Games

Sky Sports Focus

After peeling back the layers of the Fantasy Premier League community, we now switch to acknowledge the top managers in the Scout Sky Sports league, with a new leader on show. We round off by tracking the latest movements in the market place and, as always, offer a reminder to tune in to tonight’s edition of the Fantasy Football Club.

The Scout League

After weeks hovering in the top three, Simon Davies is the new leader of the Scout League with his “Nags Head Rovers” squad toppling Jonathan Lenharth’s “Better Than Last Year” lineup. There’s also movement in third, as Paul Hennessey makes a return to the upper echelons of our league – “Hennessy’s Heroes” climbing back up on 1311 points, some 16 points behind our leader.

That all means that Charles Mouzon’s “Geordie Boys” slip further down our rankings – he now sits in seventh with Lewis Nicklen, Paul McAnulty and Chris Pearce, all now ranked above him. All this crop of Fantasy managers are in the overall top 20, with the Scout community occupying four spots in the top ten overall rankings. Simon Davies is still 61 points behind the overall leader – leaving a small mountain to climb if he is to be in the reckoning for the £25,000 winners prize.

Andy, back in 63rd place in the Scout League, is still the leader amongst the site contributors, while the Scout League still leads the way in the Private League rankings, some 16 points ahead of our nearest rival.

A reminder that if you’re playing the Sky Sports game and have yet to join our league, you can sign up to the FFScout League with this Pin: 8004519. We have a home cinema system, worth £600, available to the winner.

Market Forces

Despite suffering minus points for the previous three Gameweeks, Stoke’s Asmir Begovic remains the hottest property in terms of transfers in over the past seven days. With Petr Cech dented by the fallout from his recent spell on the sidelines, the trade to the Stoke stopper has been the most popular over the past week. Begovic remains prominent in fourth in the goalkeeper rankings, despite keeping just a single shut-out in six. While the current form of the Stoke rearguard casts question marks on the merit of his acquisition, Begovic does, at least, have strong fixtures to come in the next month. It’s worth noting, however, that Sunderland’s Simon Mignolet is also amongst the top five players transferred in this week – 20% of deals have seem the Belgian acquired. Mignolet sits top in the Sky Sports keeper rankings and also betters Begovic for value, delivering 70 points for his 4.4 million price tag.

While Petr Cech has been cast aside by many, his new team-mate Demba Ba goes on attracting much interest. He was party to almost 25% of transfers made this week and, with Jermain Defoe and Robin Van Persie the top two strikers transferred out, it appears that the Senegalese has been the preferred solution to fill the gap. The trend with Defoe is perhaps understandable, given he’s returned just a single goal in seven matches but Van Persie’s sales remain a mystery – presumably managers are clearing him to free up funds elsewhere. Significantly, despite his 10 million price tag, the Dutchman sits third in the value rankings for forwards, behind Rickie Lambert and Luis Suarez.

The Fantasy Football Club – Tonight 10pm

Former Chelsea and Middlesbrough hitman, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, fills the centre forward role for the Fantasy Football Club this evening, joining Fenners and Merse to lend his insight from 10pm on Sky Sports one. Jimmy was, until last month, a coach at Forest, so I’ll be keen to see if he lifts the lid on recent goings on there. A reminder, if you miss tonight’s show, it’s repeated on Sky Sports 2 at 9am on Saturday.

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

676 Comments Post a Comment
  1. AK ⭐
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I'm starting Luiz, Baines and Gibbs. Demel's on the bench, am I going the right way with it?

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    1. Tim Canterbury
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      lol

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

        What's so funny?

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    2. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah I think so.

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    3. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      No

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    4. Jax
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      demel has 2 games....

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

        But Baines and Luiz both have the potential to outscore him still.

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    5. Captain Robert Hatch
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I keep benching 2 of O'Brien, Davies, Nastasic and Luiz

      Gibbs appears to be my only locked defender right now, would love a huge dump to cancel the Swans/Stk match

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

        That match won't help me though. 😛

        I think it's easier for you to play O'Brien over Davies.

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        1. Captain Robert Hatch
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          I'd agree, my cup opponent having O'Brien also says I should start him

          Just feel a bit wooszy with Luiz on bench

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  2. Tim Canterbury
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    With Kieran Gibbs providing width outside him from full-back and Theo Walcott, rather than the rangy Olivier Giroud up-front, Podolski seemed much more comfortable playing on the left-hand side. The German has the maturity to play on this indecision by using the space out wide as an alternative to keep the defender honest and when out there, he has the ability to deliver a cross that does cause problems.

    There was much talk about Walcott's desire to start as a central striker, and although he has featured in the role with relative success recently, I doubt he'll start in that position against Chelsea. Wenger commented after the Swansea replay when Olivier Giroud featured up front that the team looked more balanced.

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    1. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      😎

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      1. YingYang
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Giroud punter?

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        1. Lateriser 12
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          yep.

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    2. New Ghost
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      People can hate on Oli all they want; but we do look better with him up top. Walcott has zero link up play.

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      1. Lateriser 12
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        +billions

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        1. New Ghost
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          I hope Giroud makes you proud this GW. I really do. Good luck chap!

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          1. Lateriser 12
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Would you capt him over Theo?

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            1. New Ghost
              • 11 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Sure why not? You have the rank to take risks. I think he'll tear up West Ham.

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      2. Tim Canterbury
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        back to goal = problem

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  3. super zlatan
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Evening lads. Thoughts on how to use my FT?

    Jussi
    Demel. Luiz. Gibbs
    Mata. Bale. Walcott. Michu
    Rvp. Ba. Lambert

    Subs. Bego. Punch. Davies. Clyne

    0.4 in bank

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    1. Jax
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      save it.

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    2. ManTree(v2!) or just JAY!
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      save it

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    3. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Ello Zlatan. You fancy losing Ba?

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      1. super zlatan
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Evening LR. Was set on doin the ba>pod trade. But with recent news I'm considering mata or bale out for caz. Crazy?

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        1. Lateriser 12
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Nothing is crazy around these parts.

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          1. super zlatan
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Will have a think and see what the picks are later.

            If I did ship mata it bale they would come in the next week again

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    4. Dr Ennet
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Good evening mate! 😀

      Did you have a nice trip to Sweden? And regarding your question: Save it 🙂

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      1. super zlatan
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Evening pal. Sweden was great. Too much drinking done but nothing wrong with that. Ha.
        Cheers for response. Def will consider.

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        1. Dr Ennet
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Ha ha obviously excessive drinking was involved... 😀 Did you spot any beautiful women? 🙂

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          1. super zlatan
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Spotted plenty. 🙂

            Hoping to get back in the summer if possible. Possibly August. Did you have a good Christmas and new year?

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            1. Dr Ennet
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              The holidays were great thanks... It's beautiful to watch my daughter believing in Santa... 🙂 She is just 3 though... August is a great time to come to Sweden considering the weather and atmosphere when everyone comes outdoors... 🙂

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  4. Sheffield Rules
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    #Repost

    Do you think Aguero will start this weekend or is Dzeko a safer bet?

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    1. Brightside
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Dzeko. Aguero off the bench for Tevez ~60-70 min

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  5. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Berba or Puncheon this GW ?

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    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Berba. On pens.

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    2. Brightside
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Puncheon. Better matchup. Everton have kept one CS in the last 15.

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  6. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Michu or Fellaini this week chaps?

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    1. Jax
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      both...

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

      Fellaini

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    3. New Ghost
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Michu. Stoke have forgotten how to defend.

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  7. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Parm?

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  8. Shane Ferguson 4.0
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    JAASKELAINEN
    SAGNA - DEMEL - Davies
    WALCOTT (C) - Mata - Fellaini - Michu
    RvP - Suarez - GIROUD

    subs: Federici - Luiz, Sterling, Clyne

    How do you rate my team for this week 1/10???
    I am jot sure about Luiz on the bench...

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    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Looks a good team.

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  9. Jax
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    jelavic has a good run coming up. think i'll put him in.

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  10. Craig
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Team linked, Walcott in for Bale worth it? Playing w/c next week

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    1. the axolotl
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      probably is, but i'd feel nervous selling bale before united, could be a very open game.

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  11. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Sorry if this question has already but now that Adkins has gone would Lambert still be in your WC plans

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  12. unoaime
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I think i'm gonna go with Sagna for Arsenal defensive cover.

    What's going on with Podolski, is it worth doing Berbatov > Him for a 4 point hit?

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  13. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    from GW25 which one of these would you be happiest to go without cover for?

    Arsenal (Theo)
    Chelsea (Mata/Ba)
    Everton (Fellaini)
    Liverpool (Sturridge)

    Right now am leaning towards either 3-4-3 with Ba over Mata or 3-4-3 with no Fellaini

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    1. unoaime
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      3-4-3 with no Fellaini is probably what i'll be going for.

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    2. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      if you have mata id go without ba...jk in afcon who would you choose c.katongo or mayuka?

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      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        tough call that. I have Mayuka, but he has no form really as he's hardly played.

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        1. Optimus.
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          cheers might go for the safety of katongo so

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          1. JK - Cønt ⭐
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            sounds good

            So Theo or Afro after this week?

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      2. Captain Robert Hatch
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        AFCON fantasy, sounds interesting, I'd love to learn more about African players

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    3. Declan-
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Sturridge

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  14. Brada_wba
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Replace these pair for me!!!

    Torres and Berba.

    ba – potential rotation
    pod – ill
    lambert – new manager
    lukaku – the snow in the mids is terrible. Stands are covered at the hawthorned froma recent twitter pic

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    1. Chungwit
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Sturridge is a good long term pick I reckon, and he has a good fixture this week, and should play.

      I fancy Cisse vs Reading too. He would be my one week punt.

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

    Any advice lads? Not sure if i'm starting the right players and don't know what transfer to make!

    Begovic
    Gibbs Sagna Luiz Gjohnson
    Walcott (c) Mata Fellaini Puncheon
    RVP Suarez

    Gazzaniga Taarabt Berbatov Clyne

    1FT, 0.1 in the bank...

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    1. Brada_wba
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Berbs to Dzek/sturridge poss? Bench punch?

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  16. The Chosen One...
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    play Bego (swa) or Foster (AVI)?

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    1. Ini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Home keeper..

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    2. Absinthe Minded
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I have both and going foster at the moment

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  17. UKG
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    1 FT and 0.4 in the bank. Wildcatting next week so may as well use the FT. Was thinking Luiz > Verm? And should I start Berba or Puncheon?

    Cheers!

    Bego

    Demel Luiz Gibbs

    Mata Walcott (c) Felliani Michu

    Suarez Berba RVP

    Ruddy Puncheon Nelsen Cameron

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  18. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Can get one last guy in for the DGW: Pod, Giroud, Noble or Nolan. Thoughts?

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    1. SW6
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Nolan

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

      j.cole if you feel frisky

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  19. Mr. Perfectionist
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Any news from the wba camp? Updates on olsson and long??

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  20. SW6
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Play Berba or Lambert?

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    1. Declan-
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Lambert

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    2. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Lambert imo

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      1. super zlatan
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Lambchops

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    3. SuperOsçarBaby
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      berba. he scored 2 v Arsenal

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      1. Henry Hill
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Lambert scored against United, City and Chelsea 😉

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        1. SuperOsçarBaby
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          opss...hehe

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  21. Call Me Old Fashioned
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Who to bench from ...

    Mata Bale Walcott Michu Fellaini RVP Ba Lambert

    Currently on Lambert but Everton defence record making me contemplate playing him ahead of Bale or Mata?

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    1. heeljames
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I wouldnt play both mata and ba, cant see arsenal folding again

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  22. Absinthe Minded
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Playing
    Nasty-O'brien-Luiz
    Bench
    Rafa-Nelsen

    -4 to bring in gibbs?
    only have Wally as Arsenal cover
    Thoughts?
    thanks

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  23. Locarno
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone eyeing a one-week punt: Giggs has scored more goals against Spurs than any other opponent.

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    1. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I'm thinking Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer me 🙂

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      1. COMH
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        -4 point hit for Klinsmann and Van Nistelrooy here

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  24. Evs
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    The week, is Santi's week 🙂

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    1. unoaime
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      A load of rubbish. I'm still preaching that his FPL value is crap since Wilshere's been back, despite the hat-trick vs Reading.

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      1. Evs
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Steady on !

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        1. unoaime
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Harsh truth my friend. 🙂

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      2. Crouch Potato!
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        An overrated player imo, in terms of Arsenal. Does fine in the easy fixtures, disappears out of the tougher ones.

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

      yeah and then he can go quite again

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    3. Declan-
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I fear this. Don't let it be so

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    4. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Wrong.

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    5. 4vets
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Hmm... is it? I am pondering.

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    6. don parcheesi
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      that move out on the left on Wed. made me go with gibbs as 3rd arsenal vs. Santi. Not willing to put up with the uncertainty (even if its minimal)

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    7. Lizard Lips
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Santi captain, surely Walcott?

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  25. MJ6987
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Will Sturridge price rise tonight? Don't really want to use my transfer until tomorrow but a price rise would affect my WC plans!

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    1. onionbarje
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      doubt it could be close

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    2. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      89% 2445 NTI today 2,950ish to go. I wouldn't want to risk him not going up if .1 made that difference.

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      1. MJ6987
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Hmm, could be close. I'll assess it later tonight.

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  26. super zlatan
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    If I was to ship mata or bale as a one week punt for caz which one do I ship?

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    1. rvp786
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      u said you will bring them back in straight after. is it worth wasting two transfers?? especially as both will play this week and might score well??

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    2. Feanor
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Bale.

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    3. Grumpy Cat
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Even as a Spurs fan, I'd say Bale.

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    4. Dr Ennet
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I would probably ship Bale out of those two mate... Tough call though...

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    5. Chungwit
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Not worth it imo. Both are fixture proof and you'll want them back soon after. You've got Walcott already and Cazorla is well capable of 2 pointers (stupidly, I've had him all season so have seen them all). There must be another transfer you can punt on instead. Ba -> Sturridge/Cisse. Do you want 3 SOT players long term?

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      1. super zlatan
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        I could do ba > giroud ?

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    6. iCon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Have both and I'm shifting Mata myself. Caz could turn out a nice little differential this DGW.

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  27. isacki: full casual
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Well, with Podolski in my team already there is no point me worrying. I will have to listen to my rational self and accept que sera, sera.

    So onto the 2nd transfer I was mulling over... Ba > Papiss Cisse. Two week punt against Reading at home and Villa away, followed by WC.

    Two of the best fixtures for the Ba replacement, guaranteed escape route.

    If I get confirmation Newcastle are playing tomorrow...

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    1. rvp786
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      he hasnt shown any form at all nor have newcastle. not convinced with him tbh. how about jelavic? at least he is getting chances

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      1. isacki: full casual
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        He's been stuck out left almost every game and done almost identically to how Ba did out left last year. But when he replaced Ba last year he went nuclear.

        Over these select fixtures, worth a punt methinks.

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    2. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I really like the punt.

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    3. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Why do you want to replace Ba? I reckon he'll be golden.

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      1. isacki: full casual
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Just can't see him starting for the third match in a row over Torres against Arsenal. And Torres did score against us in the reverse fixture.

        Anyway, I can reassess everything GW25, or GW24 if absolutely urgent.

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    4. SC not pearls before swine
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      If Ba hadn't started against Southampton I would have been really tempted to join you. But since it looks like Ba is first choice, I'm not willing to sell him just yet.

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  28. Bambi
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    who will score more points from now until the end of the season?
    a) Suarez
    b) Aguero

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    1. don parcheesi
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      these kinds of things are almost entirely unpredictable... but I'll predict suarez (with about 20% confidence).

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    2. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Suarez

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  29. Lao Tzu
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Is this worth it?

    Tevez and Ba out -> Suarez and Dzeko in

    for a hit

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  30. Raheem's perm
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Can anyone advise me on the West Ham defence please? I have 4.2 to spend so deciding between Demel and Tomkins. Some of the fans are saying Spence had a good game at OT midweek so may keep his place at right back. On that basis was thinking go safe with Tomkins but just read an article that said James Collins will have a late fitness test. Anyone got any more info or advice please?

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