[sbu_large_image] Scout Picks
20 December 2011 1804 comments
Paul Paul
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The turnaround in Gameweeks may be rapid but the Scout Selection Committee have been busy behind the scenes to bring you another set of picks. To an extent, Fantasy managers are somewhat at the mercy of any last-minute revelations right now, with team news so thin on the ground ahead of this evening’s 7.30pm deadline…

Tim Krul gets the nod between the posts with a home game against West Brom this Wednesday. With Fabricio Coloccini back in the heart of defence and Cheik Tiote installed to midfield, Newcastle kept Swansea at bay last weekend and will be hoping for back-to-back clean sheet as the Baggies make their way to Tyneside.

We’re sticking with Chris Samba once again in the back-three. The Blackburn skipper continues to provide a vital attacking threat to the Rovers attacks and has now bagged 2 goals and 4 assists in his last six full appearances. A home derby against Bolton gives Steve Kean’s side a chance to atone for last weekend’s Ewood Park defeat at the hands of West Brom.

Everton have yet to record a single clean sheet at Goodison this season but the visit of Swansea looks promising for David Moyes’ side. The Welsh club have failed to score in four of their eight away fixtures and with Leighton Baines also offering plenty going forward on the Toffees left flank, the full-back could be primed for a return to form this Gameweek.

We’ve opting for the security of Vincent Kompany ahead of Man City’s home clash with Stoke. Normally, we’d draft in Micah Richards, given his goal and 6 assists this season, but with Gael Clichy back from suspension on the left, Roberto Mancini has options in the full-back area. With Pablo Zabaleta excelling against Arsenal, the Argentine may keep his place in the starting XI; Richards appeared to be struggling late on in the game against the Gunners, though there has been no mention of any injury by the club.

Having seemingly recovered from his foot injury, Royston Drenthe is drafted into the Scout Picks. There’s no doubting the Dutchman’s class- coming off the bench against Norwich on Saturday, he needed only nine minutes to set up an assist- his fifth of the season, despite limited game time. Drenthe’s creativity will be key for Everton at home to Swansea, with David Moyes looking to halt a loss of form that has seen the Toffees pick up one point from the last three games.

Nani maintains his place in the picks, with a trip to Fulham up next for Man United. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have upped their attacking returns of late and despite returning no more than 3 Fantasy points at QPR on Sunday, the winger looked a constant threat throughout. Fulham may have kept two successive home clean sheets but the champions will put that record to the test at the Cottage on Wednesday evening.

Despite the struggles of Sunderland, Seb Larsson has proved the best of the mid-price midfielders so far this season. The 6.7-priced Swede’s set-pieces and delivery from the flank have seen him accumulate 74 points, only 4 behind the likes of Rafael Van der Vaart. A trip to Loftus Road will hold no fear for Martin O’Neill’s side and with QPR recording just one clean sheet in the last eleven matches, Larsson’s the likeliest of any Black Cat to get amongst the points.

We have slight doubts over the inclusion of David Silva. A home game against Stoke offers plenty potential but as the fixtures fly by, there’s always the possibility of Roberto Mancini resting some of his key players over the festive period. Nevertheless, we can’t run the risk of leaving him out, with the Spaniard just pipping Rafael Van der Vaart to the final place in midfield.

Robin Van Persie is straight back into the Scout Picks after a brief disappearance last weekend. Up against an Aston Villa side with three home defeats in their last four, Van Persie looks a strong favourite for the armband. The Dutchman hasn’t gone more than one game without scoring since gameweek 6 and looks likely to torment an out-of-sorts Villa side on Wednesday evening.

Demba Ba may have failed to find the net against Swansea but we’re marking that down as nothing more than a temporary blip. West Brom have picked up just one clean sheet on the road this term, back in gameweek 4 at Norwich, and with penalty duties also in his locker, Ba looks a good bet to breach the Baggies back-line tomorrow evening. Given the striker’s troublesome knee injury history, there’s a slight chance Alan Pardew could rest and rotate as the fixtures come thick and fast but with Newcastle looking for a first win in six, that perhaps seems unlikely.

Tonight’s battle at Ewood Park sees the two worst defences in the league go head to head. Yakubu’s 4 goal haul against Swansea is still fresh in the memory and with an all-Lancashire derby against Bolton this evening, he’ll be looking to get the frustrated home fans back on side. Bolton have conceded 2 or more goals in six of their last seven away matches and with the Nigerian also on penalty duties, his chances of scoring look strong.

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

    Cant wait to see vermaelen score

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

      +1

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      1. FPL Daniel
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        +100

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

      -101

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  2. Commander Makara
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    For all those unsure of captain choice then think of it this way. Who is most likely to tear up a gameweek and also rinse you for not picking him? RVP
    The only other player this week would be Yak.
    Rooney a slight possibility, but it's tough at Fulham.
    all the other have a rotation risk or can't be banked on to produce a score like RVP?

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    1. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      +1

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

      Another way to look at it is that you play 12 players, who would you play twice

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

      I think you forgot to mention Demba Ba.

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      1. Commander Makara
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        Your right I din't mention him 🙂

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  3. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    What are Ryan taylors chances of regaining his place against west brom? Anyone in the know?

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

      N Taylor is this month's hot potato

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      1. THE BAD
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        ? why?

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    2. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Raylor looks unlikely to return in time, and Santon did well last GW. Raylor won't be risked if there's any doubt, which there is - don't hold breath, make contingency plans now.

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  4. Spike ⚽️
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    I see a lot of you think RVP might be benched agst Wolves. That game and Chelsea V Fulham might be posponed if the tube strike goes ahead!!

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    1. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Going to be postponed only to next day so will be in same GW. Don't have article link on me but was buzzing round the site today, check it.

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

    will Yakubu return 4 points more than Welbeck??

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    1. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Probably

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

      If you get in Yakubu this week you will most probably be wanting to get rid next week, I wouldn't get him in just for this week imo.

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

      this is THE week if you want Yak

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    4. Podge
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      This week he will

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  6. Fudge
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Got lost on previous page:

    Want to make 3 transfers over this gameweek and the next:

    Kompany, Brown, Yakubu -> Hibbert, Evans, Sturridge

    I have 1 free this week. Do i do Brown -> Hibbert this week (expecting a cleanie), then next week Kompany + Yak -> Evans + Sturridge.

    Either way i’ll be taking a 4pt hit somewhere. And am I crazy bringing in Hibbert?!

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    1. Spike ⚽️
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Wait til GW 20 for Hibbert for double header

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

        But swansea at home.. plus I won't be playing Brown at all

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        1. Spike ⚽️
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 3 months ago

          OK but they conceded agst Norwich and I have Jagielka!!

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

      Yes, you are crazy for bringing in Hibbert. For this one week he might get a clean sheet, by why would you want him in after this week?

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

        double header coming up, but I see your point

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        1. Commander Makara
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 3 months ago

          Wait for the snow!

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  7. Spike ⚽️
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Zamora in squad agst Man U

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

    Please can I get some advice on my team gents. I want to save my transfer next week so I can downgrade Kompany to Evans and use the money to upgrade Ferguson.
    However Im concerned about my bench this week, as I only have Simpson on stand by.
    Save to safe it???? or do Wilko to Evans????

    Vorn (Westwood)
    Enrique Jones Kompany (Simpson Wilkinson)
    Silva Drenthe Bale Nani (Ferguson)
    Ba RVP(C) Ade

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  9. Portsmouth Bubblejet
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    AVFC Twitter: Darren Bent, Chris Herd and Emile Heskey all out of the Arsenal game. Race against time too for James Collins.

    http://twitter.com/#!/AVFCOfficial/status/149126895190016000

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    1. Spike ⚽️
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Good info PB. Could mean RVP benched!!

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      1. King Nil Miss ✩
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        ???

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

        rubbish.

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    2. King Nil Miss ✩
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Lovely..

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    3. Portsmouth Bubblejet
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Looks like Darren Bent still hasn't finished his Christmas shopping.

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      1. O Fenomeno
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        😆 😀

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

        🙂

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  10. THE BAD
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone having problems acessing FPL?

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    1. O Fenomeno
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      I'm not having problems accessing your Mama!

      http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0JHEL8Pl_Ek/TeX-sOSPVZI/AAAAAAAAEiw/TdMdEQRgzz0/s1600/ohno1vw.gif

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  11. MJonno_79
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone think I should use my free transfer to get rid of Pilkington for another Norwich city players or just save it untill after Christmas. He will be my third sub so hopefully wont play but if VDV, Silva and another are rested i run the risk of pilkington getting 1 point as since i brought him in he has only really come on for the last 10mins. Advice welcome.

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

    Thoughts on these transfers over the next few weeks.

    GW17: Bale to Nani
    GW18: Welbeck to Ade and Mata to Walters
    GW19: Ba to Sturridge
    GW20: Transfers for the double GW.

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

      Let me get this straight, you would get rid of Mata with these fixtures:

      FULHAM ASTON VILLA wolves SUNDERLAND norwich swansea

      Don't make me laugh!

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    2. Dago
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      GW 19 transfer is a definite for me.

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    3. MJonno_79
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Im not sure i would do any of those with the exception of maybe Bale to Nani deepending on Bales fitness

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    4. O Fenomeno
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Mata to Walters? Are you serial?

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  13. MJonno_79
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    PS . why isnt Pilkington playing. A few weeks ago he was looking pretty good.

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  14. Hect.OR 98th
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Is Fitz Hall still at QPR? No mention of him in Team News and with defensive problems he still doesn't seem to get a game. Happy for him to rot on the bench in recent weeks but with Xmas rotation I need a full playing bench.

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

    Going to do Rooney -> Aguero(c) for one week.

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

      augero played 90mins last match, he might not feature in this game

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

      waste of a transfer surely?

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

        +1

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

    moses+walters + 1FT

    OR

    gomez+drenthe + 0.2 in bank

    both will take hits

    will wait till stoke's 2 home games before transfer, just want to ask since price rise.

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  17. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    chaps...thoughts on Santon?
    a) Starter
    b) Sub
    c) Newc cr*p fixtures after this week anyway

    (Cant afford Simpson)

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

      not sure if he is starter once Raylor is back

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  18. O Fenomeno
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    What are the chances of Arshavin starting against Villa? I know he was amazingly poor even by his recent standards when he came on against City, but that greedy bastard has points in him.

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    1. FPL Daniel
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      I think he could start around new year. Not this time. And he loves snow. Now its not snowing right?

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      1. O Fenomeno
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        I'm not from the UK but I think it snowed in England last weekend. He will score a hat trick before 1st of February. Drogba will get one before the 1st of January.

        *And before any smart arse comments like "Yeah January/February 2020", I mean 2012

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

      Stay away from him.. He is awful.

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

        And, Arsenal fans hope he will be sold in Jan..

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        1. O Fenomeno
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 3 months ago

          He won't be sold with Gervinho off to Africa.

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

            You're probably right, unlessthey get in someone to replace him.

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

            We can still hope. I'd much rather see Ox on the pitch.

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      2. O Fenomeno
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        I know he is, I stated that. But I like him and I forgive his short comings.

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    3. Kanus hat trick
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      He's forgotten how to play football

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  19. Hect.OR 98th
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    I have Given (injured) and Vorm. Vorm away at Everton tomorrow or should I use a freebie to trade Given for Hennessy and play him this week?

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

      Vorm has surely earned your trust by now. Just as good a chance of CS as Hennessey (not a great one, but come on, it's wolves).

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      1. Hect.OR 98th
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        true! thanks. at least Vorm won't be rotated. I'll maybe save my FT this week - the only swap I can see worth doing is Hall to Shotton but this week Shotton will probably score the same as Fitz Hall....i.e. zero

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

          /nod might as well wait till the weekend with shotton

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    2. MJonno_79
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Keep Vorm in, especially against Everton.

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    3. Captain Remorse
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Just play Vorm.

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      1. Hect.OR 98th
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks everyone.

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  20. Baggio84
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    flirting with the idea of gettin verm in for shax and downgrading sinclair....
    shax/richards/senderos/brown/simpson
    sinclair/formica/vdv/silva/nani.

    just realised this leaves me .1 short, dang i could get a cheapie 5th midfielder in....thoughts?

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

      moses.

      budget?

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      1. Baggio84
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        not cheap enough sadly. MIght hold off completley, just a feeling verm will clean sheet and goal against villa and then kick on for wolves and qpr........

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  21. THE BAD
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Krul (Vorm)

    Kompany ; Jones ; Enrique (N taylor ; Brown)
    Bale ; Nani ; Silva ; Valencia (Dyer)
    RVP ; Ba ; Yak

    Who to captain??
    Is this start eleven the best?

    Thank you in advance!

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  22. Djerbil
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone want to talk me out of my VDV(C) situation and tell me to give it to the person on my Graavatar instead? 😀

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    1. FPL Daniel
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      DVD is great against Chelsea

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

        oh no.not an answer I wanted to hear.

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

      I keep going back and forth between the two, Spurs being on tv in the last game may sway it...

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

      im going aguero but id go vdv over rvp this week

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      1. O Fenomeno
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        You think there will be goals galore in the Spurs vs Chelsea game too? I am going Drogba or VDV captain.

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

          if bales fit i think there will be

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    4. McDog
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      I'm not going to talk you out of it 🙂

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

        ur graavatar tells me u won't..:P

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    5. King Nil Miss ✩
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      I actually like the idea of him playing in the wing, meaning he will break to the center to try and bend some kicks... but then again it´s a tough opponent, RvP is a sure thing and almost 80% of the teams will (C) him, wich means you can fall behind pretty badly if you don´t... could come good though.. 😉

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  23. Fratboy
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Some crazy talkings going on today, I'm outta here.

    Merry Christmas everybody!

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  24. Fudge
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Play Vorm or Ruddy (already playing Taylor for swansea, but vorm is god)

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

      vorm is going to stay in my goal till he is injured... end of

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  25. woodenarmadillo
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    sigh i want the verminator badly in my team.. just dont know how to fit him in... the only way would be to replace baines with verm but that seems a sideways step

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    1. Hect.OR 98th
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      with three players doubtful and with Ferguson in your squad, I would spend the change on getting a player in for Ferguson. Even a 2-point-regular will do. You will need all three subs at least once over Xmas I reckon, if not this week.

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    2. FPL Daniel
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Villa have conceded the highest proportion of goals from corners in the Premier League this season (38%).

      There you go. I have crazy though captaining him

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  26. Spike ⚽️
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    I wish someone in the FA would make a decsision on Suarez. If they wail until tomorrow he could be suspended for this gameweek

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  27. @FuzzyWarbles
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    brown or sessegnon as 1st sub?

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

      sess imo

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  28. FPLord
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Should I do Wilkinson>Enrique this week for free or save the transfer and play Gabbidon?
    Defence: Simpson Jones Gabbidon (Wilkinson McAuley)

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    1. @FuzzyWarbles
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      i think it could be 0-0 in that one, i wouldnt be completely miffed if i had qpr for a 3rd defender this gw.

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  29. Fresco
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Enrique (wig), Simpson (WBA), Ramsey (avl)
    I need to bench one of them, currently holding on Ramsey because of his drought but he has potential to deliver some attacking returns against weak Aston Villa. On top of that, I'm not fully convinced about the clean sheet chances of Newcastle. Any advices? 🙂

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    1. Hect.OR 98th
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      bench Simpson. Enrique has a good chance of a CS. Always choose a mid over a defender.

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    2. FPLord
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      I'm never confident of playing a defender over a midfielder. Except for last week there haven't been many cleanies. Odds for a CS are better for Enrique, there's not more to say.

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      1. lazybones18
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        the top guy in our league have had a strategy of buying all top 5 defenders for the last three years.. he was #1 in the last 2 years .. he plays 5 defenders a lot and clearly his strategy works..
        his team is linked

        http://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/8388/history/

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        1. Hect.OR 98th
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 3 months ago

          it works to an extent, but on here, although two consecutive 12k finishes is good, 12k itself isn't brilliant.

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  30. unoaime
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Gotta wonder why so many people are getting Swansea players in. I want Caulker but no way do i want.him before the wildcard -fixtures are horrible.

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