Podcast
14 August 2014 7186 comments
Mark Mark
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A new beginning. On the eve of a new campaign, two grumpy middle-aged has-beens gather in a studio to recall the summer’s feast of football and look ahead to another Fantasy season, full of hope.

There’s no frills. No live video cast. No special guests. Just Granville and I, stripped back and almost unplugged.

Don’t let that put you off, though. Even with our limited powers we at least attempt to cut through the issues currently rattling around in the minds of Fantasy managers.

We assess the Old Trafford revolution, the world without Suarez and the merits of the three-man strike force. We slice through the current transfer trends and weigh up matters such as the Sigurdsson/Bojan rotation, Fagregas vs Hazard and the Chelsea back four conundrum. We also manage to warm up with a nice little argument about the Alexis Sanchez bandwagon – the traditional pre-season barney.

Be there at the birth via this link, or witness the new dawn via the handy player below.

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

  1. clump39
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    am I ok to go or do I need any changes

    krul
    debuchy P jones loveren
    mata ramsey siggy sterling
    dzeco rooney costa

    Elliot vlar bruce marny

    cheers

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    1. Proggy
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Fantastic team. 🙂

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      1. clump39
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        cheers will see how its goes .good luck

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  2. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Two players that you're afraid to be going without?

    Costa and Ramsey here 😕

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    1. The Gambler.
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Rooney Fabs

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    2. Reedy
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Costa, Hazard

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      1. RD84
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Wow, that is certainly risky 🙂

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        1. Reedy
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          I know! I should add Yaya but most will be without him

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    3. SW6
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Sturridge and Alexis

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    4. Funkyav
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Hazard and sanchez

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    5. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Yaya & Hazard

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      1. An Púca
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        same as that

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    6. The Hound
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Cesc and sanchez

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    7. Mojo Rojo
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Hazard & Ramsey

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    8. gravless
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Rooney & Studge

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    9. awgJose
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Costa & Silva

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    10. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Haz and Sanchez, especially since i had them both in my team up until a couple days ago 😕

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    11. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Sterling and Sturridge

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    12. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Jovetic and Sterling

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    13. rocrocodile
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Sturridge and Fabs.

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  3. JT's Dog
      11 years, 5 months ago

      God I just realised I have never seen good will hunting
      How does that happen when you assume you have seen a film just because it is popular

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      1. Reedy
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Neither have I actually

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        1. JT's Dog
            11 years, 5 months ago

            50 min in on bbc1 and I am hooked

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            1. Reedy
              • 15 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Cheers, I'll catch it from the beginning sometime.

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        2. Pinatta
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Give it a try

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        3. theloveburglar
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          brilliant film just behind dead poets society as williams best imo

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          1. JT's Dog
              11 years, 5 months ago

              I loved him in insomnia
              Not great film but liked him playing darker character

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

          What impact do we think the Shaw injury will have on United's defensive prospects? I am less convinced than I was in them now, they were poor last season, have lost Vidic Ferdinand and Evra, Rafael is injured and they have made no improvements (with Shaw out)

          Secondly, is Ward still a good pick as my only 5.0 defender. Will Palace be less defensive? Who is tipped to be the new manager? Better pick at 5.0 now?

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          1. 1justlookin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Im still going with Ward. Decent fixtures, not much else out there.

            Think im going with Jones. Man utd have great fixtures so I want 1 of their defenders.

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            1. Coaly
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Jones Evans Smalling, Young and whoever ends up playing rwb doesn't exactly
              fill me with confidence, despite their good fixtures

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        5. Ridgewell's scores
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          What's everyone's stand on Palace's def now that Pulis is gone and Moyes is tipped to take over?

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          1. The Gambler.
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Avoid!

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            1. Ridgewell's scores
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              But still, they are a solid team, it's not like they lost their def strength the moment Pulis walked out the door, right?

              Perhaps:
              Ward -> Kelly
              Collocini -> Clyne?

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              1. awgJose
                • 12 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                Kelly should still be a good pick, as long as he starts.

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              2. The Gambler.
                • 16 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                Utd lost a lot more the day Moyes took over!

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                1. Ridgewell's scores
                  • 13 Years
                  11 years, 5 months ago

                  Quite.

                  Well, aforementioned transfers completed. A bit torn though, Ward was perhaps the only player, alongside Rooney, I started this pre-season tinkering with and said I would never transfer out.

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          2. The Hound
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            I'm about to look at replacements!

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          3. Fantasy Gold
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            The Moyes Effect. Relegation beckons.

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          4. Royal5
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Did Ward -> Clyne

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            1. Ridgewell's scores
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Good transfer.

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        6. Reckoner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Have Soton actually got someone lined up to come in and replace Yoshida? Could he get a regular spot until January at least?

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          1. Pinatta
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            You don't know. Koeman wants Vlaar.

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            1. Reckoner
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              So not quite as short-term as Chambers, but could end the same way?

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          2. Somalion
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Florin Gardos has been signed to replace Lovren.

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          3. Tex
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Didn't they sign a Romanian defender today?

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        7. Proggy
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Am I crazy for keeping Ward?

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          1. The Gambler.
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Sweep him out

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          2. Pinatta
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Get Clyne.

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          3. 1justlookin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            No. I am as well.

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        8. Symmondsmark
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Austin or Long

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          1. Pinatta
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Neither.

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          2. Shipstontrev
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Austin, Long doesn't score many.

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          3. Royal5
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Diouf

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          4. Ridgewell's scores
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Bojan

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        9. Parm
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Terry or Cahill folks?

          Mark's comments with regards to Champions League rotation has me worried about Terry's place long term.

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          1. The Gambler.
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Cahill

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          2. SW6
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Cahill

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          3. Fantasy Gold
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Both equally good picks

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

            Terry

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          5. Parm
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Cheers lads, Cahill it is.

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          6. 1justlookin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            In going with Terry?

            you keeping Ward?

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          7. The Hound
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            I think terry may get the odd rest after certain European fixtures. However you could argue Cahill will be rested after internationals whereas terry will be safe. Both decent picks. I want one for ward but I need £££

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          8. Royal5
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            I´m getting both

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            1. Reedy
              • 15 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              good man

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        10. Fantasy Gold
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Any last minute changes guys or are you all set?

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          1. The Gambler.
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            All done. You?

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            1. Fantasy Gold
              • 11 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Yeah set on my front 8 but 1 maybe 2 changes may be made in defence still.

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          2. SW6
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Still tinkering, there's about 7 players that haven't left though. Nearly there.

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          3. Pinatta
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            All set. But can see me change everything based on tomorrow's pressers

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          4. Piggs Boson
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Tempted to remove Kelly... but I think I'm set.

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          5. Reedy
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Yeah...barring any last minute news of Pulis proportions

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          6. Bubz
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Set

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          7. MJ6987
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Depends if Evans is confirmed fit.

            Evans defence:

            Evans Clyne Ward Wisdom Hutton

            No Evans defence:

            Chambers Clyne Ward PVA Chester

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        11. ONSIDE 9
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Anyone got any idea of Jordi Gomez prospects of playing this season, first11 or sub
          Thanks

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          1. DropPointsNotBombs
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Definitely first 11

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            1. ONSIDE 9
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Great thanks, you know if he will he have any set-plays

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          2. The Gambler.
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Great name 🙂

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          3. 1justlookin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Touch and go. It will be between him and Larsson for that 3rd midfield slot.

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            1. ONSIDE 9
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Even with Giacharini out?

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              1. 1justlookin
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                He could play gomez out wide but its more likely that Wickham will play there IMO. Wickham played there for us in the last friendly in a 433 formation.

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                1. ONSIDE 9
                  • 12 Years
                  11 years, 5 months ago

                  Great thanks for the help

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        12. benlw1994
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Bego
          Ferdinand luis debuchy
          barkley sanchez januzaj silva
          costa rooney bojan

          speroni cameron noble vlaar

          yay or nay?

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          1. Pinatta
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Nay.

            Bojan, Luis, Ferdinand, Noble, Vlaar, Januzaj

            All not nailed on first week, injury prone of rotationrisk.

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          2. Method man
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Nay

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          3. Royal5
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            neeeeeeej

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        13. Tibidabo
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Who do you expect will score more? Week 1 only!

          Schürrle or Ramsey

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          1. Bolivian Seaman
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Ramsey

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            1. Reedy
              • 15 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              has to be

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        14. 1justlookin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          I know Bojan has had a defent pre season but has anyone seen much of him in the last couple of years?

          he was the next big thing at Barca but im just wondering how good he actually is?

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          1. The Gambler.
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            2 years of very little to be honest. Could be a Boselli. Worth the risk though imo.

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          2. Bolivian Seaman
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            He only had small cameos, he used to come on for 30 mins. I don't think he's going to be brilliant but he will be good. Austin is safer

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          3. Somalion
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Has big big talent but a very temperamental attitude, didn't make the step up to the national side because of frequent panic attacks about high expectations. Since then he's been on a downward slide.

            As I say though, help comes in the strangest of places. If Stoke can get the best out of him (let's face it, training with the Stoke boys will surely toughen him up) they will have a real gem. I hope for him he gets there but he won't be in my team for now.

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        15. gers23
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Hazard worth the extra money over Fabregas?

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          1. tw
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            yes

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        16. Coaly
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Best 5.0 defender pick now?

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          1. Bubz
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Ward

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            1. Pinatta
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              😆

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            2. Coaly
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Without Pulis?

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              1. Pinatta
                • 14 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                He's jokinggggggg

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                1. Coaly
                  • 13 Years
                  11 years, 5 months ago

                  Don't see anything funny about it ...

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          2. Yome
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Kaboul

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            1. Coaly
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              How many weeks you think he'll play for?

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          3. Shipstontrev
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Clyne

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            1. Coaly
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              New manager lots of new faces, not sure they'll be good at the back initially

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              1. Ridgewell's scores
                • 13 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                Clyne

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        17. Cooper123
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          A) De Gea,
          PVA, (B.Davies, 4.0)

          B) Begovic,
          Clyne, (4.0, 4.0)

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        18. Jimjam
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Naughton or Kaboul as placeholder until Rose/Bavies situation becomes clear?

          Open Controls
          1. Tex
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Avoid in my opinion. But Kaboul is likely to have more chance of sticking.

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        19. The Manbearpig
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          best keeper? price doesn't matter

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          1. MJ6987
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Courtois

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          2. Tex
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Courtois surely but I wouldn't want to use a Chelsea spot on him if it becomes clear that Jose has a back 4 he's sticking to.

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        20. ACCOUNTING ON CHRIS
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Manchester United @ 4/11
          Draw @ 23/10 WBA vs SUN
          Arsenal @ 2/7
          Liverpool @ 4/11
          Manchester City @ 4/6
          QPR @ 8/5
          Tottenham Hotspur @ 11/10
          Draw @ 12/5 LEI vs EVE
          Chelsea @ 2/5
          West Brom @ 5/4

          £1 for £770

          I enjoy playing the mini-lottery every week haha

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          1. Bubz
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Spurs at 11/10?! Having some of that.

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            1. Fantasy Gold
              • 11 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              West Ham always beat Spurs at home.

              Wouldn't touch that game with a barge pole personally.

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              1. Bubz
                • 12 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                I really fancy Tott this year. Like how they look under Poch.

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          2. gravless
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            you'll win 770 quicker if you bet doubles and the occasional treble

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        21. Nicks93
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          How about instead of rotating a 5th mid with a cheap forward, we consider rotating the cheap forward with a 4th defender fkr example going for 3 big defenders and rotate a 4.5 withthe 3rd forward. A combo im really liking at the moment is Austin and Chester

          Watcha guys think ?

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        22. Owd Big 'Ed
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Which 5 million defender are you looking to switch Ward out for following Sir Tony of Pulis' departure?

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          1. tw
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Clyne

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            1. The Hound
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Possibility....

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          2. MJ6987
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Caulker (already had Clyne)

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            1. Willis.
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Really? 5m on a QPR defender? 😆

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              1. Ridgewell's scores
                • 13 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                With an eye for the goal 😉

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        23. copps
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Malky Mackay tipped as favourite for the Palace job. Wouldn't be bad at all if that happened.

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          1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Unless you like Palace.

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          2. Tex
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Iain Moody is already there. Seems too likely they reunite.

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        24. Albert Cole
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Any nailed 4.0 defs rotating well?

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          1. tw
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            hardly any nailed on 4.0 defenders

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          2. Aston Villa-Boas
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            baird/wisdom - hutton

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          3. Shipstontrev
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Hutton and Wisdom

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        25. tw
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          1. best 4.5m defender? already have naylor and pva

          2.
          a) terry + 4.5m defender
          b) luis + clyne

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        26. palalmas
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          What is the percent for this players starting?

          1. Bruce
          2. Moore
          3. Duff
          4. Wisdom
          5. Hutton

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        27. Sanguinista
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Best striker for 6.5 mill or less?

          A. Bojan
          B. Diouf
          C. Austin
          D. Borini (if he moves to Sunderland)
          E. Jelavic

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          1. Chu Young Ping Pong
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Steve Austin

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          2. palalmas
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            A

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          3. tw
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            bojan or austin for me

            followed by long

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          4. The Hound
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Stone cold I hope

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          5. gers23
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Fletcher 😉

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            1. Sanguinista
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              No love for Diouf anyone?

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          6. Root
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            F. Letcher

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        28. Harvey Specter
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          any good 5.0 nailed midfielder?

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          1. The Bandit
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Find .5m and get Young or Mutch

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            1. Harvey Specter
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              I would like to have Young, but I already have 3 United players.. Maybe I'll go for Mutch

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          2. Albert Cole
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            I like Hoilett from the start. Might get a more attacking role with the question mark surrounding Remy.

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            1. Harvey Specter
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              I agree, I think Hoilett can have a good season

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          3. Royal5
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Steven Davis maybe?

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            1. Harvey Specter
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Hmmm... I'll consider it, thanks 🙂

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        29. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          ̶D̶o̶d̶g̶y̶ Top tip for a great start

          Get Aguero and captain him. 😎

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          1. copps
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            i will just never captain him in a DGW ever again 😉

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        30. Albert Cole
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Damn, Hazard a better choice than Fabregas?

          For just GW1:
          a) Fab and Debuchy
          b) Haz and Chambers

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          1. tw
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            if you can afford it imo. unfortunately I can't 🙁

            b.
            will you be WCing gw 2?

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