Scout Reports

Scout Report – Jesus Navas

Manchester City continued to add to their first-team squad yesterday with the acquisition of Jesus Navas from Sevilla. The 27-year-old, who is currently in the US with the Spain squad ahead of this month’s Confederation Cup, is City’s second big-money signing in the past week after Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho arrived at the Etihad from Shakhtar Donetsk:

With Manuel Pellegrini expected to be announced as the new City manager by tomorrow, City’s pre-season plans are beginning to pick up pace following the dismissal of Roberto Mancini towards the end of the previous campaign. In an interview with the club’s official website, Navas – who is believed to have been cost City a fee in the region of £15m – went on to say:

“Manchester City is an exciting project and this is the right moment for me to take this step. I’m very happy with the opportunity and the decision. The Premier League is a competition where the football is very fast and will suit the way I play. I’m really looking forward to it. I’m going to a great club in England and I want to continue developing my game there. The club has put a lot of faith in me and I want to repay them out on the pitch.”

The History

A product of the Sevilla Youth Academy, Navas joined his hometown club at the age of 15 and made his first-team debut three years later at the end of the 2003-04 season. Firmly established as a regular by 2005-06, the winger has spent a total of 10 campaigns at the La Liga outfit, starting 30 or more times in all but one of the previous five seasons, when injury curtailed his game time over 2009-10.

Navas arrives at City on the back of a less-than-prolific campaign. The winger failed to find the net at all last season and supplied just six assists as Sevilla finished ninth in the table but there’s no doubt his creativity from the flank has been crucial to his side in recent years. In three of the last five seasons, he’s provided 13 or more assists and overall, has chipped in with 24 goals and 62 assists over 276 La Liga appearances.

In terms of silverware, Navas won six major trophies over his time with Sevilla – two UEFA Cups, a UEFA Super Cup, two Spanish Cups and a Spanish Super Cup. He’s also represented his country on 23 occasions, producing two goals and six assists, and has helped his nation to the 2010 World Cup, with the European Championship following a couple of years later.

The Prospects

Navas’ arrival certainly looks likely to afford City an extra dimension on the flanks. While the likes of David Silva, Samir Nasri and James Milner were utilised out wide by Roberto Mancini, none of the trio possess the speed and directness of the new boy – with Fernandinho also bringing a more dynamic edge to central midfield, the former champions seem set for an evolution under the incoming Pellegrini, with a much-needed injection of pace throughout the team.

Both Silva and Nasri may possess the trickery but both had a tendency to move into the middle when on the ball, with City all-too-often lacking any real width. Opponents were able to nullify the danger by packing the middle of the park in Mancini’s final season as his side became a little too predictable in possession – having scored 93 times in their title-winning 2011/12, City found the net just 66 times last term.

Navas’ introduction is clearly part of a tactical plan to utilise the width more efficiently, creating space and stretching opponents’ backlines, which, from a Fantasy perspective, will hopefully be good news after the disappointment of the previous campaign. In terms of Navas as an individual prospect, however, he’ll find it difficult to persuade us to initially invest, given that Silva, Yaya Toure and potentially Nasri will also be vying for our attentions in the City midfield.

Furthermore, his price isn’t likely to be cheap across the Fantasy games, with a cost of 8.5 to 9.5 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) anticipated. With Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, Juan Mata and Eden Hazard all offering explosive potential in the premium bracket, it seems, in all likelihood, there will be better value to be found for our five man midfields as we look to balance budgets.

Ironically, the introduction of Navas and a more expansive style of play could, in turn, bring Sergio Aguero back onto our Fantasy radars. Having started 2012/13 costing 11.5 in FPL, the Argentine could conceivably drop to 10.5 or 11.0, potentially making him a viable option once again for those unwilling to fork out the expected 13.5 for Robin Van Persie. If he can overcome the serious bouts of homesickness that have blighted his international career, Navas has the potential to be a major player for City next term, though whether he can persuade Fantasy managers he’s worthy of a place looks another matter altogether.

Further Reference

Jesus Navas Wikipedia

Jesus Navas TransferMarkt Page

Jesus Navas Interview

Jesus Navas You Tube

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

1,880 Comments Post a Comment
  1. /
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    What are your thoughts on The Truman Show?

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    1. /
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Now that is a comment worthy of a new page 😎

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    2. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Good afternoon, good evening and good night 😉

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    3. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Great film.

      Peter Weir is a relatively little known excellent director. Witness, Dead Poets Society, Green Card, all classics.

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      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        I wouldn't put Green Card in the classic category, bit flickchicky. Has Andie MacDowell though, which is nice 😉

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    4. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      It's a great film, ahead of it's time too as it pre-dated the whole reality TV explosion.

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      1. teddy.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        Indeed. Re-watching it now all the hidden cameras, scripted reality, product placement, fan fanaticism, etc seem fairly standard, but they were absolutely unprecedented when the film was made.

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        1. Lateriser 12
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          +1

          Great movie. There was another similar movie with Ed norton i think.

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    5. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      I've never seen it. Is that bad?

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        yup, its one of those films you should watch. Best on a long Sunday afternoon though

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      2. /
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        That bad? It's a great film! Go watch it, right now.

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      3. thetinkerman
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        It affected me a lot when I saw it, but I was quite young. I certainly will never forget it - the paranoid side of me won't let me forget.

        This probably makes no sense, but it's definitely worth a watch!

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      4. GreenWindmill
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        It's the only Jim Carrey film my sister will watch - it's not life changing enough for you to need to seek it out but it is a good film.

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    1. tw
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      so this is what happens when you give a monkey a typewriter 😉

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        ENR helped work out what the article should be, was initially meant to be bidding strategy guide, but that seems unfair on those teams with complicated strategies if I just exposed them.

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        1. tw
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          yeah that's definitely unfair to share bidding strategies. looked good the way it was

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    2. McNulty
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Cheers for the post, Sunderland hard at work on our defender list

      I know the aim is to build the best team value, but there should also be a mini award for the team that picks up the most price change value - ie the best scout!

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        there will be dont worry

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  2. RoysCallerAnne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    Does anyone know if there is a lag-time between paying your membership fee and being able to access the members area?
    I signed up again about 20 minutes ago and can't access members area.

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    1. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      It's instant. Let me check your account.

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      1. RoysCallerAnne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks. I did use my wife's paypal account if that makes a difference

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        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          *sniggers.

          BTW, you running the "old fart" league again?

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          1. RoysCallerAnne
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 9 months ago

            Definitely. It was an extremely high standard last season!

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            1. Christina.
              • 14 Years
              10 years, 9 months ago

              * gets up from chair using walking stick

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              1. In Like Flynn.
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 13 Years
                10 years, 9 months ago

                Why is your chair using a walking stick?

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            2. In Like Flynn.
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 13 Years
              10 years, 9 months ago

              Too high for me. Best tag along again though if it needs a prop.

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        2. Mark
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 17 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          Hehe...shouldn't do. You're all fine on our system. I've mailed you so we can sort this offline from the site.

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          1. RoysCallerAnne
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 9 months ago

            Cheers

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  3. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    In other news my member icon has disappeared now after buying membership yesterday. Mystery solved.

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    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      The scouts mustn't like you. I never got a badge for my membership but I'm not fussed tbh.

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    2. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      hehe...we're addressing those bugs tonight I believe.

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        No worries, just wanted to point out that my theory was right. 😉

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  4. SuperOsçarBaby
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    BREAKING NEWS:

    Manchester City will confirme Manuel Pellegrini as the new manager in the next 24 hours.

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    1. Absinthe Minded
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Sean?

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      1. SuperOsçarBaby
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        absolutely.

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  5. The92nd
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    Out of the transfers in so far, who are people most excited about fpl wise??

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    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Van Wolfswinkel, mainly for the name 🙂

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      1. The92nd
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        I'm actually kinda interested by him alright depending on price

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    2. SuperOsçarBaby
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      None so far....

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      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        It's pretty slim pickings. Lots of exciting rumours though 🙂

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        1. SuperOsçarBaby
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          I love rumours.. 🙂

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    3. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      fpl wise stekelenburg, football wise fernandinho

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      1. In Like Flynn.
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        Good call on Stekelenburg AB. I was hoping he'd be priced as a second keeper. That's out the window now.

        How much, 5.0?

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      2. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        I like Stekelenburg, should be lots of save points on offer.

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        1. In Like Flynn.
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          I was rather hoping for CSs as well GB.

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          1. Piggs Boson
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 9 months ago

            So was I! 😀

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      3. stooshermadness
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        I like both of these as FPL candidates. If Stekelenburg comes in at 5.0 and you can combine him with a 4.5 guy in a good rotation patern, GK sorted. Fulham are generally strong at home. I think Fernandinho will score similar to Yaya Toure as a FF option - if he comes in at 7.0 or 7.5, he may be worth a chance as an early season gamble.

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    4. Gimli son of Gloin
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Tonev if Benteke stays

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    5. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Navas

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  6. SuperOsçarBaby
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    HAX
    FFS
    123

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  7. Exploits and errors - a good thing?
    dribbler
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    OK my first post with homecrowd...so here's hoping for some good discussions as per the good old days:

    every article discussing possible pricing for players is a pain in the backside and damages the chances of fantasy football scout readers because it reduces the chances of fpl making a mistake

    please discuss?

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    1. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      hehe...welcome back - great opener. So here's the thing - do we want the game to make mistakes have exploits or do we want it to be solid and come down to skill/luck alone?

      Personally I hated the Shane Ferguson thing, just as I hated Michael Kightly being a defender in Sky.

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      1. tw
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        what about the Shane Ferguson thing did you hate? clearly I must be missing something... 😕

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        1. Mark
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 17 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          He was the only 4.0 midfielder. My theory, he was meant to be a defender, got reclassified and the price was not changed.

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          1. tw
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 9 months ago

            it's not like he really played.... so what was wrong with that?

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            1. Mark
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 17 Years
              10 years, 9 months ago

              I think he had a 10% ownership - folk adopted the strategy of filling a slot with 4.0 mid to free up cash for heavy hitters. A valid strategy, only made possible by the error.

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              1. Dino
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                10 years, 9 months ago

                That brought some real differential into the teams though Mark. Although it wasn't a strategy I went with I saw a number of rivals go down that route with variable levels of success and it did mean their teams were a bit different to my own which I liked.

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      2. dribbler
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        yeah I was being somewhat provocative rather than giving my real opinion

        I think that theoretically fpl want to price every player so that they're all equally attractive...and you were moaning like hell last season that there was only a small pool of players worth considering so that's consistent with your comment above

        but is that really what we want as dedicated fpl players?

        well maybe but if all players were priced equally attractively we could only get an edge by working the fixtures and injury news

        I think rule changes to make the pool of worthwhile players bigger would be very welcome

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        1. Mark
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 17 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          It's an interesting topic, because I know for a fact that some games deliberately put a few undervalued players in because they feel it "adds something" and offers a way in for Fantasy managers.

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          1. dribbler
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 9 months ago

            ahh that never even occurred to me...so they suck people in by allowing those who've made a bit of effort to beat the random teams

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          2. gurka
            • 13 Years
            10 years, 9 months ago

            Thats very interesting

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    2. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Not really because the "mistakes" in pricing usually involve the players no one on here has even thought about!
      Were we really discussing Seamus Coleman on here as a fantasy prospect 3 summers ago?

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    3. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Do FPL get input from FFS / Scouts on the pricing? Or am I imagining this?

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      1. dribbler
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        well if there's a better place to find information please tell me where to go

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    4. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Nice to see you again Dribbler.

      FPL made mistakes last season even with write ups. Everyone is in the same boat.

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      1. dribbler
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        Hey TMtm

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    5. Trigg ⭐️
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      I'm struggling to think of anyone that has been massively overpriced or underpriced, especially at the start of the season. Obviously, things change, but I think that FPL get the pricing spot on in most cases, judging by the player's potential for that season.

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      1. In Like Flynn.
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        Michu.

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        1. Trigg ⭐️
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          Before the opening game though?

          Who would have known the impact he would have? 6.5 was a fair price, he could have easily struggled to adapt to the PL and gone the other way.

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

            Was indeed fair, I recal quite a few people discussing him pre GW1 and sying if he comes in at 6 or under they would take a punt on him!

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    6. HVT
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      All these mistakes just add variables to our game here on scout , always remember its the same rules for everyone and in general the cream will rise regardless and in fact the better players turn these variables to their advantage.

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    7. Fin
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Wait .. hold on... why is this green?

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      1. Mark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        Because we like it as a discussion. It's interesting. Might be interesting to others.

        Making it green makes it stand out and, giving it a title adds it to Hot Topics so folk can find it easily. Check out the hot topics tab on the recent comments widget in the sidebar.

        Also, anyone sorting by stickies using the dropdown at the top of comments can find this discussion easily - hence they can drop in and get immediate access to what we've flagged as some of the best discussions of the day.

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        1. Fin
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          Oh, that's handy.... I like this change!

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    8. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      The best "mistake" I found last year was in the TFF game where Cazorla was priced at about 2.8m. When I tell you that players like Shaun Derry were around this price, it gives you an idea of the error!

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      1. Mark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 17 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        He was underpriced in Sky Sports too. Turned out to the top scoring mid with bonus hoovered up.

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    9. thetinkerman
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Inaccurate pricing is bad for the game (as are OOP players to some extent) but often give us "experts" (read: "sad b******s") an edge, at least until the masses catch on.

      As Mark says, I dislike a small pool of players worth considering and accurate pricing and classification can only help.

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  8. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    SkyBet suspends betting on the transfer of Ezequiel Garay to Man United.

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    1. Absinthe Minded
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Will he be a good fpl prospect?

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      1. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        If he isn't Rotated, then yes.

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

    Ginkapo - what/where is the membership icon?

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    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Next to your Scout level Icon, Doosra.

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    2. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      A bug they are going to fix soon.

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

        Ta, guys.

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      2. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        this

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  10. Shaping the Defence
    MJ6987
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    Following on from the discussion about rotating (or not) defenders...what do people think is the preferred "shape" of your starting defence?

    E.g. 5 cheapos? 1 expensive and 4 cheap (2 rotating pairs?), 2 expensive and 3 rotating cheapos? Something else?

    And, do you plan to play the expensive defender/s every week regardless of fixtures?

    I always think that the optimum set up is 2 expensive (or at least decent) defenders and 3 rotating cheapos but whether I can afford that at the start is another matter - I am thinking of going 5 cheapos.

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    1. SuperOsçarBaby
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      5 power defences FTW 😎

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      1. MJ6987
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        What? As in 5 expensive ones? I wouldn't like to see the rest of your starting team with that!

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    2. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      6.0 4.5 4.0 4.0 4.0

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      1. MJ6987
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        That's very specific! Although, probably quite close to what I started with last year

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      2. Saint & Reevesy
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        ^ this 🙂

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    3. Saint & Reevesy
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      I've read the interviews with the winner and runner up and they both advocated a cheap defence and loading up on midfield and forwards...... So presumably 5 'value' defenders or 1luxury and 4 'value' is the way to go?

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    4. Mary
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      i always go 5 cheapos unless baines has good fixtures or if one of the big teams has a dgw! worked last year

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      1. MJ6987
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        The reason I am thinking 5 cheapos is (a) clean sheets seem to be almost impossible to predict, especially early in the season and (b) it comes down to something like Expensive Defender + Cheap Mid (e.g. Noble last year) or Cheap defender + mid-priced mid (e.g. Coutinho?)

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    5. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      1 chelsea and 4 cheapos to accomodate haz/cavani/lamps/mata

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      1. SuperOsçarBaby
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        this^

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    6. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Going back, i check out my team.

      I went

      Bego Jussi
      Rafael Ivanovic Lescott Gorkks Clyne

      GW1

      I had a good start to my season and a lot of it was down to my defenders doing well early season.
      Effectively i spent

      4.5 4.5
      6.5 6.5 5.5 4.0 4.0 in defence 😯

      Wow, wasn't expecting this. Reconsidering strategy.

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      1. MJ6987
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        So, are you saying you might need to consider a relatively expensive starting defence again (as it worked last year)?

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        1. Lateriser 12
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          Yep. I always thought for some reason i went cheap but Rafael Ivanovic and Lescott infact got me a good share of points early season.

          4.5 4.5
          6.5 6.5 5.5 4.0 4.0
          Bale(9.5) Michu (6.5) Pienaar (6.5) Yaya (8.0) Guthrie (4.5)
          Torres (10) Aguero (11.5) Petric (6.0)

          Was me GW 1 with 2M in the bank (which allowed me the switch to RVP GW2)

          Now that i think again, saving a million or 2 in the bank is a good idea as well GW1. Allowing flexibility to your team to change structure.

          This defence played a huge part in getting me a good start, i'd like to reiterate.

          http://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/53461/history/

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    7. roscola
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      I always feel like going for 2 expensive and three rotating cheapos but I don't think it stands up to scrutiny. Whatever the reasons for getting any expensive defender, should surely apply to at least the starting three defenders - it boils down to one question: are they worth the money? If one is worth the money, why aren't the other two worth it?

      Given that the spread of points in FPL hugely favours attacking assets, it's hard to say that any expensive defenders are worth the money. The3rdTurd made an excellent case about this yesterday regarding keepers and put some numbers on it.

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    8. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Cheap x5

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    9. SPorting
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Two big boys to bring home the bacon (6.5). One mid class to score the occasional headed corner (5.5). Two cheap as chips to add an unexpected CS as a bonus (4.0)

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    10. @FPLStrategist
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      I will usually play 1 expensive and 4 rotating cheap defenders. It usually takes a while for defenses to settle down. As I hit Christmas, I consider a second expensive defender.

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    11. dribbler
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      my strategy is gonna depend on pricing

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    12. gurka
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      It really depends on the players available in any given year I stand firmly by that opinion.

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    13. thetinkerman
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      hugely dependant on pricing, but this is my opinion based on playing for quite a few years and learning from my mistakes:

      1 'big hitter'
      1 medium priced player with good fixtures
      3 cheap

      The 'big hitter' stays in long-term (Chelsea this season), the mid-priced player goes when the fixtures turn or someone better emerges, the three cheap players rotate for one spot (or two in the week Chelsea have a blank)

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  11. Saint & Reevesy
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    It just reduces the chances of a differential amongst the FFS community. FPL will still make mistakes, they just get ruthlessly exposed by this community, every jumps aboard the bandwagon.... Helps in your mini leagues though 🙂

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  12. Mary
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    top 50 players according to bloomberg! fellaini 12th suprised me, no room for carrick but arteta is in there, doesn't suprise me at all http://www.bsports.com/football-power-50

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    1. Saint & Reevesy
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Do you know how they determine the 'rating' ?

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      1. Mary
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        The rankings provide an objective analysis that relates players to their respective positions and takes into account the context of player performance relative to others at this position

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    2. Annyong
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Interesting to see Michu classified as a forward, with Jay Rodriguez and Rooney as Attacking Mids.

      Chances of Michu being reclassified as a FWD next year? I know he played more "in the hole" than leading the line throughout the season, but towards the end he was the furthest forward more often than not I think.

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  13. Ignoring the RVP option
    Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    With City, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal all likely to give us a strong option up front, is it a wise decision to go without RVP(~13.5) or should he still be a staple in your team due to his consistently high points scoring and reliability?

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    1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      There are so many unknowns at this stage but everything else being equal he will probably be in my team come GW1

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      1. Canadian Football
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        The good thing is that at a price of 13.5 (the most expensive player in the game), Downgrading is always an option if he is not worth the price. To start the game without him, would cost you 2 transfers to get him in. (one to raise the funds and one to bring him in).

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        1. Canadian Football
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          reply fail to GB

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    2. roscola
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Before the rumours of Cavani, Higuain and Jovetic started, I swore I wouldn't be making the mistake of going without him again.

      Now I feel like it's going to be a choice between him and 2 other big hitters and it's looking harder by the day.

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    3. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Barring and moves by Bale, I can see RVP and Bale being the first two names on my squad sheet - then wok around that

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

        Me too.

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      2. Canadian Football
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        The same holds true with Bale. Can always downgrade! getting him after the fact costs 2 transfers.

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    4. SuperOsçarBaby
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      I will get RVP only if I think he'll get a hat-rick in that match.
      Cavani - Aspas - Aguero

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    5. Mary
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      bale is the first player in my team and probably with hazard if chelsea have a double, so if i can make room for rvp after that is another matter

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    6. Parm
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      I think it would, proven FPL scorer for 2 seasons now...unless we sign someone special 😉

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    7. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      I'll start with RVP then monitor which of these 4 options are the best and probably get them in accordingly.

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    8. Canadian Football
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      The only way i would not get him to start is if CHE DGW1 is sweet enough. He will defo be in my plans to bring in for the CHE blank week in GW3 or 4

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    9. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Unless something massive happens I think it's crazy to go without him. Top scorer 2 seasons in a row, on pens and set-pieces, main man in attacking team and he's basically fixture proof.. It'll take 2 transfers or a heck of a lot in the bank to get him in, but a lot less to get him out.

      I agree with MJ and Doosra, RvP, Bale then work everything else around them

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    10. FantaCity
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      I had a look at the top 50 teams from last season, and there were a surprisingly large number who had gone without RVP for at least a large period, and still obviously enjoyed success . . .
      Therefore, I'm tempted to go without because of this, and;
      a) it'll be fun to try and out-score him with cheaper strikers
      b) If he does badly in any gameweeks, I will have a front row of differentials

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  14. Fin
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    Monaco reportedly 85 million bid for Ronaldo..

    Anybody think he'd be tempted? He would get ridiculous wages...

    Personally I think there is no way he'll move to anyone but United or stay at Real, but strong reports regarding Monaco all over the internet.

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    1. Parm
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      He's coming to United, if anyone. I doubt he'll move for money.

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

        You can never have too much money

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    2. Manani
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      he won't.
      he is in the prime of his career, and if he spend it on a world class club, then he will get the commercial income for years to come, even if his footballing skills are not as good as before

      Look at Beckham

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  15. @FPLStrategist
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    Hey all, I badly needed a break from FPL after last year. A top 1900 finish and won my cash league.

    Loving the new look to the message board.

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  16. Five Points for a clean sheet?
    dribbler
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    5 points for a clean sheet would be a good rule change for next season

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    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      That's too 'all or nothing' for my liking, 4pts for a defender assist would be nice.

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      1. dribbler
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        well that's a good suggestion too...but clean sheets are rarer than they used to be so I don't really understand why you don't like the 5 point idea?

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    2. Captain Shirokov
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Well it depends. Some seasons clean sheets can be in decent supply; then in others (like last season), they can be rare.

      Impossible to tell really.

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      1. dribbler
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        I think that refereeing has got tougher and the risk of a mistimed tackle is higher than ever...so clean sheets will be tough to find permanently now...think of it from a marketing point of view...I'm not advocating basketball scores but it's in nobody's interests to have a game without goals

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

      NO

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    4. Annyong
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      I'd prefer something more staggered e.g. 4pt bonus 4 clean sheet, 2pt bonus for -1 goal, 0pt bonus and so on.

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      1. Annyong
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        Jeez, I did not mean to type 4 for "for". I feel dirty.

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    5. Saint & Reevesy
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      It would bring more players in consideration for selection......

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    6. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      If they had a system where a defender clearly at fault for a clean sheet was docked points where his 3 defender teammates were penalised a bit less it would be fairer. Very unfair for the other 3. If a player makes a great run, passes it to the assists man, on to the goalscorer the man who set up the goal gets no points. Perfectly fair. Why should all defenders and keeper lose points where clearly another defender is at fault.

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      1. Annyong
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        But that adds far, far too much subjectivity into to. It was bad enough with assists.
        What do you classify as a mistake? A misplaced pass? Leaving the post at a corner? Giving away a free kick which leads to a goal?

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        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          I know. Sure it'd be tough to police. At least try it for own goals. I know the own goalscorer is penalised already but the rest of the back 4 and keeper shouldn't lose points. The amount of remotes I've thrown during MOTD cos someone's mistake cost my defender his 6 points. It's just a wish, will never be a reality 🙁

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      2. dribbler
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        although I sympathise with your point JON it'll never happen because they'll want to keep the game simple so it's attractive to the masses...it's tough enough explaining the offside rule...imagine trying to explain to my wife why johnson lost points and enrique didn't?

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        1. roscola
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          I think we over-estimate how much the masses care about where exactly their points come from. One casual in my mini-league played for a season and a half before he found out that his subs came off the bench automatically

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          1. dribbler
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 9 months ago

            haha yeah I'm sure you're right

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    7. Tommytour
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Would prefer some midfielders eg Mikel get cleansheets points, Bale Hazard etc don't. They don't contribute much to the teams defending so why should they benefit points?

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      1. SPorting
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        How would you see that in a match where Fellaini played 45 mins as CAM and then 45 mins as a defensive mid?

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        1. Tommytour
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          Midfielders are classified differently by FPL so depending whether they class him as an attacking mid or not depends on whether he gets clean sheet points or not.

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          1. SPorting
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 9 months ago

            Then it's a terrible idea.

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    8. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      A defender who gets any ponus points should be given his CS points too. Sure if he warranted a BP he was their main man at the back even if they conceded.

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    9. Dino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      I like the idea in theory of rewarding defenders more thereby making them more of a consideration when allocating you budget to your team but maybe just giving 2pt for a cs in either half would be enough to bring up the defenders pts to a level where they could compete with the mid priced midfielders? You could put 2pts for playing 60 mins, 2pts for cs first half, 2pts for cs second half and if you wanted to award more points to a defender then another pt for cs for the whole game giving 7pt for a 90minute cs performance?

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    10. gurka
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      What about the recovered balls seen in the uefa games?

      I think it offers an excellent way to boost the value of defenders. Last season I was funnelling a higher percentage of funds into attacking options due to the lack of clean sheets (or at least consistency of them from a given team)

      What are peoples thoughts? I have not heard much discussion about recovered balls (although I am new to the forum discussions)

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      1. Dino
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        It could work but does it make things a bit too"statty" for the casual player? How is he going to know which defenders recover balls without doing a lot of research? It would give the addict fpl player a huge advantage imo so probably not the best of moves as I want the casuals to keep playing so I can keep getting money from mini-leagues each year 😀

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  17. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    Wait my FPL rank just moved 1 down. This happen to anyone else? I'm probably checking it after a long time..

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    1. @FPLStrategist
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      I think it was the addition of an assist. I went down 5 places lol. It happened a few days after the end of the season.

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      1. Lateriser 12
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        Damn

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    2. SPorting
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Old news old friend.

      Happened less than a week after the end of the season.

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  18. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    Rate the defence from best to worse. (Prediction for the season)

    United
    City
    Chelsea
    Arsenal

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      In terms of CS? Goals conceded?

      I'd say:

      City
      United
      Chelski
      Arsenal

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      1. Lateriser 12
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        Yep both. Just a better defence.

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      2. dribbler
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        don't you think Moyes will be more defensive than SAF and Pellegrini more expansive than Mancini?

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        1. Billy Gilmore
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          I just see that City have the best defensive lineup, and they're consistently good defensively year after yeah. Although this was with Mancini, I can't see it slipping much. I think Moyes will take a bit of time to get settled etc.

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          1. Dino
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 9 months ago

            Might be a bit controversial but I would put Chelsea top, City second and Utd and arsenal quite close for third in the cs count.

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            1. dribbler
              • 14 Years
              10 years, 9 months ago

              hey Dino long time no speak...I'll be backing Mourinho too I think

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              1. Dino
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                10 years, 9 months ago

                Yh its been a while but with this new comment system I think I will be on here more often. The fact that you can think about, research and post something with some facts that people can discuss means we could be back to the way things were in the good old days of ffs.

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        2. Dino
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          Good point dribbler. Unfortuantely being more defensive/conservative doesn't necessarily lead to more cs. Everton were not the best team for clean sheets due to lack of concentration when they lost the ball imo and two many crossed balls into the box leading to them losing the ball quite a bit. If Moyes continues this trend I can see Utd not being as resilient as last season

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        3. Granville
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          Not sure that SAF was really that adventurous, especially the last few years in Europe. Mancini however was ridiculous with his cautious approach at times. I'm positive that Pellegrini will change which will make their back line less reliable and their attack more potent. Come see come sa.

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          1. Dino
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 9 months ago

            True Granville exciting/nervous times ahead with so much up in the air

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    2. Saint & Reevesy
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Chelsea (reintroduction of the defensive one)
      United (Moyes is conservative)
      City (new manager apparently loves attacking football)
      Arsenal (unless the recruit well)

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      1. r0nh
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        Malaga only scored 53 goals last season, in 38 games.

        Barca & madrid scored over 100...

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        1. Saint & Reevesy
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          I didn't say he was good at attacking football, just that he loves it. Still think Chelsea will have a fair few clean sheets next season.....

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    3. r0nh
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Arsenal
      City
      Chelsea
      Utd

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    4. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Good Day All! Back after weeks!

      City
      Chelsea
      Man Utd
      Arsenal

      .. in terms of CSs & GCs

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    5. Manani
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Chelsea
      .
      .
      .
      .
      .
      .
      we don't know about City, nor United, as they got new managers.
      Arsenal is as always, hit and miss

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      1. Lateriser 12
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        I disagree here but to each his own i guess. The quality of defenders are much better at City and Utd atm relative to Chelsea. Too much stress on the manager factor imo.

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        1. Manani
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          well I have to say, I fear Mourinho the most, maybe that is making me bias

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      2. r0nh
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        Chelsea have a new manager too...

        Yes we know him well, we also know Moyes well...

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

      Arsenal
      United
      Chesea
      City

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    7. SuperOsçarBaby
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Chelsea
      Man City / United
      Arsenal
      Stoke

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    8. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      With Mourinho back I'd go

      Chelsea
      United
      City
      Arsenal

      I'm not convinced City's defenders are better than United's overall, and with Pellegrini in I'm not sure City will be as cautious. Double Chelsea defence plus Hazard could be an option for DGW1

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  19. Saint & Reevesy
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    In your opinion what's the most effective way for FPL to enable defensive midfielders score the FPL points that often their performances and influence on a game deserve?

    And should FPL introduce this?

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    1. roscola
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Two ways:

      1) Recovered Balls
      2) Factor things that mostly defensive mids do into the bonus points and weigh them highly

      I'd be happy with either

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      1. Manani
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        tackles, interception, recovered balls

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        1. roscola
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah, those things 🙂

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

      Just introduce the category and make two of them compulsory.

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      1. dribbler
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        or instead of even bothering with that just drastically overhaul the bonus point system...(they need to do that anyway)

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    3. Hubert
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      It'd basically mean they'd need a new category of player, defensive midfielder

      Otherwise all mids would benefit, probably driving prices up?

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      1. roscola
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        As above, I think if you only started counting things that are mostly done by DMs you'd find that AMs wouldn't benefit much.

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        1. Hubert
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          Yes, good point well made.

          I was wondering about defenders, would they be entitled to the same points?

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          1. roscola
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 9 months ago

            Yes why not, strikers too. But that's why it would be important to pick the right stats to weight, laser-targeted to DMs so that it had the desired effect

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    4. Canadian Football
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      4pts for a CS and 1pt for allowing only one goal

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    5. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      I think the only way it would work effectively would be to classify them as defenders, priced similarly to the highest priced defenders in that team. Adding another category for DMs will make the "template" much, much worse imo.

      Not a fan of recovered balls or anything either as I reckon it removes half of the aim of the game – getting the players on form etc. I mean how fun would it be to have Lucas etc getting 4-5 every week?

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      1. Saint & Reevesy
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        I just look at players like Carrick this season and lads like Essien in his day that were standouts and had huge bearing in games but you can't pick in the current format.

        The ideal scenario is to have a system that allows someone like a Carrick to be a variable choice alongside a bale...... I guess points for tackles or completed passes could work?

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        1. Billy Gilmore
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah, having recovered balls or other stuff like that will mean they get more points, but will those points be the way that is wanted? They would score say 150+ points, but it would just be pretty much a guaranteed 4+ points every game, which I don't think is good for the game. I think they need to be able to get more points but maintain the variability that makes FPL what it is.

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      2. roscola
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        You wouldn't be forced to get Lucas for his steady tick-tock 4-5 points, that would just be one strategy that would be opened up. Some managers would like to go for that conservative approach, others may prefer to gamble on higher risk, higher reward goal-scorers.

        I see increasing the diversity of viable strategies as a very good thing.

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        1. Billy Gilmore
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          But who wouldn't have someone like that as a 4th or 5th mid, if you know they can be consistently relied upon? There's only one player that currently has that level of consistency that isn't 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2... and that's RVP. I think it removes the fun from the game when such boringly effective things are possible.

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    6. Dino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Who cares if a player gets what they deserve in fpl? It's a strategy based game and once you know lucas will get f all then don't buy him simples.

      I just don't see people's point when discussing new positions etc If you had to have two def mids in your team then everyone would have probably the same one or two def mids who have attacking/set piece potential and the same 2/3 attacking mids as is the case already. The only difference in the game at the mo is the other 2/3 mids in you team apart from the bale, walcott and michu that everyone has so to take these positions up by making people choose from a limited pool of def mids means even more generic teams. Doesn't make sense at all to me.

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      1. heco87
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        I think a lot of people would just like a wider pool of players to choose from to make the game more interesting. 60% of players on the game are instantly made redundant by the scoring system so perhaps there's a way to encourage greater skill levels by widening the pool? I'm not sure where I stand on it, personally though.

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        1. Dino
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          I guess that is what their intention was. I was just trying to point out that it would lead to more generic teams imo if you restricted teams to having to have 1/2 def mids as their are not that many potential good point scorers in these positions so everyone will have the same ones.

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  20. dribbler
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    how do you give a +1 to comments you like?

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

      If you look under your grav ...

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        He will see empty space as you cant vote on your own comments 😉

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        1. dribbler
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          that confused me for a minute I admit

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      2. Billy Gilmore
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        ... you'll find that's the one place where there isn't one ... 😉

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

          Hehehe. You know what I mean ...

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    2. Captain Shirokov
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      The green up arrow.

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      1. dribbler
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        gotcha thanks

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    3. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      The green and grey arrows dictate upvotes and downvotes. To be used on the basis of whether the comment substantially adds or substracts to the community.

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    4. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Click the green arrow under their grav.

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    5. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Alright dont go overboard with the voting 😉

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      1. dribbler
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        gave you one each

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  21. Portuguese&Proud
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    Any Scout around?! Can you look into my posts from last night that were moderated and tell me what did i do for my posts to get mod?
    Cheers

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    1. dribbler
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      did you swear?

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      1. Portuguese&Proud
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        i didn't, it was a post regarding the best paying teams in the world... basicaly a article from ESPN with the average salary each player earns in a year.

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    2. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Yep, just checked. I think it was the use of brackets throughout. We have a filter for repeated characters like that to stop ascii art appearing. Can you try a repost without the brackets as an experiment?

      Apologies for that - we're still learning our way around things when it comes to the filters.

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      1. Portuguese&Proud
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        i tried twice last night Mark, the first time i tought it was because of the link so i posted again without it and still nothing...
        Shall i yet again ?! i have a feeling it will get mod again 😉

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        1. Portuguese&Proud
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          *try

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      2. Portuguese&Proud
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        @Mark tried it again just now, still no luck... care to take a look into that ?!
        Thanks again

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        1. Mark
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 17 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          I've approved it....convinced its the brackets. Ideally wanted you to repost without them but we will look into this.

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      3. roscola
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        Just out of interest, Mark, why the vendetta against ASCII art? I can't be bothered creating it myself but I do quite like seeing it from time to time.

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  22. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    Rotation Aims for each position.

    Goalkeepers - Decent rotation until January
    Defenders - Prioritise rotation for next 6, with ok fixtures until January
    Mids/Forward - Optional rotation, only focus on next 6

    From some of these interviews with successful players it seems that they focus on the immediate fixtures rather than long-term. With this in mind I will not be looking for perfect rotation as it may cause me to overlook better players, and injuries/benching will disrupt any perfect rotation plan anyway. What would you say is the optimal way to use rotation, if at all?

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    1. dribbler
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      never overlook a bargain!!!

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    2. Canadian Football
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Unfortunately the DGW in gw1 will throw optimal rotation polices out the window. Case in point last year i was blinded by Federici GW and rotated him with DDG. cost me to play without a GK 3 weeks this year.

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

      Goalkeepers - same
      Defenders - Fixtures over 8/ Rotation in two pairs, one maverick
      Mids - Dependant on 1/2 Super mids; 1/2 cheap to rotate, or with cheap forward
      Forwards - Dependant on 1 Super forward; 1/0 cheap to rotate with mid

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      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        I agree with all of that except the pairings. I think that's too restrictive. You can line up all your players in the ticker and make sure you have decent fixtures for the next 6-10 games, no need to pair them imo.

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    4. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      the ticker on the right. Have that covered and you're good to go.

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    5. Dino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      GB ideally I think it is a good strategy to try and get good long term rotation for your budget players which will allow you to make gw transfers for you higher scoring positions e.g. budget mids and fwds on a more short termist strategy.

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      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks, it's nice to hear a conflicting view 🙂 True but you can't neglect your defence, it can rot and cause you problems later on. I guess we need to find the right trade-off.

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        1. Dino
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          By the sounds of things the guys that win it each year practically do neglect their defense (I could be reading to much into cheap def comment though?). Get decent budget defenders that rotate well and don't waste transfers on them after if at all possible as they really don't score that much different to each other on average (good budget def will get 3.5ppg to 3.9ppg) so changing means burning a transfer that could be used on a form budget attacker who could get closer to 5/6ppg over a short run.

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    6. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Forward wise I'd say you need 1 elite forward, then you can maybe rotate the other 2, or have 1 elite, one mid price and then rotate your 3rd striker and 5th mid if you can find a rotation that works (maybe something like Carroll and a Palace mid for example. I agree on keepers, but again maybe one elite defender, possibly Luiz

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  23. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    I miss FPL now. All thanks to HC. The serious chat has got the craving back. I want to tinker!

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    1. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      I remember someone with a Kagawa grav making an excellent excel software once the prices were out. Which helped us make FPL teams.

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  24. Tibidabo
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    Avatar test!

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    1. Tibidabo
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Hmm, guess I have to wait a while longer 😛

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        Is it rated "G" on gravatar? Waiting may do the trick

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  25. r0nh
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    Next Wednesday, fixtures released 🙂

    Soon, my precious, soon...

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    1. SW6
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      We'll be bombarded by spreadsheets in people's quest for rep 😆

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      1. Lateriser 12
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        Good for us 😀

        Parm/Milanista/Isacki/Doos generally give out spreadsheets as far as i remember.

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      2. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        The ticker works fine for me 😀

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  26. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    ESPN reporting that José Mourinho has withdrawn Chelsea's bid for André Schürrle. 😯

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    1. SW6
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Good move imo, they don't need him at all.

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

      Bother.

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    3. Manani
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      not like it is going to make big difference lol
      I can't see Schurrle anywhere near the first 11 anyway, except for sub appearance.

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    4. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      The united rumour have any substance?

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    5. SuperOsçarBaby
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Good move!

      we have De Bruyne!

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  27. Al Pacino
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    Since we're near the bottom of the page, I thought I'd share I did a maths paper in 43 mins (allowed time 90 mins) and scored 65/75 :D.

    Need to iron out the silly mistakes, and obviously i'd check numbers with my extra time, since the exams is tomorrow 🙁

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    1. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Good luck and well done.

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

      I love maths

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    3. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      I made love to my wife last night and lasted 2 minutes (allowed time 45 mins)
      She scored me 1/10.
      Need to iron out the sheets and obviously check FPL with my extra time.

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      1. Lateriser 12
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        😆

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    4. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      I have a horrific story along similiar lines.

      Last year I had my hardest maths paper of my degree. Now i routinely finished all my exams very early, but this was extreme. I finished the two hour paper in twenty minutes and then as I was forced to remain in the hall for another twenty minutes I bothered to check my answers. Overcome with complete shock that I had finished that quick I ended up changing my answers and subsequently lost 30% of the marks by changing correct answers to being wrong.

      Went from a first in that module to a low 2:2 because I doubted that it was even possible to do a paper in twenty minutes.

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      1. SPorting
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        Have you finished writing the complete works of Shakespeare yet?

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        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet and King Lear done so far, but the last novel I wrote turned out to be a Dickens.

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      2. Al Pacino
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        Wow, that's incredible. I have a history of finishing papers quickly, even though the stuff I'm doing is actually meant to be taught next year (advanced class). No wonder you changed your answers, if I had that much time left i'd panic a lot!

        At least you know you're a brilliant mathematician 😉

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        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah I never ever check my answers as I only ever start doubting myself. Its nice when you get to uni as you get to leave the exam and annoy everyone 😀

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          1. Al Pacino
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 9 months ago

            It's so annoying, every exam bar one i've had plenty of time left, but you have to stay in until the time's finished. Such a bore. I end up drinking all my water and then annoying the invigilators because i have to go to the toilet 😀

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            1. Ginkapo FPL
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 9 months ago

              Haha, I just used to go to sleep.

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    5. dribbler
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      I got 102% in a maths exam when I was little (this is true)

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    6. Manani
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      is that C3 exam? 😉

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  28. Canadian Football
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    Re Saints discussion regarding Defender points.

    Be careful what you ask for. I am playing fantasy MLS and in that game defenders get points for tackles, recovered balls, tackles, crosses. Defenders are currently occupy 4 of the 5 highest scores in the game. The optimal strategy in that game is to play a 5 4 1. Very boring imo.

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    1. heco87
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Double points for tackles 😯

      I agree, I wouldn't like to see the scoring get too complex. Adding a new dimension to the scoring would mean the whole pricing structure would need to be re-jigged accordingly. Even the introduction of recovered balls perhaps wouldn't be as subtle-a-change as first imagined.

      Maybe this would be a good thing but I'm always wary of changes to established, successful games.

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      1. Canadian Football
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        Double tackles....hehe

        btw they also take part in the attacking bonus....ie. "big chances created" and "key passes"

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        1. heco87
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah, see I would find that far too subjective - not keen at all.

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    2. Manani
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      it should be DM pts., not defender.

      the only recover ball apporach like in Euro works perfectly IMO.

      although I still have no idea what a recovered ball is 😆

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  29. Portuguese&Proud
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 9 months ago

    Best-paying teams in the world
    This is the average each player receives in that team 😯

    Manchester City (futebol) £5,239,750
    Los Angeles Dodgers (basebol) £4,855,783
    Real Madrid (futebol) £4,718,172
    Barcelona (futebol) £4,690,430
    New York Yankees (basebol) £4,649,188
    Milan (futebol) £4,251,111 (£81,752)
    LA Lakers (basquetebol) £4,090,742
    Chelsea (futebol) £4,058,742
    Bayern Munique (futebol) £4,000,036
    Inter Milão (futebol) £4,000,000
    Philadelphia Phillies (basebol) £3,982,336
    Manchester United (futebol) £3,921,987

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    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 9 months ago

      Top 5 Teams in the World:
      Bayern
      Dortmund
      Barca
      United
      Madrid

      Dortmund are the best run club in the world, across all of sport imo.
      http://i.minus.com/iDShOP7vYit1H.gif

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      1. Manani
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 9 months ago

        how is BVB the best run club?
        they bought many bargains to make a very good team with very few money, fair enough.

        but barca is still the best run club IMO. The talent coming out from their academy is unreal. And many of them are given a chance to take part in 1st team

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        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          Being in the top 5 clubs and not even making that wage list says something. United and Arsenal are pretty well run. Barca's youth system is brilliant but that doesn't stop them paying huge amounts of transfer fees and wages.

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        2. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          Low ticket prices as well. Here are the top average attendances in Europe:

          1 Borussia Dortmund 80,520
          2 Manchester United 75,529
          3 Barcelona 73,660
          4 Real Madrid 71,368
          5 Bayern Munich 71,000

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        3. Granville
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          Barca have run up an enormous debt of £300m plus. That's not a well run club. It's a club run on the never never.

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          1. The3rdTurd
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 9 months ago

            Remind me what United's debt balance is?

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            1. Piggs Boson
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 9 months ago

              That's the owner's personal debt they bought with them, the club makes a very healthy profit.

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              1. The3rdTurd
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 9 months ago

                No it's not, the Glazers loaded the debt they used to purchase the club back onto the Club.

                And Barca also make healthy profits. Barca's debt is actually a pittance compared to United's situation.

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          2. Dino
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 9 months ago

            Well said Granville, most people don't seem to realize the amount of debt Barca and Real have wracked up

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            1. The3rdTurd
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 9 months ago

              I'm afraid this is a myth. Courtesy of the Swiss Ramble:

              http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zp5zpg55RLc/UID99WjlL9I/AAAAAAAAGgM/XFjA4f2_m6o/s640/31+RMB+Total+Liabilities.jpg

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              1. Dino
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                10 years, 9 months ago

                hey the3rd, love his blogs (he is of Irish descent I learned also which obviously makes what he says more sensible 😛 )

                My understanding is that arsenals debt is a capital debt though not one run up through making losses every year on football expenses such as wages, player purchases etc such as Real and Barca. We all know utd is making money and so are Arsenal so their debt is not as offensive as Real and Barce who are using debt to pillage other teams of their best players while gaining a sporting advantage in doing so.

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                1. The3rdTurd
                  • 12 Years
                  10 years, 9 months ago

                  Yes, the depth of his analysis and his ability to communicate finance matters to a non-specialist audience make him a must read in my book. I didn't realise he was of Irish descent!

                  But surely debt is debt, no matter how it is run up? Yes you could argue that Arsenal's debt was for a new stadium which will generate better returns in the future, but even if you think Barca's debt is due to spending on new players, well isn't this also an asset that will generate better returns in the future, through more TV money, shirt sales, UCL money etc?

                  The size of the debt actually isn't really the issue for Barca, it's the ability to pay it off that counts, and this is where they have an advantage over the likes of Arsenal and United in that their revenue is so much bigger than those clubs, which means their interest bill as a percentage of revenue is also much lower.

                  Bottom line is, I think it's ridiculous for fans in England to be pointing fingers at the likes of Barca and Real over their financial situation, given they are actually in a much healthier position than most English clubs.

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        4. Manani
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 9 months ago

          the low wage explains why all BVB players are leaving though.

          football is diminishing return, that's why I think the BVB, although 'well run', will never be the top and dominant football, if they continue that way, by just relying on cheap bargains mainly

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          1. Dino
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 9 months ago

            Manani if they splashed out the big wages they would have huge debt like the other not well run clubs. If you think building huge debt to afford exorbitant wages means you are a well run club then you must have the likes of real madrid, psg, city, chelsea as real role models for how clubs should be run but I am afraid I don't agree with this approach.

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            1. Manani
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 9 months ago

              I agree with the fact that brining in youth players to the first team, and making them the core of the team is better than buying players all round the world.
              and I think every well run team should do that.
              Barca is the only team doing that at the moment. (arguably Bayern)

              Another reason why barca have the debt is that they refuse to get a sponsorship for their kit.

              ps. not a barca fan at all, just really admire they academy, which i think is what separate a well run team, and a team merely winning trophies

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