Matchday Surgery
21 April 2012 320 comments
Mark Mark
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Here we are again. We should savour these moments – there’s very few left for a good while. The Saturday morning ritual will no doubt be missed once the next month has passed. For now, we’ve a Gameweek to tame and our Saturday Surgery Chatroom is now open to lend a hand. Dip in for some real-time virtual chin-wagging before the bell tolls in just over an hour.

Before you go, here’s a recap of the key coverage we’ve brought to you from the Scout team this week…

  • As always, we start with the Scout Picks. No Wayne Rooney? Imagine the scandal. Take in Sir P’s account of this week’s Scout Committee selection right here.
  • Big Dunc likes some a little off the wall, a bit exotic. Once again he served up a platter of oddities in this week’s Differentials with the fragile talents of David Dunn topping the bill. Grab that brand of goodness here.
  • Anorak is relentless is his examination of the man in the middle – determined to spot the trends and anticipate the influence of the weekend refs on our Fantasy returns. Men in Black is here to run the rule over the latest batch of whistle blowers.
  • Andy resurrected the Captain Poll article, just in time to ponder the merits of wandering from the safe ground of Van Persie and Rooney. Dip back into this here.
  • Jonty and Stilicho flipped open their notebooks to give a full assessment of the double Gameweek teams – did they find fruit amongst the scant branches of Villa and Bolton? Have a gander to find out.
  • The Watchlist brought our view on Villa’s double Gameweek hopeful James Collins, while our Members were able to assess the talent available amongst the Relegation Candidates in this week’s Numbers Game feature.
  • Akers and Superior Being have, once again, been running our cup competitions with blood, sweat, tears and efficiency. We’re up to the last sixteen in the Paddy Power Cup – here’s the draw with those involved. There’s always next season.
  • Granville and I crept into a dark studio to record our whinings in the latest ScoutCast episode. Do we decide to dump the aforementiond RVP and Rooney? Get your ears round this to find out.

That should be enough to amuse you up until 11.30. If not, the Pre-match Preamble follows in just over half an hour. The Surgery chatroom will, of course, be flipping to Duguout Discussion around 12.30 to take in today’s cracking opener at the Emirates. Be there or go shopping. I know where I’d rather be…but I guess I’ll have to try to log in from Mothercare. Have another good one.

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

320 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. maltasi
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Re the ongoing Kun v Tevez debate..

    who would you expect to be on pens tomorrow?

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    1. QPRnorway
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      kun

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    2. zotter
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Kun 100%

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    3. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Aguero. Hes been taking (and scoring) them already this season and has not had to be put ob the naughty step so will be more in Mancini's favour.

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    4. mysteryDave
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Kun

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

      Aguero. He took the last one when both were on the pitch.

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    6. Blue Moon Rising
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Kun. Still wouldn't trust Tevez to take one.

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    7. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Over long term i can understand kun, but over 1-4 games, pens shouldn't be a factor in your choice.

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    8. ...---...
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      I'd imagine Aguero myself but let's not forget that Tevez is no gentleman of honour and Aguero could defer to Tevez's (seemingly) stronger character.

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      1. jimmythegent
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        this is why i love carlo.... such a greedy boy

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  2. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Will be watching four games back to back tonight:

    1. Ars (go RVP, go Walcott) vs Che
    2. New vs Stoke (go Cisse, go Krul) or Bol vs Swa (go Siggy)
    3. QPR vs Spurs (go bale, go BAE)
    4. Barca vs Real (fight night)

    jeez, eyes will be bleeding after that lot...

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    1. QPRnorway
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      A ordinary saturday for me, except from that spanish crap in the end. Have a pleasant evening!

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      1. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers, you too and good luck....

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  3. mysteryDave
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Al Habsi(ful) + Caulker(bol) + 8 points or Bogdan(SWA, avl) & Collins(SUN, BOL) ?

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  4. mosch1one
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    any Bolton fans out there? What are the chances of Ryo starting today and if he does is he likely to start against Villa too?

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    1. mysteryDave
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Not a Bolton fan but I can tell you he definitely won't get 180 minutes!

      60+60 is about the best you can hope for I think.

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  5. Sammy
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Gone Cisse as captain.. Hopefully it pays off..

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    1. mysteryDave
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Bold, I like it. I've brought in the Kun, but if I hadn't then it would be between Cisse & Dempsey I think. RVP's form isn't good enough recently and I have too much utd coverage to captain Rooney, Valencia & Evans in the team, don't want to quadruple on them.

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  6. mango_chutney
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    I am 4th in the Aston Villa fans league and would love to finish top, just checked the three managers teams above me and none of them have Saurez could he be a good differential this week tempted to chuck him the arm band. Bit worried though as its a dead rubber game with neither team having much to play for. Is there any risk of him being rotated?

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    1. zotter
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      i doubt it this week

      he is a risk for the DGW (i.e. almost certain he wont play the 2nd fixture)

      heat totally off liverpool in the league and WBA are half asleep... so perhaps go for it!?

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    2. mysteryDave
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      If you're going to win the Aston Villa fans league, it should be with AVL players in for the double. Go Weimann?

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      1. Blonde Faith
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        Disagree. All the AVL managers will be doing that. Get some differential, punt on Bolton if you're completely desperate, (c) Suarez or something, but tbh I'd rather the armband went to a proven goalscorer. Cisse or Tevez will outscore any AVL player this GW.

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  7. Sean.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    santon or richards ?

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  8. Pilko's Pump Pants
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    about to leave my team for the week... but who do i bench? - a quick poll for you gentlemen...

    A. Theo...

    B. Siggy..

    C. Tony V..

    D. Barfa...

    E. Captain America...

    seems to me to be between Theo & Siggy... i have Theo on the bench right now - is it the right choice?

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    1. zotter
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      i would chuck Siggy on bench ahead of him

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    2. mysteryDave
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Theo

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    3. Chrissy Waddle - 2025/26
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Yep, Walcott the right choice. You have RVP as coverage.

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      1. Pilko's Pump Pants
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        yeah... thanks for the reply... pretty much confirmed what i think.... still a bit uneasy about benching such a potentially explosive player... but he was absolute shite against wigan... and i just cant bench a player that got me 14 points last week...

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    4. wikidwhite
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      I thought we had all come the conclusion here that you just can't bench Siggy? Got to be Wally IMO

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    5. QPRnorway
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Siggy

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  9. SAINTS
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    2FT this GW. I'm going to do either Suarez and Walcott to:

    A: Dempsey and Cisse
    B: Ben Arfa and Aguero/Tevez

    Which one should I do?

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    1. zotter
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      B

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    2. DundalkKid
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      A

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    3. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Walcott to Ben Arfa & save the other FT for dgw.

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    4. Pigvig
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      A. two double gameweek players.

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  10. lonnane
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Krul
    Evans Caulker Cuellar (Cahill Hangeland)
    Valencia Dempsey Siggy Walcott (Sess)
    D. Graham RvP Rooney

    i save the FT for DGW. any suggestion for 11 player? who should play who shouldn't..

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  11. TheBear
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Bench 1 of: Valencia,Dempsey,Siggy,Walcott,Silva,RVP,Rooney or Cisse??

    And play Turner or Cahill??

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    1. Tommy J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Difficult one and high chance of making the wrong call(one of the 7 players you retain is likely to have a low score!). I'd bench Silva................

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      1. Tommy J
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        Or Siggy....

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        1. Tommy J
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 9 months ago

          Or Walcott....

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          1. Tommy J
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            13 years, 9 months ago

            end......

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  12. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    chances of Enrique playing from now on in??

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    1. Brian (Not the Messiah)
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      why wouldn't he?

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      1. 1justlookin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        hasnt agger being playing LB

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        1. jimmythegent
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 9 months ago

          only in the cup final, think jose has been out of form and glen johnson is back but i fancy..........

          Reina
          G Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Enrique

          This back line worked so well for most of the season and think kenny will go back to this sunday

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  13. anish10
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    my rival has forgot to change his team i think and his captain will be RVP. im 60 points clear, shall i leave mine on tevez or match him with RVP?

    cheers

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    1. Podge
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Play your game and ignore him

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    2. Reacher
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      60 points! surely baring a disaster it does not matter, tevez imo

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      1. Blue Moon Rising
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        I'd probably go VPs if you're so far ahead and you are SURE he will captain VP

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    3. zotter
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      match him i guess, though boring to do so!

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    4. jimmythegent
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      he might do it at 1129

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  14. The Finnisher
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Aguero or Tevez for captain? 😆

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    1. Elniñorules
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Mancini hinted at Dzeko upfront as the sole striker in his presser. 😉

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      1. The Finnisher
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        Right, Cisse > Dzeko it is, can't go wrong now! 🙂

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      2. Evs
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        Yep.

        Did he also say that de mong was his most technically gifted football, and balotelli is the most dependable and relaxed professional footballer he has ever had the fortune of managing 😀 ?

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    2. The_Druid
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Aguero imo, Tevez for many though ;). Not great help, I know..

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    3. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Do you have both? Are you getting rid of both or one for gw36?

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      1. The Finnisher
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        I have had Aguero for a few weeks, did RVP/Sess > Tevez/Dempsey.
        The plan is either Tevez/Aguero > Jelavic next week, then Cisse > RVP the week after.

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        1. Piggs Boson
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 9 months ago

          Nice plan. I wish i had the slots/transfers for Jelavic.

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          1. The Finnisher
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 9 months ago

            It could all be ruined by 3.00 today ha

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  15. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    On a scale of 1 to 'Sexy' how fit is this team this week? 😉

    Hart
    Caulker Evans Turner
    Walcott Demps(vc) Siggy Bale
    RVP Tevez(C) Cisse

    Krul, McClean, Baines, Cahill

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    1. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Cute

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    2. Jafooli
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Fuggly

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  16. teddy.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Just to take the opportunity to share as we accelerate along the home straight:

    Bogdan
    Evans Gibbs Simpson
    Bale Walcott Sigurdsson Miyaichi
    RVP(c) Rooney Bendtner

    Ruddy Cahill Andrews Baines

    Metro:
    Hart
    Evans Simpson Skrtel
    Dempsey Walcott Sigurdsson BenArfa
    RVP Suarez Aguero (c)

    Vorm Valencia Walker Baines

    TFF:

    Krul
    Gibbs Evans BAE
    Bale Dempsey Walcott Mata
    Rooney RVP Cisse

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  17. Andy1
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Captain

    A rvp
    B cisse
    C Rooney

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    1. Brian (Not the Messiah)
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      B

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    2. DundalkKid
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      I have all 3 going with Cisse (C) and RVP (VC) i think 🙂

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      1. Andy1
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        Me too!

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        1. DundalkKid
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 9 months ago

          Hope it pays off 🙂

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      2. Blonde Faith
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        damn, I was gonna do that!

        now i'll have to think of something else...

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  18. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Was planning on Rooney to Adebayor next week, would anyone do it now for free...? 😕

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    1. DundalkKid
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      No i would keep Rooney for this gw and make change next week.

      I'm doing the same

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      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        Live tv influencing me again 🙂

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        1. DundalkKid
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 9 months ago

          LOL

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    2. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Only if I had 2 FTs and would lose it otherwise.

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      1. Blonde Faith
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        ^ this

        If you're spoilt for FT, do Rooney>Tevez, then Tevez>Ade for the DGW

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    3. Dan
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Did it just now. Rooney doesn't have good scoring record against Everton and I was planning Ade in for him next GW anyway.

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  19. mouldy_uk
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Vorm
    Simpson / Evans J / Vermaelen
    Ben Arfa / Dempsey / Valencia / Sigurdsson
    Cisse (c) / Van Persie / Rooney (vc)

    Schwarzer / McClean / N Taylor / Taiwo

    Appreciate if people could let me know if bench / captain choice looks ok?

    Thanks

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    1. Andy1
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Perfect I think. I think I am going to have the same captain choice too. So hopefully it is the correct choice!

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  20. Podge
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Hmm dont like having my captain in the early game cos if it fails i'll have to look at it all weekend 🙁

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    1. Tommy J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      I used to have a similar policy but then got equally fed up seeing my competition carrying a good score and praying my captain did ok...

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      1. Reacher
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        I hate having my capt in the early game always seems to result in failure! dont do it podge!

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      2. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        yup....been there.....select randomly and then don't watch the games works.....

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  21. Nerdlinger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    I haven't seen one RMT with Suarez in it yet... so what is he still doing in my team?! In all seriousness tho, not a bad player to have this week right (WBA)?!

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    1. Podge
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Good game bad player but improving I suppose

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    2. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Great differential, could turn out tobe essential in gaining points back, especially in the DGW for liverpool

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      1. Nerdlinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        Think he'll get rested for the 2nd of the dgw tho... midweek fixture before cup final 🙁

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      2. Reacher
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        Hes my capt! and the main reason for that being iis all or nothing time in my mini league

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  22. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Walcott or Bale...
    Walcott or Bale...

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    1. Reacher
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Bale imo

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  23. exammy
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Need two to bench from
    Kompany, Verm , Simpson, N.Taylor

    Also have Krul in goal...

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    1. Andy1
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Simpson and taylor

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      1. exammy
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        Hmm i went for the other two at the mo

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  24. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone else captaining RVP like myself this week?

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    1. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Snap.

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    2. Nerdlinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Was going to, but then did Tevez in for Rooney for a hit, so essential to captain Tevez!

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  25. IceMan DB
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Start Walcott or Adebayor?

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    1. Nerdlinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Theo

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  26. Simon March
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    I've had the armband on Dempsey and Cisse and now I'm thinking of 'bottling it' and going Rooney.

    I get the arguments against, he has poor history vs Everton, but it also feels like a slightly mythical reason not to Captain who is, on paper, the best C option out of the usual suspects.

    I'm nervous about Dempsey or Cisse as neither have penalties (probably) and have had a fortnight off to interrupt their great form. Happy to have them in the team, not so confident about Captain material...

    Rooney on the other hand is playing at home against a weakened Everton defence, in a team that has to win + he has pens.

    Anyone care to talk me out of Rooney (C)? (NB I have no MCI players and am joint top of my mini league so not looking to take huge risks)

    Thanks!

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    1. Andy1
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Rooney is not guaranteed a penalty. And he could miss it again..

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    2. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Having the same problem with RVP and Rooney. Just made my decision there and stuck with it. Oick one, stick with it and no matter what thoughts go through your head don't change. Because if it doesn't go wrong you'll feel more frustrated and say "Oh if only I had've done this", whereas if you stick with your guns at least you can say you kept your nerve

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      1. Bøwstring The Carp
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        *Pick, and if it doesn't go right*.... hangover talking apologies

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      2. Sean.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        got it wrong 2 weeks in a row now

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    3. Jinswick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Aghh, now you've got me considering it!!

      Then I remembered Rooney has looked very poor the last 2 weeks, despite his scores...

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      1. Blonde Faith
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        +1

        Time to ditch him, not (c) him...

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    4. ...---...
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      I commented on the first page that he was the clear bookies favourite for a decent goals haul this week and - with only 9% of the vote in the captaincy poll - he actually represents a decent differential (not that you need one).

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      1. Simon March
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah I think that's what got me thinking!

        Thanks for the replies everyone - Also sorry as it looks like I might have caused more doubt in others more than confirmation for myself!

        For the record: I'm C'ing Rooney (...probably).

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  27. Puzzle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Play Simpson or Vermaelen?

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    1. shitonastick
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Play Statipn

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  28. anish10
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    HBA is on my bench at the minute. ive already got cisse but not sure wheter to play or bench:

    evans kompany vermaelen
    valencia dempsey siggy walcott
    cisse rvp tevez

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    1. mouldy_uk
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Would bench Walcott and play HBA.

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      1. Reacher
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 9 months ago

        +1 so would i but seen as i thimk you are a gooner cant see you doing that

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  29. NATSTER
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Itching to start Vorm instead of Schwarzer... Especially after reading Anorak's MIB article hinted Vorm could have a penalty saved this week. 😕

    ???

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  30. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 9 months ago

    Need to play one from these

    A bale
    B siggy
    C barfa
    D Enrique

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 9 months ago

      Siggy

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