[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. LewanGOALski
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Oscar checked
    Terryc checked

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

      No Hazard 😯

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

        For a second there, I thought you were suggesting he'd been dropped. PHEW.

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

    Mull , atleast U have ur Torres(C) starting.. What have u done?????????????

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

    Come to Man U Mata 🙂 we'll give you the game time you deserve!

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

      Reckon he'll have better options to choose from 😉

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

      Would you swap him for Rooney? Only way we would get him.

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    3. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Mata > Wakey

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

    Oscar starts baby

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

      Yeah baby!

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    2. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Super Oscar starts babyy

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  5. Oldjoe81
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    34pts behind ML rival. WC played as follows...

    Marshall, Mannone
    Kosc, Merts, Chester, Ward, Whittaker
    Hazard, Yaya, Silva, Ozil, Colback
    Suarez, Lukaku, Negrado

    Enough in the bank to go Neg>Aguero. Coleman needs to stop performing. I'm top heavy but hope I finally rotate def successfully!

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

      You are going to find it hard to rotate your defence when Arsenal have a bad fixture. You should not have doubled up there and I don't understand why you didn't have Coleman.

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      1. Oldjoe81
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        My thinking ARS have avl, FUL, sou, CRY in next 4xGW. I had Coleman but sold him too early and can't bring myself to pay 6.7 now. Also both my ARS def were bought in at low prices I need to lose getting Aguero or get a cheaper MID. By rotate I mean that 1x spot for next 4 GW.

        Playing a bit of Moneyball, trying to buy a front 7 my rival can't quite afford.

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

          The thing is starting on 8th March Arsenal for 4 games Arsenal play all the big teams back to back and you don't really have many alternatives for premium defenders to swap to and that double Arsenal could bite you in the arse. At the moment you only really have SPurs and a couple of Man City defenders who will probably rise in price as well.

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          1. Oldjoe81
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 2 months ago

            Good point, but that's 4gw away, I liked the article written by last years winner about there's a limit of how far you can think ahead, but that gives me 4x transfers to adjust the DEF, I was tempted to drop Kosc but as Lebowski points out below, he's a goal scoring DEF, worth their weight and picked up at bottom value, he's staying for a while even if fixtures get tough.

            Even if I bench Kosc, play Merts thru those tough games, assuming I make no transfers then i have as budget cover Ward, Chester, Whitaker to partner Merts.
            Best 2x fixtures for those 3x during during the period arsenal bottle their title challenge 😉 I have...
            WBA&sun, SOU&whu. Then ARS have SUN, stk

            That's assuming I don't do anything transfer wise, which I will.

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            1. Oldjoe81
              • 12 Years
              12 years, 2 months ago

              Ignore me you're talking about March, I was thinking Feb. That's ages away, plenty of time to evolve away from too much ARS def reliance if appropriate. But thanks for the reminder to keep an eye on ticker!

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

                They also have Man Utd and Liverpool back to back which is not that far away.

                I agree that you cannot plan too far ahead with any degree of certainty as players get injured and lose form, so things are constantly changing.

                I should point out that Koscielny is not a goal scoring defender and has only scored 2 goals in 3.5 seasons, none of which happened this season.

                Obviously it is your team and you live and die by your decisions and I was just saying that I did not agree with your decisions but time will tell if you were justified.

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    2. Lebowski85
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Not impressed im afraid.

      Considering your budget GKs and Weak defence, I dont understand why your 5th Mid is so weak.
      why does Coleman NEED to stop performing? Attacking DEFs are the difference between winning leagues and not...always the best differential. Everyone has Coleman. your just gonna lose points on people.

      However, I don't want to sound like a dick. A big plus point is your midfield 4 which is very strong. Match winners throughout. Lukaku could be valuable as most people jump off his bandwagon. I think after his cup rest after the xmas fixtures he could be firing again.

      Chester & Ward rotate well I think after this GW. So they can be your 3rd man and their home form might get you a cleran sheet here or there. Ive got them and thats my theory anyway.

      If you decide you need extra funds in a few weeks....perhaps downgrade Silva to Gerrard or Ozil to Ramsey (when fit). He might not get the double figures but every week he hits 5 or 6 and is on set pieces and pens. Those extra points could be valuable come the end of the season and you can pump a few more £s into the weaker parts of your team.

      Good luck catching your man in your ML.

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      1. Oldjoe81
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Some critical analysis is always appreciated, dick! Not at all my man. Here's my thinking...

        Budget Goalie?
        I had Howard, had to play him as Harper is sub. Rival has Howard too, with Ruddy, so a little rotation if even small, and he has Coleman so a CS for my GK means he's getting one for Coleman. These budget goalies have fixtures... WHU, SOU, STK, NOR, HUL. no away games.
        Seemed a differential, but not too risky, plus freeing budget up.

        Why no Coleman?
        Well I'm being a little stubborn. I'm not saying Coleman will stop performing, he probably won't I'm more hopeful EVE just leak the odd goal really, helping goalie diff. I had Coleman the year he started like a train then he faded off, still hoping for that to happen, might not, I'd concede this is a ML rival strength, weakness for me. Still Merts/Kosc doesn't look bad for next 4 weeks or so. And again I need that budget for what I considered my biggest differential...

        Big Guns, hence Jack Colback.
        3-4-3 is usually favoured/strongest formation, generalising I know, but most GW I'd pick that one if given free reign. My rival has a stronger back line, Kosc, Merts, evra, zaba, Coleman. But how often am I going to be up against all 5x? Meanwhile we match up players with. Suarez, Lukaku, hazard toure, but being a tight arse on budget DEF and Colback, gives me a match up of...

        Rival: Henderson, sterling, Livermore, Adebayor
        Me: Silva, Ozil, Colback, Negrado (with £ to Aguero without any hits needed)

        I'm thinking even if our GK diff makes no difference, then it's Coleman diff Vs. My attack diff

        Appreciate your comments!

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

    Oscar starts, a big middle finger to the trolls.

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

      I haven't got him but there was never any doubt was there?

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

        Nah, never 😆

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

          Don't know if this is sarcastic but now he's fully fit, he's pretty much nailed on.

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

            Nah you're right, it's just you were lucky enough to miss the Oscar not travelling rumour a few minutes before the deadline.

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

              Ah, missed that!

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

        Round & Round posted that he was out according to SSN about 5 mins before the deadline and caused mass chaos.

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

        I take it from the comments that there was some fake news and panic earlier but Oscar was always going to start.

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  7. Round and Round
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Phew, Oscar starts.

    🙂

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    1. Stats King-@football2space
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      No shit ! Really ?

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

      Idiot.

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

        +1

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

    Willian looking pretty nailed on. Could be an interesting alternative to Lallana, Ramsey, etc

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    1. Tatty Bojangles
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      How much is he?

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

      Does a surprising amount of defensive work, very hardworking.

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

      Yeah I thought that but I think he would be the 1st out of the 3 to be rotated for Schurlle/Mata.

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

    My team with no hits and wildcard still available.

    Szcz
    Coleman. Kos. Clyne
    Hazard. Yaya. Ozil. Cabaye. Whittingham
    Suarez(c). Lukaku

    Good luck everyone.

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

      :lol:... still better than many WC teams!

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

        So true.

        Good luck SZ.

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

      Nice team, good luck SZ

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

      I had to change formation as well mate due to injuries but like you I did not WC and I also refused to take a points hit.

      My team

      Boruc

      Terry | Coleman | Koscielny | Clyne

      Yaya | Hazard | Sterling | Cabaye

      J Rod | Suarez (c)

      McGregor - Chester | Rooney | Walcott

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  10. Djerbil
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Chelsea Subs: Schwarzer, Essien, Mata, Mikel, Schurrle, Eto'o, Bertrand

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    1. Konig Luther
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      No Oscar on subs 😉

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

    Gerrard 1 blank in 10 games since Suarez return. Ended up picking him over the 7-7.5M milfs, better repay me! 👿

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

      got OScar over him in my w

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    2. The Chosen One...
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Went with Coutinho

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      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Really? 😯 .. they're the same price now too

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        1. The Chosen One...
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          His stats are good, just needs to learn how to shoot so hoping to get lucky

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

            Hopefully this won't take a few seasons.

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

      Better ppg than Silva and most of the others in that time too.

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    4. Valar(Keith)
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      same 👿 .. though i wanted him from next week not this so i benched him for januzaj 🙂 .. u do it too in the end?

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    5. Mr Smith
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      on my radar also, what kind of ppg is he pulling?

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

    Game updated

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  13. Heydudes13
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Updated.

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  14. Q--
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    clyne jrod out, whitaker giroud in .. last minute wildcard foolishness i think 🙁

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  15. Stats King-@football2space
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    UPDATED !!!

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  16. jonny77
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    what's all this 1 goal = 22 points rubbish...?

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    1. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Bonus, and captain.

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      1. jonny77
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        1 goal doesn't guarentee 3 bouns and even if it did 5+3+2 = 10 10x2=20...?

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

      90 min 2 points
      goal 5 points
      clean sheet 1 point
      bonus 3
      captain x2
      22 points

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      1. jonny77
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        That's not just one goal then is it, they also need 3 bonus and a clean sheet...?

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

      Well I guess..

      (5 + 2 + 1 +3)2 = 22

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    4. Billy Ketsu
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      If you captain a milf and he scores the winning goal in a 1-0 win he'll score 22 points. 5 x 2 for the goal, 1x2 for a cleanie, 2 x2 for playing and 3x2 for baps. Perhaps.

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    5. The Chosen One...
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Assuming 3 baps and CS

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  17. The B
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    David Luiz in midfield

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

    Think there might be a bug in FPL, why is Bannan appearing in my team?

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  19. celtic10000
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone have any decent bets today? Fiver double on Seamus Coleman anytime scorer (11/2) and spurs to win at a -1 handicap (11/10)

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

      As a Celtic fan myself I know you probably won't like this bet but Kris Boyd for top scorer in league at 5/1.

      Only competition is Billy McKay and Kris Commons.

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    2. good biashara
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      say goodbye to that fiver

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

    Looking forward to picking up Ivanovic at a bargainous price in a few weeks

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  21. Raddy
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone else foolish enough to Captain Jrod?
    Or am I the only one?

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    1. Gentlemen Crier
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Vice captained him. Could be a stroke of genius.

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

    Straight to the 'Pick Team' tab... http://tinyurl.com/ors8kct

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

      All my players have easy fixtures..it will be hard

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  23. Lucy.
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Got that sense of post-WC resignation washing over me now. What's done is done and cannot be undone.

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

      Which selections are giving you grief?

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

        Nothing in particular. Just guilty of pessimism. 😀

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

          Just think of all the useless players you sold and smile.

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    2. Barrier Freeman
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      It'll be fine.

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

      I'm scared I will screw my team up with a WC.

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

    Pity Luiz isn't nailed on yet. If he makes a good impression at CM I might yet consider him in the WC.

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

      Will never be nailed on at CM though, regardless of the good performances. Best position still cb imo.

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

        Seems like Chelsea still haven't quite worked out their central midfield, dunno if maybe Mourinho sees him as the solution? Mikel hasn't actually been too bad there but doesn't seem like the solution. I'd consider him at CB alone, though he won't ever be nailed on full stop would he?

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  25. adamace
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    hate waiting for game to update. nearly 30 min and still cant see gameweek 21.
    want to see what my mini league rivals have done with their wc already!
    can anyone see it updated yet?

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

      Go to the home page and then back to the team pages.

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

      Hit fixtures.

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    3. iCon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Not here

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  26. Barrier Freeman
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    *keeps eye on Willan*

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    1. Barrier Freeman
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      *also Willian*

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    2. don parcheesi
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      I'm in a Fantrax draft league and need to replace Walcott (got Whittingham for now).

      Willian is available...and tempting

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

        Too much doubt whether he will start. Have Schurrle & Mata for that spot and it seems to be the one Mourinho rotates the most but if he was nailed on he is a good shout.

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

    My main teamsheet hope is that Sterling starts one more game before I dump him.

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  28. Mary
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    84% of the top 200 fpl managers captained Suarez! For the full info and more stats https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xjLwsK0_MXpDiQRbTyJZ-ug03uVrvyZdpNsEqPhM1kI/edit

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

      Wrong document. 4this is the right one: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E4yzy3zTWTWEWQMpGYCARD3brXnKPfPYLvXCR2wu6r4/edit

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

    FPL Top 200 manager stats: 84% Captain Suarez, 35.5% transfer in Ozil.

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

    I did Lukaku to Giroud on my WC. My rival did Giroud to Lukaku with his FT... very interesting.

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