Monday Dugout Discussion

Put up your feet, pour yourself another glass of mulled wine and grab that tin of Quality Street. After all it is christmas, and after all we’ve got another match to take in as we round out gameweek nineteen just as soon as it starts.

The Dugout Discussion closes it’s door for no-one and a festive game between Arsenal and Chelsea are no exception. Just nineteen weeks down and Arsene Wenger finally gets to start his two key players – Cesc Fabregas & Robin Van Persie – together for the first time this season, while the likes of Walcott finally get a start after weeks waiting patiently on the bench. Managerial heavyweight Carlo Ancelotti meanwhile gets to start Frank Lampard for the first time since August also. Team sheets in full are…

Arsenal: Fabianski; Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Clichy; Song, Fabregas, Wilshere; Walcott, van Persie, Nasri
Chelsea: Cech; Ferreira, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole; Essien, Mikel, Lampard; Kalou, Drogba, Malouda

Come join the festive banter as we all gorge on treats ahoy together and close out the gameweek in the Dugout Discussion.

2,892 Comments Post a Comment

Adz_25
13 years, 5 months ago
Finally ditching cashley, Onuoha vs Rafael ?

That frees up cash to do

a) Ba****lli - torres
b) Nasri - Gerrard

Thinking maybe a) with Fabs suspended?
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Logitech
13 years, 5 months ago
play 3 out of:

Vidic, Kyrgiakos, Coleman, Bardsley

My biggest prob is between coleman and bardsley

thinking vidic and kyrg for sure....
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andy85wsm
13 years, 5 months ago
berbs or Caroll

I already have Nani and Rafael, maybe 3 is too many.....?
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Tommyg
13 years, 5 months ago
Any body think that Chelsea will get a clean sheet? Got my finger hovering over the transfer ACole > Konceskey, but had Cole for so long in the vain hope he might get me some points im finding it hard.
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1. Nomar
  13 years, 5 months ago
  I have same dilemma.
  
  If I was convinced that Sunderland could shut out Blackpool later this afternoon then I'd take Cole out. However, I can see Sunderland conceding so I don't know if its worth changing him this week now.
  
  Its not long to go til GW21 and I will need to replace Cahill then so may well just leave the transfer and have 2 freebies for the weekend.
  
  Getting Fabs in for Nasri pretty much has to be a priority at that point or soon thereafter.
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  1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
    13 years, 5 months ago
    Why do you think Sunderland will concede?
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    1. Shakey
      13 years, 5 months ago
      http://www.safc.com/javaImages/74/38/0,,10281~8665204,00.jpg
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    2. HowManyGoals
      13 years, 5 months ago
      No Adam, gilks or Harewood. players back for sunderland with gordon on fine form.
      
      oh, that's right...
      
      i just signed bardsley so therefore blackpool will probably score.
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    3. Nomar
      13 years, 5 months ago
      Not many teams shut Blackpool out, SuperD.
      
      Granted, Charlie Adam isn't playing, but still.......
      
      Half of me says leave it and the other half says get Onuoha or Bardsley in.
      
      I just think I can put a decent team out today:
      
      Van der Sar,
      Kolarov, Cole, Konchesky,
      Nasri, Nani, Cahill, Van der Vaart (c), N'zogbia,
      Carroll, Tevez
      (Carson, K Davies, Hangeland, Foley).
      
      Not sure that changing Cashley is that pressing a need right now looking at that lineup. Maybe better served using 2 next week to get some Blackpool and Liverpool (Adam and Gerrard for Cahill and Nasri? )
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      1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
        13 years, 5 months ago
        I agree with that, no rush to dump Cole
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2. Freshy
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Betting odds show CHE most likley for CS
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rasher
13 years, 5 months ago
Anyone else benching carroll?

Can't fit him in with lineup of

nasri,bale,ethers,nani,cahill,tevez berbatov.
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1. 7923dos
  13 years, 5 months ago
  bench bale
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  1. rasher
    13 years, 5 months ago
    he'd be 2nd choice but I've a feeling bale will score well v Newcastle?
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2. Tommyg
  13 years, 5 months ago
  1st rule of FF, never bench Carrol.
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  1. Luke
    13 years, 5 months ago
    +1
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  2. Nomar
    13 years, 5 months ago
    2nd rule of FF? Never talk about benching Carroll.
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  3. Bazman returns
    13 years, 5 months ago
    2nd rule of FF never benchg Carroll now I know that is the same as first rule but it is a rule that has to be said twice!
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  4. rasher
    13 years, 5 months ago
    don't I know.. Ice been stung by benching him already.. Look at my attacking lineup and decide not so easy to drop 1
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ssetem
13 years, 5 months ago
Who to sub out of kolorov bardsly MGP
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1. applebonkers
  13 years, 5 months ago
  mgp
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Public user
13 years, 5 months ago
Jaaskelainen

kyrgiakos ferdinand kolarov elmohamady

nasri VDV nani tchoyi

tevez rooney

BENCH (foster nzog elmander coleman)

is this the correct order?~?~??

A.shld i play foster or jaask?
B.shld i play nzog , elmander , coleman or elmo???

THANKS~??
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NLB
13 years, 5 months ago
Alright narrowed to it down to 2:

Who to drop for VDV
A. Malouda - (has done nothing forever, but the fixtures finally look good, no other Chelsea coverage)
B. N'Zogbia - (consistent scorer, less likely to score big though, decent fixtures, had a great game vs. Arsenal last year if I remember correctly)

It's only 1 transfer either way (I have loads in the bank haha)

Thanks a ton guys
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1. jamsiep
  13 years, 5 months ago
  A.
  
  It's an absolute no brainer. Malouda may not even start after his joke of a performance today.
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  1. NLB
    13 years, 5 months ago
    Cheers mate, team looks so weird without any Chelsea blue!
    
    Gives me cash to do Nasri to Fabs soon
    
    Thanks
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  2. Granville
    13 years, 5 months ago
    He looks lost in that midfield now. I didn't see much of a performance from Drogba neither.
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    1. NLB
      13 years, 5 months ago
      Alright Malouda is it.
      
      May I ask what your transfers were Granville?
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    2. Bazman returns
      13 years, 5 months ago
      ahh Granville any news on the scout picks?
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jamsiep
13 years, 5 months ago
*post*
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1. NLB
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Is that Kalou is your avatar mate?
  I'm sorry, but he was absolute garbage today!
  
  On a lighter note, mind helping me out above 🙂
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2. applebonkers
  13 years, 5 months ago
  offside
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3. Waldaz
  13 years, 5 months ago
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67i0sA0ElUQ#t=02m54s
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DAV087
13 years, 5 months ago
So many decisions to make in one day!!! Current team is...

Robinson (jussi)
Vidic baines Kolarov konchesky (Simpson)
Nasri nani nzogbia (fabs brunt)
Tevez (c) Carroll elmander

Possible transfers this week:
1) elmander nasri baines --> Drogba Vdv bardsley
2) elmander nasri baines --> Torres Vdv bardsley
3) elmander --> bent
4) elmander nasri --> bent Vdv
5) elmander baines --> bent bardsley
6) elmander nasri baines --> bent Vdv bardsley

Currently have 2 freebies this week and 4.2 in the bank.

Thoughts?
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1. Nomar
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Brunt to VdV and leave it at that.
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2. DAV087
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Elmander is definitely going
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  1. Nomar
    13 years, 5 months ago
    Why?
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    1. DAV087
      13 years, 5 months ago
      Because he plays Chelsea and Liverpool away in the next 2. Would rather get Drogba Torres or bent with 2 easy home games.
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Egg noodle
13 years, 5 months ago
Markkkkk wake up!! you forgot to post the scout picks!
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1. dierstraights
  13 years, 5 months ago
  yep wake up mark
  total fpl picks are up tho
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  1. Granville
    13 years, 5 months ago
    He's done them but he's not going to post until the morning.
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    1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      13 years, 5 months ago
      Do you get a sneak preview?
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    2. Jonah Takalua
      13 years, 5 months ago
      whats the point in that??
      
      who the hell gets up before the deadline?
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      1. TorresMagic™
        13 years, 5 months ago
        People in other countries...
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      2. dierstraights
        13 years, 5 months ago
        not me...
        i bet fpl and/or ffs goes down tomorrow morning before deadline
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    3. Egg noodle
      13 years, 5 months ago
      thanks GGG
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dierstraights
13 years, 5 months ago
anytime goalscorer odds for this week:

vdv 2.1,
tevez 1.83,
torres 1.66,
drogba 1.66,
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1. bossa
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Surprised that Tevez has higher odds than Drogba.
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  1. Somalion
    13 years, 5 months ago
    Im not really.
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bhargi
13 years, 5 months ago
Etherington -> Yaya Toure or NZog ?
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badker
13 years, 5 months ago
Need some help! Have 2 transfers.

Foster (hahne)
Konchesky,Onuaha,Shawcross,Kolarov,Cahill
Cahill,Nani,Malouda,Cahill,Brunt
Tevez,Carroll,Davies.

Would love torres but can't see anyway to get him.
Worth a chance on Ngog?
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1. Bouncebackability
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Don't do the N'gog transfer!!
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2. badker
  13 years, 5 months ago
  sorry 2nd cahill in midfield is nasri!! Doh
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3. bossa
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Malouda for VDV ASAP!
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TorresMagic™
13 years, 5 months ago
11am Mihir. Be patient.
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1. Egg noodle
  13 years, 5 months ago
  but i wont wake up on time tomorrow 🙁 i wish there was a free FFS scoutpicks sms(and alarm?) service for the freebie nonmembers 🙁
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  1. Waldaz
    13 years, 5 months ago
    What about an alarm clock?
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  2. TorresMagic™
    13 years, 5 months ago
    There isn't a rookie service atm.
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    1. Egg noodle
      13 years, 5 months ago
      😆
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Granville
13 years, 5 months ago
The last time Andy Carroll starting a game and was a failure was week 5 and now we're on week 20. It's incredibly consistent scoring.
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1. bhargi
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Wondering which GW will it stop ?
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  1. TorresMagic™
    13 years, 5 months ago
    GW38 possibly.
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    1. Egg noodle
      13 years, 5 months ago
      or 20. and then people will hold on to him like they held on to drogba. and he will continue to disappoint. i see the future.
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      1. bhargi
        13 years, 5 months ago
        that would be interesting !!
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2. andy85wsm
  13 years, 5 months ago
  so why did I transfer him out 4 weeks ago for Elmander?
  
  That's right, because I'm an idiot.
  
  Think I'm about to transfer him back in
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  1. Gaz Downright
    13 years, 5 months ago
    I marked you as mad at the time
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3. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
  13 years, 5 months ago
  lol i bet that DeathAngel fella is still banging on about how Carroll can't possibly continue to score well.
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BHAFC BOB
13 years, 5 months ago
Konchesky Vidic Ohuoha Baines Hangeland
Nani Nasri Bale MGP Cahill
Carroll Berbs Bent

Can't decide on who to bench this week!!
any help/advice?
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1. bossa
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Vidic, MGP, Hangeland
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TorresMagic™
13 years, 5 months ago
What games are the ones most likely to get called off? I remember seeing 3 games mentioned earlier.
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1. Egg noodle
  13 years, 5 months ago
  the weathers pretty good here compared to last week. dont think there would be any cancellations.
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  1. Boaz05
    13 years, 5 months ago
    weather is better but if undersoil heating breaks like at everton the game'll probably be called off. They'll know before deadline if this happens and give fans as much notice as possible. I'm flying to South korea in 2 days so hoping for no snow around london!
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Logitech
13 years, 5 months ago
capt tevez or cahill for differential???
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TorresMagic™
13 years, 5 months ago
16 minutes to trade....
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1. Boaz05
  13 years, 5 months ago
  I'd wait. last 2 weeks, 2 games have been called of around an hour before deadline. not worth the risk for 0.1 mil. u gonna be in bed cos of time difference? don't price changes happen around 1:30ish?
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  1. TorresMagic™
    13 years, 5 months ago
    1am.
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    1. Bazman returns
      13 years, 5 months ago
      I did it in the end couldn't stop the finger VDV is in my team for Cahill. Had to be him or Nas and what with Fab out Nas stayed in.
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The Rock
13 years, 5 months ago
Would Skrtel be the best Liverpool defender to get? Johnson is a bit pricy.
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1. Nomar
  13 years, 5 months ago
  He's safe enough. Decent for the money too especially with 2 home games for the Scousers.
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  1. The Rock
    13 years, 5 months ago
    Cheers nomar, theres not much between them all but i think i will go for Skrtel.
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    1. Nomar
      13 years, 5 months ago
      You're welcome, Rocky!
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Public user
13 years, 5 months ago
Hey guys can help to choose one player for gw20 ?

Coleman Elmo nzog elmander
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1. bossa
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Nzog, scored an brace against Arsenal last season.
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  1. Shakey
    13 years, 5 months ago
    he scored one.
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    1. Shakey
      13 years, 5 months ago
      that's the third time today ffs.
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      1. jamsiep
        13 years, 5 months ago
        Ah...
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  2. Public user
    13 years, 5 months ago
    My curr
    Jaask
    
    Kolarov Greek Ferdinand
    
    Nani nasri vdv Tchoyi
    
    Rooney n tevez
    
    So play nzog ? I was thinkin colaman/Elmo
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  3. jamsiep
    13 years, 5 months ago
    Why do so many people have it in their heads that N'Zog scored twice?! He only scored one...
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Wild Rover
13 years, 5 months ago
Toughest Capt call ever,

A, Tevez home to Villa
B, VdV home to Newcastle
C, Lampard home to Bolton (and smarting)

On VdV atm, care to talk me out of it?
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1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Nope. VDV for me too mate.
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  1. Wild Rover
    13 years, 5 months ago
    See my reply couple of pages back re Dunn/Kean, SD?
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    1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      13 years, 5 months ago
      Yeah i agree although i think he has to be given a bit of time. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt that he had nothing to do with Allardyce going although if these players we bring in are represented by Kentaro then some serious questions need to be asked
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2. Public user
  13 years, 5 months ago
  No Manu player ??
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  1. Wild Rover
    13 years, 5 months ago
    Three! But away to Birm don't see them as a better option.
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3. More Cowbell
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Throw Torres into the equation too!
  
  Pretty sure I'm going Tevez!
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  1. Tommyg
    13 years, 5 months ago
    Nasri for me.
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4. Im Not Marshal Foch
  13 years, 5 months ago
  I want to do VDV but obvious concern of a rest or a cameo..
  
  Tevez will play the 90 and Villa are rubbish at the moment.. i'm going with the Argie
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  1. Tommyg
    13 years, 5 months ago
    Even with Man C terrible home form Marshal?
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5. dierstraights
  13 years, 5 months ago
  VdV for me
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6. Spoiler
  13 years, 5 months ago
  vdv for me
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7. Phillips
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Do we expect VdV to play most of the game? Taken off after 70 last time I guess.
  
  Torn between Tevez and VdV.
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  1. Nomar
    13 years, 5 months ago
    VdV can do an awful lot of damage in 70 minutes though.
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browner3107
13 years, 5 months ago
Where is the biggest weakness in my squad?

Anyone offer any suggestions where I could improve please? Cheers
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1. mullenlad
  13 years, 5 months ago
  MGP and Elmander out? Toure and Carroll in?
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2. Egg noodle
  13 years, 5 months ago
  mgp should be the first one out
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Bouncebackability
13 years, 5 months ago
Hmm. My original plans of Rooney to Torres have gone out the window with Fab, Adam and Brunt suspended.

May as well keep Adam now as he has 75 double gameweeks coming up. The Brunt yellow was a real kick in the balls as he had a great fixture tomorrow.

May be forced to do Fab to Gerrard and leave N'Zog til the weekend. Anything else anyone can see? Obviously there is VDV but I'm burying my head in the sand with him for now.
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1. Bouncebackability
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Add to that having to play two of Jarvis, Dann and Salcido - Great week ahead! May play the former two - Can see Jarvis starting at least as they lost at the weekend.
  
  May go ballsy and give Stevie the armband while I'm at it.
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yanky
13 years, 5 months ago
should i play nzog or elmo? if elmo starts id want him but a sub appearance would be rough...
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1. mullenlad
  13 years, 5 months ago
  NZOG of course, he plays well against Arsenal.
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applebonkers
13 years, 5 months ago
am i reading this as a bent owner or logically? as bent played 68 mins against man utd as opposed to gyan's 90 he is a shoe in to start against blackpool?
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1. Bouncebackability
  13 years, 5 months ago
  Thats a weird one apple, he never gets taken off either.
  
  Welbeck will be back but they can't drop Bent unless he is injured. Can they??
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  1. jamsiep
    13 years, 5 months ago
    If I were Sunderland manager Bent wouldn't get in my side.
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    1. Bouncebackability
      13 years, 5 months ago
      You don't rate him then?! He must be in your overrated XI with Leon Osman playing just behind..
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      1. jamsiep
        13 years, 5 months ago
        Not particularly...
        
        Parker would be 'bossing' the midfield in that side, with Dempsey floating around on one of the wings.
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        Shakey
        13 years, 5 months ago
        Bale and Hernandez need to be in there somewhere.
        
        Unless it's a "shit players who are rated" team, rather than just standard overrated.
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  2. applebonkers
    13 years, 5 months ago
    the other day bent got taken off after 70 mins as well. he should start i guess, he better as right now he's the reason i don't have vdv
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2. mullenlad
  13 years, 5 months ago
  I would choose Bent over Gyan
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ChooChoo
13 years, 5 months ago
I can see VDV not getting more than 59 minutes, just back from injury and tight schedule. Torres on the other side is well rested!
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1. Egg noodle
  13 years, 5 months ago
  59 minutes = atleast 5 vdv goals
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  1. ChooChoo
    13 years, 5 months ago
    😀
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    1. ChooChoo
      13 years, 5 months ago
      Though Torres is alot more favoured to score by the bookies 😉
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FPL Manager
13 years, 5 months ago
Transfer dilemma peeps, advice needed please:

1. Drogs out tevez in
2. Bent out tevez in

One of above and / or one of:

3. Bale out vdv in
4. Silva out vdv in

What do you reckon?
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Taff
13 years, 5 months ago
Am considering MGP to Kuyt to get some Liverpool coverage for the coming fixtures. Can't afford Torres or Gerrard. Decent differential or madness? Any views much appreciated.
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1. TheHazard
  13 years, 5 months ago
  I think if you can't get Gerrard or Torres then you need to look at one of their defender because Kuyt's a long way down the attacking pecking order for a Liverpool team that doesn't score a lot of goals...
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  1. Taff
    13 years, 5 months ago
    I've got Konchesky but want some access to their attacking points. Kuyt's points per game aren't actually that bad this season - that my justification anyway!
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