[sbu_large_image] Dugout Discussion
24 March 2012 399 comments
Mark Mark
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It’s a fine, fine morning but nobody is venturing outside around these parts. Another Gameweek deadline beckons, which means there’s plenty of deliberation and keyboard-based querying to be done. Our Matchday surgery chatroom has opened up to provide a platform.

Here’s the usual breakdown of all the key coverage in another busy week on the Scout, for those who missed out:

  • Sir Paulos served up the Scout Picks for Friday tea-time as always. Digest his justification for another Scout Committee selection right here.
  • If you’re looking for something a little different, Big Dunc is your man – his “Differentials“, offering some less fashionable punts for your consideration.
  • Our regular Watchlist articles provided in-depth looks at the potential of both Peter Odemwingie and Javier Hernandez.
  • Members pondering the merits of Antoinio Valencia can absorb the numbers in this week’s “Versus” article.
  • All the weekend team news has been collated and compiled right here, along with our predicted lineups. Our Injuries and Bans table sums up the likely absentees.
  • This week’s ScoutCast provides an audio accompaniment to the Gameweek countdown
  • Those with our interest in our Cup Competitions will want to check out the draw for the last 16 of the Members Cup and the First Round Draw of the Paddy Power Cup – starting today.

Once you’ve taken in that lot, the Captain Poll in the middle column provides a view on how the masses are approaching the armband conundrum. Our Pre-match Preamble is on the way to round things up.

Your Fantasy peers are also here to help, so join them in our Matchday Surgery chatroom, which can be accessed right here.

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

399 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. UKG
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    One free. Silva out? For fat frank? Walcott? Mata? Team linked. Cheers

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    1. COMH
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Walcott by a country mile from that lot. Chelsea still don't look great and with FA Cup and CL, Di Matteo has to protect his players and utilise the squad.

      Gerrard or Sess for a punt is a good shout.

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    2. steevouk
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Similar dilemma, mines Dempsey out for either Walcott, Gerrard, Sess

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    3. brianutd-why always we? 20
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Walcott imo has the form and fixtures

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  2. gunner1994
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Play Ryo or Silva for this GW?

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    1. Stern John Terry Wilson Pal…
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Silva

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  3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    lost on last page, who is the better transfer in this week - sessegnon or gerrard?

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    1. Only1KunAgüero
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      I'd say Sess.

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      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        thanks, was thinking it too

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    2. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Gerrard for the fixture, but he's expensive

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  4. MJ6987
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Tough draw for me in the FPL Open - opponent is ranked some 16k places higher than me inside the top 6k. If Swansea concede I should be OK, if not its going to be difficult.

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

      Good luck in the FPL Open & Mill Club. 🙂

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      1. MJ6987
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers - taken a hit this week so Mill's more difficult but should be OK. Tbh, I'd be disappointed if I don't stay in that one till the end of the season but others (like you!) will probably end up higher ranked. Cup comps are a bit of a lottery and I don't consider them when doing transfers, etc.

        Thanks for doind these comps - adds a bit of extra spice.

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        1. MJ6987
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          *doing

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

          Thanks. 🙂

          Easy weeks = no carnage in Mill Club.

          Took less time & effort than last season to run & if it gives people something to strive for then it's worth the effort. Just hope I can keep getting green arrows.

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        3. Paul Psychic Octopus
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          been in the same boat until Thursday. The cup distracts you from taking hits and the ranking does suffer a bit

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  5. johnbobman
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Gerrard or Valencia? Fixture or form? I am leaning towards Valencia but Wigan at home is inviting.

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    1. Fray Bentos
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Gerrards form isnt exactly bad at home so he has both

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  6. eddscape
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Hello lads, what do u think about my team ?

    Vorm

    Vermaelen Rangel Evans J

    Dempsey Valencia Sessegnon Sigurdsson

    Rooney Ba RVP(C)

    substitute player:
    Krul Assou-Ekotto Simpson Moses

    Already took a 8 point hit. Would def transfer out Ba next week for a cheap striker.
    Got my selection right?

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    1. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn't take any more hits, although you might not get a bonanza from that midfield this week

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  7. ClaireT
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    If you had to get rid of one player out of Yaya Toure, and Bale, which one would it be?

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    1. Bojaninho
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      out of those 2 prob Bale

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      1. kennethrhcp
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        not bale! fixtures are quality after this week

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      2. Bojaninho
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        shit i completely mis read that...dump YAYA now

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        1. kennethrhcp
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          haha i was wondering as i went on to read your question below 🙂

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    2. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      YaYa. Bale's fixtures improve considerably from next week

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  8. Bojaninho
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Bale owners, benching or playing?

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    1. QPR Lad 92
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Playing

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    2. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Playing

      Benching Demps

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    3. MCH
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Playing and its not even close. Guy can rip anyone apart.

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    4. Bad Pen
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Playing, he's been really unlucky recently and tends to perform well in big games.

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      1. Lovzat
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        is he ? Only 2 assist and 1 goal against all of them (9 games)

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        1. Bad Pen
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          True. Unfortunately a good performance doesn't always lead to points - only need to look at Rooney last week to see that. I still back him.

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          1. Hiphopopotamus
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            Me too.

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

      Playing is the smart move.

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    6. Only1KunAgüero
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Playing... but mostly because my friend's team plays him every week, so I won't risk it.

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    7. Alan R Statham
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      I'd never bench

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    8. COMH
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Playing. He can score big against anyone.

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    9. kennethrhcp
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      playing

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    10. Viper
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Playing, benching Demps..

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    11. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      playing

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  9. Water_Pink
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    who to (C) pea/suarez or valencia?

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    1. kennethrhcp
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      your team link doesnt work. i'm taking the massive gamble of captaining suarez

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    2. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      I'm going with Suarez, but I'm now trying to close down a 60pt lead in my mini league and need a diff

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  10. Evs
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    I think I will ask a question now, although I kind of know the answer to It.

    But here goes....

    Play

    A - vorm & caulker
    B - minge & caulker

    ?

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

      A easily.

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      1. Evs
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Oh.

        I've gone b. ouch!

        Any other offers?

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        1. Viper
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          I would say B in order to spread the risk, it ain't easy to bench Vorm these days though..

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

          A easily sorry. Wouldn't mind Caulker scoring 1 point & playing 55 minutes.

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    2. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      I don't like doubling up usually so B

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      1. Evs
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Hmmm....

        I'm on B but now I'm kinda worried about the vormster.... Doh?!

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    3. brianutd-why always we? 20
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      B

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  11. 22yards
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Greetings all

    Who to bench Peeps ..

    Ben Arfa or McLean ?

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      ben arfa

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    2. Viper
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Ben Arfa

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    3. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Barfa

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  12. Lovzat
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Would love to see scout "differential" picks , not only two or three potential one but a all team.
    Scout picks don't really help me because they are kind obvious every week.
    Hope it's understanable , french guy is speaking 🙂

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    1. Willis.
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      ehhh bonjour mon pote francais!

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      1. Lovzat
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Bonjour à toi !

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  13. mossy
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    who is refereeing the united match on monday?

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      probably sir alex's assistant howard webb

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    2. DLL18
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Referee: Michael Oliver (Matches 17, R4 Y43)

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    3. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      SAF

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  14. yanksalot
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Captain Debate .. Rvp, Roo or Suarez.. Talk me out of not keeping Suarez my capt.. 60 points behind the leader..

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    1. sumatera
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Suarez is too inconsistent and also picks up yellow cards for being nasty generally

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    2. Viper
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      The question is a big dilemma, one that Suarez is not part of imo..

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    3. MCH
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Being 60 points behind its time to get crazy unless your rival has some how got their with a shocking bad team. If they don't have one of Roo/RVP then go for them or go for whichever you think they won't captain. At the same time it is going to be differentials like Suarez deciding to turn on the form that will help you close the gap.

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      1. Paul Psychic Octopus
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Agreed. I'm going Suarez for the reason you give

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    4. COMH
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Suarez is going to hit the post 6 times today and the crossbar twice. And instead of slotting the ball either side of the keeper he will most likely hit it straight off him time and time again.

      I don't think he will get you more than 90mins and an assist.

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      1. yanksalot
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        "Sometimes your FPL fate ranking boils down to one insane move". Suarez it is 🙂

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    5. kennethrhcp
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      gamble! im 52points behind & im doing the same. could ruin the gameweek but could come good

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  15. MCH
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Into the last 16 of the members cup and am assuming my opponent doesn't do some crazy transfer(s) then it is likely we will line up like this who would you make as favourite to go through?

    A) Huth, Caulker, Myachi, Ba
    v
    B) Taiwo, Skrtel, McClean, Walcott

    I am team B do you think I should put Ba in and make it a 3 on 3 match?

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    1. Viper
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      I would play Ba over Taiwo if you can, your other 3 look stronger..

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      1. MCH
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Wish I could buit Taiwo is just one of three at the back. Have Simpson on the bench they are both priced the same to keep a clean sheet so Taiwos more attacking nature sways it for me.

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    2. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Tricky one. I would fancy the chances of B) marginally but don't expect anything from Taiwo and I'm not sure who you would lose for Ba? McClean has been a disappointment of late, but he always scores when he's on my bench

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  16. Viper
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Any thoughts on my team for this week? Took a 4 pt hit..

    Vorm
    Evans Skrtel Vermaelen
    Valencia McClean Bale Siggy
    Ba RVP(vc) Rooney (c)

    Dempsey, BAE, Kelly

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    1. COMH
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Team is GTG. Let there be points!

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      1. Egg noodle
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        yo count. my PPcup game is versus 544 in the wolrd 🙁

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        1. COMH
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          That sounds like a brutal first round draw mate. As long as you don't bench the big guns anything can happen. Cup draws are random at best. You can do it!

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    2. Mak_Gold
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Replace Verm with Caulker and you have my team. 😀

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        1. Viper
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          I hope that is a good thing 🙂

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      • MCH
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        We have almost the same team so I think its excellent!

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      • living the dream
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Apart from skrtel,mclean and kelly i have the same team so it looks good to me. Who is your sub keeper? I have mignolet and vorm and cant decide which to play so wondered who you have left on the bench for vorm?

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        1. Viper
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          Mine is Sorensen so no debate for me! vorm every week!

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          1. living the dream
            • 15 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            Vorm every week and RVP captain are two policys i set myself mid season and since then continue to rotate vorm and take the armband off RVP. Thats it im sticking with them. Rvp captain and vorm in pegs

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    3. Egg noodle
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Captain choice is squeezing my nuts.
      Do we expect Rooney in midfield or striking?

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      1. Viper
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        I expect Young & Valencia on the wings with Hernandez & Rooney up top with Welbeck dropping out..

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      2. COMH
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        On Rooney right now but still weighing up the Reliant Robin. If Rooney dropping deep worked a treat last week what's stopping him from doing the same again?

        Welbeck, Hernandez and Valencia can be the outlet and Rooney can just spray passes to them.

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        1. Egg noodle
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          Aston Villa just dont concede many do they. On the other hand, Fulhams goal could be wider than Katie Price's vag.
          I chickened out of captain mcclean bcuz i am playing 544th in the world in ppcup 🙁
          I'm staying away from robin. its either rooneroo or valencia for me.

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      3. MCH
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        I can see him dropping deeper after how well it worked last week. He can still do plenty of damage from there though.

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    4. For Fuchs Sake
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Do we all think Hernandez will start on Monday?

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      1. Viper
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        See right above 😆

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        1. For Fuchs Sake
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          Oh yeah! Cheers 🙂 Hernandez captain it is then

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      2. MCH
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        As a United fan I hope he will.

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    5. McTown
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Here she is

      Krul Mignolet

      Vermaelen Enrique Simpson Evans Kelly

      Dempsey Bale Valencia Sess Sigurdsson

      Rooney RVP Ba

      0 ft. 2.3 in bank

      Looking good? might do ba - odem next week.

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      1. MJ6987
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        13 same as mine

        Looking very good!

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        1. McTown
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          haha sweet cheers

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    6. weeurquahrt
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      who to play bale or gcahill p.s will cahill play?

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      1. sumatera
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        probably Bale as he can score against anyone

        Cahill has been playing well though

        He should play i think

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      2. kraftwerker
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Bale, definitely.

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      3. Paul Psychic Octopus
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Terry's back, Luiz playing well (ish), but Ivanavic a doubt. Not sure if Cahill will play

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    7. McTown
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Oh and torresmagic if my opponent is using his wildcard and he is seeded below me does he get a hit? or does that only work if i play mine?

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      1. McTown
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        my seed is 45 and he is 212

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

        No hit for you. 11 point penalty for lower seed. Gives some protection to the higher half of the competition. Hopefully they get some differentials otherwise you will win easily.

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        1. McTown
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          sweet! good news indead

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    8. div
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      How does this look?

      Mignolet
      Rangel, Enrique, Evans
      Silva, Valencia, Bale, Siggy
      RVP(c), Rooney(vc), Ba

      Vorm, McClean, Raylor, Senderos

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    9. jacklfc88
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      ok lads one problem today...

      bit short on utd cover, only got evans. so my options are either dempsey > valencia or balotelli > hernandez...

      what you think is best option?

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      1. Viper
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Ballotelli -> Hernandez is a very good move imo..

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        1. jacklfc88
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          thanks mate

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    10. Only1KunAgüero
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      I'm in a pickle here...

      Which 2 players should I play:

      A) Dempsey
      B) Pog
      C) Reo-Coker
      D) Cahill

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      1. jacklfc88
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        ive stuck with pog out of necessity. same dilemma as u with demps tho need some utd cover and thinking him out.

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      2. Viper
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Cahill & Reo-Coker.. really cannot see anything for Fulham at Old Trafford..

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      3. Simon March
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Dempsey and Cahill I'd say - both present a goal threat. Pog as well but I'd still go Dempsey

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      4. Only1KunAgüero
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        I guess I'll go with Cahill for sure... and maybe play Dempsey, just because he's always some threat..

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    11. Simon March
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Mignolet
      Caulker, Evans, O'Shea
      Mata, Gerrard, Sigurdsson, Bale, Valencia
      RVP (C), Rooney

      Bench: Schwarzer, Ba, Simpson, Kelly.

      Looks so good on paper it can only end in disaster....!

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    12. som3awy
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Would you play Pog, dempsey or Santon? or Should I take a hit to get Verm/Suarez instead of Santon/Pog, I'm already on -4 tho!

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    13. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Aside from the injury risk, the problem with using your transfer early in the week is the temptation to do another for a hit by Saturday morning. I'm feeling the lure of Vermaelen.

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      1. kennethrhcp
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        don't do it 🙂

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    14. Paul
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Am I playing the correct 11 and is my bench order okay????

      vorm
      kompany caulker enrique evans
      morrison valencia siggy bale
      rooney rvp

      subs:sorensen pog dempsey simpson

      not sure bout my captain too....i knw it sounds like chasing last weeks points butr i'm very tempted to captain siggy or valencia....

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      1. Djerbil
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Kompany will not play-so Demps ahead of Pog 1st sub

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      2. McTown
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        gotta be RVP mate

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    15. Willis.
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Rooney or RVP captain?

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      1. HappyAnkit
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        RVP for me.

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      2. McTown
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        who is that btw?

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      3. Viper
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        I'm going Rooney..

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    16. Locarno
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      If Drenthe (bench) scores, I may just give up for the season...

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