Scout Reports

Scout Report – Shinji Kagawa

Man United officially confirmed their first major signing of the close season last week, with the capture of Shinji Kagawa from German champions Dortmund on a four-year deal.

The 23-year-old Japanese midfielder arrives for an undisclosed fee that’s rumoured to be anywhere between £12-17m and, having completed a medical and obtained a work permit, will move to Old Trafford when the transfer window opens on July 1.

Sir Alex Ferguson was quick to pay compliment to the new boy, suggesting he will be a crucial part of United’s attempts to wrestle back the title from neighbours City next season:

Shinji is an exciting young midfielder with great skill, vision and a good eye for goal. I am delighted he has chosen to come to United. I believe he will make an impact upon the team very quickly as he is suited to United’s style of play. We are all looking forward to working with him.

The Statistics

As a 17-year-old, Kagawa signed his first professional contract in 2006 with local club Cerezo Osaka. The following year he became an established first-team figure at the club and, over the course of four seasons, demonstrated his goal-getting ability by finding the net 55 times in 125 appearances.

In the summer of 2010, Kagawa joined up at Dortmund in a deal that cost the Bundesliga outfit a mere €350,000, due to a clause in his contract which allow him to move cheaply if the opportunity to play in Europe arose. Kagawa played 18 times in his first season for Jurgen Klopp’s side, scoring eight times and providing one assist, but his game time was cut short due to a metatarsal injury picked up on international duty. Despite missing the second half of the campaign, his performances merited Kagawa a place in the Bundesliga Best XI.

Recovering in time for the start of the 2011/12 campaign, Kagawa was an instrumental figure in Dortmund’s league and cup double. With Mario Gotze sidelined for a good part of the season, Klopp’s side were reliant on the creativity of the Japanese midfielder; over the course of 31 appearances, Kagawa produced 13 goals and eight assists playing in “the hole” in Dortmund’s 4-2-3-1 formation. His final game for Klopp’s side came in the German Cup Final win over Bayern, where Kagawa provided a goal and assist in the 5-2 rout in front of the onlooking Ferguson and, with just 12 months remaining on his contract, United have lessened the blow of losing out on Eden Hazard by snapping up the highly-rated playmaker.

The Prospects

Although he can play on the left flank, Kagawa is best-suited to a role in the middle of the pitch. His trickery and ability to pick out a killer pass from a more advanced central position is an aspect of United’s game that has, arguably, been missing of late. Last season saw them linked with the likes of Wesley Sneijder and Luka Modric – with both moves failing to transpire, Paul Scholes returned from retirement to add a much-needed spark from a deep-lying position in the centre. The new signing has already revealed he has his heart set on replicating the role he excelled in for Dortmund, going on to say:

I want to play (in the hole). I feel like that’s where I play my best football. I plan on working hard so I can win my place at the position. They’re one of the biggest clubs in the world, and I was given a chance to play for them. I took a lot of things into consideration, like the fact that they’ve got a deep squad, their style of football and it wasn’t an easy decision. But I wanted the challenge.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the deal is the effect on United’s shape next season. Ferguson’s default formation last term was, of course, 4-4-2; he only started with a lone forward on just seven of his side’s 38 games but Kagawa’s arrival affords him the chance to vary his approach, with the new boy perhaps tucked in behind Wayne Rooney up front. Certainly, it would seem a lot to ask of Kagawa to field him in central midfield in a 4-4-2 in his first season in the Premier League; standing 5 foot 7, he would need time to adjust to such a role, whereas an advanced slot in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-1-1 will allow him to become more accustomed to the rigours of the Premier League.

If Ferguson opts for an attacking midfield trio of Ashley Young or Nani on the left, Kagawa in the centre and Antonio Valencia on the right behind Rooney, the knock-on effect on the likes of Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez’s game time could be detrimental; they started 23 and 18 times respectively last time out but could suffer further if the manager opts for a reshuffle. At the moment, though, it’s too early to judge; pre-season will offer Fantasy managers plenty clues as to Ferguson’s thinking before their season kicks off at Everton in mid-August.

From a Fantasy Premier League (FPL) perspective, Kagawa may well benefit from the same sort of 8.0 price tag that Valencia was afforded in the previous season, with a cost no more than 9.0 looking likely. It leaves Fantasy managers with a real dilemma when assessing United’s midfield options, though, with so many solid performers already on offer. Kagawa’s dead-ball ability could help sway investment his way and with Nani, Young and Valencia all set to be priced considerably higher, he offers an intriguing attacking route into a side that finished 2011/12 with 89 goals under their belt and will be going all-out in their attempt to reclaim the title from City.

Further Reference

Shinji Kagawa Wikipedia

Shinji Kagawa YouTube

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

1,268 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pinoche
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Ozil or Boateng (c) ?

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    1. gatzi
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Ozil....he has to go big tonight...doesn't he? 🙂

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    2. FORCA INTER
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      you did it again

      do you have autoclicker or something like that??

      or you post first by intuition

      btw-Ozil C,imo

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      1. SPorting
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        he has nothing to do until FPL starts.

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      2. beric
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Providing he posts the link in the previous post, rather then just telling us there is one so i have to go to it myself, then i'm gratefull, and he should keep it up 😀

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        1. Abominable Snowy84
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          this.

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    3. heco87
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Think I'm set on Ozil ... and I've got a vast choice of German talent.

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    4. beric
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Ozil

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    5. Pinoche
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Cheers 🙂
      Will go with Ozil (c).

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  2. blue cheese
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Shinji Kagawa!

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  3. yash
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1118203/porto's-hulk-claims-chelsea-face-stiff-competition-?cc=4716

    If Chelsea fail to land Hulk who do you guys think they will buy?

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    1. blue cheese
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Stefan Jovetic

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    2. Hate that rotation
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Jovetic

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    3. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      We badly need Hulk. There is where u should spend your money Roman not 50m on Nando !!!!

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      1. yash
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        +1, Hulk is class

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      2. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Well French League competitor? Come onnn, u can't even compare Premier League with Lique 1

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        1. Hate that rotation
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Money money money! What's the wages on offer from both clubs?

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          1. FPL Daniel
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            Well Roman should pay this time.

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    4. pompeyfan
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      do they really need another signing after Hazard & Marin? Can't they just blood some younger players like they have been promising for years? Also the likes of Lukaku & de Bruyne should be getting near the first team now too.

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      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        We have Nando, Sturridge and Lukaku as strikers. That is not enough when we are playing on 5 fronts. One or 2 youngsters and one world class.

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        1. pompeyfan
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          3 is enough. Presumably you will play 4-3-3, so there is only 1 striker position, the likes of Hazard, Mata, Malouda, Ramires, Marin can all take a wing position.

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          1. FPL Daniel
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            Its not enough we play more than 50 games. PL, FA Cup, CC, CL, Super Cup, World CUP tones of games

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            1. FPL Daniel
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 9 months ago

              And Malouda will depart to Brazil apparently

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              1. pompeyfan
                • 14 Years
                11 years, 9 months ago

                'potentially' 50+ games, with 3 players needing to fit 1 spot. Hypothetically Torres might play 40 matches, with Lukaku playing 10, with Sturridge playing the others or on the flanks.

                You didn't have that many strikers last season and still Lukaku hardly played. Why waste so much on fees and wages?!

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                1. pompeyfan
                  • 14 Years
                  11 years, 9 months ago

                  lets not forget that the CC doesn't count and the super cup is just 1 game, and a glorified exhibition game at that!

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                2. FPL Daniel
                  • 14 Years
                  11 years, 9 months ago

                  injuries, rest rotation etc. Can Torres start 40 games? His injury record is shit, but I see where r u coming from

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                  1. FPL Daniel
                    • 14 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    Last year we had Drogs and Anelka

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  4. roscola
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    How come no-one's asking whether Gomez or Klose will start?

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    1. SPorting
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      there's some doubt???

      😯

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      1. WorldCupDanB
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        No doubt, Klose is nailed on. or is it Gomez? Anyway one of them is nailed on.

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    2. beric
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Its been asked to death, no one knows

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      1. JT's Dog
          11 years, 9 months ago

          surely some germans know?

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          1. beric
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            I reckon somewhere between 1 and 30ish Germans know

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    3. stilicho
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Lovely stuff. This is the transfer I'm the most excited about from an FPL perspective, there could be great value here if SAF is prepared to give him a solid run.

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      1. blue cheese
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        +billions!

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        1. Billy Ketsu
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          +willions!

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      2. stilicho
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        The worry for me is Welbeck, SAF was very loyal to him last year and Kagawa in central midfield in a 4-4-2 just doesn't feel likely to my mind.

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        1. Scroobius Mac
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          4-1-4-1?

          4 at the back
          Carrick
          Valencia Kagawa Rooney Nani
          Welbeck

          Probably a bit too mental.

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          1. stilicho
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            It would be mayhem from an FPL perspective! I get the sense SAF likes a bit more beef in that midfield.

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      3. Hate that rotation
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Depends on where he plays though, should he play behind the main striker then he could be a real option.

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      4. In Tommy We Trust
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        I see him having a season along the same lines of Mata. Never quite breaking into must have fantasy wise.

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        1. Scroobius Mac
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Mata would have been must have at 8.0 - it was just because he was that little bit more expensive.

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          1. stilicho
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            +1

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          2. In Tommy We Trust
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            Very true. Can't see him being 8 personally though. He'll be priced along the lines of Young etc. Valencia price was the one out of sequence with everyone else

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            1. stilicho
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 9 months ago

              9 or above would definitely be a chin strokey price.

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              1. In Tommy We Trust
                • 13 Years
                11 years, 9 months ago

                in, out, in out all the way to the 18th august

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    4. Thomass
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Is Evans nailed on for next season

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      1. beric
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        THATS the grav you chose 😉

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        1. Thomass
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          yeah is it good!

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          1. Abominable Snowy84
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            If you say so.

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          2. beric
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            Its not to my taste...

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          3. FPL Daniel
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            Welcome aboard. One more Blues fan here. Join the club

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            1. Abominable Snowy84
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 9 months ago

              1 more former Man Utd fan you mean 😉

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              1. FPL Daniel
                • 14 Years
                11 years, 9 months ago

                I was never Utd fan, NEVER

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                1. MourinhoJunior
                  • 11 Years
                  11 years, 9 months ago

                  +1.. KTBFFH

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          4. JT's Dog
              11 years, 9 months ago

              that is my favourite new grav of today posted on this page

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        2. stilicho
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Nope.

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        3. Hate that rotation
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Should do. But he probably won't play every week because of Ferdinand and the potential step ups of Smalling and co.

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      2. J.Mata
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Do you guys think I should change (c) from Alba to Özil or Klose(if starts)?
        I'm 11 points behind ml leader who hasn't either Klose or Özil

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        1. gatzi
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          Stick!

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        2. JT's Dog
            11 years, 9 months ago

            11 points behind with your alba C points? so would mean 18 behind. not worth it

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          • heco87
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            Stick on Alba

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            1. Can’t beat em so&hell…
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 9 months ago

              +1

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          • beric
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            Schtick. I wish I captained Alba.

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            1. FPL Daniel
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 9 months ago

              Twist

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              1. beric
                • 12 Years
                11 years, 9 months ago

                Surely not! 7 is quite a lot.

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          • JT's Dog
              11 years, 9 months ago

              alba is the gaelic name for scotland, need i say more?

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          • Heydudes13
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            Who to Captain

            Lahm
            Hummels
            Boateng
            Khedira
            Ozil

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            1. FORCA INTER
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 9 months ago

              if i didnt C Pique yesterday i would go with Ozil today

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            2. Mílanista
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 9 months ago

              Ozil, no CS tonight.

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            3. Piggs Boson
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 9 months ago

              If you think Germany will get a CS go a defender. If not go Ozil. It's you who should make the decision...

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              1. Heydudes13
                • 12 Years
                11 years, 9 months ago

                I know I was seeing what others were doing and to get advice. You ask for way more RMT and C choices than I do. I rarely ask for help

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                1. Piggs Boson
                  • 12 Years
                  11 years, 9 months ago

                  Sorry Jedmond, i'm a bit grouchy today, i understand. Other peoples opinion help you weigh up your own decision. Sorry mate 🙂

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                  1. Heydudes13
                    • 12 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    Fair enough pal

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          • Thomass
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            Debuchy to chelsea ??
            whats the latest on that move ??

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            1. blue cheese
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 9 months ago

              Chelsea, Newcastle and Inter Milan have all bid 6 million euros. Lille want 10.

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            2. FPL Daniel
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 9 months ago

              Chelsea will sign Perquis from Dortmund as I am informed

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              1. Hate that rotation
                • 12 Years
                11 years, 9 months ago

                You mean Pizchek?

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                1. FPL Daniel
                  • 14 Years
                  11 years, 9 months ago

                  Yeah sorry my mistake

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                2. FPL Daniel
                  • 14 Years
                  11 years, 9 months ago

                  http://www.myfootballnews.co.uk/news_jump.html?story=162560 here is the sauce 😉

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                  1. FPL Daniel
                    • 14 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    Chelsea were beaten to the signature of another right back who impressed during Euro 2012 in Czech Republic's Theodor Gebre Selasie, who has signed for Werder Bremen.

                    Damn

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          • UnderstandablyDistraught
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            Anybody have a livestream link for Irish Open that actually works? Having no luck here

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            1. stilicho
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 9 months ago

              Please no links guys.

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              1. UnderstandablyDistraught
                • 12 Years
                11 years, 9 months ago

                except to betting sites. no problem here with that

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                1. stilicho
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 13 Years
                  11 years, 9 months ago

                  It's a matter of law rather than ethics.

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                  1. UnderstandablyDistraught
                    • 12 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    fair enough. do you work for FFS?

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                    1. Ginkapo FPL
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      He is a writer......

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                      1. UnderstandablyDistraught
                        • 12 Years
                        11 years, 9 months ago

                        of what?

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                        1. Ginkapo FPL
                          • 12 Years
                          11 years, 9 months ago

                          Scout articles on here

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                          1. UnderstandablyDistraught
                            • 12 Years
                            11 years, 9 months ago

                            cool. thanks

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                        2. UnderstandablyDistraught
                          • 12 Years
                          11 years, 9 months ago

                          Never mind. It doesn't matter. I just wanted to watch a bit of golf.

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                          1. stilicho
                            • Has Moderation Rights
                            • 13 Years
                            11 years, 9 months ago

                            Sorry to be a killjoy, it's just a legal headache to have links to copyrighted material on the boards.

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                          2. The Light Knight
                            • 12 Years
                            11 years, 9 months ago

                            i knew it ... you are buzz killington 😉

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                        3. stilicho
                          • Has Moderation Rights
                          • 13 Years
                          11 years, 9 months ago

                          I'm locked in Granville's cellar making knock-off trainers and occasionally writing articles, he gives me gruel and sometimes my insulin.

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                          1. UnderstandablyDistraught
                            • 12 Years
                            11 years, 9 months ago

                            Respek.

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              2. 1966 was a great year for E…
                • 13 Years
                11 years, 9 months ago

                😯

                You used to be cool...

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                1. stilicho
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 13 Years
                  11 years, 9 months ago

                  I disgust myself.

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                  1. 1966 was a great year for E…
                    • 13 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    Hehe

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            2. JT's Dog
                11 years, 9 months ago

                do you have sky sports? can do it through that on pc

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                1. UnderstandablyDistraught
                  • 12 Years
                  11 years, 9 months ago

                  I dont. Am in NYC

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                  1. JT's Dog
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      then my talents go no further, i am sorry to fail you. if you want i can give you running com

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                      1. UnderstandablyDistraught
                        • 12 Years
                        11 years, 9 months ago

                        Nice of you thanks. Have the leaderboard on the go but thought it would be nice to actually see some links golf for a few holes.

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                        1. JT's Dog
                            11 years, 9 months ago

                            you can sometimes get it through betting sites, but dont know which ones, filtered in my office

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                            1. UnderstandablyDistraught
                              • 12 Years
                              11 years, 9 months ago

                              good I'll try that. Thanks

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                  2. Bøwstring The Carp
                    • 12 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    Dunno if this helps, but you might find updates on RTE now and then

                    http://www.rte.ie/sport/golf/

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                    1. UnderstandablyDistraught
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      I tried that also, thanks

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                2. Elniñorules
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 12 Years
                  11 years, 9 months ago

                  Time to up the Azzurri spirit in the house!!!!!!!!

                  2006 Cup celebration song:

                  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j7huh5Egew

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                  1. FORCA INTER
                    • 12 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    this fantasy killing me 🙁

                    i wanna see Italy win and yet i got zero Italy players and i am loaded at Germans

                    dont have a clue who i will suport today

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                    1. Thomass
                      • 11 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      sameeeeeeeeeeeee

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                      1. Elniñorules
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 12 Years
                        11 years, 9 months ago

                        We're bringing this Cup home.....quit this Fantasy shit & join the partaaay!!!!!!

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                    2. Whazza
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 11 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      "i wanna see Italy win"

                      Thats who you will support

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                  2. Abominable Snowy84
                    • 12 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    Dont ever watch this video when drunk 😉

                    Also I have the semi-final friendly world cup preview at the end of the last post if you didnt see it. Having problems signing in to gmail 🙁

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                    1. Elniñorules
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      Link me up please?

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                  3. Le Gooner
                    • 12 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    Come on!

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                    1. Mílanista
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      Nice grav

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                      1. Le Gooner
                        • 12 Years
                        11 years, 9 months ago

                        Thank you. Just added it. All set for the Italia show tonight.

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                3. DonTheSpecialOne
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 13 Years
                  11 years, 9 months ago

                  It appears Branislav Ivanovic has been thrown into the Modric saga, convincing him to choose Chelsea. Also RVP -> Barcelona starting to look realistic. According to caughtoffside.com £24m + Afellay and Thiago is almost a done deal

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                  1. Abominable Snowy84
                    • 12 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    Nonsense about RVP.

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                    1. DonTheSpecialOne
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 13 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      why is that, Snowy? The frontline of 3 Wenger talks about, with three left footed strikers doesn't make sense to me

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                  2. Hate that rotation
                    • 12 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    That is not bad deal you know. Thiago could have been better had he started more for Barca and Afellay is good but not consistent. £24m as well.

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                  3. Abd@
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 12 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    Impossible (the RVP rumor). Thiago alone is worth over 20 million pounds. Last year, United offered 20 mil for him and that's before he played over 30 games for the first team this year. Persie costs around 25 mil pounds anyways so it seems too extreme

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                    1. DonTheSpecialOne
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 13 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      Maybe this deal is impossible, but I wouldn't be surprised if RVP goes to Barca. Like HTR said, if there is any truth in this, Arsenal will be the winner

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                      1. Abd@
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 12 Years
                        11 years, 9 months ago

                        Its not impossible that RVP moves to Barca, true. But as a Barca fan, i would hate that deal because Thiago simply can't be sold, not even for 30 mil.

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                4. Bøwstring The Carp
                  • 12 Years
                  11 years, 9 months ago

                  Kagawa straight into my team simply because I think he'll be nailed on, will get forward a lot, no price rise from last year like Valencia/Young/Nani. Bright season ahead.

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                  1. Piggs Boson
                    • 12 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    Same, unless pre-season tells me otherwise.

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                    1. Bøwstring The Carp
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      +1

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                5. JT's Dog
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    did euros ever have 3rd/4th place play off?

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                    1. Abominable Snowy84
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      Not since '96 I think.

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                  • Abominable Snowy84
                    • 12 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    Will Kagawa be going to the Olympics.

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                    1. blue cheese
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      Nope. 'Rested'.

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                  • RoysCallerAnne
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 14 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    Right, Hummels (c) for me tonight. I'm in serious danger of dropping out of top 1,000. CS and goal please. I'd also gladly take a goal and assist from Ozil.

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                    1. Mílanista
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      Captain Ozil. Germany will score and concede tonight.

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                      1. roscola
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • Has Moderation Rights
                        • 12 Years
                        11 years, 9 months ago

                        +1 Greece and Denmark both scored against them

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                        1. RoysCallerAnne
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 14 Years
                          11 years, 9 months ago

                          Thanks guys..

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                    1. Piggs Boson
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      This makes me even more sure Klose is starting.

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                      1. beric
                        • 12 Years
                        11 years, 9 months ago

                        It really does. Gomez to come on and score the winner is not bad at 50/1 though

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                        1. beric
                          • 12 Years
                          11 years, 9 months ago

                          Didn't read it right 😳 he has to get the first goal. Oh well, probably just wasted £2

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                    2. bolexio
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      Just stuck a fiver on it. Cheers for the link. Was going to put a bet on 2-1 anyway. sc

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                  • Back on the horse
                    • 13 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    Maybe Rooney can teach him how to over-head Shinji the ball...

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                  • 1966 was a great year for E…
                    • 13 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    Stolen from AP, but he's never here anymore so:

                    To the tune of Queen's Radio Gaga:

                    All we need is Shinji Kagawa, Shinji Kagawa, Shinji Kagawa

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                    1. stilicho
                      • Has Moderation Rights
                      • 13 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      Bravo 🙂

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                    2. Abominable Snowy84
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      And Howard Webb.

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                    3. SPorting
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      meh....would have been better if he was called Kawaga.

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                    4. Scroobius Mac
                      • 13 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      Superb.

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                  • Dom Salahnke
                    • 12 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    Klose/Gomez? Does anyone know yet?

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                    1. In Tommy We Trust
                      • 13 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      Everyone will find out Klose to kick off

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                      1. Dom Salahnke
                        • 12 Years
                        11 years, 9 months ago

                        Schurrle we should have known by now?

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                        1. roscola
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • Has Moderation Rights
                          • 12 Years
                          11 years, 9 months ago

                          It's just a Reus to put us off

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                        2. Efan Ekoku Pops
                          • 12 Years
                          11 years, 9 months ago

                          Don't call me Schurrle.

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                        3. In Tommy We Trust
                          • 13 Years
                          11 years, 9 months ago

                          Gomez a drink and come back in a couple of hours to find out

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                    2. roscola
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • Has Moderation Rights
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      Ah, good, I thought it had been a few too many minutes since someone asked 🙂

                      No mate, looks like the mole has been silenced somehow so we're probably going to have to wait until official lineups. My opinion - worth less than the keys on which I type - is that Klose will be chosen for his better team play. But wait for official lineups. We'll know in time to change captain in the McDonalds game.

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                  • Heydudes13
                    • 12 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    Giggs Boson.

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                    1. SPorting
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      Jedmonds13

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                      1. SPorting
                        • 12 Years
                        11 years, 9 months ago

                        sorry, thought you were making a list of posters we hate.

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                        1. Heydudes13
                          • 12 Years
                          11 years, 9 months ago

                          you hate*

                          Many hate you, now run along you little smug piece of sh*t

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                          1. SPorting
                            • 12 Years
                            11 years, 9 months ago

                            meh.

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                        2. Abominable Snowy84
                          • 12 Years
                          11 years, 9 months ago

                          😆

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                        3. stilicho
                          • Has Moderation Rights
                          • 13 Years
                          11 years, 9 months ago

                          A summer of having to talk to Christina has taken its toll on Sporting.

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                          1. Scroobius Mac
                            • 13 Years
                            11 years, 9 months ago

                            I sometimes wonder if this whole site is actually Christina postingunder hundreds of usernames in a bid to distract me from work.

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                          2. SPorting
                            • 12 Years
                            11 years, 9 months ago

                            a summer?

                            five minutes mate. although i wasn't listening for the first three.

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                        4. Piggs Boson
                          • 12 Years
                          11 years, 9 months ago

                          Sporting 😉

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                  • Messi & fabregas
                    • 12 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    who to captain ?

                    a) pirlo
                    b) cassano
                    c) shcweinsteiger?

                    thanks

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                    1. roscola
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • Has Moderation Rights
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      Depends whether you're chasing a lead. Cassano for chasing a lead, Pirlo or Schweiny for protecting one.

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                    2. Whazza
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 11 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      a

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                    3. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      pirlo

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                      1. Messi & fabregas
                        • 12 Years
                        11 years, 9 months ago

                        i thank u all

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                  • China Mag
                    • 13 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    What time is the deadline? I'm to go to kip now and want to be up in time to change my captain to Gomez IF he starts.

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                    1. Dom Salahnke
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      20:30 CET

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                      1. Ginkapo FPL
                        • 12 Years
                        11 years, 9 months ago

                        Approximately 4 hours from now

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                  • Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
                    • 12 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    any1 going for Italian(C)? Who?

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                    1. Dom Salahnke
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      Balo 😀

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                    2. Wtfosaurus
                      • 13 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      Super Mario. Fingers crossed.

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                    3. roscola
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • Has Moderation Rights
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      Super Mario if Klose doesn't start

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                    4. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      No Cassano or Pirlo?

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                    5. Elniñorules
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      Giaccherini (C)

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                      1. roscola
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • Has Moderation Rights
                        • 12 Years
                        11 years, 9 months ago

                        Spectacular.

                        I thought he was great against Spain.

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                  • Abominable Snowy84
                    • 12 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    Aguero. There is lightening at the Irish Open at the moment. Play stopped for a while.

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                    1. UnderstandablyDistraught
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      🙂 thanks

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                      1. Abominable Snowy84
                        • 12 Years
                        11 years, 9 months ago

                        Half an hour I would say. I will let you know when they are back.

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                    2. Heydudes13
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      Hello young one.

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                  • Hooper is a Bull.
                    • 13 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    If reus is benched, should i bring him in for oliveira or not?

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                    1. Abominable Snowy84
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      Have you ever gone in to a bookmaker and placed a bet?

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                      1. Heydudes13
                        • 12 Years
                        11 years, 9 months ago

                        Hello young one

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                      2. Hooper is a Bull.
                        • 13 Years
                        11 years, 9 months ago

                        yes, why?

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                        1. Hate that rotation
                          • 12 Years
                          11 years, 9 months ago

                          Live on the wild side

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                    2. Pratik
                      • 14 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      He can still come on as a substitute, and score.

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                    3. Dhanesh Prabhu
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 11 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      i think he will be substituted because he had an excellent quarter final against Greek.

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                  • THE BAD
                    • 13 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    So...is this what the arsenal fans will be listening before the games in the stadium?
                    http://youtu.be/_aSZsk04cOE

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                    1. Hooper is a Bull.
                      • 13 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      not as good as dempsey the rapper

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                        1. Hooper is a Bull.
                          • 13 Years
                          11 years, 9 months ago

                          +10

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                      1. THE BAD
                        • 13 Years
                        11 years, 9 months ago

                        actually I think Dempsey the rapper, is less embaracing than this....

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                    2. Le Gooner
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      Good heavens!

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                    3. beric
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      😆 He looks so uncomfortable

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                    4. In Tommy We Trust
                      • 13 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      Good job for him he's good at football

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                  • Hooper is a Bull.
                    • 13 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    When is the FPL game due to start?

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                    1. Heydudes13
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      When the PL is due to start.

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                      1. Hooper is a Bull.
                        • 13 Years
                        11 years, 9 months ago

                        18 August

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                    2. Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      mid july

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                    3. Dhanesh Prabhu
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 11 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      yeah everyone say the FPL will start during the mid of July.... can't wait till that time...missing those 38 weeks of fantasy league..

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                  • Blind
                    • 12 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    A good guide to starting line ups is the Betfair to score market. Not the actual odds of the player to score, but the difference between the back and lay odds.

                    Gomez is 3.6 to back and 3.7 to lay which indicates he starts.
                    Klose has more of a difference with 3.8 to back and 4.2 to lay, which again points to him not starting.

                    Reus is 5.1 to back and 5.2 to lay
                    Podolski is 5.7 to back and 5.9 to lay
                    Muller is 6.8 to back and 7.8 to lay
                    Schurrle is 6.8 to back and 75.0 to lay

                    Based on that, looks like a front 3 of Gomez, Reus and Podolski.

                    Please note, the odds might simply be based on press speculation that we already know.

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                    1. Dhanesh Prabhu
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 11 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      the best forwards are i think Gomez, reus and Poldi...

                      all due respect to Klose and Muller....but you guys should come on as a sub...

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                      1. Hate that rotation
                        • 12 Years
                        11 years, 9 months ago

                        IMO Gomez muller and reus would be best to break down the Italian defence. Podolski looks very static, little movement.

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                      2. Blind
                        • 12 Years
                        11 years, 9 months ago

                        I am cursed when it comes to German strikers...went without during the group phase. Transferred in Gomez and Podolski for the quarters and then got rid of them for the semi and brought in Muller...

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                  • Drogba "Unstoppable, U…
                    • 12 Years
                    11 years, 9 months ago

                    (C)?

                    A. Cassano

                    B. Pirlo

                    Thx

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                    1. SPorting
                      • 12 Years
                      11 years, 9 months ago

                      i'd go with (G)erman.

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