634x258 Preamble
18 January 2014 1714 comments
Mark Mark
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I think there’s a danger I could run out of ideas. Seven green arrows in eight Gameweeks should indicate progress but, looking at the gap in the contributors league and the chasm between myself and Granville, it seems that my efforts have been little more than powder puff. I need to find a boost in a season which, to this point, has offered few opportunities for those looking to make up ground.

Much as I like the fella, Luis Suarez hasn’t helped matters. Last weekend provided yet more evidence that it’s almost suicidal to peel the armband from the Uruguayan’s bicep. The option to take a risk with the captaincy doesn’t look a viable strategy for the straggling Fantasy manager. I’ve tried that route and, while Luis let me get away with it by drawing two blanks, even that gamble had little impact.

So where do I turn next? As I’ve mentioned, Granville doesn’t have any apparent chinks in his armour. His squad looks settled, his budget far in advance of my own – if anything the Wildcard will hand him further advantage. I’m faced with having to take some calculated risks but, such a decision also threatens to derail my run of green arrows and begs the question, when do you allow mini-league rivalries to influence your overall decision making?

A few weeks back I decided to don the blinkers, ignore the mini-league scenario and set about saving face. I’ve gradually climbed the ranks and so, naturally, I have to conclude that I’m on a gradual path of progress. It feels cosy and safe but, equally, I can’t help thinking that Granville’s has his slippers on and is running the foamy bath of victory.

Should I continue to look at the bigger picture? Maybe if I continue to play safe and go with template signings – Mesut Ozil being my latest – I will ensure an ascent up the ranks and I may yet even avoid my lowest ever Fantasy Premier League finish. However, I can’t help consider that, if I allow the Fantasy Sat Nav to keep me on this comfortable path, Granville has it won. I swear when it advised me to turn to Ozil there was a Manchester twang in its voice.

To this point I’ve been subdued with the risk taking. I’ve veered off to take an occasional hit, taken the Edin Dzeko detour – nothing too outlandish. Clearly, it’s had little effect.

My latest half-baked plan is to use my third forward slot in rotation – attempting to hit a Gameweek sweet spot and find some double-figure differentials. It will be hatched later today but, if this also fails to make an instant impression, I’m faced with having to decide to either stay on this path of safety and effectively concede or go for broke and risk inviting the red arrows.

Sooner or later the Sat Nav will tell me to turn to Ramsey. I’ve a feeling that, by then, my season will be at the crossroads.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

  1. GlasgowFF
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Clyne better not come on as a sub now!

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  2. Somalion
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    So apparently Soton want to lose...

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  3. Alton E.
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Ki lad

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    1. Woy of the Wovers
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Ki player.

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    2. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      2 goals.

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  4. GlasgowFF
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    I am not going to have 11 players this week.

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  5. MJ6987
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    I've done my bit by telling people wildcarding that Clyne is no longer nailed on (Chambers played well whilst he was out).

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    1. Tim Canterbury
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      The scouts also said to go for Shaw a while back due to Chambers. People can't complain

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  6. Chris_White
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    2-2 please, Lallana goal and assist

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  7. Vpan
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    WC question:

    a) Ramsey + Rooney

    or

    b) Silva + Giroud ???

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    1. AIRMILES
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      B, imo

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  8. marshy17
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Can someone please explain the price protection rule as I remember it being applied in previous seasons for players returning from injury. I believe it was to ensure that when they were bought back after a spell out much like augero/ramsey will be in the coming weeks their prices would not rocket up and thus people having to buy them back at far higher prices.

    Aguero for example started the season at 11.0 and now most people are buying back for 12.0 this week which does not seem unreasonable, it is however for players who are waiting on WC/do not want to take an unreasonable hit to accommodate him.

    These players will have to him for 12.5 if not more if he hits form, simply because he has such a low ownership due to his injury and even with his price inflated from the beginning of season.

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    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      There have been major errors in it of late, best ignore all until it's sorted.

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  9. Lateriser 12
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Ki check. AJ check.

    Yeah, not kidding.

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    1. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Double Sunderland attack??

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      1. Lateriser 12
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        And Gru(c). This could be an interesting week.

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    2. Alton E.
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Nice one.

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    3. Valar(Keith)
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      😯 .. scouting ki today. good luck

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      1. Lateriser 12
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        And to you.

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  10. Tim Canterbury
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    No Fletcher 😯

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    1. Crouch Potato!
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Talks of him being sold.

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    2. Heydudes13
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Think he wants to leave.

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  11. GreenWindmill
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    £3.9m Southampton defender? Hmm...

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    1. Chris_White
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Even if he isn't nailed he could be worth a slot in my 11.7 3-way rotation 😉

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      1. GreenWindmill
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        I'm certainly monitoring him closely, looks like he could be preferred, that would be lovely 🙂

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    2. Heydudes13
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      It'll probably be Clyne starting again soon enough.

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      1. GreenWindmill
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Possibly, I'm going to keep a beady eye on this situation though!

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    3. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      As a Clyne owner this annoys me greatly 👿

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      1. Evs
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        I'm really shocked at that.

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      2. GreenWindmill
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Easy swap if required though, we're you relying on Clyne this week?

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        1. Billy Gilmore
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          Na, he's 2nd sub, but annoying as I just WCed.

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          1. GreenWindmill
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 11 months ago

            Ah right, yeah, that's a pain.

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  12. Slikk
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    What do you guys think of WC this week in order to get Aguero? He'll probably rise by 0.3 this week

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    1. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Not necessarily, depends what happens today

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    2. Crouch Potato!
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Totally down to what he does, could drop .3 also.

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    3. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Depends on your team. Preferably just a single transfer to get him if your team is ok.

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      1. Slikk
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Will need a double transfer, -4. Downgrade midfield and ship Ade

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  13. The Beta particle
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    my thoughts abt WC

    " We will wait for him like a good wife waiting for her husband who is in jail "
    (guess who said it)

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    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      My wife.

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      1. Fitzy.
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        😆

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  14. TokyoRed 東京赤
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone any feedback on the Fantasy Football Manager app? Not the official crap one.

    https://itunes.apple.com/app/fantasy-football-manager-ffm/id324266640?mt=8

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      It does the job. Great for articles.

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    2. Stefan Schnoor
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      I use it on my phone, and think it's really good. You get notifications when new articles are published on here and total fpl, and it shows mini leagues as well. Can be a bit temperamental at times, ie random freezing, but really good if you want a quick score check at half time and to see how your rivals are doing.

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    3. TokyoRed 東京赤
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks TM / Gibbo

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    4. A.
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      I like it, I've used it for a couple of years now. Though I probably use the mobile site more often, it has it's place as well

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    5. Noisy Neighbour
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      I've used it all of this season and love it.

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  15. Chris_White
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Updated.

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  16. Djerbil
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    So that’s one change for #SaintsFC as @CalumChambers95 returns from illness and goes straight into the side. @Nathaniel_Clyne on the bench.

    (interesting choice of words)

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  17. isacki: full casual
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Transferred Burner out for Kolarov and played him over Clyne. Right outcome, wrong reason

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    1. Lateriser 12
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      A certain valour awardship candidacy shall possibly have my name on it.

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  18. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    I see Aguero snuck in his price rise last night that sucks...

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    1. Lucy.
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      He's on for 3 consécutive price rises, it's insane!

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  19. SuperOsçarBaby
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    colback(c) fail

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    1. FACUPARSE
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Boring joke success

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      1. Thomass
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Do I need to warn both of you about your behaviors?

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        1. Fitzy.
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          Do I need to tell you that you're not a mod?

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        2. Thomass
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          Why did I get my upvote removed?

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    2. Breadbin
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      You two are starting already? Arse indeed.

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      1. SuperOsçarBaby
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        huh dustbin?

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        1. SuperOsçarBaby
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          3 upvotes for dustbin 😆

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          1. Breadbin
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 11 months ago

            Have another 🙂

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      2. Comment removed. Please refer to our terms and conditions on posting comments.

  20. Woy of the Wovers
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    So pozuelo fail, eh?

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  21. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Clyne is better than Chambers...

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    1. Somalion
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      True.

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    2. AIRMILES
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Perhaps they're planning on losing a defender or two this month.

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      1. Lucy.
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        No plans for any sales.

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        1. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          So they say.

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        2. Billy Gilmore
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          Doesn't mean they aren't preparing for it.

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    3. copps
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      clyne's a very good player, surprised he's been benched

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    4. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Maybe he handed in a transfer request although I doubt it

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  22. mucka
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Strange to change a backline after only your second clean sheet i 12 PL games.

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  23. Thomass
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Breadbin, check the reply on previous post

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    1. Breadbin
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      You are an enigma. Thanks.

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      1. Thomass
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Meaning?

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        1. Breadbin
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          "a person or thing that is mysterious or difficult to understand"

          In a really wonderful and good way.

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          1. Thomass
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 11 months ago

            Thanks mate, why did someone's comment get deleted? What was it about?

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            1. Breadbin
              • 15 Years
              11 years, 11 months ago

              Didn't see it.

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          2. SuperOsçarBaby
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 11 months ago

            Don't believe everything that you read on internet - Thomas Edison

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            1. M83
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 11 months ago

              Breadbin & Thomas, this one's for you 😉

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  24. Jax
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    flecther benched then

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  25. Sepp Blattered
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Who the hell is Gru?

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    1. Thomass
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Giroud

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      1. Sepp Blattered
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks.

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    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Giroud

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    3. Vote Joke
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Bloke from Despicable Me

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  26. Lucy.
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Inside track from your Southampton fan:

    Apparently, Chambers was absent through illness last week which was why he was dropped. He's well again and has gone straight back in. Early signs would seem to imply that he is now favourite ahead of Clyne.

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    1. Tim Canterbury
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Again, now you tell us...

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      1. Lucy.
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Well I obviously didn't know this or I wouldn't have had Clyne in my team either. Jeez. I was just trying to work out why he'd been dropped to see if it was likely to be come a regular thing.

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        1. Fitzy.
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          Ignore dopey up there. Thanks for the info...

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      2. Bolivian Seaman
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Thats strange. i was reading on saints forum that clyne is one of the best rightbacks you've ever had.

        I think you had a yugoslav rightback who is classed as the best one, can't remember his name

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        1. Lucy.
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          I'm wondering if, due to the age gap, Pochettino sees more 'potential' in Chambers.

          Not sure who that might be...

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          1. Bolivian Seaman
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 11 months ago

            maybe they are selling a fullback too, could be anything, but clyne is rated as much better all saints fans

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  27. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Clyne, Burner and a -8 after a WC. Great success!

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  28. Vote Joke
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    What about this for my next games week transfers?

    Ozil & Negredo to Eamsey & Aguero

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    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      I imagine that will be route 1 for most getting in Aguero without WC

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  29. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Here's my WCT, a little different to the norm for some differentials

    Szczesny (Mannone)
    Coleman - Ward - Dawson - Kolarov - Chester
    Hazard - Yaya - Ramsey - Cabaye - Sterling
    Negredo - Suarez - J Rod

    the plan is to bring Rooney in when fit

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    1. AIRMILES
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Is Sterling assured game time?

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  30. Chris_White
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Coleman(liv) or Chester(cry)?

    Yes, serious question.

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    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Chester. CS's are the bread and butter.

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    2. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Coleman.

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    3. Damo.
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Just enjoy this weeks games for a bit can we

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