Watchlist

The Watchlist – Wildcard Forwards

Having analysed the Goalkeepers, Defenders and Midfielders, we roll out the final piece in our series of Wildcard articles by focusing on the forwards. Factoring in the upcoming double Gameweeks, we look at short-term and long haul options across the price ranges, from cut-price alternatives all the way up to the premium protagonists on offer…

Robin Van Persie
Slotting in seamlessly to life at United, the Dutchman has continued the sensational displays that kept him head and shoulders above any other Fantasy asset last time round. While many other Fantasy prospects are capable of frustrating in any given Gameweek, Van Persie has scored or assisted in 16 of his 18 starts – highlighting the security and armband consistency that comes with his acquisition. With goals in seven of his last eight, his thirst for Fantasy points is as relentless as ever and while a 14.1 price tag is steeper than any other player by some distance, his performances so far have shown just why.

Luis Suarez
Second only to Van Persie in the FPL standings, the Liverpool forward has finally translated his Opta statistics into Fantasy returns this season. Fifteen goals and five assists over 20 appearances, in addition to 19 bonus points, has earned Suarez 127 points already – just nine less than his tally for the previous campaign. He does have a tendency to frustrate, however; with nine of those strikes arriving over four matches, Suarez has drawn blanks in eight of his 20 appearances, with a goal or assist in just six of his 11 matches at Anfield demonstrating the armband risk in comparison to Van Persie. The arrival Daniel Sturridge is expected to see a change in role for Suarez, with the Uruguayan moving either to the flank or “the hole” in order to accommodate the new boy – his talents should prosper regardless, however, and at 10.4 he’s proven superb value thus far. Suarez has a tricky upcoming run of fixtures on the horizon, with trips to United, Arsenal and City in the next four, but his sensational festive form is unlikely to deter investors – he averaged over 10 points per game across Liverpool’s last four matches. The Reds’ schedule picks up significantly from Gameweek 26 onwards, for those who are reluctant to jump on board with the Wildcard but perhaps plan for acquisition later.

Demba Ba
The former Newcastle man has proven the most popular Fantasy target since the end of Gameweek 21, with a massive 170,000+ snapping up Ba ahead of Chelsea’s double with Stoke and Southampton. While Rafa Benitez’s rotational whims could very well scupper our best laid plans, Fantasy managers will be hoping that a brief 10 minute sub appearance against Swansea in Wednesday’s Capital One Cup defeat is an indication of Benitez’s intention to start Ba against Stoke on Saturday. In spite of his limited game time in the 2-0 loss, Ba showed more hunger and threat than Fernando Torres mustered in the previous 80 minutes and while the Spaniard is surely set to cut into Ba’s minutes over the double, Benitez can surely ill-afford to omit a forward on the top of his game right now, following back-to-back home defeats in all competitions. After the double, the Blues have four home games (ARS, WIG, WBA, WHM) and trips to Reading and Fulham in the following eight Gameweeks – it may well be that Benitez’s rotation will have dented his prospects by then but heading into this weekend’s deadline without the 8.7 priced forward is a potentially dangerous tactic.

Rickie Lambert
The best value forward in the FPL game so far, Lambert has made a mockery of his initial 6.0 price tag and despite sitting sixth in the forward standings, has risen just 0.3 in price this term. A double Gameweek 22 sees Southampton travel to Villa and Chelsea and with goals in three of his last four on the road, Lambert has been in fine away form. With a home clash against Everton and a trip to Wigan in his next four, Lambert looks a strong short-term option – given his consistency, though, he could be worth holding onto beyond this spell, with goals against City and United earlier in the season highlighting his potential to produce.

Lukas Podolski
Two sets of double figure returns in his last four is indicative of the German international’s recent form ahead of Arsenal’s double Gameweek 23. Podolski has flown under Fantasy radars, with Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla shaping up as the main protagonists for the Gunners’ games against Chelsea and West Ham next week but his recent exploits suggest he may deserve our attentions. With five home fixtures in the next six Gameweeks (MCI, che & WHM,LIV, STO, sun, AVL) he looks a decent mid-price shout at just 8.2.

Papiss Cisse
The departure of Demba Ba to Chelsea is set to boost his compatriot’s potential over the remainder of the season as Alan Pardew looks to last winter’s signing to fire Newcastle up the table. Cisse has suffered from a change in role this term – Pardew’s decision to field Ba in a central role, either in a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 has proved hugely detrimental to his prospects, with the former Freiburg man shuffled out to the flank when the Magpies manager opted for a lone striker system. Clearly, the central role in a 4-3-3 suits Cisse –13 goals in 14 appearances in the latter part of last season attests to his abilities and with Pardew looking to return to this system, the 8.8 priced forward is back on Fantasy radars ahead of a run of fixtures that sees him square up to Norwich, Reading, Villa and Southampton in the next six Gameweeks.

Jermain Defoe
Having started all but one of his side’s league matches this term, the 8.5 priced forward has been an integral part of his side’s march into third place in the league and with 97 points accrued, he sits in fifth spot in the forward standings, with 10 goals and four assists to his name thus far. A cheaper, if somewhat less explosive Tottenham option than Gareth Bale, Defoe won’t be deterred by four away trips in the next six (qpr, nor, wba, whm) – Spurs are the second top scoring away side have racked up 22 goals in their travels so far.

Edin Dzeko
Three goals in his last couple of starts bring the Bosnian into the reckoning as a decent short-term punt. While Sergio Aguero’s “should” return next weekend from a hamstring problem, according to Roberto Mancini, Dzeko could well retain his starting berth ahead of Carlos Tevez, given his recent form. With games against Fulham, QPR and Southampton in the next five, the 7.4 priced Dzeko could well offer an in-form mid-price route into the champions’ frontline over the next few Gameweeks, though his manager’s penchant for rotation up top means his acquisition doesn’t come without risk.

Steven Fletcher
Currently the seventh top scoring forward in the FPL game with 94 points, Fletcher remains something of a differential, with just 5% ownership. The 7.0 priced forward is set for an enticing run of fixtures which hands him five home games (WHM, SWA, ARS, FUL, NOR) in addition to trips to Reading, Wigan and QPR in the next nine – affording him plenty opportunity to add to his current haul of eight goals and three assists. Bonus point potential also plays a significant part in Fletcher’s prospects – so far, only Van Persie’s tally of 25 is superior to Fletcher’s 20; the Black Cats have never lost a league game when Fletcher has netted, a sign of his importance to their attacking cause.

Dimitar Berbatov/ Bryan Ruiz
Bryan Ruiz’s recent return from injury has made an instant impact on the Bulgarian’s Fantasy prospects. Shifted into the more advanced forward slot, with the Costa Ruiz tucking in behind, Berbatov has produced a goal or assist in each of his last three, having previously gone seven Gameweeks without a goal or assist as a result of a more withdrawn role. Up next, he has three favourable home games in the next six (WIG, WHM, STO) to help Martin Jol’s side climb the table after a recent run of poor results – averaging 5.1 points per game so far, in spite of the aforementioned drought, Berbatov’s 7.1 price tag looks enticing, while Ruiz also offers potential. Coming in at a mere 5.4, he will appeal to those looking at a 3-5-2 formation going forward – Ruiz has scored or assisted in eight of his 12 appearances and has averaged 4.8 ppg, suggesting he’s more than just a squad filler.

Christian Benteke
The one real positive of a hugely underwhelming season for Villa so far, the Belgian could be the difference between top-flight survival and a drop to the Championship. Since Benteke made his debut in Gameweek 4, Villa have scored 15 goals – the 6.7 priced forward has played a part in 10 of those strikes, with six goals and four assists helping him accumulate 10 FPL bonus points. With three home games in the next five (SOT, NEW, WHM) in addition to a trip to neighbours West Brom, Benteke looks a decent short-term acquisition in the mid-price bracket, with an ownership of 3.4% highlighting his differential appeal.

Kenwyne Jones
A price of just 5.0 could well appeal to those eyeing up a cut-price forward to free up budget for five premium midfielders. Since establishing a regular role in the Stoke first XI in Gameweek 14, Jones has scored or assisted in all four of his home appearances, racking up 31 points at the Britannia – on the road, he has failed to deliver, making his easy to bench when the Potters are on their travels. With four favourable home fixtures in the next nine (WIG, RDG, WHM, WBA), the Trinidadian could be a real differential prospect, with an ownership of less than 1%.

Pavel Pogrebnyak
The Reading forward is another who has found his way into some Wildcard teams on site due to the recent trend for a 3-5-2 alternative. Pogrebnyak seems to have cemented his place in the Royals’ first XI once again and has started the last five, finding the net in each of his previous two Gameweeks. Priced at a mere 4.3 in FPL, he frees up plenty budget to be spent elsewhere, and with four favourable home games in the next eight (WBA, SUN, WIG, AVL), Pogrebnyak looks a viable pick if he continues his recent form and maintains his starts.

Angelo Henriquez
Wigan’s loan signing from United is perhaps more of a punt, though is another who may appeal to those eyeing up a 3-5-2. Henriquez is likely to be afforded game time in light of Arouna Kone’s African Cup of Nations departure and coming in at just 4.5 in FPL, could be an intriguing cut-price alternative, with home clashes against Sunderland and Stoke and trips to Fulham and Reading in the next six Gameweeks.

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1,452 Comments Post a Comment
  1. He Kane He Saw He Conquered
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Bego ( Jussi)
    Luiz Gibbs Clyne (Demel Mariappa)
    Mata Walcott Fellaini Punch (Noble)
    RVP Ba Berbs

    GW23 - Ba Berbs -> Podolski Suarez

    Look set??

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    1. Matt -"ain't no p…
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Nice, whats the value?

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    2. Something Clever
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Great success!

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    3. Andrew
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Your team link doesnt work, just takes you to the main login page.

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  2. oxido_76
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Any nexs about WBA players injury ? Olsson ? Popov ?

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    1. oxido_76
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      news*

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  3. ShadyGooner
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    repost! stuck on last page

    help needed!

    My FPL page is not properly aligned in all my browsers.

    Here is the image – http://imgur.com/JKCzd

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Need more starters and less bench 😉

      Honestly though, no idea what's going on there?!

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  4. Brutus619
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Why didn't Nolan play at Norwich? o.O

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    1. Demí
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Suspended bro

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    2. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Suspended

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  5. GoonerByron
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone know if there's any chance at all of Gazzaniga having his place back in goal for Southampton this weekend?

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  6. Something Clever
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Clyne off the physio's table. Hoorah!

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    1. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Just in time 🙂

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    2. Nibbsy
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Will he definitely play or is it better to go safe with Shaw?

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      1. Something Clever
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Tough to know, but you gotta put him in there anyway i reckon.

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    3. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I think hes been training for a while, he was touch and go for the cup game, so must have been training before then. Im hoping he's good to go for both games

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  7. ManUFan
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    why is everyone selling sterling?
    now sturridge joined, wont there be more chances of an assist?

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    1. Something Clever
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Mainly because he's been shoite for the best part of the season so far.

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  8. Voodoo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Can anyone suggest how I can improve this to start catching a 100 point gap:

    Bego / Fed
    Baines / Demel / Clyne / Luiz / Davies
    Michu / Bale / Walcott / Snodgrass / Noble
    van Persie / Ba / Berbatov

    then plan to do Luiz and Ba to Wilson and Aguero next week.

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      It completely depends which players the guy 100 ahead has?

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      1. Voodoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        i know he will have the following:

        Jussi / Green
        davies / Wilson / Sagna / ? / ? (not Baines)
        Santi / Fellaini / Nolan or Mata / Punch / Bale
        Suarez or Berba / van Persie / Ba

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  9. Paulo67c
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Which one to bench from:
    Puncheon, Michu, Ruiz or Suarez?

    It might be madness but I'm feeling Michu or Suarez.

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  10. COMH
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    I don't want to R any More T's

    They all look the same.

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    1. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      At this R, we'll all have the same T! M oh M

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    2. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      RMT

      Schmeichel

      Parker, Bruce, Pallister, Irwin

      Kanchelskis, Ince, Keane, Giggs

      Hughes, Cantona

      Walsh, Robson, McClair, Sharpe

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      1. COMH
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        This is the exception. A classic!

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        1. JK - Cønt ⭐
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          Bruce would have been about 8 million back in the day for FPL. A huge goal threat, kept CS and under the current system would have been a BP whore on ShawX level.

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  11. SuperOsçarBaby
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Garcia or Kolarov will play this week?

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    1. Feed the Yak and he will sc…
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I'm pretty sure Garcia will play

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

    On WC...trying to decide between Sagna and Gibbs. Sagna 0.3 less...any reason NOT to go the cheaper route?

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    1. drunken_mess
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      gibbs looks more threatening going forward

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    2. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Sagna could be dropped and is in poor form, and he has less attacking threat.

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      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        ^^this
        Sagna has Jenkinson as competion Gibbs only has Santos!

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    3. ~SpartakMac
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      The fact that he's playing awfully, but somehow keeping his place in the team.

      Gibbs gets forward much better and actually has an end product, the 0.3m is nothing given the fact he gets a rare assist now and then and even scored a beauty at Swansea.

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  13. ~SpartakMac
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Which of these 3 would you rather have given their fixtures, for next week:

    Nolan - QPR, ars
    Gerrard - NOR
    Silva - FUL

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Nolan

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  14. Rodrigo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    considering benching walcott with a front seven of:

    Bale, Michu, Fellaini, Mata, RVP, Berba, Lambert

    Thoughts?

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      The only choice imo

      However if Kolarov starts then id play Walcott 😉

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      1. Rodrigo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        thanks. Now I just need to work out my three defenders.

        Clyne, Hart, Demel, Cameron, Gibbs

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  15. Paul Scholes -- True tackli…
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Shaw or Clyne
    Shaw started 9 of the last game for South....

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    1. Nibbsy
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Would like to know this too.

      Seems like Clyne has slightly more attacking threat but is also a possible injury doubt.

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    2. Feed the Yak and he will sc…
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      ...and you just answered your own question

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  16. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Bego Bunn

    Demel Clyne Davies Luiz Gibbs

    Fellaini MIchu Walcott Mata Guthrie

    RVP Ba Suarez

    0.4m in bank

    plans:

    Demel > Wilson after DGW
    Mata > Bale maybe

    Is it a good idea to get rid of Suarez for 4 weeks for someone like Tevez/Berbatov/Jelavic/Lambert and then get straight back.

    Cheers for any thoughts

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    1. Holy See
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Sorted out a grav then 😛 I think you should stick, looks very good to go. You'll just find yourself wanting Suarez back next week most likely.

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      1. Your Mum's Athletic
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah got grav going at last! cheers pal 🙂

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  17. BOOM XHAKALACA
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    A. Snodgrass -> Mata
    B. Cazorla -> Mata (and Snodgrass -> Walcott next week)

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    1. elkunaguero
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      B

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  18. SC not pearls before swine
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Is it worth losing .2 in value on Walcott to go with Berbs/Hazard this week instead of Ba/Walcott? Walcott would come in for Hazard next week.

    For this week only, Hazard and Berbs or Ba and Walcott?

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  19. mdm
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Fed (WBA) or Foster (rdg) to play? Thanks.

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  20. BBC_TF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Is BARDSLEY a good pick?

    Fixtures look amazing.
    WHU wig SWA rea ARS wbr FUL qpr NOR

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  21. PlayPercentage
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Next week's double GW seems more straight forward. Arsenal probably won't rotate.
    I need to hold back a little and not get swayed into bring in too many Chelsea & Soton players.

    Currently have Mata + Cahill anyway.
    May go for Gaston Ramirez...or may just leave it.

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  22. Matt -"ain't no p…
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Is it me or the FPL page is somewhat wonky?

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  23. LMNO
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    grav test

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  24. COMH
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Noone seems keen to have Jones in their team. He has played nearly every game when fit yet people think Steven Reid is first choice RB? He is injured most of the time and not that great as a fullback?

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I keep meaning to ask MoK about this whenever I see him, but keep forgetting.

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    2. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I look at a way of getting him in, right now my wc defence looks like

      Migs, Fed

      Evans, Luiz, Clyne, Wilson, Davies.

      No room at the inn.

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      1. Billy Gilmore
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Clyne?

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        1. JK - Cønt ⭐
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          yup, Clyne

          Fit again and been with me since day 1.

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        2. COMH
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          I'm keeping Clyne with my wc

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    3. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      They've kept something like 2 cleansheets in 16 games.

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    4. drunken_mess
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      agree he is a great RB and bombs forward a lot, but looked at his points this season . . . not impressive. better options out there

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      1. COMH
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah good point. He is not needed.

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  25. jguti14
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    all i want to know is which chelsea players are likely to start both games this week, anyone??

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    1. Matt -"ain't no p…
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Ask Rafa

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  26. Cannon
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Never seen/read about one of his before.
    Is Benitez vague or specific with his press conferences? WIll we get any idea of his plans?

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    1. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      You'll get a lot of FACTS

      But seriously, not really...I'd say he'll be cagey

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  27. unoaime
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Is Luiz a better pick than Ivanovic, A.Cole and Azpi?

    I can afford any of them for one week only. Whoever I can will be transferred out for Gibbs next week.

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    1. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Nobody knows. You just have to pick one and hope for the best. Luiz seems to be the pick on here and I've currently got him but i think he's equally at risk of being rotated as any of the others.

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      1. Chrissy Waddle - 2023/24
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Hmmm not sure about that. Plays in two positions and is one of there form players. Also Azpi and Cole have Ivan/Betrand as replacements if Terry comes back, whereas Luis could partner Terry or Lampard in MF.

        Safe pick for me.

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        1. unoaime
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks.

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  28. The Mighty I
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Who to bench out of Garrido, Ridgewell and Cameron? Is Tomkins likely to start?

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  29. Chrissy Waddle - 2023/24
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Playing your much valued WC just to load up on one DGW seems way too risky. A -4 point hit to get in an extra player should suffice.

    And would you want multiple SOT players playing twice your trusted squad members.

    Sticking to my plan of WC post GW23 to set my team up for Feb/Mar.

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    1. Chrissy Waddle - 2023/24
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      twice/twice over

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    2. SC not pearls before swine
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Not if you have 2 😉

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      1. Chrissy Waddle - 2023/24
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Touche.

        But it is only two games. If this predicted bad weather raises its head soon you could be looking at many games off, when an extra WC would be ideal.

        All ifs and buts though...

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  30. Paul Scholes -- True tackli…
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Keep Nelsen ?

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