Scout Notes

Scout Scribbles – Blackpool’s Milestone Leads A Tuesday Digest

Charlie Adam and Blackpool overcome the Baggies nine men by the seaside to record an historic first home Premier League victory. Tottenham’s key Dutchman offers cheer on the injury front. There’s back slapping from Mark Hughes, some self-congratulation from Nani and harsh words from Gerard Houllier on a former Fantasy favourite.

All this, plus the very latest on the Rooney, Tevez and Lampard injuries as we hit you with a Tuesday morning information blast…


Blackpool brought the curtain down on Gameweek 10 with an historic 2-1 win over West Brom at Bloomfield Road last night, a game that will be remembered for the pair of red cards dished out to the visitors and their plucky display which saw that the match continue as a spectacle right to the death.

Owners of Charlie Adam will feel a tinge of disappointment that he came out of the game with just a single goal and a 2 point Fantasy Premier League Bonus. Adam has now scored 3 times from the spot this season – so he is yet to notch a single goal from open play. We will doubtless see continued investment in the former Rangers man following last night’s haul but, there is a concern that, once Blackpool’s spot-kicks dry up (which they surely will), Adam will need to find another route to goal in order to maintain his current output.

Having been the subject of our recent “Spot the Differential“, both DJ Campbell and Luke Varney underlined their value as budget strikers by coming out of the game with assist and goal returns respectively.

West Brom will lose Pablo Ibanez for the weekend clash with City, whilst Gonzalo Jara will be out for three matches following his reckless tackle on Varney. Di Matteo will be hoping that Jonas Olsson recovers from the Achilles problem that kept him out of last night’s game to help solve the loss of Ibanez, while Steven Reid will likely get the nod and come in at right-back for the duration of Jara’s ban. Team news from the Hawthorns requires monitoring over the next few days as we tap into the prospects of James Morrison and Peter Odemwingie making returns against City; both missed out last night.

Speculative reports early on Monday seemed to suggest that Rafael Van Der Vaart could face up to three weeks out with the hamstring problem picked up in Spurs’ defeat at Old Trafford. By the end of the day reports were coming out of the Spurs camp that, along with Tom Huddlestone, the Dutch international joined training in hope of facing Inter Milan later today. Barring any setbacks, this can only lead to him being fit for the trip to Bolton on Saturday.

Nani has been filling in the boots of his departed team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo in more ways than one, most recently doing what he does best: talking himself up

“I can say I’m one of the top players in the world. I play for the best club in the world and my role in the team is as a decisive player, scoring goals or setting up and so the team can win.”

It’s an unsurprising show of bravado from Nani, but given his performances through 2010 it certainly isn’t completely unfounded having now become very much a decisive player for United.

Over at Arsenal it has been confirmed Jack Wilshere has signed a new long term contract securing his time at the club for the foreseeable future. Arsene Wenger was, not surprisingly, as delighted as the player to close the deal and went on to offer some insight into Wilshere’s role in the Gunners midfield in tandem with skipper Cesc Fabregas. Talking of his midfield balance, Wenger stressed the need for his attack minded players to consider their defensive duties.

“We have many who like to attack, so we have to be intelligent to do the defensive job well because if you want to be efficient you need to defend well in midfield”

Wilshere has started just a single Premier League game with Fabregas so far, but there is a clear suggestion that Wenger sees the pair in the same midfield unit in the near future…

“Wilshere at the moment suits a deeper role and Fabregas a little bit higher. Wilshere can find a good pass through the lines and find Fabregas.”

When you consider that Alex Song looks a nailed on starter in his current form, and Theo Walcott will likely press for starts on the right from this point, the Gunners appear to have just one midfield spot vacant with Andrei Arshavin and Samir Nasri in competition for that start. It all spells a good deal of rotation around what is likely to be the two mainstays in the Arsenal midfield – Song and Fabregas.

Talking of midfield competition at the Emirates, Welsh youngster Aaron Ramsey returns to full training this week but isn’t expected to see first time action until well into December.

It was the turn of Yakubu to be one of the players to get a great big slap on the back from his manager, who revealed…

“”It was great for Yak to get the goal, I think if you work hard, the supporters appreciate you, your team-mates appreciate you and I think Yak’s certainly improved his work and he’s beginning to probably feel more confident in himself…He was alert and working hard and that probably led to him getting his chance and getting his goal.””

Team-mate Tim Howard has followed this up with quotes in this morning’s press, adding further backing for the striker…

“I think he’s shown some good form, he’s shown some brilliant flashes and has been working terribly hard so I hope his rewards will continue to come. I’ve never been around a more clinical finisher in all my life.”

After putting in some solid performances, but ultimately lacking the final touch, Yakubu will be looking to build his confidence after the weekend strike and it will only benefit Everton who had been bereft of goals from the strikers up until now.

Mark Hughes was effusive about his whole team after Fulham picked up their second victory of the term with the manager branding it “the best we’ve produced all year”. Two goal hero Clint Dempsey also reiterated the point by praising the team around him, whilst he continues to blink on our radars as an “out of position” candidate in midfield.

Still in the Craven Cottage camp, there’s news today that Dickson Etuhu is being earmarked for a return from injury for next Wednesday meet with Chelsea at the Bridge; that adds further competition for starts in the Fulham lineup of course.

The future of Stephen Ireland right now is not quite so bright. In the eyes of Villa boss Gerard Houllier, there’s plenty of room for improvement…

“He needs to work harder, He played against Chelsea and did well but against Sunderland he was not good enough for me. Simple as that. Skill is one thing but you need to compete as well…We know he is a good player, although I don’t want to have someone who you say ‘He is a good player but he loses too many balls’. He needs to get rid of the buts about him. He needs to work harder, his touch of the ball, his defensive effort.”

Quite damning words, by all accounts. And the £6.1m FPL midfielder is likely going to have to put in the shifts on the training pitch before he show signs of replicating the form that had him blinking on the fantasy radars of thousands back in 2008/9. Those quotes from Houllier would indicate that there is little threat of Ireland claiming the advanced midfield role in the 4-5-1 that Houllier appears to prefer for Villa right now. Expect Ashley Young to continue up with Emile Heskey or John Carew then; that’s good news for owners of Marc Albrighton.

Ireland’s team-mate Steve Sidwell was due to have surgery on an Achilles tendon problem but has since confirmed that that has been put on hold after captain Stiliyan Petrov himself was ruled out through injury. Gerard Houllier said…

“Steve’s operation has been delayed because he and Nigel will be playing on a regular basis”

This pretty much confirms the midfielder is most like to take Petrov’s place and at £4.8m in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) joins the ranks of viable budget selections alongside the revitalised stand-in captain Nigel Reo-Coker, also pushing forward a fair amount at only £4.4m.

Another graduate of Reading’s last travails in the Premier League is Nicky Shorey, and after a stop-start couple of season’s at Villa he is now much more positive about his time at new club West Brom…

“This move has been vitally important for my career, I really needed it…Of course, when you’re not playing, for whatever reasons – and I won’t go into the ins and outs – questions are asked of you by certain people – and even by yourself. But I’ve always believed in my ability and hopefully now I can show what I can do.”

Since the injury to Marek Cech back in August, Shorey has been putting in strong performances, echoing his time at the Madjewski Stadium. With Cech now returning to fitness and also Joe Mattock, the England international, back in the frame, Shorey will have to keep performances up as his team-mates breathe down his neck.

Sam Allardyce was hopeful that both Gael Givet and Benjani would recover from the injuries that forced them to be substituted early on Saturday and so far Benjani has at least backed that up by saying…

“The gaffer was just cautious and I’m definitely okay for the next match.”

The Wayne Rooney injury situation remains clouded in doubt and mystery. Last week Sir Alex Ferguson indicated that Wayne Rooney would be absent from action longer than the initial three week prognosis given to him. Then we got a quote from the manager giving us an another timescale…

“I think Wayne Rooney will be out for another five weeks, He’ll have to pick up his fitness again. I would think five weeks should be about right.”

If that is the case, it would likely cement the Dimitar Berbatov/Javier Hernandez partnership for the mid-term, with six fixtures (WLV, mcy, avl, WIG, BLA, blp) to take place inside the next five weeks.

Then again, yesterday Ferguson offered us another timescale, reverting to the three-week prognosis…

“Wayne did a bit of running for the first time on Sunday…I was quite surprised and he is keen to get back. But we are monitoring the situation. He is just jogging and not doing much but when players can start jogging it gives you better circulation than just being in the gym. I still think it will be three weeks or so for him.”

Given the form of Hernandez, you can’t blame Rooney for stepping up his efforts to get back in contention.

Staying with United team news, and yesterday we were also alerted to the fact that Rio Ferdinand had been left behind when Alex Ferguson’s side departed for Turkey for tomorrow’s Champions League tie. Although the Birmingham press have cast doubt over Ferdinand’s involvement against Wolves at the weekend, the move seems more likely to be a precaution from the United boss and we would still expect Ferdinand to take his place in the starting XI against McCarthy’s side.

United also informed us that the likes of Jonny Evans, Anderson, Darron Gibson and Federico Macheda all missed the trip to Turkey because of flu. Elsewhere in the United camp, there is a suggestion that Ryan Giggs could make the Manchester derby date having returned to training last Thursday.

While Giggs could return for United, Carlos Tevez’ chances of making next Wednesday’s big clash appear to be fading. Reports this morning confirm that Tevez has remained back in Argentina on the advice of medical staff who warned on the dangers of a long haul flight with his thigh muscle injury. He will now return on Thursday, ruling him out of the trip to West Brom this weekend and making him an even bigger doubt for the clash with United that follows.

Frank Lampard’s belated return from injury could arrive this weekend with a good few stories claiming that the midfielder was on the verge of a comeback at Anfield on Sunday. Lampard’s return would give Carlo Ancelotti a slight selection headache having talked up the development of Yuri Zhirkov in the last 24 hours. Having stated that Zhirkov is “a very efficient player and I think he has a future”, Ancelotti would seem likely to bench the Russian should Lampard come back into the frame. We can’t take that for granted of course and much depends on Chelsea’s starting lineup in the Champions League against Spartak tomorrow night.

While Lampard lines up a return, Joe Cole looks set to miss the opportunity to line up against his former club. Cole picked up a hamstring injury at the Reebok on Sunday and reports yesterday indicated that he remains a major doubt for Sunday’s encounter. Liverpool are expecting scan results today.

Finally, Steven Taylor is due to make a return for Newcastle’s reserve team this afternoon and hopes to begin to push manager Chris Hughton for selection after a spell on the bench during the team’s 5-1 victory over Sunderland. Hatem Ben Arfa has also spoken out on his eagerness to get back into the running for Newcastle as he continues his long recovery.

Andy Leicester won the Premier League. Leicester. Premier League. What is this life? Follow them on Twitter

554 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    talk about epic fail on subs this week

    a) Jara(-3) over Jones(+4)
    b) Malouda(2) over Nolan(20)
    c) Jaask(2) over Foster(7)

    Net 30 point epic fail

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    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Ouch!

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      1. SuperMario
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        owwwch

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      2. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Dont forget the captain fail too 11 points, or even more if you hd played and captained Nolan?!!

        I guess the moral is only have 4 players on the bench who never play, so that cant happen again?!

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        1. In Like Flynn.
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          Then you have three players run into each other during the warm up. Fooked again. Strong bench better than no bench,plus you don't lose value.

          Thought. At least you won't lose value. 🙂

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  2. 50 Fent
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Any worthwhile transfer ideas for next week.

    Current Team:

    Hart
    Elmo, Baines, terry
    Nani, VDV, Brunt, Adam
    Drogba, Berba, Elmander
    Subs: (Samba, Williamson, Etuhu)

    All ideas welcome!!

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  3. breakballartist
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Some quality ‘food for thought’ on here this morning managers; def a better time to log on than the Fri/Sat RMT rush hour!!!

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    1. MAD
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Except when I persuaded you to captain Nani over Berbatov...

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      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Sensible thinking, not panic thinking!
        I suppose Thursday is the best after the cl games

        This weeks advice, save your transfers this weekend for the midweek rotation-fest next week!!

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  4. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Wenger "Cesc hamstring is fine, hes reluctant to let go at the moment" in other words its a mentality problem at the moment and he'll play against Newcastle.

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  5. JCrosbie
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    any thoughts on boswinga to alex? less risk of rotation,

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    1. cruyff81
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Im also considering that switch.

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      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Think Bos will play against Poll as they have no decent left winger and not particularily good in the air either?.!

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    2. Marknlard
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      I answered you on the last page, Jonner.

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    3. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Too marginal a swtich for my liking. Both are at risk of rotation but for my money Bosingwa has more of an attacking threat.

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  6. SuperMario
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    who is gonna be on west hams pens now that noble is out?? could it hardly be parker??

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    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Avram Grant?

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    2. Boom!!!
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      piquonne or c.cole if he starts.......

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  7. Squerly4568
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    anyone know who west hams penny taker is gonna be now noble is out?

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    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Where's MMW he'll know,

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  8. Screaming Midget
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep; if I die before I wake ... will someone please delete my internet browser history!

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  9. andy85wsm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    @ Attila

    Ben Arfa doesn't start injured. Tiote's stats are so-so.

    Tiote did score the fastest prem goal ever though 😛

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    1. Attila the Bum
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      So-so? He should be 20 for EVERYTHING! 🙂 I'll see if Santa will be nice

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  10. demilovato- From Mexico to …
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    what's the drawbacks of having a midfield of

    VDV NANI MALOUDA FABREGAS ADAM

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    1. Screaming Midget
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      I have Nasri instead of Fabs (at the moment), so be interested in people's thoughts 🙂

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      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        not knowing who to captain

        I intend to have the same, but with Arteta instead of Vdv

        Leaves the Drog and two "light" strikers

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    2. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Can you keep your midfield quiet please.

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    3. jimbomossle
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      VDV's injury, use Kevin Nolan instead of VDV, oh wait, that's my midfield, you have good taste!

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    4. JCrosbie
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      hav brunt instead of VDV, want that mid meself, was thinkin of getin a.cole and vdv for malouda and another def!

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    5. NotoriousDRE
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      close to what i have....i looking to have that lineup soon: but Arteta instead of Malouda

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    6. Tommy J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Not enough points-see my team!

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  11. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Should I transfer out Konchesky out? Or still he presents good value? I would like to have Jags in there but I miss the boat in the Stoke game (I didn't make a hit), so now considering holding a little bit more on Konchesky.

    Appreciated opinions,
    Cheers,

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    1. JCrosbie
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      thinkin of getin rid of him myself, liverpools form is gettin better, chelsea this weekend but!

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    2. Webbinho
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      I have Konchesky, holding him for now, seems decent value as I feel Liverpool are slowly improving

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      1. bunk_medal
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        With Hodgson as manager his place in the team is secure and over the course of the season I still expect Liverpool to be one of the better defences. No reason to get rid of him as far as I'm concerned.

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        1. Woy of the Wovers
          • 13 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          Agree too. Despite him being pants and Liverpool lacking much in the way of attacking threat, he's £5m sitting in a the Liverpool defence. Until Hodgson starts dropping him, he'll pick up clean sheets often enough to justify the price.

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    3. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      wig,stk, WH after Chelsea. Maybe bench this week?

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      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Actually I quite fancy Liv for this game. I smell Liv win against the champions.

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  12. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Great news for Liverpool fans, Joe Cole is out for 2 weeks!!

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    1. BMox81
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Haha, and misses the Chelsea game. How convenient.

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  13. applebonkers
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    not the biggest fan of monday night football. only had odemwingie with the jara-te kid first sub this time. last time i only had samba. -5, cheers

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    1. jamsiep
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      'jara-te'

      hehe. I just wonder if Reid will take the position permanently now, with RDM probably furious with Jara.. He's been pretty sloppy too in recent weeks, was poor against Utd, and gave the ball away a lot vs Fulham..

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      1. applebonkers
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        jara smiling when he went off wont help. if i was di matteo i'd be reluctant to bring him straight back in. didn't see those games but i'll take your word for it. injuries, captain injuris and red cards have destroyed me in the last few weeks. down from 13k to 69k now

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  14. BMox81
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    If my understadning is correct:

    When a player is injured, he gets red flagged and you can still potentially lose value on that player.

    And when said player has their red flag removed, he is then protected for x amount of days.

    So how is it that Lamps has been injured for about 5/6 weeks now, red flagged but is somehow protected from losing value?

    Sorry if this has been asked before.

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    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Lamps has a lot of owners and he needs more NTI for fall.

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      1. BMox81
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Only owned by 6.3% now, so loads of people have shifted him out.

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    2. Andy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      He has "come back" from injury on occasion only to get "reinjured".

      It's a mobius loop. Blames the random, and shoddy, news coming out of the wires on his state of play.

      When someone is red flagged though, they're never going to lose loads of value anyway, it's the underperforming fit players (Robbie Keane) that lose price by the bucket.

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      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Boseli if I may add.

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      2. Anorak
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Hmm - Robbie Keane on the brain - is it him you've been buying for the UCL game tonight?

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        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          Its a secret 🙂 Looking forward for the UCL fantasy 🙂

          Actually struggling to have alternative captain for tomorrow. Hope I'll seal the deal tonight 🙂

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    3. jimmythegent
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      i think he had his red flag removed but then reapplied after a set back

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  15. Back on the horse
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    I'm running out of patience with Bale.

    Is Dempsey a better shout?

    Guaranteed, Bale will then score a hattrick and Dempsey will die or something

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    1. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Not sure Fulham's fixtures are looking that great for now. If you switch Bale there are better options (Arteta, Brunt etc)

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      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        +1. See the fixtures. The Dempsey boat has sailed IMO.

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  16. titihenry
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    carson is easuly the worst goalkeeper of Premier League

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    1. Marknlard
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      He made some good saves last night from what I saw.

      Ross Turnbull is actually the worst goalie in the PL.

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      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        I agree, if it was not for Carson last night could have been much worse.

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  17. Jas aka The age of Ozil is …
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Fabs is crocked again! Is it take to finally make the move to Drogba?

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    1. Jas aka The age of Ozil is …
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      time* instead of take

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    2. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Source? or do you just mean C/L game?

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      1. Johnny Unitas
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        It's all over the place, BBC Sport has it for ease of reference, he is not traveling for Shaktar game, but should be available for weekend on what Wenger is saying

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        1. DickFranDyke
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          Boo Johnny Boo, couldn't we just sit here and watch the Panic, Panic, Panic!

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    3. Grimmaldi - Send in the Clo…
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      From what wenger's said he'll be fine, seems more like a good old fashion rest for the up and coming 3 games.

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  18. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone else looking at Jarvis/Hunt) for gw13-19?

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    1. Johnny Unitas
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      yes!

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      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Bolton gw 14-19?

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    2. Screaming Midget
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah I've had that in mind. Jarvis is looking good.

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    3. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Actually I am considering Doyle.

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    4. Jas aka The age of Ozil is …
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      You want milijas instead!

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    5. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      jarvis or milijas yes

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  19. Super-Hans
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Hernandez or Yakubu for Tevez?

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  20. Bareth Garry
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Im amazed that not alot people captained Nani this week, he's on fire! Everyone seemed to jump on the Arsenal bandwagon ...

    Presumably Nani will receive alot of captain votes v Wolves?

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    1. Ole Gunnar Kush
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      with you there

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      1. jimmythegent
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        think cescs tie vs west ham was more appealing than nanis against spurs, so i would do the same again

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        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          We never had 3 in a row unsuccessful captain polls so I'll stick this time with the leader.

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  21. DickFranDyke
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    So Champions league fantasy football again then tonight. Who to plump for as captain, Messi looks pretty safe but is a bit uninspiring. Eto'o against a dodgy Spurs backline?
    Any ideas on what the United and Chelsea line up will be and is there a press conference this afternoon?

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    1. jamsiep
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Champions League fantasy sounds really fun. You captain Messi one night, and then Ronaldo the next if that fails.

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      1. Attila the Bum
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Its wank. Or I'm wank at it, wanking is involved. But not in a good way.

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        1. Attila the Bum
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          Any Toffs v Proles league participants who would like an update on here now? I posted it last night but 'twas pretty late.

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      2. DickFranDyke
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah, it's ok J, bit frustrating when the teams get rotated and rested a bit. What's the Chelsea line up likely to be like, Drogs, Malouda, Anelka up front?

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        1. jamsiep
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          Personally, I'd like to see Essien and Malouda both rested because they've looked a little off the pace recently - especially Essien.

          But winning against Spartak will effectively seal top spot in the group, so we may go full strength, so we can properly rest up in the last two games.. At a complete guess:

          Cech
          Bosingwa Ivanovic Terry Cole
          Ramires Mikel Zhirkov
          Anelka Drogba Kalou

          Although I'm not exactly sure what the injury situation with Ramires is, so one of Essien or Malouda may have to play.

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        2. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          I suspect chance for Kalou upfront and Ivanovic/ Terry partnership. Alex benched and preserved for the Liv game.

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  22. Screaming Midget
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Do you think this is worth it?

    This week: Jara > Vidic
    Next week: Vidic > A.Cole/Alex

    Or if I'm getting A.Cole/Alex in, either do it this week and play away to Liverpool, or play Mummy, Dann, Alcaraz as a back 3 this week and do the transfer next week?

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    1. hillbillypete
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      im playin alex this week if that helps....

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      1. Screaming Midget
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Alex away form is currently: 6-1-1-2, whereas Vidic at home to Wolves, you'd expect to get a CS with the chance of a goal always there.

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    2. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Waste of a transfer for just one week. Is there not a better way of making two changes over the two weeks? Surely there is other baggage in your team that you need to shift

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      1. Screaming Midget
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Current team:

        Foster KRUL
        Mummy Dann JARA Simpson Alcaraz
        Nani Malouda VDV Adam Nasri
        Drogba Berbatov Carroll

        Krul and Jara are the 2 weak links, but I'll be playing Foster in goal anyway.

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        1. Woy of the Wovers
          • 13 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          I think your team is fine for this week. Could save for another week or make the direct switch to Cole this week. I doubt you are in any rush though.

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  23. IAmTheWalrus
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    any xbox live heroes in here? having a bit of a problem setting up my connection. quick question?

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    1. Soop
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      hit me

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      1. IAmTheWalrus
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        SOOP, my good man.

        ok so when i set up my connection last week, it was strict, or srestricted or whatever. The NAT wasnt open anyway. Ive been asking around and supposedly its defferent to fix for each router, so i googled the solution for my router (zyxel) and this is what i got
        To do this you need to set the Xbox for dynamic addressing (defualt) and then go to the UPnP option and tick ALL the boxes. Retest the network settings on the XBox and you will now find that you are in "Open" NAT

        So im in system settings, network settings, configure network, but cant find the option UPnP they re talking about to tick? any idea where it is?

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        1. Soop
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          You should be looking at the settings on the router itself I believe, rather than the Xbox.

          There should be instructions on the router.

          apart from that... dunno dude O________0

          going to lunch shortly, back in an hour to discuss in full.

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          1. IAmTheWalrus
            • 14 Years
            13 years, 5 months ago

            np soop, thanks for trying!

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  24. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    I’m looking to improve my team in a long term transfer move, i’ve had enough of Malouda, but will only get rid for a chelsea defender (ideally A. Cole) and use the extra £’s elsewhere. My Current team is:

    Robinson, (Carson)
    Dann, Mummy, Konchesky, (Perch, Jara)
    Fabs, Malouda, VDV, Nani, (N’Zogbia)
    Berb, Drogs, Carroll

    What do you think of these moves,

    A. Konch, Malouda, > A. Cole, Brunt
    B. Konch, Malouda, N’ Zogbia > A. Cole, Arteta, Mulumbu
    C. Konch, Malouda, Perch > A. Cole, Brunt, Alex
    D. Konch, Malouda, > Alex, Arteta

    Is Brunt even worth considering?

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    1. ZeSuPeR
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Adam or N'zog > Brunt in my opinion.

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  25. Pigvig
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    O'Shea out this week or stick with the Wolves fixture in mind? If he doesn't play my only sub is going to be Tamas.

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  26. Isnogood
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Hello guys. I need your opinion. I have O'Shea in my team. At first it looked as great investment but as time goes buy, with rotation he is in. I think he should go out.
    About that I have a twofold dilemma:
    First: Should I transfer him out this week?
    my team right now:
    Hart Krul
    Cole A Elmohamady O'Shea Coleman Dann
    Adam Malouda Albrighton Nani Dempsey
    Carroll Drogba Chamakh
    Second: Who to get instead? Should I risk the bad back of Ferdinand or go for Vidic/Evra (7.3/7.2mil)vs 6.5 for Ferdinand
    As of now I can afford all of them, but buying Vidic would leave only 1mil in the bank

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

      Vidic is a sure starter every week (barring injury) and has been giving good returns. ManU seem to be sorting out their defensive issues and Vidic seems the pick of the bunch as far as FPL goes. I think he's worth the cash, and more likely to start every game than Evra.

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    2. 50 Fent
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      who would you replace o'shea with? Cole, elmo, coleman and dann is a preety strong defence in current form. I wouldn't waste a transfer on o'sea depending on who you replace him with.
      Personally I would have vidic over ferdinand.
      I was going to trade terry for eith cole or vidic.
      Also not sure whether to trade berbatov for eith chamakh or carroll or hernandez!!

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      1. 50 Fent
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Sorry obviously you're replacing him with vidic or evra!!!!!!! I'd go with vidic 🙂

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    3. luca
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      I wouldn't touch Ferdinand atm - particularly prone to injury this season. Utd have strong fixtures in next six so Evra and Vidic are attractive options... Budget option - Simpson for 3.9m (perhaps after Arsenal game). Man City haven't had a cleanie in four but could be a safe long-term bet. You'll have to keep an eye on Coleman's pitch time as well.

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    4. Isnogood
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks for the input.

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  27. ZeSuPeR
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Just done Tevez > Hernandez. So tempted to captain the little pea, I can feel him battering Wolves.. Anyone else tempted?

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

      more than tempted, I've done it 🙂

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      1. ZeSuPeR
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        I'm gonna take the risk as well, getting bored of safe captain choices. Gonna gamble this week then revert back to safe options. Gotta gamble every once in a while =]

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      2. 50 Fent
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        I want to get rid of berba and was tempted to go with hernandez. I currently have drogba, berba, elmander. Who shoul i trade berba for? Carroll, hernandez or chamakh?

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        1. ZeSuPeR
          • 13 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          chamakh if you have no arsenal coverage, i'd go hernandez or just keep berbatov depending who you think'll do better.

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          1. 50 Fent
            • 13 Years
            13 years, 5 months ago

            I don't have any arsenal players currently. Berba just keeps giving assists instead of scoring! This transfer would cost me 4 pts though.

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            1. ZeSuPeR
              • 13 Years
              13 years, 5 months ago

              id probably just keep berbs then personally

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  28. jimmythegent
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    im looking to get arteta in my team, had it all sorted a few weeks ago but carrolls form has kept him in so i need to lose either

    Alex > 4.9 Defender
    Berbatov > 7.8 forward

    Ive got Nsni but Utds fixtures mean 2 attacking players is a good idea, I was thinking Hernandez but dont think rooney is too far away from return.

    Alex is a class act and one of chelseas best defenders but that rotation risk is always hanging and with Carlo not naming his team anymore its a pain.

    What do you guys think?

    Cheers

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  29. Jas aka The age of Ozil is …
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Robinson
    Salcido,Zhrikov,Lars Jacabson
    Nasri,Silva,Malouda,Nani
    Balotelli,Ameobi,Drogba

    Any changes I need to make for this weekend?

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