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. Thomass
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Good to go? 😉

    Mignolet | Davis
    Ivanovic | | Coleman | Dawson | Chester | Touré
    Hazard | Walcott | Ben Afra | Mirallas | Williams
    Soldado | Sturridge(C) | Dzeko

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    1. Tactical Nous
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      i have the same front 3. i confess even though i am a liverpool fan i think i'm going to captain soldado

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

    select 2 players to play this GW?
    hazarad/koren/coutinho

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    1. Tactical Nous
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      hazard coutinho

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

        mmmm but i think hull may have a goal or two and may be koren involved?

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        1. Lanley Staurel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          =))

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

    Lukaku out, have 8.4million - who to get?

    a)Lambert
    b)Wolfswinkel
    c)other

    I would love to pick Dzeko but made the mistake last week with Lukaku in picking a player who could be rotated.

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    1. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Bony

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

      Keep Lukaku, he was saved specifically for this match.

      His price will rise shortly, and you only suffer from the drop if you decide to sell him.

      Last game vs Man U, Lukaku was subbed in the second half. In 45 minutes he managed to score a hattrick, with the supporting cast of West Brom.

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      1. Just A Hat
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        lol well that isn't true at all

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

    Soldado or Benteke?

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    1. Tactical Nous
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      soldado. benteke blank gw3

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

        Thanks hadn't thought of that.

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  5. Btl
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Changes to make?? Thinking Anelka and or one of the Chelsea players needs to go, and I'll get another forward or someone in to start over Colback

    Cech (Davis)
    Ivanovic Mertesacker Zabaleta (Whittaker) (Baker)
    Hazard Nolan Paulinho Colback Johnson
    Benteke RvP (Anelka)

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

      Anelka has got to gow.

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    2. Hello. Yes, This is Dog
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      well you have 5 players with a gw 3 blank and anelka likely missing there too

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

        Plus no keeper for GW3. At best you'll put out [no gk] 3-4-1

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    3. Fine, keep changing my name…
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Wildcard time

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  6. Slacker
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Early WC RMT

    Boruc (Mignolet)
    Shaw, Coleman, Vertonghen, Toure, (Chester)
    Silva Walcott, Schneiderlin, (Barkley, Kasami)
    Dzeko, RVP, Benteke

    I have £0.4 in the bank to go with this. I know the midfield is terrible. Also I'm having a debate between Benteke and Soldado. Really love to have an opinion on all this.

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

      Don't blow all your guts on that forward line. Take out Dzeko (you already have Citeh cover with Silva), upgrade one of those mids and get a cheaper 3rd striker. BOOM!

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

        Thanks. That's sound feedback, I'll try act on that.

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    2. bobbypires88
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I agree with taking Dzeko out due to rotation risk and you already have Silva, Need to upgrade a midfielder, 3 cheapies is very weak. Also, bear in mind that Benteke has no game in GW3. Def need one of Soldado/Lambert/Sturridge,so I suggest get for Dzeko, and in order to bench Benteke for GW3 you need a stronger midfield.

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  7. Teeberry
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Hi,

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I know my team isn't great and I am thinking I need to take out Lukaku but I have no idea who to get?

    It's also not a great idea having RVP and two Chelsea players

    I have 3M in the bank so could get Aguero but I also want to get rid of Merte or should I wait?

    Mignolet
    Ivanovic Baines Merte
    Hazard Mirallas Ramierez Tonev
    RVP Lukaku Chamakh

    Bench: Davies, Chester, Garrido Pozuelo

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    1. Tiote on Peyote
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I would get rid of Lukaku this week, perhaps for Soldado, Aguero, or Sturridge. Haz and Ivan could score well against united so no need to panic about them atm. Mert isn't a priority, take it week by week and offload the dead wood and try and get long term acquisitions.

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  8. Btl
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    CHANGES?? Anelka and one of the Chelsea players has to go, unless straight swap for anelka but no idea who?

    Cech (Davis)
    Ivanovic Mertesacker Zabaleta (Whittaker) (Baker)
    Hazard Nolan Paulinho Colback Johnson
    Benteke RvP (Anelka)

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  9. DropPointsNotBombs
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Nolan or Ben Arfa?

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

      Nolan by an absolute mile.

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    2. dino412
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Nolan.

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

      ben arfa

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  10. Dannyban
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Zab, Kun or Soldado as Capt, and WHY?

    Many thanks in advance

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    1. bobbypires88
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Not a fan of captaining defenders, cos you lose pts just from 1 goal. I say Kun ahead of Soldado.

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  11. tadtman
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Who to start in my defense?

    Zabs Coleman Turner Terry Collins

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

      I'm playing a 3-4-3 BTW

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

      first 3

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    3. andyinasia
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Zab and Coleman nailed on. Terry benched. Turner (M of Norwich, I presume) and Collins are 50/50. Norwich facing a weaker attack so maybe MTurner edges it. (If you have B Turner leave him UNDER the bench!)

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  12. Tiote on Peyote
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Any love for captaining Wally tomorrow?

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

      in moyz in the hood, i'd captain wally. (obv don't know who you've bought)

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    2. Captain Fantastic
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I am. He played well in midweek.

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  13. cfreel
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    am i mad making dzeko my captain over soldado?

    you know when sometimes you just get that feeling..

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

      I have that feeling too.....Let's hope it works out!

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    2. Shah G
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Its not the feeling u r haviing, its the feeling u want to get when he performs/play, gamble.

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    3. andyinasia
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      What if he comes on for the last 10 minutes? You know Soldado is going to start.

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  14. Hufflepuff
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Desperate for help!

    Mignolet (Szczesny)
    Ivan Shaw Toure (ward) (reid)
    Coutinho Walcot Mirallis (Jarvis) (Colback)
    Rvp Giroud Anelka

    I wanted to do Ivan for Coleman, but I have anelka now! Prepared to drop points!

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

      Don't do a transfer yet; stick with a viable 4-4-2. Then you have a double transfer for GW3 and you can yank out Ivan and Anelka with taking a hit.

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  15. michu pichu
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    hazard > mirallas for -4

    yay or nay ?

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

      nay.just wait until hazard plays against united, although i doubt very much he will get the to play 90 minutes..

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  16. Mortal.Swinbat
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Captain Silva, Soldado, Walcott, Benteke or Lambert?

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    1. bobbypires88
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Thats quite a problem you have there. I would narrow it down to Wally, Benteke or Silva. Fulham have injures in defence, and Wally did play well in midweek. Benteke is always capable of scoring. And SIlva is playing away to Cardiff, so I expect it to be a tight game. Walcott or Benteke for me

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  17. merorooyan
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    There will no watchlist anymore until gameweek 38 ???

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  18. brish
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Looking to bring soldado, silva and Barkley for lukaka, hazard and tonev as I only had a million to play around with and want to spread my options across different teams

    Any suggestions greatly appreciated!

    Current team is:
    Mig - boric

    Coleman-ivanovic-Dawson- Reid- (Clyne)

    Mirallas-Walcott-hazard-coutinho-tonev

    Lukaka-benteke-Anelka

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  19. NapalmDeath (Northern Chaos…
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    I'm all worn out from playing a pre-season friendly for my football club. Also a long shift at work.

    The -4 trigger finger is looming...

    Am I mad to do Ivan+Hazard -> Mbiwa + HBA (leaving 5.0m for Benteke -> RVP next GW)?

    Or maybe leave Mbiwa out for observation and take the hit next week...

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  20. Kapizak1
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Lampard & Wilshere
    or
    Mirallas & Sessegnon?

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    1. spudb0y
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Mirallas and Nolan?

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  21. spudb0y
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Benteke or Sturridge playing next to Soldado, Dzeko?

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    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Sturridge is the safer call for this wk and GW3. But I'd get Benteke in for GW4 and beyond...he's a must-have imo.

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  22. dino412
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Ivanovic --> Vertoghen

    and

    that makes room for ... Colback --> Nolan?

    My Team:
    Mig
    Coleman-Ivanovic-Whittaker
    Silva-Coutinho-Mirallas-Colback or Tonev
    Dzeko-RVP-Soldado

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    1. dino412
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Sorry, meant to say ... If i don't do Ivanovic for Vertogehen, then I would have to do Ivanovic for Shaw - to make room for Nolan.

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  23. hill1811
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Mirallas or Barfa? I'm still not 100% sold on Mirallas yet but everyone seems to be. Pre-season vs reg season didn't work for Luka although he's got rotation problems. Thoughts on who I go with between the two?

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  24. Quentinho
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Lambert or Dzeko?

    (Swaping Hazard + Anelka for Mirallas + one of the above)

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    1. AJ87
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I'm torn between Lambert and Dzeko too, currently have Lambert. Dzeko could be a rotation risk but he had a decent first game and Pellegrini was full of praise.

      On the other hand I'm not sure what impact Osvaldo will have on Lambert.

      Wait this game week out and see if Dzeko starts before putting him in.

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  25. AJ87
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    I'm thinking about upgrading Felaini for Michu and Lambert for Dzeko, but I'm not sure about Dzeko's rotation risk. 0.5 million left in the bank.

    Current team:

    Mignolet (Davis)

    Pieters - Coleman - Whittaker (Toure) (Collins)

    Hazard - Walcott - Coutinho - Silva - Fellaini

    Benteke - Lambert (Maynard)

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  26. Just A Hat
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Everybody going for Nolan, do we not remember that West Ham are terrible away from HOME and Nolan only scored 1 goal away last season? Or is everyone just following the bandwagon after 1 goal against a pathetic Cardiff side?

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    1. dino412
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Thanks for reminding me. Now I am glad I didn't pick him up!

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    2. Captain Fantastic
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      His advantage is that is he is the pinnacle of west ham attacks. I bet if he stays fit until end of season, he can give good returns.

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  27. dino412
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    I had a good week with 90 pts, 10 pt. lead in league. But being the noob that I am I had 5 week 3 players from Chelsea and Villa in my opening day squad.

    Already moved Lutaku for Dzeko and Hazard for Silva to get me a -4 hit.

    Since I have lead you guys think I should move Ivanovic for Vertonghen now or wait until week 3? Give me a -8 hit but still in 1st place. I like Vertonghen a lot. Hopefully his ankle is 100%.

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    1. Jebus Saves
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      GW3....Ivan could easily score against ManUre.

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  28. ForeverBlues
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    hey lads, who's gonna get a higher points this week, snoddy or JRod?

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  29. captaincuddles
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Hey, I Can't make up my mind lambert or dzeko to replace lukaku, opinions please.

    Also I would need to bench one of the following mirrallas, Nolan, hazard, y.toure, siggurdson.

    Thanks

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    1. Jebus Saves
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Did Dzeko earlier.

      Lambert is the more sensible option but I think he'll be outscored by the Bosnian (even if it's off the bench for most games)

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

        Thanks, yeah was swaying towards lambert purely and simply to avoid dzekos rotation risk with 3 of my players not playing next week but as you say dzeko good from bench anyway.

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  30. cesc_fabremax
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Garrido Collins Chester Mert
    need to pick 2 who ya reckon?

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