[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. Ole Gunnar Kush
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Best 4.7 or less midfielder??

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

      clyne !

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      1. #Swish41
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        he's a def! Mutch if fit for me

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

          sory šŸ™‚

          kasami maybe

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

          Risky.

          1) was yellow flagged
          2) has a new manager
          3) has two new signings for competition.

          I had him until i realised the above, and the below.

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

      Parker

      1) Cheap (4.4)
      2) Nailed on
      3) Good points per game (which is very good if you are nailed on)

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      1. Ole Gunnar Kush
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        cheers

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

    would you take -8 hit for: adebayor in for rooney ?

    if i dont take -8 hit, that means bardsley or chester will play instead of rooney

    thanks

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    1. 4-4-who?
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Bards is fine

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

        cheers

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    2. Ole Gunnar Kush
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      yes

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

    would really appreciate some advice

    mannone
    mert burner chester (distin olson)
    hazard nasri coutinho jazuzaj ozil
    suarez lukaku (rooney)

    have 0FT and 0.1m....so
    A: keep team as is

    B: distin >> fonte/nasty/kolarav (-4)...distin has tough fix in gw22/23 so this will be a 3 week punt hence shd make up the 4 point hit. also distin's backup (chester) has a tough game

    C: rooney >> giroud (-4)...rooney maynot recover intime for next gw but januzaj is good back and shd start

    leaning towards B as my front 7 seem fine

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

      azpili or giroud
      i prefer giroud

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

        Giroud

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

      keep, change distin next week... or wc and sort it.

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

      its a tough one

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  4. Optimus.
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Call it template call it boring šŸ™‚

    ..........Szczesny
    Coleman Terry Koscielny
    Hazard Silva Ozil Lallana
    Lukaku Suarez Adebayor

    Davis Colback Ward Chester

    3.3m in the bank...Negredo or Yaya in next gw for Lallana/Adebayor

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

      Colback šŸ˜†

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

        I want nothing more than 2 points from my bench players šŸ™‚

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    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      ok, template and boring šŸ™‚

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

        šŸ˜€

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    3. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Not Aguero in next week?

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

        Well yes if he gets the green light

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

      strong team i can see here šŸ˜‰

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    5. 4-4-who?
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Disagree with midfield. Gerrard and Oscar for me.

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    6. El Berbossa - \\\"El b…
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      damn it. You copied my team :P. lol

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  5. Eddie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Please RMprettygenericWCT

    Marshall
    Koscielny / Coleman (vc) / Clyne
    Özil / Hazard / Silva / Cazorla
    Suárez (c) / Rodriguez / Lukaku

    Mannone / Januzaj / Chester / Ward

    Soon
    Caz > Cabaye/Ramsey
    Lukaku > Aguero

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

    Non Suarez captainers. Who have you go for? Wellbeck for me.

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    1. Shane Warnes Flipper
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      A punt on Adeybayor for me!

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

      negredo

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  7. Give The Todd Some Love
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone going for any big punts? Gerrard doesn't count

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

      Triple Everton defence, Giroud, Berba... any of these qualify?

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

      1) Adebayor
      2) Eriksen
      3) Giroud ©

      Any of those count?

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

      Eriksen?

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

    Repost (and I'm aware the lines still don't match TM) šŸ˜›

    ----------------------------------------------
    First (and hopefully last) WC draft:
    ----------------------------------------------
    ------------------ Boruc ------------------
    ---- Turner Koscielny Coleman ----
    ----- Januzaj Özil Silva Hazard -----
    ----- Lukaku Adebayor Suárez -----
    ----------------------------------------------
    ---- Davis Noone Chester Ward ----
    ----------------------------------------------
    Any comments are most welcome
    ----------------------------------------------

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

      1) The lines don't match
      2) Ive seen this before
      3) I'll stop being a cock on my next response

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

        1) I did say I knew the lines didn't match
        2) I did preface the post with 'repost'
        3) Will there be another response šŸ˜‰

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

          1) I know, i was making this evident in point 3
          2) See point 1
          3) See below

          I hope you're enjoying bullet point saturday šŸ˜‰

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

        Team looks awesome, i'd think about the following.

        1) How do you get Aguero in if plays and scores against Cardif (he will fly up in value quickly)
        2) Januzaj isn't a great 4th mid because of his minutes
        3) your defence is sickeningly cheap (which i normally champion) Don't you fancy Bardsley?

        Nothing stands out as wrong though, good luck if you stick!

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

          Cheers for the input (a bit late, I know, but better late than never!)

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

    On the verge of Wildcarding at the moment.

    Already took a 4pt hit this week to get Walcott > Ozil.

    Current (pre wc side)
    Szesny - Harper
    Coleman - Kosc - Caulker - Fonte - Evans
    Ozil - Hazard - Barkley- Brady - Colback
    Suarez (C) - Lukaku - Rooney

    With Rooney out and Evand and Barkley both doubts I could end up with a 4pt hit and only 10 players out there.

    Had planned to hold on till next week (to hopefully hear Ramsey, Aguero and Rooney return), but seems less sage decision now. I'd have 2 FTs next week anyway to swap Ozil > Ramsey and Aguero for whatever forward I go with (Ade or J-Rod at the moment).

    Thoughts?

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

      I'd probably WC mate; Rooney/Brady both out, already taken -4. Wouldn't want a -8 this close to WC myself. That's the reason I did it.

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

        TOok the plunge, but having 40 mins to do a wildcard team is pretty stressy!!

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

          Hope it works out for you. Good luck!

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  10. Somalion
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Completely agree Mark, finally happy with my team and certainly would only need a couple of transfers to have it exactly as I want it. After the WC most teams will be very similar...

    I too hate it when your missus tips me the wink as MOTD starts šŸ˜›

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

      ohhhhhhhh no he diiddnn'ttt

      *said with

      1) right hand cupped over mouth
      2) left hand arched over head
      3) body rocking side to side/back and forth like he's about to battle rap.

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

        šŸ˜‰ This is how I roll!

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      2. Alberto Tomba
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Very nicely formatted resonse 7Shades.

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  11. Wayne Enterprises
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Walcott > Ozil
    Rooney > Ade

    That would give me
    Marshall Harper
    Coleman Mertersacker Chester Gabbidon Olsson
    Ozil Shelvey Hazard Cabaye Cowie
    Suarez Ade Negredo

    Thinking of holding off on the w/c for when the big guns return from injury?

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

      I agree - your transfers are exactly the same as mine this week.

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

    Quick ones. Who would you start?

    a. De Gea(SWA) or b.K Davis(WBA)

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

      Davis, even though its wrong in so many ways šŸ™‚

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

        Yeah - head over heart - being a United fan its just crazy to do so though:)

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  13. Magerost
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Boruc(Davis)
      Kos,Kompany,Bardsley(Chester,Ward)
      Silva,Hazard,Ozil,Eriksen(Januzaj)
      Suarez,Jrod,Lukaku

      2.0 in bank. WC active. Saving a FT next week for Aguero. 2.0 for upgrades, but cant find out who? help!

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

        Bard to Mert/Cole?

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    • nesta807
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Any news on Baines?

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

        no.

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    • Proggy
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Anyone like to predict points for these players? Thanks. šŸ™‚

      Mannone
      Terry
      Clyne
      Sagna
      Lallana
      Hazard
      Yaya
      Barkley
      Lukaku
      Remy
      Suarez.

      Cheers. šŸ™‚

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

        I'll have the answers for you on Tuesday.

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

          šŸ˜†

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

        55 all up.

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      3. 4-4-who?
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Pointless

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

        2
        2
        6
        7
        6
        7
        10
        3
        13
        2
        17

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

          I'm lovin' that!

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

        1
        1
        1
        1
        1
        1
        1
        1
        1
        1
        1

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    • Pooodle
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Which one to bench this week - Clyne, Terry, Koscielny, Januzaj?

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    • fatherted
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Would play Coleman and hope he starts or Whittingham. Theory is that if he's not fit enough to start he won't come off the bench?

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

        Why wouldn't Coleman start?

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

          What an idiot(me that is)

          Meant Barkley

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    • Qubit
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Double up with Nasri and Silva or Sagna and Koscielny?

      First one seems the more sensible option, but Nasri has just 2 assists away from home to his name this season which would suggest doubling up on the Arsenal defence is possibly a better bet.

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

        Nasri is useless.
        I've owned him for 8 GW's and he hasn't done anything

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

          +1

          Was in two minds about taking a 4 point hit to swap him for Oscar or Gerrard but doesn't really make sense....

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

          Must be his time then surely! (but yes i agree)

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        3. Sheep Flavour
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          He got you 16 & 5 points in 2 GW's in that 8 GW's but not enough granted for a MF costing £8.4.

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    • Jackson123
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Finally sorted, with money in bank for Neg > Aguero

      ...............Boruc
      ....Coleman Kos Azpil
      Hazard Yaya Ozil Eriksen
      Suarez(c) Negredo Adebayor

      KD......... Poz, Chester, Ward

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      1. 4-4-who?
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Ah the Neg to Age folly

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    • Hibbo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Boruc Davis Januzaj

      Boruc Mannone 4.5mid

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

        1, without question.

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

          Well then that's me done.

          It means Yaya goes as my Agüero plan not Silva but you know what I'll have some differential then.

          Really concerned that I'll need to use transfers if I need my 5th mid to play if I pick someone crap.

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

        the first one, Gk's dont rotate anyway

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

          Thanks sean. Being a Sean myself I appreciate your help even more.

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

            I too am a Sean. Finally, friends! 😄

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    • TheCurseOfRaheem
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      haven't done a rate my wildcard team yet so here goes, all opinions appreciated

      Marshall (mannone)
      Nasty, Kos, Chiriches, (Chester, ward)
      ozil, silva. haz, Lallana, januzaj
      Suarez, negredo, bony

      1.2M in the bank, should I opt for ade over bony? or maybe j rod and upgrade Lallana to Stevie g?

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

        Not sure Spurs are going to keep too many clean sheets from here on.

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    • turd ferguson
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      It would be a lot better if the winter wildcard lasted for 2 months. Would be a lot more interesting and we'd get a variety of different teams.

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

        Id rather we didnt have it at all. Bring back the good ol days šŸ™‚

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

        even better: no bloody winter wild card at all!

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    • Mr Sarcastic
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      If Lukaku scores couple today, how I'm supposed to do Lukaku => Aguero next week then!

      Feeling point hits coming right after wildcard.... šŸ™

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

      "Why did I try and be a smart arse, I should have captained Suarez"

      Don't let this be you today šŸ˜€

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

        Tomorrow*

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

        he's playing tomorrow

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

          šŸ˜‰

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    • PGR
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Marshall Mannone
      Azpi Kosc Ward Chester Clyne
      Oscar Lallana Silva Ozil Colback
      Lukaku Suarez Negredo

      0.2 million away from Negredo+Lukaku to Bony+Adebayor next week
      Where to get that 0.2? Thoughts?

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

      It's not your wc team that's important it's what you do after it that counts šŸ˜‰

      On that note, I'm off.

      Best of luck people.

      (Ps - I've gone Ade šŸ™ )

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      1. 4-4-who?
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Really Evs?

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

        yep im planning to -4 straight after šŸ˜†

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

        what, no rmt evs?

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      4. Najoman86
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Nice! Still deliberating - Ade, Negredo, Giroud

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

      Would any of you start Sterling over Kompany?

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    • Najoman86
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Negredo or Giroud to replace Rooney for a -4pt hit?

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

        I went Negredo.
        Adebayor and Lukaku also better options than Giroud IMO

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

        Went Negrado, not convinced though, it's that tight
        both good choices imo, good luck šŸ™‚

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        1. Najoman86
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          Cheers! All The best, guys!

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    • Lazarus
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Really need some opinions, which team is better?

      Team A

      Mannone Marshall

      Kosc Coleman Azpil Nasty Ward

      Hazard Ozil Silva Mutch Janujaz

      Negredo Suarez J.Rod

      Enough money in bank to do Negredo > Aguero

      Team B

      Boruc Davies

      Kosc Coleman Whittaker Chester Ward

      Hazard Ozil Silva YaYa Kim

      Ade Suarez Giroud

      No Aguero money so will take two transfers

      Please vote!

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      1. Sheep Flavour
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        B more long term.

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      2. The Mandalorian
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        B

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    • TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Don't think Lukaku will do us good this weekend.

      Did a last-hour transfer now, on WC

      Lukaku āž” Berba

      šŸ˜€

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      1. 4-4-who?
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Bookmark this. Luka brace coming up.

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

        you're nuts. monday night football game next week away to his former team.

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      3. Sheep Flavour
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        At home to Nor? :/

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      4. Jax
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        berba has arsenal and swansea away next.

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