The Knee Jerk

The Knee Jerk – Saturday

Saturday left Fantasy managers considering their expensive front lines once again, as Newcastle’s mid-price Frenchman maintained his stunning form. The headlines were to be snatched from him, however, as a United youngster delivered a performance that possibly announced the arrival of the next major Fantasy bandwagon.

The Game Changer

Alan Pardew’s post-Goodison tinkering shifted Loic Remy back to the left of a front three, with Papiss Cisse recalled in the central role but the move did little to quell the Frenchman’s goal threat. A first half brace at Cardiff from Remy sealed a precious three points and took his tally since his arrival in the North East to five in four starts.

Mentioned in Monday night’s Knee Jerk, at the time, considering Remy as a serious candidate for a slot in our three-man frontline seemed optimistic having witnessed the performance of Romelu Lukaku. While the Belgian also put continued pressure on those three places with a fourth goal of his Everton tenancy at City, Remy won further admiring glances as Fantasy managers contemplated whether the pair, both currently priced under 8.0 in the Fantasy Premier League game, could possibly keep pace with more expensive options.

Goals from Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez again confirmed their current “near essential” status but, should Olivier Giroud stutter at West Brom on Sunday, Fantasy managers may look to the Gunners striker, along with Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, and consider both Remy and Lukaku as cheaper replacements to free up cash. With Fantasy managers perhaps attempting to find differentials and break up template teams, Remy, who was removed with 20 minutes to go as a precautionary measure, could prove to be a key target who could liberate funds for a refresh at the back and in midfield.

The Underused

Fantasy managers may just have been handed another gift. Adnan Januzaj was one of the pre-season starlets who left us wondering if he could possibly break through into the first team ranks. However, when it came to gambling on a cheap United asset, it was new signing Wilfred Zaha which drew the most pre-season interest. Now, six Gameweeks in, while Zaha stil has more owners than Antonio Valencia and Shinji Kagawa, it’s Januzaj who has suddenly emerged as a the “prospect”.

Encouraging displays off the bench earned the 18-year-old Belgian a first start at the Stadium of Light and he took his chance spectacularly. His poise, balance and fearless display, was capped with two stunning goals. It left Fantasy managers scrambling to the player list, excitedly realising that, in Januzaj, a gem had been unearthed.

Priced at just 4.6 in the FPL, could it be that we’re about to witness another huge budget midfield bandwagon to rival those or Aaron Ramsey and Ross Barkley?

While his security of start in the long-term will be in question, certainly we’d have to expect Januzaj to retain the shirt for Gameweek 8’s home clash with Southampton. With Stoke to follow at Old Trafford a week later, there is clear potential for the young Belgian to go on delivering. With Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney blanking and Fantasy managers looking to gain coverage of United’s potential over their forthcoming home matches, Januzaj arrival on the scene could not be better timed.

The Selection Poser

Ben Arfa’s omission from Pardew’s teamsheet at Cardiff was perhaps not a surprise. The Newcastle boss used terms such as “balance” and “consistency” following Monday night’s first half horror show at Goodison. There’s little question that Newcastle were a better side in the second half on Monday without Ben Arfa – a player who has always struggled to find any degree of consistency throughout his chequered career.

Today, Newcastle’s performance was, for long spells, supremely convincing. Cabaye flourished in the engine room and Remy, in Ben Arfa’s position on the left, won the game for the Magpies.

While his talent will surely surface again, it’s perhaps unlikely that we’ll see Ben Arfa in the starting lineup for the visit of Liverpool in Gameweek 8. Pardew will be boosted by the three points and with Jonas Guiterrez also returning as a hardworking option out wide, Ben Arfa looks set to face a wait to prove a point.

His Fantasy owners are unlikely to hold and wait for Pardew to work him back into his lineup. Ben Arfa’s price had risen to 7.5 from 7.0 in the FPL by Gameweek 6 but, having dipped to 7.4 this week, the winger is already the most sold midfielder just hours after Saturday’s final whistle. With the two-week break now looming, a significant price drop looks likely as Fantasy managers trade in to pick up the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Ross Barkley and even Adnan Januzaj.

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

4,362 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ikey Warrior
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Should I bring Lukaku in for Lambert now?

    Lukaku is rising tonight (and will rise 0.3 this gameweek).
    Lambert is going to drop tomorrow (most probably).

    Next 6 fixtures:
    Lukaku - HUL, avl, TOT, cpl, LIV, STK
    Lambert - mun, FUL, stk, HUL, ars, che

    Cheers fellas 🙂

    Quick vote! First to 5. 😉

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    1. jonnybhoy
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      yes

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    2. The one who has a knock
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

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    3. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Yes x 5

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    4. Ikey Warrior
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Done. Thanks guys!

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    5. Demel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      I have. I figured that even if another player needs a hit because of the international break that next fixture they both have is almost worth 4 points.

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  2. Jeremiah
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    10 points with 7 including Ozil (c) 🙁

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    1. Jeremiah
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      * to play

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    2. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      less of the gloating please

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  3. jonnybhoy
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Evening Peeps-opinions?

    My team is-

    Mignolet
    Dawson Terry Distin Koscielny Whittaker
    Ozil Eriksen HBA Oscar Colback
    Giroud Sturridge Lukaku

    I have 1.4 mill in the bank and need .4 to do the HBA to Michu transfer so I was thinking-

    HBA, Koscienly and Mignolet to Michu Davies and Szczesny for a -4pts?

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    1. gravless
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Sounds like a plan.

      Toure or Sakho are easily in reach if needs be in the future.

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      1. jonnybhoy
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers Katie, considering the extra part of your post as well

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  4. Richd
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Gonna try for Glasto tickets in 8 hrs, best get some kip.

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  5. Parm
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    F**k it, Baines(c) next GW.

    Can't get any worse,

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    1. Tim Canterbury
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Yay this will be fun

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    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      He's my provisional captain already! And this is after I captained him last week for his glorious nil points.

      NCNB - feck it! 😉

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    3. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Lukaku for me. Got him in on WC tonight.

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    4. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Michu for me.

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  6. El Berbossa - \\\"El b…
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Coleman is still value. Very attacking and they wont be playing. It was a must win for city at home. Esp with all the money they spent

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    1. El Berbossa - \\\"El b…
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      WOnt be playing city every week*

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  7. Chu Young Ping Pong
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    #heartbreaker #musicmondays

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  8. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    My last post until next G/W will say this.

    Eto'o becomes a viable option now. They didn't get him in as a fly by night; he obviously will be given a sustained run out with Torres in the gutter.

    Also the peeps bringing in Mata will be rewarded with there bravery I reckon. That's the sorta B/W I wanna roll with. x

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  9. Billy Ketsu
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Morning all

    I didn't see the United - Sunderland game yesterday. Looking at Rooney's stats on the Comparison Tool there was a massive decline all round from last week's game - was he playing deeper again?

    With RVP back in the side do we think this will be a regular thing? Because at 10.9m a POO striker for a mid-table team looks very poor value, never mind the decent fixtures.

    On the other hand, thank you Pat Evra. Conceded a goal but got an assist and two baps. At this rate he might be my only United player come GW8. Strange times.

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    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Didn't see it either but am contemplating him out too.
      Looking at Gru or Studge.

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

    Was planning on using my WC over the international break.

    Thoughts on WC with this lot?

    Mingolet - Given

    Kos - Terry - Coleman - Ward - Chester

    Ozil - Michu - Mirallas - Erikson - Morisson

    Soldado - Lukaku - Giroud

    What you guys reckon ? 🙂

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    1. imabearlol
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Nah, just get rid of Soldado

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    2. Venom Snake
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Needs more Suarez

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    3. jonnybhoy
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      No chance it's not too bad at all

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    4. Heels_Over_Head
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      you have an hour to decide

      but no idea why u want to

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      1. Jeremiah
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        Would Like to get rid of : Kos, Coleman, Mirallas, Morisson, Soldado and maybe Erikson. What you guys think?

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  11. El Berbossa - \\\"El b…
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Is ramsey still a viable option? How good does he look in games, is he not playing as DM?

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      You need to watch a game.

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      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        this

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  12. Herman Toothrot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    24

    Ozil, Paulinho, Michu, Giroud, Walker and Kos to play.

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  13. Demí
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    What do West ham, Stoke, Norwich, West Brom and Aston Villa have in common?

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    1. Tim Canterbury
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      They're all shit?

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    2. gravless
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      All managed by British managers?

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    3. Heels_Over_Head
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      vowels?

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    4. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      they all play tiki-taka style football

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      1. gravless
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        🙂

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    5. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Beaten one of last years top 4.

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      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        Guess not lol.

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    6. Demí
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Answer:

      They've all conceded less goals than Everton

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      1. gravless
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        and have British managers

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    7. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      They haven't won away?

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      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        Guess they have. last at old trafford. :red:

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    8. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      All play a 4-5-1 and don't have a goal threat?

      (until Benteke is back)

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  14. Rossamous
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    So...Wilson being subbed off at the 59th minute must have angered some peoples.

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    1. gravless
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Big time

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    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      I benched him. Not sure how bad he was yesterday.

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      1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        You talked me into benching him this morning TM would have been annoyed if he had got 60 mins 🙂 only trouble is he is coming in anyway for Ferdinand 🙁

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    3. CHANCING PUNT
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      I had Nastasic play 57 minutes. 3 off some clean sheet points.

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  15. Jagermeister
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    33 with 6 to play.

    Soldado better deliver tomorrow.

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  16. Fergie is a rotation nightm…
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Need some help here, had the worst start I have ever had, 20th in my mini league and already played my wildcard, advice please...

    Mig / Boruc
    Coleman / Vidic / Koscienly / Dawson / Chester
    Janujaz / Ramsey / Eriksen / Mirallas / Moses
    Suarez / Rooney / Giroud

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    1. Fergie is a rotation nightm…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      PS - Hernandez to Janujaz today for the price rise

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  17. Venom Snake
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Is it worth:
    Soldado to lukaku
    HBA to eriksen/Oscar (which?) for free before prices change?

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Buying injured players isn't fun.

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      1. Venom Snake
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        Lol that's true but lukaku will rise 0.3 this week and soldado is gonna drop

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        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 8 months ago

          So just do that?

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          1. Venom Snake
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 8 months ago

            Yeah I am makes more sense

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            1. TorresMagic™
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 15 Years
              10 years, 8 months ago

              At least you can sell him for free in case.

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      2. Baby Cuties
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        who's injured out of them?

        or are you implying players who could get injured during the break?

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        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 8 months ago

          The 2nd one.

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    2. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      I wouldn't do it now. eriksen/Oscar could get injured tomorrow

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    3. Baby Cuties
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      im about to do the first one myself.

      mids still a nightmare so id wait on that second one

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      1. Venom Snake
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah was just thinking this, I like that idea. Gonna pull the trigger on first one

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  18. Bod
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Tempted to get rid of Rooney...

    Anyone able to confirm I'm correct in thinking that none of his goals so far this season have come from open play?

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    1. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Correct.

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      1. Bod
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks

        I don't normally care how a player gets their goals but with RVP back he won't even be nailed on free kicks...

        Anyone waiting for the SOT game is crazy, they've only conceded 2 goals so far and Man U are certainly not firing on all cylinders, plus lukaku playing HULL seems much more lucrative and has better form

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    2. The one who has a knock
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Correct

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  19. El Berbossa - \\\"El b…
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    May be forced to keep RVP for another few weeks with other more pressing transfers :(. Expecting a double drop in price. Gah. Why did they make him 14.0m

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      You said he's worth 14.0 in GW1.

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  20. mgilbert86
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    what is the deal with agger? why is he still on the bench, I thought he was their first choice defender

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    1. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      returning from injury

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    2. jonnybhoy
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Injury

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  21. jonnybhoy
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Not really understanding the Junujaz hype tbh, it's one week and he's 18 years old

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    1. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      The same was said about Brady,Barkley,Yaya and Ramsey.

      This is the year of bandwagons.

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      1. jonnybhoy
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        We'll see

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    2. Vasty Deep
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Dont think you saw the game....wont be a regular starter, but purely worth at that money.

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      1. jonnybhoy
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        You contradicted yourself a bit there, I did see the game and why would you spend money on a player regardless of there price if they weren't going to be a regular starter?

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  22. Jeremiah
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Suarez rising tonight ?

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Yes.

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    2. David silva
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      yes

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  23. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    can player go up .6 in international break or .3 is the limit?

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      .3

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  24. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Pool without Agger = conceding.

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    1. Telpuialion
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Pool without Lucas = conceding

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  25. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    tonite ramsey,lukak,loic,barkley,suares,oscar,walker,baines all going north. fpl not alloing to sleep over it.

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Need to use the space bar.

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  26. Arsenal USA FC
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Mignolet - Boruc

    Zabaleta Coleman Davies

    Eriksen Arnatovic Lampard Michu

    Suarez Rooney Giroud
    -----------------------------------------
    Collins Brady Chester
    -----------------------------------------

    A Rooney to Lukaku
    B Save Transfer
    C Another Option

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      C - wait. Might be Giroud instead.

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  27. Jeremiah
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Mirallas & Soldado > Barkley & Suarez (-4) ?

    Cant get ramsey as I already have 3 Arsenal.

    Thoughts ? 🙂

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  28. Well you know, Triffic
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    Those with rvp might as well keep until the internationals are over you can afford anyone and a 0.3 rise on say Lukaku isn't going to matter in the slightest given the huge funds you'll have in the bank. Who knows...Walcott could be declared fit or Rooney/Sturridge could get crocked for England....wait it out.

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  29. Sean.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    want either lukaku/barkley/mirallas next week
    got to see the spurs game first though
    going to have to take the price rise

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  30. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 8 months ago

    How many risers for you tonight?

    4 for me. 😎

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      Just Suarez unless I get busy.

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      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 8 months ago

        2* barkley.

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    2. Billy Ketsu
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 8 months ago

      I'm not sure. I've made so many changes to my team recently I have to check to see who I've actually got.

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