Matchday Surgery

The Saturday Surgery

While Gameweek 35 looks, on paper, to be an ordinary ten-match affair, with another set of double fixtures looming, Fantasy managers will already be using transfers to prep their squads in advance.

They’ll be much debate on how much to commit one week early and whether strong single Gameweek assets should be neglected in favour of those treated to two matches in Gameweek 36.

Our Matchday Surgery chatroom is now open for those looking for some real-time reaction to their musings and dilemmas.

There is, of course, plenty to take in about the site. Details on our Scout Pick selections this week can be found here, while Paul outlined three explosive differentials who could not only fill the void left by Luis Suarez, but potentially help make up ground on mini-league rivals. The team news has been collected and collated, together with our thoughts on the likely weekend lineups. Finally, there’s the ScoutCast, where Granville and I review the week gone by and give our views on the where the profits will lie for the Gameweek ahead.

That should keep you occupied if you’re furiously catching up this morning. The chatroom will morph into the Dugout Discussion in time for the early kick-off at the Etihad. Sadly, due to family commitments this morning, the usual Pre-match Preamble has had to drop from my schedule today. This will return next week when normal service is resumed.

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

2,053 Comments Post a Comment
  1. I Am Nobody
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    Bunn or Jussi. Anyone?

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    1. nedfoo
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Bunn

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    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Bunn.

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    3. TeamSteam
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Bunn. Stoke dont score.

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      1. Konig Luther
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 8 days ago

        crouch will score

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        1. TeamSteam
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 8 days ago

          I did lol

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    4. I Am Nobody
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Thanks. I go with the majority.

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  2. Cheggers
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    Begovic
    Zabaleta, Dawson, Luiz
    Bale, Walcott, Beausjour, Maloney
    RVP, Aguero (c), Tevez (v)

    Bring on the points........

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  3. Denis Tueart on the wing
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    Which one for should I leave out. Michu or Berb.

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    1. Torres76
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      That's a flip coin job mate

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      1. Denis Tueart on the wing
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 8 days ago

        I suppose
        Michu scores = 5
        Berb Scores = 4

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    2. I Am Nobody
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Same with me but I choose Michu over Berbatov

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      1. Denis Tueart on the wing
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 8 days ago

        Me too, good luck 🙂

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  4. Heytch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    Fake Preamble... bit of light reading:

    With the teeth marks in arm fading as we leave another gameweek behind, we look forward to 1130 and the setting of our double game week chargers. Those who could only watch in awe as Van Persie made short work of his first piece of silverware on Monday night, are the same people lining up anywhere between 8 and 16pt hits for this week's non-double. Amazing situation as RVP captainers and owners start spending, and those who didn't, spending more.

    At the very top of the table there is no change as Aussie Zipparo pulled the right reign again, and watched RVP (C ) and Suarez take him to 77pts and maintaining of the lead. 2 transfers for Zipparo this week will no doubt include Suarez (who continues to behave like a pre-schooler in a foreign land who is struggling to communicate with the other kids in the playground)... and -4pts likely to show up as a modest investment

    Anticipation of a big pre DGW and we won't have to wait too long to know our fate, with next week's big doublers Man City opening up the round with the lunchtime kickoff at the Etihad. All eyes will be on Mancini's line-up, but it may do little but deceive us into thinking there are more nailed on double players for next week than they are. At the moment only Hart and Kompany look safe, as the entire community line up moves (if not already completed many nights ago) for Tevez and/or Aguero.

    Many teams now go for broke in chase of mini league titles or for top 1k and 10k glory, but it's the wildcarders with perhaps the biggest dilemma as they weigh up the optimal first 11 from teams with many reasons to rest a player or 2. City look ahead to another FA Cup victory with the likes of Silva, Zabaleta and Aguero being sound likely at the forefront of their thinking, and Chelsea look to a very difficult double likely to field the best second-11 they can against United in order to ensure that the Tottenham 6-pointer for the champions league goes their way.

    Swansea appeal in the double and Wigan don't have the depth to NOT play most of their chargers next week.

    So I pose to those without a wildcard who their 11 would be if they had one? It seems many teams are playing still as though they did with perhaps the highest willingness to "hit" than I can recall in recent times. 8-9 double gameweekers will be the average at this rate, so grab a coffee or tea and get the refresh button ready, as the 2 opponents will be listed next to your players in the Pick Team section very soon. Happy double gameweek prepping! May all your players play twice and not be bitten.

    CH's dreamy 11

    Foster
    Luiz Vertonghen Kompany
    Michu Mata Hazard Bale
    Aguero Tevez Lukaku

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    1. Declan-
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Lovely stuff 🙂

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    2. Open Controls
      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 8 days ago

        😀

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      2. Heytch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 8 days ago

        😆

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      3. TeamSteam
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 8 days ago

        😀 😀

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    3. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Brilliant. Thanks for this. 🙂

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      1. Heytch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 8 days ago

        amusing myself as i wait for 1130 and with Mark on baby duties, figure sharing is caring 😀

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    4. A Defender's Nightmare
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Great stuff CH, Cheers 🙂

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  5. adams_6
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    Nastasic to start today?

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  6. Gargamel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    Fookit, I'm getting Demba Ba. Make or break!

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    1. AK ⭐
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Garg, no. You're a CFC fan and you know he's not playing both..

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      1. Elniñorules
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 8 days ago

        Garg is a Chelsea fan? When did that happen? 😯

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      2. Kevin Twine
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 8 days ago

        He'll play the next 2. And his brace tomorrow will make up for a miss of the 3rd game anyway 😎

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      3. Waldaz
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 8 days ago

        *Benitez fan. 😉

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      4. Gargamel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 8 days ago

        I'm not a CFC fan at all, I just happen to like Rafael Benitez

        What Nick says below sounds good, however

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        1. AK ⭐
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 8 days ago

          I always thought.. 😯

          Well, I really think you should keep away. But yeah, he should start 3 games in 4. Against Swans, United and Villa. Might not pay against Spurs. So upto you really.

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    2. Kevin Twine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      I'm so tempted as well...

      Who you taking out for him?

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      1. Gargamel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 8 days ago

        Wayne Rooney

        Do it!

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        1. Kevin Twine
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 8 days ago

          For a free or for a hit?

          I'm thinking about taking out Berba for him. Just got a big hunch...

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          1. Gargamel
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 8 days ago

            It's for a hit Nick, but I was taking the hit anyway to fund Bale in for Nolan

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    3. SuperOsçarBaby
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      don't

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    4. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Not like you to be so ' Punty' Garg ?

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      1. Gargamel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 8 days ago

        Think this can be a good time for me to have a punt like this Evs. I don't like the other options much anyway and I think the potential upsides are big.

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  7. This comment has been removed. Please consult our terms and conditions if in doubt on content suitable for posting on this site.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Link?

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    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Meeh

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    3. Cheggers
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      when you say confirmed... do you mean the team you would pick?

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      1. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 8 days ago

        no, confirmed, get Arshavin in NOW

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    4. /
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Bale > Arshavin for -4?

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      1. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 8 days ago

        yes, possibly even an 8 point hit

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    5. A Defender's Nightmare
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Please don't post fake line-ups.. Representing Mark here 😉

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    6. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      We can't have lineups named this early without a source of some kind. Sorry.

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  8. AK ⭐
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    Who are your captains?

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    1. Viper
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Bale

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    2. Willis.
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Baines.

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    3. Declan-
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Bale

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    4. Smakies
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      bale

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    5. I Am Nobody
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Bale

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  9. Viper
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    A 1-0 win for West Ham really put a damper on this potentially profitable gameweek..

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    1. Declan-
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      I only have Silva from that game

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      1. Viper
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 8 days ago

        Hart, Zabaleta & Tevez here!

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  10. Burd Turglars
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    Played my WC, sold RVP. Balls of steel.

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      glass*

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    2. Declan-
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      I would have done the same

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    3. Viper
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Same here!

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  11. Willis.
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    How the hell do I still have Gervinho in my team? 😯

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Stop lying.

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      1. Willis.
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 8 days ago

        Gervinho to Bale for a hit?

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        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 8 days ago

          I would. Gervinho is on the bench.

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    2. gunnerboy
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Im in the same boat mate. Don't worry, we will be the ones laughing when he scores tomorrow

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    3. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Haha...he's one of those that sneaks into your team on a Friday night when you're not looking...usually after five pints of Guinness

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  12. Dazspurs
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    Does Lampard have much to offer for the rest of the season, or will he just not start enough games?

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    1. Willis.
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      He will want to start as many as possible to break that goal-scoring record.

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    2. busteddocket
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      million dollar ?

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  13. Thomass
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    Everyone post their teams!
    DeGea; Sagna Luiz Clyne; Hazard Mata Fellaini Michu Walcott; Tevez(C) Benteke
    Subs; Bunn Berbatov Jones Rangel

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    1. Willis.
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      No

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    2. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Sorry, I will send you my link at 11:46

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  14. Lawrø
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    I'm losing it, Cameron ---> Dawson(-4), Cameron may not even start today and my other defenders will likely get 1 aswell, Trouble is it would make it (-8) and I already have Vertonghen 😯

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  15. Raddy
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    Cesar likely to start this week? Anyone know why he didn't start last week?

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  16. Deece
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    A) DDG to LLORIS for (-4)
    B) SAGNA to DAWSON (-4)
    C) LAMBERT to KONE (-4)
    D) None of the above

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    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      D

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    2. Stats King-@football2space
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      d

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    3. elkunaguero
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      B

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    4. good biashara
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      depends on the rest of your team...

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    5. Messi & fabregas
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      b

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  17. Mr Flibble
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    Would you go RVP and Caz out for Bale and Tevez for the run in?

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    1. Declan-
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Can you afford just Caz -> Bale

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      1. Mr Flibble
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 8 days ago

        No, got nothing in the bank which is why I think I might have to sacrifice rvp. Also thinking of Tev for next weeks double

        Team is Federici, Jask, Evra, Pearce, Riether, Jose En, BAssong, Mata, Caz, Fellaini,Kebe, Maloney, rvp, Berbs, Lambert

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  18. Messi & fabregas
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    8 pt ahead in my lead

    the second placed team captains tevez (i am assuming)

    shall i also captian him or go with bale (they dont have bale)

    thoughts please?

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    1. gedda
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Going for the differential is less worth it if you are in the lead, but to be honest 8pts isn't much of a lead. I would go with Bale, don't have him but looking to get him in - he is just too explosive at the moment.

      /g

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      1. Messi & fabregas
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 8 days ago

        thanks mate

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  19. ab9
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    rvp for aguero? should i bring in defoe for remy 4pt hit also?

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    1. Messi & fabregas
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      yes imo maybe not defoe though as he is not nailed on, maybe kone/lukaku?

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  20. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    Start Sagna or Rafael? (Have DDG)

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    1. Smakies
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      rafael

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    2. Messi & fabregas
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      spread the risk

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  21. jaco
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    Bench Michu or Sissoko?

    Captain Bale or Tevez?

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    1. PGR
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Bench Siss
      Captain Bale

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      1. I Am Nobody
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 8 days ago

        +1

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  22. gedda
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    Gents,

    Walcott or Fellani to Bale for the (C) worth a -4?

    Team is.

    DDG
    Harte Clyne Baines
    Walcott Fellaini Morrison Michu
    RVP Tevez Benteke

    (Tremmel, Maloney, Davies, JEvans)

    Thanks.

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    1. Smakies
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      harte won't play play davies
      fellaini to bale

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      1. gedda
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 8 days ago

        Cheers..
        Damn you Harte.

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  23. Ash
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    Quick captain poll.

    Bale (c)

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    1. SuperOsçarBaby
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      walcott (c) 😎

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      1. Ash
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 8 days ago

        Good choice, could pay off. He's due.

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    2. drughi
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      feck it Ba (c)

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  24. King Nemanja
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    Play Berb or Michu?

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  25. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    One thing you would like most this week?

    For me, an early Bale red card

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    1. Locarno
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Mata hat-trick.

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    2. Kevin Twine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Who you captaining this week mate?

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      1. Jinswick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 8 days ago

        Tevez. Still yet to decide whether I should take a hit and do Pienaar -> Bale this week. Worth it?

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    3. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Tevez to play and score, in the correct net!

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  26. Locarno
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    No players in the Arse-ManU match tomorrow. Getting the beers in, sitting back and hoping for an all-in brawl.

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  27. r0nh
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    Neither a borrower nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend, and borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      -rep

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    2. good biashara
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      nonsense

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  28. Ahh! Sister Assumpta!
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    Quick vote

    A Wildcard Team WITH RVP

    Robles/Bego
    Kompany / Luiz / Dawson / Hoovield / Fox
    Bale/Yaya/lennon/Maloney/Fellaini
    Tevez/RVP/Kone

    B Wildcard Team WITHOUT RVP

    Robles/Bego
    Kompany / Luiz / Vertongen / Hoovield / Fox
    Bale / Yaya / Fellini / Mata / Lallana
    Tevez / Defoe / Kone

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    1. Ash
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      A. RVP + Maloney > Defoe + Mata Imo

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      1. Ahh! Sister Assumpta!
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 8 days ago

        Cant do that, i wud end up with 4 spurs...

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  29. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    Anyone else going into the DGW without a DGW striker? Looking like I'll have RVP & Berba, slightly concerned

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Get Tevez.

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    2. gedda
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Tevez for me, but only because I had Suarez and he had to go. Playing 5 across the midfield instead, can't drop RVP on a golden boot riot...

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  30. Godfather Bandit 42
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 8 days ago

    Which one would you play?

    1) Sagna?

    2) R.Martin?

    3) Mariappa?

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    1. good biashara
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 8 days ago

      Martin or Mariappa. Prob Martin, just

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