[sbu_large_image] Scout Picks
12 April 2013 2267 comments
Paul Paul
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With five clubs facing a double Gameweek, there’s no surprise to see this week’s Scout Picks heavily populated by the likes of Arsenal, United and Everton. Eleven of our 14-strong squad have a pair of matches on their respective agendas, though Liverpool and City cannot be ignored in light of their enticing fixtures:

David De Gea gets the nod between the sticks for United’s double Gameweek. Having featured in the first XI in each of the last 16 league matches, he offers a security of starts that has been unrivalled amongst Sir Alex Ferguson’s backline and travels to Stoke and West Ham on the back of six clean sheets in seven. The potential for defensive points seems promising – the Potters have scored twice in the last six Gameweeks, while Sam Allardyce’s side have failed to find the net in two of the last three.

Bacary Sagna is our Arsenal defender of choice for back-to-back home games with Norwich and Everton. Coming in at 4.7 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), the Frenchman offers a cheap route into a backline that has picked up three clean sheets in the previous seven and, since returning from injury, has climbed ahead of Carl Jenkinson in the pecking order as Arsene Wenger look to experienced heads to help clinch a top four finish. Given that the Canaries have scored once in five away trips, the first match looks particularly promising, while Everton have drawn blanks in two of their last four on the road.

Site favourite Leighton Baines is welcomed into the Scout Picks ahead of Everton’s double. The left-back plays host to QPR tomorrow afternoon before making his way to the Emirates the following Tuesday and with a goal, assist or clean sheet in nine of the last 11 Gameweeks, it’s little wonder he’s risen to the top of the FPL defender standings once again.

City’s home clash with Wigan next Wednesday affords Pablo Zabaleta the chance to maintain a level of consistency that has mirrored Baines since the turn of the year. The City right-back has also produced either a goal, assist, clean sheet or bonus in all but two of his 11 appearances in 2013 and with Roberto Mancini’s side keeping out their opponents in five of the last six at the Etihad, looks poised for further points against the Latics.

Runaway leader in this week’s Captain Poll, Santi Cazorla has received significant investment over the last few days as midfields are restructured for the double. The Spaniard has registered double figures in each of his last two home matches and with visitors Everton and Norwich managing a single clean sheet in their previous 12 and 10 away matches respectively, Arsene Wenger’s side look poised to get amongst the goals.

Back from a two-match suspension, Marouane Fellaini makes an instant return to the Scout Picks for Everton’s pair of fixtures. Having produced double figures at Goodison five times already this term, the Belgian welcomes a QPR side that has conceded at least three times in three of their last four on the road. While a trip to Arsenal is a little trickier, Fellaini has already notched against the Gunners and picked up maximum bonus back in Gameweek 14.

Liverpool’s trip to Reading helps Philippe Coutinho retain his place in the Scout Picks XI. The January signing has scored or assisted in all three of his away appearances this term, averaging 7.6 points per game on the road – up against the most porous backline in the Premier League, he looks set to prosper once again.

We’re willing to take a slight chance on Theo Walcott for Arsenal’s pair of fixtures. Having missed the last two through injury, there’s a chance he may start on the bench against Norwich but even if he’s only introduced as a sub, has the potential to produce. With attacking returns in 10 of his last 13, his consistency is far superior to other Arsenal options such as Gervinho or Olivier Giroud and is enough to persuade us he’s worth drafting in.

Wayne Rooney is our United forward of choice ahead of the trips to Stoke and West Ham. While Robin Van Persie continues to toil, Rooney has undoubtedly been the man in form for the league leaders – analysing their last six starts, Rooney has five goals and two assists compared to the Dutchman’s single strike and four assists, outscoring his strike partner 47 – 33. While faith in Sir Alex Ferguson’s side has taken a dent in recent weeks, Rooney remains a real differential contender heading into the weekend with a mere 8% ownership in FPL.

Five goals and 11 bonus points in his last five matches highlights the current form of Dimitar Berbatov. With a pair of fixtures on Fulham’s agenda, the Bulgarian has proven more popular than any other forward heading into tomorrow’s deadline – he visits a Villa side without a clean sheet in 16 Gameweeks before entertaining Chelsea at the Cottage the following Wednesday. With Rafa Benitez’s side picking up a single point in their last four roads trips, Berbatov’s chance to continue his outstanding form look strong.

Everton’s Kevin Mirallas is our final forward for the double. Despite being utilised in midfield, the Belgian has scored in three of the last four Gameweeks and also produced seven bonus points over that period – at just 6.8 in FPL, he’s been in superb form ahead of those clashes with QPR and Arsenal.

Joey O’Brien gets the nod for West Ham’s pair of fixtures. A trip to Southampton and home clash with United are far from straightforward but Sam Allardyce’s side will be buoyed by last weekend’s defensive display at Anfield, with the goalless draw helping the Hammers to a second clean sheet in four. With a couple of goals and three assists to his name, O’Brien offers greater attacking potential than any defensive team mate, should his side concede.

On current form alone, there’s no doubt Kevin Nolan is a punt heading into the Hammers’ double. Having scored five times in the opening 11 Gameweek, Nolan has notched just once since but with Sam Allardyce’s side requiring a victory to take them over the 40 point mark, the West Ham captain could play a pivotal role in their fortunes against Southampton and United.

Christian Benteke’s incredible form is only forced onto the bench by a trio of double Gameweek forwards. The Villa front man has now notched in each of his last four and has found the net 10 times in 12 league appearances since the turn of the year – he looks in irresistible form as the midlanders go in search of a fourth win in five against visitors Fulham.

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  1. FantasyFreak
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    One week punt, Mirallas or Berbatov?

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    1. A.
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Berbatov, but Mirallas is a tempting punt

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    2. Tommytour
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      I've gone Anichebe over them two 😯

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    3. Darth
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Berba, Mirallas is too injury prone imo....

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    4. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Berbatov, and i bought Mirallas this week. Moyes said some worrying words about him:

      "I look at him and he's signalling to me with 15 minutes to go - so maybe he's not quite got what's required at Everton or the Premier League,"

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      1. Billy Gilmore
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 11 months ago

        That's him giving him a kick up the arse.

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  2. Rafabio
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    8 for me, playing 7 (benching Zabaleta and playing Rafael)

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  3. 1966 was a great year for E…
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    RMWCT

    De Gea
    Sagna Zabaleta Baines
    Walcott Fellaini Cazorla Coutinho
    Rooney Berbatov Mirallas

    Subs: O'Brien, Nolan, Benteke

    Looking OK?

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    1. Screaming Midget
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      😀

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    2. reply fail
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Like it, maybe O'Brien instead of Zab and Nolan instead of Coutinho and Benteke instead of Miralles. Wait a minute.....

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    3. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Hmmm, bending the rules a bit there 66? 😉

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    4. Tommytour
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      I'd wait for the scout picks before deciding

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      1. 1966 was a great year for E…
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 11 months ago

        Good point, cheers Tommy 😉

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

      Looking good, how set up are you for GW36 though? Only Zabaleta for there, unless they're on the bench?

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      1. 1966 was a great year for E…
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 11 months ago

        I feel bad now 😉

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        1. A.
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 11 months ago

          Hold on a minute, you've got 4 strikers, you can't do that 😛

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          1. 1966 was a great year for E…
            • 15 Years
            12 years, 11 months ago

            Tell it to Mark 😛

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    6. The Finnisher
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Why would you bench Nolan and O'Brien when they have a DGW!? 😉

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      1. 1966 was a great year for E…
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 11 months ago

        Or maybe I should go 3-3-4?

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  4. Trigg ⭐️
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Since February, Stoke have been on a run of not keeping many clean sheets, but also having an annoying habit of only conceding one goal per game.

    Last week was different, but had it not been for a wonder strike and a late breakaway goal, they would have been likely to just concede 1 as well.

    Stoke 0 – 1 Man United (Anderson)

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    1. /
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      That's a good point actually

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      1. Trigg ⭐️
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 11 months ago

        Do you ever get a feeling of deja vu? 😉

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        1. /
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 11 months ago

          😉

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    2. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Viv Anderson is more likely to score...

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      1. Trigg ⭐️
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 11 months ago

        That's who I meant.

        I actually once had Anderson as a 3rd sub in a week when he scored. And he came on. My ML rivals never shut up about how jammy that was 😀

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  5. The Finnisher
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    My RVP Lambert Suarez strikeforce vs yours Scouts, bring it on 😉

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  6. Somalion
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Right boys need a hand as am going out now, worth a 12 point hit?

    Bego, Davies, Bale, Stevie G, Punch -> Jussi, Monreal, Kags, Fella, Wally giving me

    Jussi,

    Clyne, O Brien, Monreal

    Kags, Fella, Caz, Wally

    Benteke, Suarez, RVP.

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    1. Tommytour
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      If you are doing Stevie > Walcott for -4 I wouldn't bother

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      1. Somalion
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 11 months ago

        Fair point, just frees up funds and Stevie's only real returns have been from the spot since he's playing so deep these days.

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        1. Tommytour
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 11 months ago

          No one plays deep v Reading

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  7. Dynamic
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    What do you think about this wc team?
    9 DGW’ers for this week and 6 for GW36.
    DeGea (Robles)Baines Sagna Nastastic (Chico Dawson)
    Cazorla Walcott Fellaini Pienaar (Maloney)
    RVP Aguero Berbatov
    Please can I have some more opinions -Thanks x

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    1. Tommytour
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      One of the best I've seen to be honest

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    2. Lrf
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Formation are you palying in gw 36?

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  8. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    I guess Rooney and Coutinho cover RvP and Suarez, but shocked that RvP isn't a pick in a DGW against Stoke and West Ham and Suarez isn't there vs. Reading...

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

      tell me how Coutinho covers Suarez! LOL!

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      1. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 11 months ago

        2 goals and 3 assists in 6 starts

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

          but how does that cover him? it's like saying Kagawa covers Rooney/RVP because he's scored some goals and got some assists

          that's nonsense

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  9. Tommytour
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    My mates team for this week, 2nd in minileague

    Mignolet
    Turner
    Cazorla Gervinho Lampard
    RVP Benteke

    Harte Davies Williams Dawson Michu Bale Lukaku

    🙂

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

    Coutinho over Suarez?

    LOL!!!

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    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Strange!!!!!!!!!!

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    2. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Weird. Could at least had Suarez on the bench.

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  11. /
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    What are Granville's transfer plans this week?

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

      was talking about Sissoko to Fellaini on the podcast

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      1. /
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 11 months ago

        Is that it? 1 transfer?

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

          that was the obvious one but they mentioned a few other things... get a replay of the podcast and listen near the end

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      2. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 11 months ago

        Shit.

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

          Just bought Fellaini 😐

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

      Osman (c)

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  12. John Colby (C)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Why is DDG featuring in so many teams? Vidic and Smalling are out, Evans is back but without any game time and United play a Stoke side away fighting for premier league survival and a West Ham side with Carroll likely to be up front. How likely DDG will produce the clean sheets people are hoping for? Moreover will he play the last 2 games of the season when the league title is in the bag?

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    1. The Finnisher
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Im sure you would have been able to say similar about the 6 teams United were playing before the City game.

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  13. Darth
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Re-Post - Hmmm my current captain choice is Baines but I’m starting to have doubts again……….and even my extreme force power isn’t helping……

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    1. JD
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      never captain, never bench 😮

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  14. kimoo
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    benteke > Mirallas FOR -4

    yay

    nay

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    1. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Nay

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  15. Spike ⚽️
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    No Demel in the Scout Picks 🙁

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

      shocking oversight... 🙁

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    2. /
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Blasphemy!

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  16. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    How many, if any, point hits are you taking this week?

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    1. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      16
      😎

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

        😯 I'm sensing some West Indies devilry... 😉

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    2. Tommytour
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      12

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    3. The Finnisher
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      24

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      1. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 11 months ago

        ?

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        1. The Finnisher
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 11 months ago

          ...4

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  17. The Gambler.
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    WALCOTT!!!!!

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  18. elkunaguero
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    A) Sagna and Wilkinson, keep Davies
    B) Koscelny and Demel - 4, get rid of Davies

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  19. Cheggers
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Sissoko to Pienaar worth a 4 point hit?

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

      it's a gamble which could pay, you already have Fellaini?

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    2. Tommytour
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      No

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  20. A.
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Any advice on this move? Lost on previous page.

    Lambert and Mata to Rooney and Fellaini for a -4?

    Mignolet (Bunn)
    Evra*, Johnson, Pearce (Cameron, Davies)
    Cazorla*, Walcott*, Sissoko, Mata (Townsend)
    Suarez, Berbatov*, Lambert

    £4.2m in the bank, 1 FT. Just worried Mata and Lambert could outscore my DGWers

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    1. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      I'd be very, very reluctant to sell Lambert if I had him.
      Sissoko -> Fellainin and Pearce -> Sagna, you like?

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      1. A.
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 11 months ago

        I should mention that this is all for one week only, i'm playing the WC next week, and very probably bringing Lambert back in 😉

        I like the look of those transfers, but I quite fancy getting Rooney in this week as a punt though.

        I suppose I should do something about my defence, as Cameron plays United, Davies has no fixture and Pearce is probably dropped, so Sagna looks good

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    2. Tommytour
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Siss > Fellaini
      Pearce > Sagna

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      1. RoysCallerAnne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 11 months ago

        Dual accounts, ban him. 😉

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        1. A.
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 11 months ago

          Haha

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  21. Christina.
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Walcott.

    What now?

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    1. A.
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      I held on to him while he was out, in the hopes he'd recover, looks like he has, so there's no point losing him. But definitely don't give him the armband.

      Wouldn't bring him in if you don't have him either

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      1. Christina.
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 11 months ago

        Why not bring him in?

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        1. A.
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 11 months ago

          He could still only play one of them

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          1. Christina.
            • 16 Years
            12 years, 11 months ago

            one plus a bit me thinks

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    2. reply fail
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Walcott

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    3. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      I'm taking him back. Don't care if he doesn't start Vs NOR. He'll get 25 + 90 at the very least.

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      1. Christina.
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 11 months ago

        This news is screwing with my brain.

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    4. Mr Sarcastic
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      tell me about it

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  22. Shane Ferguson 4.0
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Best combo?

    A - Rafael + Enrique

    B - Sagna + Enrique

    C - Baines + Sagna -4 points

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    1. A.
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      B for me

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  23. JapBen
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    I have RVP, Evans, Sagna, Cazorla, Fellaini for the DGW. So far I have done 2 transfers (Sissoko, Davies -> Fellaini, Sagna) for a hit (-4).

    Should I take another hit (-8) to do Hazard->Walcott??

    I need Evans and Hazard to play to be able to field 11 as I have Michu, Kebe and Harte on my bench.

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  24. Beautiful Game
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    final decision:

    wally or gerv???

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

      Wally

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    2. A.
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Go with your gut.

      I'd pick Wally though

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  25. Dcon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    play sissoko or gerard this week?

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

      Gerrard, set pieces + weaker opponent

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      1. Dcon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 11 months ago

        ya thinkin the same but have suarez starting, liverpool blank last week was frustrating.
        Side issue gerard>silva or suarez>aguero? probably gw35

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  26. Sarnab
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    1. Mata + Anichebe
    2. Sissoko + Mirallas

    Which one ?

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  27. KakiBangku
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Please help me understand something as my football knowledge is very poor.

    Why is it Evras gametime is seen as more secure than Rafaels when Buttner isnt injured by Smalling is?

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    1. Tommytour
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      Your knowledge is better than those suggesting this

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  28. GOONER
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Santi Coutinho Mata Fellaini Sissoko
    Sturridge Berbatov Van Persie

    A) Bench Sturridge
    B) Get Giroud instead of Sturridge and bench Mata
    C) Get Rooney instead of Strurridge and Bench Mata
    D) Get Mirallas instead of Sturridge and bench Mata
    E) Get Giroud instead of Sturridge and bench Sissoko
    F) Get Rooney instead of Strurridge and Bench Sissoko
    G) Get Mirallas instead of Sturridge and bench Sissoko
    H) Bench Sturridge and get Walcott instad of Mata
    I) Bench Sturridge and get Walcott instad of Sissoko.

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    1. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 11 months ago

      My eyes are sore

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      1. RoysCallerAnne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 11 months ago

        I say option (I) but seriously difficult to decipher!

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  29. Somalion
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Right lads won't be on again until this has started probably, best of luck to everyone 😀

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  30. Razormac
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 11 months ago

    Have Hazzard and mata. Want Walcott as a differential in my league. Which 1 should I keep?

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