[sbu_large_image] Team News

The Weekend Team News

13 January 2012 246 comments
johnfinlay johnfinlay
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Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Anderson are all doubts for Manchester United’s game with Bolton. Junior Hoilett is available for Blackburn’s showdown against Fulham.

Robbie Keane and Darron Gibson are both available to play their new clubs. David Silva is expected to train ahead of City’s clash with Wigan on Monday, though Mario Balotelli is a doubt. Arsene Wenger, Tony Pulis and Roy Hodgson all have selection issues heading into the weekend.

For all the latest, check our constantly evolving Team News. It’s also worth keeping an eye on our Twitter feed with up-to-the-minute reports and breaking stories.

johnfinlay John swears he'll deliver unbiased Fantasy Premier League tips and news...until Leeds get promoted.

246 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Blue Moon Rising
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    % chance of Ben Arfa starting??

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

      70?

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

      75

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

      80

      But maybe on wing not in the hole.

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    4. The Milkman
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      85%

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

    should i play this team today?

    krul
    simpson enrique BAE
    Nani bale silva HBA
    ADE rvp sturridge

    jones rodwell komp (basically no bench)

    or wc to this team

    stockdale
    simpson enrique richards
    valencia bale silva dempsey
    ade rvp aguero

    senderos mclean caulker

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    1. Chris_Fàbregas #DOOS…
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Play the first team. Save the wildcard. Very similar to my team in fact haha!

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  3. Touré De Force
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    RMT WC team please:

    Vorm (Mignolet)

    Terry Richards Williamson

    Nani(c) Dempsey Ramires Bale (McLean)

    Adebayor Dzeko Van Persie

    I'm on my wildcard and I still don't feel happy going into the weekend. Eventually my plans will be Terry -> Jones, Richards -> Kompany, Nani -> Silva, McLean->Sessegnon, Dzeko-> Hernandez and Adebayor -> Ba.

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

      You know Ba is gone for a month ?

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  4. Ferris Bueller
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Lost at end of last post... A potential injury nightmare looms – what to do?

    Vorm (Ruddy)
    Enrique Raylor Walker Jones (Jags)
    Silva Nani Bale (BJohnson Osman)
    RVP Ade Yakubu
    £1.8m in bank and 0 FT.

    Any rotation or more than Osman, Jags and Jones injured and I’ll have no fit subs. Worth 4 pt hit for Osman > A) Dempsey or B) Valencia? Fancy Dempsey long term (Valencia looked good option v Bolton but may now play full-back).

    Votes for A or B or any other suggestions? Cheers

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

      wILDCARD?

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

    Hi there. I know this is a dull question but who should I play 1st and 2nd sub out of B Johnson and Walters? (Komp is 3rd). Thanks.

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    1. Captain Robert Hatch
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      same bench as me currently

      I'm going B.Johsnon Walters Suspended One

      walters away form isn't tops and it's against Liverpool this week who is a top ~3 defense

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

        Cheers matey

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

    Where's Wally Now?

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

    posted on last page, but things move so quickly round these parts these days!
    Ben Arfa vs. Cabaye:

    ben arfa seems more likely to get big points-but Pardew’s comments that he had his ‘best team’ out vs. Man U + that ‘Best will come and do a job’ in Ba’s absence makes me worried about him playing.
    On the flip side, im worried that Cabaye will play deep (without Tiote) and therefore rely on FKs for his points…FKs which he’ll only take if R.Taylor doesnt play.
    Confused?
    Me too

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

      Cabaye
      He sits deep with tiote there anyway
      HBA will play especially after the messiesque goal against blackburn and obertan playing poorly and the fans shouting for ben arfa every match for a month or so now

      R taylor will not play santon prefered lb see AP quotes and simpson better at rb, cabaye will be on FKs

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    2. Captain Robert Hatch
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      I prefer Cabaye, but based solely on his season as a whole vs Ben Arfa

      Cabaye is on free kicks, corners and maybe even pens with Ameobi out, no?

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      1. Life's Very Good
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        i think Ben Arfa could be on pens

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

    Hi all. need some advice. Is it daft to play double up on a newcastle clean sheet this week, currently going with krul and simpson. Also who to bench from my midfield from sess, silva, ramires, bale and ben arfa. Thanks in advance.

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

    An example of Jonathan Wilson in the Guardian, what do you think of him?
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2011/dec/13/the-question-3-1-4-2-formation-rise

    Personally, I am a lover of formations and systems yet I find him downright unreadable. Just try to read this - the problem is endless textual descriptions of team shape followed by how that team shape is DEFORMED and who's up against whom in this sector of the pitch and why this is important - all without a single diagram. It's like when you read a textbook on geometry or something and it says "the curve is defined as the locus of the points in the plane perpendicular to the normal vector..."

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

      He's a briefcase w*nker

      (c) AB

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

        Yes I increasingly find his writing very aggravating. Tends to go off on these theoretical flights of fancy without hard evidence to back him up, frankly he could write anything he liked and we'd just have to nod because we can't tell either way.

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

          It's well known that the best journalists work for the tabloids.

          The Sun match reports are excellent and quote EA stats for pass completion, shots on target etc.

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

            Nice stuff, I should open my mind and look into this, previously I was closed to the tabloids but the sports pages might be better...

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          2. Joga Bonito®
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 3 months ago

            Hmmm the sun may use EA stat's but they're a bunch of complete *****

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

          You wouldn't kick him off your pub quiz team, though...

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

          That could also be viewed as a reason why he is an important writer, as the reason that we don't really know much about this is because the tactical aspect of the game has largely been ignored up until lately.

          One of his strenghts, too, is telling great footballing anecdotes inside his articles and books and weaving them into the tactical parts.

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

        My attempt at a Jonathan Wilson idea: "4-4-2 actually is a reinvention of the old 2-1-1-1-1-1-1-2 system but with the midfielders pushed closer together and the back two midfielders dropping back to help the centre-backs!"

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

      He's a big hero of mine and Inverted the Pyramid is a great book imo. I basically read everything he writes. I understand that it isn't everyone's cup of tea though, it's pretty philosophical at times.

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  10. Captain Robert Hatch
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    JEvans, Warnock, Krul, and Cabaye are all making a decent push to be the newest member of my team.

    Would only be for 1 maybe 2 weeks until I WC.

    Who is standing out as a good shout for the weekend?

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

      Unfortunately partly due to the Guardian leaving him out of their provisional squad, you can't be totally certain about Evans yet despite almost every defender being out and him being on the bench against City. Wait on it before transferring him in.

      Cabaye - quite possibly, though I prefer Barfa

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  11. Nolberto Solano
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Krul (Vorm)

    Richards Skrtel Assou-Ekotto (Senderos) (Shotton)

    Gerrard Bale Dempsey Ben-Arfa (McClean)

    Van-Persie Aguero Yakubu

    0.4 in the bank. RMT thanks.

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

    Repost, damn first poster crap

    Sturridge or Rooney for the next six game weeks? Christina says Rooney jafa says sturridge…doos? Tosey? Apples?Thoughts?
    A) sturridge bae Valencia
    B) Rooney caulker McLean

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    1. FF23
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      A

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  13. The Milkman
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    I have a final decision to make.

    DEMPSEY and Caulker (or other defender under 4.1m)

    or

    VALENCIA and Evans (who seems to be unavailable this gameweek anyway)

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    1. The Milkman
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      what would you guys do?

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

        Valencia & Evans

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        1. The Milkman
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 3 months ago

          it's what I currently have... but do actually think Valencia will outscore Dempsey over the coming weeks?

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

        Valencia and caulker

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  14. Manchester Red
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    hello everyone 🙂

    any view about my WC team

    krul (vorm)
    enrique raylor bae (caulker) (evans)
    silva bale nani mata (moses)
    rooney aguero rvp

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

      how much it it?

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

      how on earth can you afford that?!? I hate you 🙁

      I'd start Evans over Ryan Taylor, he'll play 0 or 90 imo.

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      1. Manchester Red
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        my team value 112.1
        sales value 107.3
        ranking are very poor..around 300k because i take so many hits to build up team value
        will focusing on overall ranking after winter wildcard

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

          107.3?
          my team value 105 but still not far enough to get that team

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

      This shit looks fake. Link the team, then I'll believe it... Call me doubting Thomas.

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      1. Joga Bonito®
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        I looked at this in astonishment, added things up in my head and thought... this can't be right. I'd like a link please dear sir.

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

    Obscene.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Hj9sDPFPII&feature=player_embedded#!

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

      ridiculously long for volley ball

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

      That got boring very quickly....please tell you were sent that link and didn't simply search in youtube?

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

      Amazing

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

    Finally im done..

    tell me what you think lads

    Vorm (Sorenson)
    Jevans BAE Santon (Kelly Shotton)
    HBA Gerrard BAle Valencia (Dempsey)
    RVP Kun Sturr

    Thanks

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

      I like it. Looks a little like mine though so I may be biased.

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    2. Chewy Toffee
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      An 8.5 midfielder on the bench vs. the worst side in the league?!

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

        Yea.. who should i bench?

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

          I reckon bench HBA over Dempsey

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

          Nice team though!

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  17. SOM.... This is Fellaini�…
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Tiote sent off in a friendly.

    Quality player, but absolutely no discipline. Which is why he's far from my first choice for United, imagine him against a top European team like Barca? Wouldn't last till half time.

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

      +1 I'm expecting to see your little scoreline change this weekend, not sure how though...

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

      Roy Keane never got sent off did he.

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      1. SOM.... This is Fellaini�…
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        He did, but that means nothing considering there are equally good players around with far better discipline.

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

          hush your mouth or ill set tiote on you

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

          Few players are as tenacious or hard working as Tiote. I don't think we'll sign him though as he doesn't fit Fergusons midfield mould of the past few seasons. He wants a passer and a runner* rather than a specific defensive mid. It's why i could see us going for Rodwell, as he could easily play the runner. Carrick/Scholes/Clev are the passers, naturally.

          *Thanks ZM

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          1. SOM.... This is Fellaini�…
            • 16 Years
            14 years, 3 months ago

            Paul McShane is quite tenacious and hard working but I don't want him at United.

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

              You saw Tiote merk Carrick and Giggs a few weeks back, right? One of the main reasons we lost that match was being out fought and pressed in midfield. That and Rio + Jones not being able to win the long ball. Tiote is like Essien 2003. I'd love him at Utd, personally.

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              1. SOM.... This is Fellaini�…
                • 16 Years
                14 years, 3 months ago

                Sure did. I'm not disputing Tiote's energy, has to be said that Carrick and Giggs are both fairly lethargic though. I'm just wary he'll get booked a few times too many at important times. He gets an early booking at the start of the match and he's on a tightrope for the rest of the game. Can see him losing the plot against the finer midfielders in Europe.

                I'd like him at United, no doubt, but I think we could do better than him.

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          2. Joga Bonito®
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 3 months ago

            It seems to me like nobody fits the mould to be in Fergies midfield because he seems to not want to buy anybody at all.

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  18. McHappy_Meal FC***
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Have 6.8 to spend on a mid this GW, any suggestions on a differential, was thinking HBA but is he going to start ?

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  19. The Milkman
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    or 90%, yeah 90!

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

    Hi all, why is no-one mentioning Aaron Lennon? (I'm desperate to get him in as a differential now that he's back). Have I missed something?

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    1. Captain Robert Hatch
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      he has already matched last seasons output with 3 goals and 3 assist. A solid 4.6 ppg taboot. Not a bad shout, my only worry is 102 minutes in last 6

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  21. Bench pony warmer
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    anyone know why greggs pies and sainsbury donuts are suddenly smaller, how am i supposed to eat badly if they make everything smaller

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

      not smaller - you are just bigger from eating them... ?

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

    So who is every1 captaining??

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

      Rooney.
      He's either gona crazy explode vs Bolton. Or get a 75min yellow card 1pointer.

      Take a chance..

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  23. The Milkman
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Clint Dempsey will outscore Antonio Valencia for:

    A) the current gameweek Y / N
    B) the next 6 gameweeks Y / N
    C) the rest of the season Y / N

    Can't wait to hear what you all think. 🙂

    Thank you please.

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  24. pilgrim
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    NEW POST

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  25. Wolf
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    This is only my second RMT, but struggling this year so WC:

    Vorm, Krul
    BAE, Evans, N Taylor, Richards, R Taylor
    Sessegnon, Valencia, Lennon, Silva, Bale
    RVP, Aguero or Rooney, Morrison or Graham (as sub depending on which of Roon / Aguero I get)

    Would play 3,5,2

    Thoughts appreciated?

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    1. Joga Bonito®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Doubling up on Spurs midfielders could be a bit risky. Lennon is hot and cold and when he's cold he's ice.

      Besides that it's a good team. I've gone Aguero instead of Rooney. He'll be deeper now Chicharito is fit and Berb is scoring. Graham's fixtures are bad for a few games so Morison would be better initially.

      Evans for me is only a short term fix until players come back to fitness.

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

    .......this close to bringing evans into my wc team...what ye reckon will he get game time?

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  27. ROBERTO MANKINI
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Name me the best midfield prospect for this week only, less than 8.5m

    Can't be Man U or Spurs though

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    1. Joga Bonito®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Dempsey (if you're including 8.5) otherwise may be Milner or Johnson at City. I can see them getting a bit of game time especially if Silva's out. Yaya is away too.

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    2. McHappy_Meal FC***
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      I'm in a similar position with 6.8 to spend. I was thinking Sinclair (scored against Ful & Tot at home) or maybe Ben Arfa / Cabaye.
      Just looking for differential this GW before I WC next week.
      If you have 8.5 to spend then DEBSTERLFC has it spot on with Dempsey.
      A couple of other options are Ramires or Stephen Ireland.

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

    vorm
    baines,simpson,walker
    nani(c),sess,dempsey,bale
    sturridge,rvp,the yak

    bench:ruddy jones,walters,shotton

    would anyone do anything different if you had my team?

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

    Best 5.6m Defender for the next 5-7 GWs?

    a) Clichy - Rotation Risk?
    b) BAE - Spurs Fixtures past this week looking tough?
    c) Huth - Scored the weekend and WB, SUN, SWA & NOR at home?

    Got Richards already and looking for one more mid priced Defender.

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    1. Joga Bonito®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 3 months ago

      Cahill as soon as he moves.

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  30. Kagawa-san-mia
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 3 months ago

    Dilemna here

    Please some advice

    A) Gerrard and Rooney(c)

    B) nani and adebayor/bellamy

    Which combo scores more

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

      A
      I reckon Rooney could be an awesome Captain choice for this week. Gerrard always puts in 100% for Liverpool - and they just play better with him! Could work out to be a great differential too.

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      1. Kagawa-san-mia
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 3 months ago

        yea thats where im leading towards A

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