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22 November 2012 796 comments
Mark Mark
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Martin O’Neill’s Sunderland have four home games and five matches in the next four Gameweeks. It’s a scenario that screams investment and yet Fantasy managers are still showing caution, not least because, in terms of attacking output, the Black Cats have proven particularly ineffectual.

While their defensive assets, notably Simon Mignolet and Carlos Cuellar, look obvious routes, in attacking quarters our sights seem somewhat limited. Striker Steven Fletcher leads the line as a lone striker and has more than justified the fee O’Neill laid down for his services – six goals in 10 starts have kept Sunderland afloat and singled out Fletcher as the key target for those contemplating coverage of Sunderland’s attacking output.

With competition for places in our forward lines so fierce, however, it’s prudent to delve further; to investigate O’Neill’s squad and assess whether there will be another name to emerge as a force over the forthcoming run of favourable fixtures.

In this latest article for members, we analyse the data for Sunderland’s squad over the season so far, assess the protagonists and the recent improvement that has harvested four goals in their last two outings.

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

796 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Richd
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Feltcher

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    1. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      You take that back!

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    2. COMH
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      That's one way of putting it.

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    3. the axolotl
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      just change station

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  2. Twisted Saltergater
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Retry lads, having a mare. Cheers for the input so far, it's not been ignored.

    Valencia. Mata. Silva. Michu. (Fellaini)
    Rooney. Ba. Berbatov.

    or

    Mid

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    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Haha, I think someone is trying to tell me something!

      Retry lads, having a mare. Cheers for the input so far, it's not been ignored.

      Valencia. Mata. Silva. Michu. (Fellaini)
      Rooney. Ba. Berbatov.

      or

      (Mid 6m). Mata. Silva. Michu. (Taarabt)
      RVP. Ba. Giroud.

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      1. New Ghost
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        1st one because of the midfield; but change Rooney to Aguero. 🙂

        I like the 2nd one's strikeforce better though.

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      2. Doolittle
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        I'd go the 2nd, with the first you're always going to have points on the bench (and no RVP of course). Wouldn't personally go for Taarabt, but that's just me.

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        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 2 months ago

          Going for the 1st option allows me to get rid of Taarabt this week.

          I know what you mean with not knowing who to bench, but this week that decision is made for me, and next week Michu might pick up his 5th yellow. There will also be rotation with 3 games in 8/9 days.

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          1. Doolittle
            • 13 Years
            13 years, 2 months ago

            Sounds like your instinct is the first option. Go with your gut.

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            1. Twisted Saltergater
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              13 years, 2 months ago

              Yep, I think you're right. I need to be absolutely 100% sure when transferring out RVP though!

              Cheers for the input.

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      3. super zlatan
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        Majority will say the second option as it has rvp. But your first option looks great if Rooney was in form. I do think no rvp is a risk, so my opinion is the latter

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        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 2 months ago

          Brill, cheers Zlatan. Appreciate your reasoning.

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      4. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season rc…
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        Valencia has the Granny curse ATM 😉

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        1. Twisted Saltergater
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 2 months ago

          One of my mates picked him a couple of weeks ago, and he's constantly cursing anyone he buys (Lallana recently too). 🙂

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    2. the axolotl
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      i posted earlier valencia is the 51st highest scoring mid in game.

      i had a punt on him for a couple of weeks to no avail, and sold on. fair enough he has QPR so maybe worth a go this week, but he has to move on i think

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      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        I saw it Mosstapha - just tried to ignore it 😉

        My first choice at the price would be Walcott, but seeing as Valencia has QPR, WHU and rdg, then he'll surely pick up on his points return.

        Great stat though!

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        1. the axolotl
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 2 months ago

          yeah i swapped for walcott last week which seemed like a great move till he got injured so may back fire on me. valencia could be explosive but watched him a couple of time recently and he looks lacking in confidence i think. stats will tell you he gets lots of ball but really doesn't do much with it.

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    3. Low-Life
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Second one.

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  3. Doolittle
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    I can't decide which transfer to do this week:

    A) Noble to Puncheon, and play Bale, Cazorla, Sterling and Puncheon

    B) Zabaleta to Billy Jones, which would mean playing 4 defenders this week, but would give me the option of changing Noble to a 6m player next week

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  4. david ngog
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Dont understand why rodgers doesnt start assaidi in the prem, great pace and skill

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    1. The Gambler.
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      He was starting vs Wigan but felt a twinge so we played Enrique instead.

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  5. Optimus.
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    wisdom coming off

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    1. HVT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Looks a wise move ...

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    2. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      How exactly was he injured? Did he overstretch himself in the preceding move?

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      1. Scroobius Mac
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        Everybody wants to be Facer 😉

        Made me laugh when Townsend said Bale had hit his boney bit on his hip.

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

          There's gotta be a facer name for that..

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          1. Optimus.
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 2 months ago

            hip bone? 😉

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  6. isacki: full casual
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Wisdom injured, wisdom and Enrique bandwagons in peril.

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    1. Scroobius Mac
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      No problem for Enrique is it?

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

        I assume Enrique would shift back to left back and Johnson to right back if wisdom is injured so no oop. Still perhaps an okish though overpriced defensive option

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        1. Scroobius Mac
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 2 months ago

          Better than nowt. I'd rather have him nailed on at FB than a risk OOP personally. He'll get forward plenty from FB.

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

            Yeah his points potential is decent, just the price. I was interested on the Liverpool defences recently and looking at wisdom, but I think the window has closed for me there.

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      2. New Ghost
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        Enrique will move back into defense if Wisdom is out.

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  7. SW6
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Shelvey is becoming quite a good footballer..

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  8. Twisted Saltergater
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Like how Liverpool announce the goalscorer as, "Scorer of Liverpool's *first* goal..." 😀

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    1. Damo.
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      I salute you

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    2. SW6
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      What odds did you get?

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    3. Scroobius Mac
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Top scorer in the Europa League this season isn't he?

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    4. the axolotl
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      wow, joe cole did something good.

      seriously can someone tell me the last time he was involved in a goal?

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      1. super zlatan
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        Nice. Well done. 🙂

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

    Quick poll peeps?????

    A)Sterling (Swansea away)
    B)Maloney (Reading home)

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    1. david ngog
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      b

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      1. reshardo
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        U sure?
        Sterling could rip it though two assists last game

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        1. super zlatan
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 2 months ago

          A

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          1. reshardo
            • 15 Years
            13 years, 2 months ago

            Mmmmmmm
            A and B so far anyone won a go for the winner?

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    2. Shaps
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      B

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  10. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    cant believe im having to decide between bringing in gorkks or shorey!

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    1. reshardo
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Hahahahaha that is jokes

      How come?

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      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        cheapie 5th defender, plus got the dgw in mind

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

    Foster > Migs and Saylor > O'Shea 2 frees upto utd game.
    I already have Cuellar - this could be Epic or is it doomed to failure ?

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    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Too much Sunderland in defence.

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      1. reshardo
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        Your right one is enough

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    2. reshardo
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      I would go with migs and cullear

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  12. Mr. Perfectionist
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Wisdom injured. He's off.

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  13. Toonzie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    oh man hba is coming off

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  14. Deano
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Quick poll please guys, lost at the bottom:

    A. Puncheon
    Or
    B. Maloney

    And

    A. Enrique
    Or
    B. Rafael

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    1. super zlatan
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Maloney and rafael

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  15. denial
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Absolute nightmare flight back from Ireland - couldn't land at EMA, then tried twice at B'ham. Surely matches threatened at the weekend if the weather goes on like this.

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    1. Uncle John from Jamaica
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      The games aren't generally played at 20'000 feet so not overly worried.

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      1. denial
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        *sigh* p*ss off.

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  16. Richd
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Who else aboard the Shorey bandwagon? I'm riding it like seabiscuit and my legs are chaffing. #redraw

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  17. DoobNoob
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    What are people's views on Enrique? Is he gunna be a regular starter? S

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  18. Scroobius Mac
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    HBA's done his hammy. Ba coming on.

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    1. Richd
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Good.

      Dont have him in my FPL team, and its a good excuse to get him out my Telegraph pub league without feeling like i'm the tinker man

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    2. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Bladdy ell, Barfa hammy means surely he's unlikely to make the Southampton game. This is proving a costly night for everyone.

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  19. super zlatan
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Guess at sterling price next season in fpl?

    7.5 - 8 mil is my guess

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  20. Doctor X
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Crap. BA on! Nooo..

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      hmm was thinking of handing him the armband this weekend

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  21. crystalpalaceRus
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Is anyone bringing in Maloney on AJohnson?

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    1. reshardo
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Thinking Maloney

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    2. reshardo
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      But not sure weather to play sterling or Maloney????

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  22. super zlatan
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Currently have 3 players so far for the dgw

    Federici, gorkks and Cuellar.

    Madness to ship berba in gw15 for fletcher?

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    1. reshardo
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Do u should do berby to fletcher now

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  23. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Ben Arfa off injured, Ba on. Damn it. Him coming on and Ben Arfa being injured is bad news.

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    1. super zlatan
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Maybe I will start clyne after all this gw..

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    2. Nice to Michu
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      indeed. newcastle potentially missing HBA and Cabaye in league really depletes their creativity, which is bad news for Ba owners.

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    3. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      I was all set to bring Ba in and considering Barfa. Well put off Ba now.

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    4. Gargamel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Yep, doubly bad news for Ba owners and Newcastle fans.

      Ba should won't be better off without Cabaye and Ben Arfa, but the way they played lately it won't be the end of the world either. Ba just needs a hoof to score!

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    5. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Ben Arfa AND Cabaye out? Sh!t change of plan. Am going to get Lambert at this rate!

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  24. lazybones18
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Happy thanksgiving folks ...

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    1. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Happy thanksgiving. You bloated with turkey in front of the Detroit game? I live in the UK so normal working day for me.

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    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      You too...

      Loving the extra NFL games on tonight. Shame the Niners aren't playing until the weekend.

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  25. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Begovic - Foster
    Baines - Gibbs - Cuellar - Nelsen - Simpson
    Bale - Mata - Cazorla - Pienaar - Sterling
    Suarez – Ba – Berbatov

    Plan is to downgrade two of the above to raise funds to get Silva in for Pienaar after the midweek.
    I've got 1.3 in the bank and Silva will rise 0.1 today so it does not give me a lot of options:

    a) Gibbs + Sterling -> Clyne + McAnuff
    b) Gibbs + Foster -> Cameron + Tremmel
    c) Gibbs + Simpson -> Clyne + Cameron

    Which one is the best pick?
    thx

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    1. manehi
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      a) out of those - no point having Sterling benched every week.

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    2. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season rc…
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      B b bee bee

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    3. beepingmeeping
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Definitely keep Sterling. So cheap and is scoring big. I'd stick with Foster too. Good keeper to have. He'll be back next week.
      Forget Clyne. Soton haven't got a CS all year and he's not that good going forward. Cameron's a good pick. Cheap and Stoke will get CS's. Garrido is another good cheap defender. Norwich are playing a defensive game and will continue to pick up CS's.

      I recommend:
      Gibbs, Simpson -> Cameron, Garrido

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      1. Gazza2000
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        thx but I can't afford Garrido, he is 0.6 too expensive..
        The reason I was thinking Clyne is that Southampton rotates well with QPR/Nelsen

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        1. Dale Cooper
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 2 months ago

          What about Turner then?

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          1. Gazza2000
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 2 months ago

            0.2 too much, if I take out Gibbs and Simpson for Cameron and another DEF I can only afford a 4.0 max..

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  26. Terry Butcher's sneake…
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    HBA injured, Marveaux bandwagon 😉 Looks like a steal - 4.2m

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  27. Ninja_Fit_Saints
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    Does anyone know how badly Ben Arfa is injured? Cheers

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    1. Alan The Llama
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Degloved testicles

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    2. Beamer
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      I hope he can play this weekend... already made my transfers....

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    3. the axolotl
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      lol. can't believe nobody has the latest medical opinion. it's been, like, 3 minutes!

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      1. Ninja_Fit_Saints
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 2 months ago

        Never seen what happened, just curious if it looked bad, cheers.

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        1. the axolotl
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 2 months ago

          sorry mate just laughing at the (understandable-ish) FF desperation for news that's so prevalent here

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          1. Ninja_Fit_Saints
            • 15 Years
            13 years, 2 months ago

            No probs mate, I hear you =)

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    4. Gargamel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Hamstring, wait for more info. Likely to miss a few PL games I'd guess

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    5. super zlatan
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Not sure yet. Hammy trouble.

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  28. Locarno
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 2 months ago

    How's my midfield of Fellaini, Ben Arfa, Walcott, Cabaye and Guthrie looking this weekend?

    Foster in goal for the win...

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    1. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season rc…
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 2 months ago

      Doesn`t look like the team linked to your name ........

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