Technical Area

The Technical Area – Martinez’ Full-Backs

With only a single match played out by most of the top-flight teams, it’s perhaps a little early to read too much into the data delivered from the weekend’s action. Then again, we wouldn’t be Fantasy managers if we weren’t keen on scouring the numbers and analysing patterns as we line up to make our first trades of the brand new season.

A goal and assist against Norwich on Saturday, boosted by the maximum Fantasy Premier League (FPL) bonus points has already earned Seamus Coleman a bandwagon of his own. As a result, we compare his Carrow Road display to that of fellow full-back Leighton Baines and also reflect on the right-back’s statistics from the season gone by as the Technical Area returns:

ColemanGW1

Assessing the average position taken up by Roberto Martinez’ players when in possession, Coleman’s (23) attacking menace down the flank is obvious. Despite playing as a full-back in a 4-3-3 formation, the Republic of Ireland international basically operated as a winger, providing width from deep and allowing Kevin Mirallas (11)– on the right of the front three – to find his way into more central areas. In addition, Coleman’s position fares positively compared with fellow full-back Leighton Baines (3) on the opposite flank and, indeed Steven Pienaar (22), on the left of the Toffees’ frontline.

Coleman GW1 v Coleman 2012/13

TchsTchs Final 3rdPass Rcvd Final 3rd Succ Pass Final 3rdPass AccSucc CrossTchs BoxMins Key PassMins Shot
GW15828171390.6%2347.547.5
2012/1359.621.713.47.780.5%0.92.122884.4

Looking at Coleman’s statistics from the previous season, it’s noticeable that, in terms of touches, there was barely any difference. Last term, he averaged 59.6 per match and on Saturday, he registered 58 – more or less identical, then. What’s key, though, was where he was on the ball – the previous season’s average of 21.7 touches in the final third (36% of total touches) jumped to 28 (or 48%) at the weekend – an encouraging sign of his foraging runs down the flank.

Analysis of Coleman’s minutes per pass received starts again bode well. Saturday’s 2.8 was virtually identical to last year’s average of 2.9 but it’s when we move further up the field that the difference is more apparent; he received 17 passes in the final third against Norwich, up on the 13.4 from 2012/13. His distribution also stepped up another level – an indication he’ll be a key protagonist in Martinez’s possession-based tactics. Coleman’s pass accuracy of 90.6% is significantly up on his previous 80.5% and his number of successful passes in the final third (13) is not far off double the 7.7 average from 2012/13. Furthermore, a total of two successful crosses against the Norwich, while hardly eye-catching, is, nevertheless, twice the number registered from last time out.

Ultimately, though, the main statistics to pique Fantasy managers’ interest are key passes and goal attempts; indicators of his attacking points potential. Saturday’s showing saw Coleman create two goalscoring opportunities for team-mates – an average pace of 47.5 minutes to 84.4 last time around. His more advanced prompting also led him into the box more often; an average of three touches in the opposition area was up on the 2.1 of 2012/13, while a total of two attempts on goal (or 47.5 minutes per shot) was a huge improvement on the average of 228 minutes per attempt on goal under David Moyes.

Coleman v Baines GW1

TchsTchs Final 3rdPass Rcvd Final 3rd Succ Pass Final 3rdPass AccSucc CrossTchs BoxMins Key PassMins Shot
Baines10438211985%511995
Coleman5828171390.6%2347.547.5

Ultimately, though, the real test is when compared to Leighton Baines. While Coleman hogged the headlines, Everton’s Mr Reliable once again produced a strong showing yet failed to return the Fantasy points. Baines registered an incredible 104 touches against the Canaries (Coleman and Mirallas combined managed 109) and with Steven Pienaar also managing 83, it’s clear just how much the visitors utilised their left flank.

Despite seeing far more of the ball than his fellow full-back, Baines made just 10 more touches (38 to 28) in the final third than Coleman, received four more passes (21 to 17) and made more successful passes in the final third (19 to 13). Significantly, all three of these statistics in the vital attacking area were up from from 2012/13 – Baines had previously averaged 32.6 touches, 17.2 passes received and 12.8 successful passes in the final third under David Moyes; it’s intriguing to note this is very similar to Coleman’s data on Saturday.

Although Baines’ overall distribution accuracy was down on Coleman’s (85%to 90.6%), he supplied more successful crosses (five to two) and, crucially, registered five key passes for the Toffees. Indeed, not only was this the most impressive creative display from Everton (Coleman, Pienaar and Nikica Jelavic were next best for Martinez’ men with two apiece), Baines made more “key passes” than any defender in the Gameweek and just one less than joint-top Philippe Coutinho and Eden Hazard, with six apiece. With just a single touch inside the opponents’ box, though, Baines failed to replicate Coleman’s threat and also managed just a single attempt on goal; a slight worry, given how much time he spent on the ball.

Granted, while one match is too small a sample size to get overly-excited about, the signs are nevertheless encouraging for both , with Coleman looking particularly strong here. His average position in relation to his team-mates’ at Carrow Road suggests a narrow front three will afford him plenty space to forage down the flank and find himself in more offensive positions time and again. The upturn in statistics in comparison to last terms affords further reason for optimism and with Martinez keen for his marauding right-back to lend more weight to his side’s attacks, Coleman has wasted little time in justifying our decision to label him a Great Expectations prospect earlier this summer.

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1,784 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Adam Lallana makes Messi lo…
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    osvaldo and zabaleta or sturridge and mertesacker

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    1. LewanGOALski
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Sturridge and Coleman / Debuchy / Clyne or Shaw

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    2. Louis
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I wouldn't go near Osvaldo as nobody knows what he is worth in the Premier League and even though I own Mertesacker, I wouldn't try to bring him considering Arsenal's form.

      I don't like either of those options, sorry.

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  2. Scottys Army
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    ben arfa a good option ?

    great fixtures for next 8

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    1. Heels_Over_Head
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      he's an option

      depends on which part of Newcastle's schizoid personality turns up at the games

      would also help if they collectively as a team tried to take a few shots from inside the box

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      1. Scottys Army
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        yeh just think looking at the next 8 games hes worth it as a differential.

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        1. Heels_Over_Head
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          i started with HBA in my team from gw1 for that reason

          mind you:
          - looked speculative last night
          - pardrew has more or less said he's going to manage HBA's minutes to keep him fresh for the whole season (i.e. hoping that limiting his minutes will somehow avoid injury)... so expect an average of 70 minutes a game from him

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          1. Scottys Army
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 7 months ago

            ok thanks for the info

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    2. Adam Lallana makes Messi lo…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      sissoko?

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      1. Scottys Army
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        too much doubt on his position

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  3. Kings of Lyon ★
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    GOAL - Shakhter 1-0 Celtic ( Finonchenko)

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  4. blank
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Lukaku to Lambert or Berbatov. Both are nailed on and equally strong with goals & assists. Both teams have new strikers, Bent & Osvaldo. Soton has better fixtures. I think Im going for Lambert. What do you think? Also considered Aspas but Sturridge will eat up too much of his potential points imo..

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    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Lambert

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    2. GunsnRoses
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Lambert ! He is class and he is secured ! But I think there are more explosive choices in that bracket ! It depends whether you want to take risk or not

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    3. CPG
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      No to Aspas. Lambert all day long.

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  5. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Lots and lots of posts about Lukaku...Can't help thinking that make your mind up time is the team that Mourinho picks for the European super cup...surely that will be his "best 11"..If he picks Torres for that then Lukaku needs to go asap...or...if he plays Lukaku, and he does well, then he's a potential season keeper...

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    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      The striker role at Chelsea is not nailed for any of the current forwards. Only a new signing would make it a stronger position from an FPL perspective.

      Until that happens the minutes will continue to be shared.

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    2. blank
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I want all my strikers to be nailed on with no or little rotation. I only chose Lukaku for GW1 double. He will get rotated too much even if he's considered Mourinho's first choice forward...

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      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        True....One "rotated" player is enough in any squad no matter what position, I don't pay all that money to SKY to watch my players pick their nose on the bench.

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    3. Adderz
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Very confident that even if Mourinho starts with Torres as his number 1, he won't last. He's just not good enough anymore.

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  6. Thick Of It
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Toying with a WC

    I could do:

    Boruc/Marshall

    Vidic/Zaba/Toure/Shaw/Ward

    Silva/Michu/Cout/Walcott/Barkley

    Dzeko/Soldado/Lambert

    Worth it?

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    1. Cyril Figgis
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Without knowing your current team, it's rather hard to say.

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      1. Thick Of It
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        It is linked.

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    2. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Your initial team couldn't possibly be so far off the mark that you need to wildcard already?

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      1. Thick Of It
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        5 dgws, it was always the plan.

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    3. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Any plans for RVP?

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      1. Thick Of It
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        None at all.

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    4. Declan-
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      That is a very weak forward line for a Wc. I wouldn't use it if you weren't getting Rvp or Aguero.

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      1. Thick Of It
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Other plan is eject Dzeko/Vidic/Zab for Kun/Chester/Collins

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    5. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      No idea what your first team was but the WC team looks fab.

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    6. big oak
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      soon u will start facing rotation problems with vidic dzeko lambert barkley and toure
      could do better with a WC

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  7. pstokes2010
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Hey lads 1st time back on this since last season. Do any of you reckon Kone will start for Everton?

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Stay away.

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    2. Scottys Army
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      jelly did well v norwich so no not for a few games at least.

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    3. big oak
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      jelly was ok
      kone might start but there are more secure bets elsewhere

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  8. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Sturridge or Soldado for next few gweeks?! Both are playing big teams?

    Other strikers will be RVP and Dzeko

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    1. Declan-
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Soldado imo. The north London derby is usually a goalfest so don't worry

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    2. droginexile
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Liverpool look a bit more settled, coutinho and sturridge have great understanding. Soldado still settling in. soldado on pens though

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

    2 Things:

    30 million for Willian must mean Bale's gone...

    Ian Holloway's been charged by the FA? He just said that refs favour the big teams, big deal. He's right anyway, it should have been a foul by Chadli before the goal anyway.

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    1. Bests Conquests
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      When you start to dilute the actual call in question, to one that should have been made previously is a slippery slope. There was a Palace foul just before the Chadli foul that should have been called too...and so on...

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    2. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      The last thing anyone wants is to silent Holloway. He is brilliant!

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  10. big oak
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    celtic are trailing 1-0 in kazakstan!!!!!!
    all the teams in europe are supporting celtic for once

    (i doubt any team will be excited in a mid week champions league tie on the other side of the globe)

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    1. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Mon the Borat!!!!

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  11. Mojo Rojo
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    I assume the panic over Lukaku is his rotation risk? So why would people do Lukaku > Dzeko... ain't that jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire?

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    1. The Machine
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Dzeko 90 mins, Lukaku 16 mins

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      1. Mojo Rojo
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        LOL! So you think Dzeko will be City's main man this season? Good luck with that.

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        1. Captain Shirokov
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          No, he's not saying that.

          He's saying that's the reason why it's happeing.

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    2. Declan-
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      It may because he played so well last night.

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    3. GunsnRoses
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      No ! Look at Cardif & Hull !

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  12. Captain Shirokov
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Which would you prefer for this week:

    A. Ramires (+4)

    or

    B. Any 9m mid

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    1. Declan-
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      B. Silva or Michu imo. Probably Silva although I have Michu

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    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      B especially with GW3.

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    3. aussiegooner
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Any 9m mid

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    4. Louis
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      It looks like Silva is the obvious option. And i think it worth it, he will get more points against Cardiff than Ramires away to United.

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

      A! important player vs United

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  13. Bests Conquests
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Want to hear a funny story? I drafted Tonev into my side as a cheap 5.0 MF. I wanted a player for the season, in attacking role and to me, hooking up Agbon and Benteke is better than X? at Cardiff and Kim.

    So I played him for the DGW! Haha. Zero minutes against Arsenal. Now, hoping he stays on bench so Collins comes in with his 6 points!

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    1. The Machine
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Not sure how thats funny

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      1. Bests Conquests
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Well I drafted a guy to play for my DGW who then sat on the bench. With some hint that could be a possibility, sure. That's pretty sad. But also funny.

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        1. Bests Conquests
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          er, hit send...

          then the guy who was injured and not nailed-on, Collins, goes and gets a cleanie.

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          1. blank
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 7 months ago

            Your first time playing Fantasy football?

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    2. FollowFollow
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Your first time being a comedian?

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  14. kroky
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    vidic or evra? price no issue

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    1. Declan-
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Evra

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      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        +1

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        1. kroky
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          cool,was thinking that myself. cheers

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    2. droginexile
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      evra until baines goes to united

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  15. Heels_Over_Head
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    To all those planning and plotting how to get RVP later:

    I don't understand.

    What player is more fixture proof than RVP? so why are you looking at his fixtures???

    I don't have RVP because I will never own him again.

    Those who will get him, get off the pot and get it done.

    Tired of all this RVP hoot-a-nannie.

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  16. New Article Posted
  17. blank
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    I don't get this Kim hype. Oh ok he is nailed on and plays behind the striker. Have you seen him play? he is utter crap. Last season 2 goals in 28 games in the championship.

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    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      He played deep last season though was what I heard. I just put him in because everyone was recommending him. I make my own decisions on players I know, but with the promoted sides I have to take peoples word.

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  18. FISSH
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    by gw 4 which do u think is the better option?

    A) Mig (lewis)
    Coleman, CLYNE/SHAW, Collins (chester, ward)
    LAMPARD, Wally, Silva, Kim, 4.5
    Soldado, Benteke, RVP

    Or

    B) Mig (lewis)
    Coleman, ZAB, Collins (chester, ward)
    HAZARD, SNODDY, wally, silva (kim)
    Soldado, STURRIDGE, Benteke

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  19. chuckberry04
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    So I have:

    Coleman - Touré - Ivanovic (Baker, Whittaker)
    Yaya - Hazard - Coutinho - Mata (Barkley)
    Anelka - Hazard - Soldado

    What should I do? I regret it, but I already brought in Barkley. Should I do Mata to Silva to prepare for the blank for Chelsea?

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    1. blank
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Your two problems:

      1. You have acquired two Hazards
      2. You were dumb enough to use your only transfer to get Barkley

      Nothing can be done but wild card

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      1. chuckberry04
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        LOL, yeah sorry that had to be Benteke. And yes I was stupid enough lol, but I stop thinking when players are about to rise.. IF he plays, it was a good move to just get 11 men on the field for the blank and cash in.

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  20. Rodders
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    How about Lukaku to RVW? Looked quite good in the first game and they have some decent fixtures coming up...

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  21. TheOrangeMan
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    I don't want to take a hit but I want to get rid of one of either Lukaku or Oscar.

    A. Lukaku -> Lambert

    B. Lukaku -> Cisse

    C. Oscar -> Ben Arfa

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    1. blank
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      A all the way, why would want to get either one of Newcastle's guys? The whole team has been looking terrible for a long time now. They are not going to score you much points. Pardew might even see Newcastle back to championship this season. It gets even worse if Cabaye leaves for Arsenal

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  22. Indrandro
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Okay the first GW is almost over(not bad!) and it's time to decide whats next.

    I have Lukaku, Hazard and Ivanovic. I'm not getting rid of Hazard for sure, but what are your thoughts about other two. Should I get rid of them now or If not, who would be more effective against ManU. I think Dzeko would be good replacement for Lukaku(I already have Soldado and Sturr) and Ivanovic->Zabaleta(I also have Mert and Coleman).

    I'm sure many of you are in the similar situation, any thoughts?

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    1. blank
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I wouldnt suggest anyone to get Dzeko. You do realize that city has just brought in Jovetic and Negredo with big bucks, they will share the game time with Dzeko even if he is Pellegrini's no. 1 choice. Lukaku will get rotated also so I would get someone who is nailed on like Aspas, RvW, Lambert, Berbatov etc. Also the Chelsea's blank 3rd round is coming up. I am planning to get rid of Cech and Lukaku by then but will stick with Hazard also.

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      1. Indrandro
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah, that's concerning for sure... But after seeing Dzeko's excellent performance against Newcastle he must be starter against Cardiff aswell and if that happens, there could be massive points on the way.

        But at the same time there's always risk-free Lambert...

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  23. Fabreghastly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Koscielny to...

    A) Lescott
    B) Toure
    C) Dawson
    D) Reid

    I have Boruc and two 4.0 defs already so don't want Shaw or Whittaker.

    Thanks

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    1. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      why not stay with him?

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    2. adityahadi
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Toure for sure ...

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  24. marco_atk85
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Hey Paul,

    With all my respect I thinks this article should be in members area. I paid in order to get those stats however if anybody can get those stats for the current hottest player in FPL I think it is unfair for the memebers

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  25. sheroo
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    any thoughts please please share them with me
    Mignolet
    Walker , Ivanovic , Baines
    Nolan , Hazard , Mirallas , Coutinho
    Dzeko , Lambert , Soldado
    subs , Davis , Morrison , Baker , Ward
    should i get Coleman for Baines ,, Lennon over Coutinho or Mirallas

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  26. OPricey
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Shouldn't Hazard get the assist for the Og?? It's not been added to fpl, Sorry if someone's already mentioned this I've only just come on

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    1. Mini Mahouse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      It has been added

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  27. Mini Mahouse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Sell Koscielny before his price drops and buy Zabaleta before his price raises?
    Got 0,5 in bank

    Or buy Toure and face rotation problem later?

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    1. Mini Mahouse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Oh yeah I have to take a hit to do it

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      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Try the latest article.

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