Podcast

Meet the Manager #3 – Will Thomas

4 October 2018 1996 comments
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Will Thomas is among Fantasy Football’s rare polymaths, with the ability to excel in two different formats, Fantasy Premier League and Sky Fantasy Football.

In FPL he has five top 10,000 finishes including overall ranks of 753 and 82, while on Sky he has breached the top 100 on four occasions.

But as Will explains in our latest Meet the Manager video interview, juggling two different formats can have its pitfalls as well as its advantages.

He chats to me about his strategies for success and how to achieve a top finish. We also look back on his 2017/18 campaign, in which hedging his picks across two formats cost him dearly in FPL.

In addition, he reveals how Sky’s patient approach, due to limited transfers, as well as its focus on fixtures with multiple captaincy selections allowed, has helped Will to excel across most of his FPL career.

Will’s views on the current season also prove illuminating, including why managers need to take advantage of an unusually high number of budget gems this term.

He also reveals why he is shunning Harry Kane and is instead pinning his hopes for success on another, far cheaper, striker.

With a current FPL rank of 26,711, he looks to be already on his way to another strong season.

The chat with Will is available to view on Youtube here and in the embedded video below.

The first Meet the Manager video, featuring Triggerlips can be viewed here, while the second, featuring Philman, can be seen here.

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1,996 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
    • 17 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Deciding between Mitro or Arnie is one where you could spent an entire week deciding and still not reach any logical conclusion. Think Mitro's sheer amount of shots probably edges it. Arnie won't take pens either?

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    1. FP El Wonky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I just solved that problem.
      I know have them both.
      Oh happy dayz

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      1. COYS Down Under
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        This is the answer. Both good fixture runs, both great value.

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    2. A.T
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I'm getting both. Problem solved.

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      1. A.T
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Someone has already said this

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    3. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      id also worry about Arnie carrying that knock. Look again when his fixtures go sweet in a few weeks id suggest, as i will as a Mitro owner on WC last week with Kun/Kane

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      1. ted mcnure
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        I did Arni to Mitro last week and I wish I hadn't. King to Arni for me soon. Basically I want both.

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    4. Rage Against The Raheem
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      As others have said, having both of them is a good option.

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    5. panda07
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I'm planning on getting both but if I had to pick I'd go Arnie

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      1. A.T
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Yes I think Arnie is best too

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    6. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 17 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I agree with what you all say , I'd love both but unfortunately it leaves me with no Mendy route 🙁

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      1. FP El Wonky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        That sucks. Arnie then, but only marginally, and if he breaks down, a quick swap to mitro should be a good option.

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  2. jamesterz23
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    I’ve got to bench one of
    A: Doherty (cry)
    B: Wan B (WOL)
    C: robbo (MCI)

    Please help

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    1. Merlinsnose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      C

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  3. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Hennessey Hamer
    Alonso Shaw Doherty Robertson AWB
    Salah Hazard Dilva Fraser Höjberg
    Aguero Mitro Jimenez
    2ft. 0,2 itb.
    Dilva&Aguero to Maddison&Kane(C) and GTG?

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  4. panda07
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Who to bench?

    A) Robertson (MCI)
    B) Fraser (wat)
    C) AWB (WOL)

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    1. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      A

      City will score

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      1. ted mcnure
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        I am agree

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  5. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Ings -> Jiminez (FT)

    Or too sideways?

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    1. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      id hang on to that free over the international break itll be gold dust

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    2. panda07
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I'd rather save the FT than do that

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  6. noquarternt
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Why is Man U at home a red fixture for Chelsea?

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    1. COYS Down Under
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Because the colours are very... basic. And I don't think they get updated over the season to reflect performance?

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      1. Play Pal
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        I remember they certainly got updated to reflect performance the year Leicester won the league. Chelsea went from red to blue fixture and Leicester the reverse.

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    2. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      😆 True bill!

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    3. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      You talking FPL site or season ticker? You know you can tweak the ticker.

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  7. timawflowers
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Aguero and sterling out for kane and maddison, yay or nay

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    1. A.T
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Only if you bring them back next week

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      1. timawflowers
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Planning on it

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        1. A.T
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Then I say do it.

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  8. mabz1303
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Should I do WC?

    Ederson
    Trippier Alonso Robertson Wan-B (Cedric)
    Mane Moura Salah (Gibbs, Stephens)
    Mitrovic Aguero Zaha

    TO

    Sterling Richarlison Hazard
    Kane Arnautovic

    (and keep the rest as same)

    Thanks

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    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      No.

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  9. #FPLBhuna
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Gtg?

    henny
    alonso - pva - doherty
    hazard - fraser - moura - richarlison
    kane(c) - mitrovic - vardy

    hamer - awb - robertson - guendouzi

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    1. COYS Down Under
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      GTG but I'd be putting Robbo first on the bench.

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      1. #FPLBhuna
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Yeap I was thinking the same

        Thanks

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      2. ted mcnure
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        ditto, or even starting over pva what with Henessey..

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  10. George James
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Will Kane rise tonight?

    On 68 % on both fpl stats and fix

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    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Unlikely

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      1. A.T
        • 16 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Not much of a guru you.

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        1. #FPLBhuna
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 10 months ago

          Whereas you certainly live upto your name

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    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      No

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    3. MTPockets
      7 years, 10 months ago

      huh? no

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  11. DeathoftheParty
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Still struggling with picking 3 from 5... A strong headache to have I imagine.

    AWB (WOL)
    Doherty (cpl)
    Hughes (BOU)
    Wilson (wat)
    Zaha (WOL)

    Cheers guys, much appreciated.

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    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Cde
      Attacker’s all day every day

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      1. ted mcnure
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Correct

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    2. COYS Down Under
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Loads of people with similar dilemmas.

      I'd go Doherty, Wilson, Zaha.

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    3. MTPockets
      7 years, 10 months ago

      last 3

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  12. tabby98
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Mitrovic or Arnie?

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    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Arnold

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    2. MTPockets
      7 years, 10 months ago

      mitrovic

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    3. ted mcnure
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      See above, Both.

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  13. Eddie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    De Bruyne at £9.7 still a little too pricey or a bit of a bargain?

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    1. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      as soon as he makes a start and gets an hour then he is in the mix for me

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    2. A.T
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      He's underpriced by 0.3

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    3. Rage Against The Raheem
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Bargain! Once he is fit and back into form he is a great option. price will go up quick once he starts getting points.

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    4. noquarternt
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      If City start spanking teams 5-0 again, bargain.

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    5. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Struggling to squeeze him into a team with Haz, Salah and Kun though.

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      1. ted mcnure
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        I'm more interested in Sterling over Kun..

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  14. awgJose
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Start one:
    A) Robertson (MCI)
    B) Wan-Bissaka (WOL)

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    1. Optic1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      B.

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    2. Belalugozi78
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Play better player...it is Robertson

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    3. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Im benching both but B has more chance of cs

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  15. Optic1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    What about this WC for next week?

    Fabianski
    TAA Doherty Holebas
    Salah Hazard Sterling Maddison
    Aguero Mitrovic Jiminez

    Hamer Duffy Wan-Biss 4.5

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    1. COYS Down Under
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Holebas is the only bad pick for me, on 4 YC so I'd avoid taking that risk with you on a WC.

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      1. Optic1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Problem is, for 4.9 he's the only real option. Duffy could cover a 1 game ban easy. Cheers

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  16. HD7
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Current team:

    De Gea
    Walker Robbo WanB Alonso
    Hazard Richa Mane Fraser
    Zaha Aguero

    Subs: Hamer, Tomkins, Hughes, Kamara

    Around GW12 team: (for-8)

    Dubravka
    TAA Robbo Alonso Duffy
    Hazard Richa Salah Maddison
    Arnie Aguero

    Subs: Hamer, WanB, Hughes, Kamara

    Good plan?

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  17. Eze Really?
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Best hot topic for a while.
    The luck involved in FPL.
    It mus be brought forward for more discussion

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    1. noquarternt
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I just assumed it was well known. The margins are so small in football with upsets occurring fairly often. Not like rugby or other games.

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  18. BellyKlopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    thoughts on this WC team?
    Hart
    Alonso, Trippier, AWB, TAA
    Hazard, Mane, Sterling, Maddison, Fraser
    Aguero

    Ryan, Ings, Bennett, Kamara. 0.5 itb

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    1. jamesterz23
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Maybe get be a bit midfield heavy i would downgrade mane and get a decent striker in

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  19. markieffm
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Salah and Joselu out

    a) Neves and Kane in
    b) Lamela and Arney in
    c) Son and Lacazette in
    d) None of the above

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    1. jamesterz23
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Just dump Joselu keep salah

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      1. markieffm
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Struggling with Salah... Tempting to even ship him out for Mane and Joselu for Jiminez

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  20. Origi-nal
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Any one week punts to make here before I WC GW9? 1FT 0.1ITB.

    Patricio (Hamer)
    Walker TAA Luiz (Wan B Holebas)
    Sterling Salah Walcott Maddison (Stephens)
    Aguero Zaha (King)

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    1. markieffm
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Change Salah to Mane and Hamer to a keeper that plays like Hennessey?

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      1. Origi-nal
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        I'll look to replace Hamer on the WC, trying to avoid a -4.

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    2. Pooodle
      • 17 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Salah or Sterling to Hazard

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    3. jamesterz23
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      JB Gudmundsson home to Huddersfield not the most exciting but should be in the points I reckon

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    4. Eddie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Salah to Haz.

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  21. Pooodle
    • 17 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Would you play Hennessey this week or Patrício?

    Also playing AWB.

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    1. markieffm
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Pat

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  22. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Vardy or Lacazette, is the decision that is bugging me

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    1. Ghost Gooner
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Vardy

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    2. jamesterz23
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Vardy

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    3. markieffm
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Tough one. Both good games. Probably Lac because he has 3 decent games in a row

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  23. jamesterz23
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Is my team gtg?

    Hart
    Alonso WanB Doherty Holebas
    Haz (c) Salah Richarlison Fraser
    Aguero Mitro

    Pat Robbo Wilson Billing

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    1. Ginola14
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Yep

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  24. fr3d
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Don’t own Kane. Hazard the sensible captain? Or Maddison/Trippier for fun?

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    1. jamesterz23
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      I’m captaining haz in the same position

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    2. markieffm
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Haz captain for me

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    3. fr3d
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Cheers. It’s just that Haz often blanks away from home...

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      1. Ziyech on the Bench
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        Has previous stats do not matter, he is a different player under Sarri and frankly should have had 2 goals last week

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  25. Kane Train
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Thoughts

    Patricio
    Alonso / Holebas / Trippier
    Salah / Fraser / Lucas / Hazard
    Mitrovic / Aguero / Wilson

    Bench: Hamer, AWB, Bennett, Billing

    A) Aguero > Kane
    B) Wilson > Arnie/Murray
    C) Lucas > Richarlison/Madison
    D) Save FT

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    1. Old Wulfrunian
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      a

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  26. tabby98
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Bench one:
    A) Walcott
    B) Pedro
    C) Fraser

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    1. Ginola14
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      Pedro

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  27. Ginola14
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Thoughts on kun + Mendy to
    Kane + taa for free, would give me robbo mane taa for their good fixtures?
    Thanks

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  28. Old Wulfrunian
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Which one do you prefer to own?
    a)Kane+Hazard+King
    b)Kane+Maddison+Aguero

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    1. markieffm
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 10 months ago

      B

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      1. Old Wulfrunian
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 10 months ago

        thanks

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  29. Ziyech on the Bench
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Evening lads, G2G? 1FT 0.8 ITB

    Ryan

    Alonso, Bellerin, Trippier / AWB, Bennett

    Hazard (c), Salah, Richarlison, Maddison, Fraser

    Aguero, Zaha / Success

    Thanks guys!

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  30. markieffm
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 10 months ago

    Only got Tripper as Spurs coverage... Seems like a risk to me....

    Ederson
    AWB Alonso Trip TAA
    Salah Fraser Haz Richarl
    Aguero Zaha

    Hamer Bennet Joselu Hoj

    Thoughts?

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