Feature

Feature – Playing the Field

Cast your mind back to August, a time when Fernando Torres was still a vastly relevant Fantasy asset and Swansea were set become the next piñata, ready for weekly abuse from the Premier League elite.

As we selected our initial squads we put less emphasis on the difficulty presented by the fixture list. With no form guide available, our selections were likely to be based on price and pedigree with a few hunches thrown in. It’s unlikely that long-term rotation strategies or planned Gameweek transfers were at play.

Jump to mid-March and the situation has changed considerably. Torres is the 44th ranked forward for the season to date with the same number of league goals (2) as Gary Caldwell, while Swansea have transformed into an outstanding budget bracket defence, catapulting Michel Vorm and company into the Fantasy spotlight.

This marks a period in our Fantasy season where planning becomes key. A player’s performance to date and long term prospects start to take a backseat as we assess the fixture list more closely, with the aim to shuffle and rotate our squads in order to squeeze every last point out of the diminishing Fantasy season.

While we’re likely to go into the run-in with a band of favoured players locked into our squads – Robin Van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Gareth Bale, Jonny Evans, perhaps Clint Dempsey – around these ‘fixed’ assets, we should look to plan our rotation options to maximise favourable fixtures.

In this article we’ll discuss some of the available strategies to achieve this:

  • Find mid-priced assets whose fixtures gel well together, thus forming a rotation pair who can exploit a favourable run-in.
  • Highlight the best ‘runs’ of fixtures for the elite players to identify potential transfers and when they should be made.
  • Identify ‘super subs’ whose fixtures match favourably with the elite ‘fixed’ assets’ tougher games, therefore providing value off the bench.

Squad Rotation

This strategy looks to identify teams that “marry up” and work well as a combination – ideally offering a straight run of favourable fixtures from now, right to Gameweek 38. By fetching assets from these teams, we’re setting up rotation opions in our squads to cover the gaps around our fixed heavy-hitting players.

Aston Villa and Sunderland Defenders
These two units have been useful but unspectacular all season, generally struggling to find the kind of consistency to make them weekly starters, while still showing enough promise to keep them relevant. Together though, they might finally become the reliable (and reasonably priced) options we hoped for.

Playing the fixtures would see this pair enjoy home games against Bolton twice, QPR, Stoke and Wolves, with the only difficult fixtures being Chelsea at home (Gameweek 31) and a trip to Liverpool in Gameweek 32. Playing the optimal fixture from Gameweek 30 to Gameweek 36 will see you face opponents who average just 1.03 goals per game and given Villa’s, and particularly Sunderland’s home form, that should be a recipe for defensive success in the final stages of the season.

The FA Cup throws up a potential issue for this pair as Sunderland could be otherwise engaged at Wembley in Gameweek 34, while Villa face the unenviable task of a trip to Old Trafford. Given the strength of their other fixtures, this shouldn’t be a deal breaker, especially with budget teams like Swansea, West Brom and Stoke facing strong fixtures in Gameweek 34 and thus serving as reliable one week options as backup.

With Wes Brown and Titus Bramble currently sidelined, Michael Turner (4.2) looks like a sneakily cheap and undervalued option here. Phil Bardsley (4.8) is safer and comes with some offensive potential while you would probably give the edge to Alan Hutton (4.9) at Villa, who has shown more offensive potential of late than equally priced teammate Stephen Warnock. Carlos Cuellar (4.9) has proven to be an able deputy for Richard Dunne at the heart of defence, averaging 8 points per game over the last three Gameweeks, and could prove to be another option, though the Irishman is expected to return from a collarbone injury at some point next month.

Fulham and Sunderland Midfielders/Forwards
When we consider rotating players, it is generally in defence, and perhaps between the sticks, where it’s practiced. Rotating your attacking options can be just as valuable, however, and they needn’t even play the same position, as long as you have sufficient flexibility in your squad.

Fulham and Sunderland present an example of how this can work. Using these two teams in such a system appears to have little downside, as you take advantage of a fixture list which would include five games against teams in the bottom five, a trio of mid table sides (Norwich, Everton and Sunderland) and just a single match in Gameweek 38 against one of the current top four. Again, Sunderland’s potential off-week in Gameweek 34 is a concern, though Fulham’s trip to Liverpool wouldn’t be the worst fixture in the world to play. Alternatively, you could surely find some value on your bench with favourable fixtures for Swansea and West Brom.

Both Fulham and Sunderland offer good options for any budget. You could pair Clint Dempsey (9.4) with James McClean (4.9), thus protecting yourself against Dempsey’s struggles on the road. The other intriguing combination would involve a shuffle of formation to incorporate the recently impressive Pavel Pogrebnyak (6.4), teaming him up with Stephane Sessegnon who returns from his ban this weekend. This pairing would afford solid attacking coverage in the mid-price, freeing up cash for investment elsewhere.

Playing the fixtures with either of those two pairings would mean you would face an opponent who, on average, has conceded around 1.7 goals per game, equivalent to playing QPR every week. Maximising home fixtures is particularly important for Fulham – the Cottagers have managed over two goals per game at Craven Cottage but just 0.6 a game on their travels.

Stoke and Newcastle Midfielders/Defenders/Goalkeepers
Like Fulham, the Potters are another side how can offer strong potential in home matches but stutter on their travels. Tony Pulis’ side do benefit from a favourable run of opponents at the Britannia but Fantasy managers will rightly be concerned on the consistency of options like Jon Walters and the injury prone Matt Etherington. A combination with Newcastle might offer a solution. From now until the end of the season you can ensure a run of nine home matches with a Stoke/Newcastle combination. That would allow you to consider Walters working in tandem with Hatem Ben Arfa, for example, in the mid-price bracket. Defensively, the Danny Simpson/Andy Wilkinson rotation also looks to have good potential, with Tim Krul and Asmir Begovic rotating effectively in goal.

Liverpool and Tottenham – Defenders/Midfielders/Forwards
These two sides boast mid-price Fantasy assets that rotate home matches perfectly until the end of the season. As a result, we can create pairings all over our squads – Jose Enrique or Martin Skrtel combine with Benoit Assou-Ekotto or Younas Kaboul, equally Steven Gerrard and Gareth Bale gel, while Emmanuel Adebayor and Luis Suarez offer a rotating strike pairing. With Bale offering potential home and away, and Suarez and Adebayor leaving no room for a Van Persie/Rooney combination, it’s likely that this marriage is best used at the back, offering a run of straight home matches right to the season climax. Tha major issue here, of course, is form. Neither Liverpool nor Spurs are displaying any confidence right now – we’d need this to return before considering setting up such a rotation.

Planned Transfers

With only a handful of games to play, we can start to identify ‘runs’ of fixtures to exploit, even if it costs a transfer or two to harvest the potential value. Here’s just a couple of examples of teams and player combinations that look worthy of investigation:

Juan Mata and Theo Walcott
While Fantasy managers clamour for Antonio Valencia, the qualities offered by both Arsenal’s Theo Walcott and Chelsea’s Juan Mata shouldn’t be ignored. Chelsea seem revived under Roberto Di Matteo and Mata has been handed the role tucked in behind a lone striker in recent matches. Walcott has shown signs of a new level of consistency and will be looking to end the season with a flourish to book his starting role in the England 2012 squad. Both combine perfectly as assets throughout the last nine Gameweeks, making it possible to have one of them at home from now until the end of the season. You’ll need to absorb any price rises and reserve your free transfer regularly for the swap but, if you can manage it, this pairing could blend beautifully with 7% and 6% ownership handing a strong differential.

Man United and Man City
Not surprisingly, United and City swap home matches right to the end of the season and this is something we can look to exploit. If we accept Wayne Rooney as a fixed asset, the potential for rotation seems to lie amongst the fringe players on offer. While Antonio Valencia is rightly a popular target following his haul at Molineux, he could yet be prone to rotation with Ashley Young, Nani and Danny Welbeck. The possibility of rotating Valencia with City’s Yaya Toure in our squads – ensuring that you have one of them at home across all nine Gameweeks, looks an option, then. Similarly, we could apply the same principle for the third striker role. If you’ve got a United slot spare, Javier Hernandez in rotation with Mario Balotelli or even Carlos Tevez, would give you a proven goalscorer at home over the nine Gameweeks. That’s as long as Sir Alex Ferguson and Roberto Mancini play ball with their team selection.

Super Subs

Sometimes we don’t want to setup a ‘rotation’ strategy but rather carry a budget asset to slot in for just one or two weeks. The below listing highlights which cut-price players could be targeted to back-up the elite options during their rare off-weeks:

Arsenal
For Midfield/Attack….Hardest games: 32(MCI), 35 (CHE), 36 (sto)
Super sub: Fulham (bol, WIG, eve) or Swansea (NEW, bol, WOL)

Fulham and Swansea present good value across the board and look particularly useful alternatives. Robin Van Persie is, of course, rotation proof, but the likes of Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain perhaps need some backup. The consistent pair of spot-kick takers Danny Murphy and Scott Sinclair would appear to be nice fits here if your budget can stretch that far, though it’s more likely that Gylfi Sigurdsson fits with your budget constraints.

Chelsea
For Defence…..Tough Gameweeks: 30 (TOT), 33 (ful) 35 (ars)
Super sub: Newcastle (wba, BOL, STO)

It’s arguable whether or not Chelsea are indeed an elite defence these days. Gary Cahill has picked up some interest of late and, if he can cement a starting role, he presents value at 5.4. The Newcastle defence work well in tandem here, with a couple of great looking home fixtures and reasonable trip to West Brom, making Danny Simpson and Mike Williamson the perfect backup for the Blues backline.

For Midfield/ Attack……Hardest games: 35 (ars), 37 (liv)
Super sub: Blackburn (NOR, WIG)

Blackburn haven’t given us much to get excited about this season but for these two games they look as good as anyone. Their 22 home goals are actually as good as Newcastle, suggesting 14 goal Yakubu may be worth a punt, with spot-kicks also in the bag. and Junior Hoilett is another to consider, with three goals since a move to “the hole” behind the Nigerian in the last couple of matches indicative of his upturn in form.

Liverpool
For Defence….Hardest games: 31 (new), 33 (bla), 36 (nor), 38 (swa)
Super sub: Everton (WBA, SUN, FUL, NEW)

Trips to Newcastle, Norwich and Blackburn appear to offer the biggest threat to the Reds’ chances of collecting clean sheets, with a visit to Swansea also set to rigorously test the rearguard. You don’t have to look too far to find the best complement, with David Moyes’ Everton looking a strong alternative. Until last week’s Merseyside derby, the Toffees had produced three clean sheets and shipped just four goals in the previous seven games. Tony Hibbert is the first name to highlight, given his price tag, but he does come with some risk, having dropped in and out of the side over the past couple of months. This leaves Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin as your best options- both have recovered from recent injuries and look likely starters from here on in.

Man City
Hardest games: 32 (ars), 36 (MUN), 37 (new)
Super sub: West Brom (BLA, AVL, bol)

With five home clean sheets already in the bag – including Chelsea and City – the Baggies have been fairly resilient at the Hawthorns. Blackburn and Aston Villa, meanwhile, have struggled to average barely over a goal a game on their travels, thus giving Roy Hodgson’s side a great couple of chances to add to their clean sheet haul. Their cheapest regular is Gareth McAuley, who also happens to be one of their most consistent, making him a perfect choice to back-up the likes of Vincent Kompany and Micah Richards.

From a more attacking perspective, we’re excluding Peter Odemwingie here, as, with a price tag of 7.3, he is obviously too pricey to be a mere bench player. Instead we’ve opted for James Morrison. Over the last six gameweeks, the Scot ranks amongst the top five in our ICT Index among midfielders- with a price of 5.3 and a more advanced role in the first-team of late, he’s a strong mid-price alternative.

Man United
Hardest games: 36 (mci), 38 (sun)
Super sub: Swansea (WOL, LIV) or Wigan (NEW, WOL)

United’s exceptional run in means you’re unlikely to be rotating any of them too often but a trip to the Etihad may prove tricky, while Sunderland have been particularly strong at home in the second half of the season.

Swansea are, of course, a good enough unit to warrant owning by their own right, but they present added value for anyone needing backup for their United assets. The Swans’ opponents in the highlighted games have averaged just a touch over a goal per game, and, considering his price tag, Steven Caulker makes the most sense for a spot at the back, while Scott Sinclair and Gylfi Sigurdsson offer alternatives should you consider benching midfield options.

For Wigan, a couple of home games against some shaky away defences leads us back to the old Fantasy kryptonite: Victor Moses. The much-maligned Latics wide man still leads all outfielders in points scored in the 5.0 or less bracket, with a total of 96, and is almost guaranteed to have something to play for come the end of the season.

Tottenham
For Defence… Hardest games: 30 (che), 34 (no game at present)
Super sub: Sunderland (QPR, WOL)

Again, Sunderland’s defensive assets have sufficient value of their own under Martin O’Neill, so consider this another string to their bow. Tottenham have one of the biggest home/away defensive splits in the league (0.9 goals per game conceded at home, 1.5 away from home) so avoiding a trip to Chelsea, in addition to a possible blank Gameweek, is a big plus to your team’s fortunes. Michael Turner looks like a great value pickup at just 4.2, while playing it safer would lead one to Phil Bardsley, who also brings some decent offensive potential.

For Midfield/Forwards… Hardest games: 30 (che), 32 (sun), 34 (no game at present)
Super subs: Swansea (EVE, NEW, BLA) or West Brom (NEW, BLA, QPR)

Tottenham’s home games are sufficiently strong to warrant owning their players despite the couple of tricky away games, but their form away from White Hart Lane suggests some cover should be considered. The same options apply here as mentioned above, with Gylfi Sigurdsson and James Morrison standing out as candidates.

Chris Glover Creator of the plfantasy blog, providing a stats focused approach to fantasy football. Exiled to Canada but still prefer my sports played on grass rather than ice. Follow them on Twitter

859 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rui
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 8 days ago

    Evening. Team is

    Vorm Schwarzer
    Kompany Enrique JEvans Caulker Simpson
    Silva Dempsey Bale Moses Miyaichi
    Rooney RVP Ba
    (1.1mill. 1 FT)

    Who should I ditch for Valencia? And would it be worth doing Moses (poor fixtures) --> Sigg for a 4pt hit?

    Thanks!

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    1. DVassell
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 8 days ago

      dempsey imo...forget norwich his away form is poop and you'll be able to do 4 3-3 and have a great team this gw

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    2. ricdan
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 8 days ago

      Dempsey for Valencia

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    3. Rui
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 8 days ago

      Cheers

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    4. jordanc90
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 8 days ago

      I'd sell Silva. Dempsey is more likely to explode, in home games anyway. I had Silva from pretty much GW1...got rid of him this week for Valencia.

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      1. Rui
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        Eeek, I already did Dempsey --> Valencia. I was all set on getting rid of Silva after last night but something didn't feel right when I hovered over the transfer button!
        I could do Ba --> Pog next week for Fulham cover.

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        1. Phantom Raspberry Blower
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 5 days ago

          Silva is crocked.
          He's got a long term ankle injury he's been complaining about recently and have you noticed how he's been subbed off early recently.
          Just look at his recent games and remember all the running he did before christmas.

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  2. ricdan
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 8 days ago

    Think I would play Krul.

    Having said that I always make the wrong choice with my keepre 😉

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    1. ricdan
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 8 days ago

      oops reply fail

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  3. PlayPercentage
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 8 days ago

    Time to dump Walters?
    Stoke have a few decent fixtures coming up, but Walters isn't chalking up the points anymore.

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 8 days ago

      I got rid, he had easy fixtures prev norwich and swansea home and didn't do anything/

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    2. DVassell
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 8 days ago

      walters is no longer oop and therefore poop

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    3. Cruizer van Nistelrooy
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 8 days ago

      do it a.s.a.p

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      1. Phantom Raspberry Blower
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 5 days ago

        Actually he was back behind the striker yesterday.
        Good fixures coming up and Stoke looking like their playing with more confident he could be a really really good alternative.

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  4. andres
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 8 days ago

    Want valencia in!

    Should i sell:

    A silva
    B dempsey

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    1. Manani
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 8 days ago

      A

      keep dempsey for NOR match, and possibly bol, although he don't do much away

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      1. DVassell
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        b, silva is mr. consistent just exp slight dip in form imo...he will come back esp as city need to duke it out every game + he is a big game man

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        1. super zlatan
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          Sell silva.

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        2. Manani
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          have waited mr consistent to be consistent again for the last 10GWs, didn't happen. time to let go IMO.

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        3. JT's Dog
            12 years, 8 days ago

            Slight?

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            1. Phantom Raspberry Blower
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              12 years, 5 days ago

              Bite the silva bullet.

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    2. jordanc90
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 8 days ago

      Sorry bout the repost, lost on the bottom of the last page. Really don't like the look of my team this week. Already used my FT getting Valencia in a few days ago so any further transfers would be for a hit. Have 3.2m in the bank. Any help would be much appreciated!!

      Mignolet
      Simpson, Evans J, Skrtel, Richards
      Miyaichi, Bale, Sigurdsson, Valencia
      Rooney (c), Van Persie

      Krul, Dempsey, Pogrebnyak, Kelly

      Cheers.

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      1. super zlatan
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        Leave it. Don't take a hit. Good team

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        1. jordanc90
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          You think Simpson over Dempsey is right? I'm 50/50...

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          1. Rui
            • 13 Years
            12 years, 8 days ago

            Assuming you will play J.Evans then you don't want Fulham to score, so I would play Simpson and hope for a Newcastle CS.

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            1. ali-bayor
              • 12 Years
              12 years, 8 days ago

              On the other hand....if Fulham do score, Dempsey quite likely to have played some part in it....thus softening the blow of losing Evans CS

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      2. DVassell
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        no hit just leave it

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      3. Rui
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        I replied to your post the previous page but you've got a very strong team for this week... nothing is worth a hit.

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      4. Cruizer van Nistelrooy
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        play pog and bench simpson

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    3. blind faith
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 8 days ago

      Firstly, what a brilliant article! Top marks for the time and effort gone into this!

      Secondly, thinkin for the future maybe shippin mclean out for morrison or somethin?
      I've got 2.3 in the bank.

      And thirdly, thank in advance for advice! 😉

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      1. super zlatan
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        McLean to sess?

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        1. Cruizer van Nistelrooy
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          keeps mclean as he plays better with sess in the team

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        2. blind faith
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          thinkin he'll get back to scoring ways now he's back? was he meant to be back for the blackburn game or was he stil suspended?

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          1. Cruizer van Nistelrooy
            • 13 Years
            12 years, 8 days ago

            i will wait as this weekend they are against qpr at home.planning to do mclean -> to siggy afterwards

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      2. cr4zym4n
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        Yes McClean for Morrison or Siggy IMO. Or Moses? The premium is small and the form of the later two is much much better.

        Wouldn't do it for a hit though.

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        1. blind faith
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          already got siggy. mclean just the one in my team i was lookin unsure of at the mo.

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    4. Caine & Co.
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 8 days ago

      I see many people saying Rooney is essential. Rooney is not essential. As a matter of fact, I think he's bad value. You can have him. I'll take Vermaelen & Baines instead with the money.

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      1. DVassell
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        well ull be pooping your pants each week that they don't concede whilst we'll reap rooney's easy fixtures and great form

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        1. Caine & Co.
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          Yeah, we'll see how it goes. You could be getting 1s and 2s with your cheapie defenders while my goal scorer defenders reap double figures every week. Meanwhile Rooney is a waste of 12 mil and Ba finds the net again.

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      2. super zlatan
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        Can't say I agree with you. Utd fixtures are delicious and they will be out to win the league.
        Goals goals goals.

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      3. Rui
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        Nailed on and incredibly good fixtures. Not to mention he is on pens, corners and free kicks.

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      4. cr4zym4n
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        Verm & Baines makes me lol

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      5. Mark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        Effectively it's whether you think covering United's attack is essential. You can look at Valencia, Young, Hernandez or Welbeck but it's only really Rooney who looks certain to play week in, week out.

        The other factor is the captain. In the right week, if you captain Rooney, you could score very big. You're not going to captain Vermaelen or Baines - at least I don't think you are. Fine if you're happy to rely on RVP every week though - as we've seen, that tends to work out rather well. Rooney does give you the option though - that could prove valuable.

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        1. Declan
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          You can also look at Nani 😛

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        2. Cruizer van Nistelrooy
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          how many goals verm n baines have scored this season compared to rooney?

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        3. brianutd-why always we? 20
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          Stop teasing where is it?

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        4. ssssshhh
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          Agree with this, essential at the moment. Although if Hernandez was to nail down his place I'd be tempted to switch and Valencia looks set to become essential.

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        5. Caine & Co.
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          RVP is my captain every week and Valencia is all united attack I want, I think he'll play (almost) every game from now on. I don't trust Rooney in the near future even if he's had great 4-5 weeks now.

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          1. Shakey
            • 14 Years
            12 years, 8 days ago

            In general, Rooney goes a few months of scoring in nearly every game, then does fack all for a few months. Might as well catch him while he's scoring.

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            1. Caine & Co.
              • 13 Years
              12 years, 8 days ago

              You either have him while he's scoring or you don't. You can't get him, because for all we know his scoring streak might be already over. I didn't have him during first 5 GWs, at that time you'd have called me crazy but I didn't get him even after GW5. Stubbornest kept him for 10 GWs for nothing.

              This is only a hunch, I admit. But im not gonna get him and I suggest you all to spend your money more wisely 😉

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          2. Mull
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 8 days ago

            If you don't get Rooney and Valencia is all the United attack you want then double on the defence at least.

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      6. AP
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        Bad value? luls. 25 goals in 27 games isn't it?

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        1. Caine & Co.
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          Compare to Ba or Ade and you see what I mean.

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          1. AP
            • 14 Years
            12 years, 8 days ago

            Compare what? Is RvP also bad value then? He's 1 million more. (the answer is no).

            Overall points wins the game. Not points per million.

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            1. Caine & Co.
              • 13 Years
              12 years, 8 days ago

              No =D

              RVP is better value than Ade and MUCH better than Rooney!

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              1. AP
                • 14 Years
                12 years, 8 days ago

                Ohhhhhhhh dear.

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                1. Caine & Co.
                  • 13 Years
                  12 years, 8 days ago

                  I agree

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    5. Bad Pen
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 8 days ago

      Wow, Valencia on 198%

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      1. DVassell
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        yeh...he is superb value atm even if he rises a bit...

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      2. In Like Flynn.
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        Does that mean he will rise tonight and tomorrow night?

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        1. Bad Pen
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          I have no idea, this is my first season on FPL.

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          1. DVassell
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 8 days ago

            he will rise before the sun

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    6. ssssshhh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 8 days ago

      Should I save my FT this week and give Young another shot? Current line up:

      Mignolet (Schwarzer)
      Sagna Enrique Evans (McAuley Caulker)
      Walcott Young Bale McClean Miyaichi
      RVP Rooney (Pog)

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      1. super zlatan
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        I would leave it. Young should start. Could be a nice differential.

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      2. DVassell
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        yeh give him a shot...he'll be a diff to the valencia zombie move...(which i took admittedly)

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      3. ssssshhh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        Yeah was thinking he's likely to start. Always nice to have 2 freebies.

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    7. Will - Fantasy Football Hub
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 8 days ago

      anyone considering vdv? decent fixtures + greedy + pens = win?

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      1. DVassell
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        no...ade's rot threat on him is imminent

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      2. Scroobius Mac
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        -pens

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      3. super zlatan
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        Ade on pens?

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        1. Cruizer van Nistelrooy
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          having bale is enough for spurs coverage

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      4. Blue-Ghosts
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        yep great call mate! vdv would be a terrific differential!! ignore all the sheep on here who will say " bring in valencia" or " don't sell dempsey"! they are wrong half the time so go with your gut! i've gone walcott over valencia this week and i'm feeling confident! i'm also considering selling bale for vdv this week and i'm coming in top 2k

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    8. Vpan
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 8 days ago

      Ok, which one is better for this GW?

      1) Kelly -> Enrique
      2) McClean -> Valencia

      I'm planning to bring them both in the future.

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      1. DVassell
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        2 to catch the rise

        1 to prevent kicking urself if mcclean has a gr8 week and enrique who will undoubtedly keep a cleanie

        i'd go 1

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        1. Vpan
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          thinking the same atm..
          I can afford Valencia next but the question is who has better chances this week McClean+Enrique or Valencia+Simpson (BAE)? probably the first...

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      2. ssssshhh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        Neither is crucial this week unless you have 2 FTs but I'd go with 2. Keep an eye on Liverpools form before going for Enrique.

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      3. Rui
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        2, by a mile.

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    9. JT's Dog
        12 years, 8 days ago

        John bishop is a beast on sport relief prog

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      • seanie3
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        Vorm (Krul)
        Skrtel, Evans, Caulker (bae, santon)
        bale, valencia, dempsey, mclean (miyachi)
        rvp, rooney, ba

        2.3m in the bank with no transfers

        a) swap bae for Vermaelen (-4 hit)
        b) swap skretel for Vermaelen (-4 hit)
        c) swap mclean for siggy (-4 hit)
        d) swap dempsey for walcott (-4 hit)
        e) do nothing and do one of the above next week

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        1. super zlatan
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          E)

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        2. Rui
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          D looks tempting and might be worth it if you're trying to catch a big lead. Otherwise play it sensible and go for E.

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        3. ssssshhh
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          E - both similar chances of a clean sheet and Verm wont score every week.

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          1. ssssshhh
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 8 days ago

            Referring to options A and B.

            D is the only one that has a reasonable chance of paying off. Assuming you'd bench Demps, who would start instead?

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        4. Blue-Ghosts
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          do nothing and start miyachi over dempsey!!! problem solved! miyaichi is as dangerous as siggy or wallcott this week

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      • super zlatan
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        1ft. 2.5 in bank. Should I save it?

        Ming
        Skertel. Enrique. Evans
        Bale. Siggy. Valancia. McCLean
        Rvp. Rooney. Suarez

        Subs. Schwarzer. Caulk. Demps. Simp.

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        1. DVassell
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          no doubt man the team is sexcellent

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          1. DVassell
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 8 days ago

            though i'd be very tempted to play caulks ahead of mcclean

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          2. super zlatan
            • 13 Years
            12 years, 8 days ago

            Was gona upgrade Enrique to verm?

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            1. DVassell
              • 12 Years
              12 years, 8 days ago

              not this gw

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              1. super zlatan
                • 13 Years
                12 years, 8 days ago

                Ok cheers

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      • NED KELLY
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        I wish i had suarez just for this GW

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        1. DVassell
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          hmmm i don't

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        2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          why?

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        3. DVassell
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          i just don't find unlucky racist donkeys appealing atm...

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          1. In Like Flynn.
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 13 Years
            12 years, 8 days ago

            Just fat cheating junkies?

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          2. NED KELLY
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 8 days ago

            Any forward looks appealing at home to wigan.

            If he could stop hitting the post an start hitting the back of the net

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      • brianutd-why always we? 20
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        New post

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      • marko_v_111
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        What to do with this team:

        Mig (Sorensen)
        Evans,Cauker,BAE,Enique,Lescott,
        Bale,Siggy,Valencia,Sess,Demspey
        Suerez,RVP,Rooney

        My only worry is my 3 strikers are always away same time

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        1. DVassell
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          do nothing

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        2. ۩۞۩Tommo727™۩۞۩
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          Get rid of Suarez for Adebayor/Ballo/Prog/Yak etc

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      • Syd.
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        Into the top 5K 😯

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      • ricdan
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        Play Mclean or Miyachi this week?

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        1. Reedy
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          Ryo

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      • div
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        Mignolet/Vorm
        Rangel, Enrique, Evans
        Silva, Valencia, Bale, Siggy
        RVP(c), Rooney(vc), Ba

        McClean, Raylor, Senderos

        Mignolet or Vorm & am I playing too many from Man U & Swansea?

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        1. Kit Walker
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          I think your OK with 3 Man Utd & Swansea players. Man Utd want to win the title and Swansea just want to win everthing, so both teams have a lot to play for.

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        2. ۩۞۩Tommo727™۩۞۩
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          Same starting XI and captain as me this week except I have Skrtel instead of Rangel and Turner instead of Bale ( Bale on bench)

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        3. Blue-Ghosts
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          pur rooney captain

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      • Tanglebrain
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        Who thinks Gerrard is worth a punt this week?

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        1. NED KELLY
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          At home to wigan he could score very big.. but its liverpool small club big problem

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        2. An Púca
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          it's a dilemna....gerrard or walcott
          i'm keen to take a punt on gerrard but liverpool are so bad at the moment, it's hard to know how they'll play in the next few weeks

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      • Dickie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        Guys should I do Mclean > Siggy this week or do Dempsey > Siggy this week and then Mclean back to Dempsey next week for Norwich?

        Would drop 0.3 as a result but 2nd place in mini league 43 points behind me & just activated wild card so can't risk a poor week.

        Help

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        1. ۩۞۩Tommo727™۩۞۩
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          Dempsey > Siggy But no need to get Dempsey back IMHO

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        2. FPLFamily (Lee)
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          Bench Dempsey this week and keep for NOR next week.....then get rid

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      • ۩۞۩Tommo727™۩۞۩
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        How does my team look for this week?
        Vorm (Howard)
        Turner Skrtel Jose Enrique Evans J (Simpson)
        Sigurdsson Valencia Silva (Bale, Drenthe)
        RVP (C) Rooney (VC) Ba
        Bale on bench a risk??

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      • PGR
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        No spurs coverage atm. Who should I bring in? Bale, VDV or Ade?

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      • GHB
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        Just read this thread - the Verm/Baines comment has made my Friday - Thanks!

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      • Mota
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        Hey Suerez owners, do you captain him for Wigan at home or prefer RvP or Rooney?
        Can Liverpool fans verify my thinking that angry Liverpool will try hard (and are able) to score big against Wigan?

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        1. beepingmeeping
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          I have RVP, Rooney and Suarez. I'm going for Rooney (C) and RVP (VC). Suarez might do well this weekend, but chances are RVP and Roo Roo will do better. RVP is probably the safest bet for C, but Rooney versus FUL at home is also a solid choice andI'm going for him.

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          1. Mota
            • 13 Years
            12 years, 8 days ago

            Thanks! Will repost it under the latest one as well...

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      • pjomara
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 8 days ago

        The article seemed OK until it said to rotate Valencia. It lost all credibility after that. If you went with the idea of dropping Valencia for away games you'd have lost out on 13 pts v Arsenal plus many other decent hauls as well. Wolves (a) is as good if not better than a home game so I'm assuming they weren't suggesting dropping him for games like that.

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        1. pjomara
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 8 days ago

          Edit: OK, I see they suggest only dropping Valencia for Man CIty (a) and Sunderland (a). I disagree I think you should play him every game regardless of difficulty of fixture.

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      • samcro
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 7 days ago

        Worth a hit to do McLean to Siggy? Already done Silva to Tony V!

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      • Marleysoldman
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 7 days ago

        Every now and again an article is posted on this site that annoys me. Annoying because it gives away a little secret that I've been employing myself and in the selfish world of FF you don't want any other bugger using it.

        This is one such article.

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      • Dirtman
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 7 days ago

        Tough week to pick a captain for me this week with rvp,rooney,valencia and sigy all with home ties is tough to pick as every one you could make a case for ! so far ive pencilled in rooney but after last weeks defensive midfielder role it leaving me doubting whether to give him the cap role..for some reason i feel rvp will have a quieter than normal weekend this weekend so maybe a gamble on valencia as im thinking he will be playing a role more attacking than rooney??
        Any views?

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