Podcast
14 August 2014 7186 comments
Mark Mark
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A new beginning. On the eve of a new campaign, two grumpy middle-aged has-beens gather in a studio to recall the summer’s feast of football and look ahead to another Fantasy season, full of hope.

There’s no frills. No live video cast. No special guests. Just Granville and I, stripped back and almost unplugged.

Don’t let that put you off, though. Even with our limited powers we at least attempt to cut through the issues currently rattling around in the minds of Fantasy managers.

We assess the Old Trafford revolution, the world without Suarez and the merits of the three-man strike force. We slice through the current transfer trends and weigh up matters such as the Sigurdsson/Bojan rotation, Fagregas vs Hazard and the Chelsea back four conundrum. We also manage to warm up with a nice little argument about the Alexis Sanchez bandwagon – the traditional pre-season barney.

Be there at the birth via this link, or witness the new dawn via the handy player below.

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

  1. Walsh
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Freaked out today. Made about 15 changes, just found myself back to the same team pre-freaking out with just two new players and I like my team again. Right then.

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    1. Walsh
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Thank god this was put at the top of the page

      🙁

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    2. @BigChrisso
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      just breathe "in" 2,3,4 "out" 2,3,4

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      1. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        2-3-4 is a terrible formation to play.....

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    3. Joggers Nipple
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I think by the very nature that we are on this site, let alone posting (and you are a member) means that we should back our own decisions.
      There will be many different teams, posting your team on here is great so others can pick out obvious mistakes and offer solutions
      What im trying to say is back yourself, dont panic change and take all advice openly but not as law.
      Good luck to all.

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  2. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Bruce or Wisdom?

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    1. The Darkest Knight
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Neither

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    2. Toonzie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Moore

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    3. Hubert
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Wisdom, maybe Baird?

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    4. Jafooli
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Oh dear, what a set of answers. Times are tough around the 4.0m defs....

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      1. TheOneAndOnly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Baird, Moore, Wisdom, Bartley... in that order

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        1. Jafooli
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Hutton?

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          1. TheOneAndOnly
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            True... its late.. i mean early 😉

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    5. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Going Hutton and maby Wisdom, but seems like Wisdom can get tough competition soon?

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    6. Eleven Geckoes
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Wisdom

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  3. Blue Lion
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I have Mata and Sterling. Who would be a better double up?
    Hendo or Young?

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    1. Toonzie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      young

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    2. Walsh
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Hendo for me.

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  4. sinik
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    why do people think Pocchetino will play Soldado over Adebayor? I would think he would favor the more mobile Adebayor

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  5. dmenezes
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Think I'm done!

    DDG / Gilks
    Kelly / Lovren / Debuchy / Wisdom / Hutton
    Fabregas / Eriksen / Ramsey / Mata / Albrighton
    Rooney / Costa / Austin

    0.5 ITB

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    1. cramps
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      albrighton injured?

      palace losing pulis could be a worry, but all it really means is that kelly won't be exceptional value

      the rest looks great

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  6. Venom Snake
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    A. Eriksen + Dzeko
    B. Young + Sturridge

    Begovic
    Ferdinand - Chester - PvA
    xx - Mata - Siggy - Sanchez
    xx - Costa - Rooney

    Gilks -- Marney - Clyne - Kelly

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    1. dmenezes
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      A

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    2. Holding Mee Bong
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      B by a country

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  7. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    My take is that Pulis worked his exit so he can charge top top dollar to a club looking to get out of relegation mire some point in the season.

    Quite cunning.

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  8. Toonzie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Any thoughts on this backline?

    Which like for like changes would you make (same budget)

    Bego - Gilks
    Jones - Debuchy - Ward - Colo - Moore

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    1. Joggers Nipple
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      It is fine and would be happy to start with that.
      Personally i dont like spending too much in defence. I would have Ward as a 4.5 and use/save the .5. Just me!

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      1. Toonzie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        thanks SAB (as always) 🙂

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    2. Venom Snake
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I'd look for a 3-way 4.5 defence rotation for that third spot

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    3. Jafooli
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah that's decent Toonzie.

      I had Colo in an earlier draft, but he doesn't seem to get any goals/assists.how old is he now?

      Debuchy > Lovren?

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      1. Toonzie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        we are poor at attacking set piece tt's the reason lol

        yea debuchy to lovren is the move im looking at after gw 3

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    4. Jinswick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Not bad. Personally I'd rather have a CHE defender in there though, so would look at doing:

      Jones & Debuchy -> Terry/Cahill & a 4.5m defender (PVA, Rio, Chester etc)

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      1. tw
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        this

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      2. Toonzie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        sounds good might consider that swap thanks

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  9. The Miracle Man
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone going with Schurrle ?I know he is under high rotation risk but I just got a gut feeling that if he start he will score ...

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    1. cramps
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      when he plays, he scores, but he's too expensive for me to risk him coming in for the last 5min. an absolute steal if he could nail down a spot though

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      1. The Miracle Man
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers mate . Think I will still taking him as my main differential . Hope he will start and score . If anything goes wrong i could always change him to countinho /lamela /erikssen with my 0.5m in bank .

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  10. MSTRKRFT
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Some last minute help pls!!

    Mannone (Foster)
    Ivanovic, Clyne, Shawcross (N.Taylor, Coloccini)
    Ramsey, Mata, Sterling, A.Young (Sigurdsson)
    Costa, Rooney, Bojan

    0.0M left.

    Thanks!

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    1. ManofKent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Are we certain Mannone will remain first choice?

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    2. lfcserg
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      not a fan of A.Young tbh

      Do Ivan -> Terry/Cahill (they have a better chance of starting imo)

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      1. TheOneAndOnly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        nd then Sterling>Fab

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  11. spotfixers
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I would really appreciate feedback...can't think anymore

    DDG (Elliot)
    Felipe Chambers Cameron Bruce Wisdom
    Fabregas Sterling Barkley Ramsey Rodwell
    Rooney Jovetic Costa

    Much appreciated

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  12. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I must be the only one left with Krul & Mannone?

    If Mannone doesn't start, easy swap to Foster or Pants.

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    1. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      not the greatest rotation though: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vI5M3kaapc3B25RSVAUnhzWwdyWJj96HC_BsjG-s1FM/edit?userstoinvite=akeen@iol.ie#gid=0

      i've opted for bego + 4m

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      1. Toonzie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        +1

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      2. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Till Xmas it works fine, no?

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      3. ManofKent
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Mannone/Foster doesn't look bad for 12 weeks

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    2. BeachBadger
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I ditched for foster but only cos PVA offers a better option than others in my defence and I didnt want to double uo on Sunderland

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      1. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Ah now that's an option.

        But West Brom are doomed this year?

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        1. BeachBadger
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Possibly. But Krul can hold the fort in most of the fixtures anyways.

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        2. ManofKent
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Foster is always a solid keeper. Our defence is questionable this year, but not looking awful - our problem is likely to be scoring more than defending (well until Ideye rips it up 😉 )

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          1. Jafooli
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Very good info, thanks Manofkent

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          2. RamaJama
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Will Wisdom keep his place as a regular, or others coming back from injury?

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            1. ManofKent
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Where Gamboa plays is the big question with Wisdom, and he's not been with us long enough. Lescott is injured. My gut feeling is Wisdom will generally play, but I wouldn't call him nailed on.

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              1. RamaJama
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                11 years, 5 months ago

                OK tanks! Seems like he's got the best cs potential GW 1 if compared with Moore and Hutton

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  13. saata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Do we expect all teams to have pressers today?

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    1. BeachBadger
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Mayhem muhahahaha

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  14. Zoom Zoom
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Can only have 2 of the following 3... which do I pick?

    Tadic, Sigurdsson, Young

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    1. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      siggy + young

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      1. Zoom Zoom
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        I see that Tadic is on PK, corners + free kicks... and they have a good spell of games beginning in week 2. Will take your advice though and go with Young given the kinder week 1 fixture... I guess if Tadic impresses, I can always transfer him in...

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  15. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Can I get a RMT?

    Few short term gambles in there which I'm prepared to take hits to fix early doors if it back fires....rotation at the back seems decent too.

    Krul
    Terry, Rio, Wisdom
    Hazard, Ramsey, Young, Siggy
    Rooney, Sturridge, Costa

    Elliot, Marney, Hutton, Clyne

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    1. Zep
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      What's your plan when Young gets dropped?

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      1. Jinswick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        If he gets dropped then there's a few in the 6ish range that could work, e.g. Mutch, Snoddy etc. With their injuries and his form I think he's good for a few weeks at least, possibly more. Worst case I take a hit and upgrade to an Eriksen/Mata/Sanchez via a striker downgrade.

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      2. @BigChrisso
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        who says he's going to get dropped Zep?

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      3. Jarvis
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Can you make me a plan please, Zep?

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    2. BeachBadger
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Unlikely get many clean sheets from them defenders. Terry prob get more than the rest combined.

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      1. Jinswick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Rotate fairly well though - would play Terry every week and Clyne every week from GW2-12.

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        1. BeachBadger
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Fair enough. Just dont get suckered in by a good rotation. If a team has a poor defence theyll likely still concede in the easy games.

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    3. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      defense a bit cheap

      overall looks good

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    4. TheOneAndOnly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      It's d best team with the big front 3 that I have seen, fair play

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  16. @FuzzyWarbles
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Its opening day eve!

    If there's anything wrong with this side, now's the time to tell me. 🙂

    Begovic (Gilks)

    Terry, Joned, van Aanholt

    Mata, Ramsey, Sterling, Eriksen

    Rooney (C), Costa (VC), Diouf

    (Moore, Marney, Bartley)

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    1. @FuzzyWarbles
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      *Jones 😳

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      1. @BigChrisso
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Jones to 5.0 & Bego to DDG. Do it, thank me later (or when Jones gets a red card and DDG saves the penalty)

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        1. @FuzzyWarbles
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          the only defender i liked at 5.0 was Ward and with Pulis gone now I want nothing to do with him.

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          1. @BigChrisso
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            fair enough, like the team overall, good luck on the season FW

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    2. Jinswick
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Diouf!! Not seen him in many team, could be a great pick given the fixtures.

      Overall, I like. I'd probably look at losing Bartley though as I believe Swansea have/are about to sign a new CB.

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      1. @FuzzyWarbles
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        i had hutton in there, after 3 gws, he may as well be dropped: villa starting after GW4:

        liv, ARS,che, MCI, eve

        I dont think i want him coming off the bench! Maybe better to cross fingers on bartley.

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        1. tw
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          why not moore, wisdom, or baird?

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    3. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      not keen on united defense if i'm honest. would rather downgrade jones to clyne and upgrade somewhere else

      you happy playing diof week in and week out?

      also not sure bartley is the best option at that price

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  17. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    First thing I'll be checking when team sheets are out, will be playing 4.0m defs....

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  18. Acquafresca
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    @TW if I continue my blog I will repost my articles on TFPL most likely

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    1. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      keep it going I say

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  19. Rasping Drive
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Would you rather have Ramsey and Terry/Cahill or Hazard and Phil Jones? It's really the last decision I have to make before I put the squad to bed. Cheers!

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    1. @BigChrisso
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      the one without Phil Jones

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      1. Rasping Drive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        If Evans is fit?

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        1. @BigChrisso
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          unsure, prefer DDG to any other Man U defender tbh

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    2. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      first one

      though ideally i'd want to have ramsey, terry/cahill, and haz/cesc

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      1. Rasping Drive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks chaps. Can't seem to squeeze both Ramsey and Hazard in. Might have to be t the expense of Sterling

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  20. Rats Ass
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Cool, my Fantasy Football Buddy app is updated and working again. ☺

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    1. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      what app is that?

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      1. Rats Ass
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        It's Fantasy football buddy by Giddyant. It was the best FF app I found but it wasn't working this season until today.

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        1. tw
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          what's it do?

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          1. Rats Ass
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            It's just to manage your team, and track score updates. I never pay for apps but I splashed the 69p for the pro version of this one.

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        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        best app on android!

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    2. BeachBadger
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Ah nice. That app was great last year

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  21. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Pieters first choice for Stoke?

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  22. Jarvis
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Just say yes or no. First TRIFORCE team i've made, hopefully the last..

    Bego (Myhil)
    Jones - Van Aanholt - Caulker (moore - wisdom)
    Hazard - Ramsay - Siggy - Young (Marney)
    Roony - Costa - Sturridge.

    To get this I just switch:
    Mata > Young
    Dzeko > Sturridge

    Leave it, improve it or reverse it????

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    1. Jarvis
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      +0.5m to spend

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  23. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Any good teams which I can copy? 😉
    Been away recently, so I am pretty confused sorting my team.

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  24. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    so are we all ditching speroni now?:(

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    1. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Depends who comes in for Pulis. Can't believe they will become porous overnight, TP must have left some good knowledge at the club on how to defend.

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    2. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      never had him. always been on bego due to kinder fixtures

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  25. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    How will Stoke def line up?

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  26. Nabs Kebabs
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    link to pre season tab?

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      1. Nabs Kebabs
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        cheers 😀

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        1. tw
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          is that what you were looking for?

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          1. Nabs Kebabs
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            yep..the article contains the link i need, thanks again mate

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            1. tw
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              no problem

              added the link here for future reference:
              https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14PyPArbFXMiyJvgSfshQe0aaWBYkKdk1x9uHSCcRKy8/edit#gid=381483815

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  27. NZREDS
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    RMT

    Cahill Clyne Caulker (Wisdom, Bruce)

    Ramsay Mata Hazard Siggy (Albrighton)

    Dzeko Rooney Giroud

    Suggestions appreciated.

    *worried about not having costa
    *ramsay > silva??

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    1. NZREDS
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      DDG/Myhill

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      1. ManofKent
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Not worried about DDG with united's makeshift back line?

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  28. sinik
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    how do people feel in the Ade vs Soldado debate? any Spurs fans here? I know you can't really go by pre-season but Ade did start the last one vs Schalke and he seems like he would fit Poch's plans better being more mobile than Soldado

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  29. ChampionoftheWorld
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Clyne, Ward or Caulker for 5.0 option?

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    1. Volk
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I'd rather have Ron Vlaar than any of the £5m defenders. You could better use the £0.5m elsewhere.

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      1. tw
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        😯 i'd rather have most 4.5m defenders over Vlaar. he plays for Villa afterall

        *unless Villa get Pulis as their manager, then Vlaar is directly into my team

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        1. Volk
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          I don't have Vlaar myself - my cheapest defender is £5.5m. 🙂

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      2. Valar(Keith)
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        😯 ..

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    2. tw
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      clyne

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    3. Rats Ass
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Everyone seemed to drop Ward like hot potato when Pulis left, Caulker is QPR, who will probably be awful, Clyne?

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  30. Roy Rovers
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Terry or Cahill...then the team is done!!

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    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      i've gone Terry at the moment

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      1. tw
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        same

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      2. Roy Rovers
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Thinking same as he may play more in PL?

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    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Terry for form, c and goal threat.

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    3. Eleven Geckoes
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Have Cahill

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