Scout Notes

Scout Notes – FA Cup Quarter-Final – Sunday

Man City are humbled at home by FA Cup holders Wigan. A Samir Nasri strike isn’t enough for Manuel Pellegrini’s side, as their Etihad form continues to falter. Elsewhere, Hull hammer Sunderland to ease into the last four, with Fantasy managers now hoping yesterday’s results will soon see some outstanding double Gameweeks announced:

City Stunned By Latics
With a midweek trip to Barcelona on the horizon, Manuel Pellegrini rang the changes for City’s shock 2-1 home defeat by Wigan yesterday. The Chilean retained just five of the starting XI that won the Capital One Cup against Sunderland last weekend – the likes of Micah Richards, Joleon Lescott, Gael Clichy, Jesus Navas, Javi Garcia and Alvaro Negredo were all named in the line-up, with the latter partnering Sergio Aguero up top.

Whilst Aguero failed to score, would-be Fantasy suitors will at least be pleased to see he managed the full 90 minutes after his recent hamstring troubles. Samir Nasri’s second strike in as many matches wasn’t enough, though, as City’s home toils continued. Having racked up the goals in front of their fans for the vast majority of the season, Pellegrini’s side have now scored just four times in their last five matches across all competitions at the Etihad.

In terms of fixtures, this loss is set to ease City’s schedule somewhat. If they fail to overturn the 2-0 first leg Champions deficit in midweek, Pellegrini’s side could soon discover the rescheduled dates for a pair of league fixtures – home clashes against Sunderland and Villa have yet to be rearranged, thus giving us further double Gameweeks to plan around.

After the game, the City boss gave his reasons for rotating and hinted that his side were perhaps a little too complacent in yesterday’s encounter:

“I didn’t leave Kompany or Kolarov or Fernandinho on the bench because of Barcelona. We make rotation in the cups, plus the players we left out played 90 minutes for their international sides on Wednesday, so it was important for them to have a rest. They’ve won their last four or five games in a row – we knew it would be difficult but maybe we thought it wouldn’t be so difficult. We gave Wigan 45 minutes when we were too slow and they took advantage. I think that it was the worst half we’ve had at this year because we didn’t have the pace to play against a side in a good moment.”

Three and Easy for Tigers
Steve Bruce made four changes to the side that were hammered 4-1 at home by Newcastle in Gameweek 28. The Tigers boss moved from 3-5-2 to a 4-2-3-1 formation and drafted in James Chester alongside Curtis Davies at centre-half, with Alex Bruce dropping out, whilst further up the field Jake Livermore (thigh problem) and cup-tied duo Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long were replaced by Yannick Sagbo, Matty Fryatt and Sone Aluko in a tactical reshuffle. Fryatt, Davies and David Meyler were the goal heroes in a 3-0 stroll as Hull clinched a place in the last four against Sheffield United on April 13 or 14 – this means that their Gameweek 34 match against Man United, which was initially scheduled for that weekend, is now postponed, though could yet remain within the Gameweek.

Post-match, the Tigers boss explained the reasons behind his decision to change systems:

“Sunderland appeared to me to be playing a diamond, so we needed to move the ball to the wider areas more quickly and get our full backs more involved to make the game a little bit more open. We did that in abundance, especially with George Boyd coming on in the second half as well.”

Much-Changed Black Cats Tumble Out
Gus Poyet made six alterations from the side that tasted defeat to City in the previous weekend’s Capital One Cup Final. With one eye clearly on the remaining league programe, the Sunderland manager fielded fringe players such as Oscar Ustari, Santiago Vergini and Andrea Dossena in defence, whilst the likes of Emanuele Giaccherini, Steven Fletcher and Ignacio Scocco all started further up the field.

Prior to the match, the Black Cats boss confirmed his selection options were a little limited after Wes Brown, Craig Gardner, Valentin Roberge and Jozy Altidore were all ruled out with knocks. The Wearsiders’ elimination will offer Fantasy managers hope that their outstanding two league fixtures – at home to West Brom and, as mentioned above, away to Man City – will now be scheduled, with their cup commitments finally at an end.

Poyet was far from pleased with the performance of his fringe players and refused to criticise Lee Cattermole’s display, even though the midfielder was at fault for two of the Tigers’ goals:

“We didn’t create enough but I’m not going to try to find any excuses. The players who played today were not good enough and that is simple – in the 50-50s, in the diving, in dealing with the referee when he panicked for 10 minutes – in not recovering well and not creating one chance…If you hide and you’re not in the game and do nothing to take a risk, then for sure you’re not going to make any (mistakes). That’s the bad side of football – the ones that take responsibility and the ones that care, they are the ones who are in the position to make the mistakes – that’s football.”

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1,002 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rambo Motin
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Am bringing in Mc Gregor in for my second keeper as I will play him instead of Boruc for the double. Hull have good fixtures. Good move?

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

      Hull will concede in both.

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      1. Rambo Motin
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Haha, what makes you so sure ;)?

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

      Yes good move. Hull decent shout of a clean sheet in either. worth the risk

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    3. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Decent pick if you don't want one of their defenders.

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  2. tm245
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Everton have kept two CS in three months. Why would anyone get Distin? I am a Baines owner and even I'm not deluding myself about their defensive potential.

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    1. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      They've still very rarely conceded more than one and have much better fixtures left than the previous few months. Still, Distin is a no.

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      1. Well you know, Triffic
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        They will get 2 cleansheets in the next 4 games.

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        1. Well you know, Triffic
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          Wasn't replying to Baines on toast. Oops

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

        he'll get the same 6 pts for a clean sheet as the others - and he is cheaper

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    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      After Liverpool they have the kindest double.

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

      i think they have defensive potential

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

      Distin owner over here fixtures are good and I needed someone to swap with koscielny

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

      they've got 3 nice fixtures coming up, and have had a few difficult away games lately in which they have conceded

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    6. tm245
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Again, I hope you all are right but a solid defensive team that only lets in one goal a game is still basically churning out 2 pters each week for FPL.

      I would (and have) happily compromise elsewhere to get Coleman or Baines, but I would love to be wrong on this.

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

        But money matters
        I wont be able to get a good midfield and attack if I get baines or coleman
        if you are so sure that wverton are a bad option then suggest me a replacement for distin 5.2 max

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        1. tm245
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          I agree that money matters and that's why I don't like the Distin price point at all -- West Ham offer much better value, or maybe even Sunderland with their sheer volume of fixtures. Vlaar is another one I like since they will have a double and he is a bit of a CS talisman for them. Kolarov if you are feeling punty.

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  3. Wheato182
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    http://imgur.com/TG4rwHx

    Good to go this gameweek lads?

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    1. Jackson123
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Yeh looks good

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      1. Wheato182
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Cool, need a good week after 2 shockers......

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

    Anybody seen anything good on netflix recently?? Day off and superbored

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

      Sounds like you actually have a job outside of crapping on Chelsea fans 😉

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

        *SuperOscarBaby

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

        freelance fan crapper

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    2. Jackson123
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Olympus Has Fallen.

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    3. Sess!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      People bang on about house of cards but I've not watched it yet.

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    4. Well you know, Triffic
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I usually watch the Louis Theroux re-runs.

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

        Yeah seen a few of them and the Kurt &Courtney/ Biggie Tupac docu's are very good as well

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    5. hillbillypete
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      The Following

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

      Airplane.

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    7. Holmes
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      White house down 🙂
      Olympus has fallen is good too, both movies are almost similar

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    8. Tony Warner Fan Club
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is worth a watch and there's 9 seasons to binge on.

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      1. hillbillypete
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Olympus has fallen is so bad it's almost funny

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    9. The Abyss
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Stranger by the Lake

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

    Any True Detective fans out there? How do I watch it? Is it on Netflix?

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

      I watch it on Sky.
      It is well done, but very, very slow. It's hard to get excited about.

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    2. Sess!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Been on Sky Atlantic. I watched the first episode last night. Very good.

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

      Download it.

      It's superb tv.

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    4. Tozier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      It's excellent, but as someone else said it's a very slow-burner. Worth it, though. Gonna watch the finale later.

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  6. Valar(Keith)
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Adrian Mannone
    Baines Azpilicueta Zabaleta Bardsley Chester
    Hazard Yaya Nolan AJ Mutch
    Suarez Aguero Sturridge

    WC Team.. any suggested changes? just 0.1 in the bank.

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    1. Well you know, Triffic
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Pretty much perfect. Maybe Flannigan instead of Bardsley?

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      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        Bardsley is in there for the future 2 dgws and cause ive lost 0.2 on him so want the pure profit when he rises 🙂 .. doubt i'll even play him GW 31

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    2. Andy1
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Like it. Maybe mutch for delph for the villa dgw to come?

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      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        is delph nailed on? yeah.. not totally convinced by mutch. may go that route

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    3. Tommy J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Very similar to my first stab except I have Coleman rather than Bianes and was going Gerrard rather than AJ

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      1. Tommy J
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        *Baines

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      2. Valar(Keith)
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        That's a huge price jump from AJ to Gerrard 🙂 .. Got AJ so i can leave him in and forget about him with all those DGWs left till seasons end

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        1. Tommy J
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 7 months ago

          Original saving on Coleman vs Baines

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

    Such a pain that CHE don't have a DGW - their last few games are great, but for 31 I want to drop them all...

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    1. tm245
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I usually love to go all out for dgws but I might only get 9-10 so I can play Hazard and maybe even Ivanovic.

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  8. asdasdasdadasdasda
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    You got mutch better options than that

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

      I had Mutch from GW11 to 26.

      It was time for him to go.

      Sod's law.

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      1. Tommy J
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 7 months ago

        I brought him in for Ki as I was sick of seeing Ki's price drop!

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

      reply fail
      @valar morghulis

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    3. Valar(Keith)
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Really? Got just 4.5 unless i reshuffle again.. seems nailed on and i wont be playin him mutch if at all

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

        I like bacuna more than,mutch but if you are only after 2pts try yo get some mid less than 4.6 who is nailed on
        maybe noone(I own him) or some other guy

        your team is very good I got to say and this team,is fine with mutch in it

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

    Worth getting Chambers in WC? Did he just lose his place to Clyne?

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

      It looks like they rotate. That simple.
      Don't risk it, take it from someone who just missed their CS.

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    2. tm245
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Dann is 4.0, plays consistently, is managed by Pulis, and will have a double gameweek.

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

        Thanks... but the Palace easy fixtures are over... all home games are against top teams (except AVL)...

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    3. Tony Warner Fan Club
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I reckon Clyne plays the majority of the remaining game minutes but that's just guess work and they are both a rotate risk.

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

        Yeah, it seems its better to avoid.

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

      Word is he was just rested after the internationals. Hold off I'd say and go Chester for the DGW or someone similar. SOuthamptons fixtures arent great for a while anyways

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  10. Holmes
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    is flanagan(liv) nailed on?

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  11. Elniñorules
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Going to trigger my WC. Any final words?

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

      Good luck

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

        *bows down*

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    2. Sess!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Wait until next week unless your team is terrible for this week.

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

        G'wan then.

        Mannone
        McCartney Terry Ivano
        Lallana Mata Hazard Ince
        Kun Suarez Adebayor

        Subs: Ruddy Noone Yoshida Olsson

        Bank = 1.6
        0FT
        WC available

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    3. Valar(Keith)
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      enjoy.. did mine earlier today. its fun 🙂

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

        Nice!

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    4. DonTheSpecialOne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      I'm leaning towards the same, but still haven't pulled the trigger. Brought in Aguero last night so I could wait one week tbh.

      Going for Yaya/Aguero?

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

        Both likely dude. Esp after last night. Pretty much nailed on when fit. You?

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

          Same here!

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  12. Tommy J
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Is Navas nailed on?.....Kidding!

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    1. 0thebrodie
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Pun Alert.

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  13. Knowing Me Knowing You Saha
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    - Lost on previous page -

    Mata, Gabbidon

    for

    a) Baines, Sterling
    b) Gerrad, Williamson (or another Def for 4.6)

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

      Baines and Sterling/De Guzman

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  14. S.Kuqi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Mata&Ade -> Aguero& Yaya (-4p) a good move?

    Boruc (Mannone)

    Zab-Cahill-Kos (Ward,Yoshida)

    Mata-Snoddy-Lallana-Hazard (Colback)

    Ade-Suarez-Studge

    1 Ft
    4.8 itb

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  15. BigManBakar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Good to go this week? No FT

    Mannone
    Azpili Distin Chambers
    AJ Hazard Sterling Lallana
    S&S Kun(c)

    Subs: Marshall,Ward,Puncheon.Chester.

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

    Decided to watch Serpico, never seen it...

    😳

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  18. 80daytripper
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Hi all!
    What are the clubs that have most games left this season?

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

      City and Sunderland. But for simple things like that, just look at the league table.

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  19. Whazza
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    One Week Punt - suggestions for gw 29?
    1.1M in the bank and 1 FT. Playing wc next week.

    Boruc

    Ivan - Azpi - Coleman

    Haz - Mata - Lallana - Puncheon

    Suarez - Adebayor - Sturridge

    Bench : Davis, Noone - Ward - M.Olsson

    A) Olsson -> 5.4 def (and play 4-3-3)
    B) Puncheon -> 6.0 mid
    C) Noone -> 5.4 mid
    D) Other

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

      gw 30 ofc 🙂

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  20. EmreCan Hustle
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Play any 2 for GW 31.

    A. Evra
    B. Demel
    C. Chester

    Thanks.

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  21. Heydudes13
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    Have Suarez, Rooney, Sturridge and Hazard as potential captaincy options. Atm, I'm favouring Hazard... Thoughts?

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  22. Knowing Me Knowing You Saha
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 7 months ago

    I've been agonising over how to fit Baines and Gerrard into my squad for DGW ... Can't figure it out.

    Instead I'm thinking I'll keep Mata, seemingly against the grain, and swap Lallana for Gerrard - and downgrade Szez to Boruc (already have Mannone)

    Giving me a DGW mid of-

    Mata, Gerrard, Yaya, Snoddy, Hazard

    Any thoughts??

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    1. Knowing Me Knowing You Saha
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 7 months ago

      Actually I did find a way to fit both Baines and Gerrard in, but it involves transferring out Evra and Mata and taking an 8 point hit to raise funds with a downgraded keeper.

      Seems idiotic to transfer out two DGW players to get two in.

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