[sbu_large_image] Preamble
24 August 2013 1892 comments
Mark Mark
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This is new territory. Traditionally, my team limps, almost apologetically out of the blocks, sits somewhere around the half million mark and makes me sweat blood and tears to achieve respectability by Christmas. This season, it’s been very different.

A “flyer”. There’s no other word for it. A few timely tinkerings at the death. A few sensible, unsexy signings (Kevin Nolan, I’m looking at you) and suddenly I’m nestled in the upper echelons of the Fantasy Premier League, dreaming of how this encouraging start might build into my highest rank ever.

Of course, I know better. This is very much a marathon we’re running and it’s very likely that, a few miles down the road, I’ll be pulling off a scenario equivalent of Paula Radcliffe squatting to take a pee. It will probably involve several points hits and Edin Dzeko.

For now though, I’m going to enjoy the ride, rein in the rash decisions and remain calm. Plan A has worked so far, there’s no need to consult plans B to X just yet.

So I turn instead to this morning’s papers, where I find immediate reassurance on the aforementioned Dzeko. Selected for the Scout Picks, there’s undoubtedly a risk that Manuel Pellegrini will opt to give Alvaro Negredo a first full start at Cardiff on Sunday but, for what it’s worth, the press don’t see it that way. The Guardian are the only one of our six sources this morning who fail to list Dzeko in their City teamsheet, opting for a 4-5-1 formation with Aguero up top and Javi Garcia added to bolster the midfield.

Garcia may well feature at Cardiff, we can see him slotting in alongside Joleon Lescott in defence in the absence of the injured Vincent Kompany. Only The Times shares this view, however, with every other source suggesting that Matija Nastasic will be fit enough to make a return having resumed training this week.

Away from the City lineup, there are few contentious issues to trouble Fantasy managers. Nathaniel Clyne could make a return to the Southampton lineup at home to Sunderland but only the Daily Mail backs this decision, with Calum Chambers listed in all other five of our sources this morning.

Robert Snodgrass returns in each one of the Norwich teamsheets on show, with Steven Whittaker retaining his start in all cases, aside from the Independent and the Daily Telegraph. They, like ourselves, feel that Seb Bassong’s return to fitness will see the Scot benched, despite his goal and assist returns against Everton.

Fulham’s Pajtim Kasami is another budget bandwagon that could be derailed today. Despite the winner at Sunderland last time out, Kasami splits the morning press: he’s listed in three of our teamsheets this morning with the Guardian, The Sun and The Times backing him to hold his starting role for the visit of Arsenal in the early kick-off. The rest, like us, feel that a return for Bryan Ruiz will see the 21-year-old make way.

Untroubled by the potential teamsheet shuffling, then, there’s little to dent my giddy optimism other than the reality that I can’t possibly pull off another haul like Gameweek 1.

That’s the thing about a “flyer”, it’s almost certain that the knee jerk anxiety I avoided last weekend, will hit me by Monday night when perhaps Robin van Persie fails to deliver a £14 million haul. Suddenly those price tags hanging around Christian Benteke and Roberto Soldado’s necks will look all the more appealing, my rank, that little less comforting. That’s when my Fantasy Football season really begins.

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

  1. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    My ML leader (on 109 points) Wildcarded to gt this team (TV now 110m 😯 )

    Davis
    Coleman Shaw Zaba
    Silva J.Cole Barkley Cout
    RVP Soldado (c) Benteke (vc)

    (Migs Dawson Colback Toure)

    Not sure with his motives, but pretty confident i'll reduce the 40 points gap.

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    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      *101.0m

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      1. Al Pacino
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        Ah, makes more sense 😛

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    2. Al Pacino
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      How has he possibly got a 110m valued team?

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    3. A.
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Do you mean 101m TV? 😛

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    4. super zlatan
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Don't like his midfield.

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      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        same here. Pacesetter like always, but in the end it's mine to lose 😎

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    5. Namtab Nomolos
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      101m surely, but using up their WC gives you plenty of chance to catch them.

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    6. Locarno
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      His motives are to make money. He's chosen the players who were rising, plus Coutinho and RVP.

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    7. Red5
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Obviously he's gone for TV early, but if you consider that he's obviously looking to play 4-3-3 or even 5-2-3 most of the time, I don't actually think it's that bad a team.

      I've gone a similar direction, because I think midfield has been gutted of value and defenders have been given a boost this year.

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  2. Demí
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    Fulham subs: Etheridge, Briggs, Boateng, Karagounis, Kacaniklic, Ruiz, Bent

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      briggs 🙁

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      1. onionbarje
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        you brought him in?

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    2. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      That awkward moment as a Gooner when the Fulham bench is better than yours

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      1. Demí
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        Arsenal subs: Guaita, Williams, Fellaini, Di Maria, Benzema, Rooney, Suarez.

        Seems fairly even to me..

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        1. isacki: full casual
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 7 months ago

          Ha ha ha.

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          1. isacki: full casual
            • 14 Years
            12 years, 7 months ago

            In Wenger's world we've basically won the CL by now.

            Always wanted to open a theme park called "Wenger's World".

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        2. Timon
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 7 months ago

          😆

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        3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 7 months ago

          Jovetic, Cesar, Gustavo, Cabaye not in the squad which is a disappointment

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        4. Evs
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 7 months ago

          That's brilliant 😆

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    3. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Fulham have got a better bench than starting 11.

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  3. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    Nearly 40k people bought Briggs this week... Classic bandwagon fail... 😀

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    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Whitaker might be the next

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  4. NapalmDeath (Northern Chaos…
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    On the Arsenal, Everton, Sot'on treble @ 5/1 today. Wish me luck!

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    1. Locarno
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Think Fulham may have something to say about that one.

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    2. big oak
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      at 1/5 for a treble isnt exactly generous
      good luck

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      1. NapalmDeath (Northern Chaos…
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        5/1. Everton and Sot'on are pretty big favourites. Both playing at home - The odds reflect this.

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  5. FORCA INTER
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    my team for next gw is fecked up

    might just save FT and play Williams and Turner 🙁

    no real C option

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    1. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      You'll have to bring one in.... what about that Dutch guy?

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      1. onionbarje
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        RVW here i come

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        1. isacki: full casual
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 7 months ago

          #reliantricky

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    2. super zlatan
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Keep calm and captain dzeko

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      1. FORCA INTER
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        i dont have dzeko 🙁

        would like to have him

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        1. Christina.
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 7 months ago

          You bought Silva.

          Use him.

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        2. Jax
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 7 months ago

          3 liverpool? they have man u next week

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    3. Namtab Nomolos
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      I'm going to be having hard swings of 7 or 8 playing away (like this week) then 10 or 11 at home.

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    4. Jax
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      turner has southampton home that's not bad.

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  6. Al Pacino
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    New team name:

    The Incredibhulls

    #witty

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  7. Jafalad
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    Well next weeks trannies look straightforwrd enough: Haz and Ivan for Silva and Zabba.

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  8. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    186,000 WILDCARDS??? Are people INSANE?

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      I'll let you know later...

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    2. onionbarje
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      yes

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    3. Namtab Nomolos
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      One in my ML only managed to join at the last minute and the deadline closed before they could select their team. Still got 59pts from the auto-select with Lukaku captain! That's 1 WC

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    4. big oak
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      where did u see that?

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      1. Namtab Nomolos
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        Status tab

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    5. Admiral Stark
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Casuals

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      1. Zat Knight Rises
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        Not necessarily. I almost make a point of Wildcarding within the first 3 weeks. Had 3 top 10k finishes in last 3 years. It burns a hole in my pocket

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        1. Locarno
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 7 months ago

          Same. With three top-5k finishes. I just like to get it out of the road.

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        2. Admiral Stark
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 7 months ago

          Impressive record mate, Did you WC though?

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          1. Zat Knight Rises
            • 13 Years
            12 years, 7 months ago

            Aye, I just like to get rid of any dross I might have and have a little readjustment after Gw1.

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    6. Noisy Neighbour
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Anelka owners.

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  9. Adnan Shah
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    Who will win this H2H?

    Jarvis-Silva-Sturridge-Dzeko

    vs

    Mirallas-Coutinho-Benteke-Lambert

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    1. super zlatan
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      The latter

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    2. SuperOsçarBaby
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      bottom easily

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    3. Adnan Shah
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      It seems i will get my first win in Ligue 1 😛 Fingers crossed.

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    4. Fabio20
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Former, in my opinion.

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  10. toerag
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    sorry, have i missed this, is Cazorla strting? have the teams been confirmed yet?

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    1. DropPointsNotBombs
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      He is. Podolski and Camorra replace wilshere and the ox

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      1. DropPointsNotBombs
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        Cazorla* damn autocorrect

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        1. toerag
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 7 months ago

          thanks !!!

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  11. DropPointsNotBombs
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    Lol arsenal only named 6 subs

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    1. big oak
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      and 3 of them dnt qualify to play for barnet (no offence to barnet)

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    2. Jax
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      no 7. put your galsses on.

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  12. super zlatan
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    Sagna to play centre half?

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    1. DropPointsNotBombs
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Yup

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    2. onionbarje
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      yes

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    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      yup

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      1. super zlatan
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        LOL

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    4. Dial Square
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      yeah

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    5. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah, he did well there against Sunderland last year

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  13. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    yay spa grand prix qualy .... i love f1 saturdays

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    1. onionbarje
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      is it raining

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    2. FORCA INTER
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      my favorite race

      i lost interest in F1 cause of that lil vettel rat

      i can't stand him

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      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        yep i intend to go camping at spa next year ..... looks awesome

        just ignore vettel, plenty of others to be interested in

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  14. Thick Of It
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    This Bt sport pitch with a load of kids representing Villa and Arsenal players is weird, at least get them in the right kits with wigs or something.

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  15. Locarno
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    All I want for Christmas is two straight fails from RVP. The lemming-like rush to sell him will tickle me.

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    1. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      This, but I am of course hedging it with some AGS and 2+GS bets on him against Chelsea

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    2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      i second this...... please please please

      actually id like him to go 2, 2, 2, 6, 2, 2, 2, 5 jus tto keep ppl stuck with an expensive asset ..... dream

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  16. Demí
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    Dat Moustache

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    1. NapalmDeath (Northern Chaos…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Excuse me, I *Moustache* you a question...

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    2. Yes Don
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      who's got a tash?

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  17. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    most likely chelsea mid to play on monday?

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    1. ver_sparda
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      ramires

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  18. FORCA INTER
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    really hope that Giroud will have big game today

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    1. GREENDREAMS11
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Hope so Forca

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    2. Thick Of It
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Not the best record away from The Emirates

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      1. GREENDREAMS11
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        Been doing well so far, here's hoping he continues that form today

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      2. FredrikH
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        Giroud vs Hangeland. Lol!

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    3. Locarno
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Think he might. I don't have him yet, but I'm guessing he'll have about 30% by Christmas. He just needed a season to bed in.

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      1. Locarno
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        *30% ownership

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    4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      his record away from home is poor in the league

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  19. Raddy
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    So , Wally(c), who's with me?

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    1. GuyIncognito
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Could be a great call since he's up against old man Riise.

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    2. La Roja
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Right here

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    3. Ole Gunnar Kush
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      iv also given him the armband

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  20. CarelessGenius©
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    Will Anelka drop in value if he's red-flagged?

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  21. czechmade
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    am i crazy with baines C

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  22. super zlatan
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    Stockdale anyone?
    4.5

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    1. Christina.
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      how long is steklenburg out for?

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      1. Yes Don
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        bloody good question

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      2. super zlatan
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        FPL says due back 31 aug. sod that idea then.
        I want to downgrade foster.

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  23. Fenners
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    Took Wiltshire out last minute for snodgrass fewwww!!

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    1. Heydudes13
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Wiltshire, nice county.

      Why the hell would you have him anyway?

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      1. Fenners
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        It was a differential 6.5 he's a snip, my other option was cabaye

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  24. isacki: full casual
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    Let's play 50/50s.... Collins over Murner - was I right?

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      playin chester over ivan for me

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      1. isacki: full casual
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        Ballsy!

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    2. Locarno
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Collins over who?

      Which possibly suggests you were right.

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      1. isacki: full casual
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        Michael Turner, Norwich (abbreviated Murner to avoid confusion with Ben Turner of Cardiff or Burner)

        It's a toughie...

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    3. Jafalad
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Wal/Solid captaincy was another.

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      1. isacki: full casual
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        Which guys did you have down as solid captains?

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  25. SuperOsçarBaby
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    anyone has walters here?

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  26. Stand Free
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    There is little point in doing a wildcard just now. The must have team today will look a lot different to the team everyone wants in a few weeks.

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    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      I hope that you're right! A regular starting 4.5, and scoring, midfielder would be nice.

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  27. Adam Lallana makes Messi lo…
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    have hazard and benteke, should i take a hit to get hazard out?

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    1. Locarno
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Put 'em on the bench. You'll want both for the rest of the season.

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  28. Christina.
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    Highest transfer in for gw 3?

    BEnteke.

    lol

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    1. big oak
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      they should also captain him

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    2. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      He's OUT for me.

      IN.

      Robin.

      Van.

      Peeeeersiiiieeeeeeee 😉

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      1. super zlatan
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        RVP to come in possibly for me too

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      2. Christina.
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        You not keeping him LT?

        At this rate I'm still on for WC after gw 3.

        At this rate I won't be able to afford the team I want!

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  29. Indalo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    A goal from Walcott would be a lovely start to the gameweek, I always find that if I do well in the first game I go on to have a decent gameweek

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  30. Evs
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    Anyway doing this PlayOn nonsense lads?

    Just scrambled a team together.

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    1. Oldman Unathletic
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Nope.

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    2. Dial Square
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      A great way to loose money... I'm in!

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      1. Dial Square
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        *lose

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    3. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 19 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Challenge me...i'm not so confident this week, you might get my quids.

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      1. Evs
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        I just spent my budget, are you on the Ambassadors thing Mark?

        I'm in a wedding at moment, already having looks - so best I be little more discrete.

        I shall challenge you next week 😉

        PS - Wedding hotel, full wifi 😎

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      2. Philman
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        A bit of hustling going on here methinks. I am trying it for the first time, but taking on the easy targets first, rather than someone who has posted a strategy on FFS.

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        1. Evs
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 7 months ago

          Better get a move on - time almost up.

          I played Julian Dicks, Ferdinand etc last year. Easy money, not so sure Mr Sutherns falls in that category - but happy to have a go at taking his cash 😛

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          1. Philman
            • 16 Years
            12 years, 7 months ago

            Got my team together last night. And yes, ex-players are the easy targets - hopefully!! Unfortunately, my £10 ran out before Mark got considered, Aparently the "£2 game" is the easy one (not the FFS one).

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      3. Philman
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        Perhaps if you had not mentioned on the Scoutcast that you made money last week :o)

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    4. Locarno
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Logged on, but it looked a bit complicated. Put my money on lots of cards at Craven Cottage instead.

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    5. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      how did you manage to get last post for 2 pages runnin .... skill 😉

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      1. Evs
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        I'm gonna lodge a complaint, I should be at the top 😆 ha ha

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        1. Philman
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 7 months ago

          Top player from last year rights methinks.

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