Preamble

The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek 24

I’m partial to a flutter but I’m hardly a seasoned gambler. Even so, I’m aware of the concept of “chasing losses” – I also know that any experienced punter will tell you that it’s a mug’s game.

Until Tuesday night, I wasn’t really sure just how this applied to Fantasy Football. How, when desperation kicks in, your better judgement can go out the window as you ignore the obvious option and search out the long shot.

Let’s face it, handing Wilfred Bony my Gameweek 23 armband was a travesty. I can and will point to the logic behind the decision – I can talk about about the Ivorian’s form, of Fulham’s fragility. Even so, that doesn’t detract from the fact that, deep down, I knew that Luis Suarez would punish me.

As I mentioned in this week’s ScoutCast, I stood for a full thirty seconds at my front door at 7.28, key in hand, ready to burst back in and correct my madness. Foolishly, I chose to turn and head to Tesco. Those pizzas might have been buy one, get one free but they cost me dearly.

Such outlandish decision-making is in stark contrast to the methods employed by our own Jonty – a Fantasy manager who has profited from backing the favourite. Jonty has reveled in his “dullard” moniker and can point to an impressive ranking and a profitable Wildcard that has left even Hall of Fame legend, Evs, in his wake.

In Thursday’s ScoutCast I was asked what I’ve learned this season. Jonty’s campaign, coupled with my season-long failed quest to seek out effective differentials has taught me that my enthusiasm to look for the spectacular long ball, rather than settle for the sideways pass, has hurt me the most. I’m constantly trying to be Glenn Hoddle and Jonty, pulling off his best Ray Wilkins impression, is making me look silly.

I’d like to think I’ve learned a lesson but, only this week, I was fully contemplating tossing four points into the air and backing Robin van Persie at Stoke. There I was, listening to Granville spelling out the obvious move – Edin Dzeko in for the injured Sergio Aguero to keep the City cover – and I was plotting another foolish 60-yard “Hail Mary”.

While this may disappoint those who listened in, I think I’m going to have to rethink. I daren’t try another Hollywood pass for a while.

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

1,965 Comments Post a Comment
  1. r0scr0w
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Good to go.

    Boruc

    Evans Terry Koscielny

    Hazard Silva Mata Eriksen

    Sturridge Dzeko Suarez

    Subs: Davies Noone Ward Mcnaughton.

    Mcnaughton is 3.8 and I have no cash for a 3.9. Can down noone to Gnabry giving me an extra .1?

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    1. don parcheesi
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      or you could easily downgrade Terry to cahill or azpi.

      Otherwise, I'd rather have a questionable 3.8 defender than a questionable cheapie MF, so keep noone, imo

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      1. r0scr0w
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks man.

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

      Cahill has a better points per game than Terry, he is in better form and not to mention he is a lot cheaper.

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  2. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Late WC changes normally end badly

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    1. tw
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      was that in response to me or just aimed at everyone in general?

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      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        General. Happened last week to me.

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    2. don parcheesi
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      agreed. Mr. Dzeko has been singing his siren song all morning, but I'm sticking with yesterday's plan.

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  3. Yome
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Who is captaining RVP instead of Suarez?

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    1. Parm
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      o/

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      1. Yome
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        RVP will not play the full 90mins but I am very tempted to give him the armband

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        1. jas5sk - Youtube channel
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Why not, David?

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          1. Yome
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Lack of match fitness and it is an away game...

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    2. FACUPARSE
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Silly people. Suarez against WBA should be fruitful

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    3. Onana Whatsmyname
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Me

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      1. Yome
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        You confident? I think I am playing it safe, he could only play 60-70mins...

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        1. Jude Rooney
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Doubt he will start.....

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  4. Torres76
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Which of the following players should I drop this week

    Lalaana - away to Fulham
    YaYa - home to Chelsea
    Hazard - away to city
    Eriksen - away to Hull
    Mata

    Adebayor - away to hull
    Sturrudge - away to west brom
    Suarez - away to west brom

    I am thinking drop hazard to bench. Who should I drop please?

    Thanks to allll

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    1. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      hazard

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  5. Thomass
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Since Michu is back next week he is back in my team!!!!! 😀 we will thump those bluebirds

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Pity you don't support Man City.

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      1. Thomass
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Why should I anyway?? I'm not a glory hunter

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        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          You'd be better at FPL. Having players because you support that club normally ends badly.

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          1. Thomass
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 3 months ago

            Ok… I had Jonjo has week and he done me proud

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  6. thunder_mike
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    So going into this week doubling up onto Arsenal, Cardiff, Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool. This is going to end badly 🙁

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    1. Thomass
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Cardiff 😆

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      1. thunder_mike
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Haha yeah... Ramsey and Kun getting injured ruined my transfer plans. Have thought about dropping another 4pts to go Haz to Mata just to mix it up a bit!

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  7. Lazarus
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Which do you prefer for this GW only:

    A) Hazard
    B) Mirallas (-4pts)

    Thanks

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    1. Onana Whatsmyname
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      A by a mile mate

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      1. Lazarus
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks buddy, I'm not thinking straight under the time pressure!

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  8. Liastro ⭐️
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Eriksen or Lallana

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    1. tw
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      lallana

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    2. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Lallana.

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    3. Pinoche
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Lallana

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    4. banskt
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Eriksen. Lallana has not returned much while playing away matches.

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  9. drughi
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    is ben arfa on pens ?

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    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Think so. Don't know whether he's worth a 4pt hit though.

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  10. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Best defender for 5.0 or less to fill the space

    Adrian, Mannone

    Evans, Azpi, Shaw, Ward, ______

    Currently MOlsson

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    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Debuchy

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      1. tw
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        good shout

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    2. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      I like Olsson at that price. Gives you money for later.

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  11. In Like Flynn.
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Aaahh The Prologue!

    Transfers done 4 pt hit, very conservative by my standards. Already planning another hit for next week.

    Anyone else on an uncontrollable hit merry-go-round?

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      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      I've averaged on a week and regret almost every one! (apart from the monster Suarez and Aguero profits)

      Wildcard complete and promising myself I won't take any more speculative hits!

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    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Am considering

      Cabaye > Gnabry (done)
      Aguero > RVP
      Januzaj > Ben Arfa (but this would mean benching Gnabry)

      Think I'm going to go with the first two for a -4.

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    2. thetinkerman
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Hits are like Pringles...

      I try to avoid getting involved in those merry-go-rounds, but this season I should probably hare taken more hits. Saying that, the only time I took -8 this season (which I needed to do) I dropped over 100k!

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    3. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      I suffered knee jerk syndrome and brought in Mata before Agueros injury. Lesson learnt.

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    4. Theseus
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      o/
      Aguero and Oscar to Sturridge and Mata
      Next week bringing in Terry and Jevans...

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    5. d1sable
      • Has Moderation Rights
      10 years, 3 months ago

      yes every since my shambolic wildcard

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    6. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      So glad I'm not alone, sensible company too.

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  12. thetinkerman
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Right, Aguero > Jrod.

    Can't wait to spend my 6.3m next week!

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      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      🙂 Like your thinking! Kid in a sweetie shop.

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  13. jurgenizer | TRIPEIROS
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    All se ti this WC team?

    Mannone - Adrián

    Koscielny - Azpilicueta - Ward - Chambers - Fabio

    Hazard - Mata - Mirallas - Johnson - Puncheon

    Sturridge - van Persie - Suárez

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    1. colin1201
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Adrian, Chambers and Fabio may not be guaranteed starts though

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      1. jurgenizer | TRIPEIROS
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        have a little faith 😉

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  14. colin1201
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    RMWCT please

    Boruc Davis
    Azpi Koscielny Ward Olsson Collins
    Mata Silva Eriksen Hazard Puncheon
    Benteke Suarez Giroud

    Any thoughts?

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  15. Gigging Order
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Could I see some hands for Studge (C) so I don't feel so alone...

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    1. computer
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      No

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    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Playing Solitaire?

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      1. Gigging Order
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Looks like it..... 🙁

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    3. FACUPARSE
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      It is a good shout, he is playing with a lot of aggression...

      Could be a genius move, I just don't have the balls

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    4. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      tempting

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  16. Chris_White
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Oscar or Noone this week?

    Really torn on this one...

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  17. FACUPARSE
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Last season

    Newcastle 0 Sunderland 3

    People saying Newcastle will defo score are wrong. they have both Ameobi's playing.

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Mannone (c)

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      1. FACUPARSE
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        No but to play Mannone or Marshall is a pretty tough choice.

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        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          Mannone & Boruc for me. Hard one.

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    2. QPR expects... glory!
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      And no Remy

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  18. onionbarje
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Why hasn't the Sunderland vs West B DGW been announced yet, but the Manchester derby has already been given a date

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      more important

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      1. onionbarje
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        pffft, as a Man U fan even I am gonna admit Man C will obviously win, Sunderland vs West B will be more of a contest

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  19. SMOOTH
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    A. play januzaj
    B. buy dzeko for aguero and take -4

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  20. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    How nailed on is Chambers? Would help a lot for my team if he could hold down his spot at least for the next two gas, chances of that?

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    1. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      gws*

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    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      we will find out today

      Have a feeling clyne might start today

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      1. Hansel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        so if not; would you go coleman -> cahill. rest of the back line is evans, kos, ward

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    3. Camp No No
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      My question exactly. I need a Southampton defender, and if Chambers doesn't play, I will have to play BOTH Kolarov AND Azpi.

      That may turn out well, if Mou blocks it to 0-0, but I have my doubts.

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    4. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Chambers has started every GW they've both been fit lately. I'd say he is nailed.

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      1. Camp No No
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        He didn't play that one when they held CS against WBA. Why was that?

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  21. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Prediction Time 🙂

    Eve 4-2 Villa (Mirallasx3 + Baines) (Benteke + Delph0
    Stk 1-3 ManU (Evans OG) (RVPx2 + Mata)
    Hull 0-3 Spurs( Adebax2+ Eriksen)
    WHU 1-3Swa (Nocerino) (Bonyx3)
    NewC 2-2 (Shola+HBA) (AJ+Colback)
    Card0-0Nor
    Ful1-3SOT (Sidwell) (JRodx2+JWP)

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      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Bony hattrick! 😆 Where's Evs?!

      Bony (C)! 😉

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        • 10 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        SHOLA! 😯

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        1. Jax
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 3 months ago

          He's starting cos Remy is suspended

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    1. FACUPARSE
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      what a silly lot of predictions

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    2. Jax
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      None of that will happen

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    3. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Chucky, where has your Mata gravatar gone?

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      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 3 months ago

        Do you want me to bring it back ? 🙁

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  22. Godfather Bandit 42
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Kos - Kolorov - Bruce (Ward & Cahill benched).

    Should I play this or Kolorov>Evans for - 4?

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    1. Pinoche
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Play this

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  23. tw
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    jins: what about Kim & Aguero -> lallana and ade or something similar?

    of your two options I like the rvp one better though.

    also would appreciate your thoughts on my wc team (last page)

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  24. P-daddy
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Never asked before bout would appreciate any advice

    Adrian Davis

    Azp Kosc Ward Demel Bruce

    Yaya Hazard Cazorla Johnson Mirallas

    Suar Studge J.Rod

    Playing catch up so playing 2x W Ham for their upcoming home games as a diff, expect them to tighten up in coming weeks. Had Mannone as 2nd keeper but they actually have poor fixtures and a no game in GW 28 so gonna stick with Adrian for next 4 weeks as re-assess. I think the squad gives me a decent starting team for several weeks without even worrying about transfers.....

    Many thanks

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  25. Balrath123
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    What would you change with this, playing Catch Up. . Still have All Free Transfers till 11.30am

    Boruc

    Koscielny Shaw Evans

    Lallana Oscar Silva Johnson

    Rooney Dzeko Sturridge

    Subs.... Sterling Zabeletta Bennett.

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  26. snowman
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    best defender for 4m?

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    1. pleccy
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      yoshi?

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  27. Thomass
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Silva benched he will get 2 points I can sense it

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      • 10 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      sounds plausible.

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  28. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    anyone found the best 32rd team to go with Palace and Saints?

    It looks like West Ham, but i have Adrian, so have gone with MOlsson

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    1. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      30 turds?

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  29. Pinoche
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    Predictions for the Tyne Wear derby?

    1-1 for me

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    1. onionbarje
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Sunderland win 2-1, Newcastle will struggle without Remy, Cabaye, Cisse etc.

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  30. Demelbrush
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 3 months ago

    final decision is pick 2 out of Erikson, lallana and mirallas.

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    1. tw
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      first two

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    2. Qubit
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 3 months ago

      Eriksen and Mirallas

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