Suspensions
17 December 2011 1953 comments
Anorak Anorak
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With the Christmas programme effectively now underway and games coming thick and fast, so too are the unwelcome cards and suspensions. All the more reason then to keep an eye on the Opta stats available in the members’ area and the new suspension tightrope at the bottom of the sidebar.

With said tightrope already showing the cards from today, you’ll find 2 names now missing from the list; Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross and Newcastle’s Yohan Cabaye, who both picked up their fifth yellow cards of the season for fouls committed in games against Wolves and Swansea respectively; they will sit out the midweek fixtures of gameweek 17.

As if the trip to the Etihad for Tony Pulis’ men could get any more difficult, they’ll now have to take on league leaders Manchester City without their influential skipper, and the omens are not good as the last time Shawcross was missing in the league for Stoke, they were thrashed 5-0 at Bolton. Meanwhile, Newcastle’s resources will again be tested by Cabaye’s absence. Already without Guthrie (injured) and Gosling (suspended), Alan Pardew will be glad of Cheick Tiote’s return today to shore things up, but he’ll need to field his fourth different midfield pair in four games when West Brom are the visitors to St James’ Park on Wednesday.

As always on the Suspension Tightrope, there is a constant stream of new faces eager to backfill where others have left, and this week it’s the turn of Nigel Reo-Coker (Bolton), Danny Murphy (Fulham), Kyle Naughton (Norwich) and Paul Scharner (WBA) to take up their places, each earning their fourth yellow card of the season for ‘unsporting behaviour’ in the games today. Martin Jol especially will be sweating over the availability of his Fulham quartet over the Christmas period.

GAMEWEEK 17 BANS

  • David Wheater (Bolton) – 1 Red for serious foul play (Last of 4 matches)
  • Jay Spearing (Liverpool) – 1 Red for serious foul play (Last of 3 matches)
  • Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle) – 5 Yellows (1 match)
  • Dan Gosling (Newcastle) – 1 Red for serious foul play (Second of 3 matches)
  • Ryan Shawcross (Stoke) – 5 Yellows (1 match)

SUSPENSION TIGHTROPE

  • Alex Song (Arsenal)
  • Stiliyan Petrov (Aston Villa)
  • Míchel Salgado (Blackburn)
  • Nigel Reo-Coker (Bolton)
  • Paul Robinson (Bolton)
  • Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
  • Raul Meireles (Chelsea)
  • Ramires (Chelsea)
  • Moussa Dembélé (Fulham)
  • Brede Hangeland (Fulham)
  • Danny Murphy (Fulham)
  • Steve Sidwell (Fulham)
  • Kyle Naughton (Norwich)
  • Glenn Whelan (Stoke)
  • Scott Parker (Tottenham)
  • Steven Reid (West Brom)
  • Paul Scharner (West Brom)

Anorak Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana. Follow them on Twitter

  1. isacki: full casual
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Damn did you see that? Raylor was 99% to a price rise despite his injury two hours ago. Sometime between now and then FPL flagged him doubtful and now he's dropped back to 98% and definitely won't make it. I wanted to sell him!!

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    1. Portsmouth Bubblejet
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      He was as high as 103% earlier on today. As soon as he didn't appear in the Newcastle line-up, his price started to plummet.

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    2. AD331
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Me too, still will. only held out because if he'd risen once more would have gained 0.1 on him for one last time, got him back when he was at 4. Oh well wasn't to be 😀

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    3. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Ah he's been falling for most of today then. Hmmm, well, might as well sell him anyway, can't sniff at 0.7 profit but I'm greedy.

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  2. tos10000
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Who do you think will take over from SAF when he retires? I know there's no talk of it yet really, but surely within the next couple of years his health will have to take priority.

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    1. Huckleberry
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      "Mourinho has long been considered to be among the frontrunners to replace Ferguson, 69, when he retires."

      Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2057913/Sir-Alex-Ferguson-unique-says-Jose-Mourinho.html#ixzz1gqavvvkj

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    2. Gargamel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      No idea, but I think there is a huge risk for a long period with few trophies whoever takes over.

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    3. AP
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Me.

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    4. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Steve Kean

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      1. tos10000
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        I fancy moyes.

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    5. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      What if he's actually pretty healthy and can go on, and on, and on, and on until he carks it in the dugout?

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    6. Shakey
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      I think Guardiola might fancy it.

      I'm not sure if Mourinho would want to follow Lord Ferg, it'd be too big a risk for him.

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      1. isacki: full casual
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        The reason I think Mourinho will never follow Ferguson is that I see him as an incredibly short-termist manager. Since his reign at Chelsea he's been a 1 or 2 season man. I don't think he is a long-term builder like SAF but rather someone who gets the absolute maximum out of whomever he can buy at the minute. And Chelsea were stagnating a bit towards the end of his reign, I didn't see them winning the CL - it wasn't like they were on a long path to glory.

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        1. Shakey
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          Managing 3 clubs in 6 years means more £££ than managing one club in 6 years.

          Mourinho goes somewhere, wins stuff, then moves on. He could be a good long-term manager, but I doubt we'd ever find out.

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          1. isacki: full casual
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            Yeah, that's his modus operandi and he profits extremely well from it. His 3-4 years in charge of Chelsea are the longest spell of his career though (the rest are 2 years, and I bet the current one will end at the same mark!) and that gives us our only pointers. And I think he demonstrated little long-term thinking, I can't name any youth team players that came through then or now (wasn't Sturridge from City?). And if he wants to follow SAF, long-term thinking is a must.

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  3. Crouch Potato!
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Bp predictions for Stoke game?

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  4. Dave1966
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Any transfers you guys can recommend for my squad advice would be appreciated:

    Vorm, Ruddy
    R Taylor, Kompany, Enrique, Evans, Ekotto
    VDV, Ramsey, Silva, B Johnson, Nani
    RVP, Sturridge, Ba

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    1. The Holy One
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      If possible I would try to save your transfer this week.

      Remember the last two seasons how much canellations there has been so unless you have injuries I wouldn't do anything.

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      1. Dave1966
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Yea might just do that. Got to start thinking of next game week already with games on tuesday.

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  5. tos10000
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Who take over from SAF when he retires? I know there's no talk yet, but surely sometime soon.

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    1. AP
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Still me.

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      1. tos10000
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        My bad. My iPad is playing up.

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  6. beslowbowler
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Strange seeing so many big hitters and early season favourites in the red on FISO. Richards, Ramsey, Aguero, VDV and Agbonlahor all likely to drop tonight. Goes to show that price changes are so volatile this season.

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    1. AD331
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Way too volatile, people are even selling RVP now! Madness 😀

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      1. beslowbowler
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Wow. Just saw that. He's -48%.

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    2. The Holy One
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Aguero? Weird.

      I guess it's people switching him to Rooney.

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    3. tos10000
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Agbonlahor was always going to be a flash in the pan. Temporary form, not permanent class.

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    4. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Just form innit. Dunno if it's in FPL's interest to keep prices so volatile, the reason for it is that the number of transfers required to rise no longer doubles/triples with after the first/second rise so 0.2 and 0.3 changes in a week are easily possible.

      Expect Ba's price to crash and Sturridge to soar after today.

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  7. isacki: full casual
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Price changes happening earlier than 3am again tonight? 2.30am? Been early recently hasn't it.

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  8. isacki: full casual
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Fancy Swansea to repeat their away CS heroics at Everton next week?

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    1. The Holy One
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      No. Drenthe to win the Dutch duel!

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    2. McTown
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      I have vorm and howard and not sure who to play. Might play vorm, having him on the bench bit me in the arse yesterday...

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    3. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      I can well see Vorm keeping Everton out particularly as they can barely score anyway.

      But just in case Everton finally wake up, yes, I just brought in Drenthe.

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  9. McTown
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Vorm (Howard)

    Jones, Enrique, Kompany (Simpson, Gabbidon)

    Silva, Nani, Bale, Walters (Dyer)

    RVP, Adebayor, Ba

    0.2 spare, 2 ft

    Any suggestions? unsure what my next move is. Any decent replacement for gabbidon and dyer?

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    1. Kick Some Goals
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Shotton, Gower would be the two I'd suggest.

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      1. McTown
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        i like shotton, due his oop-ness. And gower seems a natural swap for dyer. Might just leave gabbidon as no good 4.0 replacements and his price aint going anywhere.

        How does Ba to sturridge in gw 18 as new have bad fixtures sound?

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        1. Kick Some Goals
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          That's what I'm planning to do.

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    2. Fabreghastly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      I' currently planning to switch Dyer to Moses. I think the Swans luck will run out so I bought Shotton but Caulker looks a good bencher at 3.9.

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  10. Dynamic
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Would you do these transfers this week?

    Baines -> Assou Ekotto
    Jones -> Gabbidon/Shotton
    Adebayor -> Rooney

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    1. Kick Some Goals
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Me rikey.

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    2. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Clearly you're waiting after the United match it looks like you're getting rid of two well-scoring players (Jones and Ade) for a potentially low-scoring defender and a forward on dodgy FPL form.

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  11. Bsal
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    vorm
    vermalean baines staylor (barnett bae)
    nani bale brunt sinclair ( etherington)
    rvp fletcher sturridge

    i have 2.4 m in the bank n 1ft.. thinking of
    a)etherington-charlie adam
    b)sinclair/etherington-drenthe
    any other suggestions?

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    1. Bsal
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      or i can even do barnett to kompany

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  12. Can you believe that
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Think i am going to be Ko this week out off the ppc,should have played vorm and captain Nani,a well shit happens

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    1. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah. Hindsight is 20/20, tis only a game, no one saw Vorm's CS coming (apart from Katie), and you don't know how Nani is gonna do yet...

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    2. Back to Back Ballacks
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      I need Adam and richards to outscore ade suarez silva ramsey and vermaelen to survive!
      See you on Channel 5 thursday night 🙂

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      1. Can you believe that
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        lol,A little bit of tevez out the door.A little bit of vidic on the floor.A little bit of nasri on the side.A little bit of rooney shooting wide.A little bit of mario having a laugh...A little bit of nani on his arse....Ladies and Gentleman--This is Channel Number FIVE!!

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        1. THE SQUARE ONE
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          glol

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        2. Back to Back Ballacks
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          LOL!!! 🙂

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  13. Djerbil
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    ok looking at the double free transfer:

    Kompany-> Simpson
    Dyer-> Drenthe....

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    1. Kick Some Goals
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      But... but... everyone said all week that Drenthe was the worst transfer ever!

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  14. Dave1966
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Is Royston Drenthe likely to start most games on the bench. Its a shame if he does he looks some player when he came on against Norwich he had about five shots at goal.

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    1. The Holy One
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Reminds me of Adam Johnson..

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    2. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      It's mental, how much of a clue does Moyes need. "mins: 20 assists: 1". It's like he's on some kind of bet to play the crappest midfield available to him given his squad.

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    3. Fabreghastly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      He has scored or assisted in most of the games he's played. Everton need to turn things around and the fans really want him in there so I think he will start on Wendesday

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  15. NATSTER
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Price Changes | Sun 18 Dec .. Recently happened about 2:30 am

    + Nani, Sinclair

    - Rangel ; Ramsey, Milner, VDV ; A.Johnson, Stracqualursi, Hoilett, Torres, Anelka, Aguero

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    1. Kick Some Goals
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Time for a VDV double methinks.

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    2. McTown
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      one good thing about my vdv - nani trade. If i had waited till now i couldnt have afforded to do it!

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    3. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Looks like 2.30am is the new time.
      Also, it takes a good couple of minutes to update and in the meantime you see wrong figures. Team value sometimes lags behind, and just now I looked at price rises and I'm sure there was +0.1 for only Nani, but it's now updated to include Sinclair.

      BTW YESSSS just missed Ramsey's fall, got him out at 2:29 knowing it would be early!!

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      1. NATSTER
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Yes, it seems 2:30am is the new time for price change, but team value will be updated about 30 minutes later.. Btw, in the last week, I was lucky in price but not point. So frustrating.. 😕

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        1. isacki: full casual
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          What happened Natt? Mata?

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          1. NATSTER
            • 15 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            Basically Ba (c).. I couldn't tolerate the sound of mass and my fear and went with Ba. If Ade got anything tomorrow, it would cost me a lot.

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            1. isacki: full casual
              • 14 Years
              14 years, 1 month ago

              Yeah it must hurt. Least tons of people got affected, not least our writer Granville lo! And you still have Ade so you'll still get points from him! Imagine people who went Ade > Ba... you didn't get Mata for this GW either did you? So you can be glad you didn't do that...

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              1. NATSTER
                • 15 Years
                14 years, 1 month ago

                No, Mata has been in my team for a while.. A bit disappointed to see him subbed off early again. 🙁 Btw, for his first EPL season, he seems to be a player who performed at home only.

                Price wise, I can sell him and make profit. As VDV price fell down to 9.9m again, I can now afford a direct swap of Mata > VDV. But I don't think the timing is right. I'm waiting to see Spurs game.

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                1. isacki: full casual
                  • 14 Years
                  14 years, 1 month ago

                  Yeah people were talking about Mata's away record before the match - 2 assists away - and he's still stuck there for now. He's got a much better record at home. You're right though the timing isn't right to do Mata > VDV. In fact I'd strongly urge you not to do it unless you are confident he is fully fit and he gets lots of chances tomorrow. I got rid of him last week for Nani because I was convinced Spurs play has switched to the flanks (Bale, Lennon, BAE, Walker) and also that he has a chronic hamstring problem that will give you nice 1 pointers again and again. At least with Mata he seems fit and will play 90 most matches, plus he has great fixtures and much of Chelsea's play does go through him.

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                  1. NATSTER
                    • 15 Years
                    14 years, 1 month ago

                    Thanks for advice.. 🙂 I plan to keep him, Mata, at least for Gw18-19 when they will be at home.. Then, I might swap him with VDV (if his hammy, form, and etc. are ok) for Spurs' DGW on Gw20.

                    But Chelsea actually will have a run of good fixtures during that period too. Alternative route to VDV is Silva but the lose of value will be too much and I might be unable to afford him back. Umm.. I might consider Nani instead.

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  16. Zep
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    For anyone else who captained Sturridge, it's looking likely he'll get 2bps since he has the 2nd best index score behind Gomez and just ahead of McCarthy... I'd be very happy with that...

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    1. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Same here, 2*2BPs looks really good. Was worried when Wigan equalized if they'd nick the BPs but I can't really complain given Wigan might actually have played better and most other Chelsea players had shockers. Mata wasn't in the game, I don't actually remember anything of Lampard apart from him temporarily going off and Sturridge scoring!

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      1. Zep
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        I see you have a tasty 6pts coming in from 3rd sub... nice one, but somewhat fortuitous... 😉

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        1. isacki: full casual
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          I was the first to admit my luck lol, I showed utter contempt to the Swansea away defence but was left with only them playing for the second time this season. Last time it happened was away at Anfield, unbelievable. 25-26 lucky points right there.

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          1. isacki: full casual
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            Only played Vorm because my keeper was injured :S

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  17. LarkyTown
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Froch getting his arse handed to him on a plate

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  18. isacki: full casual
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    It is done. Just before his price fell.

    Ramsey > Drenthe

    Gamble... hope Moyes takes his head out of the sand and stops subbing him on for a guy who's played cack all match.

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  19. Ivor
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    If someone racks up 5 yellows and a suspension, do they just need another 5 to get their next ban or does it reset to zero (i.e. they'd need another 10)?

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    1. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Eh?
      I understand you get a 1 match suspension per 5 yellow cards with an extra game's suspension added on every time you get suspended.

      So 1 match for 5 cards, 2 for 10, 3 for 15, and apparently you have to go to some special meeting if you get 20. lol.

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      1. Ivor
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Ah right, seems like I was just over-complicating the whole thing! Cheers. Wonder how those special meetings tend to go down..

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        1. isacki: full casual
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          "Alright Shawcross?"
          "'Alright."
          "Alright Cattermole?"
          "Alright."
          "Feel free to get yourself some coffee or something. Your personal mugs are over there."

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          1. Zep
            • 15 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            ":-)"

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            1. Zep
              • 15 Years
              14 years, 1 month ago

              Fail

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              1. isacki: full casual
                • 14 Years
                14 years, 1 month ago

                🙂

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    2. Zep
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      As I understand it, after a player accrues 5 yellows they get a one match ban, when they return if they accrue another 5 yellows it will be a two match ban... however the yellow card counts get reset on New Years day regardless of how close players are to reaching 10...

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      1. isacki: full casual
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Oh it's done annually not on a season basis! Bizarre...

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        1. Ivor
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          Actually, I think it is season-based but it just so happens that the date is New years day. At the start of the season I imagine everyone would reset to zero.

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  20. isacki: full casual
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Surely Drenthe has to start more given what he's doing on the pitch relative to what the starters aren't doing.

    Held off him all the way to now have just jumped on the Drenthe bandwagon because I think he's fit and playing again, he's got a DGW and he's also well more dangerous than Aaron Ramsey.

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    1. NATSTER
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      If he could get back as regular starter, he is a good shout for DGW.. 🙂

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      1. isacki: full casual
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah I'm hoping Moyes sees sense and permanently starts him. In the coming 4 GWs he has 4 good GWs and 1 hard one (Spurs) but I can definitely see Spurs conceding!

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  21. halnone
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    why the f*ck did I bring in Mata? chelsea look shite. I don't want to play him at spurs.

    I hate whoever told me to get Mata over Dempsey this week.
    need to listen to my own thoughts!!

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    1. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      It's a marathon mate. Yeah Dempsey was in the Scout Picks and hit gold this week but you know what? It's easier for the Scout Picks to be right than your own team because they don't have to worry about transfers. They cherry-pick the best 11+3 players from the best fixtures each week, the teams can be completely different week to week. Dempsey has absolutely awful fixtures (MUN, che, nor, ARS) while Mata has a pretty good run (tot, FUL, AVL, wol). By GW20 I'm really sure you'll have made more on Mata than Dempsey.

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    2. Ryan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Definitely. The guy is extremely overated on here as a FPL prospect. Would rather have Nani or a big hitting striker over him any day. He doesn't even play 90 minutes every week and people say he will get more game time because he doesn't get rotated! I would rather have a player that has the occasional rest and use the bench than have Mata

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      1. The Finnisher
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        🙄 look at his stats.. I'd rather him and Ba/Sturridge over Eagles, Ben Arfa or Gower (or all 3) and Rooney that's for f*cking sure. Still top 3 for goals/assists per minute.
        People on here are so fickle it's god damn ridiculous..

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        1. Ryan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          Reserve your judgement till wazza rooney plays. At least I captained him

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          1. The Finnisher
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            My judgement still stays the same, 1 week doesn't change everything ffs.

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            1. Ryan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              14 years, 1 month ago

              Granted. But he does appear to be a 60 minute player. For that reason I would rather get a big name striker or VDV instead

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              1. The Finnisher
                • 14 Years
                14 years, 1 month ago

                60 minute player, VDV?
                Mata has played over 80 minutes 5 out of his last 7 games, in VDV's last 7 he has started he has completed over 80 minutes 3/7...sooo...?

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                1. Ryan
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 14 Years
                  14 years, 1 month ago

                  VDV was injured so that is not a fair comparison at all

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                  1. The Finnisher
                    • 14 Years
                    14 years, 1 month ago

                    He wasn't injured between GW6-12 which is where I looked at the stats, I'm not that biased.

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                  2. Ryan
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • Has Moderation Rights
                    • 14 Years
                    14 years, 1 month ago

                    Good observation and I must say it appears Mata has gradually been getting more game time. Still he can't really be described as explosive. VDV only needs 60-70mins to get big scores

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        2. The Finnisher
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          Oh and just btw, last 10 weeks;
          Mata - 55
          Nani - 45
          😕

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          1. Ryan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            I am aware of the stats but we shall see how that might change over the next couple of weeks. United are at the start of a good run and appear to be hitting form.

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            1. The Finnisher
              • 14 Years
              14 years, 1 month ago

              Well you can't say he is overrated when he has been outscoring the likes of Silva and Nani for 10 weeks now..

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              1. Ryan
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 14 Years
                14 years, 1 month ago

                You have to read the situation. United were all defensive because of the City result. You are correct in comparing him to Silver but not Nani given the context of United's situation. Besides its not like many people are looking to get rid of Silver

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                1. The Finnisher
                  • 14 Years
                  14 years, 1 month ago

                  You have to read the situation also, Nani always has been inconsistent, in FPL and real life...
                  Mata has been sacrificed early on more than one occasion, and missed the start of the season..?

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                  1. Ryan
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • Has Moderation Rights
                    • 14 Years
                    14 years, 1 month ago

                    I am just saying because last week it was between Nani and Mata for a lot of people. Nani would have been a safe bet because it appears he was coming into form for United. He is also a more explosive player. Granted Mata didn't play much earlier in the season and he may yet turn out the way Silver did last season. I just wouldn't bank on it that is all

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                  2. The Finnisher
                    • 14 Years
                    14 years, 1 month ago

                    Well, I think everyone knows Nani is a better choice than Mata, but I don't think he is overrated..

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                  3. Ryan
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • Has Moderation Rights
                    • 14 Years
                    14 years, 1 month ago

                    I would have Silver ahead of him too. Plus Rooney 😉 but I understand the Mata, Ba vs Rooney, eagles etc 😕 debate

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        3. Ryan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          Also I would rather a guy who plays 90 mins every time he plays and has the odd rest. Than have a chelsea player who plays 60 mins every game

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          1. The Finnisher
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            Okay, and who is this mystery man who plays 90 minutes every game?
            Because you sure don't have him..

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            1. Ryan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              14 years, 1 month ago

              easy not. I am not saying I have a perfect team at all, it is far from in I know. Just saying given the choice I would not get Mata but would rather go for another big name player. Just look at the season points, he doesn't have that many to warrant so much attention

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              1. The Finnisher
                • 14 Years
                14 years, 1 month ago

                Well for one, he missed out on a start for the first 3-4 weeks, plus the fact it's his first season in the premier league and he's only just been showing signs of fully settling in the past few weeks, much quick than David Silva did last season.
                Just because you wouldn't pick him doesn't mean he is massively overrated...

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                1. Ryan
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 14 Years
                  14 years, 1 month ago

                  As a FPL player not a football player. He is all class as a football player don't get me wrong. FPL wise he is still a risk imo

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                  1. The Finnisher
                    • 14 Years
                    14 years, 1 month ago

                    All I am saying is you can't call him overrated when he has been getting good points for the past 10 weeks

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                2. udit
                  • 15 Years
                  14 years, 1 month ago

                  he is overrated as a fpl prospect, not that capable of hauling in the big points like vdv or nani, would much rather get vdv or nani, as far as him settling down is concerned, he's an awesome player but shouldn't comparisons to silva be futile from an fpl perspective?

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                  1. The Finnisher
                    • 14 Years
                    14 years, 1 month ago

                    How? He has outscored Silva and Nani for the past 10 GW's...?
                    And, i'll have you know, he has scored 17, more than VDV and Silva's peak this season..

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                  2. udit
                    • 15 Years
                    14 years, 1 month ago

                    once, jack, as ryan said, read the situation surely nani wouldn't get many points in 1-0 's can he? and look at vdv , last 10 gw's points 61, minutes 616 mata , points 58 minutes 821, more than 200 minutes more.

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                  3. The Finnisher
                    • 14 Years
                    14 years, 1 month ago

                    Again, how does that mean he is overrated?
                    Still up there (and above VDV in both) in assists/goals per minute and goal involvement with Nani and Silva

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                  4. The Finnisher
                    • 14 Years
                    14 years, 1 month ago

                    btw, I am not trying to compare him with the Nani/Silva's etc, all I am saying is he is hardly overrated..there is no stats that can back that up.

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                  5. udit
                    • 15 Years
                    14 years, 1 month ago

                    not from a player perspective, he's an awesome player not even from a fpl perspective, but i'd rather have nani and vdv then him. just my opinion.

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                  6. The Finnisher
                    • 14 Years
                    14 years, 1 month ago

                    I'd rather have Silva, Nani, and Bale above him also, not VDV until he can string a few games together and prove he's nailed on, especially with Bale and Adebayor bringing in the Spurs points.

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                  7. udit
                    • 15 Years
                    14 years, 1 month ago

                    he isn't overrated tbh, i agree, (maybe just to end this debate 😉 ) but he's not as good as nani or vdv from an fpl perspective

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                  8. The Finnisher
                    • 14 Years
                    14 years, 1 month ago

                    When VDV is fit and playing all the time, that is 😉

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            2. Kick Some Goals
              • 14 Years
              14 years, 1 month ago

              Fired up much today Jack? 😉

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              1. isacki: full casual
                • 14 Years
                14 years, 1 month ago

                Loves a good debate 😉

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              2. The Finnisher
                • 14 Years
                14 years, 1 month ago

                👿
                haha, just have to defend my man Mata.

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                1. Ryan
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 14 Years
                  14 years, 1 month ago

                  especially as you captained him 😉

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                  1. The Finnisher
                    • 14 Years
                    14 years, 1 month ago

                    Haha that would give me more reason to diss that bar steward would it not? 🙁

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                  2. isacki: full casual
                    • 14 Years
                    14 years, 1 month ago

                    To be brutally honest, no offence, but most player debates on here come down to two different owners standing up for their players - I've done it tons of times too - it's understandable because clearly you brought them in because you thought they were the best. End of the day only the stats will talk at the end of the season, you can compare notes later... 😀

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                  3. The Finnisher
                    • 14 Years
                    14 years, 1 month ago

                    + billions, well said.
                    There is no right or wrong as anyone can have their day and make someone look a fool.

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                  4. Ryan
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • Has Moderation Rights
                    • 14 Years
                    14 years, 1 month ago

                    I must say Jack I shall be extremely humbled if United fail me tonight. I have 3 of them 😕

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                  5. The Finnisher
                    • 14 Years
                    14 years, 1 month ago

                    I'd be surprised if Rooney didn't get a goal or 2 to be honest, good luck man!

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                2. Kick Some Goals
                  • 14 Years
                  14 years, 1 month ago

                  Fair call - though the captaincy fail wouldn't have anything to do with it, would it?

                  (Don't worry, yours still outscored mine).

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                  1. The Finnisher
                    • 14 Years
                    14 years, 1 month ago

                    Mwahaha, Ba can fail me midweek, but I gave it to Mata this weekend to let me down.
                    I can't be mad at him after that 34 pointer he gave me, average of 20 when I've captained him, that's the way I'll look at it 😀

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                3. NATSTER
                  • 15 Years
                  14 years, 1 month ago

                  I like the look of Mata in EPL and also have him in FPL. The fact that AVB had often subbed him off for whatever reason is really annoying for me.. 🙁

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                  1. The Finnisher
                    • 14 Years
                    14 years, 1 month ago

                    You'd think he'd have learnt by seeing Mancini do it with Silva, twice.
                    Possession player > Solid defender, especially when that 'solid defender' is Mikel.

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                  2. isacki: full casual
                    • 14 Years
                    14 years, 1 month ago

                    AVB made a tactical error, simple as, I reckon. He took the lead and immediately gave the initiative to Wigan by going defensive with that waste of space Mikel. No longer under any sort of pressure, they unexpectedly attacked in waves and scored. It's similar to when Man City lost a 2-0 lead to Fulham when they took Silva and some other attacking player off.

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                  3. NATSTER
                    • 15 Years
                    14 years, 1 month ago

                    Well reasoning.. I hope AVB learned that very quick and immediately adjusted his substitute habits with Mata. Barca well prove keeping possession could be more effective than physical strength in the game.

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                  4. isacki: full casual
                    • 14 Years
                    14 years, 1 month ago

                    Yep Natt Barca is the classic example... you cannot lose a match if you always have the ball. When in the lead, Barca often appear to be doing nothing with the ball, just moving it sideways or back to Busquets, but that's the point, they're actually defending in the best way possible. And they're also waiting for you to try too hard to win the ball back and open up a hole in your defence.

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  22. gravless
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Love reading your gripes boys.

    Makes me laugh no end - honest.......

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  23. udit
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Errr.... sick of jags, was thinking jags -> caulker this week, and on thursday, ba->morison and sess->nani , in time for gw 18 and 19 ? good plan?

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    1. udit
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      anyone?

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    2. The Finnisher
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Like it, Nani for WIG/BLA, good plan

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  24. Billy Ketsu
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 1 month ago

    Poor old Moyes seems to be slowly turning into Gollum. Looks more like it every time I see him on MOTD.

    So, what about Drenthe? Looked lively yesterday, but then again a crate of oranges would have looked lively in that Everton team. I think I might have a dabble as he rotates nicely with homeboy Walters.
    Hmmmm.....

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    1. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Actually you're right about Moyes > Gollum... uncanny... sunken eyes, lives in Mordor... OK my LOTR knowledge is failing me here.

      Just did Ramsey > Drenthe. I cannot understand how Moyes can keep bringing him on as sub when everyone around he looks w*nk.

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      1. udit
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        gollum wants it..... he needs it....... give the precious( transfer to a better club)

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      2. Kick Some Goals
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Could be onto something there. Would explain why he refuses to play Drenthe - clearly he think he's a hobbit.

        And we all know that Gollum hateses the hobbitses...

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      3. Billy Ketsu
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Well, he has been injured so I imagine they want to bring him back carefully and not risk aggravating it. Hopefully he'll start against Swansea, although that'll probably be 0-0, given the way things are going for SuperVorm's lot.

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        1. UnderstandablyDistraught
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          What your sense of his place in that team now

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        2. isacki: full casual
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah, who are rivals for Drenthe's position anyway?
          Bilya?

          I think you're right, the only thing keeping him from playing is injury doubts and recovery.

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    2. Fabreghastly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Do you reckon he'll a) get bps and b) start on Wednesday?

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    3. Fabreghastly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Oh, and do you think Drenthe playing will limit Baines' attacking potential?
      Maybe that's why Moyes is reluctant to play him

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      1. isacki: full casual
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Oh I see, Baines will be a more orthodox LB with Drenthe playing LW in front of him?
        Interesting suggestion, but the other option is possible - they could combine well on the left flank (One runs past the other on the overlap and makes the cross) or Baines could play through-balls to Drenthe as a wide forward.

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        1. Fabreghastly
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          Thought of that but it would make for a very lopsided team and still doesn't solve the problem of who's going to bang the goals in. I was encouraged, though, to read that Drenthe kept Ruddy pretty busy parrying shots while he was on. interesting one

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          1. isacki: full casual
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            Yeah someone mentioned Drenthe made a big impact and got an impressive number of shots on target for playing 20 minutes. I think as a wide forward in the kind of Sturridge role he could both get goals (as he has already) and get on the end of Baines' supply. But yes it doesn't solve the wider lack of goals in the team, they need an actual forward. At this rate Vellios is their only one.

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      2. Billy Ketsu
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        The heatmaps show that Drenthe was actually the most advanced Everton player for the 20 minutes he played. They were chasing a goal obviously but if he starts he's play on the left, I'd imagine.

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        1. isacki: full casual
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          How would you describe his position? Left forward? Left winger? Centre forward? 0_0 😀

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  25. Houdini
      14 years, 1 month ago

      There isn't many better options than Mata for the price bracket/fixtures at the moment. It's frustrating that he keeps getting taken off early though, but with the heavy Christmas schedule that probably has to be expected at the moment.

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      1. Ryan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        He will probably be a good option after the Spurs game. Fixtures will be well in his favor

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        1. udit
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          😆 ryan, change of heart 😉 ?

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          1. Ryan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            key word is 'probably' also it is a much better time to get him than last week with the spurs game coming up. Adding to that there is still doubt about his game time but I guess that could be the case with anyone

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            1. isacki: full casual
              • 14 Years
              14 years, 1 month ago

              Yep, the four fixtures after Spurs look awesome and you've got to give it a go. Mata is only difficult to consider because his price means you almost always have to choose between him and Nani, Bale, VDV or Silva. Who are also all epic.

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              1. Fabreghastly
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                14 years, 1 month ago

                Exactly the problem, particularly if you bought them early and need a real good reason to sell

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      2. Fabreghastly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        I've always wanted Mata in my team but can't make the space at the mo. So I'm pleased he failed again, should keep his price in check

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    • isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Matches today - mostly televised.
      QPR-Man Utd 12.00.
      Villa-Liverpool 14.05.
      Spurs-Sunderland 15.00.
      City-Arsenal 16.10

      AH TODAY IS GONNA BE SO GOOOOOOOOOD

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      1. The Finnisher
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Tomorrow for me, got 'em all on record, stay home all day and watch 6 hours of football, might have to fast forward through the Pool game though 😀

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        1. Beamer
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          Adebayor, Richards, Enrique, walker, Jones Nani, suarez and VDV (C)
          Hopefully these guys will get me some big points...

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          1. The Finnisher
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            Adebayor, RVP, Nani, Silva, Bale, Enrique and Vermaelen for me..
            Dunno if I can cheer for RVP/Adebayor as I feel if they do good it'll mean a red arrow as they should have a high (c) percentage 😕

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            1. Fabreghastly
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              14 years, 1 month ago

              Same as me if you switch Bale for VDV. I don't care which on racks up the points so long as I keep scoring above average. still waiting for a big score but it's unlikely to be this week

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            2. Beamer
              • 14 Years
              14 years, 1 month ago

              Did you go for BA as captain?

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            3. Fabreghastly
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              14 years, 1 month ago

              Hey Jack, didn't you just spend last week advising everyone to captain Ade?

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              1. The Finnisher
                • 14 Years
                14 years, 1 month ago

                Yeah, well sort of..when it was Ba vs Adebayor yeah..
                But I thought a Chelsea player (Mata, Lampard, Sturridge, Drogba) were the better choices, I was close to going Adebayor (c) myself but thought Chelsea were gonna smash Wigan..lol.

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                1. Fabreghastly
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  14 years, 1 month ago

                  I thought so too but decided against bringing Mata in for captain once VDV was likely to start, luckily. I don't see Sturridge as a captain cos he tends to score just the one. It was always a toss up this week anyway. Here's hoping the big hitters come to our rescue

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            4. NATSTER
              • 15 Years
              14 years, 1 month ago

              Same here about RvP/Ade.. 😕 It will be my luck if they do nothing and get the same point to Ba. I hope Bale will get everything tonight and nothing for Ade/VdV.

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              1. Fabreghastly
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                14 years, 1 month ago

                No, don't say that, my GW is bad enough already!

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        2. isacki: full casual
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          Ah, timezones, don't you love 'em.

          Ah, goals, don't scousers hate 'em.

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    • OPTA FPL
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      I rather have Larsson, Walters than Mata. He's not good at 10M Mid range like Silva, Nani.

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      1. udit
        • 15 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Er.. NO, Please don't start that debate again 😉

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        1. NATSTER
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          Ahh.. The one above is quite long enough. 😀

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    • Just A Hat
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      I can't wait for VDV brace tonight!

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      1. OPTA FPL
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        he'll be subbed soon because they've have Chelsea next Midweek

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        1. udit
          • 15 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          60 minutes is all he needs.

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          1. Beamer
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            +1

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    • Fabreghastly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      Drenthe has played 446 mins, 39 pts, 2 goals, 5 assists, 1 YC, 3 bps.
      Scored or assisted in 3 out of 6 cameo appearances and 2 out of 3 starts including one 16pt game.

      At 0.8% a pretty good differential

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    • Roshan
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 1 month ago

      just done Bjohnson>moses....

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      1. The Finnisher
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        Why? He isn't rising anytime soon and I assume you still have plenty to play..

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        1. Roshan
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          had 2 ft n was bored by Bjohnson....

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          1. Roshan
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            jack do u think roon>aguero for cpt option in gw17 will be gd transfer.....if i do so i will have to get back roon for gw18

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        2. UnderstandablyDistraught
          • 14 Years
          14 years, 1 month ago

          ++ In a game week where it's worth saving a xfer if you can, I really don't understand why you would do that right now. Hope it works out for you though.

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          1. Roshan
            • 14 Years
            14 years, 1 month ago

            i will be out for 5-6 days so wont be able 2 do any transfer n had 2 ft..moses is better than Bjohnson atleast

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      2. Fabreghastly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 1 month ago

        I hope to do Dyer to Moses when his rise is imminent.

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