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. Jarvis
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Soldado or Pelle +0.5m?

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

      Are there any other options? I hope there are.

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

        To get an 8.5 id have to downgrade Collo to a 4.0m which means 2x 4m in defence

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

      Both punts but Pelle from those two

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

        yeah bloody hell, i dont want punts!

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

          I'd go for an 8.5m if possible

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

    A) Adrian/Speroni/Begovic & Ramsey

    B) De Gea & Eriksen

    If a which out of the 3

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

      A with Begovic

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

    Who's the best forward max 5.5 ?
    Bojan, Campbell (CryP), Nugent, Sanogo, Bent ?

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

      Fletcher

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

      Bogan

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  4. Dogba
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    I'm still no closer to figuring out my third striker alongside Rooney Costa...

    Can't/won't afford Sturridge, Dzeko and Jovetic are short-term options IMO, Lukaku not fit, Giroud not fit, Bony might get sold.

    Am I missing someone? Below 8M (Bojan, Austin, whatever) is a very awkward price range IMO.

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    1. Moe Milan
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Riviere

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

        Who?

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

          Newcastle, the new Remy

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

            the new Remy hahaha

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    2. Sting
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Just pick Dzeko for now and reevaluate after a few weeks

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

        I've got Bony right now, think I'd go Jovetic as he seemed sharper than Dzeko. Then again Dzeko scores as long as he's getting the minutes. Agh, hard to pick one.

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        1. Moe Milan
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          Bony is good but Swansea aren't. Riviere from Newcastle is a better option imo.

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    3. Clay
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I went through the exact same thing. So I ended up going cheap and using the cash on solid midfield options.

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

        I just think that within one or two GWs there's guaranteed to be a striker "breaking out of the pack" in that price range, and I want to be able to jump on the bandwagon, or better yet already have him. In the cheaper range I feel my chances are much, much lower.

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    4. Bedknobs and Boomsticks
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      If you've got Mutch, then Bojan compliments him nicely

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

        I do, but I feel a cheap striker makes me too rigid with all the 8-9M options that could explode.

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  5. theBoose
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    to go with

    sterling & young
    or
    mata & 5.0

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    1. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I have to find a 4.5 mid to wedge in Sterling so count yourself lucky 😉

      I'd go Sterling + Ireland maybe + 0.5m itb

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      1. Irish Madridista ⭐
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Then use that 0.5 to potentially do Sterling -> 9m for GW2

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

          cheers IM. think i shall do just that. 🙂

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          1. Irish Madridista ⭐
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 4 months ago

            I'm not sure about Ireland, but he could do well if he gets his chance, been playing well in pre season!

            Also that plan leaves you Mata-less which might be dangerous... But every plan has pros and cons! 😀

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  6. Andre W
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Which is better

    A) Luis Dzeko Nasri
    B) Evans Rambo Jovetic

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

      A

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    2. Moe Milan
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      B

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  7. Viktor Burakov
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    How do you upload one of them avatar things?

    Please explain slowly, with pictures if possible.

    I'm not the brightest.

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

      gravatar.com
      follow the instructions

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    2. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      The explanation is here:
      http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/fantasy-football-faq-and-glossary/

      and use gravatar.com

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    3. XhakaCan
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      You can set up an account on gravatar.com (using WordPress), choose a picture and it will appear next to all your posts.

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  8. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Has there actually been a solid source for Palace looking for a left back, or is it just transfer rumour?

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    1. Venom Snake
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      No more questions of uncertainty. Mariappa ftw!!

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      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        😆 Okay! 😉

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  9. Camp No No
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Is there any clarity on Chelsea defence?

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    1. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      GW1:

      Courtois probably

      Azpi/Ivan - Terry - Cahill - Luis

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

        ivan is nailed surely?

        so to answer the question - no! 😀

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        1. Irish Madridista ⭐
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          They all deserve to be nailed on in their own right, I would personally drop Ivan or one of the 2 CBs, if Ivan plays RB ahead of Azpi then I'll be very disappointed in the brand of football Mourinho's going with this year.

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    2. The Missing Link
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Game today should help

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      1. Camp No No
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Guess I'll wait for that. The last three games have not helped at all.

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  10. Messi & fabregas
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Any 4.5 nailed on strikers ?

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    1. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      lol

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      1. Camp No No
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        You mean Ubizayi Lol will start for Burnley? I thought he might be loaned out.

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

        lolkatz

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        1. Irish Madridista ⭐
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          2k14

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    2. HVT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Zamora 4 seasons ago.

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      1. Camp No No
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Great! My team for FPL 2010/2011 is starting to look pretty good.

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

    What would you guys say is the better option?

    A) De Gea and Pieters 10.5m
    B) De Gea and Cameron 10.0m
    C) Begovic and Jones/Evans 10.5m

    I'm very happy with the rest of my team, this is the final touch. Really am torn.

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    1. Messi & fabregas
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      C as it allows u to play a man utd defender each week and u only have to worry about 2 positions in your defense

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      1. Venom Snake
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        +1

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

      C with Evans

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    3. Joggers Nipple
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      C

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    4. pundit of punts
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      A

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

    Any reason why Adrian is being ignored. I heard that West Ham owners want a change of style.
    Is that it?

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  13. Nabs Kebabs
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    A) Sturridge and Arnie

    B) Dzeko and Fabregas

    thinking long term A but B is better for the first few weeks

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

      A

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

      A

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  14. ADucksBehind
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone want to rent a room in South Surrey?

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

      Wow bet thats expensive

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

        350

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  15. Venom Snake
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Okay last question I need settled before I take a long break from FFS!

    Coloccini - vAanholt - Mariappa - Ferdinand.

    Should I drop one for Chester? Or keep as is and shut it off?!

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

      I personally don't like newcastle defense so i would do colo > chester

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    2. TINO TINO GIVE US A WAVE
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I agree with BEP.....we have never been solid at the back so i would drop colo.

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  16. Sting
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Spurs defence GW1...

    Naughton Kaboul Vertonghen Davies

    ?

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

      Highly likely in my eyes

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  17. TINO TINO GIVE US A WAVE
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    BEST £4.5m OPTION FOR MIDFIELD AND DEFENCE??

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

    Pick an option?

    A: Mariappa & 0.5 in bank
    B: Ward

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

      If you have .5m get Ward.

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    2. TINO TINO GIVE US A WAVE
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      marippa aint nailed on so i go with B although a heard something yesterday regarding ward's fitness / injury. keep an eye on that one!

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

        Ward isn't injured - it was just basic FFS trolling. 😉

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  19. Messi & fabregas
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Mata OR Giroud + why?

    Mata feeds RVP + Rooney

    Giroud is fed by all of Arsenal's midfield and is 90.5 cheaper

    thoughts please?

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

      With Champs League playoff games Giroud isn't assured of 90m

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      1. Messi & fabregas
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        sanogo + campell might deputize for the champ league "easy" fixtures

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  20. Jarvis
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Jovetic or Dzeko, based purely on the time they will be given in GW1?

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    1. TINO TINO GIVE US A WAVE
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      probably dzeko.

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

      Dzeko

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  21. Darren Caskey
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Alejandro Faurlin nailed on? Played 68 minutes in their last friendly.

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  22. Albert Cole
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    QPR's defense - who will start?

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    1. TINO TINO GIVE US A WAVE
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      caulker.....ferdinand.....isla......unsure who will play LB although i heard that arry will be playing 3 CB's.

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      1. goneill79
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Isn't it more likely to be

        Rio Caulker Dunne/Hill

        Isla Traore

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        1. Irish Madridista ⭐
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          Yes, this.

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  23. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Will steven Fletcher play as the lone striker for Sunderland?

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    1. TINO TINO GIVE US A WAVE
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      yes if wickham leaves for west ham but i can see wickham being their no 1.

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

      Nope Wickham

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    3. Heydudes13
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      No, will partner Connor Wickham upfront.

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  24. Bambi
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    is anyone concerned of costa's disciplinary record?

    42 yellows in 144 games for Madrid - could hinder his bonus potential and will surely be suspended some points during the season?

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

      the solution - fabregas or hazard

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    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I'll transfer him out if he's suspended.

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      1. Billy Gilmore
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        😯

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        1. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          I know. It's crazy but it might work.

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          1. Billy Gilmore
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 4 months ago

            You rebel, you.

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    3. Proggy
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      😯

      ...I didn't know that.

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    4. XhakaCan
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Yes, and that he could get injured. I'd have to go Costa to Sturridge, which isn't too bad 🙂

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    5. Heydudes13
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      You really are Bambi ya wuss.

      RVP and Rooney aren't exactly no stranger to a yellow card.

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    6. elkunaguero
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      7 yellows last year in 35 games... Rooney had 8 yellow last season...

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  25. Connor's Calling
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    thinking about a new tactic now for the start of the season...

    Basically i always try and start with a balanced team (with nice mixture of mid price defenders etc) - then ALWAYS find it impossible not to knee-jerk to any big hitting midfielders/strikers that start well. Invariably that leads to me d'grading my defense until i have 4/5 under 4.5m!

    SO...how about starting the season massively unbalanced!? Would leave me with 5 bigg-ish hitters in MF and 2 big strikers. I'd then have room to swap among those that start well, while leaving defenders alone.

    Assuming i manage to build team value over the first 2 months, i can then start to look at better defenders?

    Front 7 would potentially be:

    Ramsey Sanchez Fabregas Mata Eriksen
    Rooney Costa

    Thoughts?

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

      Would like to see Sterling and Hazard instead of Sanchez and Fab

      Otherwise looks good

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

      Good tactic I think. Why not, go for it.

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    3. TINO TINO GIVE US A WAVE
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      swap sanchez for sterling and use the £2.0m to upgrade defence!

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    4. danishdynamite
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Cheapo's who get gametime, never mind CS / assists / goals will rise just as much, probably more, than a top (and highly owned) player who scores a brace

      If it's TV you're after, then there are better ways of going about it IMHO

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  26. pundit of punts
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    @Missing Link

    You've got mail.

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    1. The Missing Link
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Will take a look now

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  27. preseasonblues
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Silva & 8.5m forward

    or

    Siggy & Sturridge

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    1. TINO TINO GIVE US A WAVE
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      silva and 8.5.not entirely sure how sturridge will start without luis. i would prob go with either adebeyor or bony up top with silva

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

      Siggy & Sturridge for me.

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

      The latter

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

        cheers guys, think I'm probably going siggy and sturridge - none of the 8.5s appealing enough and no sturridge scares me. Alternative could be Yaya and someone cheap, but will wait to see how he starts the season and then make a move.

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  28. Patty_6000
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Which will be better for the start of the season- 1st 4-5 GWs?

    a) Lamela and Jovetic
    b) Hendo and D Costa?

    Thanks,

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    1. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      a) has more upside.
      b) safer assurance of gametime.

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

      B

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    3. andyinasia
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      B for fixtures - Chelsea as flat track bullies

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  29. Albert Cole
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    4.5 midfielders. I think Faurlin might be worth it. Who else do we have?

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

      Marney

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  30. danishdynamite
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    So it's come down to this: bench one from

    Bojan
    Snodgrass

    ???

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

      Snodgrass.

      However, I'm a Snodgrass owner and I'm playing him.

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    2. TINO TINO GIVE US A WAVE
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      defo play bojan for gw1!!!

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

      Snod

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    4. ttownstokie
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Having made the difficult decision to dump Sanchez and yaya I now have this which I'm now pretty decided on.What do you reckon?

      DDG/MYHILL
      LUIS-,WILSON-,BRUCE-,TAYLOR (SWANS)-,MOORE
      HAZARD-,RAMSEY,-STERLING,-MATA,-IRELAND
      ROONEY-,COSTA, -JUTKIEVWICZ

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    5. danishdynamite
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      thx fellas

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