The Knee Jerk

The Knee Jerk – Sinful Saint

Last weekend it was Dimitar Berbatov, this evening it’s Rickie Lambert that will be wandering into our minds mid-conversation, over the Saturday evening tipple. Prompting nagging doubt, questioning our best-laid plans.

Lambert is the latest to cause cracks in our established Fantasy thinking. Like the Bulgarian, he arrives in a Gameweek where, once again, the likes of Eden Hazard and Michu – assets who were cemented in our squads – returned blanks. The foundations of the template team again come in question then, with Lambert joining the queue to find a place in our forward lines that looked so settled just a fortnight ago.

There’s little doubt that, as we suggested in the midweek Watchlist article, Lambert has emerged as the budget striker of choice. However, we also spent some time in said article pondering if he could be more than that. If he could displace the array of mid-price assets fighting for our attentions – Dimitar Berbatov, Steven Fletcher, Jermain Defoe. Tonight, I’m even wondering if he can threaten to break up the heavy-hitter pairings.

I’ll be watching Carlos Tevez carefully against Arsenal. While he’s flourished in the opening matches, Sergio Aguero’s return to fitness and Roberto Mancini’s “nine lives” approach to Mario Baltoelli raises a cause for concern. That’s before we consider that Eden Dzeko has, as he’s done so often, found the net when he’s given pitch time.

A Tevez blank or, worse still, an early withdrawal against Arsenal, could trigger a rethink. There’s little doubt that City have the fixtures to find goals in the coming weeks, but growing concerns about their defence and Mancini’s insistence that it must approve, has raised alarm bells for me.

I remember when City battened down the hatches, when they fought for 1-0 wins away from home. Should Mancini take that route again, we could see 4-5-1 with Yaya Toure behind Aguero away from home, something that would hurt Tevez’ scoring potential immeasurably. While Sir Alex appears to be going all out for goals, will Mancini dare to tweak his tactics to tighten up?

Such thoughts crop up before I even consider the merits of sticking with the ultra-expensive Robin Van Persie, under the threat of rotation and rest. I’m trying to fight those doubts off, however.

There is clearly a very attractive plan B forming. Lambert, like Berbatov, offers assured starts. He offers the “big fish in a small pond” scenario. He offers spot-kicks, assists and he faces a long line of fixtures that could bring further returns. The temptation to go with this option, even over the proven class of Tevez, does begin to mount when you consider that Mancini’s whims can waver and throw us the unexpected.

This kind of talk is almost sinful, “Knee Jerk” material of the highest order. We’re talking about supreme Fantasy assets here, while Lambert is perhaps just a noisy new arrival at the party. Four goals in five games is a decent entrance, however, and certainly Tevez will need to offer a reminder of his class on Sunday if tonight’s bout of puzzle-head isn’t to transform into a fully-fledged plan of action.

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

3,040 Comments Post a Comment
  1. HVT
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Everton are looking awesome .... Beasts even !

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    1. Eoin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      And Baines is the king of 'em

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  2. Smakies
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    IM alone here

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  3. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    I can almost read Mark's joy that the template teams are being disrupted 😀

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    1. heartsattack
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      They'll be torn to shreds if RVP fails tomorrow,

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      1. Eoin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        + 1

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    2. Eoin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Thought exactly the same thing lol. As someone who hasn't WCed yet, I share his elation 😀

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      1. Lanley Staurel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Same here. And even todays new template could change by next GW. Best just to sit tight.

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  4. Parm
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    You should all give up and bow down to me!

    http://i.imgur.com/AymUB.png

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      why do you keep posting this? It's like a million points this gw is something to be proud of

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      1. Parm
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Is that not good?

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        1. heartsattack
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          I've got 5 still to go tomorrow. Quietly confident I can catch you.

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          1. Parm
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            I have 10 out tomorrow, including my captain.

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            1. heartsattack
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              I can't think of anything clever in response but wanted the last word.

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    2. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      *cancels fpl account*

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    3. heartsattack
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Congratulations.

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    4. SPorting
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      just you wait till i get my Pienaar assist!

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      1. Parm
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        You see....I have him (c)!

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    5. itstimmehc
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Meh... Pretty average.

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  5. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    *waits for pienaar assist to be added*

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    1. Eoin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Please, please, please let it happen

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    2. Parm
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I'll be sending my abusive letter if it's not added by supper.

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      1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        You've enough points this week

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      2. SPorting
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        wasssssss...supper!

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  6. Eoin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    I think Graham out for Lambert is no-brainer. Thoughts? (No other SWA or SOT attacking coverage FWIW)

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      yep go for lambert, maybe try get michu in for 2 homes games in a few weeks v reading and wigan

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      1. Eoin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        yeah, good point. I've avoided the Michu Mobile thus far, though, and have been quite the happy camper this and last week 🙂

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    2. Stoke for the win
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Got in Lambert he's got 3 in 4 so it will be interesting to see how he goes

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  7. Bio Hazard
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    I need to sort out my defence and non-playing goalie in 2-3 weeks time...any ideas on how I can use my FT? Was thinking a route out for Jenkinson being a high priority move perhaps for a 4.5 starter like hughes or maybe Cuellar once fit?

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  8. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Our problems would be solved if Silva would find some consistent points returns. Then we could ditch Tevez and have Berba and Lambert!

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  9. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    from last post

    any changes needed? Planned on saving the FT

    Migs (WIG)

    Rafa (TOT) Baines (SOT) Hangeland (MCI)

    Michu (sto) Johnson (WIG) Ramirez (eve) Hazard (ars)

    Tevez (ful) Berba (MCI) RvP (c) (TOT)

    Fed, Noble, Clyne, Davies

    1.5 in bank (but 0.6 is reserved for Fed to Foster)

    Or should I look to move out Brede for someone else?

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    1. FORCA INTER
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      save,your team is fine

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    2. Back on the horse
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      needs more Marveaux

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  10. FORCA INTER
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    i really like this post

    my orginal plan was to get rid of tevez after this gw and get suarez in for him but jelly injuree messed up my plans

    after reading this article i still might get rid of tevez and get in 1 budget striker

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    1. Parm
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Suarez will get Sent-Off this week, for either:

      A: Biting Fergie's ear off

      B: Pecking away at the woodwork

      C: Being an utter Tw*t.

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      1. FORCA INTER
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        or score a hattrick and make you cry 🙂

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        1. Parm
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          If he scores a hat-trick i'll eat my laptop.

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          1. FORCA INTER
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            bookmarked

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      2. Malcolm Tucker for England …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        C. Always C

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  11. An Púca
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Steven Ireland...broken arm according to rte

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    1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      So his score will be one point less each week then

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      1. Crouch Potato!
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        50% less chance of him handling the ball. reckon Villa could turn out to be last seasons Wolves!

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        1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          I fancy them to go down. Poor, poor side

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  12. David Davros
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Pretty happy with my team and have two free transfers. Weiging up Michu to Fellaini only to do the reserve the week after. If not then I will not make any transfers which seems a bit of a waste!

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    1. An Púca
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Michu is seeing a lot of transfers out....he's going to go down in price at least once this week

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  13. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Could really do with some input guys. Got 2 ft’s

    A. Jenkinson & pog > nelsen & lambert
    B. michu & pog > Nolan & lambert
    C. HBA & pog > fellani & lambert
    D. Jenkinson, Michu & pog > nelsen, fellani & lambert (4 point hit)

    Jaask, begs,
    Baines, s. Taylor, jenkinson, demel, clyne
    Hazard, carzola, Michu, Peinaar, HBA,
    Rvp, tevez, lambert

    Thanks in advance!

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    1. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Anyone?

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      1. branub
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        u have so much $$ ? anyways i wont transfer out michu since he have 2 home games against wigan&reading after the stoke away. and u have 4 decent midfield to play next week.

        i will probably only use 1 FT to get pienaar to fellaini.. altho its sideways but with jelly iinjured , i can see him taking more goals in his position now. and u dun really need to make any transfers... would have asked u to save it if not for the 2 FT

        oo u posted wrongly i think.. ur pog and lambert =.="

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  14. MAS
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    hoping a top 5 finish for him(forward),at the season end.

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  15. HVT
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Who would you see as my free nw,
    A-Lescott > Baines
    B-Pog > Berba
    C-Pog > Fletcher
    D-Pog > Lambert
    Thanks

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    1. AK ⭐
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I'd wait before making a decision, but as of now, I think berba/fletcher, considering you have enough in bank for a straight swap.

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    2. Parm
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      B, imo.

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    3. heartsattack
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      A

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    4. Podge
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      A

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    5. AK ⭐
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Btw, just cause Baines would be up againt Soton, I'd go for A.

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    6. HVT
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      thanks all i feel Baines is nearing essential , And tbh Berba is close behind - The templates are changing.

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  16. HVT
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Stephen Ireland has a broken arm.

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  17. Shane Ferguson 4.0
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    I need some opimion about next..

    Hangeland, Noble and Tevez TO Baines, Fellaini and Fletcher for -8 hit????

    Do you think it can pay off for a long distance?

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    1. Eoin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Getting rid of Tevez for Fletcher is big, big move regardelss of the benefits elsewhere...

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      1. Shane Ferguson 4.0
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        What is about Berba instead of Fletcher?

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      2. Shane Ferguson 4.0
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        But that is the only way to upgrade first two....

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  18. Manani
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    zab>baines
    or
    torres>lambert?

    already have pineear and hazard.

    or both for a hit?

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      sorry mis-read question....

      both good transfers but maybe do zab to baines this week then torres to lambert week after

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    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      why torres to lambert for a hit?

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    3. FORCA INTER
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      how did your bets go this week?

      zab>baines btw

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      1. Manani
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        shame that I didn't got my lukaku anytime 🙁
        bad odds anyway, only 6/4.

        but I won my accumulator of PSG, WBA, CHE, 3.5, so around 5/2,
        my 2nd win in a row since buying chelsea draw against juventus

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        1. Manani
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          also, suarez anytime has suprisingly good odds, 23/10

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  19. Toast
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Which would you prefer:

    A. Graham to Lambert & Zaba to Baines
    B. Graham to Berba & Zaba to A Cole

    For a 4 point hit? Thanks.

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    1. Toast
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Berba has MCI away and Lambert has EVE away next so maybe best to hold on those...but long term which one?

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  20. ERIC CANTONA
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    current team
    foster
    baines clyne demel
    benarfa hazard cazorla michu
    fletcher rvp tevez
    subs-begovic guthrie davies cuellar

    have two transfers with me and 0 in the bank..suggestions ?
    one of the obvious cuellar out fr whom ?
    help guys 🙂

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    1. ERIC CANTONA
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      one more thing if i use one of my two transfers this week..does the other one get carry forward ?

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      1. Dr Ennet
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        yes it does mate... 🙂 you'll still have two next week...

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        1. ERIC CANTONA
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          thanks..any suggestions on whom to ship out ?
          don't want to waste my transfer . 😀

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          1. Dr Ennet
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            well, having looked at your team i don't know... i would keep cuellar and just bench him... know it's tough to waste a transfer but who would be the option...

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            1. ERIC CANTONA
              • 11 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              A cuellar to hughes ?
              or
              B guthrie to puncheon ?

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              1. Dr Ennet
                • 13 Years
                11 years, 6 months ago

                i do like b better due to the fact that guthrie has gone stone cold quiet and puncheon is delivering with some good fixtures coming up... i am looking into shipping guthrie myself mate.. 🙂 keep hold of cuellar imo...

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                1. ERIC CANTONA
                  • 11 Years
                  11 years, 6 months ago

                  hmm..u reckon when he will be fit he will be back straight into the team ?
                  and ya puncheon to guthrie..he will be my 5th mid..i would hardly play him..
                  thanks for the advice doc. 🙂

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                  1. Dr Ennet
                    • 13 Years
                    11 years, 6 months ago

                    i reckon... 🙂 no problems eric... 🙂

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    2. ERIC CANTONA
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      anyone ?

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  21. Clintymints
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    well this post came at a nice time

    graham out for lambert??

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    1. AK ⭐
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      No-brainer.

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    2. Mull
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah. He is on penalties and will be involved in almost everything they do going forward. He'll also rise by 0.3 this week as well.

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  22. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Answer me this, from your experience of playing FPL, is there some years you play your WC at fun times like DGW and some years where you just realise you're screwed and have to?

    I'm in a 'I'm semi-screwed' so I probably should WC situation. The only reason I'm in anyway reluctant is I feel my pride has been dented a bit! 😀 Should I just swallow my pride and fix my defence and gain some TV?

    JUSSI Habsi
    
Collins Boyce Lescott Terry Fabio
    
HAZARD KAGAWA HBA PIENAAR
 mcclean
    TEVEZ BA Pog

    Players I'd like to keep are in caps.

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    1. Jimbo123
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Habsi and Boyce. WOW

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    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      terrible defence btw

      i'd try maybe ship pog and lescott. Do lescott to ridgewell and pog to lambert. I reckon you can afford that?

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  23. QOTSA
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Jaaskelainen Federici
    Cole Ridgewell Rangel Cuellar Gorkks
    Hazard Cazorla Michu Maloney Noble
    RVP Tevez Fletcher

    +1.4

    I'm thinking doing Cole>>>Baines as my FT. I don't need to WC, do I? I'm happy to keep Rangel and Michu as they have decent fixtures for the next 3.

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  24. Malcolm Tucker for England …
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Everton fans "we're gonna win the league"
    Swansea fans response "you'll never win f@ck all"
    Everton fans response "you've never won f@ck all"
    Swansea fans remained quiet after that...

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  25. Bio Hazard
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    How do I fix this defence?

    Jussi (Henderson)
    Baines Jenkinson Gorkss (Davies Demel)
    Michu Bale Santi Hazard (Sterling)
    RVP(c) Tevez Berba

    1FT 0.1 in the bank

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    1. AK ⭐
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      3 heavy mids, gotta downgrade one of them I think. Only then you'd be able to lift that defense up.

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  26. mr messi
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/32439931@N06/8013043724/

    Here is a photo I took of the number one in the world's team as viewed on my ipad (sorry it's sideways). Notice the Man City badge beside the kit, and Rodallega on the bench is in a City kit!

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    1. maglia rosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      yeah that sorta thang happens quite often on my iphone 😛

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      1. mr messi
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Really or are you taking the pi$$?

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  27. itstimmehc
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Is 2 *top* strikers essential? I've got RVP, Fletch and Tevez... But I can't help look at at the Lamb and sigh :/

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    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      While there aren't many big hitting mids atm, two top strikers is important i think. I'm waiting for the top end mids to hit form...

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  28. Indalo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Graham ➡ Lambert, Fletcher or Berbatov?

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  29. FORCA INTER
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Song playing CB for Barca

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  30. rdb
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Would really appreciate some advice on my team!

    Foster Federici
    Ivan Zab Cuellar Demel Clyne
    Hazard Michu Kagawa Toure Guthrie
    Torres Graham Tevez

    A) Cuellar + Torres + Graham —> Baines + Fletcher + Berba (8 point hit)
    B) Zab + Graham —> Baines + Berba/Fletcher
    C) other

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    1. busteddocket
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Nothing really wrong with your team. Save your transfers. Graham to Lambert. Cuellar is back in a couple of weeks, try to get Zabaleta to Baines. Could downgrade Kagawa.

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