On sunday, I've got to go to a fantasy football auction. Now we all know that the likes of Nistelroy and Owen are going to score points. However, they cost a fortune. What I need is for you fellas to come up with some bargains for me. Players who are going to play.

Who will be next years Marcus Stewart?
Next years Harte or Gerrard?

Someone no one else will have heard of. I'll like to avoid signing 'wonder kids' who arrive in a blaze of glory and spend a few years in the reserves. I need starting 11 style players.

-- Anonymous, August 02, 2001

Answers

And as for the big boys, what do you guys think of Fowler? Will he score many compared to Owen? This is assuming that Fowler doesn't go to Newcastle...
I like Hasslebiank. He'll score a few. What about Henry?

-- Anonymous, August 02, 2001

Gary Speed will get some goals from midfield this year....and he'll play regularly so he's worth buying....

-- Anonymous, August 03, 2001

hmmmmm

-- Anonymous, August 03, 2001

I can see we have a doubter....your loss mate, i'm deadly serious....

-- Anonymous, August 03, 2001

There's no point buying an Arsenal or Newton Heath forward as they are more likely to be rested. Hasslebaink and Saha would be a better bet.

-- Anonymous, August 03, 2001

Leeds always pick Viduka when he's fit

-- Anonymous, August 03, 2001

Look for midfielders who will score goals, like Kewell and Robert, also look for defenders who are actually midfielders but for some reason have been classed as fullbacks.

-- Anonymous, August 03, 2001

Lee Clarke. He's in my team and I think he'll score big points for me. How about petit? Not a popular guy, but at the end of the day can you let loyalties and popularity come into you choice of the best team you can afford. I don't have a single NUFC player in my side. I'm not proud of it, but for the potential amount of poins, say solano or dyer can get me, I can get a cheaper player, which frees up money to spend on players like Veron and Henry.

-- Anonymous, August 03, 2001

I've gone for Viduka, and Saha, and I'm thinking of Cort as the third striker. I've got Beckham and Kewell in midfield.

-- Anonymous, August 03, 2001

Don't skimp. Three or four expensive players will earn you a lot more points than 14 ok ones - I've splashed out on Henry, Beckham, Owen and Scholes. Robert was a snip then I've picked a few cheapish defenders who score the odd goal such as Staunton and Hreidarsson. Lee Clark has to be there as I've named my team after him....'Clarky's T-Shirt'. Finally, buy a reserve keeper for peanuts - if he doesn't play he won't cost you points. Having said all that my team finished 6th in a League of 10 last year so it's probably wise to disregard all this advice.

-- Anonymous, August 03, 2001

When do the Telegraph update the players to select ? ie When can I pick Robert ?

-- Anonymous, August 03, 2001

How easy/difficult is it to set up a fantasy league? We could do one on here..... just a thought

-- Anonymous, August 03, 2001

piece of piss

-- Anonymous, August 03, 2001

Shall I start one?
We could use http://cyki.ismgames.com/
They're free...

-- Anonymous, August 03, 2001

Get one decent forward eg Hasselbaink, Henry or Owen and damn the expense. Bargains might be Saha or Jansen. Depending on fitness I'd say Cort was a decent gamble.

-- Anonymous, August 03, 2001

For a freebie try the telegraphs fantasy football website.You get a guide book to the season and a pc rom of champ manger 01. Not completely free,£3 ,but the book and the cd are worth close to £30.Oh and you could win £50000.

-- Anonymous, August 03, 2001

Would your bias/bigotry allow you to pick Phillips.I will try you know!Then again i would not pick Poppins as Solano is quite good at penalties as well;-)

-- Anonymous, August 03, 2001

Nick, I think that's a good idea, would anybody else be interested in playing?

-- Anonymous, August 03, 2001

just had a suizz at the CYKI site and it looks ok - I'll be in it

-- Anonymous, August 03, 2001

Ok, I'll start a new thread called 'The Official unofficial Newcastle United BBS Fantasy Football League'. I'll tell you all you need to know to join.

-- Anonymous, August 03, 2001