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. amtosh
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I posted this up above but I think it got lost in the shuffle:

    I'm genuinely curious about all the Young love around here.

    He's wing back but doesn't get the increased points that a normal defender does. You're heavily reliant on him getting goals and assists from a position on the field where that doesn't happen too much. I know he scored two recently but realistically I don't think he'll score many from left wing back. He will probably get some assists from crosses but more than other options who are playing in an attacking midfield role?

    I guess his price is good. Is that it? Or am I missing something?

    I thought the idea was to get players out of position playing forward, rather than back.

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

      With you on this

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

      Then... Don't have young.

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

        I said I'm curious. Can't solve that by ignoring it.

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        1. Mohamed Fatheen
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          yeah, you are right.

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    3. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      price + fixtures + essentially being played left wing. if it's only for 4 gws with those fixtures it's worth a shot IMO

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    4. Honeybadger
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      He is more attacking than many mids, great form and assist/goal threat. Top team + 5.5. No-brainer form me.

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

        Thanks - I guess that makes sense. Probs need to keep in mind that we've only seen him at wing back in friendlies. Could tighten up in the league.

        Didn't see the dutch wing backs scoring many.

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        1. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          blind was all over the assists and crosses

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

            I said scoring. Did he score any?

            How many assists did he get? I remember the cross for RVP and one for Robben, but can't remember any more.

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

      I think this is one time when POO might be better than OOP. Cos he's not classed as DEF he won't lose (many) points when utd (inevitably) concede quite a few goals. But he is getting forward and scoring. He could be a poundland Baines.

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

        Baines was getting clean sheets the odd assist and penos. Yoing will only have the assists. Never seen so many people excoted about a winger playing more defensively than usual. Cheap route into the united misfield alright though

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

        Except he won't take free kicks or pens which is where Baines gets almost all his goals and assists.

        Baines would also get at least a third of his points through clean sheets, which Young won't get.

        All said, I don't think I'll get him in (now watch when he scores a hat trick first game).

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

          Baines analogy was a bit tongue in cheek with the emphasis on poundland. Fixtures, price and form means Young's an irresistible gamble though.

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

    Doos - dare I go for a WHU defender?
    and either of the 4.5s look like starting?

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Yes. No.

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

        No.
        No.

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  3. super zlatan
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    For gw1 only...

    Siggy or young?

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    1. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Young

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  4. JeremyBentham
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Team: http://imgur.com/12G0FOR

    What do you think of this set up?

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    1. Fernando Torres
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Very similar to what dj have if I went for 3-5-2. Don't like Phil Jones?

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

        I was considering him, but even as a United fan I don't trust our defence. I was at the Valencia game earlier this week and it still looks very shaky, extremely vulnerable to the counter attack, so I opted for Lovren instead..

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

      No Hazard or Fabregas? Risky leaving out both. One is probably needed. Bench obviously weak but good starting lineup, you'd have to play Sigurdsson week in week out, not ideal.

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      1. Fernando Torres
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        He has Costa and Siggy will be in the top 10 midfielders

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      2. JeremyBentham
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        I'm happy playing Siggy, think he could be this years Michu. I had to decide between Costa or Fab/Hazard, and went with Diego simply because there is more competition for Hazards position (ie. Ramsey, Sanchez, Silva, Mata etc) than there is for top forwards.

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  5. the divine ponytail
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    A question I have not seen on here....

    Is having 0.5 in the bank at this start a really big advantage.

    my last decision in to have a 5.5 m defender with nothing, or a 5 m defender and the extra money in the bank to use on a (sole) transfer in the1st week or 2.

    thoughts on that would be appreciated.

    Cheers

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

      Always good to have a little spare

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    2. super zlatan
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I agree

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

      it can help at times but it's not always a big advantage

      who are you considering at each price?

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      1. the divine ponytail
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        It's coming down to Lovren. Which I think is well priced and will be a keeper over the season.

        Or a 5 m defender, which is always a bit of a lottery eg. ward, Davies, Caulker, Huth etc..... But with the 0.5 in the bank.

        Not sure!

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

          I'd rather have Lovren and just leave him in the team for the season

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          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Liverpool being so strong defensively.

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            1. the divine ponytail
              • 15 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              thanks think I will go with Lovren

              Best taker of a free kick + great in the air = Goal threat!

              I have Vertoghen for the same reason by the way!

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            2. nedfoo
              • 15 Years
              11 years, 5 months ago

              Top 6 team plus goal threat at a fair price, you could do worse

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

          clyne

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          1. the divine ponytail
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            I know they have great fixtures, but do you think Southampton are going to start well.

            I remember them fading. Badly as the season went on, and now with half a new team.....

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    4. Honeybadger
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Have 5 in the bank if u think your team would be better than when spending 100. Price shouldnt be deciding factor.

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

      It's only an advantage if you need it. Hard to call but if you like saving for a rainy day then go ahead.

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  6. The Happy One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    In a draft style league using FPL points system, been offered a trade of Bony + Mirallas for my Mata + Diouf/Gomis... For season long prospects, which pair do you think will be better (and should I offer Diouf or Gomis? Thanks 🙂

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

      I wouldn't

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    2. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Mata & Gomis will be a much better pairing

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  7. Fernando Torres
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    A) Sturridge + Chester + PVA + Marney
    B) Zamora + Terry + Debuchy + Sterling

    I know Zamora is bad but if I tried to upgrade I'd lose one of my premium defenders of Debuchy Jones Terry

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    1. Fernando Torres
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Anyone?

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      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Depends on how you play them. If all 4 had to play each week then B

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  8. shwaps
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Dilemma, dilemma.

    Young and Eriksen

    vs

    Mata and 4.5

    Input is much appreciated!

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    1. winterwolf88
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I would go with young and eriksen.

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  9. V04
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    are any of moore,duff,wisdom,bartley nailed on?
    best 4.5m mid?
    best Chelsea def(in terms of potential + gametime)?
    is it a good option going for jones(man u)?

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

      Moore, duff nailed on..
      best 4.5 is marney
      cahil
      ya manutd fixtures are good

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      1. V04
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        thanx

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  10. Ouch
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    i posted this near the bottom of the page and it seemed to get lost.

    I was just curious about why Hazard has gone from nearly a must have to a POD and why now Fab seems to be the one to have. Any thoughts or news?

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Preseason.

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

        Yes that is my main concern and whether he will play 90 minutes is unlikely but even that being said he is the kind of player that could just explode especially against his first 2 opponents and score in the double digits.

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

      I'd rather have Haz but he's 1m too expensive for me.... can't seem to fit him in!

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

    What's the general feeling on the Ramsey or Sanchez choice for Arsenal cover?

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    1. super zlatan
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Go with Arteta for shits and giggles

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

      Currently Sanchez, will probably play more forward and can see having a major impact.

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    3. CarelessGenius©
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      going Ramsey as I prefer attacking mids who play through the centre........

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

      Start with Ramsey and see how Sanchez play

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

      Going with both 8)

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  12. Penang Sandman
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    pick one

    A- Ward 4.0
    B- Rosenior Obrien

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    1. Penang Sandman
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      or vanAnholt

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

      Rosenoir Van Aanholt.

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    3. Captain Peacock
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Chester and PVA. Chester is nailed on.

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

      B but Chester

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

    Which combination?

    A) Begovic, Mata, Ramsey, Hazard, Young, Marney
    B) DDG, Mata, Ramsey, FABREGAS, SIGURDSSON

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    1. Fernando Torres
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      B but it has 1 less player haha

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

        Sorry, also with Marney, thanks!

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    2. 11 Donkeys
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      B

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

      A

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  14. The Missing Link
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    No Crystal Pulis 🙁

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

      What will @CrystalPulis change his name to now?

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  15. 7alwachi
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    My back five is Cahill Ward Caulker Cameron Taylor. Now that Pulis is gone, should I replace Ward and if so with who? I can spend 6.5m but ideally I don't wanna spend over 5m.

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

      Clyne easily

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  16. 11 Donkeys
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Help please!

    A. Begovic & Henderson
    B. DDG & Mutch

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      A

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    2. nedfoo
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      A

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

      A

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

      A

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

      A

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

    So, almost cracked it..

    a) Evans + Eriksen
    or
    b) Kelly-Williamson* + Mata

    *or other 2 man rotation other than Clyne-Ferdinand.

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Evans a doubt.

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

        I mean Jones. 😉

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

    Looking at gk combos, who have you gone for? my options are pulis leaving (removing speroni as long term option is a bit too risky)

    A: krul + foster ---- leaning towards this and is popular around here so must be decent and cheap
    B: de gea + 4m gk ----- good strategy, i have never had a big team gk before coz i would rather spend the money on its defenders

    I have eliminated the following gk's and explained my reasoning
    - Forster: saints have horrible home games from gw13 till jan wc
    - Mannone: horrible home fixtures (7 out of 11 tough home games)
    - schmeichel: bad home fixtuers (6 tough one)
    - fabianski: can get cheaper access defense through naylor
    - heaton: can get cheaper access defense through duf (one of the few nailed on 4m def)
    - Begovic: good home fixtures but dont rotate well with anyone except burnley
    - Green: had chosen him initally along with speroni but pulis took away that option
    - guzan: have only 2 good home games from gw 4 - gw19
    - Speroni: pulis
    - Mcgregor: cheaper access to def via chester. plus teams in europa tend to struggle (newc last season)

    So....that only leaves me with two options. thoughts?

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

      sorry didnt realise it had become too long 🙁

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    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Begovic and Green. Very happy with it.

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

        hmmm to an extent yes but will end up playing a lot of away games

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    3. tomfiend
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Begovic rotates extremely well with fabianski. However, I'm just sticking him in every week.

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

      im happy with Begovic on his own. At the end of the season there is a relatively small point difference between the cheaper and more expensive goalkeepers. If that .5 saved turns Marney into say Davies i say its worth it

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

        thats a fair but if i am going to play 1gk week in week out, id rather spend the extra 0.5 on getting de gea

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  19. Flying Nugget
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    1 day til it all begins and Conor Wickham has started shouting at me. Is anyone else gambling with him?

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

      If he was assured of a start I'd be more inclined to get him.

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  20. V04
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    are any of moore,duff,wisdom,bartley nailed on?
    best 4.5m mid?
    best Chelsea def(in terms of potential + gametime)?
    is it a good option going for jones(man u)??

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

      Copaste from above

      Moore, duff nailed on..
      best 4.5 is marney
      cahil
      ya manutd fixtures are good

      Still on the same page bud

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      1. V04
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        ya I know...but I just want some views...I have been changing my team like crazy.. XD

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  21. winterwolf88
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Playing ESPN fantasy so have Bojan as MF**

    Begovic/Gilks

    PvA Terry Jones (Chambers O'Neil)
    Ramsey Hazard Mata Bojan Lamela
    Costa Rooney (Pelle)

    I would like some opinions!
    Tadic is very tempting from GW2 and I do kinda want Young but I really couldn't fit it into this squad. How do you think about Jovetic instead of Pelle?

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    1. Mohamed Fatheen
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      playing espn and barclays makes me crazy
      so i left espn and only play barclays! 🙂

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  22. Twelve years a slave
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Is Clyne naiped on for Southampton

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    1. Mohamed Fatheen
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      YEAH, NAIPED

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    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Yes. 🙂

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      1. Twelve years a slave
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        He a good swap for Ward, covers same fixtures

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Indeed he does - and the good ones go on for longer.

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    3. mayz19
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Should start every game

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    4. Arvin-ation
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

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  23. Mohamed Fatheen
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    IPL!!
    join us

    head to head league 401401-368701
    classic league 401401-368877

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  24. V04
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    are any of moore,duff,wisdom,bartley nailed on?
    best 4.5m mid?
    best Chelsea def(in terms of potential + gametime)?
    is it a good option going for jones(man u)???

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      3 times on one page?

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

      didn't you already ask that on this page?

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  25. CarelessGenius©
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    How risky is it having Courtois & Myhill?

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    1. Fernando Torres
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I think Courtois must be no.1 otherwise he'd have loaned him

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    2. Mohamed Fatheen
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      very risky 😮 😀
      i think courtois will start imo. 60% sure
      (y)

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  26. The Missing Link
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Who else is on the mighty Aluko wagon? 😀

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    1. Mohamed Fatheen
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      not me

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    2. Arvin-ation
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Me.....for now.

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      1. The Missing Link
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Best 6.0 or less for gw1 according to bookies. Points magnet 😀

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

      Me. Hull have good fixtures and looks like he could be up front.

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      1. The Missing Link
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Hope he plays though!

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    4. President John F. Keninnsie
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Hell no 😛

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

    how long til pressers?

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

      6-9 hours

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  28. The Consultants
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Is it still the DZ??

    Hadn't seen a re-direct to the RMT page lately so maybe it's laisez faire now?

    So, RMT??

    Bego myhill

    Clyne nailor caulker wisdom van aan

    Sterling Rambo fab siggy mata

    Bojan costa Rooney

    Bojan and siggy rotate well so there is some built in flexibility.. Caulker because there aren't any 5.5 defenders I'm keen on..

    Constructive criticism is appreciated!

    Thank you

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    1. Mohamed Fatheen
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      clyne, i am not sure about southampton doing well this season, though their fixtures seems good.
      could get a spurs defender for 5m than him

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  29. Hakuho FPL
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    http://t.co/LgLkp81BmD

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

      Ramsey and Wiltshire the wrong way round

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  30. CarelessGenius©
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Azpi or Luis?

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

      Now there's a question

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    2. nedfoo
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Luis

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    3. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Luis

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