[sbu_large_image] Scout Notes
16 December 2013 1941 comments
Paul Paul
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Luis Suarez tears Tottenham apart as Liverpool turn in their slickest display of the season. Danny Welbeck is at the double as Wayne Rooney drops deeper in United’s comfortable win at Villa, while Gary Hooper is in the goals again as Norwich and Swansea share the points at Carrow Road:

Suarez Dismantles Spurs at the Lane
Having scored in just one of his previous four away games, the Uruguayan was overlooked by many for the armband this weekend. Factor in the loss of Steven Gerrard in the Liverpool engine room and there were concerns that Brendan Rodgers’ side may struggle to break down the Tottenham rearguard – what transpired was nothing short of sublime as Suarez served up an astonishing 22-point haul in his first game as stand-in Reds skipper.

Playing a part in all five of his side’s strikes, with two goals and a trio of assists in the 5-0 hammering, the Uruguayan’s performances have now reached a level previously unseen by Fantasy managers – put into perspective, Robin van Persie averaged 6.9 points per game last term for United; Suarez has so far produced 12.4 ppg in 11 appearances. The Liverpool forward has seven double-figure hauls to his name and, with 16 goals and 10 assists, has played a part in 26 of the 34 goals his side have scored since he returned from suspension in Gameweek 6 – with a home game against Cardiff up next, it’s likely he’ll be the most overwhelming armband favourite in memory.

Henderson Under the Radar
Recovered from the knock picked up in last week’s win over West Ham, the midfielder was fielded as the most advanced of the central midfield three in yesterday’s trip to Tottenham. The only outfield player to start every league game under Brendan Rodgers, Henderson delivered his most impressive showing of the season by bagging a goal and assist in the 5-0 rout. A crucial part of the Reds’ first XI, he has also chipped in with a couple of assists over the last six and, priced at just 5.9 in FPL, may be a real, overlooked alternative to consider in light of his new position. Elsewhere, Philippe Coutinho turned in yet another disappointing display for his Fantasy owners and failed to deliver points yet again. Liverpool have scored 22 goals in their last six league games with the Brazilian back in the XI but, despite his side’s flourishing form, the 8.6-priced midfielder has just a single goal and assist to his name over that period – a clear example, if ever, that picking a player based on the idea of “team coverage” is never guaranteed to bring home the points.

Spurs Fail Miserably at Both Ends of the Pitch
With the likes of Jan Vertonghen, Younes Kaboul and Vlad Chiriches all still sidelined through injury, the Spurs boss watched on as his patched-up backline was dismantled by Suarez and co. Having registered seven clean sheets in the first 10 Gameweeks, Spurs have conceded in every league game since in a run that has seen them ship 16 goals in just six league games as their defensive resolve has quickly fallen to pieces. A recent upturn in attacking intent had produced two goals in each of the last three before yesterday but the statistics are damning for Villas-Boas – his side failed to register a single shot on target and allowed Liverpool their first clean sheet on the road since Gameweek 2. The Spurs boss now faces up to the next three games without his midfield ever-present Paulinho – the Brazilian will miss the midweek cup clash against West Ham, in addition to league games with Southampton and West Brom. However, his manager has revealed the club may consider appealing his sending-off.

Welbeck Shines as Rooney Drops Deep
Having seen Sergio Aguero and Romelu Lukaku fail to live up to our expectations the previous day, Wayne Rooney’s Fantasy owners were optimistic of a bumper haul away to Villa yesterday. Instead, the United forward was handed a more withdrawn role and managed just a single assist in the 3-0 win as Danny Welbeck made the most of a rare opportunity as the champions’ lone striker.

With Robin van Persie sidelined for a month due to a thigh injury, Welbeck certainly staked a claim for another start through the middle at home to West Ham next weekend by bagging a first-half brace before Tom Cleverley added the third. Coming in at just 7.0 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Welbeck’s budget-friendly appeal could sway many non-Rooney owners eyeing up a potential replacement for Aguero, depending on the latter’s calf scans. Welbeck’s versatility could prove his downfall, though – despite his impressive showing, he may yet be shifted to the flanks if Moyes opts to restore Shinji Kagawa to his XI. The Japan international missed out through illness again yesterday but, if fit in time for next week, could well be handed the role in “the hole”, thus allowing Rooney the advanced central spot once again.

Rare Clean Sheet for United at Lacklustre Villa
Somewhat incredibly, yesterday was the first time this season Moyes’ side have kept out their opponents on the road. With a single shut-out in their previous 11 Gameweeks, United rolled up to Villa with one of the poorest defensive records in the league but benefitted from their hosts’ worrying inability to find the net. Home games against West Ham and Swansea in the next five, allied with trips to Hull and Norwich hint at further defensive returns and bolster Jonny Evans’ appeal – the 5.0 priced Northern Ireland international has now started eight of the last 10 league fixtures and continues to benefit from injury concerns over the likes of Nemanja Vidic and Chris Smalling at the heart of the champions’ defence.

For the hosts, Paul Lambert has plenty to worry about. Despite handing Christian Benteke another start in a 4-3-3, the Villa boss watched his side fail to score for the seventh time in the last 10 Gameweeks – the only crumb of comfort for Villa is that their schedule (sto, CPL, SWA, sun) remains favourable over the next four. Lambert will need to make do without Gabby Agbonlahor for next week’s trip to the Britannia, though – the forward will serve a one-match ban after picking up his fifth caution of the campaign yesterday.

Hooper’s Scoring Streak Continues
The Canaries summer signing fired home a superb equaliser to earn a share of the spoils at home to Swansea yesterday. Hooper’s long-range effort was clearly the sign of a striker filled with self-belief right now – he’s now scored in four of the last six Gameweeks, which is all the more impressive given that he was a sub for one of those matches. Indeed, Hooper has now struck four of his side’s nine goals from Gameweek 9 onwards and, despite rumours of an imminent return for Ricky van Wolfswinkel, the 6.1-priced former Celtic man will surely continue to lead the line as Chris Hughton’s side prepare to face all of the bottom three (sun, FUL, cpl) in the next four Gameweeks.

Dyer Concern for Swans
The wide man continued his upturn in attacking consistency by grabbing the opener at Carrow Road yesterday. Having recently notched against Stoke and Newcastle, Dyer’s strike was the third time in the last six Gameweeks he has found the net but Michael Laudrup is now sweating over his availability after he was withdrawn before the interval with an ankle injury. Initial x-rays have shown “no obvious break”, according to the club, with Dyer set for further scans later tomorrow before a final diagnosis.

The Swans boss will also be concerned by Michu’s form – the Spaniard was handed the lone forward role but yet again drew a blank as he continues to find last season’s form hard to rediscover – he’s now scored just twice in 12 appearances this term and, with Everton, Chelsea, City, United and Spurs in the next six Gameweeks, few will be willing to go anywhere near Swansea’s assets just now.

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

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

    CL Draw Simulation

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BbPNlhdCQAAqUB7.jpg

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    1. r0nh
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Bye bye Bayern then 😉

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  2. Sarnab
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Is Nasri a good replacement for Coutinho after this week if I can't afford Silva ??

    Is he nailed on?

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    1. Sarnab
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Anyone better?

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    2. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Yes and yes. Obviously, there could be some rotation over Christmas but that is the case with every player, including Silva.

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    3. copps
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      yeah i reckon he's safe.

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

      i think so.... i shall be monitorin anyway

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

      i have him and perfectly happy

      if you checked stats from last game

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

        Stats dont equal points. The guy can't shoot.

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    6. The Finnisher
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      I'll be ditching Coutinho for Silva or Nasri soon enough, if I could only afford Nasri then I wouldn't be upset about it.

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      1. Drip Doctor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Giving Coutinho the Cardiff game or getting Nasri/Silva for Fulham?

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        1. The Finnisher
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Keeping Coutinho, only because I don't wanna take a hit.

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        2. Sarnab
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          I'll keep Cout against Cardiff

          Have other issues to get sorted

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  3. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Arsenal Barca for sure
    City v Real

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    1. Sarnab
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Real and Barca both out

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  4. mubin
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Play Shaw(TOT) or Bannan(NEW)?

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  5. Damo.
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    How long is Little Pea-nis out for? I think I would seriously consider Wellshit for a while. He's surely certain to start this week. I thought Utd looked pretty good yesterday in that set up.

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    1. The Finnisher
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      You told me to play Januzaj over C**tinho! Januzaj starting midweek put me off it 😡

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      1. Damo.
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        🙂 I benched him myself for the same reason.

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    2. The Finnisher
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Also I'd rather Berbatov at a similar price to Welbeck, after a quick look at Berba's stats post-Jol

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      1. Damo.
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Hadn't even thought of him. Nice one I'll take a look. It's the price range I'm looking at alright. I think there's more value going that way and upgrading Morrison to whoever I want than going Lukaku/Negredo and having a bit to spend.

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

    a) Aguero + Fer ---> Lukaku + Wally (-4)

    b) Aguero + Rav Mo ---> Remy + Wally (-4)

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

      everyone was gettin fer in last week ;?

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

        But Walcott is loads better

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    2. A.T
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      A

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    3. FISSH
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      if you have another Everton attacker I would go for B, but Goufran is in the goals now..

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  7. roscola
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Gareth Barry has outscored Barkley in 6 of their last 8 weeks, by a total of 35 points to 11 in that period, for 0.2 more.

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

      under the radar aye

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    2. A.T
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Have to say I'm rather disappointed in barkleys returns. He's gone all Modric on us.

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

    a lot of people doing points hit this gw

    this could be my first chanse of green arrow in ages

    doing simple aguero-rooney transfer and that's it

    next gw plan is : Coutinho-Wally

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    1. r0nh
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Not getting Benteke 😯

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

        i've said yesterday that he is so bad and that he should play in amateur basketball club and just give up football

        such a joke donkey player he is

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

      Wally will probably outscore Coutinho again.
      Good to see you spelt it right for once. 🙂

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

        one last chanse for cout , can't stand him anymore

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    3. FISSH
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      im taking point hits until it pays off, i will beat the system

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    4. Sheldon420
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Same here, only doing Aguero > Negredo, everyone seems to take hits. 😀

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    5. The Finnisher
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      I'm with you.

      Maybe I should change plans.

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  9. r0nh
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    The temperature has fairly dropped now 🙁

    Starting to feel like Christmas

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    1. Fitzy.
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      You should hibernate soon...

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      1. r0nh
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        ok.

        I am really upset that you dislike me, stranger over the internet.

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        1. Fitzy.
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          No, you've misread me mate - worried that you were feeling the winter chill is all... 😉

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

      You don't know the meaning of cold!

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      1. r0nh
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        I have a dictionary!!!

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  10. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    I reckon the worst Arsenal could get would be Real Madrid. So no doubt that's who we will get.

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    1. AK ⭐
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      I think it's going to be Bayern. The probability of Arsenal-Bayern is almost one-third.

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    2. Caine & Co.
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      im hoping psg

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

    Charni Ekangamene was given a squad number before the Villa game. Sweet Moyes. Unleash him against the Potters; well bench at least please!

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  12. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2014/draws/round=2000480/drawcentre/index.html

    I apologise if this isn't allowed, just delete it ASAP

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

      Official so don't see any issues.
      Well done. 🙂

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

        If it had been deleted we'd never have known he was sorry!

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        1. Your Mum's Athletic
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          😀

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    2. Your Mum's Athletic
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      OMG STICKY 🙂 lol

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      1. 7shadesofsmoke
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        haha, congrats 😉

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

      Congrats to City for reaching knock out stages for the first time. 🙂

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  13. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Lets see if this draw is fixed too then 🙂

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

      That boring bloke does my head in!

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  14. Voodoo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    @physioroom: Early reports suggest #Aguero could be out for between 4-6 weeks with the calf injury he picked up in the win over #AFC On Saturday #MCFC

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    1. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      OOOfff. tx

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    2. sy
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      If thats true the template strike force will be suarez, rooney and lukaku

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  15. Van Dal
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Rooney or Negredo uptil Jan WC?

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  16. SneakyPete
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    AVB SACKED

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    1. LOCO ABREU
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      really?

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      1. SneakyPete
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        yes, Mutual consent lol 😀

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    2. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      True. Oh Dear.

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  17. Wheato182
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Hows this shower of poo looking this gameweek?

    Migs

    G.Johnson - Distin - Chester

    Hazard - Walcott - Ramsey - Silva

    Saurez (C) - Rooney - Lukaku

    BENCH - Camp - Bannan - Turner - Clyne

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    1. FISSH
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      That is definitely not a shower of poo.

      Pretty much the team I want.

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  18. Barry Woj
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Would anyone take any hits to sort this team out?

    Howard Speroni
    Coleman Terry Zabaleta B. Turner Gabbidon
    Ozil Hazard Ramsey Morrison Shelvey
    Aguero Rooney Lukaku

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    1. Killitzer
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      surely Aguero--> Suarez?

      Could also sell ozil-->Wally for extra cash. Am getting rid of Terry as well.

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    2. FISSH
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Aguero > Suarez

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  19. Sarnab
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    AVB 😆

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  20. FISSH
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    So I was happy with having Rooney as a bit of a differential, there goes that plan then.

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  21. Killitzer
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Morning all

    I was set on Remy--> Rooney for a hit but now Welbeck has caused some confusion. Rooney should be the obvious choice but if he plays deep then his points will be less than normal.

    Boruc, Mign
    Terry. Dawson*, Whittaker, Zaba, Coleman
    Ramsey, Hazard, Januzaj, Ravel, Silva
    Lukaku, Suarez, Remy

    OPtions:
    1. Remy + Terry--> Rooney + £4.8 defender (maybe Chester at £3.8m) -4
    2. Remy--> Welbeck

    Any opinions would be appreciated!

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    1. LOCO ABREU
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      capello would be great

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    2. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      He was photographed there on Sunday, during the game I believe. Was linked on here.

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  22. Jake Donahue
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Morning all,

    Kun & RavMo to Lukaku & Silva?

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    1. LOCO ABREU
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      good transfers

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    2. boogle
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      That's what I'm doing. Are you going to wait for Carling Cup though to see if Silva is involved? I've done the first transfer already.

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  23. r0nh
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    AVB SACKED

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  24. Your Mum's Athletic
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    AVB SACKED - CONFIRMED 😯

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  25. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Hahaha! Awful manager 😀

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  26. 7shadesofsmoke
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    AVB confirmed departure...

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

    AVB sacked. SSN,

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  28. Hobo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    UEFA sure know how to glorify themselves, is there and organisation in the world that does pomp and ceremony better than them?

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  29. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    AVB Gone

    Damn, could have got 7-1 yesterday at 4pm 🙁

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