Scout Picks

Scout Picks – Gameweek 2

Just a couple of days after Gameweek 1 closed its doors, we’re bracing ourselves for another round of fixtures. Home comforts help Tottenham, Stoke and Everton supply us with a couple of starters apiece, while a pair of in-form Manchester-based frontmen get the nod ahead of tomorrow morning’s deadline:

We select Southampton stopper Artur Boruc between the sticks as he prepares for a home clash with Sunderland. A clean sheet against West Brom last weekend maintained the defensive resolve that saw the Saints concede just nine times in the final 10 Gameweeks of the season gone by – the Pole looks a solid cut-price option across the Fantasy games.

Rested for last night’s Europa League romp away to Dinamo Tblisi, Jan Vertonghen returns to the Tottenham fold for Sunday’s home game with Swansea. The centre-half kicked off his campaign with an eight-point haul thanks to a couple of bonus points and clean sheet at Palace – his eye for goal harvested five strikes last time out and could come to the fore once more as Michael Laudrup’s men make their way to the Lane.

Robert Huth gets the nod for Stoke’s home game against promoted Crystal Palace tomorrow afternoon. The big German offered plenty attacking threat against Liverpool last week and had more efforts on goal that any Potters player – Huth offers decent potential of points at both ends of the pitch as Mark Hughes looks to grab the points in his first match at the Britannia.

A goal, assist and maximum bonus points away to Norwich last week has earned Seamus Coleman an early-season bandwagon. As highlighted in this week’s Technical Area, Roberto Martinez’s 4-3-3 affords the right-back plenty opportunity to forage forward and provide width from deep, allowing Kevin Mirallas to drift into more central areas – a home clash with West Brom looks enticing for the Republic of Ireland international as Martinez gears up for his first game in charge of the Goodison faithful.

We double up on Everton’s assets by giving the nod to Kevin Mirallas. Joint-top scorer in pre-season with four goals to his name, the Belgian’s goal potential has taken a turn for the better under Martinez after being moved to the right of the Toffees front three – classified as a midfielder across the Fantasy games, Mirallas’ mid-price appeal could well be set to flourish against the out-of-sorts Baggies tomorrow.

He may have drawn a blank in last Saturday’s surprise home defeat by Villa but we hand Theo Walcott another chance to impress in this week’s Scout Picks. The Arsenal winger was in sparkling form on Wednesday evening, providing a pair of assists in the 3-0 Champions League win at Fenerbahce, and may be set to run riot against a Fulham side hit hard by injuries to Maarten Stekelenburg, Fernando Amorebieta and Kieran Richardson at the back.

He may have failed to deliver the goods against Stoke last time out but, as s highlighted in our recent Monitor article for Members,Philippe Coutinho showed plenty attacking endeavour. The Liverpool winger makes his way to the midlands to face a Villa side that have now conceded in each of their last 24 league fixtures – a home clean sheet looks far from likely at Villa Park, with every chance Coutinho will be the hosts’ chief tormentor.

Having missed a last-minute spot-kick in last week’s narrow Anfield defeat, Jon Walters has much to make amends for. Luckily for the Stoke midfielder, he’s been handed a plum home tie with Crystal Palace this weekend – the ideal platform for Mark Hughes to pick up the points in his first home match in charge at the Britannia.

Granted, there are fears over rotation up top at City but Edin Dzeko has surely done enough to retain his starting role with a superb showing against Newcastle on Monday evening. He may not have scored but the Bosnian had more goal attempts than any other forward in the Gameweek and looks full of confidence as City roll up to Championship winners Cardiff. With Manuel Pellegrini easing Sergio Aguero back into action with a 60-minute appearance against the Magpies and Stevan Jovetic a fitness worry, Dzeko looks in pole position to produce against the Bluebirds.

With a double in the Community Shield against Wigan followed by a two-goal haul away to Swansea, it’s business as usual for Robin Van Persie. Sir Alex Ferguson may have exited Old Trafford but the Dutchman remains as deadly as ever – a first home game of the season against Chelsea is by no means easy but we’re backing him to produce yet again.

Roberto Soldado warmed up for the visit of Swansea by bagging a brace in Tottenham’s Europa League romp at Dinamo Tblisi. With a spot-kick winner against Palace in Gameweek 1, the summer signing from Valencia has made an instant impact at the Lane and leads this week’s Captain Poll heading into tomorrow’s transfer deadline.

A home game against West Ham brings Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa onto the Scout Picks bench. With Steven Taylor suspended, the January signing will shift into centre-half alongside Fabricio Coloccini against the Hammers – granted, the Magpies were far from impressive at City but bearing in mind their visitors scored just 11 times on the road over the entirety of 2012/13, a home clean sheet may well be on the cards.

We’re backing Hatem Ben Arfa to deliver the goods and help lift the Tyneside gloom against the Hammers tomorrow. Fielded on the right of a front three against City, the Frenchman looked the most likely to threaten the Etihad clean sheet , firing more efforts at goal than any team mate – with a strong upcoming run of four fixtures (WHM, FUL, avl, FUL) on his agenda, Ben Arfa looks a viable mid-price contender over the short-term.

Having notched the winner on his international debut, Southampton’s Rickie Lambert opened his domestic account for the season with a last-minute spot-kick garnering the points at West Brom. A first game at St Mary’s see Sunderland pay visit this weekend and with his form flourishing, Lambert could be the difference as Mauricio Pochettino’s side look to hand the Black Cats back-to-back defeats.

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2,090 Comments Post a Comment
  1. jurgenizer | TRIPEIROS
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Thinking on taking a hit to do Anelka -> Lambert

    Ok it's 80 points -> 76 but Lambert could bring the points with him.

    win?

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    1. Messi & fabregas
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      do it

      also at 80 🙂 got lambert for lukaku, as i already have dzeko whom i am captaining

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      1. jurgenizer | TRIPEIROS
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Tkx 😉 captaining Soldado atm...

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  2. Exilizer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Bench one for me:
    A) Ivan
    B) Chester

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

      A). I have.

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      1. Exilizer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        On the other hand I didn't keep Ivanovic to bench him... RMT is telling me to B3 him 😛

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

          Go on, then.

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        2. Messi & fabregas
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          what its B3?

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          1. Exilizer
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 7 months ago

            last bench position.

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    2. Ben Mee Over A Table
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Chester has an ok chance of getting a clean sheet but no real chance of attacking returns.
      Ivanovic has a fairly small chance of getting a clean sheet, and an ok chance of attacking returns.

      Predicted scores:
      Ivan 2
      Chester 6

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

    OMG - which three from this lot then please ?

    Chester, IVanovic, M Turner, Coleman and Collins

    and why ?

    Thanks...

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      chestr coleman and probably turner

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    2. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Chester colleman and ivan

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      1. MadeinIreland
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        I like this 3 best but I'm not sure Chester will get a clean sheet as I think Norwich will score and I'm scared it might be turner that gets it !!!

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        1. Lord Flashheart
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          Then play both and bench Ivan

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    3. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Ivanovic, M Turner and Coleman (Chester, Collins)

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  4. PDXTimbers
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Is the Watchlist coming back eventually this year?

    Any tips on best budget defenders after what we saw last week?

    Thinking I will dump Olsson, but also don't want to base decision on one game alone...

    Shaw/Clyne?

    Cheers!

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    1. Berbalove
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Can't see why it's not coming once the season settles somewhat. Shaw and Clyne would be great budget picks, IMO.

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

      either shaw or clyne is a good pick. might go clyne just cuz he's .1 cheaper

      p.s. ready to get smashed in Seattle on Sunday? ;). somehow managed to tix to the game, really looking forward to it! 😀

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

        Ha we'll see about that! Timbers Army otw :p

        Cheers!

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  5. Da Diggy Diggy Doc
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Ok, I love the scout picks. But Walters is just wrong.

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    1. Da Diggy Diggy Doc
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Written by a completely unbiased palace fan

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  6. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    A: Dawson + any mid upto 5.8 to play most weeks...can only think of Jcole/dembele/routledge
    B: any def upto 4.5 + lallana/sissoko/tarabt/Pablo/snoddy

    Leaning towards B with lallana as finding a mid below 6 to play most weeks is hard.

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    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      B

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  7. isacki: full casual
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Mulling over whether to wildcard for GW4, I guess it does make sense as the transfer window closes after the gw3 deadline and the Rooney and Bale moves plus Arsenal's transfer business (lol) remain unresolved.

    Despite Mourinho's denial, Willian arriving at Chelsea does make me suspect Mata is easier to swap for Rooney. Remember, Mourinho has already fibbed: he said Rooney was Chelsea's only remaining target this summer.

    Hmmmm...

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    1. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Despite all my earlier talk, I'm going to wait until at least then given how uncertain things are.

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  8. Optimus.
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    who to score more this gw in your opinion..

    1) Rvp/Dzeko?

    or

    2) Aguero/Sturridge?

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      a

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

      1

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

      RvP and more or less the same for the latter pair.

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    4. isacki: full casual
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I fear A

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    5. Exilizer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      3) dzeko/sturridge

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    6. Leaf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      For this gameweek , option 2 for me

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    7. Portuguese&Proud
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      2

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

    Koscielny will go down 0.1 tonight, but after the Fulham game they will remove the red flag and he will be price protected for 8 days, correct?

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    1. Exilizer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Theopreticall yes.

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      1. Exilizer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Theoretically*

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

      Correct. Got injured in Europe though. Should be ok.

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

    Captain RVP or Soldad Fandino?

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

      RVP

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

        Cheers TM

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  11. Messi & fabregas
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    play

    1) lampard or nolan?

    2) terry or m.turner ? (other two are dawson and chester)

    thanks

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    1. Arsenal Deli
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      1) Both somehow I think Nolan will do well against his former club and Lampard is always around
      2) M Turner

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  12. indiangunner
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Lambert Dzeko or Bony for GW2?

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    1. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      lambert

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  13. Arsenal Deli
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    1673 people transferred Bale in. 251 got Suarez in. 🙂

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

      Good people.

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  14. notoriousbmp
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Mingolet
    Coleman Turner Shaw Mertesacker
    Walcott Hazard Michu
    Aspas Benteke[vc] Dzeko[C]

    Subs: Boruc Snodgrass Toure Koren

    Rate my team

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    1. Ben Mee Over A Table
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      7/10 Fairly good.

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  15. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    5/11, there is hope 😀

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    1. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      9/11 there isn't

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  16. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Pages flying like crazy... one minute to reply to a comment and already the previous page is gone...

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    1. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      it is as white as a john terry party

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

      People posting silly things - like you

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  17. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    anyone having trouble clicking onto the sign up now button with Paddy Power for the RVP 5-1 shout?

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  18. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Phew, back from the shop and ready to do nothing, can't wait.
    The winning beers are:
    1 - Kirin Ichiban
    1 - Heineken
    1 - zywiec
    1 - Tyskie
    2 - Erdinger
    1 - Innis and Gun rum cask finish
    1 - Moosehead pale ale
    1 - Hue beer (Vietnam)
    Just found a curry in the freezer too.
    Wish me luck. :-0

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  19. rickytoso
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Which is most accurate, fiso or total fpl?

    Fiso has Anelka to drop at over 90%, but Total FPL has him at 34%.

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    1. Portuguese&Proud
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      last year it was FISO not sure if they have cracked the code this year...

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  20. Mind över Mata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Lost on the last page - does this look ok?:

    Migs
    Toure, Figueroa, Coleman
    Silva, Walcott, Lampard, Hazard
    Sturridge, Giroud, Soldado (c)

    Davies; R. Morrison, Ward, Celustika

    Thanks!

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    1. Arsenal Deli
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      For this week, I think Migs Toure Figueroa won't get clean sheets. Lampard and Hazard could struggle but that's it.

      Long term shift Figueroa, there are better 4.5s around, and also get rid of Hazard as well and maybe Silva.

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      1. Mind över Mata
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks

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  21. Del Monte
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    RMT Please:

    Ruddy Boruc

    Coleman Toure Shaw Collins B.Turner

    Walcott Coutinho Silva Mirallas Brady

    Van Persie Soldado Gayle

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    1. Mind över Mata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Looks good - not sure about Gayle, but still good!

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  22. The ghost of a Pug's g…
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Are ere any 4.5 keepers that rotate perfectly with Boruc?

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

      No.

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

      have a look

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    3. Sleep Talk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Jason_Dozell: How a about a Boruc/Speroni rotation?

      Works out pretty good. Only doubt is Palace-defence I guess.

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      1. The ghost of a Pug's g…
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah cheers

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  23. Mark
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 17 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Just a heads up...we're doing a server move just now so there may be some slowdown or issues in the next 20 minutes.

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    1. Exilizer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Thanks, good luck!

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    2. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Thanks Mark. So now is a good time to get my kids in off the street . . .

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

        Still running that orphanage/chimney sweeping racket?

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        1. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          🙂

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

      I hope you bought them from Jisaw24! 😉

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  24. applebonkers
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    update: no dead robins outside today

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  25. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    "We’re backing Hatem Ben Arfa to deliver the goods and help lift the Wearside gloom against the Hammers tomorrow"

    HAHA, Wearside, are you sure?

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    1. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Whoops.

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  26. Mr. Perfectionist
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Who to play??

    A) Chester
    B) Turner
    C) Both & Bench Hazard

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    1. v12w12
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      B

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  27. Ball Bag
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Big Anelka problem. Do I take a hit by replacing Hazard with Barkley in order to bring in Soldado for Anelka.

    Barkley . Koren. Walcott mirallas. Oscar

    Soldado RVP. Lukaku

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  28. Jönny
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Lukaku and Hazard OUT, Negredo and Ben Arfa in. Negredo captain.

    Gimme a rating on the crazy scale, 1-10.

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    1. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Gnarls Barkley Crazy

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      1. Jönny
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Crazy like a fox?

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        1. v12w12
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          Loved that programme!

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    2. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      9.5
      can't see him chopping and changing a side who just won 4-0. even if this game is away and dzeko spurned some chances. he made the first 2 goals (arguably 4th too with his dummy)

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      1. Jönny
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        You talk sense, but I've just got this nagging feeling about Negredo.

        Just don't fancy Dzeko long term and I want a city striker this week... AGUEROOOOO and a 6er??

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        1. applebonkers
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          aguero yeah

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  29. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Fun accumulator!

    Arsenal win
    Everton win
    Saints win
    Norwich win
    Stoke win
    Man City win
    Spurs win
    Villa-Pool DRAW
    N'Castle-West Ham DRAW

    Odds: 797 to 1

    Just one pound on it though 😀

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    1. Exilizer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      nice.

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