World Cup 2014 – Dugout Discussion – Matchday 7, Day 1

The penultimate game of the 2014 World Cup gets underway this evening as hosts Brazil prepare to take on Holland in the third/fourth place play off. Humiliated by Germany in midweek, Phil Scolari’s side have the chance to salvage some pride in the 9pm kick-off, whilst Louis Van Gaal will be equally determined to end his stint at the Dutch helm in style before taking over at Manchester United:

Brazil: Cesar; Maicon, Silva, Luiz, Maxwell; Paulinho, Gustavo; Ramires, Oscar, Willian; Jo

Holland: Cillessen; Vlaar, De Vrij, Martins Indi; Kuyt, Clasie, Wijnaldum, Blind; Sneijder; Van Persie, Robben

Scolari wields the axe on the back of Tuesday’s 7-1 drubbing, making as many as six changes to his starting line-up. In defence, Thiago Silva is free from suspension and takes the place of Dante at centre-half, whilst Maxwell replaces Marcelo at left-back. Further up the pitch, Paulinho, Ramires, Willian and Jo get a chance to impress, with Fernandinho, Bernard, Hulk and Fred all dropped after disappointing displays last time around. With Neymar sidelined through injury, David Luiz and Oscar carry the main attacking threat for the hosts – both have found the net twice so far, with the latter also delivering a pair of assists.

Somewhat surprisingly, Van Gaal resists the temptation to freshen up his side after an energy-sapping 120 minutes against Argentina on Wednesday night produced a single shot on target. The Dutch boss make just two alterations, as Jordy Clasie and Jonathan de Guzman come in for Wesley Sniejder and the injured Nigel de Jong in central midfield, whilst Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie lead the line in a 3-4-1-2 formation once again. Neither player has scored since Matchday 2 but the duo will be looking to finish the tournament on a high against the hosts’ porous backline – bearing in mind the United man failed to register a single attempt against the South Americans, his Fantasy owners are desperate for an improvement.

1,567 Comments Post a Comment

LewanGOALski
9 years, 9 months ago
37 points lead in ML now. Though I'll sub off 12 of those in order to play my GER/ARG players. Am I generally secure to win the prize?
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Gatsby
9 years, 9 months ago
Im nearly exactly the same ahead. Was 45 but now 34.

Has your captain played already? I'll be changing to Hummels tomorrow, a big captain score could swing it, hopefully Hummels doesn't troll again.
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1. Jebus Saves
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Hummels has tendonitis in the knee...
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  1. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
    9 years, 9 months ago
    but he is fine to play
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    1. Jebus Saves
      9 years, 9 months ago
      Nothing comfirmed.
      
      I have him in my team but wouldn't bank on him starting.
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      1. Keepergirl
        9 years, 9 months ago
        Agree 100%
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The Sarjeant
9 years, 9 months ago
Pelle's a good signing for Southampton. If he's priced well enough I'll go for him. JRod will probably be replacing him though.
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1. goriuanx
  9 years, 9 months ago
  https://twitter.com/timbolton1/status/488027874667266048/photo/1
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  1. The Sarjeant
    9 years, 9 months ago
    Wheeeeeeeeey!
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  2. Jebus Saves
    9 years, 9 months ago
    Never heard of that lad in 4th?
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    1. goriuanx
      9 years, 9 months ago
      Real Sociedad I think
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Les Bleus
9 years, 9 months ago
Got Blind first sub in the mirror game. What are the chances Hummels doesn't play?
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1. LOCO ABREU
  9 years, 9 months ago
  everyone saying he will play
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  1. Jebus Saves
    9 years, 9 months ago
    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2125569-assessing-joachim-lows-options-if-mats-hummels-is-not-fit-for-world-cup-final
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LOCO ABREU
9 years, 9 months ago
Sold Wijnaldum for Willian in Fox ffs!
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Zasa
9 years, 9 months ago
Sky bet seem to have suspended betting on Vidal. Curious
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1. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
  9 years, 9 months ago
  hmm...must be coming to arsenal 😉
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  1. FPL Daniel
    9 years, 9 months ago
    Hey Aron how is that ankle feeling? Ready to be bargain of the season again?
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    1. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
      9 years, 9 months ago
      hey Daniel! ready for fpl to open? 😀
      
      my ankle is fine. we have started training and im in good shape, raring to go! this year I hope to stay injury free and win the premier league! personally, I would like to hit 20 goals for the season..
      
      thanks for the support 🙂
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Jebus Saves
9 years, 9 months ago
Indian guy has shot to the top of the McD league....17 points ahead....

Must have creamed the Netherlands goals/cs

Top 5

India
Argentina
USA
Netherlands
Brunei
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1. Frip
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Repping USA 🙂
  And I have no idea where that Indian guy came from
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  1. Jebus Saves
    9 years, 9 months ago
    Alright Frip...thought you had it in the bag earlier..;)
    
    The Indian lad must have had 10 or 11 Netherlands starters....fair play to him.....
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    1. Frip
      9 years, 9 months ago
      I hope you're right, in that case the rest of us can still catch up.. Looking back I certainly had lots of missed opportunities, but that's the joy (pain) of FPL 😀
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      1. Jebus Saves
        9 years, 9 months ago
        Must be the case. I didn't see him near me in rank and I was 33rd.
        
        I think most of us will have 6-9 players from the final game.
        
        It'll be a very tight call.... a brave captain choice...blocked shot......to decide it.
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Keepergirl
9 years, 9 months ago
Seems difficult for an ACM to get points unless they score or assist. 5 to 7 seems average.
With that in mind still struggling with whether to switch Clasie, with a respectable 7 points, for Kroos, who has been very average points wise unless he scores.
Thoughts or advice?
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1. Jebus Saves
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Kroos, Lahm and Muller are class players.
  
  If you have all 3 then and only 2 slots you have to gamble.
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2. wowor
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Im in the same boat. Drop Clasie and his 7 for either Khedira or Biglia or Perez? Or Keep the 7? Currently ahead but not by much so I may just do Khedira because that's the player most of my opponents will have playing. What do you think?
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  1. Keepergirl
    9 years, 9 months ago
    Just don't see a lot of goals. And no goals means no ACM points in McD
    So think I'm sticking with Cladie
    May regret it, but logic says stick.
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DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
9 years, 9 months ago
Too quieton here. Might as well enjoy the calm before the storm.
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Saniul
9 years, 9 months ago
Had Wijnaldum and Blind on my bench, down to OR 17 now. 🙁
Reminds me of the last FPL season again.
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1. Chu Young Ping Pong
  9 years, 9 months ago
  I sold Wijnaldum, Blind and RVP for Khedira, Rojo and Klose.
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CellinoArmy
9 years, 9 months ago
Big Dillemmas after a fantastic effort from my 6 Dutch Players, so the questions are..

a) Willian (5 points), stick or twist to Lahm.
b) Clasie (7 points), stick or twist to Biglia (if playing).
c) Lavezzi or Muller
d) Cillesen (10 points), stick or twist to Romero. (Have a feeling germany will get a lot of shots on target..)
e) Maxwell (5 points), definitely twisting but who to? Howedes or Rojo (if they play).
f) Finally, Captaincy, Blind netted a cool 14 points, but i have Muller, Kroos, Lahm, Howedes, Rojo. So stick or twist?
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1. emperikal
  9 years, 9 months ago
  a) Lahm
  b) Toss up... might want to risk it depending on your ambition/ML situation
  c) Muller
  d) Cillessen.. 10 points banked for your keeper is solid
  e) Twist to Howedes as apparently Rojo might miss out
  f) Stick
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2. wowor
  9 years, 9 months ago
  My thoughts.
  a. Lahm
  b. If ahead stick, if behind switch.
  c. mueller
  d. stick with Cillesen. risky to switch so only switch if you need hail mary.
  e. howedes (just going with historical points here)
  f. If you nailed Blind as captain you stay put! Congrats.
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3. Amateur Pundit Zan
  9 years, 9 months ago
  A twist
  B stick or twist to rojo if he plays and you can squeeze another defender out
  C muller
  D stick
  E howedes
  F stick for sure
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DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
9 years, 9 months ago
As the rest of the FFS community rests, one soldier continues pressing that f5 button on FPL. #dedication
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1. Billy Gilmore
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Go to sleep. It's not opening at 4am 😆
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  1. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
    9 years, 9 months ago
    But someone said it would 🙁
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    1. Jebus Saves
      9 years, 9 months ago
      it will open at 8am.
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      1. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
        9 years, 9 months ago
        *runs to petrol station to buy more Red Bull
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        Amateur Pundit Zan
        9 years, 9 months ago
        What happens if it opens while you are at the petrol station?
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Dangerous Dave
9 years, 9 months ago
Who do you guys think is the best captain for tomorrow? Kroos, Muller, Klose or Messi?
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1. ManofKent
  9 years, 9 months ago
  I'd punt on Muller, but if you're playing McD's have you got a defender you could cpt?
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2. Amateur Pundit Zan
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Muller from those but i agree with manofkent in mcdonalds defender probably a more reliable option
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DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
9 years, 9 months ago
30 mins left.....
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ManofKent
9 years, 9 months ago
Any idea what the cut off score for the top 500 is? Currently at 590 on 775.
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Arvin-ation
9 years, 9 months ago
Dropped out of the top 5 on the final round. Down to OR of 15 🙁
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1. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
  9 years, 9 months ago
  🙁
  
  at least you had a good go! blame those useless Brazilians lol
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  1. Arvin-ation
    9 years, 9 months ago
    Yeah, I guess. Well now I'll just hope Garay does soemthing special and I can squeeze my way into the top5/10.
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    1. ManofKent
      9 years, 9 months ago
      What score are you on? (and well done)
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      1. Arvin-ation
        9 years, 9 months ago
        294 I think. Horrendous considering that was the score No.1 was on at the end of the last round. 2 runaway leaders at the top though. 3rds way off. Really tight after that.
        
        Not having any Dutch defenders + Blind really screwed me over. + all the failed brazilian punts.
        
        Thanks mate 🙂
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    2. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
      9 years, 9 months ago
      garay hattie incoming 😉
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      1. Arvin-ation
        9 years, 9 months ago
        That might just propel me to the top 🙂 5 players left for me.
        
        What time do the baps come out in Aus AR?
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        Aaron Ramessi - Straya
        9 years, 9 months ago
        in between 4 30 and 5 30 pm Arvin 🙂
        
        Robben 3 nailed on
        If they did it properly id say Vlaar 2 and De Vrij 1...although RVP may get it (he did nothing except for the penalty)
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        Arvin-ation
        9 years, 9 months ago
        Really hoping for Robben 3, would help a bit.
        
        Hoping they screw up and just give Robben 3 and no one gets 2 and 1 😀 Don't want any RVP baps. Jo over RVP was a horrible decision. Should've knocked Depay out for Jo.
        
        Cheers
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Mr. Bean
9 years, 9 months ago
Can get into FPL now, no more maintenance re-direct.. just not any transfers. Can see last season's GW38 though! 🙂
(or is this old news?)
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1. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Old news but you can continue the shift from me when I finish at 4am. Remember to refresh twice every minute.
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Jebus Saves
9 years, 9 months ago
Into the top 5 🙂

1. India
2. Argentina
3. USA
4. Netherlands
5. Brunei

All to play for..
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1. Arvin-ation
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Nice! Good luck! How many points are you chasing?
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  1. Jebus Saves
    9 years, 9 months ago
    20 points....he came from nowhere though....must have taken a big gamble on the dutchy team.
    
    1. 857
    2. 840
    3. 838
    4. 838
    5. 837 😉
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mipola
9 years, 9 months ago
Keep (c) on vlarr(22 points) or twist to one of todays player?Leading my ML by 15 points and people below me will mostly change their captains.
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1. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
  9 years, 9 months ago
  stick
  
  let them take the risks...
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2. Amateur Pundit Zan
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Stick
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3. ManofKent
  9 years, 9 months ago
  I'd stick - if they captain a player with a good haul (13-14pts) you're still ahead, whereas you're captain choice could fail and come away with half what you've got.
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4. mipola
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Cheers guys!Will be sticking then,hope i win this.
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  1. ManofKent
    9 years, 9 months ago
    Good luck - you're in with a decent chance.
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    1. mipola
      9 years, 9 months ago
      Thanks! 🙂
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5. wowor
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Yeah, I got the same delimma. Stick with Vlarr at 22 or switch to any german defender, german mid or mueller? I'm ahead by a couple points and my main competitions are stacked with German players and 1 stacked with Argentina. I'm probably going to stick and hope Germany doesn't either clean sheet or get lots of goals. A 1-1 tie would be perfect or 2-1.
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Arvin-ation
9 years, 9 months ago
How's everyone doing in either game?
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1. ManofKent
  9 years, 9 months ago
  775 pts 590 ranks - hoping to squeeze into top 500...
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  1. Arvin-ation
    9 years, 9 months ago
    Nice! I'm around 2k 😆
    
    Good luck!
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2. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
  9 years, 9 months ago
  952 in McD
  527 in Fox
  
  hoping for top 500 in both but really I just want FPL to start! 😀
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  1. wowor
    9 years, 9 months ago
    Where can you see your ranking?
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    1. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
      9 years, 9 months ago
      for which game?
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  2. Arvin-ation
    9 years, 9 months ago
    Nice.
    
    Same! Really just need something to take my mind off the FOX fail 😆
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    1. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
      9 years, 9 months ago
      you should be pretty happy with the minimum top 20 finish - a springboard to greater feats in FPL perhaps 🙂
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      1. Arvin-ation
        9 years, 9 months ago
        Yeah, I guess, but it's just a little dissapointing when you do so well throughout the whole game and then drop down to 15 at the crucial moment. Especially when I could still win the prize money if I'm the 1st Australian resident. 😕
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        Aaron Ramessi - Straya
        9 years, 9 months ago
        yeah, I can see where you are coming from - so close yet so far
        
        shows just how much luck you need to win fantasy competitions - the best players usually are just very consistently near the top, but never actually win it 🙁
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3. Cheeseoid
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Summer off. Should arrive ready for next season refreshed
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4. Cristi@no R7
  9 years, 9 months ago
  778 points 498 rank...rank was at around 550...All twisting their teams soo early...Enjoying the rank coming up & up...! Hope i finish below 500...
  
  silva (6) twist to hummels or rojo...?
  
  oscar,gustavo(3) twist to kroos, lahm...?
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5. A Defender's Nightmare
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Shit
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Cheeseoid
9 years, 9 months ago
Hmm I am sure that page wasn't there last time I checked FPL. It now askes you to select FPL or UFP after the main front page
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1. Cheeseoid
  9 years, 9 months ago
  UFPL even
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2. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
  9 years, 9 months ago
  dun dun dun!!!! 😀
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  1. Cheeseoid
    9 years, 9 months ago
    Nobody calling themselves Dirty Sanchez yet? Missed opportunity if they don't
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    1. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
      9 years, 9 months ago
      ?
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ManofKent
9 years, 9 months ago
With Rojo, Hummels and Mascherano all minor doubts I'm half hoping they don't play to make selection easier.
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1. wowor
  9 years, 9 months ago
  I think I'm ahead so my goal is just to mirror my toughest competition from here on out to preserve the small lead.
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2. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
  9 years, 9 months ago
  its a world cup final - I cant see any of them not starting
  
  however there is a possibility of them hobbling out later
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3. Conrad.
  9 years, 9 months ago
  wouldnt mind Hummels not making it, as I would have De Vrij off my bench with a clean sheet.
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Sanguinista
9 years, 9 months ago
Looking for a differential Captain choice for tomorrow. Select one of -

A. Garay
B. Demi
C. Higuain
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1. Conrad.
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Garay. maybe he nicks a goal and you know he'll get def points against that German offense.
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2. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
  9 years, 9 months ago
  A or B for sure
  
  Garay has a better goal threat, but Demi gets more blocks/rbs...up to you what you are after
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  1. Sanguinista
    9 years, 9 months ago
    Ya, unfortunately I will have to bench Mueller to have a chance of beating my league leader
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    1. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
      9 years, 9 months ago
      why not just play him if you have the garay/demi differential? muller will do better than higuain I think
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      1. Sanguinista
        9 years, 9 months ago
        If I do, I surely wont beat him. I rather go down fighting than come 2nd 🙂
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3. A Defender's Nightmare
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Demi
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Conrad.
9 years, 9 months ago
Me and another guy are tied at the top of our minileague going into the game tmw! I'm stressin! 🙁

2 pts for starting a game
1 pt for sub appearance
2 pts for a clean sheet
-1 for goal conceded
2 pts for an assist
6 pts for midfield goal
4 pts for forward goal

who wins:
A) Hummels + Howedes + Dimichelis + Klose
B) Boateng + Kroos + Schurrle
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1. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
  9 years, 9 months ago
  A is most likely to win, however it is not out of the realms of possibility that B could win
  
  if Kroos/Schurrle don't score, A wins easily
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  1. A Defender's Nightmare
    9 years, 9 months ago
    Why the name change again?
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    1. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
      9 years, 9 months ago
      cheesoids comment above lol
      
      im a bit bored atm 😀
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A Defender's Nightmare
9 years, 9 months ago
Isn't it logical for them to release UFPL before FPL?
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1. TorresMagic™
  9 years, 9 months ago
  No.
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  1. Billy Gilmore
    9 years, 9 months ago
    I'd have said it would be.
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2. Piggs Boson
  9 years, 9 months ago
  With UFPL, they have to make sure they get the prices right, as money is involved. A later release will help this.
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  1. Billy Gilmore
    9 years, 9 months ago
    You don't think the prices will be the same?
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ryaninorbit
9 years, 9 months ago
Chances of Lavezzi not starting tomorrow? I've got to swap out Jo...
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Hitman MHK
9 years, 9 months ago
Just curios, on the McDonalds's game, if you try to change your formation once all your midfielders (eg) have played to a formation that requires one less midfielder (eg 442 to 433), what happens?
Does it remove one for you or is the option greyed out?

Damn curiosity...
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1. El Reagano
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Remove the least scoring mid and then change the formation else it'll remove the mid on the far right.
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  1. Billy Gilmore
    9 years, 9 months ago
    ^This, but it's impossible to unwillingly remove a player who has already played.
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    1. Hitman MHK
      9 years, 9 months ago
      Ah I see, thanks Billy 🙂
      Should've tried myself but the thought came too late! aha
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Beautiful Game
9 years, 9 months ago
How much did Wijnaldum and Blind score?
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1. CellinoArmy
  9 years, 9 months ago
  On Mc D's, 11 and 14.
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  1. Beautiful Game
    9 years, 9 months ago
    Would have never got Blind over Devrij and Vlaar but went for for Clasie instead of Wij 🙁
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    1. cylus11 ( Manager) - Russia…
      9 years, 9 months ago
      I too got Clasie for Wij. Btw how many pts did Wij score in MCD?
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      1. ryaninorbit
        9 years, 9 months ago
        Wijnaldum got 11pts.
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Beautiful Game
9 years, 9 months ago
Don't know why but I have a gut feeling that Lahm will score or assist today!!!
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1. Beautiful Game
  9 years, 9 months ago
  #Capitanlahm
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Piggs Boson
9 years, 9 months ago
I love the smell of napalm in the morning.
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1. Jafalad
  9 years, 9 months ago
  Is that code for cap'n Lahm?
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2. Aaron Ramessi - Straya
  9 years, 9 months ago
  apocalypse now 😎
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