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The Numbers Game – Budget Midfielders

Starting the season priced at just 4.5 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Raheem Sterling quickly cemented his place in many a five man midfield thanks to a consistency of game time under new Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers. Handed a first-team chance in Gameweek 2, the winger rose steadily in price to 5.7 as the bandwagon showed little sign of slowing down but a run of 16 consecutive starts was brought to an end in Gameweek 18, with Rodgers citing signs of fatigue in the youngster’s play:

With the arrival of Daniel Sturridge added to Fabio Borini’s return from injury, the attacking options are increasing for the Merseysiders – having started just three of the last six, Sterling’s owners are starting to get twitchy. He’s now dropped in price to 5.5 but, with a 17% ownership, remains the most popular sub 6.0 midfield option in the FPL game at present. As winter wildcards continue to be flourished, we take a look at the upcoming six Gameweeks and, in accordance with our Rate My Team projections, analyse the likely protagonists for those Fantasy managers eyeing up a potential transfer out…

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2,955 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Tadic is the new Eriksen
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    a. Neville, Nastasic, Gibbs

    b. Guthrie, Azpilicueta, (either Nasty or Gibbs)

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    1. Home Run Baker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      A but Neville ---> Redknapp 😉

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  2. SanguisSalmon
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    I'm in my first season of FF and so far I thinking Im doing alright (in top 50K).

    I just wondered do other players try to plan the season out from the start of the season (i.e. with transfers, looking at fixtures / player combos)?

    I currently don't do this myself, but wondered if this would help improve my rank next year. If not plan the season out, how far ahead GW wise do you plan?

    Cheers

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    1. onionbarje
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      No you cant predict injuries

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      1. SanguisSalmon
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        I'm finding I spend far too many transfers messing about sorting out my defenders, when I think if I planned properly from the start I wouldn't have to do this?

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    2. Tadic is the new Eriksen
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      It's my first season too, and to be honest, I think planning out the whole season won't work, the closest thing you can do to that is choosing your GKs based on fixture rotation

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    3. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      4-5 weeks ahead is what I plan, and even that hardly ever works in reality.

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    4. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      No planning goes out the window as form dictates who people pick last year for example Dempsey was top scoring mid, this year he is nowhere to be seen, no one would have predicted Fellaini's explosive returns going off previous seasons. Start with a team your fairly confident will start well and then adapt it getting in consistent performers.

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      1. SanguisSalmon
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        I started my team this year with proven performers like Gerrard, Lamps and Tevez. So it started well, just recently now past the half way mark of the season, I'm planning about 4 changes to my defence in the next 5 GWs, but this seems wrong as most of my DF are cheap and unlikely to score mega points. I feel at this stage I should concentrate transfers on the players likely to make a difference (i.e mids and forw).

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        1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          The thing is never take a hit for a defender you need a clean sheet to break even, teams fixtures change all the time and clubs have good/bad fixtures at different times of the year Liverpools next 2 games are a great example Arsenal/City from a defensive point of view not ideal but after that fixtures are great, best thing to do is to analyse the next 6 ticker on the homepage, this way you can see who has decent fixtures coming up, when making transfers think long term, taking out Van Persie for example because United play Chelsea would be a silly move because you would only want him back. So to summarise check the ticker compare players in your team to the difficulty of maybe the next 4-6 gameweeks and look at how you can improve your team, don't take anyone out you would only want back straight after a difficult fixture.

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          1. SanguisSalmon
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 2 months ago

            Thanks, think this answers my question to Jonah below. The answer being stick with Suarez, as I would want him back in a few games time!

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            1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 2 months ago

              Yes I would stick for sure for now it's always easier to downgrade than to upgrade players

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    5. A.T
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I don't plan too far ahead. Maybe 5 games max. I've found I try and see long term plans through when I really should be doing something else.

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    6. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      What's planning? 🙂

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    7. Jonah
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Very complicated answer: Let me address it in stages:

      a) There's never any point planning beyond your next wildcard, so you're never EVER looking more than half a season ahead.

      b) Every manager with half a brain comes up with a plan about when they may use their wildcard at the start of the season; this then affects the players you pick at the start. If you know you're going to use it when your team is at its lowest, you can pick some more punty players at the start.

      c) You should be planning ahead with things like budget defender rotation, always. You really don't want to be spending transfers on cheap players and defenders; the way to maximise your potential is to shuffle around the big players as they have good fixtures etc. I have got this wrong this year, no question.

      d) Normally I plan a lng way ahead in terms of when I;m going to GET RID of people; i.e. Bale has great fixtures over the next 10, I'll get him in for that run, forget about him and assess him at the end. Deciding who you;re going to transfer in in 10 gameweeks time is far harder.

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      1. SanguisSalmon
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks, thats REALLY helpful, I suppose its all down to how seriously you want to take it. Its certainly given me something to think about.

        Funnily enough Caz > Bale is going to be my transfer this week, just waiting to see if any injury from FA cup action and if his price drops, as I've seen a few comments on here about it might be on the cards.

        Whilst I have you attention, would you recommend swapping out Suarez > Aguero for a hit this week. Or stick rather than twist?

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        1. Jonah
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          The logical decision would be not to do that transfer for a hit, you're giving away an entire goal.

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  3. Alton E.
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    No Liverpool cover for me in my WC team. Thinking about getting both Suarez and Sturridge when they play WBA,SWA,wig.

    Currently have RVP Aguero Fletcher up front

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    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Good luck man.

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    2. Ragin Cajun
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      It might work but QPR have been resolute the past few games, I think that match would be harder for City than people think.

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  4. A.T
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Is there any live fa cup on uk telly today?

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      We get 3 games in Australia from ESPN. 🙂

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      1. A.T
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Got a feeling its on Espn here too but I don't have it anymore. Too expensive considering the small amount of games it shows here.

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        1. A.T
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          Have you sorted your wc out yet tm?

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          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 2 months ago

            No chance. Just playing the market unless the final days.

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            1. A.T
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 2 months ago

              What's your thoughts on aguero? Are you getting him?

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              1. TorresMagic™
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 14 Years
                11 years, 2 months ago

                My team value isn't great for starters. QPR have tightened up so possibly not. Will look into it next week.

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    2. Bad Pen
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      ESPN for United v Fulham, looks like Stoke v City is on ITV though. Might be more, can't find it though.

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      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        We get those 2 plus the Arsenal game in Oz on ESPN. 🙂

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        1. Bad Pen
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          Ha, nice. Lucky Aussies!

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      2. A.T
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers

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    3. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Both Manc games are on

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      1. A.T
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Just found it. Didn't realise itv had it. City then Liverpool later. Nice one

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        1. A.T
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          Liverpool tomorrow

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  5. Manani
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    is doubling up on suarez+sturridge too much?

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    1. 1874FC
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I think so.

      I have a similar dilemma - is Gerrard+Studge too much?

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      1. Ragin Cajun
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        I like this but Gerrard maybe playing a bit too deep in the new formation. Sturridge/Suarez from GW26 looks very good.

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        1. 1874FC
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          Food for thought, guess I'll sit tight and see how they play next week.

          Thanks

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        2. A.T
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          I think that was just cause Allen was rested

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      2. HVT
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        1 Liverpool is enough- not enough consistency there , spread the love.

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    2. HVT
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      IMO yes , Rvp Suar/aguero and fletch for me

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    3. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Not if you bring you plenty of points.

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      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        they*

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      2. Chu Young Ping Pong
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        MILLWALL!

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    4. Chu Young Ping Pong
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Yes, considering they have no game in GW 27

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      1. 1874FC
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        deep intake of breath.. forgot about that :O

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    5. Alton E.
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      For now yes. Check the situation again after city/ars games.

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  6. TheAcestarr
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Not like anyone of you watch tennis... but AUSTRALIAN OPEN FINALS!

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    1. TheAcestarr
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I don't always watch tennis but when I do...I WATCH DUH FINALS! (Sry I had to say it just for the LOLZ)

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    2. TheAcestarr
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      How can we miss watching Team GB's Murray in the finals!

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      1. TheAcestarr
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/video/live.html

        CMON NI LA!

        CHINA POWAAA!

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        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          Its LI NA!!!

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          1. TheAcestarr
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 2 months ago

            HAHHA!

            OH MY!!!

            IM SUCH A DISGRACE TO CHINAAAAa!

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            1. TheAcestarr
              • 11 Years
              11 years, 2 months ago

              FKKKK DONT GET INJURED LINA!

              CHINA hAVE HIGH HOPES FOR U!

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              1. TheAcestarr
                • 11 Years
                11 years, 2 months ago

                OF*

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                1. TheAcestarr
                  • 11 Years
                  11 years, 2 months ago

                  ouch... that must have hurt hope shes fine O.o

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  7. Gr3g
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Good afternoon,
    Looks good for this GW? Team/Subs in order?

    Bego
    Zaba, Azi, Evra
    Bale (vc), Mata, Walcott, Afro
    RVP (C), Podolski, Lambert

    Subs: Fed, Noble, Cameron, Demel

    I got 0.6 in the bank and one FT but just cant see anyway for improvement this GW unless I take a hit. Any opinions guys?

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    1. Home Run Baker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Save your FT

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      1. Gr3g
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah, I wanted to do Lambert > Fletcher but was 0.1 short so decided against... 2FT next week could come very handy!

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  8. TheAcestarr
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Newcastle should just be called Uni du Newcastle

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    1. Home Run Baker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      The new French guys will get a shock when they meet the Geordie slappers 😉

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

      Clubs should base their name on the players they've purchased recently?

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      1. Home Run Baker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        So "Aston Villa are Shit FC" ? 😉

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        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          We haven't bought anyone recently. 😎

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          1. TheAcestarr
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 2 months ago

            Not a AVFC fan but I hope they stay up.

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          2. Home Run Baker
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 2 months ago

            True, but the name still works 😉

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    3. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Do you ever speak sense?

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      1. TheAcestarr
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        More than you

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  9. The Hitch Hikers Guide to t…
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Hey i was wondering what you thought of this wildcard

    Mata, punch, Walcott, Mich, Fellani

    Van P, stuttridge, Ba

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    1. Ragin Cajun
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Good team but be ready to bench Ba when necessary

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  10. dudload
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    cant decide between studge and suarez. team is currently

    migs/jussi
    zabs/ azpil / cameron / clyne / davies
    michu / walcott / mata / fellaini / guthrie
    rvp / suarez / fletcher

    selling suarez for studge would let me upgrade guthrie to punch and strengthen 1 defender. on wc - what you think?

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    1. The Hitch Hikers Guide to t…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I like it fletcher is in some good form right now.

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    2. Ragin Cajun
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I think you can't go wrong with either of them, will score similar points I think

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      1. dudload
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        ty guys. thats my quandry 0 if they do get similar points studge ould be better as could have better bench strength

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  11. athleticbilbobaggins
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Planning to WC after this GW? Santi -> Fellaini with my FT sounds good? Have Walcott. Any other good one week punts? Berbatov -> Fletcher?

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    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      All good.

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      1. athleticbilbobaggins
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        Which is better only for this GW? Berbs -> Fletcher or Santi -> Afro. Thanks

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        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          Berbs to Fletcher I think.

          Santi could easily do some damage.

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          1. athleticbilbobaggins
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 2 months ago

            hmm, my thinking too.Should have done it yesterday before his price rise. Thanks.

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  12. The Hitch Hikers Guide to t…
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone here heard what happened to Messi?

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    1. athleticbilbobaggins
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Precaution. Missed training, Might miss Osasuna today because he won't be risked with Copa tie against Madrid mid week

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  13. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    *Last 6*
    Suárez......6 goals......1 assist
    Agüero.....3 goals.......1 assist
    Gerrard.....3 goals.......5 assists
    Silva........2 goals........2 assists

    1. Suárez & Silva +0.4m
    2. Agüero & Gerrard

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    1. athleticbilbobaggins
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Aguero was injured GB

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      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 2 months ago

        This was his last 6 matches played.

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        1. athleticbilbobaggins
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 2 months ago

          😳 Damn, Silva vs Aguero for City cover. Postponing my WC because I can't decide on it. Might go with Aguero. More explosive.

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    2. NATSTER
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I like 1.. Most important to their club.

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    3. Home Run Baker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      1 (for the last 6)

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    4. Bad Pen
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      2, Silva's recent output is misleading and I doubt he'll be scoring too many more goals this season.

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    5. Jonah
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      My honest response it that I don't think I'd have Gerrard or Silva in my team; goal threat from open play isn't strong enough when you consider the Walcotts, Bales, Michus, Fellainis of this world.

      If those were the only options, from two weeks' time I'd take Suarez and Gerrard, as long as the Swansea game is on.

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    6. Billy Ketsu
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Interestingly ( or not ), the RMT thingy in the member's area has Silva outscoring Aguero for the rest of the season. No idea how accurate it is, but there you go. Maybe it factors in hamstring injuries. It also told me I'd be a complete fool to ever consider selling Fellaini.

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    7. HVT
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Suarez but tbh I'm not gone on silva , I presume you have mata / theo ,
      Bale at 9.8 ?

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  14. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Li Na looks dead. 🙁

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    1. Chu Young Ping Pong
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Great. I'm so pissed she knocked out Sharapova.

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  15. Timon
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    new post

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  16. TheAcestarr
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    I hope LI NA is ok...

    It will be terrible if the finals end incomplete because of an injury 🙁

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    1. TheAcestarr
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      And she's back!

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  17. Mainevent
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    I love how everyone on here are sports enthusiasts and not just football mad. Love a good tennis match! kamaaan LI NA

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    1. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Did you see the bowls on channel 2 this week that Paul Foster bowled well 🙂

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  18. DVassell
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    How is this looking for a 3-5-2?

    Begovic/Mignolet (Bunn)
    Nasty Gibbs Azpil (Davies Mariappa)
    Silva Bale Michu Mata Walcott
    RVP Suarez (Pog)

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  19. RohanVaswani
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    any clues if dzeko will start against qpr?

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    1. gravless
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      I'm the cleaner - all the punters have gone to the next article.

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  20. cardoso71
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Hi all, some advice would be much appreciated…(the most important thing to be aware of is that im top of my ML, but the guys closing me down have Juan Mata….)

    For the next 3/4 games:

    1) Mata and Lambert
    2) Michu and Sturridge

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  21. Baa
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Got 0.4m to improve this, any ideas?

    Mignolet (Bunn)
    Zabaleta Rafael Davies (Clyne Demel)
    Walcott Michu Lampard Bale Johnson
    RVP Sturridge (Pog)

    Thanks

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    1. Baa
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 2 months ago

      Oops.. wrong place D:

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  22. 4-4-who?
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 2 months ago

    Why did Naugton come off after 66 mins today?>

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