Watchlist

The Watchlist Updated – Gameweek 22

With two double Gameweeks distorting the Fantasy landscaspe somewhat, we’ve taken time to update our mid-term player rankings. Arsenal and Chelsea assets flourish, then, with Fantasy defences in particular, set to enjoy a shake-up as a result of the early New Year schedule as Wildcards flutter.

Read on for the thinking behind the current ladder standings and look out for our in-depth Wildcard articles. We’ve published those discussing Goalkeepers and Defenders earlier this week, with a look at the midfield options to follow.

Goalkeepers

Simon Mignolet climbs to the top of the goalkeeper rankings off the back of two clean sheets in four and with strong fixtures to come. With both Kieran Gibbs and Bacary Sagna offering options in the Gunners’ back four, Wojciech Szczesny, suffers a slight dent in his stock to slip below the Black Cats stopper but still remains a prize Fantasy asset with the double fixture in Gameweek 23 beckoning.

Stoke’s Asmir Begovic maintains his posiiton in our top three, despite going five league encounters without clean sheet returns. Investment continues to flow the Bosnian’s way and, with fixtures improving, returns should be back on the agenda. The potential return of Marc Wilson as a 4.0 option in defence could severely damage his value, however. That situation requires monitoring.

West Ham’s Jussi Jaaskelainen has the double in Gameweek 23, with a decent run of fixtures up to Gameweek 27, when matters stiffen considerably. Norwich City’s Mark Bunn has yet to earn a clean sheet but has four home matches in the next six Gameweeks – his stock remains strong, then, although news of John Ruddy’s return to fitness would rapidly end his term as a Fantasy option.

Along with Bunn, Villa’s Brad Guzan and Reading’s Adam Federici remain strong budget options. Guzan has three home fixtures to come in the next five; as does Federici, who is playing in front of a Reading defence that has shown recent improvement. As mentioned in our recent Wildcard article, this pairing rotate to offer a full budget route between the sticks.

Defenders

Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs is enjoying a rich vein of form and has the double Gameweek to come to boost his stock further. While Sagna remains a cheaper option, Gibbs’ form swings favour in his direction and, along with Szczesny in goal, looks an obvious route ahead of Gameweek 23. With three home games in four to follow the double Gameweek, Gibbs makes a strong case on top of our defender rankings.

Two goals in two games in all competitons underlines Leighton Baines’ attacking potential, although an ankle problem prevents him from threatening Gibbs for top spot in our rankings. Everton’s fixtures are very strong over the next four and Baines looks set to prosper if he can play through the pain barrier for the Toffees. We may even see David Moyes’ side register that belated clean sheet: they’ve gone 15 league matches without one.

Chelsea’s David Luiz has his Gameweek 22 to help build on stock that has been boosted considerably by a shift to a central midfield role. While Luiz’s start is perhaps not totally secure withing Rafa Benitez’s lineup, he remains an option that’s hard to ignore, even beyond Chelsea’s two fixtures.

There’s a string of strong budget and mid-price options on offer, not least West Ham’s Guy Demel who benefits from the injury to Joey O’Brien to reinstate himself in our rankings. Swansea’s Ben Davies and Wigan’s Emmerson Boyce also look solid acquisitions, the latter now back in his right wing-back role and with two favourable home fixtures on offer.

Reading’s Ian Harte, Norwich City’s Seb Bassong and Ciaran Clark of Villa are also on hand for those willing to take a gamble on attacking returns, although all three have fixtures which could also deliver clean sheets.

The emergence of these cheaper options, combined with stiffening schedules, finds the likes of Glen Johnson and Jan Vertonghen spinning down our rankings to the lower reaches.

Midfielders

Chelsea’s Juan Mata and Arseanl’s Theo Walcott sit in the top two spots with double Gameweeks on offer. It’s hard to argue against their acquisition, with team-mates Eden Hazard and Santi Cazorla now reduced to offering alternatives only for those seeking differentials.

Eveton’s Marouane Fellaini made his return to action at Newcastle following a three-match suspension and immediately featched an assist to underline his importance to the Everton cause. With three attractive Goodison clashes in the next four, further attacking returns look likely and that’s enough to rank the Belgian above Gareth Bale.

Both remain in our top five, with Swansea’s Michu completing what would seem a settled and powerful Wildcard midfield five.

The likes of David Silva and Steven Gerrard threaten to break in, with the Liverpool skipper enjoying a flood of points in recent weeks to promote his claim for Fantasy acquisition. Ultimately, however, Gerrard remains in the shadow of Luis Suarez in Fantasy terms and, with Daniel Sturridge also now an option for consideration, it seems unlikely that we’ll see Gerrard climb further this season. He remains a differential – albeit a potentially effective one.

Lower down, we’ve an array of mid-price options that offer the opportunity to break the template midfield. Robert Snodgrass of Norwich, Kevin Nolan of West Ham and Stephane Sessegnon of Sunderland all have fixtures on their side and are clear options for those looking to take a chance with their fourth and fifth midfield slots.

Forwards

There’s no shifting the ridiculously consistent Robin Van Persie from the top of the forward rankings, with Chelsea’s new acquisition, Demba Ba, coming closest to the Dutchman in this week’s reckoning. The double Gameweek promotes Ba, even with the threat of rotation a real factor when considering investment. We’re convinced that Ba will get around 120 minutes form his two Gameweek 22 fixtures, however, and that’s enough to hold off Luis Suarez for second spot.

The Uruguyan’s form is nothing short of sensational but, with Sturridge also now available as an option and talk of Suarez moving to a support role, there are new variables to consider here. That almost has Fulham’s Dimitar Berbatov ranking above the Liverpool man, as the Bulgarian goes into the weekend clash with Wigan at the Cottage with returns in his last three – fixtures with City and United in the next four dull his potential somewhat, however.

Edin Dzeko looks safe in the City lineup for the time being and, with three goals in two matches, he stands out as a strong differential with a modest 7.4 FPL price tag. Sunderland’s Steven Fletcher, in the same price bracket, looks well placed with strong fixtures to come, while Christian Benteke remains in our thinking with obliging Villa Park fixtures in the next five.

Reading’s Pavel Pogrebnyak, having now seemingly established himself in the Royals starting XI with two goals in two games, looks to be offering extraordinary value at just 4.3 – he is a viable alternative to Rickie Lambert for those shopping on a budget here.

Everton’s Nikica Jelavic is your ready-made differential. Having struggled for form this season with just a single goal in the last 10 league outings, the Croatian notched in Everton’s FA Cup win and has the opposition over the next four to kick on. At 8.1, he still represents a major gamble when Fellaini can be acquired for less in midfield.

Newcastle’s Papiss Cisse is another name worth monitoring. Now established in the central striker role, at least until Alan Pardew can recruit and assimilate a new signing, Cisse has struck twice in three matches and will likely welcome the new focus following the departure of compatriot Demba Ba.

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

2,628 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    What a fooking legend. Stuck a fiver on him to score and Swansea to win at 15/1. Come onnnn!

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    1. Paz12
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      I had a fiver on Michu FGS for his team and a fiver on Michu to score anytime, thank you very much you monster!

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      1. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Easy money 😛

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    2. r0nh
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      £80 back 😎

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  2. Breadbin
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Ivanovic is tired, needs a rest on Saturday. JT to take his place, then JT rest on Weds.

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  3. Feanor
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Will Michu go to a big club next year?

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    1. gravless
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      We are a big club. 🙂

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      1. Feanor
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Fair enough. Will he go to a CL club?

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        1. gravless
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          probably.....

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    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      He is at a big club! 😛

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  4. Professor Abel X
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Turnbull positioning very poor there

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  5. b3- bish bash bosh
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Fellaini v Michu

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    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Michu just scored recently, so Michu.

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      1. denial
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        lol

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      2. Captain Shirokov
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        This 😆

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      3. The Devil Wears Prada
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        basic logic at ffs

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    2. Paz12
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Michu because Michu plays as a striker...

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  6. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Safe to say Ivanovic is getting dropped for Terry

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    1. Feanor
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Gonna get Luiz instead of Ivan now.

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    2. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Thank feck. I bought Cahill.

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    3. Paz12
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      I have Ivanovic :S

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  7. Shipstontrev
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Terrible from Ivan...

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    1. Wild Rover
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      😆

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    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Badum, tish.

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  8. Willis.
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Nice piece of skill there from Gayhill.

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    1. Thick Of It
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Why the homophobia? No need at all

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      1. Willis.
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Chillax brah.

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    2. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Stupid child.

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  9. Acquafresca
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Ivan dropped 😆

    Cahill great footwork for a CB lad.

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    1. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Keep that boy in for the double, Mr Benitez!

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  10. Willis.
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Oscar trying to look tough.

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  11. Fancy Feet
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    What a finish from Michu!

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  12. Civan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    So the armband on Lampard for old times' sake?
    "you're the one for me, Fatty" one last time, why not?

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    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      One last time. And he might only get 1 game, if that.

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      1. floydy_floyd
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        All he needs fella... All he needs

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    2. floydy_floyd
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Do it son

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      1. Civan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        We'll see 😀

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  13. Dogba
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    You gotta love Oscar as a player.

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    1. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      rather than a person?

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      1. Dogba
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        I was thinking rather than as an FPL-prospect. Seems a nice lad.

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  14. Acquafresca
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Oscar deserved every bit of that.

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    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Definitely.

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    2. Acquafresca
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      little b!tch trying to act tough

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  15. Willis.
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Almost from Iva!

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  16. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    All those Ivan haters, he nearly scored 😛

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    1. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      He also nearly defended.

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      1. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        lol

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  17. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Safe to say Ivanovic won't be dropped after that shot

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    1. Thick Of It
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      🙂

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    2. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      lolz.

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  18. r0nh
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Ivan shot on target, transfer him back in again!!!

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  19. Cilly Bonnolly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Was considering benching Michu this week. I am an idiot.

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    1. r0nh
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      You an idiot?

      +42

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    2. Le Gooner
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Thanks for this. I had him on the bench too. He's in now., Walcott's benched.

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    3. Breadbin
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Still benching him. Everton with 2 days more rest and Michu's ankle doesn't look 100%, playing with injections most likely. I see 2-0.

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  20. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Can we please now stop hearing about how it's Michu we should bench this GW? 🙂

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    1. Feanor
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      I'm benching Santi or Pienaar.

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  21. _Ninja_
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Wonder if anyone will still bench Michu at the weekend? Seen a few people were going to.

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    1. gravless
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Laudrup will.

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  22. Optimus.
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    best of luck to those who are contemplating benching michu at everton

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  23. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Never bench Michu

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  24. Open Controls
  25. FPL Daniel
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Evening lads. Help needed, I have a deadline. Not fantasy related, not football related. I apologize in advance for the post.

    Microsoft Word 2007. I am working on large document, 300 pages or so. While working I need to scroll all the time, because a lot of the content is related. I waste a lot of time to go back to the first paragraph or point ( I need to scroll 100 pages or so). Imagine I am let say page 180 than I need to find something at page 50 or so than go back again to page 180.

    Question: I think there was a function so I can freeze the point where I am, than look whatever I need and withe one command (shortcut on the keyboard hopefully) go back to the starting point again.

    Any help? Any experts or at least where or what to look for? I already tried, google and youtube tutorials.
    Thanks a lot and cheers,

    P.S. I just saw the score I don't care that much, the deadline of the project is killing.

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    1. skooldaze
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      You mean scroll lock it so it freezes the one of the pane?

      You could also put in a unique word in at the page you've just left and then find word to trace it back again

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      1. FPL Daniel
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Ctrf F is the best I found till now 🙁 But the "unique page" in this case is changing all the time 🙁 and I am editing all the time, can't afford words not connected to the material flying in here and there 🙁

        Thanks for the suggestion

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    2. denial
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Big Chelsea fan then?

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      1. FPL Daniel
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Well I have to do something for living too

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    3. Dogba
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Best option I can think of is memorize the page numbers and then "go to page". Just assuming there is a function for that.

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      1. FPL Daniel
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Well I am not memorizing the pages all the time, I am concentrating on other issues. I think there was option in the previous versions of word, no?

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    4. iCon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      No expert, but why not open a second copy of the doc and leave it open on the area you need to reference? Then you can just click on the copy of the document to reference and no scrolling needed at all.

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      1. FPL Daniel
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        I tried with another document, but I have opened 5 word documents already for another purpose and opening the 6th one won't help. Wasting even more time. And also risk to start and change the text in the copy version, while thinking. Didn't work already tried. Thanks for that suggestion

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        1. iCon
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          How about saving it to google docs so its in your browser or is it s memory issue with so many other docs open. I know you can freeze panes in Excel, but never came across it in Word. Good luck with your project!

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    5. Paz12
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      You could always open the document twice, one on each side of the screen, and then stay where you need to be on one and scroll in the other.

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    6. Henry Hill
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      You probably know this but Press the "Ctrl" and "f" buttons on your keyboard at the same time, you can type the first couple words of the paragraph you are looking for in the search function that brings up. Good luck

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      1. FPL Daniel
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Boom, I found it, there is an option Synchronous scrolling ;), on a split screen. Thank you Gates and thank u all FFS lads. phew

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  26. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    How did none of the bigger Premier League teams pick up on Michu? Swansea re gonna make a fortune on him next year when they come knocking. Easily squeeze 20-30mil out of one of the big clubs for him

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    1. iCon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      If not more! Wonder if he has a buyout clause?

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  27. Ghost Ship
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Has there ever been a greater surprise package in fantasy football than Michu?

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    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      A surprise to the casual.

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    2. The Devil Wears Prada
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      people keep saying he's a surprise, but he scored 15 goals in la liga last season.

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  28. MY DJ NAME IS PIMP CURRY
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    What are the odds of Michu being top scorer of the season?

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  29. Epic Fail
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    How times change.

    Who where your DGW1 Chelsea players, and who;will they be this week?

    Me...

    GW1 - Ivanovic, Lampard, Torres
    GW22 - Turnbull, Luiz, Mata

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    1. The Devil Wears Prada
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      GW1 - terry, lampard, torres
      GW22 - luiz, mata, ba

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    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      GW1 - Cole/Mata/Torres
      GW22 - Luiz/Mata/Ba

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    3. Professor Abel X
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      GW1 - Ramires, Hazard, Torres (c)
      GW22 - Turnbull, Luiz, Mata (c)

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    4. Evans
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      GW1 -Cole, Mata, Torres

      GW2- Hazard,Mata,Ba

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  30. The EJJ
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Michu is God.

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