Watchlist

The Watchlist – Christian Benteke

As a result of Alex McLeish’s horrendously negative tactics last season, very few Villa players were taken seriously by Fantasy managers when crafting initial lineups this time round. Prices were subsequently downgraded and with the arrival of a more attack minded manager in Paul Lambert, plus the emergence of several young (and cheap) players, the Villains appeared to offer a rich seam of differential talent waiting to be mined. It’s taken a while for Lambert’s young lions to establish themselves this season, however, and as it stands that talent remains largely untapped; the acrobatic Brad Guzan in goal and the muscular Christian Benteke up front are the only players to accumulate more than a 3% FPL ownership to this point.

Four goals at Carrow Road in the Capital One cup and another three at Anfield has given us plenty of reason to take another look, and summer signing Benteke has been central to Villa’s resurgent run of form. In many ways, the Belgian is a symbol of the changes taking place at Villa Park – young, energetic and strong, the comparison with forlorn and fallen team-mate Darren Bent is striking. Benteke’s performance at Anfield displayed many of the qualities missing in the England international; he won aerial duels all over the pitch, scored a powerful goal from distance, set up another with a cheeky bit of skill and capped it off by barging his way into the box to execute a cool finish. If he was English, the media would have eaten it up.

We’ve already covered Benteke once this season, back in November he made significant strides: enough to promote him in our thoughts. He duly delivered three goals an assist and six bonus points since that article but, with a forthcoming schedule that screams further returns, Benteke warrants renewed attention.

Three home games in the next four against Tottenham, Wigan and Southampton should provide plenty of chances for Benteke to boost his burgeoning reputation further. While Villa’s form could now be fragile having just taken a pounding at Chelsea, Lambert is backing his side to show their spirit and bounce back in the Boxing Day meeting with Spurs. Considering that he has scored or assisted eight of Villa’s 13 league goals so far this term, Benteke will surely be the key figure on show against Andre Villas-Boas’ side and, with a price tag of 6.7 in the FPL and just 7.5 in the Sky Sports game, there are few obstacles to investment.

An ownership of just over 3%, with the ability to free up funds for heavy midfield acquisitions, promotes the appeal and could mean that Poirot isn’t the only Belgian that comforts us over Christmas; it’s not certain that Benteke will be murdering defences but he’s surely a prime suspect.

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875 Comments Post a Comment
  1. floydy_floyd
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Bentekeeee!!!

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  2. @FPLStrategist
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Happy Christmas all!

    Any RMT's are very welcome!

    Federici
    Zabaletta Nelsen Enrique
    Michu Snodgrass Silva Puncheon
    RVP Dzwko Rooney
    Subs: Migs, Cuellar, Clyne, Cazorla
    Bank 0.0 1 free transfer

    Any idea of transfers???

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    1. Soccaholic
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Play Cazorla and place Snodgrass 1st sub. It'll taste sweeter believe me 😉

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  3. SuperOsçarBaby
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    2nd. WooHoo

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    1. floydy_floyd
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Only 4 mins behind 😉

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    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      You are still a chipmunk. 😉

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  4. New Ghost
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    3rd? Damn.

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  5. happy-boys
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    I need one player to replace Ridgewell.Baines,Shawcross,Evra,Enrique or Johnson ?

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    1. Hailzter
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      ShawX

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      1. Feanor
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Johnson.

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  6. Doctor X
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    REPOST:

    Hello everyone. Looking for some pointers here on what to do with this bunch. Need to sort my defense out at the earliest.

    Begovic
    Nelsen – Shorey – Rangel
    Mata – Silva – Michu – Sterling
    Defoe – Suarez – Van Persie

    Subs: Jaaskelainen – Cuellar – Gunter – Cazorla

    A) Rangel > Baird
    B) Save transfer and play Cuellar (MCI)
    —– Defoe + Rangel Benteke + Nastasic next week

    I’d really appreciate the help lads, can’t think of much to do with this at the moment

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    1. New Ghost
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Save it mate. Merry Christmas!

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      1. Doctor X
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers Snake Juice! You too 🙂

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    2. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Nice front 8.

      Nelsen and Cuellar are fine. Try to swap the RDG defs and Rangel for Davies and Demel to free up some cash.

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      1. Doctor X
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks for the pointers. Merry Christmas to you Jafa.

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    3. FINALLY POGREBYNYAK SCORES
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Defence is too weak. I'd go A.

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    4. FINALLY POGREBYNYAK SCORES
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Tough Captain pick dilenma. Albeit a nice one to have! Who knew Michu would turn out so good??? For me ATM it's on Michu. Reading aeren't gonna pack the bus, they will line up a 442 formation. Expect a high scoring draw game. Michu to cop at least a double!

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  7. Rory Rocky man
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Begovic foster

    Nelson clyne McCartney Enrique cuellar

    Walcott sessegnon michu Stirling tarrabt

    Rvp tevez Suarez
    1.8 in bank
    2 Ft

    Take out tevez and cuellar for berba and baines???

    Yes or no first
    To 3 wins

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  8. emperikal
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Hoping for big things from Mr. Beneteke over the next few weeks!

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      😆

      Look down you bar steward

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      1. emperikal
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Haha 😉

        I've opted to go with him over Berbatov. Hope it doesn't bite me in the ass.

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      2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Indeed. 😕

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      1. emperikal
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        🙂

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  9. Soccaholic
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Who's everyone captaining 2moro and why?

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Berba

      Why not.

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      1. Matt
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        +1

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    2. emperikal
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      RVP (C) and Michu (vc) at the moment for obvious reasons I think 😉

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    3. New Ghost
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      RVP because he is awesome.

      I fear rotation though. Bale just might get the armband if I chicken out.

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    4. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Michu. Because he will score the most points. 😉

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    5. AF90
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Was gona be RVP, ver worried about him being rested though. Might transfer in Berba & captain him

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    6. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Vanilla Captain

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    7. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      RVP.

      Utd/at home/best points scorer going/3pts becomes essential after SWN/attack-minded team/relaibility/300 pts a season/I have him/God-like.

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      1. Mull
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        This/+1/Agreed

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  10. kimoo
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Bentekeeee for gw 20 v.s Wigaaaan

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  11. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    ohh Benteke

    Hoping for a nice little haul from the big man, reward my faith you monster

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    1. New Ghost
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      He will.

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    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      "Why are you right, when I'm so wrong ..." 😛

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      1. Mull
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        ''If there's been a fool around it's got to be me''

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          Exactly. 😉

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  12. Hailzter
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Any chance of Gorkss playing even a minute against Swansea? Who should I make captain, RVP, Michu or Bale?

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  13. fridge
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Anything to do this week? 1 FT, 0.4 in bank

    Federici

    Enrique Nastasic Nelsen

    Sessegnon Michu Sterling Silva

    Berbatov RVP Defoe

    Szeszny Cuellar Cazorla Demel

    A) Demel » Clyne/ other cheapie
    B) Cazorla » Mata
    C) Cazorla » Bale
    D) Nothing

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    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      D. or Sess->Pienaar.

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  14. Feanor
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    I knee jerked Benteke in last week when Fletcher pulled up injured. Hopefully I'll get those 6 wasted points back.

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  15. kimoo
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Points prediction for baines ????

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    1. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      2

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    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      4.

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      1. Root
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Earlier you predicted Everton to win 3-0. Does this mean that Baines will get an assist and is subbed off before the 60th minute? Or maybe he gets the cleansheet and misses a penalty?

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    3. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      The norm: 2.

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    4. emperikal
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      As usual he'll get 2 but in reality could have had a double digit score.

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  16. Joga Bonito®
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    How many on the tight rope now people? 5 for me.

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    1. emperikal
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      4! RVP, Bale, Michu and Cameron

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    2. New Ghost
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      3 big boys. Nervy times.

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    3. Joga Bonito®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      RVP, Michu, Cameron, Bale and Taarabt.

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    4. Just Ruud
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      2 here, but wondering about Williams actually, he picked his 5th yellow vs Utd didn't he?
      No red flag yet though, shouldn't he be banned next game?

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    5. LOCO ABREU
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      3

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    6. Soccaholic
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Verto Bale RvP Michu

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    7. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      I fell off. Too pissed ... 🙁

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  17. Parm
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Giggs Bosom would be proud! 😀

    http://i.imgur.com/rXcQw.png

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    1. Captain Shirokov
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      LOL @ Bosom.

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      1. Pratik
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Hey did you finish the LOTR trilogy?

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      2. King Eric, in America
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        I'm sure that there's a Giggs Bosom gif ... and that Giggs Boson can find it.

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    2. Parm
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Boson.

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  18. MCM
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Michu (C) for me. Only because my rivals will be playing RVP (C) and I have a good feeling about this..

    And that's not the licqour talking...but the backspace bar introduced itself enough in this comment..oops.

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    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      If SWN were at home, then yes, I'd agree. RDG at home in front of their own fans on B Day will be a different battle.

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  19. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    is sess to pienaar worth a sub or will I save it for 2FT next week??

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    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      My trade. Depends on when you are playing your winter w/c. Knowing that you can soon offload these players, you can afford to take some risks and play the fixtures a little more. Has been very profitable for me in the past.

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      1. McSauce
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        I feel my jan w/c will be played on the final week i tink to build for the weeks to follow and most updated transfer news aswell!!

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        1. Jafalad
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          V sensible.

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    2. Joga Bonito®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Are you not just going to want Fellaini in when his suspension finishes?

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  20. kimoo
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Clyne , Rafael , Jose Enrique , Shorey , Demel blank

    choose who is play this gw ? and must get any defender for -4 i have £5.4 M

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    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Raf, Enq, Shorey. Forget getting other defenders in-waste of a transfer with those 3.

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    2. kimoo
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      choose 3 to play ??

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  21. Doctor X
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Sometimes I just (C) RVP because I'm a big pu**y 🙁

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    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      ...or you are a very smart and disciplined FPL player? 😉

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    2. emperikal
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      He is a nice safety blanket tbh!

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      1. Low-Life
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Come on folks. He's a big pussy. Albeit a big pussy with probably a better rank than me

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  22. Keane There Dunne That
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Should I do

    Felaini and Nolan
    TO
    Bale and A 4.9 that isn't puncheon.

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    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      No. Get rid of those expensive defenders you are hiding.

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    2. df34
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      IS it for free? and for long term.?

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  23. Low-Life
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Merry Xmas addicts!

    Just resorted to paying £5 for wireless access as my in laws don't know their bloody password. Pressed "Done" twice so they've probably charged me twice based on past experience. Oh well, at least I'll get through deadline day now... good luck everyone

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Their password is your wife's/husband's first name ... obviously. 😉

      Or the dog's ... 😛

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      1. King Eric, in America
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        My in-law's password? The dog's name.

        Good call, MMW.

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          Long experience. 😉

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      2. Low-Life
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Already tried all those! They're a bit paranoid generally, probably a random set of characters strung together, no wonder they can't remember.

        Drunk yet? 😉

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          I was three sheets, but the mizzen has blown out ... 😉

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        2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          ... then it is your first name ... 😉

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  24. Matt
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    I'm dreaming of a white Christmas http://gyazo.com/f60ce76b7124311b00380bd148d756a7

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    1. Parm
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      http://i.imgur.com/5Fcrc.jpg

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      1. Matt
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        hehehehe

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  25. The EJJ
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Lots of people talking the talk but who's walking the walk and actually captaining Berbatov? I'm mightily tempted as I'm actually going to the match.

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    1. Matt
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      I actually am, not even joking

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      1. Matt
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Jol's made a statement about how Berba will be playing further up the field cuz him dropping in isn't working

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    2. kaz 96
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      nah, transferring him is risky enough for me. rvp should do alright

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Wise words.

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    3. Parm
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      http://i.imgur.com/XGAAT.png

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    4. DLL18
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Welcomed him to my team for the first time yesterday, but I doubt I'll have the balls to (c) him.

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    5. Joga Bonito®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Took him out a couple of weeks ago and haven't looked back.

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  26. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Who to start?

    Sess -(H) City

    Puncheon (A) Fulham

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    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Sess has some decent form in last 3. Stick with him.

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      1. McSauce
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        thanks

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    2. df34
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      When in doubt i usually pick the better player and i believe Sess is better, so I would choose him.

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      1. McSauce
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        thanks for the feedback

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    3. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Sess

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  27. Pop Ooh Yeah ★x8
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Not much love for Torres as captain this week. I have the usual suspects, Michu, RVP, Mata & Sila, but wonder if it's worth a go, as I'm 70 behind Mini league leader, and he will go Van Persie for sure.

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    1. emperikal
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Everytime I've bet against Norwich this year I've lost (see Arsenal game). Having said that I brought Torres in this week but not ballsy enough to (C) him with other choices.

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      1. df34
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        Yep and Norwich have beaten MU and Arsenal at home this year already. Only 1 defeat in 9, so would be weary of skippering Torres too

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      2. Pop Ooh Yeah ★x8
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 3 months ago

        I understand. I keep going back to Cazorla (C) and the 1-0 defeat. Just have a feeling, but my last half a dozen captains have been ordinary to say he least, apart from Michu against Norwich.

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        1. emperikal
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 3 months ago

          Haha we shared the same pain that day then 😉

          Its a decent punt though considering its the only form he's displayed in recent memory. Might as well try and capitalize!

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          1. Pop Ooh Yeah ★x8
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 3 months ago

            Too right, it was painful viewing.

            I think I've reached the point of the season where I need to be bold. I'm going nowhere fast in my league, and I'm going to be more annoyed if I don't back my feeling than go for safety. I'll no doubt be here tomorrow evening wishing I'd have played the percentages and stuck with old Robin!

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            1. emperikal
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 3 months ago

              Do it up! Good luck 🙂

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    2. Joga Bonito®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      I have C on RVP but also thinking about Torres.

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  28. Darth
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    A fart is a volcanic eruption, it comes from the mountain of bum, it flies down the leg of your trousers, and comes out with a mechanical hum.... Merry Christmas all 🙂

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  29. yanky
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Foster
    Nelsen Baird GJohnson
    Taarabt Michu Silva Puncheon
    RVP Suarez Defoe

    (Clyne, BillyJones, Cazorla)

    .2 in bank, should I stick or should I do Defoe > Berba??

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    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Stick. TOT could be in the goals.

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  30. Demelbrush
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 3 months ago

    Play sess or sterling?

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 3 months ago

      Sessegnon.

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