634x258 Dugout Discussion
23 December 2013 4978 comments
Paul Paul
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An all-London affair at the Emirates brings the curtain down on Gameweek 17 this evening. Plenty of Fantasy favourites are on show as the Gunners look for the win that would extend their lead to four points over the chasing pack:

For the hosts, Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil are the main protagonists for Fantasy managers, whilst Theo Walcott will be looking to maintain the form that saw him score twice at the Etihad last weekend.

Jose Mourinho’s side roll up on the back of a poor form of form on the road. The Blues have been beaten in three of their last four away games in all competitions but know that a victory will draw them level with the Gunners on 36 points. Eden Hazard will be desperate to have his say before Fantasy managers turn our attentions to the Gameweek 18 fixtures on Boxing Day.

The team news sees the hosts make four changes from the side that lost 6-3 at City last time around. Kieran Gibbs and Thomas Vermaelen are drafted in for Nacho Monreal and Laurent Koscielny at the back, with the Frenchman sidelined due to a knee wound. Mikel Arteta partners Aaron Ramsey in the double-pivot, with Mathieu Flamini dropping out, whilst Tomas Rosicky gets the nod on the left, replacing the suspended Jack Wilshere. Lukas Podolski warms the Gunners bench along with the likes of Santi Cazorla.

The Blues make three alterations from the XI that edged past Palace. Gary Cahill replaces David Luiz in defence, whilst John Obi Mikel and Frank Lampard are drafted into midfield – Michael Essien drops out through suspension while Juan Mata takes his place on the bench, allowing Ramires to move onto the right of the attacking midfield three. Oscar, Andre Schurrle and Samuel Eto’o are also amongst the subs, with Fernando Torres leading the line again.

Once again, we’ve opened the Dugout Discussion chatroom for those partial to some real-time reaction.

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  1. Call Me Old Fashioned
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Current team..

    http://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/150487/event-history/17/

    for boxing day - 1, 2 or 3?

    1 - Ravel--->Cabaye. Bench Whitts vs SOT

    2 - Ozil--->Walcott or Silva/Yaya. Bench Ravel vs ARS and play Whitts vs SOT

    3 - Save FT. Keep Ozil and play Whits over Ravel

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    1. GTS
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I'm thinking having a strong bench so 1 maybe.

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    2. Reeker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Ozil could get rested boxing day so 2

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    3. Captain Shirokov
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      2 to Yaya.

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  2. JUSTBLAZE
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Will Walcott rise today? He's at 96.8 on totalfpl.

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    1. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Doubt it

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  3. michudagawd
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Third time lucky. 🙂

    Howard - Lewis
    Terry - Santon - Chico - Brown - Chester
    Walcott - Ramsey - Oscar - Sessegnon - Ravel
    Suarez - Negredo - Lukaku

    1 FT, 3.2 in the bank.

    Team in a bit of a mess, I think a hit is unavoidable if I want to have a good Boxing Day gameweek. Any thoughts/opinions on what I should do?

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    1. Call Me Old Fashioned
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Sess out to anyone you can afford

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    2. Arsenal USA FC
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Sess -> Cabaye?

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    3. michudagawd
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers for replies!

      Yeah was thinking Cabaye, Silva or Januzaj. I'll have to swap Brown out too?

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      1. Captain Shirokov
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        You will, but that can wait.

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    4. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      3.2 itb upgrade Sess to Silva or another big mid

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  4. JJO
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    A) Cotinho to Mirallas
    B) Amalfitano to Barkley tonight?

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  5. mgilbert86
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Lukaku has only 3 goals in 7 gameweeks

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    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      If he doesn't score against a SUN defense losing O'Shea & Wes Brown, he'll definitely next on my chopping list.

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  6. GTS
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Good Morning all! 🙂
    So how's Ozil & Wally today?

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    1. Arsenal USA FC
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Arsenal lacked energy today.

      Ozil will prob get rested next GW.

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      1. GTS
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        weather affecting the game of the players today?

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    2. The Shadow
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Walcott took the night off. Ozil among the ICT leaders on a night when nobody had any ICT.

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      1. GTS
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        ICT?

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        1. The Shadow
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          Influence Creativity Threat. It's a rating FFS gives players.

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          1. GTS
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 1 month ago

            Oh thanks shadow!
            So I might keep him then. You think he would get a rest?

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            1. The Shadow
              • 14 Years
              12 years, 1 month ago

              He's definitely getting a rest soon as per Wenger's comments the question is when? I assumed Boxing Day was the logical day but Wenger might want Arsenal to actually get a positive result before resting him.

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              1. GTS
                • 12 Years
                12 years, 1 month ago

                Cheers Shadow!
                Kepping Ozil then.
                Early substitution wouldn't be that bad.

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  7. Colin Hendry
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Hi guys, what would be your recommendations for my team please?

    Speroni/Marshall
    Jagielka/Coleman/Chico/Clyne/Gabbidon
    Ozil/Ramsey/Valencia/Cabaye/Colback
    Suarez/Rooney/Negredo

    0.1m in the bank
    Any ideas would be much appreciated!

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    1. Arsenal USA FC
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good except for Valencia & Colback

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    2. Arsenal USA FC
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Needs Hazard/Silva/Yaya

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      1. Colin Hendry
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        All 3 or 1 of them?

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        1. Arsenal USA FC
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          Atleast 1 Silva & Haz if you could

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          1. Colin Hendry
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 1 month ago

            Would need to lose Ozil, Ramsey and Valencia and then could have Silva, Hazard and Barkley/Whittingham

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            1. Arsenal USA FC
              • 13 Years
              12 years, 1 month ago

              Ozil -> Wally
              &
              Valencia -> Silva?

              Don't take hits. Do it over time.

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  8. Lizard Lips
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Hmm, need to get Silva in for the Palace match.

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    1. Colin Hendry
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Valencia and Ramsey out for Silva and Barkley potentially?
      Can't see Ramsey doing that we'll with Walcott, Ozil and Podolski back too

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      1. The Enlightener
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        I would

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        1. Colin Hendry
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks mate

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  9. Harry (C)ane
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Hey guys. Need a little help here with the Arsenal Defenders.

    Is Mert worth the 0.7m over Sagna/Gibbs.

    If no, who between Sagna and Gibbs?

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    1. LOCO ABREU
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      sagna but would wait for kos

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  10. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Is there any risk whatsoever of Lukaku being rested on boxing day?

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    1. Harry (C)ane
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Rested for Jelavic? 😀

      Doubt so

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      1. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        You never know!

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    2. Demí
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Could be. Decent back ups in Jelav...i mean Naismi... sorry Vellio.. no chance.

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      1. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        😆

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    3. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Not if they want to keep momentum going..

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    4. LOCO ABREU
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      jela in doubt,don't think so.

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    5. The Shadow
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Everton have played so few games this year nobody should need a rest.

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      1. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        True

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  11. LOCO ABREU
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    walcott won't rise tonigth rigth guys?

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  12. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    http://gyazo.com/420fa5132516e785cb81f688806d44ed

    Here's the team.

    Should I pull the trigger on McAuley to Coleman now?

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    1. mgilbert86
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Doubling on everton hasn't worked for me

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      1. Captain Shirokov
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Just till the WC though?

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      2. Snevitz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        It has if one of them is Coleman

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  13. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Hazard for the armband? Came off after 70min? Or Suarez, Remy, Lukaku or even Coleman seeing Sunderland can't score

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    1. The Enlightener
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I have it on Hazard at the moment. Seems the type of game he might go bonkers with.

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      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Ya I think so definitely an assist or two on the cards

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  14. Federico
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Play Gabby or Burner?

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  15. spiderman2099
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Mignolet (Boruc)
    Coleman Mertesacker Whittaker Debuchy Pieters
    Yaya Ramsey (Ravel Brady Sess)
    Rooney suarez (c) Lukaku

    2 FT,no money in the bank. What to do?? Thinking adebayor, Whitts or summit?

    Sound boys

    repost

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    1. smash
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I just bought Adebayor in for Remy, I'm desperate for a differential though, fingers crossed!

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      1. The Enlightener
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        That's a great move, in my opinion.

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        1. smash
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          Cheers, feel slightly better about it now!

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          1. The Enlightener
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 1 month ago

            I did Lukaku to Adebayor, so I obviously have the faith. Could get blasted, though. Oh well, sometimes you gotta risk if you want big time reward. Yours was much less of a risk.

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            1. smash
              • 16 Years
              12 years, 1 month ago

              Exactly, he who dares... might only be a short term punt though
              gd luck

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              1. The Enlightener
                • 12 Years
                12 years, 1 month ago

                And to you as well. May Adebayor bring us to glory!

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  16. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    can someone explain if oscar is now bench fodder for the foreseeable....... ?

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    1. LOCO ABREU
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      don't get it also,i have hazard because oscar injury, but think oscar is their best mid.

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      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        yep i thought i was bein clever gettin oscar back after injury since hed be 'nailed on'

        didnt play in an easy home match v palace and then didnt play in a crucial away match...... so hes worth nothin now ?

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        1. LOCO ABREU
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          hard but keep imo

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  17. lifes a pitch
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    REPOST
    keep or shift Ramsey for:

    A) Januzaj...hopefully nailed now
    B) Cabaye
    C) Lallana...form?
    D) Barkley...consistency? but cheap

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    1. LOCO ABREU
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      keep,cabaye is good but don't like fixtures

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  18. Sheep
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Helena Bonham Carter worth a punt?

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    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Definitely. Especially in her Hamlet & Fight Club days.

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  19. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    I'm getting rid of Ozil for a hit. Who to get?

    A. Walcott
    B. Silva
    C. Yaya

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    1. Kevin Twine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Is it really worth getting rid of Ozil for a hit?

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      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        I know - but personally think he'd get a rest eventually and my team has no City attacker. Those are some serious worrying sight!

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    2. tm245
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Agree w the above question -- the only one with potentially more guaranteed gametime is Yaya.

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      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        I don;t mind getting Yaya now.. the lack of City attacker is killing me (though Yaya is not really an attacker on the field).

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        1. tm245
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          I am a chaser so I'll be going w Silva and Walcott, but it would suck to take a hit for someone who might be rested so Yaya strikes me as least likely, though that is based on past results more than future insights.

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  20. PINKFISH (SANCTIONED AND GA…
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    I don;t care much for foreign investment in our football clubs much like I don't like our are industries being sold out abroad. I don't like talking to India about my bank account.

    The Etonian Bum Boys are running our Gov. and pissing on the old aged and vulnerable with a corporate greed that is beyond contempt.

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  21. Federico
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone see the pattern in Lukaku's points this season?

    Armband candidate 😀

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    1. Ouch 8 point hit
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Please explain my obtuse friend...

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      1. Federico
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        5 single digits, then double digits, and so on.
        Last 5 is single digits.

        Clutching at straws here, looking for an alternative to Suarez.

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        1. Ouch 8 point hit
          • 14 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          Very little straws ; )

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  22. LOCO ABREU
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    ozil rest in boxing day?arsenal have lost first spot this week.

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  23. tm245
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Evening. Not sure if this has been posted but I think Adebayor's % on tfpl is not working -- plenty of transfers in but he is listed at 0%.

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    1. LOCO ABREU
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      flagg rule 8 days no?

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      1. tm245
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Forgot about that -- thanks.

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    2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      red flag removed on the 19th

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  24. Lizard Lips
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Team for GW18 http://postimg.org/image/oitlospd9/

    Howard
    Coleman Evra Koscielny
    Hazard Whittingham Ramsey Walcott
    Lukaku Suárez Rooney

    Subs: Kelvin Davis Morrison Clyne Chester

    How do I get Silva in for GW19 Palace (h)??

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    1. LOCO ABREU
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      for ramsey?downgrade defender?

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      1. Lizard Lips
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        That's what I'm thinking, downgrade Evra I guess. Should I do it for a hit? Or downgrade the defender this week and do Silva next week for free?

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        1. LOCO ABREU
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          i'm thinking evra to evans and ramsey to wally for me but not sure

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    2. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Put him in for Walcott if you're that desperate to have him.

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    3. Bubz
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Lol my team is

      Szczesney
      Coleman Evra Distin
      Hazard Whittingham Silva Walcott
      Lukaku Suarez Rooney.

      They will be essentially identical if you bring Silva in for Ramsey 😆

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      1. Lizard Lips
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Lol. Looks good dude!

        Probably will have to ditch Evra for Martin Olson to fund Ramsey for Silva. Think I am going to do it, can't go into that Palace (h) match without any City coverage! 🙂

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  25. Sheep
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    You call yourself a DZ!?

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  26. Colin Hendry
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Who are people thinking are must haves for the Jan wildcard and when is best to play it?

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    1. Federico
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      Play it as late as possible.

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      1. LOCO ABREU
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        +1 of no double game weeks in january

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  27. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    MIght just go for a really mad captain punt on Silva. Man City will score loads of goals and he is bound to be involved!

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    1. GTS
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      yea. A few goals conceded on their home turf as well

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  28. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone know if Moyes has said anything about Welbeck's injury? Is i defo out?

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    1. Gloria Kanchelskis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      there was a link on here earlier saying he was fit to travel - I think it was the Guardian!

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      1. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks. Will wait with my transfer then

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  29. tm245
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Coutinho to Silva with my FT -- no chance of a price change tonight but I am sick of having him in my team. Can't wait much longer...

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    1. The Enlightener
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 1 month ago

      I would do that transfer as soon as possible.

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      1. tm245
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 1 month ago

        I know -- just waiting to hear any pressers before pulling the trigger.

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        1. The Enlightener
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 1 month ago

          I think perhaps by the time any come out that will be of real help, Silva's price will have risen. Definitely good to be tentative if you can afford to wait though. Sometimes, though, you just gotta go for it. Like a champion would. (I don't know how to insert emoticons, so imagine there's a smiley face here at the end, or maybe one of those with the shades on.)

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          1. The Enlightener
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 1 month ago

            If he isn't set to rise tonight, you might as well wait until tomorrow.

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            1. tm245
              • 14 Years
              12 years, 1 month ago

              Right -- waited for the match today even though he rose just to be sure.

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