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FPL Rate My Team surgery with five-time top 1k finisher Tom Freeman

6 January 2026 183 comments
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Five-time top 1k finisher Tom Freeman is here to help with your pre-deadline dilemmas for the next hour.

Whether it’s questions on transfers, team selection, chip strategy or anything in between, Scout’s Deputy Editor will tackle whatever’s thrown at him.

He’ll be on hand to first reply to requests from Premium Members in the Hot Topic below the line of this piece and will get through as many as he can until the next article goes up.

If there’s time, Tom will also turn his attention to other requests in the comments section.

FOLLOW TUESDAY’S LIVE TEAM NEWS HERE

You can, as ever, chip in with your own opinions on the RMT requests filtering through – and naturally, you’re free to ignore the article’s subject matter and talk about any other wider Fantasy Premier League (FPL) topics.

Don’t forget that if it’s an algorithmic answer you’re after rather than an opinion-based one, we also have a ‘Rate My Team’ tool available in the Premium Members Area.

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  1. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 days, 1 hour ago

    Hub getting massive dream PR coverage in a prominent place on the BBC News homepage: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cewjqxxy2jxo

    Scouting is dying. Put me in charge to save it.

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    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 days, 1 hour ago

      I saved Internet Service Providings with my free ring dings offer. Now I can save Scoutings.

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    2. z13
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        Nobody cares we're just here to play the game and have fun

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        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 days, 1 hour ago

          We used to laugh at Hub's market share back when Mark was in charge. They were the little guys; a joke to us. First Micah Richards stars in their advert and now this. This is worrying.

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      • Studs Up
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        BBC probably popped in here, only to see - dare I say it (insert name) - posting dross all over the comment section and ran for the hills.

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      • theshazly
        • 2 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        Hmmm

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    3. theshazly
      • 2 Years
      3 days, 1 hour ago

      Who 1st on bench ?

      A ) DCL
      B ) Ekitike

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      1. PogChamp
        • 14 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        Who are you playing ahead of them? I’m not sure I would be benching Ekitike.

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        1. theshazly
          • 2 Years
          3 days, 1 hour ago

          BrunoG Saka Foden Cherki Neto
          Haaland Ekitike

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    4. RMT SURGERY WITH TOM
      avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      3 days, 1 hour ago

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    5. Sid07
      • 11 Years
      3 days, 1 hour ago

      Play 2 from
      1) Stach
      2) Le fee
      3) Andersen
      5) virgil

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      1. theshazly
        • 2 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        1 & 2

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    6. OneTeamInBristol
      • 2 Years
      3 days, 1 hour ago

      Apologies for the boring post, but play one:

      a) Garner
      b) Chaloboh

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      1. Warby84
        • 10 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        Garner

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      2. theshazly
        • 2 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        A

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    7. Warby84
      • 10 Years
      3 days, 1 hour ago

      What’s the point of restricting??

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      1. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        Money.

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        1. Brosstan
          • 11 Years
          3 days, 1 hour ago

          One of the reason this site has turned to crap. Most of the mods and contributors aren't active at all, just churn out an article or two per game week and cash their cheque. No community any more.

          Back in the day Mark himself would be active in the comments discussing with the plebs.

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          1. Philosopher's Stones
            • 5 Years
            3 days, 51 mins ago

            The only interaction that happens these days is the deletion of comments.

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    8. Warby84
      • 10 Years
      3 days, 1 hour ago

      Dubravka (Verbruggen)
      Gabriel Ballard Tarkowski Matheus.N
      Paqueta Saka Palmer Rogers (Xhaka)
      Watkins Haaland(c) (Calvert-Lewin)

      Gtg?
      Calvert or Xhaka 1st sub,?

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      1. theshazly
        • 2 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        Xhaka

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      2. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 8 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        Old rule was always play the attacker, but that probably no longer holds true. Having said that, do you think you'd more annoyed by a DCL hattie first on bench or second?

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    9. gomez123
      • 12 Years
      3 days, 1 hour ago

      Do we think Gordan starts the GW? Or time to shift to Rice/Bruno G/Enzo?

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      1. theshazly
        • 2 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        Hold for one more GW

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      2. The Night Trunker.
        • 2 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        69 minutes.

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    10. pilgrimchris
      • 11 Years
      3 days, 1 hour ago

      Thoughts on this lot? On a WC.

      Pickford
      Gabriel, Van De Ven, James, Thiaw
      Guimares, Cunha, Rice, Cherki
      Watkins, Haaland

      Wirtz, Frimpong
      Obi, Moore

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      1. Ray85
        • 7 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        Tarkowski over Frimpong
        Sunderland defender over Van De Ven
        Save money for Cunha to Bruno F

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        1. pilgrimchris
          • 11 Years
          3 days, 25 mins ago

          Cheers, I really would like Bruno F

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      2. Captain Robert Hatch
        • 15 Years
        3 days, 55 mins ago

        Wirtz on the bench eh?

        I keep swapping his and Rogers place, currently Rogers on bench, bah!

        Surely I’ll get it all wrong

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        1. pilgrimchris
          • 11 Years
          3 days, 26 mins ago

          both Wirtz and frimpong on the bench for the arsenal game this week. Frimpong has 3 assists in the last 4 weeks since he has come into the team, it might be a bit of a punt but I'm hoping he could be an interesting differential. I would like Rogers (shame we are not allowed a 6 man midfield!)

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    11. Zalk
      • 14 Years
      3 days, 1 hour ago

      Bruno still the second most in-form player at United despite missing three games.

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      1. Brosstan
        • 11 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        Hope he returns soon so I can dump the trashcan Foden

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    12. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      3 days, 1 hour ago

      Hey tom, what can managers who are down in the dumps rank wise hope for the end of the season? Im 850k, is top 10k reachable?

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      1. Boxwoods
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        850k? That’s a hunblebrag this season!

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      2. avfc82
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        I'm slightly below that - tough season so far, not helped by a terrible start (8m after a few weeks).

        But ranks still feel quite close, for example, I was up to 700k after LEE v MUN on Sun, then dropped down a bit after Thiago's hat-trick.

        I think I'm 80ish points off the top 50k now, which feels doable, particularly with chips still to play.

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    13. Yordan Letchkov
      • 9 Years
      3 days, 1 hour ago

      Play

      A) Raya (LIV; own Gab)
      B) Dubravka (MUN)

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      1. Philosopher's Stones
        • 5 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        Both easy CSs. Toss a coin.

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    14. Bobkat
      • 3 Years
      3 days, 1 hour ago

      Benching dilemmas, any help appreciated!

      Pickford
      Gab O’Reilly Keane
      Rice Semenyo Foden Wilson Wirtz
      Haaland Ekitike

      Dubs DCL Timber Mukiele

      Would you play DCL and Timber over the Liverpool two?

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      1. Ray85
        • 7 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        Would play DCL over Wirtz

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        1. Bobkat
          • 3 Years
          3 days, 1 hour ago

          Cheers, appreciate the help

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      2. Rollercoaster
        • 12 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        Similar problem, Wilson over Wirtz?

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        1. Bobkat
          • 3 Years
          3 days, 30 mins ago

          Probably yes. Wirtz has done ok the last few weeks but his big scores have been at home and Wilson is on form

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    15. MannionUK
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 days, 1 hour ago

      Hi All

      Would you roll with this? I have 2FT. Would love Rice or Gabriel in double Arsenal but fancy Liverpool GW21

      Sanchez
      O'Reilly, VVD, Saliba, Dorgu
      Wirtz, Foden, Gordon, Cunha
      Haarland, Ekitike

      Verbruggen, Stach, J Anderson, Marshall

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    16. Redranger
      • 11 Years
      3 days, 1 hour ago

      Which one?

      A) Semenyo > Rogers/Gordon
      B) Ekitike > Watkins
      C) Both

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      1. Ray85
        • 7 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        A to Rogers
        Would keep Ekitike for Burnley at least

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        1. Redranger
          • 11 Years
          3 days, 1 hour ago

          Yeah, ideally I would keep Ekitike, I just wasn’t sure on the severity of the injury. Will dump Semenyo instead!

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          1. Sun God Nika
            • 5 Years
            3 days, 55 mins ago

            why dump semen yo?

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    17. Philosopher's Stones
      • 5 Years
      3 days, 1 hour ago

      A: Start Wilson (bench Minteh and roll 2 FTs)
      B: Minteh + Wilson -> Bruno G + Devenny
      C: Minteh + Wilson -> Gordon + Devenny

      *WC next GW

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      1. Ray85
        • 7 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        A

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    18. Rollercoaster
      • 12 Years
      3 days, 1 hour ago

      2FT 0,2 ITB
      Dubr
      O'Reilly Chalo Gabby
      Wilson Foden Rogers Saka
      DCL Haal Thiag
      bench: Verb Witz Muki Dalot

      GTG? change anything?

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      1. Ray85
        • 7 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        GTG - good team

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    19. Steavn8k
      • 2 Years
      3 days, 1 hour ago

      Start one:
      A: Wilson
      B: Ekitike

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      1. Ray85
        • 7 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        A

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    20. Ray85
      • 7 Years
      3 days, 1 hour ago

      Kelleher
      Gabriel Thiaw Tark
      Foden Rogers Cunha Saka Szoboslai
      Thiago Haaland (c)

      Thinking of Szoboslai to Enzo?

      GTG?

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      1. TanN
        • 4 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        Save the FT

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        1. Ray85
          • 7 Years
          3 days, 1 hour ago

          Play Dorgu v Burnley instead?

          Not planning to play Szoboslai v Arsenal

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          1. TanN
            • 4 Years
            3 days, 59 mins ago

            Yeah start dorgu or if you can afford anyone better than enzo do that

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            1. Ray85
              • 7 Years
              3 days, 55 mins ago

              Enzo has some great fixtures and has been playing more advanced. I can afford Bruno G but my two mini league rivals have him too.

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              1. TanN
                • 4 Years
                3 days, 52 mins ago

                Fair enough, if you are chasing then go for enzo, if in the lead maybe cover points and go for bruno

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            2. Ray85
              • 7 Years
              3 days, 51 mins ago

              Or Grealish

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    21. JayJay96
      • 10 Years
      3 days, 1 hour ago

      Oh my days can’t decide who to take out to put Bowen in from bench. Would you do it or not?

      Pope
      Nunes - Thiaw - Gabriel - Tarkowski
      Saka - Cherki - Gordon - Rice - Rogers
      Haaland

      Bench
      Bowen - Mukiele - Dubravka - Barnes

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      1. Holmes
        • 12 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        maybe Nunes? He will have a weaker defense and Brighton's attack is fine.

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      2. Ray85
        • 7 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        Nunes

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      3. TanN
        • 4 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        Nunes 100%

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      4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 9 Years
        3 days, 32 mins ago

        No, Bowen should probably be behind Mukiele on bench imo

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    22. Old Wulfrunian
      • 9 Years
      3 days, 1 hour ago

      Best gk up to 4.5 except Verbruggen?

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      1. Ray85
        • 7 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        Kelleher

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      2. Holmes
        • 12 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        only 2 options left, perri and kelleher

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      3. Old Wulfrunian
        • 9 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        cheers.Kelleher probably,better fixtures.

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    23. OptimusBlack
      • 12 Years
      3 days, 1 hour ago

      Which is better ?
      A- Andersen > Keane
      B- Ekitiké >

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      1. OptimusBlack
        • 12 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        Which is better ?
        A- Andersen > Keane
        B- Ekitiké > Watkins

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    24. TanN
      • 4 Years
      3 days, 1 hour ago

      Taken a -4 to get Gabriel and Bruno G (0.1 off affording Rice).

      My bench is:
      Ekitike*
      Minteh*
      Dias*

      Worth another 4 point hit for a guaranteed starter in case of a no show for any of my team?:

      Dubravka
      Gabriel Keane Mukiele Dalot
      BrunoG Foden Rogers Cunha
      Haaland Thiago

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      1. Ray85
        • 7 Years
        3 days, 1 hour ago

        No

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    25. DARE TO BISCAN
      • 7 Years
      3 days, 1 hour ago

      Do we reckon Woltemade to start this GW?

      Who to start out of:
      a) Wolte
      b) Wirtz
      c) Ekitike
      d) Chalobah

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      1. OptimusBlack
        • 12 Years
        3 days, 58 mins ago

        A

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        1. TanN
          • 4 Years
          3 days, 57 mins ago

          D

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    26. Letsgo!
      • 9 Years
      3 days, 1 hour ago

      Capt foden?

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      1. MVDP
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 1 Year
        3 days, 58 mins ago

        Nah. Too close to a possible rest or reduced minutes. They only played two days ago and have plenty to choose from if he decides to give him a break.

        Might get lucky, but risky.

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    27. Jimjam
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 days, 56 mins ago

      Ekitike --> Watkins for free, or hold for Burnley game?

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      1. Ray85
        • 7 Years
        3 days, 55 mins ago

        Hold

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      2. OptimusBlack
        • 12 Years
        3 days, 51 mins ago

        Get Watkins

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    28. TanN
      • 4 Years
      3 days, 56 mins ago

      Thoughts on going against Haaland for captaincy?

      Cunha - good fixture
      BrunoG - form and fixture
      Thiago - form

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      1. Holmes
        • 12 Years
        3 days, 52 mins ago

        Not a fan. Probably Bruno G is best out of worst.

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      2. Letsgo!
        • 9 Years
        3 days, 51 mins ago

        I wanan capt foden or saka

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      3. DARE TO BISCAN
        • 7 Years
        3 days, 50 mins ago

        Usual issue of going against the masses. Big swing, either way.
        Would expect something from Haaland, and home to Brighton

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      4. The Night Trunker.
        • 2 Years
        3 days, 49 mins ago

        I'm toying with Gibbs- White.

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      5. Mother Farke
        • 1 Year
        3 days, 48 mins ago

        If Haaland did't hit the woodwork v Chelsea, this doesn't cross your mind

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        1. Mother Farke
          • 1 Year
          3 days, 46 mins ago

          Didn't

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    29. Warblers
      • 10 Years
      3 days, 54 mins ago

      Sels or Dubrovka? I keep flipping back and forth....

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      1. XX SMICER XX
        • 7 Years
        3 days, 52 mins ago

        Sels

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      2. The Night Trunker.
        • 2 Years
        3 days, 51 mins ago

        Go and watch Spam's last game.
        That should convince you.

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    30. XX SMICER XX
      • 7 Years
      3 days, 52 mins ago

      Who to bench?
      A. Dorgu
      B. Chalobah
      C. O’Reilly

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      1. Letsgo!
        • 9 Years
        3 days, 51 mins ago

        C

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      2. TanN
        • 4 Years
        3 days, 50 mins ago

        C

        Defense incredibly weaker without Dias or Gvardiol. Cannot foresee any clean sheets for City in the near future and NOR will be less advanced due to fragility of centre back pairing of khusanov and ake. Both have a mistake in them.

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        1. XX SMICER XX
          • 7 Years
          3 days, 19 mins ago

          Thanks. It’s either him or Dorgu who I think could be benched

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    31. Sun God Nika
      • 5 Years
      3 days, 50 mins ago

      would you bench bowen or cavert as first benched option ? got bruno f in starting lineup so the benched player has got a chance of coming on anyways if still ruled out

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      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 days, 48 mins ago

        Bowen first

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