Community

The Community Round Up

The last seven days saw an abundance of submissions from our community’s budding writers, showcasing some excellent analysis and team scouting reports. Judging by your response to our new community section, we’ll have plenty more to come from you in the coming weeks and leading into the new season.

The World Cup has been a key source of inspiration in both your submissions and the Hot Topics on the comments board. Even so, we kept one eye on domestic duties and we’ll look back on discussions on the lessons learned over the previous Fantasy campaign, and the early planning for next season. We also revisit some of the community’s favourite posts over the season, in particular one man’s failed mission to move Rome to France. No, really.

The Community Submissions

The season may be over but our community scribes are already planning for their next push.

Stevie52’s look ahead to key strategies for the coming Fantasy Football season proved to be a must read for aspiring and veteran managers alike. Bowstring the Trout has also been looking ahead with his excellent focus on the players that have been forgotten during the 2013/14 campaign but could be set for an excellent season next time around. Be sure to to check those out. Dino has also been busy preparing for next season and has drafted an epic, three-part look at next season’s Prime Targets. See his first instalment here.

The community submissions area has also proved to be a fertile ground for our internationally focused writers, who have begun a series of reports on the teams taking part in the World Cup.

Edgar Davids reminded us that Switzerland are eighth in the FIFA world rankings on merit, while Somalion has been busy looking out for the key players from Japan’s squad. Elsewhere, FortunesAlwaysHiding was scouting South Korea, Applebonkers was taking the Eurostar over to Belgium and svgcr enlightened us on Costa Rica.

In addition, Baines on Toast offered a handy reminder on some of the talent that are missing out on the summer tournament, potentially leaving them fresh for the season kick-off. Early food for thought.

If you are already getting withdrawal symptoms and are craving some immediate Fantasy action then Thomass was on hand with news of an exciting Fantasy cricket game – developed by the guys behind the Fantasy Premier League (FPL), no less.

There have also been some expert and even poetic analyses of the previous season’s key figures, with The Sarjeant focusing on just how Tony Pulis managed to turn around Crystal Palace’s fortunes. Meanwhile, Applebonkers returned to pen this beautiful love poem to Arsenal’s goalscoring and bonus point-grabbing defender, Laurent Koscielny. Emotional stuff.

Click here to read all the latest work submitted from the community and to put forward your own articles.

The Hottest Topics

World Cup fever is almost upon us, with FIFA’s official game whetting our appetite by opening for registration, but frustrating us by blocking us from picking our squads. Nevertheless, the community had a good look through the rules and key strategies for this game – an invaluable early guide for those gearing up to take part.

There were, however, some concerns raised over the rules so far and whether there may be some amendments on the way. Roscola wonders whether the recovered ball rules may change – his analysis highlighted that, currently, Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini is set to bring in at least 15 points a game. I think we should brace ourselves for some tweaks.

As with our community submissions, the hot topics were awash with crystal ball gazing and early planning for next season. Tinkerman invested some time in taking a look at Derby and QPR’s current squads to decipher which of this year’s Championship play-off finalists looks the best from a Fantasy football perspective. Meanwhile, Somalion was pondering whether Theo Walcott, if fit, really deserves to be one of the first names on in our squads.

BONZ braced us for some big managerial changes, assessing how the inevitable managerial merry-go-round, at West Brom, Manchester United, Tottenham and potentially a number of other clubs, will influence our decision making.

The close-season always invites some healthy debate on Fantasy game rule changes and Zep was the latest to pipe up. He would particularly like to see the allocation of points for penalties altered. He’s suggested that points are awarded for earning the penalty, even if the kick is missed.

As our discussion on the key lessons we learned during 2013/14 highlighted, there will be plenty of managers ripping up their rule books ahead of the new season; altering strategies that clearly failed during the past campaign. Aaron Ramessi was pledging not to lose patience with consistent big-hitters, while Innsie vowed to watch more matches in order to improve his first-hand knowledge of player performance.

Super Zlatan was more interested in those who had got their strategies spot on – his call to arms for those with consistent top FPL ranks within the top 10,000 proved a great opportunity to get advice from some of the most successful Fantasy managers in the community, including Hall of Famer Evs.

Like Evs, we are likely to spend a great deal of our time pondering transfers and strategy in renewed tilts for the FPL crown. However, Ludo offered some eye-opening analysis that revealed that winning the FPL game may not be as tough as we think. In his search for the ultimate dead team he found that, by sticking with the same squad and captain from Gameweek 1 onwards, it was possible to still claim top spot. So, who’s up for the “ghostship” strategy next season? Me neither.

Finally, The Missing Link was among those who did exceptionally well with his 2013/14 campaign, with a rank of 644. But, despite his prowess at Fantasy Football, he won our attention for a very different reason last season. When Innsie asked the community for their favourite Fantasy Football Scout moment, the clear winner was the Missing Link’s detailed analysis of Erik Lamela that was sadly based on the mistaken idea that Rome was in France. At the last count this had registered 122 up votes.

The Community Tournaments

Whitman2013 spent this week creating a new Gameweek 39 competition, with community members invited to select a team based on those playing in this weekend’s FA Cup final and La Liga title decider. Beavis emerged victorious with his total score of  58, just one point more than second placed Wilshire Knowledge.

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

676 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Open Controls
  2. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    yay i got a mention! 😀

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  3. Captain Shirokov
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    dat poem tho

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  4. BigManBakar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone up for another quiz?

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    1. Captain Shirokov
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      I'll be around

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    2. Zombie
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      I have to eat my dinner 😐

      May I ask for 20 minutes 🙂 ?

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      1. BigManBakar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Let me see how many people are around

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    3. BigManBakar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Anyone else?
      AB,AR? 😀

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    4. JT's Dog
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Go ahead

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    5. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      who are we rooting for in the champ play offs.......... feel as i live in derby at the mo, it should be the rams lol

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      1. BigManBakar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        I basically want the weaker team to come up because it will give them the 'whipping boys' status in the premier league, not too sure whether both teams are capable of offering us good options next season

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      2. Captain Shirokov
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Derby, they have a few Irish lads

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    6. The Sarjeant
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Jonty, how many times have you written my name, yet this time you got it wrong haha! 😆

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      1. JT's Dog
          9 years, 10 months ago

          I can't wait till you get promoted to captain

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          1. Captain Shirokov
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 10 months ago

            Not while I'm around

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            1. JT's Dog
                9 years, 10 months ago

                Captain my captain

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                1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
                  • 12 Years
                  9 years, 10 months ago

                  i outrank everyone

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                  1. JT's Dog
                      9 years, 10 months ago

                      Isnt ronh a rear admiral?
                      Or is it rear admirer

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                      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
                        • 12 Years
                        9 years, 10 months ago

                        the latter

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            2. J0E
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              9 years, 10 months ago

              The two words I've always had trouble spelling are Sarjeant and bureac,,,beurac,,,,buecrac...you know....red tape. 😉

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              1. J0E
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 14 Years
                9 years, 10 months ago

                all changed btw. apologies. 🙂

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                1. The Sarjeant
                  • 10 Years
                  9 years, 10 months ago

                  Haha! It was fine anyway! You've got mail btw 😉

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          2. BigManBakar
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 10 months ago

            Too exhausted right now to host the quiz. I beg your leave gentlemen 😀

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            1. JT's Dog
                9 years, 10 months ago

                So I am joint winner then

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              • Colonel Shoe 肝池
                • 12 Years
                9 years, 10 months ago

                request denied 😉

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            2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 10 months ago

              i do hope they stop those autoplay vids on the fpl login screen next seaosn

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            3. JT's Dog
                9 years, 10 months ago

                Who is actually here at mo?

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                1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
                  • 12 Years
                  9 years, 10 months ago

                  think its just you n me....... awkward (in high pitch camp voice)

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                2. Captain Shirokov
                  • 12 Years
                  9 years, 10 months ago

                  Me, CS and you.

                  😎

                  Intimate.

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                3. JT's Dog
                    9 years, 10 months ago

                    I put that then logged off
                    Feel bad now

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                  • JT's Dog
                      9 years, 10 months ago

                      Let's play hide and seek
                      I will count

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                      1. JT's Dog
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 99. 100
                          Ready or not here I come

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                          1. JT's Dog
                              9 years, 10 months ago

                              Hang on there is something wrong about looking for a couple of soldiers

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                              1. Captain Shirokov
                                • 12 Years
                                9 years, 10 months ago

                                😀

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                        • Fifa las vegas
                          • 11 Years
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          I'll here to break up the love!

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

                            Im

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                        1. Robareid
                          • 10 Years
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          Love it.

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                      2. BOSH
                        • 11 Years
                        9 years, 10 months ago

                        Hi dead zoners can anyone tell me any certain penalty takers for the world cup?

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

                          Hazard
                          Ronaldo

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                          1. BOSH
                            • 11 Years
                            9 years, 10 months ago

                            Thanks anymore I think messi is one

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

                              There are loads more of course. They re the only two I know of.

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

                                Suarez maybe?

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

                                  RVP
                                  Balotelli

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                                  1. Call Me Old Fashioned
                                    • 13 Years
                                    9 years, 10 months ago

                                    Gerrard
                                    Hernandez
                                    Falcao (if fit)
                                    Suarez
                                    Ruiz (i think)
                                    Messi
                                    Dzeko
                                    Dempsey

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                        2. The Sarjeant
                          • 10 Years
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          They'll put something on here about it, all set piece takers.

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                        3. Captain Shirokov
                          • 12 Years
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          Pirlo
                          Gerrard/Lamps

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

                            Balotelli not take some penos as we'll?

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                      3. Fifa las vegas
                        • 11 Years
                        9 years, 10 months ago

                        Hello? Anyone? Anyone at all?

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                      4. Beavis
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 12 Years
                        9 years, 10 months ago

                        Didn't realise I'd won the GW 39 competition, woohoo!

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

                          We'll done. Embarrassing for me. Took loads and loads of risks, none paid off! 🙂

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                      5. Fifa las vegas
                        • 11 Years
                        9 years, 10 months ago

                        😥

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                      6. Optimus.
                        • 13 Years
                        9 years, 10 months ago

                        Shopping should be banned of a Sunday,I thought we were only out to watch the big game Longford v Laois 🙂

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                        1. Optimus.
                          • 13 Years
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          Longford v *Offaly 😉

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                          1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
                            • 12 Years
                            9 years, 10 months ago

                            is this an irish joke?

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                            1. Optimus.
                              • 13 Years
                              9 years, 10 months ago

                              It's not no

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                        2. Fifa las vegas
                          • 11 Years
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          What?

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                      7. Captain Shirokov
                        • 12 Years
                        9 years, 10 months ago

                        Been nearly an hour since I last posted and I've missed absolutely nothing.

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

                          Yes. Nothing!

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

                            Wanna pick a WC team with me?

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

                              Just in general not necessarily fantasy

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

                                Goalie?
                                Who's the Argentinian keeper?

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                            2. The Sarjeant
                              • 10 Years
                              9 years, 10 months ago

                              You've still got your wildcard?

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

                                Yes. Forgot I had it. Not much use now! 🙂

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                      8. Parm
                        • 12 Years
                        9 years, 10 months ago

                        *Yawn*

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

                          I know. I'm wrecked too

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                      9. King Kohli
                        • 11 Years
                        9 years, 10 months ago

                        Any other WC fantasy games apart from the McDonalds one, worth considering?

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

                          Not if you need a new car

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                        2. The Sarjeant
                          • 10 Years
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          I think it's Betfred. Fantasy iTeam.

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                      10. Blue Lion
                        • 10 Years
                        9 years, 10 months ago

                        I love being a lurker these days.. 😀
                        (Explains the minimal reply fails)

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                        1. Zombie
                          • 11 Years
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          Is there anything to lurk on?

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                          1. Blue Lion
                            • 10 Years
                            9 years, 10 months ago

                            Its more like stalking! 😉

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                        2. Optimus.
                          • 13 Years
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          I think we should have a show of upvotes to see how many are actually here lurking 🙂

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                        3. Epic Fail
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 13 Years
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          Lurking is a thought crime.

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                      11. Blue Lion
                        • 10 Years
                        9 years, 10 months ago

                        youtube.com/watch?v=nTNCzNBIU4g
                        JTD special!

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                      12. Parm
                        • 12 Years
                        9 years, 10 months ago

                        Only 20(now 21) posts in 2.5 hours....

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                        1. Bubz
                          • 10 Years
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          🙁

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                      13. Blue Lion
                        • 10 Years
                        9 years, 10 months ago

                        22! 😉

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                      14. Fifa las vegas
                        • 11 Years
                        9 years, 10 months ago

                        23

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                      15. Colonel Wasabi
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 10 Years
                        9 years, 10 months ago

                        25

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                        1. Colonel Wasabi
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 10 Years
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          ...including this one

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                      16. Blue Lion
                        • 10 Years
                        9 years, 10 months ago

                        Alright...ok for all you bored people..
                        Name a country which has all the vowels in its name...
                        #cue googleanswerscomingup

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                        1. Captain Shirokov
                          • 12 Years
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          Mozambique, classic pub quiz question.

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                          1. Blue Lion
                            • 10 Years
                            9 years, 10 months ago

                            I actually stumbled upon this fact accidently while skimming thorugh the atlas when i was 6 years old.

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                            1. Bubz
                              • 10 Years
                              9 years, 10 months ago

                              😯

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                      17. Zombie
                        • 11 Years
                        9 years, 10 months ago

                        Anyone ready for an easy movie quiz?

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                        1. Blue Lion
                          • 10 Years
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          yep..but might get a lot of reply fails..
                          #crappynetwork

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                        2. Wilshere Knowledge
                          • 10 Years
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          il try

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                        3. Epic Fail
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 13 Years
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          Aye. Go on then.

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                        4. Zombie
                          • 11 Years
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          All right then..1st question coming up

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                      18. Epic Fail
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 13 Years
                        9 years, 10 months ago

                        Does anyone actually think Defoe should have been named in the 23? Seems he thinks he had a God given right to be picked.

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                        1. Blue Lion
                          • 10 Years
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          Well he did really good in Europa...

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                        2. Bubz
                          • 10 Years
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          No chance. No idea why he is shocked he wasn't picked. Doesn't play all season then fecks off to the micky mouse league.

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                        1. Epic Fail
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 13 Years
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          Wtf 😀

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                          1. Optimus.
                            • 13 Years
                            9 years, 10 months ago

                            I must try that sometime 🙂

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                        2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 14 Years
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          😆

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                        1. Bubz
                          • 10 Years
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          😆

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                        2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 14 Years
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          I fear that that may be a three year ban!!!

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                          1. Dino
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 14 Years
                            9 years, 10 months ago

                            When did they start handing out such severe bans for poor posts 😯

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                      19. Zombie
                        • 11 Years
                        9 years, 10 months ago

                        Movie Quiz Q1 of 10:

                        At what time Bill Murray wakes up daily when he is stuck at Groundhog Day?

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                        1. Wilshere Knowledge
                          • 10 Years
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          7:30

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                          1. Wilshere Knowledge
                            • 10 Years
                            9 years, 10 months ago

                            complete guess

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                        2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 14 Years
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          half-past-a-freckle.

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                        3. Epic Fail
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 13 Years
                          9 years, 10 months ago

                          6

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