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2 March 2012 365 comments
Mark Mark
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With a goalscoring record that boasted 37 goals in 65 games in the Bundesliga, Papiss Cisse’s arrival in Tyneside prompted mixed emotion from Fantasy managers. Demba Ba’s outstanding form this season had seen him established as the spearhead in Alan Pardew’s attack, with the former West Ham man emerging as a superb Fantasy prospect in the mid-price bracket.

There was understandable concern that, despite their relationship up front for Senegal, Cisse’s arrival would change the climate and possibly lead to a decline in Ba’s fortunes, dividing Fantasy managers between the established Premier League striker and the potentially explosive newcomer.

Using the Opta data available to members and our own ICT index, we take a step back and examine the stats and performances of the two Newcastle strikers so far – assessing the potential of the pairing, the impact on Ba and the merits of the possible switch to his cheaper strike partner.

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

365 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Deadly Demba

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  2. Arse Craic
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Cisse boy

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  3. Phillips
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    The podcast has me thinking. What do people think of the Ba > Suarez move next week?

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  4. HST
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone going on about player values and profit at this stage of the season needs to have a serious word with themselves.

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    1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Indeedy...

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      1. HST
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        "Oh I hope Bale doesn't drop 0.1"

        Seriously?

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        1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          lol. I'm guessing you read the moan on the previous article...

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          1. HST
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            13 years, 11 months ago

            Yes and hurt my head banging it on the keyboard repeatedly for 5 minutes afterwards.

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    2. Arse Craic
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      I agree completely.

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    3. ColeHole
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Yes. Most good transfers will result in loss of value. That's the bloody point!

      You can't spend it after the season ends.

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

    Silva, Demps, McClean, Siggy, Bale

    Bale > 7.9 min (YaYa?)
    Wellbeck > Rooney

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  6. stilicho
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    It's kind of Mark to schedule these "bee in your bonnet" articles when you've still got time to think, I'd be tempted to publish half an hour before a gameweek deadline then sit back and laugh at the ensuing chaos.

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    1. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      You're a bad man!

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  7. El Doctor
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Is Papiss likely to play Sunday?

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  8. rakkhi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Log in and see 5 doubtful and 1 injured. What is going on? People twisting with the likes of Bale or sticking? How about Valencia? Tempted to stick with their fixtures but could struggle to field a full contingent this week with all the yellow on my team sheet.

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    1. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 19 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Valencia out. Bale will play we reckon - Harry playing down his injury. Lots of doubts surfacing as a result of internationals...

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    2. Adz182
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Stick with Bale - his injury has been exagerated

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    3. El Doctor
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Stick with Bale, very likely he'll play. Valencia is defo out so if you ae stuck I'd drop him. can always get him back next week anyway

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    4. rakkhi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Valencia > Mata worthwhile? Would be for a hit and means I could not do a Agero > Rooney next week without further transfer. I'm leaning to no.

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      1. stilicho
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Mata is really a home specialist so I wouldn't expect much from him this week, there really isn't an obvious like for like with a good fixture this week, I'd probably take the medicine and just risk a poor week rather than upset my transfer plans for hit that probably won't come off.

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  9. GreenWindmill
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    A Demba Demba Members' article.

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    1. ColeHole
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      I think I remember the Demba Demba Member's article!

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  10. shirtless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Ok punto time. Sturridge out for a one week punt on Pomegranite. Then unless he explodes, change to Bellamy next week?

    And thunking of Silva captain for first time this season with the doubts around RVP....

    Good thinking?

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  11. Mind över Mata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Right lads, who to pick for this gw? Have Krul in goal and my front three is set but can't decide on my defenders and midfield, any thoughts on playing:

    Simpson / BAE / Kompany / Evans

    Silva / Bale / Dempsey

    Subs: Mcclean / Valencia / Senderos

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  12. GreenWindmill
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    22/1 for both teams to have a red card in the Tyne-Wear derby - hmm...

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    1. Attila the Bum
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Two words: MIke Dean.

      Penalties and cards almost guaranteed.

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      1. GreenWindmill
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Exactly.

        You can get 66/1 on zero bookings - they could treble those odds and I wouldn't be interested.

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        1. Attila the Bum
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          Clattermole and Tiote on the pitch? 100000000/1 and I'd only put 50p on that.

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          1. GreenWindmill
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 11 months ago

            Think I'm going to have a dabble on red cards for both teams, would like it more if Bardsley was definitely playing but even so, those are decent odds.

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      2. Anorak
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Have you been reading my article draft?
        This week's effort says pretty much that (amongst a few other tidbits).

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        1. Attila the Bum
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          🙂
          Its inevitable really. He owes us a few decisions too after failing to send Luiz off in the last game of ours he reffed.

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  13. Attila the Bum
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    You could have just summarised it all with:

    ATTILA THE BUM WAS 100% RIGHT. THE MAN IS A GENIUS.

    😉

    To be fair, it is a very small sample to get much from. What I think would have been brilliant on this article is a heatmap showing Ba's average position pre-Cisse and with Cisse. I am willing to bet there is very little difference at all. Most folk think hes suddenly playing really deep, but in truth he has ALWAYS dropped deep and then brought the ball further.

    Great article though. I love being proved right. Gargamel - I will accept a clear apology, you may pay me tribute of five baskets of rotted fish and 10 cubits of salted licorice. Oh and a Bily Bookcase from Ikea.

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      do you think Ba owners should stick then Atilla?

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      1. Attila the Bum
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah I would think so. He should be on penalties still, if that changes then it could be worth swapping.

        Next season (hopefully they are both still at Newcastle) will be a tough choice.

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    2. udit
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Captaining Ba this week? Oh and do you not link your team since, there are fellow rivals on this site? I know very random.

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      1. Attila the Bum
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Maaaaaaaaaaaybe, and yeah spies are everywhere. You may be one of them.

        WHO DO YOU WORK FOR?!

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        1. udit
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          Mosad actually.

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  14. mackay007
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Does everyone think Bale's injury has definitely been exaggerated or is 'Arry trying to play mind games as Utd may well set up differently (or RB at least) if they knew he wasn't playing?

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    1. Clintymints
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      mind games and I don't know what kinda

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  15. Glen Fiddich
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    I wouldn't be so quick to believe the wheeler-dealer that Bale will start and, even if Bale does play, I can't seem him getting anything from United.

    Everton away and Chelsea away will also be tough matches for Spurs.

    Most of those who have Bale will probably sit on him until the fixtures turn around, which is a great opportunity for the rest of us to make up some ground.

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  16. dudload
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    im nervous about Richards after hes cost me around 16 or so points the last two weeks (BAE on bench and he got 1 pointer and didnt play last week). get rid for Lescott (cant afford Komps) or stick?

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Just as much chance of Lescott being rested for Kolo. Stick IMO and have 2 FTs next week for fixture changes and DGW

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  17. Clintymints
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Sold bale last night

    Hamstring tear, they said

    10-21 days recovery, they said

    F*CK SAKE

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    1. AP
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      What's the latest news?

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      1. Clintymints
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        REDKNAPP - BALE INJURY NO BIG CONCERN

        http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/12/03/02/SOCCER_Tottenham_Bale.html&TEAMHD=soccer&BID=165

        FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

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        1. AP
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          lulz.

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        2. Glen Fiddich
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          not the end of the world, who did you replace him with?

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          1. Clintymints
            • 16 Years
            13 years, 11 months ago

            clinton facking yankface

            cant argue with the fixts though... and as glenny just said

            "I wouldn’t be so quick to believe the wheeler-dealer that Bale will start and, even if Bale does play, I can’t seem him getting anything from United.

            Everton away and Chelsea away will also be tough matches for Spurs.

            Most of those who have Bale will probably sit on him until the fixtures turn around, which is a great opportunity for the rest of us to make up some ground."

            gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar

            wonder if arry's messing up saf's plans bales a pretty big player to have to play against + saha starting is ruining bale and pushing him onto the wings

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    2. hvsauce
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Why wouldn't you wait for official confirmation at least?

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      1. Clintymints
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        clinty rose last night and i was enraged after losing .2 on val

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    3. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      It was uncomfirmed reports to be fair, as FFS was at pains to point out. I was predicting, against the tide, that he would play vs United. I stand by that.

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  18. Messi & fabregas
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    so is it ba or cisse then?

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    1. Nibbsy
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Ba by a distance. Turns out Cisse is dreadful. Glad I pay my membership.

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  19. AP
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Tempted by fatty Adam if i ship out Bale.

    Nuuurse!

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    1. Messi & fabregas
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      dowing?

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    2. Clintymints
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      might get adam for val .1 short of straigh nani swap ffs

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    3. HST
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Yeah he could know another of Saturn's moons out of orbit with a peno and get you a healthy 0.

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      1. HST
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        *knock

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      2. Clintymints
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        adam double hatty on the cards

        he should be rewarded with pies

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    4. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      thinking the same, plus if Gerrard is out he's on set-pieces.

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    5. hvsauce
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      I wouldn't ship Bale out.

      "Harry explained that Gareth doesn't have a tear in his hamstring, just tightness and that 'shouldn't be a problem'." http://twitter.com/SpursOfficial/status/175559207326728193

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    6. Goose
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Filth.

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    7. Attila the Bum
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      You been reading my tweets? 😉
      I'm now keeping Bale and short term switching Valencia to Adam.

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  20. Christina.
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Vorm or Krul?

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    1. Podolskistan
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      krul

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  21. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    repost

    ok folks, apologies to anyone I was talking to about Fantasy MLS

    If any of you are still around, or if anyone else wants to join the link is

    http://fantasy.mlssoccer.com/

    and the code for the FFS league

    496-393

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    1. HappyAnkit
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      I can't signup because I am not on Facebook.

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      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        oh didn't think you had to be, just thought it was an option, is there not a register on the site option?

        25 of us for F1 so far

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        1. HappyAnkit
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          Whenever I click on the Signup button it takes me on the Facebook sign in Page.

          I checked it too[F1].
          We need to get more people in.

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      2. Clintymints
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Good for you, i HATE places that make u sign up with facebook... hate places that only have FB logins

        I ain't advertising your website through my facebook thank you very much

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      3. udit
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        How's your exam prep going?

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        1. HappyAnkit
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          Damn Slow.

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          1. udit
            • 15 Years
            13 years, 11 months ago

            Y?

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            1. HappyAnkit
              • 14 Years
              13 years, 11 months ago

              FPL Mania.

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  22. Nibbsy
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Baines for a one week punt? Prob wouldn't keep him in my wildcard next week but could do well vs QPR?

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  23. Goose
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    This week i reckon im going for:

    Valencia & Zamora -> The Yak and get big dirty punt on someone for one week.

    Whos it gonna be?...

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    1. bobbydinho - Portland Irons
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Reina, cs,saves and just a good a chance of an assist as anyone else on the pitch 😉

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      1. Goose
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Brilliant.

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    2. Nibbsy
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      How much dolla?

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      1. Goose
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Cant actually log in at the moment, think ive got 0.7 in the bank but not sure how much id get for Valencia & Zamora so cant say exactly.

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        1. Nibbsy
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          Around 9 I guess. Unfortunately there aren't many big dirty punts out there at that price this week. Demps if you don't have him or Yaya if you haven't filled you City quota. Otherwise I think you're looking at a midrange with a good fixture.

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          1. Goose
            • 16 Years
            13 years, 11 months ago

            Got the Dempster, Yaya is a good shout actually, i nearly got him in last week. Cheers.

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  24. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Papiss for me. Every 0.1m counts at this stage.

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    1. Goose
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Does it? How so?

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      1. stilicho
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        If I had the kind of front 7 below for the last couple of weeks I'd be laughing.

        McArthur Andrews McClean Morrison
        Holt Odemwingie Doyle

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      2. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        At this stage you have a better idea of who should be in your team. I've found that you can squeeze an extra top defender in if you cut costs here and there. Like choosing surman over pilkington etc... So you could get Kompany and Skrtel, rather than Kompany and Shawcross for example.

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        1. Goose
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          I dont think its much different now than after say 10 weeks really.

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          1. Piggs Boson
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 11 months ago

            True, you're probably right. I just fancy Papiss to do well. And the spare value has really helped me out with transfers recently.

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            1. Loooser
              • 14 Years
              13 years, 11 months ago

              sure, but how is it different than it was earlier or it will be later on?

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          2. Loooser
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 11 months ago

            or different 10 weeks ago. 0.1 is always 0.1. Only difference is that in this stage you do not care so much about gaining money as about gaining points.

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            1. Goose
              • 16 Years
              13 years, 11 months ago

              Absolutlexactly.

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        2. The Finnisher
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          or by going say, Kompany and Shawcross, you could get in Ba instead of Cisse? 😉

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    2. drunken_mess
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      really?

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  25. McDog
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Would anyone do Bale > Dempsey considering Spurs difficult fixtures over the next few weeks?

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    1. drunken_mess
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      for free maybe. season keeper for me

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    2. adziom
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Its worth considering, but I already have both personally

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  26. Goose
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Sky Sports:

    Possible starting XIs:

    Liverpool: Reina, Kelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Enrique, Henderson, Gerrard, Spearing, Downing, Suarez, Carroll.

    Really? Do they use the old blindfolded dart method of picking the line ups like what was utlised for baps last year?

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    1. udit
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Gerrard and Kelly.

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    2. Attila the Bum
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Eh? Wheres Adam?

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      1. Goose
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Exactly, Kelly playing over Johnson, Gerrard playing, no Bellamy... I might be wrong but i cant see any of those being correct never mind all of them.

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      2. hvsauce
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        Still trying to find where his penalty landed and will miss the game according to Goal.com.

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        1. Attila the Bum
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          🙂

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        2. bobbydinho - Portland Irons
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 11 months ago

          LMAO on first part 😀

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    3. HappyAnkit
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Adam 😯

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      1. HappyAnkit
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 11 months ago

        *?*

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  27. The Dude
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    Krul (Vorm)
    Richards, Kelly, Evans (Caulker, Simpson)
    Dempsey, Silva, Sess, McClean (Valencia)
    RVP, Aguero, Ba

    1FT, 0.4 in bank, should I wildcard next week?

    A) Valencia -> one week punt … WILDCARD next week
    B) 2FT next week Aguero & Richards -> Rooney & Enrique

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  28. dudload
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    cheap 1 week punt Valencia > Walters? got 2 FT so may as well use it

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    1. drunken_mess
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      walters? i wouldn't go there

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    2. bobbydinho - Portland Irons
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      if you really want a punt, try Ox-C for a week.

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  29. drunken_mess
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    who would u guys play this week out of:

    A. McClean
    B. Ox
    C. Kelly

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    1. McDog
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      Kelly

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    2. teachmunna
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      A.

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    3. bobbydinho - Portland Irons
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      OX

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  30. teachmunna
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 11 months ago

    If I only have one active substute on my bench and that substitute is a Defender, and lets say Van Persie doesnt play, does the the defender come on for him?

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    1. drunken_mess
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 11 months ago

      yes . . .

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