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The Numbers Game – 2014/15 Review – Stoke City

22 July 2015 2453 comments
James H James H
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Following a successful first season at the Britannia for Mark Hughes, in which he guided Stoke to a ninth-place finish, expectations were high as the Potters headed into the 2014/15 campaign. The former Blackburn boss continued his side’s evolution, bringing in the likes of Bojan Krkic from Barcelona and Victor Moses on a season-long loan from Chelsea, while Phil Bardsley and Mame Biram Diouf added physicality at both ends of the pitch. That balance of style and substance ultimately proved successful, with Stoke finishing in ninth place once again.

In this members article, we will take an in-depth look at Hughes’ second season in charge, analysing the main goal threats and creators and comparing the numbers from the 2013/14 and 2014/15 campaigns under the Welshman.

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  1. Debauchy
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    @ Demi - Interested to know - how many players you have in your high rollers league ?

    Can you disclose ?

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    1. Demí
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      11 who've paid i think, and a few spots waiting for people who are about to. So pretty much filled now i think

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      1. Debauchy
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks Demi. Just wondering . See a lotta guys showing interest and then how many actually come through.

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        1. Debauchy
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 5 months ago

          No top of the page cringe, best place to be

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  2. Eden Hazardous
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    How can one change his username?

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Top right corner

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      1. Eden Hazardous
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks

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  3. Boydinho
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Bamford vs Murray... what do you guys think? how will be first choice over the entire season?

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    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Neither .

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      1. Boydinho
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        then who?

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        1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 5 months ago

          Both will get plenty of chances

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          1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
            • 15 Years
            10 years, 5 months ago

            and if Murray leaves someone else will get a chance this is Bamford's first year at the highest level . no way he plays every game

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    2. QPR expects... glory!
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Bournemouth bid £3.5m for Murray last weekend. I think he's on the way out

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      1. Boydinho
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        okey, missed that

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  4. dadolce
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    What do people make of this? 3-4-3

    Adrian/Guzan

    Clyne/Alderweireld/Bassong/Mings/Cedric

    Hazard/Sterling/Schneiderlin/Clasie/Sigurdsson

    Costa/Mitrovic/Kane

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    1. HamezMace
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Schneiderlin, Clasie, Mitrovic, Cedric and Guzan are poor picks in my opinion

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      1. Yes Don
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Guzan isn't too bad. Rest I concur with.

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        1. HamezMace
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 5 months ago

          Villa can't defend, and Sherwood is a more attack minded coach than Lambert was, so it's not going to get better for them, predict Villa to struggle big time this year.

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          1. Yes Don
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            10 years, 5 months ago

            Fair enough, friend. I'm hoping they surprise.

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            1. HamezMace
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              are you a fan?

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      2. dadolce
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Guzan's just so I can rotate with Adrian. Not a good idea?

        Was worried about Schneid + Mitro getting play time, but though Cedric was solid?

        Clasie is more optimism on my part... Do people not rate him?

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        1. HamezMace
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 5 months ago

          Schnierdlin and Clasie are both going to play deeper in midfield, good players in real life, but not FPL.

          Mitrovic is a young player, new to PL, and moving to a struggling team, could be a surprise but I think unlikely to be an instant starter/goal scorer.

          Cedric doesn't have good stats for FPL either.

          Guzan, essentially it's your call, but as I said, Villa are not good defensively, and Sherwood isn't the coach to improve that, expect more save points than CS

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          1. dadolce
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 5 months ago

            Good points, thanks. Kinda confirms my suspicions.

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        2. Huddersfield
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 5 months ago

          I do , drop the I the E and add S

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  5. Jonny Sutt
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    A) shaw
    B) valencia

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    1. NOMONEY
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      nope

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    2. HamezMace
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      A. if he can nail down the spot, and I think he should

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  6. icywrists23
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    caz rambo or ozil.....

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    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Caz

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  7. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    What was the name of the poster who had a Woy/Lukaku grav?

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    1. Demí
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Watchu talking about Willis?

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      1. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Did he use to troll Daily Mail comments?

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        1. Jafooli
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 5 months ago

          *or she

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  8. gtf
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Best 4.5 midfielder?

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    1. Sverdet
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Fletcher is a safe option with low ownership.

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    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Wanyama?

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    3. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Wanyama/Fletcher
      Bentaleb

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  9. passdpuck
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Guzan / Hamer
    Clyne / Mert / O'shea / Morgan /Baker
    Fab / Depay / Walcott / Sterling / Hendo
    Costa / Benteke / Deeny

    If I downgrade one of the 9.0 mids to a 4.5 in GW3 or possibly later, I can upgrade Benteke to Aguero (given that the player prices will not have changed).

    That's probably unlikely to workout, but my other option is downgrading a mid to 4.5 then upgrading Costa to Aguero. I'd be able to use the remainder on mid and defence upgrades.

    Thoughts?

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    1. ORIGINAL FIRMZ
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      risky not playing with Hazard.

      are you sure the players prices won't increase?

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      1. passdpuck
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        That pretty much what option B was accounting for. The players will likely increase and screw up my plan for costa and aguero, so I would end up upgrading Costa to Aguero. From there, I could get Hazard back on my squad.

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  10. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    A) Azpil, Cedric

    B) Clyne, Mert

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    1. Gríma Wormtongue
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      A

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  11. Sverdet
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Kasper (Henne)
    Darmain, oshea, cedric (Williams, targett)
    Fabregas, wally, chadli, silva
    Rooney, costa, sakho

    Rate out of 10 and why. Considering changig silva with sterling and save 1.0 but not sure were to spend it

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    1. Eden Hazardous
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      6/10 cos my dispay name

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    2. sargonthelegend
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      I think you need to upgrade your mid and def. Good forward line but too expensive. 6

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    3. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Darmian is second choice . Source LVG .

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      1. sinik
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Darmian will not end up being second choice come Spurs, not a chance in hell IMO. This is just LVG doing right by his starting RB from last season and not ditching him in one swoop.

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  12. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Please RMT, all comments will be noted

    Schmeic Butland
    Ivan Yoshida Mert Richards O'Shea
    Haz Milner Walcott Bolasie Wanyama
    Roo Costa Wilson

    0.5 ITB

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    1. Yes Don
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      very good. Think there are better players @4.5 than O Shea

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    2. HamezMace
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Yoshida and O'Shea are risky picks

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  13. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    So do we think Mata is going to be more or less nailed on? I guess it still depends on whether Di Maria goes but even if he stays, Mata should play most games?

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    1. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      At the moment it looks that way. He's doing well in pre-season and playing in what appears to be closer to their A team. Also, LVG is the type of manager to ease new signings in until they have adapted to his philosophy, which would give Mata the edge over any signings like Pedro.

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      1. Debauchy
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Sully - are you a MU man ( think so ) hope your'e right

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        1. sully29
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 5 months ago

          Yep, I am.

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          1. Debauchy
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 5 months ago

            Thanks bud

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    2. QPR expects... glory!
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Should be. But with UTD in ECL this year we may see some tinkering before/after Premier League games...

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    3. Debauchy
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Too good to be on the bench imo. Not a MU supporter , but he seems a more essential player in their set up than when at Chelsea. I will take his end of season form and run with it , regardless

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

    Rating and suggestions for my team:

    Hamer - Rudd
    Bellerin - Azpilicueta - Clyne - Targett - Baker
    Walcott - Wanamaya - Depay - Yaya - Hazard
    Costa - Benteke - Deeney

    I think it's nearly there. Not sure about the keepers. Whether Deeney is a good choice. Or downgrade defenders.

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    1. sargonthelegend
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Also forgot to add i've used all my funds. 0 in the bank.

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    2. HamezMace
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Neither keeper will play, neither will Targett or Baker

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    3. ORIGINAL FIRMZ
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      I'd get rid of Yaya Toure - personally don't think he will get many goals. Especially with Sterling coming. I'd swap Benteke for Lukaku.

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  15. Demí
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Cheers for the replies R.E. Aarons on the last page. I hope he stays injury free, unlike last season. Could be a great fpl player if starting regularly, in a clicking Newcastle side.

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  16. Punty
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    How are we feeling regarding Arsenal-mids? Ramsey too risky, better to go safe with Cazorla or Ozil?
    Team as of now is this.. maybe too weak defense? Thanks!

    Cech
    Ivanovic Coates Morgan
    Fabregas Ramsey Milner Cabaye
    Aguero Rooney Sakho

    Rudd Wanyama Bassong Mings

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

      Theo.

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      1. Punty
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Want him of course but where do I find 0.5m extra?

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        1. icywrists23
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 5 months ago

          downgrade milner or cabaye

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      2. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        This

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    2. icywrists23
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Honestly I'm going with 2 arsenal mids and I was thinking the whole time I'm going with 2 8.5 mids. But I think Walcott is a good mid to pair with if you're going with another 8.5 as hes an OOP player and a proven big time goal scorer.

      Out of the 8.5 mids I really don't know who I'm going with but I have Cazorla as of now. I had Rambo before

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      1. Punty
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Looks like I have to redo my team to make room for Walcott, cheers

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        1. icywrists23
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 5 months ago

          I just realized 5 minutes ago I was going to select Walcott. Lol I was against him before and never thought of adding him to my squad.

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    3. QPR expects... glory!
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Ozil amongst their 8.5's. But a few weeks in won't you be tempted to pony up for Sanchez?

      Downgrade Ivan to Azpi to upgrade one of the 4.5's if you're intent on having a Chelsea defender

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    4. ORIGINAL FIRMZ
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Cabaye is going to be playing very deep. and i am always worried about a team with no hazard. other than that looks good.

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  17. Kip
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Can i get some feedback on this merry bunch?
    I feel like my MF is a bit light, but i think i feel more comfortable with a heavy frontline so i can easily get my hands on the early cheap striker bandwagons. I consider Bacuna as a punt but will assess in preseason. Needless to say that whole of this goes in the bin should kun be fit to start in gw1.

    Panti Hennessy
    Azpi Skrtel Toby Bacuna Saylor
    Yaya Wally Mané Ritchie Wanyama
    Costa Rooney Lukaku

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    1. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Purely due to fixtuers after GW1 I'd downgrade Lukaku but I guess you're using him to downgrade after GW1.
      Not keen on the Toby pick at this stage.
      Otherwise sound but different.

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      1. Kip
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Thx for the feedback Gnu

        Lukaku=> deeney/wilson/other cheap scoring striker is the preffered move for gw1 indeed.

        I think toby would have stayed at soton if he wasnt gatanteed a place in the first 11. Great value imo.

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  18. icywrists23
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Depay>Walcott?

    Yes or No?

    Also, how do you think Walcott fits on the team when Sanchez comes back.

    BTW, When is Sanchez returning?

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  19. Tarzan
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Please suggest improvements for my team
    Butland - Myhill
    Ivanovic-mert-cedric-morgan-baker
    Hazard - Walcott - yaya toure-Ritchie - anya
    Rooney - deeney-kane

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    1. Kip
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Solid team.

      Personally i'd prefer skrtel over mert

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  20. Gríma Wormtongue
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    A) Cedric or Jenkinson + Sunderland 4.5 + 4.0

    or

    B) Angella + Sunderland 4.5 + Norwich 4.5

    ??????

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  21. whoracle
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Guys, help me with this one

    A) Ivanovic, Chadli, Tekkers

    or

    B) Azpi, Hendo/Milner, Kane

    ? 😀

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    1. HamezMace
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      A

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  22. Gazpilicueta
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    I've had a busy day, and now I've settled down into my favorite chair, with a nice drink.

    come on team, just make it one step better for me and tell me about the decent 4.0 Defender (s) that I can put into my team, which we didnt know about yesterday.

    oh and ps, any football streaming tonight?

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  23. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    My little adventure without Hazard in my team has already come to an end and he is safely back in the heart of my midfield.

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      you've abandonded me Bubz 🙁

      what's it looking like

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

        Well, it's only if I chose to start the season without Costa. If I do have Costa, I'll probably end up with Fab.

        Hazard-Walcott-Sterling-Mane
        Benteke-Rooney-Wilson

        It's essentially Costa+Fab vs Benteke+Haz. I realised that I don't know if I'm even that keen on having double Chelsea attack. I imagine the game vs City to be a low scoring affair and wba away the week after wont be a walk in the park either. After talking to a Swansea fan they convinced me that the game vs Chelsea will be nothing like the 2 last year as well.

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        1. JK - Cønt ⭐
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 5 months ago

          That's true

          I just see Costa as an easy route to Kun

          I assume Rooney will be your route there?

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

            I can see myself wildcarding early and getting Kun then tbh, but if not, yeah it will probably be some kind of Sterling downgrade and Rooney upgrade. But if theyre both performing I might not want rid of them

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            1. JK - Cønt ⭐
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              and that is the problem with no Costa

              you'll want Kun GW4 if he's fit.

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

                But that begs the question, why bother owning Costa for just 3 fixtures that aren't even that good. May as well start with a striker with a better first 3 fixtures with money ITB or something if thats the plan.

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    2. The 12th Man
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Mine too,

      Pantillimon/ Hennessey

      Azpi, Koscielny, Williams/ Huth rotating, Taggert

      Hazard, Sterling, Walcott, Richie, Fletcher

      Rooney, Benteke, Sakho

      Thought about Fabregas and upgrading Richie to Depay but gone back .

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    3. Kip
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      he is bound to go down in value imo. 2 blanks and the mass will sell.

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

        I had Hazard last season start to finish, he went down in value after blanking at the start, but I just kept him and reaped the rewards of his upturn in points

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        1. Kip
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 5 months ago

          Everything is a bit different with the early WC imo

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  24. Punty
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Am I crazy to go without Costa and Kane? Two most owned forwards.. my front line is Aguero Rooney Sakho as of now..

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    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Template

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    2. icywrists23
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      thats a good front line though

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  25. Yam-es
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Afternoon folks, just thinking about cash flow - Is it worth holding 0.5 back to ease early season transfers?

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    1. ORIGINAL FIRMZ
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      this

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  26. timPgoodwin
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone know why King (Leicester) is rated so highly on SGP and season projection? Above others in same price bracket - Wanyama etc ...

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Better fixtures & it's close for the season.

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      1. timPgoodwin
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Just seems strange, he played just 1300+ mins in 14/15 but shown as 2600+ on Projection, is that because of the departure of Cambiasso? Injury?

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  27. DavidFFC
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Excuse ignorance, but why is Aguero considered a doubt to start the season?

    FPL have him flagged as 'Lack of match fitness - 50% chance of playing' but he's been in the Copa America. Are we worried he'll be rested/eased back in?

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  28. icywrists23
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Just updated my team RMT

    what should I change?

    Myhill
    PVA-Huth-Azpil
    Walcott-Hazard-Ritchie-Cazorla(Not sure which Arsenal 8.5 to go with)
    Costa-Rooney-Sakho

    Hennesey-Francis-Targett-Wanyama

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      I'd leave it until Man Utds next game.

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  29. Gazpilicueta
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    I'm consider a midfield with Hazard, Fabregas, Walcott, and Cazorla....

    does anything have an opinion?

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    1. Punty
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      No that is what makes us humans unique

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    2. icywrists23
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Very strong. What will your front 3 be?

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      1. Gazpilicueta
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Maybe Rooney, Pelle Deeney

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        1. timPgoodwin
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 5 months ago

          Snap!

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  30. sinik
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    let's get the fun rumors flowing:

    @arturpetrosyan 3h3 hours ago
    Hearing #MUFC are about to sign Ronaldo back. Reaching Top 4 will be an even harder task for #LFC then.Will probably challenge #MCFC for it.

    I can't wait for September 1st..season under way and signings all done and rumors dead for 3-4 months.

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