[sbu_large_image] Matchday Surgery
26 December 2011 272 comments
Mark Mark
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Rouse yourself from the brandy butter haze – there’s a gameweek to deal with. With three deadlines in the next six days, this is just the start of a frenzy of activity that threatens to separate the men from the boys – our Matchday Surgery chatroom is now open to guide you through.

Despite the distractions from relatives and TV repeats, as always, our eyes have remained on the prize. We’ve delivered our player recommendations via the Scout Picks, Big Dunc has served up some Christmas Differentials and the Watchlist has been refreshed with candidates put forward for your consideration. The Captain Poll in the middle column offers a view on the armband dilemma and in just a bit, we’ll take in some air and give our final thoughts via the Preamble.

Absorb that lot, gather your thoughts and join the throngs in the Matchday Surgery.

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

272 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Mílanista
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    All I want for Christmas is my first triple figure score.

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    1. gunners2011
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      +1

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    2. Forest4Life
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Good 1st post

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

        It's the way to do it 🙂

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

          'Tis indeed.

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    3. Perthite
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Xmas 2012?

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

      Me too.

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

    VDV down in price again if he is fit he is straight back in my team for the double

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

      Do you trust him to be fit though - or do you go safer and get Bale?

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

        I think the 'injury' was part of an excuse to sub him off as he was annonymous against Chelsea playing on the right wing of a 4-3-3...plus I'm getting bale as well for the dgw.

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

          Although I get the feeling there is never a time to think VdV is fully fit.

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

        That will be the most commonly asked question come GW20. I'm having the same issue.

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

        Well I have him, was obliged to keep him with the news, but will sell him before the Swa game. He probably won't play in GW 21. And BAE could match his score in the double, Seems like Ade is better cover, Going with Ade Bale BAE. Screw DVD music, lets go on IPOD

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    2. Tim Canterbury
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      i "stupidly" bought him last week for nani and now not feeling quite so bad about it. might as well hold on for the double as well as getting ade & bale in over the next two weeks. fingers crossed for a mass of points which the majority of my mini league won't be clever enough to capitalise on 🙂

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

        its not exactly rocket science mate..........who isin your mini league? The 3 year olds???

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        1. Tim Canterbury
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 3 months ago

          no but they're all 'casual' players. they probably know that tot eve is coming up but if i keep it quiet at work i gaurantee at least half of them will forget to load up on tot. thats the plan anyway

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  3. Perthite
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Fingers crossed for a RvP brace.

    Subs look right?

    Vorm (Ruddy)
    Enrique Evans Jones
    Nani Silva Drenthe Pilkington
    RvP Adebeyor Yakubu
    (Dyer Simpson BAE)

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Seems good. Expect Moses to cost you 7 points.

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

      Now I just have to work out my trades for the next couple of GWs with 4.6m in the bank...
      starting with possibly either of Bale or Sturridge in.

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      1. Forest4Life
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        Dyer to Bale

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

          Yeah - most likely. If it wasn't to cost me a hit this GW I'd probably do it now instead of having a lot of cash sitting in the bank.

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

    Feeeeeeeeeeeed the Kuuuuuuuuuuqi!

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

    No pre match preamble 🙁

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

      10:45

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  6. IceMan DB
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Ba/Mata -> Rooney/Surman, yes or no?

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

      No for me

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

      2 good players > 1 good player.
      No

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    3. Kick Some Goals
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Negativo

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    4. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Yes, imo. May even get a price rise out of Surman.

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

    Does this look okay?

    Vorm (krul)
    Evans, Enrique, vermaelen
    Nani(vc), silva, bale, valencia
    Rvp(c), Ba, adebayor

    Subs: shotton, RTaylor, surman

    Cheers!

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  8. Menly
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Do I have the right people benched, and Subs in the right order?
    Vorm

    Kompany – Jones – R Taylor

    Sess – Silva – Bale – Nani (vc)

    Sturridge – RVP (c) – Ade
    Subs: Ruddy – Drenthe – Shotton – N Taylor

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    1. Kick Some Goals
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      I'd play Naylor over Raylor personally - if he doesn't pull up fit then you autosub them around anyway.

      Guess it depends on how strongly do you feel about Newcastle keeping a CS against Bolton.

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

        Not too strongly, but I thought is mix things up as I'm already playing Vorm..

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

          Shotton over R.Taylor?

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

        naylor still an injury worry though? i think mm has it right

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  9. Kick Some Goals
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Come on Ba, need another rise before Sturridge to make up that elusive 0.1m needed for the transfer...

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Won't happen.

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      1. Kick Some Goals
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        Probably not. Which is annoying, given they were alternating rises all week.

        Would it be too much to ask for one last Ba hat trick to sway the masses?

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        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 3 months ago

          Sturridge is going up regardless unless he gets injured. Hattrick sounds good.

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          1. Kick Some Goals
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 3 months ago

            I have no doubt he will - just need Ba to go up ahead of him sometime before next GW to make up the difference.

            Can't say I'm confident of it though...

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

      Sorry but Sturridge is rising before Ba.

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      1. Kick Some Goals
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        This is all Torres' fault.

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        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 3 months ago

          I didn't do anything. 🙁

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          1. Kick Some Goals
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 3 months ago

            Sorry, the blonde bimbo sitting on Chelsea's bench stealing your identity 😉

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  10. Random_Guy
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Start Walters or Larsson?

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

      how many times you asked? lol

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    2. Kick Some Goals
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Larsson

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

      Walters

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    4. Sleep Talk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      I'd start Walters. Stoke at the Britannia against a chaotic Villa? Walters should score.

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

      There is nothing in it so Walters because Stoke will keep a clean sheet.

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  11. wizzy2011
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Any thoughts or advice on my team? Having doubts over spurs keeping a clan sheet but is it too much a risk in playn ekotto and friedel?

    Friedel

    Assou-Ekotto Evans J Kompany Jones


    Nani Drenthe Silva

    Adebayor Sturridge Van Persie(cpt)

    Subs: Krul, Tiote, Brown, Moses

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    1. Kick Some Goals
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      I wouldn't play either of them to be honest - Krul and Brown are better options.

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  12. fatherted
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Can’t believ I am asking this but I have a Vorm and Sorenson dilemma. Vorm needs no discussing on past form but I have a sneakin feeling Qpr will score today and Stoke have been very solid in recent times and Villa haven’t exactly set the world on fire especial away from home.

    Please help my mental torture

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    1. Kick Some Goals
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      I'm with you on the Vorm thing. Saw the same thing when they played Norwich - the other promoted sides know how to play them better than the existing PL sides.

      Sorensen is a strong alternative, it's not like you're losing much by playing him.

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

        Agreed and it may be a differential in many ways

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

    Plz comment on my Starting XI
    &
    Are the subs right?

    Krul
    Jones, R Taylor, Vermaelen, J Enrique
    Bale, Silva, Nani
    RVP(c), Ba(vc), Ade

    Subs- Cerny, Allen, Shotton, B Johnson

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    1. Forest4Life
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Shotton over Allen

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

        Why?

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        1. Forest4Life
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 3 months ago

          Better chance of starting

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

            Allen will surely start.
            Shotton may not start.

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

        +1

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

      i'd start allen ,shotton first sub,rtaylor second sub

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  14. IceMan DB
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Mata -> Valencia, yes or no?

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

      It could pay off but I don't like it. Mata gets his points in the home games. After a few quiet games I feel a points explosion coming.

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

      No

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  15. Forest4Life
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Dzeko at 8, hello in jan wc

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

      Would u really give one of the precious striker spots to a guy who doesn't start regularly

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      1. Forest4Life
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        Yes cuz fowards value are over 33 mil

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  16. andy85wsm
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Who's going to score more this week then, United or Arsenal? Surely United. But then Nani isn't necessarily going to be involved whereas RVP WILL score.

    #captaindilemma

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    1. IceMan DB
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      RVP, even if Arsenal score 2 he is bound to be involved in both of them.

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

      I have got the same dilemma..........but I have got Rooney too........am leaning towards UTD......

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    3. Forest4Life
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Man City scraped by wolves at home, remember that

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      1. andy85wsm
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        Didn't they win 3-1?

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

      Hi, my same prob( apart from my GK post just above). When Man U score well invariably Nani is a huge part and they are in early season fluency ATM, having said that if I hand him the armband he will get 2/3 points and he treasure that is RVP wil simply do what he does best

      Mmmmm where is that coin?

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  17. blind faith
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    If I’ve stil got vdv might I be best keeping him?
    .
    Can get Mata or valencia or silva for 4point hit.

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    1. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      I'd just keep him, I certainly wouldn't get Silva if you don't already have him.

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    2. blind faith
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Mata and valencia for free
      Silva for the hit BTW

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    3. 4-4-who?
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      keep him; I'm a big fan and always pick him before Bale. No point changing if you have to take a hit

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  18. alsybach
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    IF YOU had Rooney, Sturridge, RVP AND Nani in your team............

    Who would you captain??

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    1. 4-4-who?
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      I'm going Sturridge, but don't have Rooney out of those 4

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

        that wasnt the question!!!!

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

      depends on your state of affairs

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

      RVP

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    4. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      I have three of those, and I'm captaining van Persie, vice is Nani.

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

        You mean wise

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      2. Kick Some Goals
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        This.

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  19. 4-4-who?
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Sturridge (c) over Nani and RVP - Wolves fan, so judgement impaired by overoptimism of what Wolves can achieve tomorrow....but I've got a feeling!

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

      I have a feeling Wolves might get away with a draw..........bloody Mick Mcbig nose!!!!

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      1. 4-4-who?
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        Let's hope so. I think a one week rest will make a difference for Wolves. Historically done well to restrict Arsenal's scoring potential

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

      I cant! Wolves havnt kept a clean sheet in ages.. I see arsenal thrashin em! Suppose micko could come u with a master plan

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  20. DF46936
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Racing post suggests Shotton will not start and Woodgate will

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    1. IceMan DB
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      What about Sorensen?

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

      Can happen for sure.

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  21. Kazza_
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Sorry Mark, quick q I know u guys r writing the scout on the fpl site but in previous yrs it was called the pundit was that u guys also as it use to be good

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  22. mucka
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    All the talk of sturridge, i reckon mata will get a big score! Wish i had him!

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

      I don't think mata is worth the extra 2 million over Sturridge.......thats the point!!

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

      Well even Reo Coker scores the odd goal. Not saying Mata is not absolutely brilliant, hes just poor for fantasy.
      Dough the talk of him being on pens is making him more appealling.

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

      do u really want mata instead of bale,silva,nani?

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

    Anyone belive the robin being rested stuff, do you think he'll be rested for wolves or qpr?, cause I have nani as a backup

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

      At this time of year it's a lottery. The players you reckon will be rested play and vice versa.

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

      If he's rested at all you'd imagine it's GW20 v Fulham which is an away game and comes a couple of days after the QPR game. Plus its in 2012 and the Shearer record will be gone by then either way.

      Remember we have an odd week from GW19-20 as GW19 deadline ends on 30 Dec at 19:30 GMT and GW20 Deadline ends 02 Jan at 11:30 GMT so that's when he's more likely to be rested, in my opinion.

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  24. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Aaargh! I have 8 scout picks and 8 totalfpl picks in my team this GW.

    Where did I go wrong?

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Maybe they both hacked your team ... ? 😉

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  25. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Rafa Van der Vaart. What a gimp! Watch him score today now, and it will probably be a penalty, just to rub it in that little bit more.

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    1. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Would be very annoying. for some reason I transferred early when there was no price rise on the horizon.

      frustrating.

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    2. 4-4-who?
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      +1, I've stuck with him until this GW...

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

      had been loyal to him since gw 8 but my patience ran out earlier this week when i brought in nani. a good one for VDV would seriously piss me off

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  26. villian-ty
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Just looked at fantasy cup opponent. All my rivals look dead on to qualify for next round and i get
    El Gornal Galacticos
    His team
    Vorm
    Wilkinson Jones Enrique
    Silva Valencia Bale Sinclair
    RVP Aguero Adebayor

    against mine
    Vorm
    Enrique Evans Kompany
    SIlva Nani Bale Walters
    RVP Adebayor Ba

    Which will win?

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

    who to start, ben arfa or drenthe?

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    1. Boaz05
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      i got ben in early and regret it. Looks like pardew likes obertans work ethic. if he starts playing off ba he could do really well, otherwise you might be looking at 1 point

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

        i was thinking of taking a punt starting him as he came on vs westbrom and got an assist so thot he might start,bt as u say if he doesnt its a 1pointer.whereas id imagin drenthe wil start.cheers

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  28. Dirty Dhalsim
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    So then, a nice bit of Christmas rotation ahead.....

    Who's the prediction for the 'big name' that'll be rested?

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    1. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Can't see Rooney playing today, not after what Fergie has been quoted as saying

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

        All he said was that rotation is on the cards. Wayne is most rotation resistant out of the United squad, and also there is a dearth of options because I dont think hell risk chicha this early.

        My rotation threat would be aguero, although hes rotation prone, I think Balo/Dzeko would be pushing hrd this week.

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  29. Four Four Tom
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    is it a good idea to take a hit to get roonpig in? i already have ade and RVP up top and can get rooney in for ba but am not sure if the difference in value could be used better elsewhere? any opinions?

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  30. Boaz05
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Valencia to outscore nani today. Nani always played better on the right. If Valencia starts on the right him and Rooney will rip it up. Nice feeling having both of them and RVP captain.

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    1. villian-ty
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      that is incorrect. Nani both high scores in the pass 3 gw have come when Valencia is on the right

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

      fix your link

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