Members August 11

Versus – Mata, Hazard, Sterling and Ramsey

There may be under a week left under the 2014/15 season gets underway but for many Fantasy managers, the midfield dilemma is yet to be resolved. In the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, in particular, the player price list has handed us numerous options to consider for our five-man midfields, with ten players coming in at 9.0 or over:

In this, our latest article for members, we take a look at four of the main contenders – Eden Hazard, Aaron Ramsey, Juan Mata and Raheem Sterling – currently on Fantasy radars.

Sterling has netted in two of his last four appearances and, after notching nine times last term, is backed by many to step up for Liverpool after Luis Suarez’ departure. Ramsey’s 10 goals and nine assists in just 23 appearances last season has catapulted the Welshman into the premium bracket at 9.0, with his strike in yesterday’s Community Shield handing us a timely reminder of his talents. Mata (9.0) has been one of Louis van Gaal’s star performers in the role in “the hole” in a new 3-4-1-2 formation, whilst the 10.0-priced Hazard, despite only returning to pre-season action last week, sits in 22% of squads ahead of fixtures against promoted pair Burnley and Leicester in his first two fixtures.

Casting an eye back to last season, then, we delve into the data and compare their respective displays. First up, we assess each player’s creativity and distribution.

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6,408 Comments Post a Comment

Fantasy Gold
9 years, 9 months ago
What teams rotate well with Palce in defence? Help in this area would be much appreciated 😀

I'll even provide a RMT for those that answer. Cheers.
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1. Fantasy Gold
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Palace*
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2. Hibbopotamus
  9 years, 9 months ago
  QPR looks okay for most of the first 10GWs imo. I have Ward and Rio rotating for now myself, though I don't love it.
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Forget Special, I am the ON…
9 years, 9 months ago
Guys please help :

Yaya or Silva? - Why
Hazard or Fabregas? - Why
Rooney or Mata? - Why
Ramsey or Ozil or Alexi? - Why
Sterling or Gerrard? - Why
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1. Bojan Kurbalija
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Silva - Yaya is not in his top form
  Fabregas - cheaper than Hazard and he will be in more positions to assist
  Roney - more goal chances, only true striker in MU until Van Persie and Welbeck are back
  Ramsey - Ozil is not in top form, he was given a week or two more to rest after a WC and A. Sanchez needs time to adapt to EPL
  Gerrard - he is on PK, on free kicks and he has more exp in EPL
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  1. Forget Special, I am the ON…
    9 years, 9 months ago
    Thanks Bojan for your response - you have completely shattered my plan.
    Thanks again for sending me back to the starting Point.
    😀 😀
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    1. Forget Special, I am the ON…
      9 years, 9 months ago
      Although I completely agree with all your Reasons & Suggestions 🙂
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      1. Bojan Kurbalija
        9 years, 9 months ago
        Sorry mate 😀
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        Bojan Kurbalija
        9 years, 9 months ago
        I am not sure Yaya will be the beast he was last year but IMO Ozil(when he is rested)and Sterling will be the key players in their teams
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Ninjaa
9 years, 9 months ago
Best striker to accompany Rooney and Costa for less than 7.5m? Shoehorning Dzeko in is hurting my defence and mid.
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1. Fantasy Gold
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Slim pickings. Ignore the Bojan love, it'll all end in tears.
  
  I'd say the best option is Shane Long.
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  1. Ninjaa
    9 years, 9 months ago
    I agree that Bojan will fail. I heard he only had 4 goals in the Dutch league last year and that's known to be a strikers dream. Had long in my 1st draft but got talked off him. He's got nice opening fixtures
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2. RoelDw
  9 years, 9 months ago
  I'd say Austin or Pellè
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Piggs Boson
9 years, 9 months ago
Huh, there are people here...
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1. Fantasy Gold
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Yep. How's your team shaping up GB?
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  1. Piggs Boson
    9 years, 9 months ago
    Pretty much finished. Not many will like it though.
    
    Krelliot
    Mariappa - Van Aanholt - Clyne - Chester - Hutton
    Hazard - Ramsey - Mata - Siggy - Isgrove
    Rooney - Sturridge - Dzeko
    
    How's yours?
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    1. Fantasy Gold
      9 years, 9 months ago
      Sorry. Got held up on a call.
      
      My team:
      
      DDG 4.0
      Felipe Luis Debuchy Rio Bruce Wisdom
      Siggy Ramsey Silva Davis Marney
      Rooney Costa Sturridge.
      
      I prefer your team tbh, yours look grand. I will be changing mine again no doubt.
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      1. Piggs Boson
        9 years, 9 months ago
        Cheers! Nice team. I think once Wally returns and Haz kicks off you'll want another big mid in there though.
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        Fantasy Gold
        9 years, 9 months ago
        Yeah I like my Davis pick so I'm trying to find a way to upgrade Marney with a few tweaks. Certainly not set on this team.
        
        Are you 100% sure you like complete uber defence? The rest looks great.
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        Piggs Boson
        9 years, 9 months ago
        Yeah, I'm sure.
        
        I'm not one for sticking to the crowd and building a normal team. It's first place or nothing for me, even if it means risking an awful finish.
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        Fantasy Gold
        9 years, 9 months ago
        Haha nice one.
        
        Good luck mate.
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No Pirlo No Party
9 years, 9 months ago
What are peoples opinions/tactics for the season regarding transfers and hits to gain team value and jump on the bandwagons?

I usually take a very reserved approach and save my transfers to allow 2, which gives me some movement with transfers/budget and the backup in the event of any serious injuries. With very few hits, if any!

Towards the end of last season I began to take hits more frequently when chasing the lead in my mini league and enjoyed the game much more as I had the players that I wanted rather than looking on in envy.
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1. Piggs Boson
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Being more reserved is always better.
  
  For me, I need to be sure the hit will result in a net profit for that week, AND set up a stronger team for the coming weeks.
  
  But it is best to jump on board with key players early though. Mark learnt that last season...
  
  At the end of the day, it's judgement.
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2. The Hindu Monkey
  9 years, 9 months ago
  when I started putting my squad together I did it planning 3 transfers in advance. I've since scrapped that and planned a team that, barring an emergency, I shouldn't have to touch for 2 weeks. That instantly puts me in a stronger position with an extra transfer in the bank going forward. The problem I had last season was when injury/suspension hit I either had to cancel my orginal planned transfer, or take a 4 point hit to get the other player out as well.
  
  This did not end well. I finished in a strong position and considered myself a little unlucky, but I certainly threw at least 30 points away.
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mattymckie
9 years, 9 months ago
Thoughts on:

Coutinho vs. sterling
Mata vs. herrera
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1. Piggs Boson
  9 years, 9 months ago
  The first one is tough, but Sterling will get more forward imo.
  
  Mata, hands down.
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  1. mattymckie
    9 years, 9 months ago
    Agreed, Herrera does free up some budget though....sterling is edging it for me but coutinho looked great against dortmund
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ayma
9 years, 9 months ago
What do you think guys..any tips??

Krul / Myhill

Azpilicueta /Evans / Cameron / (Bruce) (Ward)

Arnautovic / Sterling / Hazard / Ramsey / Young

Diego Costa / Rooney / (Sanogo)
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1. Piggs Boson
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Personally I like putting more funds up top.
  
  Sanogo is not a secure enough starter imo. All your players, even your subs should start matches.
  
  Pretty good team though.
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  1. ayma
    9 years, 9 months ago
    thnx
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2. Knightowl
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Evans injured so change him
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LionsPride
9 years, 9 months ago
Ahhhh I'm so torn up this year with MF. I've opted for a heavy front-line until I know where to put my money in MF. What do you guys think of my team so far? Any tips would be hugely appreciated. I'm dying to do well this season so I can beat my GF's dad ;).

De Gea

Terry Evans Debuchy

Mutch Ramsey Eriksen Hazard

Bojan Sturridge Rooney

Subs: Hamer, Widsom, Marney, Coloccini

Thanks all!
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1. Fantasy Gold
  9 years, 9 months ago
  That's hardly a 'heavy' front line.
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  1. mattymckie
    9 years, 9 months ago
    I have a similar team at the moment:
    
    De Gea
    Debuchy, Jagielka, Lovren
    Mata, Ramsey, Eriksen, Sterling
    Rooney, Costa, Bojan
    
    Subs: Krul, wisdom, Bruce, el Ahmadi
    
    Costa is costing me a lot...between him and Bojan is 16m....
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    1. LionsPride
      9 years, 9 months ago
      That's a good team and I'm going to regret not working in Sterling or Mata.
      
      I'm totally unsure on Costa as I know very, very little about him.
      
      Good rotation with DDG and Krul, too.
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      1. The Hindu Monkey
        9 years, 9 months ago
        solid - question marks over the defence as those main three don't have the easiest first 5 fixtures, but other than that I like it.
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      2. mattymckie
        9 years, 9 months ago
        Costa was so awesome for athletico last season and I do think he fits Chelsea's system well. Played well in pre-season but a definite risk at 10.5. Sturridge is safer but expensive.....
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    2. Tuchap - Lurker
      9 years, 9 months ago
      Not fancy saving 0.5 and downgrading Krul?
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FPL Blow-In
9 years, 9 months ago
So this is what I have atm playing 3-5-2... What do ye think?

DDG
Debuchy, Caulker, Wisdom, (Ward), (Hutton)
Cesc, Ramsey, Mata, Siggy, Sterling
D.Costa Rooney, (Zamora)
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1. The Hindu Monkey
  9 years, 9 months ago
  I think your defence is appaling, which is what you'd expect with that attack. I wouldn't mind so much if you had a good rotation option in your front 8. But you don't. You have Zamora who will barely play. You simply have to downgrade someone to get some balance there. One of Mata or Cesc or maybe the keeper to upgrade at least one of Wisdom/Hutton/Bobby.
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nice_day
9 years, 9 months ago
My team atm:

DDG (Myhill)
Baines Lovren Chester (Moore Hutton)
Hazard Ramsey Sterling Siggy (El Ahmadi)
Rooney Diego Costa Austin

Should I change Sterling for Mata?

Thanks!
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1. The Hindu Monkey
  9 years, 9 months ago
  good team, if ludriciously light weight at the back. I just don't think anybody can carry 2 of the 4m defenders because of doubts over them. And when one of the other 3 is Chester I'd be very worried. People seem to be missing a trick with the huge number of very viable 4.5m defenders (sunderland and newcastle being the obvious places to get them)
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  1. nice_day
    9 years, 9 months ago
    Thanks a lot. I'll do something with the def, but what about Sterling for Mata situation? I know the fixtures, but I am afraid since I dont have Sturidge, I should have atleast Sterling...
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    1. Ari Gold
      9 years, 9 months ago
      I don't agree with that reasoning. Coverage is not valid for anything but defense. If Stur nets 3 and Sterling has nothing to do with them, you still have no points. Go for the guy who's most likely to get you points, in this case Mata.
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ayma
9 years, 9 months ago
Need quick advice...is Naismith good option as a bench striker?
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1. LionsPride
  9 years, 9 months ago
  I was thinking about this too - look forward to anyone's thoughts
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OptimusBlack
9 years, 9 months ago
Which is better ?

A- Moore 4 M + Wisdom 4 M + Eriksen + Giroud

B- Ward 5 M + Caulker 5 M + FAB + Bojan

Rest of defence : Cahil / Evans / Coloccini OR van Aanholt
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1. spanner91
  9 years, 9 months ago
  I like option B
  
  Caulker will get decent game time and is already proven in the prem.
  Fabregas depending on position will get assists
  Bojan looks promising in pre-season
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spanner91
9 years, 9 months ago
RMT

Begovic (Krul)

Shaw Luis Debuchey / RIO VanAanholt

Mata Hazard Siggy Eriksen / Albrighton

Costa Rooney Bojan

Am i too heavy in Def? I am not totally convinced on Rio or Albrighton.
I was thinking Rio>Wisdom (not sure he will get game time) and Albright>Rodwell

let me know your thoughts!
Cheers!
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1. beesboy
  9 years, 9 months ago
  My team is very similar. I've gone for El Ahmadi over Albrighton and have Lovren and Davies at the back instead of your Shaw and Rio. Oh and DDG in goal as MU cover.
  
  Good team overall I think. Now just not sure whether Rooney or Costa should start as Captain after Costa's brace last night!
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  1. spanner91
    9 years, 9 months ago
    Since posting this yesterday I have made one or two changes. Shaw didn't even make the bench for the friendly against Valencia! So I've swapped him for phill jones. Also traded out debuchey for ward.
    Reading some posts and think debuchey and arsenal have some hard fixtures to start. Ward rotates well with van aanholt.
    I have used a spare 0.5 to upgrade albeighton to rodwell. Think he will benefit Sunderland a lot being box to box midfielder.
    
    Which leaves me with 0.5 in the bank. Don't know if I should save it or get caulker instead of rio.
    
    Has to be Rooney captain first game week. At home first game of the season and just been made captain for utd, he will be buzzing. Expecting at least a brace!
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Dredged up Mastodon
9 years, 9 months ago
I have had Hazard last two seasons - but he is the only one of the four who won't line up for me this season:
> performances dipped and WC showing was disappointing
> new Chelsea line up will 'take away' some of his points IMHO
> Rotation risk
> Even with the changes in personnel Mourinho's style of play doesn't/won't utilise him enough

May get burnt on this but with so many cheaper options it's the way I am going
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thegreasyXI
9 years, 9 months ago
Thoughts on my team?
Howard (Myhill)
Shaw Ward O'Shea (Rosenior) (Bruce)
Yaya, Sanchez, Sterling, Sung Yeung (El Ahmadi)
Rooney Sturridge Naismith

A few heavy hitters in there, so lacking in D.
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1. Knightowl
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Shaw injured
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Rozmans XI
9 years, 9 months ago
DDG (myhill)
Ward Caulker Terry (chester, moore)
Hazard, Mata, Sterling, Ramsey
Dzeko, Bojan, Rooney

Too much on defence? Went bojan isntead of siggy, just cant see siggy getting on the scoresheet whereas can see bojan appearing for stoke quite a bit.
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easywithaces
9 years, 9 months ago
Would you take Clyne/Ward and Sterling... Or Evans and Coutinho.
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Mikei
9 years, 9 months ago
Siggi, Johnson or Henderson for 6,5?
And who´s best from Chelsea defense and why?
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Prawn
9 years, 9 months ago
Its Almost sorted just two questions....

Q1. Bruce or Wisdom for my 4.0m bench warmer or some other 4.0m?

----------Foster/Krul--------------

Cahill-Vlarr/Cameron-Debuchy (Wisdom)

Ramsey-Mata-Sterling-Erikson (El Ahm)

-----Costa-Rooney-Bojan-------

Q2. Would you downgrade Cahill > Evans in order to upgrade Erikson>Fab......
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Heskey Time
9 years, 9 months ago
would it be smart gameweek one to play dzecko or jovetic then gameweek 2 make a transfer for Bony due to his easy schedule?
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Lo Lo Lo Radamel Falcao
9 years, 9 months ago
I've gone with the big 3 up front. RMT!

Mannone (Myhill)

Rio Evans Cameron (Moore Hutton)

Ince Mata Sterling Ramsey (Marney)

Roo Costa Sturridge
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ZimboGooner
9 years, 9 months ago
Am playing quite differently this year, starting with a 4-5-1? Good idea?
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Elliott@10
9 years, 9 months ago
A) Lamella and mata

Or

B) Erikson and mirallas

Was edging towards a) due to Everton and Man uniteds early fixtures, thanks
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Hair of the pog
9 years, 9 months ago
Good afternoon ladies and gents! 🙂

Here is regularly pondered dilemma we are all facing:
A) to load up in defence??
B) or go big in attack??

Having mused long and hard about it I have opted for B as I can downgrade expensive strikers in the first couple of weeks to buy the performing bandwagons (or hopefully just stick with the ones I have chosen!)

Here is my GW1 team, I know what you're thinking, at face value it appears weak at the back, however it offers me the following coverage for the first 5 week (which I will not change!!)

Begovic (Krul) - rotated each week
Evans Wisdom Chester (Ward, Bartley)
Eriksen Ramsey Mata Fabregas (Sigurdsson)
Rooney (C) Costa (VC) Bojan

qpr SWA SUN
WHM STO BUR
avl bur WBA
BUR WHM QPR
new leics SOT

My doubts:
1) Bojan - new hero or massive zero? I reckon he's worth a punt! Any better choices??
2) Costa - good preseason but might struggle but first season in Prem? Might struggle! Would like to go Sturridge however don't warm to Liverpool's opening fixtures.
3) No Hazard! Go Mata to Herrera to free up some cash?

Is my team and thinking: sound, ok or crazy??

Much appreciated! 😀
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1. Tractor81
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Know what you mean about Bojan, but gotta love Stoke's fixtures and will have lots of creativity behind him...I'm going with him to start with him at least.
  Same with Costa - in that there's so much creativity behind him and he's their only real striker (atm!), don't go along with the theory he's got to adapt to PL either.
  Sturridge - been in and out of my team constantly!...thinking of playing him for GW1 with a view to transfer him out straight away for next few GW's..surely Liverpool will smash playerless Sot?!
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Hair of the pog
9 years, 9 months ago
People's views on the Chelsea back line?
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1. lamp frankard
  9 years, 9 months ago
  I replied in a post below.
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lamp frankard
9 years, 9 months ago
Chelsea will probably start without Ivan, but I'm not sure at all. Cahill and Terry are sure starters, but the three fullbacks might be rotated and so on.

Luis cost a lot of money and I think he'll have to start.
Azpi is loyal and really hardworking, but Mou might drop him because...
Ivan is a stayer, and he's also hardworking, but ultimately I think it'll be Azpi as right-back and Luis as left-back on Monday. That's because Luis' workrate, and attacking capabilities in helping Hazard (hopefully) will suit the way Azpi works in his natural position, mainly staying back and bursting forward on occasion.

But who knows?

Oh, and please rate my MF-heavy team:

Howard (Myhill)
Luis, Koscielny, Jones (Bruce, Wisdom)
Hazard, Silva, Mata, Ramsey (Boyd)
Rooney (C), Pellè, Bojan

Howard is cheap for a top7-GK, I think.
Luis is a gamble (I hope he'll start and bring more points than Cahill thru assists).
MF is beef, and I think it'll save me for gambling my last money on Pellè and Bojan, who both have really nice fixtures in the beginning of the season. One of them'll score, right?
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FC Arse-lona
9 years, 9 months ago
Who do you guys fancy more?
Coutinho vs Eriksen vs Sterling
And
Evans/Jones vs Shaw.
I wanted to include a United defender because of their decent early fixtures.
Cheers.
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1. whaddyamean
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Hi guys,
  Please rate my team:
  
  De Gea
  Debuchy Lovren Distin
  Fabregas Mata Ramsey Henderson
  Rooney Costalot Austin
  (Murphy Cameron Shelvy Target)
  
  Not sure about fabregas, swap him for sterling?
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Let's av it
9 years, 9 months ago
Hi any advice on my team would be really appreciated as I'm new to this

Krul ,

Lovren. Davies. Chambers

Mata. Silva. Hazard. Sigurdson

Rooney. Giroud. Costa

Subs myhill wisdom Bruce el Ahmadi

Thanks a lot ..really look forward to hearing from yous ..
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Redhulkster
9 years, 9 months ago
Assist for Costa goal ?
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1. Rozmans XI
  9 years, 9 months ago
  ramires
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Tractor81
9 years, 9 months ago
Would really appreciate opinions on my team...chopping and changing a ridiculous amount, but think (!) I've settled on:

Begovic/Gilks
Azpi - Caulker - Lovren - (Bruce) - (S Taylor)
Mata - Hazard - Sanchez - Sigurdssun - (Marney)
Costa - Rooney - Bojan

A). Sanchez worth it? Like having another striker on the pitch though...
B). Defence too weak?
C). Bojan....too unpredictable? Or, loving Stoke's lush fixtures??

Cheers!
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1. pieeyes
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Newbie here looking for some help, keep changing team. Is Y.Toure essential?
  
  Howard
  
  Cahill - Ward - Vlaar
  
  Hazard - Toure - Ramsey - McCarthy
  
  Bojan - Sturridge - Giroud
  
  Bench: Wanyama, Wisdom, Moore
  
  1 million in bank.
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