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Dugout Discussion June 16

World Cup 2014 – Dugout Discussion – Matchday One, Day Five

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Fantasy managers are treated to a feast of football once again this evening, with a trio of fixtures on the agenda. Undoubtedly, the standout match is the 5pm kick-off, where Germany brace themselves for a tough opening showdown with Portugal:

Germany: Neuer; Boateng, Hummels, Mertesacker, Howedes; Lahm, Khedira, Muller, Ozil, Kroos; Gotze.

Portugal: Patricio; Pereira, Alves, Pepe, Coentrao; Veloso, Moutinho, Meireles; Nani, Almeida, Ronaldo.

Judging by the team sheets, Philipp Lahm is set to reprise his club role for the Germans, with the captain likely to be fielded in the centre of the park. Jerome Boateng and Benedikt Howedes are set to be handed the full-back roles, whilst further up the pitch, those recent rumours suggesting Mesut Ozil could be dropped turned out to be nothing more than red herrings – as many expected, the Arsenal man takes his place in the starting XI alongside Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos and Mario Gotze in the four attacking slots.

Portugal line up as expected. Cristiano Ronaldo recovers from injury to take his place on the left of a front three, with Nani wide right and Hugo Almeida handed the central role up top.

Later on, the second game in Group F gets underway at 8pm, where Iran and Nigeria go head-to-head. Both sides will be desperate for a win to boost their prospects of progressing, though with upcoming clashes against Argentina and Bosnia still to follow, neither of the underdogs have been subject to much Fantasy investment. Carlos Quieroz’ side are expected to park the bus and hit their opponents on the counter, though the Africans will be hoping the likes of John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses, Peter Odemwingie and Emmanuel Emineke can make the difference in the final third.

Our 11pm kick-off looks an even affair as Ghana square up to the USA. With both sides in the same group as Germany and Portugal, Fantasy investment has been minimal – Kevin Prince Boateng and Asamoah Gyan carry the main threat for Kwesi Appiah’s side, whilst Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley look the most likely for Jurgen Klinsmann’s troops.

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4,420 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Damo.
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Can we have a thread just for McD bashing. It's not going to get any better and another 3wks of moaning will get tiresome

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

      It's like burning your mouth on a hot apple pie.

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

      Is this what you want to do to Ronald? http://www.we-make-money-not-art.com/wow/0kirjankuvia_0090.jpg

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

      I'm actually surprised at how well a lot of people are coping with the utter shambles of the McDonalds game.

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

        It's kind of like playing on a dodgy pitch. Everyone has to deal with it. That's my take on the whole thing. Not that it doesn't get a wee frustrating at times.

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

          Yeah, it weeds out the casuals

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

      I am current world rank 84 ...so boooooooooooo and a +1 😉

      really annoyed with this formation change thingy

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  2. dribbler
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    repost is Hashem Beikzadeh not playing lads?

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

      Seems not

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

      No

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    3. sir_efo
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      He is NOT playing

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    4. dribbler
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      in fact the BBC FINALLY put up the full line ups

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      1. dribbler
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        thanks all

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

    Admit it.Without FFS, we would have stopped playing McD after a few days.
    #Pcs&Laptopsflyingoutofthewindow

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

      Part-timer

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

    If I put a player who plays tommorow in, can I put an Iranian defender instead and bring that player back in after the game???

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

      If you're asking what I think you're asking, then yes

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    2. dribbler
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      in McD if you transfer a player out he will be locked for this round whether he's played or not

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      1. dribbler
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        locked out

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

        Not quite. You can move players from your pitch to the bench if they haven't played yet, then bring them back in again before they play.

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        1. dribbler
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 10 months ago

          well have you actually done this? because my wife's team is quite a shambles and I think this happened to her

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

            I've done it, yes. I did it earlier to switch Bedoya and Beikzadeh so that Beik was on the right of my midfield.

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            1. dribbler
              • 14 Years
              9 years, 10 months ago

              well maybe I'm wrong then...the wife's mouse clicks are a bit of a mystery

              but if you use a PC and hover your mouse over a player you get a message that you won't be able to transfer a player back in once he's transferred out...this applies whether or not he's played

              it's very confusing anyway

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  5. Beautiful Game
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    KDB sure to start tomorrow? then i'll take a beikzadeh punt. quick!

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

      Who would you take out, how many points have they got?

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      1. Beautiful Game
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        5

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    2. dribbler
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      he's not playing

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      1. Beautiful Game
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        i know... just for fun... KDB backup... doesn't matter. time's up!!!

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

        If you're going to bring in KDB anyway, there's no harm in giving Beik a run-out. Could always score off the bench...

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

    Don't have Montazeri 🙁

    Looks like I'll be watching this game behind the couch

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    1. Camp No No
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Please come back if/when he gets a double haul! 😀

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

    So what's the deal with setting up a team for Round 2?

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

      Who knows?

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  8. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Iran kicking off?

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    1. Lucas Leiva
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah! 😀

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    2. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Yessssss..... Get in there...what a stupid bet but paid off

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      1. PGR
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Well done lad!!

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

          Ta

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

      congrats!

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

        Thanks

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  9. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    No fantasy interest here, so small bet on Nigeria just so I don't lose interest

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  10. Scoredelario
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    I think what McDonalds will learn from this is that sponsoring a fantasy football competition is a PR disaster waiting to happen.

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    1. dribbler
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      they're already big experts on negative brand loyalty at least

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

      There was a fair old shambles around the last one they sponsored and they haven't seemed to learn their lesson from that one.

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  11. Lucas Leiva
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    £50 on Nigeria to win @5/6
    £5 on Emenike FGS @6/1

    No Nigeria goals and I'm screwed 😆

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  12. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Feels weird having 2 non starting players in my team worth the risk though seen as though you can transfer out red carded players

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  13. TV Commentary heroes and villians
    Gnu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Hope Adrian Chiles gets the foreign reporter job at ITV, he can pop over to Syria and comment on what unfair criticism that nice chap Bashar Al-Assad seems to be getting. Get that chump away from football compering please.

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

      Indeed, the pundits and commentators are having a mare and trying to spoil a great World Cup so far.

      Who do we think has done well, though?

      Rio hasn't been as awful as I expected. Those expectations were very low to be honest but they were based on his Twitter persona which, thankfully, hasn't shown up in the studio.

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      1. dribbler
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        I like Phil Neville...you should get him on a podcast

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      2. MJ6987
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Gary Lineker has done well as usual - realises that he is not the main attraction, unlike Chiles

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

          Couldn't disagree more I'm afraid, sorry MJ but can't abide the man and his inappropriate "in"jokes trying to make himself look clever & funny. His handball comment to Henry put Henry in a difficult position. Would he have made just a glib & offending (to the Irish) comment to Maradonna? Don't think so.

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          1. dribbler
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 10 months ago

            well he did go to Maradonas house in Argentina and ask him about the hand of God

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

              Indeed

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      3. BONZ
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Henry has been top pundit so far....

        ITV have been awful - presenting whilst chilling on the beach was the worst.

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

        Everyone on BBC is better than everyone on ITV.

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      5. Gnu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Chiles especially, but Lineker, PNeville& Pearce have been woeful. Nobody springs to mind as being insightful or interesting to listen to.
        Need to think harder.
        We usually get very annoyed up here (Scotland) by the English bias but I feel there has been an attempt to correct that with a fair sprinkling of foreigners on the shows, not that they have all done well.

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      6. Damo.
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        On our coverage Eamon Dunphy has said he'll wear a dress into the studio if England make it to the quater finals. I think the whole country is hoping ye do now. Well, maybe not the whole country...

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      7. dmcqt
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Roberto Martinez has been consistently excellent on ESPN.

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      8. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        I have Andy gray and Richard keys with Michel solgado , Andy cole

        Top notch from bein sport

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

      Also the tired old stereotyping continues from the tired old commentators. Counted at least two 'efficients' from Andy Townsend to describe Germany yesterday. They are a team packed with flair, have been for years but all Townsend sees is the stereotype.

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

      BBC commentary during the England v Italy game:

      "England have had 50% of the game in this 2nd half......as have Italy"

      Quality stuff! How much do these guys get paid?

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

    Can you not take a midfielder out for a defender in the McDonalds game and just have your system update automatically?

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

      In short, no.

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

        When you take out a mid, you only have the option to bring in mids.

        When you change formation it will automatically drop the player on the right hand side of your midfield as you look at it.

        If the mid you want to take out is in another position, and you take them out, it will still drop the right side mid, and just give you a space in need of filling where you took the other mid out.

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

          Flippin eck! So unless the guy you want out just happens to be on the right hand side then you're best to just stick with the same system you started with?

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

            Yeah, although there is some (very limited) opportunity to position your players before they play in preparation for this...

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

              Yeah okay, cheers.

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

      Don't touch it!!

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  15. Cluckfuster
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Fox Fantasy Football...

    Is Gotze to Muller worth it, or am I just chasing points that won't be repeated?

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

      I went Gotze in most of my teams. I'm sticking - Germans will spread the goals I reckon and Muller might even get a rest on third game if they've the group won.

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  16. The Mighty Slovenian
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Any sad Ronaldo pics out yet?

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  17. crystalpalaceRus
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    HAGHIGHI SAVE YES

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  18. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Both Iran and Nigeria are strong at exploiting free kicks and corners so I expect a set play goal will be scored this evening.

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  19. BONZ
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Moses MOTM so far.....get voting

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  20. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Iran gk looks like Buffon.

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    1. BONZ
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      but playing like a Bufoon 😉

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  21. OShaughnessy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Who's gonna ride the Heydari - Haghighi train to Mickey D's World Cup glory with me?!?

    Choo-choo!

    Next stop the Fantasy Promise Land...

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    1. crystalpalaceRus
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      I got Haggy on

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  22. FlyingHamster
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Iran will have some advantage because I've been told that they have a hidden 12th player somewhere on the pitch.

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  23. MJ6987
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Money no object, who is the best Belgium player for goals and assists tomorrow?

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

      Lukaku

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    2. Declan
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Hazar'

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    3. SW6
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      De Bruyne

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    4. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Keep voting! I need a winner

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  24. Jimmers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    I hope Aguero takes it personally that he has been dropped from my McD team for Iran's Heydari. Maybe that's the kick up the backside he needs!

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    1. MJ6987
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      Could well be, you know

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    2. Declan
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      ^This

      *Montazeri

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  25. GOONER
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    I want to change my formation from 3-4-3 to 4-3-3, what will happen to my midfielders will I choose which one to go out, because some people are saying it will remove the player on the right?

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

      Listen to them

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      1. GOONER
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        This is ridiclous, I have Cuadrado on the right scoring 14 points, there must be sth wrong

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      2. GOONER
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 10 months ago

        Maybe I we sub out the player we want to remove before chaning the formation it will work out?

        Please guys if someone tries this strategy advice on how did it go!!!!

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        1. SW6
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 10 months ago

          Many have tried, it doesn't work

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

          It's been tried. It doesn't work.

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

            Jinx!

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    2. dribbler
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 10 months ago

      I'm pretty sure they're correct...EVERYONE I've seen post thinks this

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  26. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Montezeri blocked shot. 😀

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

      Kicked Valbuena out for him 😀

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  27. Pinky and Brain
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Ref has also Iran defender.

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  28. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    No chance Iran will keep CS here

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  29. john_t
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    I see red card(s) in this game.. Let's hope it's not Monty or Heydari...

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

      No biggy if it is, just transfer 'em out

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  30. shillso
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 10 months ago

    Do Ladbroke ' s only have MOTM available so many hours before a game?
    Can still bet for usa tonight but Belgium and Brazil tomorrow not available as far as I can see. 🙁

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