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

    Am interested to see how the new ESBO (expected scores from bookies odds) performs this weekend. Could be a useful tool.

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

      where might I find that?

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

      Where can I find this tool?

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

      it works better in east asia 😉

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

      You've got a queue of interested punters now... link us up

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    5. Tim Canterbury
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      How do you get that?

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

        Cheers, intriguing stuff

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      2. MJ6987
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        Negredo higher than Dzeko. Bookies expecting Negredo to start over Dzeko then.

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

          I think that may be them covering themselves, if Negredo does start he should be at shorter odds, You see it with the likes of Kone too. That seems to be the major caveat here.

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

          Assuming it factors in odds of starting. Apparently the anytime goalscorer odds don't factor in the odds of starting. Punter's risk!

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  2. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    So who else has Walcott (c). Let us unite and hope for the best.

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

      Proud passenger of the Wally rollercoaster.

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    2. Gimli son of Gloin
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Wooooooo

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

      your mad

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      1. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        Why?

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    4. flipperallstars
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      I'm in

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    5. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      C'mon Wallyyyyyyy

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    6. Lawrø
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      o/

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

      \o

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

    willian damn
    how will he be priced ? At 9.0 I reckon

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

      8.0 I think

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

      stay away, doesn't have a history of scoring goals and is a rotation nightmare

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      1. FPL Touches
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        21 goals last season?

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

          20 goals in 140 matches actually

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

      he should be watched carefully before being selected
      repiorts from ukrain say even there he wasnt a prolific gioal scrorer

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  4. rohan
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    Just had a look at the Arsenal bench.

    Oh dear 😕

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

      there are better quality on the terrases

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

      My thoughts exactly. The starters will have to do this job.

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    3. MikeyMitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Their squad is so bare! Jenkinson at CB?? And not a single CB on the bench..

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

    Anyone else have van Wolfswinkel in their team ❓

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

      Nope got Snodgrass though few assists 😉

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

        Daaassss rite!

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

        Isn't Snods on penalties too? I know he's on free kicks

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

      i feel i should just for the comedy name

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

      My works mini league leader has him captain... he is a Norwich fan 🙂

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    4. maff
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      yep. nailed on, reasonable fixtures, ok price. bit of a gamble as he's not proven here yet but lots of potential

      will be interesting to see where norwich play Fer today. could be a budget fellaini (and should also be nailed on in future)

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

      Me.

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  6. Dr. Rog
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    Arsenals bench is brilliant. Commentators dont know anything.

    Zalalem is the next Cesc
    Gnabry is an awesome winger
    Wilshere everyone knows about.
    Monreal is a 10mln internation left back
    Sanogo is an U21 France striker

    Frimpong/Fabianski are rubbish

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

      You could justify almost any bench with a bit of imagination

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

      No. This is where people get it wrong. This bench becomes a good bench after 3-4 years

      Not now

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

      Possibly get a good score at scrabble but that's about it!

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

      I want two pints of whatever Dr Rog is drinking.

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

    Considering an 8 point hit next week to get in RVP.
    Madness?

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

      nah 8 point hits were so last week 😉

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

      Just to save a WC?

      Lose Haz for a cheapo and bring Rvp gw 4 for free

      😕

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

        Yeah considering this Tina.
        But even if I ship haz for a cheapo I will prob need a hit in Gw4 as I don't fancy having two 4.5 mids.
        Therefore haz for maybe koren/Kim/Brady

        Then in gw4

        Benteke > RVP
        Foster > 4.5

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

      Yes.

      Big hitting midfielder to Rosicky and upgrade the striker

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    4. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      I am doing Iva > 4.0 and Haz > 5.0 next week, then RVP in for CPL.

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    5. MikeyMitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Don't do it- you honestly don't "absolutely need" to have RVP this year, you just need to pick the best squad w/o him. You can spread your money better w/o him and it's worth it imo

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    6. MikeyMitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      And point hits this early in the season are dumb. Things are so uncertain for a while, you might as well ride out the players you picked in the first place and tinker minorly

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

    "Fulham to Come From Behind and Win" oo-er those filthy bookies

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

      ooo matron

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

        Carry on up the Ki-Ba...

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

          think i might change my name to that lol

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

            Filthy 🙂

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

              need a good pun name like yours

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

                I must provide credit to Doosra, Optimus and Pork Pie Sausage Roll who helped revise the name. It was a true FFS collaborative effort.

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  9. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    My rival Captained Joe Cole!!

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

      Jeez. Can I join your league? Prize money?

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

      One of my rivals captained hazard. I think he may have forgotten to sort his team

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    3. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      And benched Mirallas

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

    Does anyone know how to link my history to my current sign in email. I have been playing since 2002 I think. We used to sign in with user names. I don't have access to the old email address I used to use either.

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

    Just realised I'm playing Forca in Saniul's cup 😀

    This should be interesting....

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  12. Fin
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    Have Wally and Giroud playing but didnt have the balls to captain either of them... went for Soldado. Think i'll captain Giroud next week if he does well.

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  13. pieces
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    High score draw for me in the London derby

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  14. Esalman
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    Berbatov injured in warm up?

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    1. Sheep Flavour
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Hes not used to all that running around!!

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

    Who do you think will be better as the season goes?
    Lambet Or Osvaldo? Discuss

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

      Lambert*

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

      Is this discussion with yourself or can anyone join in?

      Duscuss

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

    Boruc

    Zabaleta // Coleman // pieters

    Snodgrass // Gerard // lampard // chadli // silva

    RVP // Benteke

    How we looking?

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

      Different - but quite good - good luck!

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    2. FPL Touches
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Like it.

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

      Thanks! My aim was to try and cover options like soldado I haven't got so felt chadli was the next best fit, no agureo so silva comes in soon see today, also everyone with couthino so Gerard felt was a good differential

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  17. Sheep Flavour
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    GET INVOLVED
    Elvix Frisky: Thursday - Zelalem gets his GCSE results. Saturday - Zelalem makes the bench for Arsenal in the Premier League. HE'S SIXTEEN!

    Jamie: Darren Bent to come off the bench and score the winner for Fulham!!!

    Fqiren: The Arsenal bench looks so pathetic. I thought it was for an Under-21 match. Splash the cash please Wenger!

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

      Zelalem had a good pre season. He may be young but that doesn't make him bad.

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  18. Exilizer
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    Get on the chat peeps:
    http://client0.addonchat.com/chat.php?id=432742&s

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

      Don't have Java installed, but it was always fun a couple years back.

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

    Will Anelka drop even though he's red-flagged?

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

      Yes.

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

        To elaborate, players who are flagged can still drop, it just takes a higher number of transfers out for them to do so. Players are only price protected once their flag is removed, and I think that is for a period of 7 days.

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  20. asquishypotato
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    Giroud on the bench and Podolski on, or did I hear that wrong?

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    1. Sheep Flavour
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Arsenal: Szczesny, Jenkinson, Sagna, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Rosicky, Ramsey, Walcott, Cazorla, Podolski, Giroud.

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

      Hard that wrong

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

        Yeh, someone said Podolski was up front, glad about that not being true!

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

    Surprising stat I stumbled across.

    West Ham were 6th highest scorers at home last season.

    They were 20th away.

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

      * actually 5th highest scorers. 6th highest was figure for goals in box.

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    2. SW6
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      I think they scored 11 goals away all last season? You could probably get good odds on a Newc cleanie atm,

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

        Yeah I'll take a look.

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  22. Richd
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    Off topic. What shall I have for lunch/brunch thats not healthy and easy to make.

    Vote now..

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    1. Sheep Flavour
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Crisps

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

        Good shout, but unfortunately dont have any crisps and dont know how to make them!

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    2. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      A big, fat, juicy bacon sarnie.

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

    Lets see if I can get last post on 3 consecutive pages...

    RVP rise tonight?

    84% on fiso.

    Totalfpl dead.

    I'm gonna be blotto by about 7pm, so need to react sooner.

    I'm on the money.

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    1. FPL Touches
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Might just miss a rise

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

        Hopefully, I would prefer to do tomorrow - when the Bow is wearing off.

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

      Is TotalFPL a poor indicator of transfer activity then? Has RvP at 56% ish....

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

        I think it's been broke for a day or two.

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

      Really hope he doesn't rise!! That could fook up my plans

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

    who else got Sturridge C?

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

      Yes

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

      Me

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    3. mutatedllama
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      o/

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

    Are Anelka owners ditching him before price drop or keeping because (a) he might return or (b) other pressing matters?

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

    berbatov 😆

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  27. mutatedllama
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    Berbatov winded!

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

      😆 no way...

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

      Game hasn't started yet has it?

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      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 7 months ago

        to a ball to the balls in warm up ha

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    3. Sheep Flavour
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Oh balls!

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

        Thats nuts

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  28. Parm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    Turns out Berba got a ball to the goolies...

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  29. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    front 3

    Altidore, Wolfspinkering and wait for it..................Crouch (C). Yer.

    OK move on.

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

      Much respect. Wanted to get Crouch but didn't have the "goolies".

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    2. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 7 months ago

      Ballsy.....

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  30. micsway
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 7 months ago

    yo is anyone else intrigued at that Kasami is starting up top again?

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