Scout Reports

Scout Report – Gary Hooper

Norwich boss Chris Hughton made his seventh signing of the summer transfer window earlier today by acquiring long-term target Gary Hooper from Glasgow Celtic. The 25-year-old arrives at Carrow Road on a three-year deal – though the club have the option of another year – for a reported fee of around £5m and follows the likes of Ricky Van Wolfswinkel, Nathan Redmond, Leroy Fer and Martin Olsson to the club as Hughton looks to push on from last season’s eleventh place finish.

In an interview with the club’s official website, Hooper revealed his determination to prove himself in England’s top-flight after a highly successful stint at Parkhead under Neil Lennon:

“There’s been a lot of speculation going back to January and I’m pleased to have finally put pen to paper and joined Norwich. I can’t wait to get down to work, to get training with the lads and working with the coaching staff. I knew Chris Hughton and Colin Calderwood from my youth days at Spurs so it will be great to be back working with them in the Premier League. I have scored goals at every level I have played at and the challenge of playing in the Premier League is really exciting to me.”

The History

A product of the Tottenham youth academy, Hooper was released by the north London club at the age of 14 back in 2002. His career got underway at Conference club Grays Athletic but, after scoring 20 times in 69 appearances, he was released again in the summer of 2006. Picked up by Southend United, he scored just twice in 32 appearances over two years and was farmed out on loan to Leyton Orient (four games, two goals) and Hereford United (19 matches, 11 goals) before Scunthorpe paid £175,000 for his services in July 2008.

Hooper’s eye for goal was instantly in evidence for Scunthorpe. A total of 24 goals in 45 league appearances in 2008/09 saw him voted Player of the Year and helped earn the club promotion to the Championship. The goals flowed once again the following season, with 19 strikes and six assists in 35 matches persuading Celtic to shell out over £2m in the summer of 2010.

Hooper wreaked havoc in his new surrounds and was the Hoops’ top scorer in each of his three seasons at Parkhead. In just 95 league appearances, he registered an eye-catching 63 goals and 24 assists, helping the club to a couple of league titles, with two Scottish Cups also accrued.

The Prospects

Having watched his side suffer back-to-back 1-0 pre-season friendly losses, Hughton has moved quickly to address a lack of attacking edge. While Norwich were decent defensively from a Fantasy perspective last term, chalking up 10 clean sheets, a 4-4-1-1 formation failed to harvest many goals – the Canaries found the net on just 41 occasions, a tally better than only Stoke (34) and relegated QPR (30).

The earlier arrival of Van Wolfswinkel had suggested Hughton would continue with his somewhat cautious approach and roll out a lone striker system once again but Norwich’s pre-season failings have perhaps led to a change of heart. Certainly, with over £13m spent on the pair, it’s fair to assume Hooper will now be expected to line up alongside the Dutchman in a 4-4-2, potentially handing Fantasy managers greater options amongst the Carrow Road squad.

Although the former Celtic star is a little more diminutive than Van Wolfswinkel (five foot nine to six foot one), Hughton’s new forwards have relatively similar attributes – both possess good movement in the box and a penchant for playing on the shoulder of the last defender – though Hooper’s renowned work ethic and link-up play may see him drop deep more often, with his unselfishness highlighted by that average of eight assists per season at Celtic.

Yet to be listed in the Fantasy games, a price of around 6.5 or 7.0 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) seems on the cards, bearing in mind that Van Wolfswinkel will set you back 7.0, whilst key creative force, Robert Snodgrass, is available for 6.5.

Hooper’s addition to the Canaries ranks now gives Fantasy managers something of a dilemma. While Snodgrass dominated the scene last term, there are now further options as we consider a kind batch of opening fixtures which has Hughton’s side play host to Everton, Southampton and Villa in the opening five Gameweeks, in addition to a trip to Hull. Given his eye for goal, Hooper looks a more than viable target as we assemble our squads ahead of the season kick-off, with his arrival sure to bolster the Canaries chances of improving upon last term’s dire scoring record.

Further Reference

Gary Hooper Wikipedia

Gary Hooper Transfer Markt Page

Gary Hooper You Tube

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

2,885 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Get up ya bum
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Benteke at it again

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  2. SuperOsçarBaby
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    do you take, 4 points or Jrod v west brom?

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      J Rod should get 2 for starters. Rather the attacking player easily.

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      1. SuperOsçarBaby
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        if so, Weimann or JRod?

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        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Weimann if selling.

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  3. Big Fudge
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Come at me DGW

    Mannone (Boruc)

    Toure Coleman Collins (Clyne Burner)

    Bale Hazard Yaya Lampard (Thomas)

    Benteke Lukaku Giroud

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    1. Tommytour
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Not a fan of Yaya, but looks great elsewhere

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      1. Big Fudge
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah, only reason I have him is because of the fear of rotation. If I'm feeling it I will downgrade Coleman to Murner and then get Silva. Sound like a plan? 🙂

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        1. Tommytour
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Prefer that 🙂

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  4. Get up ya bum
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Quite happy with this

    Boruc
    Terry Coleman Collins
    Bale Hazard (c) Walcott Coutinho
    Benteke Lukaku Rodriguez

    Lewis Thomas Parr Chester

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Too much Pool.

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      1. Get up ya bum
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Bah!

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        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          😛

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      2. SuperOsçarBaby
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        😯 only 1?

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        1. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          That was a joke 😛

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  5. Bent it like Beckham 😉
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    sessegnon or ben arfa?

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    1. lfcserg
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      ben arfa

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  6. blind
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Here's my squad:

    GK
    1. Stekelenburg
    2. Boruc

    DF
    1. Baines
    2. Ivanovic
    3. Zabaleta
    4. McNaughton (bench)
    5. Evra (bench)

    MF
    1. Paulinho
    2. Navas
    3. Hazard (c)
    4. Campana (bench)
    5. Fernandinho

    FW
    1. Bony
    2. Anelka
    3. Lukaku (v)

    or

    Here's my squad:

    GK
    1. Stekelenburg
    2. Boruc

    DF
    1. Baines
    2. Ivanovic (v)
    3. Zabaleta
    4. Luiz
    5. Evra (bench)

    MF
    1. Paulinho
    2. Navas
    3. Hazard (c)
    4. Campana (bench)
    5. Fernandinho

    FW
    1. Bony
    2. Anelka
    3. Cornelius (bench)

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    1. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Evra? 😆

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    2. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Eyes. Hurting

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    3. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Please post in this format

      GK GK
      D D D D D
      M M M M M
      F F F

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    4. lfcserg
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Way too much spent on defence, just restart.

      Stekelenburg has terrible fixtures

      You shouldnt have 4-5 big defenders only have 2 max (which should be both chelsea due to the dgw)

      Not a fan of paulinho, i think there are better options at that price such as ben arfa, nolan and mirallas

      You have to upgrade your attack also way too weak (so downgrade your defence and invest more in your attack and select better options in midfield like wally, silva instead of navas and mirallas)

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    5. rajatsingla
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      five high range defenders is kinda rare......imo go for it only when you have decided to get returns from the backline alone which is kinda risky since you mid and forward line looks a bit weak and you surely are not gonna go for 5 defenders every GW

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    6. TheSpethelWon
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      I's refreshing to see a different side. I'm not completely against the approach of a slightly more pricey backline considering that if you look at the new BPS 11 out of the top 20 players of last season would have been defenders, 2 were strikers and 7 were midfield. Though I also don't see it as viable to play 5 defenders every week. would downgrade 2 of them and upgrade elsewhere for captaincy.

      But a new approach might work, most teams I've seen here are built on similar structures and around similar player/ player combinations (probably for a good reason though). It's going to take something slightly different to rise above.

      End of the day, go with your gut, otherwise you're letting other's play the game for you.
      My humble opinion.

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  7. rajatsingla
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    guys RVP+Bale or no RVP...please help...confused to the core...!!!

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Do you want RVP?

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      1. rajatsingla
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        not sure...last time opted not to go for him which eventually set me back. But this time looks the only one getting returns in ManU squad. But den my Mid and defence wud eventually suffer. So confused!!

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        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          3 weeks to make up your mind. 🙂

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          1. rajatsingla
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            yes, plenty time...just making initial drafts. BTW articles on this site are a real deal and m making my mind to be a permanent member.. 🙂

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            1. TorresMagic™
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 15 Years
              10 years, 10 months ago

              Well worth it when you see all the good stuff in the members area.

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              1. rajatsingla
                • 10 Years
                10 years, 10 months ago

                thanx for your help..!

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            2. TheSpethelWon
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 10 months ago

              Agreed! I only joined as a paying member this year and there's some really useful stuff in the member's area.

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    2. Big Fudge
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Just Bale, wait for RVP to drop in price

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    3. Joggers Nipple
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      This will confuse you more

      1. Start with Bale, some Chelsea and Man C 1

      2 Then Chelsea players out, maybe hold 1?

      3. For gw4 rvp in

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      1. Big Fudge
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        This ^

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        1. rajatsingla
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          waiting for RVP to drop in price looks to be a better option to me too.

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      2. rajatsingla
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        won't confuse me. was considering this possiblity though. 😛

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  8. lfcserg
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    RMT

    Mignolet - Given

    Ivanovic - Luiz - Clyne - Collins - Chester

    Bale - Hazard (c) - Walcott - Nolan - Thomas

    Sturridge - RvW - Jrod

    Not sure about RvW....

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    1. Big Fudge
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Doesn't help now that Hooper has signed. Alternatively you could downgrade Nolan to Snodgrass and then upgrade RvW to Berbatov. I reckon Snodgrass and Berbatov would score more than Nolan and RvW 🙂

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      1. lfcserg
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        I was considering that

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    2. rajatsingla
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      3 chelsea players is a risk....since there are no fixtures in GW3 for chelsea and you end up going for a 4 point hit. imo go for 1 defender, hazard is good and mayb an arsenal defender if you are looking for two mid/high range defenders as i think arsenal defense is underrated and wud do gud dis time around.!!

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      1. Big Fudge
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        He has decent coverage for those byes, plus he can downgrade Ivanovic GW2, Luiz GW3, and then he can bench Hazard. Problem solved 😀

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        1. rajatsingla
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          better saving your transfers for another player which may prove to be a surprise package rather than using two transfers for chelsea players alone in consecutive GWs...!! 😉

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          1. Big Fudge
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            Yeah but you won't get as many points which could be detrimental to your season. You have to risk it for the biscuit 😉

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          2. lfcserg
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            Those are the best options for the dgw IMO if you take into account the ambivalence and uncertainity associated with their midfielders and attackers.

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            1. Big Fudge
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 10 months ago

              I'm taking punts on Lukaku and Lampard, think they will both start in the Hull game where I reckon the big points will be made 😀

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  9. cyw1988
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Lukaku is tipped to be the new drogba and mou loves a big strong CF (hence chelsea's link with benteke earlier on)... I am quite confident this year is Lukaku's year...

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    1. Big Fudge
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      I hope so, and at 8.0m he could be perfectly priced too

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    2. Crouch Potato!
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      He will never fill Drogba's boots.

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  10. Kobra
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    How's my team?

    Boruc – Vorm
    Parr – Clyne – Rat – Coleman – Clichy
    Snodgrass – Nolan – Walcott – Hazard – Mata
    Anelka – Giroud – Sturridge

    My objecive other than high points is to bag the price rises in the first few weeks to build up squad value so I got mainly high potential players (e.g. Michu type).

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  11. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Hi Guys

    What do you think is Tottenham's most likely back 4 will be this season

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      BAE, Kaboul, Vert, Walker or Vert on the left & Dawson.

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    2. lfcserg
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Walker - Dawson - Vertonghen - Disco Ben

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  12. Fischermens Friend
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    How does this look, this is about the fifth draft with all the DGW news.

    Boruc (Etheridge)
    Baker, Ivanovic, Clyne (Collins, Chester)
    Hazard, Walcott, Snodgrass, Bale (Koren)
    J Rod, Aguero, Lukaku

    What's peoples thoughts on Baker, is he more of a liability in the DGW given Villa's fixtures? And how likely is Aguero to start, he hasn't had any pre season games and seems to have a knock?

    Cheers

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    1. Tommytour
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Baker won't start but will drop like a stone in price

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      1. Fischermens Friend
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah I'm thinking I'm gonna stick with the original plan of Collins and get better cover than Baker. Thanks. Any Citeh fans know anything about Aguero's fitness?

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  13. Benjimaate
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Now that the DGW for Chelsea and Villa has been confirmed, where is the best place to invest?

    - Do you go to the goalkeepers and invest in Cech with two very favourable fixtures with potential for clean sheets or look at the Villa option in Guzan with the cheaper price but unfavourable fixtures?

    - Do you look to the defence and spend on players like Luiz, Ivanovic, Azpilicueta among others to accommodate for potential clean sheets but take the higher price hit to include these players or do you simply go to the much cheaper all round Villa defenders such as Lowton or site favourite, Baker?

    - Do you look to the midfield where heavy hitters Hazard, Mata etc. have the potential to return big scores but for a much higher price than a Villa midfield that is still relatively open to discussion on who will be starting the first matches?

    - Do you dip your feet into the forward line and review options such as Benteke, Agbonlahor, Lukaku, Torres or Ba all capable of his scores, but with the latter Chelsea players, having the risk of rotation.?

    Personally I am somewhat split. Cech looks the out right winner in the goalkeeping battle because of his fixtures and security of starts but the price is somewhat of a deterrent. Guzan still looks to be the first choice keeper for Villa but his fixtures however are not pleasant.

    Defence is favoured heavily towards Chelsea. Fixtures give them the go but price and rotation for some looks to put me off. Villa look much better price wise but fixture once again puts me off them.

    Midfield also looks favourably to Chelsea. The security of starts for Hazard and Mata looks to push me towards them but fitting them into a team with their prices could be difficult. The Villa midfield is definitely a mixed bag of potential and could go either way.

    The forward battle I feel looks better for a Villa option. Benteke's starts are a given but a high price may be difficult to handle. The cheaper options of Weimann, Agbonlahor and even Helenius as a punt looks much kinder on the bank. Chelsea's possible starting line up of only one lone striker makes choosing Chelsea options a lucky dip.

    These are only my opinions and I am looking forward to seeing how the rest of the people look to address this situation.

    Thanks all 🙂

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    1. Big Fudge
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Hazard, Lampard, Lukaku and Benteke. No regrets 😉

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      1. Tommytour
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        GW 2 and 3 plans?

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        1. Big Fudge
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          GW2: Lampard to HBA
          GW3: Hazard to Walcott (benching Lukaku and Benteke)

          Then I will probably keep Lukaku, not sure about Benteke. Maybe I will look at the best striker options, someone like Bony could be a good punt.

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          1. Tommytour
            • 13 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            Not fond of that strikeforce GW3

            I'd take a couple of hits

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            1. Big Fudge
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 10 months ago

              Tempting, time will tell 😉

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    2. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      I wouldn't touch Cech, jeez we managed to put 2 past them in last year's DGW. I wouldn't touch any Villa either, fixtures are about as bad as you can get.

      Cole (should be secured of starts in both games), Hazard and Lukaku for me. Even if they don't get the full 180 mins, the prospect of them mullering Hull on opening day is too good to turn down.

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    3. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      First decide when you are WC and when you are getting Rvp.

      That will prob determine the Gw 1 plans.

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      1. Tommytour
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        What 3 Chelsea you looking at?

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  14. notoriousbmp
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Any thoughts on Agbonlahor ?

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    1. Big Fudge
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Weimann is a better option for that price range.

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    2. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Fast as f**', and sounds like the Pig off Pipkins.

      Other than that, with ars and che and then a blank, I wouldn't go near.

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    3. Pickled and Preserved
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Good player. Need escape plan though so not worth it

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    4. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      One of those players you gotta catch at the right time.

      If you fancy taking a punt take it, but be ready to get rid when he does nothing and then be gutted when he gets 13 points the week after you get rid of him.

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      1. JELLYFISH
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Hey Epic...good performance from the boys last night! Weimann is tempting me at 6m

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        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Aye finally a win. Can't get too carried away seeing as it was Crewe though, but was good none-the-less.

          Weimann will be on my watchlist for after the tough set of fixtures is over. Could be a steal and for the price, taking a slight share of Bentekker's points will be valuable.

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          1. JELLYFISH
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            Yeah, good point. Benteke is too pricey at 9m imo

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  15. Messi & fabregas
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    pretty much have decided to go with the following but some places up for grasp

    Speroni / Boruc
    Collins / Clyne / Turner / Ward / Chester
    Bale / Lampard / Kagawa / Hazard / XXX
    Lukaku / XXX / Giroud

    A) Aguero + thomas
    B) Paulinho + lambert
    C) Coutinho/walcott + J.rod
    D) silva + j/rod/anelka
    E) sturridge + snodgrass/gaston

    thanks

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    1. Big Fudge
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      The problem you have there is choosing whether to go with a 3-5-2 or a 3-4-3:

      3-5-2: Coutinho/Walcott and Gayle/Graham/Anelka

      3-4-3: Aguero/Sturridge/Benteke and Thomas/Cabral/Koren/Tonev

      Use the spare cash to upgrade your defence 🙂

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      1. Messi & fabregas
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        thanks big fudge for your time

        i will be playing they system according to my player's fixtures

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        1. Big Fudge
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Awesome, that means you should have your 5th midfielder and 3rd striker rotating. How much money do you have for those 2 spots left in your team?

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          1. Messi & fabregas
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            15.5 any other suggestions?

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            1. Big Fudge
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 10 months ago

              I reckon Jarvis and Rodriguez could be a nice rotation, and then you have 4.0m to spend anywhere else you want. Preferably, a good rotation is like Gayle and Koren (10.0m overall), so just look at some good rotations.

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              1. Messi & fabregas
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 10 months ago

                thanks i am considering that to upgrade defense

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  16. D_man795
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Ok!! Here is my team !!

    Begovic / Davis
    Mertesacker / Ivanovic / Toure
    Bale / Coutinho / Mata / Wanyama
    Benteke / Bony / Deulofeu

    1.5 in the bank
    What do you guys think i should change some players?
    Thinking of kicking benteke and mata and get RVP and arteta or some one priced 7 but worried that will make mid weak for gw1 ! any suggestions!??

    Anyone here think van ginkel will start for chelsea ? he was promised playing time wasn't he?
    And who do you guys think will start up front for man c?

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    1. Tommytour
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      I think you need some subs and a new strikeforce

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    2. Just A Hat
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      You need Hazard, it is too risky to go without him

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    3. Kobra
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Luiz over Ivanovic. Luiz has greater attacking potential. Mou has said that Ivan and Azpi will be RBs.
      Sturridge/Giroud/Berbatov over Bony. No Suarez for Liverpool and Giroud has been scoring a lot during friendlies and Berba is just pure awesome and fulham's focal pt.
      Just telling you, Wanyama will be a def mid and will get almost no attacking points like John Obi Mikel.
      Hazard over Bale for GW 1 double.
      Toure will not be permananent in def. Better of getting a fixed starter.

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  17. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Who would you rather have:
    Terry + lambert/berba
    Coleman+ lukaku

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    1. Tommytour
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Coleman Lukaku

      Both Terry Lukaku likely to have same game time and Lukaku has the ability to go big

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      1. Lord Flashheart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers

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  18. Tommytour
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Best 2 GK 1 Def combo for 13.5m

    Boruc Davis
    Coleman

    Boruc Mannnone
    Clyne

    Other

    Can't use Collins or Turner

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    1. Big Fudge
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      B, that's the one that I am going with 🙂

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      1. Pickled and Preserved
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        p.s. you rock big fudge. Thanks for helping all the deadzoners

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        1. Big Fudge
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Cheers mate, happy to do it 😀

          How's your team looking?

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          1. Pickled and Preserved
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            Alternate league! So ugly as sin

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    2. Pickled and Preserved
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      I went Foster, Boruc

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    3. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Boruc Davis
      Clyne

      Use 0.5 elsewhere. Believe in SOT.

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      1. CarelessGenius©
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah.....I'm a cheapo too.

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  19. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Who would you say is more nailed on in Everton's DF

    Coleman or Jagleika

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    1. Tommytour
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Jags but get Coleman, Hibbert is past it

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    2. Pickled and Preserved
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Jags. Rather Coleman for Oop as well as rotating Hibbert.

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  20. ScotsmanAbroad
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    I have a strategy question. What do you do if you have a midfielder playing against your defender.

    For example GW1 NOR at home to EVE. I have Garrido and Mirallas at the moment.
    Do I play both, or bench one? Should I start Rat away to Sunderland instead of Garrido at home?

    I want my MIDs to score, so to maximize the possible points score, I should play Rat....but that's Fulham away from home....

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    1. Pickled and Preserved
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      A wise man once told me you maximize points potential by playing your goalscorers against your defenders. Yes you lose points, but you definitely walk away with one performing. Don't make a bad matchup just to avoid d vs. offense

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      1. CarelessGenius©
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        You don't always walk away with one performing....not if the goalscorer isn't involved and the defender concedes.....

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        1. Pickled and Preserved
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Same could be said with not playing your mid against your d.

          The game is luck based. Don't mess your team up to avoid one week of a mid against a d. If both are a good shout, just go for it. My GW 2 looks terrible. But its one week out of 30+

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          1. CarelessGenius©
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            I think you've just gotta guess which team has more chance of a cleanie or goals ie. Chelsea v Hull looks like a sure fire assholing.......with a cleanie too.

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            1. Pickled and Preserved
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 10 months ago

              Just stating my advice 🙂 I'm sure yours is sound too.

              Think back to upsets and goaless draws though. Mid gets 3, maybe bonus, defender does well.

              It does happen.

              I'm sticking with don't mess with your team for one week

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    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      I'd play them both. I doubt West Ham will keep a clean sheet. But Norwich 'might' get a clean sheet, and if they don't then Mirallas 'might' be involved in the goal(s).

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    3. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Always hedge your bets. A lesson i learnt last season. I benched Michu vs. Arsenal since i had Mert.

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      1. ScotsmanAbroad
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        I benched Michu that day too, it was a great idea for about 80 mins.....

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        1. Lateriser 12
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          I was gutted. Absolutely gutted with that decision. Michu was starting until Sat morning. I benched him for Sterling vs Sot i think. UGH UGH UGH

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    4. TokyoRed 東京赤
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah, just treat them as two separate matches if that makes sense. To use LR's example, if you would play Michu or Mert normally then play them.

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    5. ScotsmanAbroad
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Oops, getting my WHM and FUL defenders mixed up, but you get what I mean lol

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  21. TokyoRed 東京赤
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Hey Christina, my son likes your grav. It's like a potato tomato apparently.

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  22. CarelessGenius©
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    If Bale goes, what's the new mid template?
    Wally, Hazard, Coutinho Mirallas, Silva?

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    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Something like that.

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    2. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      I just have Hazard and Bale out of those.

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      1. CarelessGenius©
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Interesting.....I assume you have RvP then....

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        1. Lateriser 12
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          I have 5 mil in the bank as things stand.

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          1. CarelessGenius©
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            Still trying to pick that last player?
            Or....
            Saving some money for that potentially inevitable transfer.....?

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            1. Lateriser 12
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 10 months ago

              Thinking on the lines of something different. Check hot topic.

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              1. CarelessGenius©
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 10 months ago

                Sorry....should have remembered. I had read it.

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    3. Kobra
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      I got mata haz wally snodgrass and nolan

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  23. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    I haven't nearly enough thought in my team. Onto next weekend then.

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  24. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Can you see Hazard starting both DGW games?

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    1. Yankee_Doodle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      definitely

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    2. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Either ways, his ownership and captaincy will be too high to risk going without.

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      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        This.

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      2. Milk, 1 Šuker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks guys. It was a throw up between him and Yaya for one spot. Cannot risk losing early points and he does seem the safest option in the Chelsea squad given the internationals and squad rotation.

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      3. SuperOsçarBaby
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        high risk high reward 😉

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        1. Lateriser 12
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Hazard is such a popular option for a reason.

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          1. SuperOsçarBaby
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            other than hazard, it's hard to pick any che midfielders that going to start as a punt. oscar and kdb interest me.

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    3. CarelessGenius©
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Think he'll start most games under Jose.

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  25. SuperOsçarBaby
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Any chance that Wisdom will get into the starting 11 for Liverpool?

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    1. CarelessGenius©
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Very little chance.

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      1. SuperOsçarBaby
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        but he looks great last game liverpool played. i guess he's still young

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        1. CarelessGenius©
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Think Toure will have taken away his EPL starting potential....

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    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Not likely.

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      1. ScotsmanAbroad
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Sterling seems to be doing well. Is he too expensive to bench now?

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        1. CarelessGenius©
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          In fantasy land or real life?

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          1. ScotsmanAbroad
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 10 months ago

            In FPL. I missed points last year with him on the bench, but he increase 0.6 or .7 while I had him on the bench.

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        2. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Doubt he will get the minutes to be useful.

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        3. smashy 'sophomore slum…
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Won't it be difficult for him to find a way into that Pool front three though now? He'll get his chance someday but with the new signings Rodgers is throwing more firepower out there it looks like.

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  26. Twelve years a slave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Best websites for premier league news and teams etc?

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    1. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      I'd say the one you are on right now. I normally just use this, BBC and Sky. And Redcafe since i'm a United fan. Thats all the football related surfing i do.

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      1. Lateriser 12
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        And shit loads of twitter accounts. Journalists and official team accounts.

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        1. Twelve years a slave
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          I quite like teamtalk.com

          wondering if there any im missing out on

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      2. CarelessGenius©
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Disappointed bbc doesn't run match reports/team listings of pre season matches......I know the official team websites do but the Beeb should also.....

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    2. SuperOsçarBaby
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      pre season premier league news?

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    3. smashy 'sophomore slum…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Have to throw a shout to the Guardian. My go to source.

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    4. ScotsmanAbroad
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Rotoworld has good summaries. It is connected to the Yahoo FPL game but good reading.

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      1. Twelve years a slave
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        I like that one i learnt something already

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  27. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Reckon we should send a search party for Chris Glover? Where is he when you need him. Thought he would have at least done some kind of preview by now...

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  28. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone know much about Hulls latest signing?

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23445987

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    1. Pickled and Preserved
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      "won his only Ivory Coast cap back in 2010." = No thank you

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  29. Koflok
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    Quick one..

    After the DGW

    a) Walcott + Mirallas + Negredo
    b) Walcott + Snoddie + Aguero
    c) Silva + Mirallas + Giroud

    First to 9000.

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    1. Pickled and Preserved
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Power level?

      No way of knowing until after GW1

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      1. Koflok
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        True.

        I hope Arsenal sign Suarez so I can resolve all this headache.

        😉

        But Snoddie vs Mirallas?

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        1. Pickled and Preserved
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 10 months ago

          Mirallas.

          I went Snoddie though.. so there you go

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    2. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      C

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    3. SuperOsçarBaby
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      a)

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    4. smashy 'sophomore slum…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      B ish

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    5. Root
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      b

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  30. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 10 months ago

    For the fifth midfielder, would you rather have Thomas and 0.5 in the bank or koren? Anyone else or 5 or less to consider?

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    1. jimski
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      May as well go Thomas until we know more about team selection. Not yet sure if either Koren or Brady (another Hull 5.0) is nailed on. Time will tell.

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    2. smashy 'sophomore slum…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 10 months ago

      Word on here is Loren and Gayle rotate well I think, if you want/need to be super low cost in your 5th mid/3rd fwd.

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      1. smashy 'sophomore slum…
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 10 months ago

        Koren that is. Loren is an ex Gf. She doesn't play football.

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