Dugout Discussion

Saturday Dugout Discussion

Having suffered a weekend break for FA Cup distractions, the Premier League makes a return with no less than eight encounters on today’s agenda. Proceedings start early at Loftus Road, where Harry Redknapp’s side will look to build on the unlikely three points gained at Stamford Bridge as they tackle another daunting derby with Tottenham paying visit. That’s followed by seven three o’clock kick-offs, with Chelsea’s trip to Stoke perhaps the headline act.

Those who have invested heavily in double Gameweek assets will be hoping that Rafa Benitez’s side can muster goals against the stoic Stoke defence. With the big-guns to follow in Sunday’s programme, the Britannia clash, along with Everton’s home meeting with Swansea, look to be our best source of points from the day’s offerings.

Our Dugout Discussion chatroom is now accepting visitors, providing a real-time sounding board throughout the course of today’s matches.

The team news from the QPR camp shows starts for Shaun Wright-Phillips and Ji-sung Park, with Junior Hoilett and Esteban Granero making way. As for Spurs, they bring Gareth Bale back into their starting lineup, with Gylfi Siggurdsson dropping out. Michael Dawson partners Jan Vertonghen in central defence, with Kyle Naughton recalled at left-back.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

4,751 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Twelve years a slave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Time to start thinking about the next double !!!!

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    1. Acquafresca
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      +100

      Walcott(C)

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    2. ⭐ ABHISHEK - THE CURIOUS …
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Cazorla. 😀

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    3. Locarno
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Jussi, Reid, Nolan, Gibbs, Walcott in. Might get Podolski as well, but not sure.

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    4. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I am definitely captaining Walcott, no more "trying to be clever" captaincy's for me.

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  2. F1989R
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    2702nd and 39 (-4) red arrow?

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    1. Keane There Dunne That
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

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    2. Locarno
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Yep.

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  3. Keane There Dunne That
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Mata --> cazorla

    OR

    Ba ---> Podolski

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    1. Kostja
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Ba out, Mata should be in your team long term. I have doubled up on defense over attack thouhg.

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      1. John Nerdelbaum
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        This ^

        Keep Mata

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        1. ccc
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          agree

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    2. tahoe don
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Ba to Pod

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  4. Cheeseoid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Any West Ham forwards worth purchasing?

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    1. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      tevez

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    2. Keane There Dunne That
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      No

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    3. Tin of Directors
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      I wouldn't touch with a bargepole and I'm West Ham.

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      1. zerogravity
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        what happened to Noble today? I thought he would be playin

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        1. Tin of Directors
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          Injured from what I heard.

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    4. Locarno
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      If you want someone even more frustrating than Torres, take a punt on C Cole. Cheap as chips.

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      1. Tin of Directors
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Pog is the best striker for the money.
        Bargain.

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    5. skooldaze
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Dont reckon so.

      Nice avatar - Dizzy!

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  5. Home Run Baker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    I think both Ba and Torres will start v SOT. Rafa needs to try it some time.

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    1. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Agreed.

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    2. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      It would be a good game to try it.

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    3. Pangaea
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Not so sure, given their tight schedule right now.

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    4. Tin of Directors
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Conversation recorded at Brittania at 2:00pm today:
      "There there Fernando my sweetheart. Don't cry or your mascara will run.
      I have to pick him. He's new and I don't want him to be left out.
      I promise that if you let me start him today I'll play you on Wednesday and on Thursday I'll take you shopping to Accesorize?
      What do you think hun?"

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      1. Stern John Terry Wilson Pal…
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        😆

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    5. the axolotl
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      doubt it. maybe if they're 2/3 up 20 mins to go they'll get a run together

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    6. AAAAA
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Both of the strikers cannot play with another striker. The manager hates going in with 2 strikers.
      But stranger things have happened I guess.

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      1. ccc
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Rafa talked about playing them together or playing them separately. I hope he uses them both and gives Mata a rest 🙂

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    7. ccc
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      god i hope so. come on Ba hat trick

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  6. skooldaze
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Whats everyones average for this DW so far then

    40 points with 4 players to play till Wednesday.

    Mata and Az = Win
    Ba = Fail

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    1. bradbury1
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      45 points with 7 to play

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  7. embo76
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Last minute changed mind and took out clyne putting Harte in, doh
    Brought ba in for Suarez doh
    Left Davies on bench doh
    Wildcarded Nelson out doh

    Wild cards can really stuff things

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  8. tom66
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Dissapointed Ba (c) owner....(last min armband change from Mata)
    Thinking Torres will start at southampton and Ba to come on for last 20mins 🙁

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    1. ccc
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      me too, wth was I thinking? 🙁

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      1. Adro3
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Me three ;( Except I accidentally captained Mata and forgot to save it - Ba is my (C)

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        1. Big_Andy_GAWA
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          Me four 🙁

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

    on 26 points (when R. Martin gets auto subbed on) with 5 players left! what a dreadful start to my weekend. I thought my squad looked solid too.

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    1. heartsattack
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      You have a really good squad. Just an unfortunate day.

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      1. ccc
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        good captain choice. Your captain nearly beat my whole team atm.

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        1. heartsattack
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          Just luck. Had it on Ba all week. Changed it yesterday on a whim.

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  10. Owd Big 'Ed
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Walters on for 3 bonus?

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  11. Somalion
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Can't wait to wildcard. Hope for an average enough score by the end of this week.

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    1. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      The triple Stoke didn't go so well this week. Sorry but seeing 0 points from them made me 😆

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      1. Somalion
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Ah it's okay, didn't want to go triple to be honest 😀 Was convinced Garrido had been dropped, decides to play today and get a cleanie the absolute twat.

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        1. Stern John Terry Wilson Pal…
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          Ahh, that's tough... my sympathy levels have risen 😛

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      2. Stern John Terry Wilson Pal…
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        That's why I'd never tripple on a defense. Double is enough, any more is too risky.

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        1. Mílanista
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          To be fair, anyone that's done it has got a lot of points from it. Just not today.

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  12. Optimus.
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    suddenly dont feel too confident with my jussi/demel double up this gw 😕

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    1. Tin of Directors
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Same.
      Think QPR will score and Arsenal definitely will.
      May back away from West Ham.

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  13. FPL Touches
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Going off today's performance I think it's Bale that has to make way for Caz..
    Mata looks very good

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    1. mgrea
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah Caz played so well today it looks a real goer...

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  14. Acquafresca
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    So, who's still shipping Mata for Cazorla?

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    1. FPL Touches
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Probably Bale for me

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    2. Nopli
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Only Noobs

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  15. mgrea
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Any word or Luke Shaw? Hope he's alright looks like a great prospect.

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    1. blue cheese
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      @gordonsimpson
      Luke Shaw walking out of the tunnel at Villa Park. Limping, but not on crutches. #saintsfc

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      1. mgrea
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers fella! 🙂

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  16. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Just found the Boro 8-1 City video someone mentioned above.
    Downing was incredible those days 😯

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGOZgELbK_c

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    1. Keane There Dunne That
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Wow

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  17. Twelve years a slave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Guess most of us feeling relieved?

    Very stressful late unexpected double that didnt look very promising , but its come good , was fearing the worst about wasting the wildcard

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    1. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Just glad I did it and capped Mata, would have been a Bale fail if not.

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    2. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Definitely relieved. Been fretting more than is rational. Seems to have worked out so far. 🙂

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    3. Hello. Yes, This is Dog
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      i didnt score overly great but am happy with it. fellaini and bale quiet today was my biggest concern, think it will help me do well this week after the 2nd game has been played!

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  18. Paolo Di Laernu - low rep r…
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Mata didn't even play that well today or do anything particularly of note. There are just some players who are so involved that they're worth owning...Mata is one of them.

    Oh and those who ignored Ricardo Lamberto...I thank you for the points 😉

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    1. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      High 5.

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    2. gravless
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Mata will be top scoring midfielder IMO.

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    3. Acquafresca
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Ricardo nailed on for 3 yes? 😀

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  19. Chris_White
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Scores own goal, scores own goal, dives for a pen, wins pen, misses pen. If Walters plays the lottery later he'll probably catch Aids.

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    1. bennydebull
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Best one today 🙂

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    2. 1966 was a great year for E…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      🙂

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    3. blue cheese
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      😀

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    1. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      😆

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    2. ★FC Borecelona★
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      HAHA

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    3. Stern John Terry Wilson Pal…
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      😀 😀

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    4. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      😆

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  20. DVassell
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    how good does this wc team first 11 look?!

    Mignolet
    Azp Nasty Gibbs
    Michu Mata Bale Walcott
    RVP Suarez Tevez

    Subs: Bunn Marveaux Demel Mariappa

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    1. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Good, no Everton coverage though. Defence prone to rotation?

      I like the strikeforce

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    2. PGR
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Not sure about Tevez. Aguero and Dzeko seems to be the first choice pairing. Not so sure about Azpi and Nasty either to be honest

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  21. John Nerdelbaum
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Walker > Gibbs - the obvious tranny for next week and then WC after...

    Any other options available to get the full complement of Arse players in? Mata > Caz would be counter productive as I imagine Mata will rise over the next few days

    Bego Bunn

    Baines Walker Luiz Davies Shorey

    Mata Theo Michu Punch Sterling

    RVP Suarez Pod

    0.6 in the bank, 1 FT

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  22. King Henrik
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    I have 57 points jus now ..

    bunn

    luiz demel shaw
    bale mata (c) punchoen walcott
    rvp ba Lambert

    how many points i could end up with ???

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    1. King Henrik
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      that was so wrong lol

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    2. SPorting
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      58?

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    3. Gamoriola of the Galaxy (Eu…
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Depends on Walcott, Lambert, and Mata I think. I have a similar team and If they all go mad you could get close to 100, but reality is more like 80-odd if things go wellish. Obviously 70s is a possiblity with 2s.

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    4. GREENDREAMS11
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      223 exactly

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    5. heartsattack
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      60 easy.

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  23. SPorting
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    no funny business intended but how are people's WC teams holding up?

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    1. CABAYE4
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Depends what you mean by holding up.

      Majority of players have failed this week but Mata (C) took me to decent points. I would probs have had to have taken an 8 point hit to get him in or sacrificed Bale, neither of which I would have done.

      Therefore WC = success!

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    2. 4vets
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Mines looking good for playing it in gw24... that said, I really don't need this wc unless I have more injuries.

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  24. Villan14
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    where's Shane Long? not in the squad and not injured...

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  25. Demí
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    ‏@gordonsimpson
    Luke Shaw walking out of the tunnel at Villa Park. Limping, but not on crutches.

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    1. Sting
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      That's good to hear, he's a real talent. I was worried it was a break when I heard he had been stretchered off.

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  26. Sting
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Ba to Podolski this week then ? And say thanks for the profit ?

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    1. Grounderz
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      That's the plan. 😉

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    2. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      How did ba play? Was he ok ?

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  27. FC Tinker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Thanks Jon "-4" Walters!

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    1. Ostrich Baby
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Serves you right for starting him over Michu!

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

    Has the bap guy been around yet?

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  29. Feanor
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Heh, my cup opponent has Walters.

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