[sbu_large_image] Scout Picks
27 November 2012 1805 comments
Paul Paul
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A quick turnaround in Gameweeks gives us the chance to roll out another set of Scout Picks. We’ve decided to turn our backs on many of the big-hitters and hand a few in-form debutants the chance to impress this time round…

Simon Mignolet gets the nod between the sticks as Sunderland welcome QPR to the Stadium of Light. Harry Redknapp has a real task on his hands in his first match in charge of the R’s – his goal-shy side have notched just once in their last three road trips, suggesting the chances of a home clean sheet look good this evening.

We’re taking a punt on Villa’s Ciaran Clark ahead of a home showdown with Reading. Paul Lambert’s side will be buoyed by their weekend clean sheet against Arsenal and Clark, who offers a greater goal threat than the rest of the Villa backline, has already returned a goal and assist over his 11 appearances so far.

This morning’s news that Gael Clichy is out for City’s trip to Wigan means we’re turning our attentions to Aleksandar Kolarov. With a single goal conceded in their last five, the champions have been racking up the clean sheet points after a slow defensive start to the campaign and Kolarov’s eye for goal and share of set-piece duties is enough to earn the Serbian a place in our XI.

Having produced a nine point return last weekend, Scout favourite Robert Huth keeps his place ahead of a home clash with injury-hit Newcastle. The hosts go in search of their sixth Britannia clean sheet and while the German’s aerial ability in the opposition box boosts his appeal, he’s also been consistently picking up bonus points in recent matches, with six produced over the last five Gameweeks.

Marouane Fellaini returns from suspension ahead of Everton’s home showdown with Arsenal. The Belgian has averaged more than nine points per game since recovering from a knee injury in Gameweek 9 and with two double figure points hauls at Goodison already, his threat in the box will pose the Gunners plenty problems from start to finish.

A home derby with Fulham affords Juan Mata the perfect opportunity to recover from Sunday’s blank against City. The Cottagers have shipped 16 goals in seven games on their travels and the odds are against them keeping out the Blues tomorrow evening; with attacking returns in four of his last five at the Bridge, Mata looks key to Rafa Benitez earning his first win as Chelsea boss.

The headline act in last week’s Differentials, Stephane Sessegnon gets a call-up to the Scout Picks after a goal and assist at home to West Brom last Saturday lunchtime. Sunderland now play host to QPR and, having now scored in each of his last two, Sessegnon has the form and potential to make Harry Redknapp’s Premier League return an unhappy one.

Gaston Ramirez served a reminder of his potential with a goal and assist in Southampton’s weekend win over Newcastle. With the Saints now settled in a 4-2-3-1 formation, Ramirez is clearly flourishing in his role in “the hole” behind Rickie Lambert and his trickery may well prove the key to unlocking the stubborn Norwich rearguard as the Saints look for a third straight win.

As rest and rotation kicks in at City, Carlos Tevez has been handed a sub role in the last couple of matches against Real Madrid and Chelsea. Logic would suggest, then, that Roberto Mancini is likely to shake things up again, as his side travel to Wigan on Wednesday evening and with that in mind, we’re drafting in the Argentine. The champions have been poor on the road of late and have failed to score in their last two away games – Wigan have been hit hard by injuries at the back and afford the visitors a perfect chance to get back to winning ways.

He may have gone two games without returns but Robin Van Persie still retains his place in the Scout Picks. Goals look on the agenda for United as West Ham roll up to Old Trafford – the hosts have averaged three per home game this term and the Dutchman is still heavily backed heading into this one, with 50% of votes cast in the Captain Poll so far.

Christian Benteke gets the nod ahead of Villa’s home showdown with Reading. Paul Lambert’s side sit third from bottom, just a point above their visitors, and their chances of picking up the points could well rely on the Belgian – he has scored or assisted in two of his last three at home and has the potential to bully the Royals backline into submission.

Nathaniel Clyne is our cut-price defensive option as Norwich roll up to St Mary’s. Chris Hughton’s side may be impressing at the back but in attack, it’s another matter altogether; the Canaries’ record of four goals in seven away games affords Clyne hope of registering back-to-back clean sheets, after keeping out Newcastle last weekend.

Pablo Hernandez makes the bench as Swansea prepare for the visit of West Brom. The Spaniard has been a major attacking threat for Michael Laudrup’s side over the last few games and has netted in two of his last three at the Liberty; with one defeat in their last seven, the hosts are in decent form as they look to burst the Baggies’ bubble.

The final bench place goes to Peter Crouch as Stoke play host to Newcastle. An average of six points per home game is enough to pique our interest and with the visitors ravaged by injury, Crouch will fancy his chances of picking up the points for the fifth time in seven at the Britannia.

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  1. Eedee
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    RvP -> Suarez FTW!

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    1. COMH
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Considering the same move especially with Pool's upcoming fixtures.

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    2. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      No thanks.

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    3. Dago
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Big mistake, there must be another way to get him.

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      1. Eedee
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 4 months ago

        RvP will miss one of the next 2 fixtures, and miss one during boxing day. Suarez wont miss till the 5th yellow card. Also this transfer gives me 3mil so i can afford peinaar & wilson -> sessegnon & enrique.

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    4. Surfreak
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      RVP & SUAREZ FTW!!

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      1. roscola
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 4 months ago

        I've had that for quite a while now and I'm not winning

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        1. Royal5
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 4 months ago

          Good point.

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  2. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    It should be amended to 'never bench, never captain, never sell'. Thought it was implied 😉

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Where's GreenWindmill to alter his picture?

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  3. Timon
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    Why the Cover picture for Scout Picks changed from swansea to southampton?

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    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Best value attacking players in FPL

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  4. Hazard Warning
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    Gorks (AVL) or Nelson (SUN)??

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    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Gorkss - Better goal treath

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  5. Fantasy-er
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    Right fellas, let’s see your predictions on “will both teams score” for tonight’s games….

    I’m going:

    Sunderland v QPR – NO
    Aston Villa v Reading – YES
    Chelsea v Fulham – NO
    Everton v Arsenal – YES
    Southampton v Norwich – YES
    Stoke v Newcastle – YES
    Swansea v West Brom – NO
    Tottenham v Liverpool – YES
    Man Utd v West Ham – NO
    Wigan v Man City – NO

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    1. Brookins
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Yes
      Yes
      Yes
      No
      Yes
      No
      No
      Yes
      Yes
      Yes

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    2. THE GOON
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Sunderland v QPR – NO
      Aston Villa v Reading – YES
      Chelsea v Fulham – YES
      Everton v Arsenal – YES
      Southampton v Norwich – NO
      Stoke v Newcastle – NO
      Swansea v West Brom – YES
      Tottenham v Liverpool – YES
      Man Utd v West Ham – YES
      Wigan v Man City – NO

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    3. Corkyote FFS CWC Champion 2…
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Alot more cleansheet last weekend, blip or trend I wonder...

      No
      No
      No
      Yes
      Yes
      No
      Yes
      Yes
      Yes
      Yes

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  6. Arsenals Number 19. Santi C…
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    Baines to Cameron (stoke) no hit as highly as I rate Baines his upcoming fixtures are horrible and now seems a good time to shift him thoughts ?

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  7. isacki: full casual
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    Price change projections:

    Risers: Shawcross, Defoe, Sess, Mignolet, Ruddy, Sterling, Bassong, Long (possibly), Enrique (possibly),

    Fallers: Mannone, Mulumbu, Mirallas, Berbatov, Naughton, Dyer, Pienaar, Demel, Bertrand (possibly), Petric (possibly), Bosingwa (possibly) + many more

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    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Thank you for this Isaki, we need regular articles with this really 🙂

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      1. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 4 months ago

        Not so much articles but a tab or sideapp or something.

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        1. isacki: full casual
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 4 months ago

          I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to write a small bit of code that looks at FISO and extrapolates given the current rate of transfers to see if the rise or fall thresholds or reached

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          1. isacki: full casual
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 4 months ago

            *are reached

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          2. Piggs Boson
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 4 months ago

            There may be legal issues though...

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          3. Billy Gilmore
            • 13 Years
            13 years, 4 months ago

            Even something that has current % as well as daily, hourly and 3/4/6 hourly changes to this % would be awesome.

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        2. Ginkapo FPL
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 4 months ago

          Could just channel straight from fiso

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          1. isacki: full casual
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 4 months ago

            Yeah you could include it directly if they were cool with it, might want to process it somewhat because judging by the questions about it it's not clear for everyone.

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        3. Corkyote FFS CWC Champion 2…
          • 13 Years
          13 years, 4 months ago

          +1

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    2. Pinoche
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Berba falling again?!

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  8. hixen
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    Who to play, Berba or Ba?

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    1. Ancelotti's Eyebrow
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Ba.

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    2. COMH
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Berbs

      Stoke will shut Newcastle out. Chelsea v Fulham derby with both teams to score imo.

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    3. Tommyboy
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Berba IMO

      Saying that, I just sold Berba for Fletcher and kept Ba...Regret

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  9. Ancelotti's Eyebrow
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    Play Wisdom or Nelsen?

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Wisdom.

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    2. Dago
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Nelsen again.

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  10. Billy Gilmore
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    Repost 🙂

    How much do we think Balotelli will play against Wigan and Everton?

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    1. Dago
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      27 minutes across both games.

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    2. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      5 minutes before a red card

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      1. rdpx
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 4 months ago

        lulz

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    3. rdpx
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      0 minutes

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    4. hixen
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Wigan I think 70 minutes
      Everton, depends on the wigan Game, but probably 0.

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      1. Billy Gilmore
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 4 months ago

        Ah finally an optimist *mutters under his breath* 😉

        So no one thinks 2 starts?

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        1. Kostja
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 4 months ago

          Im thinking any chance of playing for everton depends on how he plays vs Wigan

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          1. Kostja
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 4 months ago

            vs. everton

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  11. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    Demel > Enrique and Valencia > Ramirez/6.8midfielder for a 4pt hit would give me:

    Begovic (Jussi)

    Enrique Rafael Cameron Baines (Clyne)

    Bale Walcott Johnson Ramirez (Sterling)

    RVP Tevez (Berba)

    Dont like leaving Berbatov on the bench might be too much selection headache each week?

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    1. Dago
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Cameron off Berba on.

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      1. Your Mum's Athletic
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 4 months ago

        so would you do the transfers? i could do cameron > Enrique, Valencia > Michu instead?

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        1. Dago
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 4 months ago

          no Valencia to Ramirez this week, then next week the Enrique move.

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    2. Tommyboy
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Definitely Berba in for Cameron.

      Doubling on defence is risky and Berba could always have fun at Chelseas iffy defence

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      1. Your Mum's Athletic
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 4 months ago

        see above, would you do those transfers or different ones suggested?

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  12. bobby_pires
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    For this GW, Which 3 out of:

    Rafael – Clyne – B.Davies – Gorkks – Nelsen

    I know its a poor defence but in the middle of a 3 week process changing my squad around!

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    1. bennydebull
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Rafa, Clyne & Davies

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    2. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      raf clyne davies

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    3. hazza
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      gorkks clyne rafa

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  13. yash
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    Start Nolan or Mcanuff?or do Nolan to Walcott for hit?

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  14. Pinoche
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    Will there be a Preamble, Mark?

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  15. JackIndeed
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    So my line-up at the moment is:

    Begovic
    Baines, Clyne, Cuellar
    Silva, Mata (C), Fellaini, Michu
    Tevez, Giroud, Berbatov

    with Caz, Demel and Gorkss on the bench. Feel a bit angsty about benching Caz, but is it worth doubling up on Arsenal? Take Michu out maybe?

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    1. Dago
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Id Captain Tevez

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    2. HelloSidney
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Caz ahead or Berb, deffo.

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    3. Marty McFly
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      I'd play Caz over Berba. I'd probably play Caz over Michu or Giroud too.

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      1. JackIndeed
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers guys. Only wary of benching Berb as last time I did he went and scored 18points!

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  16. King Kohli
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    Good to go?
    Begovic
    Evans J / Baines / Davies
    Puncheon / Mata / Bale (vc) / Silva
    Ba / Van Persie (c) / Berbatov

    Foster / Sterling / Gorkss / Nelsen

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  17. Timon
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    Johnson or Sterling? have puncheon

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  18. Yes Don
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    Do we expect some fresh PP Cup match-ups?

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    1. Alan The Llama
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Nope, next gameweek. Says so in the earlier PP Cup post.

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  19. Pinoche
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    Right, Berba to Suarez for a hit?
    Yay or Nay?

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    1. McDog
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Nay, and definitely not this week.

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    2. 1874FC
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      which one means no?

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  20. Green-Pea
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone on dempsey?

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      1. Test Eagles
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 4 months ago

        Wow

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  21. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    People seem to be getting a bit hysterical over their Chelsea mid's prospects (Hazard and Mata) because of Rafa. Are Chelsea going to stop scoring goals now?

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    1. roscola
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Yes. Benitez will instruct all the other players not to score as it will make Fernando feel bad.

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      1. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 4 months ago

        😀

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    2. bennydebull
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      No, but they are dropping deeper.

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      1. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 4 months ago

        Against the champions City. Who wouldn't?

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    3. Back on the horse
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      the hysteria is unreal

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    4. Corkyote FFS CWC Champion 2…
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      I agree, one game with very little time to prepare against the champions really isn't a big enough sample.

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  22. Twinkle toes
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    Ba -> Fletcher

    yes or no, already have Sessengnon, will be for a free

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    1. Back on the horse
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      I did. It takes a brave man 🙂

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    2. Tommyboy
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      I really don't think doubling on Sunderland is a good idea considering the amount they score, even for the DGW.

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      1. Tommyboy
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 4 months ago

        Giroud looks good at the moment

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        1. THE GOON
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 4 months ago

          Giroud or Benteke

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        2. Twinkle toes
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 4 months ago

          Cannot afford Giroud

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      2. Twinkle toes
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 4 months ago

        5 in the last 2 games suggests they are on the up and I can't remember it being a problem last year for them and it's largely the same team

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    3. Dago
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      yes

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  23. PocketRocket
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    which to bench? sterling or michu ?

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    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Sterling. Easy.

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    2. HelloSidney
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Sterling, definitely, no brainer

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    3. rdpx
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Bench Sterling

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  24. THE GOON
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    Quick Poll:

    Play Michu or Sterling?

    First to 5 wins

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    1. PocketRocket
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      sterling

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      1. HelloSidney
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 4 months ago

        Michu

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    2. F.C. Träumerinnen
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Michu plays lone striker so...

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    3. rdpx
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Sterling

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      1. rdpx
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 4 months ago

        [I mean bench Sterling - reply fail to post above - play Michu]

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    4. Ayling Buyers Club
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Michu.

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    5. Twinkle toes
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Michu

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  25. Nepali Toon
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    Who'll score more points Defoe or Berbatov ?

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    1. Ayling Buyers Club
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      This GW? Dunno. Berbatov is the better choice onwards, though.

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  26. F.C. Träumerinnen
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    Hi mates...so, are we fairly sure about Aguero being benched tomorrow? I hardly see Ballo staring...

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  27. rdpx
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    Defence is looking very shaky today, so I am thinking of switching one out for a 4 point hit.

    So-

    Play one, Bench one, Swap one out (and for who)?

    A. . Baird (che)
    B. . Boyce (MCI)
    C. . Simpson (stk)

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  28. Rammerintet
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    Noone considering Silva? I know they have hard fixtures coming up, but take a look at that Wigan defence. They have two available defenders who actually play regularly. One of their subs have played a total of 112 mins the past two seasons and the other has played 117 this season. Tevez is going on a spree and so is Silva - if Mancini can keep his pants on and not experiement too much with the attack.

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    1. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      first rule of FPL never try and predict a wigan result.

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      1. J0E
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 4 months ago

        *try to

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        1. Rammerintet
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 4 months ago

          You might be right, but is sure seems like a tasty treat to me.

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    2. Kostja
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      after the Wigan game they have 3 super important games in 8 days. Bound to be rotated

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    3. hazza
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      i have silva.... but city away to wigan isnt a safe fixture imo captain switched back to rvp

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    4. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Already got Silva.

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  29. J0E
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    Which to bench Shorey or Cuellar?

    I fear QPR will score and I'd hate to miss out on another Super Shorey assist.

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    1. roscola
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Bench Coo-lee-oo-lee-oo-lee-ar

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    2. rdpx
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Play Shorey

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    3. Dago
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      QPR will score and win the game, got a feeling they might even keep Sunderland out. Redknapp effect.

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    4. Ayling Buyers Club
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Still would bench Shorey. It is not like he gets an assist every GW.

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    5. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Play Shorey!

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    6. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Super Shorey it is. I have a sneaky feeling Rafael will be rested anyway so both will probably play.

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  30. Nighthawk
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 4 months ago

    Who to play?

    Clyne (NOR) or Cuellar (QPR)

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    1. Twinkle toes
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 4 months ago

      Nathan

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