[sbu_large_image] Watchlist
20 September 2013 739 comments
Mark Mark
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Having cast an eye over the The Defenders yesterday, we turn to midfield and analyse the options over the next four to five Gameweeks. As always, the recent refresh is available in your sidebar – read on for the reasoning behind this week’s selections:

Despite the outstanding form of Aaron Ramsey and the attention lavished on the illustrious talents of Mesut Ozil, we’re keeping the faith with Theo Walcott at the top of our midfield rankings. The winger got off the mark for the Gunners in the midweek Champions League victory in Marseille and we’re convinced that this will be the first of many. Both Ramsey and Ozil are well-placed in our rankings, as Arsenal’s attacking assets dominate matters having hovered up heavy Fantasy Premier League (FPL) investment over the past seven days.

Michu also stands firm in second – a scorer on Monday and again in Valencia last night, there’s no question that the Spaniard has found form at the right time. The Swans’ fixtures fall kindly after a tough opening to the campaign and Michu is surely set to flourish in the coming weeks as he rekindles the kind of form that saw him strike 18 league goals in his debut season.

Hatem Ben Arfa, along with Aaron Ramsey and Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen, complete our top five. The Frenchman is in storming form having notched in back-to-back league outings and with Alan Pardew handing him an advanced role on the right flank in a 4-3-3, Ben Arfa looks primed for further returns against Hull City this weekend. With the fixture list suggesting he has the opportunity to maintain his current form and with little or no alternative in the Newcastle lineup, Ben Arfa has suddenly been promoted as a prime Fanatsy asset.

Eriksen impressed on his league debut against Norwich, though last night’s stunning goal in the Europa League win over Tromso really caught the eye as the bandwagon picks up speed. With Roberto Soldado relying on spot-kicks so far, Fantasy managers have been turning to the Dane’s creative spark to cover Tottenham’s attacking potential for the weeks ahead. With three home matches in four to come after this weekend’s trip to Cardiff, Eriksen appears to offer decent value with an 8.1 FPL price tag.

Victor Moses sparkled on debut for Liverpool at the Liberty on Monday night and with Philippe Coutinho now stricken with a shoulder injury, the former Wigan and Chelsea winger is promoted in our thinking. At 6.2 and rising in the FPL, Moses could deliver outstanding value if his pace, power and trickery is harnessed by Brendan Rodgers’ tactics. While both Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez will tempt investment in the month to come, Moses offers a cheap route into Liverpool’s attacking potential over a run of obliging fixtures.

Everton’s Kevin Mirallas and United’s Antonio Valencia are perhaps unfashionable mid-price assets but both undoubtedly have the potential to deliver in the coming weeks. Mirallas has shown plenty of intent without an end product and will continue on the left flank for Everton if Steven Pienaar fails to recover in time for tomorrow’s trip to West Ham. As for Valencia, he seems settled in David Moyes’ lineup and hinted at a return to form of old in the midweek Champions League tie victory over Bayer Levurkusen. The Ecuadorian is a ready-made asset for those without the funds to invest in Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney up top.

If Ramsey is out of reach, Peter Whittingham looks to be the top budget option currently on offer, with Stoke’s Jon Walters also having the fixtures in the coming weeks to boost his Fantasy stock. Whittingham’s set-piece threat and raids from the Cardiff engine room look vital to their survival prospects, while Walters continues to forage in the opponents box with regularity, in search of his first strike of the season for Mark Hughes’ side. With Britannia clashes with Norwich, West Brom and Southampton in the coming weeks, we feel Walters could yet become a factor, despite his recent FPL price drop. New signing Marko Arnautovic is also on our radar and bubbling under the Watchlist rankings as a 5.5 midfield prospect.

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

739 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. The Machine
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Hi fellas

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  2. GoonerByron
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    If Clichy plays and I've taken a hit to get Kompany in I'll be very upset

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    1. Shifty
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Hmm. Reports said he started training today only, but i don't see how that would stop Clichy from starting.

      Kolarov vs Valencia (on current form) is bad news. For City.

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  3. MrX
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Looks like silva will miss the game sunday. Any point in taking him out for Ben Arfa for a hit? Or just wait until he's back?

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    1. Wingate
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Take a hit.... I did...

      Walcott, Michu, Eriksen, Barfa looks a tasty midfield at the moment.... Strive for it

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    2. Brutus619
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Take the hit & captain Barfa. Seriously.

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      1. Wingate
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        I could never captain a Newcastle player... Not quite yet....

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  4. The Machine
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone else think Lampard's nailed on for the next two league games?

    B/w him and Moses for me

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  5. Dre
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Whats the score with Tonev gents? He seemed like such a good prospect preseason

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    1. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      He is still adjusting to the Premier League. He needs to bulk up a bit. The transition from the Polish league is not easy. He has enormous talent and I do expect him to start getting more playing time, probably in the second half of the season. He plays up top for the national team on occasions (false 9 type of position, as much as I hate this expression) and he has a nice goal-scoring record. Could yet become an option again.

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  6. Demel
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Play 3 from...

    Lambert, Silva, Whittingham, Collins, Toure

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    1. Messiah Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Lambert, Collins, Toure

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      1. Theseus
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        This

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  7. Van Dal
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    whats the chances of lamps starting would u say? % wise

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    1. Whiskerz
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      3492%

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    2. Shifty
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      95%.

      http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1558161/jose-mourinho-hints-roman-abramovich-troubles-chelsea?cc=4716

      that seems to indicate some steel's needed in the chelsea team. And nothing says steel better than the stalwarts Terry Ivanovic and Lampard.

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      1. Van Dal
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        ta mate hope ur right

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        1. Shifty
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 6 months ago

          i hope i'm right too. ivanovic + lampard owner here, so slight bias! 🙂

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  8. Van Dal
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Coutinho > ?

    this is on sky game. can buy any mid in game.

    already have: Ozil BArfa Ward-P Gerrard

    Thanks

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    1. Van Dal
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      thinking walcott or oscar currently

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      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        Walcott.

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        1. Van Dal
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 6 months ago

          what about eriksen as i have ozil already?

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          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            12 years, 6 months ago

            Walcott should beat both if that helps.

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            1. Van Dal
              • 16 Years
              12 years, 6 months ago

              ta tm

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  9. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    57K have brought in Rooney
    65K have sold Soldado

    So probably Rooney will rise and Soldado will fall... This will mess up my plans for bringing in Rooney from GW6 onwards... Should I just bring in Rooney today?

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    1. Christina.
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Are you on WC?

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      1. Messiah Hazard
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        yes...

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        1. Christina.
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 6 months ago

          Were you leaving funds to upgrade Sol to Rooney?

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        2. Cheeseoid
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 6 months ago

          then yes

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    2. GoonerByron
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Wait and bring Rooney in after this weekend's games? He won't rise before Sunday night.

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      1. Christina.
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        I think he will.

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  10. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Damn, it's hard to pick a captain this week 😛

    Standing between these for me:

    Benteke
    Soldado
    Giroud
    Walcott
    Michu
    Moses

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    1. Podge
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      I'm seriously considering Ivanovich 😯
      Clean sheet as good as a goal these days

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    2. ERIC CANTONA
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      benteke,michu,walcott all hav a good chance of scoring.

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    3. Assisting you all day
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      look below

      girourd looks certain to score
      but walcott so explosive
      michu and benteke look likely to score too

      soohard

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  11. Assisting you all day
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Who to captain and VC

    A) walcott
    B) Girourd
    C)benteke
    D)Soldado
    E) HBA
    F) eriksen
    G) Michu

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    1. Wingate
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Giroud walcott

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  12. Dave1966
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Please cast your eyes over my wildcard squad guys and tell me what you reckon and any improvements I can make:

    Lewis, Boruc
    Coleman, Gibbs, Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Toure
    Eriksen, Walcott, Ben Arfa, Mirallas, Ramsey
    Benteke, Rooney, Sturridge.

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  13. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    I have these questions two.

    1. Benteke or Giroud

    2. Ramsey or Moses (already have Walcott and Sturridge so both teams covered).

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    1. onionbarje
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Benteke Moses

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    2. ERIC CANTONA
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      giroud moses

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    3. Marstar
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      1. Have both - Giroud for me. Better service, better fixtures and 0.3 cheaper.

      2. Moses (gut feeling).

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  14. ERIC CANTONA
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    RMT please

    boruc
    evra koscielny wisdom
    walcott(vc) lamela benarfa brady
    rvp benteke(c) giroud

    bench - 4.0, chester,ward prowse ,b turner
    CHEERS

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Not sure Wisdom will get another game. Decent team otherwise.

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      1. ERIC CANTONA
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        thanks tm..armband on tekkers ?

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        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 6 months ago

          Your team, why not.

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  15. Zombie
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Captain Michu or HBA ?

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    1. ERIC CANTONA
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      michu.
      hull are defensively strong.

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      1. Drip Doctor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        Palace have only conceded 2 goals in 2 home games.

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    2. banskt
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Michu

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    3. super zlatan
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Def Michu

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    4. Zombie
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      By the way, these two are besides Tekekrs, Giroud, Soldado & Wally. But is leaning more towards Michu . He is gonna do a Cazorla vs Reading (when I made him captain) this week!!

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  16. only2
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Walcott or Giroud as captain? RMT says walcott, confused about that one 😛

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    1. ERIC CANTONA
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      wallcott

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    2. super zlatan
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Wally

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  17. Woy of the Wovers
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Valencia is a good scout pick. But not for at least a week.

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    1. ERIC CANTONA
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      after the city game,he would be worth it
      United play 3 home games in 4.

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  18. Rinseboy
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Collins or Brady as first sub?

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    1. ERIC CANTONA
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      collins

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      1. Rinseboy
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        thanks, thats who I have currently

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    2. mathmo
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Definitely Collins.

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      1. Rinseboy
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        cool confirmed then thanks

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    3. super zlatan
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Collins

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  19. Will - Fantasy Football Hub
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    A. Michu and Fonte or
    B. Moses and Vert

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    1. ERIC CANTONA
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      moses and walker.

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      1. onionbarje
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        This

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    2. super zlatan
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Toughie.

      A for me

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    3. Jump in Micah
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      obviously b

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    4. Assisting you all day
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      a

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  20. Tiki Taka Massala
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    It doesnt justify why Ramsey is a decent option...

    Sure he is playing well but will that continue to translate into FF points?

    Hes a rotation risk, hes playing too deep for a conventional FF choice mid and there are better players in the team people are likely to spend on.

    Why are people backing him?

    Seems a flash in the pan goal scorer to me.

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    1. mathmo
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      A flash in the pan would indicate one good performance. Ramsey has been performing well since pre-season, and a lot of Arsenal fans felt the had turned a corner in his development before he popped up on the radar this year.

      At that price, and currently secure in the lineup with an obliging fixture list to boot, he's hard to ignore.

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    2. onionbarje
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      If your on a WC it is worth it

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    3. imabearlol
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      He isn't a rotation risk at all with his current form. Right now he is the most nailed on out of Arsenal's 4 CM players Arteta - Flamini - Ramsey - Wilshere. He doesn't play *that* deep either - if he starts with Arteta or Flamini they will usually be more defensive while he goes forward. If he plays with Jack they will take turns to get forward in a double pivot.

      There are better prospects than him in the squad but not for his value. He's on fire right now after coming back from a long injury and being played out of position, and it can even be argued he's just now starting to realise his huge potential.

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  21. Jump in Micah
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Why isn't ozil in the captain pol???!

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    1. ERIC CANTONA
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      bcoz walcott is better. 😉

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      1. Jump in Micah
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        ill hold you to that

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  22. Rinseboy
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Was convinced on captaining Benteke but just think he will be man marked by Bassong and they could double up on him so going Walcott for his pace against stoke!

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    1. Shifty
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      i think many teams manmark benteke. don't see how that will change. he will have chances and he will most likely put them away.

      he scores when he wants!

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    2. ERIC CANTONA
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      hav the same dilemma. 🙁
      probably gonna captain rvp again

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  23. A Defender's Nightmare
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Does Price Changes slow down during tonight's deadline?

    Any chance Ozil & Eriksen won't hit threshold?

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    1. A Defender's Nightmare
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      *Deadzone?

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    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Speeds up on a Saturday.

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  24. Tabone
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Paulinho to moses for a hit? Sound stupid? If I do that then next week I can do soldado if he doesnt fire to rooney and then also paulinho to erikson for a hit. Then ill have a team I am very happy with overall.. finally.(would also b able to afford suarez in but probably keep studge

    my team is:

    migs boruc
    vidic zab dawson coleman shaw
    HBA walcott nolan paulinho barkley
    sturridge soldado benteke

    thoughts please?

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    1. Tabone
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Btw the soldado rooney trade and erikson trade i memt to say thats for the following gameweek

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  25. EoinM
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    What will happen if Walcott doesn't 'explode' ?

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    1. Tabone
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Then probably alot of walcott to erikson or michu trades will take place.

      although id probably stick it out abit

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    2. Rafabio
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      We'll wait another week and the inevitable explosion will be even bigger. Wally (VC) 😉

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      1. Tabone
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        I got him vc too. Colemans actually got the armband this week!

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  26. VICTORIOUS SECRET! !
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    My final wc team
    RMWCT

    Mignolet

    Coleman / ferdinand / Enrique / chester / clyne

    Ozil / ben arfa / michu / ramsey / barkley

    Benteke / sturridge / giroud ( c )

    Suggestions please

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    1. VICTORIOUS SECRET! !
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Still confused
      Btwn wally and ozil

      Suggestions

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    2. ERIC CANTONA
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      needs more rooney. 🙂
      walcott over ozil
      vidic over ferdinand

      rest is pretty solid.

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      1. VICTORIOUS SECRET! !
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        Rooney over-???

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  27. Eboue
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    If you had to play one, would you play whittingham or Ferdinand this week?

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    1. Christina.
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Whitt

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    2. The Machine
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Whittingham, obviously

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    3. super zlatan
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Whittingham

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      1. Eboue
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        Interesting. Thanks all

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    4. mathmo
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Whittingham, Cardiff are at home where they've been strong, and I wouldn't be surprised if he snuck in an assist on a set piece at least.

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  28. Van Dal
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    any price rise/fall experts out there u reckon eriksen will rise tonight? currently on 70%

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    1. Christina.
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      up 26% today already.

      Will have to monitor I suppose.

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  29. tqrrfesk
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    Mertesacker-Vidic-Walker-Terry-Turner

    Or

    Ivanovic-Vidic-Vertongen-Turner-Chester

    ?

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    1. Tabone
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      A for me.

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    2. imabearlol
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Depends on what formation you plan to play. B if 3-4-3, A if 4-3-3.

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      1. tqrrfesk
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        Considering mixing it up a little. Got midfield and attack to play 3-4-3, but also some weeks it could be good going for a 4-3-3 formation. What do you recon?

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  30. Yome
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 months ago

    How's this looking from GW7 onwards?
    Mig, Lewis
    Ferdinand, Coleman, shaw, Collins, Chester
    Michu, Erikaen, Ben Arfa, whittingam, Parker
    RVP, Suarez, Giroud

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    1. Tabone
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 6 months ago

      Nice considering its an rvp team

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      1. Yome
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks however it involves many hits...

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