Dugout Discussion

The Dugout Discussion – Chelsea vs Arsenal

This is what we’ve been waiting for. A potentially momentous Gameweek in our seasons begins very shortly, as Chelsea face Arsenal at the Bridge in a fixture that offers plenty to the neutral and the committed Fantasy Football manager alike.

Eden Hazard’s owners will be clinging to the Belgian in hope that he can overcome the Gunners’ resistance to offer a decent points haul to justify selection ahead of a double Gameweek asset. Those holding Chelsea and Arsenal defenders will be seeking a more subdued encounter, fought in midfield, with little incident at either end. It’s one of many contrasts and conflicts ahead of us as Gameweek 31 unfolds in the coming days.

Once we know how this one falls, six more three o’clock kick-offs follow, with United’s visit to the Boleyn Ground in East London bringing the day to a close.

Our Twitter feed offers an insight into today’s teamsheets, while our Dugout Discussion chatroom is now open to allow for your real-time interaction throughout the day.

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

2,034 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Hazard will be this weeks most benched player.

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    1. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      praise the lord.

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    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Someone could end up benching 30 points if they benched Chelsea defenders with him

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      1. The Mandalorian
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        A few of the top 10 players have double chelsea on the bench.

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  2. Give The Todd Some Love
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Torres denied a brilliant, brilliant goal

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    1. SPorting
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      He didn't score. So it isn't a goal.

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      1. Give The Todd Some Love
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Insightful as always

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    2. jas5sk - Youtube channel
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      He's not allowed to score brilliant goals anymore, it's not in his nature

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  3. Herman Toothrot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    "It was great run, but a poor run if you know what I mean." - Michael Owen

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    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Haha

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    2. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      world class punditry

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    3. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Owen gets paid in peanuts!

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    4. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      absolutely Owen... we here ya

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  4. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    So Ox owners basically get 1 point from him for DGW as he will be banned for midweek game

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    1. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      my mate has him as captain, so he gets two 😉

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    2. Sess!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Yep

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    3. Grumpy Camel
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Leader of my ML brought him in on WC this week. Should be -2.

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      1. KunBaYaya My Lord
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        We have the same Grav oooo no.

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    4. The Chosen One...
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Lucky, should be -2

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    5. DF
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      no ban surely.
      off target.

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  5. Rafabio
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    One of our colleagues from television has been in at half-time and spoken to referee Andre Marriner, and he has admitted that he made a mistake and sent the wrong player off - Kieran Gibbs instead of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

    "Originally we thought the linesman may have guided him and told him that it was Gibbs, but Marriner has cleared it up - he says it was his mistake, he got the wrong player and sent him off."

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  6. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Mark might have a chance of catching Granville at this rate 😆

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    1. Margarido
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Just because he made the bravest decision of the year.
      Although it was only on the gw31….

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    2. r0nh
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I told him to get rid of his 2 Arsenal defenders.

      Was madness considering their fixtures.

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  7. Sess!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    FA Rules on when a Red Card is issued for deliberate handball:

    •Denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area).

    Open to interpretation I guess, but given that it's tough to 100% prove whether the ball was going wide or not, it's a definite red IMO. Ox thought it was going in and stuck his hand out. Deserves a red for that alone.

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    1. Margarido
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      It was not on target but i agree with you.
      Ox tried to denied a goal. Simple as that.

      But they will take it of Gibbs. That's for sure.

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    2. Berbalove
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I agree that it's open to interpretation, but I disagree regarding the rest. If there's doubt about it being DOGSO, then surely it's NOT red?

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      1. Berbalove
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        And then there's the question of intent. If OX meant to deny a goal, is it then automatically red? Perhaps so.

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    3. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      yellow card.. get over it

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  8. Give The Todd Some Love
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Chelsea fans so quiet considering they're 4-0 against Arsenal

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    1. mrsimple
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      shut up 🙄

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      1. Give The Todd Some Love
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I hope you're a troll. Otherwise you're actually a vile and stupid person

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        1. Fifa las vegas
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          ?

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          1. Give The Todd Some Love
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            Hoping people commit suicide...?

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          2. mrsimple
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            he's describing and talking about himself there

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      2. KunBaYaya My Lord
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        You are Mr Simple Minded. Congrates.

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    2. The Chosen One...
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      All English crowds are

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      1. Give The Todd Some Love
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Hmm not sure I agree. German and Italian crowds do tend to be much louder. Stoke, Palace, Everton, Liverpool, Newcastle tend to be pretty loud

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    3. r0nh
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      That's cause they know we had the wrong man sent off!!!

      We would have won only for that.

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  9. Tobiathan
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Flamini and Jenkinson look a bit alike, I hope there's no more confusion with the referee.

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  10. Fifa las vegas
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    @oldschool
    I remember u had a few good bets. Fancy anything today? Was thinking an Everton man utd double?

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    1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I haven't placed any for a couple of weeks...

      I wouldn't bet on utd full stop ATM... They have fecked up most of my recent accums

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      1. Fifa las vegas
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I would feel the same if I wasn't a fan. I think it's making me a little biased 🙂

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    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      😀

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  11. dunts1
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    I guess the people talking about playing the likes of Livermore or a cheap DGW defender over Hazard this week aren't feeling too great just now.

    /Livermore hat trick 🙂

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    1. Fifa las vegas
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I played long over hazard. Still could work though...... (+it's in. UFPL)

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      1. dunts1
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah, Long is a different story. I can see him scoring.

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    2. MCH
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Seeing as they have 180 minutes of football to play its a bit early to say its not worked out yet.

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  12. Chris_Fàbregas #DOOS…
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Owners of Arsenal players; at least look on the bright side -- it's a DGW and you have one more game for your players to redeem yourself. It's not too bad!

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    1. Sess!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      If they concede in that though it'll be a disaster for those with arsenal defenders.....especially with city up next!

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      1. Chris_Fàbregas #DOOS…
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Haha I'm trying to be positive! 😛

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    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks Chris like light at the end of a looooooooooooooooong tunnel.

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    3. Grumpy Camel
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Unless you have ox

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  13. jas5sk - Youtube channel
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    So are we not allowed to discuss the "all black people" look alike Ref on Gibb's sending off?

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    1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      U can discuss what u want... Just don't be racist about it

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      1. jas5sk - Youtube channel
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        People would have reacted to it the same if it was two people of any racial background. It's the natural response, don't think we need to drive home a "it's not racism" point

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        1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          🙄

          Suggest u read what u wrote... I personally couldn't give a feck what u talk about

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          1. jas5sk - Youtube channel
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            You don't sound angry at all...

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            1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              Numpty... I am fencing estactid... Arsenal r losing 4-0

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              1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 1 month ago

                Fecking ecstatic *

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    2. Bridge
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Wrighty mentioned it on BT Sport. I think everyone is too scared to say that Gibbs and Ox do actually look alike!

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      1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Stupid being scared to say that IMO

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        1. Bridge
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Agree! Political correctness gone mad.

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          1. jas5sk - Youtube channel
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            It's nor PC, it's a natural response.

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            1. jas5sk - Youtube channel
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              not*

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    3. IsThisJustFantasy?
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Don't make it into racism when it clearly isn't - it's happened to white players before now and I didn't hear people shouting about how the ref thought all white people looked the same!

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      1. jas5sk - Youtube channel
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        If it were reversed, then it would have been the same response, but from white people. It's a natural mistake that was made, just like it's a natural response to think "that was a bit racist"

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        1. IsThisJustFantasy?
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Well I for one wouldn't have thought that it was at all racist but maybe that's just me....

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    4. Namtab Nomolos
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      All Preston players look alike then too? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25144156 It doesn't automatically have anything to do with race.

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    5. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Not sure about 'all black people', but Ox and Gibbs could be twins

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      1. Manani
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        same as buttner and cleverley.

        but if it is white people mixing up, it is not racist.

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        1. Give The Todd Some Love
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          It's not racist either way! Some people look similar to other people, why is that offensive!

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      2. jas5sk - Youtube channel
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        They do look alike, no doubt, an honest mistake

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    6. You Must Be Jokin Ere
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Why not. Gibbs and Ox have very similar colouring - and this obviously contributed to the error. Come to think of it so do JT & Cahill.

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      1. jas5sk - Youtube channel
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        If a non-white ref sent JT off instead of Cahill, people would respond the same way

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        1. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          What r u actually trying to prove with this discussion?

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    7. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Walcott and Hamilton look alike.

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  14. The B
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Feeling kind of dumb playing Olsson ahead of Azpi.

    But at least i have Hazard playing. 😀

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    1. Sess!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I had Olsson for 3 weeks and he got me 0,2,0.....he shouldn't be anywhere near your starting XI.

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      1. The B
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Olsson and Azpi have same points in total.

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  15. @FuzzyWarbles
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Please start Mirallas!!!!!!!

    Oh, 'ello there.

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  16. Baa
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Where is TopArse to tell us about all the clean sheets they are going to get?

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    1. SPorting
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Taking a Brazilian vacation.

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      1. Chris_Fàbregas #DOOS…
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        He knew something we didn't 😆

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    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Toparse at the game I think .
      Where is Baby though ? As an Arse supporter we having it rather easy today , as far as ridicule is concerned.

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  17. 7shadesofsmoke
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Just for the benefit of the non Hazard'ers.

    Cheer yourselves up with this;

    http://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/176385/event-history/31/

    My mate is the ultimate fantasy maverick. That refereeing error may have saved him from the ultimate humiliation of a minus point captain...

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    1. Tobiathan
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      There's an obvious reason your mate is 1.4M in the world LOL.

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      1. 7shadesofsmoke
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        haha, he used to be good at fantasy football too. He just loves high risk players too much. This season it has all gone tits up.

        Charlie Adam © type decisions when everyone goes Suarez.

        Also, massively swayed by his Arsenal bias.

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    2. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Looks like a baron wasteland to me 😉

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    3. Schwarzer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I think the penalty can be transferred over to him post match.

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    4. You Must Be Jokin Ere
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Could have been a lot worse!! His captain escaped a -6 and a blank.

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    5. The B
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      He is clearly brain dead.

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  18. isacki: full casual
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    So who played Hazard?

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    1. Judas
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I

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    2. Declan
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      o/

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    3. 50shades of o'shea
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      o/

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    4. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Most people I think.

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    5. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      o/

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    6. Tobiathan
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Me (though was tempted to bring Nolan in for him)

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    7. rohan
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      o/

      Only player in this game

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    8. SW6
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      \o/

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    9. Sess!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      o/

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    10. Lazarus
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      o/

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    11. Sif
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      10DGW + Hazard was always my plan.

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    12. beric
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Yep

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    13. isacki: full casual
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Everyone lol. Well, I'm just praying he stays at these points. I could live with these.

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    14. _nod
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      \o/ and Cahill

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    15. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      o/

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    16. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I took a hit to play Nolan instead. If I'm lucky it will come out in 0 difference.

      All hits are gambles.

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    17. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Proud owner here

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    18. Zombie
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Aye

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    19. mayz19
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I had to play him shoulda played ivanovic over Sagna by looks of things

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  19. Squeaky Bum Time
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    So if Ox was to get sent off now would he get a double ban?

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    1. 50shades of o'shea
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      He got subbed off

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    2. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      he can't get sent off now, he's been subbed

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      1. Tobiathan
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Theoretically if he ran onto the pitch from the bench and attacked Andre Marriner, he could though, right?

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    3. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      This is an interesting question. Theoretically yes but I'm not sure there's ever been a situation where that had happened

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    4. Squeaky Bum Time
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Ha, see what happens when you go for a piss and a you end up spending a few mins trying to catch a frog that jumped in through your window. True story!

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      1. Tobiathan
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        You don't hear that every day

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        1. Squeaky Bum Time
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Thought it was a mouse at first, caught me off guard a little cos he nearly jumped on my foot. Tis a strange night this one..... Maybe Torres will score

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  20. Judas
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    My rival brought in Ox and Rosicky 😀

    What do people think will happen to the Ox for the next game? Any rule-readers here

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    1. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Ban

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      1. DF
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        why?

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    2. Namtab Nomolos
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      The FA will want a little fuss as possible so will transfer the red card. If they change it to say it was a yellow that's re-refereeing the game, which they don't do. According to them.

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    3. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      The card will be changed to Ox imo

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    4. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Red card will be transferred Monday and he will be banned for 1 game

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  21. Royal5
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Cazorla struggling big time today.

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    1. Tobiathan
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Cazorla is playing? Thought he was on the bench. 🙂

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  22. rohan
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    How many of us felt that this would be a 0-0 or a 1-0? 😀

    o/

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    1. Declan
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      o/ 😥

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    2. beric
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Yep

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  23. PogChamp
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    FA have just clarified their rules. Ox will be out of City match.

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  24. Judas
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    I didnt know Michael owen was a doctor now

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  25. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Hoping Mert can score from a set piece like he did away to city.

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  26. beric
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Who are people sweating on in the line ups?

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  27. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    LOL@

    Those who want us 'Chelsea fans' to tone it down . All that Chelsea hate week in week out warrants a response no? 😆

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    1. rohan
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      No point in giving it back in an anonymous forum. I don't think it'd vindicate any self respecting human being.

      Again, I'm a Chelsea fan myself.

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    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      TBF A lot of Chelsea supporters "dish it out " its give an take. I for one prefer not to get into mindless insults though. Did say earlier though appreciate the banter today - less total hate.

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  28. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling benched

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    1. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      F**k

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    2. beric
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Brutal

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    3. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      shit-house

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    4. Bridge
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Phew, went Gerrard instead, rival took Sterling. Bizarrely both rivals have Henderson.

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    5. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Not a great surprise

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    6. Feanor
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      He will come on and score.

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