634x258 Members
11 August 2014 6408 comments
Paul Paul
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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.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

  1. @BigChrisso
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Starting with Debuchy with a plan to assess the Spurs back 4 and move in on the best 5.0 option after GW1 or 2. Cue a Palace goal at the Emirates!!! Thank me later (sorry)

    Would like peoples to offer their thoughts on my defenders if you can?

    Debuchy / Ward / Caulker / PVA / Hutton

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    1. Not Irish
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Don't like that bunch to be honest. Can't get my head around spending 5m on a QPR defense which I think will leak goals like crazy. And would prefer Evans or Lovren to Debuchy at that price. Also, why not Chambers if it's a short term punt? Also Mariappa is nailed on. Pulis confirmed it in an interview last night. Would prefer Cameron or Chester to PvA but I suppose that's preference.

      Uh...

      Good luck?

      Sorry.

      lol

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      1. @BigChrisso
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        All good, opinions are never wrong....

        Debuchy is picked ahead of Chambers because it is easier to downgrade to a 5.0 Spurs defender after GW1 or 2 than upgrade, especially if said spurs defender rises in price by 0.1 in that time.

        Evan is not an option as I already have 3 Man u players, and Liverpool's defence and fixtures dont inspire me to invest.

        Caulker is a goal scoring defender who will play most weeks and rotate when he has to. If he gets 120 points again this season then thats a decent return for 5.0 investment. Prefer him to Clyne or C Davies.

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        1. Not Irish
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          Gotcha. Still don't like the Caulker pick. 'Arry teams aren't exactly known for defensive prowess. And I think it's pretty optimistic to expect him to score 5ish goals again.

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          1. Pepereina Pizza
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 4 months ago

            I seem to remember his Portsmouth teams stacking up cleanies.

            That was near ten years ago, I suppose.

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      2. Birds of Prey
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Chambers before any other 4.5 now. Like Chester also Cam is not nailed at all.

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        1. Not Irish
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          Cameron and Chester are both nailed unlike Chambers. I swear this place is nuts sometimes.

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  2. Butters_lfc9
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    I currently have Luis-Ferdinand and Wisdom which is the better pair to go with them
    A)Manquillo-Mariappa
    B)Evans-Duff

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    1. @BigChrisso
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      B) Man U fixtures and 2 x nailed on players

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    2. Birds of Prey
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Evans only upgrade Luis to Cahill/Terry

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  3. Santi sensei
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Holtby's pre season was great !! Will he probably start. ?

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    1. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      don't think so

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      1. Santi sensei
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Dembele Paulinho
        Lamela Holby Eriksen
        Ade
        Isn't how they'll line up ?

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  4. raheemsterling
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    too much to have costa and hazard?

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  5. Road to glory...
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    I need your suggestions for my team please, dont want to spend money in defense...

    Krul, Mannone

    Chambers, Ferdinand, Cameron, Bruce, Vlaar

    Ramsey, Mata, Silva, Barkley, El Ahmadi

    Rooney, Giroud, Costa

    Thanks for your time...

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    1. Najoman86
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Krul/Foster offer a better rotation than Krul/Mannone.
      Probably worth reviewing your budget DEF selections and ensure some good rotations.
      Best to shift El Ahmadi to a budget option more assured of starts...once that becomes clearer. Or downgrade Barkley & upgrade El Ahmadi & rotate the pair?

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    2. I Am ToTo
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      some good defenders u do not have

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  6. Najoman86
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone considering Diouf (Stoke) for that 3rd FWD role alongside their big-hitters?
    £1.0m more than Bojan, but looks likely to lead the Potters' front line exclusively? They've decent handful of fixtures first up, with the exception of City(a)

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    1. Not Irish
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Very interesting. Can only afford up to 6m with my 352 though.

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      1. Najoman86
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        That's fair enough. I'm currently looking at Diouf & Austin as an alternative to the current Bojan selection.
        26 Bundesliga goals in 57 games at Hannover for Diouf.

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        1. Not Irish
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          He's legit. I rated him when he was at United. Just never got a proper chance.

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  7. Amateur Pundit Zan
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Having traded sanchez to ramsey and added another 4m defender i can now afford to replace davies with baines. Very tempting

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    1. Give it a go
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Everton have for hard games in the first 6 games

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      1. Amateur Pundit Zan
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        They are not that bad and still a reasonable chance baines will outscore any alternative over that period

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

      Never a bad move having Baines in the side!

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    3. Not Irish
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I'd love to fit him in. Do it.

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  8. Recoba
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    A) Colo + Marney
    B) Moore + Davis

    Basically do I upgrade my 5th mid or def with .5m itb? Rest of defense is Terry Ward Kaboul PvA

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    1. Najoman86
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Given the rest of the DEF, I would go B

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      1. Recoba
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks

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  9. mgilbert86
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    My team is done, and I mean it this time. Will not allow myself on this site until Saturday.

    Good luck everyone!

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  10. quarry_settling
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Hey TM, do you know when the team news tab will be up today?

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      In the morning so not too long.

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      1. quarry_settling
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks

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  11. I Am ToTo
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Vlaar will transfer to ManU any time soon?

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  12. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    mornign dzzz, how we doing?

    Heard a rumour that ward has had a serious injury? any truth to it?

    Had settled on my gk combo of speroni/green, guess thats out the window if there is a cheaper access to palace defence 🙁

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    1. Shifty
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      maybe you confused Ward and Drog? 😀

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      1. UnitednationsXI
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        lol shifty.

        i cant recall where i read it tho

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        1. Shifty
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          just did a quick google and twitter search - don't see anything. where did you hear/read about that?

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    2. Reeker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Our lies are spreading 😆

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  13. 42towels
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Can someone please suggest a good site for FPL draft format with similar scoring rules to the official one? Thanks!

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    1. Scab
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I think a lot of people use fantrax

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  14. BigManBakar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Here's a sample Sturridge Rooney Costa team for all those who want a balanced team

    Krul (Elliot)
    Evans Terry Chester (Moore Hutton)
    Ramsey Mata Siggy Henderson (Marney)
    Sturridge Rooney Costa

    Would you remove Terry and Henderson for VanAanholt and Eriksen? Or is it good as it is?

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      RMT in disquise?

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      1. BigManBakar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Nah not really, just saw some posters who wanted a balanced Sturridge Rooney Costa team and thought I should share it

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    2. Francescoli
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      i like it. just not the keeper situation....

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      1. BigManBakar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks, Krul kept more clean sheets than Begovic last season 😉

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  15. thecule
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Help!

    A. Sanchez Fabregas Sterling Reviere
    B. Ramsey Fabregas Sterling Giroud
    C. Sanchez De Jong Tadic Costa?

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    1. Francescoli
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      A

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    2. Reeker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      b

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    3. mastertokalosh
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      B with bony over giroud

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  16. Cole-man of the Ca-hill
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Hi guys.. looking for players who are nailed on among these:

    a)Clyne or Yoshida?
    b)Pieters or Huth or Cameron?
    c) Siggy or Shelvey

    Pls advise

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    1. Francescoli
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      C

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    2. Lucky Number Ones
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      a) Clyne 100%, Yoshia 95%
      b) Only nailed on in Stoke def is Shawcross. otherwise they have shared time in defence... :/
      c) Both should be nailed

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  17. Give it a go
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Is it wise to go with 3 know strikers in attack or take a punt on first time strikers playing in the EPL?

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    1. Francescoli
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      A

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    2. Reeker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Just pick who you thinks gonna score more points. Picking first time players is just a gamble that may or may not pay off. You just know what you're getting from a EPL experienced players

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  18. raheemsterling
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    have sterling, no sturridge but is it worth having henderson aswell?

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    1. Francescoli
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      No

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  19. mastertokalosh
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    what are people thoughts on gomis ? is he gonna be nailed on alongside bony?

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    1. Francescoli
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

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  20. Give it a go
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Who in every ones opinion will be a great wing player this season?

    Cheers

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    1. Francescoli
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Sanchez

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    2. ChelseaKTBFF
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Hazard

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    3. BigManBakar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Haz

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  21. raheemsterling
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    got sterling, 6.0 mid. thoughts?

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    1. Francescoli
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      siggy

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    2. BigManBakar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Siggy

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    3. Birds of Prey
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Siggy Henderson are obvious Puncheon if he can have end of last season's form.

      I like Davis at 5.0. gl

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  22. AndyZ
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    who is nailed on at the back for Hull (other than Davies)?

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    1. BigManBakar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Chester.

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      1. Birds of Prey
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        yep

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    2. thegaffer82
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Chester & C Davies look the best bets

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  23. BigManBakar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Eriksen or Lamela?

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    1. AndyZ
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Lamela has looked great this preseason, but I still have Eriksen in my team.

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      1. Birds of Prey
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        a

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    2. Seabreeze
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I'd go with Erik, easy enough to change if you need to.

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    3. Reeker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Up to you really. I'd go with Eriksen though

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    4. Bolivian Seaman
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      lamela looks good but he didn't do much in their last game. Neither did eriksen to be honest

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    5. TEKKERS FC
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Lock in Lamela

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  24. Seabreeze
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Ramsey/Mata/Hazard/Siggy - Albrighton
    Rooney/Costa/Dzeko

    Have 1.5m. would it be worth doing:

    A) Dzeko > Bojan and Albrighton > Sterling
    B) Costa > Sturridge and Albrighton > Hoilett
    C) Nothing.

    Thanks for any input.

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    1. mastertokalosh
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      C) , use the money to upgrade defence?

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      1. Seabreeze
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        I could indeed, been looking at it but I always hate my defense after GW1, so if I go in hating it I won't be as depressed about it. Thanks for the reply, definitely keeping it in mind =]

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    2. thegaffer82
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I personally like the front 8 as it is (though Albrighton > Marney). Surely that 1.5m can be spent wisely in DF? It's hardly like you've cheaped out on the front 8

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      1. Seabreeze
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Albrighton is basically just a placeholder of a 4.5 as I'll go with the most likely closer to closing. But yeah I could spend it in defense, but as above, always backfires on me.

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  25. mastertokalosh
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    A) Sterling Gomis Costa Mariappa

    B) Fab Bony Jovetic Ward

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    1. Seabreeze
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      B.

      Not sure on Mariappa or Gomis.

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  26. vNistelrooy
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Just realised Albrighton is injured.

    Who else is nailed at 4.5m? Thanks

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    1. Call Me Old Fashioned
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Wanyama and Marney I reckon

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    2. Bolivian Seaman
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I'm keeping albrighton, he will be injured for 1 week probably

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    3. Seabreeze
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Wanyama or stick with Albrighton if you don't think you will need him in for GW1 or 2

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    4. vNistelrooy
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      ok thanks guys. i will stick

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  27. Call Me Old Fashioned
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Siggy or Arnie?

    If Siggy then the 0.5 will be banked.

    DDG, Hamer
    Cahill Ward Chester PVA 4M
    Mata Hazard Ramsey Marney ?
    Rooney Costa Austin

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    1. thegaffer82
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I would go for Siggy. The raft of signings made by Hughes has really put Arnie in a position where he can be rotated without weakening the side. On that basis I'd go for Siggy.

      Decent team imo

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    2. Pepereina Pizza
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      i say pick arnautovic if you believe in him. He's not in many RMTs and is a bit of a differential around here.

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      1. Pepereina Pizza
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        fantastic fixtures, and in a team that has more stability than Swansea at the moment, IMO

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        1. Call Me Old Fashioned
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          Thanks both. I had Arnie before the Siggy transfer and beginning to swing back to Arnie in last few days

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  28. thegaffer82
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    No point in using the RMT article at this time. Any comments would be most welcome guys:

    Bego - 4.0
    Luis - Evans - Mariappa - Colo - Wisdom
    Mata - Rambo - Sterling - Siggy - Marney
    Costa - Roon - Dzeko

    I'm putting my faith in Pulis' comments about Mariappa and assuming he's going to be a starter (don't need him v's Arse anyway). Not too bothered about Wisdom, just need him for GW1 when Newc & CPL have tough fixtures.
    Still struggling over Dzeko & Jovetic, but I think that Dzeko offers (slightly) more security of starts over the long term.
    I guess I'll ship Bego around GW12 for another 5.0 keeper. Happy not to have the hassle of rotation to be honest.

    Anything you would cahnge?

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    1. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Why is there no point in using the RMT article? its not broken and people are getting plenty of responses.

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    2. Bolivian Seaman
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I think mariappa should be first choice too.

      Jovetic is getting a lot of chances when he's playing, dzeko has looked nonexistant. If you are going long term it's dzeko, short term - jovetic.

      Yeah it looks good, and when chelsea keep a cleansheet everyone gets 1 point for chelsea midfielders, so you only gain 3 🙂

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  29. Bolivian Seaman
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    You may as well go arnie for gw1, see what happens

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  30. Rambo Motin
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Any thoughts lads?

    De Gea ( Gilks )

    Cahill Debuchy Ward ( Van Aanholt , Hutton )

    Mata Ramsey Fabregas Siggy ( Davis )

    Costa Rooney Bojan

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    1. Sz21
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Similar enough to mine.
      Looks good.

      How confident are you in your GK picks?

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      1. Rambo Motin
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Very, Van G is out to prove a point on the base of delicious home fixtures with the team's confidence on a high. Gilks has a low ownership which is good if he sold in bulk people.

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