634x258 Spot the Differential
10 December 2011 689 comments
Big Dunc Big Dunc
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As we continue our countdown to gameweek fifteen, it’s time to take another look at the players that can make a difference on a budget. The Scout Selection Committee has been locked in debate and out of it comes another set of ‘Differential’ picks.

Even our friends at Paddy Power seem to agree with our selection this week, with two of our picks making the top five most likely to score list. I’ve been confident before of course. In fact I’m confident every Saturday morning, it’s Saturday afternoons that are the problem….

Danny Welbeck

Man United’s injury list just keeps on growing and with Nemanja Vidic and Javier Hernandez also ruled out this week, Ferguson has been rightfully cautious in easing Danny Welbeck back into the side. After starting on the bench against Basle on Wednesday however, the young England star is expected to lineup against Wolves this weekend, and priced at just 6.6 in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, with a great run of fixtures coming up, he looks like an outstanding Fantasy prospect.

Last week’s injury to Javier Hernandez is expected to rule out the Mexican until the New Year, meaning that Welbeck may only be an option for four or five games, but with favourable opponents in those matches and the January wildcard offering a ready-made exit strategy, he’s well worth considering as a short term punt. Welbeck’s current ownership of just 2.3% makes him a huge differential if your rivals are still clinging onto Rooney, and at just over half the price, that extra cash could be a key factor in the run up to Christmas.

Craig Bellamy

The issue with Craig Bellamy has always been his game time, and although his ability to complete 90-minutes is still a concern, it appears that Bellamy has now shrugged off his ‘super-sub’ label and has been picking up some regular starts. Ignoring the Man City game that he withdrew from at the last minute, Bellamy has now started Liverpool’s last three games and even made the starting lineup against Fulham on Monday, despite Carroll and Suarez also taking their place on the teamsheet.

If he can keep his run of starts going then Bellamy’s Fantasy potential is obvious; his pace and movement clearly suits Liverpool’s style of play and is always a threat when coming inside from a wide position.

Back in the 09/10 season, when he last played consistently in the Premier League, Bellamy picked up 10 goals and 10 assists – perhaps a bit low by Van Persie’s standards, but still excellent returns for a mid-priced striker. Priced at 7.4 and owned by just 0.5% of all managers in the FPL game, Bellamy has the potential to provide some strong differential returns over the next few weeks, starting with profitable fixture this weekend at home to QPR.

James Morrison

One that has perhaps gone unnoticed in recent weeks is Scottish International James Morrison. The tricky winger has been in great form and although his recent FPL scores are average at best, he’s been the biggest threat of any West Brom midfielder in recent weeks, and his performance statistics suggest he could be in line for some decent returns now that fixtures are easing up.

Zoltan Gera’s season ending knee injury has also seen Graeme Dorrans emerge as a differential option, but it is still unclear whether Hodgson will switch back to a front two of Peter Odemwingie and Shane Long. Morrison is also very capable of playing the support striker role if needed so with him looking more assured of starts he seems the better option right now. At 5.3 and ownership of 0.4% he looks decent value over the long term, and with Wigan and Blackburn up next, it could be a great time to take a punt.

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689 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Gregor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Bearing in mind i've also got Bale and Adebayor, should I be looking to change VDV for Mata/Adam/Nani this week or stick with the Dutchman?

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    1. JoeySamSam
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Mata or Nani

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    2. Forest4Life
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Go to Nani/ Mata

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    3. Hannibal Jack
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Finally changed my name.. there is only 1 Ali Dia!
      As for VDV, you have stuck with him throughout the period he was injured and there is no sense in transferring him out now. Stick with him this GW and monitor Nani's performance tonight.

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      1. Gregor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        Haha, cheers mate! I may well stick with VDV, can't say i'm expecting much from him this weekend but would be nice to have two freebies next week.

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  2. JoeySamSam
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Would Ramsey > Lennon be a good transfer?

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    1. andres
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      If for free, yes

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      1. Gregor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        I would keep Ramsey this week and have two transfers next time.

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    2. Lincos
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      get lennon.. huge differential

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  3. BD948
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Hows this looking?

    Vorm
    Jones. Brown. Simpson
    Silva. VdV. Sess. Sinclair
    Rooney. RVP(C). Ba

    Subs: Ruddy, Walters, McAuley, Wilkinson

    I have 2 FT and .1m in bank

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    1. living the dream
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      McAuley in for Simpson for me.

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      1. Lincos
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        Simpson's better..

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        1. living the dream
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 25 days ago

          Norwich will score

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          1. Lincos
            • 16 Years
            14 years, 25 days ago

            nope

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            1. living the dream
              • 15 Years
              14 years, 25 days ago

              Yes

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              1. Lincos
                • 16 Years
                14 years, 25 days ago

                flip a coin

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                1. living the dream
                  • 15 Years
                  14 years, 25 days ago

                  I think Newcastle will be alot weaker at the back without S Taylor.

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    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      I would play McAuley over Simpson.

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    3. Bsal
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      i think norwich will score buh playing rtaylor for his attacking potential

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  4. Lincos
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Kewell nearly scored lol.. tried to chip the keeper

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  5. Orion
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Who to play, moses or dyer?

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    1. kennethrhcp
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      i think i read on here that some ppl think dyer will be benched this week? dunno how true it is, but if he's a doubt start moses

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  6. iCon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Subs in right order and how's about a little points prediction; I'm reckoning 55

    Vorm

    McAuley Verm Naylor

    VDV Bale Silva Walters

    RVP(c) Ade Yak

    Krul Eagles Brown Wilko

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    1. Forest4Life
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Im going Eagles over Walters. Start Brown over Taylor

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      1. iCon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        Eagles/Walters is a toss of a coin

        Convinced Blackburn will score; they've done so in every other away game, so don't see the might of Sun keeping them out

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    2. gravless
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      2
      2 2 2
      1 2 2 2
      5(10) 9 2

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      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        hey katie.. you a swans fan i'm assuming.. what's the situation with caulker? he gettin a start anytime soon?

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        1. gravless
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 25 days ago

          Should be today - if he's 100%

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          1. Valar(Keith)
            • 16 Years
            14 years, 25 days ago

            woohoo.. Richards to Caulker.. leaves me exactly enough for walters to mata:).. infact i did it last night:)

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            1. The Finnisher
              • 14 Years
              14 years, 25 days ago

              Just because Katie says it doesn't mean it's true.

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              1. Valar(Keith)
                • 16 Years
                14 years, 25 days ago

                it's a well researched punt.. swansea forums suggest he could start too

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      2. iCon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        Jeez, wouldn't fancy you marking any exams I ever did!

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    3. Indalo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      61 🙂

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  7. Milkman
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Any Benders news guys?

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    1. Lincos
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      yeah he's rubbish

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      1. gravless
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        +1

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      2. Dave Bauer
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        +1

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      3. Milkman
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        Ha. Yer I know, regretting ever getting him in. How he thinks he's the best striker in the world I will never know. Thinking of the Yak but he could well have shot his load!

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  8. Indalo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Start R.Taylor or Brown (already have yak upfront though) ??

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    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Brown, you can't expect all your players to do well.

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    2. Bsal
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      rtaylor obvious though he will concede he is v good going forward n with his fk..brown way too rubbish n will concede

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  9. Fernando Torres
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Team Coverage

    United(Jones + Nani)
    City(Silva)
    Spurs(BAE, Bale, Ade)
    Arsenal (Vermaele + RVP)
    Chelsea(none)
    Liverpool(Enrique)

    What do people think, any good?

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    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Pretty good. Get Strurridge.

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      1. Fernando Torres
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        my strike force is ba rvp ade. IMO ba is better than sturridge

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        1. Bsal
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 25 days ago

          +1

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  10. Animals & Scandals
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Opinions on this team?

    Vorm
    Kompany/Enrique/Jones (R.Taylor, Brown)
    Silva/Bale/N.Dyer/Eagles (Ferguson)
    RVP(C)/Rooney/Adebayor

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    1. Fernando Torres
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      poor midfield, good strike force, decent defence

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  11. Jake Donahue
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Any news on Bale?

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  12. GodFowler
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Ba or Welbeck?? Will be shipping Sturridge for either

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    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Keep Sturridge. He'll fancy it against his old team.

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    2. living the dream
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Yeah i wouldnt get rid of Sturridge.

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  13. Dave Bauer
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Did Adebayor to Ba.

    Yeah that's right, you're not seeing tings.

    Brrrrap.

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    1. udit
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      I did it too, 😕 are we both crazy? or maybe... geniuses.

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      1. Christina.
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        Dep when you bought him, you will prob pay 500k more by the time you want him again. Which might be next week vs SUN.

        😯

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  14. JoeySamSam
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Is Drenthe > Sinclair a good transfer??

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  15. doulikeit
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    good idea or bad

    aguero & ramsey > welbeck & nani??

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    1. JoeySamSam
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      as long as youve got other city attacking coverage then go for it

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  16. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Best chance for a clean sheet for 4.5 this week?

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    1. The Finnisher
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      One of Swansea's defenders.

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      1. Christina.
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        -1

        TWO swans def

        😀

        *BZ not playing

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        1. The Finnisher
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 25 days ago

          Vorm and Naylor ftw.

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          1. Christina.
            • 15 Years
            14 years, 25 days ago

            jip

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      2. gravless
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        -1

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        1. The Finnisher
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 25 days ago

          You said that against Villa too..

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    2. living the dream
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Evans?

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      1. kennethrhcp
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        +1

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    3. orangepeel
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      McAuley? (give you .5m too.)

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    4. nadman89
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      johnny evans

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  17. rasher
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    is a 4 point hit to get ba in for bendtner worth it?prob doing the transfer next week but he may not play

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Hello Pro FPL manager 🙂
      What rank are you atm?

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      1. rasher
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        hello TM.. haha you dont wanna know.. around 200k shocking!

        weirdly enough im still up near the top in all leagues.. like 3rd,4th etc

        had a terrible start

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        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 25 days ago

          I am around the 200K mark also. 🙁

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          1. rasher
            • 16 Years
            14 years, 25 days ago

            dunno whats goin on this year i think alot of people have been lucky

            by xmas we'll tear up those rankings with the quick gameweeks!

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          2. Cornelius
            • 16 Years
            14 years, 25 days ago

            So TM, one league finishes so what's next? The GW15 Only for Players Who Joined Between November 1st and November 3rd League?

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  18. wodka
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    My forwards are: RVP / Ade / Aguero. 1 FT

    Was thinking Aguero ->Ba? Yes or no?

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  19. adams_6
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    I've just listed to the podcast and feel honoured. I was that poor fella with the two missed pens (Lampard and Larsson) and 3 injuries (Chico, S Taylor and Given) last week that Granville mentioned.

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    1. Blue Moon Rising
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Can i have your autograph?

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    2. udit
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      OMG, you got mentioned!!!you sir are knighted, arise sir adamshero.

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      1. adams_6
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        Alright, alright, enough with the piss taking! hahahaha Deserved.

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  20. Blue Moon Rising
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Sturridge to Ba?

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      If you want. I wouldn't though.

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  21. He Kane He Saw He Conquered
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Ohara or Dyer to start ???

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  22. Incorrigible Brat
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    if u had the choice to start afresh now
    who are the players u would pick??

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      I wouldn't change a thing.

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      1. Incorrigible Brat
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        suppose u made a new team??

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        1. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 25 days ago

          Nah, still got my wildcard, but I'm pretty happy with it at the moment.

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    2. The Finnisher
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      I'd get in Schwarzer and Smalling for my defence, wouldn't change my front 8 except maybe Dyer > Gower as bench fodder.

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      1. The Finnisher
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        Oh and probably Stephen Kelly.
        Double up on Swansea/Fulham defence rotation

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  23. orangepeel
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    So the little mexican has to go...
    Hernandez > ? (Got about 10m. Other strikers are Sturridge & RVP.)

    Adabyor or a take a "Long" shot this week. Gerrit? Sorry.
    Have got 2 transfers available so could go: Hern > Ade. Sturridge > Long (maybe just for a week)?

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    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Ba? Yak? Wellbeck?

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    2. The Finnisher
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Why get rid of Sturridge?
      Hernandez > Adebayor.

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      1. orangepeel
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 25 days ago

        It was only going to be for a week. They've (Chelsea) got City and Long (WBA) have Wigan at home. Just think Long is nailed on to start and has a v.good change of bagging and bonus' today.

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    3. orangepeel
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Really wanted to stick Long in but looking now at:
      RVP Ade & Wellbeck.

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  24. scarlet
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Ladies and Gents,

    I have Sturridge atm but I am tempted to switch to Ba or Welbeck for least 3 GWs and maybe through til the January WC. Would cost me 4 points.

    Shall i hold fire or take the plunge?

    Thoughts?

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    1. Christina.
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Crazy. Wigan(a) then 3 at home.

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    2. Qubit
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      I would hold myself. Sturridge has been peppering the goal lately and should continue to do well. Ba should do well, but you will want Sturridge back in 3-4 wks. Not so sure that ba will outscore Sturridge, he goes to Wigan next week and is a captaincy option for me. Ba's fixtures are tempting though i agree!

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    3. eder123
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Studge is always a threat mate...and he has been scoring regularly, stick with him...Wigan next GW

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  25. Taarabt
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    is Bale fit for the weekend?

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  26. JoeySamSam
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Who to bench out of:
    Larsson - Silva - Bale - Ramsey - Sinclair
    Balotelli - RVP - Adebayor

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    1. Forest4Life
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Ramsey

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    2. adams_6
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      The crazy man. Prob won't start?

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  27. Hannibal Jack
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Richards looks likely to miss the game against Chelsea but am starting him anyway, so in case he does n't make it,who among Shawcross and Simpson should come first in the subs order?

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  28. Billy Ketsu
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Pilkman > Nani. Done.

    Sayonara Pilky and thanks for the cream.

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  29. adams_6
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    Right then, Kompany dropped to bench replaced with N Taylor? I don't feel right sticking a 6 Mill defender as a sub.

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  30. eder123
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 25 days ago

    RVP, Rooney or Bale for captain?

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    1. Forest4Life
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      Bale = Serious differential. Risky though

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    2. wayne3004
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 25 days ago

      I've gone Rooney. Everton defence > Wolves defence, plus can see Arsenal being another 1-1 and Fergie will demand a performance.

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