2
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah I hadn't thought of that! Although part of me doesn't warm to him....don't know why...

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        1. Shipstontrev
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 3 months ago

          I know what you mean, but they're home to Blackburn in O'Neill's first game in charge, an he' on free kicks.

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      2. Arse Craic
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        Keep Dyer, you'll need someone to bench every week.
        Ramsey looks like the weak link at the min...Ramsey > Bale?

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  17. OPTA FPL
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    A.Mata + Sturride
    B. Bale + Ba
    C. Bale + Sturride

    choose for me 😀

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    1. d452
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      B

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    2. mouldy_uk
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      B

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    3. Bsal
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      b

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    4. Hay Number 2
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      b

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    5. OPTA FPL
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      OK, the same option.
      thank all guys

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    6. sackenfox
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      everybody is on the Ba bandwagon.. I'm not convinced. C for me.

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      1. Baines on Toast...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        It's the Baandwagon, but I agree. Newcastle's fixtures are tougher than they seem with injuries, think they're really going to go downhill very quickly.

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    7. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      B

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    8. CarelessGenius©
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      C. Chelsea certainly looking better after yesterday, especially going forward. Some of Mata's through balls are superb.....

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

      C. I'd always rather have a player from a top team.

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  18. Chris_White
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    C

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

    Who is the second swansea keeper? Already have vorm and thinking of selling given and get a cheeper replacment to free up some cash

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    1. Scroobius Mac
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Look at Cerny - going to be playing for QPR til the next WC and only 4.0

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    2. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      tremmel

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    3. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Covers you for injury, but not for snow...

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  20. bmb100
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    I wish I still had my WC...

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    1. heartsattack
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Constructive.

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    2. sackenfox
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      oh yes. you sir are up sh*t creek.
      good score this week though still.

      Hernandez -> Ba/sturridge
      Taylor-> Vermaelen?/

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  21. ★A-O-Chamberlain★ COYG …
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    A) Adebayor & N dyer
    or
    B) Yakubu & 8.2 midfeilder?

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    1. sackenfox
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      A

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    2. Retro
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      A

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  22. Mull
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Prediction's for todays games.

    Everton 3-0 Stoke
    Wolves 2-3 Sundeland

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    1. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      2-0 and 3-1 imo

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    2. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      2-0, 2-1

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  23. kaz 96
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    A) sturridge and aguero > ba and rooney( free )
    B)sturridge > ba (save 1 FT)
    c)aguero ,sturridge and ward >ba,suarez and vermaelen(4 pt hit)
    d) any other option?

    team:
    vorm(schwarzer)
    ward,jones,BAE(brown,naylor)

    sess,silva,brunt,vdv(ferguson)

    aguero,sturridge,RVP

    2 FT, 0.7 in the bank

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    1. sackenfox
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      I don't like the look of any of those trades... I think your team is ok as is.
      depending on fitness maybe VDV-Bale

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    2. Call Me Old Fashioned
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      C but with Ade over suarez?

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    3. d452
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Ward and Aguero --> Verm and Adebayor

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  24. Samwise the Brave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Slept on it but it still seems the right thing to do
    herdnez,VDV,ShawX —-> Bale(Nani),Vermlan,Ba for 4 points hit,
    Should I be talked out of it (i can afford to wait a bit on ba and verm but not with bale to VDV)

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    1. sackenfox
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      I would not ship out VDV unless you need to for the money

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    2. d452
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      I'm considering ShawX out too given his fixtures...

      I'd say Hernandez and Shawx you should do now and wait on VDV if possible...

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    3. Samwise the Brave
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      I can afford to wait on VDV and still do the other two, but i'm being killed in my mini league by bale

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      1. sackenfox
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        cwappng out VDV would just be chasing points that have already gone imo.. VDV is still good long term (providing he doesn't re-injure himself)

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  25. Elfman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Any Suggestions for next week?

    de Gea / Ruddy
    Taylor R / Kompany / Jose Enrique / Ferdinand / Barnett
    Murphy / Nani / Ramsey / Silva / Allen
    Agbonlahor / Adebayor / Van Persie

    2 FT and £0.4m in the bank

    Thanks in advance

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  26. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Thinking about this moves:

    Kompany -> Vermaelen/Jones
    Sinclair -> Bale

    Will cost me 4 points.

    Current team:

    Begovic - Vorm
    Simpson - Enrique - Kompany - Wilkinson - N.Taylor
    Silva - VDV - Sinclair - Walters - B.Johnson
    RVP - Ba - Adebayor

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    1. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      I'm with you on the Kompany transfer. Just not sure how convinced I am by Arsenal defensively, although Verm seems an offensive beast. Jones may be the safer option, but don't know about what rotation will do to him over the christmas period...

      Sinclair to Bale is a classic, but I would wait a week with that one

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      1. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        Jones is a better pick, if he plays. Cheaper and better fixtures and Man United look solid at back. But that rotation is killing me.. Hmmmm..

        Why wait with Sinclair -> Bale? He has done nothing lately and Bale is killing me 😕

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  27. Call Me Old Fashioned
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Given Vorm
    Kompany BAE Enrique Simpson Brown
    Dyer Silva VDV Walters Drenthe
    RVP Ade Hernandez

    0 in bank, 1 FT. Thinking of:

    1 - Hernandez--->Ba/Welbeck
    2 - Hernandez+Brown--->Ba/Welbeck +Jones/Verm (-4)
    3 - Hernandez+VDV--->Ba/Welbeck + Bale (-4) enough to do Drenthe --->Mata GW16 (No utd cover)
    4 - Hernandez+Brown+Drenthe ----> Ba/Welbeck+Jones+Larsson (any

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    1. d452
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Leave VDV...do Hernandez --> Ba

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    2. Call Me Old Fashioned
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      end of 4 should read : (or any

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  28. d452
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    My team is...

    Vorm, Al Habsi
    Kompany, Jagielka, J Enrique, Shawcross, Simpson
    Silva, Moses, Bale, Tiote, Larsson
    Suarez, Sturridge, Van Persie

    I have 1FT and 3.5m in the bank.

    Can you please suggest what you would change in this team?

    Some ideas...

    A) Shawcross to Vermaelen/Jones or other United/Arsenal defender
    B) Moses/Tiote upgrade to Walters/Arteta/Yaya/Eagles/Lennon/O'Hara
    C) Sturridge/Suarez to Adebayor/Welbeck

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    1. Call Me Old Fashioned
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Moses and Tiote should be your main priority. So I say B

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  29. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    ShawX + Sinclair ---> Verm + O'Hara

    Good move?

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    1. sackenfox
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      YES

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  30. OPTA FPL
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    For Ba owner, i just check and see Africa Cup 2012 will start from 21 Jan

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    1. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      The players involved leave earlier than that - officially 2 weeks before, I think, but there's usually a bit of give and take.

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      1. OPTA FPL
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        and i think Senegal will have more friendly match before that moment

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    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Ok, thanks.

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    3. Elniñorules
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      For you, I just thank

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