The Pre-Match Preamble - Gameweek 38 Preamble
13 May 2012 2165 comments
Mark Mark
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Our final day together with the 2011/12 season feels just a little odd. We should really welcome the fact that all ten fixtures will be played out at three o’clock this afternoon, but ironically, it jars to get a set of Premier League fixtures completed in one gulp. We’ll be eagerly stuffing our faces with no dessert to follow.

Perhaps my indifference is caused by my own anti-climax – it feels like I’m just seeing things out. My Fantasy season ends much like Man United’s – it would take an alignment of the gods for me to scrape further glory from what has been a pretty decent showing. I’ll take a gamble or two and hope for the best, but, for the second season running, most of my attention will be turned to the top of the Fantasy Premier League: that’s where a real tussle will be played out, where all the tension is.

Just five points separates the top three managers, with Scout League leader Gary McLean sitting in third. All three have made their transfers and will have presumably selected captains designed to give them a crucial differential. Now they just have to wait for the goals from three o’clock to decide their fate.

I can’t really get close to imagining how that must feel, few us will. The tangible prize may be far from glittering, but the title of FPL Champion, after 38 Gameweeks, is one that has surely stolen sleep and gatecrashed thoughts for weeks now. The tension these guys feel today, as every goal is announced, must surely be close to unbearable. The stuff marriage break-ups are made of.

Let wish Gary all the best for the day ahead and take a wander with the papers to calm the nerves.

Fortunately, there’s relatively little to unsettle us amongst the prospective teamsheets. Chelsea’s lineup remains shrouded in mystery, with no end of conjecture on how Roberto Di Matteo will approach the game with the Champions League final with Bayern looming large. The general consensus is on strength, with most of the press backing starts for Fernando Torres. Interestingly, however, both the Guardian and The Sun stand against this – both suggest that Romelu Lukaku will be handed the striker’s role, with the Sun even giving a start to Lucas Piazon, although the young Brazilian has in fact confirmed that he’ll be on the bench today.

While the gamble on Torres looks fairly safe, then, Juan Mata’s start seems less secure. Neither the Telegraph nor the Guardian opt for the Spaniard in their predicted lineups and the Sun also find no place for the impish playmaker.

In the Old Trafford camp, the Sun back yesterday’s story on Michael Carrick by omitting him from their predicted lineup. Tom Cleverley is drafted in to support Paul Scholes in the engine room as United look to spark an unlikely chain of events with three points at Sunderland. Carrick is safely in every other press lineup, with the Guardian the only paper to go for Nani on the flank – Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia are expected to retain their starts.

Leighton Baines’ return to the Everton lineup is one we’ve given a fair amount of oxygen to via last night’s Differentials from Big Dunc. The press seem to support our view that Baines will make his return – the Guardian, the Telegraph and the Sun restore Baines at left-back, with Sylvain Distin making way, or replacing Johnny Heitinga in central defence.

Baines could just be a differential to back then, with Torres, Carlos Tevez and even Andy Carroll ending the season on a potential high to edge into our last minute decision making.

When you stop to think, in many respects, we’ve almost come full circle in 38 weeks. We started the season wondering if Tevez, Torres and Carroll could provide heavyweight alternatives up front and, today, they might just do that. Outside of Man City, Victor Moses has commanded more transfers in than any other player – belatedly living up to the hype that burdened him all the way back in the opening Gameweek.

Tevez, Baines, Torres, Carroll, Moses – so many of those we had big hopes for on day one, have suddenly arrived late to the party, clutching cheap booze and looking to crash through the door. Baines has a decent mix tape, Moses is rattling on about successful dribbles and Carroll has a glimmer of a threat in his eye again. Are we really going to let these guys in? Shout if you see Carroll go upstairs.

Enjoy the final Gameweek.

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

  1. unoaime
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Cech > Hart for a 4 point hit then.

    But what do i do with Enrique!?

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  2. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Odds on FPL crashing this week? 10-1?

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    1. Optimus.
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      cant see it wthl probably only 30% playing now

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    2. Jafooli
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Will we get a free WC if it does?

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  3. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Hey all, just setting up a EURO 2012 league, all welcome to join - the code is: 3692-7517

    PS won't be spamming here, just figuring how to put it in my name so people will see... 🙂

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    1. Tommy J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Is this on the UEFA site?

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      1. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        Yes.

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        1. Tommy J
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Sounds like a lot of individual leagues-are the scouts or TM not setting up one?

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  4. keotes
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Defending a slender 4 points lead. Rival has done 1 transfer this GW. Which should I do?

    My team:
    Vorm,
    Kelly, Turner, Vermaelen
    VDV, Valencia, Bale, Sigurdsson
    Jelavic, Rooney, Van Persie

    Subs: Schwarzer, Simpson, Evans, Dempsey

    Predicted rival team:
    Vorm
    Taylor, Hibbert, Kelly,
    Moses, VDV, Valencia, Dempsey -> Mata/Bale/Silva/Nasri
    Jelavic, Rooney, Van Persie (c)

    Subs: Krul, Simpson, Evans, Miyaichi

    A) Rooney -> Aguero (c) *Go for the kill and captain differential*
    B) Evans -> Kompany *Mirror frontline and build defence*
    C) Rooney -> Aguero (c), Evans -> Kompany *do both and take a 4pt hit*
    D) Jelavic -> Aguero (c), Dempsey -> Moses *Upgrade Jelly to Aguero & play Moses to defend lead*
    Others

    Cheers

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  5. Cruyff Turn
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Play 2 of Cisse, Petrov, Siggy

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    1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      cisse and petrov

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  6. izy
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Quick question.
    Who’s the best mid to transfer in: Silva, Yaya, VDV, Ramires or Moses?

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    1. si
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Silva.

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    2. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      vdv

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    1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      As a Rooney owner this would please me greatly

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    2. Lloyd Xmas
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Well Webb is in charge,so yes.

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  7. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    My front 7:
    Bale siggy pienaar barfa
    Rvp rooney adebayor

    1) Am chasin 30points so thinkin of bringing in torres as rival as rvp n kun…now which of my three strikers shd I take out? Also is it worth it since I am takin a point hit for it.
    2) Don’t wanna play barfa so who shd I bring in…nasri/ramires/moses..anyone else?

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  8. meechamspowders
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Bench siggy or jelavic?

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    1. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Jelavic 😉

      Back from spain then...

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      1. meechamspowders
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        Nope, free wi-fi in hotel 😉 back early hours tmoro morning!

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  9. Menly
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    Ramires, VDV or Silva?

    I have Bale and Tevez alreadeh...

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    1. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      VDV, my friend

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      1. Menly
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        Thank you comrade

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    2. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Nasri 😉

      Though Silva from those if you insist.

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  10. ReinaMan
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 7 months ago

    P.Cisse or Petrov?

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    1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 7 months ago

      cisse

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  11. The Pooer
      13 years, 7 months ago

      Quick one: bench Jelly, Tony V or Siggy?

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      1. Gravless wonder
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        valencia

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        1. The Pooer
            13 years, 7 months ago

            All the logic pointed to benching Valencia over Siggy. So I've benched Siggy natch.

            Last day yips or lucky punt, we shall see...

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      2. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        If our justice system is based on the phrase 'innocent until proven guilty', why was Terry stripped of the England captaincy?

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        1. Tommy J
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          The England Captaincy isn't based on a court of Law-it's about role models and leading a team-if ther are factions of the team that feel there is some truth(some of the footage at the time didn't look good) in it then it causes problems within the team and so it is sensible for him to not retain the captaincy.

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        2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Serially offensive offender. Habeas Corpus not intended as an excuse for inaction.

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      3. Dale Cooper
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        Mignolet or Krul in goal?

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        1. Optimus.
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          i have sorenson/krul and thinking of going with krul

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        2. Chris_White
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          I'm going Mignolet, think the Toon game will be high-scoring

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      4. Gravless wonder
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        . torres / suarez/ carroll? (is torres going to start?)

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        1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          not sure, chelsea forums reckon lukaku or even drogba may start

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          1. Gravless wonder
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            doubt drogba will be risked, but lukaku is a concern

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      5. Willis.
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        Sessegnon out for Moses, Yaya, Ramires or Piazon (4 point hit)?!?!

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      6. Mílanista
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        Does anyone believe this stuff about Terry not playing so a new CB pairing can be tried out in case Cahill and Luiz don't make the CL final?

        I need to sell one of Terry/Verm for funds. Keeping Verm makes sense but rival who I'm chasing has him and I need every decent differential possible.

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        1. Gravless wonder
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          doubt it since that means ivanovic won't play. Who will the pairing be bosingwa/essien??

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          1. Mílanista
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            Not sure, maybe Bos and Hutchinson

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            1. Gravless wonder
              • 14 Years
              13 years, 7 months ago

              not sure 'JT' will be begging to start - needs a big performance after the liverpool game to remind the new England manager

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              1. Mílanista
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                13 years, 7 months ago

                Thanks, I was thinking the same thing. Plus, keeping Terry over Verm leaves me with exactly nothing in the bank so its got to be the correct move right? 🙂

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                1. Gravless wonder
                  • 14 Years
                  13 years, 7 months ago

                  i'm sure he'll start (you can remind me of this later...) - if they play a young team he'll play to 'guide them' through it (teach them how to abuse and cheat etc)

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      7. Menly
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        So what's everyone's views on euthanasia?

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        1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          seems a laugh

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        2. Seal
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          dignitas...

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        3. Evs
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Good full back, should get more assists in my opinion.

          Thinking of bringing him into my euro team...

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        4. Stern John Terry Wilson Pal…
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          For legalisation, strongly. Why'd you ask, to lighten the mood?! 😉

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        5. GREENDREAMS11
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          in the wrong hands it can be lethal

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          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            It is always, without exception, in the wrong hands ... 🙂

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        6. Piggs Boson
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Agree, as long as the patient wishes it. We should have the choice whether to live suffering or die, the government shouldn't make that choice.

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          1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
            • 15 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            +1

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          2. Stern John Terry Wilson Pal…
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            +1

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        7. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          I am against it.

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        8. Menly
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          I honestly didn't think anyone would reply to that!

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        9. Gravless wonder
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          mini league demise by massive self inflicted points hit...considered it all week

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        10. stufail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          They all look the same to me...

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      8. Seal
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        its down to only two choices, silva or moses?

        moses playing up front, silva only likely to get assists

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      9. Podolskistan
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        should i trade in Aguero for Cisse in last minute, for 4 point hit????????

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      10. jcfferg
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        Cisse or Jelavic out for Tevez or Aguero in? Any thoughts, chasing an 18 point gap at the top of league

         

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        1. Dale Cooper
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Personally did Jelavic -> Aguero.

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        2. Podolskistan
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          stuck on same 🙂

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      11. keotes
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        Kompany, Clichy or Terry?

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        1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Clichy

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        2. keotes
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          or walker?

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      12. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        Predictions on

        Eve - Newc

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        1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          1-1

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        2. Evs
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          2 nil Everton

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          1. Evs
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            Jelavic (2)

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            1. Just One More Thing
              • 16 Years
              13 years, 7 months ago

              Did you get Aguero in after?

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              1. Evs
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 16 Years
                13 years, 7 months ago

                It's on the cards mate....

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        3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          1-1

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        4. Chris_White
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          2-2

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        5. Just One More Thing
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          2-1

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          1. Evs
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            Hi JOMT.

            Have you kept your front 3, or rolled the dice...

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            1. Just One More Thing
              • 16 Years
              13 years, 7 months ago

              Still thinking about rolling it Evs, did you bring in Aguero after?

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        6. drughi
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          1-2

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      13. Bigo1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        Who to bench among Barfa, Huth and Caldwell? Cuurrently on barfa, but feels wrong to play 4 defenders

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        1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Caldwell. I know Wigan have been playing well but, come on, it's Gary f**kig Caldwell!!

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      14. SmokeyH
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 7 months ago

        Any Torres love this morning or is it just madness!?

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      15. Magerost
          13 years, 7 months ago

          Vorm

          Turner,Terry,Simpson
          Bale,Moses,Dempsey,Siggy,Valencia
          Adebayor,RVP

          Krul,Ba,Evans,Cahill

          1 FT, 2.5 in bank.

          Dempsey -> VdV and Cahill -> Verm for a hit?
          Any other good defenders to get? overkill with 3 spurs?
          Open for all kind of tips :p

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        • seanie3
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 7 months ago

          vorm (krul)
          verm, santon, caulker
          bale, pienaar, siggy, valencia
          aguero(c) rvp, rooney

          subs : maloney, turner, evans

          bench maloney or valencia

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        • Thatsnotcricket
            13 years, 7 months ago

            Skrtel out then according to his own website, great. The guy has done nothing for me all season, now gets injured to leave me short.

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          • LMFAO
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            Siggy or Moses benched for Silva?

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            1. Chris_White
              • 14 Years
              13 years, 7 months ago

              Siggy

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          • Jafooli
            • 13 Years
            13 years, 7 months ago

            Not on BST atm, so how long until deadline please?

            Thanks and best of luck to all today……..enjoy the baps!!!

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            1. Mílanista
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              13 years, 7 months ago

              20 minutes

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              1. Jafooli
                • 13 Years
                13 years, 7 months ago

                Thanks Milanista.......

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