I've had Hangeland and Dempsey from the start in a lot of teams, in part because I think they are good season long picks, but particularly because I really liked their opening to the season. However Fulham's next 10 games include 6 games against teams you would consider from the big 6, with their 'easier' games being Swansea away, Sunderland away, Bolton home and Norwich away, which aren't that easy.

Stoke in their next 11 over the same period only play Spurs and City from the big 6 and quite a few games against teams towards the bottom. Fulham haven't been as strong at the back as I would have hoped, so Hangeland to Shawcross would allow me to do Dempsey to Bale. I know Bale hasn't done much as yet this season, but Spurs are playing well at the moment and play only Chelsea from their big 6 competitors in the next 11, and Bale can be both patchy and explosive in his scoring.

Without the fixtures as they are, I would say this was very tinkery, but the fixtures are as they are, and it feels like, particularly with Dempsey, that I could be getting off the band wagon at the right time. I had already planned these transfers, but of course Fulham got a clean sheet and Dempsey scored today, which has put a bit of doubt in my mind, but it was against Wigan...

So what do you think, a waste of transfers or a good move?

Shifting out Hangeland sort of makes sense (not necessarily for Shawcross ) as he's not exactly VFM but can't really see that getting rid of Dempsey, who's scoring well & can score well regardless of fixtures, for Bale who as yet hasn't given us a reason to think he can justify his price tag this time around...

Actually, thinking about it, is this thread a wind up ...

Sounds tinkertastic to me. The freak results of this season so far have taught me to just go with form and to largely ignore the fixture list.

You need patience with Dempsey. Hold him season long and rotate others. He's proven himself time and again and IMHO is a little underpriced because he is an unfashionable player at a smaller club.

Tinkery really Wooly one. I guess Shawcross could sort of be justified on upcoming fixtures.

Walker and vdV makes far more sense.

If he has the spare 0.3m.

If not, then Walker and Adebayor

Assuming he has spare striker slot.

Good call Woolster ...

In terms of the comments, I was very serious. Like I said, Bale tends to score in spurts, and Spurs have a run of easy games, and I agree that Dempsey is a season long type player, but Fulham have a tough run and have not been great against the easier teams so far. Also didn't mention that I have a fair few Riise's and Murphy's i these teams, so quite a bit of Fulham exposure.

I already have some exposure to Walker, and don't want a Spurs defender in every team, needed to do Hangeland to Shawcross to raise the funds for Dempsey to Bale so no 0.3m spare, am playing mainly 343, so generally couldn't get another striker in.

Unfortunately I didn't do it, apart from I think one team in the Star

I did do Hangeland to Shawcross, but decided that I hadn't really watched/seen/noticed Bale at all this season, so didn't know whether he was playing well and not scoring or if he wasn't doing much, so thought I could do it in a couple of games and pay a bit of attention to how he is playing. Also despite Fulham having a tough run, the defences of the top teams aren't doing great, so Dempsey could still do ok. Also noticed Bale still has a higher ownership , so Dempsey a good differentiator. Disappointed I didn't listen to myself now, but still think it could be worth while in a couple of weeks, especially now Bale could be starting one of his hot runs.

Whilst I was disappointed not to get the points from bales first game, I am glad I didn't do it as bale has come in for all my Nasri's on Sunday. Rather have Dempsey for some tough games than an occasional Nasri. He will probably score well when he plays, but can't be bothered with the games on the bench.

Funny how things change so quickly, bet I would get a slightly different response about Dempsey to bale if I asked the question now. May not be resounding agreement, but people would be more open to it.