[sbu_large_image] Preamble
11 January 2014 1933 comments
Mark Mark
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Is anybody else wishing they could dispose of their Wildcard? While I’d have snatched at the opportunity to rinse out my Fantasy Premier League squad a couple of months ago, this morning I’m pondering the prospect and wondering how I’ll put it to use.

It’s akin to the missus tipping me the wink just as the first bars of Match of the Day pipe up. Someone in my situation can’t turn down such rare and golden opportunities but the timing is just so bloody awful. Thoughts turn to Gary’s protruding ears as I dim the lights.

You see, I think I’ve got my house in order over Christmas. Six green arrows in seven tell me that I’m on the right path, that finally I’ve managed to slot a few effective transfers in around the staple template performers – Luis Suarez, Eden Hazard and Seamus Coleman.

Don’t get me wrong, nestling around the 600k mark, I’m hardly pulling up trees but the trend is at least positive. This Wildcard could threaten that.

Having managed to make a few good decisions over the past seven Gameweeks, I’m suddenly asking myself to get another dozen or so choices spot on, or risk disrupting the foundations of my recent recovery.

Even today, having been forced to oust my precious Theo – a player I’ve long earmarked as crucial to my season plans – I’m still feeling optimistic. Granville’s been treading water and has had the Walcott and Wayne Rooney problems to contend with. My rival has now spent 20 points on transfers in the last eight Gameweeks and I might just go into today’s deadline with a few handy differentials that could yet help me bridge the gap.

I can’t really call it a comeback just yet, but the deluded optimism I’ve maintained throughout this torrid campaign is at last being fuelled by a rise up the ranks.

Then there’s this Wildcard. Looming over me, offering me all kinds of possibilities, but presenting the very real possibility that, with so much freedom, I’ll go and wreck my recent progress.

For now it’s shelved, with the hope that, in the next fortnight, some clear options emerge that offer assured improvements on what I’ve already built. At the same time, I’ll have to hope that Granville falls victim of his own relative success and gets a little reckless.

It’s not beyond the realms of possibility. I’ll remain positive about my Fantasy prospects and, at the same time, hope that I’ll be forced to watch the Sunday morning repeat of Match of the Day.

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

  1. Old Man
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone not seeing the Team News details?

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    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      It's gone. We should get a free WC for this.

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

      It's broken šŸ™

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

    Good to go?

    Szczesny Mannone

    Coleman Koscielny Bardsley Turner Ward

    Hazard Touré Özil Lallana Barkley

    Suarez Adebayor Rodriguez

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

      Yup good to go! Suarez (c)?

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

        Yup

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  3. Master Kane
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Lallana. Hazard Oscar Ozil Eriksen

    Who should I be benching today?

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

      See this is the problem with a big hitting midfield, you don't want to bench any.

      Play em all

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      1. Master Kane
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Got rod lukaku and Suarez up front. Little reluctant to drop them

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    2. Cheers Kane, Sons Crying
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      OSCAR QUICK!

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

    Prob too late for changes but final thoughts?

    Foster boruc
    Kosc Coleman Chester burner ward
    Hazard ozil silva gerrard pozuelo
    Negredo jrod Suarez

    (2.5 for Kun banked)

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    1. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Looks great mate. Would have prefered to go Davis instead of Foster and upgraded Poz or Chester/Ward to Bardsley but overall very nice. šŸ™‚

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

        Cheers Beavis. Will try out this rotation for awhile, don't see myself playing Pozuelo much, so fingers crossed! Good luck this weekend.

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    2. BigManBakar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Great effort,well done. Please check mine below as well!

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  5. Arvin-ation
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Is Rooney out? Been pretty much out of the loop the past few weeks.

    2 Fts, any suggestions?
    Thanks!

    Team:

    Mannone ( Lewis)
    Coleman Bardsley Turner (Williams Ward)
    Nasri Walcott Hazard Januzaj ( RavMo )
    Suarez Negredo Rooney

    Thinking Rooney + Wally --> Cazorla/Eriksen + Adebayor?

    Cheers

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    1. Arvin-ation
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      1 FT* 1.5 in the bank

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    2. Grumpy Camel
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      rooney is out yes, rest of your teem looks good and the moves you suggest are similar to whats been suggested here

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    3. Arvin-ation
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Or maybe Nasri --> Silva?
      I love taking hits.

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  6. Tim Canterbury
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Lukaku is ESSENTIAL

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

      Always.

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

      Why?

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  7. Gooner97
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    How should I lineup guys?

    Marshal (Boruc).
    Coleman Johnson(doubtful) Shawcross – Whittaker, Baker (doubtful)
    Silva Oscar Barkley(doubtful) Januzaj – Fer
    Suarez Rodriguez Lukaku.

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

    Really tempted to get Sturridge... still need to find a Rooney replacement in the next 6 minutes.

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

      It's Bony for me, who are your other strikers

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

        Very loyal Swansea pick, Bony, though these two fixtures have put me off him.

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

          Got Lukaku and Suarez.

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

          Take a lesson and go Giroud šŸ™‚

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

      For now there are better options up top. Give it a week or so and assess later

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

        Yeah, given I have Lukaku and Suarez is Negredo the only realistic option?

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  9. Thomass
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Going bony as my last striker's spot! Thoughts on that? And it will be Ade the one that will be removed for Kun Aguero. šŸ˜›

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    1. Grumpy Camel
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      fixtures hold everyone back, could be a great differential

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

    Can I just gently remind those going mental, that this week may not be as high-scoring as you think...

    So long as you have the core of Ozil, Haz, Silva, Suarez, Luk, Negredo/Ade/Girou'
    You should be FINE šŸ˜€

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    1. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Let's hope you're right

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

        The only high-scoring games (ie more than 2.5 goals) will be Eve, Tot, Ars, City imo

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  11. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    On the other hand best preamble ever!!!

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    1. Grumpy Camel
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      +1

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    2. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Paragraph 2 is divorce material. šŸ™‚

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

    *** Breaking News ****

    My double poached egg on toast is ready šŸ™‚

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

      šŸ˜€

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

      Brown or red sauce?

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

        Red on poached egg, I like a bit of HP on a full English or a bacon/sausage Sarnie.

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

          Your decision-making is equally impressive at the breakfast table, mate.

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

            Only time will tell.... Ha ha !

            On the wc, not the breakfast. šŸ™‚

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        2. Jönny
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Red on egg? Sacrilege. And to think I always thought so highly of you...

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    3. Colonel Shoe č‚ę± 
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      mmmm love poached egg.....specially eggs benedict

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    4. tw
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      in other headline news, Thomass was at the barber

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

        Crikey šŸ™‚ !

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    5. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Good man. Calm end to a hectic FPL week.

      Hope you're content with your choices and good luck!
      (Which did you go for in the end?)

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

        Yaya & Ade (not Giroud) over Caz & Negredo.

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    6. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Did your mum make it?

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

        My mother.

        Err no, Mrs Evs.

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        1. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Wow. It worked.

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

    You have five minutes left. Please make sure your name is on all your papers and that your wildcard is very bloody good.

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

    start sterling over januzaj. yay or nay?

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    1. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      You have Suarez, right. Split the risk, I would.

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

      Nay. Defo Janu

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  15. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Just changed captain from Suarez to Lukaku. Feel sick.

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    1. You've got red on you.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      and changed it back again...

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

      I'm going with Lallana #crazy!

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    3. SamH123
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      it's not a terrible decision whatever happens

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

    "It’s akin to the missus tipping me the wink just as the first bars of Match of the Day pipe up. Someone in my situation can’t turn down such rare and golden opportunities but the timing is just so bloody awful. Thoughts turn to Gary’s protruding ears as I dim the lights."

    šŸ˜† šŸ˜† šŸ˜†

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    1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      + šŸ˜†

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

      Almost spit out my tea reading that! šŸ˜† šŸ˜†

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

        It's gems like these that make this the best fantasy article anywhere.

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

    Oscar to play?

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  18. BigManBakar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    SHIFTY help!!WC team good to go? Enough money in the bank to do Ozil/Lukaku to Ramsey/Aguero later!

    Marshall (Mannone)
    Azpili Koscielny Clyne (Ward Chester)
    Hazard Silva Ozil Januzaj (Puncheon)
    Suarez Lukaku JRod

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

      Ah was waiting for the final iteration. You're set. Wasn't a fan of double soton attack but you've sorted that out. Was between lukaku and negredo for the last spot for me and went with negredo. City Newcastle usually promises goals but I see the pros of lukaku as well.

      Good luck this weekend!

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      1. BigManBakar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks mate,best of luck to you as well!!

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  19. Magerost
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Kos,Sagna and Mannone

      or

      Kos,Bardsley,Davis

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    • McSauce
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Start man none or davis??

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      1. The 12th Man
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        im starting davis

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    • SuperOsçarBaby
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Last minute WC paniccccccccccccccccc
      what is yoour WC team guys?

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      1. NATSTER
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Marshall
        Coleman - Kosc - Sagna
        Lallana - Ozil - Y.Toure - Hazard
        Luakau - Suarez - Ade
        Sub: Mannone, Januzaj, Chester, Ward

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

        Szczesny Mannone

        Coleman Koscielny Bardsley Turner Ward

        Hazard Touré Özil Lallana Barkley

        Suarez(C) Adebayor Rodriguez

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

      A) Ravel (car)

      B) Bannan (tot)

      C) Oscar (hul) (-4)

      D) Eriksen (CPL) (-4)?

      Already have Hazard and Adebayor (the latter I brought in for a hit)

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      1. Connor's Calling
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        I'm playing Ravel

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    • Spoonerism
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Start

      A) JWP
      B) Chester
      C) M. Olsson

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      1. Make United Great Again
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        A

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    • Baa
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Anyone else (C) Negredo?

      *Panic!*

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      1. Smurf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Me and I am more than happy with it considering the injuries to Newcastle's defence.

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

          Will probably fail but oh well šŸ˜›

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      2. Gaz Downright
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        baa

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

      Bench one

      Dawson Burner Clyne

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      1. Make United Great Again
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Burner

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

        Clyne

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      3. Darsh
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Burner

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      4. Colonel Shoe č‚ę± 
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        bit late TM šŸ˜‰

        burner

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      5. tw
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        dawson šŸ˜•

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      6. NATSTER
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Burner

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    • Make United Great Again
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      LOUD NOISES

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    • Elfozzie 42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Last 5m wildcard tinkering. I'm trying to keep cash to make most of inevitable changes next week.
      Aguero likely.
      But am wondering if I should upgrade Barkley to Cabaye.
      Held on to him most of season and watched him be amazing without racking up the points..
      Thoughts?

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      1. NATSTER
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        On WC and Barkley is doubtful. I would do it.

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    • Jönny
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      The Cardiff line up (Turner and Mutch specifically) could make or break me this week. That's not a good sign, is it?

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      1. Colonel Shoe č‚ę± 
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        aye i shall be v interested in the startin lineup this week

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    • Papaoutai
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Chester or Gabbidon considering the fixtures ?

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

        Chester as they have home game.

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

          For long term ?

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    • RabMac
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Play Cabaye or Januzaj today?

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